It’s a whole new year of discovering fantastic picture books together. Are you ready to read, read, read? Here’s what I like and love about my favorites. I hope it’ll help you add tons of awesome books to your must-read pile. Which books are you most excited to read?
If you have a new PB releasing, check out how I’ll consider it for a future PB Buzz at the bottom of this post. 🙂
I hotlinked the titles to Goodreads, so you can easily search for your favorites in various stores and in some libraries. Tip: while you’re there, clicking ‘want to read’ helps authors. So do reviews!
In addition to discovering amazing new books, you can also enter to win prizes! If you’re a teacher, media specialist or parent and win a critique prize, I’d be happy to hook you up with a Zoom chat with a book reading & Q&A instead.
A History of Me by Adrea Theodore, Erin Robinson (Illustrations)
Who do you see when you look in the mirror? One mother’s account of her experience as the only Black child in school serves as an empowering message to her own daughter and children of color everywhere.
Life can be hard for the only brown girl in a classroom full of white students. When the teacher talks about slavery, she can feel all of her classmates staring at her. When they talk about civil rights, she is the one that other kids whisper about on the playground. In those moments, she wants to slip away or seep into the ground; and she wonders, is that all you see when you look at me?
What really matters is what she sees when she looks at herself. She is a reflection of the courage, strength, intelligence and creativity that’s been passed down from generation to generation through her ancestors.
Inspired by her daughter’s experience in school as well as her own, Adrea Theodore’s debut picture book is a powerful testament to the past as well as a benediction for the future. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
This book is so powerful, it made me tear up. It breaks my heart that some children want to slide to the floor or seep into the ground when there’s nobody who looks like them around. I hope this empowering story shows them they should be proud of who they are and where they come from…and are free to be anything they want to be.
Books like this make me realize how privileged I am. And how important it is to reach out to anyone who might be feeling alone. Like they’re the only one like them in the room. And let them know you’re there for them.
Anzu the Great Kaijuby by Benson Shum
An adorable picture book from animator Benson Shum about a tiny monster with a big heart trying to follow in his family’s footsteps.
All great Kaiju are born with a super power to strike fear in the heart of the city.
But Anzu is different.
Instead of mayhem, he likes May flowers.
Instead of striking fear, he prefers to be sincere.
Can Anzu find a way to make his family proud and stay true to his kind self?
From Disney animator Bensom Shum comes an adorable and heartwarming picture book about making your own way and the unexpected power of gentleness—perfect for fans of Ferdinand the Bull.
Such a sweet, heartfelt story that encourages kids to be true to themselves. I rooted for Anzu every step of the way. I love the adorable illustrations, too.
A behind-the-scenes look at the creation and evolution of Wonder Woman, the iconic character who has inspired generations of girls and women as a symbol of female strength and power.
Perhaps the most popular female superhero of all time, Wonder Woman was created by Bill Marston in 1941, upon the suggestion of his wife, Elizabeth. Wonder Woman soon showed what women can do—capture enemy soldiers, defeat criminals, become president, and more. Her path since has inspired women and girls while echoing their ever-changing role in society. Now a new group of devoted young fans enjoy her latest films, Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984, and await a third installation being planned for theatrical release. This exceptional book raises up the many women who played a part in her evolution, from Elizabeth Marston to writer Joye Hummel to director Patty Jenkins, and makes clear that the fight for gender equality is still on-going.
Wow—I had no idea how much Wonder Woman had to fight to stay around, to keep her lasso and powers…and especially to keep empowering girls so they grow up knowing they can be anything they want.
This is packed with fascinating facts! I love how it shows kids what women can do…starting at a time when people didn’t think the world would be interested in a woman superhero. I’m so glad they were wrong!
Amah Faraway by Margaret Chiu Greanias, Tracy Subisak (Illustrations)
A delightful story of a child’s visit to a grandmother and home far away, and of how families connect and love across distance, language, and cultures.
Kylie is nervous about visiting her grandmother—her Amah—who lives SO FAR AWAY.
When she and Mama finally go to Taipei, Kylie is shy with Amah. Even though they have spent time together in video chats, those aren’t the same as real life. And in Taiwan, Kylie is at first uncomfortable with the less-familiar language, customs, culture, and food. However, after she is invited by Amah—Lái kàn kàn! Come see!—to play and splash in the hot springs (which aren’t that different from the pools at home), Kylie begins to see this place through her grandmother’s eyes and sees a new side of the things that used to scare her. Soon, Kylie is leading her Amah—Come see! Lái kàn kàn!—back through all her favorite parts of this place and having SO MUCH FUN! And when it is time to go home, the video chats will be extra special until they can visit faraway again.
Such a beautiful story about staying in touch with relatives who live far away. And all the skittery-jittery feelings of visiting them for the first time. I love how taking a chance and dipping her toe in the hot springs literally changes Kylie’s perspective and enthusiasm about visiting an exciting new place.
A hilarious picture book about a dog who never barks. Everyone in town knows Neverwoof is a good dog—so quiet, so composed. But when danger is in the house, will he find his bark? With rhyming text that begs to be read aloud and retro-style art in pantone color, Neverwoof is a hilarious picture book with a surprising twist!
There was a dog named Neverwoof,
and never did he woof.
He chased a siren.
Woo woo woo.
He saved a baby.
Boo hoo hoo.
He got high-fives from the fire crew.
But never did he woof.
What a fun, bouncy rhythm—great for read alouds. I love all the hidden pictures in the clouds (and kids will, too). And there’s a great unexpected twist at the end.
Ten Blocks to the Big Wok: A Chinatown Counting Book
This charming bilingual English/Mandarin counting book uses a stroll through Chinatown to introduce readers to the numbers one through ten in Chinese … and will leave you hungry besides!
As Mia and her uncle Eddie travel the ten blocks from their apartment to the Big Wok restaurant, Mia spies one giant panda ride, two lion statues, three swimming turtles, four bonsai trees, five tai chi practitioners … There are so many things to see in Chinatown! And when they reach the Big Wok, they find ten yummy dim sum dishes to eat. But what route should they take back home?
This sweet story about a girl, her uncle, and a little cat they meet on the way accomplishes multiple fun and useful aims: It’s a fully bilingual counting book that teaches readers the numbers one through ten in both simplified Mandarin and English. It provides a fun tour of a typical Chinatown–a beloved neighborhood in many cities around the world. Children will enjoy spotting the kitten in every illustration as it trails Mia and Uncle Eddie through the streets. And with each item that Mia encounters on her walk, the book introduces some fascinating new aspect of Chinese culture or myth, as explained in the friendly backmatter. Join Mia and Uncle Eddie as they wander Ten Blocks to the Big Wok!
A counting story with a surprise friend and bilingual text make this an interesting journey through Chinatown. Fantastic back matter, too!
A clever lamb outsmarts a nosy wolf in this humorous fable about digital citizenship and internet privacy for young children.
Mitzi knows to keep personal information private. When a furry stranger named Rolf starts asking Mitzi questions about her name, where she lives, where her mom and dad work, and more, the clever Mitzi quickly devises a strategy to dispatch the nosy wolf using her dance skills!
A refrain of “That’s Private!” teaches kids the importance of privacy when it comes to sharing personal information while hilarious visual gags keep the reading experience light. Perfect for teaching children how to use the internet in a safe, respectful manner, Mitzi and the Big Bad Nosy Wolf is just the book for today’s young digital citizens.
Back matter includes Mitzi’s Rules for Digital Citizenship, which outlines best practices when using the internet, from safety to cyberbullying; a glossary that include such terms as public, private, and digital footprint; and a memory game activity for at home or classroom use.
I love how this funny story weaves dance moves and a clever plan to help Mitzi escape the Big Bad Nosy Wolf. It’s a great way to spark important discussions with kids to help them stay safe.
Friends Are Friends, Forever by Dane Liu, Lynn Scurfield (Illustrations)
A moving picture book about Chinese paper cutting and sharing the magic of friendship across continents.
On a snowy Lunar New Year’s Eve, it’s Dandan’s last night with Yueyue. Tomorrow, she leaves China for America. The two best friends have a favorite wintertime tradition: crafting paper-cut snowflakes, freezing them outside, and hanging them as ornaments. Will there be anyone to carry on this tradition with in Dandan’s new home?
With the wisdom of Dreamers by Yuyi Morales and the heartfelt holiday appeal of Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin, Dane Liu shares a story based on her own immigration experience, the infinite impact of friendship, and passing on love and kindness around the world.
This is a sweet story about forever friends and sharing traditions. Moving is always hard for a child…especially when it’s to another country where you don’t speak the language. I love the concept of friends being friends forever…bringing a piece of friends and loved ones wherever you go.
A great book for kids who are moving—but also for everyone to realize how much people who have moved to their area could use a friend.
Robo-Motion: Robots That Move Like Animals by Linda Zajac
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a . . . robo-hummingbird? Meet robots engineered using biomimicry that are built to move like animals. These robots are changing the way we live today and shaping the way we’ll live in the future. On spreads pairing photos of robots with the animals they mimic, you’ll discover robots that race through water like fish, run like cheetahs, jump like a kangaroo, swarm through the sky like honeybees, and more!
Fun word play and awesome photos show how animals inspire all kinds of helpful robots. I had no idea so many types of robots exist! Now whenever I see an animal move, I’ll wonder what kind of robot it might inspire.
Thanks so much for reading PB Buzz! And a huge thanks to everyone who generously donated a prize on the two Rafflecopters below to help celebrate all of these amazing new books. All prizes below are on this Rafflecopter (you can view them by clicking the arrow under each prize). You have the opportunity to win:
PB critique or 30 minute Zoom chat with me [Winner: Meghan Downs]
Critique or Zoom with Gabe Jensen, author/illustrator of NEVERWOOF: THE DOG THAT NEVER BARKED. [Winner: Corey King]
*Everyone can enter the giveaways on this first Rafflecopter!*
a Rafflecopter giveawayThis Rafflecopter has awesome new books you can win…and is open only to those in the US.
Signed copy of NEVERWOOF: THE DOG THAT NEVER BARKED with extra feline find-it activities. (The book has a kitty find-it.) by author/illustrator Gabe Jensen [Winner: Shaunda Wenger]
Signed copy of A TRUE WONDER: THE COMIC BOOK HERO WHO CHANGED EVERYTHING by Kirsten W. Larson (Illustrated by Katy Wu) [Winner: Mary Helen Berg]
Signed copy of ROBO-MOTION: ROBOTS THAT MOVE LIKE ANIMALS by Linda Zajac and a bookmark [Winner: Mary Munson]
*Everything you do for the first Rafflecopter can count for this one, too. So if you leave a blog comment, you get credit on both Rafflecopters. Just click that you did it on each Rafflecopter and enjoy the extra entries.*
a Rafflecopter giveawayWinners will be shown on this post and shouted out on Twitter on Sunday, February 6 . Good luck!
*The next PBParty New Draft Challenge & Critique Train will be on Sunday, February 20, 2022. This will be the last chance to hop onboard for feedback before the 2022 PBParty contest submission day on March 1 (we have at least 53 amazing agents and editors for the final round).
I can’t wait to share more amazing books with you next month!
If you have a recently released or upcoming picture book with a publisher on the SCBWI PAL list and would like me to read and consider it for PB Buzz, click here to fill out a Google form. I’m excited to read all of your books…but can only share a limited amount each month.
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