Marta’s Top 10 Books of 2021

My Top 10 this year is in no particular order because all of the titles below were absolutely amazing and it would have been way too difficult to rank them.

Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Pena

Christian Robinson is one of my all time favorite illustrators so the cover of this picture book lured me in. Matt de la Pena’s story of a young boy named Milo who imagines the life of other passengers on a long subway ride as he learns that first impressions aren’t always what they seem coupled with the books vivid art is one that tugged on my heartstrings and stuck with me all year .

Bodies are Cool by Tyler Feder

This body-positive book is one of the most inclusive I’ve read. Every kiddo can walk away feeling seen with this title.

Zonia’s Rain Forest by Juana Martinez-Neal

Don’t let the charming illustrations fool you. As you explore Zonia’s beautiful home, you will find a powerful message about deforestation and the effect on the communities that call the rain forest home.

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

I’ve been struggling to find a Young Adult book that keeps my attention but this one grabbed me and didn’t let go. The blend of suspense, Ojibwe knowledge and lore, and real issues relating to drugs and racism along with well-developed characters made it impossible to put down.

Little Witch Hazel: A Year In The Forest by Phoebe Wahl

Believe it or not, when the staff here make our lists each year, we try to be aware of what each other is adding to make sure we don’t have too many duplicate titles. That said, some titles are worth listing twice and this is one of them. The illustrations in this book are a feast for the eyes and made me think of what it’s like to be a child and believe in hidden worlds right under our own noses. Though each of the four stories are wonderful stand-alone tales, the final chapter makes them all come full circle.

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Full disclosure, this title was actually released in 2020 but since we didn’t get it in until 2021, I’m letting it slide onto this list. The topics in this book are hard. Foster care. Sexual abuse. Tough tough stuff that is often avoided in middle grade books, but there is a need for books like this that give a voice to victims and a window to advocates. What I was most impressed by was Bradley’s ability to take such complex and heavy topics and introduce them in a way that allows a middle grade reader to know what’s going on without being overwhelmed by overly graphic information. There’s with a good dose of humor and heart sprinkled throughout that ties it all together so well. If you’re looking for a good audiobook, I highly recommend this one as it is read by Bahni Turpin who is absolutely amazing.

Tough Like Mum by Lana Button

We are always looking for great stories that can help kids make sense of things they are experiencing in their own lives so I was so grateful to see this book come to our library. This books deals with the topic of depression, poverty, and family in a gentle way that kids can connect with regardless of their personal experience.

Cat Problem by Jory John

Even if you aren’t a cat person, this book will have you laughing out loud! It is a perfect read aloud that can be appreciated by all ages.

Where Three Oceans Meet by Rajani LaRocca

The vibrant illustrations of this story pulled me in, but the sweet story won me over. It’s a nice reminder that despite the differences that exist between generations, the love we share draws us together.

Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate

Losing a grandparent is so very hard, and there are many books out there about it. This one stands above because while it does talk about grief and what that looks like, the characters work through it together through stories and actions that truly honor the memory of their loved one.

Honorable Mention

Cutting my list down to just 10 titles is so hard, so here are a few titles that were soooo close to making the cut I couldn’t leave them out!

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho

Three Ways to be Brave by Karla Clark

Arlo Draws and Octopus by Lori Mortensen

The Outlaws: Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud

The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow by Emma Steinkellner

A Sitting in St. James by Rita Williams-Garcia

If You Loved… The Pigeon Books

For more great read-alike suggestions, check out our archive!

PJ Party Storytime ONLINE: SNOW

Welcome to the PJ Party Storytime Virtual Program Room! We are excited you are here to join in the fun! Just click on the picture of the virtual program room above to get started. Once you are in the virtual program room, click on different objects in the room to hear stories, dance to some great songs, do yoga, and even make a craft!

Craft kits are available at our kit pick-up table located in our lobby. Kits can also be requested for curbside pickup. They are available on a first come, first serve basis. Don’t worry though! If you miss out on a kit, this month’s craft is easy to create on your own with items you already have around your house. Just watch the tutorial for how to construct your very own poseable Paper Bag Ninja!

Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers for allowing us to read All Right Already! A Snowy Story by Jory John and Benji Davies. Thank you to Disney Book Group for allowing us to read Blizzard by John Rocco. Thank you to Marshall Cavendish Children for allowing us to read Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep by Maureen Wright and Will Hillenbrand.

Interactive Picture Books

As apps and touch screens become more and more popular even with the youngest of kids, these picture books work similarly by encouraging kids to touch, turn, make faces and shake their way through the pages. Check out these 12 interactive books and turn your idea of how books work upside down too!

Press Here and Mix it Up! by Herve Tullet

Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas

Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson

Open Very Carefully by Nick Bromley

Warning: Do Not Open This Book by Adam Lehrhaupt

This Book Just Ate My Dog! by Richard Byrne

There’s a Dragon in Your Book by Tom Fletcher

Tap to Play by Salina Yoon

Wiggle by Doreen Cronin

Don’t Push the Button by Bill Cotter

I Will Chomp You! by Jory John

Miss Jessica

 

The #1 Titles of 2017

 

We have loved sharing our favorites of 2017 with you!  Hopefully you have found some amazing reads in these lists!  What books did you fall in love with this year?  Leave titles in the comments!  Without further ado… Here were our favorite favorites!

 

Miss Christina

 

Joplin Wishing by Diane Stanley

Joplin had never known her famous grandfather, but that didn’t stop her from taking a tin filled with pieces from a broken platter that had belonged to him. When the platter was repaired and placed over her bed, she was thrilled as she felt  she could relate to the girl in the picture. It turns she could do even more than that! Soon, Joplin realizes that the wishes she makes become true. This isn’t your usual wishes come true story. It contains many intricate plot twists and turns that keep you guessing.  What I liked about the book is that it had a very realistic feel to it. The magical and mysterious parts blended in so well as to seem believable, and the happy ending is bittersweet.

 

Miss Sarah

 

The Bad Seed by Jory John

Don’t let labels define you!

 

 

Miss Teresa

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of RBG vs. Inequality by Jonah Winter

In this clever biography, told as if it were a jury trial, the author presents the story of how Ruth Bader Ginsburg overcame obstacle after obstacle to become the first female Jewish Supreme Court Justice; no small feat for a girl born in an era when women were not encouraged to go to college or work outside the home!  The “trial” ends with just one verdict.  Because she did not let others define her, Ruth Bader Ginsburg herself has become a symbol of justice in America.

 

 

Miss Marta

 

The Bad Mood and The Stick by Lemony Snicket

It’s baaa-aaack (which is funnier if you have read this book)!  As much as we avoid duplicate titles, this one definitely is worth mentioning twice.  Don’t let the fact this is a social story scare you away.  This is one of the most relatable, funny, simple-yet-brilliant stories you will come across to talk to kids about moods and feelings and how negative energy can spread, but so can positive energy.  I read this in a few preschools and had some awesome conversations.  The story starts with Curly, who has a bad mood cloud hanging over her.  She does something naughty, which makes her feel better, but then makes her mom feel unhappy.  The story goes round about through the characters passing the bad mood around (it even has stopped at YOUR house a few times I bet), but it also shows how when you let the bad mood skip over you, good things can happen.  The illustrations capture this so beautifully that even three and four year olds understand and relate.  Between its humor and its purpose it definitely earned top honors on my shelf.

 

 

Miss Janna

 

The Book of Dust (La Belle Sauvage) by Philip Pullman

In this novel, Philip Pullman returns to the world of his earlier Dark Materials Trilogy with a new twist.  Fans of Pullman will recognize his communication of adult concepts in a children’s story setting.