Lia Anshar's Honest Pages

  Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Kimia filled the suitcase with toys and books, flowers and ribbons." A Suitcase Full by Maryam Kia tells the story of Kimia, a young girl who must leave her home in Iran with her parents due to the war. With only one suitcase allowed, she has to leave behind so many things she loves and say goodbye to her beloved grandmother, Nana-joon. What follows is a journey across the world, from London to Paris, and finally to the sunny city of Honolulu.  When she finally arrives at her new school, a class project provides her with the perfect opportunity to share her story. She opens her suitcase not just with objects, but with her history, helping her make new friends and realize that home isn't just one place, it's also the love and memories you carry with you.  The story is told with such warmth and wonder even though it touches on serious themes like leaving home and war. For kids who experience the same thing, it makes them feel understood and at the same ...

  Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ "She is incredibly lucky because her family always tells her the truth.... They tell her the absolute truest truths. The ones that no one else in the whole world knows." If you’re on the hunt for a book that turns ordinary days into magical adventures, let me introduce you to What’s That For? by Vanessa Bergeron. This delightful children’s story is all about curiosity, creativity, and the wonderful worlds they can build just by asking questions. Our little main character is Lulu, a curious girl who loves asking “what’s that for?” and listening to the creative answers the grown-ups in her life come up with. In Lulu’s world, a simple item can turn into something amazing in an alternate reality where kids are in charge. It’s a safe, fun story where imagination runs free, and children are encouraged to describe and shape their own worlds. I absolutely love how it invites young readers to dream up unlimited possibilities and turn everyday moments into something spec...

"It starts with us our hearts, our voice—to tell the truth, to make that choice."  What if honesty were something we actually practiced every day?  That’s the simple yet powerful idea behind What If We Were All Honest! by C.M. Harris, and honestly, it’s such a refreshing take on teaching kids about telling the truth.  This book takes young readers on a gentle, heart-centered journey about honesty, trust, and taking responsibility for our actions. It’s written in rhyme, which makes it particularly enjoyable to read aloud, and the flow is smooth enough that kids can easily follow along. It never feels preachy, just thoughtful and relatable.  What I really loved is how the story focuses on genuine honesty in real-life. Not just “don’t lie,” but things like admitting when you make a mistake, asking for help when you need it, and being honest with people you trust. It also makes an important point: honesty isn’t about being harsh or saying everything bluntly. It’s about b...

  "Amira did not need to be told to smile. She was already smiling."  Amira's Picture Day by Reem Faruqi is a sweet and thoughtful story about balancing two important moments in a child’s life: celebrating Eid and attending picture day at school.  The story follows Amira, who is excited to stay home and celebrate Eid. Just thinking about the holiday makes her feel warm and tingly. She looks forward to wearing new clothes, visiting the mosque, and handing out goody bags. But then she notices a flyer on the fridge and her excitement quickly turns into worry. Eid happens to fall on the same day as school picture day.  Amira suddenly feels torn. If she skips school to celebrate Eid, she’ll miss the class photo. What if her classmates forget her? What will her teacher think?  Even though the Eid celebration at the mosque is everything she hoped for, the thought of missing picture day keeps lingering in her mind. Luckily, a last-minute idea on the car ride home offer...

  "It was fun to race, but all I wanted was to cool off and enjoy the day." Sometimes the most memorable stories are the ones that feel delightfully odd, and How Mr. Felix Entered a Bicycle Race by Peter Svetina is exactly that kind of book.  The story introduces readers to the wonderfully unusual Mr. Felix, a man who enjoys the simple quirks of life. He lives comfortably among boxes in his home and carefully braids his beard, giving him an air of quiet eccentricity. While he may seem a bit odd, Mr. Felix is far from unlikable, his warmth and friendliness quickly win over those around him.  One day, quite by accident, Mr. Felix finds himself at the starting line of a bicycle race. The only problem is he doesn’t have a bicycle. Fortunately, someone is happy to lend him a rusty one, and just like that, he decides to join the race. What follows is a race unlike any other.  Mr. Felix rides with astonishing speed, quickly catching up to the pack and even taking the lead....

  "'And did you know?' continue grandma, "There are other ways to celebrate Ramadan?'"   The Gift of Ramadan by Rabiah York Lumbard is a warm picture book about a young girl experiencing Ramadan in a very relatable way.  The story follows Sophia, who decides that she wants to fast during Ramadan just like her parents and grandmother. She wakes up early for suhoor and begins her first fasting day full of excitement and determination. But as the day goes on, Sophia quickly realizes that fasting is much harder than she expected.  When her little brother appears with a delicious cookie, her resolve finally breaks. Sophia worries that she has ruined everything and failed her first fast.  But her grandmother gently helps her understand something important: Ramadan is about more than just fasting.  One of the things I appreciated in this book is the message about kindness and helping others. When Sophia’s grandmother becomes too tired to prepare iftar, Sophia st...

"Livy Lou had no idea what she was supposed to say until she heard, 'Use your heart, be yourself, and make people's day.'"  Livy Lou Lovely Loves to Speak by Sally Lou Loveman is a heartwarming picture book about courage, confidence, and discovering your own voice.  The story follows Livy Lou Lovely, a young girl who struggles with the fear of speaking in front of others. Like many children, Livy Lou feels nervous and unsure when it comes to public speaking. Everything begins to change when she attends a television show with her mom. Faced with a new and exciting experience, Livy Lou makes a brave decision: she relies on her inner voice and chases her dreams. That simple choice becomes the moment she begins to discover her voice.  What makes this story meaningful is how relatable Livy Lou’s experience is. Many children feel shy or anxious about speaking up, whether in class, at home, or in front of a crowd. Livy Lou starts just like any other child, scared and he...

"Each person with Tourette syndrome is unique. We all have our own tics, struggles, hopes, and dreams."  Tic-errific Me by Alicia Meyers is a warm and thoughtful picture book that helps young readers understand what it’s like to live with Tourette Syndrome in a way that feels both informative and incredibly kind.  The story follows a young girl who explains her tics directly to the reader. Her verbal and motor tics sometimes appear unexpectedly during everyday activities, and she never quite knows which ones might show up. Through her own voice, she shares what living with tics feels like, how others might see them, and how she first learned about her Tourette’s.  What makes this book especially lovely is how gently the information is presented. The narrator explains that some things, like playing or relaxing, can help her tic less, while stress or excitement might make the tics appear more often. She also talks about the support she receives from her parents, doctors, a...

  "I don't ask if today is a kite day.. Mamuś's smile is hidden, a seed buried waiting to bloom again.."  Kite Day by Lisa Varchol Perron is a cozy yet powerful picture book that offers young readers an honest and hopeful look at living with a parent who struggles with mood disorder. It’s the kind of story that handles a complex topic with care, empathy, and a lot of heart.  The story follows a young boy as he navigates the emotional ups and downs of life with his mother. Some days are bright and joyful, while others feel heavy and confusing. Instead of explaining everything directly, Perron uses the simple act of flying a kite as a beautiful metaphor for these emotional highs and lows. Just like a kite rising in a good day and falling in the bad day, the family experiences moments of difficulty as well as moments of hope.  The lyrical writing makes the story feel sweet but also reflective, allowing young readers to understand big emotions without feeling overwhelme...

  "Inshallah you have faith that won't waver or bend."  If you’re looking for a sweet, heart-melting picture book, Like the Moon Loves the Sky by Hena Khan is such a lovely pick.  This book may be short, but the feeling it leaves behind is so warm and comforting. It’s more than just a picture book with adorable illustrations. It feels like a reminder, a hope, and a quiet prayer wrapped into a story, especially for Muslim families.  The whole book centers around the phrase InshaAllah, which means “if God wills it.” It’s something many of us Muslims say every day when we talk about our plans and dreams. In this book, though, InshaAllah becomes something extra special, it’s a loving dua from parents to their child.  Each page starts with “InshaAllah…” followed by a heartfelt wish. We see a baby welcomed into a loving family, and as the pages turn, the child slowly grows up. From tiny newborn moments to little milestones, the child changes, but the loving wishes st...

  "But we keep praying. Perhaps the same prayer,    or sowing the same seeds, or marveling at..."  In a world that often feels loud, divided, and heavy, Sometimes We Pray by Mary Wagley Copp arrives as something quiet and gentle.  This 40-page picture book simply shows us something beautifully human: people pray. And we pray in many different ways. Some pray to a higher being, a God. Some pray to feel connected to something bigger than themselves. Some pray alone in silence. Others pray together in community. Some bow and prostrate. Some sing. Some chant. Some look up at the sky.  What I found especially meaningful is that the book includes Muslims in it. A mosque is mentioned. A family makes du’a before a meal. Hijabs are visible. Salah is shown. As a Muslim reader, that representation matters.  Now, I know some might feel uncomfortable seeing their way of prayer visually placed alongside other forms of prayer. But for me, in this particular moment, ...

"Oh, my dear Lucinda, I can't control what is going on out there," Mamá said, "but Papá can help a neighbor, Tía Antonia can sooth a troubled tummy, Abuelo can reinforce the doors, and I I can cook." A Light for Lucinda by Olga Herrera is a tender and timely picture book that gently explores what it feels like to be a child witnessing political conflict just outside her window. Through Lucinda’s eyes, readers experience the contrast between fear and comfort, chaos and calm, uncertainty and love.  Told from a child’s perspective, the writing and illustrations beautifully capture how young hearts process overwhelming events. While danger lingers outside, the inside of Lucinda’s home remains warm and steady. In the midst of anxiety, she finds healing in simple yet powerful moments, her mother cooking in the kitchen and the reassuring presence of family members taking care of one another.  What I love most about this book is how it handles a serious topic with sens...

  "Kindness is like my mom," Said the boy. "She's always with me and always there for me!" If you’re looking for a heartwarming children’s book that gently teaches empathy, compassion, and kindness, The Book of Kindness by Egor Klopenko is a wonderful choice.  This beautifully crafted picture book features eight short stories, each centered around themes of kindness, generosity, understanding, and empathy. The purpose of the book is clear and meaningful: to nurture compassion from a young age and help children discover the joy and fulfillment that comes from caring for others. Through simple yet impactful storytelling, the book shows how even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in the world around us.  One of the good points of this book is its accessibility. The stories are easy to understand, thoughtfully written, and never overly complicated for young readers. Each story flows smoothly, making it ideal for independent reading, bedtime stories, or...

  Uncommonly Curious, Eternally Autistic by Rasha Hamid is a heartfelt and accessible picture book that celebrates the beauty of being autistic and neurodivergent. Written in clear, child-friendly language, this book offers young readers an affirming and positive perspective on autism, while gently acknowledging some of the challenges that may come with it.  From the book, we can see that autism doesn't look just one way. Autism can take many different forms, and you can't always tell whether someone is autistic just by looking at them. This message is conveyed in a simple yet powerful way, helping children understand that every individual experiences the world in a unique way. While the story focuses primarily on the strengths and uniqueness of autistic individuals, such as curiosity, creativity, and deep interests, it also briefly touches on realities like anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, and frustration. These moments are handled with care and balance, making the book both hon...

Talking to children about death and loss is never easy. Many adults struggle to find the right words, the right tone, and the right moment. When We Don’t Have All the Answers: Eagle’s Wisdom by Denny Tranel attempts to gently open that conversation through a symbolic journey rooted in nature.  This picture book follows three boys and their uncle as they hike up a high cliff to see an eagle’s nest. What begins as a simple outdoor adventure gradually unfolds into something much deeper. As they observe the eagle and its behaviour, the journey becomes a space for reflection, particularly about losing someone they love and the difficult emotions that come with it.  One of the strongest aspects of this book is its message. The story addresses loss and grief in a soft, non-threatening way. Instead of presenting the topic directly and bluntly, the author uses the eagle as an example. This approach can feel comforting. The message suggests that even when we do not have all the answers ...

We Are the Future: Proud, Kind, United by C.M. Harris is a picture book that gently introduces young readers to diversity within a school environment. Through simple storytelling and warm illustrations, the book emphasizes essential values such as kindness, tolerance, and respect for differences; messages that are especially important to instill at an early age.  The story itself is straightforward and easy to follow, making it well suited for children around the ages of 4 to 6. The language is simple, and the illustrations clearly support the narrative, helping young readers understand both what is happening in the story and the message behind it. Nothing feels overwhelming or confusing, which is exactly what a picture book for this age group should aim for.  I’ve come across some reviews criticizing this book for lacking realism or being too “flowery.” However, I believe this perspective overlooks the developmental needs of its intended audience. Most readers of this book a...

The Very Eager Evergreen by Stef Wade is a tender, heartwarming picture book about purpose, self-worth, and learning to see the quiet good we bring into the world, even when we feel invisible.  The story follows Doug, a fir tree who is feeling deeply blue. Despite standing tall and doing what trees naturally do, Doug can’t help but feel that his life lacks purpose. He looks around and wonders whether he truly matters. His sadness feels very real and relatable, especially for young readers who may be experiencing similar feelings of doubt or not feeling “enough.”  Doug’s perspective begins to shift when his friend, Robin, tells him about another tree named Queenie who lives far away at the beach. Queenie is similar to Doug in many ways, and soon the two trees become pen pals. Through their letters, Doug and Queenie share stories about their lives, their surroundings, and the creatures that depend on them. This simple exchange becomes something much deeper; a gentle mirror that...

  One story, two points of view, and three generations. Ride by Bao Phi is a beautifully simple yet meaningful picture book about learning how to ride a bike. Yes, a bike! But as you follow the stories, it becomes clear that it is about much more than that.  From the children's perspective, Ride is a story of courage and self-belief. It captures the fear, excitement, and determination that come with trying something new. Through this viewpoint, young readers are gently reminded to trust themselves, take a leap of faith, and keep going even when things feel scary or uncertain.  From the parents' perspective, the story takes on a different emotional layer. It speaks about patience, restraint, and the act of letting go. Watching a child struggle, knowing when to step in and when to step back, is an experience many parents will find deeply relatable.  One of the most unique aspects of Ride is its dual-language format, presented in both English and Vietnamese. The two ...

Molly Tells the World by Krista Weltner is a touching children’s story that explores dyslexia, self-acceptance, and the quiet fears many children carry with them. Our main character is Molly, a kind and intelligent young girl who has dyslexia but is terrified of letting her friends know. Like many children her age, Molly just wants to be normal, to fit in, to be liked, and to avoid standing out for the “wrong” reasons.  Molly’s fear is relatable. Children with learning differences often feel pressured to hide their struggles, worried that others might see them as less capable, strange, or even unlikable. This emotional reality is portrayed with great sensitivity in the story. Molly is not shown as weak or incapable, in fact, she is good at school, friendly, and smart. Yet behind that confident exterior, she carries anxiety and self-doubt about her dyslexia, which makes her character feel very real.  Everything begins to shift when a new presence enters Molly’s life, Leeann. T...