Having published two well-received picture books, author Daniel Bernstrom turns his attention to his family’s own history in his new book Big Papa and the Time Machine (HarperCollins, 2020). Big Papa is a tender and whimsical tale about a boy and his grandfather traveling through time, celebrating the moments of bravery that shape our lives and discovering their own African American history. Recommended for kids ages 4 – 8.

Rising talent and debut author V.T. Bidania is the author of the Astrid and Apollo chapter book series (Picture Window Books - Capstone, 2020), which kicks off with Astrid and Apollo and the Starry Campout. Astrid and Apollo are fun-loving eight-year-old twins who, along with their Hmong American family, try new things such as camping, fishing, and soccer. Showcasing a warm sibling relationship, as well as themes of exploration and tradition, the Astrid and Apollo series breaks new ground as the first chapter books featuring Hmong American characters as protagonists. Recommended for readers age 5 – 8.

H.M. Bouwman is the author of A Crack in the Sea and its companion book A Tear in the Ocean (G.P. Putnam – Penguin Random House, 2017 & 2019). These wistful and engaging historical fantasy novels reimagine the outcome of tragic events from the past with a magical bent through interwoven coming-of-age stories. Both books masterfully infuse old fairy tales and legends into alternate-universe adventures with moving narratives about family, magic, morality, the power of storytelling, and the cyclical nature of history. Recommended for readers age 10 – 12.

Cori Doerrfeld’s sweet illustrations adorn That’s Life! (Little Brown Books – Hachette Book Group, 2020), a witty send-up of inspirational greeting card wisdom written by Ame Dyckman that reminds readers of life's unpredictability and messiness--and beauty. The Welcome Wagon (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2020) is a charming story both written and illustrated by Doerrfeld featuring a young bear and his friends who learn that even though meeting new people can be scary at first, sometimes it just means you find the best new neighbors ever! Both titles recommended for kids age 3 – 7.

Prolific performance poet Bao Phi’s second picture book My Footprints (Capstone, 2019) is a story is about finding inner courage, rising above bullies, embracing your differences, and the power of a loving family. My Footprints follows Thuy, a young Vietnamese American girl who mimics the footprints of each creature in the snow as she makes her way home to the arms of her two moms. Together, the three of them imagine beautiful and powerful creatures who always have courage – just like Thuy. Recommended for kids ages 5 – 9.

When Caren Stelson first heard Sachiko Yasui speak, she knew she needed to share her deeply moving story and message of peace with young people. In A Bowl Full of Peace (Carolrhoda Books – Lerner, 2020), a picture-book adaptation of the Sibert Honor book Sachiko: A Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivor (Carolrhoda Books – Lerner, 2016), Stelson’s calm, direct tone and the story’s hopeful ending make the difficult, sophisticated topic of nuclear war manageable for older elementary-school and middle-school children. Recommended for kids ages 6 – 11.

The tenderhearted illustrations of Lauren Stringer give Looking for Smile (Beach Lane Books – Simon and Schuster, 2020) a rich visual vocabulary for the journey of Bear, as he wakes one day to find his Smile gone and enlists his friends to help him find it. A life-affirming exploration of sadness and the depressive cycle featuring the light touch and simple language of author Ellen Tarlow, Looking for Smile shows that sometimes a good friend can make all the difference. Recommended for kids ages 0 – 8.

In The Shared Room (Univ Of Minnesota Press, 2020), beloved Minnesota writer Kao Kalia Yang tenderly, and with refreshing authenticity, tells the story of a Hmong American family living with loss and tremendous love. Bringing a message of comfort and hope to readers young and old, her direct and poignant words are accompanied by the evocative and expressive drawings of Hmong American artist Xee Reiter. Recommended for kids ages 5 – 11.