
Good Comics for Kids
September 29, 2017 by Betsy Bird
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut By Derrick Barnes Illustrated by Gordon C. James A Denene Millner Book, Bolden (an imprint of Agate) $17.95 ISBN: 978-1-57284-224-3 Ages 4-7 On shelves October 10th Do you ever find yourself wondering if a book is too good to be true? Publishers are sneaky little devils. They know […]
August 2, 2017 by Betsy Bird
What’s My Superpower? By Aviaq Johnston Illustrated by Tim Mack Inhabit Media $16.95 ISBN: 978-1-77227-140-9 Ages 4-7 On shelves August 4th I credit Booger Beard. I will explain. While many children’s librarians will tell you that they have strived to make their book collections diverse and inclusive, they have always been hampered by what was […]
May 24, 2017 by Betsy Bird
The Ring Bearer By Floyd Cooper Philomel Books (an imprint of Penguin Books USA) $16.99 ISBN: 978-0399167409 Ages 4-7 On shelves now. Decent, hard-working, necessary picture books are, in many ways, the hardest books I review. Decency, should anyone ask, is not exciting. Deplorable books are exciting. Madcap horrendous books are exciting. Dirty, indecent, awful, […]
March 3, 2017 by Betsy Bird
Lucia the Luchadora By Cynthia Leonor Garza Illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez POW! Kids Books $16.99 ISBN: 978-1-57687-827-9 Ages 4-7 On shelves March 7th It was probably seven or so years ago. I was working as a children’s librarian in New York City. We were hosting a class of kids, first or second graders, and after […]
January 11, 2017 by Betsy Bird
Not too long ago I created the 31 Days, 31 Lists series where I counted down a list of top 2016 books every day. When I initially came up with the idea I briefly wondered if I should make lists celebrating specific kinds of diversity. Top African-American Picture Books of 2016 or Best Diverse Titles. […]
February 15, 2016 by Betsy Bird
Elliot By Julie Pearson Translated by Erin Woods Illustrated by Manon Gauthier Pajama Press $16.95 ISBN: 978-1-927485-85-9 Ages 4-7 On shelves April 4th The librarian and the bookseller face shelving challenges the like of which you wouldn’t believe. You think all picture books should simply be shelved in the picture book section by the author’s […]
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November 24, 2015 by Betsy Bird
So I’m going to confess something to you. All year long, from January onward, I’ve been keeping track of any picture book, easy book, or early chapter book I’ve seen containing some kind of diversity. Have I missed books? Of course I have! You cannot make a list like this without missing something. Books from […]
June 15, 2015 by Betsy Bird
In a Village by the Sea By Muon Van Illustrated by April Chu Creston Books $16.95 ISBN: 978-1-939547-156 Ages 4-6 On shelves now We talk a lot about wanting a diverse selection of picture books on our library, bookstore, and home shelves, but it seems to me that the key to giving kids a broad […]
Politics in Practice
by John Chrastka
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