Books I'm Loving Right Now

I give myself a self-proclaimed writing weekend every fall to read, write, research, and get my head back in the game. Here are some new books I read and loved:

• Everywhere Beauty is Harlem The Vision of Photographer Roy DeCarava by Gary Golio and E.B. Lewis
• Rebecca's Prayer for President Lincoln by Jane Yolen and Laura Barella
• A Grand Day by Jean Reidy and Samantha Cotterhill
• Abuelo, the Sea, and Me by Ismee Williams and Tatiana Gardel
• The Most Perfect Persimmon by Hannah Chung

Bullet List Reviews on these to come...

One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul and Elizabeth Zunon

• A sensory filled, nonfiction story about recycling plastic bags.
• Themes of community, environmental impact, perseverance and ingenuity
• Set in Gambia, Africa, the story follows Isatou's inspiring true story
• Excellent female role model
• A glimpse into a Gambian culture and geography
• Picture of the author and the Isatou Ceesay at the end. 

Image: Thriftbooks.com

A River of Dust by Jilanne Hoffman and Eugenia Mello

• A lyrical journey following the Dust that links North Africa and the Amazon
• Gorgeous illustrations, the cover literally shimmers!
• Informational fiction from the Dust's perspective
• Amazing how nutrients can travel and nourish life and landscape thousands of miles away. 
• Various geography, culture, flora, and fauna are on display.
• Q&A for curious minds in the backmatter
• Chronicle Books 2023

Nothing Ever Happens on a Gray Day by Grant Snider

• The title caught my attention because it is definitely that gray-time-of-year-Relatable!
• Readers follow a girl biking through her town.
• Quiet and lyrical
• Children will be encouraged to appreciate nature and combat boredom.
• Beautiful black and white illustrations with POPS of color!
• At first read, I found it too slow, until its message lingered throughout the week when I would sigh at the cold gray skies! WOW!
• Great for children 5-8 years
• Chronicle Books 2023

The Mexican Dreidel by Linda Elovitz Marshall, Ilan Stevens, and Maria Mola

• A magical and imaginative story of friendship as readers twirl across Danielito's grandmother's Mexican neighborhood.
  
• Jewish joy of visiting a grandparent for Chanukah
• Diversity in languages, skin tone, and religion
• Introduces Spanish/Yiddish/Hebrew/Ladino words-- Janucá , Bobe, trompos, buñuelos
• Picture book great for children 4-8
• Kar-Ben Publishing October 2023

Welcome to Bullet List Book Reviews

I love reading, writing, and sharing children's books. Here I will share Bullet List Book Reviews so you can spend less time searching and more time reading! If you would like your book to be reviewed, please reach out to me through the contact form. I am happy to review traditionally published books.