Best of
Young-Readers

2022

Love Grows Everywhere


Barry Timms - 2022
    There’s old love, new love and everything in between!But there’s a new kid who is not quite so sure... Can the gardeners’ daughter be brave and extend the love to him? Beautiful and characterful illustrations from the exceptionally talented Tisha Lee help bring this book to life, and the gentle rhyming text from Barry Timms helps underscore the message of kindness, charity, and love. This warm and charming tale, perfect for Valentine’s Day and beyond, celebrates the many different ways love grows to make a brighter world.

Born Hungry: Julia Child Becomes "the French Chef"


Alex Prud'Homme - 2022
    . . an enjoyable read. Julia Child was born hungry, but she was not born a chef. In fact, Julia didn't discover her passion for cooking until she had a life-changing luncheon in France and became determined to share her newfound love of food with everyone. In Paris, Julia devoured recipe books, shopped in outdoor markets, consumed all kinds of foods, and whipped through culinary school, and although she wasn't always successful in the kitchen, she was determined to master the art of French cooking. Through perseverance and grit, Julia became a chef who shared her passion with the world, making cooking fun, and turning every meal into a special event. Alex Prud'homme's firsthand knowledge paired with Sarah Green's vibrant and energetic illustrations showcases Julia's life and celebrates her enduring legacy.

The Legend of Brightblade


Ethan M. Aldridge - 2022
    Perfect for fans of the Amulet series and The Witch Boy.Young Prince Alto dreams of being a hero like his mother, the Lady Brightblade. Her well-known legend was woven into stories by the magical bard who fought by her side.The kingdom may be at peace now, but Alto believes that the world still needs heroes. He has been learning the bard's magic, and has grown restless with royal life. Determined to have an adventure of his own, Alto runs away from the palace.On his journey, he finds himself making new friends and encountering new and exciting magic. But when he discovers that there are dangers threatening the kingdom, Alto realizes that he might not be able to handle them alone--and making his mark as a hero is harder than the stories made it seem.

Me and White Supremacy: How You Can Fight Racism and Change the World Today!


Layla F. Saad - 2022
    This edition aims to teach readers how to explore and understand racism and white supremacy and how young readers can do their part to help change the world. Covering topics such as white privilege, white fragility, racist stereotypes, cultural appropriation, and more, Layla Saad has developed a brilliant introduction and deep dive that is sure to become a standard in antiracist education. Layla Saad meticulously updated the content for young readers to include:· definitions and history of various topics covered· sections to help readers process complex topics· no time limit—unlike the adult edition, this is not a 28-day challenge so readers can use this content for however long it takes to do the work· content is approachable and applicable for those with and without white privilege

Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day


Kathlyn J. Kirkwood - 2022
    Through years of protests and petition, Kathlyn's story highlights the foot soldiers who fought to make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a national holiday.Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ’Round is a deeply moving middle grade memoir about what it means to be an everyday activist and foot solider for racial justice, as Kathlyn recounts how, drawn to activism from childhood, she went from attending protests as a teenager to fighting for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday to become a national holiday as an adult. A blueprint for kids starting down their own paths to civic awareness, it shows life beyond protests and details the sustained time, passion, and energy it takes to turn an idea into a law. Deftly weaving together monumental historical events with a heartfelt coming-of-age story and in-depth information on law making, Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ’Round is the perfect engaging example of how history can help inform the present.

Spy School the Graphic Novel


Stuart Gibbs - 2022
    Unfortunately for him, his personality doesn’t exactly scream “secret agent.” In fact, Ben is so awkward, he can barely get to school and back without a mishap. Because of his innate nerdiness, Ben is not surprised when he is recruited for a magnet school with a focus on science—but he’s entirely shocked to discover that the school is actually a front for a junior CIA academy. Could the CIA really want him? Actually, no. There’s been a case of mistaken identity—but that doesn’t stop Ben from trying to morph into a supercool undercover agent, the kind that always gets the girl. And through a series of hilarious misadventures, Ben realizes he might actually be a halfway decent spy…if he can survive all the attempts being made on his life!

Why Not You?


Ciara Wilson - 2022
    But what if someone saw all the amazing and spectacular parts of us—our winning smiles, our fancy feet, our warm hearts—and asked, “Why not you?” Whether it’s becoming a football player or a pop star or the president or a scientist: Why not you? In this picture book debut, superstars Ciara and Russell Wilson encourage readers to see themselves achieving their dreams, no matter how outrageous they may seem. It’s a lyrical celebration of self-esteem, perseverance, and daring to shoot for the stars.

Recycle and Play: Awesome DIY Zero-Waste Activities for Kids - 30+ Fun Projects that Help Kids Learn Too!


Agnes Hsu - 2022
    Playful learning at home doesn’t have to require expensive, specialized toys and resources. Each activity in Recycle and Play uses inexpensive materials like cardboard, paper tubes, plastic bottles, and egg cartons—materials that might even already be on their way to a landfill—and offers a clear, thoughtful invitation for hours of sensory play at home while reinforcing the importance of reducing waste to benefit the earth. In this book, you’ll find tips on how to extend play and learning for each project as well as helpful hints to engage your kids to come up with fun additions and extensions of their own. While each of the 50 projects includes clear step-by-step instructions and materials lists, you should feel free to adjust to your child’s interests and the materials you have on hand. Featured learning skills include:Fine motor skillsColor recognitionSensory explorationPretend playPlay is a crucial part of a child’s cognitive development and is fantastic for sensory exploration, building creativity, and discovery about how things work!

A Journey of Flavours - includes 17 flavourful recipes!


Hasina Knox - 2022
    This book now includes 17 tasty, diverse and flavourful recipes from the world's seven largest countries. Children will be excited with the realistic pictures and illustrations included in this recipe cookbook and will learn some fun facts from each of the seven largest countries."7 Days of Flavour" includes the 17 flavourful recipes with fun facts from the world's seven largest countries and with children in their cultural clothes from their own country. Each country you visit will have two recipes of tasty and flavourful food dishes for you and your child to experience. May you and your child enjoy this time together in the kitchen by exploring the different cuisines while boosting their confidence.

Draw Your Day for Kids!: How to Sketch and Paint Your Amazing Life


Samantha Dion Baker - 2022
    Drawing daily is a relaxing and reassuring way to express yourself, as well as a practical way to hone art and observation skills and creativity. The book will also function as a time capsule, enabling kids to look back on their memories and feelings, as well as having a visual representation of their developing artistic abilities.Adapted from the adult book with simplified text, kid-friendly art and prompts, and a built-in journal for kids to apply everything they've learned and create their own keepsake, Baker's signature illustrations inspire and demonstrate art techniques. With recommendations for materials, practice exercises, and ideas for inspiration, a budding artist could hardly wish for anything more.