Dadaji’s Paintbrush: A Thing of Beauty
In which JULES hails ‘Dadaji’s Paintbrush,’ an open-hearted and tender intergenerational story of a boy and his grandfather in India, as ‘a thing of beauty’
Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
Graffiti, Hip-Hop & Misfit-ness
In praise of graffiti-inspired illustrator THEODORE TAYLOR III, in his own book, OFF THE WALL, and in WHEN THE BEAT WAS BORN, the story of DJ Kool Herc.
The Final Breakfast: Sophie Blackall on Farmhouse
JULES hosts her final Seven Impossible Things breakfast, with author SOPHIE BLACKALL who tells of a 'falling-down house' that yielded the unexpected treasures she ruminates on in FARMHOUSE.
Me and the Boss
MICHELLE EDWARDS's ME AND THE BOSS is subtitlted "A Story About Mending and Love." For young readers, it's so much more. Illustrations by APRIL HARRISON.
The Hard Road to Compassion and Inclusion in an Alien World
JULES spotlights two important new books for young readers: SANCTUARY: KIP TIERNAN AND ROSIE'S PLACE, THE NATION'S FIRST SHELTER FOR WOMEN and Young Vo's GIBBERISH, in which a young boy navigates a new language in a new land.
This Very Tree, The Survivor Tree & A Hundred Thousand Welcomes
On the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America, our acclaimed kids' lit blogger, JULES, finds fresh perspectives for young readers in three new books, two specifically addressing the World Trade Center attacks, another offering 'a love song to our shared humanity.'
For the Lost Children of Chile
NIÑOS: POEMS FOR THE LOST CHILDREN OF CHILE offers 'a powerful reflection on political violence in the lives of children,' as JULES explains in this month's featured book for young readers.
Abundant Love Before Breakfast
JANE PORTER's THE BOY WHO LOVED EVERYONE, illustrated by MAISIE PARADISE SHEARRING, offers valuable lessons to teach children about managing their emotions, as JULES explains. Also: "HERE COMES THE SUN," a short but welcome Spring greeting.
Juliet Menéndez’s Latinitas
In LATINITAS: CELEBRATING 40 BIG DREAMERS, author/illustrator JULIET MENÉNDEZ profiles women from all over Latin America and the U.S. and includes life stories that go back as far as the 17th century. Celia Cruz, Isabel Allende and AOC are among the profiles in this beautiful…
Shirley Chisholm: ‘Always a Doer’
In SHIRLEY CHISHOLM IS A VERB! author VERONICA CHAMBERS and illustrator RACHELLE BAKER remember the first black woman elected to Congress and the first woman to make a serious bid for the Presidency. JULES has the inside scoop.