MADreads for Kids

Book reviews for children by library staff and guest contributors

Stunning lyrics, stunning illustrations

Cover of Still This Love Goes On
A review of Still This Love Goes On by Buffy Sainte-Marie

Gorgeous lyrics by Academy Award-winning Cree singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie are accompanied by absolutely stunning illustrations by Cree-Métis author, illustrator, and artist Julie Flett. The book is based on a song of the same name and celebrates nature, changing seasons, and Indigenous traditions. The author and illustrator notes, addressed to "readers and listeners," are also beautiful and full of love, and the sheet music is included at the end of the book so you can sing along. 

Posted by Holly SP on Dec 9, 2022

To Mars and back?

Cover of A Rover's Story
A review of A Rover's Story by Jasmine Warga

As with many of the books that land on my hold shelf or in the digital queue on my phone, I'm not sure where I heard about this charming, heartwarming, a little heartbreaking, gem of a book. Wherever it was or whoever it was who suggested it? Thank you.

Posted by Jane J on Dec 2, 2022

Come for the history, stay for the inspiration

Cover of Pride: An Inspirational Hi
A review of Pride: An Inspirational History of the LGBTQ+ Movement by Stella Caldwell

October was LGBTQ+ history month, and it's not too late to celebrate by brushing up on your LGBTQ+ history with Stella Caldwell’s Pride: An Inspirational History of the LGBTQ+ Movement? Beginning thousands of years ago with LGBTQ+ figures from Ancient Greece, China, and Japan, Caldwell provides a comprehensive and accessible history of LGBTQ+ people, culture, and struggle for rights from ancient times all the way up to the present.

Posted by on Nov 22, 2022

Push up high

Cover of Tummy Time Friends
A review of Tummy Time Friends by Pat Brisson

Tummy Time Friends is a delightfully interactive board book, full of beautiful baby faces and simple, gentle text. It is extra special because it unfolds, accordion-style, in a floor-standing arc and can be set up around a baby during tummy time. The photographs of baby faces will encourage babies to lift their heads to see. And toddlers will love to look at the faces even after they’ve outgrown tummy time!

Posted by Madeleine on Nov 18, 2022

Fathers and their kids

Cover of Juna and Appa
A review of Juna and Appa by Jane Park

Juna has a big imagination, and it runs wild, even while she's helping her Appa (father) at his dry cleaning business on Saturdays. While searching for one of her Appa's clients' lost jackets, her imagination takes her on a journey through nature where she meets animals who are also fathers that are spending time with their children.

Posted by Janelle C on Nov 11, 2022

Eyes that rise to the skies and speak to the stars

Cover of Eyes that Speak to the Sta
A review of Eyes that Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho

A boy returns from school hurt that a friend drew a picture of their group and he has eyes like two lines stretched across his face. The others have big, round eyes with green, blue, brown or black irises. His Baba stood him in front of a mirror and said, “Your eyes rise to the skies and speak to the stars. The comets and constellations show you their secrets, and your eyes can foresee the future.

Posted by Molly W on Oct 26, 2022

Sweet and cozy

Cover of Bright Brown Baby: A Treas
A review of Bright Brown Baby: A Treasury by Andrea David Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney

Find all the joy of the Bright Brown Baby board books in this beautiful picture book treasury! Bright Brown Baby: A Treasury by Andrea David Pinkney and Brian Pinkney is bursting with warmth & bounce. These mini stories about peek-a-boo, counting-to-love, and baby stars all shine so bright. They read like mini love songs to little ones.

Posted by Tracy on Oct 14, 2022

So much to love

Cover of Leo Loves Mommy & Leo Love
A review of Leo Loves Mommy & Leo Loves Daddy by Anna McQuinn

And this librarian LOVES Leo. These two companion board books about lovely Leo and his parents are complete joy. Follow Anna McQuinn's lilting rhyme about all the favorite things that Leo does with his mom and dad accompanied by brilliant illustrations of the pairs in action (including all of daddy's niftiest dance moves). Toddlers and their grown ups will smile and laugh at these familiar activities, inviting conversations about all the things they LOVE to do too and always end with a snuggle.

Posted by Rebecca M on Oct 10, 2022

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