Under The Same Sun Written by Sharon Robinson and illustrated by AG Ford Reviewed by Lucie Wharton-Moeur Early Elementary Picturebook The book Under The Same Sun is a beautiful story about an extended family living on separate continents. According to the author’s note, the story is based on the author’s lived family experience. The story […]
Tag: #ownvoices
Black Lives Matter
Written by Duchess Harris Reviewed by Sofia Puorro It can be challenging for elementary school teachers to find books that dig into heavy topics such as systemic racism and oppression without being overly simplified, White-washed, or in service of promoting color-blindness. However, Duchess Harris, the author of many racial justice centered books, has managed to […]
Grandpa Grumps
Written by Katrina Moore. Illustrated by Xindi Yan. Reviewed by Emily Richardson. Daisy has been eagerly awaiting Yeh-Yeh’s visit from China, even preparing a list of everything she can’t wait to do together (have a tea party, build a snowman, drink hot chocolate!). When he finally arrives, however, Daisy is surprised to find Yeh-Yeh appears […]
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners
Written by Joanna Ho Illustrated by Dung Ho Reviewed by Lindsey Smith Everyday diversity, the idea of showing different people living ordinary lives, is a crucial consideration for any library. But if we know anything about children, it’s that they notice every little difference. If your students don’t look like those in dominant culture, you […]
Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border
Written by Mitali Perkins Illustrated by Sara Palacios Reviewed by Miles Hartfelder (2021-2022) “We haven’t seen my grandmother in five years. But today is La Posada Sin Fronteras, and we are taking a bus to the border to meet her.” Between Us and Abuela is a realistic fiction picture book. It is the story of […]
The Name Jar
Written and Illustrated by Yangsook Choi Reviewed by Ellen HurdBeing the new kid at school is a tough experience for most kids. It can be even harder for children who are from another country with a different language and culture. In the book The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi, a girl named Unhei moves to […]
Your Name is a Song
Written by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow & illustrated by Luisa Uribe Reviewed by Sofia Puorro When asked whether she was bothered by the constant and deliberate mispronunciation of her name, vice-president Kamala Harris responded that a name is the first gift children receive from their families. In Your Name is a Song, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow uses rhythm and […]
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Meet Daunis Fontaine. Daunis is mixed race Ojibwe/White. She lives in Sault St. Marie, Michigan, has just finished high school, and has suffered the loss of a beloved uncle and her best friend, both deaths tied to meth addiction in her community. Her father was a hockey star from the Sugar Island Ojibwe reservation but […]
Magnificent Homespun Brown
Written by Samara Cole Doyon & illustrated by Kaylani Juanita Reviewed by Sofia Puorro A common topic in elementary school settings is a child’s favorite color. It is a question we ask children as a way to get to know them and it is a salient theme in children’s books, but it isn’t often that […]
When We Were Alone
Written by David A. Robertson Illustrated by Julie Flett Reviewed by Lindsey Smith Why does the child’s grandmother wear such colorful clothes? Why is her hair so long? Why does she spend so much time with her brother? Why does she sometimes speak Cree? In this simple yet haunting dialogue between a child and grandmother, […]