Just over a week into 2020 already! Thank you fellow bloggers, reviewers and readers of this site for your continued support, visits, comments, and entries to book giveaways. Here’s to a new year of more bookish goodness, including new reviews, giveaways, creator spotlights and other good things!

I thought it might be a pleasant way to get back into the rhythm of things with a picture book round-up post. I hope you enjoy this new round up of recently read and recommended picture books. In no particular order, here are the titles: Our Favorite Day written and illustrated by Joowon Oh- a debut!- is a gorgeous, quiet treat of a picture book that focuses on the bond and love between a grandpa and his grandchild- my five year old absolutely adored this thoughtfully threaded story, with its gentle callbacks and beautiful, softly appealing paper cut and watercolour art; Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang (The Memory of Forgotten Things), illustrated by Charlene Chua (Shubh Diwali! written by Chitra Soundar) is a delightfully buoyant and bright tale (with recipes!) featuring young and undaunted protagonist Amy who, after numerous attempts at making a “perfect” bao bun don’t quite work, problem solves her way (with her family’s help and support!) to success; The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota’s Garden written by award-winning Canadian author Heather Smith (Ebb and Flow) and artwork by Rachel Wada is a superb, unforgettable (and deeply emotional) read- based on a true story of the wind telephone created by Japanese artist Itaru Sasaki- I was captivated and affected by both the story and actual events, and have been thinking often of this picture book since first read; Chirri & Chirra: The Snowy Day by Kaya Doi, a wintry entry into the sublime and adorable Chirri & Chirra series features a stunning palette and so, so many sweet details for the eye to feast upon; Good Night, Little Blue Truck written by Alice Schertle, illustrated by John Joseph in the style of the late Jill McElmurry is another winning, perfect for read aloud story in the continuing Little Blue Truck series (this series is a bedtime family favourite!); and last but not least, we have the standout sophomore picture book, Saturday, by award-winning author and illustrator Oge Mora (Thank You, Omu!), a beautifully rendered story- with Mora’s distinct and marvelous collage art- about a mom and daughter’s special day together and what happens in the face of constant setbacks. Happy reading to you all!