A Picky Eater, a Papi with a Motorcycle, and a Female Construction Worker: 10 New Picture Books We’re Loving in May

This is the Construction Worker, by Laura Godwin and Julian Hector 
When I was growing up it seemed like the only construction workers portrayed in books were men, so it’s refreshing that the protagonist of this story is a woman. We follow her along on a typical work day, starting when she wakes up and puts on her hard hat and tool belt and heads to the work site. We get to see the dump trucks and scaffolding and teamwork as this construction crew builds a skyscraper! Sure to inspire the next generation of builders.

Daniel’s Good Day, by Micha Archer
Have you ever wondered what someone meant when they told you to “have a good day!”? Well Daniel does, so he takes off and asks his neighbors what a good day means to them. For a painter it’s clear skies, for park-goer Emma it’s a wind for her kite, and for the nanny it’s a long nap for the babies. A beautiful way to get to know your own neighbors, this book may make your young reader rethink this simple greeting the next time it’s posed to them, and will inspire conversations about what makes a day good for you and your little ones.

Serena: The Littlest Sister, by Karlin Gray and Monica Ahanonu 
This book offers a fun and enlightening look into the career and childhood of this enormously talented tennis player. Readers will get a glimpse of what it was like to be the youngest Williams sister (of five!), getting coached by her father and practicing with her older sisters Venus, Lyndrea, Isha, and Yetunde. Readers get an intimate look into the close bond of these sisters, and learn how they supported each other on and off the court. An inspiring story of family love, hard work, and reaching for the stars.

Jacob’s Room to Choose, by Sarah and Ian Hoffman and Chris Case 
Jacob and Sophie need to use the bathroom at school—something that can be scary for any little kid. But this simple bathroom trip takes a turn when Jacob is chased out of the boy’s room for looking like a girl, and Sophie a similar same experience using the girl’s room. Luckily their teacher Ms. Reeves, understands and is able to teach the class, and perhaps the readers, a lesson about gender and acceptance that may not be in their schoolbooks.

Nellie Takes New York: A Little Girl’s Adventures in the Big Apple By Allison Pataki, Marya Myers, and Kristi Valiant 
As a transplanted New Yorker who grew up on a diet of Eloise, it was fun to read this book about New Yorker Nelly who wants to find out what exactly “The Big Apple” is all about anyway. Off she goes with her dog Bagel on an adventure that takes her from the American Museum of Natural History, to Central Park, to The Empire State Building and beyond in search of this gigantic fruit. But what she discovers about “The Big Apple” is perhaps bigger than she had even dreamed.

We Are The Change: Words of Inspiration From Civil Rights Leaders, with an introduction by Harry Belafonte 
This powerful book is full of inspirational quotes which are sure to motivate and empower the next generation of change-makers and activists. Combined, these quotes flow together to weave a powerful history, and they include everyone from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to Nina Simone, to Helen Keller, who said, “Alone we can do so little: together we can do so much.” Each quote is illustrated by a different award-winning children’s book illustrator, making it a visual treat as well.

Her Fearless Run: Katherine Switzer’s Historic Boston Marathon, by Kim Chaffee and Ellen Rooney 
This book was my introduction to Katherine Switzer, and I’m so glad it exists because she is truly an inspiration for young girls who want to challenge the rules in sports and beyond. The first woman to run the marathon, Katherine started out by running laps in her backyard in 1959, a time when women were thought to be too delicate to sweat and compete. Lucky for us she didn’t buy that bill of goods. After years of hard work and training, in 1967 she was the first woman to get a number (261!) and compete in the Boston Marathon, and proved “that women deserve to run too.”

Felix Eats Up, by Rosemary Wells
Do you have a picky eater on your hands? Well if your young reader only eats buttered noodles thnn this is the perfect book for you! Felix eats the same sandwich for lunch every day, and just the thought of trying new foods gives him anxiety. His best friend Fiona has a much more adventurous palette (enchiladas with hot sauce!) and helps Felix break out of his old routine with the help of some delicious snow peas which “tasted like a kiss of summertime sun.” Who wouldn’t eat their vegetables with those gorgeous descriptions?

Up, Up, Up, Down!, by Kimberly Gee 
This fun and contradictory book follows a day in the life of an energetic toddler with his stay-at-home dad. (I found this a nice role reversal from so many books I grew up with!) From “hurry, hurry, hurry… slow down!” to “sad, sad, sad… better” a kid’s life is a whirlwind of opposites. Simple text and colorful illustrations make this a great read aloud book for you to read, read, read…sleep each night.

My Papi Has a Motorcycle, by Isabel Quintero and Zeke Peña 
This heartfelt book showcases the tight bond between a daughter and her papi as they speed around their ever changing immigrant neighborhood on his blue motorcycle. As Daisy Ramona and her papi zip through the colorful city you get a snapshot of this community—passing brightly colored murals and houses, yapping dogs and the new homes that are replacing the citrus groves. The poetic language paired with vibrant illustrations make this book a delight to read, and you’ll want to stay in this world for a little longer after you finish the last page.