• Your Name is a Song

    Your Name is a Song book cover

    by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, illustrated by Luisa Uribe

    40 pages, preschool to 3 years; published 2020 by The Innovation Press

    What a wonderful story for children feeling unseen and unimportant. It all starts with your name. For many kids, this initial identity marker comes with a great burden when your classmates, and even your teachers, can’t pronounce it. Thompkins-Bigelow weaves a refreshing tale about the beauty, rhythm, and creativity of personal names. Your Name is a Song is a book I can deeply relate to having grown up with repeated misspellings and mispronunciations of my first and last name. Your name is important, and even more important is that the people around you take the time to get it right. I hope this book starts the conversation and helps more children to feel accepted. 

    Check out this great video of proper name pronunciations from the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmXqJGherE8

  • “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”

    —Charles William Eliot

  • Big Papa and the Time Machine

    Big Papa and the Time Machine

    by Daniel Bernstrom, illustrated by Shane W. Evans

    40 pages, 4-8 years; published 2020 by Harper Collins

    One of the best features of Big Papa and the Time Machine is its authentic voice. From the first few words, you are drawn into the dream world that the boy and Big Papa share. Big Papa tells unique stories about courage and all the varied ways in which life may ask it of you. Kids will see that no matter your age there will be times when you will feed scared, but we can all practice being brave. Daniel Bernstrom’s characters are inspired from his own life which he shares about in a touching author’s note. The captivating illustrations by Shane W. Evans contain many textures and colorful layers that beg to be gazed at.

  • “A story is about the reader, not the writer.”

    —Richard Peck

  • Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border

    Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border

    by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Sara Palacios

    40 pages, 3-6 years; published 2019 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux/Macmillan

    A heartwarming story about the challenges US families and their relatives in Mexico face. La Posada Sin Fronteras takes place at Christmas time and allows families in San Diego a chance to see loved ones in Tijuana for a few minutes through the border fence. Readers will sense the longing between Abuela and her grandchildren. They will also feel hope as they cheer on Maria while she devises a way to share her brothers artwork with their grandmother. Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border includes informative back matter. This is Mitali Perkins first picture book, but certainly not her last.

  • “‘What day is it?’, asked Winnie the Pooh.
    ‘It’s today,’ squeaked Piglet.
    ‘My favorite day,’ said Pooh.”

    —The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne

  • You Are My Friend: The Story of Mister Rogers and His Neighborhood

    by Aimee Reid, illustrated by Matt Phelan

    40 pages, 5-8 years; published 2019 by Abrams Books for Young Readers

    Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was a favorite of mine growing up. I loved the warm way he talked to the camera, and I enjoyed learning new things from his special guests. Aimee Reid’s book, You Are My Friend: The Story of Mister Rogers and His Neighborhood has the same warm vibe. It’s thoughtfully written and shares several facts about Mr. Rogers that readers may be surprised to know. Matt Phelan’s wonderful water color illustrations reinforce the gentle, nurturing tone of the story. Back matter gives additional details into Fred Rogers’ career path and provides more resources to explore. After reading this picture book, kids and adults will come away with a greater understanding of what made Mr. Rogers so special.

  • “I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.”

    — Langston Hughes

  • A Green Place To Be: The Creation of Central Park

    A Green Place To Be

    written & illustrated by Ashley Benham Yazdani

    40 pages, 7-10 years; published 2019 by Candlewick Press

    Ashley Benham Yazdani paints whimsical depictions of Central Park in her fabulous debut picture book, A Green Place to Be: The Creation of Central Park. Her detailed illustrations allow for new discoveries on subsequent readings. Kids will learn about Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted, the park creators, but they will also learn the value of giving your all. Olmstead and Vaux go from uncertainly about even entering the city park contest, to rising to the top of the entrees. Not only did their winning design lead to the creation of an amazing park for the citizens of New York City, but it lead to future parks across America. 

  • “Let us pick up our books and pens. They are our most powerful weapons.”

    – Malala Yousafzai

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