Picture Books
Kalamata's kitchen
Sarah (Sommelier) Thomas
jE Thomas
Diverse Characters, Picture Books
"Tomorrow is Kalamata's first day at a new school, and she's nervous! If only Kalamata and Al Dente could go to back to the Indian spice market they visited this summer, then maybe she'd remember how to feel brave when new experiences seem scary. Luckily for Kalamata, all the magic required for her journey is right in her own kitchen! As Kalamata and her alligator friend, Al Dente, transport themselves to a magical land filled with tasty ingredients, she realizes being brave is exciting!"--
Baby, sleepy baby
author Atinuke
jE Atinuke
Picture Books
"It's bedtime for a drowsy little one, and the whole family takes turns to cuddle and sing this sleepy baby to bed. One by one the baby's sister, grandmother, father, and mother call on the winds, the clouds, the stars, and the moon to sail and rock and delight their little one until dreams take over"--
Our household enjoyed this sweet lyrical bedtime read filled with a calming cadence and dreamy illustrations. Even if it didn't always soothe my toddler before bed, I enjoyed revisiting this story! -Shawna
There's a ghost in this house
Oliver Jeffers
jE Jeffers
Picture Books
"A young girl lives in a haunted house, but she has never seen a ghost. Are they white with holes for eyes? Are they hard to see? Step inside and help the girl as she searches under the stairs, behind the sofa, and in the attic for the ghost." -- Amazon.
This spooky, fun read will delight year-round. Translucent pages make for an unexpected surprise as you enjoy two perspectives of the same tale unfolding. -Shawna
Watercress
Andrea Wang
jE Wang
Kids, Picture Books
Embarrassed about gathering watercress from a roadside ditch, a girl learns to appreciate her Chinese heritage after learning why the plant is so important to her parents.
Beautifully illustrated and wonderful, powerful writing makes this a very touching picture book to share. 2022 winner of the Caldecott Medal. -Angie
Wishes
Muon Van
jE Van
Picture Books
"In this spare, poetic picture book based on author Muon Van's family history and told through a series of wishes, a family packs up everything they own and embarks on a perilous oceanic voyage toward a better life"--
This is a simple but absolutely stunning little story about leaving your motherland and hoping for a brighter future. The text, though sparse soundly resonates and aligns perfectly with the richly detailed and beautiful illustrations. -Victoria
Bright star
Yuyi Morales
jE Morales
Picture Books
"A nurturing voice reassures the lonely and afraid in difficult times"--
This is a breathtakingly beautiful read and Morales reigns supreme in matching powerful text with absolutely gorgeous illustrations you'll want to fawn over again and again! -Victoria
Off to see the sea
Nikki Grimes
jE Grimes
Picture Books
"The faucet flows like a waterfall, the bathroom floor is a distant shore, toy boats sail against the waves. An imagination-fueled adventure on the high seas is just what it takes to get little one clean."--Provided by publisher.
Nikki Grimes' picture book with beautiful, vivid illustrations by Elizabeth Zunon brings bath time to life bringing the ocean to us in a tub. A great pick for bedtime or something to read before coaxing a little one into the bath. -Anne M
Classified : the secret career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee aerospace engineer
Traci Sorell
j629.1092 Ross
Kids, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Science
"Mary Golda Ross designed classified projects for Lockheed Air Corporation as the company's first female engineer. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work"--
Cherokee author Traci Sorell and Métis illustrator Natasha Donovan trace Ross’s journey from being the only girl in a high school math class to becoming a teacher to pursuing an engineering degree, joining the top-secret Skunk Works division of Lockheed, and being a mentor for Native Americans and young women interested in engineering. In addition, the narrative highlights Cherokee values including education, working cooperatively, remaining humble, and helping ensure equal opportunity and education for all. Mary Golda Ross designed classified airplanes and spacecraft as Lockheed Aircraft Corporation’s first female engineer. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work. -Angie
The girl and the wolf
Katherena Vermette
jE Vermette
Read Woke, Picture Books
"A young girl becomes lost in the woods after wandering too far away from her mother. Scared because she is lost, she encounters a large wolf who reminds her of her own ability to survive and find her mother again."--
I love the reversal of classic fairytale tropes, this is one of my favorites. -Casey
Our little kitchen
Jillian Tamaki
jE Tamaki
Read Woke, Picture Books
"A crew of resourceful neighbors comes together to prepare a meal for their community. Includes a recipe and an author's note about the volunteering experience that inspired the book"--
Added by Casey
"Being brave is delicious!" This is a very unique story featuring an Indian-American girl who is afraid about starting a new school and finds comfort in her mother's kitchen. Kalamata is a great little heroine for foodies, and she has such a vivid imagination. I appreciated a short read, beautiful pretty pictures, and recommend this story for kids when trying new things! -Mari