As we get to the end of the year, I always realize that I will not complete my alphabet challenges simply by reading adult books. So, I go to my local library and engage with the children's librarian to find books that will satisfy my remaining letters for Author and Title.
I really enjoy hanging out in the children's section of the library, hearing kids and their parents talk about books, and reading wonderful children's literature. Here are brief reviews of the books I chose this year. And I didn't finish the alphabet challenges, so I will probably go back.
Author: Words by Shuntay Grant, Pictures by Zach Manbeck
Year published: 2025
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review: What a beautifully done book. The illustrations are magical and beautiful; I found myself smiling while I read it.
Author: Written and Illustrated by Clayton Gauthier. Dakelh translation by Danny Alexis and Theresa Austin
Year published: 2019
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review: This Canadian book is in English and Dakelh. The Dakelh are a First Nations Indigenous people living in a large portion of the Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada. The Dakelh also call themselves Yinka Dene, and the Babine-Witsuwitʼen-speaking bands prefer the equivalent Yinka Whut'en. I loved the primary color native american wood block art depicting the lives of the bears and the straightforward way that the bears' lives were explained in the story.
Author: Written by Monique Gray Smith, Illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
Year published: 2022
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review: Oh, this one gave me flashbacks to my childhood. The book is so positive, simple, and the illustrations are reminiscent of books from when I was young. It gave me a warm feeling to read all the "hopes" a family has for its young ones.
Author: Written by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clesha. Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
Year published: 1999
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review: Children's books often write about professions: doctors, teachers, nurses, etc. I like that this book was about the town's garbage man, who helps keep the town clean and does it with a smile. It uses repetition, which is always good with kids.
Title: The Universe Ate My Homework
Author: Written by David Zeltser and Illustrated by Ayeshia L. Rubio
Year published: 2018
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review: I love that this book took a common kid complaint (doing homework) and combined it with a very complex science concept (black holes) to create a captivating, understandable story.
Author: Written by Rachel Ip and Illustrated by Laura Hughes
Year published: 2023
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review: I think this one appealed because the illustrations were super fun, and I appreciated a book about memory loss as my dad loses his. I would love to find a place that holds all the words and memories that he can't find.
Title: Ozzie and Prince Zebedee
Author: Gela Kalaitzidis
Year published: 2022
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review: This is a good one about friendship, anger, and forgiveness. It also shows how a child's imagination and play is used to process feelings.
Author: Sandra Fay
Year published: 2022
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review: How can you turn down a book about Mongolian Death Worms? They are gross and fascinating. At the end of the story, which feels like fiction, there is a section talking about the real worms.
Challenges for which these books qualify:
- Alphabet (Author)--I, Y, and Z
- Alphabet (Title)--V and Z
- Cover Love--Season in the title
- Diversity--Native American authors, characters from various ethnic groups
- Literary Escapes--Mongolia
- Nonfiction
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