Children’s Book Corner Blog
A Place at the Table
by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan; Clarion, 2020.
Told in alternating viewpoints, A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan is a middle-grade contemporary novel that chronicles the growing friendship between 11 year-olds Sara and Elizabeth. As they grapple with family dynamics, school and friendship challenges, growing awareness of racism, and a cooking competition, they learn about themselves and claiming their space in the world.
Gurple and Preen: A Broken Crayon Cosmic Adventure
by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi; Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; 2020.
Years in the making, the eagerly-anticipated Gurple and Preen picture book began with Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s blog, which features broken-crayon art and has grown to enjoy immense popularity. I’m pleased to celebrate the launch of Gurple and Preen, a collaborative effort between Debbie and Newbery Award and New York Times bestselling author Linda Sue Park, with an interview featuring both creators and plenty of ideas for sharing this picture book adventure with children!
The Birthday Castle / Fort Builders, Inc.
by Dee Romito, illustrated by Marta Kissi; Aladdin Quix; 2020.
The Birthday Castle, the first of four titles planned for the Fort Builders, Inc. beginning chapter book series, centers on a resourceful group of friends who start a fort-building business. Their inaugural project is constructing a castle for a friend’s birthday celebration. A few changes of heart present a snag or two for the team. Nevertheless, Fort Builders, Inc. intends to make their customer’s dream a reality, because that’s what friends–and successful business people–do.
Resources for Sharing Outstanding Children’s Books by Authors and Illustrators of Color
This month’s Children’s Book Corner blog post is dedicated to shining a light on outstanding children’s books by people of color and offering resources for sharing their books with readers.
A Home for Goddesses and Dogs
by Leslie Connor; Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins, 2020.
A Home for Goddesses and Dogs is one of those stories that holds you in its capable arms and wraps you in its goodness. Books such as this one reinforce why I prefer reading stories meant for kids over those written for adults. This middle-grade novel is impeccably crafted; there’s such care in the writing, skill in the rendering of authentic characters, and art in the measured unspooling of their journey. A Home for Goddesses and Dogs is a joy to read and share.
Write! Write! Write!
by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, illustrated by Ryan O’Rourke; WordSong/Boyds Mills & Kane, 2020.
Write! Write! Write! is the satisfying companion to Read! Read! Read!. This brightly illustrated, kid-friendly collection of poems celebrates the empowerment, the wonder–and the work–of writing.
Tag Your Dreams: Poems of Play and Persistence
by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Iris Deppe; Albert Whitman, 2020.
If ever there were a time for persistence, it is now. And if ever there were a time for children to play in an effort to ward off stress and shift the focus from our uncertainty, it is now. We have the time, it is the time, to encourage and savor play.
Big Papa and the Time Machine
by Daniel Bernstrom, illustrated by Shane W. Evans; HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2020.
Our young narrator is scared. He doesn’t want to go to school. Big Papa understands. He knows a thing or two about being scared, about being brave, and about love. Here, woven between and beyond the being scared is the tender story thoughtful caregiver Big Papa and the time machine (or his beloved car), and the wisdom he imparts to the boy in his care.
Just Like a Mama
by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow; A Denene Millner Book/Simon & Schuster, 2020.
Just Like a Mama is a tender tale chronicling a foster child’s every-child activities framed by her relationship with Mama Rose, who is just like a mama to her. Though we do not learn of blood ties (or lack thereof) linking the two characters, readers are left with no doubt of the bond of love they share.
Hosea Plays On
by Kathleen M. Blasi, illustrated by Shane W. Evans; Sterling, 2019.
This picture book shines a light on Hosea Missouri Taylor, Jr. a musician with a mission. He was successful at engaging young children in his hometown of Rochester, New York with his skills at playing the saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, and flute. But he did more than that. He shared his passion for music–and for community service–by offering free music lessons and purchasing instruments for children. He led by example, bettering the lives of those with whom he interacted.