Tuesday Kidlit Trivia for April 28, 2026

 This Canadian author/illustrator lets the young readers in on the joke as the rather slow-witted bear searches for his missing hat, asking character after character. GQ magazine called the book "the most subtle endorsement of murder you'll ever find," No violence is shown, but the inference is there, which has led to some parents wanting the book banned. It's told completely in dialogue. Does it condone lying, stealing and revenge killing, or is it just a fun read? Check out I Want My Hat Back by Caldecott winner Jon Klassen.

Tuesday Kidlit Trivia for April 21, 2026

 This Newark author, born in 1931, always knew she wanted to be a writer. She began by writing odes to her deceased parents--who were alive, and not amused! She wrote for Redbook magazine for years before her children led her to write picture books. Her son Alex inspired her tale of a boy having an awful day. The Tenth Good Thing About Barney helps children deal with the grief they feel for a cat who has died by thinking of his value, as a playmate and as garden compost. This is Judith Viorst, and her book about her son Alex is the classic Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day, published in 1972.

Tuesday Kidlit Trivia for April 14th, 2026

 Every one of this Maryland author's books is 217 pages long--because that was the length of the first one, and he wanted all his books to sit on the shelf neatly beside each other. He considers himself a weak piano player, but there is nothing wimpy about his success as a writer. His series about the trials and tribulations of a nerdy middle schooler began in 2007 and has added nearly 20 more books and inspired a movie in 2010. This is Jeff Kinney and his books make up the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, New York Times bestsellers.

Tuesday Kidlit Trivia for April 7, 2026

 The moon's been in the news lately, and did you know that "Dr. Doolittle in the Moon" came out in 1928 and is considered one of the best in this British author's series? His books began as stories sent home to his children when he was serving in World War I in Flanders and France. On his trip back to England he met a novelist who suggested he compile his stories in a book. "The Story of Dr. Doolittle" was instantly popular when it came out in 1920 and led to many more. Modern readers find some of his writing racist, particularly the epithets hurled by Polynesia the parrot, but the kindly veterinarian at the center of the books remains a beloved character. The author/illustrator is Hugh Lofting, 1886-1947.