New Year, New Books The Best of 2020 and What to Look for in 2021

THE THREE BILLY GOATS BUENOS, by Susan Middleton Elya, Illustrated by Miguel Ordóñez Three little cabritos have a clever plan to get past the grumpiest troll in the land. But then one of the billy goats wonders: Why is that gigante so grumpy, anyway? This thoughtful question sends their plan in a new direction, and the results are better than they ever imagined. Dashes of humor, empathy, and kindness make this modern twist on a classic tale a charming delight.

BEDTIME FOR SWEET CREATURES, by Nikki Grimes, Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon It's bedtime. But the little boy is not sleepy. He growls like a bear, he questions like an owl, he tosses his mane like a lion. He hunts for water like a sly wolf, and hides like a snake. The boy’s mommy needs to wrangle her little creature in bed so that the whole family can sleep. From tigers to squirrels to snakes, the little boy dodges around his bedtime, until he is tired enough to finally sleep. His imaginative animal friends weave their way through the illustrations, eventually joining him in curling up for the night.

YOUR NAME IS A SONG, by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Illustrated by Luisa Uribe This story is about a young girl who is frustrated after a day full of her teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name. She her mother she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl's mother teaches her about the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names on their lyrical walk home through the city. Empowered by this newfound understanding, the young girl is ready to return the next day to share her knowledge with her class. This story really is a celebration to remind all of us about the beauty, history, and magic behind names.

I TALK LIKE A RIVER, by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith

A boy who struggles with stuttering (as does the author, a Canadian poet) finds relief in a trip with his father to a nearby river, where he sees that turbulence and eddying are part of the natural flow. Smith’s immersive illustrations richly convey the boy’s sensory experience as he swims toward self-acceptance.

IF YOU COME TO EARTH, by Sophie Blackall “Dear Visitor from Outer Space,” the child narrator begins, “if you come to Earth, here’s what you need to know.” Blackall delivers on the promise: Her wondrous book seems to contain multitudes — the world’s every river, flower, person, cruise ship and bottle cap.

THE LITTLE MERMAID, by Jerry Pinkney

In Pinkney’s vivid reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale, the mermaid befriends a human girl instead of pining over a handsome prince, and all the characters, human and mermaid, are Black.

OUR LITTLE KITCHEN, by Jillian Tamaki Based on Tamaki’s experience volunteering at a small community kitchen that feeds the hungry, this color-saturated, mouthwatering whirlwind of a book bursts with energy from the moment its diverse group of characters starts chopping and slicing, whisking and whipping.

OUTSIDE IN, by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Cindy Derby

Underwood’s quietly profound text and Derby’s lush art provide a homage to nature, and a comforting reminder that Outside will be there for us when we’re ready. “I’m here, Outside says. I miss you.”

A STORY ABOUT AFIYA, by James Berry, illustrated by Anna Cunha

This joyous celebration of childhood, culture and place by the Jamaican poet (who died in 2017) follows a young girl named Afiya — “health” in Swahili — whose summer frock “collects” what she sees as she dances across an island in motion. Each airy spread is a fresh canvas for its Brazilian illustrator, just as Afiya’s dress is newly washed each morning.

THE STRANGE BIRDS OF FLANNERY O’CONNOR, by Amy Alznauer, illustrated by Ping Zhu

This strangely beautiful art object of a book traces O’Connor’s first forays as a writer to an outsize fascination with the chickens in her childhood backyard. Alznauer pairs a grounded, authentic vernacular with a lyricism that takes flight, while Zhu’s depiction of odd human proportions against brilliant brushstroke plumage enchants.

THE WANDERER, by Peter Van den Ende Danger, magic, surprise and awe abound in this masterly, wordless debut about a paper boat’s nighttime sea journey into the unknown.

WHEN YOU LOOK UP, by Decur This moody watercolor-soaked story of an introvert’s creative awakening by the self-taught Argentine artist Guillermo Decurgez (known as Decur) begins on “moving day,” as a boy who believes the world exists only inside his cellphone finds a mysterious notebook in the secret compartment of a desk in his new room.

YOU MATTER, by Christian Robinson

An anthem to self-worth that’s also about the history of life on Earth, and in 107 words somehow covers loneliness, death and rebirth.

ME & MAMMA, by Cozbi A. Cabrera Mama’s love is brighter than the sun, even on the rainiest of days. This celebration of a mother-daughter relationship is perfect for sharing with little ones! On a rainy day when the house smells like cinnamon and Papa and Luca are still asleep, when the clouds are wearing shadows and the wind paints the window with beads of water, I want to be everywhere Mama is. With lyrical prose and a tender touch, Mama and

Me is an ode to the strength of the bond between a mother and a daughter as they spend a rainy day together.

MY BEST FRIEND, by Julie Fogliano and Jillian Tamaki Authors Julie Fogliano and Jillian Tamaki come together to tell a delightful story of first friendship. What is a best friend, if not someone who laughs with you the whole entire day, especially when you pretend to be a pickle? This pitch-perfect picture book is a sweetly earnest, visually stunning celebration of the magic of friendship.

ALL BECAUSE YOU MATTER, by Tami Charles, illustrated by Bryan Collier Tami Charles pens a poetic, lyrical text that is part love letter, part anthem, assuring readers that they always have, and always will, matter. This powerful, rhythmic lullaby reassures readers that their matter and their worth is never diminished, no matter the circumstance: through the joy and wonder of their first steps and first laughs, through the hardship of adolescent struggles, and the pain and heartbreak of current events, they always have, and always will, matter. Accompanied by illustrations by renowned artist Bryan Collier, a four-time Caldecott Honor recipient and a nine-time Coretta Scott King Award winner or honoree, All Because You Matter empowers readers with pride, joy, and comfort, reminding them of their roots and strengthening them for the days to come.

MILO IMAGINES THE WORLD, by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian RobinsonMATT DE LA PEÑA Milo is on a long subway ride with his older sister. To pass the time, he studies the faces around him and makes pictures of their lives. There’s the whiskered man with the crossword puzzle; Milo imagines him playing solitaire in a cluttered apartment full of pets. There’s the wedding-dressed woman with a little dog peeking out of her handbag; Milo imagines her in a grand cathedral ceremony. And then there’s the boy in the suit with the bright white sneakers; Milo imagines him arriving home to a castle with a drawbridge and a butler. But when the boy in the suit gets off on the same stop as Milo–walking the same path, going to the exact same place–Milo realizes that you can’t really know anyone just by looking at them.

MY MONSTER AND ME, by Nadiya Hussain, illustrated by Ella Bailey This hopeful story personifies anxiety in the shape of a monster, making it more concrete and manageable for children. When a little boy’s worry monster follows him everywhere, he finally gains the strength to confront it. He shares his concerns with others and in doing so, vanquishes his fears. This inspiring tale will comfort children and empower them to overcome their own worry monsters.

C IS FOR COUNTRY, by Lil Nas X, illustrated by Theodore Taylor III Join superstar Lil Nas X—who boasts the longest-running #1 song in history—and Panini the pony on a joyous journey through the alphabet from sunup to sundown. Experience wide-open pastures, farm animals, guitar music, cowboy hats, and all things country in this debut picture book that's perfect for music lovers learning their ABCs and for anyone who loves Nas's signature genre-blending style. Featuring bold, bright art from Theodore Taylor III, with plenty of hidden surprises for Nas's biggest fans, C Is for Country is a celebration of song and the power inside us all.

OUTSIDE INSIDE, by LeUyen Pham Something strange happened on an unremarkable day just before the season changed. Everybody who was outside . . .went inside. Outside, it was quieter, wilder, and different. Inside, we laughed, we cried, and we grew. We remembered to protect the ones we love and love the ones who protect us. While the world changed outside, we became stronger on the inside and believed that someday soon spring would come again.

THE TREE IN ME, by Corinna Luyken Through poetic text and exquisite illustrations of children reveling in nature, this picture book explores the various ways we as human beings are strong, creative, and connected to others. Each of us is like a tree, with roots and fruit, and an enduring link to everything else in nature. "The tree in me is strong. It bends in the wind, and has roots that go deep . . . to where other roots reach up toward their own trunk-branch-crown and sky."

SOMEONE BUILDS THE DREAM, by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Loren Long Readers gain an appreciation of the unsung heroes who work together as a team to build bridges, parks, and so much more in this beautifully-illustrated gem. The simple text encourages children to look beyond the finished product and see the hard work that goes into structures that we take for granted.

FATIMA’S GREAT OUTDOORS, by Ambreen Tariq, illustrated by Stevie Lewis As she sets out on her first camping trip, Fatima worries about the stressful week she had at school. Her concerns vanish, however, as she discovers the wonder of nature and relishes in quality time with her family. This is certainly a trip to remember and a story that will leave readers smiling.

NO PANTS, by Jacob Grant Pablo and his dad are ready for a great day. It's party day! A cookout with the whole family. All they need to do is get ready. Eat breakfast. Brush teeth. Put on pants. And they'll be ready to go! Only Pablo has another idea: No Pants! Suddenly it's looking as if party time is a ways off after all. Here's a hilarious and warm-hearted look at a father-son relationship that shows there is more than one way of wearing--and thinking about--pants!

BABY YOUNG, GIFTED, AND BLACK: WITH A MIRROR! by Jamia Wilson, illustrated by Andrea Pippins Introduce your baby to Black excellence with this lyrical board-book edition of Young, Gifted and Black. Includes a mirror at the back so young dreamers can see themselves next to their heroes. Meet icons of color from past and present in this baby board book celebration of inspirational achievement. A collection of positive, yet simple, affirmations to encourage the next generation. Highlighting the talent of Black leaders and changemakers from around the world, young dreamers will develop confidence, self-assurance, and self-belief.

LEGACY: WOMEN POETS OF THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE, by Nikki Grimes For centuries, accomplished women--of all races--have fallen out of the historical records. The same is true for gifted, prolific, women poets of the Harlem Renaissance who are little known, especially as compared to their male counterparts. In this poetry collection, bestselling author Nikki Grimes uses "The Golden Shovel" poetic method to create wholly original poems based on the works of these groundbreaking women-and to introduce readers to their work.

WATCH ME: A STORY OF IMMIGRATION AND INSPIRATION, by Doyin Richards, illustrated by Joe Cepeda A picture book about immigration, Watch Me is based on the author's father's own story. Joe came to America from Africa when he was young. He worked hard in school, made friends, and embraced his new home. Like so many immigrants before and after him, Joe succeeded when many thought he would fail. In telling the story of how his father came to America, Doyin Richards tells the story of many immigrants, and opens the experience up to readers of all backgrounds. Here is a moving and empowering story of how many different people, from different places, make us great. Acclaimed artist Joe Cepeda brings the story to life with beautiful paintings, full of heart.

OFF TO SEE THE SEA, by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon Bath time is full of magic. The faucet flows like a waterfall, the bathroom floor is a distant shore, toy boats sail against the waves. An imagination-fueled adventure on the high seas is just what it takes to get little one clean.

JUMP AT THE SUN: THE TRUE LIFE TALE OF THE UNSTOPPABLE STORYCATCHER ZORA NEALE HURSTON, by Alicia D. Williams, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara Zora was a girl who hankered for tales like bees for honey. Now, her mama always told her that if she wanted something, “to jump at de sun”, because even though you might not land quite that high, at least you’d get off the ground. So Zora jumped from place to place, from the porch of the general store where she listened to folktales, to Howard University, to Harlem. And everywhere she jumped, she shined sunlight on the tales most people hadn’t been bothered to listen to until Zora. The tales no one had written down until Zora. Tales on a whole culture of literature overlooked…until Zora. Until Zora jumped.

AMBITIOUS GIRL, by Meena Harris, illustrated by Marissa Valdez Anyone who's ever been underestimated or overshadowed will find inspiration in this empowering new picture book from Meena Harris, New York Times-bestselling author of Kamala and Maya's Big Idea, which is based on a true story about her aunt, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, and her mother, Maya Harris. When a young girl sees a strong woman on TV labeled as "too assertive" and "too ambitious," it sends her on a journey of discovery through past, present, and future about the challenges faced by women and girls and the ways in which they can reframe, redefine, and reclaim words meant to knock them down.

YOU BE MOMMY, by Karla Clark, illustrated by Zoe Persico A tired mommy lets her daughter have a turn being the parent at bedtime in You Be Mommy, a humorously charming debut picture book from writer Karla Clark and illustrator Zoe Persico. In this clever, rhyming picture book, a mother tells her child that she's simply too tired to be Mommy tonight and asks her daughter to take over for her. An utterly relatable theme told with humor and heart provides a story parents and children will delight in reading together at bedtime.

SPIN AROUND SPACE, by IglooBooks Discover the wonders of space with amazing spinning pages! Turn the panels to send a rocket blasting off and make stars shoot across the sky. Read and play along to learn all about space.

I’M A GLUTEN SNIFFING SERVICE DOG, by Michal Babay, illustrated by Ela Smietanka Chewie's nose always knows. That's why he's training to be a gluten-detection service dog for Alice. His job will be to keep Alice from getting sick. But Chewie gets distracted by bugs in the air and pizza on the sidewalk. He must find a way to focus and complete his training―because Alice needs him.

KINDNESS IS A KITE STRING: THE UPLIFTING POWER OF EMPATHY, by Michelle Schaub, illustrated by Claire LaForte Watch empathy ripple through the community… spreading happiness like sunshine, connecting diverse groups like a footbridge, and lifting hope like a kite string. How can YOU lift others with kindness?

WIGGLES, STOMPS, AND SQUEEZES CALM MY JITTERS DOWN, by Lindsey Rowe Parker, illustrated by Rebecca Burgess The vibration in her feet when she runs, the tap-tap-tap of her fork on the table at mealtime, the trickle of cool water running over her hands--these are the things that calm her jitters down. This book is for anyone who has ever felt the need for a wiggle, stomp, or squeeze!

A NEIGHBORHOOD WALK, A MUSICAL JOURNEY, by Pilar Winter Hill, illustrated by Olivia Duchess One bright city morning, Penelope and her mom make their way to the farmer's market. On street corners and train platforms, musicians and performers enchant Penelope, speaking to her through their floating, booming notes. The noise of the city keeps the pair moving―until Penelope hears a sound so magical she knows she has to play the instrument that makes it.

SHAPED BY HER HANDS: POTTER MARIA MARTINEZ, by Anna Harber Freeman and Barbara Gonzales, illustrated by Aphelandra The most renowned Native American Indian potter of her time, Maria Povika Martinez learned pottery as a child under the guiding hands of her ko-ōo, her aunt. She grew up to discover a new firing technique that turned her pots black and shiny, and made them―and Maria―famous. This inspiring story of family and creativity

illuminates how Maria's belief in sharing her love of clay brought success and joy from her New Mexico Pueblo to people all across the country.

WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? By James Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George Imagine you were asked the same question again and again throughout your life . . . Imagine if it was a question that didn't bring about the happiest of memories . . . This is the experience of one-legged Joe, a child who just wants to have fun in the playground. Constantly seen first for his disability, Joe is fed up of only ever being asked about his leg. All he wants to do is play Pirates. But as usual, one after the other, all the children ask him the same question they always ask, "What happened to you?"

G MY NAME IS GIRL, by Dawn Masi This multi-cultural ABC book is a joyful celebration of girls from around the world. Listed alphabetically, a group of diverse girls from 26 countries are featured along with a rousing attribute. A map is included to give children a more global perspective.

BIG FEELINGS, by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman Complex emotions are made more relatable in this inclusive picture book that teaches children how to manage their big feelings. The colorful illustrations and upbeat text are reassuring and many children will relate to the diverse characters exploring their emotions.

Bilingual and Non-English Books

BRONXSHAPES, by Alex Rivera Take a walk through the Bronx and what do you see? CIRCLE wheels on a classic tricycle, a vast DIAMOND where the Yankees play baseball, colorful TRIANGLE flags above the bodega, and more! Bronxshapes, the second board book in a new series, teaches young readers about shapes through Bronx native Alex Rivera's eye-catching photographs and creative design. The small square trim (7" x 7") and sturdy pages are a perfect format for toddlers, and the content inside promotes language acquisition and concept learning in both English and Spanish. Curl up with your little one for a bilingual story time that helps them reach important developmental milestones.

SEMBRANDO HISTORIAS: PURA BELPRÉ: BIBLIOTECARIA Y NARRADORA DE CUENTOS/PLANTING STORIES: THE LIFE OF LIBRARIAN AND STORYTELLER PURA BELPRÉ, by Anika Aldamuy Denise; Illustrated by Paola Escobar Cuando llegó a Estados Unidos en el año 1921, Pura trajo consigo los cuentos folklóricos de su tierra natal, Puerto Rico. Encontró su nuevo hogar en la Biblioteca Pública de Nueva York como ayudante bilingüe. Logró que sus relatos se convirtieran en libros y esparció las semillas de sus historias por todo el país. Hoy día, esas semillasse han transformado en exuberantes paisajes gracias a que las nuevas generaciones de niños y cuentacuentos han seguido contando sus historias y celebrando el legado de Pura.

MI PAPI TIENE UNA MOTO/MY PAPI HAS A MOTORCYCLE, by Isabel Quintero; Illustrated by Zeke Peña Cuando Daisy Ramona recorre su barrio en motocicleta con su papi, ve a la gente y los lugares que siempre ha conocido. También ve a una comunidad que está cambiando rápidamente a su alrededor. Pero mientras el sol azul púrpura y dorado se va poniendo a sus espaldas, Daisy Ramona comprende que el amor que siente por su ciudad nunca cambiará.

BURNAS NOCHES, MI QUERIDO BEBÉ/GOODNIGHT MY DARLING, by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Annie Bach Los animales cantan nanas a sus hijos haciéndoles dormir. Ilustraciones de medios mixtos. Farm animals sing lullabies to their offspring lulling them to sleep. Mixed-media illustrations.

UN NUEVO HOGAR/A NEW HOME, by Tania de Regil Un chico de Nueva York y una chica de la ciudad de México recuerdan las cosas que les encantan sobre sus ciudades natales. Ilustraciones de acuarela, lápiz y gouache.

THERE MUST BE MORE THAN THAT! by Shinsuke Yoshitake (Available in Chinese) When a little girl’s brother tells her “our future is doomed,” in this entertaining yet serious story drawn in Yoshitake’s signature cartoon style, she runs in a panic to her grandmother, who helps her to imagine many possible futures, rather than to think only in terms of good and bad scenarios.

WE LAUGH ALIKE/JUNTOS NOS REÍMOS: A STORY THAT’S PART SPANISH, PART ENGLISH, AND A WHOLE LOT OF FUN, by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez Six kids are ready to play: three speak English. Y tres hablan español [and three speak Spanish]. But all of them laugh alike and together! This clever playground adventure weaves together bilingual English and Spanish conversations, allowing two groups of children to express similar thoughts in their own languages.

TAG TEAM, by Raúl the Third, illustrated by Elaine Bay Luchadores El Toro and La Oink Oink are the perfect tag team as they clean up together in this playful and visually stunning early reader! Perfect for fans of Elephant and Piggie, comic book fans, and kids looking to practice both Spanish and English. After last night’s match, the stadium is a mess! There is so much work to be done and Mexican wrestling star El Toro feels overwhelmed. Enter . . . La Oink Oink! With the collaborative spirit they have in the ring, El Toro and La Oink Oink tackle the cleaning up together. La Oink Oink sweeps and El Toro picks up the trash. La Oink Oink washes the dishes, and El Toro dries them. Together, an insurmountable mountain of chores becomes a series of fun tasks for these two wrestling friends!

¡ARRORRÓ! MIMOS PARA DORMIR, by Mariana Ruiz A collection about the first habits with three little protagonists and rhymed words to whisper in our baby's ear like a sweet lullaby.

¿ESTÁS MUY ENFADADO?: INCLUYE 5 CONSEJOS PARA AYUDAR A GESTIONAR LAS EMOCIONOES, by Chiara Piroddi, illustrated by Frederica Nuccio and Roberta Vottero Teo tiene muchos trucos que enseñarte. ¿Qué esperas para conocerlo? ¿Estás muy enfadado porque ha llegado la hora de dormir y tienes que dejar de jugar? Pues prueba los divertidos trucos de Teo y verás que la hora de irse a la cama puede ser tu momento preferido del día. Además de a los niños, este libro también está dirigido a los padres. La doctora Chiara Piroddi, psicóloga especializada en psicoterapia cognitiva evolutiva, ofrece algunos consejos para ayudar a nuestros hijos a gestionar sus emociones. Incluye 5 consejos para ayudar a gestionar las emociones.

¿SOY PEQUEÑA? ة؟ LIBRO INFANTIL ILUSTRADO ESPAÑOL-ÁRABE : هل أنا صغيرLEVANTINO, by Philipp Winterberg, illustrated by Nadja Wichmann Libro bilingüe español-árabe levantino ¿Soy pequeña? - Para salir de dudas, Tamia va haciendo la misma pregunta a los animales con los que se va encontrando por el camino. Al final hallará una respuesta sorprendente...

MENEOS, PISTONES, Y APRETONES PARA CALMAR MI COSQUILLEO, by Lindsey Rowe Parker, illustrated by Rebecca Burgess Ésta es una historia sobre las necesidades sensoriales y de cómo algunos niños y niñas experimentan su mundo, contada desde la perspectiva de una niña. La vibración en sus pies cuando corre, el tan-tan-tan de su cuchara en la mesa a la hora de comer, el chorrito de agua fría corriendo por sus manos--- esas son las cosas que calman su cosquilleo. ¡Este libro es para cualquier persona que alguna vez haya sentido la necesidad de moverse, pisotear, o recibir un apretón!

PORQUE SÍ, by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault Before going to sleep, a curious girl asks her dad why the sea is blue, why the trees lose their leaves in the autumn, why, why ... Her dad, undaunted, will give her the most charming answers and fantastic, populated by space dinosaurs, singing fish and messenger birds ... Finally it is time to sleep and dream of all the fantastic beings of your sweet conversation. This clever album book plays with a child's curiosity and a dad's witty responses. The illustration is perfect for fueling this pretend play, and shows that there are different types of valid answers. It will undoubtedly become a classic book to read before bed.