Tera's Reviews

Almost without any effort, it seems, They Say Blue reminds us to start paying attention again to this beautiful world. From the spray of water off a wave to an explosion of crows launching from a field, this jubilant celebration of color and seasons just feels fresh. Caldecott Honor winner Jillian Tamaki has created a picture book that is poetry in motion, with exuberant art that splashes across the page. Lovely. Ages 3–6. - Tera

The masterful art and writing of Caldecott Medal winner Sophie Blackall makes Hello Lighthouse a delight all the way through. Imagining the life of a keeper of a lighthouse, we tend the light, trim the wick, and write letters to a distant wife—who arrives then by ship! Brimming with seaside joy, foggy warnings, and even a shipwreck, this picture book is one I would have loved dearly as a child and do as an adult. One of my favorite books of the year. Ages 3–7. - Tera

In a dirt field, amidst the cows, a wild and passionate game of soccer (fútbol!) commences, only stopping when the mamas’ calls to dinner become insistent. Full of energy and life, this fun picture book is a tribute to play in all its variations, obstacles, and satisfactions. Baptiste Paul lets us know the field is calling in this vibrant story, set in the Caribbean and relevant everywhere. Ages 3–7. - Tera

Yuyi Morales relates her own immigrant story in this love song to her child, who came with her on the journey to America. We feel the young mother’s wistfulness for the familiar she has left behind, her fearful steps into a brand-new place, the longing that she might be able to belong here too. Morales’s colorful and passionate multimedia art imbues this picture book with the tentative hope of the immigrant. A gorgeous tribute to the bravery of those who cross borders. Ages 3–7. - Tera

Good friends—a frog, a porcupine, and a skunk—go fishing (or at least they call it that) in one of these sweet short stories from award-winning picture book writer and artist Philip Stead. Emotional, sensitive creatures populate this lovely, slower-paced world, which is imbued with a gentle humor. If you liked Frog and Toad, these charming tales will make you feel right at home. Ages 3–7. - Tera

I can’t read this picture book without tearing up. Ernie Barnes had a lifelong wish to be an artist but poverty kept him tied to paid work. His talent at football took him into the professional leagues, where coaches often caught him sketching on the bench. Facing constant adversity, Ernie refused to settle for what the world told him he should do. Bryan Collier, one of my favorite illustrators, created the mixed media art, and it’s vital and delightful and surprising on every page. This is a powerful story of stamina and inner strength. Grades 2–5. - Tera

Two inquisitive and determined scientist-adventurers carve a path to the depths of the ocean in this true story of the invention of the bathysphere. The water pressure at 7 miles deep makes observation all but impossible, but in 1930 Otis and Will conducted a series of precarious dives and unlikely engineering that resulted in the first vision of hidden depths. Gorgeous panoramic illustrations and edge-of-your-seat storytelling make this a truly fun ride for young adventurers. Ages 5–8. - Tera

In the joyous woods where a crumbled-down house hides, a pair of inquisitive children explore and imagine who might have lived there. This picture book is the best kind of read-aloud, casting a spell with its playful, rhythmic text, while the pictures reveal one enchanted scene after another. I thoroughly enjoy this book, and I always want to turn back to the beginning once I get to the end. The depth of feeling is rich. Highly recommended. Ages 4–8. - Tera

“There will be times when you walk into a room / and no one there is quite like you.” Any child—any adult—can feel the ache and the yearning to belong in this picture book. A deeply humanistic story that teaches the gentlest of lessons about treating each other with care, no matter our differences. Ages 4–8. - Tera

Every kid has a story, and the students in classroom 501 have nothing to do but talk. A clever teacher has corralled some of the “left behind” kids into a room and banished their phones. It takes a while, but when their words break open, each kid begins to truly see the other. A snappy, compelling story about compassion and empathy. Grades 5–8. - Tera