Welcome to another installment in our series of blog posts featuring children’s books we’re currently loving! “Book Chat with the Youth Services Team” features one book recommendation from each of our Youth Services team members. We cover a variety of books from fiction to non-fiction, picture books to chapter books, graphic novels and more! We hope that this month’s reading recommendations get you excited about some awesome new books we’ve added to our collection as well as some oldies but goodies. Enjoy!

Beth recommends: Over in the Garden by Janna Matthies (ages 3-7)

This book has a great rhyming cadence to it that everyone will enjoy. The call and response on each page are a wonderful way to have your child participate in the story. This book is also a counting book and full of things to find as they work through each page. As the children are counting, they are also reviewing the steps to making a garden that is a fun way to teach children the steps from seed to plant. The illustrations by Tisha Lee are beautiful and easy to find things in the pictures as you are reading with your child. This book is just such a fun way to review counting, steps of a plant, rhyming words, and searching for items from the story. Immerse yourself and your child into this amazing book and just have fun with it.

Lisa recommends: Cornbread & Poppy by Matthew Cordell (ages 4-7)

With sweet, pastel illustrations by Caldecott Medal Winner Matthew Cordell, Cornbread & Poppy is a cute series for beginning chapter book readers reminiscent of Arthur Lobel’s Frog and Toad series.  Cornbread and Poppy are mice, but very different from one another.  While Cornbread collects and stores his winter rations ahead of time, the adventurous Poppy is off having fun.  Winter comes and Poppy is not prepared, but there are no worries with Cornbread as a friend!  There are currently four books in this series and RPL has all of them!  Pick one up to read to your little one or let your new reader read it to you.

Madison recommends: Room for Everyone by Naaz and Mercè López (ages 2-5)

This month, I suggest Room for Everyone by Naaz Khan and Mercè López. This delightful counting book follows Musa’s journey to the beaches of Zanzibar, an island in Tanzania, while riding a daladala, or bus. Much to Musa’s disbelief, the daladala keeps stopping to pick up passengers! But Musa’s dada, or sister, reassures him that with some wiggling and shuffling, they can make room for everyone. The repetition and counting in the book make it great for early learners. However, my favorite part of the book is the use of Swahili sprinkled throughout. Can you guess what the Swahili word for avocado is? Explore other cultures with RPL by checking out Room for Everyone, by Naaz Khan and Mercè López!

Mirissa recommends:  Growing Green: A First Book of Gardening by Daniela Sosa

I was born without the gift of gardening ability, but even I might be able to grow something delicious using the simple instructions found in this fun nonfiction book. Collage-style illustrations will take the reader step-by-step through the process of growing several different edible plants including avocados, tomatoes, and more. What I like best is that most projects allow for plants to be grown in pots or indoors, making gardening accessible to those without outdoor plots. I also loved that some instructions included growing food from kitchen scraps or reusing discarded materials (like old rainboots!) as a pot, a low-waste reminder that’s perfect for Earth Day.

Summer recommends:  Toypurina by Cheyenne M. Stone and Glenda Armand (ages 4-8)

You’ve probably heard about Pocahontas and Sacagawea, but they aren’t the only fascinating Native American women in history. This biography of Toypurina, a woman of the Tongva people in modern-day California, documents her life and resistance against colonization. While the British were the colonists here in Virginia, in California, they were from Spain. The Spanish built missions using enslaved indigenous labor and forcibly converted the native people to Catholicism. Toypurina planned a rebellion against the Spanish, recruiting men from several villages to attack one night in 1785. While her revolt was ultimately quashed, her bravery is an enduring legacy to the strength and determination of indigenous peoples to thrive against all odds.

Rachel recommends: Swarm of Bees by Lemony Snicket (ages 4-8)

Have you ever been so mad you could just sting someone? I mean, if you could (which you probably can’t). Well, the swarm of bees in this book sure are! But everyone they come across has a very good reason not to be stung. Except for that boy throwing tomatoes… This is a charming story about anger, empathy, emotional regulation, and the benefits of giving those around you just a little bit of grace.

Lauren recommends: Worm and Caterpillar are Friends by Kaz Windness (ages 4-8)

This is a great book for kids that are just learning to read on their own. The book opens with a quick tutorial on how to read this book and what the different speaking bubbles mean. I love a story about friendship and how even if you are different from one another you can still have things in common and be friends. When one of the characters goes through a big change they worry that it will change their friendship and he is pleasantly surprised when it doesn’t. This book also features a drawing tutorial at the end which is a great tool to use as a way to further talk about what you just read. 

Well, readers, that’s a wrap! Check back again next month for some more fabulous reading recommendations. Until then, happy reading!