Many thanks to the publishers below, and to Edelweiss, for early access.
The Keeper of Stars x Jennifer Harris, Dorothy Leung
Owlkids, April 2024
Another magical and enchanting book about bedtime (the best ones are). Milo and his mom read together at night, but Mom always falls asleep; and then Milo sneaks out and rides a comet to the sky, where he helps a bear to keep the cute and mischievous stars in order. When he’s done, he goes home to his bed, and falls asleep next to his mom.
Magic isn’t just for children, apparently, as I loved this story to bits (—ticklish stars!!!). Highly recommended.
So Loud! x Sahar Golshan
Annick Press, April 2024
Rudābeh (Rudy) is VERY LOUD, and has to figure out if and how to modulate her voice and herself when her gran visits from Iran. An adorable story, perfect for little girls who are trying to work out how to be themselves and not repress their boisterousness.
Rumie Goes Rafting x Meghan Marentette
Owlkids, April 2024
Rumie is adventurous and impatient, and that gets him into trouble in this book. He and his uncle build a raft, and when Uncle isn’t up early enough for Rumie, Rumie decides to try it out on his own.
What makes this book stand out for me is that the illustrations are real-world craft and photography, and the execution is outstanding. Really fantastic. The story is good, too, and will hopefully carry a lesson for little ones. Highly recommended.
Otis & Peanut Forever and Ever x Naseem Hrab, Kelly Collier
Owlkids, April 2024
I didn’t realise this was a book about bereavement, and when I did, I was very sad :((( Nevertheless, it’s a warm and bright book about happy memories and cherishing the ones you love, and I suppose one must talk about death. Also note that this is the second book in a series, and knowledge of the previous book is somewhat assumed.
I cried a bit, but highly recommended.
Submarines x Helena Harastova, Diarmuid O’Cathain
Albatros, May 2024
This is a wonderful one for all of your sciencey kids, the ones who want to know how stuff works (that would be me). Very detailed diagrams and text all about submarines, ocean pressure and other science, the history of ocean diving, and even some about its future. A wonderful and educational read.
What Are You, Lou? x Danielle Herzog, Jestenia Southerland
Beaming Books, May 2024
A simple little story about Lou, who is different from all the other animals. He’s very special, but he cannot explain what he is when the other animals quiz him. Happily, he resolves this question for himself by the end of the book ❤ A cute and encouraging story about being secure in your own identity.
If My Hair Had a Voice x Dana Marie Miroballi
Beaming Books, May 2024
A young girl of African ancestry is encouraged by her grandma to explore the idea of Afro-textured hair as identity, and how it connects her to a worldwide community of people of Afrodescent. At the end of the book, there are some examples of the many hairstyles of people of Afrodescent from around the world. It’s a charming and encouraging book, always relevant as long as Black hair remains political.
A Crocodile Should Never Skip Breakfast x Colleen Larmour
Kids Can Press, June 2024
Croc is the river ferry, and today’s he’s skipped breakfast because he’s late. He can’t get doughnuts from Hippo Hut either, as they’ve run out. It’s not hard to imagine the problems that ensue.
This is a delightful story, with wonderful illustrations and humour. Highly recommended (I would read it again and again).
Artichoke to Zucchini x Alice Oehr
Scribble US, June 2024
A brightly illustrated and very fun trip around the world in food, alphabetically organised. Highly recommended.
Slice of Mallow Vol 1 x Adam Foreman
Andrews McMeel Publishing, June 2024
Three cute and quick stories with cute characters, Mallow and his group of friends (mostly food, except for Ghost). A lovely, simple, bold graphic style, and bright colours. Great for kids and for me; recommended. Particularly lovely for younger kids who enjoy graphic novels over words.
The Spell of a Story x Mariajo Ilustrajo
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, June 2024
A quiet little story about a girl who doesn’t think she likes reading, but who gets carried away by an adventure in a book she gets from the library. This is about the magic of reading; if you’ve ever been transported by a book, you will relate. Great for middle schoolers.
Moon Bear x Clare Helen Welsh, Carolina T Godina
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, June 2024
A(n almost) wordless, beautifully illustrated picture book about a little girl, Ettie, who goes on an adventure when a moon bear comes to visit her. She’s afraid of the dark, and the moon bear doesn’t like the light of her torch. Ettie and the moon bear work through their fears together.
Very beautifully done, and recommended.
In Time x Marina Ruiz
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, July 2024
A beautifully illustrated book that teaches children the value of time, patience, and waiting.
What Feelings Like Best – Tina Oziewicz, Aleksandra Zajac
Pushkin Children’s Books, Sept 2024
This is a rather (probably unintentionally) bleak book about the ups and downs of life, told through feelings as characters. Why it came across as sad for me was the palette, which is on the blue side, and also many of the feelings are just going through a really tough time. It’s far from a bright and happy children’s book. But it is gorgeous! I loved the illustration style, which reminds me of Moomins (something about it is evocative of parts of Europe, somehow). Probably more suited to older children, with parental supervision/co-reading.
Esma Farouk Lost in the Souk x Lisa Boersen, Hasna Elbaamrani, Annelies Vandenbosch
October 2024, Floris Books
Esma travels with her family to Morocco, to visit her grandparents. The beginning of the book is all about migrant culture—the gifts you carry when you go back to the homeland, and all of the fun experience of being back in your culture of origin, among your people. Esma wants to go to the souk, with all of its amazing sights, sounds and smells (snake charmers, food, music, a man with a monkey, acrobats, a fortune teller…); but when she gets there, she gets distracted, and loses sight of the grown-ups!
This is a very cute little adventure, with a happy ending, and is lovely for how it introduces children to the (hidden) life of third-culture kids (TCKs), and is also wonderful for how it normalises being a TCK. A fun story, suitable for children of all ages and backgrounds, with beautiful fun illustrations.
Harare Review of Books 
Leave a comment