Hello friends and happy fall!
Here are my November faves, grouped by age and hyper-summarized with What & Why for speedy parental preview.
Enjoy!
3- to 6-year-olds
1. Adrian Simcox does NOT Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell
What: A girl is irritated by her classmate’s lies about a horse – until she realizes his imagination is his safe space…
Why: Because we can never have too many lessons in kindness and empathy; also the drawings are gorgeous.
2. AlphaBot by Vicky Fang
What: A geniusly crafted board book with many independent flaps corresponding to letters of the alphabet, robot parts with explanations and cute illustrations.
Why: Who wouldn’t want to learn technology and the alphabet at the same time?!
3. Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring by Matthew Burgess
What: An engaging biography and celebration of Keith Haring’s artwork and impact.
Why: An awesome way to introduce children to an artist whose works are still very much around us (even though he isn’t.)
4. Mars Needs Moms by Berkeley Breathed
What: That time when a boy was mean to his mom and she got abducted by Martians…
Why: Trust a comic genius (and Pulitzer Prize winner) to remind your child why their caretaker is worth fighting for!
7- to 10-year-olds
1. Balloons over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
What: Engaging life story of Tony Sarg, the creative mastermind behind Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Why: The perfect book to get your family in Thanksgiving mood!iving mood!
2. How to be an Elephant by Katherine Roy
What: A gorgeously illustrated and super interesting mini-encyclopedia on all things Elephant.
Why: It is super informative, engaging and deeply endearing.
3. The Fantastic Frame – Danger! Tiger Crossing by Lin Oliver (series)
What: Henri Rousseau’s painting “Tiger in a Tropical Storm” comes alive to bring new friends – Tiger and Luna – into a suspenseful, entertaining drama.
Why: A perfect way to engage kids in fine art and tickle their imaginations.
4. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown (series)
What: A wreckaged robot “comes alive” on an island with animals in need to become a mom, a builder, a leader and a party host.
Why: Adorable and suspenseful, and may make you believe AI is good! Just in time for the publication of the series 3rd installment, The Wild Robot Protects.
11-year-olds and Up
1. From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
What: A young girl discovers her birth father, whom she’s never met, is in prison and decides to fight for his exoneration.
Why: Will serve as a good intro to social justice and everyone’s ability to right for what’s right.
2. Revolution is not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine
What: A breathtaking look into Mao Zedong’s terror on Chinese communities during the Cultural Revolution, from the viewpoint of a middle-school girl.
Why: Because learning and remembering history is important, especially today.
3. The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat
What: A young girl is determined to conquer unexplored parts of the world – until she learns the discovery may be hugely harmful.
Why: Imaginative, engrossing, thought-provoking, with a great girl lead!
4. Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee
What: A little girl discovers fascinating secrets about her family, helps lift a community’s spirits, and repairs some old friendships.
Why: An inspiring story about family history, self-discovery and the unsung heroes among us waiting to be discovered.
Let me know if you and your child liked these – always looking for feedback!
Email me for more suggestions; I have bucketloads.
And if you like this note, pass it on widely – I’m always desperate for new friends.