Books We've Been Loving

Recently I've read several books that I am completely surprised I knew nothing about - wonderful, beautiful books that have been out for a couple of years (or more). I thought if I hadn't heard of them, other people might not have either (or I've been under a rock, which is also, completely possible). Either way, here's the list!

Maddi's Fridge
Lois Brandt (Author), Vin Vogel (Illustrator)
BookPeople
IndieBound
Amazon
 
I cannot stress how beautiful this book is. It is simple, kid-friendly and makes me cry - every single time I read it. And 10% of the profits go to help fight childhood hunger. Win, win, win! Buy it if you can! (Also fun - Vin Vogel's debut book as author/illustrator, The Thing About Yetis)

Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes
Nicola Davies (Author), Emily Sutton (Illustrator)
BookPeople
IndieBound
Amazon

Who would have thought that microbes could be so alluring? Non-fiction but super easy to read, and very engaging for kiddos. I even learned a thing or two reading this one!

We Forgot Brock!
Carter Goodrich
BookPeople
IndieBound
Amazon 

Thanks for the recommendation, writing peeps! Carter Goodrich writes the Zorro series, which is also fun, but this is very cute, and about imaginary friends Brock and Princess Sparkle Dust. 

Sophie's Squash
Pat Zietlow Miller (Author), Anne Wilsdorf (Illustrator)
BookPeople
IndieBound
Amazon

VERY kid-centric, this story follows Sophie and her (fleeting) friendship with a squash she names Bernice. And...you can pre-order Sophie's Squash Goes to School for more squash-tastic fun. It comes out in June.

 

The Snatchabook
Helen Docherty (Author), Thomas Docherty (Illustrator)
BookPeople
IndieBound
Amazon

Who is stealing all of the books in Burrow Down? Eliza Brown is on the case! A sweet reminder about how much good reading and books can do. 

The Iridescence of Birds: A Book About Henri Matisse
Patricia MacLachlan (Author), Hadley Hooper (Illustrator)
BookPeople
IndieBound
Amazon

"If you were a boy named Henri Matisse who lived in a dreary town in Northern France where the skies were gray..."
So begins the story of Henri Matisse's childhood, which imparts quite a few facts about the author (and his beautiful mother) without feeling at all didactic or non-fiction-y! Patricia MacLachlan also has a new book coming out in June, with illustrator Tomie dePaola, The Moon's Almost Here. It's available for pre-order!


Let me know if you've read any of these, or if there are some other recent books that you adore that might not be so well known!