| My rainbow by Trinity and DeShanna Neal; illustrated by Art TwinkStarring: Trinity, a little girl whose transgender identity is "part of what made her a masterpiece, just like her autism and her Black skin."
What happens: Trinity feels like she can't be herself without long hair, but she hates how it makes her itchy. Can Trinity's clever mum help her create the wig of her dreams?
Did you know? This straightforward, upbeat picture book is based on the real experiences of mother/daughter co-authors Trinity and DeShanna Neal. |
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| A polar bear in the snow by Mac Barnett; illustrations by Shawn HarrisWhat it's about: Waking from hibernation, a polar bear sniffs the air and lumbers off into the snow. He passes a cave, a fisherman, and some tasty-looking seals before his destination is revealed with a sudden plunge into the sparkling, ice-blue sea.
Why kids might like it: A questioning refrain ("There is a polar bear in the snow… Where is he going?") and evocative cut-paper illustrations in cool, Arctic colours invite readers to imagine themselves in the polar bear's world. |
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The run by BarrouxA whimsical potty-training story within a story finds a little boy reading a new book while using the potty, before the story’s animal characters come to life and reveal that they need turns using the potty, too.
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Hamish takes the train by Daisy HirstWatching the trains whoosh by his home, Hamish the bear says goodbye to his country-loving friend, Noreen the goose, and departs for new places where he takes a job, meets people and enjoys adventures before realizing how much he misses his friend back home. By the award-winning creator of The Girl With the Parrot on Her Head.
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Cone cat by Sarah Howden A crafty cat turns his cone of shame into a superpower. One day, Jeremy wakes up at the vet's with a giant cone around his head. Surprisingly, Cone Cat can do a lot of things old Jeremy couldn't. He can hunt spiders with ease, collect stuffing from the couch, and disguise himself as a bowl to steal a scoop of ice cream at a birthday party.
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Peek-a-boo little dinosaur by Yu-Hsuan HuangA little dinosaur makes a new friend who shares in his adventures, in an interactive board book that incorporates felt touch-and-feel lift-flaps that reveal hidden surprises.
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| Turtle walk by Matt PhelanWhat it's about: "Nice and slow, here we go" is the low-key rallying cry of the turtle family in this picture book as they doggedly plod up a hill while the seasons change around them.
Are we there yet? It takes awhile for the turtles to reach the hilltop, but the illustrations make the journey worthwhile, capturing the sweetly rounded shapes of the turtles and portraying nature's finery in billowing washes of watercolor.
Don't miss: the joyful surprise ending! |
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| Lubaya's quiet roar by Marilyn Nelson; illustrated by Philemona WilliamsonWhat it's about: Dreamy, thoughtful Lubaya isn't outspoken -- in fact, she's happiest when she's on her own, creating works of art on the backs of her parents' old protest signs. After seeing scary events on the news, however, Lubuya and her family know it's time to use the signs again, complete with Lubaya's inspiring images.
Reviewers say: "This quietly powerful family story encourages children to use both voices and hands to advocate for change" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| The little mermaid by Jerry PinkneyWhat it is: a fresh spin on Hans Christian Andersen's classic, as imagined by picture book legend Jerry Pinkney.
Featuring: Melody, an inquisitive mermaid; Zion, the human girl Melody longs to meet; and the Sea Witch, the red-tentacled monster who gives Melody legs in exchange for her voice.
Why kids might like it: With an empowering new ending, an infusion of Black Girl Magic, and illustrations so lush you can practically feel the sea-spray, this retelling is bound to make a splash.
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| The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes; illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-NewtonWhat it is: a buoyant slice-of-life story in which a kindergartner’s first day of school gets the royal treatment.
What happens: Kids can follow one confident boy as he wakes up, the sun behind his head “like a crown,” and rides “a big yellow carriage” to the “grand fortress” of his school, where he learns about shapes, letters, numbers, and making new friends.
Who it’s for: anxious kindergartners in need of encouragement. |
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Pete the cat and the itsy bitsy spider by James DeanA groovy rendition of the classic kids' song features original illustrations of a super-cool Pete the Cat and incorporates themes about never giving up, no matter how itsy bitsy one is.
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| We don't eat our classmates by Ryan T. HigginsIntroducing: Penelope Rex, an overalls-clad dinosaur who's ready for the first day of school. What's she's not ready for, however, is being surrounded by delicious, snack-sized humans. Can this hungry dino learn that classmates are friends, not food?
Wait, you mean she devours children?! Yes, but since Penelope safely spits out each kid she chomps, the tone is more silly than scary.
Series alert: For more antics from Penelope, pick up the sequel, We Will Rock Our Classmates. |
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| Be kind by Pat Zietlow Miller; illustrated by Jen HillWhat it's about: While trying to help a classmate who spills grape juice and gets laughed out of the room, this book's young protagonist ponders what kindness means. Is it giving? Is it paying attention? Or maybe it's small good deeds that combine with other people's small good deeds to make something bigger?
Art alert: Round, outsized heads and careful brushstrokes ensure that viewers' eyes are drawn to the kids' expressive faces, highlighting the emotions in every scene.
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
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