Just in time for school! Two wonderful picture books.

Apparently, I missed last month. I thought I had written blurbs for these two books, but alas, I did not. So here they are - two absolutely unique and fantastic books. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did. One book is out and the other is out in October. 

When Black Girls Dream Big by Tanisia Moore Illust. By Robert Paul Jr.

From the Publisher: Scholastic, October 2024

You have within you infinite promise. How big will YOU dream? This striking companion to I Am My Ancestors' Wildest Dreams celebrates Black female achievement and is perfect for fans of I Am Enough, Little Leaders, and She Persisted.

I AM dope!

My crown shines bright

in all its glory.

When I dream big,

I can do anything!

In this inspiring tribute to Black girl pride and excellence, a young child discovers her place in a radiant heritage. As she meets twelve extraordinary Black women-historic and contemporary heroines who have blazed a trail for her own future success-she internalizes their strength and sets out to change the world in her own way.

Just like them, she can reach her dreams. And just like her, you have within you big promise. YOU are Black Girl Magic. How will you shine YOUR light?

Another beautiful and colorful book from Tanisia Moore and Robert Paul Jr. Bringing heroines, past and present, to demonstrate that the main character can do anything and be anything. From Harriett Tubman to Angela Bassett, from Jacqueline Woodson to Serena Williams. Trailblazing women. This is just as inspiring as I Am My Ancestors' Wildest Dreams.

Not only does it highlight these remarkable 12 women, but also it shows the kids helping in their community and giving back.

There is back matter with paragraphs on all the ancestors listed in the book, a note from the author and a note from the artist.

Millie Fleur's Poison Garden by Christy Mandin

From the publisher: Scholastic, July 2, 2024

Garden Glen is a very bland place. Every house and every garden looks exactly like the other. That is... until Millie Fleur La Fae comes to town.

Up on a scruffy hill, beside a ramschackle house, Millie Fleur plants her marvelously strange garden, filled with Sneezing Stickyweed, Fanged Fairymoss, and Grumpy Gilliflower. Millie Fleur finds it enchanting, but the townspeople of Garden Glen call it poison!

But Millie Fleur is proud of her beloved little garden. So if some townspeople want to be sticks in the mud, she'll take matters into her own hands and find the kindred spirits who appreciate everything the garden has to offer.

Millie Fleur's Poison Garden is a reminder to embrace everything that makes us wonderfully weird. Perfect for readers of The Creepy Carrots and fans of the Addams Family movies.

Unique and different books are so fun. This is one of them. Embracing different isn’t always easy – but if you’re open to it, then you open up a new world to enjoy. I love the plant names and the illustrations, the play on words, the way Millie’s idea of a garden grows when shared.

The frog, Wart T. Wigglebottom reminds me of the Warner Bros. cartoon, Michigan J. Frog. He is a supporter and companion to Millie.

There are some cool plant facts at the back, as well as, where The Poison Garden really exists!

Both of these books are excellent reading material. 

3 Upcoming Picture Books - Fall 2023

I Am My Ancestor’s Wildest Dreams by Tanisia Moore Illustrated by Robert Paul Jr.

From the Publisher: Scholastic, Fall 2023

YOU are your ancestors’ wildest dreams. How will you express YOUR greatness? This electrifying anthem to Black boy joy and pride is perfect for fans of I Am Every Good Thing, Little Legends, and All Because You Matter.

I am fly.

From my crown

down to the kicks

on my feet...

I AM my ancestors' wildest dreams.

In a story that sizzles and soars, a young child discovers his place in a distinguished lineage. As he meets ten exceptional Black men ― historical and contemporary heroes who have paved the way for his own future success ― he internalizes and asserts their greatness. Just like them, he can reach his dreams. And just like him, you have within you big potential.

This is a colorful and accessible book that kids will love. They will easily relate to the set of modern heroes like Chadwick Boseman, Tupac, John Lewis, and Kobe Bryant. The theme of reaching for your dreams no matter what they are, aligns with the different types of heroes. You can be anything and fulfill a destiny greater than you ever imagined. Standing on the shoulders of all who came before, fulfilling their dreams, you can continue the legacy.

There is backmatter with paragraphs on all the ancestors listed in the book, a note from the author and a note from the artist.

All We Need is Love and a really soft pillow! By Peter Reynolds and Henry Rocket Reynolds

From the publisher: Scholastic, Fall 2023

A tender and timeless tale about what truly matters: LOVE -- from creative visionary of The Word Collector, Happy Dreamer, and The Dot, #1 New York Times bestseller Peter H. Reynolds!

Poppy: All we need is love.

Little One: And a pillow.

Poppy: Yes, a pillow, but that is all we need.

This heartfelt celebration of love follows Poppy and Little One as they discuss all the things they need in life like a really good pillow or a roof over their heads but most important of all, love. Despite the challenges they face as a storm sweeps away their home, this duo never lose their optimism because in the end they know that all they truly need is love . . . and each other.

This tender, wholly original tale of all the ways we express and share love, from our most celebrated, bestselling creator Peter H. Reynolds, is a needed comfort and a new classic that will offer reassurance to readers of every age.

This is such a sweet book and I just wanted to cuddle the little creatures in it. The relationship between a dad and his child and how they relate, dream, and ultimately know that as long as they have each other, they’ll be okay. What starts with just needing a really soft pillow, grows into a house, water, chocolate, a toilet, until they have a nice little homestead to call home. But when a storm comes and takes it all away, they are left with each other again, just as they started out. With so many different kinds of tragedies that change our lives, the basic need of being alive with our loved ones, stands above all the other needs. And knowing that you can begin again. And again.

Seals Are Jerks! By Jared Chapman

From the publisher: Scholastic, Fall 2023

Seals are Lorelei's favorite animal: they're so cute and cuddly and best buddies with penguins. Well... that's what she thought before learning the ugly truth — some seals EAT penguins! She doesn't want to believe it at first, but she drags Penguin, the classroom guest, and seal whistleblower, to Antarctica to prove Penguin wrong and confront Seal face-to-face. And Seal finally reveals the truth.

This is a story about when you first realize and understand that nature is not all cute and cuddly. Some of it is life and death, eat or be eaten, survival of the fittest. It’s done in a fun and entertaining way as Lorelei presents her nature project only to hear that her favorite seals may not be what she thought. She takes an impromptu trip to Antarctica and learns the truth for herself. And she introduces PB&J to the seals and penguins, too.

It's a good comparison to human characteristics – we all have faults but we’re not always the sum of our faults. We have good qualities, too, and we can accept both good and bad - in ourselves, our family and our friends.  

There is backmatter with Antarctica facts.