Picture Books May 2019 Recent Releases The Little Guys by Vera Brosgol What it’s about: The forest-dwelling Little Guys are minuscule in size, but with their might combined, they're unstoppable. They can cross deep water! They can forage in tall bushes! They can steal food from chipmunks and beat up bears! Wait, what? Read it for: jaunty, expressive artwork and a kid-friendly message about the uses (and misuses) of teamwork.  A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin What it's about: In the velvety darkness of their night-sky kitchen, Mama and Little Star bake a huge, luminous mooncake. Little Star knows she shouldn't touch it, but she can't resist taking a little nibble every night... Read it for: a whimsical, family-centric fable about the phases of the moon, just right for celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (a favorite holiday for award-winning author Grace Lin). Try this next: Loretta Seto's Mooncakes. ¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market by Raul the Third Welcome to: the Mercado de Chauhtémoc la Curiosidad, where Little Lobo and his dog Bernabé are busy making deliveries to all the various vendors. Why kids might like it: the lively, bustling market scenes bursting with charming details; the helpful Spanish labels that encourage language learners. Don't miss: the tiny, cowboy hat-wearing cucaracha who follows Little Lobo on his route. High Five by Adam Rubin; illustrated by Daniel Salmieri What it is: a series of finger-stretching, hand-slapping challenges to prepare you for the 75th Annual High Five Tournament. Hold that book steady! This exuberant, interactive read is packed with opportunities for kids to high-five its pages. Author alert: Fans of the oddball humor and playful illustrations in Dragons Love Tacos won't want to miss this latest book from the same creative duo. Hiawatha and the Peacemaker by Robbie Robertson; illustrated by David Shannon Hiawatha, a Mohawk, is filled with grief and anger over the loss of his family in raid by Onodaga chief Tadodaho. Despite this, he follows his spiritual guide, the Peacemaker, on a mission to bring unity to the five clashing tribes that would form the Iroquois Nation. Concluding with historical notes and a song on CD, Hiawatha and the Peacemaker is a vivid, authentic tale that older readers won't soon forget. Motor Mouse by Cynthia Rylant; illustrated by Arthur Howard  Starring: Motor Mouse, a friendly delivery driver who approaches a variety of experiences -- sharing, revisiting old memories, and trying new things -- with humor and relatable emotion. Why kids might like it: While the large format has a familiar picture book feel, the short chapters allow beginning readers to grow their skills. Series alert: This inviting volume jump-starts a new series of easy readers. Out of This World Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed; illustrated by Stasia Burrington What it is: an inspiring, star-spangled picture book based on the childhood of Mae Jemison, whose passion and ambition led her to become the first African American woman in space. Who it's for: space-obsessed dreamers, future trailblazers, and aspiring scientists. Further reading: Kids who are curious about women in space might also enjoy Carmella Van Vleet's To the Stars!, a biography of astronaut Kathryn Sullivan. Babysitter from Another Planet by Stephen Savage Starring: the new babysitter...she’s purple, she drives a spaceship, she can cook dinner with her eye-beams, and she knows all the most fun anti-gravity games. She might not be human, but she’s definitely not boring! Art alert: Crisp, retro-modern illustrations, evocative of 1950s-era science fiction, add a note of nostalgia to this offbeat read. Who it’s for: alien-obsessed Earthlings of all ages. Earthrise: Apollo 8 and the Photo That Changed the World by James Gladstone; illustrated by Christy Lundy What it is: a simple yet compelling description of 1968's Apollo 8 mission, in which astronauts captured a now-iconic photo of Earth rising over the moon. Art alert: Crisp retro illustrations evoke the feel of the 1960s, the power of shared humanity, and the breathtaking beauty of Earth seen from space. Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8! Richmond Public Library 101 East Franklin Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804) 646-7223 rvalibrary.org/