Staff Picks

May Your Life be Deliciosa
Written by Michael Genhart, Illustrated by Loris Lora

During the holiday season, one surefire way to bring family together is through food. In May Your Life be Deliciosa, Rosie tells readers of her family’s Christmas Eve tradition of making tamales at her abuela’s house. Without fail every year, abuela carefully follows the recipe she has memorized. With every step completed, she makes a wish for Rosie – to have “protection and security” and “love and affection,” among other things.

Illustrator Loris Lora showcases the traditional aspects of making tamales for family through images of Abuela Pina growing up and Rosie passing along the recipe to her own children. Her eye-catching illustrations can be found in the picture books Safe & Sound by Jean Roussen and Who Dug This Hole? by Laura Gehl.

For writer Michael Genhart, this tradition of making tamales was a childhood memory he said he wanted to share. He’s written multiple children’s books including Rainbow: A First Book of Pride with illustrator Anne Passchier and Accordionly: Abuelo and Opa Make Music illustrated by Priscilla Burris. (Ages 5 – 10)

Latkes and Applesauce: A Hanukkah Story
Written by Fran Manushkin, Illustrated by Kris Easler

On the first night of Hanukkah, the Menashe Family lit a candle on the menorah and sang their blessings. They look forward to feasting on latkes and applesauce, but a blizzard has made it impossible to dig up potatoes and pick apples for their meal. Instead, they eat soup and pass the time until Hanukkah arrives. Along the way, they rescue a hungry cat and dog, which lead them to a Hanukkah miracle.

Latkes and Applesauce is an inspiring tale that shows how being kind to others can bring light into your own life. The cultural tradition of making latkes and applesauce as well as the historical context behind Hanukkah is explained to those wanting to learn about Jewish culture and traditions.

Fran Manushkin, a celebrated children’s author who has been making books since 1972, is known for her Katie Woo series, among others. Latkes and Applesauce, Kris Easler’s first published book, features her distinct character designs and a sense of coziness that is achieved by contrasting the dark blue night sky and the yellow light of candle flames. (Ages 3 – 8)

It’s Diwali!
Written by Kabir and Surishtha Sehgal, Illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan

The countdown to Diwali has begun! With rhyming lines and bright colorful pages throughout, It’s Diwali! introduces the festival of lights to young readers. A rich element of Indian culture is defined after each section of the countdown takes place. Readers learn that jalebis are a dessert made of flour batter and syrup and how rangolis are floor designs made with chalk and flowers. During the story, a family can be seen participating in the festival preparations, eating delicious food and spending time together, illustrating how joyous Diwali can be for all those who celebrate it.

Reading It’s Diwali! is a wonderful way for parents to enrich their children’s lives by teaching them about a new culture. For those who already celebrate Diwali, this picture book can be a fantastic addition to their celebration. Kabir and Surishtha Sehgal are a bestselling mother and son duo, who have written seven books together including Mother Goose Goes to India, Festival of Colors and The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk. Archana Sreenivasan is a freelance illustrator based in Bangalore, India whose colorful illustrations can be found in My Bindi written by Gita Varadarajan, Where Three Oceans Meet written by Rajani LaRocca, and Seven Golden Rings with writer Rajani LaRocca. (Ages 3 – 5)

The People Remember
Written by Ibi Zoboi, Illustrated by Loveis Wise

The lyrical writing of New York Times bestselling author Ibi Zoboi and the commanding artistry of Loveis Wise come together in this lovely story that uses the principles of the Kwanzaa celebration as the foundation for a wonderful journey through African American history. The People Remember evokes a powerful message of strength and perseverance.

Author Ibi Zoboi’s The People Remember has won the Coretta Scott King Honor Award. She is the author of American Street, a National Book Award finalist, and Pride, a contemporary retelling of Jan Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Her most recent books include Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler and Okoye to the People: A Black Panther Novel for Marvel.

Illustrator Loveis Wise has worked with The New Yorker, Disney-Hyperion and Cartoon Network. She makes prints and shirts when she isn’t making children’s books like Say Her Name written by Zetta Elliott and Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas written by Jeanne Walker Harvey. (Ages 7 and up)

Snow Falls
Written by Kate Gardner, Illustrated by Brandon James Scott

Snow Falls reveals the beauty of winter as it follows the straightforward wonderous journey of a girl and her dog as they play in the snow. In the book, they discover how snow tricks and glows and how it lets you slide and hide until winter is over and done.

The many beautiful hues of color within the illustrations, especially the purples and blues, bring out a sense of enchantment and joy that you can see in our young protagonist's smile. The simple text lets the illustrations shine and gives readers more to imagine.

Kate Gardner loves all seasons, but especially spring, so it was to her surprise, she explains, that she started writing about the magic of snow. She has also written Lovely Beasts: The Surprising Truth illustrated by Heidi Smith and How to Find a Fox photographed by Ossi Saarinen. Brandon James Scott is the Emmy-nominated creator of Justin Time, an animated series. He has illustrated the books The Dog Who Wanted to Fly written by Kathy Stinson and A Bear, A Bee, and a Honey Tree written by Daniel Bernstrom. (Ages 3 – 7)

Around the Table That Grandad Built
Written by Melanie Heuiser Hill, Illustrated by Jaime Kim

In Around the Table that Grandad Built, family and friends come together to give thanks and eat delicious meals on the table that their grandad built.

This book retells the classic cumulative rhyme, This Is the House That Jack Built, with a multicultural group of family and friends who gather around the table that grandad built. Sunflowers, napkins sewn by mom and food galore are added to the table. Everyone from the children to the adults are energetically working alongside one another to prepare for the meal. There is a wide cultural variety of food set on the table – a stack of toasty tamales, spicy samosas and the annual rice pudding. A lovely spread of pies is added at the end before the family gives thanks and enjoys their meal together.

Around the Table That Grandad Built brings out the exciting and delicious memories of family getting together for the holidays. Jaime Kim brings out the child in her readers with not only the use of crayons in the illustrations, but also the little faces and hands reaching for the food before them. This picture book also shows how the children help the adults set the table and in the kitchen, which is a great way to show young readers how they can help their own parents. Around the Table That Grandad Built is a marvelous read about celebrating the holidays together.

Around the Table That Grandad Built is Melanie Heuiser Hill’s debut picture book. She wrote it because she has a fondness for long tables, with good food and loved ones surrounding her. She has previously written a middle-grade novel called Giant Pumpkin Suite. Jaime Kim is a South Korean born illustrator, who evokes nostalgia and dreamlike images with her illustrations. She’s illustrated the books The Aquanaut by Jill Heinerth, Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Méndez, as well as being the author and illustrator for Ready for the Spotlight!

Group Hug
Written by Jean Reidy, Illustrated by Joey Chou

In Group Hug, a friendly slug shares her hugs with all the animals in the forest needing one.

It all started with a slug looking for a hug. Then along came a lonely beetle. All the animals are feeling down in the dumps. The Mouse has a case of the grumps, the Beaver is overworked, and the Moose is feeling stuck. Everyone is feeling better from the hug when suddenly Bear comes along and scatters the animals. All the animals leave except for Slug, who bravely hugs the bear needing some care. The last page shows them all coming back together for one last group hug.

A heartwarming story, Group Hug spotlights the importance of spreading kindness to others. Slug hugs those who are having a difficult time. That kindness has a ripple effect that helps more and more creatures. The animals are illustrated with friendly faces and cute character designs. Group Hug is told in a flowing rhyme, which will keep little listeners entertained as they learn how important it is to be kind.

Jean Reidy lives in Colorado, across the street from her local library, where she visits almost every day. She has won the Colorado Book Award three times, is a Parents’ Choice Gold Award winner, and her books have been on the School Library Journey “Best of” lists. Some of her titles include A Grand Day, and When the Snow Is Deeper Than My Boots Are Tall. Joey Chou is a visual development artist and illustrator, who works at Netflix Animation and worked with Disney, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks and Warner Bros. He is also known for illustrating the Little Golden books, Ruby's Chinese New Year, and Hello, My Name Is ...: How Adorabilis Got His Name.

If Animals Tried to be Kind
Written by Ann Whitford Paul, Illustrated by David Walker

What would happen If Animals Tried to be Kind? Gator would act like a canoe so that Raccoon can get to the other side of the swamp. Bear would surprise his friend Snake with a tasty honey cake. Hawk would help a poorly sighted owl hunt for food. These and more unlikely friendships take shape, like Cat and Mouse snuggling together for a nap or when Lion defends Wildebeest from Hyena’s mocking laugh. All the while, Porcupine knits a red and white striped scarf. It slowly gets longer as the story comes along, until it fits Giraffe’s long neck, as a warm gift for a friend.

If Animals Tried to Be Kind is a sweet story that gives its young audience some examples using cuddly animals to teach kindness. David Walker’s illustrations depict a cozy atmosphere that works well with the gentle rhyming of Ann Whiteford Paul. This author and illustrator duo have also created the “If Animals” series, including If Animals Gave Thanks and If Animals Went to School. Their series puts animals in scenarios that young children might find themselves in, offering a gentle reminder on manners.

We Give Thanks
Written by Cynthia Rylant, Illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier

What do you give thanks for?

A friendly rabbit and frog go about their day giving thanks for all they have in We Give Thanks. Whether it be material things like mittens and coats or the friends they’ve made along the way, they are thankful for it all. In a sing-songy rhyme, Rabbit and Frog give thanks “for apple trees and bushes filled with roses.” And they give thanks “for grandpas and for sisters and for brothers.” All the animals that Rabbit and Frog meet are together at the end of the story, enjoying a fantastic feast of desserts, which is the perfect way to end a grateful day.

Soft watercolor images accompany a pleasant story of thanks in this wonderful book. We Give Thanks expresses the feelings connected to the many things and people in our lives that make it better. And with all that there is to be grateful for, it’s always a nice gesture to show it through food and time spent together.

Cynthia Rylant has written more than one hundred books for children. She discovered classics like Charlotte’s Web and Goodnight Moon for the first time when she became a Children’s Librarian. It was the start of her journey and where she got her inspiration to write her own stories for children. Rylant is the author of both the Henry And Mudge and Mr. Putter & Tabby series. Sergio Ruzzier is an Italian author and illustrator who was a recipient of the Sendek Fellowship, an award referencing Maurice Sendak, author of Where the Wild Things Are. His books include Roar Like a Dandelion by Ruth Krauss, One Mean Ant by Arthur Yorinks and his own series Fox & Chick.

Over the River and Through the Wood
Illustrated by Emma Randall

Get ready to sing along with this classic children’s song turned into a visually delightful picture book.

In Over the River and Through the Wood, readers get to experience a wintery wonderland setting as two children head off to their grandmother’s house for Thanksgiving Day. They are pulled along by a horse on a sleigh ride over the river and through the woods. Along the way, they pass snow-capped mountains, an icy lake and woodland creatures, with snowflakes and a cold breeze enveloping our two protagonists. At last, they reach their grandmother’s house where they have a Thanksgiving feast with family and some of the animals they saw.

Over the River and Through the Wood was originally a poem written by Lydia Maria Child in 1844. The words in the story book versus the poem varies slightly but it still has the cheerful, upbeat tone. Emma Randall’s illustration style brings whimsy to this magical song, which is a great sing-along.

Emma Randall lives and works in the United Kingdom. She enjoys designing characters, patterns, and using bright colors in her illustrations. She’s written and illustrated Our Easter Adventure and illustrated The Twelve Days of Christmas.

We Want to Go to School! The Fight for Disability Rights
Written by Maryann Cocca-Leffler and Janine Leffler

For millions of children with disabilities in the United States, public schools weren’t available to them until 1972, when seven families came together to fight to give their children access to the same education available to everyone else.  

Word spread and the seven families became 18,000 families, all fighting for the rights of children with disabilities through a federal lawsuit called Mills v. Board of Education. This case would decide their future and that of millions of disabled children across the United States. 

Schools argued that children with disabilities couldn’t learn, they couldn’t afford the cost of providing them with the necessary tools to succeed, and they would be a distraction. The families and children with disabilities weren’t going to give up until they had equal rights. 

Author Janine Leffler rallies the reader to the cause by telling her story of learning to talk and walk at a slow pace due to having cerebral palsy. When she started going to school at three years old, she learned from many teachers that helped her build her muscles, taught her to speak and helped her use her hands. She learned and played alongside other children at school with their help. 

Janine Leffler masterfully tells the story of the fight for disability rights in an easily accessible way. She and her mother, Maryann Cocca-Leffler, cowrote We Want to Go to School! The Fight for Disability Rights like they are having a conversation with the reader – making it the perfect starting place to learn about an important historical event.  

Janine Leffler works at a nonprofit organization that helps adults with disabilities. Her mother, Maryann, is an award-winning author and illustrator who has used some of her books to advocate for disability rights including the titles Janine, Same Way Ben and Fighting for Yes! (Ages 5 – 8)

You Are Enough: A Book About Inclusion encourages children to have the courage to be themselves because that’s what makes us special.

You Are Enough is inspired by Sofia Sanchez, who was adopted from Ukraine by a loving family from the United States. The book chronicles how internet videos of her talking about having down syndrome went viral and she became the subject of news stories. This attention enabled her to be a model, actress, and advocate for children with down syndrome. 

You Are Enough spreads her joyful message about loving who you are and being yourself, sending a positive message about inclusion.

Margaret O’Hair is a mother of two, a kindergarten teacher, and an author. She has written eight books, including Be-You-Tiful: Love, Sofia, Ride the Wave: Love Sofia and Haole the Surf Dog. Illustrator Sofia Cardoso uses a mix of traditional and digital art to make her bright and colorful character designs. She’s illustrated for the Amy Wild and the Bridesmaids Club series for kids. (Ages 4 – 8)

Aaron Slater, Illustrator
Written by Andrea Beaty, Illustrated by David Roberts

The main character in Aaron Slater, Illustrator grows up with a love of drawing and a hunger for stories. He thinks that being able to tell stories would be the greatest thing he can do, but he finds it difficult to read, specifically the squiggly lines that are supposed to be letters that turn into words. Aaron’s character is described as having dyslexia by the author, Andrea Beaty. 

Aaron Slater, Illustrator is a hopeful story for those who struggle to do something that may come easily to others. It lends an empathetic ear to children who struggle in school with learning disabilities. To make it more accessible, author Andrea Beaty included text of the story in the font dyslexie, which is designed for people with dyslexia.

Andrea Beaty is the bestselling author of the Questioneers series including Iggy Peck, Architect, Sofia Valdez, Future Prez and Ada Twist, Scientist. David Roberts has illustrated all of the Questioneers books for Andrea Beaty’s series, The Cook and the King by Julia Donaldson and Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty. (Ages 5 – 8)

A Friend for Henry
Written by Jenn Bailey, Illustrated by Mika Song

A Friend for Henry is a lighthearted insightful story of a boy with autism finding friendship.  

Henry is looking for a friend. He would pick Classroom Six’s pet goldfish, Gilly, but she can’t play on the swings with him. And it definitely could not be Vivianne, whose personality is as loud and bright as her fingernails. He needs a friend who likes the same thing he likes, who listens, and who follows the rules. When all hope seems lost, Henry finds a friend in someone who likes some of the things he does but is also their own person. 

Katie is as fascinated with Gilly as he is. She likes to play with blocks and isn’t bothered that he doesn’t like triangles. Katie likes to go down the big slide backward, which Henry deems too big. He is happy to wait for her at the bottom.

Author Jenn Bailey paints a detailed picture of Henry’s thoughts like when he describes Vivanne as a kaleidoscope and Katie as smelling of strawberry milk. Henry’s personality is shown through his actions and thoughts and he comes across as quite the character. 

Jenn Bailey was inspired to write A Friend for Henry after observing her own children, including one who has autism, trying to find friends of their own. Her story won the Schneider Family Honor Book Award. She has also written Meowsterpieces: A Cat's Guide to Art... And Life! 

Mika Song enjoys writing and illustrating children’s books that have characters that are sweetly funny outsiders. She creates weekly comic strips online for her two squirrel characters – Norma and Belly. Her books include Donut Feed the Squirrels, Apple of My Pie, and Agatha May and the Anglerfish by Nora Morrison and Jessie Ann Foley. (Ages 3 – 8)

I Am Odd, I Am New
Written by Benjamin Giroux, Illustrated by Roz MacLean

“I am odd, I am new. I pretend that you are too.”

Feeling left out or separate from others is an experience that is known by all at one point or another. It’s a difficult situation to go through when you are young but can be particularly hard when you have autism, as the book I Am Odd, I Am New explains.

I Am Odd, I Am New is a poem from Benjamin Giroux, spurred by a school assignment when he was 10 years old. In it he expresses what it is like to be autistic, conveying the isolation of feeling different and misunderstood. The book also shows an understanding that everyone is different and that there is nothing wrong with being uniquely yourself. There is a sense of tenderness as you read the simple, but touching line, “I worry what others might think. I cry when people laugh, it makes me shrink.” 

I Am Odd, I Am New is a poignant picture book that is a soul-stirring look at an experience that binds us together. It’s also a great starting point for parents to talk to their kids about feeling left out, being bullied, or learning about autism.

Benjamin Giroux was named a Poet Laureate of Plattsburgh, New York in recognition of his poetry, which has been translated into several languages. 

Roz MacLean is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books. In I Am Odd, I Am New, she effectively shows the emotion on the protagonist’s face and uses color to distinguish his feelings, whether he is overwhelmed by the noises around him or when he is feeling down. She has written and illustrated the books Violet’s Cloudy Day and The Body Book. (Ages 5 –10)

Areli is a Dreamer 
Written by Areli Morales, Illustrated by Luisa Uribe

In Areli is a Dreamer, we learn that Areli Morales is in America because of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. She reveals this reality as she recounts her childhood with the sunny, warm memories of her abuela’s (grandmother’s) house in Mexico and her faster, louder home in New York City.

At abuela’s house on Saturdays, Areli played games with her brother Alex and her cousins, too. She would eat as many tortillas and pollo con frijoles (chicken with beans) as she could fit in her stomach. On Sundays, she and her brother would talk to their parents about coming to live with them in America. One day her brother, who was born in the United States, is packing a suitcase and leaving her a picture he drew to remember him. A year later, she joins them and finds it difficult in school, where she must learn a new language and gets teased for not being like the other kids. As the years go by, she learns all sorts of things in school, including stories about other immigrants and their journey through Ellis Island. She learns to be a dreamer who wishes one day to become a writer or a teacher. She knows the future is bright and anything is possible now that she is in America.

Areli is a Dreamer shares the author’s hopeful journey to achieve the American Dream. This personal story will pull at the heartstrings of any family who has faced the same hardships and worries and the leap of courage it takes to start your life anew. The illustrations are very expressive, with the warm tones of yellow, orange, and brown that you’d find in many Hispanic homes. Areli is a Dreamer is a beautiful picture book that will lift the heart of all its readers. 

Areli is a Dreamer is Areli Morales’ debut picture book. She works as a substitute teacher, has received her bachelor’s degree in childhood bilingual education and says she hopes to empower her own class one day to write their own stories. 

Luisa Uribe, a Colombian illustrator who loves chasing around her cats, has illustrated the children’s books The Vast Wonder of the World by Mélina Mangal and Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow.

Paletero Man
Written by Lucky Diaz, Illustrated by Micah Player

Paletero Man is about a young boy, who races around his neighborhood past the tamale and Korean BBQ street vendors, past the flower and bike shop toward an icy cold treat on the hottest day in summer. 

It’s the perfect day in Los Angeles for the wonderfully delicious frozen treat – paletas (Mexican popsicles)! With money in his pocket and a one-track mind drawn to the musical sounds of the paletero (popsicle seller) cart, the main character is determined to find Paletero Jose. He can’t resist daydreaming about all the mouthwatering flavors he can choose from – horchata, chocolate, fresa (strawberry), arroz con leche (rice pudding) and many others. He is so focused on following the “Ring! Ring! Ring!” of the paletero man’s call, that he doesn’t notice that his dinero (money) is falling out of a hole in his pocket. When he finally arrives at Paletero Jose’s cart, he realizes he can’t pay for the paleta he’s been so ecstatic to eat.

As his circumstances dawn on him, all the vendors who had seen him lose his money along the way, catch up to him and provide support. Paletero Jose seeing the kindness of the neighborhood friends decides to extend that friendship and serve up free paletas for all!

Paletero Man is a richly vibrant, colorful, and musical story that communicates the joy a child experiences upon hearing the music of an ice cream truck or paleta cart. Told with Spanish words intermixed in a rhythmic flow, Paletero Man will keep its readers captivated. 

Lucky Diaz is a multi-Latin Grammy award-winning musician and songwriter. He was inspired to create Paletero Man after a popular song he sings in his band. A website link is displayed on the cover where you can listen to the song, which brings to life the Latin flavor of the book. 

Micah Player has created characters and style guides for the apparel industry. He now writes and illustrates picture books for children, including Not Enough Lollipops by Megan Maynor, Millions of Maxes by Meg Wolitzer, and Friday Night Wrestlefest by Jennifer Fox.

A Song of Frutas
Written by Margarita Engle, Illustrated by Sara Palacios

Come along as A Song of Frutas transports you to the island of Cuba, where a girl visiting from America helps her abuelo (grandfather) sell fruits from his stand.

Can you hear the song of the pregoneros (vendors) as they sing to sell their wares? Abuelo el frutero (the fruit vendor) must sing loudly for his voice to be heard among all the others. He lets you know what he has to sell through his singing – mangoes, naranjas, plátanos, coco and melón. There are customers on foot and others who send money down from their homes in a basket on ropes to buy the delicious fruit. Other vendors populate the streets including those who sells tamales, vegetables and sweets. The Hispanic New Year tradition of eating 12 grapes for luck is explained as people line up to buy at abuelo’s frutero stand. When the young storyteller goes back home, she sends letters back and forth to her abuelo, so that even when she can’t visit him, she’ll still have his words that feel like a hug.  

A Song of Fruteros is a delightful story about family and Cuban traditions told by a master Cuban American storyteller – Margarita Engle. The end pages contain some history about Cuba and stories about vendors have sold goods on the street over time.

Margarita Engle is a Newbery and Belpré award-winning author who sets many of her books in Cuba. She writes for children and young adults and has written the Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom, The Lightning Dreamer, Drum Dream Girl and All the Way to Havana, among others. 

Sara Palacios is a Pura Belpré honoree for her illustration in Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match by Monica Brown. Her illustrations beautifully highlight the people and vendors of Cuba in A Song of Frutas by keeping the people front and center. 

Coquí in the City
Written by Nomar Perez

Miguel takes his pet frog, Coquí, everywhere he goes in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He takes him to play baseball, to visit the pond in the park, to the panadería (bakery) and to hear stories about the famous Hispanic baseball player Roberto Clemente at his abuelo’s (grandfather’s) house. But now he is moving to New York City, so he must leave behind his abuelos, friends, and his pet, Coquí.

His parents and grandparents comfort him about the new move, telling him they will take care of his pet and giving him a parting gift of a baseball signed by Roberto Clemente! 

Everything seems so different in his new home, but he discovers a park with a pond of frogs, a place to play catch with his baseball and meets his dad at a Puerto Rican panadería. Miguel soon realizes that New York may be different, but it still has some things that remind him of home. 

Coquí in the City is a bittersweet story of finding a home wherever you go. It provides a hopeful message that living in a new place doesn’t mean you have to lose your memories and favorite pastimes. 

The author and illustrator, Nomar Perez, writes from experience as he had to move from Puerto Rico to New York when he was 10 years old. His art in Coquí in the City shows the vibrancy of both San Juan and New York, with many buildings painted a different energetic color. Coqui and all the other little frogs in Puerto Rico are drawn adorably, especially when they are depicted singing outside of Miguel’s window.

Nomar Perez is influenced by computer art, animation, and puppetry. He has illustrated the bilingual stories Let’s Be Friends and We Play Soccer by René Colato Laínez. Coquí in the City is his first written and illustrated work.

Tía Fortuna’s New Home
Written by Ruth Behar, Illustrated by Devon Holzwarth

Estrella loves to visit her Tía (aunt) Fortuna at her Seaway home in a pink casita (house). She is dismayed that her Tía is moving, but she is shown how to keep her memories alive and discovers the stories of generations of families who moved to new homes and thrived.

Estrella learns that Tía Fortuna left her original home in Havana when she was a little girl and felt lost until she found her casita at the Seaway. She still has old photographs, the mezuzah from her doorpost, and a key to her past home. Although she is moving, her Tía doesn’t feel sad because she will take her memories with her. “It’s not mañana (tomorrow) yet, Estrella. Let’s enjoy today," Tía says. 

The two have a fun-filled day at the beach, eat some delicious food, and say goodbye to the casita at the Seaway. While packing, Tía Fortuna tells Estrella the story of the prized possessions she brought with her from Cuba. Estrella learns that saying goodbye to a place doesn’t mean saying goodbye to the memories you created there. She finds esperanza, or hope, wherever she goes, just like her ancestors once did.

Tía Fortuna’s New Home tells the story of a Cuban Jewish experience. It showcases the rich culture of Cuban Sephardic Jews, expounded upon in the author’s note, which includes details about the good luck charm bracelet the character wears. 

Ruth Behar was born in Havana, Cuba, and grew up in New York. She enjoys the food her Tía makes any time she visits Miami Beach. Her award-winning writing focuses on Jewish and Cuban culture. She’s written Lucky Broken Girl, which won her a Pura Belpré award, and Letters to Cuba.

Devin Holzwarth’s illustrations express the wonder of hope and the memories of the past. When Estrella receives a gift, you can see her imagination soar to life with images of her ancestors. Holzwarth has illustrated the picture books Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion by Shannon Stocker and Everywhere with You by Carlie Sorosiak.

On a little boat in a great big river, a young boy encounters the daunting and the wondrous on his journey to his first day of school.

The boy in My First Day begins his adventure paddling through floodwaters, past a formidable mangrove forest, and to the shore of a familiar and majestic river. There he greets his friends before he starts a whole new journey.

The lush illustrations depict the beauty of Vietnam and the boy’s vast imagination. The authors provide parallels between the worries of starting school and going through the treacherous mangrove forest where all kinds of dangerous beasts live. There are also extraordinary illustrations of storks flying high in the sky and fish beneath the waves that represent the excitement of a student’s first school day.

Huynh Kim Lien and Phung Nguyen Quang are Vietnamese illustrators who draw inspiration from Asian and Vietnamese folk culture to create illustrations for children's books. My First Day was originally written and illustrated by the pair for Scholastic Asia under the title The First Journey. Lien and Quang also illustrated Hundred Years of Happiness by Thanhha Lai, The Bookshop of Dust and Dreams by Mindy Thompson, and Girl Giant and the Monkey King by Van Hoang. (Ages 5 – 7)

How to Spot a Best Friend
Written by Bea Birdsong, Illustrated by Lucy Fleming

A little girl's day is imagined at school and on the playground while she describes how to find a best friend with a cast of schoolmates as potential choices.

On the first day of school, a little girl announces that she will find a best friend today. Her mom thinks it's a little too fast to find a best friend, but her daughter explains how she can easily spot one. She goes on to explain the difference between a friend and a best friend. A friend is someone who will sit by you during Storytime while a best friend holds your hand when there are any scary parts. A friend will play ball with you while a best friend will pick you to be on their team. In the end, the most important thing to keep in mind when discovering a truly great best friend is to be one yourself!

How to Spot a Best Friend is a sweet reminder that being kind to one another is what makes a lasting friendship. This is a wonderful story for little ones going to school for the first time that can get them excited to meet and create bonds with their classmates.

Bea Birdsong is a former teacher who believes in the power of books. She has written I Will Be Fierce! and Sam's First Word.

Lucy Fleming has been a doodler and a bookworm since she was a young girl. Her illustrations offer a sweet and whimsical backdrop to Bea Birdsong's message. The clothing and setting look like it has been colored in with crayons, which adds a childlike touch. Her signature artistic style can be found in What Will I Be? by Frances Stickley, Betsy Buglove Saves the Bees by Catherine Jacob and her own written adventure, Ella's Night Lights. (Ages 4 – 7)

Being sent to the principal’s office is fun in this tale of stuffed animals throwing a party at school.

The principal is upset. Your teddy bear has been naughty, convincing other stuffed animals to sneak into backpacks at home and join a party at school. I'm Afraid Your Teddy is in the Principal's Office will have kids laughing along while Teddy and his friends create chaos everywhere they go. While the children are at assembly, the stuffed animals gather in the cafeteria, make pizzas fly and turn spaghetti into mustaches. They also trap the art teacher in glue. The principal wants to make Teddy face the consequences of his actions, but what will he do?

The illustrations in I'm Afraid Your Teddy is in the Principal's Office are bright and colorful. Teddy and his friends have joyful expressions on their faces, indicating they are having a ball and you will, too, as you dive into the book.

Author Jancee Dunn and illustrator Scott Nash also wrote and illustrated I'm Afraid Your Teddy is in Trouble Today. Dunn has written several books for adults and writes for a variety of magazines. Nash has illustrated more than 50 books for children and is the author of the middle grade book The High-Skies Adventures of Blue Jay the Pirate. (Ages 4 – 8)

Little Bat in Night School
Written by Brian Lies

Little Bat in Night School shows realistic emotions that can come from the first day of school as told through a cast of night creatures. 

Unexpected nerves are brought on when Little Bat meets his new teacher and classmates, who all are night creatures. Two classmates are bats, which gives him comfort at first, but they only play with each other. After feeling unsure about his new school, Little Bat looks for a place to hide. He goes into a cubby where he meets an opossum named Ophelia, who likes to hang upside down just like him! Soon he joins in with his other schoolmates to sing a song, learn about the stars and moon, and practice his counting.

In the end, Little Bat experiences a fun-filled day of learning and being creative. He has new experiences like making friends, making mistakes, and trying again when he isn't good at something right away. 

Little Bat in Night School shows the realistic emotions the first day of school can bring from the perspective of night creatures as the main characters. 

Brian Lies has created wonderful stories with the Little Bat Book series. As with the other books in the series (Bats at the Library and Bats at the Beach), Lies creates detailed characters that come to life on the page. He uses his extensive knowledge of illustration to create picture books that kids would want to explore again and again. He also says he finds great joy in visiting elementary schools to help young writers and illustrators fulfill their own story-filled dreams. (Ages 4 – 6)

Becoming Vanessa
Written by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

An encouraging and authentic picture book, Becoming Vanessa shows young readers that being yourself is the most special thing you can be.

Vanessa isn't so sure about her first day at school and wonders if the other kids will like her. Her parents reassure her that she will have a great time and come home bursting to tell them stories of her day. After all, how could they not like a special girl like her, they explain? Inspired by their words, Vanessa uses her fashion sense to show her uniqueness, wearing a tutu, green beret hat, and feather boa to stand out. But Vanessa comes home feeling not so special after all. The next day rolls around and she doesn't want to be so special until her parents explain that her name means metamorphosis and that she is their butterfly.

Becoming Vanessa is a wonderfully uplifting story for nervous, first-time students. Although not everything turns out perfectly right away, our protagonist is able to meet the new day with confidence in who she is with the help of her loving parents. The story helps to show kids that every day is a new opportunity. Also, parents can learn that having their kids stand out in their own unique way should be encouraged.

Vanessa Brantley-Newton studied fashion and children's book illustration in college. In this book, she used magic markers and crayons, among other tools, for her whimsical illustrations. She adds collages of paper into her work so that a vase or a desk has a bookish feel. She has also gone on to write and illustrate Just Like Me and Grandma's Purse. (Ages 3 –8)

Little Wonder
Written by Claire Keane

“There is no place too far – No dream to grand – For an unstoppable wonder like you.” 

Little Wonder is about a boy who goes on an adventure in an underwater landscape. He braves dark, unfriendly places, meets new friends, and reaches new heights. As the boy ventures into the unknown, the words in the story reflect his mother’s remarks on all that awaits him. She reassures him she’ll always be with him as he braves his way to new wonders. The boy goes to places he would never have imagined. When he returns home, the boy has the perfect audience for his tales.

Little Wonder is a charming, creative story that illustrates how having someone who believes in you can help you soar. The underwater setting showcases the potential of big dreams and the knowledge that curiosity and imagination live inside us all. Ultimately, Little Wonder conveys that you can achieve anything by having faith in yourself.

Claire Keane worked at Walt Disney Animation Studios for 10 years, contributing to Tangled, Frozen, and more. She has created wonderful illustrations with a childlike whimsy for A Fairy Friend by Sue Fliess, Not Yeti by Kelly DiPucchio and Love is by Diana Adams. (Ages 2 – 6)

The Ocean Lives There
Written by M.J. Fievre, Illustrated by Polina Hrytskova

Curiosity blooms as a girl ponders what is behind the red, sometimes blue door in her Miami home.

A magical door is kept locked tight by a little girl’s mother. That doesn’t stop the girl from imagining what mysteries lie behind it. She can smell oranges and coffee, hear the birds on the beach and the wind going through the conch shells. There is an ocean behind this door! The door makes her mother mournful as she reminisces about what it represents – the memories of her childhood home in Haiti. But there is also the feeling of joy as the little girl imagines the music, the ocean, and the beauty of Haiti – the place she longs to go.

The Ocean Lives There is a beautiful look at the ties immigrants have with their homeland and the connection that lives on with their children. Writer M.J. Fievre communicates the emotions of longing the mother felt as she spoke of her memories of Haiti. She also expressed a strong attachment to a place that has to do so much with your cultural identity.

The illustrations by Polina Hrytskova embodied the vibrancy of the Caribbean island with bright colors and vivid realistic drawings. The images were painted with colorful watercolor designs, and she highlighted the characters with a white accent to make the images come alive. M.J. Fievre is a local author who won a division in the Children's Trust's Battle of the Books. A Haitian-born author who writes books for all ages, she wrote the Young Trailblazers series for children, including Young Trailblazers: The Book of Black Inventors and Scientists. (Ages 4 – 8)

The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story is a fascinating picture book that opens a window into the Korean tradition of diving for the ocean's treasures. It delves deep into the heart of the haenyeo mermaids and the bond between grandmother and granddaughter. 

“Can’t you hear what the waves are saying? They’re calling us to come home.”

A haenyeo dives up to 30 meters under the water to catch and sell shellfish. Although Dayeon once had a harrowing experience in the ocean, she is determined to become a haenyeo just like her grandmother. She eats her abalone porridge, practices holding her breath, and suits up in her diving gear. Dayeon watches as her grandmother dives deep into the water and pops back up, whistling as she lets out a breath with a prize secured in her hand. She slowly becomes braver, using the strength of her grandmother’s words to dive in and find her own treasure. As the day comes to a close, Dayeon can finally feel at home in the ocean.

Writer Tina Cho is a teacher who writes fictional and educational books for children. She has written more than 100 reading books, picture books such as Rice from Heaven and nonfiction books like Korean Celebrations: Festivals, Holidays and Traditions. She provides endnotes on her research of the haenyeo tradition, which is an intriguing look into the lives of the haneyeo mermaids who are often over 50 years old. Illustrator Jess X. Snow captures the many hues of the ocean landscape from sunrise to sunset with purples and blues dominating the page. Snow is an artist, filmmaker and poet who wants to build a future where migrants and people of color are empowered when they see themselves in media. (Ages 5 – 9)

Hey! A Colorful Mystery
Written by Kate Read

A tiny pink fish’s eagerness to play causes chaos in the ocean deep in Hey! A Colorful Mystery.

An eye-catching and humorous story, Hey! A Colorful Mystery will have kids laughing at the overdramatic silliness of the colorful sea creatures who are all afraid of our tiny pink protagonist. 

It’s very quiet on the ocean floor when a tiny pink fish tries to find a playmate. In order to be heard they yell, “Hey!” This frightens a yellow fish, who warns others that there is something scary in there. Then the next fish tells another that there is something loud in there. 

Colorful sea creatures are depicted in the book including a red octopus, a yellow eel, orange crabs, and even silver-gray sharks. Everyone is so frightened that they decide to hide in a deep, dark cave that isn’t as safe as it seems.

Kate Read showcases the beauty of the ocean with all the fantastic examples of lively looking marine animals depicted throughout the story. Read is an award-winning author and illustrator for her book One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller. She uses her background in textiles in her illustrations, incorporating dyeing, painting, and paper cutting to make unique-looking characters. Her vibrant creations add to the amusing tale that is Hey! A Colorful Mystery. (Ages 3 – 6)

Jules vs. the Ocean
Written by Jessie Sima

All Jules wants to do is make the biggest, fanciest, and most excellent sandcastle ever, but the ocean keeps wiping away her masterpiece with a wave. She tries to keep an eye on the ocean but all it takes is a second for it to crash into her creation and it's gone. 

Her sister tells her the ocean is not out to get her. But how can she be sure? The two sisters work together to try to defeat the ocean by making the biggest, fanciest, and most excellent castle ever. But will their efforts prevail, or will the ocean be too tough of a competitor to overcome?

Jules vs. the Ocean is a lighthearted, entertaining battle between a determined girl and the seemingly mischievous ocean that will surely delight its readers. Jessie Sima has created a comical beach day read, using large letters to communicate sounds.

The cartoonish drawing style emphasized the expression of wariness and sorrow Jules often had on her face. Jessie Sima is the author and illustrator of Harriet Gets Carried Away, Not Quite Narwhal, and Hardly Haunted. (Ages 3 – 6)

Wild About Dads
Written by Diana Murray, Illustrated by Amber Alvarez

“Dads are strong. Dads are brave. But sometimes… dads could use a shave!”

Wild About Dads is a joyful ode to fathers, whether they are like you or me or have paws and sharp teeth.

Animal dads are featured with relatable characteristics in this humorous and delightful picture book. From marmosets that help their young reach up high to lions that cozy up and take naps with their cubs, Wild About Dads features a vast array of animal fathers. Rhyming text is accompanied by whimsical paintings of penguins, gorillas, foxes, and many more animal families. On the back cover, information on how all the animal dads take care of their young is provided to help fuel curious minds who are sure to have questions after listening to this story. Human fathers are shown at the beginning and ending of the story to illustrate a comparison between them and animal dads.  

Diana Murray is the bestselling author of the Unicorn Day series and over 20 books for children. She credits her passion for writing to her love of reading picture books to her daughter. Illustrator Amber Alvarez grew up as a child of a school librarian and fine artist. She has worked in various artistic fields including animation, video games, children’s fashion, and for The Walt Disney Company. Wild About Dads was her first illustrated picture book, with My Magic Wand by Pat Mora is her latest. (Ages 3 – 7)

Hello, Baby! I’m Your Mom
Written by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by Jui Ishida

The bond of mother and child is explored using soothing rhymes featuring human and animal mothers alike.

“I love you. I’ll take care of you / like other loving mommies do.”

Human and animal mothers dote on their babies and express how they’ll take care of them in this gentle picture book. A mother cat will share her nice bed with her kitten as she bathes her with her tongue. An alligator mom will show her babies how to snap their jaws and use their claws. A porcupine assures her young one that her quills will soon be sharp. A polar bear explains that one day she’ll teach her cubs how to hunt in the snow. Told in a calming, lullaby fashion, Hello, Baby! I’m Your Mom will bring comfort to those who listen to its message - that their mom will not only take care of them, but help them grow. Fascinating animal facts are also provided for each of the animals featured in the last pages of this book.

Writer Eve Bunting grew up in a home where storytelling was encouraged. Her mom created a library in their home, which planted the seed for Bunting to become a storyteller herself. She is a prolific writer who has written over 250 books in her 90+ years of life, including the Frog and Friends series and Little Yellow Truck, amongst others. Illustrator Jui Ishida graduated with distinction in illustration at the ArtCenter College of Design in California. She paints big bold images of her subjects, capturing an intimate view of the animal mothers and babies in this picture book. She has also illustrated for the books Animal Stories by Jane Yolen and The Silver Moon by Jack Prelutsky. (Ages 0 – 4)

My Papi Has a Motorcycle
Written by Isabel Quintero, Illustrated by Zeke Peña

A young girl enjoys a motorcycle ride with her papi (father) around the city.

Author Isabel Quintero's childhood memories are captured with this beautifully drawn, nostalgic picture book. The magical feeling of running up to your dad when he comes home from work to receive a warm embrace is like no other. A young Quintero is receiving this embrace by her sawdust covered hardworking carpenter father. In no time, she is getting strapped into her unicorn helmet by her papi who expresses his love with time rather than words. He takes her along their city of Corona, California on his blue motorcycle. The sounds of the engine and the growling motor fill the air. They pass by her Abuelita's Church, Joy's Market where her mom buys gummy worms, and other childhood landmarks. There is even a mural that tells the history of the immigrants who worked the citrus groves fields. Before heading home, they ride around the young Quintero's favorite street, which is the same path the famous road race on Grand Boulevard took place 100 years ago. She pretends she's competing in the race as she flies by the city she loves, so fast it seems like her papi's motorcycle has a blue comet's tail. Her time with her papi on his motorcycle will forever stay in her mind even if everything else changes around her.

My Papi Has a Motorcycle is filled with the warmth of childhood memories and conveys the lasting impact of the special moments between a father and daughter on a motorcycle ride around the city. It incorporates both English and Spanish, so you feel immersed in the two characters' lives. The warm tones of the illustrations gave way to a cozy and tender story while the racing motorcycle depicted the laughter and adventure the two shared together. My Papi Has a Motorcycle is a loving story worth sharing. 

Isabel Quintero is a Mexican American writer of books for all ages. When she was younger, she would walk to her library with her mom and brother where she would always check out many books. She has written the Ugly Cat & Pablo series for children and Gabi, Girl in Pieces for young adults. Illustrator Zeke Peña is a Xicano storyteller and cartoonist whose won multiple awards for his work including a Pura Belpré Honor Award for Illustration for My Papi Has a Motorcycle. (Ages 4 – 8)

Wherever You’ll Be
Written by Ariella Prince Guttman, Illustrated by Geneviève Godbout

A mother and daughter spend the day apart, but with each other in their hearts.

A mother gets ready for work while her daughter gets ready for school. In a reasurring rhyme, the mother promises that wherever her daughter will be, she will be thinking of her. On opposing pages the mother is working on paperwork with a colleague while her daughter is at school drawing with her friend. When the mother is having lunch, her daughter is enjoying a snack that was packed especially for her. Once the day is over and they are together again, they discuss their day including all the things the little girl learned at school.

Wherever You’ll Be is a sweet, gentle picture book about the love between a mother and daughter that continues to grow even when they aren’t together. The pastel and colored pencil drawn illustrations give a timeless feel to a sure to be treasured story read by mothers to their daughters. Ariella Prince Guttman has been a producer for NBC’s Today Show for a decade, with Wherever You’ll Be as the first picture book she’s written. Geneviève Godbout worked as a Winnie the Pooh character artist for the Walt Disney Company for many years. She has illustrated a number of children’s books including If I Couldn’t Be Anne by Kallie George, Apple Cake by Dawn Casey, and What’s Up, Maloo?, which she wrote herself. (Ages 2 – 5)

Girl Dad
Written by Sean Williams, Illustrated by Jay Davis

Girl dads are no ordinary dads. They’ll rock a pink bow, paint their daughters fingernails, and braid their hair.

A girl dad seizes any chance to support their daughters – making sure they know how smart, strong, and beautiful they are. They’ll teach you how to throw a ball while also knowing how to throw a tea party. A girl dad is unafraid to be silly and show his emotions. He knows his job is to show his daughter what her worth is, to raise up her self-esteem. Girl dads go above and beyond because they love their daughter to the moon and back. Absolutely nothing could change that!

The book Girl Dad is a humor filled, uplifting picture book that shows the depths of the love a father has for his daughter. The fathers in this story not only tell their daughters how much they love them, but show them by playing, laughing, and supporting them in all their endeavors. This is a picture book all fathers should be looking at as inspiration of how they want their relationship with their daughter to be.

Sean Williams is the founder of The Dad Gang, a social community of dads working to change the way the world views black fatherhood. This is his first picture book he’s written that depicts what it means to be a girl dad. Jay Davis is both a writer and illustrator whose original illustrations were made with gouche painting on watercolor paper as well as on a computer. She was able to bring out the humor and sweet moments the book’s fathers shared with their daughters. Additionally, she is a poet whose been on many stages including the Apollo Theater. This is also her first children’s book. (Ages 4 – 8)

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read
Written by Rita Lorraine Hubbard, Illustrated by Oge Mora

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read is an inspirational story for young and old readers who think they can’t learn something new. Through perseverance, Mary Walker proves that you can learn anything as long as you work hard to do so.

At 114 years old, Mary Walker decided that it was time that she learned to read. At 116 years old, she was declared the nation’s oldest student by the US Department of Education.

“When I’m free, I’ll go where I want and rest when I want. And I’ll learn to read, too.”

Mary Walker was born in 1848 as a slave in Alabama. She dreamed of a time when she would be free to do what she liked and learn what she wanted. The Emancipation Proclamation declaring slaves were free was the start of that dream. She grew up, got married, and had children. After her eldest son died, she decided to begin her reading journey. Her hard work led her to many great adventures and joys. Before she died at the age of 121, Mary Walker was still able to read from her favorite book, the Bible, bake “light as a feather” cakes, and walk around with her cane. She’s an inspiration who truly lived by the words, “You’re never too old to learn.”

Writer Rita Lorraine Hubbard lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where Mary Walker once lived, too. She has a children’s book review website called Picture Book Depot. Her debut nonfiction picture book, Hammering for Freedom: The William Lewis Story, was a Junior Library Guild Selection. Illustrator Oge Mora used patterned paper to create the unique background and character designs for Mary Walker’s story. (Ages 5 – 9)

Superhero Gran
Written by Timothy Knapman, Illustrated by Joe Berger

Superhero Gran is a wonderful picture book that shares the love a grandmother has for her grandchildren.

A brother and sister spend time with their grandma who makes their day special. They explore her house that is filled with toys. They play dress up with her clothes, even turning into superheroes with some of grandma’s makeup. They can eat as many cookies as they want and play hide-and-seek for hours in grandma’s garden. When they ask to stay over, she lets their parents know that they must stay because they are having a super sleepover.

Superhero Gran is a fast paced, lively story that expresses how much fun it is for two siblings to spend time with their grandma. The illustrations are done digitally with bright colors emphasizing the excitement of the two children. The rhyming text makes for a quick and enjoyable read.

Timothy Knapman loves to write, having written more than 60 books and in almost every medium including plays, songs and operas. He’s written children’s books about space, dinosaurs, trains, pirates, and superhero moms and dads. Joe Berger has illustrated those superhero books as well as Princess in Training by Tammi Sauer and the Hubble Bubble series by Tracey Corderoy. Most of his picture books feature female characters, which reflect his immediate family: his wife, three daughters, and a female dog and cat. (Ages 3 – 8)

Dinner on Domingos
Written by Alexandra Katona, Illustrated by Claudia Navarro

Dinner on Domingos expresses the power that a grandmother’s love can have to bring her family together for good food and lots of fun every Sunday.

 On weekends, our narrator Alejandra has a big dinner with her extended family at her abuelita’s (grandmother’s) house. The smell of onion and garlic drift out of abuelita’s home, where she is making Ecuadorian Locro (potato soup). Alejandra races inside, soon to be greeted by her abuelita and all her tios, tias, primos, and primas. Her family spends the day playing games, dancing, and making each other laugh. They gather around quickly to enjoy the meal so lovingly made by abuelita. Alejandra has moments with her abuelita that are carefree and other times where she can’t always communicate in Spanish. But she is able to say ¡Te quiero, abuelita! (I love you, grandma!) as she is squished into a hug.

Author Alexandra Katona based her debut picture book on dinners she used to have with her family on Sundays. Her parents raised her speaking only English after they moved from Ecuador to Michigan. She conveys this struggle through her protagonist who longs to connect with her abuelita but had difficulty doing so because of the language barrier. It was dinners on domingos that made them closer. Illustrator Claudia Navarro was reminded of her own childhood memories of family gathering together on Sundays to enjoy food and have a good time as she illustrated this book. She has also illustrated the picture books Dance Like a Leaf by A.J. Irving and La Frontera: El Viaje Con Papa / My Journey with Papa by Deborah Mills and Alfredo Alva. Dinner on Domingos includes Alexandra’s abuelita’s recipe for traditional Ecuadorian Locro. (Ages 4 – 8)

Our Favorite Day
Written and Illustrated by Joowon Oh

In Our Favorite Day, a granddaughter shakes up the daily routine of her grandfather to make every Thursday their favorite day of the week.

Papa has the same routine every day. He drinks tea, waters his plants, and tidies up. He walks through town, eats dumplings, and heads home. Along the way he passes a craft store, sees some flowers and gets an idea, making some changes to his routine. Next time his granddaughter comes over, they share dumplings, tidy up, and make something together using the arts and crafts supplies he picked up earlier that day. With short simple text, Our Favorite Day shows how a grandchild could bring pure joy and love to their grandparent by just spending the day with them. You can feel the heartwarming spirit of this picture book as the grandfather goes out of his way to buy craft supplies so he and his granddaughter can make something special together. The excitement of the granddaughter is clear - she truly means that Thursday with her Papa is her favorite day.

Our Favorite Day is Joowon Oh’s debut picture book. She was born in South Korea and now resides in New York, where she obtained her degrees in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York. She uses a combination of gouache, watercolor, and paper collage to create a dynamic visual for her artwork. The cut-out characters and images in her illustrations make it look like readers are getting a peek into an actual scene of a grandfather and granddaughter’s time together. (Ages 3 – 5)

The Remember Balloons
Written by Jessie Oliveros, Illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte

The concept of balloons that symbolize memories provides a gentle way to start the conversation about dementia. A little boy starts reminiscing about all the balloons he has received, including the one from his last birthday. He could still taste chocolate frosting when he thinks of it. His grandfather has had so many more balloons than the boy has gotten for his grandfather has lived a long life. The boy asks him what the meaning of each balloon color is. His grandfather tells him the blue one was when I lost my dog Jack, who he found chasing butterflies at school. "And that purple one is for when I married your grandmother," he explains. As the story progresses, the grandfather’s balloons start floating away. The boy doesn’t understand what’s going on until he is guided by his parents to find a way to keep those memories alive.

The Remember Balloons can help children understand what it means when their loved grandparents start losing their memory. It gives hope and guidance to how they can help in their own way. This story is told in a kind and methodical way. The white and gray backgrounds contrast with the brightness of other balloons or memories. When the grandfather loses his balloon, it feels like he has lost that brightness in his life until his grandson lights his way.

Jessie Oliveros won the Schneider Family Honor and Golden Kite Award for this beautifully told story. Her favorite sunflower yellow balloon is filled with memories of fishing with her grandfather. Dana Wulfekotte is an author, illustrator, and animator. Originally from South Korea and raised in New Jersey, she now practices her art in Queens, New York. The children’s books she has worked on include Rabbit & Possum, Teatime by Beth Ferry, and the Cilla-Lee Jenkins series by Susan Tan. (Ages 4 – 8)

Dear Little One
Written by Nina Laden, Illustrated by Melissa Castrillon

Dear Little One is a lyrical letter to young readers, encouraging them to explore the vast beauty and gifts Mother Nature gives us.

Our young protagonist travels along with her dog companion as she takes in the plants, insects, and diverse landscapes. She watches plants grow from seeds, inspects a spiderweb’s designs, and climbs mountaintops. The young girl is asked to be thankful for the weather, the seas, and the stars. Mother Nature declares that if you care for this world, it will give back to you and the generations to come after.

Dear Little One gives nature a voice. The carefully lined artwork is depicted as if drawn with colored pencils. The vivid colors are distinguished by purple trees and seas as well as a blue-faced girl. The images pop out of the page making nature look magical. The author, Nina Laden, and illustrator, Melissa Castrillon, created the story If I Had a Little Dream together where it received an Indie Next Selection. Laden is also the writer and illustrator of the popular Peek-a-Who? Series. (Ages 4 – 8)

Fatima’s Great Outdoors
Written by Ambreen Tariq, Illustrated by Stevie Lewis

Fatima’s struggles at school are put behind her as she goes on her first camping trip at the local state park.

Fatima’s family immigrated from India and are living in a new home in America. She struggles with being teased at school because of her accent and the food she eats. She is having a difficult time with classes too, especially math. But this week is different - her parents who work two jobs and long hours are taking her and her sister camping at the local state park, where Fatima’s worries can be paused for a time. She helps her dad build a tent, hears funny stories about her parents in India, and gains peace and confidence in her time outdoors. She learns that although her family isn’t like everyone else’s, it doesn’t mean they can’t do the same things and have fun in the great outdoors. She shares her stories about her camping trip with her class, declaring herself a superhero who is brave and capable. Fatima’s adventure encapsulates how much spending time in nature can bring about bonding, good memories, peace, and confidence in oneself.

Writer Ambreen Tariq has been traveling the world since she was eight years old. She founded Brown People Camping, where it is her goal to inspire young people to be thankful and kind to nature.

 Illustrator Stevie Lewis is an adventurer as well, who lives in a van, traveling to find inspiration for her artwork. Her animation experience at DreamWorks is incorporated into her work on Fatima’s Great Outdoors, which has an expertly digitally rendered style that highlights the beauty of the great outdoors. (Ages 4 – 8)

My Friend Earth
Written by Patricia MacLachlan, Illustrated by Francesca Sanna

Earth wakes up from a winter’s nap to care for nature’s creatures and produce its weather.

Earth is characterized as a girl who does seemingly impossible things. At some points, she is as tall as a mountain that can be seen tending wild horses not even a quarter of her size. Then she is seen riding on top of a whale more than a hundred times her size. The story explains how at times Earth can go overboard with blowing fierce winds or pouring too much rain, but eventually she calms those winds and dries out the land. There is a sense of childlike whimsy as rain spills as a result of Earth splashing in the ocean and the trees are dried by Earth wringing them out with her hands as if they were sponges.

Illustrator Francesca Sanna uses die-cut pages, making the story that much more exciting to explore as it reveals new or hidden elements. Sanna is an award-winning illustrator who is a Gold Medal Winner Book Category from the Society of Illustrators for her work in The Journey. Writer Patricia MacLachlan is a Newberry medal winner who wrote the children’s classic – Sarah, Plain and Tall.

My Friend Earth offers a unique exploration of what Earth can bring to its inhabitants. It is an enchanting experience that will delight readers young and old. (Ages 3 – 5)

Does Earth Feel?
Written by Marc Majewski

How do you think Earth feels? Marc Majewski poses fourteen questions to guide young readers in a conversation on the damage people cause to the Earth and how everyone can do their part to protect the environment.

Does Earth feel calm? Does it feel hurt or protected? These are some of the questions the author poses. His questions go from curious (Does Earth feel alive?) to negative (Does Earth feel hurt?) and then to positive (Does Earth feel loved?). A straightforward question is asked while a landscape acrylic painting contrasts the writing on the next page. For a minimal amount of words, the author/illustrator conveys his message clearly. When he poses, “Does Earth feel sick?” the page adjoining shows polluted air and seas. His landscapes are simply done – showcasing nature as this wild wonderous place. People and animals are painted as tiny in comparison.

Marc Majewski is a French author/illustrator who has been inspired by some classic children’s book by fellow illustrators including Quentin Blake and Maurice Sendak. His passion for the environment and painting nature led to him to write and illustrate Does Earth Feel?

Does Earth Feel? opens up a dialogue between parent and child through simple text and bold imagery on the damage people have done to the Earth and how that can be changed. (Ages 4 – 8)

Hike
Written by Pete Oswald

A father and son go on a hike in the mountains in this wordless picture book by bestselling illustrator Pete Oswald.

In Hike, a child’s room is riddled with nature drawings and posters that say “adventure” and “explore.” One day he is woken up in the early morning by his father and excitedly gets ready for a day trip escapade.

They drive up, up, up the mountainside where they follow a hiking trail. On that trail, they discover all manner of fascinating things, be it the feather of an eagle, a ladybug that is viewed up close with a magnifying glass, or the tracks of a black bear. They climb rocks, munch on some trail mix, and laugh along the way. They go through obstacles together, discover wonderous views, and plant a tree. Before you know it, it’s time to head back home where pictures taken on their hike are added to a photo album.

In Hike, nature and adventure on a hiking trail are revered as positive experiences that a family can enjoy together. This wordless picture book expresses the wonder and amazement you can have at your state or national parks. There is so much to discover! With the duo planting a tree at the end, Hike also reveals the need to give back to nature after it gives so much to us.

Writer and illustrator Pete Oswald uses his professional experience as a bestselling illustrator and his work in animation to create a pleasant picture book that expresses all it needs to through illustrations about the bond a father and son have with the outdoors. He has illustrated many children’s books including The Smart Cookie, Poultrygeist, and The Bad Seed. He has also worked on the animation films ParaNorman, The Angry Birds movie, and Hotel Transylvania. (Ages 2 – 8)