Children’s Literature Book Recommendations

By Suzy Leopold

    All across the globe the world has changed. Life is difficult to navigate during a global pandemic that includes many restrictions. Everyone is acquiring new knowledge and understanding of how we can be safe, happy, and even do our part.

“Children’s books can play a powerful role in helping 

kids navigate life’s challenges.”

—Caroline Bologna, Huff Post

    During this unprecedented time, many picture books were published to offer information and comfort to readers of all ages. These books include fiction and nonfiction picture books, middle grade, early readers, and more. 

    Additional children’s literature continues to be published and will soon be available for children of all ages. These timely books provide an  understanding of the world around us concerning the current situation with global health issues. 

    Many recently picture books offer facts and information about viruses and germs. Children’s mental and emotional needs are addressed, such as anxiety, stress, and separation from family and friends. These books support our youth to understand they are not alone in their feelings and how they can do their part—hand washing, social distancing, and mask wearing.

    As Mr. Fred Rogers said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

    This first picture book recommendation is, COVID-19 HELPERS: A Story for Kids about the Coronavirus and the People Helping during the 2020 Pandemic is written by Beth Baker and illustrated by Kary Lee. It is published by Blair, November 2020. 

    This book provides comforting words for readers, ages 5-11, and includes positive, honest information. 

    And just like Mr. Rogers, encourages children to “look for the helpers.”

 

    Keeping the City Going, is written and illustrated by Brian Floca, made its debut in April 2021. The book is a heartfelt thank you to all essential workers during the stay at home orders of the pandemic and is written for ages 4-8. Back matter includes an author’s note.

    The publisher, Atheneum Books for Young Readers states, “An ode to the essential workers keeping the country operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Caldecott Medal Winner, Brian Floca’s words and illustrations speak to the reader while everyone is sheltering in place.

    Author, Kate Messner conducted interviews with Dr. Fauci to create the picture book narrative, Dr. Fauci: How a Boy from Brooklyn Became America’s Doctor. The book is illustrated by Alexandra Bye and published by Simon and Schuster, June 2021. 

    The story is about America’s loved doctor, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

    This picture book biography is written for ages 4-8, and includes Dr. Fauci’s role of working with seven presidents. A timeline, facts, and more are included in the back matter.

    Written by Theresa Trinder and illustrated by Grant Snider, There is a Rainbow, is published by Chronicle Books, January 2021. The heart warming message is filled with hope for young readers, ages 3-5. The illustrations are vibrant and expressive.

    The following excerpt shares the uplifting message that makes the book perfect for a read aloud:

On the other side of the window, there is a neighbor.

On the other side of sadness, is a hug.

And on the other side of a storm, there is a rainbow.

    The fifth and final recommendation is a nonfiction book written by Suzanne Slade; illustrated by Elisa Paganelli. June Almeida, Virus Detective! The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus is published by Sleeping Bear Press and released in March 2021. This biography is written for 6-9 year olds.

    June was 34 years old when she discovered the first human coronavirus. Her work continues to support researchers today. Sharing a book trailer of this Scottish internationally renowned virologist and woman pioneer.

    Many helpers are doing their part during this unfamiliar and sometimes scary time. As a parent, a grandparent, an educator, a story teller, and a children’s book writer I want to do my part to put these books in the hands of children and students. 

    Perhaps you, too, have read and shared recently published books about the COVID-19 pandemic health crisis with young readers. Share additional children’s literature titles that are timely and relevant during the global pandemic.

    Let’s all do our part to offer reassurance and let children know they are safe. Read to them. Listen to them. Hug on them.

To be eligible for a give away, share a title, including the author and illustrator of a recently published book that addresses the COVID-19 theme. Write it in the comment section. I will paint a watercolor bookmark for one lucky winner—US only. The winner will be announced on the GROG Blog on May 19th.

Additional resources and links for parents and teachers: 

School Library Journal

New York City School Library System

The Today Show on NBC

Helping Children Cope, NASP

A Creative Life: Book Recommendations for Writers

by Suzy Leopold

When something makes you want to do something and when something gives you an idea about what to create, this is inspiration. Writers need inspiration. Clever ideas create sparks in a writer's mind along with feelings of emotion.

And this book does just that.

BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR
by Elizabeth Gilbert

Riverhead Books
2016

The instant #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestseller

BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING
BEYOND FEAR
by Elizabeth Gilbert

Many may recognize Elizabeth Gilbert as the author of EAT PRAY LOVE.

In BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR, Elizabeth Gilbert "digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective on creativity, offering potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration".

Inspiration is needed to be a writer. This book is inspiring.

Elizabeth Gilbert writes about the mysterious nature of inspiration. She offers attitudes, habits, and ideas for living a creative life. She encourages creatives to look within for the strange jewels.

The book is divided into six sections and includes:
Part I     Courage
Part II    Enchantment
Part III   Permission
Part IV  Persistence
Part V   Trust
Part VI  Divinity

Enjoy listening to the first chapter, Hidden Treasure pages 3-7 of Part I, Courage.

And if you want more, here's more to read as a pdf.

Discover what you were meant to do. Hope you feel curious, encouraged, and most of all inspired to live a creative life.

Writers will find inspiration in this book, too.

THE MAGIC WORDS: WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS
by Cheryl B. Klein

2016
W. W. Norton & Company

THE MAGIC WORDS: WRITING GREAT BOOKS
FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS
by Cheryl B. Klein

Perhaps you recognize Cheryl B. Klein as the Editor Lee & Low Books.

"Insightful, enlightening, and practical, The Magic Words is a book that belongs on every writer's shelf. Loaded with concrete examples and specific strategies, it's likely to end up dog-eared and well worn--that favorite book on craft that writers revisit again and again with each new project."
Kate Messner, author

Do you note my many Post-its?

It's like a master class inside a book. It's like a handbook with useful tools for writing children's and YA fiction.

The author guides writers on a practical writing journey from writing principles, crafting a strong story, and publishing.

Take a few moments to check out her excellent web site, blog, and many resources. You'll note additional book titles Cheryl authored along with two picture books.

WINGS made its debut in March 2019 and is illustrated by Caldecott winner, Tomie de Paola. Read more about this book in a dual interview with Cheryl and Tomie. The book is written with one dozen rhyming words: wings, clings, flings, stings, wrings, dings, things, brings, springs, sings, rings, and zings.

WINGS
by Cheryl B. Klein
Illustrated by Tomie de Paola

In September 2019, look for THUNDER TRUCKS. Cheryl partnered up with Katy Beebe are the a dual author team of this book. The bright, bold illustrations are by Mike Boldt.

THUNDER TRUCKS
by Cheryl Klein & Katy Beebe
Illustrated by Mike Boldt

While we know creating a picture book is a team effort between author and illustrator, have you ever considered writing a book with a writerly friend? The idea is something to consider.

"If you have a writer friend whose strengths complement yours,
AND you can manage your respective writerly egos,
consider drafting a book together to use both of your types of genius."
~Cheryl Klein

The idea is something to consider. Just ask fellow GROGgers Christy Mihaly and Sue Heavenrich. Together they wrote and co-authored DIET FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE: FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

DIET FOR A CHANGING CLIAMTE
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
by Christy Mihaly and
Sue Heavenrich

May these books inspire and encourage your writing journey.

Read, write, and create
Every day

###

From the desk of Sherri Jones Rivers:

Jillanne Hoffman

is the winner of:

NO BEARS ALLOWED 

By Lydia Lukidis

Illustrated by Tara J. Hannon

From the desk of Kathy Halsey:

Whispering Pines' Writing Retreat

A Working Retreat

October 25-27, 2019

For more information click here and on the New England SCBWI site.

A New Season of Writing ~By Kathy Halsey, Janie Reinart and Suzy Leopold

Don the new lenses over those peepers, GROG readers. Time to go back to school, back to cool. Sunglasses as our logo...gone. Not setting alarm...gone. But cool new "nerdy" glasses, yup that's us. Ready for a close up of collective curiosity? That's us, your GROGers. 

What IS here is sharpened pencils echoing sharper minds...with a definite point. As writers, we need to know our direction, our theme, our new school year resolutions. Yup, it's time to sharpen up our writing, time to delve into craft, maybe even delve into a new genre. 

School may be near or far, depending on your perspective.

From the Desk of Kathy

  Actually, I cleaned up my desk for this shoot. (If this is clean, you shoulda seen it before!)  A new school year means pushing aside clutter and old things and finding something new. We have new foci and news galore for you this  new season. Several of us now have agents. Several of us have nuggets to share about great summer retreats and conferences we attended. We hope you will share your summer news, too, in your comments.

So Happy New School Year! With the new you in a new do or view, I challenge you to do a few risky things, Hey, I am doing them, too. Try a new genre - what can you lose? I am attempting a middle grade and a board book which was inspired by the birth of my granddaughter Rosie. Read a new craft book. I confess I have not read Bird by Bird by Ann Lamont, but we are taking it up on FB in the Word by Word Book Club group, Join us. Finally, make new writer friends this new year. Find out their fav books, their preferred genres, and if they'd swap an ms with you. Bound to energize you. So let's move on to another GROGer and friend, 

 who energizes me... Janie Reinart.

From the desk of Janie

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious (WRITING) life? ~with thanks to Mary Oliver

 

Make everyday a writing day, with Judy Reeve's A Writer's Book of Days. Named one of the five hottest writing books by Writer's Digest, get going with prompts, inspiration, tips, and techniques. New seasons equals new goals. Even if you set your timer for ten minutes a day. Sit down and write! Post your goals in the comment section. 
 

 Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and the pupil are located in the same individual.~ Arthur Koestler

Get inspired with Patti Digh's book Creative is a Verb. "This book is for everyone who courageously creates their life as a work of art, sometimes beautiful, sometimes messy, sometimes painful, sometimes mundane, and always an expression of their unique vision." As life long learners, we grow everyday. We learn from each other. Share with us your favorite books on writing. 

From the desk of Suzy

Suzy Scribes

The calendar page for the month of September is now on display as the new month is well under way. 

September 2014

The Season of Autumn

The last hurrah of summer was celebrated during the Labor Day weekend.  School bells began ringing in August for many students. This week, additional eager, excited learners are seated in classrooms throughout the nation. 

Time for a new season with Back to School.  Time for the first day of Autumn on September 21st. With a new season, comes a new look and focus for our GROG Blog. 

Ride, Suzy, Ride.

Time for a New Season of Writing as we post about the following topics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday:

• Interviews with the GROGgers 
• Guest Posts
• Reading, Writing Teaching and Learning
• Book Reviews and Recommendations
• Travel Tales
• Writing Conferences & Workshops
• Top Ten Lists
• How To for the Craft of Writing
• Prizes and Contests

Read, write and create every day.

And so much more! We are great folks who care about readers and writers. Join us for this new season.