Big new titles perfect for the littles.
Brrr! It’s been one heckuva cold January! Luckily, there are plenty of terrific new kids’ books to enjoy from the toasty comfort of the couch (or pillow fort) while Old Man Winter does his worst outside. Here are three good ones to explore. They’re very different from each other but all feature a feisty protagonist doing their best in the not-always-fun, not-always-fair world!
Ready for the Spotlight! by Jaime Kim (Candlewick Press). “I’ve been taking ballet for a whole month now, and I think I’ve got it down! I’m better than everyone in my class — everyone except my big sister, Maya.” Why can’t her dance teacher see that the (overly) confident Tessie is just as good as her sibling? It’s probably because the grumpy younger girl needs more practice before she’s ready for her solo — just like Maya once did!
Darryl’s Dream by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Shawnee Warfield, Johnny Warfield, and Adam Padilla (authors) and Tristan Tait (illustrator) (Random House Books for Young Readers). “Darryl loved third grade. He especially loved music class and writing. ‘Great job, Darryl!’ said his teacher as she handed back his poem. There was a big A+ on it. ‘You should recite this at the talent show!’” Darryl is so proud, but when the other kids start teasing him about his poetry and nerdy glasses, he begins to doubt whether he’s any good at all. Will the shy boy learn to believe in himself again? Of course!
I Am Golden by Eva Chen (author) and Sophie Diao (illustrator) (Feiwel & Friends). “What do you see when you look in the mirror, Mei? Do you see beauty?” a mother asks her daughter. “We see eyes that point toward the sun, that give us the warmth and joy of a thousand rays when you smile. We see hair as inky black and smooth as a peaceful night sky. We see skin brushed with gold.” On page after page, they see their wonderful child — a brave, strong Chinese girl helping her immigrant parents navigate life in America.
