Ruby's Reunion Day Dinner


Book Description

On Here Wee Read's 2021 Ultimate List of Diverse Children's Books! Publisher Weekly Starred Review! "Warm digital art by Southerland makes excellent use of light and shadow, and offers a lovely portrait of an expressive family with varying hairstyles and body types. This hopeful, mouthwatering narrative showcases tender family rapport." This joyful picture book taps into the rich African American tradition of family reunions, with delicious food at the heart of the celebration. Perfect for fans of the Caldecott Honor Book Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons. Once a year, each of Ruby’s relatives prepares a special dish to share at their family reunion. Daddy calls it their “signature dish”—and Ruby wants one of her own. She wanders through the bustling kitchen looking for inspiration. As she watches Pop-Pop’s chicken sizzling in the skillet, Uncle G slicing onions, and Auntie Billie cooking corn on the hot grill, she wonders if she’s just too young to have a signature dish. That’s when she finds it— the perfect solution! Angela Dalton’s warm text is perfectly paired with Jestenia Southerland’s beautiful art in this sweet picture book, filled with the tenderness and warmth of this multigenerational extended family and the food they share.




Pride Puppy!


Book Description

★“[A] sheer delight and will be a welcome addition to shelves everywhere. Highly—and proudly—recommended.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review ★ “This engaging introduction to Pride parades for the youngest readers successfully testifies to the warmth and power of queer community.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review A young child and their family are having a wonderful time together celebrating Pride Day—meeting up with Grandma, making new friends and eating ice cream. But then something terrible happens: their dog gets lost in the parade! Luckily, there are lots of people around to help reunite the pup with his family. This rhyming alphabet book tells a lively story, with rich, colorful illustrations that will have readers poring over every detail as they spot items starting with each of the letters of the alphabet. An affirming and inclusive book that offers a joyful glimpse of a Pride parade and the vibrant community that celebrates this day each year.




Dinner Table Distractions


Book Description

Addie's family dinners are no ordinary affairs -- they're a delectable adventure of love and togetherness. In her mom's cozy kitchen, the heavenly aroma of sizzling pizza fills the air, and Addie's eyes sparkle with excitement as she sprinkles toppings with pure joy! But life takes an unexpected turn when her parents get new jobs, and her sister starts school. Suddenly, the dinner table becomes a little lonelier, and Addie yearns for the magic of family time once more. Armed with determination and a dash of secret ingenuity, Addie hatches a super secret plan that will bring her family back together at the dinner table! But will her plan be enough to bring her family closer together once more, or will it take something extraordinary to revive their beloved family pizza tradition and a distraction-free dinner?




Show the World!


Book Description

A celebration of self-expression and the power of using your voice, centering Black children, and exploring the many things they can do, create, and say to make their mark. Look around! Can you see? The many spaces, places, and ways to show the world all that you can be? From painting, music, and slam poetry, to engineering, protesting, and photography, a young narrator journeys through her neighborhood, encouraging readers to explore all the many ways they can express themselves. A gorgeously illustrated and powerful celebration of self-expression shows children that there are so many spaces and opportunities to use their voices—and show the world exactly who they are. What will you show the world? “Thoughtful and inquisitory…Show kids the world is their oyster by giving them this thought-provoking book.”—Kirkus Reviews “Dalton’s encouraging prose and Peoples' vivid illustrations will inspire young readers to explore various modes of self-expression and find an outlet to help them be themselves and also learn more about their community and the world. Readers of all ages will find comfort in this book.”—Booklist “Dalton cleverly permeates the narrative with sounds, giving the text a musical and poetic quality. Peoples’s mixtures of technique and perspectives give the art a dynamism that harmonizes with the text throughout. A testament to Black excellence, this picture book will inspire readers to set no limits to their potential.”—School Library Journal “A rousing rallying cry for young creatives.”—Publishers Weekly




Choiceless


Book Description

This memoir details the events and emotional struggles surrounding the authors teen pregnancy in the 1970s Midwest. Shunned first because of her interracial relationship and second for her out-of-wedlock pregnancy, Ruby Cornelius ends up against her will in the homea place created to temporarily house and hide the shame of these girls condition. Spanning more than four decades, the author poignantly shares a journey of motherhood lost and gained.




Jamaica is Thankful


Book Description

When her friend Kristin tells her she is unable to keep her kitten and turns to Jamaica for help in giving it a good home, Jamaica faces a dilemma when her brother's allergies are affected by the new arrival.




Paletero Man


Book Description

A vibrant picture book celebrating the strength of community and the tastes of summer from Latin Grammy-winning musician Lucky Diaz and celebrated artist Micah Player. Ring! Ring! Ring! Can you hear his call? Paletas for one! Paletas for all! What’s the best way to cool off on a hot summer day? Run quick and find Paletero José! Follow along with our narrator as he passes through his busy neighborhood in search of the Paletero Man. But when he finally catches up with him, our narrator’s pockets are empty. Oh no! What happened to his dinero? It will take the help of the entire community to get the tasty treat now. Full of musicality, generosity, kindness, and ice pops, this book is sure to satisfy fans of Thank You, Omu! and Carmela Full of Wishes. Includes Spanish words and phrases throughout, an author’s note from Lucky Diaz, and a link to a live version of the Lucky Band’s popular song that inspired the book. A Junior Library Guild Selection!




Code Girls


Book Description

The award-winning New York Times bestseller about the American women who secretly served as codebreakers during World War II--a "prodigiously researched and engrossing" (New York Times) book that "shines a light on a hidden chapter of American history" (Denver Post). Recruited by the U.S. Army and Navy from small towns and elite colleges, more than ten thousand women served as codebreakers during World War II. While their brothers and boyfriends took up arms, these women moved to Washington and learned the meticulous work of code-breaking. Their efforts shortened the war, saved countless lives, and gave them access to careers previously denied to them. A strict vow of secrecy nearly erased their efforts from history; now, through dazzling research and interviews with surviving code girls, bestselling author Liza Mundy brings to life this riveting and vital story of American courage, service, and scientific accomplishment.




If You Look Up to the Sky


Book Description

"There are times when a full moon will guide you, a storm will excite you, and a big, blue sky will inspire you to believe anything is possible. These are a few of the many gifts we receive from the sky and universe when life feels scary and confusing. Told by a grandmother to her grandchild, ''If You Look Up to the Sky'' is about the power of everlasting love and the ways the sky connects us through good times and bad. It offers a child comfort in knowing that you never need to be afraid... if you look up to the sky."--Jacket flap.




A Reunion for the Rancher


Book Description

A Texas rancher is ready to take a chance on the girl who broke his heart in this heartfelt contemporary Western romance. As president of the Lone Star Cowboy League, rancher Carson Thorn is committed to serving his community in Little Horn, Texas. But when high school sweetheart Ruby Donovan returns, his steadfast pledge is tested. Ruby left town twelve years ago—stealing money from his father and breaking Carson’s heart. Asking him to trust her again is a tall order, especially given the circumstances . . . Ruby’s brother is Carson’s prime suspect in a recent rash of ranch thefts. And Carson is left with a difficult decision. His town is depending on him for justice, but one look in Ruby’s eyes has him questioning everything he thought he knew—about truth, about love and about the wisdom of second chances . . .