Staff Picks

Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote
Written by Dinah Johnson, Illustrated by Jerry Jordan

Recommended by Rose Spector from Coral Reef Branch Library

Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote introduces young readers to the life and activism of African American journalist and suffragist, Ida B. Wells. Born in 1862, just months before the Emancipation Proclamation freed enslaved people, Wells grew up watching her parents stand up for what was right and learned to do the same.  The book shares the many instances where Wells did the right thing, standing bold and true to her values. The book highlights her role in the Women’s March of 1913, where she bravely marched alongside suffragists, advocating for women’s right to vote. Through simple language and vibrant illustrations, the book captures both Wells' personal struggles and her significant contributions to the fight for equality, inspiring readers to learn about history and stand up for justice. 

Dinah Johnson is an award-winning author of many children’s books, including Hair Dance!, Black Magic, Indigo Dreaming, and H is for Harlem. In addition to being an author, she is a Professor of English at the University of South Carolina and lives in Columbia, South Carolina.  

Illustrator Jerry Jordan is a painter working in the style of contemporary realism. He is a professional portrait artist who lives in Madison, Wisconsin. This is his first time illustrating a book for young readers. (Ages 5 – 9)

Sanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie’s Place, the Nation’s First Shelter for Women
Written by Christine McDonnell, Illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov

Recommended by Dan Jones from Naranja Branch Library

Sanctuary lifts the life and work of Kip Tiernan, a woman who dedicated herself to addressing the problems of poverty and homelessness, and their impacts on other women. Author Christine McDonnell, who teaches at the Boston women’s shelter founded by Tiernan, tells Tiernan’s story starting with her upbringing during the Great Depression and follows it through her many projects to support and empower poor and homeless women.

The book powerfully illustrates Tiernan's lifelong commitment to the simple belief that everybody deserves to be treated with respect. Her compassion and outrage at injustice are at the heart of the book, from beginning to end. Along the way, the story provides an excellent, age-appropriate perspective on poverty and homelessness and encourages young readers to understand the causes of social problems and the importance of finding ways to work together with others to make a real difference. Victoria Tentler-Krylov’s illustrations are warm and gentle, especially when they show Tiernan and the women she worked with eating, relaxing, and celebrating together.

Sanctuary is a wonderful biography of an unsung hero of our nation’s history, perfect for Women’s History Month. It is an inspiring call to readers of all ages to find ways to make the world a kinder, more empathetic and just place.

Christine McDonnell is a teacher, librarian, and children’s book author. Her other books include, When the Babies Came to Stay and Goyangi Means Cat.

Victoria Tentler-Krylov is an architect, editorial illustrator, and author and illustrator of children’s books. Her other illustrated works include Cyclops of Central Park by Madelyn Rosenberg and Building Zaha: The Story of Architect Zaha Hadid, which she also authored. (Ages 7 – 10)

Stacey Speaks Up
Written by Stacey Abrams, Illustrated by Kitt Thomas

Recommended by Ana Barreto from Edison Center Branch Library

When young Stacey realized that some children at her elementary school did not have money to buy lunch, she decided to do something about it. Seeing a boy in front of her return his tray of food to the cashier and walk away empty handed was truly heartbreaking, even more so when she noticed that it wasn’t just one boy, but several students. At a young age, Abrams believed something had to be done to change the rules. With the encouragement of her parents and the support of her teachers and friends, she achieved what seemed to be impossible: she got the rules changed!

Stacey Speaks Up depicts the positive impact we can make when we stand up for what is right. The book also invites adults to reflect on the direct impact food assistance programs, such as free and reduced school lunch have on daily living and how investing in children benefits everyone.

Stacey Abrams is a New York Times bestselling author, an award winner, and CEO of Sage Works Productions, an entertainment production company. She served in the Georgia House of Representatives, launching multiple organizations devoted to voting rights and tackling social issues at the state, national, and international levels. She is also the author of While Justice Sleeps: A Novel and Our Time Is Now: Power, Purpose, and the Fight for a Fair America.

Kitt Thomas is a first-generation Saint Lucian American author-illustrator and graduate of the Ringling College of Art and Design with a degree in Visual Studies. Thomas’ mission is to celebrate Black culture through drawings and to encourage inclusion in all forms of art. Thomas is the illustrator of Stacey’s Extraordinary Words and Stacey’s Remarkable Books by Stacey Abrams. (Ages 4 – 8)

Standing on Her Shoulders: A Celebration of Women
Written by Monica Clark-Robinson, Illustrated by Laura Freeman

Recommended by Rita Mayer from Miami Springs Branch Library

“Come sit with us, child, we have stories to tell. Listen closely. You come from a deep, deep well,” is how Standing on Her Shoulders: A Celebration of Women begins. Gathered around a table, a little girl listens to her mother and grandmother. They tell her stories of women who paved the way for future generations like her, women who opened doors, spoke up, and fought against opposition for women’s rights and equality. Drawing upon the African proverb, “If we stand tall it is because we stand on the shoulders of many ancestors,” the book instills a connection to past generations that helps create a sense of strength and purpose to the reader, empowering young girls to know that they, too, have agency and the power to be a force for positivity for themselves and the world around them.

These are not just familial lessons from elder generations. Standing on Her Shoulders is a retrospective history of hundreds of years of accomplished women that any young reader can draw strength and inspiration from, including Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, artist Frida Kahlo, Lemhi Shoshone tribe member Sacagawea, and writer Louisa May Alcott, to name a few. The colorful illustrations by Laura Freeman are not only engaging to the reader, but they capture the likeness of these historical women so well that they are easily recognizable. At the end of Standing on Her Shoulders, there is an epilogue of portraits, featuring each woman with a brief description of their significant contributions. The book provides a starting point for minds of all ages to explore these women’s accomplishments and contributions to society.

Lastly, a final thought is offered in Standing on Her Shoulders, leaving readers to ponder not just the past but also the future: “Who will stand on yours”?

Author Monica Clark-Robinson is a writer based in Arkansas. In addition to Standing on Her Shoulders, she is also the author of the Coretta Scott King Honor Book for Illustration and Kirkus Best Book, Let the Children March.

Laura Freeman has illustrated over 30 children’s books, including Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly, a New York Times bestseller. Freeman lives in Atlanta with her family. (Ages 4 – 8)

Girls on the Rise
Written by Amanda Gorman, Illustrated by Loveis Wise

Recommended by Joanna Boone from Main Library

“We are gutsy,
We are gorgeous,
Gleaming, giving, and gifted
Glorious glitter and grit.”

Amanda Gorman’s newest children’s book is a heart-felt poem dedicated to girls and women everywhere.  Its variation in rhyme attracts the ear in ways that make the reader want more, and leaves them with a song in their heart. The illustrations show a group of girls in brightly colored dream-like settings that blossom like seeds of change.  When they encounter other girls and notable women as they move throughout the story, the girls are faced with a range of emotions, ultimately bringing their magic to the surface.

Author Amanda Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history in addition to being a well-published writer, model, and activist. A collection of her poetry, including the inaugural poem recited in 2021, can be found in the collection The Hill We Climb. Other books for young children written by Gorman include Something, Someday and Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem.

Loveis Wise, is a fierce artist, whose illustrations light up this story, as well as many others at the library.  Wise’s works include Magnolia Flower by Zora Neale Hurston and Ibram X. Kendi, What I Must Tell the World: How Lorraine Hansberry Found Her Voice by Jay Leslie, Becoming Charley by Kelly DiPucchio, The People Remember by Ibi Zoboi, Say Her Name by Zetta Elliott, and Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Harvey. (Ages 4 – 8)

There Was a Party for Langston
Written by Jason Reynolds, Illustrated by Jerome and Jarrett Pumphrey

Recommended by Rose Spector from Coral Reef Branch Library

There is a party for Langston Hughes, and you are invited. Learn about the poet known as “The King of Letters” in this lyrical storybook that won a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor.  

In There Was a Party for Langston, readers are introduced to the famous poet. As you read through the pages, you’ll learn about his writing, how he turned words into pictures, and his fight against censorship. You’ll also learn about Maya Angelou and Amiri Baraka, two poets inspired by Langston. The sing-song nature of the poetry and beautiful illustrations make this a spectacular read. There Was a Party for Langston is a beautiful way to start introducing children to African American poets and authors.

Author Jason Reynolds is a #1 New York Times bestseller, recipient of the MacArthur Genius Grant, a two-time Walter Dean Myers Award winner, and winner of multiple Coretta Scott King awards, among many others. His books include Ain’t Burned All the Bright and My Name Is Jason. Mine Too: Our Story. Our Way, both cowritten with Jason Griffin. His solo published novel, Long Way Down, received a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, and a Coretta Scott King Honor. Reynolds currently lives in Washington, D.C.

Creative brothers Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey write and illustrate books for kids together. Jarrett currently lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, two sons, and two dogs. Jerome has been a graphic designer since 2016 at The Walt Disney Company. He works primarily from his home office in Georgetown, Texas where he lives with his wife and their three kids. Jarrett and Jerome’s books include The Old Truck, The Old Boat, Somewhere in the Bayou, and Creepy Things Are Scaring Me!, which they wrote and illustrated as teenagers.  (Ages 4 – 8)

Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller
Written by Breanna J. McDaniel, Illustrated by April Harrison

Recommended by Dan Jones from Naranja Branch Library

In Go Forth and Tell, author Breanna J. McDaniel tells the story of Augusta Baker – an African American children’s librarian and storyteller in New York who inspired generations of Black artists, writers, and thinkers to shift the way that Black people, and especially Black children, were depicted in children’s literature. McDaniel begins the narrative with Baker soaking up folktales and other stories from her grandmother, before realizing her own calling to pass on stories to future generations of children.

In the book, Baker saw how little children’s literature at the time featured Black people and how offensive and wrong most depictions were. She worked to change these depictions, compiling and sharing lists of quality children’s books featuring Black characters and stories, coordinating children’s services throughout the New York Public Library, and using a wide range of platforms to perform stories that encouraged and lifted Black children.

McDaniel is an excellent storyteller, writing Baker’s history in a way that is engaging, inspiring, and accessible for young people. April Harrison’s mixed-media collage of illustrations are truly beautiful and full of detail, especially the portraits of Augusta Baker and the people she touched throughout her long career. A well-told, informative love letter to a Black educator and cultural worker, Go Forth and Tell is an important read for children of all backgrounds, for Black History Month and any time of year.

Breanna J. McDaniel is an award-winning picture book author and scholar of children’s literature. Her debut book, Hands Up!, received numerous awards, and was selected as an inaugural First Novelist Honor book by the American Library Association Black Caucus and School Library Journal. Her other books include Cute Toot and Impossible Moon. She is also the co-founder of the educational conference, Researchers Exploring Inclusive Youth Literature (REIYL).

April Harrison is an artist and illustrator from South Carolina. Her first illustrated children’s book, What Is Given from The Heart by Patricia C. McKissack, won the 2020 Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe Award for New Illustrator. Since then, she has continued to produce artwork for children’s books, as well as for fine art galleries, broadcast media, and public collections. Her 2022 illustration work in Me and the Boss: A Story About Mending and Love by Michelle Edwards was selected as a 2023 Coretta Scott King Honor book. (Ages 5 – 8)

For Our Daughters
Written by Mel Nyoko, Illustrated by Joelle Avelino

Recommended by Ana Barreto from Edison Center Branch Library

According to For Our Daughters, “If people say you’re not special, tell them you are like the moon, among millions of stars but shining the brightest.” For Our Daughters is a wonderful book that helps build young girls’ self-esteem. It uses creative similes to highlight each character’s unique traits and characteristics. Accentuating the impact of each girl’s voice and self-determination, For Our Daughters is a delightful and poetic reading. Using amazing imagery, it empowers daughters to realize how special they are in their own unique ways. Each figure of speech is surprisingly distinctive and unexpected. Paired with beautiful and delicate illustrations, For Our Daughters is a pleasure to share with girls.

Author Mel Nyoko is a Congolese-born British writer and poet who has performed her poetry across the United Kingdom, the United States, and Africa. She has extensively traveled to various African countries, teaching English and poetry in schools. For Our Daughters is her debut picture book. Nyoko currently lives in London.

Joelle Avelino is a Congolese and Angolan illustrator who grew up in the United Kingdom. She obtained a degree in illustration and marketing from the University of Hertfordshire. She collaborated with author Dapo Adeola in Hey You! An Empowering Celebration of Growing Up Black, an award-winning book, and contributed to the 25thanniversary edition of the United Kingdom’s Baroness Floella Benjamin’s classic memoir, Coming to England. (Ages 4 – 8)

Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better
Written by Glenda Armand and Kim Freeman, Illustrated by Keith Mallett

Recommended by Ericka White Harden from Miami Springs Branch Library

Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better is a heartwarming picture book that will leave kids and adults smiling from ear to ear. This delightful story introduces young readers to Augustus Jackson, a determined boy from the 1850s with a big dream of bringing joy to others and inspiring them to dream big too.

Born in Philadelphia in 1808, Jackson was a freeman but grew up poor. Even as a child, he had a knack for cooking and a desire to help his family. At just 12 years old, he left home to pursue his passion in Washington, D.C., landing a job at the White House! Through hard work and perseverance, Jackson climbed the ranks to become a cook, wowing everyone with his talent for making sweet treats like ice cream.

But his dream wasn’t done yet. He wanted everyone—not just the wealthy—to enjoy the creamy delight of ice cream. Back in Philadelphia, he opened his own ice cream parlor, reunited his family who joined him in the business, created new flavors, invented a way to make ice cream last longer by adding rock salt, and made ice cream a treat to be enjoyed by everyone.

This inspiring book is more than just a story—it’s a celebration of following your dreams, overcoming challenges, and sharing joy with the world. The recipe featured at the end of the book is the cherry on top, letting readers try their hand at making Jackson’s famous dessert. Perfect for children who love history, food, or stories about chasing your dreams, Ice Cream Man reminds us that no dream is too big if you work hard and believe in yourself.

Author Glenda Armand is a middle school librarian who taught elementary and middle school for many years. Her approach to teaching and writing has been to recognize the uniqueness of her students and readers while celebrating their similarities and shared humanity. Co-author Kim Freeman is a children's book writer in Bloomington, Indiana who enjoys writing books that inspire children to follow their dreams.

Illustrator Keith Mallett is an American painter, etcher, and ceramic artist whose subject matter ranges from figurative to abstract art.  His work has been exhibited worldwide and is featured in corporate and private collections.  He has enjoyed considerable success with numerous sold-out, limited-edition prints and was commissioned to craft the official limited-edition print commemorating the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's breakthrough into major league baseball. (Ages 4 – 8)

Black Boy, Black Boy: Celebrate the Power of YOU
Written by Ali Kamanda and Jorge Redmond, Illustrated by Ken Daley

Recommended by Joanna Boone from Main Library

Reminiscent of a children’s picture book that asks the question, “What do you see?,” Black Boy, Black Boy: Celebrate the Power of YOU sweeps the reader into the rhythm of a familiar preschool classic while providing so much more. It seats Black culture in the hearts, minds, and bodies of our youth. Black Boy, Black Boy: Celebrate the Power of YOU takes the reader along a path to greet familiar and unfamiliar faces of the past, offering readers the opportunity to learn about historical changemakers.  The rhythm of the book gives power to young audiences and celebrates the rich history of impactful, diverse black male leaders in a range of fields. The story can be shared easily with audiences from preschool age to elementary.

This is author Ali Kamanda’s first published children’s book with co-author Jorge Redmond. He and Redmond have since authored Black Girl, Black Girl: Celebrate the Power of YOU. Kamanda is an award-winning filmmaker and writer from Sierra Leone. Redmond is an attorney and professional writer from North Carolina.  This unique team met as friends in college and authored this story after having families of their own.

Illustrator Ken Daley’s vibrant artwork brings the reader along the path of greatness in this story.  More of his artwork is seen in Back Home: Story Time with My Father by Arlène Elizabeth Casimir, Jayden’s Impossible Garden by Mélina Mangal, and Saturday Morning at the ‘Shop by Keenan Jones. Daley is from Canada but draws much of his artistic style from his parents, who immigrated from Dominica. (Ages 3 – 7)

Amy Wu and the Lantern Festival
Written by Kat Zhang, Illustrated by Charlene Chua

Recommended by Rose Spector from Coral Reef Branch Library

Amy Wu and the Lantern Festival is a delightful and heartwarming story that celebrates family, traditions, and resilience. The Lunar New Year is Amy Wu’s favorite holiday, filled with delicious food, vibrant decorations, and the excitement of red envelopes. But what she loves most is carrying her family’s special lantern during the annual festival. This lantern isn’t just a beautiful decoration—it holds deep sentimental value, reminding Amy’s father of his mother and keeping their family traditions alive.

Disaster strikes when Amy accidentally falls and damages the precious lantern. Heartbroken and afraid that she’s ruined the festival for her family, Amy figures out how to repair the lantern and preserve the tradition. The story takes readers on an emotional and uplifting journey, blending themes of love, creativity, and the importance of both honoring and evolving family customs.

Author Kat Zhang masterfully weaves cultural elements into the narrative, introducing young readers to the traditions of the Lunar New Year, while showing how old and new traditions can coexist. Illustrator Charlene Chua’s stunning drawings bring the story to life with vibrant colors and expressive characters that capture both the joy of the celebrations and the poignancy of Amy’s dilemma.

Fans of the book will be thrilled to know that this is just one story in the Amy Wu series. Other titles include Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao, Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon, Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome, and Amy Wu and the Ribbon Dance. Zhang, known for her work in children’s and middle-grade literature, draws inspiration from her Chinese heritage and upbringing in Texas. Chua adds her signature charm and detail to the book, continuing her streak of creating captivating visuals for children’s stories. Chua’s other works include The Wind Plays Tricks by Virginia Howard, Going Up! by Sherry J. Lee, and her self-authored and illustrated books Extraordinary Eloise and Hug?

Amy Wu and the Lantern Festival is a wonderful book for families and children who love learning about cultural traditions, enjoy heartfelt stories, and appreciate beautifully illustrated picture books. It’s a glowing reminder that the true essence of traditions lies in the love and connections they foster. This charming tale earns a well-deserved 5 out of 5 glowing lanterns! (Ages 4 – 8)

We Celebrate the Light 
Written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple, Illustrated by Jieting Chen

Recommended by Ana Barreto from Edison Center Branch Library

As the days grow shorter and the nights arrive sooner, people around the world come together to celebrate the end of the year in unique yet remarkably similar ways. In this beautifully illustrated book, readers discover the common threads that connect us all, no matter the holidays we observe. Whether it’s Diwali, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, or the Lunar New Year, the heart of these celebrations remains the same—honoring life, family, and togetherness.

We Celebrate the Light highlights mutual traditions, such as gathering with loved ones, sharing meals, exchanging gifts, decorating, and reflecting with prayers and stories. This book emphasizes that no matter how we celebrate, we’re all united by light and love. For young readers curious about the diversity of these traditions, the book concludes with a brief but insightful explanation of each holiday, making it an excellent resource for both learning and celebration.

Written by the talented mother-daughter duo Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple, this book is as heartfelt as it is educational. Jane Yolen, known as the “Hans Christian Andersen of America,” has authored hundreds of books, including the Caldecott-winning Owl Moon and the How Do Dinosaurs series. Author Heidi E. Y. Stemple, following in her mother’s footsteps, has written nearly 50 books, including the award-winning Counting Birds: The Idea That Helped Save Our Feathered Friends and She Sells Seashells. Together, they bring their personal experiences of celebrating Chanukah, Christmas, Solstice, and the Lunar New Year to the story, weaving in authenticity and warmth.

The illustrations by Jieting Chen add another layer of magic to the book. An award-winning animator and illustrator, Chen captures the beauty of each holiday with intricate details and luminous colors that radiate warmth and joy. Her artistry invites readers into the celebrations, making every page a feast for the eyes.

This book is perfect for families looking to teach children about cultural diversity or simply to celebrate the light that connects us all. Whether read at bedtime or shared during a holiday gathering, it’s a story that inspires unity and joy. (Ages 3 – 6)

Black-Eyed Peas and Hoghead Cheese: A Story of Food, Family, and Freedom
Written by Glenda Armand, Illustrated by Steffi Walthall

Recommended by Dan Jones from Naranja Branch Library

Black-Eyed Peas and Hoghead Cheese is a heartfelt celebration of family, food, and history. For young Frances, New Year’s Day is all about gathering with her family and preparing a feast filled with meaning and tradition. While helping her grandmother cook, Frances learns the powerful stories behind the dishes they prepare—black-eyed peas, hoghead cheese, turnip greens, gumbo, and more. Each dish carries the legacy of their ancestors, particularly the enslaved Black communities in the South. As her grandmother explains, “These foods remind us that we are here, and we are free because of the hard work and sacrifices of our ancestors.”

This book beautifully weaves the history of African American cooking and the importance of preserving and sharing traditions across generations. Steffi Walthall’s stunning illustrations bring the narrative to life, shifting seamlessly between Frances and her grandmother in the kitchen and garden, and scenes of their ancestors finding strength and joy through food, even amidst the hardships of slavery.

Black-Eyed Peas and Hoghead Cheese is a powerful story for readers of all races and cultures. It offers children a meaningful introduction to African American New Year’s traditions while encouraging deeper conversations about the significance of the foods we eat and the ways we celebrate. The story is not only a tribute to the resilience of African American communities but also a reminder of how food connects us to our history and our loved ones.

Glenda Armand, a Los Angeles-based teacher, librarian, and author, has a gift for sharing untold stories. Her other works include Toypurina: Japchivit Leader, Medicine Woman, Tongva Rebel with co-author Cheyenna M. Stone, Love Twelve Miles Long, The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story, and James Lafayette: Black Hero of the American Revolution.

Illustrator Steffi Walthall, based in Virginia, adds depth and vibrancy to the story through her art. Known for her work on Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round by Kathlyn J. Kirkwood, Moving Forward: From Space-Age Rides to Civil Rights Sit-Ins with Airman Alton Yates by Chris Barton, and I Am I Can I Will: A Guided Journal of Self-Discovery for Black Girls by Dr. Cynthia Jacobs Carter and Ruth Chamblee, Walthall captures the beauty of familial bonds and ancestral strength with her dynamic and evocative style.

Black-Eyed Peas and Hoghead Cheese is a feast for the heart and mind, leaving readers inspired to cherish and share their own stories. This book is perfect for families, educators, and anyone seeking to explore the rich history and culture of African American traditions. (Ages 4 – 8)

Let’s Get Festive!: Celebrations Around the World
Written by Joanna Kończak, Illustrated by Ewa Poklewska-Koziello

Recommended by Rita Mayer from Miami Springs Branch Library

Let’s Get Festive!: Celebrations Around the World is a captivating exploration of global holiday traditions that will fascinate young readers. Did you know that New Year’s Eve is called St. Sylvester’s Day in Germany? That mango trees are decorated for Christmas in India? Or that in southern China they celebrate a Hungry Ghost Festival? These are just a few of the delightful facts waiting to be discovered in this beautifully crafted book.

Translated from Polish, this 175-page treasure is ideal for elementary-aged children, offering a vibrant mix of cultural insights and historical tidbits. The book is uniquely organized by themes rather than geography. Sections like "Welcoming the New Year," "Celebrations of Nature," "Religious Holidays," and "Carnivals" take readers on a thematic tour across nations and cultures. This structure allows young minds to see how different communities celebrate similar ideas—like renewal, joy, and gratitude—around the world.

The book introduces fascinating traditions, such as the Busójárás parade in Hungary, where the Croatian ethnic minority group Šokci wear wooden masks and sheepskin coats in a lively costume carnival. Readers also learn about Purim, a joyous Jewish holiday where children dress in costumes, perform skits, and receive candy. Each celebration is brought to life with charming illustrations by Ewa Poklewska-Koziełło, whose simple yet suggestive artwork perfectly complements the text.

Author Joanna Kończak enriches the reader’s experience with historical context, explaining how holidays often trace back to ancient Greek, Roman, or pagan traditions, or commemorate significant historical events. She also delves into the fascinating differences in calendars—such as the Gregorian, Julian, lunar, and luni-solar—that influence when holidays are celebrated. Without overwhelming young readers with detail, the book provides just enough information to spark curiosity and encourage further exploration and learning.

This comprehensive and accessible book is an excellent introduction to the diverse ways people around the world celebrate life, nature, and culture. It invites readers to reflect on their own traditions while appreciating those of others, making it a wonderful resource for homes, classrooms, and libraries.

Kończak, an accomplished children’s author and editor, draws from her studies in intercultural psychology and her love for travel and cultural exploration to write captivating stories. Poklewska-Koziełło, a Polish illustrator with a background in architecture, brings warmth and energy to every page with her engaging artwork.

Let’s Get Festive!: Celebrations Around the World is an enlightening and delightful read, perfect for sparking curiosity and fostering a sense of global connection among young readers. (Ages 4 and up)

Two New Years
Written by Richard Ho, Illustrated by Lynn Scurfield

Recommended by Joanna Boone from Main Library

Happy New Year! But what does this phrase really mean? Two New Years explores how two siblings from one multi-cultural family celebrate the New Year based on their Chinese and Jewish cultures. Readers will learn about the similarities and differences between the two ethnic calendars as well as the cultural traditions that accompany them. This book allows the readers to uniquely compare and consider the origins of New Years’ traditions, while appreciating their individual meanings. 

The bright and beautiful pictures instill a sense of familial love and celebration. The children and parents in this story elegantly share their very specific traditions in truly distinctive ways. Having two New Years brings this blended family closer year after year.

Richard Ho is a Chinese American writer from California. He has published many other books including If Lin Can: How Jeremy Lin Inspired Asian American to Shoot for the Stars, A Taste of Home, and Year of the Cat.  Earlier this year Ho received the National Jewish Book award for Two New Years.

Lynn Scurfield is a Chinese Canadian artist and illustrator from Toronto, Ontario.  She was awarded the National Jewish Book award for Two New Years and has illustrated several other children’s books, including The Quest for a Tangram Dragon by Christine Liu-Perkins, Flight by Mya-Rose Craig, and Friends Are Friends, Forever by Dane Liu. (Ages 5 – 8)