picture books
To contact the kiBooka creators or to order their books, please click through to their websites.
“… an affecting story of Jennifer’s fears and joys when her Korean halmoni, or grandmother, flies from her peaceful village to take part in a school Grandparents’ Day program. … Halmoni captivates her audience, as she will the audience for this stellar debut.”
2020 New England Book Awards(NEIBA) Shortlisted, Children’s Category; 2020 Massachusetts Book Awards Must Read Long Lists, Picture Book Early Readers; 2019 Julia Ward Howe Award Finalist, Young Readers Category
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection; Fall 2020 Kids’ Indie Next List
“Choi’s soft, warm cartoon illustrations add levity to Binczewski and Econopouly’s winsome, pun-filled text and help illuminate not only the steps involved but also some of the science.” (Booklist)
“The message shines through but doesn’t overwhelm this engaging chapter book that will be welcomed by fans of Clementine.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
“Instant child appeal. Heo adds to the fun with her unique illustrations.” (Horn Book, starred review)
“Smart, subtle, yet laugh-out-loud wit that will delight both children and adults, plus abundant cartooning talent, mark this stellar debut from a young author to watch.” (The New York Times)
In this picture book written by Francie Dekker and illustrated by Sarah Jung, Our World of Dumplings celebrates how food brings people and cultures together! On sale on September 6th, 2022!
ALA Notable Children’s Book; Parents’ Choice Awards Silver Honor; NPR Best Books
“All together now: Food, dance, and music combine for magic that transcends language barriers…Imaginative, irreverent, improvisational fun in kindergarten: Danbi shares a burst of ‘sweet rain,’ complete with a rainbow.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
Junior Library Guild Selection; Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Book of the Year (2018); A Baker’s Dozen (2018): The Best Children’s Books for Family Literacy by The Pennsylvania Center for the Book
“An engaging, informative, and accessible biography with bright, inviting artwork about man who had a major impact on language and the marginalized citizens of his country.” (School Library Journal)
“Young Sunny, already an accomplished black belt, practices taekwondo at a school of martial arts. … She leads a taekwondo class filled with students diverse in race and abilities. … Kim’s bright palette and energetic cartoon artwork … bring depth to each page. … A lighthearted tale of responsibility with plenty of fun.” (Kirkus Reviews)
“A delicious read-aloud and perfect recommendation for every child, any day of the week.” (School Library Journal, starred review)
“Kim’s spreads form a long, almost cinematic sequence. The girl is adorable, though the night world she moves through is dazzling rather than cute—it takes bravery and audacity to sing to that beauty.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
“A Where’s Waldo? for lovers of trains and travel, this look-and-find by Brooklyn-based illustrator Kim takes readers into bustling subway systems in 10 of the world’s great metropolises. At each “stop,” we first see the subway station platform and train, with facts and figures about the transportation system. Children will love searching for these beautiful foreign items while indulging in the common kid obsession over locomotives” (Booklist)
Robert F. Sibert Honor book, Orbis Pictus Honor book, CCBC Choices, ALA Notable, Notable Social Studies Trade Book, Junior Library Guild, Bank Street College of Education “Outstanding Merit” Best Book, Audiofile Earphones Award (audio book)
“A gentle story about connection that will connect with readers of all ages.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
“Willow is a timid white rabbit who prefers staying home—an abandoned mailbox—where it’s cozy and quiet. There she sketches and dreams, but her comfortable routine is interrupted when a letter flutters through the mail slot one day. A warm and wondrous adventure for armchair, or high chair, travelers.” (Booklist, starred review)
““A meditative exploration of the peace that exists in the communion between humans and nature.”” (Kirkus Reviews)
“In this subtle, emotionally gratifying debut, Papa emerges as a distinctive personality whose preparations make it clear that his granddaughter’s happiness is just as important as his own.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
“This book is reassuring and respectful, and the art is terrific, with an ever-changing array of painted teacups as we go through the pages.” (The New York Times)
NPR Best Book of 2020; Powell’s Best Children’s Book of 2020; Pacific Northwest Indie Bestseller; National Indie Bestseller
“Kia’s straightforward text is bolstered by Park’s lively illustrations that make excellent use of varying perspectives, colors, and humorous detail. The spread of the various socks in Sock City will captivate readers as they take in the variety. VERDICT: A fun answer to where missing socks go.” (School Library Journal)
Joan G. Sugarman Award for Children’s Literature; Parents’ Choice Award; Capitol Choices Book Award; Bank Street College Book Award; Junior Library Guild Selection
“sparkles with the promise of imagination and friendship” (Booklist)
SCBWI Grand Prize Winner of 2020 Winter Conference Portfolio Showcase
Winner, Little Brown New Voices, New World Multicultural Fiction Contest; Smithsonian Notable Book; Notable Children’s Trade Book in Social Studies; Horn Book Magazine Best Holiday Book
“[S]triking and raw…Readers will share the sadness of Jae’s loss, but only after seeing Rosa and Jae’s joyful playing—a happiness that’s distinct to childhood.” (Booklist, starred review)
“Four authors tell their stories, not just of the places they lived, but of the history, culture, and spirit of their beings: where they truly come from.” (Booklist)
Parents Choice Gold Award; “This is an important story, full of drama and emotion and it is here given its proper recognition and tribute in both words and glorious art. Perhaps it will encourage other grandparents to share their family history as well. Masterful.” (Kirkus Reviews)
Poems about things we love to eat from A to Z, by diverse, established and new voices: Gail Aldous, Rebecca Balcárcel, David Bowles, Sandy Brehl, Carol Bullman, Yangsook Choi, Kelly Conroy, Nicola Davies, Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Linda A. Dryfhout, Theresa Gaughan, Mary Lee Hahn, Georgia Heard, George Ella Lyon, JoAnn Early Macken, Elisabeth Norton, Lisa Varchol Perron, Jama Kim Rattigan, Joan Riordan, Pamela Ross, Donna JT Smith, April Halprin Wayland, Vicki Wilke, Janet Wong, Jacqueline Woodson, and Sarah Ziman.
“Each celebration has its own spread, with soft pencil drawings. The art, while following one family as they celebrate throughout the year, depicts characters of many races and skin tones.” (School Library Journal)
“A pleasingly uncomplicated introduction to yoga that can also simply be read as an invitation to play. A celebration of the ways that even young children can experience the wide world through their bodies as well as their minds.” (Kirkus Reviews)
“Crisp illustrations that capture a genuinely loving heart … a strong if whimsical choice for those separated from loved ones” (Kirkus Reviews)
“Charming… Told in a pitch-perfect kid voice with a satisfying narrative arc, Yum’s sweetly comedic picture book will resonate with any reader who has experienced diasporic—or generational—tension with an older relative.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
