Ladybug Longlist: Family

Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld

"Delightful book with lovely illustrations that makes some big ideas manageable and accessible for kids." --nominator 1

"My students really like "The Rabbit Listened," so I bought this book by the same author/illustrator. Both books have a similar feel and helps students think about big feelings." --nominator 2

"Great illustrations, kids will relate, wonderful SEL message/theme." --nominator 3

"The forest is more than meets the eye! A Grandpa helps grandchild through their bad mood by sharing with him how he (grandpa) sees the world and all its hidden beauty. Rich illustrations and wonderful discoveries for children to discover about the outdoors." --nominator 4

"This book has lots of opportunities for connections - both science, in what is happening beneath the surface in nature, as well as social emotional learning." --nominator 5

Berry Song by Michaela Goade

"Beautiful illustrations, along with a lovely theme of being thankful for what the earth provides." --nominator

A Gift for Nana by Lane Smith

[nominator did not offer a reason for selecting]

A Letter for Bob by Kim Rogers and Jonathan Nelson

"I appreciated this unique story, told in the form of a letter from a young girl to her family car. Bonus: The family in the story is modern-day Native American." --nominator

My Dad is a Tree by Jon Agee

"Adorable father/daughter story that takes some fun turns." --nominator

My Powerful Hair by Carole Lindstrom and Steph Littlebird

"... a beautiful and self-assuring book by two female Indigenous authors. The illustrations are colorful and engaging, with sweeping images that blend into one another, showing how we are intimately connected to nature and our world. Lindstrom masterfully tackles grief, generational trauma, and boarding school abuse in an approachable way, leaving the reader full of hope at the end. It is an own voice story that highlights Native storytellers and would bring more diversity to our libraries." --nominator

This post is one of a series of 12 "bite-sized" pieces into which we have divided the 2024 Ladybug Picture Book Award Long List to help NH librarians consider all the potential nominees. Please review the full list (or wait until we have covered all the titles) before you cast your vote as you can only vote once.