Picture Book Mix Tape

06: Gratitude

Every month, our critique group Illoguild answers a question. This month’s question is: What are you grateful for?

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Our Next Illoguild Live session all about “Gratitude” is:
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2024 at 4PM EST

Sign up here: https://lu.ma/xovb8eyt

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I’m grateful for libraries, so I can read more stories than I can fit on my own shelves. I love that libraries are a safe place for everyone to be. Free learning. Free entertainment. Free joy. A place where we can visit for as long as we want to and explore whatever topic or world we wish.

I’m grateful for small, indie bookstores, another place filled with experts who know what I like and enjoy recommending new reads. A place where authors and illustrators are invited to give talks or readings. A place that cares about the well being of their community and stays active and involved. My favorite local indie is Copper Dog Books, although I admit that I am lucky enough to live in an area where I am surrounded by many local indies. And for that, I am also grateful.

I’m grateful for my bookshelves. Over the years they’ve begun to overflow, bursting with children’s book treasure. My dragon’s hoard. Each purchase represents my love and support for the people who create and sell these books. I believe part of being grateful is showing thanks by supporting the institutions we want to stick around: with our presence, our dollars and our voices.

Today I’m going to recommend a few books with the theme of gratitude, plucked from my shelves. If you have some more from your own shelves you’d like to recommend, please add them in the comments!

1. Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora (LBYR 2018)

2. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson (PRH 2015)

3. Goodnight Little Bookstore by Amy Cherrix and E.B. Goodale (Candlewick 2022)

4. Home is a Window by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard and Chris Sasaki (Neal Porter Books 2019)

5. Green on Green by Dianne White and Felicita Sala (S&S, Beach Lane 2020)

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