• Change Sings

    Change Sings book

    by Amanda Gorman, illustrated by Loren Long

    32 pages, 4–8 years; published 2021 by Viking Books for Young Readers

    This debut picture book from Amanda Gorman bears the perfect title, Change Sings. Colorful, engaging artwork pairs alongside this inspirational poem. Gorman’s carefully chosen words contain layers of meaning, and Loren Long does a masterful job of adding even more layers with his illustrations. The images depict a diverse array of children working together to better their community and will do wonders to inspire young readers. This book is a very timely, and refreshing, cry for change.

  • “Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or a duty. It should be offered to them as a precious gift.” 

    ―Kate DiCamillo

  • If You Come to Earth

    written & illustrated by Sophie Blackall

    80 pages, 5-8 years; published 2020 by Chronicle Books

    Sophie Blackall’s illustrations never disappoint, and If You Come to Earth provides an abundance of visual gems for readers to enjoy. The story serves as a guide for an outer space visitor and delves into all the different things one can find on planet Earth. It’s difficult to tear yourself away from these imaginative illustrations. The book feels like a luscious, modern-day Richard Scarry, one which kids will come back to again and again.

  • Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.

    —Joseph Addison

  • Mistletoe: A Christmas Story

    Mistletoe book cover

    written & illustrated by Tad Hills

    40 pages, 3-7 years; published 2020 by Schwartz & Wade

    Such a charming Christmas story. Tad Hills chose the perfect pair of animals to share a friendship—an elephant and a mouse. His illustrations are richly saturated in color and deeply draw you in. Mistletoe: A Christmas Story cleverly builds anticipation for the reader as Mistletoe the mouse tackles a knitting project. The concept of a tiny mouse taking on such a monumental task for a friend is sure to resonate with young kids who often feel inadequate. One of the best images is certainly the last, and that alone will likely spark many pleas to read it again!

  • You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing.

    ―Charlotte’s Web by E.B.White

  • Outside, Inside

    written & illustrated by LeUyen Pham

    48 pages, 3-6 years; published 2021 by Roaring Brook Press

    What a simple, and yet remarkable, story about how the COVID-19 pandemic changed our lives. Pham expertly combines her words and illustrations so that they enhance one another. Sometimes sparse, vague wording is paired with a detailed illustration, and other times specific phrases include a simple illustration that adds emotional context. At the heart of Inside, Outside is the fact that we are all the same inside. Pham does a wonderful job of showing how diverse we are on the outside too. She also gives a well-deserved shout out to all the first responders and essential workers that have kept us going throughout the pandemic. A must read, and a joy to see.

  • “And we knew that in all languages, there are words as warm as breath and others as cold as metal.”

    ―The Day Saida Arrived by Susana Gómez Redondo

  • The Day Saida Arrived

    by Susana Gómez Redondo, translated by Lawrence Schimel
    illustrated by Sonja Wimmer

    32 pages, ages 3–8 years; published 2020 by Blue Dot Kids Press

    This picture book is simply beautiful with luscious illustrations that take your breath away. There is so much tenderness in both the paintings and the prose. A new student who cannot speak English is kindly welcomed by her classmate. Determined to become friends, the girls make an effort to learn one another’s native language. This story demonstrates how patience and compassion go a long way in creating harmony among people with diverse backgrounds. The Day Saida Arrived leaves readers with a calming and lasting impression of hope.

  • “A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.”

    —Chinese Proverb

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