Happy Tuesday, kidlit friends! This week has been a bit of a juggle without preschool and childcare plans falling through, but the weather is nice and my patio garden is thriving! Yay for wins! This week I have lots of picture book recommendations, from three fantastic new releases to some new books for Jewish American Heritage Month.
Before I get to those reviews, did you know Book Riot has a new podcast? BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O’Neal explores the wide bookish world through interviews, lists, rankings, retrospectives, recommendations, and much more, featuring people who know and love books. From discussing monthly “it” books to film adaptations and classics, this podcast has something for all book lovers. Subscribe to First Edition on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your podcatcher of choice.
Bookish Goods
Reading Mom and Child Holographic Sticker by ShelleyCouvillion
Children’s book illustrator Shelley Couvillion has a new reading sticker! This is going on either my phone or my water bottle. $5
New Releases
Amy Wu and the Ribbon Dance by Kat Zhang, illustrated by Charlene Chua (picture book)
Amy Wu is inspired to throw a ribbon dance party after seeing Chinese ribbon dancers on TV. There’s only one problem — she can’t find the perfect ribbon to dance with! In the process of creating one, she finds out that her mom used to be a ribbon dancer. The back of the book includes instructions on how kids can craft a ribbon for ribbon dancing. I adore this series and I’m so glad it’s continuing!
The World’s Best Class Plant by Audrey Vernick, Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao (picture book)
At the beginning of school, all the students in class 109 are disappointed in their class pet — a plant. Other classes have much more interesting class pets, like cockatiels and bearded dragons. However, when the class names the plant Jerry, a world of possibilities opens up. As the plant grows, they throw a school-wide Jerry Appreciation Day party, and at the end of the semester, each student is able to take home a cutting. The world’s most boring class pet has become the best by the end of school. This is a really fun back-to-school read for future gardeners!
Rani’s Remarkable Day by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Anoosha Syed (picture book)
Princess Rani is lonely. Everyone is always too busy to play with her, so one day she takes her baby sibling and heads for the beach, ready for a day of adventure, even though the Prime Minister admonishes her that beaches are not the place for princesses. Rani is attempting to build a sandcastle with little success when another girl offers to help. At first Rani bristles at being corrected, but when she does accept the help, she learns how to alleviate her loneliness — by making friends. This is a delightful read for princess-loving kids.
For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
May is Jewish American Heritage Month, and here are three recently released picture books with Jewish themes that I have been enjoying.
Debbie’s Song by Ellen Leventhal, illustrated by Natalia Grebtsova
This picture book biography explores the life of Jewish composer Debbie Friedman, who wrote fun, inclusive songs that immediately became popular with the younger folk in the Jewish community. She was a self-taught musician who longed to make accessible music. Make sure to pair this colorfully illustrated biography with some of Debbie’s music!
The Babka Sisters by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Tika And Tata Bobokhidze
In this cute, rhythmic picture book, two sisters, Hester and Ester, compete to make the best babka for their new neighbor, Sylvestor. The two sisters live in houses side by side and are similar in so many ways, but each has their own take on babka. Sylvester is more than happy to serve as a judge. This one is a lot of fun to read aloud.
Gracie Brings Back Bubbe’s Smile by Jane Sutton, illustrated by Debby Rahmalia
In this sweet, intergenerational picture book, a young girl tries to help her grandmother feel better after her grandfather’s death by learning Yiddish words. It takes time before Bubbe smiles again, but by spending time together, discussing their memories of Zayde, and honoring the things he taught them, the two are able to fill their days with smiles again. This is a great book about grief and losing a grandparent.
Have you read about Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem being banned in a Florida school? The parent who requested it be removed didn’t even get the author correct; she listed Oprah Winfrey. It’s ridiculous that books can be banned with a single, extremely inaccurate parent complaint.
I spent the morning playing in a nearby creek with my daughter. It’s much cooler down there, so I think we’ll spend most of our summer mornings at the creek!
If you’d like to read more of my kidlit reviews, I’m on Instagram @BabyLibrarians, Twitter @AReaderlyMom, and blog irregularly at Baby Librarians. You can also read my Book Riot posts. If you’d like to drop me a line, my email is kingsbury.margaret@gmail.com.
Until next Tuesday!
Margaret Kingsbury