“Stegothesaurus” by Bridget Heos

This delightful picture book is perfect for dinosaur and word lovers! Stegothesaurus is a little different from his two stegosaurus brothers in that he knows a lot of words and loves using them to describe everything he sees! With great illustrations, lots of great new words for kids to learn, and a fun play on words (like Stegothesaurus) that will entertain kids and adults alike.

“Cancer Hates Kisses” by Jessica Reid Sliwerski

Cancer is a difficult subject for everyone, and especially hard to explain to kids. As the author explains in the back page information, when she was diagnosed with cancer found the superhero courage to fight it every day from her daughter, and was the inspiration behind this book. This short, very sweet book, explains cancer to young children in simple ways they can understand, starting off by saying that “Mama is a cancer-fighting superhero…all day she kicks cancer’s butt hard!” Though it maintains a light tone, kids will come away understanding that when someone they love has cancer might be really tired, or might cry, or might lose their hair. The story explains in accurate, but simple terms, what chemo and radiation do and how mom feels afterwards. It also show kids the simple ways they can help their loved one fight cancer, such as hugs, kisses, high-fives and more, because cancer hates all those things! The illustrations shine in this book, and though there is no resolution (mom still has cancer at the end of the book), children will feel empowered to help their loved one during a difficult time. A must read for any child!

“Marvelous Maravilloso: Me and my Beautiful Family”

This beautiful picture book is all about color from the perspective of a child. This child has a unique perspective on color because she comes from a bi-cultural family, and expresses her joy and appreciation for both parents’ skin color as well as her own. A great book to use to talk to children about skin color, and the beauty in that difference from person to person. Highly recommended for all children to read, whether they are from a bi-cultural family or not.

“How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read?” by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague

The “How Do Dinosuars…” duo have returned with a great picture book that combines two of many children’s’ favorite things-dinosaurs and books! The winning style of asking children the question “do Dinosaurs…?” when showing a dinosaur in true toddler form throwing a book, or getting books wet get children thinking about how they treat books, and ends with several pages of dinosaur being nice to their books and loving them. Yolens includes a spread of “learning to read tips” for parents in the back that parents may also find useful. Great addition to a popular series.

“Professor Astrocat’s Human Body Odyssey” by Dr. Dominic Walliman

This excellent book on the human body is unique in that it could work as an introduction to the human body for younger children and for older children who are looking for much greater detail on how the human body works. The illustrations are bright and engaging, and each page has a short overview of the particular body part or function, allowing it to work as a book for young children and an adult. However, the details and vocabulary used throughout the book about the human body makes it also appropriate for independent readers looking to get a more in-depth understanding of the human body. Highly suggested for all kids interested in how the body works!

“The Only Thing to Fear” by Caroline Richmond

What would have happened if World War II had been won by the Axis powers and Germany became the superpower of the world? This book explores a potential alternative reality for the world, particularly for those living in America, if it had happening. The novel bring the horrors of prison camps, racism and war to more present day times, with Germany in control of the world. Germany’s genetic experiments to create a super soldier during the war beat the U.S. in their race to the nuclear bomb, resulting in people called Anomlies who had special powers. Told from the perspective of a young teenager who is half Japenese, the novel tracks her path to becoming an important rallying point for a rebellion to take hold and start fighting back against the German powers. Interesting, fast-paced read, with a touch of dystopian feel that will intrigue anyone who has ever thought “what if?”

— Sarah Rehborg, Youth Services director