4 . Books influence people by showing us what is possible in the world. Here are four great reads that are worth a try.

This book is illustrated by Sophie Diao. As a children’s book author, Eva Chen shows people that family is important to her. In this book, she explores that through the eyes of Mei, a young girl being both a “teacher and translator” for her parents. The picture book tells an inspiring story that seeks to teach children about self-love.

Andie Powers is a writer for children and she draws inspiration from her own experience as the mother of a quiet child, Alice. Illustrated by Betsy Petersen, this picture book tells that silent Emile’s mind can be as rich and expansive as that of any other children. The story honors and encourages the beauty of knowing oneself for exactly who he or she is.

It is set in the early 1900s and tells a vivid story directly inspired by the author’s family history. Anna Rose Johnson’s writing is gentle, unhurried and reflective with touches of humor and heartbreak, showcasing the heroine of the book, Norvia Nelson, a brave girl making her way to complex family dynamics, pressures and universal daily-life challenges.

This book follows a legendary but unpopular tennis player as she comes out of retirement to attempt a comeback. Unable to stand her record being broken, Carrie Soto brings her dad back as her coach and trains with a former rival. From the story, readers discover the cost of fame, the struggles of being a female athlete, and that it’s OK to fail sometimes.

5 . The years 1347—1351 saw Europe suffer from the worst disease—the Black Death. At least one third of the population in Europe lost their lives. Even the Catholic priests(牧师) with all their influence could not survive either.     1    

Against this background, Giovanni Boccaccio, an Italian writer, decided to collect stories from history to both comfort victims and challenge the church.     2    

In the book,10 people get together at a faraway place to stay away from the disease and share stories there to deal with boredom.     3     After each one finishes their turn, the others then share their ideas on the stories. In this way, we not only enjoy the book’s interesting stories, but also get to know the values held by people at the time.     4     As Chinese President Xi Jinping said, works like The Decameron(《十日谈》) stand against the ignorance of the Middle Ages and reflect the people’s hope for spiritual liberation.

    5     So I could fully understand the characters’feelings of panic when what they used to believe in suddenly fell away. For people in medieval times(中世纪), it was their belief in church. For us today, it might be the certainty of our global systems. But it was from the mess of the Black Death that the Renaissance and humanism were born. In today’s post-pandemic society, new lifestyles, technologies, and other changes have come to life. My most valuable lesson from The Decameron is this: We must learn from the past to better shape our future.

8 . I own a well-read copy of Virginia Hamilton’s The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales. It’s a classic in many households, as it should be. It’s not just the stories that I return to over and over again; it’s the magical illustrations by the dynamic Leo and Diane Dillon. I included this book in the research for my most recent and next projects. The title serves as a repeatedly mentioned saying for my creative life. When I’m writing about Black people and Black children in particular, I have to always remember that in our stories, we could fly. This is the magic of storytelling, and this is the possibility that books for children can capture—that in spite of everything and because of everything, we can transcend (超越) it all and fly.

Hamilton observed the oral tradition in her many novels, and I try to do the same not only when writing but also while reading. I am attracted by books about people of color whose words and stories include a certain mix of musicality and ancestral memories. When our stories become classics, they are not just timely and timeless. They include time itself. Our stories document our presence. They say that we are here, we were here, and we will always be here. This presence is where historical narratives, social justice books, fantasy and science fiction, and even Afro futuristic stories gather.

Our books document humanity. Diverse books for children area collective witness to the human experience. My hope for the future of books about Black people, and especially children, is that we continue to champion both nonfiction stories that tell truths and fiction stories that highlight our mythology (神话) and cultural heritage (遗产), where we are both grounded in the reality of our lives and can shape shift, use magic, and take flight in order to rise above it all. With every story and with every book, our children are reminded time and time again that, indeed, we people could fly.

10 . In honor of World Animal Day, celebrated annually on October 4, here are three picture books to stir up affection, appreciation, and empathy for our non-human friends. Find more related books and articles from Hbook.com here; or click the Animals and Pets subject tags in the Horn Book Guide/Reviews Database.

Illustrated by Ishaa Lobo. With a refrain of “thank you for,” this wholehearted shout-out to our canine companions (the narrator addresses them directly) lists their physical attributes to celebrate what makes them so harmonious with humans. A grief therapy dog, a courtroom support dog, and a future assistance dog are among the sung heroes featured in the artwork.

Illustrated by Ellie Arscott. Cree, a young Nehiyaw girl, never fails to marvel at the neat stuff her kind aunt collects from garage sales. But this time, Auntie has brought a surprise. Unable to guess what it is, Cree is delighted when Auntie reveals a “puppy.” Nehiyaw people consider dogs their relatives, Auntie explains, and describes the integral role they have historically played in Nehiyaw communities — providing protection, furnishing warmth, and transporting goods. Cree learns the importance of caring for bowwows with heart and hands. Arscott’s sunny hand-drawn illustrations incorporate comic-book elements.

Illustrated by Ashley Barron. A raccoon (浣熊) is panic-stricken after taking a spill down a chimney. During a nighttime car ride, a family is startled when a moose (麋鹿) sallies out onto the road. A chipmunk (花栗鼠) is brought to bay in a rainspout by its feline predator. In the fifteen short narrative poems in this picture book, racially diverse children and their caregivers unexpectedly come face to face with undomesticated creatures, some imperiled, and choose to show them kindness and respect. A closing poem observes each animal’s whereabouts following their human encounters. Readers will warm to the wisdom of giving wildlife their space.