Special Picture Book: A Family Is...

 A Family Is...

by Lisa Thiesing

Illustrations by the author

Aladdin

An Imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2022

40 pages

ISBN: 9781534465749

A charming, adorable picture book celebrates the meaning of family. Families are for belonging, hugs, getting dressed, playing, talking and even quiet times. Charming characters include rabbits, mice, fox, raccoons, bears, skunks and several others. 

Thiesing captures each character with warmth and whimsy. Families come in all types of animals and not only all of one type. Momma bunny says "Good morning!" to her daughter mouse. Another family is a dog, a cat and a mouse. 

The illustrations allow the author to show inclusion and belonging without stating it in text. This keeps the picture book warm and cuddly, not preachy. This is the perfect bedtime read for children and their families. 

Recommended for bedtime stories for children of all ages.

YA Horror Anthology: Up All Night (now available in paperback)

 

Up All Night: 13 Stories Between Sunset and Sunrise

Edited by Laura Silverman

Algonquin Young Readers

Workman Publishing 

2022

352  pages 

ISBN: 9781643752631

Newly released in paperback format, Up All Night will be a hit with YA readers, teens and adults alike. Thirteen stories by favorite YA authors including Karen M. McManus, Julian Winters, Maurene Goo and many others will keep readers up all night. 

I reviewed the hardcover here https://booksbypamelathompson.blogspot.com/search?q=up+all+night

Highly, highly recommended ages 12 and up. I loved this anthology. In fact, it's my favorite short story anthology ever! 

Biography Picture Book Pick: Because Claudette

 

Because Claudette

by Tracy Baptiste

Illustrated by Tonya Engel

Dial Books

Penguin Random House

2022

32 pages

ISBN: 9780593326404

NY Times bestselling author Tracey Baptiste (The Jumbies) brings the story of fifteen-year old girl Claudette Colvin who refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white woman, igniting a movement for change.

Every school child has heard of Rosa Parks, but how many know about teen-age Claudette and her  brave stand and her arrest that started the Montgomery boycott? 

Because of Claudette and "good trouble," and the actions of the community, the speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks' bravery, the bus boycott that citizens supported, the case went to the Alabama Supreme Court. In December 1956 the law changed and anyone could now sit anywhere on a bus. All because Claudette.  

Little things like taking a seat on the bus and standing up for what you think is right leads to bigger movements. There are so many things our children will need to address: climate change, endangered animals, the shrinking rain forest, rising sea levels, fossil fuels, war, drought, famine, equality for all including basic reproductive rights and the list goes on, Because Claudette may be the story to ignite their passions. 

Highly, highly recommended ages 6 and up. This is an important book for children.