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

One Little Bag: An Amazing Journey

written & illustrated by Henry Cole

48 pages, 4-8 years; published 2020 by Scholastic Press

One Little Bag: An Amazing Journey is Henry Cole at his finest. This wordless picture book speaks volumes. The story takes you on the journey of a paper bag and the boy who owns it. The bag bears witness to many milestones in the boy’s life, and in turn becomes more than just a bag. The detailed drawings pull you in and encourage viewers to find the brown bag on each page and consider its purpose. While the story needs no explanation, an author’s note informs readers about a similar paper bag Cole once kept for many years. This helps tie the story into conservation and the ways in which people  can minimize their footprint and look at material things in fresh new ways. 

Hope and peace and love and trust

All the world is all of us.

—All The World by Liz Garton Scanlon

We Are Water Protectors

by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade

40 pages, 3–6 years; published 2020 by Roaring Brook Press

What a beautiful picture book that more than lives up to its hype. The writing feels poetic despite the seriousness of the subject matter. Carole Lindstrom describes the threat of the Dakota Access Pipeline with a mystical voice that honors indigenous heritage, including her own. Michaela Goade’s luscious watercolor illustrations are equally captivating as they highlight the purity and life force of water. Children will be drawn to the calm beauty of this book while also feeling the power of its message to push for social and environmental justice and advocacy. We Are Water Protectors is a true gem of artistic talent that includes informative back matter.

…if you have good thoughts it will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.

—The Twits by Roald Dahl

Secret Engineer: How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge

written & illustrated by Rachel Dougherty

40 pages, 5-8 years; published 2019 by Roaring Brook Press

Dougherty brings incredible life to non-fiction topics with paintings that ingeniously blend whimsy with realism. This picture book story highlights the remarkable Emily Roebling, a woman that never intended to be part of the Brooklyn Bridge planning but who ultimately proved crucial to its success. The beautiful illustrations delight the senses with informative diagrams and detailed settings. There is also additional information in the back matter as well as further reading suggestions. Secret Engineer’s empowering story will inspire young, curious minds to seek STEM subjects in future studies. Readers of all ages can learn something from it.

But all the magic I have known I’ve had to make myself.

—Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein