Tag: parent-child relationship

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

A drowsy bedtime adventure: You and I Are Stars and Night

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

You and I Are Stars and Night, by Kate Hosford/Illustrated by Richard Jones, (Feb. 2026, Beach Lane Books), $19.99, ISBN: 9781665940382

Ages 3-7

A mother and child go on a playful and loving adventure in this rhyming tale beginning at bath time, where the two set sail on a magical journey with picnics at the shore, playtime with mer-children, and a fantastic flight over a mountain. Rhyming text emphasizes the warm relationship between caregiver and child, each a part that completes the other: “Dive into the ocean spray / and watch the baby mermaids play. / The tides will pull us to and fro. / You and I are ebb and flow”. The adventure concludes as the two return home, curl up with a good bedtime story, and fall asleep. Acrylic and watercolor paintings add a soft, dreamlike quality to the gentle rhyming tale to usher listeners to sleep. A solid addition to bedtime story collections and a great choice for pajama storytimes and bedtime reading.

 

Posted in Fiction, Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, picture books, Teen, Tween Reads

Scholastic brought the party!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Scholastic has been bringing the party to librarians and bookish folk! First, we had the in-person Graphix celebrations and Comic-Con parties, and now we had a virtual LLX (formerly the American Library Association’s Midwinter conference, then LibLearnX) party where we got to see authors and Scholastic editors talk about some exciting upcoming Spring books. For those folks who got their responses in early, we got a box of ARCs AND candy!

Sour Patch Watermelon! (There was a Hershey bar, too, but that didn’t make it to the photo.)

There’s a great spread of books in this box and I’m hoping to read and report back on all of them. There are picture books: Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis’s newest collaboration, a retelling of Rumpelstiltkin; Rhea’s Rodeo, Laekan Zea Kemp and Raissa Figueroa’s gorgeous look at Mexican women’s rodeo; Mama Says I’m Fine, Brittney Cooper and Tanisha Anthony’s love letter to moms (their interview had me sniffling back tears: this book is just wonderful), and Chana Stiefel and Susan Gal’s Awe, which evokes that exact feeling with each turn of the page. 

Next, we have some graphic novels: Midsummer Sisters from Niki Smith; a moving story about the impact of divorce on stepsiblings who are as close as siblings and best friends, and Opting Out from Maia Kobabe and Lucky Srikumar, who bring us Saachi, a kid who is dealing with the usual friendship, sibling, and crush dilemmas, but also wants nothing to do with “blue-and-pink binaries”. This conversation was so good that I can’t wait to dive into these books… dare I bring them home this weekend and jump the TBR line?

Novels in verse are up next: Aida Salazar’s Stream, where two rising ninth graders meet after being sent to Mexico by their parents to unplug from the online world. If you’re thinking a sweet resort where they’re going to hang out by the pool all day, you’re wrong: they’re in locations without electricity or running water! Then we’ve got Perfect Enough by Meg Eden Kuyatt, a companion to Good Different (2023). Selah, the main character in Good Different, is back (still a dragon) and looking forward to spending her summer at writing camp… until she discovers that Ezra, her bully, is there too.

Finally, we have a YA novel that sounds outstanding: Goldenborn, by Ama Ofosua Lieb, which draws from Ghanian mythology to tell Akoma Ado’s story. She’s a teen investigating magical crime when she’s made an offer she can’t refuse by trickster god Anansi. It’s romantasy and I am here for it.

More goodies to come!

Posted in picture books

Sunny and the Birds speaks to a parent’s longing for home

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Sunny and the Birds, by Wendy Meddour/Illustrated by Nabila Adani, (Feb. 2026, Crocodile Books), $18.95, ISBN: 9781623715663

Ages 3-7

A young boy named Sunny watches birds alongside his father, his father mentioning the very same birds that lived “back home”. Each time, Sunny declares that “this is our home”, and his father’s expressions become progressively more wistful. Realizing his father misses their home country, he and his grandmother plan a surprise for his father: a bird feeder that allows them to see all sorts of birds and share a new pastime in their new home country. The story’s flow lets readers know that Sunny’s family has recently located to a new country. Where we usually see how moves affect children, Meddour gives readers a glimpse into the bittersweet moments adults experience when starting life over in a new country. Connecting through birdwatching allows Sunny and his dad to get used to life in a new place while keeping a bridge to their homeland. Adani’s illustrations are cheerful and expressive with visual affection between a child and parent. Sunny and the Birds is an excellent choice for picture book collections and storytime. Consider displays including books like Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine, by Hannah Moushabeck and Reem Madooh, The Little House of Hope, by Terry Catasús Jennings and Raúl Colón, Where Butterflies Fill the Sky: A Story of Immigration, Family, and Finding Home, by Zahra Marwan, and Rosa’s Song, by Helena Ku Rhee/Illustrated by Pascal Campion.

 

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, Preschool Reads

A Bed of Stars and a camping trip with Dad

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

A Bed of Stars, by Jessica Love, (Apr 2023, Candlewick Press), $18.99, ISBN: 9781536212396

Ages 4-8

A child and their father set out on a camping trip “to shake hands with the universe”. The road trip is as delightful as the night under the stars, with vivid descriptions and experiences: “We drive out of the city, which smells like rubber and french fries…”; everything the two see and enjoy together comes to life under Love’s pen and watercolors. Pausing to enjoy a sunset; observing different flora and fauna; dreaming under the stars all comes to life for readers as Love weaves a story celebrating the time spent together between a parent and child. When the child expresses fear of going to sleep under the “bigness” of the universe, Dad is there to allay those concerns, telling the child that we are all made of energy, from stars to bugs: “We’re all friends and family. Maybe if you learned their names, they wouldn’t feel so much like strangers”. A surprise awaits the child at home, bringing this loving tale of family and discovery full circle. A gorgeous story to share with readers. A Bed of Stars has starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books.

 

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

The Gilmore Girls go to the picture books!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

The Gilmore Girls: At Home in Stars Hollow, by Micol Ostow/Illustrated by Cecilia Messina, (Sept. 2023, Insight Kids), $18.99, ISBN: 9798886631449

Ages 4+

Spreading the Gilmore Girls love to a new generation, The Gilmore Girls: At Home in Stars Hollow joins luminaries such as Parks & Rec, The Office, The X-Files, and Charmed in the picture book ranks. At Home in Stars Hollow introduces mother-daughter pair Lorelei and Rory, who look back on their lives after arriving Stars Hollow, from their beginnings in the small shed behind the Independence Inn to Lorelei’s promotion to running the Inn. Popular characters from the show make an appearance, like Melissa McCarthy’s memorable chef, Sookie, and Rory’s friend, Lane. Friendly cartoon art includes series touchstones that will delight fans of the show and intrigue newcomers to the series. Ostow brings the warmth of the series to the printed page by giving the reader a sense of Stars Hollow’s coziness and friendliness; Ostow and Messina together bring the love between mother and daughter, Lorelei and Rory, to the forefront. It’s a great trip back in time for readers, as Ostow herself states in the story: “Once upon a time—back when every schoolchild had a Trapper Keeper and the Go-Go’s ruled the radio—there was a very special place called Stars Hollow”. An essential add to pop culture storybook collections.

Posted in Fantasy, Teen, Young Adult/New Adult

New YA fantasy duology: The Darkening

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

The Darkening, by Sunya Mara, (July 2022, Clarion Books), $18.99, ISBN: 9780358561989

Ages 13+

Set in a fantasy world terrorized by a storm that leaves anyone caught in it cursed, Vesper Vale is the 17-year-old daughter of revolutionaries. Her mother walked into the storm, and her father is on the run from the Wardana, the royal guard, led by the ruler’s heir, the cold-hearted Prince Dalca. Her father is a powerful ikonomancer – a magic user that works with symbols to weave spells – and refuses to teach Vesper; this all changes when the Wardana and Dalca catch up with Vesper’s father and take him prisoner. Determined to save her father, Vesper befriends a mole in the Wardana and weaves an appearance spell that will get her inside Dalca’s inner circle. Once she’s on the inside, she realizes that nothing is as black-and-white as it seems: there is much about her mother’s disappearance that she was never privy to, and she certainly never expected to fall for Dalca – or that he would fall for her, too. Strong worldbuilding sets the tone for this fantasy adventure, which has a good premise but gets in its own way at times. The interaction between characters is delicious, particularly between Vesper and Dalca: such romantic tension! The action is exciting, and the idea of ikonomancy is incredibly interesting; I wanted to learn more. This is the first in a duology, and I’m looking forward to where the story goes, now that we seem to be into the meat of the story. A good investment for your fantasy collections.

Posted in Fiction, Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Middle School, Realistic Fiction, Tween Reads

Frizzy unleashes curly hair power!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Frizzy, by Claribel A. Ortega/Illustrated by Rose Bousamra, (Oct. 2022, First Second), $12.99, ISBN: 9781250259639

Ages 8-12

Marlene is a tween who loves her books, her supercool Tía Ruby, and her best friend, Camila. What she doesn’t love? Her mother’s insistence on “growing up” and having “good hair”, which means Marlene is spending every weekend in the salon having her hair straightened. She hates every bit of it, and wishes she could have curly hair like her Tía, or like one of her favorite characters, Dulce Maria from Super Amigas; then, she wouldn’t be teased or forced into a hellish hair straightening torture session. Tía Ruby and Camila both come together to help Marlene appreciate and care for her beautiful hair – and Marlene and her mom have deep conversations about self-esteem and value. Ortega examines cultural attitudes, grief, and self-worth with a plot that reveals itself as the story moves along, keeping readers invested with every page. Marlene is a lovable character that readers will cheer for as she – and her hair – come into their own. Tía Ruby is a bright spark who shows Marlene the key to self-acceptance and hair care. Rose Bousamra’s realistic illustration work is filled with rich color and Afro-Latinx characters. A first-purchase that so many readers need.

Frizzy has starred reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly.

Posted in picture books

Sarah Rising is a child’s-eye view of protest and social activism

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Sarah Rising, by Ty Chapman/Illustrated by Deann Wiley, (May 2022, Beaming Books), $18.99, ISBN: 9781506478357

Ages 5-8

Sarah is a young girl about to start her day as usual: breakfast, then caring for her pet bugs. But her father tells her they’re going to a protest, because police “had killed another Black person”. While at the protest, Sarah tries to save a butterfly when an officer swipes at it, and ends up separated from her father. The crowd protects Sarah, eventually helping reunite her and her father. The butterfly emerges as a symbol of hope, damaged but resilient – the butterfly, like Sarah, like her community, rises. The relationship between Sarah and her father is a positive one: he is a man teaching his daughter to call out injustice where she sees it and to take action. A strong theme of community runs through the book, illustrating the importance of relying on one another for support and protection. Inspired by the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, Sarah Rising is an important book when talking to children about social justice and change.

Back matter includes an author’s note from Ty Chapman on growing up in Minnesota, where George Floyd was murdered, and the problematic history between police and the Black community. There are also tips for children and families on creating change, and a discussion guide for parents and educators.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

My Dad is a Grizzly Bear sees grown-ups through kids eyes

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

My Dad is a Grizzly Bear, by Swapna Haddow/Illustrated by Dapo Adeola, (May 2022, Red Comet Press), $17.99, ISBN: 9781636550114

Ages 4-8

A little boy likens his father to a grizzly bear in this funny look at how we see our parents. Cartoony images show a giant grizzly bear chasing the boy and his sister; eating pancakes by the stack, and singing karaoke with the boy’s friends as the story progresses, in the boy’s voice: “He eats all the honey in the house. It drops off his pancakes and sticks to his whiskers. / He never leaves any for me because he is a grizzly bear”. The boy isn’t always put off by his dad, though – he and his sister giggle with glee as he chases them while the boy wields a water hose; as Dad “catches fish in his teeth” the boy is the one catapulting them from his fork. When the family goes camping and mom tells a scary story, Dad’s the one who saves the day with a big, warm bear hug.  Kids will get a laugh as they think of people they know and what animals they could be: does someone hop around like a bunny? Or stretch like a cat? Or roar like a lion? A great book about dads and kids that we need more of: a fun-loving dad who’s there to rescue with a hug. Bright, colorful artwork, repetitive phrases, bold fonts, and a sweet story makes this a good storytime choice. Endpapers are a colorful splash of yellow pineapples on a pink background – just like Dad’s swim trunks on the cover. Download a free activity kit on Red Comet’s My Dad is a Grizzly Bear webpage.

Author Swapna Haddow is a popular, New Zealand-based author whose popular chapter book series include Dave the Pigeon and Ballet Bunnies. Visit her author webpage and join me in hoping more of her books appear on U.S. bookshelves. She’s also got loads of printable and fun activities. Dapo Adeola is a London-based illustrator and received the distinction of illustrator of the year at the 2022 British Book Awards. Follow him on Instagram for more of his artwork.