Picture Books
Julián is a mermaid
Jessica Love
jE Love
Picture Books
While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he's seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes -- and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself?
Heartbeat
Evan Turk
jE Turk
Picture Books
Separated from her mother, a young whale swims the oceans for decades until she finds a young girl who shares her vision of one planet for which all are responsible.
Heartbeat follows a whale calf, orphaned by the early commercial whaling industry, through two hundred years of human development. Evan Turk highlights the ways in which we have used these creatures to advance ourselves, and the shifting attitudes toward whales of more recent history with thoughtfulness. A unique and timely look at human history through the lens of the animals we impact, make sure to read Turk's author's note at the end for more information. -Casey
Dreamers
Yuyi Morales
ON ORDER BOOK
Picture Books
"An illustrated picture book autobiography in which award-winning author Yuyi Morales tells her own immigration story"--
Added by Casey
Julián is a mermaid
Jessica Love
jE Love
Picture Books, LGBTQ+, Fantasy
While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he's seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes -- and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself?
Utilizing sparse text and vibrant illustrations, Jessica Love's debut picture book shows how fantastic unconditional love can be. -Casey
Once upon a jungle
Laura Knowles
jE Knowles
Picture Books, Nature, Animals
This rhyming text is an eye-catching and fun first look at the jungle as an ecosystem and the food chain found within. -Casey
Drum dream girl : how one girl's courage changed music
Margarita Engle
jE Engle
Kids, Picture Books
Follows a young Cuban girl in the 1930s as she strives to become a drummer, despite being continually reminded that only boys play the drums, and that there's never been a female drummer in Cuba. Includes note about Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, who inspired the story, and Anacaona, the all-girl dance band she formed with her sisters.
The true story of a young Cuban girl who defied cultural norms and became a percussionist. Inspiring and beautiful! -Amanda
Ocean meets sky
Terry Fan
jE Fan
Picture Books
"A little boy builds a ship to honor his late grandfather and sets sail for the magical place where ocean meets sky from his grandfather's stories"--
Dealing with the journey that we make through grief, the Fan Brothers' newest title is beautifully introspective. -Casey
Hello Lighthouse
Sophie Blackall
jE Blackall
Picture Books
"Explores the life of one lighthouse as it beams its message out to sea through shifting seasons, changeable weather, and the tenure of its final keeper."--
Added by Casey
The brilliant deep : rebuilding the world's coral reefs : the story of Ken Nedimyer and the Coral Restoration Foundation
Kate Messner
jE Messner
Picture Books, Biographies, Nature, Science
Looks at the life of the coral restoration pioneer Ken Nedimyer, from his early fascination with the ocean to his ongoing efforts to save and rebuild the world's coral reefs.
Kate Messner and Matthew Forsythe's new picture book biography about Ken Nedimyer is absolutely stunning. This is a perfect place to start learning about our rapidly changing oceans and the efforts being made to combat the bleaching of coral reefs. Parents and children will love this title, not only for it's beautiful artwork, but for the wealth of information and hope that it embodies. It's never too early or late to learn that individuals have the power to impact great change. -Casey
Prince & knight
Daniel Haack
jE Haack
Picture Books, LGBTQ+
A prince and a knight in shining armor find true love in each other's embrace after fighting a dragon together.
This spin on classic fairy tale tropes is delightful and a lovely way to show children that true love can come from anyone. -Casey
Added by Casey