We Are Water Protectors
By: Carole Lindstrom
Illustrated by: Michaela Goade
Medal Winner
Reviewed by: Deanna Knoll
Written and illustrated by two Native Americans, this retelling of an old legend reminds the reader of the importance of taking care of the earth's precious resources, specifically water. The illustrator uses beautiful floral motifs and Native American symbols to authentically tell the story.
The Cat Man of Aleppo
By: Irene Latham, Karim Shamsi-Basha
Illustrated by: Yuko Shimizu
Honor
Reviewed by: Deanna Knoll
Recommended age: Ages 6-10
War is always terrible, but it hurts my heart when I consider the suffering children, elderly, animals, and others who are in the wrong place at the wrong time through no fault of their own. This story is a beautiful example of what happens when a person chooses to dig deep and help others in spite of his own suffering. This is one of my favorite picture books about the fallout from war and how war can inspire compassion even in the most difficult of times.
Me & Mama
By: Cozbi A. Cabrera
Illustrated by: Cozbi A. Cabrera
Honor
Reviewed by: Deanna Knoll
A sweet, beautiful, imaginative book tells the story of a day spent with Mama, from a little girl's point of view. From the first page, when Mama wakes her up with a "Good morning to you" song (my mom used to do the same thing!) to splashing in puddles and a kiss goodnight, this is a comfort book perfect for a bedtime story.
Outside In
By: Deborah Underwood
Illustrated by: Cindy Derby
Honor
Reviewed by: Deanna Knoll
Recommended age: Ages 4-10
This is such a sweet plea for all of us to remember to spend time outdoors and appreciate the beauty of nature.
Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart
By: Zetta Elliott
Illustrated by: Noa Denmon
Honor
Reviewed by: Deanna Knoll
While I fully appreciate the sentiment of this poem as a mature adult, this book seems more of a picture book written to address national issues rather than a book that sparks a child's imagination, encourages deeper exploration of a topic, or brings more beauty into the world of a child. In this book, the words don't seem connected to the images on each page. While children are certainly part of the national conversations and events currently happening in the US, a poem with abstract ideas and descriptions of emotions not tied to specific events within the book seem too complex for the intended audience. To address such difficult and nuanced problems, books that tell stories will be much more effective for this age group.
