Five Fabulous June Debuts

Five more picture book debuts coming your way this month! So many different stories to keep your kiddos reading all summer long!

Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Mendez and Jaime Kim is a lyrical picture book about self identity and home, that will touch your heart. The illustrations pop right off the page. The color palette is exquisite. Take the journey with this little girl and her Abuelo as they explore the answer to the question, where are you from?

A Normal Pig by K-fai Steele tells the story of Pip, the pig who feels like a normal pig until the day the new pig in school makes her feel very, very different. This story engages kids through Steele’s fun illustrations and helps them learn to appreciate and embrace what makes them unique.

Lena’s Slippers by Ioana Hobai is a story that I just adore. Lena’s teacher insists that everyone have the right color skirt and ballet slippers for the recital but Lena’s family struggles to make ends meet. Lena has a wonderful idea just in time for the recital. Hobai’s words and art evoke so much emotion. This heartfelt story will definitely leave its mark.

Hector: A Boy, A Protest, and the Photograph that Changed Apartheid by Adrienne Wright left me speechless. This amazing story is impeccably told through Wright’s engaging text and stunning art. Hector, an ordinary boy, is struck down at an historic student protest against apartheid in South Africa. Structured with multiple points-of-view, this story is an important read, not to be missed.

Sumo Joe by Mia Wenjen and Nat Iwata is such a fun, quick-paced read. Big brother Joe transforms into Sumo Joe when his friends come over and they create their own dohyo ring. But soon, little sister Jo wants to join. This story is playful, action packed, and loaded with heart.