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Book reviews for children by library staff and guest contributors
Watercress is this year’s winner of the Caldecott Medal for the illustrations by Jason Chin, a Newbery Honor for the writing by Andrea Wang, and the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature in the picture book category. And it deserves all the accolades. It is an outstanding book about the power of story to connect generations and to heal.
The American Library Association (ALA) announced the top books, video and audio books for children and young adults, including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards at LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience today.
A list of 2022 award winners follows:
In this beautiful picture book, even the youngest book lovers can appreciate the simple comfort of a satisfying refreshment while on a journey. With vibrant cut-paper collage art, the reader can be transported to a train station stop in Jaipur, India. Part recipe, part sensory experience, this story is based on the author’s remembrances of visits to India as a child. Told with familiar yet descriptive language, children can delight in re-reading this accessible adventure story, while noticing all of the colors, sounds, smells, actions and tastes of this friendly momentary encounter.
J.D. is this librarian’s new hero. The night before his first day of 3rd grade, his wonderful, well meaning mom gives him a terrible haircut. Facing ridicule and embarrassment at school J.D. takes the clippers into his own hands, practicing on his little brother and then giving himself his own perfect fade. An artist and comic book lover, he is soon transforming the trims of his entire peewee football team, and drawing some unwanted attention from the local barber who is losing business. But J.D. won’t give up his budding business without a fight. Let the great Barber Battle begin!
A young boy loves to visit with his Abuelo, who plays accordion in a mariachi band. He also loves to listen to his Opa play accordion in his polka band, yodeling along with the music. But, when Opa and Abuelo meet, there is silence between them. They don’t share a language. Happily, the boy discovers they DO share a language, the universal language of music. Each grandfather shares music from their experience and pretty soon, everyone is singing, playing and dancing together as one big family.
"When your dad owns a pizza shop, you can have whatever kind of pizza you want." This light hearted tale of a father and son's journey to make the PERFECT pizza is sure to please. After a father asks his son what kind of pizza he wants, the young lad informs him that he would like a pizza with EVERYTHING on it. During their quest to make the most out of this world pizza, the father son duo accidentally set off a chain of events that will change the universe forever. This turn of events is sure to melt your brain like warm mozzarella. With perfectly quirky illustrations by Andy J.
This magical book by Japanese author/illustrator Kaya Doi and translated by Yuki Kaneko is a must-read. In the third book of the series, twin sisters Chirri & Chirra are back exploring beautiful winter scenery with their animal friends. The story has foxes, bears, birds, goats, and cats. It also has hot springs, delicious food, and creative landscapes. Doi brings us a delightful, unique art style. Her winter wonderland story connects the reader to a magical miniature world with a touch that evokes the same emotions as reading a traditional Japanese children's book.
Baek Heena is one of Korea’s most famous picture book authors and artists.She grew up with a vivid imagination and her inner child shines through in her books. She makes a conscious effort in her artwork and storytelling to show the perspectives and emotions of children. You’ll definitely get a sense of awe along with a few giggles reading this book.
Although Miles and Rhys attend the same school, they don't know each other in real life, but in the online game Mecha Melee they are triumphant besties known as Gryphon and Backslash. The action in the book switches back and forth between in-game action and real-life family and middle school drama. The students at their school make up a diverse cast of background characters. Miles and his family are Black, and Rhys and his family have light brown skin and straight, dark hair.
