Illustrated by Markia Jenai 4 stars A nonfiction board books presenting the history of Juneteenth for young children. Includes important historical events such as the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Juneteenth becoming a national holiday. Nice illustrations. Does include depictions of enslaved Africans in chains being taken on ships and enslaved people working in…
Read More
Illustrated by Tabitha Brown 5 stars A joyful read celebrating Juneteenth. The rhyming text showcases different aspects of Juneteenth celebrations, from parades and picnics to supporting Black businesses. Sweet, colorful illustrations. Includes a note at the end explaining the history of Juneteenth and how it has been celebrated. Such a sweet book. Joyful, colorful, and…
Read More
Illustrated by Ellen Weinstein 3 stars A nice, kid-friendly introduction to Yayoi Kusama’s life and art that gives some basic information about her childhood in Japan, life in New York, and struggle to get her work recognized. Great illustrations. Despite the length, there isn’t a ton of detail about Kasama’s life. The information presented is…
Read More
3 stars A delightfully eerie concept. After hitting rock bottom, Evelyn McKinnon takes a job as a radio host in her childhood hometown. Seems simple enough. But she soon learns there is more to 104.6 FM than she originally thought. Along with her cohost Daniel, she must navigate the mysterious forest, warn the town of…
Read More
Foreword by Oprah Winfrey 5 stars Beautiful, empowering, inspiring, timeless. A compact little book that allows readers to visit Gorman’s iconic poem again and again. A stunning call to action and an encouragement to hope, to dream, and to put in the work. A breathtaking moment that leaves the chest aching. Goodreads
Read More
Selected by Ella Risbridger Illustrated by Anna Shepeta 3 stars A nice anthology of poetry from a variety of poets from around the globe and across time. Includes some classic poets like Emily Dickinson, Sappho, and Christina Rossetti, more modern voices like Amanda Gorman, Joy Harjo, and Mary Oliver, and some new voices including poems…
Read More
Illustrated by Clayton Nguyen 4 stars A heartwarming story of family, tradition, loss, and connection. In the first book in The Nguyen Kids series, we follow Anne, the eldest Nguyen sibling. After the passing of her beloved grandmother, Anne inherits her iconic jade bracelet. But this bracelet has a secret. Follow Anne as she uncovers…
Read More
Illustrated by Vali Mintzi 5 stars A beautiful story of hope and light in dark times and the power of books. When war reaches their home in Damascus, cousins Nour and Amir band together to create a secret library. Together with their friends and neighbors, they collect books from abandoned homes and bombed buildings to…
Read More
Illustrated by Sophie Bass 5 stars Absolutely stunning. Weaving together a Rapunzel narrative with the history of enslaved Africans using cornrow patterns to navigate their journey to freedom, Cooke creates a compelling, empowering, and magical tale. Wonderfully written with flowing narration. A lengthy text but certainly worth the read. I love how empowering the narrative…
Read More
3 stars An odd little story with nice age-appropriate messaging about ethical fishing practices. The story follows Shark Girl who, after witnessing human irresponsibility and greedy fishing practices, decides to take revenge by starting a mutiny. A nice blend of humor and an examination of human nature. Showcases both the good and the bad of…
Read More