Sponsored by Maya and the Rising Dark by Rena Barron, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
In this highly anticipated contemporary fantasy, twelve-year-old Maya’s search for her missing father puts her at the center of a battle between our world, the Orishas, and the mysterious and sinister Dark world.
Hey readers!
Welcome to another week of new releases!
Will You Be My Friend? by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
Beloved children’s book author McBratney passed away last week. Out this week is his new book, a followup to Guess How Much I Love You in which Little Nutbrown Hare sets out to find a playmate and discovers a sweet white bunny named Tipps.
Becoming A Good Creature by Sy Montgomery, illustrated by Rebecca Green
If you loved Sy Montgomery’s adult memoir, How to Be A Good Creature, you will also enjoy this reprise for kids, written in picture book form. This imparts wisdom to young people in much the same way as Montgomery’s memoir, just adjusted to be accessible for a younger audience. It’s no less moving, however, to see what humans can learn from animals.
Animals Brag About Their Bottoms by Maki Saito
This cute picture book is exactly what is says: animals brag about their bottoms. With animal butts drawn against white backdrops, various animals take the opportunity to speak highly about how adorable they are. It’s fun and cute, and doesn’t include a single poop joke.
Loretta Little Looks Back by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney
This historical fiction picture book follows three members of the Little family (Loretta, her brother Roly, and Roly’s son Aggie) as they tell their stories, from Loretta’s life as a sharecropper to a young Aggie’s efforts to register voters in the Jim Crow south.
Everything Comes Next: Collected and New Poems by Naomi Shihab Nye, illustrated by Rafael Lopez
For poetry lovers, this new collection rounds up poetry from Naomi Shihab Nye, the current Young People’s Poet Laureate. The collection includes her best works over the past forty years as well as new, never-before-published poems. It also includes writing prompts, making it a great addition for kids who are aspiring poets themselves.
Pepper’s Rules for Secret Sleuthing by Briana McDonald
This fun mystery follows 11-year-old Pepper, who travels with her dad to her Great Aunt Florence’s mansion. While waiting for the will to be read, Pepper becomes suspicious of her Aunt Wendy, and with her mom’s Detective Rulebook in hand, she sets out to figure out what’s going on. This also makes a good pick for people looking to broaden their middle grade collections to include more queer characters. Joining Pepper on her adventure is Jacob, a trans boy who lives nearby, as Pepper works out her feelings for another girl at school.
Saucy by Cynthia Kadohata
In this heartwarming story, Becca decides she wants to have a “thing”. Like her brothers, who have hockey, music, and the belief they all live in a simulation. So when Becca discovers a sick piglet on a walk, she makes rescuing it her “thing”. Named Saucy, Becca’s pigley becomes a treasured part of the family, accompanying Becca on her journey of self-discovery as she takes on everyday challenges.
Until next week!
Chelsea (@ChelseaBigBang)