Milloo’s Mind by Reem Faruqi and Hoda Hadadi - ADVISABLE

Milloo’s Mind: the story of Maryam Faruqi, trailblazer for women’s education by Reem Faruqi and Hoda Hadadi. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Harper, 2023. $19. 9780063056619

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

in 1930’s Pakistan, girls were considered worthy of a continuing education, but Milloo, as her family called her, was determined to become a teacher.  She managed to not only receive a university education, but also opened schools all over Pakistan which are still thriving today. 

Written by Milloo’s graddaughter, Ms. Faruqi has written a nice tribute to her. It is more an ode to perseverance than a look at the schools Milloo built.  a good message for life and a jumping point for a discussion of the state of education for girls around the world in out present day.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Mermaid Princesses by Maya Cameron-Gordon and Mirelle Ortega - OPTIONAL

The Mermaid Princesses by Maya Cameron-Gordon and Mirelle Ortega. PICTURE BOOK. Harper, 2023. $19. 9780063205253

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The triplet mermaid princess have a fight over who will be the next queen.  Their queen mother, however, tells them they aren’t ready to be queen - that the queen will be someone who is a good sister and a protector. The girls have a hard lesson to learn about ruling.

The mermaid princesses are African - and the back matter contains a bit of information about African mermaid mythology. I know little girls love mermaids - and the lesson is amongst the adventure, so it isn’t didactic.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Finding Papa by Angela Pham Krans and Thi Bui. Harper - ADIVISABLE

Finding Papa by Angela Pham Krans and Thi Bui. Harper, 2023. $19. 9780063060968

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

When her Papa goes away, the Mai is sad and confused.  His letters come sometimes, but she misses him so much.  Then one day Mai  and her Mama undertaken a long journey across several countries and two oceans to reunite with Papi. 

A lovely refugee story based on Krans’s own experience leaving Vietnam in the 1980’s. Excellent for centering the lives of refugee children and a great way to show others what some refugees might go through to find a safer, better life.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Dim Sum, Here We Come! by Maple Lam - OPTIONAL

Dim Sum, Here We Come! by Maple Lam. PICTURE BOOK. Harper, 2023. $19. 9780062396983

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Welcome to Dim Sum family dinner time! The little girl is excited to see her family and very excited for their weekly dim sum feast.

Lam adds a little side note about the importance of sharing with the introduction to dim sum and family traditions. Could be good for part of a unit on Chinese food and culture.  The pictures are somewhat basic, but do convey the little girl’s excitement.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Dear Librarian by Lydia M. Sigwarth and Romina Galotta - ADVISABLE

Dear Librarian by Lydia M. Sigwarth and Romina Galotta. PICTURE BOOK. Farra Straus Giroux (Macmillan), 2021. $19. 9780374313906

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

WHen Lydia is young, she and her family of nine move from Colorado to Iowa to be closer to family.  While they are saving for their own home, they take turns staying with family - a kindness, but always fraught with inconvenience and a sense of not belonging.  Lydia and siblings find a home in the public library and Lydia especially finds one librarian to be especially caring.

For children experiencing homelessness, Lydia’s story and also be a comfort and an acknowledgement of their situation. Lovely illustrations accompany this darling story,  While kids may not read and re-read on their own, I see purpose in having it available.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Darcy’s First Sleepover by Julie Fortenberry - ADVISABLE

Darcy’s First Sleepover by Julie Fortenberry. PICTURE BOOK. Christy Ottaviano (Macmillan), 2021. $19. 9781250755903

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

When Darcy goes to visit her cousin Kayla, Kayla invites her for an impromptu sleepover - Darcy’s first.  She isn’t sure about the loaned pajamas or the unfamiliar toothpaste.  Darcy isn’t sure she wants to stay. A reassuring call to her father does allay a few of her worries.

I haven’t seen a first sleepover book before - I love how sweetly Fortenberry confronts the fears and worries that are familiar to everyone during their first tries at a sleepover.  I remember once my daughter had a young friend over and she called her parents to pick us up without anyone telling us she had left! 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Dadaji’s Paintbrush by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Ruchi Mhasane - ADVISABLE

Dadaji’s Paintbrush by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Ruchi Mhasane. PICTURE BOOK. Levine Quesrido, 2022. $19. 9781646141722

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The boy loves living with his dadaji (grandfather), growing food to sell in the marketplace, to keep their home together, and also painting and painting lovely scenes inspired by the lush jungle around them - even teaching the children of the village to paint too.  When Dadaji dies, the boy is sad for a long time, leaving the paintbrushes on a high shelf, until a new village child helps them remember the love his Dadaji gifted him with through those brushes.

A beautiful story of shared love and shared grief set in a small Indian village. While it might be odd (maybe the kids won’t even notice) for a Westerner to imagine the boy, who seems young still, living by himself after his Dadaji passes, I don’t know enough about the culture to judge.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Mamie Tape Fights to Go to School by Traci Huahn and Michelle Jing Chan - ADVISABLE

Mamie Tape Fights to Go to School by Traci Huahn, illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan. PICTURE BOOK Crown (Random House), 2024. $20 9780593644027  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Mamie Tape is of Chinese descent and unable to attend the all-white schools in her 1880's neighborhood. Mamie showed up anyway. When she was turned away, her parents took the next step and sued the San Fransisco school board. Even though they won, Mamie wasn't welcome at the all-white school, Mamie continues on taking steps to get an education. 

The illustrations are nice and the story brings to light the difficult time Asians had in finding equality in the west. I love that Mamie's family is positive and don't give up trying to help their daughter. This is a good reminder to kids that school is a gift not to take for granted. I love that Mamie perseveres and was an instigator for change. There are actual photos in the back which add to the story. Mamie and her family are Chinese American. 

Michelle in the Middle

Daddy Dressed Me by Michael and Ava Gardner, and Nadia Fisher - OPTIONAL

Daddy Dressed Me by Michael and Ava Gardner, illustrated by Nadia Fisher. PICTURE BOOK Aladdin (Simon), 2023. $19. 9781665921954

BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3)  - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Kindergartener Ava loves the clothes that her father creates for her.  When it comes time for MoveUp day, from kindergarten to first grade, Svs is nervous to recite a poem on stage, but her daddy is working on an extra special dress for her to shine in.

Michael and Ava’s story reflects their father-daughter real life.  It’s too bad the illustrations lack the depth to make the whole book sparkle, too.  Not glitter, but with depth and more skillful drawing. A touching story of bonds and love that deserves better. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Countdown for Nochebuena by Adriana Hernandez Bergstrom. - ADVISABLE

Countdown for Nochebuena by Adriana Hernandez Bergstrom. PICTURE BOOK. Little, Brown 2023. $16. 9780316467919

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Countup and then back down as you celebrate Christmas Eve with an extended family celebration.  

Also available in board book format.  The Spanish words are pretty easy to pick up from the context, but Bergstrom includes a glossary. A lovely celebration of a holiday tradition - showing us, without being a dry telling. 

The characters are mostly hispanic, but includes a mix.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Chloe’s Lunar New Year by Lily LaMotte and Michelle Lee - ADVISABLE

Chloe’s Lunar New Year by Lily LaMotte and Michelle Lee. PICTURE BOOK. Harper, 2023. $19.. 9780063076518

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Chloe is excited to help her family prepare for Lunar New Year and for the big family party that night. 

I love that Lamotte shows us so much about the tradition sof Lunar New Year, without resorting to a dry, non-fiction tone.  I would love to read this with a young class and have them pick out the traditions as we read along, building their listening skills and then comparing what they found to what are considered parts of a traditional Lunar New Year celebration. Fun mini-lesson ready to go.

The characters are Asian.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Babajoon’s Treasure by Farnaz Esnaashari - OPTIONAL

Babajoon’s Treasure by Farnaz Esnaashari. PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2023. $19. 9781665901888

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The little girl loves spendin gtime with her Babajoon and Mamanjoon each summer.  This is the first summer she sees an unfamiliar coin in his pocket, though, and hears him speak a language she doesn’t understand.  Is her Babajoon a pirate? 

While the relationship between Miriam and her babajoon is very sweet, I have a hard time believing that she has never heard him speak Farsi before that day. She must be very young, though that is not specified.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS