Tag: children's books
Five New Picture Books with Grandparent Characters
Recommended by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian
(This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you).
I’m always on the lookout for picture books with grandparents and grandchildren relationships and have been pleased to see five brand-new ones in our public library. I hope there are more to come this year.
Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar
by Mojdeh Hassani (Author), Samira Iravani (Author), Maya Fidawi (Illustrator). Publisher : Dial Books. 2023. K-2. Hardcover. ISBN-13 : 978-0593110614.
Brief summary: Samira is a bit nervous about going to the bazaar with her grandmother for the first time to buy groceries. She repeatedly asks Mama Shamsi to hide in her chador, but the woman wisely resists using humor to soothe her granddaughter’s fear.
Buy here.
At the Drop of a Cat
by Élise Fontenaille (Author), Violeta Lópiz (Illustrator), Karin Snelson (Translator), Emilie Robert Wong (Translator). Publisher : Enchanted Lion Books. 2023. K-3. Hardcover. ISBN-13 : 978-1592703821.
Brief summary: A grandson visits his Grandpa Luis every Wednesday and Sunday. His grandpa is not only a talented artist but can make anything grow, creating the beautiful garden where they spend their days. The six-year-old is learning to read and write and tells us that his Grandpa does not know how as he was an immigrant from Spain to France who had to work in the fields as a child.
This is a French translation and captures the two kindred spirits. I like the mixed-up idioms and how the grandson narrates how he is getting to know Grandpa Luis.
Buy here in ENGLISH
Buy here in FRENCH.
Abuela’s Super Capa
by Ana Siqueira (Author), Elisa Chavarri (Illustrator). Publisher : HarperCollins. 2023. K-3. Hardcover. ISBN-13 : 978-0063113657.
Brief summary: Luis and his abuela have fun every Saturday going around the neighborhood being superheroes. One Saturday, she does not visit. Luis learns that his abuela is very sick in the hospital. She comes to stay with them as she recovers. Although Luis is saddened that his abuela is unable to be as active, he tries to come up with a way to have fun and realizes his sister, Isabel, can be his new sidekick and fight and do adventures together in their capes.
There is a glossary of the Spanish words used in the book.
Buy here in ENGLISH.
Buy here in SPANISH.
In Every Life
by Marla Frazee (Author, Illustrator). Publisher : Beach Lane Books. 2023. PreK-2. Hardcover. ISBN-13 : 978-1665912488.
Brief summary: The text has seven lines with seven words each(except for the last line). Each line is across the top of a two-page spread with small illustrations below, and then the next two-page spread is an illustration matching that color scheme.
The words are calm and straightforward. The stunning illustrations are done with pencil and gouache and are detailed little scenes of family members with everyday interactions. I stopped and looked at the details of each one before continuing to the following line and was glad to see that grandparents were included.
Buy here.
Together with You
by Patricia Toht (Author), Jarvis (Illustrator). Publisher : Candlewick. 2023. PreK-1. Hardcover. ISBN-13 : 978-1536223514.
Brief summary: A grandmother and her grandchild put on rain gear to play in Spring’s rain. Summer arrives with them cooling off from the hot sun. Autumn brings the wind they need to fly a kite and enjoy the falling leaves. Winter comes with them getting cozy and watching the snow from inside. Each season is spent with one another.
The seasonal color schemes go in hand with this gentle and calming book that blends from one season to the next.
Buy here.
St. Patrick’s Day Children’s Books for Your Wee Ones
recommended by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian 📚❤️
(This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you).
The Littlest Leprechaun (Littlest Series)
by Brandi Dougherty (Author), Michelle Todd (Illustrator). Publisher: Cartwheel Books. 2022. PreK-K. Paperback with stickers. ISBN-13: 978-1338796698
Brief summary–Although Liam is the smallest leprechaun in his family, he is still able to help with the St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Peppa Pig: Peppa Loves St. Patrick’s Day
by Scholastic (Author), EOne (Illustrator). Publisher: Scholastic Inc. 2022. PreK-K. Paperback. ISBN-13: 978-1338794342
Brief summary: Peppa and family go to Ireland for an Irish dancing festival. The fact sheet in the back explains more about the St. Patrick’s Day celebration than the actual story. Great for Peppa the Pig booklovers or the hit show on Nick Jr.
Thing One, Thing Two and the Leprechaun (Dr. Seuss’s Things Board Books)
by Dr. Seuss(Author). Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers. 2022. Baby-toddler. Board book. ISBN-13: 978-0593484951
Brief summary: Thing One and Thing Two chase a leprechaun through a St. Patrick’s Day parade. Rhyming book.
Baby Loves Photosynthesis on St. Patrick’s Day! (Baby Loves Science)
by Ruth Spiro (Author), Irene Chan (Illustrator). Publisher: Charlesbridge. 2022. Baby-toddler. Board book. ISBN-13: 978-1623543075
Brief summary: Baby is told that the reason the clovers are green is because of photosynthesis. Advance vocabulary is used with charts to help explain the parts of the clover. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in the story with bright and happy illustrations. Comprehension may be best for older readers(PreK-2), but a baby or toddler could still enjoy the story.
You Shamrock My World: A Sweet and Lucky St. Patrick’s Day Board Book for Babies and Toddlers (Punderland)
by Rose Rossner (Author), Ela Smietanka (Illustrator). Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland. 2022. Baby-toddler. Board book. ISBN-13: 978-1728256337
Brief summary: This book is done with pairs of characters using various St. Patrick’s Day symbols in cute rhyming puns. Colorful.
Disney Baby My First St. Patrick’s Day
by Disney Books (Author), Jerrod Maruyama (Illustrator). Publisher: Disney Press. 2022. Baby-toddler. Board book(touch and feel). ISBN-13: 978-1368069137
Brief summary: Baby is introduced to various St. Patrick Day symbols with the help of various Walt Disney characters. Some touch and feel objects.
Five Little Leprechauns
by Jeffrey Burton (Author), Tommy Doyle (Illustrator). Publisher: Little Simon. 2022. Baby-toddler. Board book. ISBN-13: 978-1665910835
Brief summary: This is a variant of the “Five Little Monkeys” story and with the same fun rhyme and rhythm. “Five little leprechauns hiding in the clover.
One leaped up and then fell over.“
This Is the Way the Leprechauns Play
by Arlo Finsy (Author), Yuyi Chen (Illustrator). Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers. 2022. Baby-toddler. Board book. ISBN-13: 978-0593482681
Brief summary: The lyrical and rhyming text of the leprechauns on St. Patrick’s Day is sung to “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush.”
2023 Youth Media Award Winners
The Retired School Librarian 