Water: Discovering the Precious Resource All Around Us by Olga Fadeeva, translated from Russian by Lena Traer (Eerdman’s Books for Young Readers, 56 pages, grades 2-5). Each spread in this book asks a question about water, covering a wide range of topics from weather to oceans to pollution. How much water is there on Earth? How do rivers form? How are seas and oceans different? How powerful is water? Each question is answered with a few straightforward, engaging paragraphs and illustrated with acrylics that emphasize the blues and browns of water. This is a fun book to browse and would make an excellent addition to any elementary unit on water, although there was a sad lack of additional resources at the end.

Dive! The Story of Breathing Underwater by Chris Gall (Roaring Brook Press, 48 pages, grades 1-5). As we learned in the first book, two-thirds of the Earth is covered in water, so it’s only natural that humans would seek out ways to explore the oceans. Beginning with the ancient Greeks who used hollow reeds that allowed them to breathe while harvesting undersea sponges, Chris Gall moves on to diving bells, the bathysphere, the Aqua-Lung, and robot-controlled submersibles. He also explains what happens when humans travel deep into the ocean, and the catastrophic effects returning to the surface too quickly can have. The narrative is told through a lens of problem-solving, as various inventors sought to overcome obstacles to allow divers to go deeper and explore longer. There’s more information at the end about the oceans, how to become a diver, and the author’s personal experience with diving, as well as a glossary and additional resources. Although this has the look of a picture book and is recommended by some reviewers for kids as young as 4, there’s a lot of somewhat technical information that would most likely be more interesting for older readers.

With Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January and Black History Month in February there are always new books about Black history to start the year off. Today, I bring you three nonfiction picture books, but there’s more to come! Stay tuned for some historical fiction and longer nonfiction–even a YA book, as I expand my horizons in the new year.

Fighting With Love: The Legacy of John Lewis by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James Ransome (Simon and Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books). This comprehensive look at Lewis’s life begins with John’s Alabama childhood, surrounded by the love of family and church, and continues through his early years of activism, particularly with the Freedom Riders, ending with him about to lead the march across the Edmund Pettus bridge. 

The back matter gives some additional information about Lewis’s life, including a timeline, sources, a bibliography, and photos of the author and illustrator with John Lewis. At 48 pages, each with a pretty good chunk of text, it’s a great and thorough biography, although perhaps a tad long for younger listeners. (48 pages, grades 2-5)

When the Schools Shut Down by Yolanda Gladden, as told to Dr. Tamara Pizzoli, illustrated by Keisha Morris (HarperCollins). When Yolanda Gladden was ready to start school, the public schools in her town of Farmville, Virginia were closed. From 1959-1963, Prince Edward County closed its schools to avoid integration, opening a private academy for white children. Black parents scrambled to find ways to educate their children, and Yolanda went to school at First Baptist Church until she was 10 years old, when the public schools finally re-opened. She was at the top of her class and kept the lessons she had learned in resiliency and pride in her heritage. Includes authors’ notes, photos, a timeline, and sources for further reading.

This is an inspiring story about an important–and shocking–chapter of U.S. history that has often been neglected. However, having just finished a longer book on this topic (coming soon in another blog post), I found Yolanda’s story a bit too rosy. The real story is more complicated and didn’t have this happy of an ending for many kids. (40 pages; grades 1-4)

We Dream a World by Yolanda Renee King, illustrated by Nicole Tadgell (Orchard Books). Yolanda Renee King, the only grandchild of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, expresses gratitude to her grandparents for their vision and hard work. She then shares her own dreams for the future, inviting others of her generation to create a better world. Yolanda has been an activist from a young age, as her parents explain in the back matter, describing the 2018 March for Our Lives where she was asked to address the crowd and made an excellent impromptu speech (watch it here). There are plenty of photos in the back matter, too, as well as some information about Martin Luther King, Jr.

It’s an inspiring read that encourages kids to dream and to speak up for what they think is right, all beautifully illustrated with soft watercolors. It would be easy to get some writing prompts from the text, and I can imagine kids being extremely interested in the backmatter with the photos and description of Yolanda’s activism. A little more editing would have served the book well, giving it a sharper focus. (40 pages; grades K-5)

Please note, I’ve updated my Black History book list, adding books from last year. 

Happy new year!

I usually start posting books for the new year around this time, but I’ve decided to extend my hiatus this year. In December I found myself feeling burned out by this blog as I have never felt before, and it took some serious will power to get through the end of the year. 

After nine years and over 3,000 posts, I’m feeling like it’s time for a change. A couple of weeks ago, I was ready to shut the whole operation down, but as I’ve started to see new books being released in 2024, I’m experiencing some new energy.

I have a few ideas about what I think will come next, and right now I’m guessing that it won’t be a daily review with a summary, pros, and cons. But I want to take a little more time for consideration, so I hope you will bear with me and watch this space for further developments.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to leave a comment or email me at jkdawson115@gmail.com.

Wildfire by Breena Bard

Published by Little, Brown Ink

A nuanced and timely story about a family’s losses during a wildfire and the emotions that go with that experience, as well as feelings of powerlessness in the face of climate change.

Slime Shop created by Karina Garcia with text by Kevin Panetta, illustrated by Niki Smith

Published by Versify

I didn’t expect to get so emotionally invested in a bunch of slime characters in this cute and charming graphic novel.

Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martin

Published by Dial Books

This 1970’s road trip memoir strikes the perfect balance between funny and poignant, featuring a memorable immigrant family with ties to both Mexico and the United States. I’d love to see this win some awards next month.

Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang

Published by Graphix

Betty Tang drew on her own experiences and those of other immigrant families to create this rich and engaging story about three siblings trying to make it in the United States while their parents stay in Taiwan to financially support them.

Hoops by Matt Tavares

Published by Candlewick

Based on a true story about one of the first girls’ high school basketball teams, this graphic novel is fun and fast-paced, showing the uphill battle female athletes faced in the early days of Title IX.

What a Map Can Do by Gabrielle Balkan, illustrated by Alberto Lot

Published by Rise x Penguin Workshop

My wish for a really good map book for young kids finally came true this year. This one covers all the basics and is super interactive in a way that will greatly appeal to early elementary students.

Glitter Everywhere! Where It Came From, Where It’s Found & Where It’s Going by Chris Barton, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat

Published by Charlesbridge

All the fun (and science, history, and art) of glitter with none of the mess.

Stranded! A Mostly True Story from Iceland by Ævar Þór Benediktsson, illustrated by Anne Wilson

Published by Barefoot Books

Truly one of the quirkiest nonfiction books I’ve ever read, this would make a fun read-aloud for older elementary kids. I enjoyed the running gag that there was one untrue thing in the story, demonstrating that truth really is stranger than fiction.

The Indestructible Tom Crean: Heroic Explorer of the Antarctic by Jennifer Thermes

Published by Viking Books for Young Readers

I’m a huge fan of Jennifer Thermes’s art, and she successfully combines it here with the riveting story of Irish explorer Tom Crean. This book inspired me to see a one-man show about Crean when I was in Dublin this summer, which I also highly recommend.

Cut! How Lotte Reiniger and a Pair of Scissors Revolutionized Animation by C. E. Winters, illustrated by Matt Schu

Published by Greenwillow Books

I’m always up for a biography of an interesting woman, and I enjoyed learning about Lotte Reininger, whose extreme perseverance and dedication to her art revolutionized the world of animation.

Dogtown by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko, illustrated by Wallace West

Published by Feiwel and Friends

Readers will take Chance to heart as he valiantly strives to help his friends at the dog shelter. A perfect read-aloud for any elementary grade, as well as a good first chapter book for new-ish readers.

Will on the Inside by Andrew Eliopulos

Published by Quill Tree Books

Andrew Eliopulos drew on his own middle school experiences of dealing with a Crohn’s diagnosis and figuring out his sexuality to create Will, one of my favorite fictional characters this year.

Not an Easy Win by Chrystal D. Giles

Published by Random House Books for Young Readers

Racism, multigenerational living, incarcerated parents, and bullying are all deftly handled in this story about a middle school chess team. Definitely a contender for a Coretta Scott King or Newbery award.

The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson

Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

The lakeside setting, a newly discovered extended family, an intriguing treasure hunt, and a mystery or two made this a perfect summer read.

The Guardian Test (Legends of Lotus Island, book 1) by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Kevin Hong

Published by Scholastic

It wouldn’t be an end-of-the-year roundup without at least one book by Christina Soontornvat. Her Thai-inspired fantasy series is perfect for those not quite ready for Harry Potter.

I’m the first to admit that my taste in picture books is a bit quirky and heavily influenced by what my students are drawn to. 

The Umbrella by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

Published by Clarion Books

I read this book to preschoolers, and both the kids and their teachers were happily surprised by the final twist in the story. An homage to hope and perseverance.

Watch Out for the Lion! by Brooke Hartman, illustrated by Anna Süßbauer

Published by Page Street Kids

This was another favorite read-aloud. It’s funny and interactive, a double win as far as I’m concerned.

The Voice in the Hollow by Will Hillenbrand

Published by Holiday House

Kids are always looking for scary stories, and this one offers a nice dose of creepiness, as well as a cozy ending and an ode to the power of stories.

Little Land by Diana Sudyka

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Diana Sudyka’s striking illustrations make this a powerful introduction to ecology, while encouraging kids to make a difference.

Mole Is Not Alone by Maya Tatsukawa

Published by Henry Holt and Company

One of the most affirming books for socially anxious introverts that I have ever read, with an ending that encourages readers to seek quality over quantity in friendships.

I found the Caldecott pickings a little slim this year, but here are a few that I think could be contenders. I’m selling my mock Caldecott slideshow over at Teachers Pay Teachers if you want to see more choices.

The Tree and the River by Aaron Becker

Published by Candlewick

As with Aaron Becker’s Journey trilogy, you will continue to discover new details each time through this wordless masterpiece that chronicles the rise and fall of a civilization and offers a tiny hope for renewal in the last few pages.

Evergreen by Matthew Cordell

Published by Feiwel and Friends

Divided into six parts, this is a long book to read aloud, but the engaging story and incredibly detailed illustrations keep the pages flying by. 

An American Story by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Dare Coulter

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Kwame Alexander’s powerful poem tells the story of American slavery, making the case that this history must be taught to children. Dare Coulter’s incredible illustrations combine sculpture and paintings and are equally powerful. I will be shocked if this doesn’t win a bunch of awards.

The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Jon Klassen

Published by Candlewick

It’s not often that a group of jaded fifth graders spontaneously burst into applause at the end of a read-aloud, but that’s what happened when I read them this book. Funny, creepy, and slightly disturbing, this early chapter book is sure to become a classic. Don’t miss the author’s note at the end for an interesting take on folklore.

Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider by Jessica Lanan

Published by Roaring Brook Press

It may come down to the number of arachnophobes on the Caldecott committee as to whether or not this book wins an award.

As I’ve done in years past, I’ll be posting some end-of-the-year book lists each day between Christmas and the first few days of January before taking my annual break for the first half of January. 

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

Published by Disney Hyperion

Erin Bow takes the grimmest of premises and turns it into a funny, moving story filled with memorable characters. 

The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, A Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity by Nicholas Day, illustrated by Brett Helquist

Published by Random House Studio

It’s pretty rare for a nonfiction book to win a Newbery, but this incredibly engaging whodunit that deftly moves between the fifteenth and twentieth centuries should definitely be a contender.

The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers, illustrated by Shawn Harris

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers

I would love to see this book get Newbery recognition, not only because of the funny narrator, engaging story, and impeccable writing, but also because it’s the only book on this list that’s really for an elementary audience.

The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh

Published by Roaring Brook Press

Expertly moving between the early days of the pandemic and 1930’s Ukraine, this well-researched historical fiction has possibly the biggest plot twist of any book I read this year and kept me turning the pages until the very end.

A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat

Published by First Second

Dan Santat’s graphic memoir about his life-changing trip to Europe the summer before high school has already won the National Book Award and could easily be considered for a Caldecott as well as a Newbery.

Once again, time has run out for the year. As I look at best books lists from 2023, I see some that I almost reviewed or that I thought about reviewing or that I would have reviewed if I had known about them. Here are a dozen of them.

Cat on the Run in Cat of Death! by Aaron Blabey

Published by Scholastic

The Bad Guys are popular with my students, especially since the movie came out last year. I gave this book a try, but it was too low brow, even for me. I’m sure the kids will love it, though. 192 pages; grades 2-5.

Dust by Dusti Bowling

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

I’ve enjoyed other Dusti Bowling books, and this one looks really good, featuring a girl with severe allergies whose community experiences severe dust storms around the time a mysterious new boy named Adam arrives at her school. 352 pages; grades 4-7.

A Walk in the Woods by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney

Published by Neal Porter Books

Normally I would enthusiastically embrace a book written and illustrated by this team, but when I saw that it was about a boy dealing with his father’s death, I felt like I couldn’t deal with one more picture book about grief. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

Alebrijes by Donna Barba Higuera

Published by Levine Querido

Dystopian sci-fi isn’t my favorite, so I gave this one a pass, but given how much I enjoyed the Newbery Award-winning The Last Cuentista, I’m sure I would have liked it. It looks like a great one for middle school. 416 pages; grades 5-8.

A Crown for Corina by Laekan Zea Kemp, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

I’ve seen this on some Caldecott prediction and other best books lists, but it somehow never got enough on my radar to review it. A birthday celebration for Corina brings a crown with flowers that celebrate her family connections. 40 pages; grades K-3.

Tiger Daughter by Rebecca Lim

Published by Delacorte Press

This book looks right up my alley (first-generation Chinese-Australian girl dealing with family and friend issues), but I don’t remember hearing about it until I saw it on an end-of-the-year list. It may be because it’s an Australian import, originally published in 2021. 192 pages; grades 5-8.

The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri, illustrated by Daniel Miyares

Published by Levine Querido

I tried to read this story of a journey along the Silk Road but didn’t get past the first few pages. It’s been popping up on a lot of Newbery and best book lists, though. 224 pages; grades 4-7.

Darwin’s Super-Pooping Worm Spectacular by Polly Owen, illustrated by Gwen Millward

Published by Wide Eyed Editions

I feel real regret that I never heard about this book when it came out at the beginning of the year. Looks like a great nonfiction book about how Charles Darwin discovered earthworms’ superpower: pooping. 32 pages; grades 1-4.

Wish Soup: A Celebration of Seollal by Junghwa Park

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

This book came out on December 5, and I had it on hold at the library, but the year ran out before I got my hands on it. A story of the Korean holiday Seollal. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

A Bit of Earth by Karuna Riazi

Published by Greenwillow Books

As I read the description of this retelling of The Secret Garden featuring a Pakistani girl sent to America, I’m kind of shocked that I didn’t read it. It sounds like a book I would have loved. 368 pages; grades 4-7.

The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass

Published by Feiwel & Friends

I’ve enjoyed books by both Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, and I started to read this one a couple weeks ago, but again, the year ended before I got to finish it. 224 pages; grades 3-7.

Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith, illustrated by Boulet

Published by First Second

This has gotten many accolades at the end of the year, but my PTSD from reading Beowulf in college prevented me from getting beyond page one of this graphic retelling. 208 pages; grades 4-7.