I have five-time Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Award winning illustrator Jerry Pinkney to thank for some of my favorite picture books of the last few years, including 2016's In Plain Sight and 2013's The Tortoise and the Hare. Of course, Pinkney's illustrious career began much further back in the 1960s, giving us plenty to awe about, including 1999's The Little Match Girl; a record of congestion and invisibility of the poor among the prosperous through the eyes of a 19th century Danish girl in America's new urban landscape, based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic. Pinkey's latest adaptation, A Home in the Barn, brings to life Margaret Wise Brown's (Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny) never-before-published ode to warmth and togetherness. Find it and more selections from our 2018 Holiday Gift Guide below, gathered with care by your neighborhood booksellers and destined to make your season bright. Happy Holidays from all of us at 57th Street Books! —Colin The Little Match Girl (Puffin Books, 1999)
Hans Christian Andersen, illus. by Jerry Pinkney
Read Aloud (3-7 years)A Home in the Barn (HarperCollins)
Margaret Wise Brown, illus. by Jerry Pinkney
"Here is the barn, hear the wind rattle. Open the door and see all the cattle." With the snow coming, more and more animals gather in the barn. Gorgeous autumn-flavored illustrations make us all want to settle in, too.
When Julián sees three shimmering mermaids on the subway, he declares that he's a mermaid, too. His abuela helps him get dressed and takes him to the most extraordinary parade, where he fits right in.
A boy finds a key, which leads him from a gray and gloomy world into a fantastical, joyful land. Wordless and gorgeous.
"This simple tale of being a stranger in a strange land is not new, but readers will be drawn to its quiet charm and welcoming message of inclusion." —Kirkus
The Patchwork Bike (Candlewick Press)
Maxine Beneba, illus. by Van Thanh Rudd
The children live under the stretching-out sky at the edge of the no-go desert. Their bike has tin-can handles and painted-on lights, but for the girl and her brothers, it's the best thing to play with. A story of sharing and imagination.
The Day You Begin (Nancy Paulsen Books)
Jacqueline Woodson, illus. by Rafael López
There are lots of reasons to feel different. "There will be times when the lunch your mother packed for you is too strange or unfamiliar for others to love as you do." Woodson's signature poetical text speaks to the power of sharing our stories.
Read Aloud (7-10 years)A Lady Has the Floor (Calkin Creek Books)
Kate Hannigan, illus. by Allison Jay
Activist Belva Lockwood never stopped asking herself the question: are women not worth the same as men? She had big dreams and didn't let anyone stand in her way; she fought for women in the classroom, in the courtroom, and in politics. In this riveting non-fiction picture book biography, Lockwood's life is beautifully illuminated.
Packed with action, intrigue, trickery, and love, A Child's Introduction to Norse Mythology acquaints kids with the original North Germanic and Scandinavian folklore behind characters like Thor and Loki, plus other gods, goddesses, giants, dwarves, and more.
Myth Match (Laurence King) Good Wives and Warriors
A magical bestiary with a twist: Mix and match the backs and fronts of the creatures in this flip book. There is no permutation that isn't simply gorgeous.
When a subway morphs into a time-traveling ship, Mateo finds himself in 1911, caught up in a plan to steal the Mona Lisa. A thrilling adventure through time and space, with wonderfully mind-bending time-travel possibilities. (The first in a middle-grade trilogy.)
Granny wakes Louisiana, saying "The day of reckoning has arrived," which leads to a mysterious road trip. But when Granny sneaks off, Louisiana has to find herself a new home. A rough and tender look at family life—signature DiCamillo.
Andrea Beaty returns to our friend Rosie from Rosie Revere, Engineer, but this time in an early chapter book. It contains her signature humor; celebrates girls and women who design and build; and ends with an Ode to a Valve. What else could anyone want?
Spanish Storytime with Karen GrossThursday, December 13th 10:30am at 57th Street BooksJoin us for a special Spanish storytime with Karen Gross, author of La Saga de Señorita Sofía, the story of a feisty young girl who wants to be a Knight in the Middle Ages. Sofía confronts many hurdles but ultimately finds success because she is able to solve problems in unique and unexpected ways. Sofía y los otros personajes y animales del libro regresan, retándote a cada paso, así como Sofía fue retada en su saga. RSVP here!
Mama Fresh Presents: Cozbi A. Cabrera's My Hair Is A GardenSaturday, December 15th 10:30am at 57th Street BooksJoin us for a Mama Fresh storytime with Cozbi A. Cabrera, author and illustrator of My Hair Is A Garden. After a day of being taunted by classmates about her unruly hair, Mackenzie can’t take any more and she seeks guidance from her wise and comforting neighbor, Miss Tillie. Using the beautiful garden in the backyard as a metaphor, Miss Tillie shows Mackenzie that maintaining healthy hair is not a chore nor is it something to fear. Most importantly, Mackenzie learns that everything responds to care, cultivation and love. RSVP here!
Read Ahead: Komal Singh, Patricia Toht, and Adam SchmittWe're already looking forward to a spectacular 2019 children's events lineup, beginning in January at 57th Street Books. On Saturday, January 12 at 10:30am, join us for a STEM-inspired storytime with Google Engineer Komal Singh, author of Ara the Star Engineer. On Saturday, February 2 at 10:30am (Groundhog Day!), Dress Like a Girl with the empowering Patricia Toht. And on Friday, February 15 at 6pm, explore complex family relationships "with humor and candor" (Booklist) with educator Adam Schmitt, author of Speechless.
Support 57th Street Books' Holiday Book Drive! Stop in to purchase a book of your choice or gift card in any amount. Or email us at fiftysev@gmail.com.
Illus. by Jerry Pinkney
"I've always felt that if I worked hard enough and continued to refine my craft, while staying curious about our times and our world, I just might have something to contribute." —Jerry Pinkney
