Andrea Wang, author of the multi-award winning picture book
Watercress, has a new book on the way that readers are already lining up for.
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Luli and the Language of Tea by Andrea Wang, ill. by Hyewon Yum
When five-year-old Luli joins her new English as a Second Language class, the playroom is quiet. Luli can’t speak English, neither can anyone else. That’s when she has a brilliant idea to host a tea party and bring them all together. Luli removes her teapot, thermos, and teacups from her bag and calls out “Chá!” in her native Chinese. One by one, her classmates pipe up in recognition: in Russian, Hindi, Turkish, Persian, Arabic, and Spanish, Portuguese, and Swahili. Tea is a tasty language they all know well, and it gives them a chance to share and enjoy each other’s company. When all the tea is gone and it’s time for dessert, Luli gets to use her favorite English word: cookie! After that, the playroom isn’t so quiet.
What’s New This Month
Beautiful picture books by Shar Tuiasoa and Hinaleimoana Wong-kalu are coming to library shelves just in time for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, along with a new crowd-pleaser by Derrick Barnes and a picture-book tribute to Noodle, the internet motivational pug. Also, on the way are the latest entries in the
Real Pigeons and
School for Good and Evil series, a new book by Graci Kim in the
Rick Riordan Presents line of middle grade fantasy adventures, and new titles from authors like Coe Booth, Sangu Mandanna, Emi Watanabe Cohen, K.A. Holt, and more.
What We’re Reading
Here are some quotes from library staff about their latest recommended picks:
One Hug by Katrina Moore: “This lovely book demonstrates the different kinds of love and affection that a family might encounter throughout the day.”
The Bare Naked Book by Kathy Stinson: “Diversity! Inclusion! Representation! Real words for our real body parts! This book is the gold standard of ‘body’ education for toddlers and preschoolers, both for excellent instructional content and a quality early learning presentation of text and illustration.”
All are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold: “Wonderful rhyming picture book with bright pictures and reflects the diversity of our world in this back-to-school (or any community place!) title.”
Home by Patricia Hegarty: “A cutout book part of a series that brings the beauty of nature home. BEARS!!!”
Staff Picks for Kids
For more lists of recommended reads from the book world and beyond, check these out: