Disclaimer: I was provided with a free e-copies of these texts in exchange for an honest review courtesy of NetGalley.
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Children’s literature is so important, and I’m a firm believer that you should continuously return to it regardless of your age. Today, I’m showcasing four books I think you should check out this year.
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A Starlit Trip to the Library is written by Andrew Katz and Juliana Léveillé-Trudel, with illustrations from Joseph Sherman. First off, the cover for this is absolutely enchanting! I had to read it. Even better though, is the art contained inside, it is ✨ magical ✨!
This story follows Julia and her forest friends as she sets sail on an expedition to find a bedtime story. It’s an all-around charmer and there’s no foes to be found.
There are also some fun extras at the end which enhance the story and reading experience. I’m sure this will become a treasured bedtime favourite to many.
This title is published on September 6th 2022 by Chouette Publishing.
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Me and My Dysphoria Monster written by Laura Kate Dale and illustrated by Hui Qing Ang is essential reading! This definitely skews towards a younger audience, but is perfect for illustrating the experience of dysphoria to anyone. It’s beautifully illustrated and portrays such a real and horrifying experience in a more palatable and understandable way, the metaphor of a dysphoria monster is brilliant.
An adults guide and Q&A is included at the end, this is targeted towards the UK/America when it comes towards specific processes, but is otherwise adaptable on a global scale. This guide also dispels a ton of myths around transition which is super important, especially in the UK, where the Government has recently decided to not ban conversion therapy for trans people. This is extremely dangerous, and puts our lives at risk.
This title is published on September 6th 2022 by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
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The Little Prince Around the World written by Corinne Delporte and illustrated by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is a sweet children’s book which explores famous monuments around the world, and provides a ton of facts about them. It’d be a great book to grow up with as you could begin with engaging with the images and exploring the world map, and then as you grow older, you can fully enjoy the facts.
That said, the motif of the sick rose, seems to be dropped fairly quickly and we only return to it during the final pages. Personally, the book would have been just as enjoyable without this and would’ve given more space to characterising The Little Prince.
This title is published on September 6th 2022 by Chouette Publishing.
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Menji and the Sea Dragon, written by Fabien Grolleau and illustrated by Mathieu Demore (with colouring by Demore and Anne-Sophie Dumeige), follows a huge cast of anthropomorphic characters, who you’re helpfully introduced to in the opening pages alongside a map. As an aside, more comics need maps! In this, we follow Menji, the servant of Master Fox who is determined to take hold of the power of the Sea Dragon. The plot is a little convoluted, but that’s often a given with introductory volumes, and I’m sure that over the course of the series, everything will click into place. Regardless, it’s a fun introduction to what should be a rollicking adventure.
This title was published on March 23rd 2022 by Europe Comics.
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What’s your favourite children’s story?
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– matt
reading to zero 
