Category: The Kids Are All Right

Hi Kid Lit Friends!

Can you believe this is the last Tuesday of August? The next two months are big for children’s book publishing; lots of exciting new releases and fabulous titles! Get ready to put plenty of books on your TBR… As always, if I’ve had the chance to read one of these books and loved it, I marked it with a . Please note that all descriptions come from the publisher.

 

Picture Book New Releases

 A Stone Sat Still by Brendan Wenzel

A Stone Sat Still tells the story of a seemingly ordinary rock—but to the animals that use it, it is a resting place, a kitchen, a safe haven…even an entire world. This is a gorgeous exploration of perspective, perception, and the passage of time, with an underlying environmental message that is timely and poignant.

 Red House Tree House, Little Bitty Brown Mouse by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Bianca Gomez

A little mouse makes her way around the world, and invites preschoolers along as she sets out: Red house / Blue house / Green house / Tree house! / See the tiny mouse in her little brown house? Seamless, simple, and inspiring, the rhyming story abounds in concepts for the very young, with a particular focus on colors, and a delightful search-and-find element on every spread–the intrepid mouse herself!

 This Book of Mine by Sarah Stewart, illustrated by David Small

This Book of Mine is a celebration of the power of reading, of the ways in which books launch our adventures, give us comfort, challenge our imaginations, and offer us connection. From new mothers to fantasy lovers, butterfly hunters to musicians, the readers of This Book of Mine all share a common passion for favorite books―whether freshly discovered at the library or bookstore or saved from childhood and reread across a lifetime.

 Once Upon a Goat by Dan Richards, illustrated by Eric Barclay

Once upon a time, a very prim and proper king and queen begged their fairy godmother for a child. They’d prefer a boy, with glowing skin, bright eyes, and two roses for lips . . . but any kid will do. When they find themselves gifted with a baby goat (also known as a kid) instead, they can’t imagine how he’ll fit into their lives. But of course, it isn’t long before he’s part of the royal family.

Pepe and the Parade by Tracey Kyle, illustrated by Mirelle Ortega

Pepe wakes up energized to attend his first Hispanic Day parade. With new food to taste, music to dance to, and a parade to watch, Pepe couldn’t be more excited to celebrate and share his Hispanic heritage. Many of Pepe’s friends also attend the festival, celebrating their own Hispanic ties. Mexican, Dominican, Panamanian, Colombian, Honduran, Nicaraguan, Chilean, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran, Guatemalan, and Cuban cultures are all represented in the parade. A day filled with joy and pride, Pepe and the Parade is a jubilant celebration of culture and identity.

 Dias y dias, Days and Days by Ginger Foglesong Guy, illustrated by Rene King Moreno

Días y días y días pasan, hasta que pasan doce meses y cuatro estaciones. Amigos y familiares juegan en el sol, en la lluvia, en el viento y en la nieve. ¡Y entonces comienza un año nuevo!

Days and days and days go by, adding up to twelve months and four seasons. Friends and family play in sun and rain and wind and snow. And then, a new year starts again!

My Name is Wakawakaloch by Chana Steifel, illustrated by Mary Sullivan

No one can pronounce Wakawakaloch’s name. Why couldn’t she be called something simple . . . like Gloop? That’s a name you can find on a T-shirt! But after a visit with her tribe’s elder, Wakawakaloch discovers what her name means, and how powerful names can be. Gloop may be easy to say, but the girl who helps her friends embrace differences and wear their names proudly? Her name is Wakawakaloch!

 

Middle Grade New Releases

 Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj

Karina Chopra would have never imagined becoming friends with the boy next door–after all, they’ve avoided each other for years and she assumes Chris is just like the boys he hangs out with, who she labels a pack of hyenas. Then Karina’s grandfather starts tutoring Chris, and she discovers he’s actually a nice, funny kid. But one afternoon something unimaginable happens–the three of them are assaulted by a stranger who targets Indian-American Karina and her grandfather because of how they look. Her grandfather is gravely injured and Karina and Chris vow not to let hate win. When Karina posts a few photos related to the attack on social media, they quickly attract attention, and before long her #CountMeIn post–“What does an American look like? #immigrants #WeBelong #IamAmerican #HateHasNoHomeHere”–goes viral and a diverse population begin to add their own photos. Then, when Papa is finally on the road to recovery, Karina uses her newfound social media reach to help celebrate both his homecoming and a community coming together.

 Dough Boys by Paula Chase

Deontae “Simp” Wright has big plans for his future. Plans that involve basketball, his best friend, Rollie, and making enough money to get his mom and four younger brothers out of the Cove, their low-income housing project. Long term, this means the NBA. Short term, it means being a dough boy—getting paid to play lookout and eventually moving up the rungs of the neighborhood drug operation with Rollie as his partner. Roland “Rollie” Matthews used to love playing basketball. He loved the rhythm of the game, how he came up with his best drumbeats after running up and down the court. But playing with the elite team comes with extra, illegal responsibilities, and Rollie isn’t sure he’s down for that life. The new talented-and-gifted program, where Rollie has a chance to audition for a real-life go-go band, seems like the perfect excuse to stop being a dough boy. But how can he abandon his best friend?

 The Fresh New Face of Griselda by Jennifer Torres

Griselda “Geez” Zaragoza has a love for beautiful things, like her collection of vintage teacups and the flower garden she and her dad planted in the front yard. But when his business fails, Griselda loses not just her home, but also her confidence and her trust in her unflappable parents. Tagging along with big sister Maribel, who postponed college for a job selling Alma Cosmetics, Geez dreams up a way to reclaim the life she thinks she lost. If she can sell enough tubes of glistening, glittery Alma lip gloss, she’ll win a cash prize that could help jump start her dad’s business.

The Spinner of Dreams by K.A. Reynolds

Annalise Meriwether—though kind, smart, and curious—is terribly lonely. Cursed at birth by the devious Fate Spinner, Annalise has always lived a solitary life with her loving parents. She does her best to ignore the cruel townsfolk of her desolate town—but the black mark on her hand won’t be ignored. Not when the monster living within it, which seems to have an agenda of its own, grows more unpredictable each day.

My Life as Ice Cream Sandwich by Ibi Zoboi

Twelve-year-old Ebony-Grace Norfleet has lived with her beloved grandfather Jeremiah in Huntsville, Alabama ever since she was little. As one of the first black engineers to integrate NASA, Jeremiah has nurtured Ebony-Grace’s love for all things outer space and science fiction—especially Star Wars and Star Trek. But in the summer of 1984, when trouble arises with Jeremiah, it’s decided she’ll spend a few weeks with her father in Harlem.

Brave the Page by Rebecca Stern and Grant Faulker

Partly a how-to guide on the nitty-gritty of writing, partly a collection of inspiration to set (and meet) ambitious goals, Brave the Page is the go-to resource for middle-grade writers. Narrated in a fun, refreshingly kid-friendly voice, it champions NaNoWriMo’s central mission that everyone‘s stories deserve to be told. The volume includes chapters on character, plot, setting, and the like; motivating essays from popular authors; advice on how to commit to your goals; a detailed plan for writing a novel or story in a month; and more!

The Battle by Karuna Riazi

Twelve-year-old Ahmad Mirza struggles to make friends at his new middle school, but when he’s paired with his classmate Winnie for a project, he is determined to impress her and make his very first friend. At home while they’re hard at work, a gift from big sister Farah—who is away at her first year in college—arrives. It’s a high-tech game called The Battle of Blood and Iron, a cross between a video game and board game, complete with virtual reality goggles. He thinks his sister has solved his friend problem—all kids love games. He convinces Winnie to play, but as soon as they unbox the game, time freezes all over New York City.

Dead Voices by Katherine Arden

Having survived sinister scarecrows and the malevolent smiling man in Small Spaces, newly minted best friends Ollie, Coco, and Brian are ready to spend a relaxing winter break skiing together with their parents at Mount Hemlock Resort. But when a snowstorm sets in, causing the power to flicker out and the cold to creep closer and closer, the three are forced to settle for hot chocolate and board games by the fire. Ollie, Coco, and Brian are determined to make the best of being snowed in, but odd things keep happening. Coco is convinced she has seen a ghost, and Ollie is having nightmares about frostbitten girls pleading for help. Then Mr. Voland, a mysterious ghost hunter, arrives in the midst of the storm to investigate the hauntings at Hemlock Lodge. Ollie, Coco, and Brian want to trust him, but Ollie’s watch, which once saved them from the smiling man, has a new cautionary message: BEWARE.

King of the Mole People by Paul Gilligan

Doug Underbelly is doing his best to be normal. It’s not easy: he’s bad at jokes, he’s lousy at sports, and he lives in a creaky old mansion surrounded by gravestones. Also Magda, the weird girl at school, won’t leave him alone. And if that weren’t enough, he recently got crowned King of an underground race of Mole People. Doug didn’t ask to be king―it’s a job he can’t really avoid, like the eel sandwiches his dad makes for him (with love). If he thought dealing with seventh grade was tricky, it’s nothing compared to navigating the feud between Mole People, Slug People, Mushroom Folk and Stone Goons, not to mention preventing giant worms from rising up and destroying everything. How will Doug restore order? It’s all a matter of diplomacy!

Benchwarmers by John Feinstein

Twelve-year-old Jeff Michaels, son of a Philadelphia TV sports reporter, is just learning to play soccer on the new sixth-grade team at his middle school. Andrea Carillo has fought her way onto the squad, but the coach doesn’t think girls should play with boys, so she’s riding the bench with Jeff―even though she’s one of the best players. With Jeff’s help, the Philly media gets ahold of the story, and suddenly Andi is all over the news as she shows her worth on the soccer field. But amid bullies, threats, and a media firestorm, will Andi’s skills and Jeff’s perseverance be enough to save the season?

Hoax for Hire by Laura Martin

The McNeil family has always been professional hoaxers—tricking bystanders into believing they’re seeing legendary creatures like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster. Unlike the rest of his family, twelve-year-old Grayson hates hoaxing and wants nothing to do with the business—even when the McNeils land a huge job and must pull off four sea monster hoaxes in a week. But when things go disastrously wrong and Dad and Gramps go missing, Grayson and his brother, Curtis, are the only people who can finish the job and save their family.

 

Graphic Novel New Releases

 Best Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham

Sixth grade is supposed to be perfect. Shannon’s got a sure spot in the in-crowd called The Group, and her best friend is their leader, Jen, the most popular girl in school. But the rules are always changing, and Shannon has to scramble to keep up. She never knows which TV shows are cool, what songs to listen to, and who she’s allowed to talk to. Who makes these rules, anyway? And does Shannon have to follow them?

 

What are you reading these days? I want to know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next time!
Karina

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Hi Kid Lit Friends!

Happy Sunday to you all! I hope you are enjoying these last days of August. I would also like to wish a wonderful start to the school year for all those this applies to!

Today’s list features books with foster care themes, including some great new middle grade books. My incredible sister-in-law and brother-in-law and their five kids recently went through foster care training in Maryland earlier this year and are currently fostering infants, so I have been thinking about foster care a lot. Check these books out and let me know what you think. (And if you are interested in fostering kids, check out www.AdoptUsKids.org for more information.)

 

Picture Books

The Red Thread by Grace Lin

A king and queen should be full of joy and contentment, but they both feel a strange pain that worsens every day. Then a peddler’s magic spectacles reveal a red thread pulling at each of their hearts. The king and queen know they must follow the thread.

A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza

Choco wishes he had a mother, but who could she be? He sets off to find her, asking all kinds of animals, but he doesn’t meet anyone who looks just like him. He doesn’t even think of asking Mrs. Bear if she’s his mother-but then she starts to do just the things a mommy might do. And when she brings him home, he meets her other children-a piglet, a hippo, and an alligator-and learns that families can come in all shapes and sizes and still fit together.

 

Middle Grade Books

Half a World Away by Cynthia Kadohata

Eleven-year-old Jaden is adopted, and he knows he’s an “epic fail.” That’s why his family is traveling to Kazakhstan to adopt a new baby–to replace him, he’s sure. And he gets it. He is incapable of stopping his stealing, hoarding, lighting fires, aggressive running, and obsession with electricity. He knows his parents love him, but he feels…nothing. When they get to Kazakhstan, it turns out the infant they’ve traveled for has already been adopted, and literally within minutes are faced with having to choose from six other babies. While his parents agonize, Jaden is more interested in the toddlers. One, a little guy named Dimash, spies Jaden and barrels over to him every time he sees him. Jaden finds himself increasingly intrigued by and worried about Dimash. Already three years old and barely able to speak, Dimash will soon age out of the orphanage, and then his life will be as hopeless as Jaden feels now. For the first time in his life, Jaden actually feels something that isn’t pure blinding fury, and there’s no way to control it, or its power.

The Echo Park Castaways by M.G. Hennessey

Nevaeh, Vic, and Mara are veterans of the Los Angeles foster care system. For over a year they’ve been staying with Mrs. K in Echo Park. Vic spends most of his time living in a dream world, Mara barely speaks, and Nevaeh is forced to act as a back-up parent. Though their situation isn’t ideal, it’s still their best home yet. Then Child Protective Services places Quentin in the house, and everything is turned upside down. Nevaeh really can’t handle watching over anyone else, especially a boy on the autism spectrum. Meanwhile, Quentin is having trouble adjusting and attempts to run away. So when Vic realizes Quentin just wants to see his mom again, he plans an “epic quest” to reunite them. It could result in the foster siblings getting sent to different group homes. But isn’t family always worth the risk?

All the Impossible Things by Lindsay Lackey (9/3/19, Roaring Brook Press)

Red’s inexplicable power over the wind comes from her mother. Whenever Ruby “Red” Byrd is scared or angry, the wind picks up. And being placed in foster care, moving from family to family, tends to keep her skies stormy. Red knows she has to learn to control it, but can’t figure out how. This time, the wind blows Red into the home of the Grooves, a quirky couple who run a petting zoo, complete with a dancing donkey and a giant tortoise. With their own curious gifts, Celine and Jackson Groove seem to fit like a puzzle piece into Red’s heart. But just when Red starts to settle into her new life, a fresh storm rolls in, one she knows all too well: her mother. For so long, Red has longed to have her mom back in her life, and she’s quickly swept up in the vortex of her mother’s chaos. Now Red must discover the possible in the impossible if she wants to overcome her own tornadoes and find the family she needs.

Extraordinary Birds by Sandy Stark-McGinnis

December believes she is a bird. The scar on her back is where her wings will sprout, and one day soon, she will soar away. It will not matter that she has no permanent home. Her destiny is in the sky. But then she’s placed with foster mom Eleanor, a kind woman who volunteers at an animal rescue and has secrets of her own. December begins to see that her story could end a different way – but could she ever be happy down on the ground?

Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

When Lonnie was seven years old, his parents died in a fire. Now he’s eleven, and he still misses them terribly. And he misses his little sister, Lili, who was put into a different foster home because “not a lot of people want boys-not foster boys that ain’t babies.” But Lonnie hasn’t given up. His foster mother, Miss Edna, is growing on him. She’s already raised two sons and she seems to know what makes them tick. And his teacher, Ms. Marcus, is showing him ways to put his jumbled feelings on paper.

Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

Twelve-year-old Lonnie is finally feeling at home with his foster family. But because he’s living apart from his little sister, Lili, he decides it’s his job to be the “rememberer”—and write down everything that happens while they’re growing up. Lonnie’s musings are bittersweet; he’s happy that he and Lili have new families, but though his new family brings him joy, it also brings new worries. With a foster brother in the army, concepts like Peace have new meaning for Lonnie.

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Carley uses humor and street smarts to keep her emotional walls high and thick. But the day she becomes a foster child, and moves in with the Murphys, she’s blindsided. This loving, bustling family shows Carley the stable family life she never thought existed, and she feels like an alien in their cookie-cutter-perfect household. Despite her resistance, the Murphys eventually show her what it feels like to belong–until her mother wants her back and Carley has to decide where and how to live. She’s not really a Murphy, but the gifts they’ve given her have opened up a new future.

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Ten-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him. So begins a new adventure for Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan—and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?

Pavi Sharma’s Guide to Going Home by Bridget Farr (9/17, Little, Brown)

Twelve-year-old Pavi Sharma is an expert at the Front Door Face: the perfect mix of puppy dog eyes and a lemonade smile, the exact combination to put foster parents at ease as they open their front door to welcome you in. After being bounced around between foster families and shelter stays, Pavi is a foster care expert, and she runs a “business” teaching other foster kids all she has learned. With a wonderful foster family in mom Marjorie and brother Hamilton, things are looking up for Pavi. Then Pavi meets Meridee: a new five-year-old foster kid, who is getting placed at Pavi’s first horrendous foster home. Pavi knows no one will trust a kid about what happened on Lovely Lane, even one as mature as she is, so it’s up to her to save Meridee.

 

I would love to know what you are reading this week! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next time!
Karina

My 11yo daughter is at a music camp in Massachusetts for two weeks, and last Saturday we visited for her mid-camp concert. The B&B we stayed at had sheep! They were so cute!

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Hi, Kid Lit friends!

Happy Tuesday! Before I get to today’s new releases, let me chat about some of the releases from this month that I’ve been excited about.

I really enjoyed Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Keith Mallett, is a nonfiction picture book that tells the story of how the Black National Anthem came to be and how it influenced the lives of five generations of a family. It’s beautifully written and illustrated, and I learned a lot about the history of this song.

 

Senorita Mariposa by Ben Gundersheimer, illustrated by Marcos Almada Rivero is a vibrant, fun picture book about the migration patterns of monarch butteries that travel from Canada to Mexico every year. I love that this book is written in both Spanish and English!

 

How Do You Dance? by Thyra Heder is an ADORABLE picture book about dancing! Heder is one of my favorite illustrators (you’ve heard me gush about her book, Alfie, many times on this newsletter), and she depicts all the different ways people dance in such a fun way. I love this book!

 

Capstone Publishers has also released two new chapter book series this month: My Furry Foster Family by Debbie Michiko Florence, illustrated by Melanie Demmer, and Sadiq and the Desert Star by Simon Nuurali and illustrated by Anjan Sarkar. For those of you looking for chapter books for burgeoning young readers, these would be great additions to your home or school library.

Alright… today’s new releases! As always, if I’ve had the chance to read one of these books and loved it, I marked it with a . Please note that all descriptions come from the publisher.

Picture Books

 Hats Are Not for Cats! by Jacqueline K. Rayner

A  big, severe, plaid-hat-wearing dog insists that the small black cat in the red fez shouldn’t be wearing a hat—any kind of hat—because hats are for dogs. His patronizing tirade doesn’t convince this cat, however. Defiantly, she wears an assortment of hats, described in the gleeful rhyming text, and brings in other cats to join the protest. The silliness of both text and pictures offers a cheerful take on bossiness and managing conflict, with a win-win resolution.

Frankie’s Favorite Food by Kelsey Garrity-Riley

Frankie has a problem: he has too many favorite foods. He can’t bring himself to choose just one to be for the school play, so on the day of the performance, he’s still without a costume. His teacher comes up with a delicious idea: what if Frankie becomes the Costume Manager? That way, he can parlay his love of all things culinary into the whole production. From adding some last-minute garnishes to helping the rice and beans into their costumes, Frankie shines backstage until he has a brilliant idea and decides to make his debut on the menu as something that combines his love for all his favorite foods . . .

Tractor Mac: Autumn is Here by Billy Steers

Fergus the calf doesn’t want autumn to come to Stony Meadow Farm. Not if it means the cornstalks are cut, the trees lose their leaves, and his bird friends migrate away. Why can’t things just stay the same? But with the help of Tractor Mac and the rest of his friends, Fergus realizes that there are plenty of fun things about autumn, too, as he learns to appreciate what makes each season special.

Bad Kitty: Searching for Santa by Nick Bruel

Kitty wants to write a letter.
Actually, she wants to write a letter to Santa.
But has Kitty been good this year?
Hmmm . . . Kitty’s not so sure.

She writes the letter anyway and is soon on her way to meet Santa in real life at the mall! Will she make it in time? Will Santa give Kitty what she’s asking for?

Saving the Tasmanian Devil by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent (nonfiction)

In 1995, a deadly disease began sweeping across the Australian island state of Tasmania, killing every infected Tasmanian devil.  The disease moved so fast that some scientists feared the species would be wiped out in the wild within a few decades. Where did this disease, named Devil Facial Tumor Disease, come from?  What caused it—a virus, bacteria, or something else?  How did it pass from one devil to another?  What could be done to fight it? When author Dorothy Hinshaw Patent learned of the race to save the devil from her friend, Australian geneticist Jenny Graves, she felt compelled to travel to Australia to learn firsthand from scientists what they were finding out about these iconic Tasmanian animals and what they were doing to help it from disappearing in the wild.

Middle Grade Books

The Cryptid Keeper by Lija Fisher

Life has gotten complicated for thirteen-year-old Clivo Wren. After taking up his deceased father’s mission to find the extraordinary creature whose blood grants everlasting life, Clivo is spending his summer not at camp or hanging out with his friends, but jetting all over the world tracking cryptids―while keeping his aunt Pearl in the dark about his dangerous adventures. At the same time, a shocking development unveils the truth about Clivo’s enemies, and the cryptids themselves are posing trouble at every turn. With the help of his crew of Myth Blasters, Clivo is going to need all of the tools, gadgets, and training he has to prevent the immortal cryptid from falling into the wrong hands―and to keep Aunt Pearl off the case.

Babysitting Nightmares: The Twilight Curse by Kat Shepherd

When the town’s old movie palace is converted into a theater, Maggie is thrilled to get a job helping with the first stage production. Even though she’s just babysitting an actor’s daughter, Maggie is determined to learn everything she can about acting. But a devilish ghoul seems to have other plans for the performance! It’s up to Maggie, Clio, Rebecca and Tanya to investigate. Can they vanquish the threat in time for opening night?

 

What are you reading these days? I want to know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next time!
Karina

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hi Kid Lit Friends!

I’m back! Many thanks to the incredible Liberty Hardy who took over for a couple of weeks while I recovered from eye surgery. She is the best! I’m sure you enjoyed her incredible book recommendations as well as photos of her cats. If you want to see more from her, be sure to follow her on Twitter at @MissLiberty and on Instagram at @FranzenComesAlive. You can also listen to her fantastic Book Riot podcast, All the Books, here.

Okay, I am very excited to be back because guess what? Ann M. Martin’s Baby-Sitter’s Club books – all 131 of them – are now available as audiobooks! Audible released them last week on August 13th, with books 1-5 performed by Elle Fanning. Audible sent me a sneak peek of the first book, Kristy’s Great Idea, and the tenth book, Logan Likes Mary Anne! They are super fun to listen to and a great addition to all of the new Babysitter’s Club media out there. And whew, listening to them took me way back to when I devoured this series as a young reader!

In addition to the original books, the books have been adapted into graphic novels by Raina Telgemeier and Gale Galligan. I love these graphic novel adaptations and think it’s so great to see so many young readers today being introduced to this wonderful series. My kids, ages 9 and 11, love these books and have even started reading the original books after being introduced to them as graphic novels.

AND… did you know that Netflix is adapting the books into a 10-part series?

Read more about the announcement here!

All right, enough geeking out about my favorite childhood book series; let me share a little bit about what I’ve been reading these past few weeks. The most important and thought-provoking book I read was An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People, adapted by Jean Mendoza and Debbie Reese from the adult book by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. This is a must-read book for everyone. I learned so much about indigenous peoples’ history, and I am appalled by the huge gap in my education when it comes to this part of United States history. I am so grateful that this book exists and that my kids will be more well informed about indigenous history than I was.

When I was on vacation in Maine last month, I went to many indie bookstores and bought some awesome picture books. One of those books was Babymoon by Hayley Barrett, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. This is such a sweet story about a new baby’s arrival. The word babymoon was originally coined by midwives to describe days at home with a newborn, with the world held at bay and the wonder of a new family constellation unfolding. This is such a lovely book, perfect for gift giving to new parents.

This fantastic book by Jennifer Thermes is perfect for anyone who loves New York City, history, and maps! Manhattan: Mapping the Story of an Island, is absolutely fantastic and so interesting. Thermes is a master map illustrator (she did the maps for the Vanderbeeker books!), and she covers topics such as immigration, the slave trade, and the people who built New York City. She demonstrates how a street plan projected the city’s future, and how epic fires and storms led to major feats of engineering above and below ground. Highly recommended!

I would love to know what you are reading this week! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next time!
Karina

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hi Kid Lit Friends!

Hello again! It’s still me, Liberty. Karina needed a little more time, but she will hopefully be back next week. Thank goodness, because no one knows more about children’s books at Book Riot than her! Until then, here are a few great books to check out while you try and soak up a few more of these beautiful summer days. (Please note that all descriptions come from the publisher.)

Picture Book New Releases

I’m a Gnome! by Jessica Peill-Meininghaus (Author), Poly Bernatene (Illustrator)

Join Gnome (that’s spelled G-N-O-M-E–don’t ask why the G is silent!) as he travels through the magical forest to attend the annual Gnome Festival.

Along the way he encounters elves, dwarves, trolls, and fairies. But don’t be mistaken. He is NOTHING like those magical creatures. Well, maybe he is . . . but only a little bit!

When Gnome finally arrives at the festival, he realizes that all the traits he thought made gnomes different from the others actually made them alike–and that’s just fine.

Common Threads: Adam’s Day at the Market by Huda Essa (Author), Mercè Tous (Illustrator)

Adam and his family spend an exciting day at the colorful and bustling Eastern Market. But when Adam gets briefly separated from Mom and Dad, he mistakes a friendly, diverse cast of characters for his parents in their traditional Muslim clothing–and shows that we all have more in common than you might think. This nearly-wordless picture book celebrates diversity and community in vibrant, dynamic art.

As Warm As the Sun by Kate McMullan (Author), Jim McMullan (Illustrator)

French bulldogs Toby and Pinkie learn to live together and form a heartwarming friendship.

Toby loves basking in the morning sun, snuggling in a lap in the afternoon, and toasting his tummy by the fireside at night, but somehow his warm spots never last. What Toby wants more than anything is to find something as warm as the sun that never fades or fizzles.

Then one day, Pinkie comes along, and she starts hogging all of Toby’s favorite places. Toby feels alone and forgotten, and slinks away. . . but Pinkie follows him, determined to prove that she is the something as warm as the sun Toby has been looking for all along.

If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen (Author, Illustrator)

If Jack built a school, there would be hover desks and pop-up textbooks, skydiving wind tunnels and a trampoline basketball court in the gym, a robo-chef to serve lunch in the cafeteria, field trips to Mars, and a whole lot more. The inventive boy who described his ideal car and house in previous books is dreaming even bigger this time.

Riding a Donkey Backwards: Wise and Foolish Tales of Mulla Nasruddin by Sean Taylor (Author), Khayaal Theatre Company (Author), Shirin Adl (Illustrator)

Would you like to know how a thief can turn into a donkey? Whether a cow can climb a pole? Or why you should spoon yogurt into a lake? Mulla Nasruddin knows all the answers, and he might also tell you why he rides his donkey backwards. Whether in the guise of an imam in a mosque or a beggar in the street, this trickster is never at a loss for a rejoinder, though it may leave you scratching your head, rolling your eyes, or laughing out loud. Enjoy twenty-one classic tales about a much-loved character from Muslim cultures in a book packed with jokes, riddles, and wisdom and paired with vibrant, theatrical illustrations.

Why? by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (Author, Illustrator)

Bear just wants to water his flowers, but Rabbit needs to know: why? Bear is looking forward to a peaceful night of stargazing, but all Rabbit cares about is: why?

As the two friends spend time together through spring, summer, and into fall, Rabbit persistently and simply asks Bear why, encouraging the reader to figure out for themselves the reason for each question that Bear patiently answers, over and over again. . . until there’s a question that he has no answer for.

DUCK! by Meg McKinlay (Author), Nathaniel Eckstrom (Illustrator)

In this funny nod to Chicken Little, a quiet afternoon on the farm might be the scene of a barnyard disaster waiting to happen.

When Duck runs around the farm shouting “DUCK!” to the other animals, they grow exasperated as they haughtily explain to Duck which animal is which. Unfortunately, something is falling from the sky. But perhaps “DUCK!” isn’t the best warning. Perhaps what Duck should have said is . . . “RUN!”

Arnica, the Duck Princess by Ervin Lazar (Author), Jacqueline Molnar (Illustrator), Anna Bentley (Translator)

Princess Arnica is so sweet and gentle that when she smiles even wolves and bears forget their fierceness. Everyone loves her, but she loves only Poor Johnny. Luckily, he loves her too, and even more luckily she has a very sensible king for a father, who is happy for her to marry whomever her heart desires. So, no problems then?

Well, maybe just one – The Witch with a Hundred Faces has cast a spell on Arnica and Johnny which means that one of them, at any one time, must always be a duck, and the other human! Who can help them? Only the Seven-headed Fairy. Will they be able to find her? You’ll just have to read the book and find out!

Spot & Dot by Henry Cole (Author, Illustrator)

In Henry Cole’s vivid wordless picture book Spot, the Cat, readers joined Spot on a journey through a city that began with him following a bird outside his window.

This time, a dog named Dot draws Spot from his window. As we follow Spot and Dot on their wordless journey, we quickly realize that it’s Dot the dog who is missing this time, and Spot is trying to get her back home. We follow these two on a different journey through the city as they weave in and out of a bakery, a library, a busy park, and more. And with a surprise twist at the end, we realize that “home” for both cat and dog was never very far away.

Chapter Book New Releases

Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls by Dav Pilkey (Author, Illustrator)

The Supa Buddies have been working hard to help Dog Man overcome his bad habits. But when his obsessions turn to fears, Dog Man finds himself the target of an all-new supervillain! Meanwhile, Petey the Cat has been released from jail and starts a new life with Li’l Petey. But when Petey’s own father arrives, Petey must face his past to understand the difference between being good and doing good.

Middle Grade New Releases

The Curse of the Werepenguin by Allan Woodrow

All orphan Bolt Wattle has ever wanted was to find his true family. When a mysterious baron in far-off Brugaria sends for Bolt, he wonders if he’s getting closer to finding his long-lost parents. But Baron Chordata appears to be a twelve-year-old boy who wears tuxedos all the time, shouts at everyone, and forbids Bolt from asking questions. Things couldn’t get any worse . . . until midnight, when the Baron bites Bolt and turns him into a half boy, half penguin. Then things really couldn’t get worse– nope, wait, they get a lot worse.

A Slip of a Girl by Patricia Reilly Giff

A heart-wrenching novel in verse about a poor girl surviving the Irish Land Wars, by a two-time Newbery Honor-winning author.

For Anna, the family farm has always been home… But now, things are changing.

Anna’s mother has died, and her older siblings have emigrated, leaving Anna and her father to care for a young sister with special needs. And though their family has worked this land for years, they’re in danger of losing it as poor crop yields leave them without money to pay their rent.

When a violent encounter with the Lord’s rent collector results in Anna and her father’s arrest, all seems lost. But Anna sees her chance and bolts from the jailhouse. On the run, Anna must rely on her own inner strength to protect her sister–and try to find a way to save her family.

Ghost: Thirteen Haunting Tales to Tell by Illustratus

A finger against the inside of a mirror… a wood where the trees look back… a basement door blocked by a brick wall so thick, it stifles the screams from below … This original collection of chilling poems and tales contains the only true ghost stories in existence (as the book itself will tell you)—13 eerie encounters perfect for sharing…if you dare. Accompanied by striking illustrations and building to a truly spine-tingling conclusion, this haunting book will consume the imagination and keep readers of every age up long past their bedtimes.

Stay by Bobbie Pyron

Piper’s life is turned upside down when her family moves into a shelter in a whole new city. She misses her house, her friends, and her privacy—and she hates being labeled the homeless girl at her new school.

But while Hope House offers her new challenges, it also brings new friendships, like the girls in Firefly Girls Troop 423 and a sweet street dog named Baby. So when Baby’s person goes missing, Piper knows she has to help. But helping means finding the courage to trust herself and her new friends, no matter what anyone says about them—before Baby gets taken away for good.

Ghost and Bone by Andrew Prentice

Oscar Grimstone is a normal kid—aside from his secret Curse. Whenever he touches something living, like a flower or his classroom goldfish, they always seem to die. But then Oscar discovers an even bigger secret: even though he is very much alive, he has the ability to transform into a ghost.

Just when he thinks things can’t get any stranger two ghosts show up at his home in a skeleton carriage and he winds up joining them on a journey beyond the real world to a place he never knew existed—the city of ghosts. There Oscar will discover a place where people go once they die, before they aboard a ship to the The Other Side. But will he find out who he really is?

Percy Jackson and the Olympians The Last Olympian: The Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan (Author), Robert Venditti (Author), Orpheus Collar (Illustrator), Antoine Dodé (Illustrator)

All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of victory are grim. Krono’s army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, the evil Titan’s power only grows. While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it’s up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time.

Nonfiction New Releases

Just Like Beverly: A Biography of Beverly Cleary by Vicki Conrad (Author), David Hohn (Illustrator)

As a young girl, Beverly Cleary struggled to learn to read and found most children’s books dull and uninteresting. She often wondered if there were any books about kids just like her. With hard work, and the encouragement of her parents and a special teacher, she learned to read and at a young age discovered she had a knack for writing.

Beverly Cleary’s story comes to life in this narrative nonfiction picture book as she grows to follow her dreams of writing the books she longed for as a child, becoming an award-winning writer and one of the most famous children’s authors of all time.

It Rained Warm Bread: Moishe Moskowitz’s Story of Hope by Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet (Author), Hope Anita Smith (Author), Lea Lyon (Illustrator)

A powerful middle grade novel-in-verse about one boy’s experience surviving the Holocaust.

Moishe Moskowitz was thirteen when the Nazis invaded Poland and his family learned the language of fear. The wolves loomed at every corner, yet Moishe still held on to the blessings of his mother’s blueberry pierogis, of celebrating the Sabbath as a family, of a loyal friend. But each day the darkness weighed more heavily on Moishe as his family was broken, uprooted, and scattered across labor and concentration camps. Just as his last hopes began to dim, a simple act of kindness redeemed his faith that goodness could survive the trials of war: That was the day it rained warm bread.

Our World Is Relative by Julia Sooy (Author), Molly Walsh (Illustrator)

Size, speed, weight, direction, distance
We think of space and time as fixed and measurable.

But these measurements―our experience of space and time―they are relative.

Our world is relative.

With simple, engaging text and vibrant art imbued with light and movement, Our World Is Relative offers a child’s-eye view of time, space, and the vast role that relativity plays in comprehending our world. It’s an introduction to Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity, perfect for any curious young scientist.

The Very Short, Entirely True History of Unicorns by Sarah Laskow (Author), Sam Beck (Illustrator)

Are unicorns real? Their popularity and enduring role in human culture certainly is. How can you win a fight against a unicorn? Why do some unicorns have wings? Why are unicorns often pictured with rainbows? Get answers to these questions and more in this fun look at unicorns throughout history. This four-color, fully illustrated book provides everything you always wanted to know about the myths, science, and history that surround the unicorn, a creature that has grown even more popular in the twenty-first century. With its stylish design and fresh, captivating illustrations, The Very Short, Entirely True History of Unicorns will appeal to readers–children and adults alike–who can’t get enough of the world’s most elusive animal.

A Likkle Miss Lou: How Jamaican Poet Louise Bennett Coverley Found Her Voice by Nadia Hohn (Author), Eugenie Fernandes (Illustrator)

This picture book biography tells the story of Miss Lou’s early years, when she was a young girl who loved poetry but felt caught between writing “lines of words like tight cornrows” or words that beat “in time with her heart.” Despite criticism from one teacher, Louise finds a way to weave the influence of the music, voices, and rhythms of her surroundings into her poems.

A vibrant, colorful, and immersive look at an important figure in Jamaica’s cultural history, this is also a universal story of a child finding and trusting her own voice. End matter includes a glossary of Jamaican patois terms, a note about the author’s “own voice” perspective, and a brief biography of Miss Lou and her connection to Canada, where she spent 20 years of her life.

Like a Girl by Lori Degman (Author), Mara Penny (Illustrator)

Once upon a time, “like a girl” was considered an insult. Not anymore! In art, aviation, politics, sports, every walk of life, girls are demonstrating their creativity, perseverance, and strength. From civil rights activist Rosa Parks, who stood up for her beliefs by staying seated, to astronaut Sally Ride, who soared to the skies, the 24 women profiled here took risks, acted up, broke barriers, and transformed the world. With its simple yet powerful text, this book will inspire young women everywhere.

Science Comics: Cats: Nature and Nurture by Andy Hirsch (I LOVE THIS BOOK! – Liberty)

In Andy Hirsch’s Science Comics: Cats, we meet feline friends from the tiniest kodkod to the biggest tiger, and find out what makes your neighborhood domestic cats so special. Equipped with teeth, claws, and camouflage to survive everywhere from deserts to mountaintops, how did these ferocious felines make the leap from predators to playmates… and are they even done leaping?

My Grandma and Me by Mina Javaherbin (Author), Lindsey Yankey (Illustrator)

While Mina is growing up in Iran, the center of her world is her grandmother. Whether visiting friends next door, going to the mosque for midnight prayers during Ramadan, or taking an imaginary trip around the planets, Mina and her grandma are never far apart. At once deeply personal and utterly universal, Mina Javaherbin’s words make up a love letter of the rarest sort: the kind that shares a bit of its warmth with every reader. Soft, colorful, and full of intricate patterns, Lindsey Yankey’s illustrations feel like a personal invitation into the coziest home, and the adoration between Mina and her grandma is evident on every page.

Rise!: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou by Bethany Hegedus (Author), Tonya Engel (Illustrator)

Writer, activist, trolley car conductor, dancer, mother, and humanitarianMaya Angelou’s life was marked by transformation and perseverance. In this comprehensive picture-book biography geared towards older readers, Bethany Hegedus lyrically traces Maya’s life from her early days in Stamps, Arkansas through her work as a freedom fighter to her triumphant rise as a poet of the people.

A foreword by Angelou’s grandson, Colin A. Johnson, describes how a love of literature and poetry helped young Maya overcome childhood trauma and turn adversity into triumph. Coupled with Tonya Engel’s metaphorical and emotive illustrations, this biography beautifully conveys the heartaches and successes of this truly phenomenal woman, and is a powerful tribute to the written word.

Code Like a Girl: Rad Tech Projects and Practical Tips by Miriam Peskowitz

In this book, you’ll learn how to:
– Code with Scratch–projects like making a dog walk through the park, sending your friend a card, and devising a full-scoring game!
– Build your own computer–really!
– Create your own digital fortune-teller, with the Python language.
– Make your own smartphone gloves.
– Make light-up bracelets.
– Code a motion sensor that tells you when someone enters your room.
– And lots more!

Even though she’s off this week, Karina would love to know what you are reading! Find her on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email her at karina@bookriot.com.

Thanks for hanging out!

Liberty

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hi Kid Lit Friends!

Happy August! It’s me, Liberty, again. Karina was unable to join us again this week, but she will hopefully be back next week. For my theme today, I am doing books about dragons! I am super into grown-up dragon books this year, maybe because there have been so many of them published. So I thought I would share a few dragon books for kids, too! My favorite book featuring a dragon is probably The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch, but I am a big fan of many of these, as well. (Please note that all descriptions come from the publisher.)

Before we get to the new releases, Karina wanted me to share an exciting cover reveal with you! Trowbridge Road by Marcella Pixley and published by Candlewick Press is a middle grade novel coming out in May 2020. Ziggy and June Bug live in Newton Highlands, Massachusetts, which seems like a perfect neighborhood filled with perfect families. But there are secrets hiding behind closed doors. As they learn to trust each other, each shares what they have never told to anyone else. Will June Bug have the courage to tell her story more widely, expose the painful truth, and maybe even save herself?

Find Trowbridge Road by Marcella Pixley on May 12, 2020!

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin (Author), Daniel Salmieri (Illustrator)

Dragons love tacos. They love chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos, and teeny tiny tacos. So if you want to lure a bunch of dragons to your party, you should definitely serve tacos. Buckets and buckets of tacos. Unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa. And if a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa . . . oh, boy. You’re in red-hot trouble.

The Dragon Slayer: Folktales from Latin America by Jaime Hernandez (Author, Illustrator)

How would a kitchen maid fare against a seven-headed dragon? What happens when a woman marries a mouse? And what can a young man learn from a thousand leaf cutter ants? Famed Love and Rockets creator Jaime Hernandez asks these questions and more as he transforms beloved myths into bold, stunning, and utterly contemporary comics. Guided by the classic works of F. Isabel Campoy and Alma Flor Ada, Hernandez’s first book for young readers brings the sights and stories of Latin America to a new generation of graphic-novel fans around the world.

Dear Dragon: A Pen Pal Tale by Josh Funk (Author), Rodolfo Montalvo (Illustrator)

A sweet and clever friendship story in rhyme, about looking past physical differences to appreciate the person (or dragon) underneath.

George and Blaise are pen pals, and they write letters to each other about everything: their pets, birthdays, favorite sports, and science fair projects. There’s just one thing that the two friends don’t know: George is a human, while Blaise is a dragon! What will happen when these pen pals finally meet face-to-face?

Seagull & Sea Dragon by Sydni Gregg (Author, Illustrator)

Meet Seagull.
Meet Sea Dragon.
One comes from the sky.
One comes from the sea.

And both are scared of the other’s world.

But when they meet, they discover they might have more in common than they ever imagined.

Debut author-illustrator Sydni Gregg beautifully illustrates the idea that sometimes new friends can come from unlikely and unexpected places.

There’s a Dragon in Your Book by Tom Fletcher (Author), Greg Abbott (Illustrator)

First, there’s an egg in your book. Then the cutest baby dragon you’ve ever seen hatches from it. But don’t tickle its nose, and whatever you do, don’t let it sneeze! ACHOO! OH MY!

Tom Fletcher’s infectious read-aloud invites kids to use their powers of imagination–along with some stamping, blowing, and flapping–to save their book from an adorable little dragon’s flammable sneezes! Children will be delighted to participate in this satisfying tale, a sequel toThere’s a Monster in Your Book.

Dragon Was Terrible by Kelly DiPucchio (Author), Greg Pizzoli (Illustrator)

We all know dragons are terrible, but this one is especially terrible. He scribbles in books. He steals candy from baby unicorns. He even burps in church. Seriously, who does that? Dragon, that’s who. The king, the knights, and the villagers are desperate to take down this beast once and for all. But sometimes it’s up to the unlikeliest of heroes to tame a dragon this terrible.

Not Your Typical Dragon by Dan Bar-el (Author), Tim Bowers (Illustrator)

Everybody knows your typical dragon breathes fire.

But when Crispin tries to breathe fire on his seventh birthday, fire doesn’t come out—only whipped cream! Each time Crispin tries to breathe fire, he ends up with

Band-Aids

marshmallows

teddy bears?

Crispin wonders if he’ll ever find his inner fire. But when a family emergency breaks out, it takes a little dragon with not-so-typical abilities to save the day.

Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library by Julie Gassman (Author), Andy Elkerton (Illustrator)

Have you ever thought about bringing your dragon to the library? Don’t do it! You might have the best intentions, but that dragon will cause nothing but trouble. Using rhyming text and a diverse cast of characters, this charming picture book will provide some important―and some not so important―library etiquette in a very entertaining way.

Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles by Patricia Valdez (Author), Felicita Sala (Illustrator)

Back in the days of long skirts and afternoon teas, young Joan Procter entertained the most unusual party guests: slithery and scaly ones, who turned over teacups and crawled past the crumpets…. While other girls played with dolls, Joan preferred the company of reptiles. She carried her favorite lizard with her everywhere–she even brought a crocodile to school!

When Joan grew older, she became the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum. She went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo, including a home for the rumored-to-be-vicious komodo dragons. There, just like when she was a little girl, Joan hosted children’s tea parties–with her komodo dragon as the guest of honor.

Dragons Eat Noodles on Tuesdays by Jon Stahl (Author), Tadgh Bentley (Illustrator)

“Once upon a time,” begins the big blue monster who is trying to tell a fabulous story. “It needs to be about a kid who is eaten by a dragon,” he insists.

But his little monster friend is not convinced that this is a good idea. “Dragon stories usually don’t end well,” he warns.

As the two monsters argue over how the story should go, a hungry dragon named Dennis is listening nearby. Dennis knows exactly how this story should go… And by the way, what day is it?

Watch out!

Baby Dragon, Baby Dragon! by Melissa Marr (Author), Lena Podesta (Illustrator)

A dauntless lass and a hyperactive dragon learn to keep pace with each other as they forge a friendship.

Baby Dragon loves to swoop and soar through the kingdom, which can cause quite a stir. But one little girl is up for the challenge of spending the day with Baby Dragon, and the two embark upon an exciting journey through the kingdom, where they run and race and climb and explore–and eventually even take the time to relish a quiet moment. New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr has crafted a rollicking story about how the best friendships expand our horizons in all kinds of ways!

There’s No Such Thing as a Dragon by Jack Kent (Author, Illustrator)

When Billy Bixbee finds a tiny dragon in his bedroom, his mom tells him, “There’s no such thing as a dragon!” This only makes the dragon get bigger. He grows, and grows, and grows, until he’s bigger than Billy’s house—and that’s just the beginning!

A funny, madcap story and playful illustrations by beloved author-illustrator Jack Kent pair in a book that will have children wondering if maybe friendly pet dragons do exist after all!

Even though she’s out still out, Karina would love to know what you are reading this week! Find her on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email her at karina@bookriot.com.

Have a great week!

Liberty

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hi Kid Lit Friends!

Happy August! It’s me, Liberty. I’m stepping in so Karina can have a little break, but don’t worry, she’ll be back soon. Thank goodness, because no one knows more about children’s books at Book Riot than her! Until then, here are a few great books to check out while you glide through these last few weeks before school starts again. (Please note that all descriptions come from the publisher.)

Picture Book New Releases

Alfred’s Book of Monsters by Sam Streed (Author, Illustrator)

After reading about the slimy Nixie, the angry Black Shuck, and the creepy Lantern Man in his beloved Book of Monsters, Alfred decides to invite the monsters to teatime with his crusty old aunty, who thinks monsters are an improper obsession for a respectable young boy.

My Tiny Pet by Jessie Hartland (Author, Illustrator)

Living in a tiny house has one huge drawback–no space for pets. So when a little girl’s parents announce that it’s time for the family to simplify, downsizing from a huge home in the city to a tiny house in the woods, it’s quite a blow–after all, she’s grown quite fond of her pet poodles, cats, tarantula, snake, hedgehogs, mice, birds, fish, octopus, rabbits, pony, pig, and turtles. Fortunately, she finds them all good homes, and she has to admit that she enjoys her new simpler life.
There’s just one thing: She still really wants just one pet.
At first the answer is no. But using a little scientific savvy, she finds one that could be just the right fit–how could anyone turn down a pet smaller than an ant’s eye that doesn’t need special food or toys or walking, and will always be small enough to squeeze into their home, no matter how much they downsize?

The Evil Princess vs. the Brave Knight (Book 1) by Jennifer Holm (Author), Matthew Holm (Illustrator)

Meet the Evil Princess and the Brave Knight. She casts terrible spells, while he fights dragons. He rescues cats in distress, while she makes mischief. No wonder there isn’t much peace in this kingdom! But is the Evil Princess really so evil? And is the Brave Knight truly as chivalrous as he seems? Children and parents will laugh at seeing familiar family dynamics play out in this charming and imaginative new story.

The Buddy Bench by Patty Brozo (Author), Mike Deas (Illustrator)

Having seen what being left out is like, children become agents of change, convincing their teacher to let them build a buddy bench. A school playground can be a solitary place for a kid without playmates; in one survey, 80 percent of 8- to 10-year-old respondents described being lonely at some point during a school day. Patty Brozo’s cast of kids brings a playground to raucous life, and Mike Deas’s illustrations invest their games with imaginary planes to fly, dragons to tame, and elephants to ride. And these kids match their imaginations with empathy, identifying and swooping up the lonely among them.

The Halloween Tree by Susan Montanari (Author), Teresa Martinez (Illustrator)

A charming, funny, and warm-hearted picture book that will help to start a new tradition.

Everyone knows most young saplings dream of becoming Christmas trees. But one grumpy, old tree who doesn’t like lights, decorations, or people is determined to be different. Get ready to meet The Halloween Tree!

Class Clown by Robert Munsch (Author), Michael Martchenko (Illustrator)

Leonardo has been funny since he was born: he was a funny baby, he was a funny toddler, he was a funny first-grader. But now, his teacher Mrs. Gomez asks him to stop being funny so that the class can learn. He tries his best, but he just has to make a funny face, then tell a funny joke, and then show a funny drawing – with predictable results. And when he finally seriously promises faithfully never to be funny again, he makes the teacher laugh so hard she falls down on the floor laughing!

Middle Grade New Releases

Rise of the Dragon Moon by Gabrielle K. Byrne

The princess of a frozen queendom fights to free her mother from the clutches of terrifying dragons in Rise of the Dragon Moon, a middle grade fantasy debut from Gabrielle K. Byrne.

Princess Toli may be heir to the throne, but she longs to be a fierce hunter and warrior. Alone in a frozen world, her queendom is at the mercy of the dragons that killed her father, and Toli is certain it’s only a matter of time before they come back to destroy what’s left of her family.

When the dragons rise and seize her mother, Toli will do anything to save her―even trust a young dragon who may be the only key to the Queen’s release.

Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya

Emilia Torres has a wandering mind. It’s hard for her to follow along at school, and sometimes she forgets to do what her mom or abuela asks. But she remembers what matters: a time when her family was whole and home made sense. When Dad returns from deployment, Emilia expects that her life will get back to normal. Instead, it unravels.

Dad shuts himself in the back stall of their family’s auto shop to work on an old car. Emilia peeks in on him daily, mesmerized by his welder. One day, Dad calls Emilia over. Then, he teaches her how to weld. And over time, flickers of her old dad reappear.

The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf

There used to be an empty chair at the back of Mrs. Khan’s classroom, but on the third Tuesday of the school year a new kid fills it: nine-year-old Ahmet, a Syrian refugee.

The whole class is curious about this new boy–he doesn’t seem to smile, and he doesn’t talk much. But after learning that Ahmet fled a Very Real War and was separated from his family along the way, a determined group of his classmates bands together to concoct the Greatest Idea in the World–a magnificent plan to reunite Ahmet with his loved ones.

Balancing humor and heart, this relatable story about the refugee crisis from the perspective of kids highlights the community-changing potential of standing as an ally and reminds readers that everyone deserves a place to call home.

Extraordinary: A Story of an Ordinary Princess by Cassie Anderson

While her sisters were blessed at birth with exceptional skills, Princess Basil’s “gift” is to be ordinary. But can a princess be ordinary? Inspired by M. M. Kaye’s beloved novel!

After escaping an unconventional kidnapping, Princess Basil finds herself far from her castle and must take fate into her own hands. She tracks down the fairy godmother who “blessed” her, and learns the solution to her ordinariness might be as simple as finding a magic ring. With an unlikely ally in tow, she takes on gnomes, a badger, and a couple of snarky foxes in her quest for a less ordinary life.

The 47 People You’ll Meet in Middle School by Kristin Mahoney

Discover the ins and outs of middle school in this guide from an older sister to her younger sister. From tackling a new building to meeting new people like the assistant principal, the class pet, the Huggers, the renegade, the tomato kid, your old best friend’s new best friend, this is a must-read for everyone starting middle school.

With wit and warmth, Kristin Mahoney, author of Annie’s Life in Lists, delivers heartwarming, pitch-perfect advice, ideal for anyone nervously approaching middle school.

All in a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World by Lori Alexander (Author), Vivien Mildenberger (Illustrator)

Microbes are everywhere: in the soil and oceans, in snow, and inside our bodies. But in Antony van Leeuwenhoek’s time, people believed that what they saw with their own eyes was all that existed in the world. How did a simple tradesman—who didn’t go to college or speak English or Latin like all the other scientists—change everyone’s minds?

Proving that remarkable discoveries can come from the most unexpected people and places, this eye-opening chapter book, illustrated with lively full-color art, celebrates the power of curiosity, ingenuity, and persistence.

Nonfiction New Releases

A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero by Gina Capaldi (Author, Illustrator)

This story reveals the remarkable life of a Native American boy named Wassaja, or “Beckoning,” who was kidnapped from his Yavapai tribe and sold as a slave. Adopted by an Italian photographer in 1871 and renamed Carlos Montezuma, the young boy traveled throughout the Old West, bearing witness to the prejudice against and poor treatment of Native Americans. Carlos eventually became a doctor and leader for his people, calling out for their rights. Gina Capaldi’s exquisite paintings bring to life excerpts from Dr. Carlos Montezuma’s own letters describing his childhood experiences. The culminating portrait provides an inventive look back into history through the eyes of a Native American hero.

Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations by Kelly Starling Lyons (Author), Keith Mallett (Illustrator)

A captivating and child-friendly look at the extraordinary journey that monarch butterflies take each year from Canada to Mexico; with a text in both English and Spanish.

Rhyming text and lively illustrations showcase the epic trip taken by the monarch butterflies. At the end of each summer, these international travelers leave Canada to fly south to Mexico for the winter–and now readers can come along for the ride! Over mountains capped with snow, to the deserts down below. Children will be delighted to share in the fascinating journey of the monarchs and be introduced to the people and places they pass before they finally arrive in the forests that their ancestors called home.

Manhattan: Mapping the Story of an Island by Jennifer Thermes

Told in dazzling maps and informative sidebars, Manhattan explores the 400+ year history of Manhattan Island.

From before its earliest settlement to the vibrant metropolis that exists today, the island of Manhattan has always been a place of struggle, growth, and radical transformation. Humans, history, and natural events have shaped this tiny sliver of land for more than 400 years. In Manhattan, travel back in time to discover how a small rodent began an era of rapid change for the island. Learn about immigration, the slave trade, and the people who built New York City. See how a street plan projected the city’s future, and how epic fires and storms led to major feats of engineering above and below ground. Through dramatic illustrations, informative sidebars, and detailed maps inspired by historic archives, Manhattan explores the rich history that still draws people from all around the world to the island’s shores today. From The Battery downtown up to Inwood, every inch of the island has a story to tell.

Stories for South Asian Supergirls by Raj Kaur Khaira

Through the inspirational stories of 50 famous and under-celebrated women from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, South Asian girls will have a chance to dream about lives for themselves that radically differ from the limited narratives and stereotypes written for them by their culture, wider society and the mainstream media.

Even though she’s off this week, Karina would love to know what you are reading! Find her on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email her at karina@bookriot.com.

Thanks for hanging out!

Liberty

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hi Kid Lit Friends!

Happy August! It’s me, Liberty. I’m stepping in so Karina can have a little break, but don’t worry, she’ll be back soon. For my theme today, I am doing books about the Tooth Fairy! It was actually María Cristina’s idea, because we were talking about how much we love Tallulah the Tooth Fairy CEO, which you’ll see below, along with a bunch of other fun books! I had no idea there were so many books about the Tooth Fairy. Have fun brushing up on them! (Sorry not sorry.) (Please note that all descriptions come from the publisher.)

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What Does the Tooth Fairy Do With Our Teeth? by Denise Barry (Author), Andy Boerger (Illustrator)

What does the Tooth Fairy do with our teeth? Lots of things! From the sparkles in the snow to the stars in the sky–see all the amazing, magical, unique things the Tooth Fairy does with our teeth in this award winning book.

The Tooth Fairy Meets El Raton Perez by Rene Colato Lainez (Author), Tom Lintern (Illustrator)

The Tooth Fairy has some competition.

Meet El Ratón Pérez, the charming and adventurous mouse who collects children’s teeth in Spain and Latin America.

When both the Tooth Fairy and El Ratón Pérez arrive to claim Miguelito’s tooth, sparks fly under the Mexican-American boy’s pillow. Who will rightfully claim his tooth?

This magical tale introduces a legendary Latino character to a new audience and provides a fresh take on the familiar
childhood experience of losing one’s tooth.

Pete the Cat and the Lost Tooth (My First I Can Read) by James Dean (Author, Illustrator)

In Pete the Cat and the Lost Tooth, the tooth fairy asks Pete for some help. But it’s not easy being the tooth fairy for Pete when a tooth goes missing—will he be able to find the lost tooth before it’s too late?

Beginning readers will love Pete’s adventure as the tooth fairy in this My First I Can Read story, complete with original illustrations from the creator of Pete the Cat, James Dean. My First I Can Read books are perfect for shared reading with a child.

Tallulah the Tooth Fairy CEO by Dr. Tamara Pizzoli (Author), Federico Fabiani (Illustrator)

Hilarious and smart, Tallulah the Tooth Fairy CEO is a modern take on the classic tooth fairy story by Tamara Pizzoli with illustrations by Federico Fabianiis that is perfect for powerful little leaders ready to take on the world―one tooth at a time.

Meet Tallulah. She’s the Tooth Fairy CEO. Tallulah knows practically everything about being a tooth fairy. How to collect teeth. Dispense money. Train other fairies. And it’s all in the Teeth Titans Incorporated Employee Manual.

But when something happens that’s not covered in the manual, what’s a fairy to do?

The Night Before the Tooth Fairy by Natasha Wing (Author), Barbara Johansen Newman (Illustrator)

It wiggles, and waggles, and wiggles some more, but this little boy’s stubborn tooth just won’t come out! He hopes it will fall out soon, because he can’t wait to meet the Tooth Fairy! This humorous tale based on Clement C. Moore’s classic poem is a perfect addition to the best-selling series.

The Berenstain Bears and the Tooth Fairy by Jan Berenstain (Author, Illustrator), Mike Berenstain (Author, Illustrator)

When Sister Bear notices that she has a loose tooth, she can’t wait for it to fall out so that the Tooth Fairy will come and leave a quarter under her pillow. But then Sister finds out that her best friend, Lizzy Bruin, got even more for the last tooth she lost! What is the Tooth Fairy thinking? Mama and Papa give her good advice while Sister waits for the Tooth Fairy’s next visit.

How to Trick the Tooth Fairy by Erin Danielle Russell (Author), Jennifer Hansen Rolli (Illustrator)

From the coauthor of Dork Diaries comes a witty and engaging picture book about a prankster who wants to pull off the best prank of all—pranking the Tooth Fairy!

Kaylee loves pulling pranks: from dropping water balloons on passers by to even tricking Santa Claus, she’s a prize-winning prankster!

But is she the Princess of Pranks? No! That title is held by none other than the Tooth Fairy. But when Kaylee loses a tooth and the Tooth Fairy goes about her usual tooth-taking business, Kaylee pranks her with a fake frog. As Kaylee and the Tooth Fairy try to out-prank one another, things get way out of hand, until the two finally see eye and eye and decide to share the crown!

You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? by Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt (Author), David Slonim (Illustrator)

All over America, kids are losing their teeth. And who is there to gather them up, leaving coins in their places? The Tooth Fairy, of course! A self-described “action kind of gal” with plenty of attitude, she reveals her secrets at last. Learn about her amazing Tooth-o-Finder. Marvel at her ingenious flying machine. Watch her in action, dodging dogs and cats and gerbils. You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? is the essential guide for every kid about to lose a tooth. And don’t forget, February is National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Anna and the Tooth Fairy by Maureen Wright (Author), Anna Chernyshova (Illustrator)

Anna has a loose tooth—and the Tooth Fairy will be coming to visit soon! As Anna’s excitement grows, she realizes that Sophie, her baby sister, must be a Tooth Fairy in training. Sophie is always up at night, her rattle looks just like a magic wand, and she’s even learning to fly! So Anna begins to teach her little sister all the skills she’ll need to be the best Tooth Fairy ever. But what will happen when Sophie is no longer in training? Will she go away? It’s up to the big sister to make sure that never happens!

How to Catch the Tooth Fairy by Adam Wallace (Author), Andy Elkerton (Illustrator)

Losing a tooth is an exciting and notable event in the life of a child – what will the tooth fairy bring? Following up on the New York Times best-seller How to Catch a Leprechaun, this book presents a wonderfully creative opportunity for children and parents to have fun and celebrate together.

How to catch the Tooth Fairy?
It’s not an easy task.
You can try to catch her,
but she is just too fast!

Even though she’s out this week, Karina would love to know what you are reading this week! Find her on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email her at karina@bookriot.com.

Have a great week!

Liberty

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hi Kid Lit Friends!

It’s the last Tuesday of July, and I’ve got some great new releases to share with you if your summer TBR pile is getting low. Check these out and let me know what you think! As always, if I’ve had the chance to read one of these books and loved it, I marked it with a . Please note that all descriptions come from the publisher.

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Picture Book New Releases

 Tallulah the Tooth Fairy CEO by Dr. Tamara Pizzoli, illustrated by Federico Fabiani

Meet Tallulah. She’s the Tooth Fairy CEO. Tallulah knows practically everything about being a tooth fairy. How to collect teeth. Dispense money. Train other fairies. And it’s all in the Teeth Titans Incorporated Employee Manual. But when something happens that’s not covered in the manual, what’s a fairy to do?

 I Got Next by Daria Peoples-Riley

Time to play! Put your game face on, play to win. Fight, all the way to the end. A young basketball player practices on the playground, preparing for an upcoming pickup game while his shadow urges him to play hard and leave his heart on the court. As the boy dribbles and weaves, shoots and scores, his shadow gives him the encouragement he needs to overcome pregame jitters and join the competition.

The Littlest Witch by Brandi Dougherty, illustrated by Jamie Pogue

In this companion to The Littlest Mummy, Mae the Mummy’s friend Wilma is the littlest witch in the Spooky Woods. She may be little, but Wilma knows this is the year she’ll be able to fly with her family in the big broom-flying demonstration! But even though she knows the flying routine by heart, Wilma just isn’t able to fly yet. Will Wilma be able to find a way to participate in the broom-flying fun, or is the littlest witch still too little?

 

Chapter Book New Releases

 Diary of an Ice Princess: Snow Place Like Home by Christina Soontornvat

Princess Lina has a life any kid would envy. She lives in a massive palace in the clouds. Everyone in her family has the power to control the wind and weather. On a good day, she can even fly! She loves making lemons into lemon ice, riding wind gusts around the sky, and turning her bedroom into a real life snow globe. There’s just one thing Lina wants: to go to regular, non-magical school with her best friend Claudia. She promises to keep the icy family secret under wraps. What could go wrong? (EVERYTHING!)

The Big Idea Gang: Bee the Change by James Preller

After Kym and Lizzie get the awesome opportunity to visit a bee colony, they realize all the wonderful things bees do! But how can it be that these amazing insects are disappearing? And what will happen to our food chain without the great pollinators buzzing about? If only everyone else at Clay Elementary could understand how important the bees are for the environment! Now that’s a big idea that needs to be shared! With the help of Connor and Deon, Kym and Lizzie set out to show their school the beauty of bees, and use their powers of persuasion to make a difference in the world.

 

Middle Grade New Releases

 For Black Girls Like Me by Mariama J. Lockington

Makeda June Kirkland is eleven years old, adopted, and black. Her parents and big sister are white, and even though she loves her family very much, Makeda often feels left out. When Makeda’s family moves from Maryland to New Mexico, she leaves behind her best friend, Lena― the only other adopted black girl she knows― for a new life. In New Mexico, everything is different. At home, Makeda’s sister is too cool to hang out with her anymore and at school, she can’t seem to find one real friend. Through it all, Makeda can’t help but wonder: What would it feel like to grow up with a family that looks like me?

 The Hero Next Door, edited by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

Not all heroes wear capes. Some heroes teach martial arts. Others talk to ghosts. A few are inventors or soccer players. They’re also sisters, neighbors, and friends. Because heroes come in many shapes and sizes. But they all have one thing in common: they make the world a better place. Published in partnership with We Need Diverse Books, this vibrant anthology features thirteen acclaimed authors whose powerful and diverse voices show how small acts of kindness can save the day. So pay attention, because a hero could be right beside you. Or maybe the hero is you.

Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christian McKay Heidicker, illustrated by Junyi Wu

The haunted season has arrived in the Antler Wood. No fox kit is safe. When Mia and Uly are separated from their litters, they discover a dangerous world full of monsters. In order to find a den to call home, they must venture through field and forest, facing unspeakable things that dwell in the darkness: a zombie who hungers for their flesh, a witch who tries to steal their skins, a ghost who hunts them through the snow . . . and other things too scary to mention.

The Miraculous by Jess Redman

Eleven-year-old Wunder Ellis collects miracles. In a journal he calls The Miraculous, he records stories of the inexplicable and the extraordinary. And he believes every single one. But then his newborn sister dies, at only eight days old. If that can happen, then miracles can’t exist. So Wunder gets rid of The Miraculous. He stops believing. Then he meets Faye―a cape-wearing, outspoken girl with losses of her own. Together, they find an abandoned house by the cemetery and a mysterious old woman who just might be a witch. The old woman asks them for their help. She asks them to believe. And they go on a journey that leads to friendship, to adventure, to healing―and to miracles.

 My Fate According to the Butterfly by Gail D. Villanueva

When superstitious Sab sees a giant black butterfly, an omen of death, she knows that she’s doomed! According to legend, she has one week before her fate catches up with her — on her 11th birthday. With her time running out, all she wants is to celebrate her birthday with her entire family. But her sister, Ate Nadine, stopped speaking to their father one year ago, and Sab doesn’t even know why. If Sab’s going to get Ate Nadine and their father to reconcile, she’ll have to overcome her fears — of her sister’s anger, of leaving the bubble of her sheltered community, of her upcoming doom — and figure out the cause of their rift. So Sab and her best friend Pepper start spying on Nadine and digging into their family’s past to determine why, exactly, Nadine won’t speak to their father. But Sab’s adventures across Manila reveal truths about her family more difficult — and dangerous — than she ever anticipated.

 Not If I Can Help It by Carolyn Mackler

Willa likes certain things to be certain ways. Her socks have to be soft . . . and definitely can’t have irritating tags on the inside. She loves the crunch of popcorn and nachos . . . but is grossed out by the crunch of a baby carrot. And slimy foods? Those are the worst. Willa can manage all these things — but there are some things she can’t deal with, like her father’s big news. He’s been keeping a big secret from her . . . that he’s been dating the mom of Willa’s best friend Ruby. Willa does NOT like the idea of them being together. And she does NOT like the idea of combining families. And she does NOT like the idea of her best friend becoming her sister overnight. Will she go along with all of these changes? NOT if she can help it!

Monster Club: Hunters for Hire by Gavin Brown

There is only one thing seventh graders Tommy Wainwright, Colleen “Spike” Hernandez, and Karim Khalil want to do — go on adventures and catch monsters! And in a world where monsters — big and small — roam, someone has to keep these creatures in check, right? Luckily, this is the iPhone era, and that means anyone can use the brand-new app, AppVenture (“It’s like Uber for monster-slaying!”), to hire their very own adventurer to stop the beasts. So when Tommy, Spike, and Karim find a way to become registered “Independent Adventure Contractors” for the new app, they couldn’t be more thrilled. At first, being full-fledged adventurers is a blast. But when the trio embark on their second quest, they stumble upon a secret: It seems AppVenture has been releasing monsters into the wild in order to generate more business. Now the three friends find themselves on the run from a venture-backed startup that will do anything to make sure our heroes don’t live to reveal the truth…

On Thin Ice by Michael Northrop

Ked Eakins is about to lose everything. He’s just discovered that his dad has gambled away their rent money. They’re going to get kicked out of their home. But Ked is determined to fight back. He hatches a plan to save their apartment by rebuilding a vintage minibike in his school’s maker space, which he’ll sell for a profit. Still, the plan is a gamble of his own: Going to maker space forces Ked into the path of a school bully, who torments him about his progressive spinal condition. Can Ked — with the help of some unlikely new friends ​​​​​​​– find a way to fix the bike and save his family from going under before it’s too late?

Shake It Off by Suzanne Nelson

Bria Muller is stuck on her aunt and uncle’s dairy farm for the summer, and she is not happy about it. Milking cows alongside her cousins Wren and Luke? No thanks. The one thing she’s good at is mixing up milk shakes in the creamery. Instead of their usual vanilla, she starts crafting towering, over-the-top shakes like the ones she loved sipping back home in Chicago. Wren, and most of the customers, aren’t impressed. Everyone seems to think Bria is just a snobby city girl. There is one person who appreciates the sweet, cold treats: Gabe, her cousins’ cute friend who helps out on the farm. But with the family business in danger of being sold, can Bria’s shakes make a difference . . . and will she ever fit into country life?

Making Friends: Back to the Drawing Board by Kristen Gudsnuk

Almost everything is going great for Dany. She and Madison are still best friends, she still has her magic sketchbook, and the new school year is looking up. But when Dany creates a duplicate of herself to secretly help with homework and raise her social status, the two of them accidentally unleash a magical dog that wreaks supernatural havoc on the town. Now, with the big school dance coming up, time is running short for Dany, Madison, and their friends to set things right before the night is completely ruined!

 

Nonfiction New Releases

 Even More Lesser Spotted Animals by Martin Brown (picture book)

Just as Lesser Spotted Animals showed you some of the wonderfully WOW wildlife we never get to see, the next book of the lesser known animal kingdom reveals the stories of even more of the world’s unseen and unsung creatures. No king-of-the-jungle, fancy-pants, hair necked lions here — we’ve got the magnificent maned wolf instead. No blue whales either, we’ve got beaked whales — and lorises and dingisos and dibatags and many, many more.

 A Dream of Flight: Alberto Santos-Dumont’s Race Around the World by Jeff Polivka (picture book)

At the turn of the twentieth century, no aviation prize was more coveted in Europe than the Deutsch Prize. To win it, a pilot would have to fly a balloon from Paris’s Aero Club around the Eiffel Tower and back in thirty minutes or less. Who would be the first to succeed? Alberto Santos-Dumont thought he could. His latest design, Airship No. 6, was perfected from the countless lessons he learned during previous crashes. On the morning of October 19, 1901, Santos was making good time in the race when disaster struck―his motor had sputtered to a stop mid-air! Would Santos make it to the finish line in time―let alone survive?

 Deadly Aim: The Civil War Story of Michigan’s Anishinaabe Sharpshooters by Sally M. Walker (middle grade)

In Deadly Aim, Sally M. Walker explores the extraordinary lives of Michigan’s Anishinaabe sharpshooters. These brave soldiers served with honor and heroism in the line of duty, despite enduring broken treaties, loss of tribal lands, and racism. Filled with fascinating archival photographs, maps, and diagrams, this book offers gripping firsthand accounts from the frontlines. You’ll learn about Company K, the elite band of sharpshooters, and Daniel Mwakewenah, the chief who killed more than 32 rebels in a single battle despite being gravely wounded.

Don’t Read This Book Before Dinner by Anna Claybourne

From wretched rodents and beastly bugs to putrid plants and muck-filled moats, step right in to find out more about the icky, sticky world around you. Gloriously gross stories of decaying delicacies, foul fashion, horrible history, awful animals, and more are paired with eye-popping pictures, fun facts, and hilarious quizzes in this fun book. Topics go way beyond food to include art, plants, animals, fashion, pop culture, medicine, the human body, and beyond. It’s a hot mess to digest, but it’s sure to leave kids disgusted and delighted. Read if you dare, but don’t say we didn’t warn you! Sometimes you CAN judge a book by its cover!

 

I would love to know what you are reading this week! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next time!
Karina

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hi Kid Lit Friends!

I have really loved the many new picture books coming out in the last few years about hair. These books are beautifully illustrated and sensitively written, and I think readers young and old will love them! Check these out and let me know what you think.

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Hair Love by Matthew Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison

Zuri’s hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it’s beautiful. When Daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn. But he LOVES his Zuri, and he’ll do anything to make her — and her hair — happy. Tender and empowering, Hair Love is an ode to loving your natural hair — and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere.

Don’t Touch My Hair! by Sharee Miller

It seems that wherever Aria goes, someone wants to touch her hair. In the street, strangers reach for her fluffy curls; and even under the sea, in the jungle, and in space, she’s chased by a mermaid, monkeys, and poked by aliens…until, finally, Aria has had enough! Author-illustrator Sharee Miller takes the tradition of appreciation of black hair to a new, fresh, level as she doesn’t seek to convince or remind young readers that their curls are beautiful–she simply acknowledges black beauty while telling a fun, imaginative story.

Princess Hair by Sharee Miller

Celebrate different hair shapes, textures, and styles in this self-affirming picture book! From dreadlocks to blowouts to braids, Princess Hair shines a spotlight on the beauty and diversity of black hair, showing young readers that every kind of hair is princess hair.

I Love My Hair! by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, illustrated by E.B. Lewis

In this imaginative, evocative story, a girl named Keyana discovers the beauty and magic of her special hair, encouraging black children to be proud of their heritage and enhancing self-confidence. I Love My Hair! has been a staple in African-American picture books for 20 years, and now has a fresh, updated cover that shines on the shelves!

Big Hair, Don’t Care by Crystal Swain-Bates, illustrated by Megan Bair

This beautifully illustrated picture book encourages children of African descent to feel good about their hair, no matter how different it may be from other kids’. Main character Lola has really big curly hair, much bigger than the other kids at her school. Although her big hair often causes kids to stare, and sometimes her big curls cause her to lose at hide and seek, that doesn’t stop her from telling anyone who will listen just how much she LOVES her hair!

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James

The barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. That crisp yet subtle line makes boys sharper, more visible, more aware of every great thing that could happen to them when they look good: lesser grades turn into As; girls take notice; even a mother’s hug gets a little tighter. Everyone notices. A fresh cut makes boys fly.

Bippity Bop Barbershop by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, illustrated by E.B. Lewis

In this companion book to the bestselling I Love My Hair, a young boy, Miles, makes his first trip to the barbershop with his father. Like most little boys, he is afraid of the sharp scissors, the buzzing razor, and the prospect of picking a new hairstyle. But with the support of his dad, the barber, and the other men in the barbershop, Miles bravely sits through his first haircut. Written in a reassuring tone with a jazzy beat and illustrated with graceful, realistic watercolors, this book captures an important rite of passage for boys and celebrates African-American identity.

My Hair is a Garden by Cozbi A. Cabrera

After a day of being taunted by classmates about her unruly hair, Mackenzie can’t take any more and she seeks guidance from her wise and comforting neighbor, Miss Tillie. Using the beautiful garden in the backyard as a metaphor, Miss Tillie shows Mackenzie that maintaining healthy hair is not a chore nor is it something to fear. Most importantly, Mackenzie learns that natural black hair is beautiful.

Mixed Me! by Taye Diggs, illustrated by Shane W. Evans

Mom and Dad say I’m a blend of dark and light:
“We mixed you perfectly, and got you just right.”

Mike has awesome hair. He has LOTS of energy! His parents love him. And Mike is a PERFECT blend of the two of them. Still, Mike has to answer LOTS of questions about being mixed. And he does, with LOTS of energy and joy in this charming story about a day in the life of a mixed-race child.

Wild, Wild Hair by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by George Ford

Hating having to get her wild hair painfully combed and braided every Monday, Tisa decides to hide, but once her hair is done, she loves it so much that her mother cannot tear her away from the mirror.

 

I would love to know what you are reading this week! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next time!
Karina

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*