Picture Books

Bingham, Winsome. Soul Food Sunday. CELA, 2023.

Soul Food Sunday is a delightful read about a family preparing their big Sunday meal! The illustrations not only correspond and complement the setting and plot, but they highly drive the story. Through the illustrations, you get to meet family members (even the ones in the background that aren't addressed). I also appreciated the care and effort that went in to representing Black hairstyles. Each character has a different hairstyle, and all seem to be well illustrated. The illustrations are symbolic to the story with their bright colors, warm tones, and vivid patterns, which match the warm tone of the family. The words chosen in this story are appropriate for young readers. The reader can enjoy the familiar family dynamics and appreciate the repetitive nature throughout the story. The grandma teaches the young child cooking skills, and though the young child's hand hurts from all of the chopping and preparing of the food, he still keeps working. The conversation throughout the story is lively, and you can feel the love between the child and his grandmother. The realistic plot is told in an original way. The reader learns about traditional dishes prepared in a fun and engaging way. No part of this book feels overwhelming. It is a cozy and calm read that the whole family can enjoy together. Many stories depict family dynamics, but I have found this to be an original theme and story. It has wonderful reviews from professional reviewers. I plan to add this book to my home library and feel that it's important to share with all children! We get to learn about family dynamics and the work that goes in to the meals we all enjoy.

Kurpiel, Sarah. A Little Like Magic. Rocky Pond Books, 2024.

A Little Like Magic takes you on a journey told through a young girl who overcomes anxiety about leaving home in order to have a new experience with her mother. The cool tones and whimsical drawings are fitting to the story, as the child is experiencing an art installation in the park in wintertime. You feel cold looking at the images, and being cold is an integral part of the story. The ice sculptures in the park are almost translucent, with nearly invisible lines, giving them a magic-like feeling. A child's imagination can take them on the journey alongside the main character. The words and content are age appropriate for young readers. The girl is consistent throughout the book. She has anxiety leaving the house and uses coping mechanisms (a small horse in her pocket) to feel at ease. Throughout the story, she learns it is okay to leave the house and feel uncomfortable - that's how we grow! The narrator and main character is a credible storyteller. It is important to share this book with children because it teaches them to overcome fear through trusting themselves and their grown up to keep them safe. I also appreciate the main character using a wheelchair but it not being a part of the story. She simply has a wheelchair, it is not addressed or a lesson to be learned. It is important for children to see people with different disabilities simply living their lives. I have not seen many similar books available. This book is well-received by professional reviewers, and I plan to add it to my personal library.

Williams, Ismée, and Tatiana Gardel. Abuelo, the Sea, and Me. Roaring Brook Press, 2024.

Abuelo, the Sea, and Me is a nonfiction story of the author's childhood learning about their Cuban family roots. The story takes the reader through a full year of visiting the beach with a girl and her abuelo. The illustrations encourage the reader to use their imagination. For example, the clouds are shaped like dolphins and there are gold medals in the ocean. The illustration style complements the story nicely, giving you a warm feeling that this is a close family relationship. The color tones change with the season, helping you to feel warm or cold based on the season. The words are appropriate for young readers. It is also worth noting that while this story is primarily in English, the author also includes several words in Spanish to introduce young English speaking readers to these words. Even in the title, you learn the word abuelo! The plot is realistic. It shows how a child can learn about difficult themes through age appropriate storytelling. The conversation is lively, and you feel like part of the family by the end of the story. The characters are consistent in their admiration and respect for each other. The theme is seamlessly executed throughout the book. This is an important read for children, as it teaches them new vocabulary, encourages imagination, teaches empathy, and highlights the sacrifices families sometimes have to make. There are several stories about family history, but I find that this title stands out in it's unique, curious, and empathetic approach. Many professional reviewers have praised this book, and I would love to have it in my personal library!

Wang, Andrea, et al. Luli and the Language of Tea. Library Ideas, LLC, 2022.

For a charming read about the importance of kindness and inclusion, turn to Luli and the Language of Tea. The illustrations draw a reader in immediately. The colored pencil illustrations are childlike, warm, and inviting - just like the story! The illustrations correspond to the text and complement the setting and mood. They also convey each child and accurately depict children from all over the world. The illustrations are quite literal, leaving little room for imagination.The heartwarming story uses age appropriate words. The characters are consistent, each child asking for tea in their own language. You get to learn how to say tea in ten different languages. Each page also shows how to pronounce the word. The conversation is lively, credible, realistic, well-constructed, and original. Nothing about the book feels overwhelming or overpowering. It is a delightful read! This book is important to share with young readers because it promotes kindness, sharing, and inclusion. There are several books that promote these themes, but this title seems to stand out in it's simple but impactful story. Luli and the Language of Tea is well-received by professional reviewers. I do plan to add this to my personal library.

Spillett, Tasha, and Michaela Goade. I Sang You Down From the Stars. Little, Brown and Company, 2021.

I Sang You Down From the Stars is a touching story and one of the most beautifully illustrated books I have read in a while! The story is about a mother preparing to have her child, speaking to her child, and talking about how she sang them down from the stars. The illustrations complement and correspond with their whimsical style. The loving mood and plot pair perfectly with the illustrations. The illustrations are literal, but they lean heavily into the symbolic via the flowing nature of the images. The illustrations encourage a child to use their imagination. This is an appropriate read for young children. The mother is the main character, and she remains consistent throughout the book. She is preparing to have a child and speaking to her future child about what she is preparing. I appreciate the lessons on Indigenous culture such as creating a sage bundle and sewing a star blanket. The author is an Indigenous person, making her a credible source for the story. The plot is both realistic and fantastic, bringing you on a literal journey of pregnancy while also allowing imagination through singing the baby down from the stars. It is not an overwhelming read in any sense of the book. It is a gentle read that I can easily see parents reading to their children before bed. This book is important because it shows how much care goes into getting ready for a new baby to join the family. It also shares the author's culture, allowing children to either see themselves represented in the story or learn about a family different from theirs. Many books focus on the excitement of a new baby, but not many speak of these specific traditions. This book is loved by many professional reviewers! I plan to not only add this to my personal library, but I also plan to purchase this for my sister-in-law who is having her first baby in March!