Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat are preparing for the Christmas holidays. George and his friend ride home in a sleigh with a tree. Then, they bake cookies, decorate a gingerbread house, and wrap presents. George is not mischievous in this story; instead, he helps out with holiday preparations. This board book includes five sounds (battery-operated) on a panel alongside the story pages. The bell icon at the bottom of the page corresponds with a spot on the sound panel. Pressing one spot, the readers will hear sleigh bells ringing. Another spot has a bell on a kitchen timer or the crinkling of wrapping paper. The sounds will probably delight young children. In the end, lucky George gets a visit from Santa Claus. Adult guidance may be needed to support the careful handling of the plastic, electronic sound panel, which holds the button-type batteries. New fans of Curious George will probably also enjoy the other adventures involving this little monkey.
(Published: 2019)
They were three noble, wise leaders who, each in their own country, saw a bright star in the heavens and traveled to a far country to find its source. The wise men knew the prophecy of the birth of a king and did not want to miss the opportunity to welcome this great leader and offer him gifts. Through their studies of other countries and other languages, even as they practiced rituals of different faiths, they each felt that something was missing. Before arriving at their Jerusalem destination, the three met on the road and shared their stories. They decided to travel together to Jerusalem to meet this new king. They would soon discover that the star was not leading to Jerusalem but to a much more humble place and that the king they would meet in Jerusalem would just be looking for trouble. It is not an easy task to find a new twist on the real Christmas story. We can always tell about another snowman, or another goes astray, but the story of the newborn baby in the stable is known to the youngest of children. Somehow, author Taylor has left the stable and gone to the wise men in the desert, traveling by camel to find the answer to the star in the heavens. The story is presented in simple, everyday language for children and adults alike, with sentences like if anyone in Jerusalem knew anything at all, they would be here instead of there and none of the wise men’s old maps worked anymore. They would have to find a new way home to tell us the story from the viewpoint of the wisemen. Illustrator Cataldo has given the reader faces filled with an expression of humility, playfulness, and awe, as well as images of a baby in the evening shadows and his mother’s arms. The artwork and the text are extraordinary, and this reviewer would rate this book at a five. It will find a place in preschool and early elementary collections and the shelves of families who have happily received this gift. It has already found a place on my giving list for next year.
(Published: 2018)
I Got the Christmas Spirit
By: Connie Schofield-Morrison
Illustrated by: Frank Morrison
Reviewer: Mary Lanni
The Christmas spirit is everywhere during the holiday season: one must simply be willing to see it. From the jingle jingle of the bells to the swish swish of ice skates, the world changes for one young girl when the holidays arrive. She loves what the Christmas season is all about, from the sights and sounds around her to the feelings she experiences within herself. She finds ways to help others and become more accepting and joyful in the spirit of the season, and she enjoys the delicious foods she eats and soulful songs she sings. This book echoes its companion I Got the Rhythm in many ways, specifically in the riveting, emotional images, and the short, descriptive text. However, it lacks the rhythmic motion of the first book in the series. Despite that, this is a lovely addition to the Christmas canon, especially for very young children. The oil on canvas medium makes the illustrations in this book rich and filled with color, vibrating with intensity. Each face exudes emotion, and the images immerse the reader in the story. The feelings of the holiday season are all accounted for, from joy to love to sharing, explained briefly in the text and more thoroughly through the illustrations. Readers of all ages will find themselves reminiscing over their own holiday experiences as they turn each page of this book. The tastes, sights, smells, and sounds of the holiday season are palpable throughout this beautifully illustrated text. Libraries would do well to include this within their collections of books about the Christmas season.
(Published: 2018)
Mustache Baby is back for a Christmas adventure! Meet Baby Billy and a Baby Javier: two baby friends with an unusual trait in common: early facial hair. Baby Billy was born with a mustache, and his friend Baby Javier was born with a beard. On Christmas Eve, Baby Javier’s beard turns white, and he is immediately transformed into Santa’s number one helper. There is so much to do to prepare for the big night that Baby Javier becomes overwhelmed by responsibility. Baby Billy to the rescue! He puts on his elf hat and makes toys all day to help his friend. When he decides to keep them for himself, Baby Javier becomes angry, and Billy winds up on the naughty list! Will they repair their friendship in time for Santa’s visit? Fans of the “Mustache Baby” series will love this fun and engaging Christmas installment. Recognizable characters and illustrations place these two friends in the Christmas spirit, teaching important lessons about friendship and giving along the way. At a time of year that is a balance of giving and receiving, readers will recognize the tribulations Baby Billy and Baby Javier experience in this story. The text is a blend of some pages with a large number of sentences and others with only a few words. This keeps the pacing of the book constantly shifting and engaging for readers of all ages. Occasional jokes adults can appreciate ensure that the entire family will enjoy this story together. A textured, glittery cover coupled with vibrant, emotive images make this book stand out among others in its genre. Families with young children will love incorporating this book into their Christmas reading traditions.
(Published: 2019)
It’s Christmas, and a cookie and milk have been set out for Santa. But, before he can arrive, his cookie has gone missing. Where could it be? Is it lost among the wrapped presents, accidentally hung on the tree, buried in a snowball, or floating in a cup of hot chocolate? Layer by layer, the mystery unfolds as each page takes the reader closer to finding out just where Santa’s missing cookie might be found. By the book’s end, it becomes clear that perhaps the family dog has something to do with the cookie’s disappearance, and lo and behold, maybe the family cat has taken too much of an interest in Santa’s milk as well. Charming in tone, this board book offers readers a simple holiday story that literally unfolds page by page. As the reader turns each page, he or she comes that much closer to not only solving a mystery but also reaching the core of the book. The author has cleverly presented a book featuring a kaleidoscope-type structure that draws the story further in as they move through it. This is a lovely holiday book that combines engaging illustrations, a fun story, and an engaging physical structure. This is a storybook that will be a fun read at the holidays or beyond.
(Published: 2019)
When Santa Was a Baby
By: Linda Bailey
Illustrated by: Genevieve Godbout
Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green
Even as an infant, Santa seems to do his own thing. Instead of gurgling or cooing at his parents, Santa lets loose with the booming HO, HO, HO! that we all know is his form of laughter. His parents are surprised, but they accept it as part of their special boy. As a toddler learning colors, he demonstrates a strong preference for red. His parents accept this, too. When he wraps up his birthday presents to give to the children in the neighborhood, his parents are amazed by his generosity. Each time child Santa exhibits one of what will become his trademark characteristics–an affinity for reindeer, hooking animals up to pull a mock sleigh, chimneys, and more–his parents are caught off-guard but indulgent of their unusual child. At the same time, readers laugh more with each glimpse of a Santa trait in this cherubic blond tyke. Linda Bailey s childhood Santa is worthy of shelf space alongside other larger-than-life characters, including Pecos Bill and Paul Bunyan. A must-read for the holiday season, this fun picture book is well-suited to public and school libraries.
(Published: 2015)
The Worst Christmas Ever
By: Kathleen Long Bostrom
Illustrated by: Guy Porfirio
Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer
Matthew is not happy with his family’s upcoming move to California. His only comfort is the presence of his dog Jasper nearby. California is even worse than Matthew expected. He does not like his new school, he doesn’t know the songs in church, and he finds it unsettling that trees do not change colors and drop leaves in the fall. Anticipating Christmas with no snow and a fake tree is depressing. When his family agrees to pose in the church’s outdoor nativity on Christmas Eve, Matthew is mortified. Then, the worst possible thing he can imagine happens. Jasper chases a squirrel in the park and gets lost. The family searches for hours. Nothing. They put up flyers and call the neighbors. There is no sign of Jasper. The three days before Christmas Eve are misery for Matthew. Then, when the family enters the nativity, a miracle happens. Realistic illustrations depict Matthew’s many strong emotions and the loving support he consistently receives from his father, mother, and younger sister.
(Published: 2019)
Authors and illustrators are creative people. But what do you get when an illustrator decides to author and illustrate his/her own book? Pure magic! We all know the long list of classic author/illustrators- Dr. Seuss, Jan Brett, Ezra Jack Keats, Eric Carle, Donald Crews, Rosemary Wells- just to name a few. They have produced classics that children still love today. In the last 15 years we have seen some of our favorite illustrators add the writing pen to their stash of drawing utensils. Here are just 11 of the many author/illustrators that grace the picture book shelves of libraries, classrooms, bookstores, and homes.
Nia loves Alfie, her pet turtle. But he’s not very soft, he doesn’t do tricks, and he’s pretty quiet. Sometimes she forgets he’s even there! That is until the night before Nia’s seventh birtday, when Alfie disappears! Then, in an innovative switch in point of view, we hear Alfie’s side of the story. He didn’t leave Nia—he’s actually searching for the perfect birthday present for his dear friend. Can he find a gift and make it back in time for the big birthday party?
Animals, birds, and even flowers of blue hues color their landscapes, from the Arctic to the jungle, as they enjoy a moment of peace in the hour between day and night.
Ellie the elephant’s relaxing bath is disrupted by splashing friends, prompting her to suck up all of the water into her trunk until everyone else leaves.
Author/illustrator Tavares traces the champion Red Sox pitcher’s improbable rise from a baseball-loving youth in the Dominican Republic to a World Series star, describing how his enduring bond with his older brother shaped his athletic dreams.
This book explores the life of one lighthouse as it beams its message out to sea through shifting seasons, changeable weather, and the tenure of its final keeper.
The story of the red-hulled Ambrose Light. Within the story, readers learn that lightships once served where lighthouses could not be built. They helped to guide sailors safely through the fog.
Jean-Michel Basquiat grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he was surrounded by riches of language, culture, and art. From his earliest years, Jean-Michel knew that he wanted to be an artist. His mother encouraged his interest and took him to museums and galleries. Sadly, due to mental health issues, she had to leave the family when Jean-Michel was in his teens, and she left him without her encouragement and support. But Jean-Michel never stopped drawing and painting, and he struck out on his own when he was a teen. Soon, his street culture-inspired art was noticed. He had his first public exhibition in Times Square in 1980, when he was only twenty years old. His first solo show took place in Italy in 1981, and his paintings began to sell.
When a wolf cub and little girl get lost in a snowstorm, they must find their way home.
The World Illustration Awards celebrate illustration on a global level. The award has many categories, including one for Children’s Books. The illustrations commissioned and published within the children’s book format is for a readership of 16 years or under. Work submitted may be the book cover, inside illustrations, whole book design or entire publication. It includes but is not limited to graphic novels, e-books, interactive books, picture books, chapter books, works of fiction and non-fiction, zines, reference books, artist books, and pop-up books.
A brother and sister spend an exciting day at the zoo where they find balloons, baboons, kangaroos, and more. Told entirely through illustrations and single words containing a double “O.”
A lift-the-flap book that is full of fun characters with lots of surprises. The book begins with a clown crying out for help to find her sidekick baboon. It then leads the reader into the private rooms of sideshow freaks in search of the baboon.
This book consists of two parallel stories. The first is about a child who finds himself as an adult. At the end of this adventure, he realizes that there is someone who believes in him. The second story is about a man who seems to have lost himself but regains his innocence of childhood through a similar adventure.
Rivers have many powers: they carry sediments and sentiments, revive lands and minds, connect places and times. They are sources of life and conflict; paths of stories travelling the Earth. Their flow continually reminds us – we all live downstream, or upstream, from someone, we are all neighbors.
Min is a problem solver. On a hot day, Min and her friends, who all happen to be elephants, want to play outside. Ann and Bess think it’s too hot, but Min gets creative and finds ways to cool down. This guided reading level picture book with a STEM twist showcases a girl’s persistence and ingenuity. Part of the “I Like to Read” series, simple text combine with McCully’s bright and whimsical watercolor illustrations to make this early reader style picture book fun and manageable for a beginning reader. From a STEM standpoint, the story shows Min devising a way to get water out of a well into an empty pool but doesn’t explain how her invention works. Illustrations show how she wraps a hose around a pipe and puts it in the well. As Min turns the pipe, water moves up the hose and pours out into the pool. There’s no explanation how the water screw works beyond, “Min turned the tube…and turned…and turned…Water came out!” While the story succeeds in depicting problem-solving skills and creativity, it misses the opportunity to introduce simple tools, like the screw, to young readers, either with more descriptive text, a sidebar, or endnote to be shared by a parent or teacher. Teachers could use this picture book as a fun discussion starter about persistence, problem-solving, or simple tools.
Great books for kids ages 0-3 who love rhythm and music. These selections include a blend of traditional favorites and new hits that inspire movement and participation. Readers of all ages will enjoy sharing these books with their youngest family members, especially reading them aloud. Don’t be surprised if these books are requested over and over again! Contributed by: Mary Lanni
A-tisket, a-tasket, a green-and-yellow basket . . . a little girlie picked it up and took it to the market! Everyone knows these lyrics. But Ora Eitan’s wonderfully spirited art truly brings Ella Fitzgerald’s adaptation of the nursery rhyme to life with bright cut-paper images seeming to jump off the page. Was it red? No, no, no, no. Was it brown? No, no, no, no. . . . And if that girlie don’t return it, I don’t know what I will do. This is sassy, sweet, pure springtime fun.
Children see a variety of animals, each one a different color, and a teacher looking at them. Includes note to parents and teachers, and related activities.
Brave bear hunters go through grass, a river, mud, and other obstacles before the inevitable encounter with the bear forces a headlong retreat. On board pages.
Jazz Baby
By: Lisa Wheeler
Illustrated by: R. Gregory Christie
Presents lyrics to the well-known song, interspersed with additional verses about babies.
Down by the Station
By: Jennifer Riggs Vetter
Illustrated by: Frank Remkiewicz
This illustrated version of the traditional song expands and describes more vehicles, different locations, and their unique sounds, from puffer-billies to racecars and rockets.
Two young friends celebrate how the more they get together the happier they are, in an illustrated version of the classic song. On board pages.
Some families have dogs. Some have cats. Some have fish. Then there are the more daring families who have pet lizards and snakes. But what are the most unusual pets? Leave it to children’s nonfiction authors to expose us to the most bizarre pets one can have. We’ve added one special fiction book just to make the list even more eccentric.
While not covering ‘real’ unusual pets, this picture book takes a hilarious look at weird fake hybrids. Hieronymus Betts is armed with a vast array of bizarre and unsavory pets, from the slimy Slugapotamus to the Sticker bog hog.
Your pet hedgehog just made a spitball. Is that normal? This book introduces readers to the ins and outs of care for a pet hedgehog. Readers will get information to help them decide if a hedgehog is the right pet for them as well as the how-to’s of caring for hedgehogs.
An introduction to an unusual pet- the Macaw. The first part of the book describes the care macaws need and the second part is a rhyming story about a boy who finds a pet macaw. Interesting animal facts and a quiz round out the book.
A combination of text and photographs share information about caring for pet geckos, including information about the different breeds, life cycles, and behaviors.
Highlights the amount of specialized care that sugar gliders require, but also how cute they are which in turn attracts children to this unique animal.
A collection of autobiographical stories about raising a houseful of children and wild pets including crows, skunks, and raccoons. Author George is well-known for her love of all animals.
From where they sleep to what they eat and how you can make them feel safe and at home, this book gives you pet care advice on a variety of different pets. Learn the inside information on how to care for and understand the behavior of pets such as snakes, insects, chinchillas, newts, and salamanders.
Kindergarten- the first formal education of many children. The concept of Kindergarten was created by Wilhelm August Frobel whom started the very first Kindergarten in Germany in 1837. Frobel believed that children learn through play and experience. Kindergarten was a balance of the two that would allow children to transition from home to school more easily that just a book-work setting.
National Kindergarten Day, observed annually on April 21, honors the day Friedrich Wilhelm August Frobel was born.
Presents the special activities of a kindergarten class on the day devoted to each letter of the alphabet, from finding acorns outside on A day to zero more letters and a trip to the zoo on Z day.
Contains two stories that depict a day in an American and Chinese kindergarten classrooms to reveal the similarities and differences between how classes are run in the two countries.
Annalina’s diary entries reflect her feelings and experiences as she goes from being afraid to go to kindergarten to loving it during her first month of school.
Through a month-by-month review of a year in kindergarten, Emily shares her stories of the many happy experiences she has at her school with her new classmates.
A young girl describes how she gets ready for her first day of kindergarten.
Award-winning author Ame Dyckman’s picture books provide plenty of laughter during storytimes and bedtimes. Ame is the award-winning author of Boy + Bot; Tea Party Rules; the New York Times bestselling Wolfie the Bunny; Horrible Bear!; You Don’t Want a Unicorn!; Read the Book, Lemmings!; Misunderstood Shark; Huggy the Python Hugs Too Hard; Roary the Lion Roars Too Loud; Misunderstood Shark: Friends Don’t Eat Friends; the third board book in the Wee Beasties board book series, Touchy the Octopus Touches Everything; and her latest picture book Dandy.
Hi Ame. Three books coming out this spring—WOW! If you were to describe each book with three adjectives, what would those adjectives be?
THANKS, and OOH, FUN game! Okay…
My fiction-with-nonfiction-facts picture book MISUNDERSTOOD SHARK: FRIENDS DON’T EAT FRIENDS (ill. by Scott Magoon, pubbed 1/29/19) is… ZANY, INFORMATIVE, and FUNNY!
My social manners board book TOUCHY THE OCTOPUS TOUCHES EVERYTHING (ill. by Alex G. Griffiths, pubbed 3/19/19) is… KID-TRUE, HELPFUL, and (you guessed it!) FUNNY!
And finally, my family/neighborhood picture book DANDY (ill. by Charles Santoso, pubbed 4/2/19) is HEARTWARMING, SASSY, and HILARIOUS! (There’s just something about GROWN-UPS peer pressuring each other—in this case, the neighbors ordering Daddy Lion to “take care of” the dandelion on his lawn—that’s EXTRA-funny!)
We love that you are so creative with your characters and are wondering what draws you to write about the specific animals you choose?
THANK YOU! I often use animal protagonists because animals can represent EVERYBODY. We’ve all at one time or another been a hungry (or HORRIBLE!) bear, a worried-but-brave bunny, a misbehaving-but-denying-it shark, etc., and I want all readers (especially kids) to be able to see themselves in my characters. But when using human characters, it’s important to represent diversity, so kids can see themselves visually as well as emotionally. I’ve finally written a (not-announced-yet!) human classroom story, and I can’t wait to see all the kiddos!
Read the Book, Lemmings! and Misunderstood Shark have such fun endings. When you begin writing a picture book, do you know what the ending will be?
THANKS, and generally… NOPE! I almost NEVER know the ending of a story when I start writing it. Often, I don’t even start with the BEGINNING of the story! I usually “see” a midway scene or “hear” a bit of character dialogue, and the story grows in both directions from there by questioning—WHAT is happening, WHO is saying it and WHY, etc. (Sometimes my characters completely run the show and I’m just taking dictation! THOSE ARE GREAT WRITING DAYS!)
Misunderstood Shark was unique as we knew it would be the first of at least two Misunderstood Shark books, so I was able to end it on a bit of a “cliff-hanger.” (But my character Bob Jellyfish was mad at me for MONTHS ‘til I finished our sequel (Misunderstood Shark: Friends Don’t Eat Friends) and got him “OUT!” of the… er, PLACE I’d left him!)
You write some of the most humorous books so our readers are wondering what makes you laugh? What’s the funniest joke you have heard?
It’s ridiculous, but the joke that makes me laugh EVERY time:
What do you call cheese that isn’t yours?
NACHO CHEESE!
(Visit me on Taco Tuesday and you’ll hear this joke SEVERAL times! You’ve been warned!)
Several of your books have been translated and are sold all over the world. Can you tell us a little about the process of getting a picture book translated and in the hands of children everywhere?
I’ve been extremely fortunate that ALL of my published picture books have been translated in one-to-multiple languages (Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Hebrew, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, ETC.—even Finnish and Norwegian!) for little readers all over the world. (I treasure each of these translated books—even if I can’t read them! I’m only fluent in English and Five-Year-Old!) Luckily, each of my publisher’s amazing Translation Departments takes care of nearly all my translation work—I usually only chime in when we’re creating other English editions (for sale in the United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) and I’ve used a particularly American English phrase I need to substitute with a more locally-appropriate one. And even then, I have FABULOUS advice from our regional editors.
With so many books written in just a few years, you must never suffer writer’s block. Do you have a writing schedule/routine?
I think EVERYONE gets writer’s block! I wrangle mine by working on several projects at once. If one story stops speaking to me, I just put it aside and work on another ‘til the first one shouts again. And no, I don’t have a writing routine. I write when inspirations (and deadlines!) strike and when I can—while juggling home and family and my new projects pipeline and travel and promotion and one SERIOUSLY attention-demanding cat! But when I am writing, I’m REALLY writing. (Read, “Ame frequently burns dinner when she’s writing!” OOPS!)
If we were to visit and look at your bookshelf, what genre would we find the most represented?
*LAUGHING* Picture books! I own shelves and shelves AND SHELVES of picture books and basically no “grown-up” books. (Unless they’re grown-up books ABOUT picture books! HA!) There’s also a shelf or two of classic MG (Roald Dahl, etc.) and a bit of supernatural/fantasy/contemporary YA for plane trips. But when packing for a car trip, I’ve been known to bring an extra suitcase (or two!) full of picture books!
Visit Ame on Twitter (@AmeDyckman), where she posts book news, goofy poetry, and pretty much everything that pops into her (frequently color-changing) head!
Whether it starts with a pet fish or a trip to the beach, some kids love reading about sea creatures. Our list of 20 picture books featuring sea animals is sure to create even more interest about the many sea dwellers on our planet.
A squid that feels cold begins stealing clothing from other animals until, finally, they fight back, leaving him with two arms longer than the others. Includes facts about squids.
A father relates to his son the tale of his encounter–and friendship–with a gigantic trout whose enormous jaw is covered with so many lures and fish hooks that he jangles when he swims, but who has never been caught.
After making a rare summertime trip from Florida to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Kobee Manatee needs to get back before winter, but he is willing to help new friends, Pablo, a wonderfully vulnerable hermit crab, and Tess, a compassionate and adventurous seahorse, he meets along the way and together they face several obstacles.
Lorenzo the lobster’s favorite food is pizza, so when his friend Kalena the sea turtle finds one she brings it back for Lorenzo, and once they figure out how to make it, they have a pizza party for all their friends.
Manatee Winter
By: Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
Illustrated by: Steven Petruccio
A mother manatee and her little calf travel from the Gulf of Mexico through dangerous water full of speeding boats.
Shark interrupts the filming of Underwater World with Bob, scattering the other creatures (and the audience), but he claims it is all a terrible misunderstanding–that he would never think of eating the fish, the squid, the audience…or Bob.
A sea horse leads the reader past coral reefs and underwater creatures to a sea horse family hidden in a cave. Includes notes on coral reefs and various marine animals.
Smiley Shark loves to smile, but everyone is afraid of his big, sharp, toothy grin. Catfish, Sea Star, and Octopus all swim away from Smiley Shark as fast as they can. His teeth are too scary! When all the fish are caught in a net, though, they need Smiley Shark’s help. A big smile is just what is needed to save the day!
A Leo Lionni classic: When his school of fish is attacked by a big tuna, Swimmy goes out on his own and discovers the wonders of the sea, so when he finds a new school, he helps them find a way to venture out and stand up to the bigger fish.
From before the time she hatches until she returns to the same beach to lay eggs of her own, a sea turtle is helped to escape from danger many times by different human hands.
While the young reader is reading about Captain McElligot’s boat, the Cetacean Station, and joining the Cat in the Hat, Thing One and Two and the two children from the Cat’s earliest adventures, he/she is also learning about marine mammals, toothed and baleen whales, the difference between dolphins and porpoises, whale habitat, reproduction, behavior, and so on. The book includes a simple glossary and suggestions for further reading.
This year the Australian postal service has chosen to honor some of their most memorable children’s authors by spotlighting them in its Australian Legends stamp series. The Australian Legends stamp series honors Australians who have made a significant contribution in their chosen field or a chosen theme. Examples of past themes are legends in sports, science, and philanthropy. The five chosen children’s authors are Mem Fox AM, Morris Gleitzman, Leigh Hobbs, Alison Lester and Shaun Tan- each who has won numerous awards for their creations. Each stamp includes a photo of the author along with a book jacket of one of their books.
When Grandma Poss’s magic turns Hush invisible, the two possums take a culinary tour of Australia to find the food that will make her visible once more.
Rhyming text compares babies born in different places and in different circumstances, but they all share the commonality of ten little fingers and ten little toes.
Felix lives in a convent orphanage high in the mountains in Poland. He is convinced his parents are still alive and that they will one day come back to get him. When Nazi soldiers come to the orphanage Felix decides to escape and make his way home. The journey to find his parents is a long and difficult one, as all of Poland is occupied by the Nazis and a dangerous place for a Jewish boy. Felix manages to live and look after himself and another orphan, Zelda, with the help of a kind dentist, Barney, who is hiding and looking after a number of Jewish children.
What do you take to Pets Day at school when you’re allergic to cats and the new principal? A very large stray dog of course. Answering that question is much easier than the one she has to ask herself at home. Is she a pet, as mum’s always saying, or a stray herself?
Determined to understand why humans hate cane toads and to improve relations between the species, Limpy embarks on a dangerous trek from his swamp to the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
Imagine a beach where you can swim, surf, splash through the waves, make sandcastles, hunt for treasure, explore rock-pools, muck about in boats, fish from the jetty, and build a bonfire under the stars. Imagine a beach where adventure begins.
After her pony Bella, trapped in quicksand, is rescued by a mysterious unseen person, ten-year-old Biddy follows the trail into the Australian bush and discovers the solution to a disappearance that happened years ago.
Three stories explore how we lose and find what matters most to us, as a girl finds a bright spot in a dark world, a boy leads a strange, lost being home, and a group of peaceful creatures loses its home to cruel invaders.
Two boys explain the occasionally mysterious “rules” they learned over the summer, like never eat the last olive at a party, never ruin a perfect plan, and never give your keys to a stranger.
The Young Australians’ Best Book Award is based on encouraging children to read and following the process of selecting the award winner. The process begins by children reading and recommending their 4 favorite books. Then, they read books their peers selected, ultimately selecting a short list. Next, the children begin rating the shortlist books and eventually rewarding their choice book by submitting a vote.
Below are an array of previous winners. Many of the winners have also won multiple other Australian book awards.
Soon after arriving at the Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies, resourceful seven-and-one-quarter-year-old Alice-Miranda finds her new boarding school to be a very curious establishment with no flowers in the gardens, a headmistress that has not been seen for years, and a mysterious stranger that seems to be hiding out on the premises.
Twins Justine and Perry are about to embark on the road trip of a lifetime in the Pacific Northwest. It’s been a year since they watched their dad lose his battle with cancer and, now at only nineteen, Justine is the sole carer for her disabled brother. But with Perry having been accepted into an assisted-living residence, their reliance on each other is set to shift. Before they go their separate ways, they’re seeking to create the perfect memory. For Perry, the trip is a glorious celebration of his favorite things: mythical sea monsters, Jackie Chan movies and the study of earthquakes. For Justine, it’s a chance to reconcile the decision to ‘free’ her twin, to see who she is without her boyfriend, Marc, and to offer their mother the chance to atone for past wrongs. But the instability that has shaped their lives will not subside, and the seismic event that Perry forewarned threatens to reduce their worlds to rubble.
The bad news? The world is ending. The good news? The Bad Guys are back to save it! Sure, they might have to “borrow” a rocket. And there might be something nasty in one of the spacesuits. And Mr. Piranha might have eaten too many bean burritos. Surviving this mission may only be one small step for man, but it’s one giant leap for the Bad Guys.
Jamal and Bibi have a dream: to lead Australia to soccer glory in the next World Cup. But first they must face landmines, pirates, storms and assassins. Can Jamal and his family survive their incredible journey and get to Australia?
At night the skimmers fly over the Wall looking for human prey and the people of Weld huddle in their houses. But, after his two brothers set out through the magic doors in an attempt to find the Enemy and don’t come back, young Rye knows that he must follow and find them.
In Sydney, Australia, and in Morocco, two boys and their families have a day of shopping. Readers are invited to compare illustrations in two wordless stories that are intended to be read one from left to right and the other from right to left.
Pig was a Pug and I’m sorry to say, he was greedy and selfish in most every way. Pig is the greediest Pug in the world. He is ill-tempered, rude and unreasonable. When Pig the Pug is asked to share his toys, something unexpected happens … Hopefully Pig has learned a lesson!
Any person can be an activist, even young children. Creating a classroom library or home bookshelf with books about various activists or causes can peak a child’s interest in how he or she can impact the world. Below are 10 books to help build your activism collection.
A is for Activist is an ABC board book written and illustrated for the next generation of progressives: families who want their kids to grow up in a space that is unapologetic about activism, environmental justice, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, and everything else that activists believe in and fight for. The alliteration, rhyming, and vibrant illustrations make the book exciting for children, while the issues it brings up resonate with their parents’ values of community, equality, and justice. This engaging little book carries huge messages as it inspires hope for the future, and calls children to action while teaching them a love for books.
An account of immigrant Clara Lemlich’s pivotal role in the influential 1909 women laborer’s strike. It describes how she worked grueling hours to acquire an education and support her family before organizing a massive walkout to protest the unfair working conditions in New York’s garment district.
Drop by Drop
By: Peace, and Human Development USCCB Department of Justice
Illustrated by: Carrie Gowran
In a village in Burkina Faso, Sylvie is unable to attend school because it takes her several hours every day to collect the water her family needs from the river. She is excited to learn from Mr. Mike of the Catholic Relief Services that her village has been chosen for a special Water Project to dig a well for the village.
Malala Yousafzai’s harrowing story of standing up for girls’ education against the Taliban, being shot in the head, and surviving to continue the fight. Through her blog, she became the voice of young women everywhere who are oppressed and living under a rule of law that does not allow women to pursue education.
Filled with inspiring photos of children at the Women’s March on Washington and other protests and rallies, this book also includes inspirational quotes, simple ideas for how kids can get involved, brief definitions of concepts like “equality” and “feminism,” and an introduction from a leading activist who’s making a difference in the world today.
Bullying, climate change, endangered species, health, and hunger are all problems that need activists and Clinton helps young readers understand how they can make a difference in not only their communities but globally.
A biography of Emma Tenayuca, who, in 1938, led 12,000 poor Mexican-American workers in a strike for better wages and living conditions. Told in both English and Spanish.
The author’s wedding portrait is used as an example of how to get involved even when breaking the rules is the right thing to do. It also serves as a springboard for discussion of various protests around the world.
Nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks was used to hearing discussions about the civil rights movement, seeing as Fred Shuttlesworth, Jim Bevel, and Martin Luther King, Jr. were often dinner guests in her home. Believing she could make a difference too, Audrey marched with other children in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963. She and the other children were arrested and spent a week in jail, which is depicted in the illustrations.
Traditions, some passed down through many generations, are cherished around the Christmas season. Enjoy this collection of 12 titles that provide a glimpse into Christmas traditions with some providing a unique twist.
Advent Elf
By: Paivi Stalder
Illustrated by: Barbara Korthues
On the first night of Advent, Arty, an elf in training, jumps out of the Advent wreath demanding that Paul get him home.
Rebecca, a young girl living in Nazareth, accompanies a small donkey who is searching for his mother to a stable in Bethlehem where they both witness a special event.
A parable about Santa’s elves that involves a hungry polar bear, the water world below the ice, and the miraculous transformation of a ragged, unfinished wreath.
Grieving for her dead mother, a poor girl finds all her dreams fulfilled when, on Christmas Eve, she hangs above her hearth a stocking she has knitted.
The story of how, in Savannah, Georgia, in 1857 James Lord Pierpont sat down to write a song for his congregation’s Thanksgiving program and, homesick for the cold New England weather he remembered, came up with an enduring classic.
A collection of five folktales related to Christmas. Includes: The Brave Little Camel (Syria), Baby in the Bread (Malta), The Gourd of Plenty (Ghana), Flowers for Jesus (Mexico), and Babushka (Russia).
When Lucida is unable to finish her gift for the Baby Jesus in time for the Christmas procession, a miracle enables her to offer the beautiful flower we now call the poinsettia.
The story of the Christensen brothers, pioneers of ballet’s early days in America, and how The Nutcracker Ballet became a holiday tradition in America.
In this adaptation of the folk song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” friends exchange such gifts as a piñata and “cuatro luminarias.” Includes pronunciation and glossary of Spanish words. Also includes a description of Christmas foods and other holiday traditions from different Latin American countries.
Eleven years ago, my family and I experienced a rather warm Christmas day in Virginia. The temperature was 65+ degrees with lots of warm sunshine. Weather like this was perfect for grilling and eating outdoors which is exactly what we did. Thus began our fajitas for Christmas lunch tradition and we have continued it ever since, even on the colder Christmases.
Many of the American Christmas traditions we participate in are based on European Christmas traditions, with many of them from Germany and Scandinavian countries. As with most things passed down through generations, the stories of Christmas traditions’ origins vary, and speculation sometimes becomes folklore.
Christmas Cards- In Britain, one was expected to write letters to family and friends at Christmas time. It was a time-consuming effort and realizing so children’s book publisher Henry Cole asked an artist to create a card with his picture and a statement of Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Cole then reprinted the card and sent it instead of the Christmas letter. To read Christmas cards from the Big Bad Wolf and all the King’s Men, read The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet Ahlberg.
Christmas Tree- The Christmas tree is a German tradition that took place during the mid-winter festivals. In autumn once the leaves had fallen, people thought the good spirits had left. To persuade the good spirits to return, people would cover the trees with colorful pebbles and cloths. They assumed this worked when they saw the leaves return in the spring. Oak trees were originally used but the chosen tree was later changed to a pine tree and brought inside the home to decorate. Queen Victoria is most known for spreading the tradition to other countries when her German husband, Prince Albert, brought the tradition to the palace. For a sweet book about loving a Christmas tree, take a look at The Scrawny Little Tree : a Christmas Story by Ed Mehler.
Christmas Lights- One night, Martin Luther admired the stars sparkling through treetops. He decided to recreate this for his church by burning candles on his church’s Christmas tree. A safer light show to share with your children is Ten Christmas Lights by Teresa Imperato, complete with push button lights.
Candy Canes- A German choir director gave sugar treats in the shape of a shepherd staff, which he called candy canes, to children during a Nativity service. The red stripes and peppermint flavor were added later, as were their use as Christmas tree decorations. Author Lori Walburg chooses to create a different legend about the candy cane in her book The Legend of the Candy Cane, along with additional background about the candy.
Gingerbread Houses- When most people think of gingerbread they either think of the gingerbread boy or the gingerbread houses that are usually created around Christmas. Grimm’s fairy tale Hansel and Gretel introduced the idea of a gingerbread house as that is where Hansel and Gretel find the witch living. Other creatures can live in a gingerbread house too. Mouse does in Gingerbread Mouse after a branch falls through his own house.
Nativity- While the Bible does not state the date of Jesus’ birth, many Christians choose to celebrate his birth on December 25. Why this date? Some believe it was to allow Christians a ‘non-pagan celebration’ during winter solstice. While most children recognize the usual horses, cows, and sheep in the Nativity story, author Eve Bunting chooses to let the smaller animals tell what they witnessed in We Were There: a Nativity story.
Yule Log- In Scandinavian countries, during the winter months when there was no sun for days on end, a celebration was held to welcome the sun when the first ray was spotted in the spring. A large fire was built, featuring a yule log to celebrate. The celebration became known as Yuletide. For some people a yule log is a rolled cake decorated in chocolate frosting to look like a wooden log. Some wintry stories to read by the fire can be found in Fireside Stories: tales for a winter’s eve by Caitlin Matthews.
Santa Claus- After his wealthy parents died, St. Nicholas, a Turkish bishop, used his inheritance to give gifts to the needy. One of the stories of Nicholas’ giving includes how he helped three sisters whose poor father could not afford their dowries. Supposedly, Nicholas secretly left a bag of gold through one of the broken windows. It was enough money for the first daughter to marry. He did the same the next night. By the third night, the window was repaired so he had to drop the gold down the chimney where it fell into stockings that had been left to dry by the fire. To learn more about St. Nicholas, The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Demi recounts pivotal events in the history and life of Saint Nicholas, including how he came to be associated with Christmas and Santa Claus.
For more books related to Christmas traditions, check out our Christmas Traditions reading list.
Though today we may find Christmas trees in neon colors and yule logs on the television, these steeped Christmas traditions seem to take separate activities and bind them together in our definition of the Christmas season. I encourage you all to take time this Christmas to start a new Christmas tradition with your family or friends.
From the CLCD family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year!
These picture books are ideal for sharing laughs and enjoying time together around the Christmas tree.
An elephant parent has to take responsibility for caring for all the gifts that arrive in this newly illustrated version of the traditional song.
Fartsy Claus
By: Mitch Chivus
Illustrated by: Mike Reed
When Santa Claus is presented with a plate of franks and beans instead of the usual milk and cookies, the flatulent consequences are more than he ever expected.
In verse reminiscent of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” this story tells of the year the reindeer went on strike, forcing Santa to audition a series of other animals to take over their job.
When Eddie, one of Santa’s elves, accidentally knocks him out on Christmas Eve, Eddie finds an unlikely substitute in the owner of Murray K’s Holiday Diner.
Twas December 24th, and three brave knights were just settling in for the night when out on the drawbridge, there arose such a clatter! The knights try everything to get rid of this unknown invader (Santa Claus!), a red and white knight with a fleet of dragons.
Under Spark Elf’s direction, Santa delivers presents in the allotted twenty-four hours only to arrive at the North Pole with a stowaway in the toy bag, a family’s beloved dog.
When Rudolph gets sick on Christmas Eve, he suggests that Santa ask his sister Ruby to take his place, even though the rest of the reindeer are not happy about the possibility because Ruby’s behavior can be so unpredictable.
Thinking that “all of the other reindeer” she hears people singing about include her, Olive the dog reports to the North Pole to help Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
On the first day of Christmas, a gift was sent to me: a parrot in a palm tree! Ahoy mateys–Christmas is coming and even pirates celebrate the holiday! This follow-up to the hugely popular A Pirate’s Night Before Christmas offers a witty re-imagining of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”–with a sly buccaneer twist.
When Nicholas Duck, wearing a Santa hat and coat he found on his doorstep, goes looking for Santa to tell him what he wants for Christmas, all the other animals mistake him for Mr. Claus.
Santa’s Stuck
By: Rhonda Gowler Greene
Illustrated by: Henry Cole
When Santa becomes stuck in the chimney of a house on Christmas Eve, the dog, the cat, the reindeer, and a mouse try to free him.
Stick Man
By: Julia Donaldson
Illustrated by: Axel Scheffler
Stick Man ends up far away from his family tree when he is fetched by a dog, thrown by a child, used as a snowman’s arm, and even put in a fireplace. Finally Santa Claus steps in to make sure that Stick Man and his family have a joyous Christmas.
Turkey Claus
By: Wendi Silvano
Illustrated by: Lee Harper
Santa Claus finds a way to help Turkey avoid becoming Christmas dinner.
The Mitten Award recognizes and promotes quality literature for youth in picture book format. First given in 1999 by the Children’s Services Division of the Michigan Library Association, the award is given annually to one children’s book originally published in the United States during the calendar year that has captured the attention of youth librarians throughout the State of Michigan for its ability to communicate through literature to an intended audience. The award selection work group is comprised of Michigan librarians who consider hundreds of children’s books annually to determine a winner.
After falling off the wall, Humpty Dumpty is very afraid of climbing up again, but is determined not to let fear stop him from being close to the birds.
Bob, not Bob!
By: Elizabeth Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick
Illustrated by: Matthew Cordell
When a young boy gets a cold, he just wants his mommy. But his stuffy nose makes it difficult for him to call out to his mom–not ‘Bob,’ who happens to be the family dog.
When a group of US Marines fighting in the Korean War found a bedraggled little mare, they wondered if she could be trained as a packhorse. They had no idea that the skinny, underfed horse had one of the biggest and bravest hearts they’d ever known.
The story of a young boy who grows up living by the sea in a small mining town.
Cat lovers prepare yourself for 9 fun picture books featuring your favorite pet.
Cat Secrets
By: Jef Czekaj
Important secrets about how best to live a cat’s life will be revealed only to those who can prove that they are genuine cats.
Fuddles
By: Frans Vischer
When Fuddles the cat escapes from his house and goes to explore the great outdoors, his adventure is more taxing than he expected it to be.
How the Cat Swallowed Thunder
By: Lloyd Alexander
Illustrated by: Judith Byron Schachner
Warned not to get into his usual mischief, Mother Holly’s cat tries to tidy up all the mess he has made while she is away.
Miss Hazeltine’s Home for Shy and Fearful Cats
By: Alicia Potter
Illustrated by: Birgitta Sif
Miss Hazeltine opens her home to cats who need help learning how to be brave, and their new skills are put to use when she finds herself in a bind.
Mr. Pusskins: a love story
By: Sam Lloyd
Grumpy Mr. Pusskins hates doing ordinary cat things such as playing with his owner Emily but a night out on the streets in search of adventure makes him reconsider the advantages of a loving home.
If You Give a Cat a Cupcake
By: Laura Numeroff
Illustrated by: Felicia Bond
A series of increasingly far-fetched events might occur if someone were to give a cupcake to a cat.
Splat Says Thank You
By: Rob Scotton
Splat the Cat figures out how to let Seymour know that he’s thankful for their friendship, complete with humorous illustrations to prove it.
The Cat in the Hat
By: Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss’ cat invites students to use their imaginations to find ways to become self-sufficient in their use of time.
Skippyjon Jones
By: Judy Schachner
Skippyjon Jones is no ordinary kitten. Oh, no… He’s actually El Skippito, a great sword-fighting Chihuahua ready to battle banditos the world over! With a little imagination and a whole lot of fun, this frisky cat dons a mask and cape and takes on a bad bumble-beeto to save the day.
What goes well with Hanukkah gifts? Hanukkah stories! We are sharing 16 Hanukkah stories, 2 for each night. A perfect pairing for gift time or bedtime.
The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes
By: Linda Glaser
Illustrated by: Nancy Cote A young girl finds a way to include her elderly neighbor in her family’s Hanukkah celebration.
Chanukah Lights Everywhere
By: Michael J. Rosen
Illustrated by: Melissa Iwai
A young boy counts the candles on the family menorah and the lights he sees in the world around him on each night of Hanukkah, in a story which includes information on the history and significance of the celebration.
Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama
By: Selina Alko
A child relates how the family celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah, enjoying the rich traditions of both religions.
The Eight Nights of Chanukah
By: Leslea Newman
Illustrated by: Elivia Savadier
The wondrous days of Chanukah come to life through the eyes of a young child, whose family gathering grows bigger and bigger as the holiday progresses.
Hanukkah Around the World
By: Tami Lehman-Wilzig
Illustrated by: Vicki Wehrman
Celebrate Hanukkah with an Australian blizzard drink, Polish latkes, Tunisian debla cookies, and explore how Hanukkah is celebrated around the world. Includes brightly colored maps and boxed information on the presence of Jews in each spotlighted country.
The Hanukkah Mice
By: Steven Kroll
Illustrated by: Michelle Shapiro
A family of mice enjoys the doll house and furnishings that Rachel receives as gifts on the eight nights of Hanukkah.
Is it Hanukkah Yet?
By: Chris Barash
Illustrated by: Alessandra Psacharopulo
From snow on the ground to making applesauce and latkes to lighting the menorah, this story shows the seasonal and traditional ways we know Hanukkah is on its way.
It’s a Miracle: a Hanukkah storybook
By: Stephanie Spinner
Illustrated by: Jill McElmurry
Every night of Hanukkah Grandma tells a story at bedtime, in a book that includes the Hanukkah legend.
Latke, the Lucky Dog
By: Ellen Fischer
Illustrated by: Tiphanie Beeke
A family rescues a dog from a shelter during Hanukkah, and the pup proceeds to create holiday hijinks as he gets used to his new home.
Latkes and Applesauce
By: Fran Manushkin
Illustrated by: Robin Spowart
When a blizzard leaves a family housebound one Hanukkah, they share what little food they have with some starving animals who later return the favor.
Nonna’s Hanukkah Surprise
By: Karen Fishman
Illustrated by: Martha Aviles
Rachel is excited to go spend the holidays with her Italian cousins and beloved Nonna, but is also upset about missing Hanukkah. Her parents assure her that they can still celebrate the holiday and pack up dreidels, chocolate gelt, and candles. They even surprise Rachel with a cool new menorah featuring girl Maccabee warriors.
Potatoes at Turtle Rock
By: Susan Schnur and Anna Schnur-Fishman
Illustrated by: Alex Steele-Morgan
Annie leads her family on a nighttime journey around their farm to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. At each stop along the way Annie uses riddles (and potatoes) to mark old traditions and start new ones.
Runaway Dreidel!
By: Leslea Newman
Illustrated by: Kyrsten Brooker
In this rhyming tale in the style of “The Night before Christmas,” a family’s preparations for Chanukah are disrupted by a wildly spinning dreidel.
Sadie’s Almost Marvelous Menorah
By: Jamie Korngold
Illustrated by: Julie Fortenberry
A little girl breaks her handmade Hanukkah menorah but learns that, even broken, it can still have a role to play in the holiday celebration.
The Story of Chanukah
By: Francis Barry Silberg
Illustrated by: Pamela R. Levy
A simple history of the celebration of Chanukah, including the corruption of the Temple, the bravery of Judah the Maccabee, and the miraculous eight-day flame that reminded the Jews of God’s light and their freedom to worship.
ZigaZak! A Magical Hanukkah Night
By: Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrated by: Jon Goodell
Two evil spirits wreak havoc on the town of Brisk’s Hanukkah celebration, until the town’s wise rabbi puts a stop to their mischief.
Australian-born author Stephanie Campisi’s books are in bookstores and on library shelves much to the delight of American readers everywhere. With two books published and another two slated for publishing in 2019, we are delighted to speak with Stephanie about her craft.
Your latest book, Luis and Tabitha, grabbed our attention from page 1. Luis is indeed “dashing, charming, and purrfectly suave.” Tell us a little about how you came up with the idea for this book?
Luis is indeed quite the charmer! Hollie Mengert, the illustrator, brought him to life absolutely beautifully – the idea of making him a “tuxedo” cat was hers, and I think it’s a perfect fit for our hero.
The book was actually inspired by my own adopted cat Bunbury, who had lived a life on the streets before coming to live with me. Bunbury spent many an evening sitting on the window sill staring out into the night, and I wondered what he was yearning for. For a romantic like me, the answer had to be his true love. Perhaps the best Luis and Tabitha-themed question I’ve had from a reader so far is “so, are those cats dating?”
With two picture books published, Luis and Tabitha and The Ugly Dumpling, and two more coming out next year, why do you think you gravitate to the picture book format?
I love picture books in that they tell two stories simultaneously – the story in the text, and the story in the illustrations. I love the challenge of seeing how much can be left unsaid, or what can be revealed with the turn of a page. Picture books can shape the telling of a story in wonderful, creative ways.
That said, I do write in formats other than picture books. I work by day as a copywriter, which I think has influenced my interest in how language and images can work together to create something intriguing and engaging (don’t worry – my picture books won’t try to sell you anything). Other than picture books, I’m a huge fan of middle grade, and I do have a couple of things in the works there.
When you begin writing a picture book, do you know what the ending will be?
Almost always. I usually start with a title, which given the length and approach of a picture book pretty much sums up the book’s theme or throughline. Generally, this has something to do with an underdog character who is failing tremendously at what they want. The ending is them getting what they want, but in a way that’s a little off kilter and unexpected. With a picture book, that ending is very often suggested by the character archetype I’m working with.
Do you have an interesting writing quirk?
I just asked my fiancé, and he said that my quirk is complaining about everything under the sun to him for at least ten minutes before I get started. Oops!
Will we see your Australian roots in future books?
I really hope so! I have a picture book about a platypus that will hopefully see the light of day soon, and my middle grade work definitely has an Aussie sensibility to it. I do think my Australian roots are evident in my humor and worldview – it’s a culture that seems superficially to be very similar to the US, but there are huge differences in terms of social norms, cultural touchpoints and overall outlook. I get some very odd looks here, although that might be because of my accent!
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Like all writers I’m an avid reader; that’s my favorite thing to do when I have a bit of free time. I live in a rural area, so I also spend a lot of time tending to my property and exploring the local surroundings. There’s a river with several waterfalls nearby, plus plenty of forest and all sorts of animals! It’s easy for the hours to slip away when you’re out there.
If we were to visit you and look at your bookshelf, what genre would we find the most?
It’s a bit of a mishmash, but I think that literary fiction would win out. I love experimental fiction, the classics and anything a bit “weird”. You’d also find a lot of items put up high and out of reach of my Jack Russell puppy!
and follow her on Twitter: @stephcampisi Facebook: @stephcampisiauthor.
Our list of picture books reflecting Native American themes feature family, animals, school, space exploration, and Thanksgiving.
Black Bear Red Fox
By: Julie Flett
A book demonstrating colors in English as well as in Cree, along with the pronunciation.
The Christmas Coat: Memories of My Sioux Childhood
By: Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve
Illustrated by: Ellen Beier
Virginia and her brother are never allowed to pick first from the donation boxes at church because their father is the priest, and she is heartbroken when another girl gets the beautiful coat that she covets. Based on the author’s memories of life on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota.
Fall in Line, Holden!
By: Daniel W. Vandever
At a very strict school in Indigenous Nation, everyone but Holden stays in line until they reach the door at the end of the school day.
The Good Luck Cat
By: Joy Harjo
Illustrated by: Paul Lee
Because her good luck cat Woogie has already used up eight of his nine lives in narrow escapes from disaster, a Native American girl worries when he disappears.
The Hogan That Great-Grandfather Built
By: Nancy Bo Flood
Illustrated by: Peterson Yazzie
A child describes what daily life is like for his Navajo family living in a hogan built long, long ago by his great-grandfather.
Mission to Space
By: John Herrington
Illustrated by: Peterson Yazzie
Astronaut John Herrington shares his passion for space travel and his Chickasaw heritage as he gives children a glimpse into his astronaut training at NASA and his mission to the International Space Station. Includes an English-to-Chickasaw vocabulary list with space-related terms.
My Heart Fills with Happiness
By: Monique Gray Smith
Illustrated by: Julie Flett
A sweet narrative grounded in First/Native Nations culture, community, and traditions, this book explores what makes one happy.
Skysisters
By: Jan Bourdeau Waboose
Illustrated by: Brian Deines
Two Ojibway sisters venture out on a chilly night following their grandmother’s advice that “wisdom comes on silent wings.” They meet three guardian animal spirits and arrive at the Northern Lights, or SkySpirits.
Squanto’s Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving
By: Joseph Bruchac
Squanto recounts how in 1614 he was captured by the British, sold into slavery in Spain, and ultimately returned to the New World to become a guide and friend for the colonists.
The Very First Americans
By: Cara Ashrose
Briefly describes some of the hundreds of Indian tribes that lived across America before the arrival of Europeans.
A Walk to the Great Mystery
By: Virginia A. Stroud
While exploring the woods with their grandmother, a Cherokee medicine woman, two children learn about the spirit of life that is all around them and within them as well.
When We Were Alone
By: David Robertson
While gardening with her grandmother, a young girl asks her grandmother about her long, braided hair, colorful clothing, and why she speaks another language. She will find the answer in the story about her Cree grandmother’s time in a residential school.
