Read often, read indie
We're all finding creative ways to come together lately, and in that spirit here's a selection of some of the best, most thought-provoking, educational, and entertaining books for for young readers from a diverse group of independent publishers. Check out these great titles, and be sure to check each publishers' website or Bookshop.org page for more selections, and thank you for supporting independent presses and bookstores!
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City Lights publishes cutting-edge fiction, poetry, memoirs, literary translations and books on vital social and political issues. Visit City Lights on Bookshop.org to see more of their publications.
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Rad American Women from A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries Who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future! by Kate Schatz & Miriam Klein Stahl
The New York Times Bestseller! American history was made by countless rad—and often radical—women. By offering a fresh and diverse array of female role models, we can remind readers that there are many places to find inspiration, and that being smart and strong and brave is rad.
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Troublemaker for Justice: The Story of Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the March on Washington by Jacqueline Houtman, Michael G. Long & Walter Naegle
Chosen a "Best Children's Book of the Year" by the Bank Street Center for Children's Literature!
Voted a Best Book of 2019 by School Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews, this biography of Bayard Rustin for young readers depicts his life of nonviolent activism and resistance.
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With roots on the U.S./Mexico border, Cinco Puntos publishes great books which make a difference in the way you see the world. Visit cincopuntos.com to learn more.
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The Everything I Have Lost by Sylvia Zéleny
Julia comes of age in the murder capital of the world. Where is her father? Why are they shooting guns? Who are “they”?
Julia’s best friend is her diary. She calls it “My Everything” —twelve-years-old at its beginning and fifteen at the end— a girl at the beginning, a young woman at its end, knowing more than she ever wanted to know.
Let’s Work! Mexican Folk Art Trabajos in English and Spanish by Cynthia Weill
A butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker…what people do has always made little kids curious.
Cynthia Weill scores again with an early concept book that bring every kind of job to life, including the work of the dedicated palm weavers of Flavio Gallardo’s workshop, whose miniature palm weavings illustrate this playful book, teaching children words for work in two languages.
Cynthia Weill una vez más triunfa con un libro de primeros conceptos que trae a toda clase de trabajo a vida, incluyendo el trabajo de los tejedores de palmas del taller de Flavio Gallardo, cuyas tejidas de palma ilustran este alegre libro, enseñándole palabras sobre el trabajo a niños, en dos lenguas.
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Catalyst Press was founded in 2017 as a literary spark, bringing voices from around the globe to readers everywhere. Visit catalystpress.org to learn more.
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The Lolo Series by Niki Daly
Meet Lolo. She’s kind-hearted, creative, full of fun, and she’s sure to become your best friend! This series for new readers follows Lolo as she navigates her way from adventure to adventure. Lolo skips through life, leaving a trail of laughter and a few frowns in Here Comes Lolo and Hooray for Lolo, each featuring four easy-to-read stories for new solo readers. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.
"With a simply written, graceful text and gray-scalepictures on nearly every page, these appealing stories are just right for children moving from beginning readers to chapter books." —Booklist
Small Mercies by Bridget Krone, illustrated by Karen Vermeulen
Mercy lives in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa with her eccentric foster aunts—two elderly sisters— in a house that's seen better days. When developers start eyeing the house just as her Aunt Flora’s health begins to worsen, Mercy feels like her life is falling apart. But lessons from the past may just help Mercy change her future.
"Set in post-apartheid Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, this realistic story traces protagonist Mercy’s quest to speak up for truth and, consequently, for herself. […] Sensitive, funny, and tender.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
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Enchanted Lion Books is an independent children’s book publisher based in Brooklyn, New York. We publish illustrated books from around the world, convinced by the power of cultural exchange to inspire curiosity, awareness, and wonder in children everywhere. Visit enchantedlion.com to learn more.
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When You Look Up Written and illustrated by Decur, translated by Chloe Garcia Roberts
Also available as a Spanish-language edition: Cuando Levantas la Mirada
After moving to a new house in the countryside, Lorenzo is feeling isolated from the friends he left behind in his hometown. His mother encourages him to explore the new house, and he discovers a mysterious notebook tucked inside one of the drawers in an old wooden desk. With every page he turns, his interest grows, and soon he is transported into a new, magical and wondrous world. A story within a story, each one visually different and striking, the movement here is between two worlds, with images from the notebook and from Lorenzo's imagination spilling into the everyday. This is a graphic novel about the power of observation, imagination and the many incredible lenses through which we each experience our lives.
Drawing on Walls Written by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Josh Cochran
This inspiring, celebratory book honors Haring's life and art, along with his very special connection with kids. "I would love to be a teacher because I love children and I think that not enough people respect children or understand how important they are." —Keith Haring.
Thoughtfully written by Matthew Burgess, the much-acclaimed author of Enormous Smallness, and marking the debut picture book of illustrator Josh Cochran- himself a specialist in bright, dense, conceptual drawings- this book is truly a joyful veneration of the transformative power of art.
"The story, including a respectful acknowledgement of Haring's death from AIDS, makes the subject seem immediate and real—and presents a compelling vision of answering the call to create." -starred review, Publishers Weekly
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READERS to EATERS is an award-winning children's publisher with a mission to promote food literacy with stories about our diverse food cultures. Visit readerstoeaters.com to learn more.
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The Thing About Bees: A Love Letter by Shabazz Larkin
A love poem from a father to his two sons and a tribute to the bees that pollinate the foods we love to eat.
*Best Picture Books 2019* "Larkin spins a buoyant monologue to his young sons about why bees are so important and how they are analogous to rambunctious children the narrative is threaded with unconditional love for both subjects. Hand lettering bold coloring and textural mixed-media artwork add energy while evocative language makes for a spirited and joy-filled read-aloud."―School Library Journal
A Moose Boosh: A Few Choice Words About Food by Shabazz Larkin
Poetry is food for the soul; food is poetry for the tongue.
"Readers and eaters are taken on a comical romp through the world of food using poetry and a visual feast of photographs enhanced with playful doodles."—American Library Association Notable Children's Book
"In 40-plus energetic poems, Larkin celebrates the good and decries the bad in the food world. Though individual poems might seem like amuse-bouches by themselves, they add up to a full meal, and the volume as a whole serves up a lively conversation about food... A kid-friendly companion to Michael Pollan's Food Rules."— Kirkus Reviews
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