TLA'S 2023 2×2 List is Here!

Amidst all of the hullabaloo over the ALA Youth Media Awards (YMA), the Texas Library Association released their 2023 list of 2x2s.  The list includes the best of recent books meant for children 2 years old to grade two. There are some great books on this list. If you have littles in your life that fall in the age range, you should check them out! Or maybe you just enjoy reading great picture books yourself. Either way, enjoy some awesome books.

A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portis. This book deservedly received lots of love at the YMAs. Be prepared to plant some sunflower seeds, though.

 

  Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty; illustrated by Roberts. It's cleaning day and Dad and Papa are trying to organize everything but the cat has other plans!

Bear Has a Belly by Jane Whittingham. Just look at that bear! I haven't read this one yet but it looks amazing. Bear has a belly and I do too! It lets little compare body parts with animals. Perfect for Toddler Time.

  Berry Song by Michaela Goade. This beautiful book celebrates giving thanks - or Guanlchees - for the many good things the land provides for us as a young Tlingit girl learns about gleaning in the forest with her grandmother.

Big Truck Little Island by Chris Van Dusen. Oh no! A big truck is stuck on a very narrow road on a small island. As traffic backs up on both sides - kids come up with a plan to get everyone where they need to be! What do you think is on the truck?

  Chester Van Chime Who Forgot How to Rhyme by Avery Monsen, illustrated by Abby Hanlon. One morning, Chester wakes up and - gasp! - he has forgotten how to rhyme! He is a bit despondent but then realizes that everyone has off days. An excellent book to help with the concept of rhyming -- and bad days!

Counting to Bananas: A Mostly Rhyming Fruit Book by Carrie Tillotson, illustrated by Estrela Lourenço. I haven't read this one yet but it looks fun!

Endlessly Ever After: Pick YOUR Path to Countless Fairy Tale Endings! by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by Dan Santat. Choose your own adventure with fairy tales! With an emphasis on choice. Some choices turn out well; some not so much. 

I Was Born a Baby by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Brandon James Scott. I haven't read this one - but it's all about baby animal names! "No way! No how! That can't be true!" Sounds adorable!

I’m Hungry/ ¡Tengo hambre! by Angela Dominguez. A bilingual picture book about a little T. Rex who can't figure out what he wants to eat. A dilemma faced by many children and parents every day, though I do spy pizza on the cover...

Mina by Matthew Forsythe. I love Forsythe's books so I'm thrilled this is on the list! Mina is a young mouse who loves to read. She also loves her father - even though he brings home a wide assortment of unusual surprises for her. She doesn't worry until he brings home what he believes to be a squirrel but, dear reader, we know with certainty it is, in fact, a cat. Mina is definitely worried. Should she be? Probably. And when Mina's fears are finally realized, help comes in a very surprising fashion! 

Odd Birds: Meet Nature’s Weirdest Flock by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Gareth Lucas. This board book is a win/win for me! I think babies will like the colors and the eyes of the birds... but older kids will love to hear about a bird that smells like poop!

Perfectly Imperfect Mira by Faith Pray. I haven't read this one but I believe the very important message is - don't be afraid to keep trying.

PIZZA! A Slice of History by Greg Pizzoli. I love pizza. I love Greg Pizzoli. I promise you will learn new things about pizza if you read this book.

Powwow Day by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight. Eight year old River is excited that it is Powwow Day! Jingle dresses and dancing! But then River remembers that she has been sick and, even though she tries, she is still not strong enough to dance. But her family and community dance for her. A beautiful book.

Solitary Animals: Introverts of the Wild by Joshua David Stein, illustrated by Dominique Ramsey. Just look at that cover! You know kids will want to read it. It discusses in a very easy to read text that some animals live, play, and travel together in groups while other animals lead a more solitary life. Lots of great information.

Somewhere in the Bayou by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey. These animals need to cross the river and luckily there is a log. But wait - does that log have a tail? I am looking forward to reading this - it looks amazing.

That’s Not My Name by Anoosha Syed. It is the first day of school and Mirha is very excited!But no one pronounces her name correctly! Mirha ponders changing her name but then talks to her mom and begins to understand how important her name is. So, instead, she finds her voice and nicely instructs others how to say her name! A good book to read the first week of school.

Vámonos/ Let’s Go! by Cynthia Weill. "The Wheels on the Bus" takes on a new, bilingual identity as children sing in both English and Spanish about the exciting noises made by all sorts of vehicles.

Where in the World Are You? by Marie G. Rohde. Join a mischievous pet cat on a journey of discovery that encourages young readers to think about their place in the world. Haven't read this one but it looks fun!