Category: The Kids Are All Right

Hello readers,

Children’s literature is a political thing. It always has been and so, I can begin this week’s newsletter in no better way than by directing you towards my lovely colleague Karina Yan Glaser’s Twitter thread on 100 Must-Read Children’s Books by African-American creators.  This list of resources on how to educate “yourself and those around you” may also prove of use to some of you. Finally, I’d like to take a moment to pay tribute to those of you who are and always have been doing the work. You have my respect, my admiration, and my thanks.

Here’s my pick of this week’s new releases!

Catalyst by Sarah Beth Durst

What else do you call a tiny kitten but Pipsqueak? The only problem is that Pipsqueak didn’t stay small forever – she grew, and grew, until now she’s bigger than a horse  and oh yeah, she can talk as well…

It’s up to Zoe and her best friend Harrison to keep Pipsqueak safe. Can they turn her back to her normal size? Or will that just put them all in greater danger?

A dynamic and rather sweet fantasy perfect for middle grade readers, this teaches us to accept everybody for who they are – whatever shape or size they may be. There’s some nice lessons about growing up in this, and did I mention that bit about the giant talking kitten?

Curse of the Night Witch: Emblem Island by Alex Aster

When you’re born on Emblem Island, you know your fate. Your lifeline shows the course of your life, and your emblem tells you how to spend it. But when Tor Luna’s leadership emblem changes to a death curse – and there’s only a week to go – he must visit the Night Witch and ask for help.

Pulling from Latin American mythology, and inspired by the stories that Aster’s Colombian grandmother told her at bedtime, this rich and pacy opener sets up an intriguing series.

Ladybird Tales of Super Heroes by Sufiya Ahmed, Yvonne Battle-Felton, Sarwat Chadda and Maisie Chan, illustrations by Aviel Basil, Fotini Tikkou, Jia Liu, Louise Warwick, Poonam Mistry, and Victoria Sandøy

(Backlist bump!)

What’s better than one story about mythic and legendary super heroes? Six stories about mythic and legendary super heroes, that’s what. This well put together collection features stories about Hanuma, Demon Fighter; Shahrazad the Storyteller; Inanna in the Underworld; Anansi the Spider-Man; Loki and the Magical Hammer, and the Legend of Hua Mulan. They’re all gorgeously told and perfect for bedtime with your little heroes.

Bold Women In Black History by Vashti Harrison

(Backlist bump!) I have admired Harrison’s work for a long time and this is fabulous. It tells the stories of some amazing women, ranging from singer Shirley Bassey through to nurse Mary Seacole. The artwork is adorable – beautiful, smart and savvy – while the stories are deeply accessible and full of inspiring achievements. It’s a very beautiful thing.

Alright, that’s everything from me this week! I’ll be back in seven days with more new books, I promise. Between then and now, you can stay in touch with me via social media (I would love to hear about what you’re reading), on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.

Happy reading!

Louise.

Hi friends,

It has been a really heavy couple of weeks. I have spent a lot of time reading and listening and thinking and donating. One of the things I decided to do was create a list of 100 incredible books by African American creators. As a contributing editor at Book Riot for the last five years, I have been very lucky to read, review, and recommend hundreds of children’s books by black authors and illustrators. The following list includes books that I have in my apartment, that I’ve read with my children, that I’ve bought at bookstores or borrowed from libraries, and that I’ve given as gifts. Diversifying our homes and classrooms and schools and neighborhood libraries is one way to learn and listen and understand and support.

Here is my list, based on my original thread on Twitter that you can find here:

The Twitter thread also includes a short description of why I loved each book. Please note that this list includes a couple of deviations from the original Twitter thread based on reader feedback, and the numbering might not match up because I reordered some of the books for easier browsing.

Board Books

1. Dream Big, Little One Board Book by Vashti Harrison
2. Woke Baby Board Book by Mahoghany L. Browne, illustrated by Theodore Taylor, III
3. Baby Says Board Book by John Steptoe
4. Please, Baby, Please by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Picture Books

5. All Things Bright and Beautiful by Ashley Bryan
6. The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
7. Hey Black Child by Useni Eugene Perkins, illustrated by Bryan Collier
8. Hands Up! By Breanna J. McDaniel, illustrated by Shane W. Evans
9. Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
10. What Is Given From the Heart by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by April Harrison
11. Tallulah The Tooth Fairy CEO by Dr. Tamara Pizzoli, illustrated by Federico Fabiani
12. Everett Anderson’s Goodbye by Lucille Clifton, illustrated by Ann Grifalconi
13. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
14. This is the Rope: A Story from the Great Migration by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by James Ransome
15. Freedom Over Me by Ashley Bryan
16. Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora
17. Blue Sky, White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
18. You Matter by Christian Robinson
19. The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
20. Bird by Zetta Elliott, illustrated by Shadra Strickland
21. Please, Louise by Toni Morrison and Slade Morrison, and illustrated by Shadra Strickland
22. A Place Where Hurricanes Happen by Renee Watson, illustrated by Shadra Strickland
23. Don’t Touch My Hair! By Sharee Miller
24. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
25. Life Doesn’t Frighten Me by Maya Angelou, illustrated by Jean-Michel Basquiat
26. Lift Every Voice and Sing by James Weldon Johnson, illustrated by Elizabeth Catlett
27. Overground Railroad by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James E. Ransome
28. Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me by Daniel Beatty, illustrated by Bryan Collier
29. I Love My Hair! By Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
30. Just Like Me by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
31. Uptown by Bryan Collier
32. Beautiful Blackbird by Ashley Bryan

Chapter Books

33. Nikki and Deja (series) by Karen English, illustrated by Laura Freeman
34. The Lucky Stone by Lucille Clifton
35. Dragons in a Bag (series) by Zetta Elliott
36. Jada Jones (series) by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
37. Sasha Savvy Loves to Code by Sasha Ariel Alston, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Middle Grade Books (for ages 8 – 12)

38. It All Comes Down to This by Karen English
39. New Kid by Jerry Craft
40. The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon
41. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
42. From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
43. Hoodoo by Ronald Smith
44. Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransome
45. Blended by Sharon Draper
46. Clean Getaway by Nic Stone
47. Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
48. My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich by Ibi Zoboi
49. So Done by Paula Chase
50. Midnight Without a Moon by Linda Williams Jackson
51. The Last Last-Day-of-Summer by Lamar Giles
52. One Shadow on the Wall by Leah Henderson
53. For Black Girls Like Me by Mariama J. Lockington
54. Tight by Torrey Maldonado
55. Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams
56. Some Places More Than Others by Renee Watson
57. King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender
58. Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes
59. Miles Morales Spider Man by Jason Reynolds
60. The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore
61. We Could Be Brothers by Derrick Barnes
62. Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
63. The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis
64. Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia
65. The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
66. 8th Grade Superzero by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
67. Hurricane Child by Kacen Callender
68. Stella by Starlight by Sharon Draper
69. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Middle Grade Book Series

70. Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson
71. The Logan Family Saga (includes Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry) by Mildred D. Taylor
72. Ghost by Jason Reynolds
73. The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste
74. Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
75. One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams Garcia

Nonfiction Picture Books

76. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
77. Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe
78. By and By: Charles Tindley, the Father of Gospel Music by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Bryan Collier
79. Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington
80. Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
81. Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
82. Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shutterly, illustrated by Laura Freeman
83. The Oldest Student by Oge Mora
84. Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney
85. Harlem’s Little Blackbird by Renee Watson, illustrated by Christian Robinson
86. Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
87. Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton by Don Tate
88. Before There Was Mozart: The Story of Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-George by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James E. Ransome
89. Someday is Now: Clara Luper and the 1958 Oklahoma City Sit-Ins by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, illustrated by Jade Johnson

Non-Fiction for Middle Grade Readers

90. Black Women in Science by Kimberly Brown Pellum
91. We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson
92. This Promise of Change by Jo Ann Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy
93. Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African-Americans by Kadir Nelson
94. Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace by Ashley Bryan
95. Stamped: Racism, Anti-Racism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
96. You Can Fly by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jeffrey Boston Weatherford

Poetry

97. Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Justice by Mahoghany L. Browne, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
98. One Last Word by Nikki Grimes
99. Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Ekua Holmes
100. I, Too, Am America by Langston Hughes, illustrated by Bryan Collier

 

I am thinking of all of you during this time. Thank you for being willing to read and learn and listen with me.

Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.

xox,
Karina

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Hello readers!

I’ve had an Oscar winner reading to me this week and I’ve been enjoying every minute of it. I’m talking about Taika Waititi’s charity reading of James And The Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. Each episode on YouTube has seen him joined by a host of famous faces (I would like Lupita Nyong’o to narrate everything from now on please) and you can catch up on episode one here.

And now, let’s talk books!

The Way To Rio Luna by Zoraida Córdova

Danny Monteverde knows that his older sister Pili hasn’t run away – she waits for him in Rio Luna, the magical land from their favourite book of fairy tales.

But as the years pass, his faith begins to waiver. It’s only when he finds a strange book in the library with a map to Rio Luna – and to Pili – that Danny realises it’s finally time to find his sister. And, in the process, standing up to the greatest threat that Rio Luna has ever known…

The debut middle grade novel from Córdova, this is full of strong siblings, world-crossing adventures, and a rich spin on fairy tale adventures. Beware fairyland at all costs!

The World Needs More Purple People by Kristen Bell and Benjamin Heart, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman

Get yourself to the Good Place with this celebration of purple people. What is a purple person? It’s somebody who brings people together and speaks up for what’s right – an everyday superhero!

A bright and fun book, with lovely and accessible illustrations, this celebrates “the things that make you you!”

Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea by Meena Harris, illustrated by Ana Ramírez González

One day Kamala and Maya had a big idea: they would turn their empty apartment courtyard into a playground! But big ideas take a lot of work, and sometimes you have to stand firm in the face of disappointment to make a dream turn into a reality…

Meena Harris is the niece of Senator Kamala Harris and the daughter of Maya Harris, and this is based on a true story from their childhoods. It celebrates how children can make a difference and how a community can make things happen when they work together. Gorgeous!

You Matter by Christian Robinson

“Near or Far / Big Or Small / First or Last / You Matter”

An exploration of different perspectives from around the world, whether the bird-watchers or the pigeons they’re feeding, this wonderful picture book celebrates the value to be found in all of us. There’s a lot of power in these classy, full, emotional pages and Robinson’s writing is beautiful throughout.

The Refuge by Sandra le Guen, illustrated by Stéphane Nicolet, and translated by Daniel Hahn.

Jeannette has a new classmate, Iliana. It’s a little difficult for them to communicate because Iliana is learning a new language but hands and drawings do just fine. They tell Iliana’s story of leaving her country, and then they tell the stories of her parents too. And as these stories take shape and bloom, so does the friendship between Jeanette and Iliana…

First published in French and full of wildly magical artwork, this is a tribute to the power of storytelling, friendship, and the importance of empathy. A moving, rich, and intensely imaginative experience.

 

Let’s leave it there for this week! I’ll be back next week with more new books, I promise. Between then and now, you can stay in touch with me via social media (this week I am thinking a lot about the Moomins), on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.

Happy reading!

Louise.

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

I have been thinking about sustainable energy these days, and generally when I don’t know anything about a topic I turn to children’s books. Here are some great ones if you’re looking to learn more about how the world is running on sustainable energy. This list reflects the dearth of books about sustainable energy by authors of color.

Green Machine: The Slightly Gross Truth about Turning Your Food Scraps into Green Energy by Rebecca Donnelly, illustrated by Christophe Jacques, is an informative and funny book about food scraps. See how food scraps are composted, collected, and processed, transforming trash into biogas and electricity. It’s a green machine! It’s a celebration of sustainability and the important role we humans play in the energy cycle.

Allan Drummund has a great picture book about solar energy: Solar Story: How One Community Harnessed the Wind and Changed Their World. As we see on a class field trip, the plant is not only bringing reliable power to the village and far beyond, but is providing jobs, changing lives, and upending the old ways of doing things–starting within the girl’s own family. Blending detail-filled watercolors, engaging cartoon-style narration, sidebars, and an afterword, the author showcases another community going green in amazing ways.

And finally, a middle grade book: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Wheeler. When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba’s tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season’s crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family’s life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William’s windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land.

 

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.

Until next time!
Karina

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hello readers!

It’s blazing sunshine here today and as I’m too British to deal with any weather other than grey skies and a gently persistent rain, I’ve had to hide inside. Whilst I come to terms with the concept of “heat”, I’m going to share with you this week’s lovely new releases in the world of children’s books. Enjoy!

The Ship We Built by Lexie Bean

Rowan has too many secrets for a diary to hold. He knows who he is and what he likes, but it’s not safe for others to know. And while one parent ignores him, the other hurts him in ways that he’s not ready to talk about.

But there’s one way for Rowan to share his secrets; he ties letters to balloons and releases them, in the hope that they’ll find somebody who understands. And when he befriends a classmate who knows what it’s like to be lonely and scared, he realises that the support he’s looking for might be closer than he thought.

Touching on some big, complex and challenging issues – and doing so with a lot of care and sensitivity – this is an eloquent slice of magic by a remarkable author. (And that cover is beautiful!).

Captain America My Mighty Marvel First Book

This is a fun board book that celebrates the iconic Steve Rogers. The art is similarly iconic, featuring the work of Jack “King” Kirby, and provides a lovely retro introduction to Cap. It’s perfect for sharing with your tiny comics fans, and there’s also a Spiderman book in the same series.

Dewdrop by Katie O’Neill

The pond is preparing for its yearly sports fair and Dewdrop the axolotl is ready to share his skills. But his friends are putting a lot of pressure on themselves to be the best – and it’s down to Dewdrop to remind them that they’re great just as they are.

This had me at adorable axolotl. It had me again with O’Neill’s glorious artwork. And it had me again again (that’s not even English but forgive me!) with its gentle lessons about conservation and kindness. It’s just so lovely.

When The Storm Comes by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

Storms aren’t fun. We have to bring in our outside toys and stay inside, watching the clouds roll in and the skies turn dark. But bad weather passes and the sun comes back out again.

Teaching us to look for those sunny skies, this is a charming exploration of those ‘bad weather’ days. There’s also a nice emphasis on the strength of being a community and looking out for neighbors – a charming piece of work.

Good Little Wolf by Nadia Shireen

This week’s backlist bump is a great thing. Rolf is a good little wolf who enjoys baking cakes and being kind to his friends. But wolves aren’t like that – they’re meant to be big and bad! Can a good little wolf be a real wolf?

Featuring a brilliant ending, wry and lovely artwork, this is a very fabulous picture book and well worth picking up for your tiny wolves.

I’ll be back next week with more new books! Between then and now, you can stay in touch with me via social media (I am very present for discussions about Pippi Longstocking), on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing.

Happy reading!

Louise.

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

I live in New York City, which means lockdown requires us to stay in our tiny apartment for weeks on end. It looks as if our summer trip to Maine will be cancelled, and as a result I am mourning the loss of our annual trip to the woods. Thankfully, there are books to remind me of the trees. There have been many beautiful books about the woods, including a gorgeous picture book called Home in the Woods by Eliza Wheeler.

Home in the Woods is the story of what happens when six-year-old Marvel, her seven siblings, and their mom must start all over again after their father has died. Deep in the woods of Wisconsin they find a tar-paper shack. It doesn’t seem like much of a home, but they soon start seeing what it could be. During their first year it’s a struggle to maintain the shack and make sure they have enough to eat. But each season also brings its own delights and blessings–and the children always find a way to have fun. Most importantly, the family finds immense joy in being together, surrounded by nature. And slowly, their little shack starts feeling like a true home–warm, bright, and filled up with love.

The Keeper of Wild Words by Brooke Smith, illustrated by Madeline Kloepper is about words, the woods, and the world. When Mimi finds out her favorite words—simple words, like apricot, blackberry, buttercup—are disappearing from the English language, she elects her granddaughter Brook as their Keeper. And did you know? The only way to save words is to know them.This lovely story is all about saving the most important pieces of our language—by saving the very things they stand for.

Redwoods by Jason Chin begins with a subway trip that is transformed when a young boy happens upon a book about redwood forests. As he reads the information unfolds, and with each new bit of knowledge, he travels–all the way to California to climb into the Redwood canopy. As with al of Chin’s nonfiction picture books, this one is crammed with interesting and accurate information about these great natural wonders.

 

Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya by Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, tell the true story of Wangari Muta Maathai, known as “Mama Miti,” who in 1977 founded the Green Belt Movement, an African grassroots organization that has empowered many people to mobilize and combat deforestation, soil erosion, and environmental degradation. Today more than 30 million trees have been planted throughout Mama Miti’s native Kenya, and in 2004 she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Wangari Muta Maathai has changed Kenya tree by tree—and with each page turned, children will realize their own ability to positively impact the future.

Echo Mountain is Newbery Honor winner Lauren Wolk’s new middle grade book, set during the Great Depression. When Ellie’s family is forced to leave their home in town and start over in the untamed forests of nearby Echo Mountain, Ellie finds that she loves the freedom of the natural world. But there is little joy, even for Ellie, as her family struggles with the aftermath of an accident that has left her father in a coma. An accident unfairly blamed on Ellie. Determined to help her father, Ellie will make her way to the top of the mountain in search of the healing secrets of a woman known only as “the hag.” This lyrical, passionate book is about the secrets we hold and the love that gives us courage.

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.

Until next time!
Karina

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hello readers!

It’s that time of the week where we share some lovely new children’s books (and a few backlist bumps) for your lovely shelves! We are repainting at the moment so all of my books have had to come off my shelves. They’re piled up on the side and I am very tempted to make myself a book fort. I mean, what else can you do under the circumstances?

Whilst I figure out the floorplan for my fort, here’s my pick of this weeks new releases. There are some gorgeous titles heading your way!

Every Missing Piece by Melanie Conklin

Maddy sees danger everywhere she looks – and when she comes across a boy setting booby traps in the wood, she thinks the worst. This has to be Billy Holcomb – a boy who went missing six months ago. But who’s going to believe her?

A mysterious middle-grade adventure with some sensitive treatment of anxiety and grief, Maddy must learn to navigate her fears as she figures out that the world isn’t always what it seems.

How Women Won The Vote by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, illustrated by Ziyue Chen

In 1913, a Women Suffrage parade took place in Washington DC. It was the first such event in the state, and the first organised march on Washington for political purposes. This book takes you into the heart of that story by focusing on the organisers – Alice Paul and Lucy Burns – and their incredible story.

A well-researched, powerful and beautifully illustrated tribute to women’s rights, this is a lovely look at an important period in history.

Summer at Meadow Wood by Amy Rebecca Tan

Vic Brown doesn’t want to be at summer camp. She can’t forget about the secret that made her mom want her and her brother out of the house – and she definitely can’t stop thinking about how her life is about to change. But maybe, just maybe, spending the summer at Meadow Wood might help…

As a Brit, summer camp stories have always fascinated me and this is a gorgeous read. It’s gentle, layered and full of depth – perfect for preteens and teens alike.

The Wheel of Surya by Jamila Gavin

India, 1947. Marvinder and Jaspal have been separated from their mother, and now face a daily fight for survival. They must travel halfway around the world to find a father they barely know, and somehow stay together in the process…

(This is a sneaky backlist bump for one of my favourite authors – she’s SO worth getting to know if you don’t! And if you do already know her, then we can just fangirl together over her greatness 😊 )

Artichoke Hearts by Sita Brahmachari

Mira’s grandmother is dying but she wants to ‘die well’. And as Mira is forced to come to terms with what this means for her relationship with her grandmother, she begins to uncover a whole world of secrets held about her – not in the least, those of Jide – a troubled and mysterious boy who’s hiding something…

(This is another backlist bump for one of my favourite authors and one of my favourite books –  Brahmachari writes with love and grace about family, and this is an utterly gorgeous books)

Alright, let’s leave it there for this week! I’ll be back in seven days to share some more new releases. Between then and now, you can stay in touch with me via social media (share with me your beautiful book forts), on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing. 

Happy reading!

Louise.

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

I have been getting a lot of questions about great chapter book series for emerging readers, and I have A LOT of suggestions. I love chapter book series, so here are some of my absolute favorites. Check these out, plus a bonus list if you’re interested!

Power Forward by Hena Khan is about fourth grader Zayd Saleem, a boy with some serious hoop dreams but with serious barriers blocking his way. For starters, Zayd’s only on the D-team. (D stands for developmental, but to Zayd it’s always felt like a bad grade or something.) Not to mention, he’s a bit on the scrawny side, even for the fourth grade team. But his best friend Adam is on the Gold Team, and it’s Zayd’s dream for the two of them to play together. And to top it all off, his parents are not fans of basketball – they would much rather him play the violin than hit the courts.

New York Times bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski hits a home run with the Whatever After series about Abby and Jonah, two siblings living a perfectly normal life in a new town until they discover a mirror in the basement. When they knock on its surface three times, they’re whizzed away to fairy-tale land. The great thing about this series is that there are many books, so fans will have plenty of opportunities to revisit these tangled fairy tales.

 

My Furry Foster Family is a new series by Debbie Michiko Florence about eight-year-old Kaita Takano and her animal-fostering family. They get into all sorts of mis-adventures with their fosters, which include restless dwarf hamsters, a black lab who loves eating garbage, the shyest kitten in the world, and a bearded dragon with lots of attitude.

 

Another new series that is sure to capture the attention of young readers is Diary of an Ice Princess by Christina Soontornvat. This magical series follows Princess Lina. Her magic is still under wraps, she hangs out with BFF Claudia every day, and soon their class is taking a field trip to see penguins at the city aquarium! Up in the sky, Lina’s Granddad has decided to invite her mischievous cousin Jack Frost to give Lina extra tutorials in Winterheart magic. But when Jack tags along with Lina to school, his tricks wreak havoc on the big field trip. Can Lina keep her cool and save the day?

Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon is HILARIOUS. I just love this series, which is wonderfully illustrated. If you are looking for quirky main characters, a kid with a magnificent imagination, a harrowing villain, go no further! This series is sure to delight young readers and make them laugh out loud.

 

 

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.

Until next time!
Karina

What quarantine looks like! My 10 year old is trying to do distance learning while Nala sits on her paper. Now they know how I feel when I work from home!

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

Hello readers,

It’s a bright sunny day here, and I write this by my window-sill which is absolutely full of tiny succulents. These stubborn little wonders are my top tip for anybody who is challenged at the whole “keeping plants alive” thing. (My other top tip is an ivy – those suckers are robust…!).

Anyway, enough about my horticultural inadequacies! Let’s check out the new releases from the world of children’s literature this week – there’s some good stuff there!

The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas

The animals are disappearing – and Nestor’s grandmother is prime suspect number one. But Nestor can speak to animals and his investigation reveals that they’re being taken by a tule vieja – a witch who can absorb the animal’s powers by biting it during a solar eclipse. And the next eclipse is about to happen….

Anything with a title that riffs on a Bonnie Tyler song gets my attention. My attention stays got when there’s a brave Cuban American lead, a band of brilliant people (and animals!) coming together to Sort Things Out, and a whole ton of adventure.

Lizard’s Tale by Weng Wai Chan

1940, Singapore. Twelve year old Lizard lives a complicated life – and after he steals a Japanese code book, it gets a whole lot more difficult. The world of wartime espionage means that he doesn’t know who to trust, and right at the top of the list is his friend Lili…

Street-smarts, bravery and a city full of secrets – what’s not to love about this middle-grade debut?

 

Desert Girl, Monsoon Boy by Tara Dairman, illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan

Picture book time! This is the story of two children who live in India and experience all the extremes that the weather has to offer. It’s grounded in well-researched text and illustrations, and provides a valuable new perspective on how climate-change impacts indigenous communities. A really strong, knowledgeable, and elegant told book.

Which Way Is Home? by Maria Kiely

It’s 1948 in Czechoslovakia, and the impact of the Communist takeover means that Anna and her family must leave the country. Not knowing who to trust, or whether she’ll ever see her father again, Anna and her sister and her mother are forced to put their lives in the hands of strangers in order to survive.

Drawing on the author’s own family history, and highlighting a rarely represented period within children’s literature, this is a strong middle grade debut full of adventure, heart and bravery.

Fly On The Wall by Remy Lai

Henry Khoo has an overprotective family. His sister is his chaperone/bodyguard, and his (former!) best friend knows to expect an interrogation when Henry’s actually allowed to come to her house. The last thing that Henry’s going to be allowed to do is travel halfway around the world by himself – but he’s not waiting for permission…

Told in an illustrated diary format perfect for Wimpy Kid fans, this lively coming of age story is very funny, very heartfelt and very much a celebration of being a little bit quirky.

Okay! We’ll leave it there for now, and I’ll be back in a week with more new releases. Between then and now, you can stay in touch with me via social media (Let’s talk about how great The Lord of The Rings films still are), on my website, or over on the biweekly literary fiction podcast Novel Gazing (we just did an episode which featured a lot of YA and picture books – check it out!).

Happy reading!

Louise.

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

Young readers always seem to love origin stories as you can see from the popularity of books like the Percy Jackson and Aru Shah series. I’ve seen some really lovely new picture books featuring origin stories cross my desk, so I thought I would chat about those plus some oldies but goodies.

How the Stars Came to Be by Poonam Mistry is a gorgeous book filled with stunning illustrations and a beautiful story. The Fisherman’s Daughter loved to dance in the sunlight, and bathe in the glow of the moon. But when the moon disappeared for a few nights each month, she worried about her father and how he would find his way home from the sea in the deep darkness. When the sun finds her sobbing one night, he takes one of his rays and shatters it onto the ground, creating the stars and giving the girl the task of putting them into the dark night sky.

The Very Short, Entirely True, History of Mermaids by Sarah Laskow is a fun book that dives deep into the origins of mermaids. Many myths say these creatures are half human and half fish, while others claim they are simply manatees mistaken for something more magical. Some grant wishes and fall in love, yet others have lured sailors to their doom.
Author Sarah Laskow separates the fact from the fiction with this full-color, fully illustrated book that discusses the myths, science, and history that surround mermaids.

Pattan’s Pumpkin by Chitra Soundar, illustrated by Frane Lessac, is a variation on the traditional flood myth from the Irular tribe in Southern India. When Pattan finds a yellow-flower vine wilting in his valley, he replants and cares for it, watching as a pumpkin appears and grows taller than the goats, taller than the elephants, as tall as the very mountains. When a terrible storm rages across the valley, Pattan wonders if perhaps his pumpkin can save the seeds and grains and saplings, the goats and birds and bison, and protect them all as the storm clouds burst and the waters rise.

One of my favorite origin story books is D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d’Aulaire and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire. It is beautifully illustrated with captivating stories of Greek heroes. The audiobook is also wonderful and a great way to introduce young readers to the fascinating world of Green mythology. As R. J. Palacio, author of Wonder, has said, “I doubt I would have grown up to be the writer and artist I became had I not fallen in love with D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths at the age of seven.”

The First Strawberries by Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by Anna Vojtech is a re-telling of a Cherokee legend, which explains how strawberries came to be. Long ago, the first man and woman quarreled. The woman left in anger, but the Sun sent tempting berries to Earth to slow the wife’s retreat and bring he back.

 

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.

Until next time!
Karina

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