Our current period of extended quarantine and self-isolation is disconcerting for adults, so imagine how this uncertainty can feel for children, especially those too young to fully understand what's going on. With most schools closed, parents are looking for ways to keep their kids occupied, educated and happy and reading a good book can not only provide some everyday joy, but a sense of stability if it's worked into a daily reading-time routine. With this in mind, we have compiled a list of wonderful children's books for various ages, created by SVA alumni and faculty, that will help put your child's mind at ease. Even if you don't have kids, consider helping out friends that do, with Facetime, Zoom, or Skype calls, and start a storytime chat to assistant and comfort during this challenging time. Don't forget, we're all in this together.
Big Cities Little Foodies: Tokyo is an illustrated board book series, designed to share Asian culture and diversity with children. Each book is filled with vibrant and fun illustrations to introduce little ones to early learning concepts, rich culture and world travel.
Written by Cheryl Yau Chepusova (MFA 2012 Design Criticism)
Illustrated by Isabel Foo
Little Picnic Press
Board book, $12
Guts is a thoughtful, charming, and funny true story about growing up and gathering the courage to face—and conquer—fears.
Written by Raina Telgemeier (BFA 2002 Illustration)
Graphix
Hardcover/paperback/e-book, $24.99/$12.99/$7.99
I See a Shadow is a delightful, graphic celebration of imagination and the shadows that are all around us.
Written by Laura Breen (BFA 1984 Media Arts)
Feiwel & Friends
Hardcover, $17.99
Let’s Go to Taekwondo! A Story About Persistence, Bravery, and Breaking Boards emphasizes self-confidence, determination and the value of family.
Written by Aram Kim (MFA 2014 Illustration as Visual Essay; BFA 2009 Illustration)
Holiday House
Hardcover, $17.99
Little Heroes of Color: 50 Who Made a Big Difference educates and inspires by showing readers 50 trailblazers from a range of races and ethnicities.
Written by David Heredia (BFA 2000 Animation)
Scholastic Press
Board book, $10.99
The Midwinter Witch, the final book in the Witch Boy series, comes to a thrilling conclusion in this story of friendship, family and finding your true power.
Written by Molly Knox Ostertag (BFA 2014 Cartooning)
Graphix
Hardcover/paperback/e-book $24.99/$12.99/$7.99
No More Monsters Under Your Bed! is a whimsical book meant to help parents put their kids to bed, complete with fun, magical no-more-monsters patches children can attach to their own pajamas.
Written by Jordan Chouteau; illustrated by Anat Even Or (MFA 2010 Illustration as Visual Essay)
Jimmy Patterson
Hardcover/e-book $16.99/$9.99
Octopus Stew celebrates creativity, heroism, family, grandmothers, grandsons, Puerto Rican food, Latinx culture and more.
Written by Eric Velasquez (BFA 1983 Illustration)
Holiday House
Hardcover, $17.99
Ruby’s Hope centers around Dorothea Lange’s iconic, depression-era “Migrant Mother” photograph. Behind this renowned portrait is the story of a family struggling against all odds to survive.
Written by Monica Kulling; illustrated by Sarah Dvojack (MFA 2015 Illustration as Visual Essay)
Page Street Kids
Hardcover, $17.99
This feature is an adaptation of an article in the Spring 2020 edition of the Visual Arts Journal.