Illustrator: Setor Fiadzigbey
Published by Penguin on 2020
Genres: Picture Book
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Young Misty discovers her love for dance after hearing the story behind the ballet Copélia. As she practices to audition for the role of Swanilda, new friends encourage her.
Through prose and art, Bunheads introduces young readers to ballet: the steps Misty must learn, the effort she her peers exert behind the scenes, and their sheer love of dance. I enjoyed the budding friendship that grows between Misty and Cat as they encourage one another and spur each other’s growth leading up to the performance.
Having danced (ballroom dance, not ballet), this book made me feel nostalgia for the days when I discovered my love for dance and spent hours practicing for competitions. Readers who have done dance, or who enjoy dance, may also enjoy reading this book. I can also see readers discovering a love for dance through this book.
Dark Was the Night by Gary Golio
Illustrator: E B Lewis
Published by Penguin on 2020
Genres: Picture Book, Biography
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Dark Was the Night tells the story of Blind Willie Johnson, the legendary Texas musician whose song “Dark Was the Night” was included on the Voyager I space probe’s Golden Record.
At a young age, Willie Johnson lost his sight, but he didn’t let it stop him from singing and playing the guitar. The art plays with dark and light imagery, conveying the range of human emotions, from loneliness and hopelessness to joy and hope. And this is a story of hope—that even in the darkness, there is light. For Willie Johnson, and those who heard him, his music offered (and continues to offer) hope.
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
Illustrator: Vashti Harrison
Published by Penguin on May 14, 2019
Genres: Picture Book
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Zuri’s hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Today is a special day, and Zuri needs the perfect hairstyle. With Mommy away, it’s time for Daddy to step in and save the day!
Hair Love is a sweet father-daughter story based on the author’s short film of the same name. I love how this story celebrates Zuri’s natural hair and also the bond between a girl and her daddy. The art is cute. The contemporary style reminds me of animated films for children (and in fact resembles the art from the short film). I recommend watching the short film first and then reading the book, as the former provides additional context for the story, plus to an epilogue that didn’t make it into the book.
➤ Related: Watch the Oscar-winning short film on the author’s website.
I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes
Illustrator: Gordon C. James
Published by Penguin on 2020
Genres: Picture Book
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I Am Every Good Thing is a powerful book filled with positive affirmations about the many ways a child can be (e.g. curious, brave, kind, gentle, creative, learner, difference maker). It has great beats and words filled with life, making it perfect to read aloud. The words are accompanied with bold, colorful images following a single child as he imagines every good thing he brings to the world. This story put a smile on my face.
This book acknowledges also that a child is not always a superhero, that at times he is afraid. It alludes to racism, through things that others might call him, things that do not define him. This change in tone forms the bridge into the book’s conclusion, that a child is a miracle and blessing, “worthy of success, of respect, of safety, of kindness, of happiness.” A child is “worthy to be loved.”
This is an important book because all too often children don’t feel worthy of every good thing. Especially children from marginalized communities. I love that this book presents a confident Black narrator and that he asserts his worthiness.
Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Peña
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Published by Penguin on February 2, 2021
Genres: Picture Book
Pages: 40
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
During a long subway ride, Milo is a “shook-up soda” with mixed emotions. He passes the time by imagining where the other passengers go when they disembark. This leads him to question what others see when they look at him—and how a first look won’t tell them everything about who he is. When a boy in a suit gets off at the same stop as him, Milo realizes that everyone’s story might be different than the one he envisioned for them.
Milo’s story unfolds at a leisurely pace as he observes the people on the subway over the course of several stops. Yet, underlying it is the tension causing Milo to worry and the mystery of where Milo will be getting off. Interweaving his story are illustrations from his sketchbook, in which he imagines (and later reimagines) the lives of other people from his subway ride.
Milo Imagines the World is a beautiful, imaginative story that examines the stories we tell and how appearances can’t tell us everything about a person. Through Milo’s story, we learn to refrain from letting our initial impressions define how we perceive a person—and to keep an open mind.
Trigger Warning: View Spoiler »
Our Skin: A First Conversation about Race by Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli
Illustrator: Isabel Roxas
Published by Henry Holt and Company (BYR) on May 14, 2019
Genres: Picture Book, Nonfiction
Pages: 40
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Our Skin is a great introduction to talking about race. The language is simple, told in a way that a young child can understand. The pictures support and build upon the words to enhance the reader’s understanding. I would read this book with children, teens, and adults, because we can all learn from it.
Some topics addressed include loving our skin, the science of skin color (melanin), the history of the idea of race, intentional and unintentional acts of racism, and what we can do to begin to make things right. At the end, this book includes a section with additional tips to continue the conversation.
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