Categories
The Kids Are All Right

Witches, Authors, And More!

Happy Tuesday, kidlit friends! Has it snowed where you are? Nashville is having an unusually dry and warm winter so far. My Facebook memories are full of snowy days, but we have yet to have snow this winter. While I don’t love cold weather, I do enjoy a snowy day!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Today, I review two amazing new fantasy middle grade releases and four picture books about authors.

Bookish Goods

a photo of anthropomorphized food earrings

Jory John The Food Group Earrings by SunKissedCoraBout

We recently read The Big Cheese, which led my daughter to request all The Food Group books from the library. Her favorite is The Bad Seed. If I wore earrings, I’d definitely be buying these! $10

New Releases

Cover of Lulu Sinagtala and the City of Noble Warriors by Gail D. Villanueva

Lulu Sinagtala and the City of Noble Warriors by Gail D. Villanueva (MG)

This first book in a Filipino fantasy series based on Tagalog folklore is a blast. Lulu is enjoying the Christmas break from school when strange things start happening. People pause and tell her cryptic messages they don’t remember saying seconds later, and then she starts seeing monsters. When her adopted mom is kidnapped by a wakwak, she, her sister, and her friend set out on a quest to save her. This is an action-packed read and set in the Phillipines. Lulu also has epilepsy.

Cover of The War of the Witches by Zetta Elliott, illustrated by Cherise Harris

The War of the Witches by Zetta Elliott, illustrated by Cherise Harris (MG)

The super fun Dragons in a Bag series comes to a close with this fifth book in the series. Jax is determined to find peace between the magical and human realms, but The Scourge has been released, and the witches are preparing for battle. Thankfully, Jax has friends to help him negotiate peace.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

A lot of really excellent picture books about authors have been released lately, so I thought I’d review a few of them!

Cover of Extraordinary Magic by Nina Crews

Extraordinary Magic by Nina Crews (PB)

I know I am not alone when I say how much I cherished Virginia Hamilton’s books as a kid. This lovely picture book biography of her life is written in a series of poems. It opens with her birth, moves back in time to her great-grandmother’s decision to escape from enslavement, and then explores how Virginia became a writer. She began writing her stories in a notebook at age nine, despite people telling her there was no future in writing stories. Eventually, she would publish her first novel, Zeely. The poetry format works really well in this lovely biography.

Cover of There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey

There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey (PB)

This isn’t so much of a biography but rather a glorious celebration of Langston Hughes and his work. The prose practically sings off the page, and the illustrations by the Pumphrey brothers are so very clever and energetic, often embedding words into the art, showing how Hughes’s work was such an active part of the landscape. This is such a joyful read.

Cover of Jimmy's Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin by Michelle Meadows, illustrated by Jamiel Law

Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin by Michelle Meadows, illustrated by Jamiel Law (PB)

This gorgeous picture book biography of James Baldwin releases at the end of this month. It’s also written in verse and opens with a young Baldwin helping care for his siblings in the small apartment he shares with his family in Harlem. He finds writing mentorships from multiple teachers throughout his life, and as an adult, he searches out and finds a writing community. These experiences and more build to Baldwin’s history as a writer and activist. The warm, realistic illustrations are so beautiful.

Cover of The Little Books of the Little Brontes by O'Leary

The Little Books of the Little Brontës by Sara O’Leary, illustrated by Briony May Smith (PB)

This enchanting picture book biography follows the four Brontë siblings as children as they’re inspired to write books based on childhood toys. It opens with a young Charlotte making a small book for her even younger sister Anne, their window peaking out over the moors. O’Leary then broadens the story to show the family, home, and village where the Brontës grew up before depicting the father bringing the toy soldiers home that so captured their imagination. Back matter includes a timeline and instructions on how to make a small book. Smith’s illustrations, as always, are so lovely.

Children's bookshelf, the kids are all right

During winter break, my daughter and I rearranged some of her books and moved all the chapter books and early reader graphic novels right beside her bed. She loves having them there and has been reading them a lot more on her own!

If you’d like to read more of my kidlit reviews, I’m on Instagram @BabyLibrarians, Twitter @AReaderlyMom, Bluesky @AReaderlyMom.bsky.social, 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 reading,

Margaret Kingsbury

Categories
The Kids Are All Right

Elections, Selkies, And More!

Happy Sunday, kidlit friends! I have welcomed in the new year with yet another respiratory virus, sigh. Here’s hoping for a healthier year! Today, I’m reviewing books about elections and two fabulous new releases.

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

Bookstore Hoodie Sweatshirt by SciencePlusCoffee

Bookstore Hoodie Sweatshirt by SciencePlusCoffee

This hoodie looks so comfy and cozy, perfect for the winter months. $52

New Releases

Cover of Like So by Ruth Forman, illustrated by Raissa Figueroa

Like So by Ruth Forman, illustrated by Raissa Figueroa (PB)

This is the sweetest picture book about the love between a grandchild and a grandmother. Its simple and heartwarming prose describes acts of love: “I hug you like so / you hug me like so / we got love.” The vibrant illustrations depict sweeping scenes from both nature and at home, connecting this love as being a part of nature. Ruth Forman previously published several board books celebrating Black joy (like Glow and Curls), but this is her debut picture book.

Cover of The Selkie's Daughter by Brennan

The Selkie’s Daughter by Linda Crotta Brennan (MG)

I am always here for selkie folklore retellings. This is a lovely historical fantasy set in Nova Scotia. Brigit is the daughter of a selkie and a fisherman, though she lives with the humans and tries to deny her selkie heritage by cutting the webbing from her hands and feet. When villagers begin killing seal pups, the selkie king is angered, and Brigit must come to accept and love her heritage if she wants to save her father, the village, and the seals.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling some anxiety about elections happening this year. Kids will have questions and want to learn more, and these four children’s books about voting and elections are great ways to start answering some of those questions.

Cover of Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote by Dinah Johnson, illustrated by Jerry Jordan

Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote by Dinah Johnson, illustrated by Jerry Jordan (PB)

This picture book biography of famous Black activist Ida B. Wells opens with her birth in Mississippi. It follows Ida’s life as she becomes a teacher as a teenager to care for her younger siblings after the death of their parents, starts her own newspaper and writes against lynching, and becomes a suffragist for women’s right to vote. The sweeping biography then pauses at the Women’s March of 1913. At this famous march, racist white women suffragists, like Alice Paul, told Ida and other Black suffragists that they could not march in the parade. Ida ignored them. Connecting all these stories is the theme of Ida’s bravery and courage in always choosing to do the right thing. The painted illustrations are gorgeous.

Cover of The Walk by Winsome Bingham, illustrated by E. B. Lewis

The Walk by Winsome Bingham, illustrated by E. B. Lewis (PB)

This was one of my favorite picture books of 2023. It follows a child as she and her grandmother walk to a polling location. As they walk, they gather neighbors, and as a community, they take their most important walk of the year — to the polls. I love the inclusion of disabled and elderly community members, whose right to vote is often made much more difficult by lack of accessibility. I also adore the themes of community care and activism. When my daughter accompanied me on a walk to vote last year, I actually brought this book with me, and we read it together after I voted.

Sofia Valdez and the Vanishing Vote by by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts

Sofia Valdez and the Vanishing Vote by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts (TR)

This chapter book is part of The Questioneers series, though each book can be read as a standalone. The famous questioning class is having a class election on what their class pet should be, and Sofia Valdez is chosen as election commissioner to make sure the election goes off without any hitches. When the votes are counted, one vote is missing, and it’s up to Sofia to figure out why and how. I adore this series. Also, check out the picture book Sofia Valdez, Future Prez.

Cover of Act by Kayla Miller

Act by Kayla Miller (MG)

This middle grade graphic novel is the third book in the Click series, though each book can be read as a standalone. Olive and her friends have started 6th grade. When she learns of unfair policies that prevent her friend from going on a school field trip, she decides to take action and run for the student council. She wants to change the rules to make things more fair, but she’s running against two of her other friends. This is an empowering read about how kids can make a difference at their schools.

Stuffed animals in tree, the kids are all right

Today is the last day of my daughter’s winter break. We’ve stayed home almost the entire time as I recover from the latest virus. She has been entertaining herself by taking her stuffed animals outside and having them go on adventures in the backyard, like climbing this tree. Meanwhile, I am sitting on the porch with a box of tissues and guzzling tea.

If you’d like to read more of my kidlit reviews, I’m on Instagram @BabyLibrarians, Twitter @AReaderlyMom, Bluesky @AReaderlyMom.bsky.social, 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 Kingsbury

Categories
The Kids Are All Right

New Year, Glaciers, And More!

Happy New Year, kidlit friends! This is my hundredth newsletter, which seems like a fitting way to start the New Year! Do you make New Year goals? This year, my spouse wants to start celebrating half-birthdays to add more joy to our lives. I’d like to start taking part in more professional development opportunities, and my daughter wants to lose more teeth, so the tooth fairy visits more. Everyone has their priorities!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

Reading Stamp Washi Tape by RobotDanceBattle

Reading Stamp Washi Tape by RobotDanceBattle

Crafters and journalers can add this adorable washi tape to their projects. $7

New Releases

Cover of Angela's Glacier by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Diana Sudyka

Angela’s Glacier by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Diana Sudyka

In this gorgeously illustrated picture book, a father introduces his new infant daughter, Angela, to the glacier they live near. Over the years, Angela visits the glacier and whispers to it all her joys and sorrows, and the glacier whispers back to her. As she gets older, she forgets about the glacier, and when she returns to it, she can no longer hear it. This is a lovely ode to nature and the relationships between people and the environment.

Cover of The Reckoning by Wade Hudson

The Reckoning by Wade Hudson

This contemporary middle grade novel provides a vital glimpse into how Black lives are devasted by continuing racial violence. Twelve-year-old Lamar has always wanted to be a filmmaker like Spike Lee. When a white driver murders his grandfather and claims it as self-defense, Lamar, his family, and his community demand justice. Lamar begins filming a documentary as a tribute to his grandfather.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

These four unique activity books would be great for goal-setting kids.

Cover of A Year of Black Joy: 52 Black Voices Share Their Life Passions by Jamia Wilson, illustrated by Jade Orlando

A Year of Black Joy: 52 Black Voices Share Their Life Passions by Jamia Wilson, illustrated by Jade Orlando

This middle grade nonfiction inspired this list. Each month features 4 to 6 Black figures sharing about their life and work and giving an activity for readers to do. January, for example, has four sections. In the first, “The Joy of Choreography,” artistic director Davalois Fearon explains why she loves dancing and invites the reader to dance. The next section centers florist Hazel Gardiner and so on. Each page has colorful illustrations, and, as the title suggests, is a real joy and a great book to read over the course of the year.

Cover of 365 Days of Play: Activities for Every Day of the Year by Megan Hewes Butler, illustrated by Emily Balsley

365 Days of Play: Activities for Every Day of the Year by Megan Hewes Butler, illustrated by Emily Balsley

This collection of activities for kids ages 6 through 12 is a great one for caregivers to have on hand. It would also be fun to work through with a child! There are all sorts of activities included — cooking, science experiments, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor play ideas, and more. Some of the activities require supplies, some don’t, but even when they do, the supplies are pretty basic.

Cover of Poetry Prompts by Coelho

Poetry Prompts by Joseph Coelho

My child isn’t quite at poetry-writing age yet, but I can’t wait to go through this book together! Actually, I might just go ahead and do these prompts on my own this year. 🙂 Coelho provides 41 poetry prompts — from one-word poems to favorite food poems — and each prompt is accompanied by illustrations from several children’s book artists, like Viola Wang. It’s another really joyful collection and would be great for classrooms or home.

Cover of Hiking Activity Book for Kids by by Amelia Mayer

Hiking Activity Book for Kids by Amelia Mayer

This is one I’d like to do with my daughter. We try to go on one hike a week, and I love the versatility of these 35 hiking projects, from scavenger hunts to water painting. If you have a goal of getting outside and hiking more this year, this might be a great way to entice reluctant young hikers to join you.

Marian on a muddy hill, The Kids Are All Right

My daughter is on winter break until January 8th, and I’ve been trying to spend as much time outside with her as possible. I love her public elementary school, and her teacher is amazing, but I am sad that she isn’t getting as much outdoor time now that she’s in kindergarten. Her preschool was almost entirely outdoors. In this picture, it was raining, but she was more than happy to play in the mud! I, on the other hand, am hanging out in a little cabin.

If you’d like to read more of my kidlit reviews, I’m on Instagram @BabyLibrarians, Twitter @AReaderlyMom, Bluesky @AReaderlyMom.bsky.social, 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 Kingsbury

Categories
The Kids Are All Right

2024 Children’s Book Releases To Watch Out For

Happy New Year’s Eve, kidlit friends! Do you stay awake until midnight? I used to, but I’m not sure I’ve stayed up that late (on purpose) since having kids. I need sleep!

The holidays have arrived, and so has our new paperback level at TBR! If you (or a reader you know) are just over-carrying around bulky hardcovers or are looking for a more budget-friendly option, we’ve got you. Check out all the offerings at mytbr.co/gift, and give personalized reading recommendations customized for any and every reader.

Today, I’m reviewing six children’s books releasing in 2024 that I’m excited about.

Bookish Goods

Reading Planner by PeanutButterTaco

Reading Planner by PeanutButterTaco

I typically use Book Riot’s online reading tracker, but I would’ve loved a print reading journal like this as a kid. $33+

Riot Recommendations

I have so many wonderful 2024 children’s book releases added to my TBR. I’ve already read quite a few, and I can’t wait to share reviews of them. Here, I have six 2024 children’s book releases you will definitely want to check out. I’ve read some of them already, but not all!

The Misfits #1: A Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee, illustrated by Dan Santat

The Misfits #1: A Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee, illustrated by Dan Santat (January 2)

You don’t have long to wait until this middle grade crime novel releases! I have already read this one, and it’s so much fun. It’s about a girl attending an unusual boarding school in San Francisco. At the school, she joins a group of tween undercover spies. There’s a jewelry thief on the loose, and if the team doesn’t solve the crime fast, the school may lose funding. It’s a funny and high action read with great illustrations by Dan Santat. It’s the first in a series, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest!

Cover of Louder Than Hunger by John Schu

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu (March 5)

This middle grade novel-in-verse is high on my TBR, and I’ll probably read it in the next week or two. It’s based on Schu’s teen experiences with anorexia. Jake has a voice in his head that urges him to disappear, and the best way to do that is to avoid eating. So that’s just what Jake does, and he wears baggy clothes to hide his weight loss, which works until he visits a doctor, who admits him to a patient treatment facility. This is Schu’s debut middle grade.

Cover of You're SO Amazing! by James Catchpole and Lucy Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George

You’re SO Amazing! by James Catchpole and Lucy Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George (April 16)

I adored James Catchpole’s first picture book—What Happened to You?—and I’m so excited he’s teaming up with his wife Lucy for another picture book pushing against some of the ableist narratives that are so frequently heard in the disabled community. In this one, kids and adults alike keep telling Jo he’s “amazing” even when he’s doing absolutely ordinary things. I need multiple copies of this one to hand out to mostly adults who feel the compulsion to tell disabled people this. It’s a delightful story, and George’s illustrations are once again perfect.

Cover of Being Home by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Michaela Goade AOC

Being Home by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Michaela Goade (May 7)

Both Traci Sorrel and Michaela Goade are familiar, award-winning, well-loved Indigenous American children’s book creators. However, this is their first team-up! I’ve only read a snippet from it, and those pages were luminous and magical, about a young Cherokee girl moving away from her beloved home. This is going to be amazing in print!

Cover of Let's Go by Julie Flett AOC

Let’s Go! by Julie Flett (May 7)

Julie Flett is another one of my favorite Indigenous American children’s book creators. This picture book is about a young child who longs to learn how to skateboard. It’s written primarily in English but has some Cree words as well. Flett’s warm illustrations are as lovely as they ever are, and children will love the story.

Cover of Rachel Friedman Breaks the Rules by Sarah Kapit, illustrated by Genevieve Kote

Rachel Friedman Breaks the Rules by Sarah Kapit, illustrated by Genevieve Kote (June 18)

I have bemoaned before the lack of Jewish representation in chapter books, and while there are a few examples, there aren’t many. This makes me extra excited about Kapit’s new chapter book series. Kapit is already a familiar author to me with fantastic books like Get A Grip, Vivy Cohen! and Second Chance Summer. This book looks like such a funny, heartwarming read. And the cat on the cover means it’s going to be an instant read for my daughter!

Bad Kitty Stuffed Animal, The Kids All Right

My daughter’s favorite Christmas present is this Bad Kitty stuffed animal. I also gifted her a set of the Bad Kitty chapter books I found at a used bookstore. If you’re unfamiliar with this series by Nick Bruel, they’re hilarious, highly illustrated chapter books following this very grumpy cat. Bad Kitty, the stuffed animal, has accompanied us on many walks this week and has climbed many trees.

If you’d like to read more of my kidlit reviews, I’m on Instagram @BabyLibrarians, Twitter @AReaderlyMom, Bluesky @AReaderlyMom.bsky.social, 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 Kingsbury

Categories
The Kids Are All Right

Favorite Children’s Books of 2023!

Happy Tuesday, kidlit friends! I hope everyone who celebrates had a lovely Christmas. December tends to be a slow new release month, so instead of new releases, I’m going to review six of my favorite children’s books of the year, three middle-grade and three picture books. On Sunday, I’ll review six books I’m looking forward to in 2024!

Need a belated, last-minute gift? TBR to the rescue!  We’ve got three levels of personalized reading recommendations — recs-only, paperback, and hardcover — and you can gift a full year or one time, so there are options for every budget (not to mention, no shipping delay on the gift subscription). Get all the details at mybtro.com/gift

Bookish Goods

Cool Kids Read Books Shirt by 7thHillStore

Cool Kids Read Books Shirt by 7thHillStore

This cute shirt comes in multiple sizes and types for kids and adults. $13+

Riot Recommendations

It’s always extremely hard for me to pick my favorite books of the year. It wouldn’t be hard if I could make a list of 20-30, but only six, and only three middle-grades and three picture books? Needless to say, this isn’t a comprehensive list. Many fantastic books were published in 2023. I made this longer list of picture books for my Instagram if you want to see even more than what’s below.

Three of my choices are related to folklore and fairytales, and it will surprise no one to realize that I wrote my master’s thesis on fairytale retellings!

Chinese Menu cover

Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods by Grace Lin

I had two Grace Lin 2023 books on my list, this one and Once Upon a Book. I thought it fair to only include one of her 2023 releases, so I went with this stunning middle-grade nonfiction! This is a gorgeously illustrated collection of folklore about food found on Chinese restaurant menus. I was absolutely riveted by the folktales and Lin’s gorgeous illustrations. I also loved the history and background she provided. This is the kind of book I want to gift everyone. It’s really special and unique.

Cover of Something Like Home

Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Andrea Beatriz Arango’s second middle-grade novel in verse has cemented her as one of my all-time favorite authors. It’s a beautifully written book about a 6th-grade Puerto Rican girl, Laura Rodríguez Colón, who is going to live with her aunt after being taken away from her parents while they’re in rehab. She finds an abandoned pit bull and begins training him as a therapy dog. It’s a hopeful, moving, realistic read that’s also really accessible for readers of all levels. I really appreciated that Laura struggles with reading, too. I don’t know of many middle-grade novels that depict struggling readers.

Cover of Nell of Gumbling by Steinkellner

Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Normal Fairy-Tale Life by Emma Steinkellner

I pretty much had heart eyes the entire time I read this fantasy mix of graphic novel and fictional diary. It’s so very heartwarming and cozy. It’s about friendship and community and the importance of stories in the small magical town of Gumbling, which is being threatened by greedy brother and sister developers who claim to be the descendants of Gumbling’s last king. They want to turn the castle, which currently houses those who can’t afford homes and provides community services for the entire village, into an amusement park. At first, Nell is more concerned about being paired with a librarian for a school project rather than the artist she was hoping for. But soon enough she can’t help but be affected by what’s happening, and meanwhile, the fairytales she’s uncovered at the library are inspiring her more than she thought. I want to move to Gumbling. Can someone make that happen, please?

Cover of The Skull by Klassen

The Skull by Jon Klassen

Jon Klassen always appears on best-of lists, and for good reason. Not many children’s book writers can pull off writing dark stories for kids, but Klassen is a master at it. His latest is a mesmerizing retelling of a Tyrolean folktale. It’s about a young girl, Otilla, fleeing from an unknown terror through a wintry forest. She comes upon a mansion where only a skull lives, but the skull is being terrorized at night. Maybe if Otilla uses her wits, she can save both herself and her new friend, the skull. I see this being described as both a picture book and a chapter book, and both descriptions are correct. It’s just over 100 pages long, smaller than the average picture book, and has chapters. However, it’s heavily illustrated with sparse words for a chapter book. I read it in 15-20 or so minutes out loud to my daughter. I adore the monochromatic artwork. This is my favorite of Klassen’s children’s books. It’s everything I love about fairytales.

Cover of Dancing Hands by Que

Dancing Hands by Joanna Que and Charina Marquez, illustrated by Fran Alvarez, translated by Karen Llagas

While I have seen The Skull on every best-of list, I haven’t seen this one at all, and I think that’s because of a few reasons. First, it’s translated from the Filipino and translated books rarely make best-of children’s book lists. It also centers disability, and sadly, I find picture books featuring disabled characters rarely make best-of lists. It’s such a sweet and gentle exploration of the friendship between two children and neighbors, one who is Deaf and speaks using sign language, and the other who is hearing and learns how to “dance” with her hands to communicate with her friend. It’s simply told in every way, with sparse words and spare illustrations that still perfectly capture expressions. While sign language is one of the more common disabilities portrayed in picture books, this is still a refreshingly lovely read. End pages include Filipino signs.

Cover of To the Other Side by Meza

To the Other Side by Erika Meza

I have read this picture book possibly hundreds of times this year to my daughter. It really captured her imagination, and we’ve had many conversations about refugees and immigration after reading this. Told from the perspective of a little brother, Meza tells the story of his and his older sister’s masked journey as they escape monsters, which are drawn as ominous smoky figures, to reach the border to what they hope will be safety. The illustrations are phenomenal, monochromatic with pops of vibrant colors. The alebrije masks are vivid and make the illustrations and story all the more powerful. The combination of the vivid masks and very simple story is what so captured my daughter’s attention. The children initially view their journey as a game, which children can immediately identify with, but then the characters in the book, and the readers, realize at the same moment that this is no game. This is a great conversation starter and moves me to tears almost every time I read it.

a photo of a child and adult silhouette walking through an arch of Christmas lights

Christmas lights are one of my favorite parts of the Christmas season, and I’m going to be sad to see them go! I have a few vision issues that make seeing at night difficult for me, but Christmas lights seem to glow all the brighter. Too bad bright twinkly lights aren’t around all year long!

If you’d like to read more of my kidlit reviews, I’m on Instagram @BabyLibrarians, Twitter @AReaderlyMom, Bluesky @AReaderlyMom.bsky.social, 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 Kingsbury

Categories
The Kids Are All Right

Puzzles, Toni Morrison, And More!

Happy Sunday and Merry Christmas Eve, kidlit friends! Do you have Christmas traditions? As a kid, we always had cinnamon rolls for breakfast Christmas morning, but I’ve yet to find a good gluten-free substitute, so this year, my spouse bought gluten-free apple cinnamon muffins from Trader Joe’s, which is not exactly the same, but I appreciate the effort. 🙂 We also, of course, make sugar cookies and read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. I have several versions of it now. We typically open one present Christmas Eve, too.

Today, I’m reviewing two great new releases and, to celebrate Christmas, a book with a red cover and another with a green cover.

And if you need a last-minute present, we can help! Here at TBR, we pair our customers with a professional book nerd (aka bibliologist) who just gets them. They fill out a survey and then sit back and relax as we pick books just for them. We’ve got three levels — recs-only, paperback, and hardcover — and you can gift a full year or one time, so there are options for every budget! Get all the details at mybtro.com/gift

Bookish Goods

Book Smart Jigsaw Puzzle by layzegirldesigns

Book Smart Jigsaw Puzzle by layzegirldesigns

Winter is the perfect time of year for puzzles. I love this book smart one, and it’s such a reasonable price! $13

New Releases

Cover of Small-Girl Toni and the Quest for Gold by Giselle Anatol

Small-Girl Toni and the Quest for Gold by Giselle Anatol, illustrated by Raissa Figueroa

Like many readers, I love Toni Morrison and was really excited to read this picture book inspired by her childhood. It’s a fictionalized version of a young Toni who loves to tell tall tales. She’s the town storyteller, and she gathers the children together in a quest to find buried treasure that leads them to befriend the town’s outcast. The art is vivid and lovely.

Cover of Love Grows by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins

Love Grows by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins

This picture book ticks many boxes. It’s epistolary, so a great read for kids learning about letter writing; it’s about houseplants, another favorite topic; it shows the seasons passing; and it’s about love, making it a lovely Valentine’s read as well. It opens with a child receiving a letter and a houseplant from her beloved aunt. As the seasons pass, she receives more plants and more letters and houseplants, along with instructions on how to care for the plants. The aunt finally visits at the end. End pages contain more information about the plants.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

These two books have nothing to do with Christmas, but I thought it would be fun to do something different and review books with red and green covers — Christmas colors.

Cover of The Kindest Red by Muhammad

The Kindest Red by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S. K. Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly

It was actually harder than I thought to find a red book that I hadn’t already reviewed in the newsletter before. I thought I’d reviewed this one, but I had not! This heartwarming picture book is a follow-up to The Proudest Blue. Faizah wears a red dress that first belonged to her mother for picture day. In class, she draws a picture of a kind world while her friend draws a superhero. During recess, the two combine their ideas and pretend to be superheroes spreading kindness. When it comes time for pictures, Faizah is upset when she realizes her dress doesn’t match her sister’s. But with community help, her school pictures turn out perfect.

Cover of The Cats of Tanglewood Forest by de Lint

The Cats of Tanglewood Forest by Charles de Lint, illustrated by Charles Vess

As opposed to red, I could think of dozens and dozens of green books. I don’t think I’ve ever officially reviewed a Charles de Lint novel, but his two Newford middle-grade novels are favorites of mine, so I thought I’d go with this! Lillian daydreams about the forest around her aunt’s house having fairies that live within it, but she’s never seen any magic. The forest does have a lot of cats. She feeds and plays with the cats, and then one day, the cats turn her into a kitten, and she finally gets the magical adventure she always wanted. The second book in the series is Seven Wild Sisters. They both have beautiful, full-color illustrations by Charles Vess.

Chinese light festival the kids are all right

Every year our local zoo hosts a Chinese light festival at night. It’s beautiful! Visiting is one of my favorite winter traditions. We went last weekend.

If you’d like to read more of my kidlit reviews, I’m on Instagram @BabyLibrarians, Twitter @AReaderlyMom, Bluesky @AReaderlyMom.bsky.social, 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 Kingsbury

Categories
The Kids Are All Right

Endangered Species, Big Feelings, And More!

Happy Tuesday, kidlit friends! I still haven’t finished Christmas shopping, eek! I hope everyone is more on top of things than I am. Today, I review four children’s books about endangered species as well as two new releases.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for that bookish special someone in your life this holiday season? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help! Here at TBR, we pair our customers with a professional book nerd (aka bibliologist) who just gets them. They fill out a survey and then sit back and relax as we pick books just for them. We’ve got three levels — recs-only, paperback, and hardcover — and you can gift a full year or one time, so there are options for every budget! Get all the details at mybtro.com/gift

Bookish Goods

Little Book Wood Winter Print by bleubri

Little Book Wood Winter Print by bleubri

This is such a lovely, winter-themed print. I don’t know how the animals are wheeling around that bookmobile in the snowy forest, though. $26+

New Releases

Cover of Parker's Big Feelings by Curry

Parker’s Big Feelings by Parker Curry, and Jessica Curry, illustrated by Brittany Jackson and Tajaé Keith

This reader is part of a series all centering Parker. In this story, Parker starts a new school and has a bad day. When she gets home from school, she has a lot of big feelings about starting a new school and no longer going to the same school as her friend. Parker’s mom leads her through three techniques to help her feel better.

Cover of How Not to Kill Your Plant by Gargulakova

How Not to Kill Your Plant by Magda Gargulakova and Lenka Chytilova, illustrated by Hannah Abbo

This is a book I need! It’s an in-depth, illustrated nonfiction about houseplants, including tools the reader will need to plant and take care of houseplants, a guide to different types of houseplants, how to cultivate houseplants, and more. I highly recommend this for any kids with houseplants (and their adults).

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

December 28th is the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. In the last 50 years, the act has saved many species, but many, many animals are at risk of extinction. These four children’s books about endangered and extinct species are fantastic reads for young conservationists.

Cover of The Late, Great Endlings by Kerbel

The Late, Great Endlings: Stories of the Last Survivors by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Aimée van Drimmelen

This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of the last survivor of eight extinct species. Kerbel writes a poem for each animal, followed by a more in-depth look at their final days. There’s also an illustrated portrait of each animal. It’s a really lovely book, one of my daughter’s most-read books this year.

Cover of Where the Wee Ones Go by Jameson

Where the Wee Ones Go: A Bedtime Wish for Endangered Animals by Karen Jameson, illustrated by Zosienka

This gently lilting picture book is a great introduction to endangered animals for preschoolers and younger kids. It’s a bedtime picture book depicting endangered animals going to sleep. The illustrations in this one are also so lovely, depicting each animal’s habitat in soft, warm colors.

Cover of Hear Them Roar by Smalls

Hear Them Roar: 14 Endangered Animals from Around the World by June Smalls, illustrated by Becky Thorns

This more in-depth, interactive nonfiction has noise clips of each of the 14 endangered animals discussed. It also introduced the risk level classifications developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which really interested my daughter. Each page spread covers a different animal and includes vibrant illustrations, a map with their location, quick facts — including their risk status — more details, information about their animal voice, and a section about what people are doing to help the animal.

Cover of The Last Tiger by Davies

The Last Tiger: A Story of Hope by Becky Davies, illustrated by Jennie Poh

While the other books have covered many endangered or extinct animals, this picture book focuses specifically on the tiger. It follows Aasha the tiger, who spends her days playing in the forest with her family and animal friends. Then the forest is cut down, and Aasha can’t find any other animals. She goes on a quest to find the animals and is joined by an orangutan. It’s a simple but powerful read.

If you want more recommendations about endangered species, I made this reel earlier in the year with six more books.

a photo of Marian and Ryan taking a walk

School is out here from December 21st to January 8th, which means I have a little more than two weeks of trying to figure out how to work with no childcare, yay! (A bit of sarcasm there.) Thankfully I finish grading on December 22nd, though I do have a few other jobs that go through the holidays. I wish all the working parents out there luck over the holiday break!

If you’d like to read more of my kidlit reviews, I’m on Instagram @BabyLibrarians, Twitter @AReaderlyMom, Bluesky @AReaderlyMom.bsky.social, 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 Kingsbury

Categories
The Kids Are All Right

Winter Holidays, Chickens, And More!

Happy Sunday, kidlit friends! I’m teaching English this semester for an online associate’s program, and I am currently in a grading frenzy as the semester ends. Wish me luck!

Are you looking for the perfect gift for that bookish special someone in your life this holiday season? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help! Here at TBR, we pair our customers with a professional book nerd (aka bibliologist) who just gets them. They fill out a survey and then sit back and relax as we pick books just for them. We’ve got three levels — recs-only, paperback, and hardcover — and you can gift a full year or one time, so there are options for every budget! Get all the details at mybtro.com/gift

Bookish Goods

Printable Merry Bookmas Cards by SymplePrints

Printable Merry Bookmas Christmas Card by SymplePrints

If you’re looking for last-minute Christmas cards, here’s a bookish one to download! $5

New Releases

Cover of Sabrina Sue Loves the Moon by Burris

Sabrina Sue Loves the Moon by Priscilla Burris

This is a silly reader about a chicken named Sabrina Sue who wants to travel to the moon. The other farm animals, with the exception of her frog friend, are dubious and caution her against her space travel goals. Initially, Sabrina Sue wonders if they’re right, but then she finds her courage and decides she should pursue her goals no matter what. She wants to walk on the moon, so she’s going to do it! I read this yesterday with my daughter, and it garnered lots of laughs.

Cover of Love Like Chocolate by Banghart

Love Like Chocolate by Tracy Banghart, illustrated by Alina Chau

In this sweet picture book, a young boy shows his new little sister his love through chocolate. Before bringing home his adopted sister, the boy’s mother tells him love takes time and needs to rise. He welcomes her home with chocolate muffins, and each celebration following is welcomed with more chocolate — chocolate cake for birthdays, chocolate pie for game days, chocolate peppermint ice cream to welcome winter, and more. At the end of the book, both brother and sister are cooking together. Back matter includes a recipe for chocolate sauce. The parents and son are white while the adopted daughter is brown.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

There are a lot of winter holidays in December and January beyond Christmas and Hanukkah. Here are four picture books celebrating other holidays this month.

Cover of The Last Slice by Richardson

The Last Slice: A Three Kings Day Treat by Melissa Seron Richardson, illustrated by Monica Arnaldo

Three Kings Day is celebrated by many Spanish-speaking countries. It’s a holiday celebrating the day the three wise men first saw baby Jesus and brought him gifts, and is celebrated on January 6th, the day after the 12 days of Christmas. In this funny picture book, Marta worries about eating the literal baby Jesus in the traditional Three Kings Day dessert — la Rosca de Reyes, which hides a figurine of baby Jesus.

Cover of Dreams of Green by Jungkunz

Dreams of Green: A Three Kings’ Day Story by Mariel Jungkunz, illustrated by Mónica Paola Rodriguez

This is another new Three Kings’ Day picture book and is available in both English and Spanish. Lucía has recently moved to Ohio, and she so misses living in Puerto Rico. She’s worried that she and her family won’t be able to celebrate Three Kings’ Day in their new home, but her family finds a way to keep the holiday alive despite the cold.

Cover of The People Remember

The People Remember by Ibi Zoboi, illustrated by Loveis Wise

Kwanzaa is an African American holiday celebrated from December 26 to January 1. In this gorgeous, award-winning picture book, Zoboi writes poems for each of the seven principals of Kwanzaa. It opens in Africa with people celebrating harvest until they are forcibly taken from their homes. It then follows these African descendants in America, from the Great Migration to the Civil Rights Movement to today. Back matter includes an author’s note and timeline of events presented in this picture book.

Winter by Gross

Winter by Kelsey E. Gross, illustrated by Renata Liwska

Winter solstice is celebrated on December 21st. This beautifully illustrated picture book opens with Owl asking who can help shine the light and share a gift of hope for winter solstice. Each animal helps. Deer adds nuts to branches in the hope that all the forest creatures will have enough to eat through the winter. Mouse sprinkles seeds in the hope of blossoming growth in the months to come. As each animal adds gifts, hope spreads. This could be the basis for a lovely new tradition for families.

Christmas Lights

We went to our first Christmas festival last weekend, a “traditional” tractor lighting. I wondered if tractor lighting could really be traditional, but then I remembered a giant crane decorated with Christmas lights every year growing up in a small Tennessee town. This tractor lighting was also in rural Tennessee. I wonder if other Southern towns do this?

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 Kingsbury

Categories
The Kids Are All Right

The Best Board Books of 2023

Happy Tuesday, kidlit friends! My niece unexpectedly gave birth to her second child today! Both are doing well despite the surprise, thankfully. That got me thinking about the books I had gifted her for her shower, so I decided to review four of my favorite board books of the year today.

The holidays have arrived, and so has our new paperback level at TBR! If you (or a reader you know) are just over-carrying around bulky hardcovers or are looking for a more budget-friendly option, we’ve got you. Check out all the offerings at mybtro.com/gift, and give personalized reading recommendations customized for any and every reader.

Bookish Goods

Nighttime Library Magnetic Bookmark by EmilyCromwellDesigns

Nighttime Library Magnetic Bookmark by EmilyCromwellDesigns

I’ve never actually used a magnetic bookmark (my child’s half-finished drawings make great bookmarks), but this one is magical. $5

New Releases

Cover of Amy's Big Brother by Jeong

Amy’s Big Brother by BonHyung Jeong (middle grade)

Andrew is starting 6th grade, and he has lots of big goals. He wants to become the captain of his basketball team, make friends, and ask out Hannah, the girl he has a crush on. The one big foil to his plans is his little sister Amy, who is constantly in his business and causing mayhem, and his parents coddle her because she’s their biological child, unlike Andrew, who was adopted. This middle grade graphic novel tackles lots of themes middle schoolers enjoy.

Cover of Monkey-Cam by Palatini

Monkey-Cam by Margie Palatini, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino (reader)

The Critter-Cam reader series is so funny. Each book follows an animal with a video camera on their head as they get into trouble. This is the fourth book in the series and follows Monkey in the jungle. On the left side, we see the story unfold as an outsider, and on the right side, we see the story from the camera’s perspective. There’s even a battery icon that slowly diminishes as the story continues. The other books in the series follow a cat, shark, and dog.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

I’m not super good at narrowing down my favorite books, but these are four of my favorite board books published this year. I see so many “best of 2023” children’s book lists coming out, but they rarely feature board books.

Cover of Flora and Friends ABC by Idle

Flora and Friends ABC by Molly Idle

In this beautifully illustrated alphabetical board book, Flora knows a feathered bird friend for every letter of the alphabet: K for kite, R for roadrunner, V for vulture, and more. Molly Idle’s illustrations are always stunning, and this board book also has flaps to lift. Flora is a recurring character in several of Idle’s children’s books, like Flora and the Flamingo. I’m not usually a huge fan of alphabet board books, but this one is special.

Cover of Alma Head to Toe by Martinez-Neal

Alma Head to Toe / Alma, de pies a cabeza by Juana Martinez-Neal

This sweet bilingual English and Spanish board book follows a recurring character as well. Alma also appears in Alma and How She Got Her Name. It’s a joyful, sensory-filled story where Alma names her body parts in English and Spanish and then relishes in sensory input with her bird friend. Candlewick released two Alma board books at the same time: this one and Alma and Her Family / Alma y su familiar, which is equally adorable.

Cover of Copy That, Copy Cat by Tangen

Copy That, Copy Cat!: Inventions Inspired by Animals by Katrina Tangen, illustrated by Giulia Orecchia

I briefly mentioned this board book a week ago, but I wanted to give a longer review because it really is a fantastic book and one toddlers and elementary children will enjoy. It’s a rhyming, riddling, lift-the-flap delight, and it’s STEM-themed! Follow children as they’re presented with riddles about hidden objects that seem to be easy to answer. As each child names various animals that rhyme with the question, they learn that the mysterious object is actually something else, an invention inspired by that animal. For example, one child learns that what they thought was a frog leg is actually a flipper. Another learns that what they thought was a polar bear’s pawprint is actually a snowshoe. At the end, the children learn that this phenomenon — where inventors study nature to develop new technology — is called biomimicry. Back matter includes even more lift-the-flap examples of biomimicry, as well as a more detailed definition. I’ve read this one and the next one so many times to my daughter this year.

Cover of Spaghetti by Nieminen

Spaghetti!: An Interactive Recipe Book by Lotta Nieminen

This interactive board book lets readers pretend to cook spaghetti in ten steps. They can add onions and olive oil to a pan, fill a pot with hot water, twirl spaghetti around a fork, and so much more. This is part of the Cook in a Book series, and every single one is so much fun for kids.

I forgot to share this here when it was released a month ago, but School Library Journal published an article I wrote about accessibility at children’s book events. It was a delight to speak with the authors and event planners for the piece, and eye-opening. I have experienced issues before at conferences, so I knew there would be lots to write about. What surprised me was how several program directors told me they rely on disabled attendees to let them know if there’s an issue, and they don’t advertise on their websites that they are disability-friendly or preemptively plan for disabled attendees or speakers beyond the very basic requirements. This is a huge error in thinking. I hope you read the article to find out why!

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 Kingsbury

Categories
The Kids Are All Right

Winter, Gifts, And More!

Happy Sunday, kidlit friends! My daughter’s birthday was last weekend, and she had a blast. We took her out to eat on her actual birthday, and then she had a birthday party with a few friends at a playground over the weekend. I can’t believe she’s six!

It’s happening, readers — we’re bringing paperbacks! Whether you (or a reader you know and love) hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you’re on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. The holidays are here, and we’ve got three different levels for gifting (to yourself or others) to suit every budget. Get all the details at mytbr.co.

This week, I review two new wonderful picture books about grandmothers and winter-themed books for all ages.

Bookish Goods

Golden Merry Little Christmas Shirt by DesIndie

Golden Merry Little Christmas Shirt by DesIndie

This Little Golden Book Christmas T-shirt is so adorable! $25

New Releases

Cover of A Gift for Nai Nai by Ung

A Gift for Nai Nai by Kim-Hoa Ung

Lyn Lyn’s Nai Nai (grandmother) has been teaching her how to crochet. Nai Nai’s birthday party is approaching, and Lyn Lyn has the perfect idea for a gift — she can crochet her a hat! There’s only one problem: it’s very difficult to crochet a hat. Lyn Lyn decides to ask Nai Nai for help and cleverly tells her the hat is for “her best friend” — which is true! Back matter includes instructions for how to crochet Nai Nai’s hat. This is an adorable picture book.

Cover of Laolao's Dumplings by Liu

Laolao’s Dumplings by Dane Liu, illustrated by ShinYeon Moon

Millie loves helping Laolao in the kitchen, especially when the two make dumplings together. When Laolao can no longer make dumplings, Millie goes to Chinatown with her parents to find the dumpling ingredients and makes the dumplings for Laolao. This is a warm, delightful picture book about community, family, and food. The illustrations are lovely and detailed. Back matter includes a dumpling recipe.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

Winter approaches, and while we are unlikely to get much snow here in Nashville, I love reading winter-themed children’s books. Here are four recent favorites.

Cover of Who Jumps More? by Lin

Who Jumps More? by Grace Lin (board book)

I adore Grace Lin’s board books in the Storytelling Math series, which follow four children as the seasons change. In this newest addition to the series, Olivia and Mei jump like animals in the snow, comparing their footprints. Mei jumps like a reindeer, and Olivia jumps like a rabbit. When they reach a tree, they try to figure out who jumped more. Another winter-themed board book in this series is The Last Marshmallow, also featuring Olivia and Mei!

Cover of Skating Wild on an Inland Sea by Pendziwol

Skating Wild on an Inland Sea by Jean E. Pendziwol, illustrated by Todd Stewart (picture book)

In this beautiful poetic picture book, two siblings wake up and hear winter’s song beckoning them to skate on Lake Superior. As they walk to the lake through the boreal forest, they encounter wolf pawprints and listen to the caws of ravens. They lace their skates, and finally, it’s time to join the song and skate. This is such a lovely ode to nature for young skaters to read.

Cover of Jo Jo Makoons:: Snow Day by Quigley

Jo Jo Makoons: Snow Day by Dawn Quigley, illustrated by Tara Audibert (chapter book)

In this stand-alone third book in the Jo Jo Makoons chapter book series, Jo Jo and her classmates are learning about what it means to be healthy and make healthy choices. Jo Jo is intrigued. When the Ojibwe reservation shuts down after a snowstorm, Jo Jo decides to organize an Ojibwe Olympics to help everyone in the community stay healthy. This series is funny and charming.

Cover of A World Full of Winter Stories by McAllister

A World Full of Winter Stories by Angela McAllister, illustrated by Olga Baumert

This anthology of illustrated folktales collects 50 stories from around the world that celebrate winter. The folktales are divided into six categories: “Birds and Beasts,” “Tricks and Troubles,” “Ice and Snow,” “Quests and Journeys,” “Spirits and Magic,” and “Christmas.” This would be a great anthology to read as a family over winter.

Marian's birthday, The Kids Are all Right

I set up a bit of a surprise for my daughter while she was at school: A cat birthday banner with her birthday presents. The banner is being held up with book stacks, ha! She screamed a happy scream when she opened her book present and discovered several Bad Kitty chapter books, her favorites right now.

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 Kingsbury