Month: May 2020

Hello readers!

It’s blazing sunshine here today and as I’m too British to deal with any weather other than grey skies and a gently persistent rain, I’ve had to hide inside. Whilst I come to terms with the concept of “heat”, I’m going to share with you this week’s lovely new releases in the world of children’s books. Enjoy!

The Ship We Built by Lexie Bean

Rowan has too many secrets for a diary to hold. He knows who he is and what he likes, but it’s not safe for others to know. And while one parent ignores him, the other hurts him in ways that he’s not ready to talk about.

But there’s one way for Rowan to share his secrets; he ties letters to balloons and releases them, in the hope that they’ll find somebody who understands. And when he befriends a classmate who knows what it’s like to be lonely and scared, he realises that the support he’s looking for might be closer than he thought.

Touching on some big, complex and challenging issues – and doing so with a lot of care and sensitivity – this is an eloquent slice of magic by a remarkable author. (And that cover is beautiful!).

Captain America My Mighty Marvel First Book

This is a fun board book that celebrates the iconic Steve Rogers. The art is similarly iconic, featuring the work of Jack “King” Kirby, and provides a lovely retro introduction to Cap. It’s perfect for sharing with your tiny comics fans, and there’s also a Spiderman book in the same series.

Dewdrop by Katie O’Neill

The pond is preparing for its yearly sports fair and Dewdrop the axolotl is ready to share his skills. But his friends are putting a lot of pressure on themselves to be the best – and it’s down to Dewdrop to remind them that they’re great just as they are.

This had me at adorable axolotl. It had me again with O’Neill’s glorious artwork. And it had me again again (that’s not even English but forgive me!) with its gentle lessons about conservation and kindness. It’s just so lovely.

When The Storm Comes by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

Storms aren’t fun. We have to bring in our outside toys and stay inside, watching the clouds roll in and the skies turn dark. But bad weather passes and the sun comes back out again.

Teaching us to look for those sunny skies, this is a charming exploration of those ‘bad weather’ days. There’s also a nice emphasis on the strength of being a community and looking out for neighbors – a charming piece of work.

Good Little Wolf by Nadia Shireen

This week’s backlist bump is a great thing. Rolf is a good little wolf who enjoys baking cakes and being kind to his friends. But wolves aren’t like that – they’re meant to be big and bad! Can a good little wolf be a real wolf?

Featuring a brilliant ending, wry and lovely artwork, this is a very fabulous picture book and well worth picking up for your tiny wolves.

I’ll be back next week with more new books! Between then and now, you can stay in touch with me via social media (I am very present for discussions about Pippi Longstocking), on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.

Happy reading!

Louise.

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

I live in New York City, which means lockdown requires us to stay in our tiny apartment for weeks on end. It looks as if our summer trip to Maine will be cancelled, and as a result I am mourning the loss of our annual trip to the woods. Thankfully, there are books to remind me of the trees. There have been many beautiful books about the woods, including a gorgeous picture book called Home in the Woods by Eliza Wheeler.

Home in the Woods is the story of what happens when six-year-old Marvel, her seven siblings, and their mom must start all over again after their father has died. Deep in the woods of Wisconsin they find a tar-paper shack. It doesn’t seem like much of a home, but they soon start seeing what it could be. During their first year it’s a struggle to maintain the shack and make sure they have enough to eat. But each season also brings its own delights and blessings–and the children always find a way to have fun. Most importantly, the family finds immense joy in being together, surrounded by nature. And slowly, their little shack starts feeling like a true home–warm, bright, and filled up with love.

The Keeper of Wild Words by Brooke Smith, illustrated by Madeline Kloepper is about words, the woods, and the world. When Mimi finds out her favorite words—simple words, like apricot, blackberry, buttercup—are disappearing from the English language, she elects her granddaughter Brook as their Keeper. And did you know? The only way to save words is to know them.This lovely story is all about saving the most important pieces of our language—by saving the very things they stand for.

Redwoods by Jason Chin begins with a subway trip that is transformed when a young boy happens upon a book about redwood forests. As he reads the information unfolds, and with each new bit of knowledge, he travels–all the way to California to climb into the Redwood canopy. As with al of Chin’s nonfiction picture books, this one is crammed with interesting and accurate information about these great natural wonders.

Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya by Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, tell the true story of Wangari Muta Maathai, known as “Mama Miti,” who in 1977 founded the Green Belt Movement, an African grassroots organization that has empowered many people to mobilize and combat deforestation, soil erosion, and environmental degradation. Today more than 30 million trees have been planted throughout Mama Miti’s native Kenya, and in 2004 she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Wangari Muta Maathai has changed Kenya tree by tree—and with each page turned, children will realize their own ability to positively impact the future.

Echo Mountain is Newbery Honor winner Lauren Wolk’s new middle grade book, set during the Great Depression. When Ellie’s family is forced to leave their home in town and start over in the untamed forests of nearby Echo Mountain, Ellie finds that she loves the freedom of the natural world. But there is little joy, even for Ellie, as her family struggles with the aftermath of an accident that has left her father in a coma. An accident unfairly blamed on Ellie. Determined to help her father, Ellie will make her way to the top of the mountain in search of the healing secrets of a woman known only as “the hag.” This lyrical, passionate book is about the secrets we hold and the love that gives us courage.

What are you reading these days? Let me know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.

Until next time!
Karina

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