These recommendations come from my own reading. A Box Full of Kittens by Sonia Manzano and illustrated by Matt Phelan  “Ruthie, a girl who loves Superman and kittens, is asked to keep her aunt Juanita company. Aunt Juanita is about to have a baby and it’s hard for her to climb the stairs—and she’s hungry. […]

I recently checked back in with Donalyn Miller and Jennifer LeGarde’s Starred Spreadsheet and added more picture books to my 2025-2026 School Year Award Winning and Multiple-Journal Starred books. In order to be added to my list, a book needs to have received a star review from 5 or 6 journals. T The House That […]

Relevant Award: Pura Belpré Award To learn more about the award’s namesake, check out Planting stories : the life of librarian and storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Denise and illustrated by Paola Escobar. Book Festival: Latinx KidLit Book Festival In addition to the Book Trailers I featured earlier this week, you can check out their […]

This list draws from authors who have won three or more ALA Youth Media Awards as well as bestseller lists. It’s a starting point to explore Latinx authors and illustrators. Yuyi Morales. Award winning author and illustrator. See more in recommended reads below. Pam Muñoz Ryan. Excellent school-wide author study potential as Ryan has written […]

A young reader recently shared with me how much they enjoyed The School of Good and Evil over the summer. When I read about Chloe Vega and the Agents of Magic in Kirkus this week, I immediately added it my to-read pile, thinking of this reader. I was extra excited to see a book trailer […]