Book picks for kids: "Bodies are Cool"

Book picks for kids (and adults):

Looking for some reading inspiration? Here’s a peek at what KCLS staff and the young readers in their lives are digging into this month!

All KCLS libraries are open. Plan your next visit at kcls.org/visit.

For adults:

“The God and the Gumiho” by Sophie Kim

The city of New Sinsi is home to beings from Korean mythology, including secret soul devourer turned barista Kim Hani. Hani would dearly like to get up to some of her old tricks, but her last great feast left her too full to consume anything else. This annoys her, especially when she interacts with the stuffy exiled trickster god Seokga. Seokga works as a police detective as penance for his crimes, and he’s particularly obsessed with capturing Hani’s infamous alter ego, the Scarlet Fox. Hani is determined to throw Seokga off her trail, so she takes a job as his assistant. Just as the unlikely pair begin to trade their spats for something else entirely, they’re distracted from their growing feelings by a series of murders in the city. Whether you’re looking for a vibrantly described magical realm or romantic escapism, this book needs to be on your list!

For kids:

“Bodies Are Cool” by Tyler Feder

Author Tyler Feder proclaims that all bodies are good bodies. Beaming at each other, figures swim, ride bikes, and attend movies and picnics with their differences in pigmentation, textures, scars, stretch marks and adaptive devices on full display. Beyond this picture book’s illustrations, the bouncy rhyming text and rich vocabulary encourage respectful observation and acceptance of each other, begging kids to notice ”olive skin, saggy tummies, poofy hair and dimpled elbows.” Feder’s noteworthy message: Love everyone’s body, especially your own, because bodies are cool!

Jenna Zarzycki is an adult services librarian at KCLS who works in south King County. She adores talking about books to anyone who will listen and regularly contributes to KCLS’ BookMatch and booklist services. Jenna likes fantasy, romance and narrative nonfiction best, although any book has the possibility to become a new favorite. KCLS Children’s Librarian Robin Howe serves her Kent Library community with tuneful Story Times and creative programs. She enjoys connecting young patrons to KCLS’ rich resources, and when she’s not reading aloud or jumping up and down to Sleeping Bunnies, she’s probably knitting, traveling or making soup