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MADreads for Kids

Book reviews for children by library staff and guest contributors

Musa's turn to pick

Cover of Halal Hot Dogs
A review of Halal Hot Dogs by Susannah Aziz

In Halal Hot Dogs, we follow Musa, a young Muslim boy, through his life from the vantage point of the meals his family eats. This is a fun, rollicking story filled with laughter, dancing, and delicious food. The illustrations are done in bold, bright colors that create a visual feast for the eyes. It also introduces a good deal of Arabic vocabulary.

Mar 11, 2022

Changing it up

Cover of It Was Supposed to Be Sunn
A review of It Was Supposed to Be Sunny by Samantha Cotterill

Laila has her sunshine and unicorns-themed birthday party all planned out. Her and her mom have even created a party schedule so that Laila knows just what to expect. But–oh no! The party was supposed to be outside, and now it’s raining!

Mar 4, 2022

Este cuento entró por un caminito plateado, y salió por uno dorado / This story entered through a silver path and left on a golden one

Cover of The Last Cuentista
A review of The Last Cuentista by Donna Higuera

It’s not very often a science fiction book wins the Newbery Award and the Pura Belpré Award but The Last Cuentista did this year. The Last Cuentista is a dystopian story with tales of Mexican folklore woven within. ‘Cuentista’ in Spanish means storyteller and the main character, Petra Peña, is truly the only cuentista left in the world.

Mar 3, 2022

Where we begin

Cover of Making a Baby
A review of Making a Baby by Rachel Greener

I really liked this straightforward and respectful picture book, originally published "across the pond" in England! Lovingly constructed with inclusive language and engaging, visibly diverse illustrations, you are sure to see some part of your family's experience reflected here. All families are ready for these important conversations at different times--as author Rachel Greener writes, "You and your family are amazing, just as you are!" When you're ready to talk the ways one egg, one sperm, and one womb can come together to create a baby, Making a baby is a great resource!

Feb 25, 2022

Counting to peace

Cover of Grumpy Pants
A review of Grumpy Pants by Claire Messer

For someone with two young children, I can relate to the – sometimes! – grumpy mornings of little ones. In this book, Grumpy Pants by Claire Messer, Penguin is in “a very bad mood.” The rain is falling on Penguin’s yellow hat and jacket. Penguin stomps all the way home and takes off his grumpy coat, grumpy boots, and grumpy socks. He’s still grumpy! In the midst of all his grumpiness, he pauses to take a deep breath and counts – 1, 2, 3. Then he dives into a splashy bathtub.

Feb 18, 2022

Come for the art, stay for the fun

Cover of ¡Vamos! Let’s Cross the
A review of ¡Vamos! Let’s Cross the Bridge by Raúl the Third

Piñatas, cakes, rockets, presents, music…what else do you need for a party? Little Lobo and friends are back in this third ¡Vamos! book - winner of this year's Pura Belpré Youth Illustration Award - and are headed across the bridge for a big celebration in a city on the other side of the river in another country.

Feb 14, 2022

Powerful winner

Cover of Unspeakable: The Tulsa Rac
A review of Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford

Another of the the ALA Youth Media Awards honorees that won a number of deserved accolades was Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Floyd Cooper.

2022 Awards and Honors:
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award Honor
Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award Winner
Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award Winner
Caldecott Medal Honor

Feb 8, 2022

The power of story

Cover of Watercress
A review of Watercress by Andrea Wang

Watercress is this year’s winner of the Caldecott Medal for the illustrations by Jason Chin, a Newbery Honor for the writing by Andrea Wang, and the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature in the picture book category. And it deserves all the accolades. It is an outstanding book about the power of story to connect generations and to heal.

Jan 27, 2022

Share a tea break

Cover of Chaiwala!
A review of Chaiwala! by Prita Birla Maheshwari

In this beautiful picture book, even the youngest book lovers can appreciate the simple comfort of a satisfying refreshment while on a journey. With vibrant cut-paper collage art, the reader  can be transported to a train station stop in Jaipur, India. Part recipe, part sensory experience, this story is based on the author’s remembrances of visits to India as a child. Told with familiar yet descriptive language, children can delight in re-reading this accessible adventure story, while noticing all of the colors, sounds, smells, actions and tastes of this friendly momentary encounter.

Jan 21, 2022

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