This is a collection of poems rooted in a mindscape that mirrors children's thoughts as they mull over weighty questions such as, What If? and Whyever Not? Ranging from the silly and the absurd with poems such as Stubby Joe that bring us a tit-for-tat dialogue between Stinkus Finkus and his big toe, to thematically … Continue reading #WORLDKIDLITWEDNESDAY: Tickle Me, Don’t Tickle Me
Half graphic novel and half prose-poem journal, Pardalita is a sweet, gentle coming-of-age story for YA readers. At the start of the book, 16-year-old protagonist Raquel has been suspended from school for two days for cursing at the hall monitor, a suspension that doesn't much bother her, as she has the home to herself. Raquel hangs out … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Pardalita
I'm a big fan of nonfiction picture books. And a translated book is bound to get my attention. Home, forthcoming from Eerdman's Books for Young Readers, combines both to make a standout text. Written and illustrated by French born artist Isabelle Simler, Home is a survey of over 25 different animals from around the world … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Home
How about starting the new year with a colorful, clever and fun read? At around 8" x 8", My Pictures after the Storm looks like a board book. A quick glance inside and the content also looks like straightforward board book fare. Simple illustrations are coupled with short descriptions. Don’t be fooled! Take a closer … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: My Pictures after the Storm
Piecing together the story of the past, while being firmly rooted in the present, cognisant that this could change in the future as new discoveries dawn, lends The People of the Indus its dialogic charm. This graphic novel attempts to tell the story of the Indus Valley civilization based on archaeological evidence found so far, … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: The People of the Indus
Rosie is a sleek greyhound who loves to run. And at the start of her story, Rosie Runs–a beautiful, oversized picture book for ages 3-7–that’s exactly what she does, day in and day out: The white mechanical hare scurries in front, and Rosie can just see it from the corner of her eye. Soon she … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Rosie Runs
Originally published in Iran in 2021, Empty and Me: A Tale of Friendship and Loss is a standout picture book about loss, grief, and finding new ways to be in the world. Released this past October in a dual language Persian/English edition by U.S. based Lee & Low Books, this moving picture book presents an … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Empty and Me
Freedoms, both personal and collective, are explored in the endearingly crafted Nida Finds A Way, written by Samina Mishra and illustrated by Priya Kuriyan. Aimed at younger readers as a part of the hOle books series—Duckbill’s line of books with a hole cut into the top right corner to do with as you please—the story … Continue reading #WORLDKIDLITWEDNESDAY: NIDA FINDS A WAY
Spurred by his own experiences as a parent, the 2022 Booker Prize-winning author Shehan Karunatilaka, ventured into making books for young readers, with the Baby Baba series of books, in 2019. Written in rhyme and quirkily illustrated by his brother Lalith Karunatilaka, the book begins with describing Baby Baba—a bemused but fearless toddler in a … Continue reading #WorldKidLitWednesday: Please Don’t Put That In Your Mouth
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 