Though the shortest month of the year, February is packed with significant celebrations and holidays like Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and Black History Month. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite books for young readers to learn more about these February holidays.
The Colorless Sara Short
By S. Michael Smith; illustrated by Nathalie Kranich
In “The Colorless Sara Short,” readers follow Sara, a butterfly with colorless wings, as she goes on a journey of self-discovery. As Sara navigates challenges she learns about inner beauty, resilience and what it means to embrace all the things that make her unique. This special story takes place in a forest with captivating images of vibrant flowers, butterflies and trees. It’s the perfect story heading into Valentine’s Day to teach the importance of self-love to young readers. Recommended for ages 3-7.
Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became A Writer
By Quartez Harris; illustrated by Gordon C. James
February is Black History Month. “Go Tell It” with its poetic prose celebrates the life of James Baldwin, the prolific writer known for speaking the truth about the collective Black experience in the United States of America. Young readers are introduced to James Baldwin, learning different parts of his life from childhood to his writing career, allowing them to become familiar with some titles of his work. Let this be one way to celebrate Black History throughout the month but not the only way to do just that. Recommended for ages 4-8.
Getting Ready for Valentine’s Day
By Vera Ahiyya; illustrated by Debby Rahmalia
Celebrate the day of love by looking at it through the lens of friendship. Written by kindergarten teacher and blogger Vera Aliyya, “Getting Ready for Valentine’s Day” uses the classroom as a backdrop for this story about kindness and inclusivity. Young readers can think about love in all the different forms it comes in, including friendship. This book is part of a trilogy, which includes “Getting Ready for Kindergarten” and “Ready for Preschool.” This cute book includes a fun bonus punch-out heart for Valentine’s Day photos. Recommended for ages 3-7.
All Mixed Up
By Raj Tawney
In this coming-of-age story of both self-discovery and the power of friendship, readers meet Kamal Rao, a multi-ethnic American kid from a suburban town right outside of New York City in a post 9/11 world set in 2002. Kamal is like any boy his age just trying to figure himself out, even though he’s ostracized and doesn’t have friends, so he leans on his family, especially his mother and grandmother, and spends a lot of time with them including learning how to cook. His social life changes once a new kid moves into town and attends the same school as he does. The new boy, Jaz a Pakistani, is an immigrant with whom he finds a kinship. They bond over being outside in nature and enjoying delicious food. Kamal learns that being different isn’t a bad thing. Eventually, Kamal finds his voice thanks to his connection to Jaz while dealing with various issues from anti-Muslim and anti-immigration issues. “All Mixed Up” is inspired by the author, essayist, and “New York Times” writer’s childhood experiences. Recommended for ages 9-11.
Baking Up Love
By Alan Page and Kamie Page; illustrated by David Geister
Nothing makes Valentine’s Day sweeter than remembering there’s all sorts of love to be celebrated. In “Baking Up Love,” we find a girl named Esther needing to bake some cupcakes for the Literacy Feast event at school. The day she comes home from school preparing to do this baking task with her mother she learns that her mother is still at work and her grandfather fast asleep in his reading chair. Once he’s awake and finds his concerned granddaughter in a quagmire he assures her that he can help because her late grandmother taught him how. While singing and dancing the two spend time together bonding, getting the task of baking the cupcakes while making a memory and having a joyous experience all at the same time. Recommended for ages 4-9.
Let’s Celebrate Korean New Year
By Michelle W. Park; illustrated by Hyewon Yum
Lunar New Year is the beginning of the new year according to the lunisolar calendar, usually taking place at the end of January or in February. In this joyful, colorful book two sisters Madeleine and Eloise get ready for Seollal, or Luna New Year’s Day, which is one of the most celebrated national holidays in Korea. “Let’s Celebrate Korean New Year” is not only educational for those not as familiar with the holiday, complete with glossary, activity and recipe, it’s also a sweet story about the importance of traditions and family. Recommended for ages 4-8.
Bella and The Bees: Tiny But Mighty
By Theodora “Teddi” Bear; illustrated by Julie Weaver
Theodora “Teddi” Bear’s second children’s book includes Bella, Willy the wise owl, Suzy Sunflower and Lily Ladybug, some of the same lovable characters from “When Bella Lost Her Buzz.” In the sequel “Bella and The Bees: Tiny But Mighty,” three bee best friends, Bella, Gwendolyn and Cleo, learn about harmful chemicals used to control invasive bugs is making their bee friends sick, and destroying the balance of nature. The bees come together to help their friends, spread awareness about neonicotinoids, a type of insecticide, and find natural alternatives that help restore our natural world.
For more book recommendations check out our January Book Corner.
