Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel and The Anne of Green Gables Cookbook

All the charm, delight and spirit of Anne in a modern format—a graphic novel.  This well-paced adaptation is a lovely way to introduce young readers to the beloved heroine we’ve known and loved since our own childhoods—with her foibles, stubbornness, penchant for unintended mischief and also her perseverance, zeal, creativity, ingenuity, limitless imagination, steadfast loyalty and her endless search to find beauty in the world—and how that impacted and inspired those around her.  It’s a perfect pairing with a cookbook of recipes based on famous and infamous (ahem, raspberry cordial) foods from the series including some recipes from the kitchen of author Lucy Maud Montgomery.  A plate of ruby tea biscuits, pot of hot tea and steady supply of Anne books sound like the makings of a cozy afternoon, no?

Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel was adapted by Mariah Marsden, illustrated by Brenna Thummler and published by Amp! Comics for Kids (Andrews McMeel Publishing).

The Anne of Green Gables Cookbook: Charming Recipes From Anne and Her Friends in Avonlea was written by Kate Macdonald (L. M. Montgomery’s granddaughter) and published by Race Point Publishing.

A Walk in the Forest

Maria Dek explores the wonders of the forest with lush, verdant watercolors in every shade of green.  She paints varying perspectives of the woods, zooming in to the smallest of details and pulling back to sweeping panoramic views.  The book exudes such a sense of serenity and quiet reverence for nature that you’ll want to take a slow, deep breath after reading it.  And then go for an amble through the woods.

A Walk in the Forest was written and illustrated by Maria Dek and published by Princeton Architectural Press.

The Terrible Two Go Wild

It’s shaping up to be a terrible weekend.  Insanely hilarious and smartly written, this prankster duo is back.  In the history of funny books, this one is pretty up there.  And I loved the prologue.  Can’t wait to deliver the third installment of The Terrible Two to Avery, who’s been asking for a while now when it will be published.

The Terrible Two Go Wild was written by Mac Barnett and Jory John, illustrated by Kevin Cornell and published by Amulet Books.

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

Forty brave women, forty bold women, forty women who thought outside of the box, forty women who changed the world.  “In a society where being black and female meant being an outsider or sometimes invisible, these women dared to go after what they wanted, to demand what they deserved.  Some of them were reluctant leaders, while others were not even conscious of their bravery, but their legacies live on to pave the way for more of us to follow.  Many of them didn’t set out to be pioneers, but all of them were, and we can look to each one of them for inspiration.”

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History was written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison and published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers.

ABC Pop-Up

This is not your run-of-the-mill abecedarian primer.  It’s hard to resist a pop-up book, especially such a clever one.  Little ones will be taken with how letters of the alphabet are presented through intricately-designed and well-executed concepts.  A work of art that teaches as much as it inspires awe.

ABC Pop-Up was created by Courtney Watson McCarthy and published by Candlewick Studio.