(“Beach, Carlsbad, California; photo by Rawley/please use with permission only)
“Ablaze: The Story of America’s First Female Smokejumper,” written by Jessica Lawson, with art by Sarah Gonzales, is an inspiring biography about Deanne Shulman, America’s first female smokejumper. (Viking/Penguin Random House, 2025, ages 4 and older, $18.99.) Gonzales created the art for this picture book using watercolor paints, gouache, colored pencils, and pastels, and edited it digitally. For more information, check the National Fire Protection Association website.
“Menudo Sunday: A Spanglish Counting Book” is a great, new picture book for young readers. María Dolores Águila wrote the funny, bouncy story, which has happy and colorful illustrations by Erika Meza. (Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House; scheduled for release Aug. 5, 2025; ages 3 and up; 40 pages; $18.99.) I especially liked the author’s note in the back, describing her childhood and her family’s love of menudo, which is made of tripe and hominy. “Making menudo is a labor-intensive process,” she writes, “Families often work together to cook menudo, passing down recipes and stories.”
“Are You a Friend of Dorothy? The True Story of an Imaginary Woman and the Real People She Helped,” words by Kyle Lukoff, art by Levi Hastings (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025, all ages, $19.99). A resounding “yes” and “heck yes” for this long-overdue title that will help readers understand the history of homophobia, legal issues, and the fight for equal rights for LGBTQ citizens. This is the coolest book, and is my pick of the week.
- “Papa’s Coming Home,” by Chasten Buttigieg is just the sweetest, happiest book. We meet Jojo and Rosie, who are waiting for their Papa to come home. With their help of their Daddy, who has been taking care of the family while Papa has been away on his trip. I love the 1950s-1960s style illustrations by Dan Taylor, they’re perfect. (Philomel/Penguin Random House, 2025, all ages, $19.99.) Chasten and his husband, Pete, live in Michigan with their two kids and their rescue puppy.
Disclaimer: All of the books included in today’s post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. All for now and see you next time!
WM
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