It’s the end of the year, and I feel like there are so many books I never got to tell you about! So this month I decided to share some of my favorite books that came out earlier this year. That means you don’t have to wait for the release date, so find these on the shelves or check out a digital version and enjoy!
Picture Books
“The Big Worry Day” written by K.A. Reynolds and illustrated by Chloe Dominque
You may think that there have been a lot of books about dealing with anxiety lately, but this one has a PUPPER! And more ways to talk about working through anxiety are always welcome. The little girl in this story claims that her dog worries just like she does. Their only agenda is to go outside and play, but there are so many things the narrator worries could go wrong. Together they tackle their day using various strategies like breathing and thinking of their favorite things. (The dog’s thought balloon prominently features the little girl, which is ADORABLE.) There’s a sweet and helpful author’s note in the back that talks about working through anxiety.
“Time to Fly” written by George Ella Lyon and illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman
This is one to keep in mind for the start of a new school year, as well as graduation season in May! A little robin is scared to leave the nest, and their mama patiently and gently encourages them. The artwork is lovely and has great perspectives of the huge sky and cozy nest, and the verse writing is very well done. If you’re looking for something beyond “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” this is the perfect option.
“Mouse Calls” written by Anne Marie Pace and illustrated by Erin Kraan
This one is a lot of fun. Mouse sees a storm coming and hastens to warn everyone. All the animals in the community warn each other, in a delightful rhythm and rhyme. “Mouse calls Moose. // Moose calls Goose. / Goose calls Dog / and Hog / and Hare. // Hare calls Bat. / Bat calls Cat. / Cat calls Frog / and then calls Mare.” Don’t you just love the way that bounces? There’s a whole bunch of animals (who admittedly probably wouldn’t live near each other) and they all take shelter from the storm together in a cave. The illustrations are beautiful and detailed, and readers will enjoy seeing what everyone brings to the cave as the community weathers the storm together with warmth and joy.
Chapter Books
“Leave it to Plum!” by Matt Phelan
This illustrated chapter book is super fun. Plum is a peacock in the zoo, and he and the other peacocks are allowed to roam as “ambassadors.” Plum takes his job very seriously and loves welcoming guests to the zoo. But a tiny marsupial (a ningbing!) is jealous that the peacocks get to be free and tries to frame them for a series of thefts and even get rid of them altogether. The plot zips along, there’s plenty of alliteration and fun illustrations, and there’s even a more serious underlying theme about loneliness and community.
“Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun” by Tola Okogwu
This fantasy is a bit more intense! Onyeka is British Nigerian, and has always been self-conscious about her hair, which seems to have a mind of its own. When a friend almost drowns at the pool, and Onyeka’s hair forms a protective bubble around the two of them, Onyeka’s mom confesses that she has magic. Just like her missing father, Onyeka is a Solari, and they head back to Nigeria to be trained. This is a series starter, and while the magic boarding school setting may be familiar, the Afrofuturism is a refreshing change.
“The Two Wrong Halves of Ruby Taylor” by Amanda Panitch
Ruby has a Catholic mom and a Jewish dad and constantly feels like she isn’t Jewish enough to please her dad’s family, especially her grandma. Grandma Yvette lavishes attention on Sarah, Ruby’s overachieving (and Jewish on both sides) cousin. But when Sarah starts acting out, being rude to everyone and ordering non-kosher cheeseburgers, Ruby realizes that she may be possessed by the dybbuk they accidentally unleashed. The problem is that a dybbuk can only be dispelled by a “pious Jew” and Ruby has never felt good enough. This looks great and gives valuable insight into the lives of kids in mixed-faith tradition families.
