friday's five, sparking joy

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, tiny flowers are popping up out of greening grass, and I'm feeling joyful. As I've been looking through picture books in the last few days, I've been drawn toward ones that have made me smile. This week's handful of books share a common theme of finding happiness-- whether it's in music and movement, a perfect pair of sneakers, the joy of imagination, the love between friends and family, or art and personal celebrations.

I hope these books spark joy for you, too!

1. I Got the Rhythm written by Connie Schofield-Morrison and illustrated by Frank Morrison

Look at the joy on the face of the girl on this picture book's cover-- that is the joy that comes from music and movement! This little girl finds rhythm all around in her neighborhood, from the drumming of street musicians to the flapping of butterflies' wings. She finds ways to feel and move with that rhythm by listening, singing, blinking, clapping, snapping, you name it! This book oozes joy, and it celebrates the power of music and rhythm to bring people together and bring happiness.

2. My Kicks: A Sneaker Story! written by Susan Verde and illustrated by Katie Kath

Sometimes it's hard to let an old pair of shoes go. For the little boy in this story, his sneakers are filled with (mostly) fantastic memories of adventures and happy days. But his mom insists that they need replacing-- all she sees are stains and rips, not the memory of the popsicle that dripped the stain or the incredible skateboarding trick that made the tear. She drags him to the shoe store and he begrudgingly agrees to try on a new pair of yellow sneakers. WOAH! It's a whole new chance to make new memories! This is a fun celebration of growing up, through the eyes of a little boy who just loves his kicks!

3. Maya Papaya and Her Amigos Play Dress-Up written by Susan Middleton Elya and illustrated by Maria Mola

Maya Papaya has some pretty special stuffed animals who accompany her on adventures throughout the whole year. With each new season, Maya makes sure sus amigos are dressed appropriately when she takes them outside for fun and games. Each season is introduced in Spanish, and more Spanish words and phrases are sprinkled throughout the text. Most are easy to figure out in context, but just in case young readers and their caregivers aren't fluent, English translations are provided at the end of the book. Regardless of native language, little kids will be drawn in by Maya's creative nature and the joy she has in imaginative play.

4. How Do I Love Thee? written by Jennifer Adams and illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal

In this re-imagining of Victorian poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning's famous ode to her her husband Robert Browning, children play out adventures big and small together to illustrate the ways people connect and bring love to each other's lives. The illustrations are soft and lovely, featuring three children whose friendship goes to the "depth and breadth and height" a soul can reach. Snuggle up with a little one you love to share this beauty.

5. The Museum of Me written and illustrated by Emma Lewis

This truly unique picture book emphasizes the powers of observation in connection with the concept of museums. When a child visits a variety of different museums, she talks about the cool kinds of items that she sees, from ancient artifacts to taxidermied birds from all over the world. Pieces of art, items from the natural world, and spacecrafts fill giant buildings ready for visitors to come and take a look. In the end, the girl adores exploring all types of museums, but she really loves creating her own museum featuring artifacts of her own life.


Happy reading!