• Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates

    Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates book cover

    by Cheryl B. Klein, illustrated by Abhi Alwar

    32 pages, 3–7 years; published 2022 by Dial Books

    A gem of a story about the challenges of relationships brought to life by cohabitating hamsters. Klein addresses this complex topic with a simple and fun scenario children will relate to. Despite the confines of a cage, Henry tries to distance himself from George, his chatterbox of a roommate. Henry speaks few words but all with optimum effectiveness. This story is both humorous and heartfelt, pairing well with quirky illustrations by Alwar. Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates is a great read-aloud with a wonderful message about compromise. 

  • “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild to pick up a book and read to a child.”

    —Anita Merina

  • The Beak Book

    The Beak Book cover

    written & illustrated by Robin Page

    40 pages, 3–8 years; published 2021 by Beach Lane Books

    Robin Page’s The Beak Book packs a visual punch. The stark white pages contain brilliantly colorful birds. These closeup illustrations of beaks contain unique patterns and intense gazes. Each zoom view is accompanied by a small vignette of the entire bird’s body. These two perspectives do a great job of entertaining and educating readers. Back matter adds yet another layer of intrigue by providing geographic locations, diet, and even the size ratio of one bird to another. What a striking compilation of non-fiction material!

  • “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”

    —Frederick Douglas

  • The Cot in the Living Room

    by Hilda Eunice Burgos, illustrated by Gaby D’Alessandro

    40 pages, 4–8 years; published 2021 by Kokila

    The Cot in the Living Room has a universal appeal to children who have all felt at one time or another that things were unfair. Burgos presents young characters whose parents have diverse jobs that create a need for overnight child care. D’Alessandro’s illustrations are packed with details, and the wordless spread at the end is a delightful bonus. The jealousy about sleeping on the cot with great views of the George Washington bridge eventually turns into understanding that it’s never easy to sleep anywhere without your family. What a touching story about community and culture, and looking out for one another.

  • “Reading for me, is spending time with a friend.”

    —Gary Paulsen

  • Berry Song

    Berry Song book cover

    written & illustrated by Michaela Goade 

    40 pages, 4–8 years; published 2022 by Little, Brown and Company

    The Berry Song book cover alone is stunning. The pages inside reveal more beauty and a poetic story about a young girl and her grandmother on a hunt for wild berries. Michaela Goades’ artwork bears luscious colors and mystical layers sure to captivate the eyes of every reader. Her words read like a rhythmic song, and the attention to detail includes renderings of different berries on the endpapers complete with a caution about toxic look-alikes. Backmatter describing the foraging way of life for the indigenous peoples of Alaskan is not to be missed. Such a beautiful ode to a grandmother. 

  • “I think books are like people, in the sense that they’ll turn up in your life when you most need them.”

    —Emma Thompson

  • Sunrise Summer

    written & illustrated by Matthew Swanson & Robbi Behr 

    48 pages, 4–7 years; published 2020 by Imprint by Macmillan

    This fascinating story about commercial fishing in Alaska becomes even more fascinating when you learn it’s from the illustrator’s childhood. Robbi Behr brings her family’s story to life with deeply saturated images packed with details. Kids will love her character’s independence as she helps work the salmon nets on the summer shoreline. Matthew Swanson tells the complex story in a simple, engaging tone that makes you feel like you’re part of the fishing team. Fact-packed backmatter adds even more interest. Sunrise Summer is a beautiful book about teamwork, family traditions, and living in harmony with nature. 

  • “Books to the ceiling, Books to the sky,

    My pile of books is a mile high.

    How I love them! How I need them!

    I’ll have a long beard by the time I read them.”

    — Arnold Lobel

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