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| Islandborn by Junot Díaz; illustrated by Leo EspinosaWhat it's about: Assigned to draw her country of origin, Lola – who doesn't remember life on "the Island" -- collects reminiscences from her family and neighbors.
Why kids might like it: Brilliantly colored artwork depicts Lola's city neighborhood, as well her neighbors' evocative memories of music, mangoes, and people "like a rainbow -- every shade ever made."
Author alert: Islandborn is the picture book debut from award-winning author Junot Díaz. |
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Jinx and the Doom Fight Crime!
by Lisa Mantchev; illustrated by Samantha Cotterill
What it is: the adventures of Jinx and her little brother the Doom, a costumed crime-fighting duo who take on villains (imaginary) and missions (real -- the dog needs a bath!) with cooperation and infectious enthusiasm.
Read it for: high-energy storytelling and theatrical, mixed-media dioramas.
For fans of: David Soman's Ladybug Girl books.
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| Harriet Gets Carried Away by Jessie SimaWhat it's about: When Harriet, a spirited girl with a penchant for costumes, wears her penguin costume on an errand with her dads, she meets a group of real penguins who sweep her away on an epic journey.
Why kids might like it: Young readers will delight in Harriet's sweetness, skill, and sense of adventure as she navigates her way back home. |
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| Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles by Patricia Valdez; illustrated by Felicita SalaStarring: smart, determined Joan Procter, a real-life reptile fanatic who grew up in the early 1900s and defied expectations by becoming curator for reptiles at the British Natural History Museum and the London Zoo.
Did you know? Joan used to take a huge Komodo dragon for leisurely strolls through the zoo.
Who it's for: aspiring herpetologists and other STEM-obsessed kids (or adults). |
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| I Got It! by David WiesnerWhat it's about: A young outfielder prepares to snag a high-flying baseball, declaring "I got it!" But does he? Several possible scenarios for failure -- some realistic, some surreal -- play out before the exuberant conclusion.
Read if for: an underdog athlete who triumphs (even if it's only in his imagination).
About the creator: A three-time Caldecott Medalist, David Wiesner heightens the drama in this nearly wordless tale with distinctive, hyperrealistic illustrations. |
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| We Found a Hat by Jon KlassenWhat it's about: Two desert-dwelling turtles discover -- and immediately covet -- a single cowboy hat.
Why kids might like it: From the comically oversized hat to the turtles' shifty eyes, the spare illustrations speak volumes, ramping up the tension over hat ownership only to resolve it with a surprisingly gentle twist.
For fans of: the hat-based moral dilemmas in Jon Klassen's earlier books, I Want My Hat Back and This is Not My Hat. |
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Hats Off to You! by Karen BeaumontEmily, Ashley, Kaitlyn and Claire topping off their fun-filled dress-up party by searching for the perfect hats for their moms.
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Bridget's Beret by Tom LichtenheldWhen Bridget loses the beret that provides her with artistic inspiration like other great artists, she thinks she will never be able to draw again.
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| Brimsby's Hats by Andrew PrahinWhat it's about: After his badger BFF leaves to become a sea captain, hat maker Brimsby lives a sad, solitary life...until he meets a group of snowbound birds in need of some unique hats.
Why kids might like it: Illustrated with the crisp lines of an animated cartoon, Brimsby's longing for a friend is something that any child can understand.
Reviewers say: "This quiet charmer of a picture book is an inspiration" (Booklist). |
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| Hooray for Hat! by Brian WonWhat it's about: After Elephant wakes up feeling grumpy, he discovers that donning a stack of colorful hats banishes his bad mood.
Why kids might like it: Children will want to cheer along as Elephant distributes funky headgear to his grouchy friends, transforming each grumbled "go away!" into a gleeful refrain of "hooray for hat!"
Try this next: Hooray for Today! and Hooray for Books!, also by Brian Won. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
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