Picture books

New science books

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From Bam! to Burp!: A Carbon Atom’s Never-Ending Journey Through Space and Time and You! by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens (Charlesbridge, 40 pages, grades 1-4). The story begins with a planet called Theia, which 4.5 billion years ago smashed into Earth (the bam! of the title) and broke into pieces, some of which eventually became the moon, and some of which were buried deep into the Earth’s core, including carbon atoms. The carbon atom featured in this story combined with oxygen to become carbon dioxide, which was later released from the Earth’s core following a volcanic eruption. The molecule wanders the Earth until it’s pulled apart by a plant that uses it to make sugar. The journey continues through a dinosaur, a rotting pumpkin, even toilet paper, until the carbon winds up in maple syrup, entering the body of a present-day kid who eats it on pancakes, and later burps it out into the world once again. Includes a wonder wall with questions and answers about carbon and related topics, additional facts about carbon, fossil fuels, and the climate crisis, as well as notes from the author and illustrator about the evolution of this book.

Seems like finding a fun picture about chemistry is about as likely as a carbon atom becoming a diamond, but budding scientists will enjoy this one and learn all sorts of information about carbon in the process. The presentation, both text and illustrations, really bring this potentially dry topic to life. I also appreciated the notes from the author and illustrator that emphasized the need for many drafts and much hard work to produce the final book.

3 Weeks in the Rainforest: A Rapid Inventory in the Amazon by Jennifer Swanson (Charlesbridge, 80 pages, grades 3-7). To measure the health of Colombia’s rainforest, a rapid inventory team from Chicago’s Field Museum spends three weeks observing and recording plants, birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles. They also work with the indigenous people there to learn what they need to live sustainably on the land. The narrative follows different teams of scientists as they travel to this remote area, set up camp, and tirelessly work round the clock in all kinds of weather to inventory as many species of plants and animals as they can in three weeks. After leaving the rainforest, the team compiles its findings into a report to the Colombian government with their recommendations for preserving this ecosystem. Includes a note from the rapid inventory team, an author’s note that recounts how an exhibit at the Field Museum inspired her to write this book, a list of those who were on the team, and an index.

This engagingly written science book offers readers an intriguing look at scientists in the field, with plenty of photos and sidebars to keep things interesting. It was refreshing to read a book about the rainforest that was pretty upbeat in its reports on the health of this particular portion of it, and the descriptions of the fascinating work being done to preserve it will no doubt inspire future generations of scientists.

Perceiving the world around us

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Balloon by Bruce Handy, illustrated by Julie Kwon (Chronicle Books, 44 pages, ages 3-7). A young child is devastated when a flock of pigeons causes him to let go of his orange balloon. Refusing a replacement, he goes on a search for the balloon through the city park. Illustrations show different objects that appear to be the balloon–a bit of an orange frisbee hidden by a picnic blanket, an orange cap on the head of a musician obscured by a crowd–but when the full picture is revealed, it’s never the balloon. Finally, the boy spots something else orange: a kitten for sale. He and his mom adopt the kitten, and the boy tells it, “Balloon. That’s your name.” As the two sleep together on the last page, astute readers will notice the tiny shadow of a balloon against the full moon. Includes an author’s note that tells how the story was inspired by his son, who also named his cat after a lost balloon.

This nearly wordless book is so much fun, giving kids an opportunity to guess what the various orange objects are and to spot the squirrel that enlivens many of the illustrations. The final page provides a most satisfying conclusion, not only with the boy and his new kitten, but the balloon in the background and a stuffed squirrel sitting on a bookcase.

I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea by Janice Milusich, illustrated by Chris Raschka (Anne Schwartz Books, 48 pages, ages 4-8). Neveah enjoys the four seasons with her mother using her senses of hearing, smell, taste, and touch to experience them. Playing in the snow, taking a spring stroll, walking on the beach, and playing in the fall leaves, she enjoys the sounds, smells, and textures all around her. While she never mentions being visually impaired, the story and illustrations imply that, but it doesn’t slow her down from experiencing each season to the fullest.

I have a blind student who started kindergarten this year, which makes me extra appreciative of this book, not only for her, but for her classmates who can learn about perceiving the world through other senses. The simple illustrations do a great job of portraying the different seasons while leaving a great deal to the imagination, which will be inspired by the descriptions in the text.

Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards

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An email alerting me to the upcoming Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards ceremony coming up this Thursday, November 6, sent me on a search for some of the books that I hadn’t read yet. You can see a complete list of winners and honor books here.

Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming (Anne Schwartz Books, 368 pages, grades 7 and up). Most of us know about Jonestown and the tragic end that befell more than 900 residents in the Guyana jungle. This book takes readers back to founder Jim Jones’s earliest days and shows how a bizarre mix of idealism and quest for power led him to start the People’s Temple which moved from Indiana to California, and finally to Guyana where Jones basically kept his followers imprisoned: cut off from the world and subject to his paranoid drug-fueled ravings. Individual members of the group are profiled, based on Fleming’s interviews with survivors, and their memories of enjoying being part of a warm community mixed with traumatic punishments, sleep deprivation, and overwork serve as a warning to anyone drawn to a charismatic leader like Jim Jones. Includes source notes, a bibliography, and an index.

I remember reading about this incident in the news during my own teenage years and trying to make sense of what could have possibly gone so horribly wrong. This book answers some of those question–although many are unanswerable–and is told in such a compelling style that I could not put this book down and read it in about 36 hours. It’s an especially important book for teens, as many of those interviewed were their age during the events of the story (including Jones’s son Stephan), and in many cases, a questioning attitude toward authority saved them.

Oasis by Guojing (Godwin Books, 160 pages, grades 4-7). Two children live in the desert, fending for themselves with only occasional phone calls from their mother who works in Oasis City, trying to get permission to bring her children to live with her. When the kids find a broken robot, they’re able to repair it and activate its “mother” mode, giving them an AI mom. When their human mother comes home for a few days, she discovers the AI mother, and destroys it in a fit of fear and rage. Her daughter runs off, and the mother is able to repair the robot and bring the daughter back home. The two mothers share their hopes and dreams for the children, and the AI one shows how she has been able to reproduce conditions in Oasis City to start growing plants, giving them hope that one day they can all live in the desert together. The author information relates that Guojing was inspired by “left-behind children” in China, who stay in rural areas when their parents go to find work in the city.

I had gotten this book out of the library several months ago, after seeing its five starred reviews, but I was a little put off by the dark artwork and never got around to reading it. I’m so glad I gave it another try. It’s a quick read–it only took me about 15 minutes–but it packs a powerful punch and celebrates all sorts of family connections and love. The cover says, “In a bleak and distant future, two children are lost, one robot is found, and a tendril of hope appears,” but it didn’t seem like such a distant future to me.

Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains by Anita Yasuda, illustrated by Yuko Shimizu (Clarion Books, 48 pages, grades 2-5). As a child, Junko Tabei dreamed of climbing mountains, and she pursued that dream when she moved to Tokyo as a young woman. Most mountaineering clubs didn’t take women, but Junko persevered until she found one that did. Even after marrying and having a daughter, Junko continued to climb and to encourage other women to join her. Eventually they planned an expedition to become the first all-female team to climb Mount Everest. Even an avalanche couldn’t stop her, and Junko realized her dream of being the first woman to reach Everest’s summit. In her later years, she became an activist for sustainable mountain climbing, researching the impact of trash and human waste on Everest and helping to mitigate some of those effects. Includes an author’s note, timeline, glossary, and bibliography.

I’m a little late to this 2024 book, but I’m breaking my rule of only reviewing books published in the current year. The Boston Globe-Horn Book Award follows the school year calendar, so it was eligible for this year’s award and was an honor book, in addition to winning a 2025 Caldecott Honor. Both are well-deserved for the beautiful ink and color illustrations that not only portray breathtaking mountain landscapes but celebrate Junko’s Japanese culture.

Orange you ready to celebrate art?

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This Is Orange: A Field Trip Through Color by Rachel Poliquin, illustrated by Julie Morstad (Candlewick, 48 pages, grades K-4). Which do you think came first, the color orange or the fruit? If you guessed the color, as I did, you’re in for a surprise to kick off this book that traces the history of the color, then meanders through the worlds of art, science, nature, and history looking for examples of it. Birds’ feet are orange, and so are cantaloupe and mimolette cheese. A color called International Orange that shows up in murky skies or seas is used for astronauts’ suits and the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll find orange in Halloween jack-o-lanterns, Buddhist monks’ robes (from orange turmeric), and a number of countries’ flags. “Now it is time for you to find orange in your world,” the book concludes. “If you look carefully, you will see orange almost everywhere.”

Although the tone is lighter, this book reminded me of Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sky by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, in that both books wake readers up to colors so common that we take them for granted. This would be a great book for an art class, or just to sharpen observational skills. I was disappointed there was no back matter, but the last page does a great job of sending readers off into the world with a new appreciation for the color orange.

The Polar Bear and the Ballerina by Eric Velasquez (Holiday House, 48 pages, ages 4-8). A young ballerina and a polar bear bond at an aquarium in this wordless book. After the girl leaves with her mom, the bear notices that she’s left her long red scarf behind. Hoisting himself out of his tank, he walks across Manhattan to Lincoln Center, where he’s met with a “No polar bears allowed!” sign at the ticket window. His growl alerts the girl, who leaves the practice room to escort him inside to a seat. Despite disgruntled looks from his neighbors, the bear is enraptured by the show. Afterwards, he returns the scarf, then dances home, where he dreams about performing on stage with the girl. Endpapers give profiles of both the bear and the girl, a soloist at Harlem Children’s Ballet.

Kids will love the adorable polar bear and spunky ballerina in the gorgeous illustrations, and adults can use their story to facilitate conversations about making the arts accessible to everyone. For a moment, I thought ballerina Chloe Maldonado was a real girl, but then I realized the ballets listed on her resume are both books by Eric Velazquez! Those endpapers add some fun and depth to the story, though.

Two monster books to make you laugh

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To Activate Space Portal, Lift Here by Antoinette Portis (Neal Porter Books, 56 pages, ages 4-8). Opening the front cover of the book takes readers immediately to a space portal that is opening up to reveal two aliens. Or are we the aliens? That’s the perspective of the creatures who make contact with humans, checking out their teeth to assure themselves they’re safe, exchanging information about planets, and introducing readers to a colorful assortment of their fellow creatures. As the “Power” and “Auto translate” buttons on the bottom go from green to yellow to red, the portal shuts down, and the final pages are black.

This would be a fun, interactive addition to storytime, with the audience being instructed to show their teeth and make a couple of faces to communicate with the aliens. It’s a little gimmicky, but kids are sure to get a kick out of it.

The Monster in the Lake by Leo Timmers (Gecko Press, 36 pages, ages 4-8). A group of birds go for a swim in the lake, but Eric the mallard duck is nervous about running into the monster. “That’s just a story, Eric. There’s no monster in the lake. Just boring old fish and frogs,” his friends assure him. Readers get an underwater view, showing those fish and frogs being chased by a monster. Eric sticks his head in the water and sees it too, but his friends refuse to believe him and keep swimming. As they continue on their way, Eric and the other undersea animals have a party with the monster, culminating with a colorful gatefold illustration of a whole monster neighborhood. When the birds realize Eric has disappeared, they’re afraid there really might be a monster that got Eric, but he emerges on the last page with a kind of ambiguous ending.

This Belgian import features plenty of colorful monster illustrations and lots of humor that will make kids feel like they’re outsmarting the clueless birds. The ending left me scratching my head a bit, but I think kids will enjoy the other elements enough not to really care.

Three feel-good picture books

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The House That Floated by Guojing (Random House Studio, 40 pages, ages 4-8). A couple lives in a small house perched on the edge of a cliff. Wordless pages show them enjoying their home and the sea below, rescuing a dolphin from a net, then commemorating the moment with a wood carving of the dolphin. They welcome a new baby into their loving home, and the child grows up to love the ocean and dolphins as well. When a storm threatens their home, the resourceful family builds a raft, takes the house off its foundation, and carries it to another cliff across the water. Others in the community help them reassemble it next to a lighthouse, and the final pages show them running toward their new home.

Kids generally love wordless books, and they tend to find a lot of details my old eyes miss, so I look forward to sharing this beautiful and heartwarming story. I liked the message about resilience in the face of change, particularly climate change. I was hoping this would be a Caldecott contender, but it looks as though Guojing lives in Canada.

The Riding Lesson by Jennifer K. Mann (Candlewick, 56 pages, ages 4-8). Frances is excited to be going over to her friend Mae’s house for her first riding lesson. Although she’s sure she’s going to love riding–after all, she plays with toy horses all the time–that confidence vanishes when she’s confronted with a real horse named Snowball. Mae takes her through the steps of grooming and tacking up, but when it comes time to ride, Frances loses her nerve. Fortunately, Mae is a patient teacher, and after letting Frances ride double with her, Frances is ready to go it alone. Success! When they get back to the barn, the girls untack Snowball and give her a bath, then Frances gets a lesson in mucking out the horse stalls. All too soon, her mom is there to pick her up, and Frances can hardly wait until her next lesson.

I was delighted to see this book by the creator of The Camping Trip, one of my favorite end-of-the-year read-alouds. Like that book, this one captures both the excitement and fears that come with trying something new. Both narrators have an experienced peer to guide them through and to discover the joys of camping and horseback riding. The story and illustrations serve as a good introduction that will help any budding equestrian before a first lesson.

Piccolo by Dan Yaccarino (Christy Ottaviano Books, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Piccolo the shrew gives readers a taste of Italian culture while offering a few lessons in being a good friend. After making a list of where he wants to go in the cità bella (beautiful city), he sets out for the gelateria for some hazelnut gelato. Before he can take a first bite, he hears a cry for help, and dashes off to find his friend Mr. Rosso struggling to carry a painting into the museum. Fortunately, the museum is also on Piccolo’s list of destinations. The rest of the day goes that way, with Piccolo’s helpfulness leading him to enjoy the various places on the list. Alas, his day is so busy that by the time he’s ready to finish his hazelnut gelato, the gelateria has closed. Fortunately, his friend Miss Dolce needs some “help” finishing off her extra, and Piccolo’s day is complete. The end papers show the Italian phrases used in the story with English translations.

Aww, Piccolo and his friends are super cute and teach us all a good lesson about kindness and friendship! The Italian culture and language lessons are an added bonus. This would make a good introduction to young kids going to Italy for the first time.

Fairy tales

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The Invisible Parade by Leigh Bardugo, illustrated by John Picacio (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 60 pages, grades 3-6). There’s a party planned for the evening, but Cala doesn’t want to go, since she is still grieving about her grandfather’s recent death. As the family does errands around town, illustrations show her mom giving money to a man sitting and begging, Cala bumping into a sneezing woman, and her siblings arguing. She ignores them all, feeling too sad. That night at the cemetery, Cala sees the ghosts of people who have parallels to those from earlier in the day. A skeleton on a horse is sick, another one is hungry, and a third likes to argue. They explain to her that helping sick people can lead to a caring heart, witnessing hunger can make you grateful, and fighting can provide a chance to forgive. A fourth rider, Death, shows Cala the ancestors, including her grandfather, who are still with her. By the end, Cala is no longer afraid of hunger, sickness, anger, or death, and is ready to join the party. Includes notes from the author and the illustrator.

This collaboration between a best-selling YA author and a Hugo Award winning illustrator offers a dark fairy tale perfect for Día de Muertos. The story will get readers thinking about their fears and the good that can happen when they face them, as well as how to handle grief. The illustrations will be loved by anyone who appreciates all things spooky. I saw this recommended for ages 4-8, but I think older kids would get more out of the tale and be less likely to be frightened by the pictures.

Greta Ever After by Melissa Dassori (Christy Ottaviano Books, 304 pages, grades 4-7). Greta has high hopes as well as high anxiety as seventh grade begins. Her best friends are excelling at sports, student government, and acting, and she wants to show everyone she can be a star journalist. A magical cuckoo clock she receives for her twelfth birthday has a wooden dancer girl who comes to life for Greta, introducing herself as Lulu and offering Greta the chance to escape life by entering the clock with her. Greta is tempted, especially when she finds herself struggling to come up with good news stories to write about. In desperation, she starts to secretly create situations around school that she can report on. Before long, she’s getting the praise she was seeking for her writing, but knows that she’s compromised her journalistic integrity. As the deadline to join Lulu closes in, Greta must decide whether she wants to escape from life or stick with getting through the tough times.

This was a fun mix of realistic middle school story and fairy tale magic, with a performance of Into the Woods allowing Greta and her friends to enter into a different sort of fairy world. I guess maybe I’m not up on my journalistic ethics, but I thought some of Greta’s ideas for creating news were pretty cool, and that the reactions when her family, teachers, and friends found about them were a bit overblown. Greta is a relatable character, flaws and all, and readers will connect with her dilemmas.

Hansel and Gretel by Stephen King, illustrated by Maurice Sendak (HarperCollins, 48 pages, all ages). The classic fairy tale is retold by horror legend Stephen King and illustrated using set and costume designed by the equally legendary Maurice Sendak for a 1997 production of the opera Hansel and Gretel.  Side note: the opera was composed by Engelbert Humperdinck, whom I remember as a singer from the 60’s and 70’s. I learned that the pop singer took his stage name from the German composer who created the opera Hansel and Gretel in 1893. The name dropping is fierce, and surely HarperCollins is counting on this to generate sales heading into the holiday season.

It’s a pretty long but engaging retelling, and the illustrations are all that you could want in a story whose candy-studded gingerbread house conceals a child-eating witch. In his introduction, King describes much of Sendak’s work as “sunny exterior, dark in the center…or sometimes vice versa,” and his story pays homage to this sensibility. I usually steer clear of books with celebrity authors, but in this case, I think it’s worth a look and most likely, a purchase.

Animal friendships

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Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel and Friends, 272 pages, grades 3-7). Zephrynia is a cat who likes to “rescue” (some would say steal) items that she finds, bringing them to her owner Elizaveta and her daughter Dasha. She always seeks counsel about her treasures from Pocket Bear, a small stuffed bear who traveled in the pocket of a World War I soldier before winding up as a castoff that Dasha found. Dasha was injured and lost her father before she and her mom immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine, and she has a soft spot for the stuffed animals that Zephrynia brings her, so much so that she cleans them up and offers them a new home through her Second Chances store. When Zephrynia finds an unusual old bear in a dumpster, Dasha works her magic, preparing Berwon to find a new home. But his history makes him the target of an unscrupulous antiques dealer, and Zephrynia finds herself acting unselfishly for the first time to rescue Berwon and bring about a happy ending for him, Pocket Bear, Elizaveta, and Dasha. Includes an author’s note about her inspiration for this story, a little bit of the history of teddy bears, and the soft spot she has for stuffies.

As I was considering books to offer my four fourth-grade reading clubs this fall, I found myself leaning heavily on Katherine Applegate’s books. And why not? The stories are full of heart, memorable characters, interesting plots, and timely messages, yet have short chapters and enough illustrations to make them good choices for those who haven’t read a lot of chapter books. This one will go into the rotation, as it has all the elements mentioned above. And in case you are wondering, one of my groups voted for Wishtree, while another chose Dogtown. (Non-Applegate choices were The Wild Robot and The Guardian Test.)

Fox and the Mystery Letter by Alex G. Griffiths (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 40 pages, grades K-3). Fox lives in a cottage in the middle of a dense woods. “He lived alone–usually that was just the way he liked it.” But one morning, a large bird delivers a letter that reminds Fox of–oh, never mind. The letter is the beginning of a puzzle that Fox must solve, and with every step, readers get hints that Fox may have had a dear friend in the past with whom he quarreled and parted ways. The hunt takes him through the woods, up a tree, and across the ocean until finally the puzzle is solved and the friendship is repaired.

This is a charming animal story, and who doesn’t enjoy a good scavenger hunt? It’s a great mentor text for making predictions as clues are dropped throughout the story about Fox’s friend and what happened to their friendship. It seemed a bit risky on the part of the friend to trust that Fox would persevere through such a complicated hunt, but he does, and it’s a happy ending for everyone.

Interlink Publishing and books about Palestine

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Last weekend, I headed into Northampton, Massachusetts for the Read and Resist Fest at Interlink Publishing. Described as a “social justice and literary festival dedicated to collective liberation,” this event featured booths from vendors and organizations around the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts as well as teach-ins and kids’ activities, including a storytime with Hannah Moushabeck reading Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine.

Turns out Hannah Moushabeck is one of the owners of Interlink, along with her two sisters and brother-in-law. The publishing company was founded by her father, Michel Moushabeck back in 1987. After emigrating to the U.S. from Lebanon, he couldn’t find a publisher for a book he had written, so he decided to start his own company.  Since then, Interlink has become known for publishing translated literature as well as cookbooks, travel guides, and children’s books.

As the only Palestinian-owned publisher in the United States, Interlink has published a number of books about Palestine for children and young adults under the imprint Crocodile Books. As near as I can tell, there were almost no children’s books about Palestine or Palestinians until just a few years ago, so the book list I’ve put together on the subject is pretty short. Thankfully, Interlink is leading the way in producing high-quality books to help kids learn about the country of Palestine and to empathize with those affected by the injustices and genocide that of course continues today. Here are a few of their recent books for different ages.

A Is for Arab by Aya Mobaydeen (Crocodile Books, 2025, 16 pages, ages 0-3). From Arab to Zeitoun, this alphabet book offers words and pictures from the Arab world. Most of the pages contain a few words, but P is for Palestine, at the center of the book, stands alone. There were quite a few words I wasn’t familiar with, so this could also serve as a good starting point for non Arabs to learn more about Arab culture.

Everything Grows in Jiddo’s Garden by Jenan A. Matari, illustrated by Aya Ghanameh (Crocodile Books, 2025, 32 pages, ages 4-8). In rhyming text, the narrator learns about her family’s home in Palestine through Jiddo’s (grandfather’s) garden. Sometimes Jiddo gets sad remembering his home and his family’s forced departure, but the garden reminds them all of the hope and love they have. Includes an author’s note about her own grandparents and how her Jiddo’s garden saved the family when they were under siege in Jordan.

Young Palestinians Speak: Living Under Occupation by Anthony Robinson and Annemarie Young (Interlink Books, 2024 (updated edition), 118 pages, grades 5 and up). I’ve only seen the original 2017 version of this book, but it should be required reading for all Americans, starting with Congress. The authors interviewed young people living in both Gaza and the West Bank about their dreams, fears, and the difficulties of living in an occupied country. Gaza is described repeatedly as “a prison” by the children living there, yet despite their bleak lives, the kids interviewed try to hang onto their hopes and dreams. Equally poignant are the conversations with adults trying to help the kids deal with the many stresses of occupation to preserve some semblance of a childhood.

Hopeful books for difficult times

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A Change Is Gonna Come words and music by Sam Cooke, illustrated by Nikkolas Smith (little bee books, 32 pages, all ages). Nikkolas Smith provides an illustrated version of the classic Sam Cooke song, with images of famous people and places from the civil rights movement. In the first few pages a boy, identified in the back matter as photographer Gordon Parks, finds a camera, which he later uses to photograph history. The pictures capture the song’s juxtaposition of despair and hope, with portrayals of Jim Crow laws in action and Medgar Evans’ funeral alongside those showing the March on Washington and the signing of the Civil Rights Act. Includes notes from the estate of Sam Cooke and from Nikkolas Smith, two pages of additional information about the people and events pictured, and a QR code that allows readers to hear the song.

Just like the song, this book packs a powerful punch, and made me think of Smith’s book The Artivist in which the narrator says, “I want to hold up a mirror to the world and show everyone what isn’t working right.” You’ll need multiple readings, including the back matter, to really get the full impact of this book, which I hope will be considered for both Caldecott and Coretta Scott King recognition. 

Braided Roots by Pasha Westbrook, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Orchard Books, released November 4, 40 pages, ages 4-8). As her father braids her hair, a girl reflects on her family’s heritage, comparing the strands of her braid to DNA. Her ancestors include both enslaved people and those who walked the Trail of Tears. As Daddy finishes the braid, he tells her to be careful, because with such a strong braid, “You just might change the world.” Includes an author’s note about her inspirations from her own family, which included ancestors who were enslaved, mixed-race Black, Chicksaw, and Choctaw, and her single father who raised her and her three brothers, as well as an illustrator’s note.

This lovely family story reminded me of Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, which also features a father doing his daughter’s hair and My Powerful Hair by Carole Lindstrom, which explores the belief of Indigenous Americans that hair is a source of strength and memories. Kids may need some additional information to understand part of the story about the narrator’s ancestors, but this would be a good book to read to inspire them to investigate their own heritages.