Hello readers! I hope this week has treated you well. This is my first real blog post, and the first post in a series I like to call “Weekly Picks”! As a librarian in a public library, I am always looking through new picture books, so I’m bound to have my favorites. Rather than keeping these solely in a spreadsheet or in Goodreads, I figured, hey, why not share my thoughts and suggestions with other people? So, here we are. Whether you are a librarian, a parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, cousin, babysitter, nanny… (the list goes on) … Odds are, you might need some recommendations for books to read to your kiddos! That’s where I hope I can help, with my Weekly Picks, and through other future posts on my blog.
I also want to know: Have you read anything good the past few days? Have you read any of the books on this list? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
This week, I have 5 picture books to share with you all, so let’s get into it!
Dog vs. Strawberry
written by Nelly Buchet, Illustrated by Andrea Zuill
And they’re off! It’s Dog vs. Strawberry in this tight race. Who will come out the winner? Will it be the fast and maybe-not-so-agile Dog? Or will it be the sneaky Strawberry? Read through this destructive tail tale to find out!
Reading this book was such. A. Joy. A coworker of mine read it aloud in our office for a little staff storytime, and it was absolutely delightful. This book was made to be read during a storytime. With Dog vs. Strawberry, it is definitely important HOW you read it. You need to bring the energy from the very beginning but, I promise that when you do, the kids you are reading to will give the energy right back.
Real to Me
Written by Minh Lê, Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa
A book all about how our imaginary friends are (were) very real to us, and how that friendship one day fades away. That doesn’t mean, though, that the friendship was any less real.
Point blank: This book made me cry.
It had me asking myself, “Why did I read this at the public desk?”
I don’t want to write too much in terms of the plot of this story, because it’s one you need to read for yourself. HOWEVER, if you are a sentimental gushing fool like me, Minh Le will sucker-punch you right in the gut with this one (as he tends to do in most of his picture books, if we’re being honest.) He captures the bittersweet feeling of endings with new beginnings. The book is not complete without the other-worldly illustrations that Raissa Figueroa brings to the table, as they add to the story’s plot and understanding.
With all this being said, the book does end on a happy note, teaching the overall lesson that when one thing ends, there is much more just around the corner. That in itself makes this a great book to read to a child who is going through a transition in life. Whether it’s from losing a friendship, or dealing with loss, maybe moving, or starting at a new school. The book stands as a good lesson/reminder for grownups as well. So, share it with your kiddo with the wisdom that you hold, and the things you are still learning, too.
I Will Swim Next Time
Written by Emily Joof, Illustrated by Matilda Ruta
A mother and child take a trip to a beach and discover that the ocean makes the child’s tummy tighten with fear. Maybe he will swim next time. Joof takes us through this child’s and mother’s journey in taking small steps toward a big goal. Starting in a pool, the child’s fears begin to fade as his curiosity begins to grow.
This book is great for any child who may be trying to conquer a fear. It doesn’t just apply to fear of water or the ocean, but can be related to any fears.
I have to admit, I mostly liked this book because of the illustrations. The colors are strong and vibrant, and really capture the grand feeling of being at the ocean, compared to the much less intimidating feeling one might get when at a pool.
Song in the City
Written by Daniel Bernstrom, Illustrated by Jenin Mohammed
Following a young, blind girl named Emmalene and her grandmother through the city, the girl listens to songs that the grandma just can’t seem to hear. Emmalene helps Grandma realize that the sounds of the city can be just as beautiful as the music in church. You just need to have the right perspective.
Firstly, I love the representation in this book. I think it’s great that more and more media outlets are adding characters with disabilities/other abilities. It’s great for kids who are growing up with disabilities, and for all kids to learn that no matter who we are, we all have different abilities.
Although Emmalene’s blindness is not a main focus of the story, it definitely adds to a prominent lesson of the book, which is noticing things from other peoples’ perspectives. I think this would be a fun book to add to a music-themed storytime as well, where you can ask the kids what types of things, besides instruments, can be used to create music.
We Could Fly
Written by Rhiannon Giddens, Illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu
After watching a sparrow take flight from a tree, a mother and daughter share a melodic dialogue. The daughter begins to feel her arms trembling, and her feet become lighter. Her mother explains that Grandma Liza knew that this would happen to her one day, as it had happened to her and many of their people before them. The illustrations in this book are SO lovely, and Uchendu did a beautiful job of displaying the feeling of weightlessness.
We Could Fly is also accompanied by a song performed by Rhiannon Giddens. You can listen to the song/watch the video on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFitzERXbqg
This story is based from African folklore; more specifically, Giddens references her inspiration from the collected stories of The People Could Fly. Within these collected stories is a tale of the same name, in which a group of enslaved people call upon their African magic to fly away to freedom. Referencing The People Could Fly, Giddens adds to the feeling of spiritual power given through ancestry and culture.
I would recommend this book for children of all ages, and for families of all cultures. I love how this book has the potential to bring about conversations of family, history, and culture. Even if you don’t personally resonate with the African folklore of the book, it is a wonderful opportunity to hear about a culture other than your own, and to start conversations of the culture(s) that you do resonate with. We Could Fly also feels powerful, as a woman, seeing the relationship between a mother and daughter, and ultimately showing their matrilineality. Because of this, I think this would be a great read for mothers and daughters together.
Thank you for tuning in!
I hope you enjoyed my Favorite Five this week! Keep an eye out at the end of next week for another edition of Bookish Bunny’s Weekly Picks!
Comment below what your thoughts are on these five books! Have you read any of them? Would you like to read any of them?
Also comment below if you have any books you would like for me to review!