In picture books, several books deal with social-emotional learning, from childhood depression to coping with failure and anger at a sibling. There’s also a fantastic disability-themed picture book biography, a delightful 92-page choose-your-path book, and a beautiful picture book about a young boy visiting his grandmother in Korea. My middle grade choices have lots of amazing books, too, from new fantasies by award-winning authors to books that beautifully manage to juggle heartwarming with important social issues. I also include a nonfiction biography collection for young readers. In children’s book news, book censorship in schools and libraries continues. In my home state Tennessee, the Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022 passed the Senate and House of Representatives and now is on Governor Bill Lee’s desk. Unless he chooses to veto it, it will be made into law. Once it passes, Tennessee schools will have to post all their library materials online, and the local board of education will be required to review and determine if all the materials are age-appropriate. I am extremely dubious board members will actually read all or any school library materials, which would be nearly impossible. The people who have read library materials and determined if they’re appropriate for inclusion in the library are already in place — the librarians themselves. Kelly Jensen has an excellent resource for fighting against book censorship. And here are my reviews for April children’s book releases!
April Picture Book Releases
April Middle Grade Releases
If you’re looking for more new children’s book releases, check out my posts for January children’s book releases, February children’s book releases, and March children’s book releases.
