First there is \u201cThe Man Who Didn\u2019t Like Animals,\u201d by Deborah Underwood, pictures by LeUyen Pham. This is a funny prequel to \u201cOld MacDonald Had a Farm.\u201d The story begins in the city with a man who loved his neat and orderly home, but he didn\u2019t like animals because they are too messy. The change begins when a stray cat gets into his house. This is a delightful and fun book.<\/p>\n
Next up is \u201cAlice in a Winter Wonderland,\u201d by Jan Brett. It is a beautiful book that features a different take on the Lewis Carroll\u2019s original \u201cAlice in Wonderland.\u201d The action takes place in the wilds of Alaska. Alice is an Alaska Native with black hair and a warm parka. She sees a white rabbit go down a frosty hole while she is in on top of a glacier. Then the story follows most of the major events included in the original tale but with Alaskan and new fantasy characters. The book is a visual treat.<\/p>\n There is also the charming \u201cTamales For Christmas,\u201d written by Stephen Brise\u00f1o and illustrated by Sonia S\u00e1nchez. It is taken from a true story about their grandmother. The illustrations are beautiful and colorful. The story tells about how the grandmother made 1,000 dozen tamales to sell to buy her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren presents for Christmas. This is a lovely and heartwarming book.<\/p>\n For middle school readers, there is a graphic novel called \u201cThe Ribbon Skirt,\u201d by Cameron Mukwa. The main character, Anang, is 10 years old and is looking forward to the annual powwow celebration. Anang is nonbinary and is two-spirit and wants to make a ribbon skirt to wear during the fancy dance at the powwow. Their worry is that the dance is for women and girls. But first Anang must find the materials to make the skirt. This is when family and spirits step in to help. The novel has lovely illustrations.<\/p>\n \u201cOff The Map,\u201d by Meika Hasimoto, is a great chapter book for middle readers. This adventure also takes place in Alaska, and it is perfect for both boys and girls. Marlo is 13 and is excited to go with her river guide mom on a four day canoe trip in remote northern Alaska. Marlo is trying to recover from her father\u2019s abrupt leaving her and her mother a mouth ago. Also her best friend, Arlo, has practically disappeared from her life despite living right next door. They have been best friends since they were 4. The trip turns out to have a surprise: Arlo and his father are on the trip, too. The group of four gets separated and the teens are left on their own on the wild and rapid-filled river. After that, it is a fight for survival. This is an action-filled read for early teens.<\/p>\n