Hey Stefan, thanks for choosing 16 Words & Beautiful Noise as part of your #StoryStudy reading challenge! Hope you enjoyed them! LMK if you'd like any backstory on these titles.

Here are the picture books I read for this January’s #StoryStudy reading challenge that I started, inspired by @taralazar.bsky.social’s #StoryStorm writing challenge.

Thank you for following along, & a BIG thank you @mlapointemalchik.bsky.social for joining me in sharing wonderful PBs! 💜 #KidLit

For Day 31 of #StoryStudy I chose this debut!!! By #TheaLu that is stunning in art and text. It compares Dan and Aki’s very different lives then brings them together in a glorious must-see gatefold spread at the end. 🙏🏽 @stefankarlsson.bsky.social for the January book feast ❤️📚☕️🍩

Cover of THE LIBRARY IN THE WOODS by Calvin Alexander Ramsey & R. Gregory Christie

For Day 31 of my PB reading challenge, I read THE LIBRARY IN THE WOODS by Calvin Alexander Ramsey & R. Gregory Christie. A poignant, award-winning book about family, libraries, & the Black community creating real-life magic. The best ending to my month-long reading challenge 💜
#StoryStudy #KidLit

Day 29 of #PB #StoryStudy is a time travel feast that looks at a child exploration of the land his house sits on today by truth tellers #StacySJensen and #VictoNgai Final spread features what appears on each “years ago” spread as all return to cohabit the final striking image. Majestic #PBooking

Cover of Mama’s Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation by Edwidge Danticat and Leslie Staub

For Day 30 of my PB reading challenge I was deeply moved by MAMA’s NIGHTINGALE by Edwidge Danticat & Leslie Staub, a story of family separation that shows the harm of inhumane immigration practices & also the power of the imagination & collective action to overcome them.
#StoryStudy #KidLit

Cover of Bear by Natalia Shaloshvili

For Day 29 of my PB reading challenge I enjoyed BEAR by Natalia Shaloshvili, a funny & relatable #PictureBook about sharing & bottling up emotions. I was inspired to read it after seeing @mlapointemalchik.bsky.social share a different bear PB for today’s challenge! 🐻🧸😊
#StoryStudy #KidLit

Cute cubs, Mama bear ferocity, plus fascinating facts for every age. A beauty! #DrNickCompton + #ColleenLarmour #PB splendor here for my day 29 #StoryStudy Hashtag created by @stefankarlsson.bsky.social for #PB readers & writers & artists to share ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #books

Cover of Our Lake by Angie Kang

For Day 28 of my PB reading challenge I was moved by Angie Kang’s Caldecott Honor book OUR LAKE. A deep & poignant portrait of family & loss. Such a beautiful book 💙
#StoryStudy #KidLit

Covers of Blue and A Friend for Ghost by Suzanne Kaufman

For Day 27 of my PB reading challenge I took flight with BLUE and A FRIEND FOR GHOST by @suzannekaufmanart.bsky.social. I love these beautifully illustrated & magical stories of unlikely friendship 🪽💙👻🎈
#StoryStudy #KidLit #PictureBooks

Day 27 with @StefanKarlsson.bsky.social #StoryStudy My pick by #MattDeLaPena and #LorenLong #PB takes a deep look at #HOME as hearth, heartfelt pain of damage and displacement from disaster, coexisting with “harmony of things” lovingly rendered in a warm comforting palette. Wonderbook version❤️

Cover of What Is a Refugee? by Élise Gravel

Cover of Killer Underwear Invasion! by Élise Gravel

For Days 25-26 of my PB reading challenge I read WHAT IS A REFUGEE? and KILLER UNDERWEAR INVASION! by @elisegravel.bsky.social. I love Gravel’s commitment to social justice & whimsy, and I wish more adults would read these powerful children’s books!
#StoryStudy #KidLit

Brilliant #PBooking by @brigettebarrager.bsky.social for day 26 #StoryStudy @stefankarlsson.bsky.social Get an eyeful from the stand out pacing, the perfectly never forced #monorhyme and the delightful intro to nocturnal animals⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Bedtime book gold😴🦉🦉🌖📚

Cover of Fireworks by Matthew Burgess & Cátia Chien

For Day 24 of my PB reading challenge I was wowed by FIREWORKS by @matthewburgessj.bsky.social & Cátia Chien. I love the kid’s eyes view of the city’s everyday wonders & the glorious illustrations—& that jaw-dropping “finale” page, WOW. A memorable & mesmerizing PB! 🎆💜
#StoryStudy #KidLit

Cover of Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

For Day 23 of my PB reading challenge I was inspired by DREAMERS by Yuyi Morales. Lyrical & beautifully illustrated, this memoir PB about immigrating to the US from Mexico shares a powerful, much-needed message: “We are resilience. We are hope. We are dreamers.” 💜
#StoryStudy #KidLit

Cover of Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say

For Day 22 of my PB reading challenge I was deeply moved by Allen Say’s classic Caldecott Medal-winning GRANDFATHER’S JOURNEY. A poignant book that feels personal like a family album yet universal & epic in scope, spanning generations & two countries divided by an ocean & a war. #StoryStudy #KidLit

Cover of Cat Nap by Brian Lies

For Day 21 of my PB reading challenge I was in awe of CAT NAP by @brianlies.bsky.social. This book is a monumental work of craftsmanship! Very inspiring to see the dedication to making the illustrations. Not to mention a fun story with a hungry cat 😸 So much to love here! 🎨🐈‍⬛
#StoryStudy #KidLit

Cover of I Am We: How Crows Come Together to Survive by Leslie Barnard Booth and Alexandra Finkeldey

All day crows have been gathered around my place so for Day 20 of my PB reading challenge I returned to I AM WE by @lesliebarnardbooth.bsky.social & Alexandra Finkeldey. This PB gem is lyrical, informative, & visually stunning—will change the way you look at these clever birds!
#StoryStudy #KidLit

Cover of Sharing the Dream by Shelia P. Moses and Keith Mallett

For Day 19 of my PB reading challenge I was moved by SHARING THE DREAM by @sheliapmoses.bsky.social & Keith Mallett, which shows us the March on Washington from a child’s perspective, inspiring readers to keep standing up for a better future. A story we need for #MLKDay & beyond
#KidLit #StoryStudy

Cover of Snow Kid by Jessie Sima

For Day 18 of my PB reading challenge I was moved & inspired by SNOW KID by @jessiesima.bsky.social! In this fun & uplifting story, a snow person goes on a journey of self-discovery & learns that it’s a beautiful thing to change, grow, & find new ways of becoming ourselves ❄️☃️💜
#StoryStudy #KidLit

Cover of I’m From by Gary R. Gray, Jr. and Oge Mora

For Day 17 of my PB reading challenge I was delighted to read I’M FROM by @garyrgrayjr.bsky.social & one of my fav PB illustrators @ogemora.bsky.social! Poetic, inspiring, & fun, this book sings & soars off the page 💜
#StoryStudy #KidLit

Cover of Body Beautiful written by Susan Verde, illustrated by Steph Littlebird

For Day 16 of my PB reading challenge I enjoyed BODY BEAUTIFUL by Susan Verde & @stephlittlebird.bsky.social! This empowering book celebrates the unique wonders that are each & every one of our bodies. A lyrical book of self-love & body positivity filled with wondrous artwork!
#StoryStudy #KidLit

Cover of Lena the Chicken (But Really a Dinosaur!) by Linda Bailey & K-Fai Steele

For Day 15 of my PB reading challenge I roared along with LENA THE CHICKEN (BUT REALLY A DINOSAUR!) by Linda Bailey & K-Fai Steele! What a hilarious spin on dinosaur PBs, with a fierce & lovable main character who never chickens out in the face of danger! 🐓🦖
#KidLit #StoryStudy

Cover of The Snow Thearer by Ryoji Arai, translated from Japanese by David Boyd

For Day 14 of my PB reading challenge I was blown away by THE SNOW THEATER by Ryoji Arai. This wintry PB is brimming with childlike imagination and surreal magic. I always love seeing the books that @enchantedlion.bsky.social releases! ❄️🎭🦋📖 #StoryStudy #KidLit

Cover of Outside In by Deborah Underwood and Cindy Derby

For Day 13 of my PB reading challenge I was moved by OUTSIDE IN by @underwoodwriter.bsky.social & Cindy Derby🌿 This thoughtful, meditative PB invites us to immerse ourselves in nature, even when we’re inside 💚 #KidLit #StoryStudy

Book Cover of Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan

For Day 12 of my PB reading challenge I cheered while reading EVERY MONDAY MABEL by @jashar.bsky.social! Reading a #picturebook like this that celebrates the small joys and community helpers is the best thing in the world (according to me)!
#StoryStudy #KidLit

Two book covers: On top, Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage. And on bottom, 16 Words: William Carlos Williams & “The Red Wheelbarrow”

For Days 10-11 of my PB reading challenge I read inspiring PB bios written by @lisaljrogers.bsky.social, illus. by Il Sung Na & @cgroenink.bsky.social, respectively. Loved how these books introduce kids to creative icons while showing how music & poetry is all around us! 💜
#StoryStudy #KidLit

Cover of Together, United by Tami Charles, illustrated by Bryan Collier

For Day 9 of my PB reading challenge I was inspired by TOGETHER, UNITED by Tami Charles & Bryan Collier. Lyrical and uplifting, this book’s profound message of unity reminds us how powerful we can be when we come together as a community 💜 #KidLit #StoryStudy

Cover of Bored by Felicita Sala

For Day 8 of my PB reading challenge I was thrilled to read Felicita Sala’s much-anticipated new book BORED. Funny, imaginative, whimsical, this book is anything but boring. Such a delight and one I’m excited to return to. 💜
#StoryStudy #KidLit #PictureBook

Cover of The History of We by Nikkolas Smith

For Day 7 of my PB reading challenge I travelled back in time thanks to THE HISTORY OF WE by @4nikkolas.bsky.social! This lyrical PB takes us back to the origins of humanity in Africa & celebrates the brilliance of our shared ancestors. The artwork is absolutely breathtaking!
#StoryStudy #KidLit