Leila in Saffron

Leila in Saffron | Written by Rukhsanna Guidroz & Illustrated By Dinara Mirtalipova | Published By Salaam Reads (An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division) 2019

Here's a beautiful book about learning to love oneself. At a weekly family dinner, Leila shares she's not sure if she likes herself. She sees "skinny arms and knobby knees." But throughout the day, she discovers just how beautiful she is both inside and out. Filled with gorgeous language and colorful illustrations!

How Rocket Learned to Read

How Rocket Learned to Read | Written & Illustrated by Tad Hills | Published by Schwartz & Wade Books (An imprint of Random House Children's Books) 2010

A spirited, little yellow bird entices Rocket to learn how to read. Follow as they learn the alphabet, sound out words, and enjoy reading stories together. A joyful book about learning and friendship.

Love in the Library

Love in the Library | Written by Maggie Tokuda-Hall & Illustrated by Yas Imamura | Published by Candlewick Press 2022

Learn how the author's grandparents found each other in a Japanese incarceration camp in Idaho. A powerful book about human resilience when Japanese Americans were forced to relocate during WWII.

Pocket Full of Colors: The Magical World of Mary Blair, Disney Artist Extraordinaire

Pocket Full of Colors: The Magical World of Mary Blair, Disney Artist Extraordinaire | Written by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville & Illustrated by Brigette Barrager | Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers 2017

Follow Mary Blair's life filled with colors—lemon yellow, azure, celadon, tangerine, steel gray, and more! Students will learn how initially Mary's artwork was rejected by her supervisors at Disney. She quit after a year. Later, Walt Disney himself saw potential in her colorful style and rehired her as an art director. But her art career wasn't just with Disney. She was a picture book illustrator, commercial artist, and set designer.

An inspiring story matched perfectly with lively illustrations!

Tuesday

Tuesday | Story & Illustrations by David Wiesner | Published by Clarion Books 1991

A wordless picture book about fantastical events—frogs flying on lilypads and pigs floating—that occur every Tuesday evening, around 8 o'clock. What kinds of creative stories will kids write to go along with the illustrations?

The Paper Kingdom

The Paper Kingdom | Written by Helena Ku Rhee & Illustrated by Pascal Campion | Published by Random House Children's Books (A division of Penguin Random House) 2020

Gorgeous artwork and beautiful story inspired by the author's life! I heard an interview where the author shared how she often had to tag along with her parents to work because they were night janitors at a law office. It's awesome for kids to learn how a published author used a personal experience to write her story. There is an author's note at the end to share with students.

Mindy Kim and the Lunar New Year Parade

Mindy Kim and the Lunar New Year Parade | Written by Lyla Lee & Illustrated by Dung Ho | Published by Aladdin (An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division) 2020

I came across Mindy Kim and the Lunar New Year Parade when I was looking for a contemporary kid's book about Korean Lunar New Year. It was hard to find! Unfortunately, this book was on a waiting list. But thankfully, I found a poem called New Year Cheer by Linda Sue Park to share with students instead.

This is book 2 in the Mindy Kim chapter book series, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Mindy. I was curious about how Korean Lunar New Year's Day would be presented so that's why I read book 2 first. I just checked out the first book: Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business! Can't wait!

Brave Irene

Brave Irene | Written & Illustrated by William Steig | Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (An imprint of MacMillan Children's Publishing Group) 1986

Irene must journey through a horrid snowstorm to deliver a package to the duchess. Inside the package is a beautiful ball gown made by her seamstress mother who has fallen ill for the day. Despite her mother's protest, Irene is determined to brave the snow to reach the palace in time, so the duchess can wear her mother's gown to the ball.

(Fun find: As I was looking up Brave Irene, I came across other books by William Steig, and I learned the movie Shrek is based on one of his picture books! Who knew!)

When You Trap a Tiger

When You Trap a Tiger | Written by Tae Keller | Published by Random House Children's Book (A division of Penguin Random House) 2020

When I heard this book had Korean folktales, I immediately bought it. The main character, Lily, moves in with her sick grandma and tries to save her life—even if it means making a deal with a tiger. A middle grade must read!

Next on my list by Tae Keller is Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone.

The Science of Breakable Things

The Science of Breakable Things | Written by Tae Keller | Published by Yearling (An imprint of Random House Children's Book) 2018

My second book by Tae Keller. I thoroughly enjoyed this one as well!

Natalie's mother is depressed, but Natalie doesn't know. She wonders why her mother is withdrawn and sleeps most of the day away. In hopes of saving her, Natalie joins a science competition with friends because the winning group gets prize money. She believes she can use her share of the money to go see the miraculous Cobalt Blue Orchids with her mother. Natalie desperately believes that's the only way to get her mother back. Beautifully written!

The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdős

The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdős | Written by Deborah Heiligman & Illustrated by LeUyen Pham | Published by Roaring Book Press 2013

I am a fan of LeUyen Pham's illustrations—Princess in Black! Alvin Ho! This is an entertaining book about the life of mathematician, Paul Erdős. However, reading about the art-making process for this book was the highlight for me. A great example for kids to see that subjects in school do not live in vacuums—math, words, and art do come together!