Picture Book

Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates

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.

The Beak Book

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!

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.

Berry Song

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.

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.

Chez Bob

written & illustrated by Bob Shea

40 pages, 3-5 years; published 2021 by Hatchett Book Group

From the very first line, this book is 100% Bob Shea humor. Chez Bob is such a delight to read and is bursting with dynamic illustrations. Shea has a flair for getting to the heart of a story with simple, yet witty language (many a line will amuse the adult reading). Kids will grow fond of alligator Bob as quickly as he grows fond of the birds on his nose. What a fun way to show the importance of friendship and what it means to be part of a community.

Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.

— Lemony Snicket

Change Sings

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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