I love this exercise - of looking back at all the books I read and loved in the year that went by. This year, I found it even more difficult to distinguish between various age-groups. Longer picture books are like early chapter books; late middle-grade books are like early young adult books. And so, this year, I begin with two disclaimers.The first is my annual disclaimer: not all these books were published in 2022. Several were published earlier; I just read them in 2022.And the second: reading levels differ widely, so children read different books at different ages. Some of these books can be read by ages five and above. Others might be better for slightly older children. The Manic Panic I read The Manic Panic less than a month ago, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. There's so much to love about this book - the story, the very-responsible-protagonist, … [Read more...]
Ritu Weds Chandni
I've been wanting to read Ritu Weds Chandni ever since I saw posts by Yali Books two years ago. It seemed like such an important book - a picture book about two women getting married!When I started reading it, however, I did so without reading the blurb. The book opens with little Ayesha getting ready to dance at her cousin's baraat. She seems so happy; her family seems so happy. I wondered ... Would this be a simplistic story glossing over homophobia? Would Ayesha just be a bystander enjoying a wedding?But I was not disappointed. I loved the book, and I smiled as little Ayesha learns what it is to be an ally, saving her Ritu Didi's wedding.There were so many little things that I could not help noticing about the book. Lots of writers spend ages thinking of names for their characters--I know I do! Names have so many connotations, and I love that the characters here have … [Read more...]