A beautifully narrated and breathtakingly illustrated biography about Pura Belpré – the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City. This book is a must see: Planting Stories The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illustrations by Paola Escobar.

An incredible non-fiction picture book about the history of the Negro Leagues. A hefty book in size and information, overflowing with breathtaking paintings by Kadir Nelson, this is a book not to be missed by baseball lovers everywhere.

A special new book. A charming story about a little boy encountering a girl with noticeable disability and learning that making friends is not as hard as it feels sometimes. This book is like illustrated role-play, teaching how to handle specific situations. It opens conversations. It puts things into words that we don’t even know how to ask. And this book breaks several picture book “rules” for some really good reasons. Check out When Charley Met Emma by Amy Webb, illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard.

Today I wrestle with how to share a brilliantly clever, marvelously illustrated book. It is a story, quite simply, about walls. It is a surprising story, a hilarious story, a fun and thought-provoking story. Don’t miss this one. It is worth reading, talking about with everyone, and reading aloud to anyone: The Wall in the(…)

The newest one to our stack is Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968 by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, 2018. It is a lengthier picture book, a combination of poetry and prose, based on a teacher who participated in the strike and marches in Memphis as a child. Come learn along with me.

Today’s book is another well-known song, this time without explanation; but rather exquisitely illustrated, depicting a beautiful interpretation of the song’s message of faith, trust, family, and nature.

A clever and beautifully illustrated story about forest friends determined to have everyone attend Moose’s upcoming Valentine’s Day party, especially Groundhog, whom they have to first stop from seeing his shadow!