Picture Books
'Twas the night before Pride
McClintick, Joanna, author.
jE Mcclinti
Picture Books
A glittering celebration of queer families puts Pride gently in perspective--honoring those in the LBGTQ+ community who fought against injustice and inequality. Pride Day is a day that means "Together, we are strong!" With bright, buoyant illustrations and lyrical, age-appropriate rhyme modeled on "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," it tackles difficult content such as the Stonewall Riots and the AIDS marches.
The rainbow parade
Neilson, Emily, author, illustrator.
jE Neilson
Picture Books
A girl recounts her first time marching with her two moms at a Pride Parade.
Added by Casey
A bed of stars
Jessica Love
jE Love
Picture Books
A reassuring picture book about finding one's place in the world follows a father as he takes his child on their first camping trip where he shows, under a blanket of stars, that the universe is a friendly place.
Jessica Love (author of Julián is a mermaid and Julián at the Wedding,) has created another wonderful picture book. A Bed of Stars follows a child's first camping adventure into the desert with his father. I especially love the way Love creates warm and familiar inter-generational relationships that are so authentic and addresses core fears children have, while also presenting real ways to address them (via loving and patient family members). As an added bonus, you can learn about desert flora and fauna; "we say hello: ocotillo, globemallow, agave". -Victoria
A library
Giovanni, Nikki, author.
jE Giovanni
Picture Books, Kids
In what other place can a child "sail their dreams" and "surf the rainbow" without ever leaving the room? This ode to libraries is a celebration for everyone who loves stories, from seasoned readers to those just learning to love words, and it will have kids and parents alike imagining where their library can take them. This inspiring read-aloud includes stunning illustrations and a note from Nikki Giovanni about the importance of libraries in her own childhood.
Lyrical and visually pretty the text will keep you and your child entertained to the end. A great book to discuss what makes your local library great. -Angie
Wild blue : taming a big-kid bike
Dashka Slater
jE Slater
Picture Books
"Kayla loves riding her pink pony, a three-wheeled bike, up and down the street, day after day. But then Daddy announces that it's time for a big-kid bike, one with just two wheels. At the store, Kayla selects her mount, but when she tries to ride it, she is thrown-again and again. Can she tame this intimidating set of wheels? Or is the new blue bike just too wild?"--
This book is perfect for everyone who has or has yet to tame a big-kid bike. -Casey
Marcel the shell : the most surprised I've ever been
Dean Fleischer-Camp
jE Fleischer-Camp
Picture Books
One morning, Marcel the shell is walking on the blanket when he is suddenly launched high into the air and gets a bird's-eye view of the baby, Nana Connie's house, and more before falling back down.
This book is not in my regular wheelhouse, for sure, but I was lucky enough to have it recommended to me by a colleague who shall remain nameless, but who has a thick Northumbrian accent and is a sassy lass. Anyways, I haven't laughed so hard while reading a book in a long time, and this story--albeit short--is full of elements that I like! A likeable narrator, some suspense, travel, a lot of humor, and of course, a nice ending. I mustn't forget the art--it's no secret that children's books often have absolutely amazing illustrations, and this little tome doesn't disappoint. Kids or no, I definitely recommend taking this book out for a spin! -Candice
The tree and the river
Aaron Becker
jE Becker
Picture Books, Nature, History
"In an alternate past--or possible future--a mighty tree stands on the banks of a winding river, bearing silent witness to the flow of time and change..."--
Aaron Becker is back with another fabulous wordless title--don't miss it! -Casey
When the sky glows
Beckerman, Nell Cross, 1973- author.
j551.565 Beckerman
Picture Books, Nonfiction
"Sunrises and lightning storms, rainbows and volcanoes, meteors and fireflies-these beautiful, and sometimes frightening, events that light up the sky might seem like magic."--
Added by Casey
When the sky glows
Nell Cross Beckerman
j551.565 Beckerman
Picture Books, Nonfiction, Science
"Sunrises and lightning storms, rainbows and volcanoes, meteors and fireflies-these beautiful, and sometimes frightening, events that light up the sky might seem like magic. But there is a scientific explanation for each natural phenomenon. Find out the science behind the magic in this beautiful and enlightening nonfiction picture book"--
When the Sky Glows is gorgeously illustrated, is the perfect length, and has just the right amount of information for budding meteorologists. Add this to the rapidly growing shelf of fabulous nonfiction picture books. -Casey
Firefighter Flo!
Andrea Griffing Zimmerman
jE Zimmerman
Picture Books
The phone rang! The bell went clang! Firefighter Flo was ready to go!
Firefighter Flo is the best! I can't wait for the next in this new series, Crane Jane. -Casey
Added by Casey