It’s time for more children’s book reviews! We’re on the last day of February, a leap year bonus day, no less. I have a list here assembled of some amazing and everyday heroes, and they are books that should be enjoyed and people that should be celebrated year round celebrated! It’s still Black History month, and this list is one that keeps the party going!

(I know, by now many people are moving on to the next event, but by golly, if you don’t know that I like to celebrate something until the last moment possible, you don’t even know me. I may be late to the party, but I’ll be one of the last to leave! Unless you’re talking about an actual party that continues until midnight. Because by then, I’m sleeping and definitely at home already, ha ha.)

In this round up of children’s books that my kids and I love, I have to say, I didn’t try to assemble a list of books with people of color in them. Three of them are books that we stumbled upon this month. They are books that were at the library, propped up on displays that caught our eyes, or shared at a story time, because of the theme of this month, Black History Month. Then there are two stories that we truly love and treasure year round, so in keeping with the theme, I included them here.

One word of note, an editorial of sorts before I go on. Those books that were found this month, they were found because they were put out to be seen. Because they were made and told and put on display. They are important and beautiful. Do we wonder why there are not enough books with color and diversity? My take: There are people with stories that they need to tell, paintings to share, and the world needs a chance to see and hear them. Maybe you’re one of them. In a space where you see a void, maybe it’s your job to fill it with love and color and joy, not criticism. So my one piece of advice, to you and to me, it to share, speak, tell, write, and draw. Then prop it up on display tables, shout it from the rooftops. Because books are important. Books of all colors, shapes, and sizes.

Now let’s talk about books.

Saturday

by Oge Mora

Oh my goodness, this book. What a treasure for this mom heart. Last Saturday Barnes and Noble had their story time, featuring this book. (If you’ve never gone, it’s a lovely little outing and they have beautiful activity pages to go along with the story. They always have a highlight book and one or two others. I’m love a chance to bring my kids to the bookstore and browse, read, and play together surrounded by books. Plus, there’s coffee there if you need it, so that’s always great.)

This book was so perfect I can’t even tell you. We had to rush to get to storytime, even though we had planned on going and were ahead of schedule at one point. But things went awry, and when we arrived a few minutes late, I was feeling guilty and frustrated. We missed the first few pages, but it didn’t take long to get the gist of things. The book is all about a mom and daughter heading out for their Saturday adventures. It’s all planned, and it’s their one day to be together. But things keep going wrong. There’s rushing, there’s missed opportunities, and cancelled plans (boy could I relate!!). At each junction of disappointment, they had a chance to stop and breathe. Such a powerful reminder and demonstration for all of us. Then, at the end, even though so many things didn’t go as they planned, what mattered most was that they were together. I mean, this story is like the anthem if my heart, right there. Check this one out. (And remember to breathe, momma☺️.)

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/saturday-oge-mora/1130502220

Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass

by Lesa Cline-Ransome, James E. Ransome (Illustrator

This book could deserve a whole post for itself. I loved reading more about one of our American heroes, Fredrick Douglass. He escaped slavery in 1838 via the Underground Railroad, to my hometown in upstate NewYork, actually. He became a published author and spoke open and powerfully about the abolition of slavery. His name and his work are very familiar to me, but it was so powerful to read so many details and to share them with my daughter. She was enraptured. (She’s only five, but a bit ahead in her listening abilities. This book might be advanced for some preschoolers. Moms, you know your kids best!). This is a fascinating book, it shows the terrible injustices of slavery, and the incredible power of both the human spirit and the power of the written word. The ability to read and write them quite literally saved Frederick’s life, and subsequently it could be argued, the lives of many others as he wrote to help abolish slavery later in his life. How powerful is that!!

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/words-set-me-free-lesa-cline-ransome/1100815878

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

by Doreen Rappaport, Bryan Collier (Illustrator)

This Caldecott Honor Medal Book is fantastic. Again, this book speaks about a great great man who used words to affect incredible change in the world. We all know that Martin Luther King Jr is truly one of America’s hero’s. His life and his words made immense impact on our country. This book beautifully tells the story of a humble man, who walked and talked with people for hours and hours, even days, encouraging them, listening to them. He visited small corners of the Deep South, in the trenches with those who needed it most. He was compassionate and humble, brave and bold. He spoke on great stages, speaking Truth, speaking of kindness and freedom. He spoke love; he demonstrated love. If you read anything about his life to your children, please consider this beautiful book that tells his story so well.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/martins-big-words-doreen-rappaport/1008504104

The Snowy Day

by Ezra Jack Keats

If you don’t know this classic, did you ever even visit a library in your youth? I knew this story from my childhood, and have read it many times to little ones I cared for. On a random visit to my childhood town library with daughter, who was an infant at the time (clearly the visit was for my own love of books), I saw it on the shelf for sale. Of course I scooped it up for probably a dollar. That is a little sad, because that might mean it’s somewhat out of rotation. But, it’s not gone or forgotten. It’s a simple picture book that shows the snowy adventure of a little boy through his neighborhood. If you don’t happen to live in a place where snow is a regular occupancy, this would be a great way for your kids to learn about snow. If you do, it’s still a sweet, timeless read with amazing illustrations. Did you grow up reading this too?

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snowy-day-ezra-jack-keats/1100257198#/

Last Stop on Market Street

by Matt de la Peña, Christian Robinson (Illustrator)

This book was a gift from a wonderful family member (thanks Uncle Tim!). I love this book because it is beautiful and it speaks of finding beauty wherever your feet may go. It also shows a slice of life that might look either exactly like yours, or vastly different, but is so great to see represented and shared in a picture book. CJ and his grandmother have to ride the bus every Sunday, and CJ wonders why they don’t have a car like his friend. As they travel a long way and meet many different characters, grandma is kind and steady. And CJ is reminded that beauty can be found wherever you look for it. Read it for perspective, both lifestyle and a good heart perspective.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/last-stop-on-market-street-matt-de-la-pe-a/1119711662

So happy last day of February! Happy Black History Month! Happy Reading! I hope that maybe you can enjoy one of these beautiful, important books with your kids. They can all be found online, at your local library, or your favorite bookstore.

Enjoy the day, this beautiful bonus day that it is! ❤️

Xo