Two New Picture Books for the New School Year – The other day I stopped by Park Road Books where I ran into Sherri Smith and Halli Gomez, two of the people who work at the store. Both Sherri and Halli regularly read my Storied Charlotte blog posts, so we chatted a bit about the blog. I asked them if they were aware of any new books by Charlotte authors that I should feature on my blog, and they told me about the recent publication of several picture books by Charlotte authors and illustrators. When I expressed an interest in taking a look at these books, they scurried out from behind the front desk and started handing me picture books. Here’s some information about two of these new picture books, both of which are perfect for the start of a new school year.
The first book that Sherri and Halli showed me was Like Lava in My Veins by Derrick Barnes. Derrick is an award-winning Charlotte author whose previous children’s books include I Am Every Good Thing and Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, which received a Newbery Honor Award, a Coretta Scott King Honor Award, and the Ezra Jack Keats Award. Like Lava in My Veins is illustrated by Shawn Martinbrough, a well-known comics artist.
Like Lava in My Veins has the look of a superhero comic book. It features a young superhero named Bobby Beacon, who has the power of “light and fire.” The story begins with Bobby enrolling in the Academy of Kids with Awesome Abilities where he meets other kids who have superpowers. Bobby biggest challenge is learning how to control his hot temper, but an understanding teacher helps him learn how to stay calm and use his powers for good. Like several of Derrick’s other books, Like Lava in My Veins celebrates the creativity and potential of Black boys.
For more information about Derrick and his books, please click on the following link: https://derrickdbarnes.com/
The second book Sherri and Halli brought to my attention was Shy Robin and the First Day of School, which is both written and illustrated by Jaime Kim. Born in South Korea, Jamie moved to the United States at the age of eighteen. She now lives in Charlotte. Jaime has pursued a successful career as an illustrator of picture books by various authors, but she has recently turned to both writing and illustrating picture books, including Ready for the Spotlight!
Shy Robin and the First Day of School is intended for young children who feel anxious about going to school. This story is about Robin, a shy hippo who wants to hide as soon as she enters the classroom. On her first day of school, she meets Marco, an otter who is also shy. As the story progresses, Robin and Marco forge a friendship. On the surface, this picture book is about the experience of starting school, but on a deeper level it’s a story about overcoming fears, making friends, and gaining self-confidence.
For more information about Jaime and her books, please click on the following link: https://www.jaimekim.com/
Like Lava in My Veins and Shy Robin and the First Day of School both deal with the complex feelings that children experience when they start school. These emotions change as children grow older, but the start of a new school year always elicits a mixture of excitement and anxiety no matter how old the students might be. These two new picture books by Storied Charlotte authors can help kids deal with these emotions and make their new school year a big success.