Eating From Our Roots by Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN

Publisher: Goop Press

Publication Date: January 24, 2023

This cookbook is written by a registered dietitian and nutritionist. It offers 80 healthy recipes derived from cultures around the world. It includes porridge, toasts, baked goods, soups, curries, stews, plant based dishes, fish and meat. Additionally there is an introduction, a section about how this book approaches health, how to make your way through this book, stocking your kitchen, tips for including plant based alternatives, how to modify recipes for health conditions, about the chefs, and acknowledgements. Photographs are colorful and depict mouth watering meals. While this is not a children’s book, children could benefit from learning about healthy meal preparation and different cultures by helping adults or young adults make these dishes.

Soon by author Libby Gleeson and illustrator Jedda Robaard

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 You Can Swim by Jack Wong

Reading Age: 4 – 8 years

Grade Level: Preschool – 3

Publisher: Orchard Books

Publication Date: May 2, 2023

Possibilities of what one can do when he or she learns to swim are explored in this poetically written children’s book. The book begins with a parent and child going to the beach and enjoying time in the water. It continues showing adults and children of varied race and ethnicities relishing aquatic activities in lakes, oceans, pools etc. Illustrations are beautiful depicting nature from a variety of angles.

Delphine Denise and the Mardi Gras Prize by author Brittany Mazique and illustrator Sawyer Cloud

Reading Age: 4-8 years

Grade Level: Preschool – 3

Publisher: AW Teen

Publication Date: January 1, 2022

An ambitious girl named Delphine Denise and her friends enjoy Mardi Gras in New Orleans every year. This year, there will be a crown given to the person who has the best float in the Mardi Gras Parade. Delphine Denise enlists the help of her friends to build a float. Unfortunately too much decoration weighs the float down and her friends decide to ditch the float idea and ride their bikes instead. Delphine Denise perseveres with the float. Her ride breaks down. She decides to make a Mardi Gras treat for her friends to mend their relationships. Her friends make something special for Delphine Denise. My Book Eyes perused items and read words associated with Mardi Gras in New Orleans i.e. gold, green and purple colors, coins, costumes, crawfish, beads, masks, float, instruments, music, king cake, beignet. Illustrations are vivid with many on white backgrounds. Diverse characters debut. Included is an author’s note and information about Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

I Love You Like Yellow by author Andrea Beaty and illustrator Vashti Harrison

Reading Age: 4 – 8 years

Grade Level: Preschool – 3

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams

Publication Date: March 29, 2022

LOVE is demonstrated through a variety of activities through good times and bad. Love is for all ages and for a diversity of people. Readers and listeners will enjoy this rhyming picture book with a vast array of illustrated scenarios to view. A book to read anytime of the year.

Undies Please! by author Sumana Seeboruth and illustrator Ashleigh Corrin

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.

Black-Eyed Peas and Hoghead Cheese: A Story of Food, Family and Freedom by author Glenda Armand and illustrator Steffi Walthall

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.

Only My Dog Knows I Pick My Nose by author Lauren Tarshis and illustrator Lisa Bronson Mezoff

Reading Age: 3 – 5 years

Publisher: Orchard Books

Publication Date: October 19, 2021

In this picture book a big brother confesses to what he does i.e. Shares toys,well maybe not all of them. Eats his broccoli well maybe not all of it. He never splashes in the tub, well maybe his dinosaur does etc. Throughout the only witness to this child’s antics is his dog. This is a funny book. Illustrations are cute.

Anansi and the Golden Pot by author Taiye Selasi and illustrator Tinuke Fagborun

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.

One Thursday Afternoon by Barbara DiLorenzo

Grade Level: 1 -2 

Publisher: Flyaway Books

Publication Date: September 5, 2022 

After school, a grandad picks up his granddaughter, Ava. She is sad . The two go on a picnic. It isn’t until grandad takes out his art supplies and shares some artist tips that Ava discusses that she was afraid during a school lockdown drill. Grandad shares his experience in school that was similar and scary to Ava’s school lockdown. She further divulges that she is upset by the media. Grandad didn’t have to deal with media reminders in his youth. The fall illustrations are beautiful. This picture book shows a close relationship that can be compared and contrasted between a grandfather and grandchild and be used in therapeutic and non therapeutic settings to confront ways of dealing with life’s difficult times. A Note from the author/Illustrator includes recommendations for coping with difficult situations.