Picture Book Pick: These Olive Trees: A Palestinian Family's Story

 

These Olive Trees

by Aya Ghanameh

Illustrations by the author

Viking

An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

2023

40 pages 

ISBN: 9780593525180

A beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking story of one girl's memories in a refugee camp and having to flee war, These Olive Trees embrace family, dedication and hope for the future. As her family flees one part of Palestine to yet another area, Oraib plants an olive pit, promising that one day when she's older she will return to visit the tree she planted. 

The olive trees are more than trees to Oraib's family: they signify growth, life, food and tradition. War, refugees, and relocation seen through a child's eyes is powerful, yet mindful of child readers. Most children probably have not been affected by war, but they can understand having to leave their homes. They can understand that the family must stay together. They can understand the sadness of leaving all they've ever known to go to somewhere unknown. 

A powerful book and a must have for every library. Highly recommended. 

Opposites Pick: Kitty & Cat: Opposites Attract

 Kitty & Cat: Opposites Attract

by Mirka Hokkanen

Illustrrations by the author

Candlewick Press

2023

40 pages

ISBN: 9781536223675

Fall in love with this pair of lovable cats. Cat is older; Kitty is brand new. Kitty wants to play, but Cat wants to laze the day away. Cat, the curmudgeon, puts up of Kitty, barely. Cat begins to seek out Kitty's adorable antics, watching as Kitty plays, secretly hoping for a chance to join in. 

When Kitty gets outside in the rain, Cat rescues her, bringing her inside to get warm and dry. Early pages show Cat distancing herself from the new invader. Later pages, Cat relaxes, sharing her toys and even her food bowl! 

Readers will learn opposites as the story progresses. Opposites include: old, new, over, under, energetic, exhausted and finally apart and together. A surprise endpaper of a new arrival will delight kid readers and shake up the entire household! 

Highly, highly recommended for teaching opposites in a fun, sneaky way! Ages 18 months and older. Delightful illustrations are colorful and laugh out loud cute. 

Likely to be awarded this season, Kitty & Cat is a must have, must read for every child! 

PicutePicture Book Pick: Treasure Chest of Kisses

 

Treasure Chest of Kisses

by Sky Eiko

Illustrated by Pham Thuy Mai Thy

Henrietta Publishing

2022

39 pages

ISBN: 97889986970400

A sweet picture book full of love and inspiration, Treasure Chest of Kisses will become an every night read aloud for children. Rhyming and whimsical, this gem of a book explains that every kiss comes from a treasure chest deep inside of each one of us.  

Children can embrace the love they have in their chest (treasure chest) and feel comforted knowing that they are loved and they can give love. Uplifting and joyous, Treasure Chest of Kisses will bring smiles to everyone who reads it. 

Highly recommended ages 18 months and up. Simply lovely! 

Tween Series Pick: Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure (Book 15)

 

Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure

Book 15 

by Rachel Renee Russell

Illustrated by Nikki Russell

Aladdin

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2023

333 pages

ISBN: 9781534480483 

Fans of the series will love this new installment of the tres chic Nikki Maxwell and her adventures as she visits Paris with her bandmates BFFs Chloe and Zoey and frenemy mean girl MacKenzie. 

Twelve days in Paris take readers on a Parisian adventure to the catacombs, the Louvre, tres chic shops, the Arc de Triumphe and cafes. The girls drink in their experiences and learn just a little about true friendship. Nikki learns a lot about her younger sister Brianna and ends up loving her even more than ever. But the best lesson yet, is "never, ever stop believing in magic." 

Dorks everywhere will read this book in one sitting and be on tenterhooks waiting for the next adventure of Nikki, Brandon, MacKenzie, Chloe and Zoey. 

Recommended for tweens and fans of the series. It's best to read the books in order, but you could read book 1 and this one if you don't have access to the entire series. It's likely to be found in every elementary and middle school library, but you may have to wait on a list for your chance to grab it. 

Own Voices Pick: Heart Berry Bling

 

Heart Berry Bling 

by Jenny Kay Dupuis

Illustrations by Eve Campbell 

HighWater Press

2023

48 pages

ISBN: 9781774920558

Maggie is excited to visit her granny and bead with her. Granny always has stories and does beautiful beading work. Granny tells Jenny of a time when she was discriminated against by her own people because she married a man who wasn't First Nations. Even though men could marry outside their community, women were discriminated due to gender discrimination in the Indian Act. 

As they bead, Maggie learns about the Anishinaabe people and their lands in Canada. She loves to hear how Granny overcame hardship by keeping close to her roots through traditions and beading. With Granny at her side, Maggie makes beautiful strawberry earrings. 

Heart Berry Bling is a quiet picture book with a huge heart. What a lovely celebration of tradition and family! Jenny Kay Dupuis captures the love of a grandmother and her granddaughter. Illustrations by Eve Campbell are compelling and timeless. 

This Own Voices pick is a must have for every collection. Highly recommended ages 3 and up. 

Own Voices Pick: Picture Book Who Am I?

 

Who Am I? 

by Julie Burcholz

Illustrations Aliya Ghare

Sleeping Bear Press 

2023 

32 pages 

ISBN:  9781534111813

Winner Own Voices, Own Stories Prize

A young girl asks her mother "Who am I?" Her mother explains their family's background and ties to nature and the world. The author is a member of the Bay Mills Tribe of the Chippewa Indians and embraces her ancestor's beliefs and love of the land. 

Who Am I? is a remarkable, poetic picture book with warmth and gentleness. The illustrations by Aliya Ghare are beautiful and  explode off the pages. 

Ages 5 and up. A lovely book to share!