A while back I shared some excellent middle-grade reads illuminating the immensely difficult sagas of refugees and asylum seekers. Today I’ve got another stack of powerful, poignant, hopeful stories of both immigrants and refugees. Some are ideal for young children; …
ten to tickle your fancy
Looking for a glimmer of gladness? A morsel of merriment? For lighthearted story times, a sunny flutter, a giggle to turn a bad day around, reach for one of these gems: Stick, written and illustrated by Irene Dickson published in …
as fall drifts into winter
There are two parts to autumn. The first is that golden haze entering in September, when the air becomes crisper, leaves paint riotous beauty across the landscape, cozy sweaters feel just right for a crunchy walk through the woods. But …
rocket into space…out-of-this-world books!
A few weeks back we dove to the depths of the ocean. Today, we’re strapping ourselves in for some outer-space travel! Get ready for some maximum g-force awesomeness for your curious kids! Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon, written by …
you’ve got a friend…
This world is so full of sharp edges, sorrows like anvils sitting on our chests, worries, feelings of inadequacy. That’s true for adults, and it’s true for children as well. One of the sweetest gifts on the planet is the …
Frankenstein’s 200th birthday
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s classic science fiction work, Frankenstein. The elements of this surprisingly rich novel have been sadly thinned and convoluted in pop culture. Even the name of the scientist, Victor …
what’s the big deal about elections?
Unless you’ve been living in a very deep hole for quite some time, you’re probably aware that the mid-term elections are just around the corner. Although it may seem like politics is an irredeemable mess in our country, and the …
treats for all… on Halloween
Today, I’ve got a mix of Halloween titles so you can choose your perfect treat. Something for small-fry: Sophie’s Halloween Disguise, written and illustrated by Rosemary Wells published in 2018 by Viking, Penguin Young Readers And irresistibly darling board book. …
how sweet the sound
How Sweet the Sound: The Story of Amazing Grace, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison published in 2018 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers Such a unique subject for a picture book, this vigorous, gorgeous look at …
five for doughnuts and hot cider weather
Recently I spent a couple of days up north where the trees were aflame, the skies a canvas of whispering grays, and the wood stove a welcome respite from the deliciously brisk air. Fall has thoroughly arrived here in Minnesota (as …
reads about Indigenous Americans — part two
Today I’ve got some more excellent titles that help raise our awareness and understanding of the First Nations/Indigenous Peoples in the Americas. It’s the last day in a trilogy of posts: Yesterday’s post contained several history books for older children …
