My family and I have been at home sweltering in the summer heat so I haven’t been posting lately. But I recently read a new nonfiction picture book that blew me away. I needed to write about it. Dreams to Ashes: The 1871 Los Angeles Chinatown Massacre is written by Livia Blackburne, illustrated by Nicole Xu and published by Carol Rhoda Books. The illustrations are bold, breathtaking and ferocious. Worthy of this beautiful picture book’s words that inform, educate but also illicit power in its fiery text. It begins with questions: “What sparks a fire in a young California city? What…
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When I went to Gael’s book signing, I picked up a few other picture books. I have been watching Joanna Ho’s posts on We Who Produce Pearls, for awhile. The cover and illustrations by Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya are gorgeous. Illustrations that you want to frame on your kid’s walls. It’s the type of book that gives you chills. It’s THAT good. There is so much depth in the words that are written for children, but that also speaks to adults. It’s written as a poetic anthem so while no specific events are detailed in the main part of the book (the back matter…