Lovely New Picture Books, December 2024

Hearts in My Pocket written by Nancy Tupper Ling, illustrated by. Shirley Ng-Benitez
DIVORCE
I adore this heartwarming story about a little girl feeling big feelings about the changes in her life after her parent’s divorce. She feels sad and mad and worried. Now she misses Mommy when she stays with Daddy in his new apartment. She compares the quiet yard at Mommy’s and the train sounds at Daddy’s, wondering if her heart will ever feel whole? But after some time of struggle, she notices love where ever she goes — she carries the love of her parents in her pocket and feels a new feeling — loved.

Sweater Weather written and illustrated by Matt Phelan
WINTER
Mostly told through the charming illustrations, Papa Bear tells the cubs to put their “sweaters on” and when he goes to check on them, they’re all sorts of silly messes. Eventually the sweaters are on and they walk outside to watch a comet in the night sky.

Hanukkah Upside Down written by Elissa Brent Weissman, illustrated by Omer Hoffmann
HANUKKAH
In a compare and contrast situation, two cousins that live in different hemispheres compare their Hanukkah celebrations. The seasons are different (winter vs summer) so their clothes and activities are different (snowballs vs swimming), their food is both different and the same, but some things are the same like their menorah, prayers, and giving tzedakah. This sweet story shows no matter where you have Hanukkah, the most important things are the same.

At Our Table written by Patrick Hulse, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight
THANKSGIVING
In this lyrical ode to hospitality at Thanksgiving and beyond, the family’s table makes room for everyone, welcomes new and old traditions, accepts all foods, encourages silliness, seriousness, and sharing, and is a place to rest and feel grateful. A gentle story about inclusion and acceptance.

Ten Word Tales of Love written by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by various artists
LOVE
Pour over these mini-stories with incredible artwork. What is happening? What happened before or after? Use these as writing prompts. “The rescued cats kept watch as the lost child slept.”