My Head Has A Bellyache and More Nonsense written by Chris Harris and illustrated by Andera Tsurumi is a fun-filled collection of poems and pictures that children 6 and up will thoroughly enjoy. The situations are funny and thought-provoking as the book takes on friendships, meteors, favorite words, siblings, and sausages! (Little, Brown and Company) 2023.

The Girl Who Heard the Music written by Marni Fogelson with Mahani Teave and illustrated by Marta Alverez Miguens is three stories in one---all brilliantly connected. A young pianist by the name of Mahani who lives on Rapa Nui becomes a world-famous pianist. She organizes others on the island to build a new Music School by using trash, plastic bottles, and old tires to make the walls of the school. At the same time the mystery of the Moai statues that cover the island are discussed. (Sourcebooks Kids) 2023.

I AM MADE OF MOUNTAINS written by Alexandra Hinrichs and illustrated by Vivian Mineker is an unusual picture book for readers 4-8 years of age about our beautiful National Parks. The stories are told through a series of odes and stunning pictures. There are very interesting commentaries from children who have visited some of these great Parks (Charlesbridge) 2023.

A Flag for Juneteenth written and illustrated by Kim Taylor is a gorgeous picture book about this important holiday that takes place on June 19th and celebrates the freedom of African Americans from slavery-----originally declared by President Lincoln in 1863.

Murals help bring communities together

This engaging book is all about flowers and is written and illustrated by the talented Rachel Ignotofsky. The active stories about such lively events as decomposing and pollinating are all told with the greatest visual beauty. (Crown Books for Young Readers/ Penguin Random House) 2021.

Just Like Grandma written by Kim Rogers and illustrated by Julie Flett is a beautiful story about the love between a young girl by the name of Becca and her Grandma. Grandma teachers Becca how to bead buckskin moccasins and paint spectacular sunrises! Becca is in awe of her Grandma as she dances the Fancy Shawl at the Pow Wow. It is very touching when Becca invites her Grandma to join her as she practices for her basketball tryouts. This story of diversity and love will delight readers 4-8 years of age and Grandmothers everywhere.

The Together Tree written by Aisha Saeed and illustrated by LeUyen Pham for readers 4-8 years of age is a well told story both verbally and visually about bullying. A new boy, Rumi, is not fully accepted by his classmates---especially by a boy named Asher. Asher at first makes fun of Rumi’s shoes. This leads to more and more aggressive behavior until another boy decides to speak up and offer his friendship to Rumi. The pictures of what Rumi has been drawing under a willow tree are full of fun and pull the whole class together. ( Simon and Schuster, 2023).

The Eyes and the Impossible written by Dave Eggers and illustrated by Shawn Harris is a truly fascinating novel for readers 8-12 years of age. The main character is a free dog who has lived in a park for thousands of years. His duty is to watch what is happening in the park and report any problems with humans such as the Trouble Travelers to the Keepers of the Equilibrium---three Bison. Eyes is proud of his ability to run like a rocket! Classical landscapes done mostly by 18th Century artists grace the book as the illustrator places Eyes in each of the pictures.

Let’s Go! written and illustrated by Geisel Award winner Michael Emberley is a clever and sweet story about how five animal friends attempt to get to a party to which their sixth animal friend has invited them. They have no way to get to the party, so they build their own cars, trucks, and other moving things out of ideas and paper. Being able to design whatever they need is key to the fun and to creative thinking.This book is perfect for children 4-7 years of age who find reading difficult.