• Annette Feels Free

    Annette Feels Free

    written & illustrated by Katie Mazeika

    40 pages, 4–8 years; published 2022 by Beach Lane Books

    Such an interesting biography about world-class swimmer Annette Kellerman. Annette Feels Free is packed with information and yet it never feels didactic. Kellerman was a remarkable woman, and it’s fantastic to share her story with young children. Mazeika’s illustrations have delicate lines paired with powerful colors and composition. She shows how Annette went from wearing leg braces, to swimming, to winning races, and then designing her own swimwear. An amazing inspiration for females, and any child with disabilities, to show how you can break barriers and achieve success while striving to be your true self. 

  • “Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.” 

    —Malorie Blackman

  • Wishes

    by Mượn Thị Văn, illustrated by Victo Ngai 

    40 pages, 4–8 years; published 2021 by Orchard Books at Scholastic

    Such a profound message in only 75 words. Muon shares crucial information by attributing wishes to inanimate objects, and Ngai’s illustratrations add much more content to each spread. This family’s journey across the vast ocean is a scary and lonely time, but the muted color palette makes the scenes intriguing and dreamlike rather than frightening. Wishes is a wonderful, heartfelt story about refugee families and the sacrifices they make in order to better their lives. The art note adds informative historical and personal details as well. Wishes is a must-read that will inspire empathy.

  • “A room without books is like a body without a soul.”

    —Marcus Tullius Cicero

  • 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

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