This book was okay! I found it a little clunky, albeit well intentioned. My biggest quibble was with the repeated structure of having a kid ask their This book was okay! I found it a little clunky, albeit well intentioned. My biggest quibble was with the repeated structure of having a kid ask their mom if there would be things commonly associated with parades at the march-- this just didn't make sense/work for me. If the kid didn't know what a march was, I feel like they would just ask rather than somehow knowing it's kind of like a parade? Anyway, not that big a deal, but just a little awkward or stiff.
Themes: Social Justice, March/Demonstration/Protest, Moms Age range: Toddler-Elementary...more
Unlike his friends, classmates, teachers, and family members, Isaac loves the rain! He takes the opportunity presented by the storm to collect worms fUnlike his friends, classmates, teachers, and family members, Isaac loves the rain! He takes the opportunity presented by the storm to collect worms for the compost pile he's constructing. I thought this was a pretty successful story, although the fact that Isaac is collecting worms and naming them will probably have to be explained as one reads. But overall a cute, stormy read.
Themes: Weather, Storms, Black Boy Joy Age range: Toddler-Kindergarten...more
A very nice cumulative tale in the style of "Here is the house that jack built" featuring two Black kids growing a beautiful garden and seeing all of A very nice cumulative tale in the style of "Here is the house that jack built" featuring two Black kids growing a beautiful garden and seeing all of the elements that go into making it a success.
Themes: Garden, Earth, Cycles Age range: Toddler-Kindergarten...more
I loved this story about a crow and wood duck who become friends after playing together and find ways to help each other out. Includes a pronunciationI loved this story about a crow and wood duck who become friends after playing together and find ways to help each other out. Includes a pronunciation guide to the Hul'q'umi'num words that are included and informational text about Coast Salish art at the back of the book
Themes: Friendship, Birds, Cycles Age range: Toddler-Early Elementary...more
I thought this was an interesting picture book about two different ways of growing food-- their similarities and differences. Very sparse text and a sI thought this was an interesting picture book about two different ways of growing food-- their similarities and differences. Very sparse text and a slightly high concept make this a picture book better for reading in smaller groups or with older readers, but I think it would fascinate kids who are interested in plants, farming/gardening, food, etc.
Themes: Same/Different, Gardening/Farming, Food, Plants Age range: Kindergarten-Elementary...more
A kind of picture book memoir about author Nicholas Hummingbird's own experience learning about native plants and their importance from his Cahuilla aA kind of picture book memoir about author Nicholas Hummingbird's own experience learning about native plants and their importance from his Cahuilla and Apache great grandparents, and taking this knowledge forward into his life, community, and family.
Themes: Plants, Indigenous life, Ancestors, Environmental Justice Age range: Kindergarten-Elementary...more
This was an ambitious and successful picture book that directly talks about the history of extractive colonialism in India through the specific story This was an ambitious and successful picture book that directly talks about the history of extractive colonialism in India through the specific story of the Kohinoor diamond, and simultaneously uses this story to construct a metaphor for the innate beauty and worth of Indian children and children of the Indian diaspora.
Themes: Colonialism and Resistance, Oppression and Liberation Age range: Elementary...more
A sweet and moving celebration of community and community centers, modern intertribal Indigenous life, and queer family. I love how this book shows thA sweet and moving celebration of community and community centers, modern intertribal Indigenous life, and queer family. I love how this book shows the many emotions Molly feels when she is with her community.
Themes: Love, Community, Be Yourself, Emotions Age range: Preschool-Elementary...more
A celebration of earth, natural cycles, growth, and the special qualities of trees, wind, seeds, water, etc.
Themes: Nature, Cycles, Growth Age: ToddlerA celebration of earth, natural cycles, growth, and the special qualities of trees, wind, seeds, water, etc.
This was a gentle story about Hurricane Katrina with rhythmic text. An entryway into discussing worsening natural disasters, climate crisis, and HurriThis was a gentle story about Hurricane Katrina with rhythmic text. An entryway into discussing worsening natural disasters, climate crisis, and Hurricane Katrina.
There are weirdly few great picture books celebrating bikes (especially ones that work for storytime), so this is a welcome addition. Rhyming text telThere are weirdly few great picture books celebrating bikes (especially ones that work for storytime), so this is a welcome addition. Rhyming text tells of a community bike ride through the city and up a big hill. I admittedly thought it was odd that the mom in the story shares her water bottle with an elderly person who seems to be a stranger to them... covid precautions please?!...but other than that my real complaint with this book was the very muted, gray tones of the illustrations, which made the skin colors of particularly the Black and brown people depicted look washed out and, in some cases, downright unrealistic.
Themes: Biking, Community/In the City Age range: Toddler-Kindergarten...more
I loved this funky tale celebrating one Chinese granny and her bountiful roof garden. The fantastical illustrations entranced me, the original ChineseI loved this funky tale celebrating one Chinese granny and her bountiful roof garden. The fantastical illustrations entranced me, the original Chinese text was skillfully translated by Kelly Zhang into a zesty, rhyming English version, and the story is just great, telling of how Granny uses vegetables that are going to be thrown away by stores in her neighborhood, lovingly cares for her garden, ducks, and chickens, and shares the fruits of her harvest with neighbors and family. Truly a lovely tale of a badass elder.
Themes: Elders, Garden, Sustainability, Food, Sharing Age range: Toddler-Elementary...more
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