Irena Kobald

Summary: This picture book is about a young girl named "Cartwheel" who moves to a new country and feels out of place. She uses an imaginary blanket to find comfort in her old language and memories. Over time, she meets a new friend who helps her learn the new language, and she creates a second "blanket" filled with new words and experiences. The story explores themes of cultural identity, friendship, and the journey of adapting to a new home while keeping connections to your past.
Comments: The imagery in this novel is beautiful, and I love how imaginative and creative the main character is portrayed to be. I think that imaginative characters being represented in children's literature is crucial because it can make young readers feel seen and accepted for their imaginative practices. The illustrations in this story are also quite cute, which I think preschoolers/kinders would find enjoyable. I would definitely add this book to my future classroom, as I think the message it oromotes is beneficial.… (more)