Hey, Water! by Antoinette Portis

Recent children's nonfiction has taken a quantum leap forward. Gone are the didactic, textbook-style approaches to informational books, Today young readers are treated to interesting information in a variety of print formats.  Hey, Water! is a stellar example of this current evolution in nonfiction. Portis has created a picture book that combines striking images, carefully selected text, and accurate information. The author employs an unusual literary device. Little Zoe, enjoying a bath, considers her surroundings and speaks directly to water, an everyday friend. Zoe itemizes her ongoing experiences with water and considers the properties of this essential substance.

The Little Guys by Vera Brosgol

Award-winning author/illustrator Vera Brosgol has a unique approach to this concept. The Little Guys are acorns, as observed from a variety of perspectives. The story begins with an aerial view of an island with several microscopic dots. Subsequent pages reveal that the tiny specks are a cluster of acorns. These nuts may be diminutive in appearance, but they have a mega-sized attitude. They proudly proclaim, as a collective force, they wield considerable power. ​​They are fearless:  scaling heights, moving what should be immovable, taking what they need. They are unstoppable.

​Little Things by Nick Dyer ill by Kelly Pousette

Little things are everywhere, but they’re never just little things. Nick Dyer celebrates the often the overlooked and under-appreciated. Meet a girl, exploring her world and marveling at small things that can potentially have long-lasting ramifications. Readers will observe that initial pages present a background that is slightly blurry. Progressing through the next few pages, this girl begins to examine her world closely. As this occurs, background becomes sharply focused and intricately detailed. Soon she has a pair of binoculars and a flashlight. She finds fascinating discoveries as she takes time to explore her environment,

Pint-Sized Fun

World's Smallest Tinker Toys

Miniature Library

Inchimals Measuring Toy

Hair Love
by Matthew A. Cherry ill by Vashti Harrison

Zuri is preparing for a special day and wants to have the perfect hairstyle. Daddy is napping. She reasons that he deserves a rest and decides that she can handle styling detail. The task becomes more challenging than she envisioned. ​I have hair that has a mind of its own. Sequestered on a bathroom stool, she searches her tablet for hairstyle inspiration. When the tablet clatters to the tile floor, dad wakes up and comes to investigate. He lovingly offers to help Zuri. "It'll be a piece of cake." Soon it is evident that this project is more difficult than he thought. Readers have the mirror’s perspective, viewing the reflected image of Daddy's repeated attempts at a variety of creative styles.

"You've got to be the prettiest supergirl I have ever seen"

Hello Matthew

While this is his first picture book, Cherry is a well-known personality. He transitioned from career as an NFL wide receiver to director of music videos and filmmaker. Hair Love is based on Cherry's direction of an animated short film.

Daddy and Daughter

We Are the Change: Words of Inspiration from Civil Rights Leaders
introduction by Harry Belefonte

Have you picked up a book and without cracking it open, knew that it was going to be something extraordinary? That was my initial response to We Are the Change: Words of Inspiration from Civil Rights Leaders. ​The case features embossed lettering  and Dan Santat's illustration of a John Lewis quote. We may not have chosen the time, but the time has chosen us.

Sixteen remarkable artists lend their talents to this project. Each illustrator selected a  a Civil Rights leader's inspirational words. Art is reflective of the message and unique to the artist's style.  Each illustrator's personal consideration of the quotation is included.  Images and text are compelling and profoundly moving.  The volume, inspired by the work of the American Civil Liberties Union, echoes a commitment to human rights. Harry Belafonte offers a thoughtful introduction.

Companion Resources

Anthology of poetry, essays, and art reflects and honors the ongoing struggle for justice, equality, and respect.

Barack Obama and "We are the change" Looking for opportunities to be involved in meaningful change? Try this site.

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero ill bi Zeke Peña

The powerhouse duo that created the 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Award winning Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide, are back.  Quintero and Peña capture the wonder of childhood, family, and community with this picture book.  Beginning with the cover, readers come along on this joyful ride. Eyes closed, wind-whipped ponytail, hands securely grasping her strong Papi, little unicorn-helmeted Daisy exudes the exhilarating thrill of motorcycle travel.  Papi gives his daughter a tender glance as they ride together.

More Latino Book Love

Lowriders

Most Marshmallows by Rowboat Watkins

What inspired Rowboat Watkins to create Most Marshmallows? Was it exploring new ways of looking at the world, celebrating the wonders of creativity, or was it delight in these pillowy confections most often found floating in a cup of hot chocolate? The picture book’s introductory pages characterize marshmallows as common folk, born as sweet little puffs into homes with loving parents. They celebrate birthdays, watch TV, play outdoors. Weekdays are spent in school where they learn to be squishy and stand in rows. Evenings, the family sits down to dinner before young ones are tucked into bed.  It’s a pleasant, predictable existence.

It's a Marshmallow World

Taking my cue from Watkins carefully arranged settings, I decided to try making my own surrealistic scenes. I discovered these amazing big boys: Giant Roasters aka jumbo-sized marshmallows. The photo at right gives a sense of just how large these puff balls are. With a few craft supplies, a handful of old F&G's (unbound, not-yet-published picture book pages), and my trusty glue gun I was ready to create my own marshmallow worlds. I imagined my own fantastical scenes. This was so much fun!

See marshmallows clowning around, soaring across the sky in a parachute, and bravely befriending a dragon.

This book and the accompanying activity would make a good project for classrooms and after school projects. ​ Taking it one step further, it would make a terrific summer camp program. After reading, try making whimsical marshmallow scenes and then celebrate your creation by toasting up some gooey treats. Triple the fun by adding chocolate and graham crackers for s'mores.

Mommy Sayang by Rosana Sullivan

Aleeya and her mother live in a small Malaysian village, a kumpung.  Their days were filled with simple joys: chickens, kittens, hanging out laundry, watering the vibrant red hibiscus.  Indoors, there is quiet time for mommy's daily prayers, Aleeya's crayoned drawings, and stories under the mosquito net. They prepare a variety of tempting dishes and enjoy sharing meals with family and friends. Little Aleeya and Mommy sayang, always together. Insh'Allah, I will always be by your side.

Meet the Author/Illustrator

Rosana Sullivan is a storyboard artist with Pixar Animation Studios. She worked on several Pixar movies including The Good Dinosaur, Coco, and Incredibles 2. Her picture book is part of Pixar's Artist Showcase series.

The Gift of Ramadan by Rabiah York Lumbard ill by Laura K. Horton

It's time for Ramadan, a month-long religious holiday honoring the revelation of the first verses in the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. It is a time for prayer and refection, study of the Quran, and helping the poor. It may be best known as a period of fasting, going without food and drink from sunup to sundown.  Sophia is excited as her family prepares to begin observing Ramadan and decides that she will observe the traditional fast. "Count me in!"  she joyfully exclaims.  She quickly discovers that what sounds wonderful in theory is difficult in practice. She must awake and eat a meal before sunrise, ignore her rumbling tummy, and resist her brother's chocolate chip cookies.

Alexis York Lumbard aka Rabiah York Lumbard is an American Muslim living in Qatar with her husband and three daughters. The author of several picture books, she is currently pursuing an advanced degree in creative writing.

Laura K. Horton is a freelance illustrator with a degree in illustration & animation from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. She is currently residing in Finland, working on an advanced degree in game design and production.

My Cat Looks Like My Dad by Thao Lam

Meet dad. Meet the family cat. Dad and cat are alike in many ways. Both have fluffy yellow hair, enjoy a tasty meal followed by a nap, even have similar fears. They make a great pair. ​But that’s just the beginning. ​The real story on these pages goes beyond a charming tale of a man and his cat. Readers wonder about the family member narrating the story. Who can it be? The storyteller's identity is discovered by carefully examining the illustrations. Observant readers will recognize that there is more to this family than a man and his cat. There will come an "ah ha" moment when it is obvious that the narrator i.e.  additional family member is a bird! That's right. The bird refers to its sibling as "my cat." Clever. Clever indeed. The complete family portrait with dad, mom, cat, and bird graces the final page.

Greeting the day with graceful tai chi.

Crooning tunes at the keyboard.

Snoozing: Nap time is lap time.

Bonus

Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedman

Meet Carl, the lowly earthworm. Each day he toils, tunneling through the heavy ground and decaying detritus, leaving in his wake enriched and aerate soil. Day after day... Until the field mouse asks him, "Why do you do that?" "Why?" Carl puzzles. He goes in search of an answer to the mouse's question. He queries rabbit who is tending her babies, fox who is hunting for dinner, and squirrel who is planting tree. Each animal is too concerned with personal tasks to consider Carl's inquiry. Meanwhile, the ground has become hard, dry and barren. What has happened?

Here and There by Tamara Ellis Smith ill Evelyn Daviddi

Ivan loves music, all kinds of music. He is especially drawn to the melodic chirps, calls, and trills of birds in his backyard. Up in the branches of the pear tree, he coaxes the winged creatures with bird seed, identifying various neighborhood birds by the sounds that each species makes. Then something happens which disrupts his childhood and causes Ivan’s life to undergo a radical change. Dad moves out and into a new place. Ivan distinguishes the two dwellings by referring to the familiar home with mom as here. Dad’s new residence is there. Smith emphasizes the distinction Ivan makes between the two homes with the words here and there in bold face type. Over there at his father’s house, things are not the same. No pear tree. No customary surroundings. No mother. Ivan remains sullen and silent. He can't seem to successfully transition from the home of his early childhood to a different living arrangement with his father.

Additional Resources

Bird Song

A small chart listing a few familiar bird calls can be found at the back of the book. ​Listen to the recorded bird calls.  How many can you identify?