Age: K-3rd grade

Three-five sentences describe each American woman that persevered against adversity. These women include Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Clara Lemlich, Nellie Bly, Virginia Apgar, Maria Tallchief, Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, Margaret Chase Smith, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, Oprah Winfrey, and Sonia Sotomayor.

Age: Preschool-3rd grade
Our Voices: Argentinian American author (1st gen), Korean American illustrator (1st gen)

In several scenarios, a little girl finds it difficult to answer the probing question "where are you from?" especially since it makes her feel like she doesn't belong. Asking the man that knows it all, Abuelo provides a multifaceted answer, drawing from various natural settings that spread across South America--especially Argentina--and the people that settled them. The girl, mirroring the insistence of her friends, asks for a more straight-forward answer--an actual location--and Abuelo points to his heart.

A short story perfect for reading aloud to a class or sharing with a family member. At first, I thought this book could benefit from more text and a longer story. But the brevity of Abuelo's answer makes the story accessible to a wider aged audience and allows the audience to indulge in the rich text used to describe the girl's genealogy.

One final thought: the reader should invite the listeners (especially those that have never experienced this question) to talk about the appearance of the questioners. Even though they smile and the question isn't malicious, how does it affect the girl?

Age: Toddler-Preschool

Nothing groundbreaking but Diesen nails the rhyming text and kids will enjoy the gradual progression of the plot as each puppy is found.

Age: Preschool-2nd grade
Family: Father and son
Familiar Experience: Going to a new school, first day of school

Before Levi nervously leaves for his first day of school, his father tells him that "big boys don't cry." But on his way, Levi sees a variety of men experiencing strong emotions and shedding tears.

A great, simple way to show boys that there are many reasons to cry and it is okay. Equally as important, the father admits he was wrong to his child which is a strong message to tell fathers.

Age: Kindergarten-2nd grade
School: First day, new school

Delightfully hilarious take on manners in the classroom.

Also, my favorite "accidental" sticker placement. Four books got to the library shelf like this because "that's always where the Popular Picks sticker goes." I still don't believe her.

Age: Preschool-1st grade
Emotion: Worrying

Parr's momentum and quality continues as he addresses a strong emotion that can be quite debilitating for many children. Parr dedicates half of the book to acknowledging the many ways we worry and the second half is dedicated to strategies to manage and overcome that feeling. It is always appreciated when an author acknowledges the modern-day management of screen time and Parr seamlessly incorporates it alongside other things that may cause anxiety in a child's life.

Age: Preschool-1st grade
Identity: Autism

Initially excited to go, one boy experiences sensory overload at the beach. It's busy and loud and the overwhelmed boy is determined to go home. Attentive and calm, the father moves their beach gear to a quieter spot and encourages the boy to take a deep breath and tap his fingers while counting to three.

Simple text and bright illustrations make this a welcome addition for picture books about autistic children.

I absolutely adore that the audience for this book starts at a junior high age--especially the chapter about how to use period products with an emphasis on the "lesser" known menstrual cup.

A well-researched investigation about our country's historic and modern stigmatization of menstruation and how it has affected policy (luxury taxes on essential period products), instilled a sense of shame and silence upon women, and has disproportionately affected people in poverty and female prisoners.

Okamoto encourages the reader to help remove the stigma from periods by acknowledging it's existence and freely talking about it.

Notable quotes

Regarding the stigmatization of periods and its affects on women's self esteem beginning at puberty:
" When kids start going through puberty, boys feel more manly as their voices drop in tone, their bodies become more aligned with societal views of baskelett lenity Kaaba and societee pats him on the back for becoming men. Girls, on the other hand, get their periods and the strongly embedded stigma within our society tells them that this answered of menstruation makes them less capable and less reasonable. They're taught to feel anxious and ashamed about their periods, that menstruation is something they have to invest in financially come a physically, and emotionally, just to be able to compete at the same level as their male counterparts" (188).

Age: Preschool-1st grade

Everybody loves bubbles, right? Wrong! It seems there's been some nasty rumors in La La Land about the dangers of bubbles. Big scary monsters with lots of sharp, pointy teeth and claws are scared out of the minds when a little bubble comes floating by. It appears as though Mogo Pogo, PhD, is spreading lies about these bubbles, after a chewing-gum bubble attacked his face when he was little. Luckily the narrator is here to sort things out and guide the monsters to overcoming their fear.

While the laughter is boundless, this book can also discuss the spread of lies and rumors, an all-too-common occurrence at schools.