Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids 2024: Picture Books

October 21, 2024

Picture Books

Each year Evanston Public Library decides on the 101 Great Books for Kids. Now you can enjoy some of the best picture books of the year! Everything from bad apologies and giant robots to dance, cowboys, and noodles!


1. Being Home by Traci Sorell, ill. Michaela Goade

“Today is moving day!” A happy tale of one Cherokee family’s relocation from the city to their ancestral lands. An buoyant look at a “change in tempo.” Call Number: JPicture Sorel.T


2. Dance Fast by AR Cribbins

Bizzy cannot WAIT to make her own dance regalia dress for an upcoming ceremony. But what happens when a mistake in it is evident to everyone? A great Pomo tale on how perfection is the enemy of good. Call Number: JPicture Cribb.A


3. The Dictionary Story by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston

Why should books with stories get all the fun? A jealous dictionary attempts to tell a tale, with incredibly disastrous results. A truly original delight of a tale. Call Number: JPicture Jeffe.O


4. Emma, Full of Wonders by Elisha Cooper

Do dogs dream? Emma does. Little dreams that culminate in a great big dream she can share. Call Number: JPicture Coope.E


5. Exactly As Planned by Tao Nyeu

Moose and Fox are about to have tea together and each wants to make something special for the other. Read one story two different ways, and watch how things don’t always go according to plan. Call Number: JPicture Nyeu.T


6. Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo

This completely wordless tale tells the story of one little immigrant girl and the ways that food ties her to her memories. Evocative, engulfing art tells a story of empathy and delicious dumplings. Call Number: JPicture Mo.C


7. I’m Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff, ill. Julie Kwon

Jack knocks down Zoe’s block castle and now has to write an apology. It does not go well. Will Jack ever learn how to write a real apology? Touching and hilarious by turns. Call Number: JPicture Lukof.K


8. Jam, Too? by JaNay Brown-Wood, ill. Jacqueline Alcántara

A rhythmic jam-session is brought to life on the page! When an impromptu drum circle appears on the beach, a drumless kid yearns to join. Rhyme, rhythm, and song combine in this upbeat tale. Call Number: JPicture Brown.J


9. The Last Zookeeper by Aaron Becker

In a flooded world, a single giant robot works hard to save all the animals it can find. Wall-E meets Noah’s Ark in this magnificent, wordless tale. Call Number: JPicture Becke.A


10. My Block Looks Like by Janelle Harper, ill. Frank Morrison

“My block looks like a collision of cultures / a melting pot of cool.” A young girl pays homage to her city on pages that spring to life. A book that crackles with heart, heat, and energy. Call Number: JPicture Harpe.J


11. My Daddy Is a Cowboy by Stephanie Seales, ill. C.G. Esperanza

When everyone’s asleep, before the sun has even risen, a girl and her daddy ride their horses through the city. A beautiful father/daughter story infused with some serious horse-love. Call Number: JPicture Seale.S


12. Noodles on a Bicycle by Kyo Maclear, ill. Gracey Zhang

Who can make towering piles of noodles and deliver them with acrobatic speed and agility every day? The demae of Japan, of course! A love letter to these skilled workers of the past. Call Number: JPicture Macle.K


13. Pretty Ugly by David Sedaris, ill. Ian Falconer

You know that old saying not to make faces or one might stick that way? Anna Van Ogre finds this out the hard way, but fortunately comes up with a truly disgusting solution in this twisted take on finding beauty within. Call Number: JPicture Sedar.D


14. A Star Shines Through by Anna Desnitskaya

“We left for another country. It’s not like home here.” A girl and her mother leave everything behind to start a new life. A beautifully wrought tale of immigration and making a new home. Call Number: JPicture Desni.A


15. Terrible Horses by Raymond Antrobus, ill. Ken Wilson-Max

A little brother adores his older sister but when they clash he writes stories of terrible horses and the pony they ignore. An amazing inclusive story of sibling love and frustration. Call Number: JPicture Antro.R


16. That Always Happens Sometimes by Kiley Frank, ill. K-Fai Steele

This humorous and empathetic tribute to neurodivergent children features Max, a well-meaning kid whose life may be messy but ultimately leads to a creative triumph. Call Number: JPicture Frank.K


17. Touch the Sky by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic, ill. Chris Park

Vern loves to swing, but doesn’t know how to pump yet. Why is it so hard to learn? It takes a patient friend like Gretchen to set Vern on the right path. Call Number: JPicture Lucia.S


18. We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang

A group of someones has crashed in Mr. Li’s field and they are quick to assure him that they are “definitely” human. A hilarious and strangely touching story of helping strangers in need. Call Number: JPicture Fang.X


19. What’s New, Daniel? by Micha Archer

When Daniel visits the park he discovers that many of his animal friends have changed. And Daniel has changed, too! The collage work in this charmer astounds. Call Number: J Picture Arche.M


20. The Yellow Bus by Loren Long 

“There was once a bright yellow bus who spent her days driving.” The life cycle of a familiar vehicle, and the changes she witnesses as her town grows older too. Call Number: JPicture Long.L


Find the full list of 101 Great Books for Kids here.

Committee Members: Patrizia Alm, Karina Andrus, Stephen Barnes, Betsy Bird, Lisa Dallas, Kyria Dickerson, Betsy Haberl, Jessica Iverson, Kennedy Joseph, Taylor Keahey, Leigh Kennelly, Martha Meyer, Jeny Mills, Olivia Mo, Katrina Moravec, Bill Ohms, Bridget Petrites, Julie Rand, Jennifer Shreve, Robin Sindelar, Elizabeth English Steimle, Kasandra Trejo, Lulu Tripp, Michael Warren, and Brian Wilson


Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids 2023: Picture Books

October 30, 2023

Picture Books

1. Big by Vashti Harrison

This little girl has a big laugh, a big heart, and big dreams. But when other people start tearing into her because of her size, she has to find the bravery to stand out. Call Number: JPicture Harri.V


 

2. The Brothers Zzli by Alex Cousseau, ill. Anne-Lise Boutin, translated by Vineet Lal

A little girl living in the woods invites three bears, driven from their home, to stay with her. But when her neighbors become hostile, will the bears stay or go? Call Number: JPicture Couss.A


 

3. Catside Up, Catside Down: A Book of Prepositions by Anna Hrachovec

Cozy knitted kitties in kooky situations are up, down, on, and around. Simple and hilarious, these gentle rhymes are a sure-fire hit. Call Number: JPicture Hrach.A


 

4. Evergreen by Matthew Cordell

Little squirrel Evergreen has many fears, and now is the time face them. Why? Because today she is heading into the woods to deliver healing soup to an ailing Granny Oak. Call Number: JPicture Corde.M


 

5. Finding Papa by Angela Pham Krans, ill. Thi Bui

One day Mai’s funny, playful papa goes away, traveling from Vietnam to the US. Now she finds herself with mama on a crowded boat, traveling a turbulent ocean to a new country. Will she ever see her papa again? Call Number: JPicture Krans.A


 

6. Grandma’s Tipi: A Present-Day Lakota Story by S.D. Nelson

When Clara and her cousin Juniper spend their summer with their Grandmother, they learn all about a family and tribal history that’s all tied to a tipi passed down through the generations. Call Number: JPicture Nelso.S


 

7. Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar by Mojdeh Hassani and Samira Iravani, ill. Maya Fidawi

Lucky Samira gets to go to the bazaar with her grandmother for the very first time. But when she gets nervous, will she be able to hide under Mama Shamsi’s chador? A playful rhyming tale. Call Number: JPicture Hassa.M


 

8. Mr. S by Monica Arnaldo

When a classroom full of new Kindergartners comes in on the first day of school they don’t find any adults, just a sandwich on a desk. Could this be their new teacher?!? Call Number: JPicture Arnal.M


 

9. My Baba’s Garden by Jordan Scott, ill. Sydney Smith

Every morning, before school, a boy is driven to his grandmother’s tiny house where they take walks and save worms on rainy days. An evocative look at childhood and the small kindnesses we do for the ones we love. Call Number: JPicture Scott.J


 

10. My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder

The narrator of this tale tells the peculiar and beautiful story of how his immigrant parents traded inches of their height to support their son. As he grows up, they grow down. A story of love and of sacrifice. Call Number: JPicture Sword.Z


 

11. Night Owl Night by Susan Edwards Richmond, ill. Maribel Lechuga

All Sova wants is to finally see a saw-whet owl. Her mom’s a scientist and they’re hoping to measure, weigh, and mark one, but first Sova must learn an important truth: A scientist must learn to wait. Call Number: JPicture Edwar.S


 

12. The Night Tent by Landis Blair

At night Watson’s anxieties keep him wide awake. That is, until he discovers an entire world under his covers (and maybe the key to real shuteye). Call Number: JPicture Blair.L


 

13. Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jesús Trejo, ill. Eliza Kinkz

It’s Saturday so Jesús gets to go with Papá on his landscaping jobs. Papá says that when their water-jug is empty it’s time to go home. Hilarity (and copious water consumption) ensues. Call Number: JPicture Trejo.J


 

14. The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage

Dr. Morley and her superb crew are embarking on an adventure to finally see a giant arctic jellyfish. Will they succeed or is this creature more elusive than they think? Call Number: JPIcture Savag.C


 

15. Stickler Loves the World by Lane Smith

What’s better than loving the world? Getting to show it to someone else for the first time! A thorny little hero explains to an “alien” why our planet is so darned great. Call Number: JPicture Smith.L


 

16. Ten-Word Tiny Tales to Inspire and Unsettle by Joseph Coelho and 21 Artist Friends

Tell me a story in just ten words. One poet tells 21 tales and 21 artists give their eclectic interpretations. Part writing prompts, part short stories, and all very very strange. Call Number: JPicture Coelh.J


 

17. To the Other Side by Erika Meza

“The rules of the game are simple.” A boy and a girl leave home playing a game, making their way towards a border where they hope to change their lives. A beautifully rendered look at child refugees traveling on their own. Call Number: JPicture Meza.E


 

18. The Walk by Winsome Bingham, ill. E.B. Lewis

“…leaders are not born,” Granny says. “They’re made through molding and modeling.” A grandmother takes her grandchild on a community journey. Where are they going? Walk on and find out. Call Number: JPicture Bingh.W


 

19. A Walk in the Woods by Nikki Grimes, ill. Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney

After his father dies, a boy takes a walk in the woods with the treasure map his dad left him. A powerful testament to love, family, and nature. Call Number: JPicture Grime.N

 

Return to the full list of 101 Great Books for Kids here.


Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids 2022: Picture Books

November 21, 2022

Picture Books

  1. A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree by Daniel Bernstrom, ill. Brandon James Scott

Fuzzy bear. Angry bees. Yummy honey. Silliness abounds in this delightful read aloud full of ursine hijinks.Call Number: JPicture Berns.D

  1. Berry Song by Michaela Goade

Like their Tlingit ancestors before them, a grandmother and child gather gifts from the earth, all the while singing a song celebrating beautiful berries. A burst of joy from a Caldecott-winning illustrator. Call Number: JPicture Goade.M

  1. A Blue Kind of Day by Rachel Tomlinson, ill. Tori-Jay Mordey

“It was a slumping, sighing, sobbing kind of day.” Coen is having a blue day and when his family can’t cheer him up, they wait and let him work through his feelings. A book of patience, care, and empathy. Call Number: JPicture Tomli.R

  1. The Circles in the Sky by Karl James Mountford

One morning Fox finds a bird lying quite still upon the ground. With the aid of a small moth, the two reflect on life and death, accompanied by marvelous, beautiful illustrations. A meditative, contemplative, necessary book. Call Number: JPicture Mount.K

  1. City Under the City by Dan Yaccarino

Bix lives in a city where robotic Eyes take care of everyone’s needs. But when she discovers an ancient city under the ground, it leads to a love of books and reading she never had before. Call Number: JPicture Yacca.D

  1. Emile and the Field by Kevin Young, ill. Chioma Ebinama

In this lyrical picture book from an award-winning poet, a young boy cherishes a neighborhood field throughout the changing seasons. With stunning illustrations and a charming text, this beautiful story celebrates a child’s relationship with nature. Call Number: JPicture Young.K

  1. Gibberish by Young Vo

Now that he’s in a new country, Dat feels completely different from the new people and language that surround him. Marvelous 1930’s style animation techniques drill home his separation, and show how one good friend can make all the difference. Call Number: JPicture Vo.Y

  1. I Don’t Care by Julie Fogliano, ill. Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal

A remarkably charming tale of two girls seeing past their differences to become the best of friends. Illustrated by two artists who are best friends in real life! Call Number: JPicture Fogli.J

  1. I Won’t Give Up My Rubber Band by Shinsuke Yoshitake

This rubber band? It’s mine. No one else’s. And if you want the world’s greatest (and funniest) listing of what you can do with a single rubber band, you’ve come to the right place. Call Number: JPicture Yoshi.S

  1. Kick Push: Be Your Epic Self by Frank Morrison

Ivan’s usually so legendary with his kickflipping, big rail grinding moves that his friends call him EPIC. Now he’s moved to a new town where skateboarding is not the norm. Should he fit in or stand out? A book teeming with motion and fire. Call Number: JPicture Morri.F

  1. Knight Owl by Christopher Denise

Owl has a dream. You may think it’s ridiculous, but more than anything he yearns to become a knight in shining armor. When his chance finally comes, will he be up to the challenge? Whoooo can say? Call Number: JPicture Denis.C

  1. My Fade Is Fresh by Shauntay Grant, ill. Kitt Thomas

When one young girl walks into her local hair salon, she knows exactly what she wants: a fresh fade. So why does everyone else have an opinion about her hair? Call Number: JPicture Grant.S

  1. My Parents Won’t Stop Talking by Emma Hunsinger and Tillie Walden

Molly is so stoked to go to the park with her family . . . until her parents start talking to their neighbors, the Credenzas. WILL the grown-ups ever stop talking? WILL Molly be able to go to the park? WHY is her brother so calm about this? A hilarious and universal childhood moment. Call Number: JPicture Hunsi.E

  1. Pina by Elif Yemenici, translated by Sydney Wade

Pina lives in a tiny, warm house that contains everything he could ever need. But when he realizes he’s out of cheese, shopping turns into a walk into the unknown. A delightful Turkish import about trying new things. Call Number: JPicture Yemen.E

  1. The Queen in the Cave by Júlia Sardà

One day Franca decides that she is going to plunge into the unknown to seek a marvelous queen. Her sisters come along! What will they find, and will they ever get back? A hypnotic cacophony of chaos. Call Number: JPicture Sarda.J

  1. Rodney Was a Tortoise by Nan Forler, ill. Yong Ling Kang

Bernadette shares many great times with her tortoise Rodney. When he’s gone, she can’t stop thinking about him. Will anyone understand how she feels? A tale of empathy and kindness. Call Number: JPicture Forle.N

  1. See You Someday Soon by Pat Zietlow Miller, ill. Suzy Lee

If you’re far away from someone you love, how do you connect with them immediately? A child yearns for their grandmother, and thinks up all kinds of creative ways for them to get together. Inventive art mixes with a hugely touching tale. Call Number: JPicture Mille.P

  1. Where Is Bina Bear? by Mike Curato

Bina’s friends have thrown her a supercool party. The only problem? Bina’s terrified of parties. A tale of friendship and clever disguises. Call Number: JPicture Curat.M

  1. The World Belonged to Us by Jacqueline Woodson, ill. Leo Espinosa

In Brooklyn “not so long ago,” children of all backgrounds played together in the streets. Double dutch. Stickball. Kick the can. This loving ode to joyful communal play features vibrant illustrations and a dynamic text. Call Number: JPicture Woods.J

 

Return to the full list of 101 Great Books for Kids here.


Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids 2021: Picture Books

October 18, 2021

Picture Books

1. The Big Bath House by Kyo Maclear, ill. Gracey Zhang

A girl and her Japanese grandmother don’t share a language, but they do share a love of bathing! A gentle story of family and loving all kinds of bodies, big and small. JPicture Macle.K

2. Bodies are Cool by Tyler Feder

One body type is boring. We like bodies in ALL their shapes, sizes, colors, and more. Body positivity gets cranked up to 11 in this fantastic, wild, wonderful title. JPicture Feder.T

3. Bright Star by Yuyi Morales

A visually striking and powerful allegorical work about the young  finding their way in an uncertain world. A companion to the author/illustrator’s award-winning Dreamers. JPicture Moral.Y

4. Ergo by Alexis Deacon, ill. Viviane Schwarz

Ergo the chick only knows the smooth, round world in which she lives, so she very quickly comes to the belief that she IS the world. But when evidence suggests there might be more, this little chicken is unafraid to burst through barriers to discover what is and isn’t real. JPicture Deaco.A

5. I Dream of Popo by Livia Blackburne, ill. Julia Kuo

The distance between Taiwan and America is vast but over time (and Zoom!) a granddaughter and her popo stay in touch with one another. Heartfelt illustrations bridge the gap between nations. JPicture Black.L

6. The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess by Tom Gauld

When a childless king and queen seek kids of their own, they end up with a wooden robot and a girl made from a log. And as tragedy places the siblings in danger, they’ll do anything they can to keep one another from harm. JPicture Gauld.T

7. Magic Candies by Heena Baek, translated by Sophie Bowman

When Tong Tong purchases a bag of strange round candies, he discovers that each one allows him to hear the hidden speech of someone or some thing. Marvelous models bring this kooky story to life. JPicture Baek.H

8. The Me I Choose to Be by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, ill. Regis and Kahran Bethencourt

“I am a superhero yet unnamed / I am laughter that falls like rain.” Fantastic, surreal Afro-futuristic photography coupled with a life-affirming text helps turn ordinary kids into their extraordinary selves. JPicture Tarpl.N

9. Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor

Little kingfisher Mel takes her first flight (or is it a plunge?), falling through the air at rapid speed as other animals watch with concern. Be ready for some tricks and laughs that amaze and delight. JPicture Tabor.C

10. Midnight Fair by Gideon Sterer, ill. Mariachiara Di Giorgio

When the fair has closed and the night has come, what happens to the merry-go-rounds, rides, and games? Join a troop of intrepid animal adventurers in this beautifully rendered wordless romp. JPicture Stere.G

11. Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Peña, ill. Christian Robinson

On a long subway ride, Milo draws and imagines the lives of the people around him. But is there more to their stories than at first glance? Is there more to his own? JPicture Delap.M

12. Mr. Watson’s Chickens by Jarrett Dapier, ill. Andrea Tsurumi

Mr. Watson wants some chickens, so he and his partner Mr. Nelson get three. But what happens when those three turn into 456 or more? JPicture Dapie.J

13. My First Day by Phùng Nguyên Quang and Huynh Kim Liên

A child in Vietnam experiences an eventful journey down the Mekong River. Where is he going? What natural wonders (and dangers) will he encounter next? Visually riveting. JPicture Quang.P

14. On the Trapline by David A. Robertson, ill. Julie Flett

A trip with his grandpa to see the trapline, a place where he once hunted, takes a child into the heart of his family’s history. JPicture Rober.D

15. The Rock From the Sky by Jon Klassen

Five short chapters follow three behatted animals as they avoid death, aliens, and rocks falling from the sky. Not necessarily in that order. JPicture Klass.J

16. Ship in a Bottle by Andrew Prahin

Mouse dreams of a better life so one day she sets sail for distant lands. Peaceful watercolors illustrate her gentle search for a new home. JPicture Prahi.A

17. Someone Builds the Dream by Lisa Wheeler illustrated by Loren Long

Architects, artists, scientists, and more all dream but . . . someone has to build what they dream up. A clever and respectful celebration of skilled laborers. JPicture Wheel.L

18. Soul Food Sunday by Winsome Bingham, ill. C.G. Esperanza

It’s Sunday at Granny’s and her grandson is old enough to help get that dinner ready. Meat’s got to be primed, greens cleaned, cheese grated. Vibrant eye-popping colors explode off the page in a book so good you can practically smell the food cooking. JPicture Bingh.W

19. We Wait for the Sun by Dovey Johnson Roundtree & Katie McCabe, ill. Raissa Figueroa

Fruit picking as resistance. In a time of terror in the South, a girl accompanies her grandmother and other Black women for an early morning ritual. Warm and sweet, just like a blackberry. xBiog Round.D Round.D

20. Wishes by Mượn Thị Văn, ill. Victo Ngai

This visually striking book chronicles the scary journey by boat made by people fleeing Vietnam to Hong Kong  in 1980. A true story based on the author’s experiences. JPicture Van.M

21. Your Mama by NoNieqa Ramos, ill. Jacqueline Alcántara

Your mama is strong, powerful, friendly, beautiful. A multifaceted Latinx celebration of motherhood takes an old insult, and turns it completely on its head. JPicture Ramos.N

 

Return to the full list of 101 Great Books for Kids here.


Announcing Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids List of 2020!

November 6, 2020

 

Evanston Public Library is pleased to announce the results of our incredibly hardworking 101 Great Books for Kids committee. 2020 proved to be a particularly difficult year for us. When the pandemic closed our library in March it also kept all the books we were trying to read sequestered away. Thanks to the magnificent efforts of staff members like Jessica Iverson, however, deliveries were made in a safe and efficient manner to everyone in their homes. In the end, we may have ended up reading more books for this committee than ever before.

Today’s list is a testament to the dedication of the people of this committee. Please be sure to stop by our library to request any of the titles you would like to see. They represent some of the best books of the year and should not be missed.

All 101 books on this list are appropriate for readers 2-12. You can download a PDF of these titles here at: 101 Great Books for Kids 2020.

For your convenience, here are the categories of the list:

 

Picture Books

Folk Tales, Fairy Tales, and Religious Tales

Easy and Early Chapter Books

Poetry and Short Stories

Fiction

Comics and Graphic Novels

Nonfiction Picture Books

Nonfiction for Older Readers


 

 

Picture Books

 

  1. The Barnabus Project by Terry, Eric and Devin Fan.

 

Barnabus is half mouse, half elephant, and 100% an utter failure as a genetically modified pet. When he and his imperfect friends decide to make a break for freedom, you’ll root for them every step of the way. Call Number: JPicture Fan.T

 

 

2. Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim.

 

Charming illustrations tell the tale of how a young Korean immigrant child’s first day of school goes from tragedy to triumph. Call Number: JPicture Kim.A

 

3. Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina, ill. Sonia Sánchez.

 

What do you do when your “numero uno” best friend is moving away? Daniela and Evelyn squeeze every bit of fun out of their last day in this sweet, hopeful narrative. Call Number: JPicture Medin.M

 

 

4. Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots by Michael Rex.

 

A bunch of cheery robots help readers learn the difference between facts and opinions in this colorful, funny, much-needed romp. Call Number: JPicture Rex.M

 

5. Friday Night Wrestlefest by J.F. Fox, ill. Micah Player.

 

Are you ready to RUMBLE??? Where will your loyalties lie when Dangerous Daddoo takes on the Tag Team Twins with Mama-Rama joining in the fun? Call Number: JPicture Fox.J

 

6. The Haunted Lake by P.J. Lynch.

 

Jacob loves Ellen and Ellen loves Jacob. But when Jacob explores a mysterious light in an underwater tower, he’s sucked into the embrace of the beautiful, very dead, Lillith. Can Ellen rescue her love? Call Number: JPicture Lynch.P

 

7. Hike by Pete Oswald.

A father and child travel to the mountains and enjoy the great outdoors in this warm wordless book. Call Number: J Picture Oswal.P

 

8. I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, ill. Gordon C. James.

“I am a roaring flame of creativity. / I am a lightning round of questions, and / a star-filled sky of solutions”. An empowering ode to Black boy joy. Call Number: JPicture Barne.D

 

9. I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, ill. Sydney Smith.

“I wake up each morning with the sounds of words all around me. And I can’t say them all . . .” This exquisitely illustrated book tells the tale of a stuttering kid who finds comfort in his father’s advice. Call Number: JPicture Scott.J

 

10. My Best Friend by Julie Fogliano, ill. Jillian Tamaki.

“she is my best friend i think / i’ve never had a best friend so i’m not sure.” Two girls meet, play, and enact what may be the world’s most perfect example of friendship. Call Number: JPicture Fogli.J

 

11. Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker, ill. April Harrison.

Grandparents Day is coming up and Zura’s Nana Akua intends to arrive. But with the traditional tribal marks on her face, will Zura’s classmates be nice or be mean? Call Number: JPicture Walke.T

 

12. A New Green Day by Antoinette Portis.

From a “comma in the long, long sentence of the stream” (a tadpole!) to “a black coat slipped around Earth’s shoulders” (night!) simple riddles and breathtaking pictures produce a beautiful book. Call Number: JPicture Porti.A

 

13. Old Rock (Is Not Boring) by Deb Pilutti.

The other forest creatures think Old Rock lives a boring life, but it astounds them with stories of its surprisingly eventful existence. A clever, humorous science lesson. Call Number: JPicture Pilut.D

 

14. On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex.

Oh no. There’s gum stuck in your hair? Don’t worry, I know a surefire solution. A book where things get increasingly, hilariously, catastrophically worse. Call Number: JPicture Rex.A

 

15. Outside In by Deborah Underwood, ill. Cindy Derby.

When you forget that the Outside exists, it has ways of gently reminding you. Nature is the true star of the show in this gentle, poetic celebration of the outdoors. Call Number: JPicture Under.D

 

16. Overground Railroad by Lesa Cline-Ransome, ill. James E. Ransome.

At the crack of dawn Ruth Ellen clutches her book of the life of Frederick Douglass as she and her family climb a train bound for New York City. A thrilling historic tale of one family’s hope for a better life. Call Number: JPicture Cline.L

 

17. A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart by Zetta Elliott, ill. Noa Denmon.

Deep down inside you might feel joy, fear, anger, and peace. But more than anything else, feel the love. A poem of pride by an Evanston author. Call Number: JPicture Ellio.Z

 

18. Salma the Syrian Chef by Danny Ramadan, ill. Anna Bron.

Salma, a Syrian refugee living in Vancouver, hopes she can make her mother happy again by cooking one of her favorite dishes. A lovely celebration of community and compassion. Call Number: JPicture Ramad.D

 

19. Smashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha, ill. Dan Yaccarino.

Who’s looking for some serious smash time? Join Mr. Gilly as he crashes, tumbles and crumbles a great big building down to smithereens. Expect to read this one out loud again and again! Call Number: JPicture Zimme.A

 

20. This Old Dog by Martha Brockenbrough, ill. Gabriel Alborozo.

Old Dog likes to take things slow to explore the world, but his people just rush rush rush. Will New Girl be the friend he needs? Call Number: JPicture Brock.M

 

21. We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, ill. Michaela Goade.

A powerful look at the Indigenous-led movements in the United States to stop the oil pipelines from ruining the natural world. Call Number: JPicture Linds.C

 

22. Your Name Is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, ill. Luisa Uribe.

On the first day of her new school, no one can pronounce a little girl’s name. Fortunately, her mother has a surefire solution. A celebration of names of every kind. Call Number: JPicture Thomp.J

 


 

Folk Tales, Fairy Tales, and Religious Tales

 

23. Chia and the Fox Man: An Alaskan Dena’ina Fable adapted by Barbara J. Atwater and Ethan J. Atwater, ill. Mindy Dwyer.

Orphaned Chia does a fox a great wrong by stealing its axe. Will he do what’s right or reject his elders’ teachings? Call Number: JPicture Atwat.B

 

24. The Fabled Life of Aesop by Ian Lendler, ill. Pamela Zagarenski.

Born a slave, young Aesop learned early on that by using his gift of storytelling he could dispense wisdom and outwit oppression at the same time. Contains twelve of Aesop’s folktales. Call Number: xBiog Aesop Lendl.I

 

25. The Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns: A Mesoamerican Creation Myth by Duncan Tonatiuh.

 

When the gods of Mesoamerica fail to create human creatures, they give the sacred bones of creation to the lord of the underworld. Only Quetzalcóatl, the Feathered Serpent, is brave enough to take back the bones and try again. Call Number: x398.208972 Tonat.D

 

26. The Secret of the Tattered Shoes by Jackie Morris, ill. Ehsan Abdollahi.

A weary soldier encounters a castle with a mystery. The king needs to know why his daughters’ shoes are tattered and torn every night. But is the answer worth dying for? Call Number: x398.20943 Morri.J

 

27. Tales of the Feathered Serpent: Rise of the Halfling King by David Bowles, ill. Charlene Bowles.

Sayam’s just your average half-human boy in this Mayan tale. When he pops out of an egg and is raised by a kind witch, he has no idea he’ll soon be challenging a tyrant for his throne. Call Number: JGraphic Bowle.D

 

28. Three Billy Goats Buenos by Susan Middleton Elya, ill. Miguel Ordóñez.

A beautiful blend of Spanish and English retells the classic story of three plump little cabritos and the hungry gigante that wants to munch them up. Call Number: JPicture Elya.S


 

Easy and Early Chapter Books

 

29. Albert Hopper, Science Hero by John Himmelman.

Join intrepid science explorer Albert Hopper and his equally fearless (sorta) niece and nephew as they drill down to the center of the Earth! Science facts merge with wacky adventures. Fun for all! Call Number: J Himme.J

 

30. All the Dear Little Animals by Ulf Nilsson, ill. Eva Eriksson, translated by Julia Marshall.

When Esther finds a dead bumblebee, she joins her friend and her little brother Puttie in becoming the neighborhood funeral directors for a day. A funny, strangely touching look at the lighter side of death. Call Number: J Nilss.U

 

31. A Bear Named Bjorn by Delphine Perret, translated by Antony Shugaar.

Six small stories tell the tale of a bear and his friends. Fans of Winnie-the-Pooh will find much to love in this charming collection. Call Number: JChapter Perre.D

 

32. The Best of Iggy by Annie Barrows, ill. Sam Ricks.

“Iggy is the hero of this book because he’s the one who does the things in it. All the things he does (in this book) are bad. Every last one of them.” Intrigued? Then find out just what Iggy did. Call Number: JChapter Barro.A

 

33. Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business by Lyla Lee, ill. Dung Ho.

Being the new kid is hard enough, but what happens when people make fun of your food? Enterprising Mindy Kim has a solution, and it might just get her a friend in the process. Call Number: JChapter Lee.L

 

34. See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog by David LaRochelle, ill. Mike Wohnoutka.

In this easy book charmer, a much put upon dog must contend with simple narration that clearly wishes him ill. Call Number: JEasy Laroc.D

 

35. Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem by Kate DiCamillo, ill. Chris Van Dusen.

Stella likes school and she does not like know-it-all Horace Broom. But when she and Horace accidentally end up locked in a closet in the pitch black, the solution to their problem lies in friendship. Call Number: JChapter Dicam.K

 

36. Ty’s Travels: All Aboard! by Kelly Starling Lyons, ill. Nina Mata.

“Woo-woo!” All aboard the Ty express! When no one in his family will play with him, Ty makes his own fun and soon everyone’s getting involved. Call Number: JBegin Lyons.K

 

37. What About Worms? by Ryan T. Higgins.

Tigers may be big and brave, but they do have one fear: WORMS! So what happens when the worms decide that Tiger’s a wonderful guy? Call Number: JPicture Wille.M

 


 

Poetry and Short Stories

 

38. A Hatful of Dragons: And More Than 13.8 Billion Other Funny Poems by Vikram Madan.

Hilarity abounds in this wild and wacky conglomeration of unique (and goofy) poems! Expect 13.8 billion laughs! Call Number: x811 Madan.V

39. I Wish by Toon Tellegen, ill. Ingrid Godon, translated by David Colmer.

A strange, melancholy, oddly hopeful book for our strange, melancholy, oddly hopeful little world. Call Number: x811 Telle.T

 

40. Just Like Me by Vanessa Brantley-Newton.

The girls in this book might be drummers, little sisters, shy, or “door buster”s, but each one has something important to say, so you better sit back and listen. Call Number: x811 Brant.V

 

41. On a Snow-Melting Day: Seeking Signs of Spring by Buffy Silverman.

Are you ready to take a deep dive into a drip-droppy, slip-sloppy, hawk-squawking, woods-walking, crocus-poking, mitten-soaking, snow-melting day? Gorgeous photography celebrates the arrival of spring. Call Number: x508.2 Silve.B

 

42. Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices, edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed, ill. Sara Alfageeh.

These captivating short stories–some funny, some poignant–by some of the best Muslim authors writing today, capture the various ways Eid is celebrated. Call Number: x297.36 Once


 

Fiction

 

43. The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman.

In 1986 Ukraine two girls become unlikely friends after experiencing the fallout from the horrifying Chernobyl crisis. Call Number: J Blank.A

 

44. Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk.

Everyone blames Ellie for her father’s accident but this city girl turned mountain expert is determined to find a cure for his coma. A Depression-era tale of fortitude punctuated with scintillating descriptions and writing. Call Number: J Wolk.L

 

45. Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros.

Fifth grader Efrén’s life turns upside down after he discovers his beloved mother has been deported. This powerful, fast-paced novel shows a boy struggling to keep his family together. Call Number: J Cisne.E

 

46. Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

Sisters Della and Suki have always stuck together, even when they had to live with their mom’s terrible boyfriend. Now he’s headed to jail but Suki’s still not okay. A tough and gripping story of abuse and hope. Call Number: J Bradl.K

 

47. Fly On the Wall by Remy Lai.

Henry Khoo’s family treats him like a baby, so he does the only natural thing in response: he buys a ticket and hops a plane to Shanghai! A hilarious and clever adventure. Call Number: J Lai.R

 

48. From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks.

Budding chef Zoe discovers a letter from her estranged birth father serving time in jail for murder. When he tells her he didn’t do it, Zoe will stop at nothing to prove his innocence. Call Number: J Marks.J

 

49. A Game of Fox and Squirrels by Jenn Reese.

If you could have only one wish, what would it be? When Samantha plays a game with a charming fox, she has a chance to make everything go back to the way it was. But should she? Call Number: J Reese.J

 

50. Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen by Sarah Kapit.

Autistic Vivy can throw a mean knuckleball and wants to play on an all-boys’ little league team. Made up of emails between Vivy and a Major League pitching star, this engaging book is a home run. Call Number: J Kapit.S

 

51. The Girl and the Ghost by Hanna Alkaf.

Suraya’s best friend has always been a ghost. He’s cruel and terrible and scary and he adores Suraya. So what happens when she decides the two can’t be together anymore? Call Number: J Hanna

 

52. Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker.

Ware loves the age of knights and chivalry. Jolene prefers the reality of plants and trees. A powerful look at friendship and the birth of a budding artist. Call Number: J Penny.S

 

53. Hide and Seeker by Daka Hermon.

A simple game of Hide and Seek turns into a nightmare when a malevolent monster starts pulling kids into its terrifying world. You can run, but you cannot hide! Call Number: J Hermo.D

 

54. King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender.

In this visceral Louisiana-set novel, twelve-year-old Kingston experiences racism and homophobia while grieving the death of an older brother who may now be a dragonfly. Call Number: J Calle.K

 

55. Leaving Lymon by Lesa Cline-Ransome.

In the 1940s, Lymon loves music and his grandpops. However, after tragedy strikes, he must leave his home and travel into an uncertain future up North. Call Number: J Cline.L

 

56. The Magic in Changing Your Stars by Leah Henderson.

After Ailey botches his audition for The Wiz, his grandfather hands him magical shoes that once belonged to the legendary Bo Bojangles Robinson. Soon Ailey’s transported to 1939 Harlem where he meets his grandfather…as a boy with tapdance dreams! Call Number: J Hende.L

 

57. The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert.

California surfer Alberta is the only Black girl in her grade until goth Brooklynite Edie moves into the house next door. Can such different people become friends? Call Number: J Colbe.B

 

58. Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian, ill. Nasaya Mafaridik.

A Pakistani Muslim boy living in England faces big changes when he starts school in a new town. Fans of Wimpy Kid and Big Nate, meet the one and only Omar! Call Number: J Mian.Z

 

59. Second Dad Summer by Benjamin Klas, ill. Fian Arroyo.

Jeremiah spends the summer with his dad. The only problem: his father’s flamboyant new boyfriend embarrasses him. Will Jeremiah learn to accept the new dad in his life? Call Number: J Klas.B

 

60. Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare Le Zotte.

Set in 1805, this atmospheric novel introduces Mary Lambert, a proud Deaf girl who lives among other Deaf people on Martha’s Vineyard. Still mourning the death of her beloved older brother, Mary finds her world shaken up by the arrival of a troubling stranger. Call Number: J Lezot.A

 

61. Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake, ill. Jon Klassen.

As far as Badger’s concerned, he’s happiest holed up in his brownstone doing “important rock work”. But that’s before Skunk arrives and turns his life upside down in this kooky, charming bedtime read. Call Number: J Timbe.A

 

62. Stand Up, Yumi Chung by Jessica Kim.

Shy Yumi wants to be a stand-up comedian, but her parents do not see a future in telling jokes. When she sneaks a peek at a summer comedy camp, the instructor mistakes her for someone else…and Yumi goes along with it! Breezy fun. Call Number: J Kim.J

 

63. The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas.

Cuban-American Army brat Nestor moves from town to town. The upside? He can talk to animals. Soon after he arrives in New Haven, Texas, he learns that he must solve a mystery involving missing pets, his abuela, and sinister forces in the woods. Call Number: J Cueva.A

 

64. Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson, ill. Nina Mata.

After her family experiences some financial hardship, Ryan Hart has to move to a new house and face new challenges in Coretta Scott King Author winner Watson’s chipper series opener. Call Number: J Watso.R

 

65. Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom by Louis Sachar.

The wacky kids of Wayside School have all kinds of problems. So when a great big, nasty cloud of doom perches on top of their school, things go from weird to wild. Call Number: J Sacha.L

 

66. What Lane? by Torrey Maldonado.

In this fast-paced realistic novel, Black sixth grader Stephen’s eyes become open to a world divided by race and force him to choose different lanes. Call Number: J Madlo.T

 

67. Wink by Rob Harrell.

It’s hard to blend in when you’re losing your hair, forced to wear a floppy cowboy hat, and get called “the cancer kid” behind your back. But when Ross Maloy becomes obsessed with learning the guitar, things go from awful to awesome. Call Number: J Harre.R


 

Comics and Graphic Novels

68. Go With the Flow by Lily Williams, ill. Karen Schneemann.

How do you battle injustice when you’re young? When Abby discovers that the tampon/tampax machines in her school are always empty, she and her friends band together to fight for what’s right. Call Number: JGraphic Willi.L

 

69. Green Lantern: Legacy by Minh Lê, ill. Andie Tong.

After his grandmother dies, Tai Pham is left with more than just his sadness. He’s left with her jade ring and legacy as the last Green Lantern. But can Tai get a hold on his emotions long enough to learn how the ring truly works? Call Number: JGraphic Le.M

 

70. Mister Invincible: Local Hero by Pascal Jousselin with Laurence Croix, translated by David Bryon and Ivanka T. Hahnenberger.

Evildoers, beware! Mister Invincible is here! With the power of playing with panels and sequential pacing, consider this French import one of the funniest and cleverest books of the year. Call Number: JGraphic Jouss.P

 

71. My Video Game Ate My Homework by Dustin Hansen.

What do you do when a virtual reality game eats the science fair project that was going to save you from summer school? This accessible adventure has the answer. Call Number: JGraphic Hanse.D

 

72. The Postman From Space by Guillaume Perreault, translated by Françoise Bui.

Bob’s a simple space postman who loves his regular routine. So what’s he supposed to do when the Boss gives him a wacky new route with strange planets and kooky inhabitants? A younger comic with a gentle lesson of getting out of your comfort zone. Call Number: JGraphic Perre.G

 

73. The Runaway Princess by Johan Troïanowski, translated by Anne Collins Smith and Owen M. Smith.

Princess Robin just can’t stay put! In three lushly illustrated stories she helps new friends, outwits a witch, and defeats a crew of nasty pirates. Call Number: JGraphic Troia.J

 

74. Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz.

Basketball loving Jamila and super sleuth Shirley team up to escape unwanted summer camps and to solve a mystery involving a pool and a missing gecko. Call Number: JGraphic Goerz.G

 

75. Snapdragon by Kat Leyh.

When she stumbles on the local witch in the woods, Snapdragon discovers a whole wide world where being the odd one is a blessing, not a curse. Call Number: JGraphic Leyh.K

76. Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley, colored by Whitney Cogar.

Jen does not want the following: To move to the country with her mom and her mom’s boyfriend, to get to know his kids, and to work on a farm. But what happens when she starts to like not just one but ALL of those things? An Evanston artist’s story. Call Number: JGraphic Knisl.L

 

77. Twins by Varian Johnson, ill. Shannon Wright.

Shy Maureen can’t understand why her twin sister Francine keeps pulling away from her. Hurt and betrayed, their split culminates in each girl running against the other for class president. May the best twin win! Call Number: JGraphic Johns.V

 

78. Yorick and Bones by Jeremy Tankard and Hermione Tankard.

Poor Yorick. Stuck in the ground he’s rescued by a friendly pup and sets off on a quest to find a real, true friend. Can the answer to his prayers be closer than he thinks? Call Number: JGraphic Tanka.J


 

Nonfiction Picture Books

79. All of a Sudden and Forever: Help and Healing After the Oklahoma City Bombing by Chris Barton, ill. Nicole Xu.

When something horrible happens, what do you do? One April morning in Oklahoma a truck with a bomb exploded. In its wake, a single tree remained. A true story of healing and recovery. Call Number: x363.32 Barto.C

 

80. The Cat Man of Aleppo by Irene Latham and Karim Shamsi-Basha, ill. Yuko Shimizu.

It’s not just humans that suffer when there’s war. When ambulance driver Alaa Aljaleel discovers the hungry and abandoned cats on the streets of Aleppo, Syria, he rallies the world to help him care for the small and the weak. Call Number: JPicture Latha.I

 

81. Clever Hans: The True Story of the Counting, Adding, and Time-Telling Horse by Kerri Kokias, ill. Mike Lowery.

Can a horse really be as smart as a human? Clever Hans sure seemed like it. A fascinating story of the equine that fooled the world with his true intelligence. Call Number: x636.1 Kokia.K

 

82. Dark Was the Night: Blind Willie Johnson’s Journey to the Stars by Gary Golio, ill. E.B. Lewis.

How did the voice of a blind man, travelling this country by train, literally reach to the stars? Golio brings to life the beautiful story of how Willie Johnson’s singing ended up on the Golden Record of Voyager I. Call Number: xBiog Johns.B Golio.G

 

83. Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring by Matthew Burgess, ill. Josh Cochran.

“I think it is very important to be in love with life.” Since he was a young child, Keith Haring wanted to draw and paint. Now the full story of his life comes to life in this eye-catching, vibrant, joyful biography. Call Number: xBiog Harin.K Burge.M

 

84. Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade, ill. Cozbi A. Cabrera.

When she was a child in Chicago, this future Poet Laureate would look at the clouds and “dream about the future, which was going to be ecstatically exquisite.” A gorgeously rendered look at the power of perseverance by an Evanston artist. Call Number: xBiog Brook.G Slade.S

 

85. Fauja Singh Keeps Going: The True Story of the Oldest Person to Ever Run a Marathon by Simran Jeet Singh, ill. Baljinder Kaur.

What happens when you decide to run your first marathon at the age of 81? What happens when you start finishing marathons at 100? The inspiring story of a man that has never let the world slow him down. Call Number: xBiog Faujasi Singh.S

 

86. A Garden in Your Belly: Meet the Microbes in Your Gut by Masha D’Yans.

Take a gorgeous trip into your microbiome, where good food and exercise will keep the more than 100 trillion microorganisms there happy and healthy. Lush and funny watercolors bring the impossibly small to life! Call Number: x612.3 Dyans.M

 

87. Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming, ill. Eric Rohmann.

The life cycle of a bee is so much more than just getting honey. Follow an Apis mellifera as she cycles through multiple jobs in the hive, complemented by luscious, velvety oil paints. Call Number: x595.799 Flemi.C

 

88. If You Take Away the Otter by Susannah Buhrman-Deever, ill. by Matthew Trueman.

Playful sea otters aren’t merely cute. Once they were hunted to near extinction causing an army of sea urchins to wreak devastation. A clever, enticing, and beautiful look at the interconnectedness of nature. Call Number: x599.7695 Buhrm.S

 

89. Incredible Jobs You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of by Natalie Labarre.

Tired of grown-ups asking you what you want to be when you grow up? Then take some tips from a book that offers you such options as water slide tester, dinosaur duster, gross stunt tester, and more! Call Number: x331.702 Labar.N

 

90. The Most Beautiful Thing by Kao Kalia Yang, ill. Khoa Le.

Kalia’s grandmother has one tooth, but her smile is the most beautiful her granddaughter has ever seen. A moving picture book memoir filled with jaw-dropping art about growing up with little money in a Hmong-American home. Call Number: x305.9069 Yang.K

 

91. A Ride to Remember: A Civil Rights Story by Sharon Langley and Amy Nathan, ill. Floyd Cooper.

Sharon Langley looks back at 1963, the year she became the first African-American child to ride the carousel in Baltimore’s Gwynn Oak Amusement Park. Call Number: x305.8 Langl.S

92. Shirley Chisholm Is a Verb! by Veronica Chambers, ill. Rachelle Baker.

“A catalyst for change in America” gets her due in this riveting, inspirational, magnificent biography of a figure that so much more than just the first Black woman to make a bid for the presidency. Call Number: xBiog Chish.S Chamb.V

 

93. Swish! The Slam-Dunking, Alley-Ooping, High-Flying Harlem Globetrotters by Suzanne Slade, ill. Don Tate.

“Skilled athletes, expert players, and electrifying performers all rolled into one.” Meet the ballplayers that broke racial barriers even as they went on to live up to their globe trotting name. Call Number: x796.323 Slade.S

 

94. Your Place in the Universe by Jason Chin.

From kids to the cosmic web of the universe, gorgeous watercolors encompass the sheer scope and scale of everything inside and beyond our own galaxy. Call Number: x523.1 Chin.J


 

Nonfiction for Older Readers

 

95. All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat.

In 2018, saving twelve boys and their soccer coach trapped in a Thai cave became a worldwide rescue effort. This account chronicles how the plan came together and offers a rewarding Thai perspective along the way. Call Number: x796.525 Soont.C

 

96. The Bird in Me Flies by Sara Lundberg, translated by B.J. Epstein.

Berta may be just a farm girl, but she desperately yearns to be an artist. But in 1920s Sweden, a dream like that is impossible . . . or is it? Call Number: J Lundb.S

 

97. Darwin’s Rival: Alfred Russel Wallace and the Search for Evolution by Christiane Dorion, ill. Harry Tennant.

Living a life of adventure and exploration, this canny scientist helped Darwin unlock the secrets of evolution, though his name is practically lost to history today. Call Number: xBiog Walla.A Dorio.C

 

98. The Eagle Huntress: The True Story of the Girl Who Soared Above Expectations by Aisholpan Nurgaiv with Liz Welch.

The long tradition of Kazakh eagle training has always been handed down from father to son. Now meet Aisholpan, the girl who lives to defy expectations. Call Number: xBiog Aisho.N Aisho.N

 

99. A Sporting Chance: How Ludwig Guttmann Created the Paralympic Games by Lori Alexander, ill. Allan Drummond.

In the mid-1900s, a time when disabled people with spinal injuries had little hope, doctor Ludwig Guttmann discovered ways to help them not only survive but thrive. His efforts led to the creation of the wildly popular Paralympic Games. Call Number: xBiog Guttm.L Alexa.L

 

100. The Talk: Conversations About Race, Love & Truth, edited by Wade and Cheryl Willis Hudson.

Thirty excellent authors and artists from different backgrounds talk about how to be anti-racist in a series of powerful short essays, stories, poems, and illustrations. Call Number: x305.8 Talk

 

101. Tracking Pythons: The Quest to Catch an Invasive Predator and Save an Ecosystem by Kate Messner.

It’s a master of disguise, can swallow an entire baby deer, and is rapidly devouring the Florida natural wildlife. How do you stop an invasive species that’s practically invisible? These scientists may have found the answer. Call Number: x597.9678 Messn.K


 

Committee Members

Patricia Alm, Sally Battle, Betsy Bird, Chelsea Elward, Jessica Iverson, Katy Jacob, Hannah Johnson, Leigh Kennelly, Kerry Littel, Elacsha Madison, Judith Mathews, Susan McClelland, Christina Mendez, Martha Meyer, Jennifer Wasilewski Mills, Olivia Mo, Bill Ohms, Julie Rand, Reenie Ruckdaeschel, Paula Shapiro, Elizabeth English Steimle, Bridget Sweeney, Luke Thompson, Amy Louise Tripp, Jennifer Wasilewski, and Brian Wilson

 

 

 

 


Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids 2020: Picture Books

Picture Books

 

  1. The Barnabus Project by Terry, Eric and Devin Fan.

 

Barnabus is half mouse, half elephant, and 100% an utter failure as a genetically modified pet. When he and his imperfect friends decide to make a break for freedom, you’ll root for them every step of the way. Call Number: JPicture Fan.T

 

 

2. Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim.

 

Charming illustrations tell the tale of how a young Korean immigrant child’s first day of school goes from tragedy to triumph. Call Number: JPicture Kim.A

 

3. Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina, ill. Sonia Sánchez.

 

What do you do when your “numero uno” best friend is moving away? Daniela and Evelyn squeeze every bit of fun out of their last day in this sweet, hopeful narrative. Call Number: JPicture Medin.M

Read it in Spanish here.

Read, watch or listen to it on Hoopla here.

 

 

4. Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots by Michael Rex.

 

A bunch of cheery robots help readers learn the difference between facts and opinions in this colorful, funny, much-needed romp. Call Number: JPicture Rex.M

 

5. Friday Night Wrestlefest by J.F. Fox, ill. Micah Player.

 

Are you ready to RUMBLE??? Where will your loyalties lie when Dangerous Daddoo takes on the Tag Team Twins with Mama-Rama joining in the fun? Call Number: JPicture Fox.J

 

6. The Haunted Lake by P.J. Lynch.

 

Jacob loves Ellen and Ellen loves Jacob. But when Jacob explores a mysterious light in an underwater tower, he’s sucked into the embrace of the beautiful, very dead, Lillith. Can Ellen rescue her love? Call Number: JPicture Lynch.P

 

7. Hike by Pete Oswald.

A father and child travel to the mountains and enjoy the great outdoors in this warm wordless book. Call Number: J Picture Oswal.P

 

8. I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, ill. Gordon C. James.

“I am a roaring flame of creativity. / I am a lightning round of questions, and / a star-filled sky of solutions”. An empowering ode to Black boy joy. Call Number: JPicture Barne.D

Read or listen to it on Overdrive here.

 

9. I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, ill. Sydney Smith.

“I wake up each morning with the sounds of words all around me. And I can’t say them all . . .” This exquisitely illustrated book tells the tale of a stuttering kid who finds comfort in his father’s advice. Call Number: JPicture Scott.J

 

10. My Best Friend by Julie Fogliano, ill. Jillian Tamaki.

“she is my best friend i think / i’ve never had a best friend so i’m not sure.” Two girls meet, play, and enact what may be the world’s most perfect example of friendship. Call Number: JPicture Fogli.J

 

11. Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker, ill. April Harrison.

Grandparents Day is coming up and Zura’s Nana Akua intends to arrive. But with the traditional tribal marks on her face, will Zura’s classmates be nice or be mean? Call Number: JPicture Walke.T

 

12. A New Green Day by Antoinette Portis.

From a “comma in the long, long sentence of the stream” (a tadpole!) to “a black coat slipped around Earth’s shoulders” (night!) simple riddles and breathtaking pictures produce a beautiful book. Call Number: JPicture Porti.A

 

13. Old Rock (Is Not Boring) by Deb Pilutti.

The other forest creatures think Old Rock lives a boring life, but it astounds them with stories of its surprisingly eventful existence. A clever, humorous science lesson. Call Number: JPicture Pilut.D

 

14. On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex.

Oh no. There’s gum stuck in your hair? Don’t worry, I know a surefire solution. A book where things get increasingly, hilariously, catastrophically worse. Call Number: JPicture Rex.A

 

15. Outside In by Deborah Underwood, ill. Cindy Derby.

When you forget that the Outside exists, it has ways of gently reminding you. Nature is the true star of the show in this gentle, poetic celebration of the outdoors. Call Number: JPicture Under.D

 

16. Overground Railroad by Lesa Cline-Ransome, ill. James E. Ransome.

At the crack of dawn Ruth Ellen clutches her book of the life of Frederick Douglass as she and her family climb a train bound for New York City. A thrilling historic tale of one family’s hope for a better life. Call Number: JPicture Cline.L

 

17. A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart by Zetta Elliott, ill. Noa Denmon.

Deep down inside you might feel joy, fear, anger, and peace. But more than anything else, feel the love. A poem of pride by an Evanston author. Call Number: JPicture Ellio.Z

 

18. Salma the Syrian Chef by Danny Ramadan, ill. Anna Bron.

Salma, a Syrian refugee living in Vancouver, hopes she can make her mother happy again by cooking one of her favorite dishes. A lovely celebration of community and compassion. Call Number: JPicture Ramad.D

 

19. Smashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha, ill. Dan Yaccarino.

Who’s looking for some serious smash time? Join Mr. Gilly as he crashes, tumbles and crumbles a great big building down to smithereens. Expect to read this one out loud again and again! Call Number: JPicture Zimme.A

 

20. This Old Dog by Martha Brockenbrough, ill. Gabriel Alborozo.

Old Dog likes to take things slow to explore the world, but his people just rush rush rush. Will New Girl be the friend he needs? Call Number: JPicture Brock.M

 

21. We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, ill. Michaela Goade.

A powerful look at the Indigenous-led movements in the United States to stop the oil pipelines from ruining the natural world. Call Number: JPicture Linds.C

 

22. Your Name Is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, ill. Luisa Uribe.

On the first day of her new school, no one can pronounce a little girl’s name. Fortunately, her mother has a surefire solution. A celebration of names of every kind. Call Number: JPicture Thomp.J

Read it on Hoopla here.

 

You can find the full 101 Great Books for Kids 2020 list here.


Antiracist Resources and Reads: Books for the Youngest of Readers

June 11, 2020

We received the following message from a patron last week:

“I think it would be great to include books for young children on your list of anti-racist offerings. Board books, picture books, etc. that showcase diversity and peace. Prejudice is instilled at such a young age, so a list of great books to buy and share with little kids would be wonderful to have.”

Well we just had to agree that this was a great idea. And so, without further ado, the children’s librarians of EPL have conjured up a load of books for the youngest of readers. This is a mix of titles available in our catalog and online.

Enjoy!

Board Books – Print

We acknowledge that the library is still closed, and that to make things particularly difficult we don’t allow holds on our board books. With that in mind, hold onto this list! Buy these books from your local booksellers or just wait until we are open again and get them when you can.

Asim, Jabari. Whose Toes Are Those? (book)

Beer, Sophie.  Kindness Makes us Strong  (book)

Browne, Mahogany L.  Woke Baby (book)

Gravel, Elise.  You Can Be (book)

Global Fund for Children. American Babies. (book)

Harrison, Vashti.  Dream Big, Little One. (book)

He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. (book)

Holub,Joan.  This Little Trailblazer: A Girl Power Primer.  (book)

Hooks, Bell.  Happy to be Nappy.  (book)

Hooks, Bell.  Homemade Love.  (book)

Hooks, Bell.  Skin Again (book)

**Kendi, Ibram X.  Antiracist Baby (pub date 6/16/20 – book)

Krensky, Stephen and Gillingham, Sara, I Am So Brave (book), I Know a Lot (book

McQuinn, Anna. Lola at the Library. (book)

Nagara, Innosanto. A Is for Activist (book)

Nagara, Innosanto.  Counting on Community (book)

Pinkney, Sandra L.  Shades of Black: A Celebration of Our Children (book)

 

Picture Books (Print)

Alexander, Kwame. The Undefeated. (book)

Barnes, Derrick. The King of Kindergarten  (book)

Brown, Monica. Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match / Marisol McDonald No Combina (book)

Brown, Tameka Fryer. Brown Baby Lullaby. (book)

Bunting, Eve. Flower Garden. (book)

Cohn, Diana. Sí, Se Puede!+Yes, We Can! : Janitor Strike in L.A. (book)

Cornwall, Gaia. Jabari Jumps. (book)

Doyon, Samara Cole. Magnificent Homespun Brown. (book)

Gravel, Elise. What Is a Refugee? (book)

Grimes, Nikki. Bedtime for Sweet Creatures (book)

Higginbotham, Anastasia. Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness. (book)

Hoffman, Mary. Amazing Grace (book)

Hughes, Langston, photographs by Charles R. Smith, Jr. My People (book)

Kissinger, Katie. All the Colors We Are/Todos Los Colores De Nuestra Piel (ebook)

Langley, Sharon. Nathan, Amy. Cooper, Floyd. A Ride to Remember (ebook) (movie readalong) (book)

Latham, Irene and Charles Waters. Can I Touch Your Hair: Poems of Race, Mistakes and Friendship. (book)

Le, Minh. Drawn Together. (book)

Lee, Spike. Please, Baby, Please. (book)

Lyons, Kelly Starling. Going Down Home With Daddy. (book)

Marley, Cedella. Get Up, Stand Up. (book)

Martinez-Neal. Alma and How She Got Her Name. (book)

Mora, Oge. Saturday (book)

Morales, Yuyi. Dreamers. (book)

Muhammad, Ibtihaj. The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family (book)

Nyong’o, Lupita. Sulwe (book)

Paul, Baptiste. The Field. (book)

Phi, Bao. My Footprints. (book)

Pace, Anne Marie. Busy-Eyed Day (book)

Rose, Tiffany. M is for Melanin: A Celebration of the Black Child (book)

Tarpley, Natasha. I Love My Hair! (book)

Thomas, Pat. The Skin I’m In. (book)

Thompkins-Bigelow, Jamila. Mommy’s Khimar (book)

Thong, Roseanne. Round is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes (book)

Tudor, Aslan. Young Water Protectors: A Story About Standing Rock (book)

Weatherford, Carol Boston. The Roots of Rap. (book)

Woodson, Jacqueline. The Day You Begin. (book

Wright, Richard. Seeing Into Tomorrow (book)

 

Picture Book Ebooks & Films

Andrews, Troy. The 5 O’Clock Band  (book) (ebook)

Barnes, Derrick. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (book) (ebook) (movie)

McQuinn, Anna. Lola at the Library. [story books category- Tumblebooks] (ebook)

Buitrago, Jairo. Two White Rabbits (book) (ebook)

Campoy, F. Isabel. Maybe Something Beautiful.  (book) (ebook) (audiobook in Spanish) (audiobook) (movie) (movie in Spanish)

Clark-Robinson, Monica. Let the Children March. (book) (audiobook) (movie)

de la Pena, Matt. Last Stop on Market Street. (book) (movie)

Diggs, Taye. Mixed Me! (book) (audiobook)

Diouf, Sylvianne. Bintou’s Braids. [story books category- Tumblebooks] (ebook)

Durango, Julia. Under the Mambo Moon (book) (ebook)

Farmer, Bonnie. Oscar Lives Next Door. [story books category- Tumblebooks] (ebook)

Jordan-Fenton, Christy and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. Not My Girl. [story books category- Tumblebooks] (ebook)

Gill, Joel Christian. Fast Enough (book) (ebook)

Greenfield, Eloise. Thinker: My Puppy Poet and Me. (book) (ebook)

Harrison, Vashti. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History. (ebook) (book

Hrab, Naseem. Ira Crumb Feels The Feelings. [story books category- Tumblebooks] (ebook)

Jain, Mahak. Maya. [story books category- Tumblebooks] (ebooks)

Johnson, Angela. A Girl Like Me (book) (ebook)

Johnson, Angela. Just Like Josh Gibson. [story books category- Tumblebooks] (ebook)

Latham, Irene and Charles Waters. Can I Touch Your Hair? (book) (ebook) (audiobook)

Lin, Grace. A Big Mooncake for Little Star  (book) (ebook) (movie)

Marley, Cedella. One Love. (ebook)

Millner, Denene. The Fresh Princess (book) (ebook)

Mora, Oge. Thank You, Omu! (book) (ebook) (movie)

Morales, Yuyi. Dreamers (book) (book in Spanish)  (ebook) (movie) (audiobook)

Munsch, Robert. From Far Away. [story books category- Tumblebooks] (ebook)

Myers, Walter Dean. Looking Like Me (book) (ebook)

O’Brien, Sibley. I’m New Here (book) (ebook) (movie)

Quintero, Isabel. My Papi Has a Motorcyle (book)  (book in Spanish) (audiobook) (movie) (Spanish audiobook) (Spanish movie)

Sorell, Traci. We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga (book) (ebook)

Thong, Roseanne Greenfield. One Is a Pinata (book) (ebook)

Thong, Roseanne Greenfield. Red is a Dragon. [story books category- Tumblebooks] (ebooks)

Thong, Roseanne Greenfield. Round is a Mooncake. [story books category- Tumblebooks] (ebooks)

Trice, Linda. Kenya’s Art (book) (ebook)

Wilson-Max, Ken. Astro Girl (book) (audiobook) (movie)



Favorite Read-Alouds of 2011

March 10, 2012

EPL Children’s Librarian Brian Wilson has compiled a top 10 list of his favorite picture books from 2011 to read aloud. Each has large kid appeal, strong reviews, lots of interactive elements to encourage audience participation, and is designed to be read aloud to large groups of children. Brian also has a list of the best fiction picture books of 2011.

For more great recommendations, feel free to stop by or call the Children’s Room at Main and the North Branch!



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