Happy Tuesday, kidlit friends! My daughter has three days off this week, plus the weekend, so I need to plan some fun activities. I hope the library is open at least one of those days! We live within walking distance of a library branch and tend to spend days off there when we can.
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This week, I review books about family reunions and two great new releases.
Bookish Goods
Snowy Bookshop Illustration Art Print by ArtofStephanieMarie
It is a sunny 69 degrees Fahrenheit as I write this in Nashville, and snowy bookshop scenes like this seem straight out of a fantasy novel. Do cities not shut down when it snows? That’s what happens here. Anyway, I just loved this art print nonetheless! $20+
New Releases
The Good Luck Book by Heather Alexander
In the past, I’ve had a few people ask for book recommendations about superstitions for kids, and I’m glad to finally have a good book to recommend! This is a fascinating, brightly illustrated nonfiction for elementary-aged kids and up about international folklore and superstitions. Each page spread covers a new topic. Under “Cats,” readers can explore how the superstitions about unlucky black cats got started, as well as the Japanese Maneki Neko. Under “Trees,” learn about fairies, lucky acorns, and knocking on wood. There are all kinds of things to pour over in this. It would make a great gift.
Baby Go! Bundle by Vanessa Lee Christensen, illustrated by Audrey Lee
This four-book board book series explores core concepts through international travel, with a birthday celebration as a framing story. Babies travel to South Korea, China, Thailand, and Japan. On their travels, they learn about shapes, foods, colors, and more. Each book also contains words in the language of each country. It’s a really fun board book series.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
Many of us are having family reunions this week, so I thought I would recommend these picture books about family reunions.
Dad and Daddy’s Big Big Family by Seamus Kirst, illustrated by Karen Bunting
In this charming picture book, Harper attends a family reunion for the first time. Both her dad and daddy’s family come, and the park is packed with relatives. She befriends her cousin Noah, and the two wonder how the entire family could live together and what that would look like. They also notice the wide variety of families. This is a really sweet, fun read.
Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Daniel Minter
Every year, Lil Alan and his daddy pack up the car and head down to Granny’s house for a family reunion. As a tradition, all the kids share something meaningful at the celebration, which makes Lil Alan nervous this year. He doesn’t know what to share. But as he spends time with his family, he comes up with the perfect way to contribute to the tradition. This is a lovely, beautifully illustrated picture book celebrating the traditions of a Black family.
Family Reunion by Chad and Dad Richardson, illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin
A Black boy isn’t looking forward to their annual family reunion. He’s dreading the long car ride and trying to make conversation with people he doesn’t know, but as the celebration continues, he finds himself having fun and enjoying time with his family. It’s a fun, rhythmic read a lot of kids will relate to.
Around the Table That Grandad Built by Melanie Heuiser Hill, illustrated by Jaime Kim
This is also a rhythmic read and follows the pattern of “This Is the House That Jack Built.” It follows a young girl as her family prepares for a feast and gathers around the table that her grandfather built. It’s a joyous, inclusive read centering family traditions and meals. It’s perfect for holiday celebrations.
We try to take a family hike every Sunday. On last Sunday’s hike, we encountered hundreds of Osage orange seeds. My daughter had a fun time playing with them, and I did a lot of dodging.
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.
All the best,
Margaret