Best of July
Bathe the Cat
by Alice B. McGinty
A family prepares for guests, but somehow, the to-do list keeps changing, to hilarious effect. I picked up this book, looking for casual diverse rep, I left with so many chuckles.
Camp Prodigy
by Caroline Palmer
It turns out learning a new instrument and figuring out one's gender is hard, a month at camp changes one kid's life forever. This fun graphic novel discusses casual misgendering and what it means to compete with grace.
Do It Bad
by Didi Dragon
Every time you learn something new, you're not good at it, but this poetic picture book encourages you to use that frustration to motivate you. Lovely poetic meter and brilliant illustrations with an excellent point.
Hollow
by Shannon Watters, Branden Boyer-White, and Bernice Nelle
Izzy Crane doesn't really believe the rumors about the Headless Horseman that float around Sleepy Hollow ... until the ghost himself appears and shares his mission to protect the latest Van Tassel heir from a terrible fate. This YA graphic novel has spooks and laughs and a lot of Halloween spirit.
A Natural History of Dragons
by Marie Brennan
With a frank narration style and clever observations, this fantasy memoir offers a story full of adventure and a chance at justice. I immediately went to check out the second and am delighted that this series has so many volumes so I can enjoy this steampunk-esque world for many more hours.
No One Leaves the Castle
by Christopher Healy
Combine a murder mystery with a fantasy chosen one trope and you get this hilarious middle grade adventure. Christopher Healy immediately became one of my favorite authors with this delightful cross-genre story.
Thistlefoot
by Genna Rose Nethercott
A twist on the Baba Yaga story, this epic novel follows a brother and sister who are keen to distance themselves from their family's weird history even though that history keeps following them, refusing to be forgotten. While I'd call this book a paranormal thriller above all else, the historical and family aspects of it really make it stand out.
Best of June
My Maddy
by Gayle E. Pitman
Some people are moms and dads, but some people are a little of both or neither, and one little girl is happy to share that her parent is the perfect blend of exactly who they are. This picture book is not so much a story but a very convincing and poetic essay on how precious it is to live with a nonbinary parent.
My Rainbow
by Trinity and DeShanna Neal
Trinity, a transgender girl, knows she needs long hair, but her autism makes it impossible to grow it out; fortunately, her family doesn't hesitate to help the best they can. This little picture book combines brilliant storytelling with fun illustrations and a whole lot of honest representation.
Oh. It's You.
by Francesco Marciuliano
If your cat could speak, it would definitely say what's in this book of poetry. I laughed so many times, but I also appreciated the heartfelt warmth that is just how a cat would be.
Sophie's World
by Jostein Gaarder
So, you want to learn about the history of philosophy? This intriguing novel not only recites the major players and their thought experiments but also offers a few philosophical twists itself.
The Universe Versus Alex Woods
by Gavin Extence
From a run-in with bullies and an actual meteor strike, this book is full of wonky twists, but it never loses sight of its underlying theme: what it means to die—and live—with dignity. This young adult novel is humorous and almost cringe at times but ultimately offered a lot of thoughtful comments on some hugely important topics.
We Could Be Magic
by Marissa Meyer
One teenage girl has always dreamed of working at a certain theme park, but when she gets there, she sees a lot of folks who seem intent on ruining the magic, but she perseveres, creating a special place for girls who look like her. Can Marissa Meyer write a book that I don't rate 5 stars?
*For more queer picture books, from June or otherwise, please see my Rainbow Picture Book shelf on Goodreads
Best of May
I Shall Never Fall in Love
by Hari Conner
Set in the Regency era, this graphic novel follows three teenagers who don't quite conform to society's expectations but don't have words to share how they feel for each other. I appreciate the historical accuracy and the hilarious facial expressions.
If a Bumblebee Lands on your Toe
by Cynthia Mackey
This gorgeous picture book considers the world from a bee's perspective. It's not so much a story as a poem set to illustrations, but it's well worth basking in the elegant artwork.
A Mage's Mentor
by Stephen Jarocki
A young woman sets out to find what happened to her mother and instead meets adventure, tragedy, and unexpected friendships in this adult high-fantasy novel. Truly, some remarkable characters and a brilliantly immersive world.
A Map for Falasteen
by Maysa Odeh
Falasteen's class points to where their families are from on a map, but Palestine doesn't appear, so Falasteen sets out to understand why. This gentle picture book is a great way to start talking to young readers about the conflict in the Middle East and what it means to belong.
Mushroom Rain
by Laura K. Zimmermann
Sometimes after a rain, mushrooms appear as if out of nowhere. This gentle picture book plays with poetry and science to explore a variety of natural phenomena.
We'll Prescribe You a Cat
by Syou Ishida
This collection of short stories centers around a peculiar clinic that always prescribes cats, who somehow are just what the patient needs to understand something new in their life.
Wild Greens, Beautiful Girl
by Erica Lee Schlaikjer
A girl and her mother go out to pick edible plants and discuss their names in a nearly forgotten language in this beautiful picture book. I never knew there were so many different cultures in East Asia, and I'm honored to get a peek into the history and language of one small corner.
Wires and Nerve
by Marissa Meyer
After the events in the Lunar Chronicles, it's up to everyone's favorite android to clean up the remaining hybrid wolf soldiers, but it soon becomes clear that the conspiracy is much bigger than Cinder and Aiko imagined. This graphic novel is everything I hoped for as a continuation of the series, mixed with great comic book action.
Best of April
The Cardboard Kingdom
by Chad Sell
Told in a series of short stories, various kids from the neighborhood find adventure and truth while playing make-believe. This delightful graphic novel is approachable and full of imagination, but it also made me cry.
It's a Tiger
by David LaRochelle
Trying to run from the tiger? Good luck! This humorous book goes from silly to ridiculous and doesn't stop there.
The Lost Sunday
by Iléana Surducan
This beautiful graphic novel considers the balance between overworking versus waiting for good things to happen, explaining that both hard work and self-care are important in moderation. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the fairy-tale themes cozy.
Socially Orcward
by Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey
Dave the orc and Simon the unintentional spy might not be a likely couple, but when they both realize that they're asexual, they agree that there's no better pair to raise a bunch of baby dragons. This book was just too funny, one of my favorite Ace books to date.
Best of March
Extra Yarn
by Mac Barnett
A girl finds a box of yarn, so she begins to knit, and somehow, the yarn never runs out. A rich dude tries to steal the yarn, but perhaps the magic was never in the box at all. Listen, whoever wrote/illustrated this book knows something about how stitches are made: not just in terms of form and color but also in terms of heart.
A Forest Song
by Kirsten Hall & Evan Turk
Lines from dozens of other poems are snipped and placed together to create something entirely new yet achingly familiar. I love the concept of reimagining other poems to create your own, and who couldn't fall in love with the illustrations of this little picture book?
I Have Three Cats
by Michelle Sumovich
If that fourth cat is yours, you'd better come take her home because the protagonist already has three cats who are perfectly respectable. This playful picture book shows readers an incongruity between narration and illustration and considers what it means to find a family.
I Lived Inside a Whale
by Xin Li
To escape the noise and the everything, a little girl hides inside a whale with her books, but the noise still won't leave her alone until she's willing to meet it halfway. This picture book speaks to the value of quiet children and reminds us that both noisy and quiet people have something worth finding.
My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry
by Fredrik Backman
Elsa and Granny love going on adventures together in both real life and in the land of not quite awake. But then Granny dies, leaving Elsa to piece together the darker parts of Granny's life and decide if it was all really worth it. Backman's novels have a remarkable ability to make me laugh and cry at the same time, and this one once again brought me back to the realization that everyone has a story.
The Secrets of Character
by Matt Bird
Learn to write a character that your audience will love. I'm not kidding: this book lays it out straight and offers enough examples to ensure the concepts make sense. One of the few writing guides that I'd consider purchasing for myself.
Stuck
by Oliver Jeffers
Floyd's kite gets stuck in a tree, so of course he throws other things up there to get it down. This picture book is exactly my brand of nonsense and made me laugh even after the final page.
The Wee Free Men
by Terry Pratchett
Tiffany wants to be a witch, and when her brother is kidnapped and she finds herself with the assistance of a small army of tiny blue fae, it looks like she'll get her chance. Apparently, I should have read a Terry Pratchett book long ago, as I enjoy this balance of thoughtful realizations and absolute silliness.
Winter's Orbit
by Everina Maxwell
Kiem wasn't prepared to get married to serve his emperor, and Jainan is still reeling from his previous husband's death, but together, they'll have to solve some trauma and figure out why they were really set up together. This is a soft Sci-Fi with lots of beautiful character building and some a fun universe.
Best of February
Bonnie Bailey and the Faire of Worlds
by Ellie Kirk
Bonnie doesn't want her two-person family to go bankrupt and lose their apiary, but it seems that without a miracle, she'll have to say goodbye to her tiny friends. But then the Faire of Worlds comes to town. Action-packed and full of zany characters, this book plays with the concept of telling yourself "I can't" while incorporating mystery, character interactions, and enough magic to keep an entire carnival running for most of the book.
Cinderella and the Beast or Beauty and the Glass Slipper
by Kim Bussing
When Belle arrives in the stepmother's house and Cindy appears in a cursed castle, it appears that no one will get a happy ending. Fortunately, these two storybook heroines are more than damsels in distress, and while the stories don't go the way I was expecting, each girl has strengths that create a richer, more powerful story.
Dumplings and Dragons
by Anna Harning
A combination of recipes and fairy tales, this book explores some delightful Polish traditions and integrates parts of my history that I didn't know I had. It's a delight to read, and the recipes have all been tasty so far too.
Ember and the Ice Dragons
by Heather Fawcett
Although hidden by a slightly incomplete spell, Ember is the last of the fire dragons and therefore prone to setting things aflame. She flees to Antarctica, where she discovers that the colonizers have set up an ice dragon hunt, something Ember will do anything to stop. As with every Heather Fawcett book I've read so far, the characters are beautifully written, the fantasy world full of wonder, the frightening moments suitably tense, and the relationships magical.
The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise
by Riel Nason
Most of the ghosties don't like going out in winter for their sheets are too thin to keep them warm in the wind, but Little Ghost Quilt is uniquely suited to exploring the snowy landscape and returns to the haunted home with some festive surprises. Looking for a warm hug on a snowy evening? This book is for you.
Please Pay Attention
by Jamie Sumner
Get into the mind of a wheelchair-reliant girl who is experiencing PTSD after a school shooting. This novel in verse leads readers along a trail of joy and normalcy, then into horror and fear, and finally into a call to action.
A Song for You and I
by K. O'Neill
In this gorgeously illustrated graphic novel, our protagonist is determined to become a ranger, but when a hasty decision grounds their flying horse, they are obliged to take some down time delivering wool with a wayward shepherd. This book discusses how difficult it can be to become yourself when everyone around you already thinks they know who you are, but the struggle is worth it.
To See and Owl
by Matthew Cordell
It turns out finding an owl is harder than you'd think. This gentle picture book explores the hope and magic of bird watching, alluding to the magic of realizing any dream.
Best of January
Disappointing Affirmations
by Dave Tarnowski
Do you ever need reassurance that most of us don't have our lives together? This book should be depressing, but it manages to be the opposite, using observations about how often we fail to remind us that this is normal and it's okay. If you don't have a sense of humor, though, I would not advise picking up this book.
Exactly as Planned
by Tao Nyeu
Two friends want to have a nice afternoon tea together, and each wants to bring a gift: that's just polite. But it's so hard to find the perfect thing, especially when yarn keeps trailing off and special ideas keep disappearing. This double-sided picture book is beautifully illustrated and does a wonderful job showing that sometimes the best gifts are the ones we weren't expecting.
The Ghostkeeper
by Johanna Taylor
Cursed to be able to speak with ghosts, Dorian makes it his life goal to help these drifting souls make it to the afterlife before the local ghosthunters can exterminate them. While very clearly about the importance of self-care, this book also speaks to the concept of common humanity, even if we look a little different from one another.
Like a Hurricane
by Jonathan Bécotte
In this book in verse, a boy struggles with a secret the way he might struggle to breathe. He wants to tell his former best friend, but can one just come out as gay like that? The poetic format works very well in this book, and while there's a great deal of suffering and heartache, there's also loyalty and understanding.
See the Cat
by David LaRochelle
This early reader gleefully pokes fun at the simplicity of other early readers and offers a slightly different viewpoint. I giggled frequently as I was reading this and would definitely recommend to emerging young readers.
Snowmen at Night
by Caralyn Buehner
Perhaps snowmen always look a little wilted in the morning because they've spent the night getting into all kinds of adventures. This playful picture book explores imagination and evidence, adding hidden pictures and playful humor.
