friday's five, a celebration of all that is good

I'm still chugging along with these round-up posts, and maybe in the new year, there will actually be posts in between them every once in a while. Life moves at a crazy pace, but I've got a big pile of books to be featured here over the next few weeks, because there's never a shortage of good picture books to be read!

This week, as we wrap up the year and reflect on the good and the bad, I wanted to put the spotlight on five books that I think give readers wonderful examples of how to be loving and kind, generous and caring, and how to recognize those traits in the people in their lives. We all could learn a little something or more from these titles.

1. Love written by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Loren Long

The beauty and tenderness of this book cannot be emphasized enough, and sentimental adults should be forewarned that if they're the crying type, this book just might cause them to tear up. There's so much here to be celebrated, from the representation of characters with various skin tones and perceived cultural backgrounds, to the sweet recognition of all types of ways people show their love to others. This book should surely be read slowly and carefully, as it encourages conversation and exploration into the details of the illustrations and the implicit meanings of the text. This one is a winner on every single level.

2. Be Kind written by Pat Zietlow and illustrated by Jen Hill

Two simple words that we often say to young children- be kind. What this book does beautifully is ask the question, What does it mean to be kind? It then offers potential answers to that question through the eyes of a child who ponders ways even the youngest among us can be kind to others around them. The simplicity of the message is important for it empowers children and encourages them to be thoughtful in easy and practical ways. It's not overly didactic in a way that comes off preachy, but instead it's genuine and sweet.

3. Pie is for Sharing written by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard and illustrated by Jason Chin

Many things are perfect from sharing. A pie, of course, is made for cutting into several pieces and sharing in its deliciousness, and a ball is always most fun when used with a friend. Other things, like a tree, are also meant for sharing, even if the little boy reading a book upon a branch isn't aware of the bird nest nearby. "Share" is another directive we give young kids, and this is a delightful book for demonstrating what it can mean, from the concrete, like a jump rope, to the abstract, like one's time. The book even acknowledges that some things are hard to share, like your best friend. Filled with diversity among its characters in the realistic illustrations, this is a lovely book for sharing with the little ones in your life.

4. You Hold Me Up written by Monique Gray Smith and illustrated by Danielle Daniel

Recognizing how our actions affect others is an ongoing lesson for children to learn, and the text in this book emphasizes the ways we connect with others to offer and receive support in basic but meaningful language. Listening, respecting, comforting, playing-- these are all ways we hold each other up, and these are things that even toddlers can begin to understand. The vibrant illustrations are colorful and fit perfectly in style with the simple text. The authors' note at the end explains the intention of this book as a piece of reconciliation with the long history of Canada's laws that have negatively affected Indigenous children and families.

5. I am Enough written by Grace Byers and illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo

Look at that dang cover. Seriously, this book pops off the shelf with this image of a confident child staring out under the title's strong declaration. The messages in this book fit with the others in this round-up, and they focus on a child's image of him or herself. Acceptance is integral to this book's theme, along with a recognition that people are all different in their own ways, from appearance to opinion. The big takeaway is that regardless of those differences, each is enough and together, people can offer love and support.


Here's to reading for a purpose, and may there be more beautiful books in our lives in the new year!