June 25 – National Day of Joy

About the Holiday

The National Day of Joy encourages everyone to look for simple moments and expressions of happiness in daily life. Cheerful smiles and greetings, random acts of kindness, upbeat moods, and general positivity can affect not only immediate interactions but our moods and our health. To honor the day and the idea, find ways to start each morning with a positive attitude for the day to come. Need ideas for how to get started? Say “Hello” to those you meet, listen to and encourage others, happily help out where needed, send a surprise letter, card, or text to a friend or family member far away. And, of course, doing something fun with your kids always makes the day better. Today’s book shows how simple pleasures and hard-won accomplishments can bring a special kind of joy to all ages.

Thank you to Abrams Books for Young Readers for sending me this book for review!

Robin and the Stick

By E. B. Goodale

“Robin always had a stick.” Sticks were Robin’s go-to for playing, decorating, and general all-around love. It was easy finding sticks—right outside his window, an old tree “rained them down as it blew in the wind.” Every morning as mama lifted Robin into the air, she said, “‘Today you are the biggest you’ve ever been!'” Robin wasn’t sure what she meant. One day when Robin and Mama went for their walk, they encountered “the best stick Robin had ever seen.”

The stick was so large it blocked the sidewalk, and even though Robin tried every way to lift it, this stick didn’t budge. Mama explained that it was a branch—a stick too heavy to pick up. Every day, Robin tried different ways to lift it, but never could. Then one morning the day began as usual, plus “one hundred kisses” from Mama, before they went outside, where the branch still waited. This time Robin put every ounce of strength into the mission and suddenly, Robin was holding it aloft! Robin dragged the branch home, proudly thinking “today I’m the biggest I’ve ever been!” and knowing the perfect way to use this prize.

E. B. Goodale’s debut book in her “Robin’s World” series for the youngest readers is infused with the joy of growing and learning and will make you smile from beginning to end. In her adorably pint-sized book, Goodale plays with notions of change and growth as well as young and old. Robin is shown in various perspectives—small at home and when first encountering the branch to larger closeups of Robin’s day-to-day efforts to lift it. On the day of Robin’s ultimate success, Goodale mirrors the image of Robin’s first sight of the branch, but from the opposite side. Now Robin fills the page, while the branch, shown along the illustration’s narrowing path, appears much smaller than before.

Readers suddenly join Robin in the idea that today may just be the day—and, indeed, it is! As Robin lifts the branch and proudly drags it into the house, adults will appreciate the mother’s comically accepting stance at the door. Goodale’s heartwarming black-and-white monoprint and oil paint illustrations, tapped with red in Robin’s coat and Mama’s uplifting phrase, also highlight concrete moments and Robin’s focused attention.

A joyful book for offering encouragement, celebrating milestones, inspiring imagination, looking back and looking forward, Robin and the Stick is a must for every library collection and a story adults and children will enjoy at home for years. The book makes a wonderful gift for baby showers and new parents. The lack of pronouns makes it a universal story for any child.

Ages 3 – 6

Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2026 | ISBN 978-1419780837

E. B. Goodale can often be found wandering in her local arboretum, looking for the perfect stick. She is the author/illustrator of The Moon Remembers, Also, and Under the Lilacs, and has illustrated many other books for children, including Windows by Julia Denos, and The Bees of Notre-Dame by Meghan P. Browne. She lives with her family under a big old tree in coastal Massachusetts. Visit her at ebgoodale.com.

National Day of Joy Activity

Robin and the Stick Coloring Page

Join Robin for exploration and fun with this coloring page! Parents, caregivers, and teachers can find this activity as well as a video of E. B. Goodale talking about making of Robin’s World on E. B. Goodale’s website.

You can purchase Robin and the Stick from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

June 12 – National Pet Appreciation Week

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Pets give us so much love and joy that we often want to do something special for our furry friends in return. The first full week of June gives us the opportunity to show our pets how much we appreciate them! Why not spend a little extra time walking or cuddling with your pet? This week is a great time to pamper them with a few extra treat or a new toy. Another way to show how much our pets mean to us is to make sure they’re up-to-date on their annual check-ups and vaccinations. However you celebrate, you know your pet will appreciate it!

A Wickedly Evil Pet: A Branches Book (Super Villains in Training #2)

Written by Kailei Pew | Illustrated by Estrela Lourenço

Vicky von Evil loves going to school at SVT—Super Villains in Training—even though the work may be harder for her than for most of the students. You see, her “parents and little brother, Henry, aren’t wicked at all.” Still, they support her because her “extended family is full of baddies!” In fact, her Granny Dina-mite has come for a visit to give Vicky some tips on becoming evil.

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Estrela Lourenço. Text copyright © 2026 by Kailei Pew. Courtesy of Scholastic.

One reason Vicky loves SVT is her teacher. Today, Miss Chiff announces that for the next week her students will be practicing on STV’s Crooked Course to learn new evil skills. On Friday each student will be graded on how well they show accuracy and speed in overcoming four obstacles. Those who finish within 30 minutes will be awarded a villain medal of chaos. Miss Chiff also says that they can bring a villain pet as a sidekick. Vicky wants to earn a medal, but without any special powers or a pet she knows it’s going to be tough.

Granny takes Vicky to Purely Evil Pet Rescue. Vicky meets all the different animals, but none of them feel right for her. That is until she sees the very last pet—a bunny. Vicky feels an immediate spark and can see in his adorable eyes that he has “villain potential.” She names him Captain von Evil and can’t wait to show her class. Instead of being awed, though, the students just laugh.

When it comes time to practice on the Crooked Course, Vicky expects to show Captain the ropes, but as soon as they begin, Captain is way ahead of her. He swings! He tunnels! He jumps! He even scurries through the mud pit while Vicky gets hopelessly stuck. Everyone loves Captain and gives Vicky no notice. She feels deflated. How is her “new pet already a better villain” than she is?

After more dismal results, Vicky is ready to take Captain back to the Pet Rescue. On the way there, however, she thinks about Granny’s advice to really watch what Captain is doing while they practice, and when her bike gets caught in a mud puddle and she sees Captain digging her out, she has a revelation. Now Vicky’s excited for Friday’s competition. But will her new strategy earn her a medal of chaos and prove that she is a true villain?

Kailei Pew’s second book in her Super Villains in Training early chapter book series offers young readers fast-paced and hilarious action as Vicky tries to live up to her family’s talent for evil despite having no special powers and parents and a brother who are kind, always upbeat, and sweet. Pew’s story is delightfully relatable for readers navigating early elementary school grades, and her themes of friendship, family support, trusting others, self-confidence, and cooperation are smoothly woven throughout her appealing storytelling.

From the SVT campus to the pet shop to the obstacle course, young readers will love accompanying Vicky through Estrela Lourenço’s expressive and detailed illustrations. Lourenço brings out all of the humor in Pew’s story while also eliciting empathy from readers as Vicky struggles to prove herself. Emerging and newly independent readers will appreciate the bold text and dialogue enclosed in speech bubbles that are clearly linked to the speaker. Lourenço’s vivid snapshots and full-page images add to the depth of the Super Villains in Training series.

With a well-developed and enticing story, appealing characters, humor, and a high-interest setting, A Wickedly Evil Pet (Super Villains in Training #2) is a must for any fan of the series. Children new to the series will want to catch up with the first book: The Fantastic Freeze Ray before Project Slime, book #3 comes along in November.

About Branches Books

Super Villains in Training is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

Ages 5 – 7

Scholastic, 2026 | ISBN 978-1546162148

Kailei Pew is a wife, mother, and children’s book author. She loves to write books that help kids see they can do anything they set their minds to. When she isn’t writing or reading, you can find her jogging through the Arizona desert, playing a mean game of Candy Land with her kids and husband, or baking anything with extra chocolate. Super Villains in Training is her first early chapter book series. Visit her and join the Wickedly Awesome Summer Reading Challenge at kaileipewbooks.com.

Estrela Lourenço is a full-time children’s book writer and illustrator with years of experience working in animation for shows like The Amazing World of Gumball for Cartoon Network and Wander Over Yonder for Disney. Estrela is originally from Portugal, but has been living in Ireland since 2009. Visit her at estrelalourenco.com.

National Pet Appreciation Day Activity

Super Villains in Training Activity Pages

Kids can join Vicky von Evil and her friends in their training at SVT with these Super Villains in Training Activity Pages from Scholastic!

You can purchase Super Villains in Training: A Wickedly Evil Pet from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

May 11 – Celebrating Monday

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Mondays! Blah, right? Goodbye to the freedom of the weekend and hello—again—to the pressures and stresses of work or school. Monday may not feel like something to celebrate, but the day can mean a new beginning too, a time to reflect on everything you have accomplished in the past and how you can meet new challenges head on. So with optimism and enthusiasm, let’s celebrate Monday, today and every week!

Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for sending me this book for review!

Find The Sun

By Andy Harkness

Eddie woke up to a rainy Monday. Mondays made him worry, so he went right back to bed, “curled beneath the covers,” and “hugged Rabbit tight.” When he opened his eyes, he found that instead of in his room, he was in the midst of a storm. A little cloud had even “settled softly on his head.” With aplomb Rabbit, now come to life, proposed a journey to find the sun. “Eddie froze” in the face of this choice: to stay or go. But he reached out his hand, and they rose high into the sky, Eddie became afraid, but Rabbit reassured him. “‘We can’t find the sun by staying low,'” he said.

At last they saw a bit of gold breaking through the clouds. They floated toward it, but a sudden gust of wind rocked them and they fell back to earth. Eddie feared the river waiting to catch them. But the water was calm, and Eddie began to enjoy floating along. The river, however, flowed into a cave. Eddie was afraid of the dark, but Rabbit told him “‘It’s only in the darkest of darks that we shine the brightest.'” And it was true. Inside the cave the stars shimmered and Eddie felt brave enough to lead the way.

When they emerged from the cave, Eddie and Rabbit were met with a hedge maze. Eddie loved mazes and ran inside without hesitation. The maze meandered and had dead ends, but Eddie ran here and there, joyfully exploring and finding his way. He felt happy and strong and suddenly realized that he’d “found the sun” inside himself. And when he awoke, Eddie knew he “was ready for Monday.”

For Eddie, it seems, Monday isn’t just a day of the week, it’s become a state of mind. He has worries, is fearful, and practices avoidance. Even as his transformational dream begins, Eddie is enveloped by the storm he feels inside. Andy Harkness understands that many children may experience these emotions, not only about Mondays but when faced with many unfamiliar experiences. Through Rabbit’s guidance, Harkness offers encouragement and wisdom and shows readers that trying new things brings an educated perspective and growing confidence.

Harkness’s gorgeous, multidimensional illustrations are a marvel. Beginning as pencil sketches each element was “sculpted” in virtual reality and given color and textures from photos of actual clay. The result is a brilliant immersive environment that invites readers into Eddie’s bedroom, across a lush rolling landscape, through a magical cave, and into the incredible maze, where each leaf of the hedges is visible. The final spread of the city park on Monday morning is breathtaking in its glorious mottled hues, reflections in a pond, and the image of Eddie striding confidently to meet the day.

Find the Sun is a story readers of all ages will relate to and appreciate and would be a favorite addition to any library or home collection.

Ages 3 – 6

Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1547618767

When he wakes on this particular Monday, it’s beginning to rain—a mirror of his emotions. He hopes to escape by going back to sleep.

About the Author-Illustrator

Andy Harkness is the author and illustrator of Wolfboy, which received two starred reviews, and of Bug Zoo. He is an award-winning art director who has worked on Moana, Frozen, and Wreck-it-Ralph, among other movies. After twenty-five years at Disney, he moved to Sony Pictures Animation. He is currently at Skydance Animation, where he is the production designer on an upcoming project. He lives in California with his family. You can follow him on Instagram @andyharkness.

Celebrating Monday Activity

Follow the Sun! Maze

Help the group of kids find the sun so they can follow where it leads!

Follow the Sun! Maze | Follow the Sun! Maze Solution

You can purchase Find the Sun from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

May 6 – National Hug Holiday Week

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Introduced by Kevin Zaborney in 1986, National Hug Holiday Week is celebrated each year from May 7 – 13. Just like it sounds, the holiday encourages people to show how much their family and friends mean to them by enveloping them in a warm hug. These days you don’t even have to be together to share a hug! Emojis, GIFs, videos, or even an “old-fashioned” postcard or letter can convey your hug. Kids especially respond to a loving hug, so this week be sure to pull them in for a sweet squeeze!

Mama Says I’m Fine

Written by Brittney Cooper | Illustrated by Tamisha Anthony

Sometimes a mom wishes for a tidy, meaningful way to express all the affection and admiration they have for their child—a shorthand, if you will, that both mother and child recognize and immediately feel seen, empowered, comforted, Loved. In Brittney Cooper’s Mama Says I’m Fine, a young girl reveals the two words that her mama always says to her: “‘You’re fine.'” She continues: “It’s just two little words. but those two words can mean a lot.”

It’s true! She’s heard “you’re fine” in so many situations—when she needs reassurance, encouragement, acknowledgement of her accomplishments, and “the courage to stand up and speak out.” She’s also taken those words to heart when in shared moments with her mama, she understands them to mean “I’m the most beautiful little girl she ever laid eyes on.”

Over time, this girl has gained far more than just “in the moment” validation. She feels deep inside the accumulative effect when “two words can become a thousand. Thousands of words can become a million,” and those millions of words telling her that “nothing can knock me down . . . become the truth.”

The young girl doesn’t keep that confidence and self-esteem to herself, either. She channels it into empathy and understanding for the person she’s closest to—her mom! She can tell when her mother is having a tough day or feels down, and works to make her feel better, whether through homemade treats or flowers, she knows just the words to add—words full of meaning and love: “You’re fine!”

In their Author’s and Artist’s Notes following the story, Brittney Cooper and Tamisha Anthony Author’s talk about the influence and inspiration their own mothers imparted to them.

In her uplifting book, Brittney Cooper gives parents a simple phrase that echoes with all the lessons they want to impart, the amazing attributes they see in their child and all the love they feel for them. Such a shared expression can become a touchstone for families through time, one passed down to younger generations. Written from the little girl’s point of view, the story will resonate with children and make them feel as cherished as she does.

Tamisha Anthony’s lovely color palette and lush pages lend a sophistication to the story befitting the young girl’s wisdom. As Anthony states in her Artist’s Note, the abundance of flowers, shared cups of tea, and art theme honor the influence of her own mother and grandmother. These, as well as the sweet and understanding looks between mother and child, also suggest the child’s blooming girlhood and the woman she will become.

A poignant and vibrant ode to motherhood, Mama Says I’m Fine is a story children will want to hear often and one that will continue to resonate as they grow. The book would enhance any library collection and make a perfect Mother’s Day, birthday, or “just because I love you” gift.

Ages 4 – 8

Orchard Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1338763867

Brittney Cooper is the New York Times bestselling author of several books, including her debut picture book Stand Up! 10 Mighty Women Who Made a Change, and the novels Feminist AF: A Guide to Crushing Girlhood and Eloquent Rage: A Black Woman Discovers Her Superpowers. A professor of Women’s and Gender Studies and Africana Studies at Rutgers University, she cofounded the Crunk Feminist Collective, and her cultural commentary has been featured on MSNBC’s All In with Chris Hayes, Melissa Harris-Perry, The New York Times, New York Magazine, Marie Claire, The Cut, The Washington Post, NPR, PBS, Al Jazeera’s Third Rail, Ebony.com, Essence.com, TheRoot.com, and TED.com, and has been named four times to The Root 100.

Tamisha Anthony has illustrated several children’s books, including Sparrow Loves Birds by Murry Burgess, Seoul Food by Erin Danielle Russell, There’s No Place Like Hope by Janet Lawler, and Most Perfect You by Jazmyn Simon. Her love of educating has led her to teach for organizations such as the New York Historical Society and Make Art That Sells, and to write and illustrate a recurring column for Uppercase magazine. Learn more at tamishaanthony.com.

National Hug Holiday Week Activity

Mama Says I’m Fine Activity Pages

These two Mama Says I’m Fine activity pages let kids express their love for their moms!

Mother’s Day Card | Mama Says Fill in the Blank

You can purchase Mama Says I’m Fine from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

April 30 – National Stress Awareness Month and Interview with Julie Koon

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992, when it was founded by the Health Resource Network. The holiday aims to help people identify the stress factors in their own life as well as to assess how all members of their family are handling various pressures. The goal is for everyone—either individually or together—to look for ways to manage their feelings while adding positive changes to their life. Even the youngest members of a family can feel stressed and out of sorts. Talking about pressures with kids and doing simple activities with them can often help lessen the load. Sharing today’s book is a wonderful place to start!

Breathe a Rainbow: A Breathe-Along Book

By Julie Koon

Little ones can have big feelings but not always the words to describe them. Without a verbal way to communicate anger, fear, frustration, and other emotions, those big feelings can be channeled into actions or tears or anxiety. This can be stressful for both the child and the adults who love them.

On each two-page spread of her expressive and accessible board book, Julie Koon provides a concrete, yet nuanced example of concepts like sadness or uncertainty that can seem abstract to young children. For example she offers: “If you feel like a thundercloud” and “If your worries whirl and swirl.” Koon’s prompts can help adults and children talk about emotions in ways that make sense to little ones and even allow for degrees of emotion, for instance, comparing a child’s feelings to a thunderstorm or a rainy day.

On the facing page she then invites the child to engage in mindful deep-breathing while tracing a uniquely textured calming strip that’s incorporated into a familiar figure that offers comfort, hope, encouragement, and a sense of freedom, among others. These shapes include the petals of a cheerful flower and the wings of a friendly butterfly. Arrows guide children on the path around the shape, while prompting when to “breathe in” and “breathe out.”

The final page reveals the most comforting reassurance of all as a happy ladybug sits with her four little bugs who are all experiencing a different emotion. The ladybug assures: “No matter how you feel, you are always loved.”

Julie Koon’s vibrant, oversized board book provides parents, teachers, and other caretakers with an exceptional reading experience and impactful resource to for helping young children understand and soothe big emotions. As a calming intervention when feelings are high or a go-to that kids can rely on whenever needed, Breathe a Rainbow, with strips that can be cleaned, is a must for any home or children’s library.

Ages 2 – 4

Abrams Appleseed, 2026 | ISBN 978-1419780431

Meet Julie Koon

Julie Koon is a children’s book author and illustrator who loves making sweet and silly books for kids. As a preschool teacher and former school counselor, Koon brings playfulness and heartfelt warmth to each page. She loves helping kids learn positive strategies to cope with big feelings. Koon lives in Massachusetts with her husband, three kids, and two guinea pigs. You can visit her at juliepkoon.com.

Hi Julie! I’m really excited to be chatting with you today! Can you talk a little about your background and work and what prompted you to create Breathe a Rainbow?

I was an elementary school counselor and now work as a preschool teacher. I love working with young children, watching them explore and learn about the world, and emotions are a big part of that! I believe that this early work in emotional regulation will have positive effects on children’s mental health for their lifetime. I’ve always loved doing mindful breathing exercises with kids. It’s something simple that can be done anywhere, anytime, to help calm your nervous system. Having a simple shape to trace while breathing is a great way to slow breathing down and make it more fun. I had the idea to turn these exercises into a book that children could use independently or with someone else, and I knew I wanted to pursue it.

With adorable, vibrant illustrations and different textured paths to trace, Breathe a Rainbow is unique among mindfulness books for kids. How did this board book come together from your original concept to bookstore shelves?

After thinking through the idea, I made a big list of shapes that would be simple to trace while breathing. I noticed a nature theme emerging, and decided that would be a good theme for the book. I wanted the text to be simple as well as versatile, and a little bit open-ended, because kids could be reading the book with all sorts of different emotions. I wanted them all to feel seen and supported. After writing the words, I made a book dummy with sketches and a few pieces of colored art. My agent Teresa sent it to my editor Meredith at Abrams. I’m so thankful that they both believed in the book, and I’ve had the best time working with the team at Abrams Appleseed to bring the book to life.

In Breathe a Rainbow, you equate different emotions to evocative occurrences in nature or the feeling that an emotion creates without labeling the feeling. For instance “If you feel like a thundercloud” instead of, possibly, “If you feel angry.” As a preschool teacher and former school counselor, can you give parents and caregivers a couple of tips on how they can talk with their kids about their emotions in a way that is validating and meaningful to them?

Practice what to do with big feelings during calm moments first. Once someone is already emotionally dysregulated (kids or adults) it’s difficult to try something new or listen to advice. Practicing things like deep breathing during calm moments will make it easier for kids to use those tools in difficult moments.
Modeling is such an amazing tool for teaching young children something new. Seeing the adults in their life name what they are feeling and use positive coping strategies is a great way to normalize feelings of all kinds and help children understand what to do with them. Simply saying, “I’m feeling frustrated that I can’t open this jar so I’m going to take a break and use the breathing book. Then I’ll try again.” Kids bank these moments in their brain to understand what to do when they are in a similar situation.

What do you love best about writing for children? What do you love best about being a preschool teacher? What is something similar that you bring to each of these vocations?

I feel so honored and overjoyed that I get to make books for kids! I love the whole process of making books, from creating lists of potential ideas, problem-solving plots, to designing the characters. It’s all so fun! This is probably obvious, but my favorite thing about being a preschool teacher is the kids. I absolutely love getting to know each of them, their personalities, and their interests. I am daily blown away by their creativity and the amazing things they make and do, and the beautiful ways they interact with each other. I think I bring a curiosity and openness to both roles. You never know what the day will bring in bookmaking or teaching, and I feel that I can adapt and be flexible in the moment.

You say that sharing your books with children in person is the best part about being a writer and illustrator. Is there an event or interaction that stands out for you? What made it special?

Every time I get to read my books to kids is so special to me, and I will truly cherish those moments all the days of my life! Some of my favorite memories are reading my books to my own students. Because I’m their teacher and they know me so well, they ask the coolest and most interesting questions! They still talk to me often about making books, and say cute things like, “did you make every book in the whole school?” It’s such a fun experience to see both parts of my work come together.

What’s up next for you?

I have several books coming out over the next few years that I’m so excited about! There will be a second breathe-along book that I’m starting to work on, as well as a few picture books. Dad’s Beard Disappeared (Spring 2027) is about a toddler who becomes distraught when her dad shaves his beard, so they make new beards out of all kinds of silly and fun things. Yarn the Farm (Spring 2027) is about a group of yarn-bombing sheep making mischief on their farm. I’m so excited to share these books with the world soon!

It’s been wonderful meeting you, Julie! Your joy and enthusiasm are infectious! Readers will love this book, and I wish you all the best with it!

You can purchase Breathe a Rainbow from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

April 7 – Week of the Young Child

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

This year marks the 55th anniversary of Week of the Young Child, an annual initiative hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (which itself is celebrating its 100th year!) to promote learning and spotlight young children, their families, and their teachers. Themes for each day of this week focus on ways that children learn. These included Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday. To get more information on this week-long celebration and discover extensive ideas and activities to make each day of the week fun for your family or students, visit the NAEYC website.

Thank you to Orchard Books/Scholastic for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Beautiful Black Boy

Written by Sophia Robinson | Illustrated by Ken Daley

Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents, teachers, and all of the important adults in a child’s life want them to grow up knowing how much they are loved and how special they are. Sophia Robinson’s lyrical ode to Black boys does just that with stirring, confidence- and esteem-building affirmations that celebrate Black joy while identifying and reinforcing qualities their children already possess and that will sustain them throughout their life.

Each of Robinson’s verses offer a poignant starting point for adults to share not only a specific characteristic—like resilience, leadership, courage, and curiosity—but to expand on it, sharing examples from the child’s own life. They also provide a spark for conversations between children and caregivers about their experiences as well as their hopes and dreams for the future.

Ken Daley’s exhilarating illustrations portray Black boys full of wonder, intelligence, confidence, courage, and pride in their accomplishments. His kinetic backgrounds are subtly layered with words from the text, a poignant reminder that the praise children receive echoes like a song’s refrain in their hearts and minds into adulthood.

Notes from Sophia Robinson and Ken Daley about the creation of Beautiful Black Boy follow the text.

Inspiring, motivational, and full of love, Beautiful Black Boy is a book to cherish and share over and over again as a child grows. It is a must for any library and will be a favorite on home bookshelves. The book also makes a meaningful gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and end of year presents for teachers.

Ages 4 – 8

Orchard Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1338864649

About the Author

Sophia Robinson was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. She has been an elementary school teacher for over 20 years, where she shares her love of picture books with her students. Visit her at sophiarobinsonauthor.com.

About the Illustrator

Ken Daley is an award-winning artist/illustrator who lives in Tillsonburg, Ontario. His art and illustrations are inspired by his African-Caribbean heritage, and he has exhibited his work in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. Ken has illustrated numerous children’s books, including Joseph’s Big Ride, Jayden’s Impossible Garden, A Feast for Joseph, Black Boy, Black Boy, The Little Regent, and more, as well as received an Américas Award Honor Book and a Kirkus Best Picture Book for Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings. Visit him at kendaleyart.com.

Week of the Young Child Activity

CPB - Heart Jar

Jar Full of Hearts

Whenever your child feels the need for more love or reassurance in their life, this jar full of hearts can be a visual reminder of the love that surrounds them, can be used to encourage discussions about experiences and feelings, or can provide meaningful tokens of their own love kids can give to family and friends.

Supplies

A clear jar with a lid
Red felt
Scissors

Directions

1. Cut red hearts from the felt

2. Add hearts to the jar. The jar can start out full or hearts can be added over time. Here are some ideas for using the jar with your child:

Add one heart for each thing you love about your child or that a child loves about their sibling or friend.
Give a new heart whenever the recipient of your jar does something nice for a sibling, friend, or someone else.
If talking about feelings is difficult for your child, encourage them to bring you a heart from the jar to start a conversation.
Encourage the recipient of your jar to pass the love along! Tell them they can give a heart from the jar to someone else.

You can purchase Beautiful Black Boy from these book sellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

April 2 – Celebrating Hans Christian Andersen’s Birthday and International Children’s Book Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Since 1967, April 2—Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday—has served as the date for International Children’s Book Day. The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), a non-profit organization founded in Zurich, sponsors the day to promote a love of reading and call attention to children’s books. National Sections of IBBY around the world alternate in hosting the event. The host for 2026 is Cyprus, and this year’s theme is “plant stories and the world will bloom.” Each year a prominent author and illustrator from the sponsoring country prepare materials for the event. This year’s poster was designed by Sandra Elephteriou. Elena Perikleous wrote this year’s message, and Giorgos Hatzipieris wrote this year’s official song, “The Little Gardener.” To learn more about the initiative and download digital materials, visit the IBBY website.

Thank you to Levine Querido and Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for sending me this book for review!

The True Ugly Duckling: How Hans Christian Andersen Became a Swan

Written by Sandra Nickel | Illustrated by Calvin Nicholls

“There once was a poor shoemaker’s son, who was tall and skinny. His nose was two times as long as everyone else’s and his heart two times as tender.” Thus begins not a fairy tale, but Sandra Nickel’s real life story of Hans Christian Anderson.

While most children spent their days working at the factory or going to school, Hans cut out costumes for his toys and invented stories that he performed for whomever would watch. Some neighbors gave him a few coins, but the factory workers and other children bullied and teased him. Hans “soothed his wounded heart by cutting out shapes from cloth.” At fourteen, knowing there was more for him in the world, Hans sailed alone for Copenhagen. There, he tried to find a place to express his talents, but each attempt ended in disappointment. Soon all his money was gone.

When he sent a play to the Royal Theater, one director rejected it brutally, but another found a “few jewels” in it and arranged for him to go to school. At 17 Hans was taking classes for the first time. The other students laughed at him, and the headmaster dashed his dreams of becoming a storyteller, forbidding him to write. For six years Hans obeyed. “To comfort his heart, the boy cut out shapes from paper.”

Then one day when a girl asked him why her flowers had faded, Hans—now a young man—answered her by telling a story while cutting a scene in paper of hearts, dancers, flowers, and castles with working doors. The girl loved the story so much that Hans wrote it down and had it printed into a book. “The children of Copenhagen adored every word.”

Soon, Hans was telling and publishing more and more stories. Adults began reading them, and even Copenhagen royalty invited him to their castles for dinners and afterward to entertain the other guests by weaving “magic with his words and scissors.”

Back matter includes an Author’s Note recounting that experts now believe Hans Christian Andersen was likely on the autism spectrum and may also have had Marfan syndrome. She also discusses her choice to follow the story arc of The Ugly Duckling to depict Andersen’s life.

Sandra Nickel’s mesmerizing and sensitive portrait of Hans Christian Andersen highlights his seemingly limitless creativity, imagination, and courage as he stays true to himself despite the treatment and rejections he endured. Her lyrical and moving biography is not only an inspiring tribute to this unique storyteller and artist, but a buoy for children struggling themselves and a reminder for all to embrace each person as a whole, recognizing and encouraging their talents, dreams, and contributions. Although his enduring popularity is already known to readers, her account of his ultimate triumph still has the power to astonish and prompt cheers.

Visually arresting, Calvin Nicholls’ extraordinary paper sculpture illustrations pop with action and emotion, immersing readers in the sights and sounds of Andersen’s factory hometown, his experiences in Copenhagen, and the joy of his long-dreamed-for success. The realism of Nicholls’ low-relief sculptures, assembled from various weight and textured papers then photographed, is astounding. Nicholls’ color scheme mirrors the theme of the “Ugly Duckling,” portraying Andersen in muted grays and browns until his full transformation when he dazzles Copenhagen royalty in a white tuxedo.

The True Ugly Duckling: How Hans Christian Andersen Became a Swan belongs in every classroom, school, and library collection to edify and inspire and would be an inspirational addition to home bookshelves, especially to pair with readings of his stories.

Ages 4 – 8

Levine Querido, 2026 | ISBN 978-1646146093

Hans Christian Andersen’s Birthday Activity

Easy Origami Swan

Kids can have fun on Hans Christian Andersen’s Birthday and International Children’s Book Day by making this easy origami swan to celebrate their unique personalities and talents! All you need is origami paper or you can cut your own 6-inch by 6-inch paper or any size square.

You can purchase The True Ugly Duckling: How Hans Christian Andersen Became a Swan from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

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