Lists and Suggestions for Kids
List: Best Books 2021 Grades K-2
The cot in the living room
Burgos, Hilda
A young Dominican American girl in New York City moves from jealousy to empathy as her parents baby... More
A young Dominican American girl in New York City moves from jealousy to empathy as her parents babysit children whose families work the overnight shift in this picture book debut. Night after night, a young girl watches her mami set up a cot in the living room for guests in their Washington Heights apartment, like Raquel (who's boring) and Edgardo (who gets crumbs everywhere). She resents that they get the entire living room with a view of the George Washington Bridge, while all she gets is a tiny bedroom with a view of her sister (who snores). Until one night, no one comes, and it's finally her chance! But as it turns out, sleeping in the cot in the living room isn't all she thought it would be. A celebration of the ways a Dominican American community takes care of one another while showing young readers that sometimes the best way to be a better neighbor is by imagining how it feels to spend a night sleeping on someone else's pillow. Less
Outside, inside
Pham, LeUyen
"Something strange happened on an unremarkable day just before the season changed. beautiful b... More
"Something strange happened on an unremarkable day just before the season changed. beautiful book that describes the impact of COVID-19 on communities and why some essential workers could not quarantine. Everybody who was outside . . . went inside. Outside, it was quieter, wilder, and different. Inside, we laughed, we cried, and we grew. We remembered to protect the ones we love and love the ones who protect us. While the world changed outside, we became stronger on the inside and believed that someday soon spring would come again."--Provided by publisher. Less
Sunday funday in Koreatown
Kim, Aram
Every Sunday, Yoomi enjoys favorite foods and activities in Koreatown but when things go wrong, Dad... More
Every Sunday, Yoomi enjoys favorite foods and activities in Koreatown but when things go wrong, Daddy encourages her to try new things and she still has a wonderful day. Less
My first day
Lion, Huynh
"This is no ordinary first journey. The rainy season has come to the Mekong Delta, and An, a y... More
"This is no ordinary first journey. The rainy season has come to the Mekong Delta, and An, a young Vietnamese boy, sets out alone in a wooden boat wearing a little backpack and armed only with a single oar. On the way, he is confronted by giant crested waves, heavy rainfall and eerie forests where fear takes hold of him. Although daunted by the dark unknown, An realizes that he is not alone and continues to paddle. He knows it will all be worth it when he reaches his destination"-- Less
Wishes
Van, Muon
"In this spare, poetic picture book based on author Muon Van's family history and told th... More
"In this spare, poetic picture book based on author Muon Van's family history and told through a series of wishes, a family packs up everything they own and embarks on a perilous oceanic voyage toward a better life."-- Less
Dreams for a daughter
Weatherford, Carole
A black mother describes her dreams for her newborn daughter, and her hopes for a future in which h... More
A black mother describes her dreams for her newborn daughter, and her hopes for a future in which her little one will grow to cross borders and bridge boundaries, be her best self, and find love. Less
Kraken me up
Ebbeler, Jeffrey
When Izzie brings her pet Kraken to the county fair everyone thinks he is frightening, but he is li... More
When Izzie brings her pet Kraken to the county fair everyone thinks he is frightening, but he is like Izzie, sweet and shy, and Kraken and Izzie use creativity and humor to win over the crowd. Less
Goat wants to eat
Gehl, Laura
"Cat wants to nap, and Goat wants to eat... what could go wrong?"-- ... More
"Cat wants to nap, and Goat wants to eat... what could go wrong?"-- Less
Toucan with two cans
Stemple, Heidi
"Can Toucan juggle two cans? He can! What about three cans? Or four? Can you root for Toucan a... More
"Can Toucan juggle two cans? He can! What about three cans? Or four? Can you root for Toucan and his can juggling act?"-- Less
Camila the record-breaking star
Salazar, Alicia
Camila dreams of being a star and, after learning about children who break world records, decides sh... More
Camila dreams of being a star and, after learning about children who break world records, decides she will do the same--but how? Includes glossary, glossary of Spanish words, activities, and discussion questions. Less
All ketchup, no mustard!
Tharp, Jason
When a spicy mustard packet tries to make everyone grumpy, friends Nugget, a chicken nugget, and Do... More
When a spicy mustard packet tries to make everyone grumpy, friends Nugget, a chicken nugget, and Dog, a hot dog, come to the rescue by starting a K.E.T.C.H.U.P. club to fight back with kindness. Less
The Water Lady : how Darlene Arviso helps a thirsty Navajo Nation
McGinty, Alice
Cody is worried when his family on a New Mexico Navajo reservation runs out of water, but Darlene A... More
Cody is worried when his family on a New Mexico Navajo reservation runs out of water, but Darlene Arviso, called "The Water Lady," is on the way with her tanker truck. Includes glossary of Navajo terms and notes about Arviso and life on a reservation. Less
Maryam's magic : the story of mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani
Reid, Megan
The true story of Maryam Mirzakhani, an Iranian girl whose creativity and love of stories helped he... More
The true story of Maryam Mirzakhani, an Iranian girl whose creativity and love of stories helped her and the world see math in a new way, and who was the only woman ever to win the Fields Medal, the most prestigious honor in mathematics. Less
The floating field : how a group of Thai boys built their own soccer field
Riley, Scott
"On a tiny Thai island without room for a soccer field, a group of resourceful teen boys gathe... More
"On a tiny Thai island without room for a soccer field, a group of resourceful teen boys gathers scraps and works together to build a floating field so they can play the game they love"-- Less