16 Comments

Thank you for this list! I am hope to see a list of books for us to buy and give to the children who are independent reading in grades 3 to 8+ who have lived their whole life during this Maga era and need to recognize the crazy in the world around them. One book I have recommended and bought for children to read or parents to read with their children is The Ogress and The Orphans by Kelly Barnhill. This is a book that show good people can inspire other people to do good things. Many times in the book they have to choose between to be kind or cruel to others. Themes in the book are kindness, empathy, neighborliness, civic-mindedness, and the importance of libraries. These are very important themes for our youth today. However, I feel it is important book to be able to talk about while or after reading it, so I always let the recipient know I have read it and it holds a special place in my heart. Therefore, I love to talk about it.

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I've heard good things about that one but haven't had a chance to read it myself.

I don't know if this is what you're looking for, or even helpful, but a few years ago I did a mini issue on children's books about values you might want to take a look at: https://canweread.substack.com/p/childrens-books-about-values-697?utm_source=publication-search

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Pink is for Blobfish is exactly the kind of valentine's day book my young self would have loved :D Great list!!

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It’s really good (and my favorite on this list 😂)

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I am so excited to read all of these! I just put them on hold at the library and incidentally, almost every single one had a hold on them, which I like to think means there is another "Can We Read" reader (Can We Reader? :) in San Antonio!

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Substack's creepy little backend stats show me I have 17 subscribers in Texas, so... maybe!

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We LOVE This is Not a Valentine! And I gave Little You to my daughter last Valentine's Day. :) Have you read Love Z yet? That's a fave too!

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I have -- it's very cute.

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Sarah! I keep meaning to tell you that I’ve picked up soooo many of your book recommendations for my 4 year old and I. Thank you so so much for your newsletter.

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This made my day — makes me so happy. Thank you 🙏🩷

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I love this list - so many favorites here (Pink is for Blobfish!)! And thanks for including Love, Violet! Charlene Chua and I also have free videos about how and why we made the book, an author story time, and printable activities here: www.CharlotteSWild.com

Thanks for your great work for kids!

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Oh, that’s cool! Thanks for sharing that. (Moreover, thanks for writing such a sweet book!)

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Oooh... I love Valentine's Day and I love these recommendations. I just ordered The House of Love and am hoping the library has that pink blobfish book ;)

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Hug Machine (from your Bookshop list) will always be my #1 for Valentine's Day!

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Yes! It’s one of my favorites too. I reviewed it several years ago.

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I love this post! ❤️

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