Written & Illustrated by: Smriti Prasadam-Halls & David Litchfield For ages: 4 years & up Language: English Topics Covered: Friendship Poetry BIPOC Protagonists Social-Emotional Learning Bravery Courage Summary: Rain Before Rainbows is filled with lyrical and poetic text with illustrations that are truly resplendent and enticing to the eyes, urging the reader to turn the page. In…
Tag: courage
Grandad Mandela
Written by: Zazi, Ziwalene & Zindzi Mandela Illustrated by: Sean Qualls For ages: 4-10 years Language: English Topics Covered: Historical Figures, History, Activism, Nelson Mandela, Apartheid, Social Change, Imprisonment, Black Culture & Identity, South Africa. Summary: I am shocked that I haven’t shared this book on Instagram yet, I assumed I shared it actual years ago. Well, today we remedy…
I Dream of a Journey
Written & Illustrated by: Akiko Miyakoshi For ages: 4-8 years Language: English Topics Covered: Longing, Adventure, Imagination, Courage. Summary: I can’t believe another month has gone by so quickly and we’re celebrating #thefictionfeast already! Since I Dream of a Journey takes place in a hotel, it got me thinking about the breakfast that guests get when they stay. So I made…
Freda and the Blue Beetle [released 4/15]
Written & Illustrated by: Sophie Gilmore For ages: 4-8 years Language: English Topics Covered: Friendship, Independent Thought, Courage, Freedom, Discovery, Wonder, Intuition, Bravery. Summary: This book is SO amazing. Freda is a free spirit that values discovery and adventure, much to the dismay of the other villagers who are often warning her about what could happen. One day she befriends a…
Enough! 20 Protestors Who Changed America
Written by: Emily Easton Illustrated by: Ziyue Chen For ages: 4 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: American History, Activism, Historical Figures, Courage, Segregation, Enslavement, Sports, Environmentalism. Summary: This book opens with an Author’s Note talking about her inspiration to write the book. Emily’s young cousins had been in a school shooting a few weeks before the devastating event…
The Degenerates
Written by: J. Albert Mann Cover Art by: Design: Rebecca Syracuse; Illustration: Sarah Maxwell-Folio Art For ages: YA (14 years and up) Language: English Topics Covered: Historical Fiction, LGBTQ, Growing Up, Mental Health, Disability, Own Voices, Interracial Love, Family, Friendship, Institutionalized Lives, Courage, Bravery, Love. Summary: This book is incredible. I truly hope this book review does it justice, I couldn’t put it…
The Prince and the Dressmaker
Written & Illustrated by: Jen Wang For ages: Young Adults and up Language: English Topics Covered: Gender Expression, Growing Up, Love, Family, Acceptance, Friendship. Summary: Prince Sebastian doesn’t particularly want to get married, but his parents are desperate for him to find a mate. All Sebastian really wants to do is blow off steam and wear fabulous dresses as a disguise…
Lighter Than My Shadow
Written & Illustrated by: Katie Green For ages: Teens and Up Language: English Topics Covered: Growing Up, Eating Disorders, Assault, Resilience, Bravery, Family, Friendship, Love, Acceptance, Mental Health, Recovery, Trauma, Graphic Novel. Summary: This hefty 500 page graphic novel covers main character Katie’s life from childhood to college-first for biology and then for art school. Katie has always had a problem eating,…
Who Says Women Can’t Be Computer Programmers? The Story of Ada Lovelace
Written by: Tanya Lee Stone Illustrated by: Marjorie Priceman For ages: 6-9 years Language: English Topics Covered: Women in STEM, Historical Figures, Women in Science, Feminism, Bravery, Courage, Individuality. Summary: Ada was a young girl who lived in the English countryside. She had a wild imagination and a mother who thought a wild imagination was dangerous. Ada’s father was the famous poet,…
Ruth Asawa: A Sculpting Life
Written by: Joan Schoettler Illustrated by: Traci Van Wagoner For ages: 6-9 years Language: English Topics Covered: Historical Figures, Women Artists, Historical Events, Public Art. Summary: Aiko and Ruth Asawa are the same person. Aiko speaks Japanese at home, and at her Japanese school on Saturdays after she is done at American public-school during the week. She goes by Ruth at…