Beautiful Picture Book: The Thing To Remember About Stargazing

 The Thing To Remember About Stargazing

by Matt Forrest Esenwine

Illustrated by Sonia Possentini

Tilbury House Publishers

2023

32 pages

ISBN: 9780884489405

Breathtaking illustrations by Sonia Possentini capture the joy and beauty of nature and the galaxy we live in. The art of stargazing is celebrated around the world by children, adults, and animals as they revel in the sculpture of the heavens.

The sky is laid out like a tapestry of pictures that ancient civilizations looked up at in awe the same way we do today. The Thing To Remember About Stargazing is to gaze with a friend or a pet or no one at all. You can stargaze all alone and contemplate "connecting the dots" of the stars. 

Gorgeous hues of muted blue, violet and purple depict the skies and surroundings for a calming palette for the poetic text. As polar bears gaze at the stars, whales swim to the surface to take in the quiet night sky. Children look up to locate constellations named centuries before they were born. The one thing to remember about stargazing, the most important thing, "...is to do it." 

This mesmerizing picture book is must have for every collection and a great first book to introduce astronomy to young children. A note about stars follows the story and urges readers to go outside and see what pictures, or asterisms, they find. Maybe they will see images they haven't spotted before. 

Highly recommended ages 18 months and up. 

Picture Book Pick: Empty and Me (Bilingual Persian-English picture book)

 

Empty and Me

by Azam Mahdavi

Illustrated by Maryam Tahmasebi

Translated by Parisa Saranj

Lee & Low Books 

48 pages

2023

ISBN: 9781643796222

Originally published in Iran, Empty and Me is the story of a little girl dealing with her mother's death. When her mother dies, the girl turns to Empty, her constant companion and only friend. Empty goes everywhere with the little girl: to school, to the playground, and at home. Empty is shown as a huge 

The girl remembers her mother when she sees a photo of them together, potting a plant. Later, the plant blooms and the girl begins to see things a little brighter. She finds a small kitten and she and Empty take it home. Now the kitten and Empty and the girl are together. Soon, she plays with another child at school. 

Illustrations match the girl's journey throughout her grief: in the beginning, gray is the main color. After the plant blooms, the girl gives Empty a yellow flower. In the pages that follow, Empty is seen with more and more yellow flowers. In the final layout, a picture of the girl, her father, the kitten and Empty are bathed in yellow sunlight coming in from a window.

The text is in Persian with the English translation below it on each page. Young readers may have never experienced a bilingual book before, especially one in Persian and English. The Persian text offers a novel nuance of the print American readers may have not encountered and it adds to the beauty of the pages.

Empty and Me is that rare book that deals with a painful subject in a graceful, poignant manner. Empty is the silent, sweet companion the little girl needs throughout her grief and hopeful healing. 

This book is must have read which is the perfect opening for young children to ask questions about death, dying and loss. While the subject matter is dark, Empty and Me is a testament to bright. 

Ages 3 and up. Especially helpful for anyone who has lost a close relative or parent. 

Picture Book Pick: Real to Me

 

Real To Me

by Mingh Le

Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa

Knopf Books for Young Readers

Random House Kids

2023

40 pages 

ISBN: 9780593377499

Sometimes your first friend is imaginary to everyone. Everyone but you, that is.  A first friend laughs with you, is brave with you, is there for you and that makes them real. A young girl loves her first friend who is her constant companion until one day, her friend is not there. She looks for her friend everywhere and is sad without them. 

After time, she begins to make new friends who laugh with her and are brave with her, but that cannot erase her first, beloved friend: her friend is real to her. 

A beautiful book about a child who dreams and laughs and thinks. A child who is an introvert and who may not feel like she belongs. Her "friend" fills the void in her life, and no one can convince her that her friend is not real. Simply a lovely book full of heart and hopefulness. 

Highly recommended for all young readers. 

MG Pick: Bite Risk

 

Bite Risk

by S.J. Wills

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

2023

320 pages

ISBN: 9781665938006

"It's hard to spot the monster..."

Middle grade readers are in for a real treat: this BITING lupine story has it all! 

Set in a small town aptly named Tremorglade, thirteeen-year old Sel suspects there's something up in his town where nothing ever happens...unless of course you count the night of the full moon when all teens must lock up their parents, fearing their parents will rip them to pieces because one night per month, all kids are on alert for bite risk. Since the Disruption, years before Sel was born, adults turn to werewolves on nights when there is a full moon. 

When adults begin escaping their cages and spy drones start to appear, Sel and his friends decide to investigate. Just what is happening in their town and why is it that no one seems to ever leave? There's an underground conspiracy, a shady scientific company, an elderly friend who seems way too helpful, an online network that begins to feel sketchy, and too many weird circumstances that can't be explained. 

The kids find themselves on the run from not only the werewolves but some much more dangerous threats. Can they escape Tremorglade before it destroys them or do they stay and fight? 

Exciting and entertaining, Bite Risk will keep readers enthralled and guessing until the last pages. A quick read for even reluctant readers. this book will appeal to fans of paranormal, government conspiracies and mysteries. 

Recommended grades 6 and up. No sex. Some gore.

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! 

Wordless Picture Book Excellence: Yellow Butterfly: A Story From Ukraine

 

Yellow Butterfly: A Story From Ukraine

by Oleksandr Shatokhin

Red Comet Press 

2022

72 pages

ISBN: 9781636550640

From Ukrainian artist Oledsandr Shatokhin this beautifully imagined wordless picture book captures the story of home and war from a child's perspective. Evocative, compelling, heart-breaking, Yellow Butterfly is an inspirational story of hope conquering despair.  

Images of barbed wire, burned out holes, and destroyed neighborhoods give way to first a yellow butterfly, then a few more, until finally a kaleidoscope (yes, a group of butterflies is called a kaleidoscope) of butterflies becomes the child's wings lifting her above the destruction up to the sun, to hope, to peace and to the future.  

The colors at the beginning of the book are gray, white and black. The two page spread showing the wings unfurling behind the child is glorious yellow. 

Yellow Butterfly is the best children's book about the desolation and destruction of war, yet it manages to handle the topic in a way child readers can understand and empathize with the plight of the Ukrainian people. 

Ages 4 and up. 

Innovative Picture Book Pick: Some of These Are Snails

 

Some of These Are Snails

by Carter Higgins

Illustrations by the author

Chronicle Kids

2023 

52 pages

ISBN: 9781797220185

This seemingly simple concept book has unlimited possibilities. Not only creative and artistic, Some of These Are Snails will encourage readers to see shapes, colors, spatial design, and patterns in nature and in their normal environment. 

A circle can become a turtle or a snail; a square can become an elephant. The first reading seems simple enough, but as a child reads it numerous times, patterns emerge and/or no patterns emerge. Their mind is the only limit. 

Carter Higgins has an artistic masterpiece here. Furthermore, entire semesters of art and design classes could revolve around this one picture book. 

Some of These Are Snals is award worthy this year. One of the best of the year! 

A must-have for creative minds. 

young readers of all ages! 

Board Book Pick: Some Dogs

Some Dogs

by Lydia Nichols

Illustrations by the author

Gibbs Smith Publishing

2023

12 pages

ISBN: 9871423663706

In this adorable layered view board book, rhyming text and cute illustrations at a dog park capture the unique personalities and wagging tails of dogs who are shaggy or sleek, big or small, thin or round.

Young readers will love all the playful canines and learn that dogs recognize each other and accept each other no matter their differences. It doesn’t matter if their dog pal is tall or fat, big or small, sleek or shaggy. Dogs all have huge doggy hearts.  

The board quality is heavier than most board books making this a solid choice for shoppers and little readers’ hands. Each page is cut and layered on top of the next double fold and the book is taller and wider than other board books. 

A must read, must have for every baby.

 

Picture Book Pick: Ups and Downs: A Book of Emotions

 

Ups And Downs: A Book of Emotions 

by Mike Wohnoutka

Illustrations by the author 

Candlewick Press

2023

32 pages

ISBN: 9781536227376

Ups and Downs allows young readers to see what emotions look like through gorgeous illustrations by the author. From lonely to hopeful and shy and awkward to friendly, children will recognize feelings they have and how to identify these feelings in other people. 

The illustrations bring each feeling to life as Wohnoutka deftly handles tough feelings like disappointment as well as happy feelings like curious and joyful. This is a must have book for read for every young child. Ups and Downs would make a lovely gift for young readers and their families. 

Highly, highly recommended. Ups and Downs will likely be in the running for children's book awards as Mike Wohnoutka is a Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner, and this gem of a book deserves mass recognition. 

Funny Picture Book Pick: Toby Tootles

 

Toby Tootles

by Stephanie Gibeault 

Illustrations by Mary Sullivan 

Sleeping Bear Press

32 pages 

2023

ISBN: 9781534111790

Poor Toby Tootles! He was having the best birthday party ever...until he farts! His guests laugh and Toby is embarrassed. 

When he visits his grandmother, she toots. Toby is shocked. Grandmother says, "gas happens." Later, Toby toots again. He agrees gas happens and shares a laugh with his grandmother. An embarrassing moment doesn't have to be so awful. It's natural. 

The author's note includes a personal experience about embarrassing moments, but how you handle those moments makes the difference. 

Toby Tootles is a cute book about a normal experience. 

Ages 18 months and up.