Category: picture books

Posted in picture books

Braided Roots: a foundation of family

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Braided Roots: The Interweaving of History, Family, and a Father’s Love, by Pasha Westbrook/Illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight, (Nov. 2025, Orchard Books), $19.99, ISBN: 9781339015385

Ages 4-8

A girl’s father braids her hair, helping her get ready for school. His strong hands weave the strands of her hair with colorful ribbons as he tells her stories of her ancestors, the Freedmen who walked “that beaten-down dirt path from Mississippi to Oklahoma”, the Trail of Tears. Her braid is a link to generations of family and their strength. Past and present weave together in this lyrical tale inspired by the author’s childhood. Braided Roots is a story of resilience, of family, and of enduring love between a parent and child. Goodnight’s digital illustrations are filled with warmth and love; moving between images of past and present, she returns to a father’s hands and his daughter’s hair and pair beautifully with Westbrook’s emphasis on the braid’s tenacity: “Our hair is our history… It tells us who we are, where we come from”. An author’s note provides further context. An excellent choice for collections.

Posted in picture books

A childhood memory brought to the page: Herring to Huckleberries

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

ɬagət̓ hiyt t̓oxʷʊm / Herring to Huckleberries, by ošil betty wilson/Illustrated by Prashant Miranda, (April 2025, Highwater Press), $21.95, ISBN: 9781774921180

Ages 6-8

Inspired by author ošil’s childhood as a member of the ɬaʔəmɩn (Tla’amin) Nation, Herring to Huckleberries is a bilingual picture book, written in the the ɬaʔəmɩn language and in English. Ošil’s favorite time of the year is spent with her grandparents on the southwest coast of British Columbia, harvesting foods from the sea and land. They fish, pick berries, dig for clams, and curl up together to fall asleep under the stars. ošil’s descriptions are vivid, so filled with an infectious joy, wonder and respect for the land. It’s a warm memory of time spent with family beautifully illustrated by Miranda, who uses deep natural colors to create the coastal setting. The characters are expressive and affectionate, portraying a loving family. A glossary and pronunciation guide, a map, author’s note, and list of traditional foods round out the back matter. Recommended for collections.

For more information about the ɬaʔəmɩn (Tla’amin) Nation, visit the Tla’amin Nation’s webpage and British Columbia’s Assembly of First Nations’ webpage.

 

 

Posted in picture books, Uncategorized

Enjoy the seasons from an Indigenous perspective: Dad, is it Time to Gather Mint?

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Dad, is it Time to Gather Mint?: Celebrating the Seasons, by Tyna Legault Taylor/Illustrated by Michelle Dao, (May 2025, Highwater Press), $18.95, ISBN: 9781774921227

Ages 5-8

Dad, is it Time to Gather Mint? celebrates the relationship between humans and the land as a First Nations child and his family move through the seasons. Told in three languages: English, Swampy Cree (n-dialect), and Anishinaabemowin, the story is narrated by Joshua, a young boy who revels in his relationship to the land; his favorite time of year being mint-gathering season. Josh and his dad spend time together in nature through Fall, Winter, and Spring; he drinks in the colors and feels of the surroundings of each time of year. In the Fall, he sees the leaves change color and animals prepare for the winter; in the Winter, the cottony snow brings the cold. In Spring, he sees the animals return and the land come back from a winter’s sleep, and in Summer, he feels the longer, warmer days and rejoices in the green around him. Each season he asks Dad if it’s time to gather the mint, and each time, his father describes what other work must be done: hunting moose and partridge in the Fall; ice fishing in the Winter; hunting geese and fishing for rainbow trout in the Spring. Finally, the Summer arrives, and with it, the time to gather mint! It’s a moving story of family and stewardship to our world. Vocabulary in Swampy Cree and Anishinaabemowin are color-coded in brown and green throughout, with English translations in the margins. Back matter includes a glossary and pronunciation guide along with a recipe for Mint from the Land Iced Tea, just like Joshua’s mother makes. A moving and important addition to season books for collections.

For more information and resources on the Swampy Cree, visit the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Center and the Swampy Cree Tribal Council. For information on the Ojibwe, who speak Anishinabemowin, visit the Minnesota Historical Society the Gladue Rights Research Database of Legal Aid Saskatchewan. Always check in with Debbie Reese’s American Indians in Children’s Literature website for recommendations on Indigenous creators and works.

 

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Messi brings his magic to picture book biographies!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Messi’s Magic: How Lionel Messi Became the G.O.A.T., by Caroline L. Perry/Illustrated by Luciano Lozano, (Sept. 2025, Scholastic Press), $18.99, ISBN: 9781546147534

Ages 4-8

Soccer Lionel Messi is a household name (and then some here in my library’s community), and he didn’t have an easy journey to success. This picture book biography starts with Messi’s beginnings as a small, shy boy who loved soccer and was cheered on by his grandmother, his biggest fan. Showing an aptitude for the game, he endured expensive medical treatments to stimulate growth so that he could continue playing; when he was accepted by La Masia soccer academy, he experienced loneliness and depression. Was it all worth it? Today, he’s won the most professional awards of any player, is known the world over, and has a happy, soccer-obsessed family of his own, just as he grew up with. Perry tells Messi’s story with a humanistic point of view, concentrating on Messi’s family relationships and feelings of isolation on the road to success. Lozano’s illustrations move from close-up facial expressions to further away spreads that highlight action, particularly on the soccer field. Back matter includes a Messi timeline and additional facts. If you have sports fans in your community, this is a good choice for biography collections. Download free activity sheets to share! I know our library will be picking this one up.

 

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

When Bear meets Goldilocks, a big mess ensues!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Bear and the Three Goldilocks, by Patrick Horne/Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, (July 2025, Holiday House), $18.99, ISBN: 9780823455522

Ages 4-8

This flipped fairy tale serves as a cautionary tale when going camping. The Goldilocks family – Mr. Goldilock, Mrs. Goldilock, and Goldie Goldilock – head to the campground for a family trip, but sharp-eyed readers will see that the family is being watched by a curious bear, who wanders to their camp when the family goes for a hike. He samples their s’mores – too gooey, too chocolatey, juuuust right – and finishes the rest of the food, too; after all, “that’s how bears roll”. Bear tries out the family’s instruments, and finally, makes himself at home in Goldie’s tent, where he falls asleep. Baby Bear’s family arrives on the scene as the Goldilocks family discovers the mess, but as the family doesn’t understand bear language, Mr. and Mrs. Bear’s apologies and an invitation to come to their house for some porridge doesn’t go over well. The moral of the story: put your food in bear-proof containers when camping! Yaccarino’s illustrations are wonderful and have little details to enjoy, from Bear peeking out of the trees as the family arrives to a wolf confronting a young girl with a red hood at the story’s close. Horne’s storytelling makes for a funny, casual readaloud that will keep readers giggling. Pick this one up for your storytime collections.

Terry Pierce’s board book, Eat Up, Bear! is another fun story about campground safety; my interview with Terry also includes links to keeping campers and bears safe.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Zombees invade just in time for Halloween!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Zombees, by Justin Colón/Illustrated by Kaly Quarles, (July 2025, Simon & Schuster), $19.99, ISBN: 9781665922500

Ages 4-8

It’s Halloween, and something creepy is buzzing around the graveyard… can it be? Oh no! The ZOMBEES are here! This rhyming tale is sure to be a hit at Halloween read-alouds (or for good, old-fashioned spooky tales storytimes). The Zombees invade a quiet town on Halloween night, but what are they planning? “Are they hunting for a snack? Do they like the taste of veins? Have they come to eat your brains?” Nothing so gruesome: they want to share their special Halloween honey! But are the Zombees all they’re cracked up to be? Keep reading for a fun twist. The buzzing spooks sport colorful capes and goofy, tongue-askew expressions as they do their best midair shamble-flying; they decorate their antennae with eyeballs and spiders. Playful rhyme and adorable digital illustrations set off against bright white or murky green backgrounds set the tone for a Halloween read that kids will demand any time of the year. Download a free educator guide and activity sheets from author Colón’s webpage (and he’s got educator guides and activity sheets for his other books, too!)

Zombees has a starred review from School Library Journal.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Two books for a stormy day

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Island Storm, by Brian Floca/Illustrated by Sydney Smith, (July 2025, Neal Porter Books), $18.99, ISBN: 9780823456475

Ages 4-8

A pair of siblings ventures out of their island home to “see the sea before the storm” in Caldecott Medalist Floca’s new picture book. They feel the storm germinating as they stroll: the wind blowing, the waves crashing against the rocks at the shore; they pass neighbors who encourage them to get home to safety and they see the streets empty. They urge each other on, wanting to see just a bit more, until the storm arrives with its full fury and sends them running back to home and safety. Filled with sensory verses, readers can imagine themselves walking along a shore, feeling the spray of water and hearing the branches sway in the wind. Repetitive phrases like “is this enough, or do we try for more” and “you pull on me, I pull on you” invites readers to be a silent companion on the adventure. Smith’s watercolor and gouache illustrations capture a storm’s progression from beginning to end, and Floca places readers in the middle of the hurried preparation: “We pass the island grocery store where neighbors have been stocking up. We pass places built for summer crowds, parks and docks and the ice cream parlor, where now there’s hardly a person in sight. Our town is eerie and empty – a stage without its show”.  A beautifully crafted book that will get return readers finding something new each time they dive in.

Island Storm has starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Horn Book, Kirkus, The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Shelf Awareness, and is an Indie Next selection.

 

Hurricane, by Jason Chin, (May 2025, Neal Porter Books), $19.99, ISBN: 9780823458493

Ages 4-8

Caldecott and Sibert Medalist Chin places readers on Hatteras Island, North Carolina during hurricane season. Alternating between the science of hurricanes and the day-to-day life of people in the hurricane’s path, Chin creates a fascinating look at the life cycle of a storm and how it affects the lives of those affected by one. Chin’s research is spot-on and he shines in communicating weather and climate science to a younger audience. By inserting readers into the lives of the Hatteras Island community, he creates a textured experience that engenders empathy and understanding beyond the meteorologists and technology. There are callout boxes with greater detail and detailed maps throughout; Chin uses the maps to chart the storm and stoke interest and anticipation of the moment the storm arrives. Readers can follow along as the community weathers and recovers from the storm, relying on one another to “get through it together”. Generous back matter includes detailed illustrations and information on hurricane season, structure, the hurricane naming process, and climate change’s role in hurricanes. An excellent pick for nonfiction collections.

Hurricane has starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Horn Book, Shelf Awareness, and BookPage.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

My Left Right Book is a concept adventure

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

My Left and Right Book, by Siirsel Tas/Illustrated by Gökçe Akgül, (June 2025, Schiffer Kids), $14.99, ISBN: 9780764369322

Ages 2-6

Learning left and right is a fun-filled romp with this handy picture book that takes readers on an adventure while teaching them their left from their right. From the bold, large text to the fun, bright illustrations, readers will pick this book up for multiple reads. Starting with illustrations of smiley hands on left and right pages to allow readers to match their hands to the ones in the book, the story progresses to the need to know one from the other in case the reader gets lost in a forest and has to ask directions from a bear, withstanding wind and rain, and finally, the silliest challenges to test your left and right knowledge. The interactivity makes this a great readaloud choice. Back matter includes handy cut-out bracelets, but PLEASE scan and print them to (hopefully) save your book in circulation or keep the bracelet printouts on hand to distribute during storytimes and keep a copy in storytime reference. All in all, a fun book that takes on a concept that can sometimes frustrate new learners.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads, Uncategorized

To Catch a Ghost… or make a friend?

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

To Catch a Ghost, by Rachel Michelle Wilson, (July 2025, Orchard Books), $19.99, ISBN: 9781339031958

Ages 3-7

“Bringing nothing to show-and-tell is like wearing shoes without socks. It stinks.” Sam is the new kid, which is hard. Being the new kid AND having show-and-tell coming up is even harder. Written from Sam’s perspective, To Catch a Ghost reads like a manual; Sam lays out the steps and drops some knowledge for prospective ghost-catchers: how to find one, how to observe one, and how to catch one. But when it comes right down to it, does Sam want to capture a potential friend? Luckily, there’s a solution that works for all in this upbeat, playful story about making friends. Acrylic and pastel illustration gives bold linework and soft color, giving a fun, retro feel to the piece. A cheerful story about friendship and unexpected surprises, To Catch a Ghost is a nice addition to storytime and picture book collections.

To Catch a Ghost has a starred review from School Library Journal. Sign up for Rachel Michelle Wilson’s newsletter at her website.

 

Posted in Intermediate, Non-Fiction, picture books

Making Light Bloom sheds light on the Tiffany Lamps provenance

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Making Light Bloom: Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Lamps, by Sandra Nickel/Illustrated by Julie Paschkis, (June 2025, Peachtree Publishing), $18.99, ISBN: 9781682636091

Most folks know what a Tiffany Lamp looks like: bold, black outlines, luminous colors that bring incredible flora and fauna to life. Did you know that Tiffany wasn’t the creator of the Tiffany Lamp? I sure didn’t until I read Making Light Bloom and learned that a woman named Clara Driscoll and her “Tiffany Girls” were the creators of the lamps – and that no one knew about this until after both Driscoll’s and Tiffany’s deaths. Born in Ohio in 1861, Driscoll grew up surrounded by nature and sketched her surroundings. When she moved to New York City to “turn her talent for drawing into a skill that could help” her family, she was taken aback by the crowds and towering buildings, but she was in the right place at the right time. Securing a job with Louis C. Tiffany, she joined a team of artists that created pictures and shapes for stained glass windows. Eventually, her talent got her promoted to leading a team of women in her own workshop. Driscoll, receiving inspiration from flowers and butterflies sent from home, worked with the Tiffany Girls to create a stunning lampshade that won a bronze medal at the World’s Fair. Despite sexism from the male craftsmen, Tiffany continued having Driscoll make lamps, but they were referred to as “Tiffany Lamps”: people believed Louis C. Tiffany made them. Clara Driscoll went unnoticed and uncredited until her last sister passed away and letters from Clara were discovered, shedding light on the true architect of the Tiffany Lamp. Ink and gouache illustration created in the style of a Tiffany Lamp adds a breathtaking beauty to this picture book biography. An excellent STEM/STEAM addition to collections, with a bibliography and notes on the Tiffany Lamp and Driscoll’s letters.

Now you need to know more about Clara Driscoll, don’t you? Visit the New York Historical Society’s webpage for Tiffany Lamp coloring pages, where Clara Driscoll receives her due credit as the maker. The Georgia Museum of Art has some coloring sheets made from photos from their collection, too.

★“Alongside delicate, design-oriented text by Nickel, Paschkis combines black outlines and luminous colors to make the pages glow like stained-glass itself.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
 
★“The illustrations, drawn with india ink and then painted with gouache, marvelously mimic the motifs, shapes, and heavy black outlines of the stained glass. A terrific blend of art and social history set in an absorbing biography about an unacknowledged genius.” —Booklist (starred review)
 
Sandra Nickel is an award-winning author of picture books and has two new books coming out in Spring 2025: Seven, A Most Remarkable Pigeon, an uplifting tale that celebrates differences, and Making Light Bloom, Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Lamps, where Sandra continues her mission to celebrate extraordinary individuals who have been nearly forgotten by history.
Sandra holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults and has presented workshops throughout Europe and the United States. She is honored to be the winner of a Christopher Award, the winner of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Crystal Kite Award, a finalist for the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction for Younger Readers, a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection honoree, and a Charlotte Huck Award Recommended author. To learn more about Sandra, and to download free curriculum materials and activity sheets, visit sandranickel.com.
 
Julie Paschkis is an award-winning illustrator of more than 25 books for children. A graduate of Cornell University and the School for American Craftsmen at RIT, she taught art to grade school children for a number of years before turning her full attention to painting, textile design, and creating illustrations for her books.