I have reviewed lots of wonderful, inclusive books and I want to finish off the year by recommending 12 more outstanding picture books featuring characters of colour and/or about racism
The Queen on our Corner by Lucy Christopher and Nia Tudor ~ #PictureBook #Review ~ @LucyCAuthor @NiaTudor @lantanapub
This stunning picture book is about the power of community spirit. Told in first person, through the eyes of a little girl of colour, this is the story of a woman who lives on a street corner with her dog. My daughter was hooked from the very first spread where we first meet the little girl walking along with her mum. She is the only one who can see the woman who lives on an abandoned plot for who she really is… A warrior queen!
Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon ~ #Review ~ @alokvmenon @WorkshopBooks @ashlukadraws
I am a huge fan of Alok. Their podcasts, talks and Instagram are full of joy, inspiration and powerful messages on mental health and LGBTQ+ issues. In Beyond the Gender Binary, Alok gives an honest and heartfelt insight into life as a gender-nonconforming transfeminine person of colour. They eloquently explain what the gender binary is and what it means to be gender fluid.
What a Wonderful Phrase by Nicola Edwards & Manu Montoya ~ #BookReview ~ @NicolaBookFace @LittleTigerUK
This beautiful hardback collection of amazing idioms from around the world would make a perfect gift. For each idiom the book gives us the phrase in the native language, the literal and figurative meanings and the origins of the phrase. But what makes this book stand out is that it also describes the phrase’s cultural, scientific and historical context.
What a Wonderful World by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and Lydia Hill ~ #BlogTour #AuthorInterview ~ @Leisa_Stewart @lydiakahill @templarbooks
From oceans to mountains, deserts to grasslands, What a Wonderful World gives you the world’s best illustrated tour of our planet through the eyes of 35 Earth Shakers. Interviewed by author, Leisa, these inspirational scientists, eco-warriors and activists share their remarkable stories.
Hey You! ~ Mega Author and Illustrator Interview ~ @DapsDraws @PuffinBooks
I am thrilled to be sharing a multi-illustrator interview with the creators of the ground-breaking new picture book, Hey You!, written by the world-class, Dapo Adeola.
Sunflower Sisters by Monika Singh Gangotra & Michaela Dias-Hayes ~ #AuthorInterview ~ @MonSingh @OwletPress
Interview with author of Sunflower Sisters. Thisis a story that follows two best friends, Amrita and Kiki, on their journey through self-love, sisterhood and the power of loving one another.
Five Exceptional Children’s Books with LGBTQ+ Themes ~ @OwletPress @QuartoKids @AndersenPress @KidsWelbeck
Five exceptional children’s books with LGBTQ+ themes. Nen and the Lonely Fisherman by Ian Eagleton and James Mayhew; RuPaul by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Wednesday Holmes; Grandad's Camper by Harry Woodgate; Princess Kevin by Michael Escoffier and Roland Garrigue; Have PRIDE by Stella Caldwell, Sue Sanders and Season of Victory
Five Fantastic Picture Books (and a Graphic Novel) that Instil Empathy ~ #EmpathyDay ~ @FaberChildrens @MacmillanKidsUK @simonkids_UK @BusterBooks
Picture books are an amazing way to help instil empathy in young children. They can help children (and adults) to step into the shoes of someone else. Often, they can convey complex emotions and situations in a simple way for children to relate to. Here are five outstanding picture books (and a graphic novel) that instil empathy.
Musical Truth by Jeffrey Boakye and Ngadi Smart ~ #ListeningParty #BLM ~ @jeffreykboakye @NgadiSmart @FaberChildrens
This unique book for teens and adults provides a musical history of Modern Black Britain in 28 songs.
My Dad Is A Grizzly Bear by Swapna Haddow and Dapo Adeola ~ #BlogTour #PictureBook ~ @SwapnaHaddow @DapsDraws @MacmillanKidsUK
"Shhh. Beware. My dad is a grizzly bear." Or is he? And what happens if you meet a grizzly bear out in the wild? A gigantic, terrifying, hungry grizzly bear?
Science and Me by Ali Winter & Mickael El Fathi ~ #NonFiction #STEM #Review ~ @lantanapub
Science and Me invites the reader to learn about the lives of brilliant men and women who have shaped our world through their scientific discoveries and often heroism, too.
Busy Spring by Sean Taylor, Alex Morss & Cinyee Chiu ~ #PictureBook #Spring ~ @seantstories @morss_alex @cinyeechiu @QuartoKids
This gorgeous guide to spring is bubbling with energy and excitement for the new life nature brings in Spring.
Finney’s Story by Alana Washington and Charlotte Caswell ~ @AlanaLovesBooks @CharlCaswell @publishinguclan @SarahAnnKennedy
Finney wants to write a story, but his friend cat spots a problem. It turns out Finney’s original ideas are not so original. Children will delight in spotting well-known fairy tales hidden in Finney’s story ideas…
What About Me? Said the Flea by Lily Murray & Richard Merritt ~ #PictureBook #Review ~ @lilymurraybooks @Richarddraws @BusterBooks
When a little girl decides to write a story, she ponders and puzzles over whom to write about. Then she hears a loud voice, lots of loud voices in fact, coming from would-be picture book characters, all vying for the lead role in her story.
The Tale of the Whale by Karen Swann and Padmacandra ~ #PictureBook #BlogTour #Review ~ @KarenSwann_ @vajratwit @Scallywagpress
Where land becomes sky and the sky becomes sea, a child spots a whale and a beautiful friendship is born. The whale and the child go on a magical journey across the sea.
Luna Loves World Book Day and Sunday Rain ~ #Giveway #WorldBookDay ~ @JosephACoelho @fionalumbers @AndersenPress @RosiePOV @AmariahRauscher @lantanapub
Luna Loves World Book Day and Sunday Rain
Have PRIDE by Stella Caldwell, Sue Sanders and Season of Victory ~ #BookReview #LGBTHM21 ~ @suesanders03 @seasonofvictory @welbeckpublish
Have Pride guides you through the history of the LGBTQ+ movement from ancient civilisations to modern day. With inspiring contributions from Dea Urovi, Ayo Babatope, Mupela Muba, Shelina, Alex Holdsworth, Ezra Lee, Mohammed Barber and Layton Williams.
A Year Full of Celebrations and Festivals by Christopher Corr & Claire Grace ~ #NonFiction #Review ~ @ClaireLGrace @QuartoKids
The book is divided into the four seasons, beginning with Spring and includes a vast range of festivals. From national holidays, cultural and religious festivals, to days that mark a historic event celebrated and some festivals that are just full-on fun!
I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes & Gordon C James ~ #PictureBook #Review #FebYOUary ~ @Author_DDB @GordonCJamesArt @egmontbooksuk
Recently published in the UK by Egmont, this USA bestselling picture book is a statement to all young Black boys around the world: you are worthy and you are loved.