A child mouse wants to know when her sibling will arrive. The mother mouse responds, “Soon,” throughout this picture book. Viewers watch the little mouse help mom by washing baby clothes, painting baby’s nursery, sorting toys and shopping. One day the child mouse wakes up and sees mother mouse cradling baby mouse. Very endearing story with illustrations that portray a calm yet anticipating time in the lives of this mother child pair. A sweet book for preschool through first grade children.
When: April 14 and April 15, 2023
Where: The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Boulevard (135th St and Malcolm X Blvd), New York, N.Y. 10037
Website: http://www.nypl.org
Reading Age: 1-4 years
Grade Level: Preschool and up
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Publication Date: February 7, 2022
A toddler learns from his older brother and father as he gets toilet trained. He admires his older brother as many children do and wants to be like him. The father takes the toddler shopping for undies. The toddler wants underwear that look like his brother’s. During toilet training nothing is perfect. Sitting on the potty doesn’t mean something will happen. Nor does wearing underwear mean that accidents don’t happen. This is an endearing board book that shows family support while a child learns to control his body. Illustrations are wonderful and show the highs and lows of a toddler getting toilet trained.
Reading Age: 4-8 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 3
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 6, 2022
A girl named Frances learns about the history of many foods traditionally prepared by African Americans during her stay with her grandparents for a New Year’s celebration. An informative account from the Atlantic Slave Trade to the Emancipation Proclamation for young readers. Illustrations are detailed and a wonderful addition to the story. My Book Eyes liked seeing information in sidebars about foods. A recipe for pralines, authors note, sources and further reading are included.
Reading Age: 3 -5 years
Publisher: DK Children
Publication Date: February 15, 2022
A young boy nicknamed Anansi goes to Ghana with his family during a winter vacation. While Anansi the boy sips from a coconut, a spider named Anansi magically turns a coconut shell into a golden pot. The spider imparts wise words for the boy to adhere to however the boy does not adhere. Every time the boy says a magic chant, his favorite food appears in the pot. He eats so much that he gets a stomachache. His grandmother shares her wisdom. The boy changes his ways. In this picture book , generosity wins over greed. This is a charming book with luscious illustrations that could be shared with children up to 8 years of age. My Book Eyes feels transported to a warm and pleasant vacation when looking at the pictures.
Reading Age: 4 years – 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 3
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Publication Date: September 6, 2022
A high energy level child shows a glimpse of play activities that most children are familiar with and can be done in the rain, sun, autumn, winter, inside and outside the house with at times assistance from parents. Illustrations demonstrate fascinating designs and patterns.My Book Eyes likes the fact that both males and females can enjoy the activities i.e. jump rope, ball, dolls, teddy bear, airplane, building trains and trucks, puzzles etc. This book can generate conversations and activities centered around the kinds of things children like to do for fun.
Reading Age: 4 – 7 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 2
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Publication Date: October 4, 2022
Amanda and Kara are close cousins. They are Native Americans. Kara’s family is moving to the Rez (Reservation). Clutching dolls that their maguu (grandmother) made, they say goodbye. The girls stay in touch throughout the year and are reunited in the summer to rekindle their close relationship during a family reunion. This picture book is sprinkled with Native American rituals and words i.e. Rez, powwow, maguu, frybread, tipi rings, Hidatsa name however much of the book espouses experiences that all can relate to like playing with dolls, getting new lunch boxes, splashing in puddles, playing tag, and swimming. Illustrations match the story with emotions depicted. There are author’s note and an explanation about moving from the reservation to the city in the back of the book.
Publisher: Reycraft Books
Publication Date: May 13, 2022
Zoe spends time with her grandmother learning to make the family’s traditional cinnamon bread. Zoe doesn’t have her grandmother’s experience so she needs grandmother’s hand over hand assistance to learn the rhythm, push and pull of the dough. Her grandmother’s hands tell of various family roles she plays i.e. sister, mother to name some. Also her grandmother explains covert roles that she filled as she travelled down life’s unexpected roads. Zoe thinks about the things she can do presently and wonders about roles the future holds for her. Illustrations are bold and bright. This book would be great to read prior to a cooking activity and/or an activity about who we are and what we can do. For a young child such roles could consist of block builder, line leader, door monitor, big sister, big brother to name a few. A cinnamon bread recipe is included.
Reading Age: 3 – 7 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 2
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Publication Date: May 3, 2022
An adoption agency delivers a new baby to a family of six. The baby, named J.J., adjusts to daily noises and interactions that run throughout the household i.e. barking, yelling, music. During these times J.J. sleeps. A smiling baby is seen while he is handled by a variety of family members. One weekend the four other children go away leaving a peaceful house. Unfortunately this new atmosphere is not one that J.J. enjoys and he cries until his siblings return. Illustrations show varied skin tones and family members that work well together.
Grade Level: Preschool – 2
PublisherThomas Nelson
Publication Date: April 19, 2022
A boy named Grey, who is of Vietnamese heritage, wakes up for breakfast. He names the foods he likes. His mother prepares breakfast. After his meal, Grey participates in pretend play. When he is hungry, he names the snack foods that he likes and shares them with his dog. He has lunch. He imaginarily plays throughout the day. At dinner time his dad, aunt and grandmother are in attendance. At the end of the day he shares a snack with his mother. Illustrations are easily read and many foods are shown such as cereal, oatmeal, pancakes, egg rolls to name a few. Grey is thankful for the foods he receives and the ability to share them with his family.
my book eyes 