The right book in the right child’s hand has the power to transform that child forever. I imagine, in time, If You Look Up to the Sky by Angela Dalton will transform thousands, if not millions of children’s lives. This is a book for all to love, but it is especially a book for girls of color to love. The story, inspired by Dalton’s own life and experiences, is about
A Different Pond is a quiet book and a simple, gentle story about an urban fishing trip for a boy and his dad before daybreak. It’s a love letter to a father, a celebration of family and Vietnamese culture, and a sneak peek into the immigrant experience through the eyes of a child. But it’s so much more than that. A Different Pond is a work of beauty and a
No child escapes youth without some form of humiliation or ostracization—the term “mean girl” exists for a reason. And while most of us can probably share plenty of nasty stories that knock us to our knees and bring us back to our most insecure childhood moments, my most transformative “mean girl” incident as a child was not pointed at me but pointed at a friend. I was a sophomore in
Owls are magnificent—the real ones. But storybook owls? I am vaguely familiar with several children’s books that feature owls but, honestly, I can’t name the title of one rapid-fast. And I know there’s no fictional owl that made an impact on me as a child like Charlotte the spider, Misty the horse, Ping the duck, Sounder the dog or the dozens of other farm and wild animal stories that captured
Rarely does a book cause an immediate physical response. But that’s exactly what Where Are All the Minnesotans did to me. I’m a Minnesotan, and this book captures the psyche (and stupidity) of Minnesotans. I smiled, I laughed and I reflected on my life and stories growing up in this ridiculously wonderful state. Yes, we drive to work after a four-foot snowfall. We create activities to busy ourselves on frozen
Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins My rating: 5 of 5 stars I rarely claim that anything is “the best” because I know that while there can be many exceptional things, there is rarely ever “a best.” I just may break my rule with Mother Bruce. And maybe it won’t go down in history as The Best Ever picture book (reviews and people are too subjective for that!), the book
Bees: A Honeyed History by Piotr Socha My rating: 5 of 5 stars Wow. It's been a long time since I've been blown away by a beauty like Bees: A Honeyed History. When I came upon the book at BN, I was breathless. Its massive size, gorgeous, vibrant illustrations and content that celebrates our helpful little friends are pure delight. I couldn't help but pick it up! In fact, I
Pug Man's 3 Wishes by Sebastian Meschenmoser My rating: 4 of 5 stars I'd hesitate to share this book with a little one. Pug Man's 3 Wishes is snarky, cynical, odd, and wonderfully irreverent. It is the perfect gift for the lovable "big kid" curmudgeon in your life. I laughed out loud at the Pug Man illustrations—the sour face, crepey skin, "grandpa" bathrobe and hopeless attitude are classic and capture
The Littlest Family's Big Day by Emily Winfield Martin My rating: 4 of 5 stars Let's cut to the chase: the illustrations in this book are so precious, so charming, and so incredibly delightful they deserve a much larger canvas. Emily, please launch a line of baby nursery/kids room decor--bedding, wallpaper/decals, accessories--the works. Little ones (and big ones) everywhere will thank you. #EmilyWinfieldMartin #WakeUpToJoy View all my reviews
Motor Miles by John Burningham My rating: 4 of 5 stars Just the THOUGHT of a car-driving dog is smile-worthy. What child (or adult, for that matter) wouldn't love to be dropped off at school (work) with their beloved pet behind the wheel for all to see? And a road trip to the seaside, a journey through the leaves in the autumn, and a drive out to play in the
