I have been soaking up summer here in Minneapolis.
Every day I peer at my milkweed plants, exulting in the gorgeous Monarch caterpillars munching them, begging them to please evade all enemies and spin a lovely, jade chrysalis.
I am sorely tempted to describe the ten favorites I have for you today,
but in keeping with my self-proclaimed blog break, I’m merely going to list them for you and assure you they are all absolute gems!!
Just collect them from your local library and enjoy with ice-cold lemonade and a bowl of strawberries!
You Are Never Alone, written by Elin Kelsey, illustrated by Soyeon Kim
published in 2019 by Owlkid Books
A stunning ode to the priceless gifts of Nature and the interconnectedness of our exquisite world. Ages 5 and up.
Sadie and the Silver Shoes, written by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Anna Walker
first U.S. edition 2019 by Candlewick Press
A thoroughly charming tale of shoes, sparkles, and serendipitous friendship. Ages 4 and up.
Ernestine’s Milky Way, written by Kerry Madden-Lunsford, illustrated by Emily Sutton
published in 2019 by Schwartz & Wade Books
Warm-as-toast loveliness — lush green hollers, uncommon neighborliness, and a five-year-old with can-do spirit! Ages 4 and up.
Carl and the Meaning of Life, written and illustrated by Deborah Freedman
published in 2019 by Viking Penguin Young Readers
A wise, endearing tale about the brilliant good even the smallest of us brings to the world. Ages 3 and up.
Make a Wish, Henry Bear, written and illustrated by Liam Francis Walsh
published in 2019, A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press
Such a funny story revealing the unintended consequences of seemingly fabulous wishes! Ages 3 and up.
While Grandpa Naps, written by Naomi Danis, illustrated by Junghwa Park
published in 2019 by POW!
Deliciously quirky, brimful of the outsized love of a faithful boy named Gilbert for his elderly grandpa. Ages 5 and up.
Home is a Window, written by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard, illustrated by Chris Sasaki
published in 2019, A Neal Porter Book, Holiday House
A comforting, meaningful ode to all that comprises home, especially for those moving to a new home this summer. Ages 4 and up.
Motor Mouse, written by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Arthur Howard
published in 2019 by Beach Lane Books
From the creators of Mr. Putter and Tabby — three cheery chapters about two great pals, featuring gobs of pie, good memories, and buckets of popcorn! Ages 3 and up.
Beastly Puzzles: A Brain-Boggling Animal Guessing Game, written by Rachel Poliquin, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler
published in 2019 by Kids Can Press
An extremely clever, handsome, riddlesome intro to a baker’s dozen worth of animals. You have to experience this book to appreciate how out-of-the-box cool it is. Ages 7 and up.
Trees: A Rooted History, by Piotr Socha and Wojcich Grajkowski, translation by Anna Burgess
originally published in 2018 in Warsaw; North American edition 2019 by Abrams Books for Young Readers
Elegant, sophisticated, crammed with knowledge about everything oriented around trees — baobabs, tree dwellers, giants, wooden architecture and instruments, topiary, and on, and on, and on. Ages 9 to adult.
orange marmalade 
Fab list. They all look wonderful. Thank you!
Throughly enjoyable to find them, isn’t it? Hope you’re having a great summer, Jama!
Great list! I am always looking for fun new books for my kids (especially during the summer). I love a picture book that entertains but also teaches a lesson. My family recently finished a fantastic book called” The Dyno Dinosaur Family Presents: Waves of Kindness” by author Sharida McKenzie. The book does a wonderful job of explaining kindness to children and gives easy to implement examples of showing kindness to your friends, family, and community. For example, when the dyno kids go to their friend’s house (an adorable little unicorn) they say how important it is to help put away her toys once they’ve finished playing. The illustrations are great, the characters are a lot of fun. We have reread this a few times now and I will definitely be getting the Dyno Christmas book once the holidays are here too. Hope you will check it out: https://dinosaurfamily.wordpress.com/
Thanks for the recommendation, Marsha.
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