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Picture Book

Shady Baby

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Shady Baby by Gabrielle Union & Dwyane Wade
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Shady Baby always keeps it real! Shady Baby loves fashion, fun and a good side-eye. Shady Baby also loves to stand up for what is right. After a morning of being fancy and fabulous morning, Shady Baby heads to the park to play with her friends. When one of her friends isn’t playing nicely with others, Shady Baby steps in to save the day! This book is based on Gabrielle Union’s & Dwyane Wade’s daughter Kaavia and her fun, but sassy ways. This book is a great way to teach children about getting along together and making sure they do the right thing. This was a fun, quick read with a lot of great illustrations! Be sure to check it out today!

Find Shady Baby in the catalog

The Barnabus Project

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The Barnabus Project by Terry, Eric, and Devin Fan
Format: Book, eBook
Who it’s for: Kids

A 2021-2022 Black Eyed Susan Book Award nominee, The Barnabus Project tells the story of Barabus, a “failed project” living in a glass jar under the Perfect Pets store. Barnabus and his friends were created in the lab under the store, but didn’t quite turn out as expected. Barnabus, half elephant and half mouse, discovers that he and his friends are about to be recycled. Cue the escape scene! Barnabus and the other “failed” projects work together to try to make it to the outside world they’ve heard so much about.

Terry and Eric Fan are known as The Fan Brothers, a writer-illustrator duo responsible for such works as The Night Gardener, named an ALA Notable Children’s Book. In The Barnabus Project, they are joined by their brother Devin in his debut. The brothers’ artistic style is almost cinematic and the details will keep everyone interested.

Some aspects of the story are a bit dark (there are scary green-suited figures, and the lab itself is depicted as quite dark and mysterious), and the story brings up questions about what “perfect” and “failed” really might mean, so parents and caregivers may want to read The Barnabus Project before sharing with the kids in their lives to be sure it will appeal to them.

Find The Barnabus Project in the catalog.

The Rock from the Sky

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The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen
Format: Book
Who’s it for: Kids

Do you have a favorite chair in your house, or a favorite table at a café; that one place where you feel at peace? And don’t you hate it when someone is in that spot? Well, Turtle can relate. He has a favorite spot, too. One day his spot changes—a huge rock falls from the sky, right on his spot! Follow Turtle and his two friends, Armadillo and Snake, as they navigate the uncertainties of the future and how to deal with a bad feeling that just won’t go away.

While this book may be intended for younger audiences, it is absolutely delightful! The dialogue is light and dynamic, making it the perfect choice for story time with your children, or if you just need a good pick-me-up. There are subtle shifts in color schemes that pair beautifully with the pace of the book, and who wouldn’t enjoy a little turtle in a top hat?

Find The Rock from the Sky in the catalog.

Oh Look, A Cake!

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Oh Look, A Cake! by J.C. McKee
Format: Book
Who it’s for: New for Kids

Oh look, a cake! I wonder who left such a yummy cake out? Can it be eaten? Can it be shared? Lemur and Sloth are wondering too! Join these two friends as they puzzle over a delicious discovery of a lifetime and maybe learn a few very important lessons about looking but not eating.

Fans of Elephant and Piggie and other quirky character duos may enjoy Lemur and Sloth’s moral dilemma of cake eating, cake sharing, and cake consequences. Author and illustrator J.C McKee’s colorful pastels will definitely draw kids in but adults are definitely invited to enjoy this silly story and its slightly less silly twist. A warning for parents- the cake is not the only thing eaten! Always check who the cake belongs to before taking what’s not yours in the animal kingdom! Your child might not understand the ending, but grown ups sure will!

Rest assured that you can say “oh look, a book!” with little consequence at your local library branch! Find Oh Look, A Cake! in the catalog here.

 

Lift

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Lift by Minh Lê, art by Dan Santat
Format: Book, eBook
Who it’s for: Kids

Those of us who are older siblings can probably relate to Iris’ experience in Lift. Iris has always been the one to push the buttons on the elevator in her family’s building. But now, her baby brother has taken over her favorite job. She’s upset, but soon finds herself in possession of an elevator button of her own that opens new worlds from her bedroom. But does she want to explore them alone?

Though not a completely wordless picture book, Lift provides the opportunity to expand on the story with your child through Santat’s graphic novel-like illustrations. Pick out the small details that add to the feeling of the story and spin your own tales while Iris explores other worlds. This picture book is fun for kids and adults alike, and especially for all those older siblings out there.

Find Lift in the catalog.

Runaway: The Daring Escape of Ona Judge

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Runaway: The Daring Escape of Ona Judge by Ray Anthony Shepard
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

This book is based on a true story of a young woman who was born into slavery and taken from her mom when she was 16 years old. Ona Judge’s mom was one of Martha Washington’s slaves. When George Washington and his family were leaving Mount Vernon, they took Ona with them. She was initially a playmate for Washington’s grandchildren, then a personal servant to Martha.

When Ona was told that she would be a wedding gift to one of Martha’s granddaughters; a girl whom she had played with when she was ten, and the girl was seven, she decided to flee.

The author of this book uses rhetorical questions as a poetic way to recount the story of Ona’s escape, in order to emancipate herself. He asks the question, “Why you run Ona Judge?”

The vibrant illustrations in this book help bring Ona’s bravery to life.

This book is definitely a page turner!

Find Runaway in the catalog