New Crop Black Eyed Susan Picture Book Nominees 2020 mindfulness

two books about life conditions that any child will meet

Metaphor for Alzheimer's

the remember balloons        Jessie Oliveros        illustrator  Dana Wulfekotte

Child shares balloons or memories with Grandfather. Chasing dog to school house in a Saturday, a wedding, fishing days. Over time grandfather looses his memories; his balloons float away. Great sadness for child and family.  Memories shared can be carried to other generations.

Elephant in the room

Ruby Finds a Worry          Tom Percival

Everyone has worries,  but Ruby's worry is getting bigger and bigger.  We do not learn  what the worry was but Ruby has learned to share with another what is bothering her.  Isn't that the path we all need to walk?   Identify the what, the why and the who can I talk to about my worries.   Link to provided for childmind.org in a Dear Reader letter.  

New Crop 2021 Blacked Eyed Susan Picture Books Family Affairs

Pencil Necks  

 Linus the little Yellow Pencil   Scott Magoon

Family art  show is coming around. Linus and his eraser Ernie are having a time coming up with art pieces they both like. Linus draws  Ernie erases.  Lots of word plays, may be too many.  Lively illustrations with post it colors, very cool.

Let's eat !

Zombies Don't Ear Veggies   Megan Lacera & Jorge Lacera    illustrator Jorge Lacera

Young Mo is a Zombie but he likes veg, celery, tomatoes, carrots. The Romero's don't agree <que asco>, they serve brain and bean tortillas, brain cakes or stew.  Mo attempts to tempt them with his fantastico gazpacho  ( recipes included )  but nada.  Yet the Romeros are family.Yum yum yum.

New Crop Black Eyed Susan Picture Books nominees 2020-2021

Grandma books are great

When Grandma Give You a Lemon Tree       Jamie L.B. Deenihan  illustrator  Lorraine Rocha

Lola birthday lemon tree not on the the wish list BUT she nurtures her lemon tree through the year and harvests lemon at last. When you get lemons make lemonade !  

Rhythmic, colorful, being thankful and sharing.

Ocean to the Sky    

The Proudest Blue       Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali       illustrator  Hatem Aly

First day of school for Asiya wearing  hijab she and sister Faizah are excited; there are questions, why and jeers, tablecloth  but  hijab is strong, proud, important.  

from the author's notes  " parts of ourselves that might make us appear "different" are worth exploring'