As I read the books for this post, I was reminded over and over about how much I really enjoy reading children’s books. I love the simplicity of most stories and even in the history stories, how uncomplicated they are. The art is usually colorful or relaxing. It is a great way to separate oneself from the stress of adulting. What a gift you can give yourself to walk into a library and randomly walk up to shelves full of books and just grab whatever books call to you, knowing that if you don’t love it, it wont take long to finish it and most likely, you will like it. And then greet the librarian, check those books out. Walk out the door. Take pictures of the squirrel who lives in the tree outside and is used to tons of all kinds of people coming through the door outside his tree house and so he is used to flirting with anyone that stops to say hello. And even meeting a neighbor before you climb in your car and drive home to read those books because you want to.
So here is to reading 5 Books for February 2026…and yes…I know it’s late.
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The Peanut Man by Carmen Agra Deedy
The Peanut Man by Carmen Agra Deedy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Peanut Man by Carmen Agra Deedy is a beautiful children’s immigration story about how a little girl finds home. Her family was from Cuba. Every night, Emilio, the peanut man would walk through the streets, crying out: ¡Mani! or ¡Peanuts!
From her window, Coqui, would tuck her thumbs in her ears, stick out her tongue and make her silly sound: Thiddle, thiddle, thiddle!
And then Emilio would laugh and do it back!
There came a day that Coqui’s mom told her they must move to los Estados Unidos. Her father was not safe in Cuba, where opinions were not allowed.
It was hard, but her family relocated and started their new life. Coqui made new friends. She learned English. She learned new sports games. But Coqui was still homesick. One thing helped; she listened to baseball games on the radio with her dad.
One day Papi surprised her with tickets for her birthday to see her favorite player, Hank Aaron. When they got to the stadium, it was very hot and there were many smells.
“Coqui,” said Papi. “Baseball is a lot like life – if you can stand the smell, you’re going to love the game.”
During the game Coqui was overjoyed to see the peanut man. He did not look like Emilio, but those warm, oily peanuts took her right back home.
This historical fiction story is heartwarming. The illustrations by Raúl Colón are wonderful. What an amazing story!
I checked this book out at the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of The Peanut Man by Carmen Agra Deedy on Amazon.
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The Month of Ramadan by Inda Ahmad Zahri
The Month of Ramadan by Inda Ahmad Zahri
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Month of Ramadan by Inda Ahmad Zahri is a book that helps children learn about the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. Ramadan is celebrated in the 9th month of the Islamic calendar as a time of fasting from food and sinful things, a time of prayer, reflection, study, charity, and strengthening the community. During Ramadan breakfast is eaten before the sun comes up and before morning prayers. This meal is called Suhoor and consists of foods like dates, lentils, yogurt, eggs and herb tea.
During the day it is practice to fast or not to eat food, while you focus on learning gratitude, compassion, mindfulness, knowledge, love and other positive things that make a big difference in our lives and community. It is good to set aside screen time for healthy habits like helping our friends or gardening or reading.
At the end of the day the evening meal is called iftaar and then families go to mosque for tarawih prayers. Ramadan helps teach us to be grateful and to be aware of those who do not have enough. It makes you aware of kindness, strength and growth. It is good to wish someone “Ramadan Mubarak!” or “Blessed Ramadan!”
I think this picture book and the lovely illustrations explained Ramadan so easily. It was a great read!
I checked out this book at the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of The Month of Ramadan by Inda Ahmad Zahri on Amazon.
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You Broke It! by Liana Finck
You Broke It! by Liana Finck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’m not sure I am the person to review You Broke It! by Liana Finck. Usually I would love the dry family humor, but I a in such a funk that the absurdity of it makes me want to scream until I got to the end where the animal child says, “I am just being myself,” and the parent gives them a hug.
The illustrations of parenting in the wild are similar to comic strips which are not my genre but they tell a story. I think the tears on my cheeks mean this message must be valid.
I checked this book out at the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of You Broke It! by Liana Finck on Amazon.
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Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim by Kobina Commeh
Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim by Kobina Commeh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim by Kobina Commeh is a beautiful historical fiction story illustrated by Barbara Quintino that shows how Kwesi and Nana Ruby encourage each other to learn to swim. Kwesi was very afraid to learn but he was surprised to know that Nana had never learned to swim as a child because when she had immigrated to the United States from Ghana, as a child, Black families were not allowed to use the public pools and beaches. Some White people did very mean things to make black people afraid of water, so Nana Ruby had never learned to swim.
But it is no longer unsafe to swim in public pools and Nana Ruby wanted Kwesi to learn to swim so she promised to learn, if Kwesi learned to swim. So both Kwesi and Nana Ruby worked together to learn to swim and they were able to enjoy swimming in the Lagoon Lake together too.
I love this powerful story that celebrates civil rights and I think you should too.
I checked this book out at the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim by Kobina Commeh on Amazon.
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Yours, Befana A Letter From the Winter Witch by Barbara Cuoghi
Yours, Befana: A Letter from the Winter Witch by Barbara Cuoghi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have never heard of Befana before I read Yours, Befana A Letter From the Winter Witch by Barbara Cuoghi and of her I am very curious. I think I will try to find more books about her because Santa is not so interesting to me; but a wise woman who is invisible and arrives on January 6th (12 days after Christmas) and leaves presents that money can’t buy, from a woman who can’t be bought, sounds like the kind of honesty and fantasy my world needs. She also speaks to my heritage from Italy. I love the illustrations by Elenia Beretta.
The magic of winter and witches and humanity is celebrated in this book and I love it!
I checked this book out at the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Yours, Befana A Letter From the Winter Witch by Barbara Cuoghi on Amazon.
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I really enjoyed the books I found for this blog. These books spoke to, my heritage, my love of people, my love of creativity, and my own desire to be better every day and my joy in seeing others grow too. I hope that in all the craziness of life you can find a moment to read a good book, in whatever genre you prefer, I hope it takes you on a journey that you enjoy.
I love you. Be blessed.
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