You may remember that I love an accidental theme for these blogs. Instead of leaning into spring (though obviously I’m delighted at its arrival), my books this month are all about family. So whether you’re outside in the sunshine or inside listening to the rain, check one out and enjoy with the whole family! I’m a firm believer that kids are never too old to enjoy a family read-aloud.
Picture Books
“While We’re Here” written by Anne Wynter and illustrated by Micha Archer
A mother and daughter, dressed in their best party clothes and clutching a wrapped gift, rush to get out the door. They race through the city, down the subway steps, and across the park. “Hurry hurry…we have somewhere to be!” But when they arrive, there’s only a lone leftover balloon, and they realize Mama got the date wrong. Instead of succumbing to disappointment, they discover what a gift it is to have nowhere to be. The two linger in the park, enjoying all the things they had to rush past before. The vibrant collage illustrations are wonderfully immersive, and the pacing of the text transitions beautifully from frenzied rushing to relaxation.
“Planting Hope” written by Frederick Joseph and illustrated by Paul Kellam
Henry’s mom is an excellent gardener, but Henry doesn’t seem to share her green thumb. Mom insists that plants are a lot like people, and need hope and encouragement to grow—not just water and sunshine. Mom’s been building her garden and community ever since she was little and even started a community orchard for folks who need a little extra food. When she falls ill, she misses several days in the garden, and all the plants start to droop. Though Henry is worried about his mom, he takes her lessons to heart and figures out how to offer encouragement and hope to the garden and to his family. The illustrations are luminous, and the message takes things beyond a simple gardening story. (Spoiler alert: the mom does NOT die!)
Chapter Books
“No Way Never Sisters” by Chantel Acevedo and Natalia Sylvester
Roxy and Meli are NOT friends, but now that their parents are engaged, they’re expected to be…sisters? Meli’s mom and Roxy’s dad announce that the whole family will be moving into a fixer-upper together, and renovating it over the summer before the August wedding. While their little brothers are thrilled, the girls are not. They grudgingly agree to work together to enact a Disaster Plan, sabotaging the home renovations and their parents’ relationship every step of the way in an attempt to call off the wedding. Of course, their plan begins working far too well as they realize they may actually get along better than they’d thought. With alternating first-person chapters between the two girls, we get wonderful character development and insight into their changing views toward each other.
“The Lionharts” by Mike Lawrence
Alder and Flynt Lionhart are learning the family business. The Lionharts run a for-hire questing company, often performing odd jobs like scaring harpies out of barns or running off bandits. Gram and Baba are retired questers, so they handle most of the paperwork while Mom and Dad wield the swords. When Mom and Dad don’t return a few days after accepting a job from a mysterious woman, Alder and Flynt are determined to find them…and eager for an adventure of their own. They quickly realize that the forest is more dangerous than they expected (seriously? Even the mushrooms are looking to pick a fight!), but thankfully Gram and Baba show up to rescue them. Convinced that Mom and Dad need help, the four venture further into the forest on their own epic quest. This graphic novel has nonstop action that’s balanced by intriguing revelations and sweet family bonding moments.
