It’s that time of year!
Searching for great gift ideas for your family and friends who have children? We’ve got you covered. We took a look back through our collection and picked out some of our very favorites from 2018 to share with you (we’re still working on getting all the 2019 books, so stay tuned)!
Some things to keep in mind:
- This is not an exhaustive list. There are so many good books in our collection. This list is based on books that we simply liked — they spoke to us or moved us in some way, our children or grandchildren loved them, or we’ve heard a lot of buzz about them. So…
- You should spend time evaluating the books before purchasing. A book that made us laugh might not work that particular magic on you! Each individual book page offers info. about who is represented and how they are represented in the book, links to professional book reviews through the Bates library catalog and to cultural (or #ownvoices) reviews when a book has been flagged as problematic, and some book pages even provide exclusive author/illustrator interviews when available. We also encourage you to visit our Research & Related Resources for links to tools that have been designed to help evaluate books for quality and authenticity.
- The book list is organized by our 9 unique book categories. Check out their definitions if you want to know more about the messages found in any particular book.
Enjoy!!
Any Child
Allie all along
When Allie’s crayon breaks, she stomps, smashes, crashes, and throws a tantrum, a fuss, and a fit. Her big brother wants to help her feel better. Will punching a pillow, squeezing a toy, or breathing deep breaths help Allie let go of her angry feelings, one layer at a time?
Door
In this book without words, a boy opens a door and invites the reader to explore the magical world on the other side.
Ocean meets sky
"A little boy builds a ship to honor his late grandfather and sets sail for the magical place where ocean meets sky from his grandfather’s stories"–|cProvided by publisher
The rabbit listened
"When Taylor’s block castle is destroyed, all the animals think they know just what to do, but only the rabbit quietly listens to how Taylor is feeling"–|cProvided by publisher
Watermelon madness
Noura loves watermelon truly, madly, deeply. Can there ever be too much of a good thing?
We are brothers
With his big brother’s support, a young boy finds the courage to jump off the big rock at the lake.
We sang you home / Ka kîweh nikâmôstamâtinân
This dual-language book celebrates and welcomes baby into the world.
When the cousins came
Even though Lila’s cousins do some things differently, Lila loves when they come to visit.
Beautiful Life
Alma and how she got her name
When Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela asks her father why she has so many names, she hears the story of her name and learns about her grandparents.
A day with Yayah
On an outing in Nicola Valley, British Columbia, a First Nations family forages for herbs and mushrooms while the grandmother passes down her language and knowledge to her young grandchildren. Includes glossary.
Islandborn
Lola was just a baby when her family left the Island, so when she has to draw it for a school assignment, she asks her family, friends, and neighbors about their memories of her homeland … and in the process, comes up with a new way of understanding her own heritage.–Provided by publisher
Mommy’s khimar
A young Muslim girl puts on a head scarf and not only feels closer to her mother, she also imagines herself as a queen, the sun, a superhero, and more.
We are grateful: Otsaliheliga
“The word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) means “we are grateful” in the Cherokee language. Beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences. Written by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, this look at one group of Native Americans is appended with a glossary and the complete Cherokee syllabary, originally created by Sequoyah.”
Biography and Oppression & Resilience
Counting on Katherine
You’ve likely heard of the historic Apollo 13 [mission]. But do you know about the mathematical genius who made sure that Apollo 13 returned safely home? As a child, Katherine Johnson loved to count. She counted the steps on the road, the number of dishes and spoons she washed in the kitchen sink, everything! Boundless, curious, and excited by calculations, young Katherine longed to know as much as she could about math, about the universe. From Katherine’s early beginnings as a gifted student to her heroic accomplishments as a prominent mathematician at NASA, this is the story of a groundbreaking American woman who not only calculated the course of moon landings but, in turn, saved lives and made enormous contributions to history.–Adapted from book jacket
So Tall Within
Sojourner Truth was born into slavery but possessed a mind and a vision that knew no bounds. So Tall Within traces her life from her painful childhood through her remarkable emancipation to her incredible leadership in the movement for rights for both women and African Americans.
The vast wonder of the world
Presents the life and accomplishments of the African American scientist, whose keen observations of sea creatures revealed new insights about egg cells and the origins of life.
What do you do with a voice like that?
"A picture book of lawyer, politician, and civil rights leader Barbara Jordan."–Provided by publisher
Cross Group
The better tree fort
When his dad builds him a tree fort, Russell thinks it is perfect–right up until he notices another tree fort going up three houses over.–from Publisher
Cece loves science
Cece, a budding and inquisitive scientist, and her equally curious best friend Isaac conduct experiments to see whether Cece’s dog Einstein will eat his vegetables
Maya and Annie on Saturdays and Sundays / Los sábados y domingos de Maya y Annie
Told in two voices and languages, Vietnamese American Annie and Hispanic American Maya attend different schools but spend nearly every weekend together, until something special happens to bring them closer together.
Pink is for boys
A celebration of how colors are for everyone. Depicts characters engaging in their favorite activities.
Princess Arabella and the giant cake
A birthday story about Princess Arabella and her friends. It’s Grandma’s birthday! Who’s going to bake the best cake?
Saffron Ice Cream
Rashin is an Iranian immigrant girl living in New York, excited by her first trip to Coney Island, and fascinated by the differences in the beach customs between her native Iran and her new home–but she misses the saffron flavored ice cream that she used to eat.
Thank You, Omu!
When the aroma of Omu’s homemade stew fills the air, her neighbors arrive, one by one, for a taste until all is gone except for her generous spirit.
Race/Culture Concepts
Crescent moons and pointed minarets
In simple rhyming text a young Muslim girl guides the reader through the traditions and shapes of Islam.
The day you begin
Other students laugh when Rigoberto, an immigrant from Venezuela, introduces himself but later, he meets Angelina and discovers that he is not the only one who feels like an outsider.
Don’t touch my hair!
Aria loves her soft and bouncy hair, but must go to extremes to avoid people who touch it without permission until, finally, she speaks up. Includes author’s note.
