Best picture books, chapter books, young adult books, graphic novels and non fiction for kids.
At first, I thought that we didn’t have any veterans in our family but then at lunch today with my son, his friend, and my husband, we all thought about it. There’s my uncle Arthur Takahashi who served in the 442nd Infantry Regiment during WWII. As a Japanese American, he enlisted despite his family —…
The joy of children’s books is reading about things, and thereby living vicariously, without actually having to experience the discomforts or stress of it. Herein lies the beauty of runaways in children’s books. I remember two runaway chapter books that made me jealous of such a wonderful adventure. They bookend my list. And these runaway…
Learn Appalachian culture for kids by reading these children’s books about Appalachia! The best picture books set in Appalachia! I remember when I received my first letter from my soon-to-be college roommate. I looked at the envelope and tried to fathom where she was from. WV. What state was WV? I had no idea. I…
I think that Jerry Pinkney is one of the finest watercolor illustrators ever to grace a children’s book. I would include Alan Say in that category as well. There is just something magical about Pinkney’s storytelling abilities when he puts brush to paper. Even as he conveys an old and well-known fable, he brings his…
I’m pleased to be on the blog tour for a fun spy chapter book called Double Vision: Code Name 711 by F. T. Bradley. She wrote it with reluctant boy readers in mind, but I had trouble putting it down! Her sense of pacing is perfect. It’s a real page-turner with characters you can relate to (kind…
Kids of all ages probably feel that rules and social norms are confining. Think of all the rules preschoolers have to learn! Adults feel that same way too. I feel that way a lot and I’m in good company. Author and illustrator Peter Brown says this is his most autobiographical picture book to date! I’m…
My reader Natalie has a young daughter who has been reading enthusiastically at a young age: My daughter read the first books of Penderwicks and Half Magic, but I should look into their sequels to return her to a more gentle universe 🙂 My daughter is probably a little unusual since she is reading since…