Do you follow us on Instagram? That’s where I’m posting all of our picture book reviews these days. It’s the best way to see book reviews as we have time to complete them. I’m also going to start posting monthly roundups again so you don’t miss any good books if Insta isn’t your thing! Here are our March picture book reviews.
We received some of these books as free review copies from publishers or Kid Lit Exchange. All opinions are our own. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, Lu and Bean Read may receive a commission on products purchased.
Adorable! I think Carter Higgins has one of the most unique perspectives in #kidlit these days. I’m always excited to read her books because they’re sure to be unlike anything I’ve read before. BIKES FOR SALE is no exception! This sweet story about perseverance and ingenuity is paired with fantastic illustrations from Zachariah O’Hara. Thanks to Chronicle Books for the review copy! BIKES FOR SALE publishes on April 2!
Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld
We were part of the blog tour for the new picture book TEN RULES OF THE BIRTHDAY WISH. We lucked out to be assigned to write about Rule No. 8, which is most definitely the most important rule of the birthday wishes–YOU MUST MAKE A WISH! Lots more in this post, but this book is super funny and the illustrations add tons of detail to the fantastic text. I think it will become a birthday gift go-to! Thanks to Penguin Kids for sharing TEN RULES OF THE BIRTHDAY WISH. Available now!
One of the best things about making the Lu and Bean Read podcast is meeting some of the kindest, most creative kidlit authors out there. On this month’s podcast, we chatted with the wonderful Katey Howes, author of many books we love including the brand new & adorable BE A MAKER. BE A MAKER will be on my list of gift books for all you maker families we are so lucky to be connected to! It celebrates all the ways kids create, and invites kids and their grownups to slow down and appreciate all that creativity. Katey was so fun to talk to because she obviously spends a lot of time talking to kids. The best kind of author to interview! BE A MAKER is available now from Carolrhoda Books. Thanks to the publisher for the review copy!
Bean is totally in love with Baked Potato. I’m totally in love with his relationship with his owner, The Lady. We’ve been reading this one on repeat! An adorable story about a dog who is not quite sure who he is–but he knows who he loves. Thanks to Chronicle Books for the review copy. I’M A BAKED POTATO publishes on May 7, 2019!
We love this wonderful book! This is such a sweet picture book about a young girl and the special relationships she has with the many women in her life who wear a hijab—contrasting the women’s public lives with their at-home time. I hope this will be showing up in many elementary school libraries! And lots of homes, of course. UNDER MY HIJAB is available now from Lee and Low Books.
ONE IS A PIÑATA is a triple threat concept book—it teaches counting (in English and Spanish), small tidbits of Mexican/Central American culture, and some Spanish vocabulary mixed in. And it’s tons of fun to read because it rhymes! ONE IS A PIÑATA is written and illustrated by some of our favorites–author Roseanne Greenfield Thong and John Parra. It is available now from Chronicle Books. Thank you for the review copy!
Ahhhh! Such fun to receive a review copy of local author Mike Wohnoutka’s new book CROC & TURTLE! This adorable & unlikely pair never give up and never stop believing in one another. They may not be the strongest, they may not jump the highest, and they may not run the fastest—but they are the best at being friends. This sweet & funny picture book is available now from Bloomsbury Publishing. Thanks for the review copy!
Thanks to Josh Funk for sharing IT’S NOT HANSEL AND GRETEL with Kid Lit Exchange! You think you know the story of Hansel and Gretel, but this hilarious picture book turns the story all on its head. This is a much less sinister version of the classic fairy tale, as told with the help of a very frustrated narrator and a lot of interjections from Hansel and Gretel. There are lots of laugh-out-loud moments! Even better when read with a partner (or two!). IT’S NOT HANSEL AND GRETEL is available now from Two Lions.
Thanks for checking out all these new picture books! I’ll keep adding to this post throughout the month so make sure to come back and/or keep up with us on Instagram!
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