Books

Books for Arab American Heritage Month

Posted on April 20, 2023 by Lindsay Books

I am passionate about having my kids read books with diverse characters and viewpoints. Fortunately, we found a lot of great books for Arab American Heritage Month, which admittedly, I did not know much about before we began reading. Whether you are celebrating this month or simply want to learn more Arab culture and history, this list will help you get started.

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad, S.K. Ali and Hatem Aly. I originally shared this in a 2019 roundup of my favorite picture books, and it continues to be a favorite. Asiyah is wearing a hijab to school for the first time, and her younger sister Faizah stands up for her and explains the hijab when other students ask questions. If you like this one, you’ll also love The Kindest Red: A Story of Hijab and Friendship, which tells Faizah’s story.

Abdul’s Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Tiffany Rose. This sweet book is about a boy who has a difficult time writing and getting his ideas out of paper. Fortunately, a professional writer talks to his class about the process of writing, and Abdul realizes it’s OK (and normal) to be messy while writing.

The Night Before Eid: A Muslim Family Story by Aya Khalil and Rashin Kheiriyeh. Eid is a really important holiday in Muslim culture, and this book helps everyone to better understand it. The story focuses on a boy and his grandmother making a special treat to share with his school.

The Cat Man of Aleppo by Irene Latham, Karim Shamsi-Basha, and Yuko Shimizu. I loved this true story about a man in Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, who saved cats and created a sanctuary for them when others were fleeing the war there. The illustrations are wonderful.

Halal Hot Dogs by Susannah Aziz and Parwinder Singh. We learned so much about Jummah, the Friday prayer in Islam, from this book! Musa looks forward to the family treat they have each week after the Jummah prayer at the mosque and is trying to get his family halal (allowed) hot dogs from a vendor. Of course things don’t go as planned, so he has to figure out a new snack his family can eat. I loved that this book also includes a glossary of Arabic terms at the end!

The Arabic Quilt: An Immigration Story by Aya Khalil and Anait Semirdzhyan. I got chills reading this beautiful book. Kanzi has moved with her family from Egypt to America, and she is trying to fit in. She gets embarrassed when her mom brings a kofta (ground beef and lamb) sandwich to school wearing a hijab. When she writes a poem about the Arabic quilt her grandmother gave her, Kanzi’s teacher has all of the students create a paper quilt with their names in Arabic.

Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan and Merhdokht Amini. This simple book explains the colors of Islam while also exploring the religious tenets and traditions. It rhymes and is really easy to read, but the illustrations are what make this book shine. We also loved Crescent Moons and Minarets (about Islamic shapes) from the same author/illustrator duo.

In My Mosque by M.O. Yuksel and Hatem Aly. If you buy ONE book for Arab American Heritage Month, make it this one. I love how it beautifully explains Islam and also makes it clear that Muslims have much in common with Christians. The illustrations are stunning and filled with people of all shapes, sizes, colors and abilities.

Under My Hijab by Hena Khan and Aaliyah Jaleel. My daughter especially loved this book and likes to point out when girls at her school are wearing their colorful hijabs. We all learned a lot about hijabs ad how there are different ways to wear them. Most importantly, the book follows strong women in different walks of life. You should probably buy this one, too.

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story From Iraq by Jeannette Winter. Books about libraries and those who lose access to them always make me emotional. This true story of Alia Muhammad Baker, who helped to save thousands of books from her library in Basra, Iraq, when war broke out is SO inspiring. We had some good discussions after reading this book, too, since many people are currently banning books across the United States.

Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper and Kenard Pak. This picture book impressed me so much when it was first published in 2020. It’s about Lina, who is walking through the snow to visit her grandmother, Sitta. Because Sitta can no longer see very well, Lina thinks about ways she can describe the snow to her and realizes how it sounds. Grandparent/grandchild relationship books are so special, and this one is especially delightful.

Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story by Reem Faruqi and Lea Lyon. My kids and I really enjoyed this story about Lailah, who recently moved to the U.S. from the United Arab Emirates. She is afraid to tell her classmates that she is fasting for Ramadan and decides to hide in the library rather than going to the lunchroom. Her librarian encourages her to write down her feelings, and together they figure out a way she can explain her culture and religion to others. This is such an excellent book!

Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine by Hannah Moushabeck and Reem Madooh. In this incredible book, a father tells his three daughters his memories of Palestine, the homeland he had to leave years before. This story really makes Palestine come to life and captures the emotions of being unable to return to the country of your birth.

Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Luisa Uribe. This book is important for EVERYONE. After multiple teachers and classmates mispronounce a little girl’s name, she expresses her sadness to her mom. Fortunately, her mom takes the time to tell her that her name (and other names) are musical and have meaning. Such a great reminder that names are important!

A Girl Called Ghengis Khan: How Maria Toorpakai Wazir Pretended to be a Boy, Defied the Taliban, and Became a World-Famous Squash Player by Michelle Lord and Shehzil Malik. I had never heard of Maria Toorpakai Wazir before reading this, and as the LONG title suggests, she did in fact become a famous squash player despite all odds. My daughter especially loves stories about girls/women who enter spaces traditionally reserved for men, so this was a big hit for her.

What are your favorite books for Arab American Heritage Month? We had so much fun reading these books together, and I would love more recommendations.

Empowering books to celebrate Women’s History Month

Posted on March 13, 2023 by Lindsay Books

Books for Women's History Month, including "Crying in H Mart," "Good and Mad," "I Am Malala," "The Moment of Lift" and "Hood Feminism"

I just plowed through a lot of books in January and February in anticipation of Women’s History Month. While I also have a list of picture books you can read with your family, I think it’s so important to dive into books that explore feminist themes and history as well. Some of these books will make you angry. Others will make you cry. And others will make you feel LOTS of emotions, including empowerment and happiness. Here’s a list of my favorite books to celebrate Women’s History Month.

The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates. I have recommended this book to SO many friends because it’s such a beautiful compilation of experiences from women around the world. Melinda Gates talks about women she has met through her foundation and how lifting women lifting everyone.

Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg. You’ve probably seen this book on the top of lists for years now, but for good reason. I think about what I learned from Lean In often, because there are many ways that women are holding themselves back at work. I make a conscious decision now to sit at the table when I would rather lurk in corners of the room, and I am assertive enough to speak up when something is wrong. This book is also interesting because Sheryl Sandberg worked at Facebook for years, so there’s anecdotes about her time there.

Hood Feminism: Notes From the Women that a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall. As a white woman myself, I often don’t think about the ways women of color are left out of conversations about equity in the workplace. As Mikki Kendall points out in this book, it is hard to “lean in” when you still don’t have the same opportunities white women do and are fighting just to KEEP your job. Read this one in conjunction with Lean In and other similar books to keep women of color in mind and better understand their struggles.

Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger by Rebecca Traister. Remember how I said earlier that some of these books will make you mad? This is one of those books, which is ironic since it is about women’s anger. This is the good type of anger, though, the kind that spurs you to make changes and to recognize the many ways people put down women. I learned SO much from this book and cannot recommend it enough.

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. If you frequently tell yourself you don’t have time to read, you can’t use that excuse for this book. The audiobook version is about 45 minutes long, and it’s essentially an essay instead of a book. I love the way Adichie simply explains feminism and her experiences as a black woman who grew up in a conservative Nigerian culture.

The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama. I absolutely ADORE Michelle Obama, and her latest book was just as good as, if not better than, Becoming. In The Light We Carry, Obama shares ways we can overcome obstacles and help those around us. She shares lots of personal stories I hadn’t heard before and is so eloquent and inspirational. Michelle Obama also narrates the audio version, so get that from your library or Audible if you prefer audiobooks.

Becoming by Michelle Obama. This was Michelle Obama’s first book, and it reads more like a memoir about how experiences growing up, working as a lawyer, meeting and marrying Barack Obama, and eventually becoming the First Lady. I love both this one and The Light We Carry.

Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger by Soraya Chemaly. While similar to Good and Mad above, this book focuses more on how women’s anger has transformed politics and spurred important conversations like the #MeToo movement. This is another book that will make you mad when you think about how badly America treats its female leaders, but it’s an important read.

Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder. I have never read a memoir quite like this one, and I LOVED it. It’s written as a graphic novel, and the illustrations make this story both laugh-out-loud funny and heartbreaking. Tyler Feder recounts losing her mom to cancer at a very young age and describes the grieving process and what NOT to say to a person who has lost someone.

Untamed by Glennon Doyle. I know many people have a love/hate relationship with this book. My advice is to take what you like from it or read it in little pieces. It isn’t meant to be a consistent narrative but more of a string of anecdotes about what it’s like to be a woman — and the heartbreaking experience of being a queer woman — in America. Doyle’s ideas about parenting are my favorite, and I found this book very inspiring.

What We Carry: A Memoir by Maya Shanbhag Lang. I wish I could send every single person a copy of this book. It hit me so hard when I read it, and I actually bought a copy and sent it to my sister because I needed her to read it so we could discuss it. This beautifully written memoir tells the author’s story of working as doctor while simultaneously caring for her aging mother who has Alzheimer’s disease. It’s about mother-daughter relationships and about realizing that no woman, no matter how polished she may seem, can do it all on her own.

Hold On, But Don’t Hold Still by Kristina Kuzmic. I have bought copies of this book and sent them to friends, too, because it’s such a delight. You may recognize Kristina Kuzmic from her social media videos about parenting. Her memoir is just as funny and poignant and touches on her divorce, years as a single mother, and struggles to lift herself from depression.

Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas. Please go buy a copy of Firoozeh Dumas’ books. You will not be disappointed. In this one, she recalls growing up in Iran and then moving to the United States at age 10 when her father gets a job in California. They are both hilarious and touching, and I have learned so much about Iranian culture in the process.

Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant. I may actually like this book better than Sandberg’s first book. You probably know the story of Sheryl Sandberg unexpectedly losing her husband, Dave, while she and her family were on vacation. This book, co-written with the fantastic Adam Grant, is about her journey to grieve and become resilient after his death. I have not lost a close family member, but this was such a healing and important book to me.

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb. Malala’s powerful memoir about her experiences after being shot by the Taliban for advocating for girls’ education is a must-read. Her bravery is absolutely incredible to me.

What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo. This is a difficult book to read because it is about a Malaysian-American woman’s experiences with complex post-traumatic stress disorder. However, anyone who has gone through trauma can identify with her experiences and learn so much from how she has processed them. This was one of my favorite books in 2022.

Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner. Yes, this is another book about a woman who lost her mom at a young age, but I adore memoirs and loved this one! I also learned a lot about Korean culture and got really hungry reading this.

What are your favorite books to celebrate Women’s History Month? Bonus points if they are memoirs, because this is probably my favorite genre.

24 more Christmas picture books

Posted on November 29, 2022 by Lindsay Books

Covers of Christmas picture books, including "How to Trick a Christmas Elf," "Christmas in the Big Woods," "Ho Ho Homework," "The Christmas Carpenter" and "Piñata in a Pine Tree."

I own enough Christmas picture books to wrap up 24 and put them under our tree each year for an advent, and I’ve shared that list for several years. This year, I decided to create another list of our favorites so you have even more options to choose from. There are so many great books celebrating this holiday — and I always end up buying a few more after writing these. Here are 24 Christmas picture books to check out.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and Brett Helquist. Apparently this one is out of print, so maybe check eBay for a copy? I bought this one immediately after we read it a few years ago because it beautifully tells Charles Dickens’ classic story — and the illustrator, Brett Helquist, is known for the Series of Unfortunate Events. I love his illustrations and the depth he brings to this book. Seriously, you need to find this one somewhere and add it to your Christmas books.

Dasher by Matt Tavares. I adore Matt Tavares’ art (buy Red and Lulu if you haven’t already) and knew we needed this book when it came out a few years ago. Dasher longs for a different life and sets out on her own to pursue adventure, eventually meeting Santa and being asked to pull his sleigh.

Lighthouse Christmas by Toni Buzzeo. Yes, this one is also out of print, but I have confidence you can find it on eBay (where I bought mine) or at a thrift store. Why do the prettiest books go out of print? In this one, a brother and sister live with their dad on an isolated island where they man a lighthouse. They are determined to make Christmas special even though they can’t be with the rest of their family, and then an unexpected visitor makes the holiday sweeter. I would love to live near a lighthouse and am basically obsessed with nautical stories, so I love this one.

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck and Mark Buehner. When I was a kid, we had a VHS with a short video produced by BYU called The Gift from the 1970s. I was surprised to discover that it was based on this Pearl Buck story about a boy who gets up early to do the chores for his dad Christmas morning so he can see everyone opening their gifts. This is a really awesome reminder about how service is the best gift you can give.

The Carpenter’s Gift: A Christmas Tale About the Rockefeller Center Tree by David Rubel and Jim LaMarche. I scored this for $2 at Savers a couple months ago and was so excited to add this to our collection. We have several books about the Rockefeller Center tree, but this one centers on a boy who grew up during the Great Depression and wants to pay kindness forward when strangers build his family a new home on Christmas.

12 Days of Christmas by Lara Hawthorne. If you want to sing your way through a book (or even if you don’t), this is a beautifully illustrated version of the traditional 12 Days of Christmas carol. Lara Hawthorne’s Silent Night is also a favorite.

Merry Christmas, Anne by Kallie George and Genevieve Godbout. This book is a pairing made in heaven. A classic story from L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables and Genevieve Godbout’s dreamy illustrations? I need to buy this one for our collection because it makes me ridiculously happy.

Carla and the Christmas Cornbread by Carla Hall and Cherise Harris. We read this cute story last year about a little girl who worries she ruined Christmas by eating the sugar cookie left for Santa. Luckily, her grandma helps her make cornbread with cinnamon butter for Santa instead. There are not enough Christmas books out there with characters of color, and this is an excellent one!

How to Trick a Christmas Elf by Sue Fliess and Simona Sanfilippo. Sue Fliess is a MASTER at rhythm, and we own several of her holiday books because they’re fun to read aloud. This one instructs kids on tricking an elf into letting them see what’s on Santa’s list. By the way, I DESPISE tricks (April Fool’s is the worst), so know that this is more about crafting than it is teasing. All of Sue Fliess’ books also have instructions for creating your own craft in the back, too, which is so fun.

Christmas is Joy by Emma Dodd. Sometimes you want a really quick, beautifully illustrated Christmas story to read for bedtime. This sweet book featuring two reindeer in the snow fits the bill. I love the gold foil and the calming rhythm.

A Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas by Pat Mora and Magaly Morales. We all LOVED this Latino version of the 12 Days of Christmas! There are dancing donkeys, piñatas instead of partridges, and singing moons, among other items. I really like bilingual picture books, and this one has Spanish words sprinkled throughout and a full glossary. So fun!

Merry Christmas, Strega Nona by Tomie DePaola. Everyone in my family is a big Strega Nona fan, probably because we have listened to the audiobook of the first book at least 50 times. Strega Nona and Big Anthony are back in this story, but this time Strega Nona has a strict rule about not using magic at Christmastime. Luckily, Big Anthony is willing to help with the feast.

Christmas in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Renee Graef. I had this book when I was a child and rediscovered it a few years ago. If you grew up loving the Little House on the Prairie books, you’ll love this picture book version of Laura’s Christmas memories in their little cabin in Wisconsin.

Here Comes Santa Cat by Deborah Underwood and Claudia Rueda. All of the Cat books are fantastic! In this one, Cat is worried he is on the naughty list and won’t get any gifts, so he tries to redeem himself by getting into the holiday spirit. These books are a delight because of the illustrations and the playful narrator that interacts with Cat. We love them.

Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto and Ed Martinez. This is another book I remember loving as a child that still holds up. Maria gets to help make tamales for Christmas dinner and tries on her mother’s beautiful diamond ring when she leaves the room. Suddenly, Maria has misplaced the ring and is sure someone will choke on it when they eat the tamales. She and her cousins decide to eat their way through the tamales so no one gets hurt. I love the Mexican culture displayed in this book and the family that bands together.

Cookies for Santa by America’s Test Kitchen Kids and Johanna Tarkela. I am admittedly not a baker (or a cook), but I love this story about Santa losing his family’s Christmas cookie recipe. Every year, he bakes cookies for his elves and reindeer to show his appreciation, and he’s worried he won’t be able to without the recipe. Fortunately, families around the world band together to bake and make sure Santa can have a happy Christmas. Like other America’s Test Kitchen books, this one includes a recipe and is all about encouraging families to cook and bake together.

Santa Claus and the Christmas Surprise by Dorothea Lachner and Maja Duskov. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of two kids whose village is snowed in for Christmas. Though Anna and Michael worry that Santa won’t be able to get through the snow to deliver gifts, he makes it — and his gift requires everyone to dig through the snow and come together.

Ho Ho Homework by Mylisa Larsen and Taia Morley. If you need a book to read in a classroom, this is PERFECT. Jack and his classmates have a new substitute teacher, Mr. Clausen, and he has a long white beard. He also eats milk and cookies as a snack. Is he Santa Claus?

One Starry Night by Lauren Thompson and Jonathan Bean. I love this simple and gorgeous book about the night Jesus Christ was born. It focuses on the animals who are also comforting their babies during that starry night and would be perfect for bedtime.

Arthur’s Christmas by Marc Brown. Nineties kids, you’ll love this one! My brothers and sister and I were OBSESSED with Arthur growing up, and this book inspired the TV series. Arthur is looking for the perfect gift for Santa for Christmas, and his little sister D.W. ends up helping him (with some mishaps along the way). If you aren’t familiar with the Arthur books, D.W. is really the star of the show. Her wit is the best.

Christmas Farm by Mary Lyn Ray and Barry Root. WOW. This book is stunning. I love this story of a woman who plants thousands of balsam seedlings in a garden and then nurtures them over the years with the help of her young neighbor, Parker. I had a real Christmas tree growing up and had never considered all the work that goes into growing these beautiful trees.

Maple & Willow’s Christmas Tree by Lori Nichols. I love the sweet relationship between sisters Maple and Willow in all of Lori Nichols’ books. In this one, Maple and Willow are in the woods about to get their first real Christmas tree. Unfortunately, Maple starts sneezing whenever she gets close to the trees, so it looks like they won’t be getting a real tree after all. Willow has plans to make the holiday magical for her sister anyway.

Olive, The Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh and J. Otto Seibold. This quirky book is based on the line in the song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” that says “All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names.” When Olive the dog hears this line, she assumes she must really be a reindeer and heads to the North Pole to help Santa with Christmas.

Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman. My kids loved this book when they were in preschool, and it’s perfect for little kids and even older ones. Bear normally hibernates during the winter and sleeps through Christmas, but his friends are determined to keep him awake so he can enjoy the holiday.

Please share your favorite Christmas picture books with me! I always get great suggestions whenever I post these lists.

20 picture books for Native American Heritage Month

Posted on November 22, 2022 by Lindsay Books

picture books for Native American History month

Like most American kids, I learned very little about Native Americans in school and especially around Thanksgiving. I’ve been excited to read picture books for Native American Heritage Month and learn about their extraordinary heritage with my kids. Here are 20 books you can share with your family for November, which marks Native American Heritage Month. They are great options for Thanksgiving as well.

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard and Juana Martinez-Neal. I included this in my Thanksgiving picture books list as well because it’s a beautiful story about Native American culture. It’s also about the history of fry bread (which taught me so much!) and gorgeously illustrated by one of my favorite artists, Juana Martinez-Neal.

Powwow Day by Tracy Sorell and Madelyn Goodnight. I absolutely adored this book about a little girl who is ill and sad that she can’t participate in her community’s powwow. She ultimately learns about the healing power of powwows and is welcomed by those who dance on her behalf. My kids and I learned so much about the dances and rituals from this story!

I Sang You Down From the Stars by Tasha Spillett-Sumner and Michaela Goade. Parents, you’ll want a tissue reading this book (or at least I did). It focuses on a mother preparing for her baby to be born by gathering a medicine bundle with a white feather, sage, cedar, a stone, and more. I love the illustrations and the emotions of this book and the beautiful traditions it explains.

Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, Alexis Bunten and Gary Meeches Sr. This story helped me talk to my kids about the first Thanksgiving and how the Wampanoag people were instrumental in helping the Pilgrims make it through their first winter. I also really appreciated that this book includes a pronunciation guide and Native American words throughout. It turns out I was pronouncing Wampanoag completely wrong.

Still This Love Goes On by Buffy Sainte-Marie and Julie Flett. I am a big fan of Julie Flett’s work, and this book featuring song lyrics about the Cree people is gorgeous. It’s also about gratitude for your heritage and for the earth, so it’s perfect for Thanksgiving as well.

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell and Frane Lessac. Members of the Cherokee nation use the word otsaliheliga to express gratitude. This book goes through the different seasons and talks about Cherokee traditions and ways the people are thankful. Like the other story above, it also includes a glossary to help you pronounce the words used throughout. I love this book and bought it for our home.

Berry Song by Michaela Goade. As I turned the pages of this stunning book with my family, I was reminded of my own (very different) summers picking huckleberries as a kid. The story centers around a girl and her grandmother picking berries and fishing and singing a song of gratitude to the earth. I need to buy this one for our collection.

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp and Erwin Printup, Jr. This is another book I’ve included on a Thanksgiving list because it is all about being grateful for the things we have. It includes a traditional Iroquois ceremonial address as well.

The Circle of Thanks by Joseph Bruchac and Murv Jacob. I am trying to find more books that introduce my children to poetry. This compilation of 14 poems about nature and Thanksgiving from Abenaki author Joseph Bruchac is beautiful and a wonderful reminder of the importance of gratitude.

Stolen Words by Melanie Florence and Gabrielle Grimard. While this is a heavier book for kids, I think it does a wonderful job of talking about schools that separated indigenous children from their families. The story follows a little girl who asks her grandfather to say something in Cree. When he responds that his language was stolen from him as a boy, she helps him reclaim his language and heritage. Check this one out for sure.

And They Walk On by Kevin Maillard and Rafael López. In this story, a boy whose grandmother recently passed away pictures all the things she is doing on her next journey. The end of the book explains the Indigenous concept of “walking on,” or going to a new place after death. This was such a sweet book.

Moon Song by Michaela Goade. Yes, I have several books illustrated by Michaela Goade in this list because she is incredible. My kids and I were all gaping over her stunning illustrations and the beautiful story of children experiencing the forest by moonlight. I’m planning to buy a copy for our shelf.

Daughter of the Light-Footed People: The Story of Indigenous Marathon Champion Lorena Ramírez by Belen Medina and Natalia Rojas Castro. I have a Goodreads category called “Girlpower” with books about powerful girls and women. This book immediately made that list and is so inspiring. Learn more about runner Lorena Ramírez, who is known for running 60-mile marathons in the traditional attire (dresses and sandals) of her people. We all loved this one!

Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code by Joseph Bruchac and Liz Amini-Holmes. WWII history buffs will probably know about the Navajo codebreakers, but this story about Chester Nez details his life on a reservation and his path to creating an unbreakable code years later. I was so impressed with Nez and the other codebreakers’ courage, especially as others derided their heritage and language.

Kindred Spirits: Shilombish Ittibachvffa by Leslie Stall Widener and Johnson Yazzie. Did you know that after 1845 potato famine in Ireland, the Choctaw people of America gathered money to donate? They did this even though they had little to give and had suffered during the Trail of Tears. The connections between the Irish and the Native people continue to this day. I adored this book.

My Powerful Hair by Carole Lindstrom and Steph Littlebird. This empowering story is about how hair is important to indigenous cultures. In fact, the author notes that hair is memories and a source of strength. The book also talks about the generational trauma many Native Americans experienced as a result of boarding schools. Get yourself a copy! The illustrations are also so beautiful.

Remember by Joy Harjo and Michaela Goade. Well, you should probably consider this list a tribute to Michaela Goade’s work, and I regret nothing. She breathtakingly illustrates this poem by U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo about remembering your heritage. The poem is also a beautiful reminder of how we are all connected to each other.

Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer by Traci Sorell and Natasha Donovan. WOW. I loved this biography of Mary Golda Ross, Lockheed Aircraft Corporation’s first female engineer, and how she designed classified airplanes and spacecraft. My son, who knows all things about aircraft and fighter jets, was impressed to find out she was part of Skunkworks.

When the Stars Came Home by Brittany Luby and Natasha Donovan. I love stories about families coming together, and this one about a young boy named Ojiig who misses his old home is so special. His parents help him realize that he is connected to his ancestors with a special quilt that reminds him of their love.

I Am Osage: How Clarence Tinker Became the First Native American Major General by Kim Rogers and Bobby von Martin. This inspiring biography, written by a Wichita author and illustrated by a Choctaw artist, tells the story of soldier Clarence Tinker, who had a goal of becoming an Army officer and overcame incredible hardships to do so.

I would love to know your favorite picture books for Native American Heritage Month! I’m especially interested in those written and illustrated by Native American authors.

31 picture books for Halloween

Posted on October 5, 2022 by Lindsay Books

Covers of "Creepy Crayon," "A Spoonful of Frogs," and "There's a Ghost in this House"

I’ve shared 13 of my favorite Halloween books, 13 MORE favorites, and then even MORE favorites here. However, I thought I’d put together a big list you can easily save for the library (or buy books from if you want to add to your collection). Here are 31 picture books for Halloween you’ll love for your whole family!

Creepy Crayon by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown. I LOVE the Creepy Tales series so much, and I actually preordered this one (which I never do). It did not disappoint. Jasper is struggling in school until he finds a creepy purple crayon that magically helps him finish his work.

A Spoonful of Frogs by Casey Lyall and Vera Brosgol. This new release had my kids and I laughing out loud and reminded me of one of our favorites, How To Give Your Cat a Bath: In Five Easy Steps. In this story, the witch is trying to make frog soup and needs to add the final ingredient: a spoonful of frogs. Of course, it’s impossible to get the frogs into the pot, so chaos ensues.

There’s a Ghost In This House by Oliver Jeffers. Who doesn’t love Oliver Jeffers’ illustrations? I love that this one uses vellum to deposit little ghosts in different areas of the house as you turn the page.

Brains! Not Just a Zombie Snack by Stacy McAnulty and Matthew Rivera. I adore everything that Matthew Rivera illustrates. This one has the double-whammy of being creepy enough for Halloween and also teaching kids about how the brain works.

The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason and Byron Eggenschwiler. This story turns what you know about ghosts being transparent and white on its head. This ghost looks like a quilt. However, quilts provide warmth (unlike sheets), so this ghost has an experience with kids trick-or-treating he otherwise wouldn’t have.

The Witch Who Lives Down the Hall by Donna Guthrie and Amy Schwartz. This one is harder to find, since it was published in 1985. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the story of a little boy who is SURE his neighbor is a witch. His mother reassures him she is not, and as the story progresses, he learns how sweet his neighbor really is.

Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes and Yuyi Morales. I am a big fan of bilingual books, and this one throws in Spanish words like bruja (witch) and esqueleto (skeleton). The rhythm in this is also excellent, perfect for reading aloud.

Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummins. It’s a favorite in our house for a reason. Lucy Ruth Cummins’ illustrations are beautiful, and I love the story of a pumpkin who just wants to become a jack-o-lantern.

Sir Simon, Super Scarer by Cale Atkinson. I laugh out loud every time I read this book to my kids. When a boy and his grandmother move into a house Simon currently haunts, Simon decides to get the boy to do his scaring for him.

A Tiger Called Tomás by Charlotte Zolotow and Marta Alvarez Miguens. The illustrations make this repurposed 1960s story from Charlotte Zolotow shine. I think everyone can identify with the little boy who is too shy to try to make friends. When Halloween comes, he happily puts on a costume, only to realize it doesn’t hide his identity. PLEASE buy this book. It is so sweet.

Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht and Jarvis. I can’t say enough good things about this book. It has great rhythm, inclusive and gorgeous illustrations, and a fun story that will make you want to go to a pumpkin patch with your family.

The Little Kitten by Nicola Killen. We own all four books in Nicola Killen’s animal friends series, and I love this sweet story! Ollie returns a lost kitten to its home, only to realize that her own cat, Pumpkin, is now lost. The foil on the pages and cover make this book a keepsake and also beautiful for displaying.

How To Make Friends With a Ghost by Rebecca Green. You need to buy this one, too, because it is perfection. Like all good how-to books, it provides easy-to-follow steps for enticing a ghost to be your friend. Hint: They love bedtime stories.

Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler and Will Terry. This was one of the first Halloween picture books I ever read to my kids, and we still love it. A skeleton, Bonaparte, is nervous for the first day of school because his bones keep falling off. Luckily, he has some kind friends who help him pull himself together.

Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman and S.D. Schindler. I know many teachers love this book, and it is perfect for elementary-age kids because of its rhythm and repetition. The witch grows a huge pumpkin and can’t get it off the vine to make a pumpkin pie, so she enlists the help of friends to move it.

Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul. Though this is another one that’s hard to find, it’s absolutely worth it if you can get a copy! Winnie the Witch lives in a completely black house and is always tripping over her black cat, Wilbur, so she comes up with a creative way to see him.

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. You probably already own or have read this book, but it’s a classic we love. The witch keeps allowing more animals to fly on her broom with her until it gets so heavy it cracks. The ending will surprise you! Also, Julia Donaldson is the QUEEN of rhythm. We also love The Gruffalo by this author-illustrator duo.

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda D. Williams and Megan Lloyd. This is another one your kids will probably be familiar with from school. A little old lady is walking home in the woods and hears some noises behind her. Because she’s not afraid of anything, though, she refuses to let the loose pants, shirt, shoes, and gloves scare her.

The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat by Stan and Jan Berenstain. I have collected almost every Berenstain Bears book ever written for my kids, and I have always loved this one. Brother and Sister are going trick-or-treating with friends, but they don’t want to go to Old Miz McGrizz’s house because they think she’s scary. Luckily, they realize that appearances can be deceiving.

Ghosts in the House! by Kazuno Kohara. This book is ADORABLE and so creative. When a girl moves into a house that turns out to be haunted with ghosts, she comes up with a clever solution. Soon, ghosts become tablecloths, curtains, and blankets for the bed.

What Was I Scared Of? by Dr. Seuss. Kind of similar to The Little Old Lady book above, this classic Dr. Seuss book is about a character who is terrified of a pair of pants he sees floating around. He learns that the pants are just as scared of him. As an added bonus, some of the editions of this book have glow-in-the-dark pants on the pages.

She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lynn Fulton and Felicita Sala. I love picture book biographies, and this one is about feminist author Mary Shelley! I like to throw in a good nonfiction book at Halloween when we’re surrounded by supernatural stories.

Ghost Afraid of the Dark by Sara Conway. Yes, another book with glow-in-the-dark illustrations! This one also has a great message about asking for help and surrounding yourself with good friends.

Frankenstein Doesn’t Wear Earmuffs by John Loren. I grew up in east Idaho, where it often snowed before Halloween, so I can relate to the boy in this book. His parents keep making him put on layers so he’ll stay warm while trick-or-treating, but he is not thrilled that they’re ruining his costume.

Gustavo, The Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago. If you loved the movie Coco or love the Mexican holiday Dia de Los Muertos, you’ll love Gustavo. This cute ghost wants to invite some people over to celebrate the Day of the Dead and make some friends, but he’s really shy and not sure they’ll come.

Can You See What I See? On a Scary, Scary Night by Walter Wick. The illustrator of the I Spy books has this super-fun Halloween book with pictures to find throughout the pages. Your kids will love it.

Sammy’s Spooktacular Halloween by Mike Petrik. My kids liked this cute story about a little boy who likes to play tricks (only harmless ones) on his family and has been planning his Halloween antics all year. I like that it focuses on family and NOT on pranks, because I don’t like pranks.

Snowmen at Halloween by Caralyn Buehner and Mark Buehner. We all love the Snowmen books at our house (there are five books in the series), and this Halloween one is darling. My kids also like looking for the hidden mouse on each page.

Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley. This was my kids’ FAVORITE book when they were about three, and they still pull it off the shelf every once in a while even though they’re eight years old now. The pages have die-cuts of scraggly hair and teeth and eyes that allow you to build the monster and then take everything away. It’s adorable!

Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex. If you read Goodnight Moon to your kids a lot like I did when mine were babies, you’ll love this parody that keeps the rhythm of the original.

How to Scare a Ghost by Jean Reagan and Lee Wildish. You may have read this duo’s book How to Babysit a Grandma. This one is similar, with steps that explain how to scare a ghost. Like other Jean Reagan books, How to Scare a Ghost has a lovable ending.

Did I list your favorite picture books for Halloween? Tell me what you’ve been reading with your family in the comments!

Seven places to find new books to read

Posted on April 26, 2022 by Lindsay Books

You know that book blogs are a great place to find book recommendations since you’re reading this post! However, voracious readers know that they have to look around to find new books, especially if they’re trying out a new genre or looking for a specific topic. Here are seven places to find new books to read.

Costco. If you have a Costco membership, you understand that the merchandise is CONSTANTLY changing. My husband goes there at least weekly during the spring to get new flowers or trees for our yard. Costco is also a great place to find new books because they always have a mix of new releases (mainly adult books) and box sets. We will browse this section every time we’re there and get ideas for series my kids haven’t read yet. I also love that Costco has been selling picture books for both Black History Month and Women’s History Month, and I always get ideas here. Pro tip: Take a picture of the books that look interesting and then search your local library for them before buying a set.

Barnes & Noble newsletters. I know some people are diehard Barnes & Noble fans, and I get it. You can browse the sections and then go right over and get a snack while you read. Since I prefer to shop secondhand or from local shops, I rarely shop here — but the email newsletters are gold. I always look forward to these emails to see what books are being released, and then I put them on hold through the Libby app. If you do prefer to buy books through Barnes & Noble, these newsletters usually have coupon codes for new releases as well.

Indie bookstore newsletters. I signed up for the e-newsletter from my local bookstore, The King’s English, a few years ago and love getting news about what local authors are publishing. This is also where I go to find out about book signings or virtual author events. Chances are good that your local bookstore also has an email subscriber list.

Goodreads. Yes, I have an obsession with Goodreads. It is the best tool to record what you read and find new books you’ll love. One of my favorite features is receiving emails whenever an author I’ve read books from has a new release. I head straight over to Libby to reserve the audiobook or ebook once I know it’s available or reserve a hardcover from my library website. Goodreads also periodically emails you when an author you love endorses another author’s book. For example, I loved Lori Gottlieb’s Maybe You Should Talk to Someone and gave it five stars on Goodreads. Because of that, I’ve received recommendations for other similar memoirs I’ve loved. If you haven’t used your Goodreads account in a while, hop over there! I can’t say enough about how lifechanging it is for readers.

Library holds section. Whoever conceived the holds section of the library should win the Nobel prize. I’m at my local library at least three times a week picking up new books for myself or my kids. It is a lifesaver. While I’m grabbing my books, I’ll glance at what other patrons have on hold. Do I always get ideas for new books to read? No. Do I realize that there are books out there that suit everyone? Absolutely. I mainly find picture book ideas here, but I’ve also seen beautiful coffee table books that I checked out later and loved.

Amazon. I mean, duh. Who hasn’t bought a book on Amazon? What I love about Amazon, though, is the sheer amount of data they have. If you look up the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, for example, you’ll see all the other books in the series and books that other customers who like DOAWK (just made that acronym up) also like. I had to do this exact search a few months ago when my son finished that series and then wasn’t interested in anything else. Amazon has also started prompting me to finish my series and showing me new books. Pro tip: If you love a certain series or author, check Amazon first and add the pre-order book to your cart, even if you don’t plan to buy it. Then check your cart periodically and request the titles from your library one or two months before they’re published. I rarely buy books without reading them first. This is how I ensure I get them first from the library!

Instagram influencers. I follow several children’s book bloggers on Instagram, including @hereweeread, @book.nerd.mommy, and @bookbloom. Whenever they share books that look interesting to me, I screenshot the post on my phone and then search for the titles at my library. You can also search hashtags like #instabook or #bookblogger to find books you love.

13 great picture books for spring

Posted on March 7, 2022 by Lindsay Books

Utah is being sneaky right now and surprising us with sunny days and temperatures in the 70s — followed, of course, by snow again. I have a post of favorite Easter books already, but I felt spring needed its own post as well. If you’re like me and love seeing the tulips and crocuses pop up, you’ll enjoy these stories about nature and the beautiful colors of the season. Here are 13 picture books for spring.

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring by Kenard Pak. I absolutely love everything this wonderful author/illustrator creates, and his books about changing seasons are my favorite. A boy and his dog take a walk in nature and watch how winter is ending and spring is beginning. The illustrations are so pretty!

The Hidden Rainbow by Christie Matheson. We have enjoyed all of Christie Matheson’s books because they’re interactive and fun for kids. In this one, bees need the reader’s help to find different plants to pollinate. Each page showcases brightly colored flowers in rainbow colors and also teaches kids how gardens work. I also love her book Plant the Tiny Seed for spring.

Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedman. If you told me five years I would love a book about an earthworm, I would have laughed at you. Don’t be deceived by the cover and the idea that an earthworm is explaining the meaning of life, though. This story is all about how we all have a purpose, even earthworms, and also helps you better understand science and ecosystems.

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal. I find all of the books in Kate Messner’s botany series so interesting, and I don’t even like gardening! In this one, you learn what happens above ground in the garden that you can see (plants growing) and what’s also happening in the dirt below (insects are moving). I have learned so much from this book and her others, and my kids love them, too.

Singing in the Rain by Arthur Freed and Tim Hopgood. Normally I would not enjoy a picture book that is literally the lyrics of a famous song, but I make exceptions sometimes. This one has the most beautiful and happy illustrations, and I love the images of children with many different skin tones. If you’re looking for a book that makes rain seem fun, this is it.

The Forever Garden by Laurel Snyder and Samantha Cotterill. This book will tug at your heartstrings. It focuses on a little girl named Laurel and her friendship with Honey, the woman who lives next door. Honey and Laurel spend a lot of time together tending the garden, until Honey has to move away to take care of her mother. Laurel worries about what will happen to the garden when Honey is gone and comes up with a solution.

We Are the Gardeners by Joanna Gaines and Julianna Swaney. I am not a fan of Joanna Gaines’ other book, but this one is really sweet and made me want to garden with my kids! (Remember how I said earlier that I don’t enjoy gardening?) It’s about the journey her then-four kids went on to create a garden at their home and offers tips on creating your own.

Bloom Boom! by April Pulley Sayre. You will want to plant a million flowers after reading this gorgeous book full of amazing photographs. The text is sparse but has a great rhythm and rhyme, and at the end of the book you learn more about the flowers pictured. This would be so pretty on a bookshelf in your home or library. I like April Pulley Sayre’s book Full of Fall as well.

When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes and Laura Dronzek. If it’s got Kevin Henkes’ name on it, you can bet that I will read it and probably buy it. His wife also illustrated this one, and it’s so sweet. Each page describes what you can look forward to as winter leaves and spring arrives.

Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert. Is it obvious yet that I am drawn to bold illustrations? Lois Ehlert’s beautiful paper collages are SO fun. In this story, a mother and daughter plant seeds, seedlings and bulbs and watch as they grow into flowers. If you like this one, you’ll love her other books, like Leaf Man.

Rain! by Linda Ashman and Christian Robinson. Raise your hand if rain makes you grumpy sometimes. I’ll admit that I identify more with the grumpy old man in this story who is cursing the rain and the puddles. On the other side of the city, though, a little boy is excited about the rain — and then he meets the grumpy old man. This is also a book about how a positive outlook can help cheer others up, and I love it. I also love Christian Robinson’s illustrations!

In a Garden by Tim McCanna and Aimée Sicuro. This book has such great rhythm and also explains the way gardens grow and how insects and soil contribute to that. SO many books are clunky to read aloud, but this one is actually fun. The illustrations are so pretty, too. I would even give this to an adult who loves gardening. It’s got to be included on a list of picture books for spring.

The Little Lamb by Judy Dunn and Phoebe Dunn. As I was thinking about books I loved as a child, this one came to mind. I ADORED this book because of the beautiful photos of a little girl taking care of her lamb. It may be hard to find at your library since it’s 40+ years old now, but there are plenty of used copies available on eBay and Amazon.

What are your favorite picture books for spring? Do you ring in the season by planting new flowers?

More book series for kids 6 to 8

Posted on March 3, 2022 by Lindsay Books

Remember about six months ago when I published a list of my kids’ favorite series? They have read even more books since then, and I thought it was worth putting together another list of series since so many of you found the other list helpful before. Read on for more book series for kids 6 to 8.

Dragon Masters by Tracey West and Graham Howells. Both my son and my daughter raced through this series and could not stop talking about it. Even better, their friend came to play one day and brought one of the books with her to make sure they knew about it! In this series, kids are trained to become dragon masters in the kingdom, and they have to discover the dragons’ magical powers. I’m excited to get book 22 from the library in April.

Itty Bitty Princess Kitty by Melody Mews and Ellen Stubbings. CLEARLY the author uses a pseudonym, but it actually just makes these books even more adorable. The first one was released right before the world shut down in March 2020, and I will always have a soft spot in my heart for this series because it got my kids through a rough patch of isolation. My daughter even drew a picture of Itty that I will cherish forever. If your kids like cats and princesses, they will love this series.

Cupcake Diaries by Coco Simon. My daughter is still reading this series (she’s on book 20) and loving it. Four friends — Katie, Mia, Emma, and Alexis — form the Cupcake Club and alternate between telling the stories in each book. I love that they help kids navigate elementary school and the transition to middle school. They also include recipes at the back to encourage your kids to bake.

The Haunted Library by Dori Hillestad Butler and Aurore Damant. If your kids like solving mysteries, they’ll love this cute series from King and Kayla series author Dori Hillestad Butler. A girl named Claire lives above the town library and can see ghosts when others can’t. She meets a ghost boy, Kaz, and has different adventures with him in this 10-book series.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. I’m sure you’ve seen this series before because the books are EVERYWHERE and there are multiple movies. I remember reading the first book years ago because I wanted to see what the hype was about. Then I brought one home and my son became obsessed and flew through them. I also know he loves a series if he asks if we can “keep it” (meaning buy the books for our house). We now own all the books about Greg and his friend Rowley, and they really do live up to the hype. Who doesn’t remember all the weirdness of middle school and challenges of making friends? If your child likes these, he or she will also love the Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid series. The Halloween book made me laugh out loud.

Dragon Girls by Maddy Mara. For some reason, dragons are prominent in a lot of chapter book series? I’m not complaining, though, because my kids love them. My daughter kept asking for more books (sadly, there are only six so far) so she could read about the girls who turn into dragons and protect the forest. They have really pretty, engaging covers and are quick reads.

The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton. I discovered this series hunting for something my son would read after he finished Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It’s written in a similar graphic novel format, but this one focuses on two friends who live in a 13-story treehouse and trying to write a book. Of course, the treehouse levels, including a man-eating shark tank and killer mermaids, keep distracting them. My daughter read one and wasn’t interested, but my son flew through these faster than Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Snow Sisters by Astrid Foss and Monique Dong. Every Frozen-loving kid will adore this series about triplet sisters who protect their kingdom from the evil Shadow Witch. My daughter loves to tell me about their pet polar bear that can conveniently change size into a full-grown bear or a cub depending on the situation.

My Weird School by Dan Gutman and Jim Paillot. These books are short and easy to read, perfect for kids who have a hard time sitting still. Each book has a different rhyming title featuring a teacher at the school (like Miss Daisy is Crazy). My kids have told me they are really funny. I appreciate that the books also help kids enjoy learning and show them that teachers are awesome. Once your kids finish this series, they can read the My Weird School Daze and My Weirder-est School series, too. I love when there are a bunch of books in a series. It takes some pressure off me to find the next book my kids will like.

Meet Yasmin! by Saadia Faruqi and Hatem Aly. This series about a Pakistani-American girl absolutely blew me away, and my daughter loved it! It’s a great way to introduce your kids to Islam, as the books don’t shy away from culture or religion. Urdu words are mixed in, and the books are about problem-solving and strong female heroines.

Timmy Failure by Stephan Pastis. After my son finished reading the last Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, it took a while for me to convince him there are other similar books that are just as funny. He reluctantly read the first book in this series and then told me he LOVES it. He’s now on book five. This series follows Timmy, who is the “greatest detective” in town and also has a pet polar bear named Total. My son read a chapter of book five out loud to me, and I couldn’t stop laughing. These are great fun.

Diary of an Ice Princess by Christina Soontornvat. My daughter has flown through this series about a girl who lives in a palace in the clouds and can control the weather. She also gets SO excited that the illustrations have the same color throughout (pink, green, purple, blue) and aren’t just black-and-white. I also love seeing princesses of color and supporting the author, who wrote an amazing nonfiction book about the 13 Thai soccer players trapped in a cave.

So! Have I included any of your favorites? What are your kids or students reading right now?

10 picture books for the Lunar New Year

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Lindsay Books

I read an amazing book with my kids about the Lunar New Year and realized I didn’t have a list of books for this holiday yet! While it’s not as easy to find picture books on this topic, I enjoyed reading through several and learning all about Asian traditions. If I remember, I’ll even wear red to celebrate next week. Read on for seven picture books for the Lunar New Year.

PoPo’s Lucky Chinese New Year by Virginia Loh-Hagan and Renné Benoit. A Chinese-American girl’s grandma (PoPo) comes to visit and teaches the family all about Lunar New Year dos and don’ts. I learned so much from reading this story and can’t wait to read it to my kids. Did you know that writing in red ink sends the message that you want someone to go away? On the other hand, it’s important to wear and decorate with red. Such an informative book!

Friends are Friends, Forever by Dane Liu and Lynn Scurfield. THIS is the book I referenced at the beginning of this post. It’s the story of a little girl who moves to America and misses her friend and their Lunar New Year activities. She has to learn new traditions and customs in the United States but finally makes a new friend and shares her old traditions with her. I loved that this helps kids understand how hard it is to transition to a new country and also reminds them that friendship is powerful.

The Runaway Wok by Ying Chang Compestine and Sebastià Serra. I am a big fan of Sebastià Serra’s work (he illustrated our very favorite, A Pirate’s Night Before Christmas), and this is a fun folk story that will delight kids. It’s kind of a mixture of the Gingerbread Man and Robin Hood. A boy discovers a magic wok that brings his struggling family food and toys while also emphasizing the importance of generosity. I don’t love that the rich family is basically banished from the city. However, that’s also the nature of folk stories (Hansel and Gretel is kind of morbid). If you read this, you’ll have to let me know what you think.

Ruby’s Chinese New Year by Vickie Lee and Joey Chou. This cute book helps to introduce the Chinese zodiac to kids. Ruby needs to deliver a special card to her grandmother for the Lunar New Year (also an important tradition). She then meets all 12 of the zodiac animals, who help her on her journey. This format, which is similar to Red Riding Hood, is approachable and fun for kids.

Bringing In the New Year by Grace Lin. This is a really simple, quick read that helps kids understand a lot of Lunar New Year traditions, including sweeping out the bad luck, wearing your finest clothes, and hanging decorations. I love Grace Lin’s illustrations, and this would be an easy one for even preschoolers to grasp.

Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas by Natasha Yim and Grace Zong. Who doesn’t love a retelling of a classic fairytale? In this version, Goldy Luck takes some turnip cakes to her panda neighbors to celebrate Chinese New Year. The Chans aren’t home, so she eats their porridge, breaks a chair, and even falls asleep in the bed. Later, she feels bad about the mess she made and figures out how to make it right.

The Nian Monster by Andrea Wang and Alina Chau. I absolutely LOVE Andrea Wang’s books (she won the Newbery for Watercress). This one incorporates a monster legend that kids will enjoy. A little girl named Xingling learns that her family hangs red decorations to keep the Nian monster away at Chinese New Year. Unfortunately, the Nian monster comes back and threatens to eat her and the entire city because the old tricks don’t work. Xingling has to figure out new ways to stop Nian (and we learn more about her traditions in the process).

A Sweet New Year for Ren by Michelle Sterling and Dung Ho. I’ll read anything from illustrator Dung Ho (she is known for Eyes That Kiss in the Corners and Eyes That Speak to the Stars). This book is a sweet one (pardon the pun) about family and traditions. Ren is upset that no one in her family will let her help prepare food for the Lunar New Year. Luckily, her brother arrives home and lets her help with the pineapple cake. Fair warning: This `book will make you hungry.

The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac by Christopher Corr. My kids and I read several books like this that tell the legend of the Chinese zodiac, but I like Christopher Corr’s illustrations and the simplicity of this one. If you wonder why only certain animals are included in the zodiac, this explains it in a fun way.

The Tray of Togetherness by Flo Leung. I liked that this book focused on how those celebrating Lunar New Year encourage others to take gifts. All of the snacks have different meanings, which is really cool. This would be a fun tradition to incorporate in our family.

I’ve only sought out picture books for the Lunar New Year for a short time. I’d love to know which ones I’m missing! Please share your favorites in the comments.

More Valentine’s Day picture books to read with your family

Posted on January 26, 2022 by Lindsay Books

I published a list of favorite Valentine’s Day picture books a couple years ago, and now we’ve added even MORE books to our collection. Whether you need a good book to read in your library or classroom or want to add some variety to your personal bookshelves, this list will give you plenty of options. Read on for 12 more Valentine’s Day picture books you’ll love.

Crocodiles Need Kisses Too by Rebecca Colby and Penelope Dullaghan. I absolutely adore this darling book featuring animals that you wouldn’t normally think of as cuddly kissing and hugging their babies. Who would have thought I’d actually like seeing pictures of snakes snuggled up? It’s offbeat and has a great message about how everyone needs love.

In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek and Christine Roussey. This is one of those fun, thick books with a cute heart cutout on the cover kids love to play with. It’s also an excellent way to help kids understand that feelings are healthy and that it’s good to have many feelings. Sometimes your heart might be happy or sad or even angry or afraid. Preschoolers especially will like this, but it’s a wonderful addition to any shelf.

Hug Machine by Scott Campbell. Do you have a hug machine in your house? My son is really affectionate and in tune with other people’s feelings, and he will often come up and give me a hug or want to snuggle. (This trait is not welcome in the middle of the night when he doesn’t sleep in his own bed.) The character in this book just wants to share his love with everyone and goes around hugging everything, including pizza and mailboxes. It may be worth having a little conversation about consent when you read this book and explaining that not EVERYONE likes hugs, but it’s cute and heartwarming all the same.

Fred’s Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mister Rogers by Laura Renauld and Brigette Barrager. You can’t help but think of love whenever you think of Mister Rogers. We all loved this book about how Fred Rogers’ TV show made it OK for people to express their feelings. I also had no idea that the Mr. McFeely character was based on Fred’s grandfather! This is such a great book for any season but especially Valentine’s Day.

Ida, Always by Caron Levis and Charles Santoso. I am admittedly not an animal person and do not normally tear up reading books that feature animals. For this book, however, I make an exception. It’s the true story of polar bears who lived in the Central Park Zoo. When Ida got sick and died, Gus had to learn to live without his best friend and be happy again. Eventually, he did. I love that this book helps kids understand death and grief and also conveys the power of love..

I Need a Hug by Aaron Blabey. If your kids like the Pig the Pug series, they will love this book from the same author/illustrator. This is similar to HedgeHugs and features a porcupine that really wants a hug but can’t find anyone who’ll hug him because of his quills. Then he finds one animal who is willing to hug him (a snake) and isn’t so sure he wants a hug. Aaron Blabey’s illustrations always make me laugh, and this one doesn’t disappoint.

Love, Z by Jessie Sima. WOW. I don’t think I can sum up how great this book is. It’s a simple story of a robot who finds a note in a bottle signed “Love, Beatrice.” Because the robot is not human, it can’t compute what love is (and neither can its parents), so it goes on a hunt to find Beatrice and discover what love is. Of course, Z does discover what love is and that the robot had it all along. The illustrations and message of this book are just wonderful.

Here Comes Valentine Cat by Deborah Underwood and Claudia Rueda. We like all of Deborah Underwood’s cat books (there are books for Easter, Christmas, and fall, too), and this one is adorable. Cat does not like Valentine’s Day and does not want to give Dog a valentine. She is always complaining about Dog’s antics but later realizes Dog is not as bad as she thinks he is. Kids will really enjoy this one.

I Love You Like Yellow by Andrea Beaty and Vashti Harrison. This book has the most beautiful illustrations from Vashti Harrison (who is known for Sulwe, among others) and begs to be read aloud. It shows a lot of diverse families together and talks about the ways they show love. This is also perfect for bedtime!

How We Say I Love You by Nicole Chen and Lenny Wen. My kids and I learned a lot about Chinese culture from this beautiful book about how an Asian-American family shows love to each other. I really like that this book explores ways to show love without saying “I love you,” like cooking, cheering someone on at a soccer game, or holding hands.

Sometimes Love by Katrina Moore and Joy Hwang Ruiz. I was nearly in tears reading this book to my kids. When the mother in the story is deployed in the military, she and her husband and their little girl have to find a temporary place for their dog to stay while they’re gone. This story has inclusive illustrations (a bi-racial family) and the sweetest message about love. I also learned that it’s based on a true story! We just added our dog, Pippin, to our family a few months ago, so this one really touched my heart.

How to Send a Hug by Hayley Rocco and John Rocco. I adored this new release because it’s a love letter both to a family member and the postal service. A little girl explains how she sends a hug to her grandma, who lives far away, by writing her a letter. The illustrations make this one really special.

Do you have Valentine’s Day picture books that aren’t on this list? Share them with me! I’m always looking for new options.

Books

Lindsay

Recent Posts