Tag: families

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Spoopy Halloween is coming!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Spoops: The Little Spirits of Halloween, by A.J. Locascio/Illustrated by Laurie Conley, (Aug. 2025, Top Shelf Productions), $14.99, ISBN: 9781603095617

Ages 5-8

Halloween gets an adorable rhyming fantasy fable! Spoops is a charming tale in verse of a young girl named Holly Hollowell, a girl obsessed with Halloween. The only problem? Her parents are both dentists and won’t let her celebrate! Silly parents, they think Halloween is only about cavity-inducing candy and refuse to listen to Holly’s pleas, not even letting her wear a costume or carve a jack-o’-lantern. This Halloween, Holly’s parents head out to a dental tech convention, leaving Holly home alone to make a wish on the pumpkin she secretly purchased from a shop on the edge of town. Wishing to be part of Halloween and for her parents’ understanding, Holly’s wish is heard by Spoops, cheery little Halloween spirits hatched in the pumpkin patch. Representing all sorts of cute Halloween fare, there are candy corn ghost Spoops, owls and witch Spoops, leaf and bat Spoops, and even the cutest plague doctor Spoops you’ve ever seen. The Spoops all gather to Holly’s side and put on the most magical Halloween, with Holly front and center to enjoy the holiday she’s waited to celebrate! What happens when her parents come home, though? Not to worry: the Spoops have it all taken care of, and the family will celebrate Halloween in plenty of fun, non-tooth-decaying ways. The two-color orange and black illustration has a cozy, retro feel to it that will enchant moms, dads, and grands. The message about being free to express oneself and take part in things that make us happy is clearly communicated, and it’s nice to see parents that get on board with – and acknowledge that they were wrong! – their children’s interests. This is a fun Halloween read that kids will reach for every year when that first bit of crisp weather hits the air.

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Picture books about siblings

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Siblings come in all shapes, sizes, and species! Here are couple of picture books that celebrate our sibs.

 

Hazel the Handful, by Jamie Michalak/Illustrated by Matt Myers, (Apr. 2025, Candlewick Press), $17.99, ISBN: 9781536231199

Ages 4-8

Hazel is a small dog with a big personality! She lives a very satisfying life surrounded by her toys and her family, especially Bea, the family’s daughter. But if you look at the illustrations early on, you’ll notice that someone else is joining the family: a baby! Seemingly overnight, Hazel’s world is turned upside down. The stinky baby makes loud noises and gets all of the attention, especially Bea’s. What’s a pup to do? Trying to get back into the spotlight, Hazel causes a bit of chaos and is branded “a handful”. Hiding in a blanket away from everyone, she hears her family looking for her and realizes that she’s still very much part of the family and that just maybe she can find space in her heart – and her toy box – to let the baby in. Narrated by Hazel, this sweet look at new babies and the disruption they can bring to the family pet is humorous and relatable. Hazel is a great stand-in for a child experiencing the mixed emotions surrounding a new baby in the family and communicates in a manner that kids will appreciate. On a family walk, someone who normally gushes over Hazel now says, “Oh, what a cutie patootie baby!” to which Hazel responds, “What? Is it not clear? I am the patootie”; she wonders if Bea still loves her; she feels left out of the family photo. The family is bi-racial; Bea and her brother are light brown-skinned, while Bea’s mother and Nana appear white. A charming readaloud and selection for animal fans and families with a new baby in the home.

 

 

First There Was Me, Then There Was You, by Yvonne Sewankambo/Illustrated by Aurore McLeod, (Feb. 2025, Candlewick Press), $18.99, ISBN: 9781536239003

Ages 3-7

A brother is excited to welcome his baby sister into the world in this heartfelt ode to siblings everywhere. Told from the brother’s point of view, he goes through the ups and downs (but mostly ups) of having a younger sibling, from the first time she curls her fingers around his to “showing her the ropes”. They play together, disagree sometimes, and explore, always together, because “I love you (trust me, I do!), there is no me without you”. Both siblings are brown-skinned. The digital illustrations use warm colors to communicate shared affection and love; McLeod uses warm yellows and oranges and creates soft lighting to soften backgrounds and keep the light source focused on brother and sister, who feature together in every spread. In two spreads touching on disagreements, the sister is by herself on the left side, joined by her brother on the right side to show their ability to overcome the tough times. A moving celebration of siblings, this is an excellent storytime choice and addition to picture book 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

Bienvenida a Casa, Esmerelda/Welcome Home, Esmerelda embrace new beginnings

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Bienvenida a Casa, Esmerelda, by Daniela Ramirez/Illustrated by Maribel Lechuga, (May 2025, Charlesbridge), $17.99, ISBN: 9781623544386

Ages 6-9

Esmerelda is a young girl living with her mom, older sister, and dad, who serves in the military. He comes home to announce that they have short-notice orders to move back to the States, to their hometown of San Antonio, Texas. Mamá is delighted and Mariana, Esmerelda’s older sister, promises this is a great move, but Esmerelda isn’t so sure. The school year isn’t over, and she’s not even from San Antonio. Heartbroken, Esmerelda says goodbye to everything and everyone she knows as the family moves into temporary housing on-base and then boards the plane to Texas. When the family lands, they are surrounded by smiling, exuberant family members who can’t wait to welcome Esmerelda; still feeling like a fish out of water, it isn’t until her Tío George turns up the radio on plays music by Selena that Esmerelda finally feels familiarity and connection. She and her family dance together and she realizes that her “heart is home”.

I read the Spanish version of this story and loved the emotional storytelling, told from Esmerelda’s point of view. We’re never told where her family is stationed, but we understand that it’s overseas and that she’s lived there for most of her life (note: the verso page mentions that the family is stationed in Germany). Ramirez’s story resonates with children of the military that often have to pack up and move at a moment’s notice and the complicated feelings that come as part of the life. As a military spouse and “military kid”, Ramirez notes in an author’s note, she describes her inspiration for writing Bienvenida a Casa, Esmerelda and how the connection to Selena Quintanilla’s music helped smooth her own transitions. Digital illustrations are colorful and have fun details that provide texture to the characters: Esmerelda’s room contains a poster of Selena and a military teddy bear; the family’s belongings show possessions from around the world, giving a clue to multiple deployments. A celebration of family and music, this is a great addition to picture book collections and is available in English and Spanish.

Posted in Early Reader, Fiction, Fiction, Intermediate, picture books

Tales from the TBR: A Man and His Cat Picture Book!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

A Man and His Cat Picture Book: Fukumaru and the Spaceship of Happiness, by Umi Sakurai, (July 2024, Square Enix Books), $17.99, ISBN: 9781646092819

Ages 5-8

How did I miss this one last year? A Man and His Cat is a popular manga series that’s released in the U.S. from Square Enix; somehow, I missed the picture book release that stars the cat, Fukumaru, who has his own adventure. In Fukumaru and the Spaceship of Happiness, Fukumaru meets two space cats whose ship has crashed. Powered by happiness, it’s up to Fukumaru to share his own joy to help his new fureinds (fur + friends) get back home. He shares tasty treats and fun toys, but when they need that last burst of joy to get liftoff, Fukumaru worries – how can he possibly share his Daddy? Sakurai creates a sweet story that emerging readers will love. The chibi illustrations are too cute for words, and the strong theme of sharing will resonate with readers who are learning to share their possessions while teaching them that sharing joy is just as important and as wonderful as sharing material things. If you haven’t gotten this on your shelves yet, give it a whirl, especially if you have manga readers at your library. 

Psst… if you haven’t explored cat manga for kids, yet, I humbly recommend Chi’s Sweet Home (also available to stream) and Fuku Fuku Kitten Tales, both by Konami Konata. My library kids wear my copies out!

Posted in picture books, Toddler Reads

Color Our World with stories!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Are you thinking of Summer Reading yet? I am, because we’re working with the theme that the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) has for this year – Color Our World – and I’m enjoying the different books I can fit into this. We’ve got destination books; we have concepts; we have stories of people from all over the world. Naturally, I’ve got some new books that fit the bill. Let’s take a look!

Our World: Cuba, by Terry Catasús Jennings/Illustrated by Marla Cruz Linares, (Oct. 2024, Barefoot Books), $9.99, ISBN: 9798888592304

Ages 2-3

Any time I get a book from Terry Catasús Jennings, it’s a good time; pair that with Barefoot Books’ Our World board book series, and you can’t go wrong. The series is a hit here at my library, thanks to kid-friendly illustrations, a day in the life story, and vocabulary from different languages. Each author draws on their personal cultural experiences to communicate to their readers, which really makes this a unique series. Jennings invites readers to enjoy breakfast and a day full of activity at the park and the beach. Led by a young narrator, readers enjoy toast and café con leche at home; a ride to the beach on the guagua, and a game of los escondidos in the park. The child narrator spends a happy with parents, who are free with affection and a sense of play. Words in Spanish are also spelled phonetically on the page, allowing for easier pronounciation. Back matter provides deeper context to day-to-day life in Cuba. It’s an invitation to a day in Cuba, with warm illustrations and a joyful story. A great add to your board book collections – get some literary stamps in your passports with this book and this series.

 

Many Things at Once, by Veera Hiranandani/Illustrated by Nadia Alam, (Jan. 2025, Random House Studio), $18.99, ISBN: 9780593643907

Ages 4-8

A biracial girl reflects on her Jewish-Indian heritage, ruminating on her parents’ stories: her mother’s mother, a seamstress in Brooklyn, New York; her father’s mother cooking daal on a coal stove in India. The memories go deeper, exploring struggles on both sides of her family; her paternal grandparents separated during the Partition of India, and her maternal grandfather’s escape from the pogroms in Poland. Her families came to America for safety and a new beginning. Her parents tell her that she’s lucky to be “both Jewish and Hindu, to be part of many things at once”, but she sometimes feels neither “Jewish enough” or “Hindu enough” for her parents. Seeing a butterfly, the girl remembers a teacher telling her no two butterflies are the same, and she reflects on this and the roots anchoring the flowers from which the butterfly draws nectar. It all comes together: “I think of all the journeys I’m connected to and grow from”. Hiranandani tells an emotional story of struggle and love and the journey of self-discovery that biracial children travel, inspired by her own family background. An author’s note gives further texture. Pencil and digital illustrations show a diverse family and historical context: the girl views family photos from different decades and she imagines the struggles endured by her grandparents. Relating her cultural heritage to a butterfly will lift hearts. An excellent choice for collections.

 

I LOVE Blueberries!, by Shannon Anderson/Illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett, (April 2025, Feeding Minds Press), $18.99, ISBN: 9781948898195

Ages 4-8

Jolie from I LOVE Strawberries! (2022) is back and this time, she has a friend! Jolie, who still loves growing strawberries, learned how to germinate blueberry seeds thanks to a local farmer. While showing her germinated seed and sprout in class, she meets new neighbor Margot, a homesick girl who’s just moved from Maine. The two hit it off – Margot’s love of blueberries is a delightful catalyst – and become interested in their teacher’s hydroponic gardening setup, which would let them grow blueberries even quicker. The teacher, who happens to be married to the friendly blueberry farmer, explains hydroponic gardening; the girls are inspired and proceed to hold a local blueberry festival and fundraiser to raise the necessary monies needed to invest in hydroponic equipment. I LOVE Blueberries! is a great story encompassing many areas that will interest readers: friendship, innovation and entrepreneurship, hydroponic gardening, and food farming. The way the community rallies around the two friends to support their ideas is gratifying and inspiring. The illustrations are filled with journals, as with I LOVE Strawberries: Jolie’s journals are joined by Margot’s this time, allowing us some insight into both characters in addition to illustrating the scientific method. Blue endpapers feature line illustrations of blueberries, and back matter includes a note on hydroponics, gardening, and blueberries as a superfood, A great choice for STEM/STEAM collections.

That’s a good start – what Summer Reading titles are you considering?

 

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

Meet Marc Brown’s newest friend, Hop

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Arthur fans, get ready! Marc Brown has a new group of friends for readers to meet, and they’ll be coming to Max in April.

Hop Helps Out, by Marc Brown, (Feb. 2025, Orchard Books), $17.99, ISBN: 9781339035680

Ages 2-6

Hop is a frog who lives in Fair Village with his friends. One day, he and his friend Benny meet a troll named Helga, who’s crying by a bridge. She wants to explore and see the world, but she’s scared. Not to worry: Hop and Benny take Helga by the hand and bring her exploring, introducing her to their friends and enjoying fun things like making ice cream and playing dress-up. Geared toward younger children, the narrative focuses on short, easy-to-read sentences. Marc Brown’s signature style is familiar to any Arthur fan, and the emphasis on friendship and being able to support one another is perfect for a younger age group learning social skills. Brown also creates characters that “are reflective of our communities and friends and inclusive of children who had been underrepresented in the media”, featuring characters with some sort of disability: Hop wears one sneaker that looks like a platform; a depiction of anisomelia (one leg is shorter than the other). Helga is coded as having agoraphobia.

According to Scholastic’s press release, RespectAbility, an advocacy nonprofit organization fighting stigma and advancing opportunity for people with disabilities, was brought on to consult on the series.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

A girl reflects on her family’s changes in I’m Lucky to Have My Parents

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

I’m Lucky to Have My Parents, by Radostina Nikolova/Illustrated by Yana Popova, (Jan. 2025, Papercutz), $7.99, ISBN: 9781545815816

Ages 5-8

A child reflects on her family and the fun they have together, but when things change, she has to work through some big feelings. “I am lucky to have my parents”, the story begins, told in first person from the child’s perspective; spreads featuring colorful family album photos and fun activities accompany prose detailing a happy family; some may notice that the girl talks about having fun with her mother or father; the only time she mentions them together is when she notes that “Sometimes Mom and Dad talk and laugh,
but other times they argue and then keep very quiet. / There are times when they are so angry with each other that only I can help”. A torn photo leads to moody black and white illustration as the girl mourns her family’s breakup. After talking with her mother and learning that “Sadness doesn’t need to go away… Whatever you feel inside – let it out,” color returns to the art, and the girl begins to adjust to life with two families. Both parents have new partners, leading to step- and half-siblings. Simple text provides understanding and advice for children going through a difficult time. A good choice for collections.

 

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

The Light of Home: Home isn’t always a place

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

The Light of Home: A story of family, creativity, and belonging, by Diana Farid/Illustrated by Hoda Hadadi, (Sept. 2024, Orchard Books), $19.99, ISBN: 9781338890617

Ages 4-8

Nur is a child who loves her home by the sea where she plays, enjoys time with her family, and fills her room with her artwork. Life drastically changes overnight when the family must leave right away; Hadadi illustrates the urgency of a family fleeing with the clothes on their backs, Nur grabbing a single painting off of her wall as her mother grabs her hand. On the next page, men bearing shovels and stick ransack the rooms and destroy what they can reach. Told in verse, Farid’s story of a family fleeing one home and moving to another is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. Her exquisite verse finds the beauty in pain; as Nur and her family find places to live, she remembers the sigts, smells, and textures of home: “Sometimes, / [the horizon] breathes tangerine orange and sour cherry clouds, / like the sunsets she used to watch from a picnic blanket”. As the family gets used to living in a new city, in a building unfamiliar and loud, Nur uses her painting, desperately torn from the wall on the night of their departure, as the inspiration to create once again, this time of the “glittery path she loves / even if it’s far away”. Hadadi’s paper collage brings texture that make the memories tangible to readers, using vibrant colors and evocative images. The growing body of work on the refugee/immigrant/migrant experience is incredible and such an important part of collections. Don’t miss this one. Display and read with other stories, including Nicola Davies’s The Day War Came, Yuyi Morales’s Dreamers, Hollis Kurman’s Counting Kindness, and Hannah Moushabeck’s Homeland.