Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem

English 4+ Poetry Social Change Empowerment Music Amanda Gorman & Loren Long summary Change Sings joined the bookshelf ranks yesterday, and woah buddy it’s incredible. Amanda Gorman graced the inaugural stage and blew all of our minds with her powerful words, and she’s here to do it again with her picture book. Filled with hope…

Back to School, Back to School…Take These Books, They’re Real Cool!

English 4+ Social-Emotional Learning Back to School Emotional Regulation Empathy Empowerment Historical Figures summary Try not to be too jealous of my sweet rhyming skills when it comes to titles, I’m just brimming with creative talent. ANYWAY, lets begrudgingly talk about back to school book recs. I’m doubling down on recommending books that lean heavily…

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

Written By: Joanna Ho Illustrated by: Dung Ho For Ages: 4-8 years Language: English Topics Covered: Family, Asian Protagonists, Self-Esteem, Confidence, Social-Emotional Learning, Own Voices. Summary: This book is stunningly beautiful in artwork and text. This empowering story has a main character that loves that her eyes are the same as her family members, their…

Be Your Best Self: Life Skills for Unstoppable Kids

Written By: Danielle Brown MBE & Nathan Kai Illustrated by: Joanna Kerr For Ages: 8-12 years Language: English Topics Covered: Social-Emotional Growth, Growing Up, Goals, Habits, Self-Esteem, Confidence. Summary: When I heard that a gold medal Paralympian and a child MENSA member had teamed up to write a book about life skills, I obviously had…

You Matter

 Written & Illustrated by: Christian Robinson Topics Covered: Self-Esteem, Social-Emotional Learning, Inclusion, Humor, Nature For ages: 4-8 years Language: English Summary: I can’t imagine sharing a more beautiful or timely book than this one today. You Matter is a beautiful book that speaks directly to the listener’s heart. Addressing the reader in a humorous way, Christian Robinson manages to inspire…

I Am Brown

english 3 years and up BIPOC-centric narratives Self-Esteem Social-Emotional Learning Diversity Empowerment Own Voices javaka steptoe Written by: Ashok Banker Illustrated by: Sandhya Prabhat For ages: 3 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, Self-Esteem, Social-Emotional Learning, Diversity, Empowerment, Own Voices.  Summary:  Folx, this book is beautiful inside and out.  I Am Brown is a celebration of the…

Professor Astro Cat’s Deep Sea Voyage

Written by: Dr. Dominic Walliman  Illustrated by: Ben Newman For ages: 7 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: Nature, Natural World, Ocean, Sea Life, Pint-Sized Professor, STEM, Biology, Environmental Activism, Pollution, Self-Empowerment.  Summary:  This is the newest installment of the incredible Professor Astro Cat series!  Grab your nearest ocean enthusiast and settle in for 60+ pages of aquatic adventure.  So this…

Muslim Girls Rise

Written by: Saira Mir Illustrated by: Aaliya Jaleel For ages: 8-13 years Language: English Topics Covered: Muslim Women, Trailblazers, Historical Figures, Self-Empowerment, Feminism, Sports, Culture & Identity, Global Community, Own Voices.  Summary:  This book is a lovely book, almost anthology-like, of 18 Muslim girls (and women) that are changing the world and blazing trails.  Some are well-known public figures like…

This Book is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work

Written by: Tiffany Jewell Illustrated by: Aurélia Durand For ages: YA middle grades and up Language: English Topics Covered: BIPOC Narratives, Social Justice, Activism, Anti-Racism, Anti-Bias, Education, Community Organizing, Self-Empowerment, Self-Reflection, Race Theory, Own Voices. Summary:  Alright so we might be a little late on this book coming out, but our lives are a bit wonky (just like everyone else’s!) and…

Jamie and Bubbie: A Book About Pronouns [Cover Reveal!]

Written by: Afsaneh Moradian  Illustrated by: Maria Bogade For ages: 3 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: Gender Identity, Pronouns, Self-Empowerment, Growing Up, Family, Community.  Summary: We are excited to be able to reveal the cover of this new book, Jamie and Bubbie!  This story is the second installment in the adventures of Jamie, also seen in the book Jamie is Jamie. Jamie…