‘A Spoonful of Frogs’ by Casey Lyall
Frogs are the most important ingredient in a witch’s favorite treat – but they are also the hardest to get into the cauldron! From acclaimed author Casey Lyall and Caldecott Honor artist Vera Brosgol, A Spoonful of Frogs is a humorous and wholly original picture book – and a winning recipe for readers who loved Dragons Love Tacos and Room on the Broom.
A witch’s favorite treat is frog soup. Luckily, it’s healthy and easy to make. To give it that extra kick and a pop of color, the key ingredient is a spoonful of frogs. But how do you keep the frogs on the spoon? They hop, they leap, they hide . . . and they escape. What is a poor witch to do?
Casey Lyall is a master of comedic timing with her deceptively simple and energetic text, and Caldecott Honor winner Vera Brosgol’s vibrant, hilarious illustrations make the witch – and the frogs! – practically leap off the page. The solution to the witch’s dilemma will surprise and delight young readers and their parents alike.
Teeming with laughter and hijinks, A Spoonful of Frogs is pure fun from beginning to end. A must-have for young readers, parents, witches, frog-lovers, and aspiring chefs.
‘Dear Earth’ by Isabel Otter
This inspiring picture book celebrates the wonders of our world and reminds us that if we all work together to spread the message that Earth is special and worth saving, we can keep our planet beautiful for many years to come.
The message that Earth is special and worth saving is an important one, especially now, when climate issues are so prevalent. Dear Earth is an inspiring story of a young girl named Tessa, who writes a love letter to the Earth in celebration of its many wonderful components – it’s the beginning of a glorious adventure. Tessa has the opportunity to blow bubbles with majestic whales, soar with the birds, and join in the noise and excitement of the rainforest hullabaloo! She wants everyone to know how special our planet is and believes that if we all work together to spread the message that Earth is special and worth saving, we will be able to keep our planet beautiful for many years to come. She believes that there is a chance to save the Earth if enough of us share the message … the book includes back matter with ways to help save the Earth, as well as a letter template for children to write their own letter to Earth.
‘Luli and the Language of Tea’ by Andrea Wang
Though they may speak different languages, children from all over the world come together to enjoy the shared pastime of tea in this delicious book for young readers.
When five-year-old Luli joins her new English as an Additional Language class, the playroom is quiet. Luli can’t speak English, neither can anyone else. That’s when she has a brilliant idea to host a tea party and bring them all together.
Luli removes her teapot, thermos, and teacups from her bag and calls out “Chá!” in her native Chinese. One by one, her classmates pipe up in recognition: in Russian, Hindi, Turkish, Persian, Arabic, and Spanish, Portuguese, and Swahili. Tea is a tasty language they all know well, and it gives them a chance to share and enjoy each other’s company. When all the tea is gone and it’s time for dessert, Luli gets to use her favorite English word, cookie! After that, the playroom isn’t so quiet.
Informed by her own experience as the child of Chinese immigrant parents, Andrea Wang makes the point that when you’re looking to communicate with people, you look for a common bond. The word for “tea” is similar in many languages, and tea becomes the unifying metaphor that brings a diverse group of children together. Additional material at the back of the book explores the rich and ancient history of tea drinking across cultures all around the world and contains maps, statistics, and fascinating details that will delight young readers.
‘Mama Shamzi at the Bazaar’ by Mojdeh Hassani & Samira Iravani
It’s market day for Samira and her grandma! The bazaar is crowded, but this sweet pair knows how to stick together in this silly picture book set in Iran.
Mama Shamsi is off to the market, and today, Samira gets to go with her! Samira loves spending time with her grandmother, and she especially loves her chador, which Mama Shamsi wraps around herself every time they leave the house. As the pair get closer and closer to the market, Samira is worried about getting lost in the crowded streets of Tehran, until she has an idea: She can hide under her grandmother’s chador. But when Mama Shamsi says no – if Samira hides under there, the pair of them will look like a strange animal! In imaginary spreads, Samira and Mama Shamsi turn into a donkey, a giraffe, a kangaroo, a turtle – hiding isn’t working at all. But maybe there’s some other way for Samira to stay safe with her grandma in the crowded market.
‘Ning and the Night Spirits’ by Adriena Fong
A beautifully illustrated tale that shows no matter how small you feel, your actions can help make big changes.
Ning has always heard tales of the night spirits that used to terrorize the little village where he lives. So, each night, he helps his parents light bright orange lanterns to frighten them away. Secretly, he wonders if they’re really as bad as everyone says – but is much too shy to ask anyone. But when Ning finds himself in the forest by night, he meets a creature who introduces him to the spirits’ secret world and he discovers that all is not as it seems …
A beautiful and magical story about confronting fears, confidence and a little boy who finds his voice.
‘What Happened to You?’ by James Catchpole
The first ever picture book addressing how a disabled child might want to be spoken to.
What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off?
Every time Joe goes out the questions are the same … what happened to his leg? But is this even a question Joe has to answer?
A ground-breaking, funny story that helps children understand what it might feel like to be seen as different.