I love a good picture book, and it is even better when it has diverse characters and important messages and/or lessons. Today we are sharing three new diverse picture books, and each has a wonderful message and lesson. Honestly, I wish I had time to give each of these books their own post because each one is so special, but alas, the beginning of September brings lots of new books to share and this week is full and next week is worse! The first one is part of the STEAMWORKS series. We have been loving this series. They have a nice story and STEAM lessons and more added to them. They are also available in both English and Spanish. The book is Sisters All the Time by Angela Quezada Padron. It is recommended for ages 4 to 7.
Publisher's Summary:
I want to spend every single extra minute together!Mari and Luz are a special kind of sister: half sisters! They share the same Papi but have different moms, so they spend only weekends together. When Luz’s mom is running late, the girls are determined to make the most of their extra time—planning their activities, estimating how long each will take, and diving in. Can they fit in all the fun?
Extend the learning beyond the story with expertly crafted back matter, including additional information about telling time and fun STEAM activities.
STEAMWORKS features children of all backgrounds and abilities using scientific and mathematical thinking to solve everyday problems and answer questions that matter to them. Playful stories and extension activities ignite excitement for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) and empower children as thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators.
From Me:
This story is about half sisters who love to spend time together and wish they could have more time each week together. When Luz's mother is going to be two hours late, they want to use every minute together to the fullest. They make a list of their favorite activities and try to decide what to do. Throughout the book there are analog and digital clocks. Plus, they do a wonderful job of explaining how the girls share the same father but different mothers and Luz lives with her mom while Mari lives with her mom and their dad. The girls do not plan for things like lunch or cleaning up but their father makes sure they eat and clean up all the activities before Luz gets picked up.
I love that the characters in this book are Latinx. They sometimes use some Spanish words within the story. There is a list of Spanish words at the end of the book with their English counterpart. There is also a list of English words (STEM words) to know that have to do with time. There are also things to think about, things about time as well as some activities to go with the book. At the bottom of the page are digital and analog clocks showing each hour. In my classroom, I had an analog clock, and it was shocking how many students (high school aged as well as middle) that could not tell time on it. Even though our world is going digital there are still analog clocks around (think clock towers) and it is sad to think the next generation may not be able to tell time on them. Some students even would be confused if you said it was quarter till or half past. Then back of the book explains these terms as well! I also love that the father makes sure the girls eat lunch and clean up the messes they have made together. This book is perfect for anyone in the ages of 4 to 7. It is great for explaining how to tell time as well as understanding the different family structures.
Our next book is about finding your own song and it is by Grammy and Emmy winning Lizzo!! The book is Lil Lizzo Meets Sasha B. Flootin' by Lizzo and illustrated by Mark Pett. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
Publisher's Summary:
A girl finds her voice with the help of a smart and sassy flute in this charming and inspiring debut picture book from one of the world’s best-known and best-loved musical artists—the one and only Lizzo!When a bubbly little girl who just wants to belong meets a smart and brassy flute who can’t find her tune, they wind up on a wild adventure to places filled with incredible sounds—a jungle, the ocean, and even outer space! But Lil Lizzo and Sasha B. Flootin’ will discover that making a true friend can fill your life with magic and help you discover who you are—and the very best song you can sing is your own.
A heartfelt, toe-tapping anthem to friendship, music, and finding your voice, starring the one and only Sasha B. Flootin’. Includes a QR code to an exclusive flute song by the real Lizzo and Sasha Flute!
From Me:
In this book a young girl, Lil Lizzo, is looking for her voice at school. She wants to feel like she belongs and be able to talk and play with the other kids. When she finds a classroom full of instruments she thinks they might be able to help. She tries different ones and then Sasha B. Flootin' begins to talk to her. Sasha has not been able to make a sound so Lil Lizzo gives it a try. They travel to all sorts of places like a jungle, outer space and underwater and still cannot make a sound together. In the illustrations Lil Lizzo is not holding the flute correctly to play it in all of these places. When they return to the school, Lizzo figures it out and begins to play Sasha and the sounds are wonderful. In fact the whole school comes to join them in creating music and having fun together.
I love that Lizzo uses her younger self to share how it can take time to find one's own voice and be comfortable with oneself and others. Music is Lizzo's life and it seems completely appropriate that she needed to find it to know herself. This book is diverse and is about belonging and coming together. It is about finding oneself and being true to oneself. It is such a fun book and is great for Lizzo fans, music lovers and just to share about how everyone has their own path to follow to find himself or herself. Lizzo and Sasha could not find themselves in the jungle, underwater or outer space. They loved the sounds they heard in each place but had to find their own sound or own voice to truly be heard.
Our final book is a classic fairy tale reimagined and it is great!! It is Acacia: A Rapunzel Tale by JaNay Brown-Wood and illustrated by John Joven. It is recommended for ages 4 to 7 and brings some Black girl power to the tale of Rapunzel!
Publisher's Summary:
Acacia, Acacia, do let your hair flow!Acacia has been locked away by Ma Gothel, left to wonder about the world beyond her tower walls. She spends her days reading stories about the outside until one day, Mahogany from Mahogany: A Little Red Riding Hood Tale happens to find her tower. When Mahogany sees Acacia let down her long, twisted hair for Ma Gothel to climb, she returns to befriend the lonely girl.
Eventually the girls realize they can untwist Acacia’s hair in a way that will make it impossible to let the locks down for Ma Gothel. An escape plan from the tower unfolds, because friendship—and a dream to see the world—are powerful.
I love that there is not a prince saving the day. It is two Black girls, and it is about their hair. Mahogany unbraids Acacia's hair and it is not usable to climb on anymore. Mahogany teaches Acacia how to braid, and they make a braided rope to climb down. It is about gaining independence and has girl power as well as the wonderful strength in these Black girls. It is such a wonderful version of Rapunzel. It is simple yet fun. It would be fun to have kids compare it to the original Rapunzel for similarities and differences as well as the other versions! This book is great for all kids but especially Black girls so they can find their own strength and independence!
