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D is having a bad day, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better anytime soon. Keep Your Head Up, written by Aliya King Neil, is a story about D, who wakes up scrunchy and tries to make it a good day, but things keep getting in his way. Illustrated by Charly Palmer, the story features striking and expressive artwork that beautifully captures the emotions of the main character, D., as he navigates a tough day at school. Palmer’s use of bold colors and use of texture make the reader feel the emotions right there with D. The adults in D's life keep telling him to “Keep his head up,” however in the illustrations, D’s head is down and after he has a meltdown, there is a visible dark cloud above his head. This tells the reader that resilience isn’t instant. Even D thinks, “Any day can be good if you try.” Palmer fills the pages with bold, moody colors to match D. His use of texture makes the reader want to feel the bumpy paint on each page. It is similar to acrylic paint that looks 3D. Each Illustration adds energy to the scenes, making the reader feel the character's frustration and sadness.
D and his family are Black. The students at his school and his teachers are also. There are only black and
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The forest is quiet. A little too quiet. Matthew Forsythe’s Pokko and the Drum is a playful and visually stunning picture book that masterfully blends humor, rhythm, and a touch of sarcasm. The book follows Pokko, a curious frog whose quiet parents give in to her every wish, from slingshots to llamas. Now, all they wish is that they had never given her that drum, as she gathers forest animals who parade through their home playing loud music. Filled with earthy, warm tones, Forsythe’s illustrations set the tone for the moody rhythms and rustic beats Pokko is surely playing with her drum. Even though some of the animals and instruments they are playing are missing vital details to make them complete, the layers of polka-dots, patterns, and prints added to each scene create a lively world that dances across the page.
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“This is the power of Grandma’s special garden, where wonder grows and stories blossom.” Beautifully illustrated by Adriana Garcia, Where Wonder Grows tells the tale of the hidden gems and relics from nature, all kept in Grandma's garden. Garcia’s illustrations are full of color and energy, using bold colors like pinks, blues, greens, and purples. They have a dream-like quality that pairs well with the book's poetic narration. "In school we learn that rocks are things," author Xelena González writes. "But grandma has taught us they are beings. They are alive with wisdom, so we call them grandfathers and grandmothers. This book embodies the tradition of oral storytelling from older generations. It shows Mexican American and Indigenous culture, emphasizing ancestral wisdom. As Grandma tells the history of her 
keepsakes to her three granddaughters, they ask questions about the treasures with superpowers. The illustrations depict light and reflections. They emphasize the natural world and the environment as a source of inspiration. There don’t appear to be any major conflicts between the text and illustrations. Garcia gives rich texture to the illustrations and avoids stereotypes. I love that Grandma is sharing stories with her granddaughter, and they are open and eager to listen. Too often, traditions do not continue because a younger generation doesn’t care. A perfect intergenerational story exploring our connections to nature, family, and traditions.
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A Big Bed for Little Snow. By Grace Lin. Brown Books for Young Readers, 2020. 40 pages. $19.95
“His new bed was so puffy and big and bouncy. Little Snow grinned and then jumped, jumped, jumped!” Inspired by Chinese folklore, Grace Lin’s picture book tells about Little Snow, the mischievous main character, who sleeps in a large, white, fluffy bed in the sky. Each time he jumps on it, feathers fall out, drifting down to the world below, an imaginative explanation for snowfall. When I first read this book, I didn’t understand the connection between Little Snow’s bed and the snowstorm happening below. I love the surprise it let me and my daughter have when we got to the end of the book.
Lin’s use of cool blues and whites set a peaceful wintery setting. Little Snow and his mother’s snowflake PJs add to the playfulness that is Little Snow. There aren’t any major conflicts between the illustrations and the text. However, Little Snow’s mom says his bed is for sleeping, not jumping. No matter how hard Little Snow tries to obey, he cannot resist his new bed, which is “So puffy and big and bouncy!” The simple and sweet joys kids get from jumping on their bed and the worry they have when mom comes down the hall are the same, no matter the culture. A Big Bed for Little Snow is not offensive or embarrassing and avoids over-generalizations. It is a delightful story that can be shared with readers of all backgrounds.
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Ramadan has ended, and tomorrow school is out for Eid! Amira and her little brother are so excited until Amira remembers it is picture day tomorrow and she has a new dress to wear. She’s almost in tears until she asks to stop at school to deliver the extra goody bags to her classmates. They all love her Eid clothes, and Amira is proud. Amira’s Picture Day, written by Reem Faruqi, captures the essence of Eid through the eyes of a young girl. The artwork, illustrated by Fahmida Azim, is bright, expressive, and culturally rich. This story beautifully captures the joyful yet conflicted emotions of the main character.
There don’t appear to be any conflicts between the text and illustrations. Azim’s pictures extend the text in meaningful ways and add to the Eid celebration. The henna on Amira’s hand is reflected on the pages, as well as the festive colors, like gold, red, and blue, worn by friends and family at the mosque.
There don’t appear to be any conflicts between the text and illustrations. Azim’s pictures extend the text in meaningful ways and add to the Eid celebration. The henna on Amira’s hand is reflected on the pages, as well as the festive colors, like gold, red, and blue, worn by friends and family at the mosque.
I think the illustrations avoid stereotypes and present 
a modern depiction of a Muslim family celebrating Eid. I am not aware of the details of Eid, but the pages are filled with community members coming together to celebrate the end of the fasting of Ramadan. The story is one of celebration and would be a great addition to any library.
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