Kidlit These Days Book Riot

Tune in to hear Nicole and Nusrah talk about excellent children’s literature in verse, alongside a conversation with the wonderful Charles Waters, the co-author of Can I Touch Your Hair?: Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship.

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Charles Waters Recommendations

Crossover by Kwame Alexander 

The Land of the Cranes by Aida Salzaar

You Can Fly by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford 

Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes 

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes (Young Adult) 

Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry  Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia Mccall (Young Adult)

Books Discussed

Dictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Zby Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

Starfish by Lisa Fipps

What Are You Glad About? What Are You Mad About? Poems for When a Person Needs a Poem by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Lee White

The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhà Lai 

One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes 

The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Shane W. Evans

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
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Tune in to hear Nicole and Nusrah talk about Asian American femme authors, in conversation with the wonderful Kelly Yang, author of Front Desk and Parachutes.

For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter!

Books Mentioned

Any Day With You by Mae Respicio

Insurrecto by Gina Apostol – adult recommendation

Stargazing by Jen Wang

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park

Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Estrada Kelly

Crab Cake: Turning the Tide Together by Andrea Tsurumi

Asian-Americans Who Inspire Us by Analiza Quiroz Wolf, illustrated by Tuire Suirainen

Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist, written by Julie Leung

 From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom, illustrated by Kai Yun Ching

You can find Nicole on Twitter @ittybittyNY

You can find Nusrah on Twitter @JavedNusrah

Until next time!
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This week Nicole and Nusrah are back to talk about some excellent middle-grade books with non-binary and trans leads.

For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter!

Resources to curate more middle-grade books with non-binary and trans leads

https://lgbtqreads.com/middle-grade/

https://www.lambdaliterary.org/2021/03/2021-lambda-literary-award-finalists

Books Mentioned

The Strangeworlds Travel Agency* by LD Lapinski

The Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag

Ana on the Edge by A.J. Sass

Cattywampus by Ash Van Otterloo

Spin with Me by Ami Polonsky

The Moon Within by Aida Salazar

Both Can Be True by Jules Machias

Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker

King and The Dragonflies by Kacen Callendar

I am Jazz* by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings

Who Are You? The Kids’ Guide to Gender Identity by Brook Pessin-Whedbee

Don’t forget to check out some excellent lists over at Book Riot that mention more reads to help you start a conversation about gender identity.

Titles with an asterisk (*) denote an own-voices author.
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Nicole and Nusrah discuss empowering board books in honor of Women’s History Month!

For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter!

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Resources for curating an inclusive selection

Vilissa Thompson, Social Worker, Writer, Disability activist compiled this Black Women’s syllabus compilation.

Little Feminist Bookclub is a great resource for intersectional, feminist children’s literature.

Non-Board Books Discussed

Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousufzai, illustrated by Kerascoët

Board Books Discussed honoring Womens’ history month

Dream Big Little One written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison

Baby Young Gifted and Black by Jamia Wilson, illustrated by Andrea Pippins

Hats of Faith by Media Cohan, illustrated by Sarah Walsh

ABC for Me: ABC What Can She Be?: Girls can be anything they want to be, from A to Z by Sugar Snap Studio (Author), Jessie Ford (Author)

Baby Feminists Board book by Libby Babbott-Klein , illustrated by Jessica Walker

The Life of / La vida de Dolores by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein, illustrated by Citlali Reyes

A is for Activist written and illustrated by Innosanto Nagara

Lady Legends Alphabet written and illustrated by Beck Feiner

 Little Feminist Board Book Set from Mudpuppy and illustrated Lydia Ortiz

I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont  and illustrated by David Catrow

Happy Hair written and illustrated by Mechal Renee Roe

If you have a story idea, reach out to us on social media using hashtag #kidlitthesedays or email us at KidlitTheseDays@bookriot.com. We would love to hear what you’re thinking about and what you would like to hear on the show. 

You can find Nicole on Twitter @ittybittyNY

You can find Nusrah on Twitter @JavedNusrah

Until next time!
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Nicole and guest Jenn Northington discuss the results of the 2021 Rainbow List, fantasy chapter books, and hear from BB Alston, author of Amari and the Night Brothers.

For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter!

Relevant Links

The ALA’s 2021 Rainbow List

BB Alston

Books Discussed

Amari and the Night Brothers by BB Alston

Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

Storm Runner by JC Cervantes (cw: ableism)

The Serpent’s Secret (KIRANMALA AND THE KINGDOM BEYOND) by Sayantali Dasgupta

Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes

The Dragon Egg Princess by Ellen Oh

Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee

Root Magic by Eden Royce

Blackblood by Phu Vuong

Rick Riordan Presents
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Nicole and Matthew discuss the results of the 2021 Youth Media Awards and celebrate some of their favorite books honored by the awards.

For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter!

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RELEVANT LINKS:



ALA announces 2021 Youth Media Awards (press release)


BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW:



All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat (Newbery Honor Book)


A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat (Newbery Honor Book)


We Are Water Protectors written by Carole Lindstrom; illustrated by Michaela Goade (Randolph Caldecott Medal)


Me & Mama illustrated and written by Cozbi A. Cabrera (Caldecott Honor Book) (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book)


Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration by Samara Cole Doyon; illustrated by Kaylani Juanita (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book)


All the Days Past, All the Days to Come by Mildred D. Taylor (Coretta Scott King Book Award, Author) (Children’s Literature Legacy Award)


When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, narrated by Faysal Ahmed, Barkhad Abdi and a full cast (Odyssey Honor Audiobook)


I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott; illustrated by Sydney Smith (Schneider Family Book Award)


¡Vamos!: Let’s Go Eat by Raúl the Third (Pura Belpré Award)


Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award)


We Are Little Feminists: Families by Archaa Shrivastav (Stonewall Book Award)


Closing Note:

Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email (kidlitthesedays@bookriot.com) or Twitter (@MatthewWinner and @ittybittyny).
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