Hello Kid Lit Friends,
Young people have so many questions about the world. Our planet is a big and complicated place, but there is so much to learn and know and figure out. Today I’ve compiled some books that address some big questions — scroll down to see them!
Before that, though, if you’re still looking for a Valentine’s gift, make sure to check out our Tailored Book Recommendations service (TBR). Gift your bookish boo TBR and our professional booknerds will help them achieve their reading goals. Go to mytbr.co/gift.
Bookish Goods
Mouse Writing a Book inside a Mouse Hole Sticker by Micesterpiece
I think every classroom, library, and kid’s bedroom needs this cute little mouse hole sticker! There are mouse and book different designs to choose from. $7
New Releases
You Gotta Meet Mr. Pierce! The Storied Life of Folk Artist Elijah Pierce by Chiquita Mullins Lee and Carmella Van Vleet, illustrated by Jennifer Mack-Watkins
Based on the true story of the artist Elijah Pierce and his community barbershop, this gorgeous picture book portrays a young boy heading in for a haircut and talking to Mr. Pierce about art. “Everything I carve, I want it to tell some kind of story,” Mr. Pierce tells the boy. And in listening to Mr. Pierce’s sharing, the young boy finds his own calling as an artist.
A Good Deed Can Grow by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman, illustrated by Holly Hatam
This sweet debut picture book by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman shows how everyone can make a difference in their community by contributing in some way, whether it be planting a garden, volunteering, or picking up litter.
For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
And now for those big question books!
What About the Universe: An Illustrated Q&A Book for Kids by Bertrand Fichou, illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre
This is a perfect book for kids who have lots of questions, such as How big is the sun? How many stars are there in the sky? Is it cold in outer space? Is travel to Jupiter possible? The text is accompanied by charming illustrations.
Will We Always Hold Hands? by Christopher Cheng and Stephen Michael King
Two friends, a bear and a rat, wonder whether they will always hold hands even when they are old and gray and wrinkly. This is a sweet bedtime book about sticking with each other through the best and worst times.
The Mystery of the Monarchs by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Erika Meza
Sometimes a question you have when you’re young becomes a question that you spend your life trying to figure out. This was the case for Fred Urquhart, who had been fascinated by insects — particularly the monarch butterfly — since a child. When he got older, he decided to study the monarch butterfly’s migration patterns. With help from a community of people stretching from Canada to Mexico, he unlocks the mystery of the monarchs.
When the World Runs Dry: Earth’s Water in Crisis by Nancy F. Castaldo
I remember when I was a child, I wondered a lot about water. This was probably because I grew up in a drought area of southern California, and our schools always taught us how to conserve water when brushing our teeth and showering. When the World Runs Dry is a very informative book that covers a lot of water-related topics, including lead and water infrastructure problems, pollution, fracking contamination, harmful algal blooms, water supply issues, rising sea levels, and potential solutions
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.
This photo is of Lalo as he plays at my feet while I write this newsletter.
Happy reading!
Karina
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