Multigenerational Picture Books

December 3 – Get Ready for Dōngzhì

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About the Holiday

The Dōngzhì Festival, or Winter Solstice is considered to be one of the most important Chinese festivals of the year and is a time for families to get together, worship their ancestors, and enjoy traditional delicacies. Celebrated for over 2,000 years, the festival sees families come together to make and eat tāng yuán, which symbolizes reunion and prosperity. While the celebration of the winter solstice is only one day (this year on December 21), the Dōngzhì Festival lasts 15 days.

This Winter Solstice festival originates from the Chinese concept of yin and yang, an ancient symbol of harmony and balance. In Chinese culture, there is a belief that when the days are short, there is insufficient Yang energy, thus people consume foods that are more yang (warm) in nature to counteract the yin (cold) of winter, such as tāng yuán, as seen in today’s book. To learn more about the holiday, visit mandarianmatrix.org. 

Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for sharing a copy of this book with me for review!

Weiwei’s Winter Solstice: A Dōngzhì Story

By Michelle Jing Chan

 

Today is Dōngzhì, the Chinese winter solstice—one of Weiwei’s favorite holidays. But instead of celebrating it by splashing in sprinklers amongst hummingbirds and palm trees at her former home, she’s bundled up in a sweater and blanket as snow covers the ground. For Weiwei Dōngzhì just doesn’t feel the same. Her family—Mama, Baba, her younger brother Didi, and Yeye, her grandfather—are ready for a walk and to play in the snow, but Weiwei can only scowl.

Text and image © 2025 by Michelle Jing Chan. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

Yet once outside, Weiwei watches her breath cloud in the cold air, catches snowflakes on her tongue, and listens to the snow crunch as they walk. Then, suddenly, Weiwei gasps and points to a tree covered in red flowers. “‘Those are méihuā, plum blossoms!'” Yeye tells her. “. . . No matter how cold and dark it is, they still bloom.'” Weiwei begins to see other signs of life and beauty, but as the sun begins to set, it’s time for the family to go back home. Time for Weiwei’s favorite part of Dōngzhì.

Text and image © 2025 by Michelle Jing Chan. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

Back home everyone chips in to make tāng yuán. Mama and Didi stir “ground black sesame, sugar, and softened butter into a paste” while Yeye and Weiwei make rice flour dough and Baba makes ginger broth. Then Didi and Weiwei pat the dough into small pancakes, add a bit of black sesame paste, and roll them into balls. The balls simmer in the ginger broth until they float to the top.

Text and image © 2025 by Michelle Jing Chan. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

Before Weiwei and her family eat, they serve their ancestors. They “offer tāng yuán for togetherness, oranges for luck, apples for peace, and cups of tea for respect.” Then they eat! To Weiwei, the warm broth feels like a “sip of sunlight,” and Yeye reminds her that warmer days are coming. He tells her he knows it’s hard moving to a new home, “‘but anywhere can feel like home when we celebrate together.'” Weiwei listens to her grandfather and looks around at her cozy home and the people she loves. She knows spring is on its way with new memories to make, and decides that she will “bloom like the méihuā” and savor winter.

An Author’s Note describing the Dōngzhì holiday and how it is celebrated in various Asian countries as well as a recipe for Black Sesame Tāng Yuán follow the story.

Text and image © 2025 by Michelle Jing Chan. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

Michelle Jing Chan’s warmhearted story of a young girl feeling adrift and disappointed when it comes time to celebrate Dōngzhì in a new home touches on feelings of loss, rediscovery, and the stabilizing comfort of traditions. As Weiwei and her family take a walk through snowy woods instead of the sunny backyard she’s known, she glimpses aspects of familiarity that are further strengthened as she helps prepare and enjoy their customary dish. She recognizes that the Dōngzhì celebration she cherishes as well as her family unit have not changed, allowing her to embrace her new home and look forward to the future.

Chan’s expressive illustrations glow with the togetherness that tāng yuán represents. Even her lovely snowy scenes are lit with peach and gold, as the sun breaks through the winter clouds. Inside, soothing colors highlight the family’s close ties and the comforting flavors of home.

Weiwei’s Winter Solstice: A Dōngzhì Story offers heartening inspiration for readers in the midst of change as well as the comfort of family love and traditions for all. Pair with making the included recipe as a group to create an eventful story time.

Ages 3 – 6

Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2025 | ISBN 978-1547614844

Michelle Jing Chan is a queer Chinese American illustrator who grew up in Colorado and lives in the Pacific Northwest. Inspired by nature, cultural folklore, and fantasy, Michelle aspires to illustrate diverse, empowering stories her younger self would have loved. When she’s not drawing, she can be found attempting new recipes, reading, or watching spooky TV shows. You can visit her at michellejingchan.com.

Listen to Michelle Jing Chan talk about how her family traditions and a trip to Colorado inspired her to write Weiwei’s Winter Solstice: A Dōngzhì Story below!

You can purchase Weiwei’s Winter Solstice: A Dōngzhì Story from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (Discounted books and support for your local independent bookstore)

Picture Book Review

February 25 – Get Ready for Passover

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About the Holiday

Passover is the Jewish spring festival that celebrates the Jews’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. The holiday begins on the fourteenth day of the Hebrew month Nisan, which is the first ecclesiastical month and occurs in March or April. Passover is observed for seven days in Israel and for eight days for Jewish people living outside of Israel. The holiday begins with a seder meal, at which family and friends gather to remember their history, eat symbolic dishes, and celebrate the joy of freedom. This year Passover is celebrated from April 12 – 20.

Thank you to Kar-Ben Publishing for sharing a digital copy of Zayde Babysits before Passover with me.

Zayde Babysits before Passover

Written by Jane Sutton | Illustrated by Kate Chappell

 

While Ruthie’s mommy and daddy go to Bubbe’s house to prepare for Passover, Zayde is staying with Ruthie at her house. It’s the first time Zayde has ever babysat Ruthie, but he doesn’t have to devise fun activities, or think up places to take her because there’s a long list of tasks to be accomplished stuck to the refrigerator.

First on the list is to make a few Passover decorations for Zayde and Bubbe’s house. Ruthie’s mommy has suggested finger painting. “Oy!” exclaims Zayde, as the paint escapes the paper onto the tablecloth and Ruthie’s shirt, and even the cat, who joins the fun with some paw painting. The next chores on the list take Ruthie and Zayde into town—to the grocery store for parsley and to the playground “so Ruthie can use up energy” and sit still at the seder later that night. But who’s riding in the cart and who’s slipping down the slide?

Illustration © 2025 Kate Chappell, text © 2025 Jane Sutton. Courtesy of Kar-Ben Publishing.

Back home, Zayde’s been instructed to use up more of Ruthie’s energy, but here, too, who’s doing what is topsy-turvy. Even sweeping up any missed breadcrumbs in the kitchen finds Ruthie pulling Zayde out from under the cupboard. And when Mommy said they should eat a big lunch because dinner will be late, did she really mean that mountain of food? 

Following nap time and bath time, Ruthie and Zayde leave to meet up with the rest of the family. With Zayde leading the seder, it comes off without a hitch. “Ruthie asks the Four Questions. She sings ‘Dayenu’ and hums along with the other songs.” Bubbe’s matzah ball soup is yummy, and Ruthie even “finds the afikomen. Yay!” After everyone leaves, Ruthie tells Zayde she had fun that day and asks if he’ll babysit again. Of course Zayde’s answer is “‘I can’t wait!'”

Illustration © 2025 Kate Chappell, text © 2025 Jane Sutton. Courtesy of Kar-Ben Publishing.

Jane Sutton’s endearing, family Passover story is riotous fun as first-time babysitter Zayde goes all in while fulfilling his pre-Passover seder chores. Kids will enjoy chiming in with Zayde’s exclamations of “Oy!” as things go amiss and will love learning Passover traditions as they spend time with Ruthie and Zayde around town and at home. The burgeoning relationship between Zayde and Ruthie warms the heart.

Kate Chappell’s charming illustrations, juxtaposed with Sutton’s straightforward storytelling, bring to life Zayde and Ruthie’s playful antics and will have kids giggling from page to page. Images of the family’s Passover celebration are uplifting and tender.

A madcap and joyful story for families to share at Passover and whenever grandparents and grandkids get together, Zayde Babysits before Passover would make a wonderful gift and addition to home bookshelves as well as a delightful choice for school and public libraries.

Ages 4 – 9

Kar-Ben Publishing, 2025 | ISBN 979-8765619889

A Chat with Jane Sutton

Jane Sutton is an award-winning author of picture books, including Gracie Brings Back Bubbe’s Smile, Paulie’s Passover Predicament, and Esther’s Hanukkah Disaster as well as novels for children. She grew up on Long Island and attended Brandeis University. Jane lives with her husband in the Boston area, as do their grown children and families. She is grateful to get lots of chances to babysit her grandchildren and hopes she makes fewer mistakes than Ruthie’s Zayde. You can visit Jane at jane-sutton.com.

I’m so excited to be chatting with you again about a new book, Jane! The last time we did an interview, it was for What’s Up with this Chicken? and you were a new grandmother to Caleb. So much has happened in the years since! You and your husband are grandparents to four grandchildren now who all live close to you. Has becoming a grandmother influenced the way you write or the subjects you write about?

Come to think of it, my last 2 books have been about a grandparent and a grandchild. And my next book was inspired by a grandchild. I guess it’s natural that I would write about my favorite subject, my grandchildren!

Kate Chappell’s illustrations are so whimsical and really highlight the humor in the story. Kate lives in London. Did you have much interaction with her during the publishing process? Do you have a favorite spread? Which one and what do you like best about it?

I agree. Her whimsical illustrations do just what you said! We didn’t interact directly. My suggestions for art went through the publisher. My favorite spread is also the cover, with Zayde sitting in the shopping cart as Ruthie pushes. It’s so silly and funny, and I love the details Kate includes. It’s my grandchildren’s favorite too!

The images on your blog from your family vacations and other fun times you have together are so infused with love and joy and really make me smile. They made me wonder—does it appear that any of your grandkids have inherited your sense of humor? If so can you share a story?

They’re all funny and witty in their individual ways. One joke that the oldest three grandchildren and I share started on a week-long family vacation. Each morning, we’d greet each other with big smiles while saying, “Not you again!”

How did you get started writing for children? When did you know that this is what you wanted to pursue?

In college I had an assignment in a sociology class to do something we’d always wanted to do and keep a journal about our experience as we did it. I chose to write a series of children’s stories and found that I enjoyed the writing immensely.

Not only do you write picture books, but you’ve written three middle-grade novels and a young-adult novel. You’ve recently revised and published a new edition of your popular middle grade novel, Me and the Weirdos, after it was turned into a musical by two high school seniors in Utah. I understand you attended the premiere of the play. Tell me more about this book and the experience of seeing it transformed into a musical.

In Me and the Weirdos, Cindy Krinkle feels like the only normal person in her family. She kind of has a point. Some examples: Her father rides a bike with an umbrella on it as he sings opera loudly and off-key. Her mother gargles with orange juice, and her sister has a pet sea urchin. Cindy’s plans to “un-weird” the rest of her family all backfire in amusing ways, and she eventually comes to appreciate them the way they are. Attending the musical was amazing. The lovely students who created it were so talented. They wrote the script and lyrics, composed the music, and directed the play with a middle school cast. The show was both entertaining and true to the book’s humor and message that it’s OK to be different.

It’s clear that you love sharing your love of writing and your books with kids through programs at schools and libraries. Can you give us a peek at what one of your presentations is like? Do you have an anecdote from any program that you’d like to share?

I share my writing process, including more or fewer details depending on the age group. I emphasize the importance of revision, something I strongly believe in and which makes teachers nod and smile. And lest writing seem like too much work, I make sure I express my joy in writing.

I believe young readers have another book to look forward to in 2026! Would you like to give them a little glimpse of what’s to come?

It will be my first board book, one I hope that will make people of all ages smile.

Thanks so much, Jane for this wonderful chat! It’s been terrific catching up! I wish you all the best with Zayde Babysits before Passover and can’t wait to see your board book. I’m sure it will bring a smile!

You can purchase Zayde Babysits before Passover at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

Picture Book Review

 

February 7 – National Send a Card to a Friend Day

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About the Holiday

Today’s holiday is all about reaching out to a friend or family member with cheerful wishes or a reminder about how much they mean to you. Sure, texting is more immediate, but the sentiments get lost amid long scrolls of typed conversations, shared pictures, and links sent. A card or a letter is more permanent and easy to enjoy again and again without all the dizzying swiping, swiping, swiping to retrieve the message that meant so much to you. Sending cards is such a wonderful way for kids, especially, to keep in touch with friends, cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents. Today, encourage your children to share their feelings in a card or letter and get today’s book to read and inspire creative communication whenever your kids are missing a loved one.

Thanks to Tara Knudson for sharing a copy of Paper Wishes with me!

Paper Wishes

Written by Tara Knudson | Illustrated by Kirsti Beautyman

A child wistfully flies a paper airplane through their room, wishing they could fly, sail, take a train or drive to visit their grandparents and “bring a gift by hand.” Spying a piece of red paper on their desk, the child has an idea: Even though you’re far away, there’s one thing I can do. / Fold and crease . . . and fold again. / I made my gift for you!” With a few deft folds and tucks, the child creates an origami heart for their grandmother and grandfather.

Image copyright Kirstie Beautyman, 2024, text copyright Tara Knudson, 2024. Courtesy of Picture Window Books.

The child places the heart in an envelope and places it in the corner mailbox, sending “it on its way.” And then the waiting begins. Each day, they wonder “Is it on a truck? / Is it on a plane? / Is it on a boat? / Is it on a train?” and hope that their gift arrives safely. The child wishes they could see their grandparents’ reactions when they open the gift, and . . . through technology, the child and their grandparents get to share their smiles.

Easy-to-follow, illustrated instructions on how to make an origami heart follow the story.

Image copyright Kirstie Beautyman, 2024, text copyright Tara Knudson, 2024. Courtesy of Picture Window Books.

Tara Knudson’s touching and uplifting story will be treasured by children who miss seeing family members or friends and want to share stories, smiles, and love with them. Knudson’s lively rhymes and easy-flowing rhythms will captivate even the youngest children. Kids will enjoy reading along with the recurring phrasing and evocative vocabulary. Children who are eager gift-makers will love the inspiration in both the story and the included origami craft.

Kirsti Beautyman takes readers over a towering city, across choppy seas, winding past cacti in a sandy desert all the way to colorful townhouses on a shady street in a plane, boat, train, and truck cleverly drawn to mimic origami creations. Readers will immediately empathize with the child, whose expressions show a yearning to see grandparents again, happiness when close to them, pride in the gift they’ve made, and hopeful waiting to hear from family. Young readers are also reassured that family members or friends who are far away are thinking about and missing them too.

A tender, heartfelt, and inspiring read aloud that children will want to hear again and again, Paper Wishes would be an exceptional addition to home, library, and classroom collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Picture Window Books, Capstone Press, 2024 | ISBN 978-1684466184

About the Author

Tara Knudson is the author of multiple picture books, including Christmas Cookie Day, Fun Fall Day, and Valentine’s Day Treats. Tara is a former teacher who has been writing poetry since she was a young girl growing up in Chicago.

About the Illustrator

Kirsti Beautyman is an author and illustrator from the North East of England. After studying at Edinburgh College of Art and graduating in 2016, Kirsti turned her hand to illustrating children’s books and partook in the Picture Hooks Mentorship scheme in 2017. At the end of the scheme, Kirsti exhibited alongside her Mentor in the National Gallery of Scotland and was named “Picture Hooks Illustrator Of The Year”. Since then, she has continued to build on her career as a children’s book illustrator, and works from her studio, nestled away on the outskirts of Newcastle. Kirsti predominantly uses a culmination of digital, dry and wet media to create her illustrations… and is prone to leaving a vibrant jumbled mess in her wake.

National Send a Card to a Friend Day Activity

Paper Wishes Craft

Kids can make their own origami heart to give with the instructions in this Paper Wishes Instruction Sheet.

You can purchase Paper Wishes at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

Picture Book Review

April 5 – National Dandelion Day

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About the Holiday

Spring is here and so are those vibrant yellow flowers that spring up on lawns, in gardens, along roadways, and anywhere there’s a bit of soil, sun, and rain. I’m talking, of course, about dandelions! With their gloriously yellow flowers and fly-away seeds, these little plants are part of spring and summer landscapes around the world. While most may consider the dandelion a weed, it is, in fact, much more. Technically, the dandelion is an herb that has many health benefits. Dandelion leaves can be used in salads, soups, and teas, and they provide aid with regulating blood sugar, wound healing, gastrointestinal problems, and even vision. Known for their healthy properties since 659 BCE, dandelions are a staple food for many global cultures. To celebrate, check in your favorite grocery store or farmers market for dandelion leaves and try a new recipe! 

Thanks to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for sharing a copy of Tiny Wonders with me for review consideration. All opinions on the book are my own.

Tiny Wonders

By Sally Soweol Han

April wished her town wasn’t so… gray. Everyone was always rush, rush, rushing here and there, plugged into their phones, their music, or their podcasts. She never heard laughing or saw anyone “look up at the sky.” She wanted to “help them all slow down” like her grandma, who was never too busy to notice all the wonders in the world. One of her grandma’s favorite wonders was flowers—especially dandelions. “‘Did you know there’s a secret language of flowers?'” she asked April. “‘Dandelions mean happiness,'” she said. That made April think that perhaps dandelions could make the world better.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-tiny-wonders-wish

Copyright Sally Soweol Han, 2022. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

April went in search of dandelions and dandelion seeds, but found none. The gardener told her they were weeds, and the bus driver said they made him sneeze. The shopkeeper remembered how she used to wish on dandelions when she was little. April thought maybe dandelions were magic. She wished and wished and wished for a dandelion seed all the way home. When she got to her doorstep, she discovered, to her delight, that dandelion seeds had followed her home. She collected them then waited for the perfect time to plant them.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-tiny-wonders-growing

Copyright Sally Soweol Han, 2022. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

Finally, on a rainy day, April took her jar of seeds outside. Then she watched over them through fall and winter to see what happened. When spring came, the seeds sent up little green shoots. The plants grew and grew until glorious yellow flowers faced the sun, attracting butterflies and ladybugs. The petals turned fluffy and finally released more and more seeds into the world. Soon, the colors of spring were everywhere “and happiness bloomed.” Even the gardener and the bus driver embraced these little flowers, and “everyone made wishes for more tiny wonders to grow.”

A beautifully illustrated double-page spread follows the story and reveals the meanings of thirty-two types of flowers.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-tiny-wonders-colors-of-spring

Copyright Sally Soweol Han, 2022. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

Sally Soweol Han’s sweet and gentle Tiny Wonders perfectly encapsulates not only young children’s capacity for finding joy in the simple aspects of life but also their ability to truly affect change through their boundless optimism and concrete actions. April’s close relationship with her grandma acts as a precious counterpoint to the daily bustle and distractions that have drained vitality from the town. 

Soweol Han’s soft, yet vibrant gouache, color pencil, and pastel illustrations are lovely accompaniments to her story. As the somber grays and dull blues of April’s crowded, busy town give way to the balloon-like bouquet of gorgeous flowers floating from Grandma’s hand, April’s idea to bring the color and wish-fulfillment of dandelions back to her community takes root and thrives. In the final spread, gigantic flowers in a riot of colors lift up April and her grandma as well as the gardener, bus driver, and shopkeeper as they tend to the garden and the creatures it attracts.

An endearing read that’s sure to inspire readers to act on their wishes, Tiny Wonders makes a wonderful addition to spring and summer reading and is highly recommended for home bookshelves as well as for school and public libraries.

Ages 4 – 8

Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2024 | ISBN 978-1547614561

About the Author

Sally Soweol Han is an award-winning Korean Australian artist who is passionate about creating stories and illustrating heart-warming picture books for all ages. She is fascinated with traditional techniques and most of her illustrations are hand-drawn and -painted. Sally is devoted to illustrating whimsical work for picture books, in the hope of delivering warmth and joy to all readers. This is her authorial debut. Visit Sally Soweol Han at sallyhanillustration.com.

National Dandelion Day Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-spoon-flowers

With this quick and easy craft you can bring a pretty bouquet of flowers into your home with this easy and quick craft! It makes a great gift for friends too!

Supplies

  • Colorful plastic spoons
  • Heavy stock paper or construction paper in various colors, including green for leaves
  • Multi-surface glue or hot glue gun

Directions

  1. Cut petals from the heavy stock paper or construction paper
  2. Glue the petals to the bowl of the spoon
  3. Cut leaves from the green paper (optional)
  4. Glue leaves to the handle of the spoon (optional)

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-tiny-wonders-cover

To support your local independent bookstore, order Tiny Wonders from

Bookshop

You can also find Tiny Wonders at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

Picture Book Review

November 16 – It’s Picture Book Month

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About the Holiday

If you love picture books, you know the thrill of holding a new or a new-to-you book in your hands and opening up to that very first page. The children’s sections of bookstores and libraries draw you in with humor, fairy tales, poetry, biographies, science, and so much more—a whole universe of creativity, thought, knowledge, and imagination—that enlightens and entertains. This month take time to indulge your passion for picture books!

I’d like to thank Knopf Books for Young Readers for sending me a copy of Gift & Box for review consideration. All opinions on the book are my own.

Gift & Box

Written by Ellen Mayer | Illustrated by Brizida Magro

“Gift was a gift. Box was a box,” and when Grandma lovingly placed Gift inside Box, they became “a package.” Gift couldn’t wait to delight. Box was ready to protect. Grandma took the package to the post office, and Gift and Box “were on their way.”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-gift-and-box-wrapping-gift

Illustration copyright Brizida Magro, 2023, text copyright Ellen Mayer, 2023. Courtesy of Knopf Books for Young Readers.

“They were not Priority Mail,” making the journey long and with many ups and downs. ‘”When will we be there?’ asked Gift.” Sometimes they waited and waited; sometimes they were tossed this way and that. Gift had lots of questions, a few complaints, and a moment of disappointment when the wrapping tore a bit. But Box always answered and comforted even though it could be “challenging.”

Being a package could be fun—like when they rode the conveyor belt. But the fun could turn scary, too—like when the big shipping container they were in was transferred to another ship. ‘”Don’t worry!'” shouted Box” when Gift was afraid. ‘”I’ve got you!'” As they got closer to their destination, each admitted they would miss one another. And then with a “Thunk!” they landed on a door step. Mama opened the door. Sofia rushed to see what had come.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-gift-and-box-conveyor-belt

Illustration copyright Brizida Magro, 2023, text copyright Ellen Mayer, 2023. Courtesy of Knopf Books for Young Readers.

Sofia opened Box and lovingly lifted Gift out. “Gift and Box were no longer a package.” Sofia unwrapped Gift and was delighted. Box was happy to have protected Gift, but now their time together had ended. Mama came over to flatten Box for recycling. Sofia, however, had other ideas—lots of ideas. Sofia got out tape and scissors; crayons, markers, and glue. When she was finished creating, Sofia and Gift and Box were ready for another adventure—together!

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-gift-and-box-package-delivered

Illustration copyright Brizida Magro, 2023, text copyright Ellen Mayer, 2023. Courtesy of Knopf Books for Young Readers.

What child doesn’t love getting a package in the mail? But who is it come from? How does it get to them? And Oh, the joy when the gift is revealed! Rooted in objects, emotions, ideas, and questions familiar to kids, Ellen Mayer’s story will delight readers of all ages with its fresh and innovative twists and turns. Together Gift and Box mirror the most appealing kinds of relationships—best friends; parent or caregiver and child; teacher and student. Children will love learning how a package navigates its way through the postal system, and adults and kids may even like to speculate on where Grandma and Sofia live since Gift and Box cross an ocean.

Mayer’s realistic dialogue creates a wonderful read-aloud story that can give adults and kids a fun way to interact while reading. The story also could easily be staged as a play in classrooms or libraries. The details of their journey make perfect prompts to discuss patience, fear, anxiety, and disappointment as well as new experiences, teamwork, excitement, growing friendships, and imaginative, creative play. Young readers will be delighted by the sweet and surprising ending.

On the very first page, kids will fall in love with Brizida Magro’s adorable Gift and Box. Their bright eyes, sweet, simple smiles (which cleverly register a full range of emotions) and creatively placed tape make them expressive and beloved characters to root for. Magro’s vivid collage-style illustrations play with repeating patterns, colors, and textures to create a charming and cohesive sense of movement as Gift and Box (and readers) follow the story’s journey. Magro’s final illustration is sure to inspire a child’s own creativity.

A Special Note: Readers will be well-rewarded by unwrapping the book from it’s jacket to meet Gift and Box in person!

An exciting, multi-layered story that kids will ask for again and again, Gift & Box makes a perfect addition to anyone’s gift list for holidays, birthdays, and “just because” days. Public and school libraries can be sure Gift & Box, with it’s bright, enticing cover and “read again!” appeal, will be a welcome addition to their collection and enjoy continuous rotation.

Ages 3 – 7

Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2023 | ISBN 978-0593377611

About the Author

Ellen Mayer is an award-winning author of lively children’s books that help build language and math skills. She has a background in early childhood education, as a researcher and early literacy home visitor. Ellen lives with her husband in Cambridge, Massachusetts. And while her grandchildren all live close by, she still mails them gifts in boxes they can open with delight.

Visit Ellen on Her Website | Instagram | Twitter

About the Illustrator

Brizida Magro is an illustrator and educator based in Boulder, Colorado, who grew up in Portugal. She teaches illustration at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Brizida is also the illustrator of Saturday at the Food Pantry by Diane O’Neill and Let Me Call You Sweetheart by Mary Lee Donovan. She is passionate about rock climbing and wandering the world. She enjoys simplicity, wee characters, collecting vintage papers, and bringing stories to life.

Visit Brizida on Her Website | Instagram

Picture Book Month Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-shaving-cream-wrapping-paper-newer-best-2

Shaving Cream Wrapping Paper

Kids will love wrapping any birthday, holiday, or even surprise gift in unique wrapping paper they’ve made themselves! This simple creative craft is fun for the whole family! 

Supplies

  • 1 can of shaving cream
  • Food coloring
  • Shallow baking tray
  • Frosting spatula or regular spatula
  • Toothpicks or skewer for swirling food coloring
  • White paper, computer paper works well

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celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-shaving-cream-colors

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-shaving-cream-wrapping-paper-drying

Directions

  1. Squirt the shaving cream onto the tray in small amounts and spread into a thin layer with the spatula
  2. Squeeze a few drops of different colored food coloring onto the shaving cream
  3. With the toothpick or skewer gently swirl the colors. Alternately, gently smooth the colors around and together with the icing spatula.
  4. Lay a piece of white paper on top of the shaving cream
  5. Gently pat the paper all over. Do not submerge the paper in the shaving cream.
  6. Lift the paper up and place on the table
  7. Let sit for a few minutes
  8. Scrape the shaving cream off the paper and let the paper dry

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-gift-and-box-cover

Order from Bookshop to support your local independent bookstore.

 

You can also find Gift & Box at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

Picture Book Review

June 21 – National Seashell Day

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About the Holiday

Seashells are natural wonders! Curved and fluted, bleached and delicately hued, shells provide homes, create pearls, house culinary delicacies, inspire crafts—and if you hold a conch shell to your ear, you can hear the ocean’s song.  National Seashell Day was established in 2016 by the beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel in southwest Florida to commemorate the amazing presence of seashells in the area. But you don’t have to live in Florida to find or appreciate beautiful shells or celebrate the holiday. If you live near a beach, take a trip to walk along the shore and find some treasures. And anyone can become a armchair beachcomber by checking out some books or websites about seashells. Today’s book reveals just what a gift seashells—and children—are.

Thanks to Candlewick and Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for sharing Sora’s Seashells with me for review consideration. All opinions on the book are my own.

Sora’s Seashells: A Name is a Gift to be Treasured

Written by Helena Ku Rhee | Illustrated by Stella Lim and Ji-Hyuk Kim

 

Every summer, Sora’s grandmother came to visit. The first thing Sora and Halmoni did together was go to the beach to look for seashells. They found all types and sizes of shells, but “Halmoni chose the prettiest shell and tucked it into her pocket.” Then as they left the beach, Halmoni left the shell on a bench. When Sora asked why they couldn’t take it home, Halmoni told her, “‘It’s a gift for anyone who sees its beauty.'” Sora wanted to take the shell, but she got on the bus without it.

When they went to the beach the next day, Sora was sad to see that “their” shell was gone. But Halmoni reminded Sora that it didn’t belong to them, that it was a gift. As she and Halmoni combed the beach for shells, Sora hid pretty shells in her pocket, and when she got home she put them in a jar. By the time Halmoni’s visit was over, Sora’s jar was full.

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Image copyright Stella Lim with Ji-Hyuk Kim, 2023; text copyright Helena Ku Rhee, 2023. Courtesy of Candlewick.

At the end of summer, Sora began kindergarten. While most of the kids were nice, a few made fun of her name. They called it “weird” and asked if it wasn’t really “Sara.” Their taunting gave her a stomachache. Sora never told her parents, and the teasing continued. Then one day the family got news that Halmoni had died. As Sora’s parents told her, she “thought of all the summers ahead without her grandmother” and how “she would say her name, with a soft s and a gently rolled r.” Suddenly all of Sora’s pent up emotions flowed out. Crying, Sora said, “‘I want to see Halmoni. And I hate my name. I want to be Sara!”

To take comfort Sora and her parents drove out to the beach. As they walked along the shore, Sora’s mother picked up a beautiful pink shell—just the type that Sora loved—and held it in her hands. She told her daughter that “‘Sora means “seashell” in Korean'” and repeated Halmoni’s belief that “‘finding a perfect shell is like receiving a wonderful gift.'” It was Halmoni who had suggested the name Sora. Then Sora’s parents hugged her and said, “‘You’re our greatest gift, Sora.'”

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Image copyright Stella Lim with Ji-Hyuk Kim, 2023; text copyright Helena Ku Rhee, 2023. Courtesy of Candlewick.

The next week for show-and-tell, Sora brought her jar of seashells and told the class the meaning of her name. She then handed a shell to her teacher and to her friends. Then she came to the kids who teased her. She gave each of them a shell too. One boy said her name made sense now; another told her Sora sounded like a superhero. Sora was surprised. She smiled and said, “‘Thanks.'” When she returned to her seat, she felt like she was soaring. 

After school, Sora went back to the beach with her parents. She had one shell left in her jar. She took it out and placed it on the bench—a “gift for anyone who could see its beauty.”

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Image copyright Stella Lim with Ji-Hyuk Kim, 2023; text copyright Helena Ku Rhee, 2023. Courtesy of Candlewick.

Helena Ku Rhee’s heartwarming, multilayered story introduces readers to themes of family, kindness, loss, belonging, and the power of looking for beauty in the people and things around us as her gentle and straightforward storytelling wraps readers in the love Halmoni and Sora share. Sora’s journey throughout the story is profound, condensing what can be a lifetime of experiences and lessons into an impactful message on kindness and a simple truth that everyone and everything contains beauty waiting to be discovered. Ku Rhee also reminds children and adults alike that open communication is the key to understanding and appreciating others.

Stella Lim’s watercolor and digital illustrations, based on sketches by Ji-Hyuk Kim, set the tone of Sora and Halmoni’s tender relationship with soft colors, wide ocean vistas, and quiet scenes at home. In contrast, the school room’s yellow walls and lime green rug, scattered play areas and supplies, and teasing boys seems to mirror the turmoil in Sora’s mind and heart. After she presents her show-and-tell, however, the greens and yellows are more muted, the children calm. Likewise, elsewhere in the story, Lim employs shadowing and light and dark shades to represent Sora’s emotions. 

A standout story that will resonate with readers—children and adults—and provide many opportunities for discussion, Sora’s Seashells is highly recommended for home bookshelves and is a must for all classroom, school, and public library collections. 

Ages 4 – 8

Candlewick, 2023 | ISBN 978-1536209938

About the Author

Helena Ku Rhee grew up in Los Angeles and has lived in various parts of the United States, Asia, and Europe. She is the author of the picture books Rosa’s Song and The Paper Kingdom, both illustrated by Pascal Campion, and The Turtle Ship, illustrated by Colleen Kong-Savage. Helena Ku Rhee currently lives in Los Angeles.

About the Illustrators

Stella Lim studied fine art and graduated from Kingston University. She based her work for Sora’s Seashells on sketches from Ji-Hyuk Kim. Stella Lim lives with her family in Seoul, South Korea.

Ji-Hyuk Kim is the illustrator of the New York Times bestseller Through Your Eyes: My Child’s Gift to Me by Ainsley Earhardt as well as many book jackets and covers. Ji-Hyuk Kim lives in South Korea.

National Seashell Day Activities

Celebrate Picture Books Seashell Beach Combing Game

Gather Seashells Board Game

 

Beachcombers love to find different kinds of shells! You don’t need to take a trip to the shore to fill this game board beach with shells! Grab your friends, siblings, or the whole family and start collecting!

Supplies

Directions

  • Print Seashell Game Cards
  • Cut the shells from the cards so they will fit on the Beach Game Board
  • Assign a roll of the dice (2 through 8) to each shell, ex. Roll a 6 and pick up the sand dollar 
  • Choose someone to go first and take turns rolling the die to collect shells for your Beach Scene Game Board
  • The first person to fill their beach with shells is the winner

Celebrate Picture Books Seashell Matching Game Playing Cards

Seashell Matching Game

 

With this game you can match two, three, or even more shells to test your memory!

Directions

  • Print two or more Seashell Game Card sheets
  • Cut the cards apart
  • Place them face down on the table and shuffle
  • Turn one card over then choose another to try to find a match. If unsuccessful turn them both over and try again until you’ve found matches for all the shells

 

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You can find Sora’s Seashells at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop

Picture Book Review

January 3 – Book Tour Launch for Love Made Me More

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I’d like to thank Two Lions and Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for sending me a copy of Love Made Me More for review consideration. All opinions on the book are my own.

Love Made Me More

Written by Colleen Rowan Kosinski | Illustrated by Sonia Sánchez

 

An origami crane reveals how it came to be after its origins as “just a piece of paper—orange with white and blue spots” and the day when “a boy folds me many times, giving me a head, tail, and wings” under the watchful eye of his grandmother. The crane becomes an instant favorite, and for the crane, the boy is “My Boy.” The young child places the crane on his nightstand, so that he sees it right before going to sleep and again as soon as he wakes up.

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Image copyright Sonia Sánchez, 2022, text copyright Colleen Rowan Kosinski, 2022. Courtesy of Two Lions.

Over the years, the origami crane shares in his play, his dreams, and his wishes and it comforts him in his grief of losing a loved one and when shadows scare him. But as the boy grows older, finds new friends and interests, and becomes braver, he talks less and less to the origami crane. And while the crane still sits on his nightstand, the paper has grown dusty.

Then “one day,” the origami crane says,”My Boy places a photograph in front of me. I peek around and see a picture of a girl with an orange, white, and blue shirt. My colors. I fume.” The crane is jealous that “now she is the last thing he sees” at night and the first in the morning. But more years pass, and a day comes when the boy reaches for the origami crane once more. The crane is hopeful that they will play together again as in the past, but instead the boy unfolds it and “scrawls tickling words” on the paper before refolding it.

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Image copyright Sonia Sánchez, 2022, text copyright Colleen Rowan Kosinski, 2022. Courtesy of Two Lions.

The origami crane has not been forgotten during all of these years. In fact, the crane’s stature has only grown, now offered to the girl with a love-affirming question hidden inside. “‘Yes, I will marry you,’ she says.” The crane embraces her as “My Girl too” as the boy refolds it. Soon, the origami crane finds itself in the center of a flock floating above a crib where a baby, wrapped in an orange, white, and blue blanket sleeps. “My colors,” the crane thinks happily.

The crane is proud that his flock is “the last thing Our Baby sees each night and the first thing he sees each morning” and that “he loves us.” As the baby grows into boyhood and learns how to make an origami crane himself—with his father’s crane close by—the origami crane realizes that what has made it so much more than “just a piece of paper” is all the love it has been shown and has been a part of.

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Image copyright Sonia Sánchez, 2022, text copyright Colleen Rowan Kosinski, 2022. Courtesy of Two Lions.

Colleen Rowan Kosinski’s unique story, told from the perspective of an origami crane that has been molded by a boy from a simple piece of paper to become a beloved keepsake, reveals the endurance and transformative power of love. Infused with feelings of belonging and purpose, the story flows through the changes a lifetime brings not only for the boy but for the origami crane. Just as the boy finds friends, meets a girlfriend, gets married, and has a baby, the crane slowly learns to integrate other people and, finally, a flock of origami cranes into its sphere, changes often told with honest emotions and a sense of the years passing by.

When the boy proposes to the girl with the help of the crane and it now accepts his fiancé as “My Girl too,” the crane seems to gain a sense of new life and autonomy when the boy refolds the paper. Instead of defining itself as “his Origami Crane” it now asserts itself as “Origami Crane.” The idea of the importance of being seen, embraced, and given love over an entire lifetime is woven throughout the story and becomes the central theme as the crane realizes that the baby loves it too. Readers take away the knowledge that it is love freely given—and accepted—that makes all the difference in a person’s self-esteem and the way their life evolves.

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Image copyright Sonia Sánchez, 2022, courtesy of Two Lions.

Sonja Sánchez’s vibrant and lively illustrations glow with the magic and comfort that the origami crane brings to the boy’s life as a child. Using angled images, strong lines that suggest the creasing that defines the origami crane, and warm earth tones, Sánchez centers her illustrations on the crane. Pages full of movement and color paint a picture of the boy’s childhood spent playing, wishing, and dreaming with the crane always by his side give way to a spread shrouded in brown, where the boy and his friends appear only as silhouettes and the orange crane, pushed to the side of the desk and dwarfed by the boy’s new interests in a computer, guitar, and other objects, is the only bright spot in the brown and darkened room.

Time passes and within two page turns, the boy, grown into a young man, once again has the crane in hand. Its former glow of magic is back as the boy unfolds, writes on, and refolds the paper. A baby comes along and, like his father, sails into imagination and play with the crane, finally learning how to fold his own crane as he grows into boyhood.

Love Made Me More is a singular story to share with children to reaffirm their special bond with a favorite toy or memento, but more: to remind and reassure them of the power of enduring love, expressed in so many ways, to transform people, experiences, and life itself. The book would be a unique, uplifting, and affecting addition to home, school, and public library collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Two Lions, 2022 | ISBN 978-1542006200

About the Author

Colleen Rowan Kosinski is the author of A Home Again and the author-illustrator of Lilla’s Sunflowers and A Promise Stitched in Time. She received her BA from Rutgers University in visual art, is an alumna of Philadelphia’s Moore College of Art and Design, and spent many years as a successful freelance fine artist. Colleen calls New Jersey her home and resides there with her family. To learn more, and to watch a tutorial on making an origami paper crane, visit www.colleenrowankosinski.com. You can connect with Colleen on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

About the Illustrator

Sonia Sánchez is the illustrator of a number of picture books, including Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina, A Crazy-Much Love by Joy Jordan-Lake, and The Little Red Fort by Brenda Maier. Her books have been nominated for the Eisner Award and named a CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People and a Bank Street College Best Book of the Year. She lives with her husband, her kids, and a sleepyhead cat in Barcelona, Spain. You can connect with Sonia on Instagram.

Love Made Me More Tour Launch Activity

Make an Origami Crane

 

Follow along with this tutorial from Origami Tsunami to make your own Origami Crane to love!

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You can find Love Made Me More at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop | IndieBound

Picture Book Review