| Cesaria Feels the Beat by Denise Rosario Adusei; illustrated by Priscila SoaresCesaria is in her peacock costume, ready to perform with her dance team. But their director says she has to wear shoes -- a tough request for Cesaria, who's Deaf and feels the music through her bare feet. The bold colors of Carnival add drama to this vibrant, affirming story. |
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| Under the Table by Allan Ahlberg; illustrated by Bruce IngmanBeginning with an elephant under the table, an ordinary day quickly transforms into an adventure as young Elsie Cannon and her family keep finding unexpected animals. Veteran picture book author Allan Ahlberg gets zany in this rambunctious read. |
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| Desert Song by Laekan Zea Kemp; illustrated by Beatriz Gutiérrez HernándezMusic and memories of ancestors provide the perfect soundtrack to a desert sunset for the large family at the heart of this moving story, illustrated with warm, stylized artwork. Read-alike: Jeannie Baker's Desert Jungle.
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| Little Shrew by Akiko MiyakoshiMeet anthropomorphic Little Shrew, a small creature with big dreams. Featuring sparse words and textured, detail-rich illustrations, this sweet slice of life is longer than a typical picture book and may appeal to beginning readers, as well as those who appreciate everyday beauty. |
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| My Book and Me by Linda Sue Park; illustrated by Chris RaschkaIllustrated in loose, lively paintings, this picture book poem depicts a diverse group of children with their favorite books, in situations that range from specific (a child reads aloud to their 17 pet worms) to beautifully familiar (a child pleads to hear the book "just once more"). |
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| Wei Skates On by Nathan Chen; illustrated by Lorraine NamGold medalist Nathan Chen channels his own experiences into those of Wei, a young skater trying to overcome pre-competition fears by taking pride in his effort and artistry. Dynamic illustrations capture the rush of a figure skater in full flow. Read-alikes: Stronger Than She Thinks by Nancy Kerrigan. |
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| She Persisted in Sports: American Olympians Who Changed the Game by Chelsea Clinton; illustrated by Alexandra BoigerReaders -- especially athletes -- will be inspired by these uplifting mini-profiles of 16 different American women who competed in the Olympics, often battling prejudice along the way. Children who enjoy this collection may want to check out the series, including She Persisted in Science and She Persisted Around the World. |
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| Unstoppable: How Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team Defeated Army by Art Coulson; illustrated by Nick HardcastleRetro pen-and-ink illustrations heighten the action in this introductory biography of multi-talented athlete Jim Thorpe, whose football skills at the Carlisle Indian School launched a career that included becoming the first Native American (Sac and Fox Nation) to medal for the United States at the Olympics. |
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| She's Got This by Laurie Hernandez; illustrated by Nina MataFrom her perspective as an Olympic gold medalist, gymnast Laurie Hernandez spins the story of Zoe, a spirited girl feeling discouraged after falling off a balance beam. Many kids will relate to Zoe's fears of trying again at a difficult task. Read-alike: Ambitious Girl by Meena Harris. |
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| The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali; illustrated by Hatem Aly The first day of school is also the first day of hijab for Asiya, Faizah's adored older sister, and no amount of bullying can shake Asiya's confidence or the bond between the two girls. For further empowering stories, check out The Kindest Red and The Boldest White (out in September), also co-written by fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first United States Olympian to compete (and medal) while wearing hijab. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
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