This posting offers 11 new picture titles (mostly 2025 releases) with appealing characters who learn with and from each other.
SHOUT OUT
CHOOCH HELPED by Andrea L. Rogers illus Rebecca Lee Kunz
Chooch has just celebrated his second birthday and his older sister, Sissy, is aggfravated because her baby brother seems to be get away with everything, even though in Sissy’s eyes, he’s always messing things up. But Chooch just wants to help others whether it’s painting a mural, tuning up bicycles, making moccasins, playing guitar, preparing dumplings.. When Chooch interferes with Sissy’s pottery-making, the young girl loses her temper but soon comes to learn the importance of being patient and what it means to be helpful. This wonderful simple story works as a heartwarming a story about an older sibling learning to make space for a new child; and a powerful celebration of Cherokee cultural traditions. Another strong feature of this publication is the inclusion of Cherokee language (e.g., usdi = baby young; ageyutsa – girl/daughter, explained in a glossary at the end of the book. The artwork, infused with Cherokee iconography and symbols is exquisite. A lot of care was put forth by the team who helped to create this marvel of. picture book. Chooch Helped is Winner of the Caldecott Medal, 2025. This book gets a standing ovation from Dr. Larry.
A KIDS BOOK ABOUT BANNED BOOKS by The National Coalition Against Censorshipn (NCAC)
The National Coalition Against Censorshii- (NCAC) is an alliance of more than 50 national nonprofits committed for kids right to read. For decades, many titles have been challenged for telling stories and tackling topics that make some people eel uncomfortable. This nonfiction title target audience is middle years and YA readers (and the grown-ups in their lives). The book provides information and insights into books that are challenged, banned or censored – now more than ever, it seems. This book tells us that we want readers to read books To Learn, To Discover, to Explore and to Feel. When adults ban books, – i.e., taken out of a library or school because someone says they don’t think it’s right for kids – they are taking away access to books to help readers, grow, learn and feel seen. A Kids Book About Banned Books is a title presented with bold font, a simple black white, red and gold palette. The. book offers questions and facts that can prompt kid to kid and adult to kid conversations which may lead readers to take an active approach to speak out about the freedom to read.
I remember hearing Katherine Paterson speak on a panel about censorship many years ago. Her novel, Bridge to Terabithia, was at one time one of the best read and most censored children’s literature titles. Her words “Do we want to protect our children or prepare them?” from personal stories and world issues that some adults think are dangerous, scary, or too grown up.
Excerpt
“Because you will meet a LOT of people in your life, and you won’t agree with everyone you meet. It’s important to learn how to have conversations with people with think differently than you do.”
NOTE: When I bought this book, I also bought myself a tote bag (what another tote bag?) that reads BANS OFF OUR BOOKS.
A KIDS BOOK ABOUT BELONGING by Kevin Carroll / 2023
This book speaks directly to kids. What does it mean to belong? What does it feel like when you belong to a group or family or team? What does it feel like when you don’t? This picture book helps young readers to considers the comfort and connection – and sometimes struggles – of fitting in anywhere. The opening page advises “This book is best red together, grownup and kid.” With spare graphics, spare text presented in tan, black or white font, this is an ideal resource to have conversations with young people ages 5+ about loving, accepting appreciating, caring and supporting yourself.
Excerpt
“You might event think you need to pretend you’re somebody you’re not, just to belong. Or that you need to wear a mask over your the real you to fit in.”
BABY’S FIRST BOOKS OF BANNED BOOKS; illus. Laura Korzon
Yes, this is a board book for babies and I’m not sure that toddlers would appreciate the intent of this book. The Kite Runner by Kahled Hosseini, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood are far away from their wee kid world. Still, I purchased this little book because I like the simple statements to encapsulate the power of a good book, even thogh it’s been banned. . For example, “I speak up when someone is in trouble” accompanies the title Maus by Art Spiegelman ; I feel good telling the truth accompanies To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and “I’m Free to be Me” accompanies Alex Gino’s Melissa. It’s never to early to teach the importance of being free to read, and Baby’s First Book of Banned Books provides” lessons for rebellious young readers” and old readers too.
THE FABULOUS EDWEENA by Edwin Dumont; illus. Melissa Cho
Edwin is very excited about the upcoming figure skating competition. To prepare for the event he once again invades his sister, Patsy’s closet and comes out of the closet dressed as Edweena Louisa wearing a a colourful dress, boots, fancy gloves and a pink belt and glimmering dangly earrings. Adding make-up and a wig excites Edwin because he will be the only one dressed in drag. Will his classmates make fun of him? Will he win the competition? This is a story about being true to yourself and living with the credo that “a dream is a wish your heart makes.”. Edwin Dumont you are fabulous and there’s one word to best describe this picture book – FABULOUS!
LITTLE BIRD LAILA by Kelly Yang; illus. Xindi Yan
Kelly Yang is a proflific and terrific novelist. Her Front Desk series is very popular with middle years readers I love her books. Little Bird Laila is her newest release, a picture book that tells the story of a young Chinese girl who becomes her parents’ teacher as they learn the English language. Yang highlights some of the challenges of learning how to acquire new vocabulary, understand the meanings of idioms (‘Don’t beat around the bush’) and pronounce words properly as Laila translates English to Chinese. (“Just because something’s hard doesn’t mean you give up, right?”). Laila is a great teacher and many young readers will identify with her attempts to help family gain confidence when learning a second language.
ORRIS AND TIMBLE: Lost and Found by Kate DiCamillo / chapter book
Orris the rat and Timble the owl are friends. Can a rat and owl really be friends? Storytelling is one thing that binds them. One day, Timble doesn’t show up in the barn as expected Timble fears that his owl friend has abandoned him. Spoiler alert Timble, a little more grown up returns to visit his friend and has a lovely story about getting lost to tell his rat friend. Every sentence in this short book is simple and exquisite (e..g., ‘The sun rose and gray dawn turned into day. Light filled the barn.’; ‘From deep inside the velvet slipper, Orris could feel the owl waiting’. He arrived with a great rush of feathers that smelled of nighttime air’. The clarity of dialogue enriches character and setting: “By the light of the stars, by the light of the moon, I will always return.” said the owl.” Each word is perfectly chosen. But that’s no surprise – Kate DiCamillo is a storytelling genius . Mok’a beautiful illustrations are story moments unto themselves (Lonely Orris gazing into the night sky longing for his friend; Oris crawling in a velvet slipper; Owl hovering over a country landscape; Orris and Timble reunited underneath the gaze of a crescent moon), Lost and Found is the second book in trilogy (Book One: Orris and Timble: The Beginning).
Hooray for GROUNDWOOD / HOUSE OF ANANSI PRESS / 2025 releases
ROCK by Laurel Croza; Illus. Matt James
Laurel Croza and Matt James are the team who published the award-winning book I Know Here (2010) (Marilyn Baillie Picture book boaward, Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award. Once again the author and illustrator have created a special publication about an seagull and a rock getting into argument. Seagul mistakes the rock for food, but the rock, is proud to be ‘just a rock ‘amongst an infinite number of other rocks’. This is one terrific story about what the significance of a miniscule part of nature that could be considered insignificant Laurel Croza’s verbal text and dialogue is spot-on and the illustrations featured in mainly two-spreads with various perspectives of the seagulls are a WOW! Applause to Croza and James for another stellar House of Anansi publication. This book rocks!
THE ONE AND ONLY QUESTION by Norma Charles and Andrea Charles; illus. Ken Daley
It is the first day at a new school for Kyle and he is bracing himself what might happen if someone calls him the N-word, like they did at his old school. As the day unfolds, Zeke is sure that it’s going to be the worst day ever (e.g., a stain on his favourite shirt; a frowning bus-driver, a hor stinky classroom in a soggy sandwich for lunch). Most of all. he is suspicious that someone is going to call him the N-word. What will he say? What will he do? A random act of kindness brings comfort to the young student and things won’t be so bad. The One and Only Question is an important story about ways to handle bullying, racism and belonging.
SOMETIMES I EAT WITH MY HANDS by Kid Haile
There is absolute joy on the face of the little girl pictured on the cover of this picture book, and when we meet this character, Feven we learn that she delights in trying new foods (i.e. broccoli, watermelon and mac’ n’cheese. Which utensil to use is sometimes a puzzlement, but when Granma comes for a visit, the family gatherrs around the table to eat injera, an Ethiopian and Eriteran flatbred and knows that sometimes eating with our hands can be a joyful thing!h With sparse text and happy colourful illustrations, this picture book is deeeeelicioussssss!
SUNDAYS ARE FOR FEASTS by Leila Boukarim=; illus. Ruaida Mannaa
It is summertime and Yasmine is visiting her family in Lebanon. Getting together for lunch is a weekly ritual and on one occasion Yasmine is given the responsibility of preparing hummus. Will she succeed? Will her crank uncle Ammo Farouk approve of Hummus a la Yasmine? Sundays Are for Feasts is a wonderful celebration of family, traditions, Lebanese culture and Hummus! (recipe included).