January’s Best New Kids Books

Feelings: A Pull-and-Play Book

Anyone with a toddler knows that they experience some big feelings, sometimes all in a span of five minutes! Turn to this book by Alice Le Henand and illustrated by Thierry Bedouet to explore all the emotions and feelings toddlers experience. They’ll identify with Little Crocodile’s sadness and Little Bear’s fearfulness, as your kids pull the tabs in and out to bring these animals to life. 

Ages 0-3

Available at amazon.com for $11.59

Where Birdie Lives

Interactive reading is taken to new heights in Where Birdie Lives, written and illustrated by Elena Tsvetaeva. Toddlers will love lifting the flaps on each page as the puppy tries to find out where Birdie actually lives. Is she under the leaf? How about hiding in the tree? Go along with puppy as he looks for Birdie high and low, lifting the flaps as you go. This story will incite curiosity and encourage your kids to interact with the book. Plus, we love the actual high quality of this large, easy-to-hold board book.

Ages 0+

Available at amazon.com

The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA

Written by Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author Brenda Woods, The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA tells the story of a unique friendship between a young white boy and a black WWII veteran. Mr. Meriwether Hunter returns to Jim Crow South in 1946. When he saves little Gabriel’s life during a bike accident, Gabriel’s father offers Meriwether a job as a mechanic at their family garage. Gabriel and Meriwether form a friendship that endures in spite of the extreme prejudices in the world around them. A beautiful read. Available Jan. 8, 2019.

Ages: 10 and up

Get it here. $11.99

True Colors

Based on the infamous song by Cyndi Lauper, this little book is perfect for any age from 0-99. Since it’s release in 1986 the song “True Colors” (written by Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly) has endured with the message of self-confidence and self-love. “Because your true colors are beautiful, like a rainbow!!” Beautifully illustrated by Sarah Walsh, it makes a great gift for anyone! 

Ages: 0-99

Out now! Order here, $7.99 hardcover

A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks

Celebrate the life and voice of poet Gwendolyn Brooks with this thoughtful story that combines both Brooks’ legacy with her life story. Known for being one of the most foremost poets on the Black experience and the role of women in society, Gwendolyn Brooks went from a young child writing all the time to becoming the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize and authoring 20 books of poetry, two autobiographies and one novel. Celebrated author and children’s librarian Alice Faye Duncan makes Brooks come to life on the page for the young reader. Available Jan. 1, 2019.  

Ages: 5 and up 

$16.95. Find a copy here. 

My Heart

You will likely remember author-illustrator Corinna Luyken’s Book of Mistakes from 2017, when it won Best Book of the Year by NPR, Huffington Post andThe Boston Globe. Corinna is back with My Heart, (Jan. 2018) a story that celebrates empathy and kindness. With gorgeous imagery throughout, young readers are taken through the story of the heart, and how it is sometimes a puddle of sadness and sometimes wide open to love. Another beautiful book that teaches children that’s it’s okay to be sad and scared—but that love always wins. Available Jan. 8, 2019. 

Ages: 4-8

Order from amazon, $12.75

Be a Good Sport, Charlie Brown

Based on your favorite comic strip lineup, Be a Good Sport, Charlie Brown finds the Peanuts gang in a classic scenario: Charlie Brown’s team is losing the beginning baseball game of the season 63 to 0. But could there be something better to baseball than just winning? We’re pretty sure this sweet new book will be a home run reminder to never give up.  Available Jan. 22, 2019

Ages: 3-7

Order it here. $4.99

The Big Book of Super Hero Bedtime Stories