If you’re looking for a picture book for Grandparents Day next month (September 12, 2021), I’ve got the perfect book for you, especially if those grandparents live elsewhere. Following a grandma and granddaughter who live far apart, One, Two, Grandma Loves You by Shelly Beck and Dan Yaccarino is a rhyming picture book done right!

Using both counting and rhyme, One, Two, Grandma Loves You shares the story of a young girl visiting her grandma, beginning with the anticipation they both feel marking the date on the calendar. With the rhythm of “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe”, we follow along as the parents drop the young girl at her grandma’s and the pair spend their days baking, fishing, painting, and staying up too late. Of course, the visit must come to an end eventually, but the story has a reassuring finish when we learn another trip will be planned.

The illustrations by Dan Yaccarino pair perfectly with the rhyming text by Shelly Becker. The colors are so vivid and inviting! I especially appreciate grandma’s stylish home and chic outfits.

I would highly recommend One, Two, Grandma Loves You for young readers with long distance grandparents. I haven’t spoken much about this here yet, but our family is currently in the process of moving to St. Louis, and my little one will soon live far away from both of his grandmothers and I plan to read One, Two, Grandma Loves You to him frequently. It’s such a reassuring read for children, helping them understand that physical distance does not equal emotional distance. I especially appreciated the way leaving Grandma’s was handled with a bit of humor and a lot of love.

One, Two, Grandma Loves You officially releases next week, but you can preorder your copy today wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and to continue bringing content to you. I always appreciate your support!)

Thank you so much to Abrams Appleseed for sending a review copy of One, Two, Grandma Loves You my way. I know this one will be appreciated by my family for years to come!

About The Author:

Shelly Becker is the author of Even Superheroes Make Mistakes, Even Superheroes Have Bad Days (a 2018 Blue Spruce Award Nominee that Kirkus Reviews called “an action-packed romp”), and Mine! Mine! Mine!, which has been included on many Top Five and Top Ten lists of books that teach the concept of sharing. Becker lives in Toronto, Canada, far away from her three wonderful grandchildren, who live in New Jersey. When they can’t be together in person, they keep in touch by speaking on the phone and sending plenty of pictures and videos. Visit her online at shellybeckerbooks.com.

About The Illustrator:

Dan Yaccarino is the internationally acclaimed author and illustrator of more than 50 books for children, most notably Doug Unplugged, Unlovable, The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau, and Every Friday. Yaccarino’s work in children’s literature has garnered a host of prestigious awards, as well as adaptations into foreign editions, stage productions, and toys. Yaccarino created and produced the animated series Doug Unplugs, Oswald, and Willa’s Wild Life. He is also the designer behind the animated series The Backyardigans. Yaccarino’s work has been recognized by a host of prestigious awards, including the Bologna Ragazzi, the New York Times 10 Best Illustrated, ALA Notable, and the Parent’s Choice Award. More than 2.5 million of his books have been sold to date. Visit him online at danyaccarino.com.

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Happy Tuesday, everyone! I can’t wait to share the new releases I am most looking forward to this week with you all, so let’s dive right in!

As always, these titles will have inclusive characters (think racial and cultural diversity, LGBTQ+ representation, diverse family structures, disability representation, and more), and fall into a range of genres in both fiction and nonfiction categories.

Please Note: This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission from purchases made, with no additional cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and continue bringing content to you.

Board Books

Here We Are: Book of Numbers by Oliver Jeffers

Picture Books

Poet, Pilgrim, Rebel: The Story of Anne Bradstreet, America’s First Published Poet by Katie Munday Williams, Illustrated by Tania Rex

Usha and the Big Digger by Amitha Jagannath Knight, Illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat

Look, Grandma! Ni, Elisi! by Art Coulson, Illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight

A Kid is a Kid is a Kid by Sara O’Leary, Illustrated by Qin Leng

What I Am by Divya Srinivasan

Chapter Books

Kai and the Monkey King by Joe Todd-Stanton

J.D. and the Family Business by J. Dillard, Illustrated by Akeem S. Roberts

Middle Grade

Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood Edited by Kwame Mbalia

Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai by Debbi Michiko Florence

Psychology for Kids: The Science of the Mind and Behavior by Jacqueline B. Toner and Claire A. B. Freeland

The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh by Helen Rutter

Being Clem (The Finding Langston Trilogy) by Lesa Cline-Ransome

Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Graphic Novels

Hicotea: A Nightlights Story by Lorena Alvarez

I hope you all enjoyed reading about these new releases, and hopefully you found one or two to add to your young reader’s shelves!

Did I miss any releases you’re excited for? Be sure to share in the comments below!

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I am so thrilled to share A Kid is a Kid is a Kid by Sara O’Leary and Qin Leng with you all today! This much anticipated follow up to A Family is a Family is a Family follows the same theme of celebrating differences, but instead of diverse family structures, this time the duo highlights the many ways children themselves are unique.

It all begins with a young child on the playground sharing how difficult it is to be the new kid – they get asked such strange questions. Slowly, the other children on the playground all chime in and share the odd questions they get asked. All types of questions are covered, from “Why are you so small?” to “Why don’t you have any friends?”, and each child shares a bit about how those questions make them feel, as well as questions they would rather be asked. But before long, the playground is filled with children who can all agree on one question they all like to be asked.

A Kid is a Kid is a Kid has the same warmth and whimsy as A Family is a Family is a Family, and Sarah O’Leary’s thoughtful text combines perfectly with Qin Leng’s playful illustrations once again. The level of detail on each page demonstrates the amount of care that went into developing each individual character, which supports the book’s message in such a beautiful way.

A Kid is a Kid is a Kid officially releases tomorrow, but you can preorder today wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and to continue bringing content to you. I always appreciate your support!)

Thank you so much to Groundwood Books for providing me with a review copy of A Kid is a Kid is a Kid. It was absolutely lovely and I can’t wait to read it again and again!

About The Author:

Sara O’Leary is a writer of fiction for both adults and children. Her highly acclaimed picture books include Percy’s Museum, illustrated by Carmen Mok; Night Walk, illustrated by Ellie Arscott; A Family Is a Family Is a Family, illustrated by Qin Leng (USBBY Outstanding International Books); and Maud and Grand-Maud, illustrated by Kenard Pak. She has also written This Is Sadie (adapted for the stage for New York City Children’s Theater) and the award-winning series of Henry books, all illustrated by Julie Morstad. Sara writes for children’s animation and teaches at Concordia University in Montreal. Visit https://saraoleary.ca/.

About The Illustrator:

Qin Leng lives and works as a designer and illustrator in Toronto. She graduated from the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema and has received many awards for her animated short films and artwork. Her picture books include Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin by Chieri Uegaki (APALA Award, Governor General’s Literary Award finalist); Away by Emil Sher and A Family Is a Family Is a Family by Sara O’Leary (both USBBY Outstanding International Books); When I Found Grandma by Saumiya Balasubramaniam (Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award finalist) and I Am Small, which Qin has written and illustrated. Visit www.qinillustrations.com.

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If you’re looking to start a conversation with your young readers about gender identity, I have the perfect pick for you today. ABC of Gender Identity by Devika Dalal is an amazing educational resource for both children and adults about the diversity of gender identity.

ABC of Gender Identity introduces readers to 26 different gender identities and encourages young readers to embrace the many ways we all express ourselves. From agender to ze/zir, ABC of Gender Identity provides a straightforward definition of these gender identities and pronouns in a way that young readers will easily understand. Each identity and pronoun is paired with an adorable illustration, highlighting the broad range of ways we all present ourselves to the world.

There is a fantastic guide for adults in the back of the book written by Dr. Michelle Angelo with questions to ask while reading, as well as guidance on terminology.

ABC of Gender Identity is available wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon, so be sure to pick up your copy today. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and to continue bringing content to you. I always appreciate your support!)

Thank you so much to Jessica Kingsley Publishers for providing me with a review copy of such an amazing book. I am so thrilled to be able to share it with you all today!

About The Author/Illustrator:

Devika Dalal is a Creative Art Director and the author, designer and illustrator of ABC of Gender Identity. She works in advertising and is an advocate of using creativity for social impact. She currently lives in New York City. You can find Devika online at her website devikadalal.com and on Twitter @devikadalal.

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Happy Tuesday, everyone! I’m so excited to share the new releases I am most looking forward to this week with you all.

As always, these titles will have inclusive characters (think racial and cultural diversity, LGBTQ+ representation, diverse family structures, disability representation, and more), and fall into a range of genres in both fiction and nonfiction categories.

Please Note: This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission from purchases made, with no additional cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and continue bringing content to you.

Picture Books

My Dog Romeo by Ziggy Marley, Illustrated by Ag Jatkowska

How to Make a Friend by Stephen W. Martin, Illustrated by Olivia Aserr

Henry at Home by Megan Maynor, Illustrated by Alea Marley

Middle Grade

Mightier Than the Sword by Rochelle Melander, Illustrated by Melina Ontiveros

World in Between by Kenan Trebincevic and Susan Shapiro

Weird Kid by Greg van Eekhout

Graphic Novels

The Accursed Vampire by Madeline McGrane

I hope you all enjoyed reading about these new releases, and hopefully you found one or two to add to your young reader’s shelves!

Did I miss any releases you’re excited for? Be sure to share in the comments below!

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Today, I want to share a wonderful picture book sure to please all the young bird lovers in your life. Bird Boy by Matthew Burgess is a delightful story of inclusion, acceptance, and being yourself.

Following a young boy named Nico as he finds his way at a new school, Bird Boy encourages young readers to embrace the things that make them unique. Nico doesn’t fit in right away, and soon earns himself the nickname Bird Boy when a bird approaches him on the playground. But Nico doesn’t mind, because Nico loves birds – from soaring eagles to green-winged macaws. Nico embraces his identity as Bird Boy, pretending to be a bird whenever he gets the chance, and he eventually finds friends in his classroom that appreciate his kindness and imagination.

The illustrations by Shahrzad Maydani are absolutely delightful. I love the colors and layers throughout each page, and of course all the birds.

Bird Boy is available today wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon, so be sure to grab your copy today. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and to continue bringing content to you. I always appreciate your support!)

Thank you so much to Random House Kids for proving me with a review copy of Bird Boy. I am thrilled to be able to share it with you all today.

About The Author:

Matthew Burgess is the author of Enormous Smallness: A Story of E. E. Cummings, illustrated by Kris Di Giacomo, and The Unbudgeable Curmudgeon, illustrated by Fiona Woodcock. He has been a poet-in-residence in New York City elementary schools through the Teachers & Writers Collaborative since 2001, and he is currently completing his PhD at the CUNY Graduate Center. His work has appeared in various magazines and journals, and he recently received an award from the Fund for Poetry. He teaches creative writing and composition at Brooklyn College and lives in Brooklyn, New York. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewBurgess.

About The Illustrator:

Shahrzad Maydani is an illustrator and storyteller living and working in Berkeley, CA. She was raised in Africa by an Iranian mother and English father and spent her childhood collecting and telling stories. She now spends her days frantically making up worlds to keep her toddler happy. Follow her on Twitter @shazmaydani and on Instagram @shahrzadmaydani.

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For Today’s Author Spotlight, I’m thrilled to be chatting with Stephanie Wildman about her debut picture book Brave In The Water.

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me about Brave in The Water. Do you want to start out by telling us a little about yourself and the book?

I have always wanted to be a writer. Some would say I have been a writer already because I’ve published many nonfiction books and articles in my life as a law professor. NYU Press recently published a “classic edition” of my book Privilege Revealed: How Invisible Preference Undermines America (with contributions by Margalynne Armstrong, Adrienne Davis, and Trina Grillo) (updated with new material). But it is fiction, especially for children, that I want to write. Brave in the Water is my debut picture book.

In Brave in the Water the reader meets Diante, who is afraid to put his face in the water. He would like to play in the pool with other children. He’s not afraid to hang upside down though, and he is surprised to learn that his grandma is afraid to be upside down in an inverted yoga pose. Can Diante help Grandma and become brave in the water?

Spoiler alert: He can and he does. Grandma tells Diante about the feathered peacock yoga pose that she aspires to do. Diante wants to try it. Grandma explains that “Breathing is important for trying something new.” They practice slow, deep inhalations and exhalations together, before Diante returns to the pool.

What inspired you to write Brave in the Water?

I grew up with a deep fear of water, instilled by my parents who couldn’t swim. My grandfather took me to swimming lessons, but I couldn’t learn. It’s hard to learn anything when you are fearful. I hope this book can help children want to learn to swim and see how much fun they can have in the water.

What advice would you give parents with children who are fearful of the water like Diante?

I do think that one important parental role is helping a child learn to swim and to be water safe. Good swim lessons are available in many places. Spending time in the water with a child, helping them to get a sense of buoyancy is a good step prior to lessons. For some children going to lessons with a buddy is helpful. For others, if they are very fearful, a private session or two might “break the ice.” Warm water helps, too.

Diante’s grandmother teaches him to find a calm sort of bravery through yoga. Was yoga helpful for you in facing your own fears of swimming?

I didn’t learn to swim until I was 26 years old, and I didn’t start yoga until my late fifties, so yoga didn’t help me with being fearful until later in life. But it has helped me face other fears and reprogram my neural pathways.

Though you have written other books previously, Brave in The Water is your picture book debut. How did the writing process differ from your other titles? How was your experience working with an illustrator for Brave in The Water?

The writing process was not so different. For both nonfiction and fiction, I needed lots of rewrites and editing. But having Jenni Feidler-Aguilar, the illustrator, bring the story to life was an amazing experience. I am not a very visual person and seeing the story through her drawings for the first time was a thrill I won’t forget. It really made my heart sing. Jenni has a YouTube channel where you can learn more about her work:

If you had to describe Brave in The Water in three words, what would they be?

Breathe . . . Breathe . . . Breathe . . .

Do you foresee any more picture books in your future? 

I hope so. I have several works in progress. I will keep you posted.

Are there any books that inspired you to write?

I made up a pen name in the 4^th grade. I was in love with Beezus, Ramona, and Pippi Longstocking.

What book (or books) are you currently reading?

I am almost finished with Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi. It’s a tour de force. I have also been reading books by many of my Writers Grotto colleagues like Vanessa Hua, Bridget Quinn, A.H. Kim , Katherine Seligman, and many others.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with Mutually Inclusive readers?

My debut group NewBooksforKids.com is full of diverse books and creators. Please check out these stories. It has been a joy to go through this book launch process with this wonderful group and to learn about their books.

Thank you so much for chatting with me today and introducing yourself to Mutually Inclusive’s Readers.

You can also find Stephanie online at her website, stephaniewildman.com and on social media at Twitter and Instagram.

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This review comes with a warning: do not read this one if you’re hungry. Today we’re talking about a wonderful picture book called Kalamata’s Kitchen that started out as a seed of an idea when Derek Wallace wanted to share his passion for food with his son. He reached out to his friend Sarah Thomas (who knew the food industry well as the Advanced Sommelier at Eric Ripert’s award-winning restaurant Le Bernardin) with the idea of a young girl named Kalamata – and the rest is history.

Kalamata’s Kitchen is the first book in a series following a young girl named Kalamata and her sidekick, an alligator name Al Dente. Kalamata is nervous about the first day of school when she remembers how brave she felt during her trip to India, where she and Al visited the spice market and fearlessly tried new foods and flavors.

Luckily, Kalamata has a “magical” kitchen table that she and Al can climb under and transport anywhere they want to be. Kalamata and Al travel back to the spice market in hopes of finding their bravery, as Kalamata’s mother cooks in the kitchen, filling the house with the delicious smell of dal. By journeying back to the market in India, Kalamata is inspired to connect with the children at her new school through food.

The illustrations by Jo Kosmides Edwards are wonderful. The bright colors are fun, but I was most impressed by the way she portrayed the spices on the page. Taste and smell can be such a tough concept to convey though text and illustration, but I could practically taste the cinnamon, cumin, and turmeric on the pages!

The back matter is also quite extensive for a fiction book. Readers will find a recipe for dal, a glossary of culinary terms, and a map of India highlighting the country’s unique regional dishes.

Kalamata’s Kitchen is set to launch as a full brand, including an upcoming animated TV show and themed toys and activities on their website. I’m personally a big fan of the Kal & Al Pals, a set of Kalamata and Al Dente plushies that young readers will certainly love.

Kalamata’s Kitchen officially releases next week (July 20, 2021), but you can preorder your copy wherever books are sold, including Bookshop, Amazon, and the Kalamata’s Kitchen website, where all sales will benefit No Kid Hungry. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and to continue bringing content to you. I always appreciate your support!)

Thank you so much to Random House Kids for providing me with a review copy of Kalamata’s Kitchen. It was an absolute delight, and I can’t wait to see what other cuisines Kalamata and Al Dente explore throughout the series.

About The Creators:

Sarah Thomas is the co-creator and Chief Imaginator of Kalamata’s Kitchen, but she considers her title of Professional Try-Things-Twicer the most important of all. Sarah grew up surrounded by the delicious scents and flavors of her mother’s Indian Kerala cuisine. Her love of food and storytelling led Sarah to the hospitality industry, and though she was a sommelier for years, these days she’s focused on introducing Kalamata and her Taste Buds to as many new friends as possible.

Jo Kosmides Edwards is the Doodling Dynamo of Kalamata’s Kitchen. She thinks of herself as a maker with a love for creating in many mediums, including books, murals, and fine art. Her love of food started as child in her father’s restaurant, where she earned the reputation of “the kid who would try anything.”

Derek Wallace is the creator of Kalamata’s Kitchen. He spent sixteen years working in sales and marketing leadership, until in 2016, he realized how much he wanted to inspire his son, Henry, to experience the world through the lens of food. So, he came up with the idea of a little girl named Kalamata, and has devoted himself to introducing her to the world ever since.

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Happy Tuesday, everybody! My Tuesday is feeling a lot like a Monday with the long weekend, but I’ve got my coffee and I’m ready to tell you all about this week’s new releases.

As always, these titles will have inclusive characters (think racial and cultural diversity, LGBTQ+ representation, diverse family structures, disability representation, and more), and fall into a range of genres in both fiction and nonfiction categories.

Please Note: This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission from purchases made, with no additional cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and continue bringing content to you.

Board Books

What’s My Super Power? by Aviaq Johnston, Illustrated by Tim Mack

You’re So Nice, Baby: Teaching Positive Affirmations to Children by Molly Dresner, Illustrated by Valentina Jaskina

ABC: Everyday Heroes Like Me by Sugar Snap Studios

Picture Books

Lala’s Words by Gracey Zhang

Not Little by Maya Myers, Illustrations by Hyewon Yum

Shhh! The Baby’s Asleep by JaNay Brown-Wood, Illustrated by Elissambura

Chirri and Chirra: The Rainy Day by Kaya Doi, Translated by David Boyd

Chapter Books

The Secret Explorers and the Missing Scientist by SJ King

The Kids of Cattywampus Street by Lisa Jahn-Clough, Illustrated by Natalie Andrewson

Middle Grade

Josephine Against The Sea by Shakirah Bourne

Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom by Sangu Mandanna

Forever This Summer by Leslie C. Youngblood

Comics

The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow by Emma Steinkellner

That’s all I have for today. I hope you all enjoyed reading about these new releases, and hopefully you found one or two to add to your young reader’s shelves!

Which titles have you been looking forward to the most? Be sure to share in the comments below!

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