No theme today except great new books: a picture book about Pride, from a classic series; another about family diversity in nature; a chapter book with nonbinary representation; the young reader’s edition of Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider’s autobiography; a sweet middle grade graphic novel set in a fantasy world, and more.
Click titles or images for full reviews!
Picture Books
My Little Golden Book About Pride, by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan (Golden Books). This cheery and informative volume about Pride by Newbery Award honoree and two-time Stonewall Award winner Lukoff is a worthy addition to the venerable My Little Golden Books series, with Lukoff offering a fresh take on the history and meaning of Pride. The warm and dynamic illustrations by Michelle Jing Chan also elevate this book above many, showing LGBTQIA+ people diverse in many ways and engaging in a wide variety of activities, not just marching in parades.
Families of a Feather: A Celebration of Family Diversity, by Fern Wexler, illustrated by Kelsey Buzzell (Little Bigfoot). The bird world includes many kinds of family diversity, and this warm and gentle book shares a number of examples with young readers, encouraging them to see reflections of their own families. Although every person and every bird’s family may look different and love each other differently, author Fern Wexler concludes, “families of a feather love together, and everyone deserves to be loved.”
Tiny Bear Goes Missing, by Manka Kasha (Feiwel & Friends). This standalone sequel to Small Knight and the Angry Prince follows the nonbinary Small Knight on a new adventure. This time, Small Knight, who has bravely captured their Anxiety Monster, goes exploring a cave with Tiny Bear and falls asleep. When they wake back in the castle (thanks to another diligent knight who carries them home), Tiny Bear is missing! The book’s gentle message about anxieties—sometimes scary, sometimes controllable—will likely offer readers comfort and useful ways of thinking about how to manage anxieties of their own.
Chapter Book
Hocus and Pocus and the Dragon Next Door, by A. R. Capetta, illustrated by Charlene Chua (Candlewick). In this second volume of the charming and magical chapter book that began with Hocus and Pocus and the Spell for Home, sibling pups Hocus and Pocus and their human witch, Jinx, meet their neighbor’s new pet dragon. Hocus wants to make friends, but Pocus is hesitant. And could the dragon be afraid of them? Antics ensue when they try to reach out (aided by Jinx’s apprentices, including the nonbinary Tam). Capetta’s prose is delightful, while also gently offering insight about overcoming everyday fears and making new friends, and Chua’s illustrations are absolutely adorable.
Middle Grade
A Song for You and I, by K. O’Neill (Random House Graphic). O’Neill (The Tea Dragon Society, Princess Princess Ever After) brings their warm and cozy worldbuilding and thoughtful characters to a new fantasy setting in this graphic novel, with nonbinary and gender creative leads. It’s a lovely story about accepting ourselves and our friends as they are and of persevering when life’s path takes unexpected turns. O’Neill tells the tale as much through the soft, earth-toned images as through the words, keeping the tone soothing and sweet for the most part, with a few scenes of action made all the more powerful.
Who Is Amy Schneider? Questions on Growing Up, Being Curious, and Wi nning It Big on Jeopardy! by Amy Schneider (Simon & Schuster). In this young readers edition of Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider’s autobiography In the Form of a Question, Schneider takes us from her Jeopardy!-loving childhood in an Ohio Catholic family to her 40-game winning streak and becoming the show’s most successful woman contestant. Along the way, she offers insights on the many types of intelligence (spoiler: it’s not just about remembering facts), the importance of learning about both the world and oneself, and being proud of one’s identity without letting it define you.
