Tune in to hear Nicole and Nusrah talk about excellent children’s literature in verse, alongside a conversation with the wonderful Charles Waters, the co-author of Can I Touch Your Hair?: Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship.

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Charles Waters Recommendations

Crossover by Kwame Alexander 

The Land of the Cranes by Aida Salzaar

You Can Fly by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford 

Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes 

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes (Young Adult) 

Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry  Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia Mccall (Young Adult)

Books Discussed

Dictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z
by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

Starfish by Lisa Fipps

What Are You Glad About? What Are You Mad About? Poems for When a Person Needs a Poem by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Lee White

The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhà Lai 

One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes 

The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Shane W. Evans

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

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Tune in to hear Nicole and Nusrah talk about Asian American femme authors, in conversation with the wonderful Kelly Yang, author of Front Desk and Parachutes.

For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter!

Books Mentioned

Any Day With You by Mae Respicio

Insurrecto by Gina Apostol – adult recommendation

Stargazing by Jen Wang

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park

Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Estrada Kelly

Crab Cake: Turning the Tide Together by Andrea Tsurumi

Asian-Americans Who Inspire Us by Analiza Quiroz Wolf, illustrated by Tuire Suirainen

Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist, written by Julie Leung

 From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom, illustrated by Kai Yun Ching

You can find Nicole on Twitter @ittybittyNY

You can find Nusrah on Twitter @JavedNusrah

Until next time!

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This week Nicole and Nusrah are back to talk about some excellent middle-grade books with non-binary and trans leads.

For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter!

Resources to curate more middle-grade books with non-binary and trans leads

https://lgbtqreads.com/middle-grade/

https://www.lambdaliterary.org/2021/03/2021-lambda-literary-award-finalists

Books Mentioned

The Strangeworlds Travel Agency* by LD Lapinski

The Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag

Ana on the Edge by A.J. Sass

Cattywampus by Ash Van Otterloo

Spin with Me by Ami Polonsky

The Moon Within by Aida Salazar

Both Can Be True by Jules Machias

Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker

King and The Dragonflies by Kacen Callendar

I am Jazz* by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings

Who Are You? The Kids’ Guide to Gender Identity by Brook Pessin-Whedbee

Don’t forget to check out some excellent lists over at Book Riot that mention more reads to help you start a conversation about gender identity.

Titles with an asterisk (*) denote an own-voices author.

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Nicole and Nusrah discuss empowering board books in honor of Women’s History Month!

For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter!

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Resources for curating an inclusive selection

Vilissa Thompson, Social Worker, Writer, Disability activist compiled this Black Women’s syllabus compilation.

Little Feminist Bookclub is a great resource for intersectional, feminist children’s literature.

Non-Board Books Discussed

Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousufzai, illustrated by Kerascoët

Board Books Discussed honoring Womens’ history month

Dream Big Little One written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison

Baby Young Gifted and Black by Jamia Wilson, illustrated by Andrea Pippins

Hats of Faith by Media Cohan, illustrated by Sarah Walsh

ABC for Me: ABC What Can She Be?: Girls can be anything they want to be, from A to Z by Sugar Snap Studio (Author), Jessie Ford (Author)

Baby Feminists Board book by Libby Babbott-Klein , illustrated by Jessica Walker

The Life of / La vida de Dolores by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein, illustrated by Citlali Reyes

A is for Activist written and illustrated by Innosanto Nagara

Lady Legends Alphabet written and illustrated by Beck Feiner

 Little Feminist Board Book Set from Mudpuppy and illustrated Lydia Ortiz

I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont  and illustrated by David Catrow

Happy Hair written and illustrated by Mechal Renee Roe

If you have a story idea, reach out to us on social media using hashtag #kidlitthesedays or email us at [email protected]. We would love to hear what you’re thinking about and what you would like to hear on the show. 

You can find Nicole on Twitter @ittybittyNY

You can find Nusrah on Twitter @JavedNusrah

Until next time!

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Nicole and guest Jenn Northington discuss the results of the 2021 Rainbow List, fantasy chapter books, and hear from BB Alston, author of Amari and the Night Brothers.

For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter!

Relevant Links

The ALA’s 2021 Rainbow List

BB Alston

Books Discussed

Amari and the Night Brothers by BB Alston

Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

Storm Runner by JC Cervantes (cw: ableism)

The Serpent’s Secret (KIRANMALA AND THE KINGDOM BEYOND) by Sayantali Dasgupta

Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes

The Dragon Egg Princess by Ellen Oh

Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee

Root Magic by Eden Royce

Blackblood by Phu Vuong

Rick Riordan Presents

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Nicole and Matthew discuss the results of the 2021 Youth Media Awards and celebrate some of their favorite books honored by the awards.

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RELEVANT LINKS:

• ALA announces 2021 Youth Media Awards (press release)

BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW:

• All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat (Newbery Honor Book)
• A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat (Newbery Honor Book)
• We Are Water Protectors written by Carole Lindstrom; illustrated by Michaela Goade (Randolph Caldecott Medal)
• Me & Mama illustrated and written by Cozbi A. Cabrera (Caldecott Honor Book) (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book)
• Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration by Samara Cole Doyon; illustrated by Kaylani Juanita (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book)
• All the Days Past, All the Days to Come by Mildred D. Taylor (Coretta Scott King Book Award, Author) (Children’s Literature Legacy Award)
• When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, narrated by Faysal Ahmed, Barkhad Abdi and a full cast (Odyssey Honor Audiobook)
• I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott; illustrated by Sydney Smith (Schneider Family Book Award)
• ¡Vamos!: Let’s Go Eat by Raúl the Third (Pura Belpré Award)
• Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award)
• We Are Little Feminists: Families by Archaa Shrivastav (Stonewall Book Award)

Closing Note:

Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email ([email protected]) or Twitter (@MatthewWinner and @ittybittyny).

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Nicole and Matthew talk about current awareness of the Holocaust among Millenials and Gen Z individuals as well as antisemitic images and language present at the January 6 insurrection event at the Capital in Washington, DC. Joining us is Susan Kusel, synagogue librarian, book buyer for an independent bookstore, and author of The Passover Guest, illustrated by Sean Rubin.

For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter!

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Relevant Links:

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (website)
• We Decoded The Symbols From The Storming Of The Capitol | Beyond The Headlines (Insider News, YouTube)
• “First- Ever 50-State Survey on Holocaust Knowledge of American Millennials and Gen Z Reveals Shocking Results” (The Claims Conference, website)
• Susan Kusel (website)
• Sydney Taylor Book Award (Association of Jewish Libraries, website)

BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW:

• The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape Of Margret And H.A. Rey by Louise Borden and Allan Drummond
• Games Of Deception: The True Story Of The First U.S. Olympic Basketball Team At The 1936 Olympics In Hitler’s Germany by Andrew Maraniss
• A Light In The Darkness: Janusz Korczak, His Orphans, And The Holocaust by Albert Marrin
• Broken Strings by Eric Walters and Kathy Kacer
• Louder Than Words by Kathy Kacer
• The Assignment by Liza Wiemer

Closing Note:

Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email ([email protected]) or Twitter (@MatthewWinner and @ittybittyny).

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Nicole and Matthew talk about the books they’re most looking forward to in 2021. Joining us is Sailaja Joshi, CEO and founder of Mango and Marigold Press.

For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter!

RELEVANT LINKS:

• Mango and Marigold Press

BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW: PICTURE BOOKS

• Tag Team (El Toro & Friends) by Raúl the Third
• Training Day (El Toro & Friends) by Raúl the Third
• Zonia’s Rain Forest by Juana Martinez-Neal
• What You Don’t Know: A Story of Liberated Childhood by Anastasia Higginbotham
• Michelle’s Garden: How the First Lady Planted Seeds of Change by Sharee Miller
• I Sang You Down from the Stars by Tasha Spillett-Sumner; illustrated by Michaela Goade
• Laxmi’s Mooch by Shelly Anand; illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

Middle Grade

• Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
• Root Magic By Eden Royce
• Red, White, and Whole by Rajani Larocca
• Baseball’s Leading Lady: Effa Manley and the Rise and Fall of the Negro Leagues by Andrea Williams
• Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes

CLOSING NOTE:

Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email ([email protected]) or Twitter (@MatthewWinner and @ittybittyny).

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Nicole and Matthew talk about the collective pandemic experience and how, despite all going through this together, we can end up feeling awfully alone. Joining us is book creator LeUyen Pham, Caldecott Honor recipient and author and illustrator of Outside, Inside.

For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter!

RELEVANT LINKS:

• LeUyen Pham (Author Page, Macmillan Publishers)
• Outside, Inside (Macmillan Publishers)

BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW: PICTURE BOOKS

• Germs: Fact and Fiction, Friends and Foes by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James Ransome
• A Kids Book About COVID-19 by Malia Jones
• Do Not Lick This Book by Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost
• Why We Stay Home: Suzie Learns About Coronavirus by Samantha Harris and Devon Scott; illustrated by Harriet Rodis

CLOSING NOTE:

Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email ([email protected]) or Twitter (@MatthewWinner and @ittybittyny).

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Nicole and Matthew talk about working with children through challenging questions with truthful answers. Joining us is special guest Jelani Memory, author of A Kids Book About Racism and co-founder and CEO of A Kids Book About.

For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter!

Relevant Links:

• A Kids Book About (homepage)
• Jelani Memory and Company on making books and leaving messages for their childhood selves (The Children’s Book Podcast)
• Kids Meet a Transgender Soldier (HiHo channel, YouTube)
• Kids Meet a Person with Cerebral Palsey
• Kids Meet a Person with Alopecia
• Kids Meet a Person with Tourette’s
• Kids Meet a Drag Queen
• Kids Meet a Young Adult in Hospice
• Kids Meet a Nurse on the Frontlines of COVID-19
• Kids Meet a Virologist
• Down Syndrome Answers series (Canadian Down Syndrome channel, YouTube)
• “Really Long Distance” podcast episode (This American Life)
• How to Survive the End of the World (podcast)

BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW: PICTURE BOOKS

• The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota’s Garden by Heather Smith and illustrated by Rachel Wada
• Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor; illustrated by Rafael López
• The End of Something Wonderful: A Practical Guide to a Backyard Funeral by Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic, illustrated by George Ermos
• Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask about Having a Disability by Shane Burcaw; illustrated by Matt Carr
• This Is Your Time by Ruby Bridges

MIDDLE GRADE

• Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
• When You Know What I Know by Sonja K. Solter
• The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller

CLOSING NOTE:

Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email ([email protected]) or Twitter (@MatthewWinner and @ittybittyny).

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Nicole and Matthew share a selection of the books they’ve recommended most this year. 

This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life. , Spacebattle Lunchtime Vol. 3 by Natalie Riess from Oni Lion Forge Publishing Group, and Odessa by Jonathan Hill from Oni Lion Forge Publishing Group.

To get even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter!

BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW: BOARD BOOKS:

• Lil Libros written by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein, illustrated by Citlali Reyes
• ABC For Me: ABC What Can I Be?: YOU Can Be Anything YOU Want To Be, From A To Z by Sugar Snap Studio, Jessie Ford
• Our Little Adventures: Stories Featuring Foundational Language Concepts for Growing Minds by Tabitha Paige
• Future Baby (series) by Lori Alexander – Future President, Future Engineer, Future Astronaut

PICTURE BOOKS:

• Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow illustrated by Luisa Uribe
• We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, Michaela Goade
• Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration by Samara Cole Doyon; illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
• Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina; illustrated by Sonia Sanchez

NONFICTION:

• Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Immigrant Women Who Changed the World by Elena Favilli
• Woke: A Young Poet’s Call To Justice by Mahogany L. Browne, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Olivia Gatwood; illustrated by Theodore Taylor, III
• Dictionary For A Better World: Poems, Quotes, And Anecdotes From A To Z by Irene Latham and Charles Waters; illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini
• Girls Who Build: Inspiring Curiosity and Confidence to Make Anything Possible by Katie Hughes
• A Kids Book About (series) – A Kids Book About Systemic Racism by Jordan Thierry, A Kids Book About Feminism by Emma Mcilroy, A Kids Book About Shame by Jamie Letourneau, A Kids Book About Depression by Kileah McIlvain, and more

MIDDLE GRADE:

• Maya and the Rising Dark by Rena Barron
• From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
• BenBee And The Teacher Griefer: The Kids Under the Stairs by K.A. Holt
• A Wish In The Dark by Christina Soontornvat
• Three Keys by Kelly Yang

GRAPHIC NOVELS:

• Go with the Flow by Karen Schneemann, Lily Williams
• Twins by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright
• Dungeon Critters by Natalie Riess and Sara Goetter
• Class Act by Jerry Craft

Closing Note:

Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email ([email protected]) or Twitter (@MatthewWinner and @ittybittyny).

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