Children’s Book Week is not only a celebration of books, but of connection. It’s a great way to unite kids and adults with books, authors, and illustrators in order to foster a love of reading.
This week HPL’s children’s librarians share some of their favorite books, all available with a library card at hplct.org.
Jordan Banks is a seventh grader dreams of going to an art school. Instead, his parents enroll him in a highly prestigious private school that is predominantly white. Author Jerry Craft brilliantly portrays Jordan’s adjustments to his new school as he finds himself in quite a conflicting predicament. He is not only the new kid but also among the very few students of color in the entire school. He struggles to adapt and fit-in, in an environment where the teachers only know the names of their white students. Salient issues like racism and microaggression are raised throughout this well-rounded graphic novel.
By Miss Lina, Downtown Library
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My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and Illustrated by Zeke Peña
This picture book takes you on a journey with the narrator and her father as they go on a motorcycle ride together. The love between father and daughter blooms on each page with the beautiful descriptions and illustrations.
Steam Train, Dream Train by Sharri Duskey Rinker and Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
A wonderful bedtime story with animals and a train going from bustling to slowly calming down for the night.
By Miss Katryna from the Albany Library
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Flora and the Flamingo (A wordless Picture Book) by Molly Idle- Author & illustrator
Age Range:3-6 years
Molly Idle’s talent shines in this 2014 Caldecott winner. The story of a girl in pink bathing suit and her pink Flamingo friend is told through their harmonized and graceful movements. The lift-flaps feature allows transformation of pictures. The ups and downs of the friendship theme are captured effectively in shades of pink with the tiniest hints of brown and yellow with eye-catching illustrations. The absence of text is well compensated by the vibrancy and fluidity of the illustrated narrative. Great visual literacy format to prompt children’s own story interpretations.
By Miss Rubina, Dwight Library
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Marsupial Sue and the Runaway Pancake written and read by John Lithgow
Anyone who has been to my story times know I LOVE silly stories! Very much like the classic story of the Gingerbread Man, The Runaway Pancake pops out of an oven and boastfully runs through the town yelling at anyone who tries to eat him, “I’m too fast, you’re too slow. Pan, pan, patty-cake pan, I can get away from you, I can!” Even better, in this Tumble books version, the actor John Lithgow brilliantly narrates his story, character voices and all!
By Miss Sara, Rawson Branch
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Aster and the Accidental Magic By: Thom Pico
Aster’s mother’s job requires her family move to a new home which Aster finds odd and very boring right from the beginning. Instead of having her spend all her time moping and playing video games her father encourages her out to go out and explore the great outdoors. Aster soon discovers her new mountainous home contains unexpected surprises such as a Trickster named Rapscallion, who eagerly grants her three wishes, an old lady with mysterious powers, and the fierce warriors the Chestnut Knights. This book has two stories in one and was a playful read with fun illustrations. What added to the fun was also discovering some hidden easter eggs from popular shows such as Gravity Falls and Adventure Time.
By Miss Johana from Downtown Library
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