Andrew Larsen

A child shares feelings about their identity with their dad in this powerful story about change, acceptance and, above all, love.One winter, while creating their annual ice rink together, a child starts a conversation with their dad about something important. ”Do you ever feel mixed up about who you are?“ the child asks. But the father misunderstands the question. So, the child tries again later. ”Do you ever feel different than the way you look?“ Again, the father doesn’t get it. But this time he asks to hear more. And the child explains. ”I look like a boy, but sometimes I feel more like a girl.“ At last, it’s been said. The child shares that their name feels like an itchy sweater and they want to change it to ”Gray.“ It’s a big change, but one they can grow into together. And when Gray’s dad finally uses their chosen name, it feels warm and right, just like hot chocolate after the first skate of the season. This personal story, co-written by acclaimed author Andrew Larsen and his son Bells, is inspired by Bells’s own experience as a transgender person. It’s about the joy and comfort a child feels when a parent affirms their identity, and how the transition can be complex for the rest of the family. An excellent conversation starter for families with a child who might be questioning their gender identity, it centers the child’s experience of navigating and sharing what they feel, and shows that, though the child’s sense of themself is changing, their place in the family is not. It also demonstrates a supportive and respectful family environment, where home is a safe space. Tallulah Fontaine’s softly focused illustrations punctuated by the red of Gray’s cap create an inviting, wintery setting.

When you open the door to a library, a world of opportunity awaits. No one believed this more than Andrew Carnegie. In simple prose, Larsen narrates the life story of Scottish-born Carnegie and his incredible gift to the world: over 2500 libraries, with over 650 built in the UK. Leaving Dunfermline with his family as a child, he arrived in America poor, but with plenty of determination. Working hard, he made the most of his opportunities, and eventually created a steel empire which helped to shape modern America. While his harsh business practices tarnished his working class reputation, he was generous to those in need, and phenomenally wealthy, he never forgot the role a library had played in his success. Carnegie''s legacy continues to this day. He set up the Carnegie Hero Fund Trust UK and the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust. The Carnegie Medal is a literary award that was established to celebrate the centenary of his birth. He created the Carnegie Foundation for the purpose of establishing and maintaining in perpetuity a ''Temple of Peace'': the stunning Peace Palace in The Hague today houses institutions including the International Court of Justice and the Peace Palace Library.

Theodora loved her grandfather's old garden. His new apartment's balcony is too windy and small for a garden. But what appears to be a drawback soon leads to a shared burst of creativity as Theo and her Poppa decide to paint a new garden. As they work side by side --- sowing seeds with brushes and paint --- a masterpiece begins to take shape that transforms the balcony into an abundant garden. When Poppa goes away on holiday, Theo helps nurture the garden and it begins to take on a life of its own. This garden grows not from soil but from love, imagination and creativity. Readers will marvel at each stage of this fertile garden as it grows from seed to full flower, revealing the power of art to enrich our lives.