New Year, New Who?
Six kids' books to help you be intentional in 2024
Happy New Year! I am not much of one for NYE resolutions or traditions. New Year’s seems a bit silly to me TBH - why this day? Why not another? Why not every day? Don’t put all that pressure on the start of January! What did January do to deserve this fate?
My Washington family is one of many traditions. We create new ones on accident and then clutch onto them with fervor, treating them like old family secrets and not the newly-started-just-this-year ideas that they are. One said tradition is an annual “burning party,” spearheaded by my grandma’s tradition of assigning each New Year a Word. A single word that becomes the years’ intention - so choose wisely. No Pressure. Don’t scramble the day of to come up with something random that sort of fits and scribble it down on paper to throw into the fire (definitely what I always do) or you will most certainly be mildly cursed by the witches of "made-up-traditions.” This year my word (am I writing this midday on the 31st and just now thinking up one? Yes. Yes I am.) is going to be…(drumroll please)…Persistence: to carry on despite whatever comes my way. Keep showing up, keep posting, keep on working out, keep on mothering - even if I show up wearing pajamas.
Other than a word, I have some intentions swimming around in the back of my mind like a lazy river intertube rider - I haven’t given them much thought or energy, nor am I convinced I need to, but there they are, all the same.
Read all the unread books on my shelves. Where did all these books come from? Some were gifted, some are my partners’, some were Goodwill or Little Free Library finds because I simply cannot help myself in a place with cheap or free books, and some are aspirational books - much like aspirational pants - the ones you keep up on the shelf because WHO KNOWS, maybe this is the year I will finally want to read Bruce Catton and learn the history of the civil war.
Work on whittling down my to-do craft pile. I have so many crafty things I love to want to do but never make time for. Finish that knitted shirt pattern I was gifted 3 Christmas’ ago? Make the Advent I keep threating to make? Catch up on baby quilts for all these people who won’t stop procreating. Make a hat for my dad so I can put that patch I begged him to send me on it. Let’s get on it!
Though I may not be one for the actual New Year’s resolutions, I do think reminding ourselves to live with intention, thoughtfulness, bravery, and purpose is a good thing to practice, and today is as good a time as any. Here are some kids’ books that will serve as a reminder to be intentional beings.
LIT TIP
Let the book do the talking. It is so easy to want to jump in and give explanations and summaries to our kids to help them “get the message.” Especially if the message is layered or hidden or expertly woven into the narrative. But letting your kid come to the story with their own ideas, questions, and understanding builds reading curiosity and comprehension. Let your kid ask questions both mid-story and after the story is over, and instead of giving direct answers, ask your kid questions in return. A book not only sparks conversation, it is a conversation between the author and the reader, and even though you may be reading the words, it is your kid who is invited (by the book) to the conversation.
FROM THE STAX
CAPYBARA IS FRIENDS WITH EVERYONE by Maddie Frost
Capybara goes above and beyond to be the best friends with everyone. When he meets Sloth, he exhausts himself trying to find out exactly what Sloth needs to be delighted by Capybara’s friendship. This book serves as a solid reminder that to give successfully one needs to consider their own needs as well, and that sometimes the greatest gifts of kindness are best when measured. This book will help kids learn how to be kind and giving while retaining boundaries and autonomy - I can think of a few adults (checks reflection) who would benefit from this message too.
THE WAY TO START A DAY by Byrd Baylor illustrated by Peter Parnell
A simple but striking book about the power of greeting each new day by literally facing East and taking a moment to thank the sun. This book touches on different cultural practices while suggesting that you find your own song to sing to greet each new day. This book captures how I feel about the New Year - why not make it a celebration every New Day?! A small practice of mindfulness each morning to remind you what a powerful wonder it is to be alive. Plus the funky 1970’s art is enough for me to want to check this book out multiple times!
BODIES ARE COOL! by Tyler Feder
Celebrate all different kinds of bodies with this delectable singsong book where every page is jam-packed with bodies of all different sizes, shapes, and colors. The powerfully simple repeated refrain “Bodies are cool!” is a message every single human needs to hear more. Maybe in the same way we could start our day by paying homage to the sun, we could also start each day by thanking our bodies for all the amazing, diverse, and wonderful ways they serve us and help teach our kids and remind ourselves that all bodies are beautiful.
OUT OF A JAR by Deborah Marcero
Llewellyn is a small bunny with tremendous feelings. In fact, too big. To cope, Llewellyn decides to trap each overwhelming feeling in a jar and shove them into a closet. Y’all don’t have to be rocket scientists to determine how successfully that plan turns out. And yet, we all do the exact same thing day in and day out - try to tamp down our own emotions, and our kids’ emotions, bottling them up instead of letting them exist and letting them go. This book is a therapy session for all who read it and Llewellyn is one loveable and relatable bunny.
HO’ONANI: HULA WARRIOR by Heather Gale illustrated by Mika Song
Ho’onani is Mahu - she doesn’t feel either wahine (girl) or kane (boy) but somewhere in between. She is encouraged by a teacher to try out for the role of Hula Warrior at her school’s end-of-year performance, and despite it being a traditional kane role, Ho’onani is persistent and brave and finds her strength and sense of self. A book about gender fluidity and inclusivity, this book will have you cheering and encouraging kids to be brave about who they are.
PRINCE & KNIGHT by Daniel Haack illustrated by Stevie Lewis
It is nearly time for the Prince to take over the kingdom, but first, he must find his perfect bride to rule alongside him. Then a dragon comes along to attack his kingdom and the Prince must ride to save the day - and finds his one true love in shining armor along the way. This sweet book is a top read for our family this month, as Knights are the current new obsession. I love a book that introduces an LGBTQ protagonist in such a seamless and nonchalant way, allowing for love to be love. More books like this in 2024, please.
Thanks, as always, for being here!
What children’s books set the tone for your family for this new year? If you could set one single intention word, what would it be? Did you kiss anyone at midnight? Blow anything up (fireworks I mean)? How are you going to greet 2024?
See y’all next week and happy reading!