Picture Books

Fireworks by Matthew Burgess – Book Review

| Tasha

Fireworks by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Cátia Chien (9780063216723)

It’s a hot July day in the city as two siblings head outside. The fire hydrant offers some splashes of water along the way. They give the musician in the park some coins. There is watermelon to feast on and music that comes through the open windows to dance to. The two climb way up to the top of the building where they wait… for fireworks!

From the anticipation through their entire day to the marvelous display at the end of the book, this picture book truly captures the joy of fireworks, their mesmerizing qualities, and the fizz that stays with you afterwards.

A great summer read. Appropriate for ages 3-7.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by HarperCollins.

Firefly Season by Cynthia Leitich Smith – Book Review

| Tasha

Firefly Season by Cynthia Leitich Smith, illustrated by Kate Gardiner (9780063274440)

Piper loves spending time with her cousins and family in Cherokee Nation fishing, dancing, and learning to speak Mvskoke. Back home, Piper has a new neighbor, Sumi who is a few years younger. The two girls start a friendship, spending lots of time together. Then Piper’s parents decide to move away. The two girls are sad but keep in touch. Until Piper’s mother has a great idea to bring them closer together.

In the strong tradition of found sisters and family, this picture book celebrates both family connections and those we find along the way. The illustrations capture both nature and also the natural postures and facial expressions of the characters in a way that connects readers to the page.

A big-hearted book about friends who become family. Appropriate for ages 5-9.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Heartdrum.

Picking Tea with Baba by Xu Bin – Book Review

| Tasha

Picking Tea with Baba by Xu Bin, illustrated by Yu Yin, translated by Shan Chen (9781623546236)

A young boy and his family head into the Chinese mountains to pick tea together. Father usually goes on his own, and it’s a special treat for everyone to come along. They must pack extra clothes for the mountain weather and carry baskets on their backs. When they reach the mountaintop, there are the tea fields. Everyone must work together to pick the tea leaves with their sticky juice. The brothers work hard, have some fun, take a nap, and enjoy their day together as a family. The nature around the family is shown in deep greens, from the mountains to insects to birds and snakes.

This is a fascinating glimpse of Chinese culture. Appropriate for ages 5-8.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Charlesbridge.

Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the Day) by Corey R. Tabor – Book review

| Tasha

Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World) by Corey R. Tabor (9780063373587)

Crow is sitting on his spot on the telephone wire and doesn’t want to play today. He KAWS Squirrel away rather than joining in creating a mess of trash, he won’t practice tricks and loops with Hummingbird, and rejects all of the other animals too. Crow seems awfully grumpy until the phone rings and he suddenly leaps into action! Children will love the sudden change from angry Crow to saving the world and then seeing Crow come back to the telephone wire and be much friendlier.

Clever and funny, this is one for those curmudgeons among us, and their friends. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Greenwillow Books.

Beehive by Jorey Hurley – Book Review

| Tasha

Beehive by Jorey Hurley (9781481470032)

Following her Fetch and Nest, Hurley returns with another simple picture book that invites the youngest children to explore nature. Told in single words on double-page illustrations, the bees in the book buzz, swarm, find and build their hive. They will also defend the hive and sting when a skunk gets a bit too interested in their sweet honey.

Share this as spring blossoms around us. Appropriate for ages 1-3.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Simon & Schuster.

The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan – Book Review

| Tasha

The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan (9780063289482)

The author of Spider in the Well returns with this engaging picture book that warns readers that they must promise not to scream, but… There is a bear out there. When asked if she has ever seen the bear, she insists that she only needs the three bear signs to know one is there. First, the hair on your arm stands up. Second, you feel eyes watching you. Third, your feet get really itchy! As the reader, you get a glimpse of the actual bear outside. But you can’t warn her before she opens the door! Full of marvelous interaction via the page, this picture book is great fun to share aloud and you will have children shouting warnings along the way. The illustrations are loud and bold, full of pinks, oranges and haunting bear silhouettes.

With a grand twist at the end, this picture book is one to share. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by HarperCollins.

Anything by Rebecca Stead – Book Review

| Tasha

Anything by Rebecca Stead, illustrated by Gracey Zhang (9781797215150)

A little girl and her father move into a new apartment. She wishes that they had never moved there, missing the house they had to leave. They celebrate the new apartment 3B’s birthday with chocolate cake. The girl wishes on the candle for three “anythings.” Her first anything wish is that her room have a rainbow. Her second after a day of unpacking and new plants is for pizza for dinner. Her third comes after a night of not being able to sleep well and her father walking her to sleep. What could her last anything be?

Beautifully told with true moments of warmth and love between the characters, this picture book is a hug of a read. The illustrations are done in simple lines with bursts of colors, capturing the connection between parent and child. Well worth a wish for anything. Appropriate for ages 4-7.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Chronicle Books.

Hilwa’s Gifts by Safa Suleiman – Book Review

| Tasha

Hilwa’s Gifts by Safa Suleiman, illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan (9781536229424)

Ali loves visiting his grandfather in Palestine and has a favorite tree in their olive grove. The tree was planted by his grandfather’s grandfather and is named Hilwa. Ali is visiting at harvest time for the first time and is shocked to see that they are hitting the trees with sticks to get the olives to fall onto tarps on the ground. Even though his grandfather says that they won’t hurt the trees, Ali tries to harvest olives without hitting the branches. It’s impossibly hard work, so soon Ali tries the stick method and makes it rain olives. The olive trees, including Hilwa, provide olives, olive oil, soap and even fuel for fires. After a feast of olive treats, Ali must return home with one little green gift in his hands to plant back in America. 

A beautiful look at the connection of people and trees, the importance of planting for the future and the vitality of olives and all they provide. The Palestinian family is warm and generous, celebrating Ali and his growing connection with the land. The digital illustrations have an organic feel thanks to watercolor effects and a touch of depth from small splatters. 

A timely visit to Palestine and its people. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from library copy.

Here Is a Book

| Tasha

Here Is a Book by Elisha Cooper (9781419766756) Released April 22, 2025.

Cooper does it again in his signature style. Taking what could have been a dry subject of how a book is made, Cooper infuses it with wit, charm and still offers real information. Starting with author and artist inspiration and work, we travel with the idea to the publisher to the printer. Then the finished book is taken across the country to a school where one student takes it home and is inspired herself to create.

While Cooper’s illustrations are as always top notch, it is also the writing that sings here. Using repetitive forms without rhymes, this book gently swings the reader along, inviting exploration, pausing and relishing in the wonder. This was one of those books that had me sighing happily at the end and so thrilled to be a small part of getting books into children’s hands.

Appropriate for ages 4-9. Reviewed from e-galley provided by Abrams Books.