2 . Flights of imagination take wing with picture books

Room for Everyone (ages 4-8)

Written by Naaz Khan, illustrated by Merce Lopez

Hop on the dala-dala (a kind of minibus taxi) on the way to the blue crystal waters of Zanzibar! Rhythmic language dances across the pages as more and more people and their belongings pile into (挤进) the vehicle on the way to the beach. It seems there can’t possibly be room, but “after some moving around and fun, they make enough room for everyone.” This is a book you will be happy to read again and again because it’s so full of sunlight and energy.

Gladys the Magic Chicken (ages 4-9)

Written by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Adam Rex

It’s a big, sweeping story that’s just right for sharing a belly laugh (捧腹大笑) with the whole family. Set in ancient times, the story centers around a much-celebrated chicken named Gladys. At 48 pages, this is longer than the standard picture book, which helps give it a bigger feeling.

Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey (ages 4-10)

Written and illustrated by Erin Entrada Kelly

Readers might know Erin Entrada Kelly from her Newbery Medal-winning chapter book, “Hello, Universe”. In this start of a series aimed at younger readers, Kelly again creates rich characters, but this time with short chapters and cute line drawings that work perfectly for early independent chapter-book reading.

A Boy Named Isamu (ages 3-7)

Written and illustrated by James Yang

One of the unexpected charms of this book is that it is told in the second person. The lines between audience and character, observer and artist, and reader and listener soften to allow us to explore isolation (孤独) and creativity along with the protagonist (主人公). This book might help everyone understand how one might be “alone but not lonely”.

5 . On a recent visit to her family home in Atlanta, Stella came across some papers from her tenth- grade English class. Looking at her essays and the notes, Stella was struck by how the work she did in that class informed her work now as an editor. Her teacher, Mr. Newman, always encouraged his students to dig deeper. Stella learned that the best way to understand literature is by asking, “What is this work trying to accomplish?” Now, when she sits down to edit a manuscript (手稿) that’s one of two guiding questions Stella asks herself, followed by, “How can I help the author fully realize that vision?”

Those questions were at the top of Stella’s mind when Freewater by Amina landed on her desk. As Stella made editorial suggestions, she was mindful of the balancing act involved in writing about a topic as painful as slavery and doing so through the eyes of a child. Stella kept a kid reader in mind-someone who might have learned only a part of this history. Stella and Amina went back and forth in phone calls, e-mails, editorial letters, and notes directly in the manuscript, until they agreed that Freewater was exactly where it needed to be.

The novel hit bookshelves on February 1, 2022, and nearly a year later was awarded the John Newbery Medal. Amina became only the third Black woman to be awarded that medal in the award’s one-hundred-and-one-year history, and Stella became the first Black editor to edit a Newbery-winning book.

Stella’s strategic approach to editing, personal warmth, and keen editorial insight have won her universal admiration from authors and colleagues, who also enjoy her sense of humor and infectious laugh. She is a powerful advocate for all the authors in her orbit, which recently came to include her mother, Wanda M. Morris, whose novel All Her Little Secrets has been widely acclaimed and even optioned for TV.

6 . Independent Bookstores in New York

Forbidden Planet

Located on 832 Broadway in Union Square, Forbidden Planet is one of the world’s largest comic book, graphic novel and collectible retailers (零售商). Located next to The Strand, it is known to be a treasure spot for comic and science fiction lovers. Forbidden Planet has been around since 1981, and readers can not only visit the store but also order items from its official website for delivery.

Bluestockings Cooperative

Named after The Blue Stockings Society, a mid-18th century English political movement and literary discussion group to promote literature written by and for women, this volunteer-powered bookstore encourages community dialogue about social issues while also offering visitors access to a fair trade cafe. Through a series of monthly workshops, performances, and readings, Bluestocking aims to create a safe place for discussing topics such as gender studies, political theory and the environment.

Chartwell Booksellers

Named after Winston Churchill’s home in England’s Kent countryside, Chartwell Booksellers is the only Winston Churchill-themed bookstore in the world. With original transcripts of his speeches, biographies, rare books, paintings, and Churchill’s signed texts, this bookshop, located at 55 East 52nd Street in Midtown, is devoted to this former British statesman, army officer, and writer.

Albertine Books

Albertine prides itself on being the only bookstore in New York featuring exclusively French and English books, over 14, 000 of them. The bookstore is partnered with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, proving that literature can create friendship beyond borders and foster a better world for all. The shop often hosts discussions and events, bringing the world of literature closer to the world of global history and government.

8 . Like many people over the past few years, I have found myself turning to audiobooks as my main means of reading literature. I find it far more comfortable to “read with my ears” while my eyes are resting. My consumption of new books has doubled as a result--but a recent paper makes me wonder if this will come at the price of my comprehension.

The study comes from Boaz Keysar and Janet Geipel, both at the University of Chicago, and it draws from the “dual process model” of mental processing. According to this-view, we have two ways of assessing information. System 1 is intuitive (直觉的),   relying on natural ability and feeling. It is quick, but likely exposed to misinformation. System 2 is analytical involving the use of logic reasoning. It is mentally demanding. When it is engaged, we think our way through the material step by step. For decades, psychologists have designed various tests to determine which of these two systems a person is using. As one example, consider the/ following question: How many animals of each kind did Moses take on the Ark (方舟)? If you answered two, you were probably only considering the core of the question, which is System 1 thinking. To get to the right answer-zero, you need to think more carefully about the wording, which would allow you to remember it was Noah who built the Ark, not Moses. That is the kind of analytical process.

Keysar and Geipel’s brilliant idea was to investigate whether the sensory form-seeing vs. hearing-of the information would make a difference. They found that it did: when answering these kinds of simple questions, participants were more likely to make errors when the sentences were spoken out loud, rather than written.

A greater reliance on our feelings could be a problem if we are consuming information that needs logical study. For this reason. I will return to reading non-fiction with my eyes rather than my ears. But I won’t stop listening to novels. I am quite happy to go with the flow of my emotions while my critical mind takes a break.

9 . I’m a layperson with a love of science who occasionally reads science magazines. My approach was from an author’s angle, spending months on research before writing a single word for Pig Heart Boy.

So where did I get the idea? Whenever I attend a school event, that question is asked. The answer is simple. Back in the mid 1990s, I read a newspaper article written by a doctor who guessed that we would eventually have to turn to xenotransplantation (异种器官移植) as a possible solution to the lack of human organ donors. It left my mind filled with questions. What are the consequences? Do we really have the right to treat animals as me re organ sources for humans? So I headed to my nearest bookshop and bought all the books I could on heart transplants in particular.

I’ve found questions are one of the best places to start from when writing a novel. In my story Cameron, who needs a heart transplant, knows he is unlikely to see his next birthday unless he receives one, but he is a long way down the waiting list. When a genetically modified (GM) pig’s heart is offered by a pioneering doctor, Cameron decides to go for it —and his new heart completely changes his life in unexpected ways.

Now some people think that the subject matter is not suitable for children, criticizing the cruel and inhuman ways of xenotransplantation. I completely disagree. As a children’s author, it never ceases to amaze me how some adults underestimate what subject matter will interest and stimulate children. I wanted to write a story that provided no right or wrong answers, a story that would allow the reader to walk in Cameron’s shoes for a while and think about what decisions they would make and how they would react if they too were faced with his situation.

Fictional stories that explore new ideas when it comes to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects also have a part to play in enriching our children’s reading and learning. Various studies have shown that reading fiction enhances our children’s ability to grasp new concepts. Pig Heart Boy was my attempt to incorporate science possible into a believable, thought-provoking (令人深思的) story.

10 . Books That Celebrate Diverse Holidays and Traditions

It’s important to remember there are a diverse set of holidays available to explore. Below are a few books that help introduce children to different holiday cultures and traditions.

Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto, illustrated by Ed Martinez

While helping her mother with Christmas celebration, Maria is tempted to try on her mother’s diamond ring. After getting caught up in the joy of the holiday and playing with her cousins, Maria realizes the ring is missing! That’s when she and her cousins come up with a plan to eat all of the tamales, in hopes of finding the ring.

Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford, illustrated by Shelly Hehenberger

This is a story about a little girl named Kayla who wants to see her older brother Khari come home so they can celebrate Kwanzaa together as a family. Khari is stuck at college when a snowstorm hits and his car breaks down. Will he make it home in time for Kwanzaa?

A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

This book is a funny, nostalgic tale of Christmas Eve afternoon through Christmas night in Wales, and is full of unique imagery and poetic prose. It will arouse a sense of familiarity for some young readers while introducing them to different aspects of Christmas traditions.

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frane Lessac

The word otsaliheliga is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. This is an amazing story that describes a journey through the seasons with a modern-day Cherokee family. Cherokee history and traditions are also woven into the story in a very kid-friendly way.