little lit book series: family

This month’s theme for #littlelitbookseries is family and this is a beautiful tribute to immigrant mothers.

"My mom is a foreigner,

She's from another place.

She came when she was ten years old,

With only one suitcase."

Sometimes it’s difficult for the children of immigrants to understand their parents’ ways—the words they use, their accents, their expressions and terms of endearment (mon petit chou!) are foreign to them.  The foods their mothers make, the clothes they wear and the songs they sing are all different from what everyone else in the neighborhood does.  They feel they have nothing in common with their mothers.  But in the end—Mutti, Mamma, Mummy, Maman—is the most familiar person in the world to them.  Her voice, her cooking, the sound of her slippers shuffling across the kitchen floor—the thought of her and all her ways—feel unmistakably and overwhelmingly like home.

My Mom Is a Foreigner, But Not to Me was written by Julianne Moore, illustrated by Meilo So and published by Chronicle Books.

Stop by @littlelitbookseries for more books about family throughout the month and search #littlelitbookseries on Instagram to see what our friends are sharing today.

Little Lit Book Series: Writers and Writing

This month we’re sharing books about writers and writing for #littlelitbookseries.

“Yes, it all began so well,

There was I down in my writing shed:

early morning, cup of coffee,

blank page, teeming brain.”

An author starts off writing the best book ever about a “desperate, crafty, sneaking crocodile” and is on a roll.  He’s pounding out verses at a pretty good clip until flying cats, spilling cups of coffee and a forgotten-about family vacation to the seaside happen.  And then, horror of horrors — paper-eating snails.  But that’s not all that can go wrong before this poor chap’s book can make it to print — oh no, that is not all.  It’s shaping up to be the worst book ever.

A highly amusing story about the writing process.  If you’re a fan of Allan Ahlberg’s work, seek this one out.  He delivers hilarity, high jinks (many of them involving four-year-olds) and some really funny laugh-out-loud moments in MY WORST BOOK EVER.  Illustrated by Bruce Ingman and published by Thames & Hudson, it’ll be out on April 17.

Visit @littlelitbookseries to see other books about writers/writing throughout the month and head over to #littlelitbookseries on Instagram to find out what everyone else is sharing today.

little lit book series: spring

We have spring on our minds this month for #littlelitbookseries.  The Weather Girls know how to welcome each season with style, making the best of every kind of weather, pelting rain or soporific heat.  THE WEATHER GIRLS is a first book of seasons for little ones, with bright and charming pictures by Aki.  Published by Henry Holt & Co. Books for Young Readers.

We’ll be sharing more spring books all month long at @littlelitbookseries.  And don’t miss these spring-y picks today — search the hashtag #littlelitbookseries on Instagram.  Happy almost spring!

Little Lit Book Series: Creativity

We’re looking at the theme of creativity this month for #littlelitbookseries.  Creativity is not just for artists—it’s a backbone of everyday life, and is the foundation of innovation and problem-solving, which are important processes that are necessary and fundamental for a thriving society.  Creative moments arise when we ask ourselves the question, “What if…” or give ourselves free time to be curious, wonder and wander (sometimes all at the same time!).

We’re sharing some books this month that ponder what creativity is, what it means in our lives, what it looks like and how to foster it in our children.  We’ll also be sharing picture books in which writers and illustrators take a highly creative approach in crafting their written or visual narrative.  Follow along all month at @littlelitbookseries.

Where's Your Creativity? shows us that creativity is all around us and it’s more present in our lives than we tend to think—it’s not just found in ideas or pictures but in our dreams, the way we move, dress, the buildings in our neighborhoods.  The book also offers readers ways to seek creativity right where they are—without moving from their little spot in the world.  Loved this one from cover to cover, and highly recommend it.  Leaving you all with a fantastic quote from it:

“Even before you woke up this morning, you were already being creative.  While you were asleep your brain was busy jiggling your memories like a box full of puzzle pieces.  In your dreams the pieces fit together in surprising new ways.  Turn your dreams into story and write like you dream — without any rules.”

Where's Your Creativity? was written by Aaron Rosen and Riley Watts, illustrated by Marika Maijala and published by Tate | Abrams. It’s out now in the UK and publishes on April 10 in the US.

Do check out the creative shares that are happening today with the hashtag #littlelitbookseries on Instagram. 

Little Lit Book Series: Night

Night is the #littlelitbookseries theme for January, with its traditionally short days and long nights.

Vietnamese American poet Bao Phi wrote A Different Pond to honor the struggle of his parents as immigrants working multiple jobs in the US to feed their family of six.  Bao’s father would sometimes take them fishing with him, before the sun came up—for sustenance, not sport.  Like the boy and father in the book, Bao would hear his father tell stories about war-torn Vietnam.  Bao’s father wanted him to understand things that had been part of their lives as a family and country.  Truly a beautiful and poignant story, with evocative language and art.

A Different Pond was written by poet Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui and published by Capstone.

For more books on the theme of night, be sure to stop in at @littlelitbookseries throughout the month.  And see what everyone else is sharing today on Instagram with the hashtag #littlelitbookseries.