Age: Preschool-1st grade
Identity: Black author and illustrator

Amazing artwork that celebrates the friendship between two boys and holding a friend accountable for being mean to another person.

The spread dedicated to the boys slapping hands, the rapping beat of the text, the mixed media illustrations, a celebration of friendship while showing that it's okay to talk with your friend about being mean--it's all so good! My one concern is that the events of the day feel like it's in warpspeed and there may be one-too-many locations. But I think kids can keep up with these two buddies.

Age: Preschool-2nd grade
Identity, author and illustrator: Taiwanese Americans
Immigration: Taiwan to USA

An inseparable granddaughter and her Popo adapt to a new long-distance relationship across the sea.

While this book brings another treasured and relatable experience for many, the shorter text invites a wider range of interest from reading aloud in the classroom to lapsit reads with younger children. Integration of video chatting is much welcomed in picture books for this young generation and is well executed by Julia Kuo. With 2-4 sentences per spread, Blackburne and Kuo have created a truly magnificent story.

Age: Toddler-Preschool
Familiar Experience: Bathtime

A little child and their mother use their imagination to turn bathtime into a wild adventure on the sea. Sweetly relatable, fantastic artwork, and tons of fun.

Rex Dexter has that unwarented egotism that morphs into humor and not annoyance. Fans of Wimpy Kid will love this alternative. Realistic fans that a reluctant to endulge any fantasy books will also get behind this gentle fantasy involving a curse and talking animals.

Every illustration depicts an adult coping with the pandemic and how, afterwards, they strive to be less destructive to our environment.

Absolutely devoid of a childhood experience which is such a bummer. A picture book for adults.

Age: Infant
Bilingual text: Mostly English with Spanish words

Finally, someone capitalized on the insanely adorable phrase "baby burrito" and made a truly charming picture book that is perfect for littles. Bold images and close-ups of cute baby parts make this a delight to read-aloud for baby storytimes, both in-person and virtual.

Now let's turn this into a board book!

Age: Preschool-2nd grade
Body: Hair
Identity, author: Afro-Latina
Identity, character: Latina
Science: Outer Space

There are quite a few hair love books out there (the more the merrier!) but this one adds a fun twist by incorporating the planets in our solar system. Stella needs to get her hair ready for a party but it's too twisty and zaggy and curly. She visits each of her Aunts on different "planets" and they do her hair in a style that is reminiscent of their planet. In the end, Stella is empowered by her Auntie Solana to embrace her hair's attitude for the day and just be herself.

Gorgeous artwork and a unique, out-of-this-world adventure.

A great introduction to the variety of doctors in the field of medicine. Although it's an early reader, the text makes for an excellent read-aloud without being too vague and simple.

Age: Preschool-1st grade

Muted tones are energized with color as one girl's act of friendly kindness spreads to her whole school. Another lovely addition to the kindness shelf showcasing simple and easy ways to spread joy.

An essential read for those kids who play the game of "no" with their parents like it's an Olympic Sport *glares at 4-year-old daughter*.