BEST BOOKS

THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE WONDERFUL BOOKS FOR CHILDREN WE HAVE COME ACROSS THIS MONTH. WE HOPE TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME YOU HAVE NOT SEEN BEFORE AND ALSO INTRODUCE OTHERS BEING RELEASED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. ENJOY.

Love in the Library

by Maggie Tokuda-Hall To fall in love is already a gift. But to fall in love in a place like Minidoka, a place built to make people feel like they weren’t human—that was miraculous. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Tama is sent to live in a War Relocation Center in the desert. All Japanese Americans from the West Coast— elderly people, children, babies—now live in prison camps like Minidoka. To be who she is has become a crime, it seems, and Tama doesn’t know when or if she will ever leave. Trying not to think of the life she once had, she works in the camp’s tiny library, taking solace in pages bursting with color and light, love and fairness. And she isn’t the only one. George waits each morning by the door, his arms piled with books checked out the day before. As their friendship grows, Tama wonders: Can anyone possibly read so much? Is she the reason George comes to the library every day? Beautifully illustrated and complete with an afterword, back matter, and a photo of the real Tama and George—the author’s grandparents—Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s elegant love story for readers of all ages sheds light on a shameful chapter of American history. Ages 6 yrs - 9 yrs candlewickpress.com

Book Buddies: Ivy Lost and Found

by Cynthia Lord Ivy was Anne the librarian’s doll when she was a young girl. But now she has moved to Anne’s library to be its newest Book Buddy—a toy that can be checked out just like a book. Ivy isn’t sure she wants to be borrowed, though. She’d rather go back to just being Anne’s favorite toy. Fern, a child who visits the library with her stepfamily, also wishes things could go back to the way they were, when Fern had her dad all to herself. When Fern takes Ivy home, an unexpected outdoor adventure helps both of them find confidence and belonging in their changing worlds. This heartwarming story by Cynthia Lord, with a classic feel and gentle illustrations by Stephanie Graegin, is the first in a chapter-book series that pairs friendly toys with child characters who need them. Ages 6 yrs - 9 yrs candlewickpress.com

Ear Worm!

by Jo Knowles One summer day, as Little Worm heads out to play, he discovers he has a song stuck in his head. “What’s that you’re singing?” Owl asks, but Little Worm can’t say. He wriggles past, determined to learn who filled his head with “Shimmy shimmy, no-sashay.” Owl flaps along with a song of his own, and before long Chipmunk, Bunny, and Fox fall in line, each contributing an ear worm to the joyful cacophony. Amid all the singing and dancing, Little Worm forgets his musical mystery until later when—surprise!—Papa Worm tucks him in. Hip, vintage-inspired illustrations and whimsical typesetting meet movement, sound play, and comic, cumulative delights in a picture book that will charm media-savvy children and their parents alike. Ages 2 yrs - 5 yrs candlewickpress.com

Heads and Tails: Underwater

by John Canty Swimming, gliding, croaking, or clawing . . . can you guess which underwater creature will appear next? Follow the clues from page to page, from tail to head, to discover whether it is a crab or an eel, a frog or a starfish, an octopus or a seahorse, or . . . what is that sneaking in the water? With beautiful, fluid illustrations inspired by nineteenth-century prints, this intriguing guessing game—a follow-up to Heads and Tails and Heads and Tails: Insects—will have curious children diving right in. Ages 2 yrs - 5 yrs candlewickpress.com

Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

Sing Along With Me! Yu-hsuan Huang Learn the names for your body parts in this interactive board book with five slider mechanisms based on the beloved children’s song. A QR code inside links to both instrumental and vocal versions of the song, so readers can simply scan the code to listen and sing along—knees and toes! Ages 0 mos - 2 yrs candlewickpress.com

Jeremy Worried About the Wind

by Pamela Butchart Jeremy is a worrier. He worries about mismatched socks, spotted bananas, evil squirrels, burnt toast, dinosaurs, and, most of all . . . the wind! His friend Maggie isn’t worried about anything. As she says, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Then, on a very windy day, Jeremy’s biggest fear comes true when he is blown right out of his shoes and up into the sky! Soon he finds himself on an adventure along with sled dogs, a narwhal, and some pirates. Jeremy quickly learns that a little courage can lead to the most exciting experiences. And once he returns home, Jeremy can’t wait for Maggie to join him on his next adventure. A quirky, touching tale that will open up important conversations about worries and anxiety.age range: Ages 3 yrs - 7 yrs candlewickpress.com

Maxine

by Bob Graham Max’s baby sister arrives with two little strands of red hair at exactly the stroke of midnight. Maxine receives a superhero’s welcome: Grandma and Grandpa make presents, Madame Thunderbolt and Captain Lightning show her off at the office, and Max is there for her first steps, her first words, and her first book. Then, just as everyone expects her to, she flies! But not all superheroes wear masks and capes, and Maxine is determined to be herself, dream big, and fly high on her own terms. Fans of Bob Graham’s signature humor and heart are in for a treat in this bright, bold sequel to the recently re-released Max, perfect for any child who wonders, “But who am I going to be?” Ages 3 yrs - 7 yrs candlewickpress.com

Bizzy Bear: Pizza Chef

Benji Davies Bizzy Bear is trying his hand as a pizza chef in this novelty book full of tabs to slide, push, and pull. Watch Bizzy Bear gather ingredients, cook the pizzas, and deliver them to hungry customers. Perfect for little ones who love to help out in the kitchen. Ages 0 mos - 2 yrs candlewickpress.com

Max

by Bob Graham As the son of legendary superheroes Captain Lightning and Madam Thunderbolt, Max is destined to join their ranks—once he learns to fly, that is. But despite his parents’ valiant coaching and encouragement from his grandparents and friends, Max can’t seem to get off the ground. Will he ever learn to leap over tall buildings in a single bound? With quintessential quirkiness, award-winning author Bob Graham’s beloved picture book returns to print to tell a tale about the ups and downs of mastering your potential—all in your own good time. Ages 4 yrs - 7 yrs candlewickpress.com

Hidden Habitats: Water

by Lily Murray The smallest areas of the natural world can contain a diverse web of life. Peer into a tide pool, explore the roots of a mangrove tree, take a swim through a water hole, climb to a leaf pool in the rain forest, dive down to the dark ocean floor, visit a peat bog, plunge deep into an underwater cave, and snorkel near a coral reef. What creatures will you discover? In this richly illustrated lift-the-flap book, young nature enthusiasts can get up close and personal to the wonders found in eight very different aquatic ecosystems. Ages 5 yrs - 8 yrs candlewickpress.com