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A highly anxious teen with a long list of fears is forced to tackle them all at once (and add new ones) when they witness the murder (Fear #3) of a neighbor.
How do you write a picture book with a message that isn't dull and preachy or didactic and poorly conceived? Let these books show the way.
Today we step back in time to 1998 to a Hanukkah tale of tiny people battling great big kitty cats.
It’s time to take a look back at the year that was in children’s lit miscellanea.
While it may not win me any awards for literary excellence, here are the books that make you say, "UGH!!!" running a gamut of ages.
Scared of math? Let these books for kids win you over! Today we're talking unapologetically about math math math! Get it while it's hot!
COLBY: This episode of The Yarn featured my first in-person interview since before the COVID-19 pandemic. It was pretty wild to interview someone sitting next to me, instead of interviewing someone through a screen. Debut author Christina Wyman stopped by my school recently to chat with me about her book Jawbreaker, and to spend a […]
Do you love children’s literature? Is Heavy Medal bookmarked on your computer Do you dream of being on the Newbery Committee one day? If you answered yes to any of those questions, consider joining the 2024 Heavy Medal Award Committee!
Over on The Yarn podcast I talk with Pedro Martín, creator of Mexikid, one of the best books of 2023. Pedro shares how his graphic novel memoir came to be.
At the SLJ Summit in Atlanta, Texas district library coordinator Becky Calzada and DC Public Schools director of library programs Kevin Washburn shared ideas and tips for talking to stakeholders and led a workshop for attendees to brainstorm the best ways to get the library message out.
While there's nothing sadder than a picture book out-of-print, by the same token there should be nothing happier than an old book brought back to life! Enjoy such books today!
Science Comics: Frogs has a ton of fascinating facts about amphibians.
Thorough and easy to use, this guide should be something read by anyone working with (or raising!) children of any age. A superb crash course in the past few years of books featuring LGBTQIA+ stories. Don't miss this one.
Here are ten books I read, loved, and didn’t review in 2023.
Central Bucks County School Board president Karen Smith took her oath on books including Night by Elie Wiesel and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison; authors Laurie Halse Anderson, John Green, Malinda Lo, and Jodi Picoult join lawsuit in Iowa; and more.
Three Kings Day, also known as Epiphany, is on January 6 and commemorates the biblical story of the wise men who brought gifts to the newborn baby Jesus. It is mostly celebrated in Latinx communities and marks the end of the Christmas season. Share these three picture books with young readers to teach them more about the holiday.
Panelists shared strategies, resources, and tips for coalition building for the fight against censorship at the SLJ Summit: A Vision for the Future.
In his SLJ Summit keynote address, the best-selling "Wimpy Kid" author shared the memorable titles from his youth, as well as those that have opened his eyes to his privilege and the lives of those not like him.
“You've made it your life's work to make sure we see the humanity in one another,” author Jeff Kinney said, speaking at the SLJ Summit 2023 in Atlanta this weekend. “Books might be empathy machines, but librarians are the beating hearts of the communities they serve.”
If there’s one thing librarians can agree on it’s that library education could use some shaking up. Enter the Radical Librarianship Institute, which strives to “redefine the role of librarians, centering principles of inclusion and social justice.”
They can't win Caldecotts since their artists weren't born in the States and don't live here currently. Even so, let's honor these beautiful books that hit U.S. shores in 2023.
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Tasty: A History of Yummy Experiments from Random House Graphic and The Cool Code 2.0 The Switch Glitch from clarion Books.
What are you going to give, a candle? Come on. Give art. Updated for the 2023 gift-giving season, here is my collection of children’s literature illustrator shops on the world wide web. This isn’t a comprehensive list – let me hear about what I missed in the comments, and I will add to it. (Many […]
Teen librarian Cindy Shutts walks us through her newest Escape Room, which is Hunger Games themed
Help us finalize our Heavy Medal Book List by taking our "Narrow-It-Down Poll." Your votes on this year's possible Newbery Medal contenders will help us develop our final Mock Newbery list of 12-15 titles.
Curious about the history of the Printz Award? Check out my new article to learn more!
Today we celebrate the picture books that take a chance and try to be funny. Humor may be subjective, but these are pretty darn good!
Things heat up in Bangladeshi Irish Shireen Malik’s life when she’s cast in a televised teen baking show alongside her ex-girlfriend.
In its nearly 25 year history, the Printz has recognized literature that pushes boundaries and showcases diverse voices. Here are some highlights.
A fan of bouncy rhymes and cadences? If you know picture books then you know that rhyming can go real bad, real fast. Here are the books that did it well in 2023 then!
Jeff Kinney's keynote was just one memorable moment in a weekend full of panels, presentations, and breakout discussions about the important issues facing school librarians.
A fan of bouncy rhymes and cadences? If you know picture books then you know that rhyming can go real bad, real fast. Here are the books that did it well in 2023 then!
Today we’re talking to David Ezra Stein, the author of I’m My Own Dog, Interrupting Chicken, and numerous other picture books as well as the delightful graphic novel Beaky Barnes: Egg on the Loose and now, Beaky Barnes and the Devious Duck (check out our preview!). Beaky Barnes and the Devious Duck will be published […]
We're starting the week with some silliness: An advance preview of David Ezra Stein's Beaky Barnes and the Devious Duck.
Check out the final list of nominations from Heavy Medal readers. Nearly 60 books were identified as possible contenders for the 2023 Newbery Medal. Will one of these wind up the winner?
This quiet story is full of tension and will keep readers engaged as they watch Kara and Rebecca forge a tight friendship irrespective of time or place. A beautiful story of time travel and compassion.
Today you'll get holidays like Three Kings Day, Ramadan, Halloween, Yom Kippur, Dia De Los Muertos, and even Christmas Eve alongside the usual suspects.
Today you'll get holidays like Three Kings Day, Ramadan, Halloween, Yom Kippur, Dia De Los Muertos, and even Christmas Eve alongside the usual suspects.
The nominations have been sent in, the categories have been formed. Now it’s time to make your voice heard by voting for the 2023 Undies Case Cover Awards. What’s a case cover? This is a case cover: Vote for the 2023 Undies Case Cover Awards! Voting closes on Friday, December 8th, so head over before […]
Help SLJ celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2024 and inform the path for its future.
"Weird with heart!" Kate warms up to the 30th anniversary edition release of a little cult classic, entirely befitting of the name. Prepare your heartstrings to be tugged.
I am pleased to announce that today's list is for the simplest of picture books. Not books for kids first learning to read but that know how to put a minimal number of words on a page.
PREMIUM
Zander Stays
Recommended for libraries in colder climates where getting ready for winter is truly a matter of survival and books on this topic are needed. An extraneous purchase for others.
PREMIUM
Chasing Pacquiao
An underdog story with a powerful message about putting heroes on a pedestal, this is for all teen collections.
PREMIUM
If You See a Bluebird
Recommended for picture book collections, especially those endeavoring to affirm the challenges faced by children who experience immigration and cultivate empathy among those who have not.
An affirming picture book that will be particularly welcomed by libraries seeking stories about refugees and the migration experience.
This is a charmer, alright, with simple shapes, digitally drawn and colored, to fill up toddlers’ eyes and nothing spooky to spoil the mood of gentle friendship and celebrations.
PREMIUM
Fry Guys
With zany illustrations, clever wordplay, and laugh-out-loud storytelling, this graphic novel is exactly the right kind of good-humored silliness for emerging readers who are just beginning to discover the fun of books.
Fans of Turk’s other work will enjoy this title, as well as readers who love discovering artists coming to life on the page and learning about queer history.
PREMIUM
Love Is in the Bear
This is an endearing book, a poignant tale of stalwart love, with a rich landscape of immersive art.
A unique book that fans of toys, collectibles, psychology, marketing, child development, and government oversight will enjoy.
PREMIUM
Bocchi the Rock! Vol. 1
Purchase where Komi Can’t Communicate or Idol Dreams circulate well.
PREMIUM
Cone Dog
A perseverance parable with a trouble-making dog readers can’t help but love. Purchase for picture book collections.
PREMIUM
Love Makes a Garden Grow
While engaging for young readers who have strong grandparent ties or a love of plants, the arc of the story feels more attuned to the parents reading this story aloud than the child reader, but the illustrations will pair well with greenhouse trips, garden growing lessons, and plant identification.
PREMIUM
Make a Move, Sunny Park!
A potential mirror for tweens who are struggling with their sense of self-worth and navigating the complexities of friendship. Recommended for middle school collections.
Fans of the series will embrace this interpretation of the bounty hunter and his new companion. Highly recommended for any manga collection.
PREMIUM
Maybe a Whale
This moving meditation on grief is perfect for fans of Carole Lindstrom, Drew Breckmeyer, Michaela Goade, and Grace Lin.
Sure to hold appeal to the animal lovers, this would make an excellent read-aloud, especially if the audience is working on learning the elements of storytelling.
PREMIUM
The Dreamatics
With a fresh take on the familiar concept of dreams, this theatrical book will be a showstopper for young readers.
The message of self-care and supportive family relationships amid a serious family crisis will provide hope for other families with a beloved member altered by war.
PREMIUM
By Any Other Name
An enjoyable historical fiction mystery with a prominent queer romance. Recommended.
Martin weaves adventure and sensitive storytelling into a tale not to be missed. An excellent purchase for graphic novel collections and for readers who enjoy survival stories.
PREMIUM
Find Out About Animal Camouflage
A wonderful introduction to a natural phenomenon that fascinates adults and children alike.
PREMIUM
One Cool Duck: The Far-Out Fort
While the book is fun and nostalgic, the 1990s references may feel unrelatable to the target audience.
PREMIUM
A Way to the Stars
A paean to resourcefulness, creativity and collaboration, this quietly jubilant picture book is ideal for parents and children to share.
PREMIUM
As You Walk on By
Equal parts feel-good and radical honesty, this first purchase will easily appeal to fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli.
PREMIUM
Nala’s Journey
Give this to classrooms studying elephants of young readers who don’t mind a little less dialogue and character building while the journey unfolds.
PREMIUM
The Demon Sword Asperides
A good next read for fans of Cressida Cowell and Jessica Townsend, recommend this one to fans of funny fantasy with a setting that rings of medieval Europe.
PREMIUM
All Kinds of Kids
In a book that is very “we are the world” in concept, Meisel’s art meticulously created details to make this global. However, it still a very America- and Christian-centric book. Pass and select more culturally responsive materials that reflect kids’ lives.
PREMIUM
La bicicleta nueva
An enchanting Spanish-language picture book about the beauty in the everyday and the endless possibilities of the imagination.
PREMIUM
Todo es nuevo
This lovely Spanish-language picture book is a great choice for exploring the topic of change and trying new things, and is highly recommended for all Spanish-language collections for children.
PREMIUM
Tim hace lo que él quiere
A fun Spanish-language picture book perfect for fans of humorous stories involving animals.
PREMIUM
¡Todos los perros!
A great choice for Spanish-language picture book collections and for discussion of opposites in characteristics.
This story, told with equally powerful narrative and illustrations, gives a poignant explanation of racism’s toxic effects on individuals, communities, and society at large
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