Picture Books
One small spark : a Tikkun Olam story
Ruth Spiro
jE Spiro
Picture Books
A young girl explores the Jewish philosophy of tikkun olam and is inspired to make a positive change in the world as she fixes her local park and inspires other community members to help.
Lucy! : how Lucille Ball did it all
Amy Guglielmo
jBIOGRAPHY Ball, Lucille
Kids, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Biographies
"Lucy was not a proper little girl. She was sassy. She was bold. She was funny. She was a rule-breaking, chance-taking, comedy pioneer. Can't act? Can't sing? Can't dance? Lucy proves them all wrong - and then has the last laugh when she finally lets her inner funny girl shine. In 1951, the hit show I Love Lucy took television by storm, and has made millions laugh ever since. Lucy! is the true story of how Lucille Ball overcame the odds to become the world's Queen of Comedy"--
I appreciate this book's focus on the value and power of comedy as part of culture and history! I love to laugh and I think funny people don't get the cultural recognition they deserve beyond just entertainment - comedy is an art and a powerful agent of healing, community-building, and joy. This book highlights Lucille Ball's trailblazing career as an early female comedian, and also just shows how driven she was by the powerful feeling of making people laugh. Fun, loud, retro-style illustrations perfectly complement the text. -Anne W
Brown bears
Nick Crumpton
j599.784 Crumpton
Kids, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals
"Spring has arrived in Alaska, and a brown bear is waking up. She was alone when she fell asleep at the start of winter; now she is climbing out of her den with two cubs. Follow them as they discover how to survive in the wilderness, from climbing trees to catching salmon, as their mother teaches the cubs how to be bears"--Provided by publisher.
Enjoy learning about the lives of brown bears in this beautiful picture book, suitable for reading aloud to preschoolers and up. Gorgeous watercolor illustrations evoking the natural environment accompany interesting, straightforward information about bears' mother-cub bonds, behavior, hibernation, diet, and more. -Anne W
Sometimes we fall
Randall De Sève
jE Deseve
Kids, Picture Books, Self Help, Nature
Baby Bear wants to climb a tree and eat delicious plums with Mama Bear but is overcome with a progression of worrisome possibilities, until Mama Bear gently reassures Baby Bear about the importance of taking risks.
In her follow up to "This Story is Not About a Kitten", Randall de Sève weaves a tender tale about resiliency. The pacing and repetitive cadence of the text make this a wonderful candidate for storytimes, especially at the start of the new school year. Delicate gouache and colored pencil illustrations by Kate Gardiner round out a fabulous picture book right for sharing when the littles in your life need comforting. Sometimes we have problems, and it's okay! -Casey
Into the goblin market
Vikki VanSickle
jE Vansickl
Picture Books, Classics, Fantasy, Adventure
"An ode to Christina Rossetti's classic poem and a clever homage to familiar fairy-tale villains, this story of two sisters will enthrall readers with its beautifully detailed art and enchanting writing."--
Brave the goblin market if you dare! Vansickle's perfectly paced rhyming text pairs wonderfully with exquisite ink and digital illustrations by Jensine Eckwall. Fans of Wanda Gag and fairy tale lovers will delight in this retelling of Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market", complete with extra villainy and a beautiful twist. -Casey
Sour apple
Linda (Illustrator) Liu
jE Liu
Humor, Kids, Picture Books, Nature
"A . . . picture book about an apple who learns the importance of self-acceptance and patience after being left behind during picking season"--
Following the wonderful debut "Hidden Gem" Linda Liu's latest title does not disappoint! Perfect pacing, adorable illustrations, and a great message make for a quick and enjoyable read-aloud. Endsheets and secret covers provide extra fun for curious readers. -Casey
Pig in jeans
Brenda (Author of children's books) Li
jE Li
Picture Books
Brian the pig wears jeans everywhere (even in the bath sometimes) and none of his friends or neighbors understand why.
Find out why pig looooooooooves to wear jeans in this absolutely adorable and hilarious book! -Anne W
Little Shrew
Akiko Miyakoshi
jREADER Miyakoshi Akiko
Picture Books
"This collection of three interconnected stories follows the life of Little Shrew as he goes about his everyday activities of commuting to work to reflecting on his hopes and dreams to welcoming his friends for a visit."--
What an absolutely beautiful read! It's Lagom (the Swedish concept of living a balanced life,) meets Frog and Toad. Illustrations are steeped in nostalgia and the story captures what it means to live a simple but very good life; to enjoy and savor moments. Adults will enjoy this book perhaps even more than children. -Victoria
Viewfinder
Christine D. U. Chung
jGRAPHIC NOVEL Chung
Graphic Novels, Picture Books, Science Fiction, Adventure
"Arriving on an Earth devoid of people, a young space traveler discovers a viewfinder that reveals how the planet used to be, in this wordless, adventure-filled graphic novel about resilience and the extraordinary place we call home"--
This debut wordless graphic novel from Christine D.U. Chung and Salwa Majoka is a stunner! It has just the right amount of suspense and world-building to keep younger readers turning pages quickly. Keen-eyed and repeat readers will notice ample opportunities for a sequel as well. Fans of The Wild Robot and adult viewers of Scavengers Reign will feel right at home. -Casey
The pelican can
Toni Yuly
jE Yuly
Picture Books, Nature
"An exuberant celebration of the remarkable things that a pelican can do"--
This is my new favorite storytime read! Toni Yuly's latest combines beautiful illustrations, perfect pacing, and a predictable call-and-response structure. Adaptations for storyJAM are forthcoming already! -Casey
Simply explained, Tikkun Olam is a concept in Judaism that translates to various actionable steps we can take as individuals to repair our world. This book richly explores the concept through a clever contrast of muted colors; where the reader might feel despair, to bold, colorful page spreads that burst out of the book. Early pages set the scene: "we're all on one team, each a string. Like a rope made of strands, holding hands. Woven, connected, stronger". This is such an important message for children, giving them the power and autonomy to know that they have individual power to change something they feel is broken. Another great picture book for children and adults alike! -Victoria