You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing.
―Charlotte’s Web by E.B.White
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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.
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The Day Saida Arrived
by Susana Gómez Redondo, translated by Lawrence Schimel
illustrated by Sonja Wimmer32 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.
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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.
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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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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.
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Your Name is a Song
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
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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.
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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.
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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.