Hi Friends — Today’s blog features nine picture books to help get us through the March Madness. (And I’m not talking basketball or those wonderful book battles happening this month–although feel free to add these books to your brackets!) We’ve featured the Book Birthdays of these PBs on the blog before, and I’ve gathered them here to help us to move forward —no matter what; To remember heroes are everywhere. And so are moments of hope, kindness, and laughter.
WE SING FROM THE HEART: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court, written by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Victor Bizar Gomez (Red Comet Press) is about courage.
Using lyrics from the band’s hit song, Wenjen shares the true story of Simon Tam’s fight against racism, and his battle for free speech that ended with a landmark Supreme Court decision. Thank you, Mia, for writing this book and amplifying Tam’s battle. Read more about Mia Wenjen’s kidlit journey here.
Courage and persistence…
Traci Huahn‘s debut picture book, Mamie Tape Fights to Go to School: Based on a True Story (Illus. Michelle Jing Chan / Crown Books for Young Readers ) is also about courage, and persistence. I was born and raised in the SF Bay Area and had never heard of this era of history (1880’s) when Chinese American students were not allowed to attend school in San Francisco. Have you?
I am so inspired by this very important picture book about 8-year-old Mamie Tape and her parents who took their battle all the way to the California Supreme Court (Tape v. Hurley) for the RIGHT to go to school. Traci Huahn shares more about her debut picture book here on the blog.
The Right to Read…
JACOB’S MISSING BOOK is the latest picture book by Sarah & Ian Hoffman, illustrated by Chris Case (Magination Press) You might recognize Jacob from one of the most banned books of the decade, JACOB’S NEW DRESS. The same Jacob who stars in JACOB’S ROOM TO CHOOSE, which is is on its way to the Surpemes for its own real-life battle. (We’re not kidding.)
JACOB’S MISSING BOOK is about kindness and what happens when Jacob and pals can’t find a book they want to share with a friend. I love that they solve (and process) this problem by acting out the book’s story. And oh my, I love the gentle but important conversation their teacher has with them. Above all, I have endless respect for the Hoffmans for writing this book. May we all be inspired by their bravery and strength in standing up for the Right to Read as well as LGBTQ+ rights. Read more about JACOB’S MISSING BOOK on the blog here.
Good trouble…
Sometimes heroes come from unexpected sources. Take TROUBLE DOG: From Shelter Dog to Conservation Hero, written by Carol A. Foote, Illustrated by Larry Day (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers). Foote based this heartwarming book on the true stories of rescue dogs, left at an animal shelter because they’re too full of energy to behave, who are “recognized for their abilities and given a home, love, and work they enjoyed that benefits the world.” You read that right. This book is about second chances, finding your purpose, and recognizing one another’s strengths. Larry Day’s illustrations of the dog’s crazy antics also made me laugh out loud. Read more about this wonderful new release here.
Everyday Heroes:
PURPLE UP! We Salute Our Friends, written by Sarah Scheerger, illustrated by Leah Giles (Albert Whitman) highlights a growing tradition of celebrating the children of U.S. military families around the world. What a wonderful idea!
Did you know that April 15th is Purple Up! Day?
Scheerger’s book not only reminds us of the sacrifices and contributions that the kids and families of our military make each day, it’s also full of kindness. I hope that schools and readers young and old will be inspired to join in this new tradition and celebrate our American heroes and their families. Read it now and get ready to share the appreciation next month on April 15th, and every day of the year. More about how Sarah’s idea spark became a book here.
Good deeds add up.
I hear you. Not every thing we do will change the world — at least it doesn’t feel that way. But small deeds help us move forward through the chaos, as the animals learn in ONE SMALL THING, written by Marsha Diane Arnold, illustrated by Laura Watkins (Beaming Books).
In Marsha Diane Arnold’s ONE SMALL THING, a lightning storm starts a catastrophic fire in Brightly Woods and Raccoon’s home is destroyed. Squirrel, Beaver, Mouse, Badger, and Rabbit want to do something for Raccoon, but they feel helpless.
Hope
This book is heartbreakingly relevant, given the horrific fires around the world and the homes, schools, and neighborhoods that are no more. This feeling of helplessness is real. But there is hope in seeing how Raccoon’s friends discover one small thing each one of them can do to help. And it turns out that small actions can make a big impact after all. Read more about this sweet book here.
Spread Kindness
Yes, I’m adding two of my own books here: JUST FLOWERS illustrated by Kate Cosgrove (Sleeping Bear Press) and DEAR EARTH…From Your Friends in Room 5, illustrated by Luisa Uribe (Harper Collins.)– both about small deeds that can make a difference; both about showing kindness to each other and our world.
Never give up.
Every month –on each spread in DEAR EARTH… — the kids in room 5 share what they are doing to help our environment. In JUST FLOWERS, Izzy never gives up on the grumpy neighbor next door. Check out the free Kindness Project activity using both books here on TPT. And another easy “Be like Izzy” extension activity created by a teacher here.
About that laughter…
Enter RAMON FELLINI, THE DOG DETECTIVE, written, illustrated, and translated from Brazilian Portuguese by Guilherme Karsten (Eerdmans BFYR). (Well, let Ramon in at your own risk…) I didn’t know how much I needed this book –and laughter — until I read it.
Exhibit A: a boy’s fish is attacked, and Ramon Fellini arrives unexpectedly to —er—investigate. I shall not spoil the story of this hilarious mystery. But you can read more about Karsten’s process here on the blog.
These books should keep you busy, and hopefully lift your spirits this month, friends.
Read them. Share them.
May they help us find courage
To speak out. To lift each other up with kindness.
To find ways big or small to make a difference
To find moments of truth and laughter
and never give up.
PS Follow the amazing creators of these books. (links in the Book Birthday blog posts)
and if you have time, leave a review for their books.
Every positive review helps!
Next on the blog, we chat with Natasha Tripplett and celebrate the Book Birthday of:
Planted with Love: Growing Into a Family.
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