Read Woke
Bodies are cool
Tyler Feder
jE Feder
Picture Books, Read Woke, Diverse Characters
Illustrations and easy-to-read, rhyming text celebrate bodies of all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors, with different kinds of hair, eyes, spots, scars, and more.
Your mama
NoNieqa Ramos
jE Ramos
Picture Books, Read Woke
Illustrations and easy-to-read text twist classic "your mama" jokes into a celebration of the beauty, power, and love of motherhood.
Remember all of those "your mama" jokes in the '90s? Well, all joking aside, Your Mama is awesome! -Casey
My nana's garden
Dawn Casey
jE Casey
Picture Books, Read Woke
A little girl visits her grandmother in different seasons, and together they explore the wonders of her garden. Until, one day, Nana isn't there anymore. But as winter gives way to spring, the girl learns that life goes on, and so does the memory of those we love. --
Gardening as a metaphor for the passage of time? Yes please! -Casey
Stroller coaster
Matt Ringler
jE Ringler
Picture Books, Read Woke
A quick-thinking father thwarts his daughter's impending temper tantrum when he transforms an everyday walk outside into an exciting strollercoaster ride through the neighborhood.
Raul The Third's signature style meets a perfect pun for littles--be sure to watch out for all of the bilingual background fun! -Casey
Off to see the sea
Nikki Grimes
jE Grimes
Picture Books, Read Woke
"The faucet flows like a waterfall, the bathroom floor is a distant shore, toy boats sail against the waves. An imagination-fueled adventure on the high seas is just what it takes to get little one clean."--Provided by publisher.
Bathtub adventure awaits! Take the plunge, you'll be glad you did. -Casey
City of the plague god
Sarwat Chadda
jFICTION Chadda Sarwat
Diverse Characters, Read Woke, Fantasy
"Thirteen-year-old Sikander Aziz has to team up with the hero Gilgamesh in order to stop Nergal, the ancient god of plagues, from wiping out the population of Manhattan in this adventure based on Mesopotamian mythology"--
This is the first of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint that I have read, and I am impressed! Going back for round two with Sikander and Gilgamesh soon, as the first time around was a whirlwind. -Casey
Watercress
Andrea Wang
jE Wang
Picture Books, Read Woke, Memoir
Embarrassed about gathering watercress from a roadside ditch, a girl learns to appreciate her Chinese heritage after learning why the plant is so important to her parents.
Inspired by Andrea Wang's upbringing in rural Ohio and illustrated by Jason Chin, Watercress is pertinent reading for all ages. Text and illustrations pair perfectly, elevating this story of hope shining through grief, and love overcoming loss, beyond solely a childhood audience. Great for sharing as a family or reading on your own. -Casey
I sang you down from the stars
Tasha Spillett-Sumner
jE Spillett
Picture Books, Read Woke, Diverse Characters
A Native American woman describes how she loved her child before it was born and, throughout her pregnancy, gathered a bundle of gifts to welcome the newborn.
Tasha Spillet-Sumner's poetry and Michaela Goade's illustrations are a beautiful pairing not to be missed. -Casey
The black flamingo
Dean Atta
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Atta Dean
LGBTQ+, Read Woke
"Michael is a mixed-race gay teen growing up in London. All his life, he's navigated what it means to be Greek-Cypriot and Jamaican--but never quite feeling Greek or Black enough. As he gets older, Michael's coming out is only the start of learning who he is and where he fits in. When he discovers the Drag Society, he finally finds where he belongs--and the Black Flamingo is born. Told with raw honesty, insight, and lyricism, this debut explores the layers of identity that make us who we are--and allow us to shine"--FantasticFiction.com.
I imagine the Black Flamingo as the colorful child all grown up from Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love. This book will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. -Victoria
The poet X
Elizabeth Acevedo
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Acevedo, Elizabeth
Read Woke
Harlem. Ever since her body grew into curves, Xiomara Batista has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking. She pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers-- especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. Mami is determined to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, and Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself. When she is invited to join her school's slam poetry club, she can't stop thinking about performing her poems.
Xiomara feels powerful when she writes poetry and the reader is transported into her world through Acevedo's beautiful storytelling ability. -Victoria
Bodies Are Cool! Unashamedly all bodies positive and I am definitely here for it. -Casey