Sometimes love finds you when you least expect it, especially when you’ve been making it very clear you want love to stay away! Love Finds a Way, a sweet picture book by Vern Kousky, demonstrates that point beautifully.
Oscar, a bird, is determined to keep love at bay. In fact, he worries about it so much that he is compelled to find a way to protect himself. It’s clear he’s already loved by the squirrels, whom he rebuffs. There are several scenes in which the animals are shown carrying flowers, but love is not for him.
After trying “one thing after another,” Oscar gets a dog he names Brutus; he is certain he’s found a surefire way to scare off any love interest. Brutus proved to be so good at what he did, and so Oscar counted on him more than he knew. Readers will enjoy seeing Brutus learn what it takes to keep Oscar safe, but they may already suspect, before Oscar does, that the dog has become much more than a guard dog.
So, when Brutus goes missing from his routine patrol, Oscar cannot bear it. Has Oscar realized that he loves the dog? When at last Brutus returns, Oscar knows that something has changed. There’s no denying that, despite all his efforts to stave off love, Oscar’s love for Brutus has blossomed into a meaningful friendship. Once he acknowledges that, he’s free to welcome love in all its delightful forms. Throughout the book, the adorable illustrations convey Oscar’s growing love for Brutus, whether he admits it or not. I think if this book had no text, readers would still be able to understand Kousky’s heartwarming story. The joyful experience of watching how unexpected love and friendship find Oscar makes this a rewarding read for Valentine’s Day. Kids will be happy you shared Love Finds a Way with them!
Thanksgiving gets a fresh and friendly new look in this heartwarming picture book that celebrates the joy of friendship and community—at a table where all are welcome.
Capture the true essence of Thanksgiving through the lens of friendship and togetherness in this joyful and inclusive celebration of the holiday.
With its rhythmic text and vibrant illustrations, this book shows readers how family takes on many forms, as friends, neighbors, and relatives arrive for a busy day of cooking, crafting, sharing, and celebration. It also shows young readers how to remember and honor those who must work on the holiday so that others might celebrate, including transit workers and first responders.
This book is an ideal choice for friends and families who open their hearts and homes to everyone, cherishing the spirit of community and togetherness, and the simple pleasures of coming together over a meal.
INTERVIEW:
GoodReadsWithRonna: Welcome to the blog for the first time, Marcie. This interview is way overdue, so I’m excited to ask you a host of questions in honor of your latest picture book, Happy Friendsgiving: A Thanksgiving Celebration of Found Families, illustrated by Laura Sandoval Herrera.
GRWR: Talk about a feel-good book! I really enjoyed HAPPY FRIENDSGIVING! It’s a timeless story that I can see kids wanting to read every holiday, and maybe even be inspired to ask their families to rethink their Thanksgiving plans in the future.
Reading Happy Friendsgiving filled me with such joy because it described exactly the kind of get-together that my family and I have attended over the years, though not quite as large.Have you ever participated in a celebration similar to the special one you’ve written about in this story?
Marcie Colleen: Thanksgiving hasn’t always been a holiday when I could travel—especially when I lived in New York City. I often had to work the Friday after, which meant there just wasn’t enough time to fly home. Because of that, Friendsgiving became my tradition. I’d gather with friends and neighbors, and sometimes I’d even host atmy apartment.
Some of my closest friendships actually started at those gatherings—meeting new people around someone else’s table, sharing food and laughter, and realizing by dessert that we’d be in each other’s lives for years. Those celebrations always felt incredibly cozy: mismatched chairs pulled from every room, everyone bringing a dish, and that warm sense of belonging that builds when people show up for one another.
That feeling is really what inspired Happy Friendsgiving. The book is my love letter to the years when we created our own version of the holiday—one filled with community, gratitude, and the joy of making a place for everyone at the table.
GRWR: I love how your picture book focuses on found families and inclusivity. For multiple reasons, it can often be hard to find people to celebrate with. As Happy Friendsgiving beautifully conveys, welcoming friends, neighbors, and even those we don’t know very well provides an opportunity to build community while sharing gratitude. Did you feel a book like this was needed to show children the importance of opening up our hearts and homes? Are there other takeaways you’d like young readers to get from this book?
MC: Absolutely. I think so many of us—kids and grown-ups alike—know what it feels like when a holiday doesn’t look or feel the way we hoped. Friendsgiving, at its heart, is about creating belonging wherever you are and with whoever is around you. I wanted to show that family can be something you’re born into and something you build, one invitation or act of kindness at a time.
My hope is that young readers come away with a sense of warmth and possibility—that they see how small gestures (saving someone a seat, sharing food, making space at the table) can make a big difference. And maybe they’ll be inspired to start their own traditions, especially if their holidays look a little different from what they see in books or on TV.
Ultimately, I hope children feel seen, included, and empowered to create the kind of community they want. If Happy Friendsgiving helps a reader feel less alone—or helps them welcome someone else in—that feels like success to me.
GRWR: The folksy illustrations shout autumn, my favorite season. They’re warm, inviting, and I wanted to jump into many of the spreads. Is there one that resonates with you most of all?
MC: I love the parade spread. It brings me right back to the years when my family and I went to the Macy’s parade. It was always so chilly, but there’s nothing quite like a parade to bring out that child-like sense of excitement and wonder. The music, the floats, the crowds all bundled up, and of course the moment when Santa arrives at the end—it felt magical every single time.
We’d huddle together with the masses, cheering and ooh-ing and aah-ing. One year, my mom pulled homemade turkey-shaped sugar cookies out of her purse to share with us, because she knew we’d get hungry with all that standing around. Moms always know.
That spread captures for me the coziness, the anticipation, and the shared joy of being surrounded by a community of people who are all celebrating. It feels like stepping right into one of my favorite memories and makes me crave Mom’s sugar cookies.
GRWR: When the meal ends, what is your holiday ritual: watch sports, go outside for a stroll in nature, play a board game, work on a puzzle, or do something else?
MC:I almost always go for a walk after the meal.
When I lived in New York, I loved wandering through my neighborhood after Friendsgiving, passing stoops decorated with pumpkins, seeing people gathered around their tables through glowing apartment windows, and feeling part of this bigger tapestry of celebration.
These days, our walks are around the neighborhood and often into Balboa Park. That little stroll lets me stretch my legs, appreciate the coziness of the holiday, and reflect on the people I’ve just shared a table with. It’s the perfect way to end the day—quiet, grateful, and connected to the world around me.
GRWR: Two Friendsgiving/Thanksgiving truths and a lie, please.
MC: I was once part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and even got to attend the rehearsal the night before.
One year, I invited someone to Friendsgiving that I’d only met once because they didn’t have anywhere else to go.
I once accidentally burned the entire Thanksgiving meal and we ended up eating only pie for dinner.
GRWR: Pumpkin pie or pecan pie; mashed potatoes or sweet potato casserole; canned cranberry sauce or homemade; cornbread or dinner rolls?
MC:Not really a failure” but last year I discovered—on Thanksgiving morning—that the turkey breast I planned to cook in my crockpot (my favorite method because it turns out so moist!) was far too large to fit. There was no amount of angling or wedging that was going to make it work.
So I did what any panicked holiday cook would do: I sent out an SOS to my neighbors. Thankfully, someone down the block had a much larger crockpot and was more than happy to lend it. Crisis averted!
It ended up being a perfect reminder that sometimes the best part of the holiday is how everyone pitches in—whether it’s sharing food, sharing space, or, in this case, sharing a very large crockpot.
GRWR: Most memorable Friendsgiving/Thanksgiving and why?
MC:One of my most precious memories began in 2020, at the height of lockdown. That Thanksgiving, one of our neighbors baked fresh bread for everyone on our block and delivered it door to door. It was such a simple act, but after months of isolation, it felt like a lifeline. That gesture ended up sparking something beautiful and connected us all.
In 2021, as things slowly opened up, our block naturally started celebrating every birthday and holiday together—outdoors, distanced at first, but together. Kids, pets, grown-ups, new neighbors, longtime residents—it became this wonderfully mixed, diverse little community looking out for one another.
So when Thanksgiving 2021 arrived, it felt only right to celebrate what we had found. We set up a long Friendsgiving table right in a driveway. Everyone brought their favorite dish—different cultures, traditions, and flavors all represented. Neighbors who had barely exchanged more than a wave before 2020 were now swapping recipes and telling stories.
That gathering felt like pure gratitude in motion. We weren’t just sharing food—we were celebrating the community we had built, right outside our front doors. Moments like that absolutely inspire the spirit of Happy Friendsgiving.
GRWR: If you could invite anyone, from the past or present day, to join you at your next Friendsgiving gathering, who would it be?
MC:My dad. We lost him in early 2021, and because of the pandemic, I wasn’t able to say goodbye. What I wouldn’t give to share even one more meal with him—to hear his laugh, to have him sitting at the table, to feel that familiar sense of comfort.
Friendsgiving, for me, is all about gathering the people who make you feel at home, whether they’re family by blood or by choice. My dad loved good food and good company, and he had a way of making everyone around him feel welcome.
Inviting him would be a reminder of how important it is to cherish the people we love, and how meaningful it can be to share a table together, even for just one more meal.
GRWR: Is there anything you’d like to add that I did not ask?
MC: Just a thank-you for spending time with Happy Friendsgiving. It means a lot and I hope readers feel the same joy in reading it that I felt in writing it.
GRWR: A huge thank you to Marcie for her candor today and for writing this heartwarming story. I hope you’ll pick up a copy for your family and another one to share if you’re able to.
Marcie Colleen Photo Credit: Roxyanne Young
BIO: Marcie Colleen is the author of Happy Friendsgiving and numerous acclaimed books for young readers, including Penguinaut!, Love, Triangle, The Bear’s Garden, and Survivor Tree. Her writing spans picture books, chapter books, and comics, such as the Super Happy Party Bears series and the serialized comics Kitten Ninja and Time Buddies. No matter the format, her stories reflect a deep love of community, creativity, and joyful connection. For more information about Marcie’s projects, visit www.thisismarciecolleen.com.
TWO TOGETHER
by Brendan Wenzel
(Chronicle Books; $18.99; Ages 3-5)
★Starred reviews – Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books,Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Shelf Awareness
PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION:
In this companion book to They All Saw a Cat and Inside Cat, a journey home leads to unexpected adventures for a cat and dog. A playful, imaginative story of friendship, empathy, and discovery by Caldecott Honor winner Brendan Wenzel.
REVIEW:
In Two Together, New York Times bestselling author and Caldecott Honor winner Brendan Wenzel has once again created a book filled with empathy, friendship, and understanding, following the successful companion tales They All Saw a Cat and Inside Cat.
We first meet our two protagonists from afar. Then, soon after, we see a large dog that carries a white bone in its mouth throughout the book, and a cat with a striped tail who wears a red collar and a yellow bell around its neck, as they dash home. We know from the start that these two are the best of friends. We also know that even the best of friends may differ in their views.
The brown dog is painted with watercolor, while the cat is drawn in pencil. Why? Because they are different. The story, told in rhyme, shows the pals exploring unknown sounds and smells on the trees, but the sounds are different, as are the smells. Through the scrub. Through the grass. The dog jumps through the bushes, while the cat crawls underneath them. The two make their way down the path, where the dog pounces on the dirt and the cat climbs the stone wall. The page with the dog is painted. The page with the cat is rendered in pencil.
The cat finds its way to rest on a branch in a tall tree, while its buddy, the dog, and its white bone must wait at the bottom, looking up. We see them both noticing a peach hanging on a branch, but the dog’s view is that of a painted orange peach, while the furry cat sees it in mixed colors drawn in pencil. They see the world differently, yet remain together.
Brambles! Mushrooms! Squishy moss! Two together very lost.Two together find a cave. They work together out of the dark cave and into the sun. The reader turns the page to a beautiful sunset in purples and reds as the cat leads the way through the green hillside. The two climb to the top of the hill and sit together, looking up at the moon, when they see a light in the distance. All is dark. Home is bright. Wenzel draws the two in a way we can see what they see. The cat sees the dog in pencil, and the dog sees the cat in watercolor. They are home and safe—well, safe until the next day, when the two of them go off on a new adventure together.
The back matter adorably explains that Wenzel’s latest picture book was created with almost every medium under the sun, but mostly acrylic, watercolor, colored pencil, and a computer. The inventive art draws the reader in, making them another character in this sweet story.
This story pulled at my heartstrings, not because I’m dog-obsessed (okay, I like purring cats, too), but because it’s a great lesson for kids to see that our differences make us interesting to others and make us who we are. We can be the best of friends and still appreciate each other for being our unique selves. This picture book makes an ideal read-aloud and is a valuable tool for teaching social-emotional learning to children.
Author Hallee Adelman has taken big feelings and put them into words and actions in this helpful picture book about a young girl who breaks a promise to her best friend and now, feeling Way Past Sorry needs to find a way to remedy the situation and save her friendship.
In this latest book in Adelman’s series that teaches kids how to manage powerful emotions in social situations, we meet Kat who is on her way to a class trip with her classmates and best friend Sage. Josep Maria Juli, who also illustrated Adelman’s Way Past Embarrassed, paints a blue bus with students seated side by side, well, everyone except Sage. Kat had promised her best friend that she would sit with her on the trip but instead sits beside Meera. I have no doubt this is probably a situation many children have experienced. The art complements the story and keeps it simple so as not to distract from the relationship issues.
Leaving the bus, Kat attempts an apology but Sage ignores her.”I felt way past sorry.” When the students are asked to pair up, Sage is left with their teacher Mr. Pish. She walks towards him with sunken shoulders and no smile on her face. And Kat, dressed in her yellow shirt and blue pants, is also missing a smile.
Sometimes problems grow bigger, even when it’s the last thing we want, and that’s what happens when Kat is asked why she wasn’t Sage’s buddy. Making a bad situation worse, Kat responds, “Sage didn’t want to sit with me …” not wanting the kids to know she was the one who created the problem. She feels awful getting hugs she didn’t deserve.
Adding insult to injury, readers see Kat’s tongue sticking out at Sage when she’s confronted with her lie. This is such a relatable problem and a great lesson for kids to learn at a young age. Mr. Pish watches the girls’ interaction with a disappointed look. Kat dreams this day could start over, but we all know, especially young readers, that just isn’t possible.
Everyone returns to class. But for Kat, “… my day couldn’t start again. I felt stuck with my sorry. After a while, Meera said, ‘You’re not being fun.'” Apropos of a class science project, Kat asks Mr. Pish, “… if good scientists make mistakes, do you think good friends do too?” She remembers good times with her best friend drawing on the floor. Completing the ice cream-making assignment, she hands a cone to Sage asking her if they can talk at lunch. This part is a mature example. Communicating feelings instead of ignoring what happened is a lesson kids will carry through into all of life’s ups and downs.
As we approach the final pages, feelings are unpacked. “She told me how I had made her feel. And I listened really well.” Kat admits her mistakes and Sage tells her she’s a great friend. A friendship mended and a happy ending. Other recommended books in the Great Big Feelings series include Way Past Lonely, Way Past Afraid, and Way Past Jealous, all teaching kids they are not alone when big feelings arise.
Countdown for Nochebuena by Adriana Hernández Bergstrom brings young readers a bouncy bilingual picture book (and board book) inspired by the author-illustrator’s Cuban American heritage. There is lots to love about Hernández Bergstrom’s story, from her use of English and Spanish made understandable to non-Spanish speakers with easy-to-follow illustrations that are rich in culture and drenched in color and spirit to the counting structure in Spanish starting at one then working up to 12 before going back down. Perhaps the most meaningful part for me is how the story begins and ends with family.
Children will be captivated by the different aspects of this Christmas Eve celebration where we’re introduced to vocabulary (with a glossary in the backmatter) that describes the action in each scene. We see tables (mesas) invitingly decorated, irresistible and delicious nougat desserts (turrones), and kids (muchachos) making handclapping music. Adults dance and the countdown to presents (regalos) is on everyone’s minds. Then it’s wrapping paper ripped, cleaning up the mess, a cortado for the drive home armed with leftovers and memories of special time spent with family. This truly festive and loving look at Nochebuena is sure to fill many hearts this holiday. • Reviewed by Ronna Mandel.
What a sweet bedtime board book, just one in a popular series, to share with toddlers and preschoolers who are eager for Christmas and need a calming read to help them settle in.
The gentle rhythmic rhyme coupled with the charming, muted jewel tones of the artwork makes this an ideal story to share in the lead-up to the holiday. Like the classic Goodnight Moon, the repetition of the word goodnight will lull little ones to sleep. “Goodnight snowman. Goodnight choir. Goodnight stockings by the fire.”
An older sister enjoys her snow globe, a little brother looks out for Santa, reindeer await on rooftops as Santa delivers toys after a magical trip to Santa’s workshop, and just the right amount of text to keep things low-key as children can dream about Christmas Day. First published in picture book format, this new 28-page board book provides a sturdy alternative for younger readers. • Reviewed by Ronna Mandel.
Whether you’re a fan of the two previous Bear and Mouse books or if you’re new to the series, you’ll enjoy the playful (sometimes cranky) antics as these two housemates debate over how the Christmas tree should be decorated. The over-the-top—and even upside-down—trees will give the kids lots of giggles. Collins’s rhyming text is a fun read-aloud and his art captures the range of emotions these friends experience as they navigate toward their just-right holiday tree.
Companion books include There’s a Bear on My Chair and There’s a Mouse in My House. • Reviewed by Christine Van Zandt.
With Otto the Ornament, Troy Cummings has created a rewarding Christmas story your kids will want to read year-round! You’ll first be greeted by cheerful ornament-filled endpapers and Christmas tree-shaped text on the copyright page. Early on I could see that Cummings nailed it when it comes to the book’s festive mood in the illustrations that had me eager to turn the page.
Otto, a snazzy multi-colored Christmas ornament, is rather full of himself. Bouncing out of a box, this new ornament on the block announces, “MERRY CHRISTMAS, BULBS AND BAUBLES! I’M OTTO! I’M HERE TO BEDECK THE HECK OUT OF YOUR TREE!” He’s warmly welcomed to the décor family which includes a candy cane, a green glass bell, a wooden Santa, and a mitten kitten. They invite him to take his place in the middle of the tree. But Otto feels the only spot he deserves is at the top. He soon finds fault with the other ornaments who then have no need for him and vice versa.
Otto’s search to hang on a tree suitable for his awesomeness, while humorous to the reader who want him to have his comeuppance following his appalling behavior, soon proves futile. After claiming what he considers his rightful spot atop a massive city tree not unlike the one at Rockefeller Center, a shocking event plummets him down into the storm drain. Cummings art perfectly captures Otto’s transformation. Emotionally shattered, disheveled, dented, cracked and paint-chipped, Otto realizes he’s lost his bragging rights. Meeting an unexpected lost ornament in the storm drain helps Otto get on the right track. In rescuing the mitten and taking him back to his pair, Otto learns where his true home and friends are. He also sees what really matters, making this not only a learning moment for little ones but a moving one as well. Being the best and brightest ornament doesn’t mean much if it means being alone. • Reviewed by Ronna Mandel.
Santa’s elves look like goblins, right? Gilbert the Goblin makes the comparison and decides to sneak into Santa’s workshop in elvish disguise to see if all the tales about these super cute, hardworking (blech) creatures are true. However, Gilbert soon finds that maybe it’s not that they’re so perfect, but, rather, that they know how to work together as a team.
Gilbert is as lovably funny as ever whether in disguise or just as his goblin-y self. Alex Willan’s adorable art appeals to kids as does the almost graphic layout style with panels on many pages.
Other books in this series include Unicorns Are the Worst, Dragons Are the Worst, and Yetis Are the Worst. • Reviewed by Christine Van Zandt.
Along with lively artwork by illustrator Luciano Lozano, sibling author duo Danielle and Francesco Sedita have written a colorful tale inspired by their childhood that is not only joyful and funny but mouthwatering too.
Readers learn right from the start courtesy of the brother and sister narrators that while other families celebrate on Christmas Day, their family celebrates on Christmas Eve. They head to Aunt Babe’s for the Feast of the Seven Fishes, something I loved learning about. It’s also traditionally meatless. I enjoyed the big family energy since it reminded me of holiday get-together sat my aunt’s when I was growing up.
The book is a virtual food frenzy with all the various fish dishes depicted including bread stuffed with oysters and spaghetti with clam sauce. But the best part is how the kids get to pitch in and how much it’s appreciated. It seems Uncle Robert has forgotten to bring the struffoli for dessert so the kids make cheesecake, a recipe they’ve made before with their mom. The children note the family dynamics which play out each year, always ending on a note of love. Now that everything has turned out well and just when you thought the stuffed family would be loosening belts and napping, Aunt Babe says, “Andiamo!” It’s time for midnight Mass.
One of my favorite spreads is an overhead perspective where readers can see the platters of food set out on the dining room table. In addition to being a heartwarming story, Our Italian Christmas Eve is a visual feast for the holiday season. • Reviewed by Ronna Mandel.
★Starred Reviews- Booklist, Kirkus, School Library Journal
This hilarious book explores all the possible ways Santa may be able to fit down our chimneys and what he does when there isn’t one. Kids will be onboard from the start because these are the questions and possible solutions that they are tossing about: Does he shrink down? Can he squeeze through the mail slot? Feet first or head? And how does he keep from getting dirty?
Mac Barnett’s spot-on text plus Jon Klassen’s lol art equals a hit with kids everywhere as they weigh in about theories and probably pose some of their own. Timeless questions are seriously considered yet balanced with plenty of humor and mystery. • Reviewed by Christine Van Zandt.
Holiday boat parades are magical and Erin Dealey’s rhyming picture book brings families right in so they can experience the festivities. Counting from one to ten, different kinds of vessels are introduced in fun ways that kids can relate to such as “Five fishers harmonize, ever so merry. / Six dancers twirl on the Sugar Plum Ferry!”
Kayla Stark’s art pops out from the beautiful blue background, highlighting the action—I love a reindeer-filled yacht! The informative backmatter adds another element, providing some background on fourteen of the ships including sailboat, dory, and barge. With its many interesting angles, this book is sure to be a hit with families and in classrooms. • Reviewed by Christine Van Zandt.
Matt Tavares’s picture book has a classic feel as he captures Dancer’s young exuberance when she (a little bit too eagerly) heads out on her own to test her flying skills. Kids who can’t wait until Christmas will totally understand and feel for Dasher when her adventure doesn’t turn out as she planned.
This beautifully illustrated book brings a beloved reindeer front and center, giving us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what goes on at the North Pole before the big night. The story is both cautionary and uplifting, one that kids will turn to again and again. • Reviewed by Christine Van Zandt.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED READS:
24 CHRISTMAS STORIES: Faith and Traditions from Around the World
Judith Bouilloc, Various Authors
Sky Pony Press
IT’S NAVIDAD, EL CUCUY! Written by Donna Barba Higuera
Illustrated by Juliana Perdomo
Harry N. Abrams
“Little Mole’s big table is all set for his fancy fall feast, and he can’t wait to welcome
three very important guests. . . In this fourth installment in the Little Mole series, author Glenys Nellist
and illustrator Sally Garland team up again to bring a welcoming and inclusive tale . . . [of] comfort when
things don’t go the way they planned.”
From School Library Journal: “Soft, autumnal illustrations bring the reader to a crisp day in the forest
and create an inspiring tale of friendship.”
Review:
In LITTLE MOLE GIVES THANKS, the newest addition to Beaming Book’s LITTLE MOLE series, Little Mole plans and prepares a fancy forest feast for some very special guests.
GRANDAD’S PRIDE Published in Partnership with GLAAD Series
Written and illustrated by Harry Woodgate (Little Bee Books; $18.99, Ages 3-6)
★Starred Review – Kirkus
Following up the success of Grandad’s Camper, is Grandad’s Pride featuring the same characters readers got to know previously. Much like that book, I was immediately pulled into this story by the folksy art and in this case, a focus on the inviting locale by the sea.
When playing in Grandad’s attic, Milly, who is visiting once again for the summer, stumbles upon Grandpa’s old Pride flag. Curious what Pride is, Milly gets a wonderful description from Grandad who used to participate in marches and other Pride events when Gramps was still alive. “Pride is like a giant party where we celebrate the wonderful diversity of our communities and demand that everyone should be treated with
equality and respect – no matter who they love or what gender they are.” After hearing how important Pride had been for Grandad, Milly suggests they go to the city to participate in the next Pride event, but Grandad no longer feels comfortable in the big city.
Milly proposes a locale parade in the village instead and soon the entire village is involved. Not only does her idea present the opportunity to get to make new friends, it also is a moving way to honor Gramps’ memory. Grandad leading the parade in his pink camper is a fitting way to kick off this new tradition and not even a brief downpour can curtail the festivities.
You’ll want to read this lovely picture book slowly to take in all the details that Woodgate has included from the slogans on the posters, the diversity of the primary and secondary characters and the big heart this story exudes on every page. I could easily live in this welcoming community and can’t wait to see what Milly and Grandad get up to next!
For starters, I want to point out illustrator Gonzalez’s art description on the credits page: “The illustrations are rendered with pencil, watercolors, colored pencils, and love.” If the inclusion of the word ‘love’ doesn’t speak volumes about the care and thought that went into creating this picture book, I don’t know what does.
Newman’s masterfully crafted rhyming couplets take the reader through spread after jubilant spread as readers follow the real and make-believe activities of six diverse and “splendiferous” children and one plucky pooch. Imagination rules as the youngsters try out dress up, and pretend play where anything except the judgment of adults is possible. “I can aim for the basket and practice my throws,/ or wear a pink tutu and twirl on my toes.” There is no need to label and no need to discuss gender, race, or religion. Prepare for pure enjoyment. Kids being “their true selves” is what’s celebrated on every delightful page of this recommended read.
This uplifting, inclusive picture book about making a like-minded friend and experiencing a first crush is getting a lot of buzz, and deservedly so. The cover alone conveys the pleasure these two girls find in each other’s company then the prose and art throughout continue to capture that emotion. Author Irving states in her website intro, “My deepest wish for my readers is for them to feel seen and special,” and The Wishing Flower beautifully accomplishes that.
We first meet Birdie as she’s wishing on a dandelion to find a friend who shares her interests. “Birdie felt inside out at home and at school.” She generally kept to herself clearly not connecting with other kids until … Sunny “the new girl” arrives in her class. With her nature name, Sunny, like Birdie, enjoys all the same things: reading, rescuing, and painting. The girls are drawn to each other and Birdie “blushed when Sunny sat next to her at lunch.” She knew she needed to be brave to pursue the friendship and looks for the biggest wishing flower. At recess playing Red Rover, Sunny calls for Birdie, and Birdie’s heart soars. That excitement is palpable in the warm, emotive illustrations that bleed off the page. When this wonderful day spent together with her new friend ends, it’s so rewarding as a reader to see the two happy souls have had their wishes come true.
“In the next ten years, I don’t think there will be many classrooms in America where there isn’t a gender-diverse child, and the rest of the students will have to be friends with that kid. And how to you manage that? You manage it like the child in the book does. With kindness and humor and inclusion and with playfulness.” According to bestselling author Dawson, this is the goal of her debut picture book and I appreciated her introducing the topic in a light-hearted way that emphasizes a people-not-gender-first approach to identity.
I love when a story begins with artwork only before the title page as it does here. The main character is walking with an older girl to school. Once the main character gets settled in, her classmates begin asking where her brother Bill is. They haven’t seen him in a while. This is a fun part to read aloud as the girl’s classmates take wild guesses about where her older brother can be. “Was he eaten by a WHALE or SHARK? Was he munched up just like krill?”/ “That simply isn’t true,” I say./ “And hey, you need to chill.” With inquiring young minds bombarding the girl with a constant flow of zany questions (illustrated as whimsically as those questions), the cool retort calms everyone down. The repetition of “Hey, you need to chill,” is catchy and I can imagine children being eager to say it along with the narrator. While the kids are curious and confused, they also say they’re concerned. I’m glad that was included.
The little girl tells her classmates that her older brother Bill is now Lily. She honestly explains how the change took getting used to but ultimately, as the art shows, she knows that Lily is still the same deep down inside and very loved. She’s her sister’s ally. And as such, together the two can tell anyone who has a problem with Lily being a trans girl to just chill.
While the rhyme is not always even, the spirit, energy, and humor of this important story about a transgender child coupled with the buoyant art carry it along and make You Need to Chill! a worthwhile, fulfilling, and accessible read. Read about genderspectrum.org, a charity working to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens.
Lili felt she didn’t belong, like a tiger among ducks. And if people found out more about her, she was sure she’d be left alone. Her solution then was to be more like a duck. If she changed things about herself then she’d fit in. And no one would know any better. No one would know her secret.
There was a catch, however. Trying to be someone she wasn’t made Lili feel sad. It’s definitely not easy to pretend to be something you’re not. So, after realizing this, she needed to confide in someone, someone who’d make her feel safe. Lili “revealed her secret” to Gran. “Her heart really raced.” But Gran confirmed that no matter who Lili was, one thing was certain. She was loved. And she should feel proud of who she was. Afterall, “Not everyone is a duck, and not all ducks flock together.” What is important is being her authentic, unique self. It may be tough, but in time, Lili could rest assured that she’d find her pride.
I always enjoy a picture book that offers hope to any child in Lili’s position, so they’ll know that one day they will be welcomed by people who appreciate the real them. This powerful message of acceptance should resonate with many young readers who feel like the other for whatever reason, not simply for being queer. I was surprised to learn that Jacobs is a self-taught artist. The gentle green palette she uses works well with the purple of her alter-ego, the tiger. I will note that in places the meter of the rhyme is not perfect and the rhymes slant in spots where ‘day’ is paired with ‘stayed’ or ‘terrible’ with ‘unbearable.’ However, picture books such as this affirming one are needed to bring comfort to children with its beautiful message of letting “your heart be your guide.”
Click here to read a review of a fave Pride picture book from last year.
Patience and the practice required for paper folding (aka origami) offer the promise of friendship in Anzu and the Art of Friendshipwritten by Moni Ritchie Hadley and illustrated by Nathalia Takeyama.
If your child isn’t already familiar with origami, this multilayered picture book provides a gentle introduction to the beloved Japanese art form while also tackling a topic that should resonate with young readers: making new school friends after moving. When Anzu starts a new school, “her stomach folds in knots.” At the same time, the teacher Mr. Lee informs the class they are beginning a unit on origami.
Readers have already seen Anzu’s creations hanging in her bedroom courtesy of Takeyama’s bold and expressive art that appears to be digitally rendered. That, along with Ritche Hadley’s prose, lets us know from the first page that Anzu adores origami. It’s especially sweet when Anzu’s ojiisan (grandfather) gives her a tsuru (crane) for good luck. Maybe Anzu’s origami skills can help her forge new friendships with her classmates.
Pretty soon Anzu sees her good intentions go unappreciated. She is disappointed that her classmates look for an easy, often silly way out despite her offers of help. At night she explains to Ojiisan what’s been happening. He thoughtfully suggests she try to be patient. The next day is not much better. Anzu’s classmates seem frustrated and look for quick solutions such as scissors and tape. Again she complains to Ojiisan. He compares the skill of creating origami with that of making new friends. She needs to give it time. Still, Anzu is sad about her move and misses her old friends.
Things look up for Anzu the next day when “Mr. Lee displays an origami frog figure.” Always an attention-getter, the frog inspires curiosity and joy. But Anzu’s classmate Alex is frustrated he cannot put the frog back together after he’s unfolded it. This time, after Anzu does all the required folding, creasing, etc., she demonstrates how it can hop. Instead of losing interest, Alex asks Anzu to show him how to do it. At last! Anzu also tells Alex that the frog or the Kaeru, “is a symbol of good luck and a safe return when traveling.” Alex realizes the Kaeru is something meaningful he can give to his father to take on his next business trip. His interest in the paper creation prompts Anzu to come up with fun ways to engage her formerly reluctant classmates (see illustration above), and it works! Folding leads to friendship and Anzu’s spirits soar.
All the work involved in making origami as well as the symbolism of each figure serve as perfect metaphors for this book’s themes of perseverance, empathy, and kindness. Young readers will rejoice when they see how Anzu has truly mastered the art of friendship. They’ll also see the rewards of not giving up, whether that involves sticking with a tough project or trying to make a new friend. While in real life these things may take a little longer, the positive message conveyed in Anzu and the Art of Friendship makes this book easy to recommend.
The special meaning of the origami figures included in the story is explained in the back matter.
Reviewed by Ronna Mandel
BUY THE BOOK:
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Glow is a bioluminescent squid who loves to dance and twirl. And the faster he twirls, the brighter he GLOWS! He loves to show off his skills … and becomes quite a show-off with a bad attitude. He doesn’t like sharing the spotlight. And when he ditches his friends in search of fans, he loses his glow! Can Glow find his way home—and if he does, will his friends take him back?
As readers follow Glow’s journey, they’ll learn all about bioluminescence and fascinating ocean creatures along the way.
INTERVIEW:
Aixa Pérez-Prado: Congrats on your picture book, THE GLOW SHOW! How did you get into creating books for young readers?
Susi Schaefer: Thank you so much for the interview. I was born and raised in Austria, where I completed an apprenticeship as a glass painter. That style still influences my illustrations today.
Once I reached my early twenties, I got a case of Wanderlust and came to the U.S. to work as a nanny. While reading tons of picture books to the kids, I fell in love with the format. Eventually, I studied graphic design and worked in that field for many years.
And once I had my own kiddos, I decided to try my hand at illustrating and writing. With the help of the SCBWI and my critique groups, I steadily improved my craft until I landed an agent in 2016. THE GLOW SHOW will be my third book.
SS: I am a huge nature lover and have always been fascinated by the ocean, partially because I grew up in a landlocked country. Soon after arriving here, I got my scuba diving certification to explore the underwater world for myself.
Then, a few years ago, we had a lot of bioluminescent plankton in the surf here in Southern California. I really became interested in glowing marine life.
Also, I wanted to tell a story about friendship versus followers or fans. And that’s how that idea for THE GLOW SHOW was born.
SS: For this book, I started by illustrating a finished underwater scene, including a purple, bioluminescent squid. I loved the character so much that I began to write a messy first draft of the manuscript. After a couple of revisions, I created the dummy. The feedback from my critique group was very positive, and I decided to share the idea with my agent. She loved it and helped me refine the dummy. And then, we sent it out on submission and found a wonderful home.
My illustration process is digital collage combined with traditional watercolor washes. First, I create manual sketches on paper, then bring them into Procreate on my Apple iPad Pro and finalize each file in Photoshop on my Mac.
APP: Are you working on any projects you can tell us about?
SS: Yes, I am thrilled to share that I have recently signed two more contracts, one as an illustrator for a book scheduled for publication later in 2023 and the second as an author/illustrator for a book coming in 2025.
Born and raised in the Austrian Alps, Susi Schaefer trained as a glass painter in the medieval town of Rattenberg. After moving to Southern California for sun and adventure, Susi studied graphic design. She’s the illustrator of ZOO ZEN by Kristen Fischer, author-Illustrator of CAT LADIES and THE GLOW SHOW. Susi lives in North Tustin, California, with her family. www.susischaefer.com
Aixa Pérez-Prado is a native of Argentina who immigrated to the US as a small child. She is a writer, illustrator, translator, sensitivity reader and professor with a PhD in Social Science and Education. Aixa has lived in several different countries, and draws inspiration for her stories and illustrations from diverse locations. Her passion is writing and illustrating picture books aimed at giving diverse children a chance to see their multilayered identities represented through stories that resonate with heart and humor. Aixa writes in Spanish and English and enjoys mixing languages in her prose. Similarly, she loves illustrating by employing different techniques in a whimsical style that includes watercolor, acrylic, ink, and digital. She especially enjoys combining all of these elements through collage. Her 2023 books are CITY FEET (Reycraft), and OUR WORLD: ARGENTINA (Barefoot Books), and coming in 2024, MERCEDES SOSA: THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE (Lee & Low). Aixa is represented by Joyce Sweeney from the Seymour Agency.
Young people share valuable advice—words they wish they had heard growing up—to inspire, reassure, encourage, and say You’re enough, just as you are.
REVIEW:
You Can! Kids Empowering Kidsuses simple phrases with powerful meanings on a journey with fourteen imaginary characters “as they grow from birth to eighteen.” Author Alexandra Strick’sprose opens each page with “You can …” placed alone in the left-hand corner, with inspirational messages spread throughout the book showcasing the power kids have while growing up.
Illustrator Steve Antony’s eye-catching colorful penciled art finished digitally, depicts children growing up before our eyes, and along the way they are being brave, exploring new worlds, and sharing feelings with a friend.
Below is a wonderful spread of kids lined up on the floor listening to a new friend playing the flute. One girl sticks her tongue out at a boy but the reader finds them hugging and “forgiving others and yourself” when seen again as teens. Watching the characters grow from babies to young adults was a fabulous way to experience them believing in themselves, dreaming big, and supporting each other.
Whoever young readers identify with, Antony’s diverse art provides the opportunity for children to be able to locate someone that resembles themselves or their actions. The closing pages show what becomes of our new friends. The girl in the wheelchair is an important figure sitting in front of a podium, while the boy with red hair grows up to become a pilot.
One page is filled with crowds of kids gathered together in costumes. There is a child dressed as a purple clown who prefers to follow along, while another walks with a cane choosing to lead the way. (Canes and wheelchairs are not going to prevent any of these kids from doing what they wish to do.) Turning the page, we read “do something big by doing something small, inspire and encourage others, stand up for what you believe in, and make a difference.” The words “Climate Action Now!” head up a spread of kids picking up trash and collecting water bottles. We see kids working together uplifting each other and remaining friends.
An angled font for “do things you couldn’t do yesterday” accompanies a girl dressed in a green suit and cap swimming the ocean with two friendly whales by her side. When she grows up, we see a drawing of her again dressed in green taking photos of fish in the sea. Each child is matched to a color throughout the story, in this way readers can flip back to the beginning of the pages to remind themselves of the character’s backstory. This was a creative way to follow along with the group of children.
Readers see that it’s not just about doing things for others but doing things for themselves as well. Kids are cheered on as they run a race but it’s not about winning or losing, “Just give it a try,” Strick shares. The blind runner strapped to the guided runner is just one example of this positive and inspiring picture book.
The blue sky covers the last spread above with the kids all grown up standing on a green hill with the words “You can believe in yourself, be the best you can, be kind, dream big, and be yourself,” above their heads. That pretty much says it all right there.
In back matter, Strick explains the research behind the picture book, while Antony draws faces of himself and Strick in a zoom room with real kids from all backgrounds. The kids are asked what they feel is important to say in the text. It was heartwarming to learn that these are the words of the young contributors. This book belongs in every classroom to be read to students as a lesson in social-emotional learning. In a world full of chaos, it was gratifying to read a book that gives kids hope. Strick, from the U.K., is the co-founder of Inclusive Minds, a collective for people who are passionate about inclusion, diversity, and accessibility in children’s literature.
Written by Kate Banksand illustrated by Suzie Mason, The Winter Bird is a comforting and heartwarming story of friendship and perseverance, helping readers discover the quiet strength of patience and hope.
During the time of year “when the sun [goes] to bed early,” brown bear and hedgehog prepare for their annual winter routines. Nestled in a thicket and nursing a broken wing, the nightingale watches the geese, starlings, and swallows fly away. “‘What will happen to me?’” the nightingale asks. As a spring bird, it “‘knows nothing of winter.’”
“‘You will learn … You will learn,’” hoots the owl who, along with other friendly animals like the rabbit and gray squirrel, provide food and shelter, helping the nightingale survive its new icy surroundings.
Adapting to the slow, winter rhythm of nesting, waiting, and wondering, the nightingale learns the beauty in both the harshness and brilliance of the season. In lovely, lyrical language, we watch the landscape change as “the cold cre[eps] in on icy feet” and “the waltz of winter” begins. Beautiful illustrations in soft browns and grays, rounded edges, and spots of bright color let readers know: though the storm is coming, all will be well.
Throughout it all, the nightingale does what it knows how to do–sing. Whether singing of “winter’s woes” or “winter’s wonders,” it brings comfort to both itself and the other animals around it. A spring bird, the nightingale patiently learns how to “become a winter bird, too.”
A soothing picture book for bedtime or quiet time, The Winter Bird invites readers to bundle up, settle in, and enjoy the wonder of winter.
The story of the Chinese zodiac is beloved in my household. InYear of the Cat, Richard Ho digs deeper to follow up on how Cat feels about not receiving a calendar year—she was pushed into a river by Rat! This story is as good as the original and then some.
Jocelyn Li Langrand’s fun illustrations begin even before the title page. I especially like the behind-the-scenes scoop on the animals such as Rat lounging in his home with telling photos on the wall or the clever places each animal lives. The dragon? A fire station!
Whether this is a familiar tale or your first read, kids will get a kick out of the teamwork and mishaps that lead to us finding out if Cat is upset she was unable to finish as one of the twelve animals. (Her answer may surprise you.) And, speaking of surprises, be sure to peek under the dust jacket to see the map-consulting image from inside the book repeated. Kids will love figuring out which paw, hoof, or claw goes with which animal, and adults can help kids count to twelve by following along the map’s edge.
For the last day of Fat Bear Week, I’m delighted, (or should I say overjoyed?) to share my thoughts on Julie Hedlund’suproarious read-aloud picture book, Over, Bear! Under, Where?with humorous art by Michael Slack.
Now don’t get me wrong, the titular Bear may be on the big side, but he’s actually a kind soul simply looking for pals to play with. But when you’re a bird (Over), a mole (Under), or a hot-dog dog (Dog) and that much smaller, a bear can be scary. That scenario is what unfolds to hilarious results as Over and Under hang out at the park.
With wordplay galore, a relatable premise, and high marks for its readability, Hedlund’s book manages to entertain in just under 100 carefully chosen words. Young readers will adore the interplay of art and text as they see Over and Under’s punny back-and-forth banter on the see-saw and at their BBQ. They even invite a hot-dog dog called Dog to join them but run for their lives after spotting Bear in what is clearly a massive misunderstanding.
Bear, we soon learn, wants to play, too, but Over, Under and Dog do not realize this right away. It’s only when Under points out a dejected-looking Bear … down that the trio makes amends and in doing so, makes a new friend.
Hedlund’s spare text may make adult readers think, “Oh hey, I could do that.” When in fact, to be able to convey the emotional heart of this story with so few words, is no easy task and takes a pro. It also takes terrific illustrations that bring the story to life, my favorite illustrations being those below.
There’s even a page of helpful backmatter providing examples of the compound words that were essential to inspiring this story’s humor when they were presented as separate words helped by just a comma in many places. Parents, teachers, librarians, and caregivers will not tire of sharing this whimsical, original tale with its clever take, “You can’t judge a bear by its behind.” So Fat Bear Week or not, this book’ll keep you from hibernating.
Walking into a community garden on a crisp spring morning, a little girl and her elderly friend plant seeds, “each little dot full of hope and promise.” Elderly friends join in to help and share each other’s company as they pass the time together, waiting patiently until the plants finally “burst into life” and the garden is “a riot of color.” Swaney’s soothing palette of olive greens, mustard yellows, peachy reds, and poppy-pumpkin oranges provides spaces filled with warmth and comfort.
Sometimes relaxing under the sun and sometimes busy with garden work, the little girl and her friend take their treasures into the kitchen, processing the beautiful bounty they’ve collected–all of which culminates into a jubilant feast for the whole community.
As the season grows cold, petals “fall, and colors fade,” the little girl’s special friend is sadly “gone.” All she’s left with are the seeds of last season’s crops. But as the spring season returns anew, those “tiny dots” she plants spring up “big memories” of patience, stewardship, and fellowship.
With quiet and calming overtones, The Garden We Share invites gentle conversations about death while lovingly cultivating a spirit of hope.
Originally published in South Africa, I Am You: A Book About Ubuntu written byRefiloe Moahloli and illustrated by Zinelda McDonald,is a stunning visual and textual reminder of our shared humanity that could not be more timely.
An ancient philosophy of many African cultures, ubuntu means “I am, because you are” and embraces the idea that “a person is a person through other people.” Opening lines emphasize this interconnectedness: “When I look into your eyes, I see myself.” On the following page, readers will need to turn the book vertically to enjoy a spread that illustrates this love, not only for others but for the natural world and all creation.
In loving, lyrical language, Moahloli’s text helps us realize that though the time we spend with others and the kindnesses we share may seem like small, inconsequential acts, they’re in fact powerful expressions of our deep love for each other and for our own selves. “[W]hen I laugh as I hear you laugh, when I hold your hands as you cry, I love you, and I love myself, too.” Similarly, if we choose to “hurt,” “tease,” or “ignore” another, we are committing those very acts on ourselves.
Rendered in digital media, McDonald’s bold and beautiful jewel-toned illustrations place an endearing cast of characters front and center in virtually every page. Readers are drawn into the smiling faces and welcoming gaze of an inclusive group of children from all backgrounds and abilities, playing together in country, city, and oceanside settings.
A great conversation starter for themes of community, friendship, kindness, and love, I Am You shines light on the truth that we are all one.
