Sustainable Badass: A Zero-Waste Lifestyle Guide by Gittemarie Johansen

Translated by Gittemarie Johansen, Jens Damborg Jens, and Christian Bredvig Fjordside 4 stars A great introduction to living more sustainably. I love the approach Johansen takes in this book. She recognizes that people don’t have the same abilities and privileges, and encourages readers to do what works for them and not to feel guilty about…

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You Should Meet: Yayoi Kusama by May Nakamura

Illustrated by Alexandra Badiu 3 stars An early reader introduction to the life and work of Yayoi Kusama. The book goes through Kusama’s childhood in Matsumoto, her experience with hallucinations, living in the United States, interactions with other well-known artists, and her impact as an artist, including her various types of work and exhibitions. I…

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Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution. by Rob Sanders

Illustrated by Jamey Christoph Following the lead of multiple reviewers before me, I will not be giving this book a star review. I am thrilled a book like this exists, showcasing the importance of the Stonewall Uprising, but even for a picture book it feels sadly incomplete. I enjoyed the idea of the book being…

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Maya’s Song by Renée Watson

Illustrated by Bryan Collier 5 stars A beautiful biography in verse recounting various moments in the life of Maya Angelou. From her childhood to her reading “On the Pulse of Morning” at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton, the book shares glimpses throughout Angelou’s life. It includes moments from her childhood, her work as a…

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Claudette Colvin: I Want Freedom Now!

by Claudette Colvin and Phillip Hoose Illustrated by Bea Jackson 5 stars A fantastic book that tells the story of how Claudette Colvin took a stand against discriminatory rules. Told in first person, the book follows Colvin’s frustration at not having the same rights as others because of the color of her skin. One day,…

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Ping-Pong Shabbat: The True Story of Champion Estee Ackerman

by Ann Diament Koffsky Illustrated by Abigail Rajunov 4 stars A wonderful nonfiction picture book that tells the story of Estee Ackerman’s choice between celebrating Shabbat with her family and competing in the US National Table Tennis Championships. Nicely written. A great example of choosing what is right for you. I love how supportive Ackerman’s…

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Free to Learn: How Alfredo Lopez Fought for the Right to Go to School

by Cynthia Levinson Illustrated by Mirelle Ortega 4 stars A powerful fictionalized account that tells the story of Plyler v. Doe, which mandated free public school education for all US residents regardless of immigration status. This nonfiction picture book follows Alfredo Lopez who loves school where he can learn and see his friends. But one…

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