passionately sharing, discussing and admiring children's picture books
Happy December 2 to you! I’m so excited to share these new books from 2019! This first book is the top of my gift-giving list this year as I adore it so much. If I had to choose a favorite from the year, this would be it. A story about a little girl’s pet tortoise and a seemingly impossible endeavor he undertakes. Be charmed by Truman by Jean Reidy, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins, 2019.
Continue reading “2019 Favs – Book 1: Truman”
December 1 has arrived! Wow. This year seems to have flown, and yet, it seems so long in many ways. Once again, the year has come and gone without a lot of posts. Also, per usual, my stack of new amazing picture books is gigantic. So many great books continue to be published and I never have enough time to talk about them all! I’m excited to bring back my new December series: Favorite New Picture Books of the year! Last year’s list was so fun to make and I heard from many people how helpful it was. Yay!
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It’s the first official day of Autumn over here in the Northern hemisphere. While we are suddenly having a warm spell again, thanks but no thanks New York, I’m ready to fully embrace my favorite time of year! While perusing the library a couple weeks ago, I spied this little book on a shelf. It’s size and topic were too cute to pass up. Allow me to share this sweet book with you on this glorious Autumn Equinox. Here is My Autumn Book by Wong Herbert Yee, 2015.
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The summer came and went. Autumn is two days away. I have so many books to share. They are coming.
For today, bask in the beauty of this September poem. One of the beautiful spreads from A Child’s Calendar by John Updike (1965) and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman in 1999. September – the month and this poem will always be a favorite of mine.
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Happy Juneteenth! On this important day commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States, one book came to mind immediately. I am still learning, unlearning, and grappling with the ugly history of America and my role in its future. In this process, I continue to turn to powerful books, adult and adolescent, to teach me. Today, allow me to share a glimpse of this difficult, beautiful, and necessary book: Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson, 2011.
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It is a rare and beautiful moment when a book takes my breath away. A few months ago, I stopped to look at this one in a beloved local bookstore. I was hearing good things about it from other reviewers and I was delighted by the cover that greeted me in the store. I started to flip through it, ended up sitting down to read it, and then proceeded to the register to take it home. This book is captivating from end page to end page. A beautifully narrated and breathtakingly illustrated biography about Pura Belpré – the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City. This book is a must see: Planting Stories The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illustrations by Paola Escobar, 2019.
Continue reading “Book Review: Planting Stories By Denise & Escobar”
Three Books a Night 