Books published by publisher Dotterel Press

An honest explanation about how power and privilege factor into the lives of white children, at the expense of other groups, and how they can help seek justice. —THE NEW YORK TIMES **A WHITE RAVEN 2019 SELECTION** NAMED ONE OF SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL'S BEST BOOKS OF 2018 Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness is a picture book about racism and racial justice, inviting white children and parents to become curious about racism, accept that it's real, and cultivate justice. This book does a phenomenal job of explaining how power and privilege affect us from birth, and how we can educate ourselves...Not My Idea is an incredibly important book, one that we should all be using as a catalyst for our anti-racist education. —THE TINY ACTIVIST Quite frankly, the first book I’ve seen that provides an honest explanation for kids about the state of race in America today. —ELIZABETH BIRD, librarian “It’s that exact mix of true-to-life humor and unflinching honesty that makes Higginbotham’s book work so well…”―PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (*Starred Review) A much-needed title that provides a strong foundation for critical discussions of white people and racism, particularly for young audiences. Recommended for all collections. —SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (*Starred Review) A necessary children's book about whiteness, white supremacy, and resistance… Important, accessible, needed. —KIRKUS REVIEWS A timely story that addresses racism, civic responsibility, and the concept of whiteness. —FOREWORD REVIEWS For white folks who aren’t sure how to talk to their kids about race, this book is the perfect beginning. —O MAGAZINE

[A] celebration of solidarity, allyship, and community...A welcoming resource for conversations about equality and social justice that shows readers how identities are made up of myriad influences.—PUBLISHERS WEEKLYThe brainchild of three women-of-color sociologists, IntersectionAllies is a smooth, gleeful entry into intersectional feminism. The nine interconnected characters proudly describe themselves and their backgrounds, involving topics that range from a physical disability to language brokering, offering an opportunity to take pride in a personal story and connect to collective struggle for justice.The group bond grounds the message of allyship and equality. When things get hard, the kids support each other for who they are: Parker defends Kate, a genderfluid character who eschews skirts for a superhero cape; Heejung welcomes Yuri, a refugee escaping war, into their community; and Alejandra’s family cares for Parker after school while her mother works. Advocating respect and inclusion, IntersectionAllies is a necessary tool for learning to embrace, rather than shy away from, difference.Featuring gorgeous illustrations on every page by Ashley Seil Smith, as well as powerful introductions by activist and law professor Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw, who coined the term “intersectionality,” and Dr. Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, author of Intersectionality: An Intellectual History.

An honest explanation about how power and privilege factor into the lives of white children, at the expense of other groups, and how they can help seek justice. —THE NEW YORK TIMES**A WHITE RAVEN 2019 SELECTION**NAMED ONE OF SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL'S BEST BOOKS OF 2018 Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness is a picture book about racism and racial justice, inviting white children and parents to become curious about racism, accept that it's real, and cultivate justice. This book does a phenomenal job of explaining how power and privilege affect us from birth, and how we can educate ourselves...Not My Idea is an incredibly important book, one that we should all be using as a catalyst for our anti-racist education. —THE TINY ACTIVISTQuite frankly, the first book I’ve seen that provides an honest explanation for kids about the state of race in America today. —ELIZABETH BIRD, librarian “It’s that exact mix of true-to-life humor and unflinching honesty that makes Higginbotham’s book work so well…”—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (*Starred Review) A much-needed title that provides a strong foundation for critical discussions of white people and racism, particularly for young audiences. Recommended for all collections. —SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (*Starred Review) A necessary children's book about whiteness, white supremacy, and resistance… Important, accessible, needed. —KIRKUS REVIEWS A timely story that addresses racism, civic responsibility, and the concept of whiteness. —FOREWORD REVIEWS For white folks who aren’t sure how to talk to their kids about race, this book is the perfect beginning. —O MAGAZINE

The must-read guide to one of literature's greatest-ever tales. Why does the Achaeans' greatest warrior, the legendary Achilles refuse to fight? What incites his murderous rage and blood-lust? Who is the real hero of this ancient tale of heroic deeds? This new guide will deepen your understanding of one of literature's oldest and greatest epics - from the face that launched a thousand ships to the death of the Trojans' greatest fighter, Hector. "Full of fantastic, thought-provoking references to the text that offer sensible modern solutions to questions posed to Homer's ancient audience."

FEATURED IN THE NEW YORK TIMESPart of the Ordinary Terrible Things series, the new and expanded edition of Death Is Stupid is an invaluable tool for discussing death, exploring grief, and honoring the life of our loved ones.When someone we love dies, adults often say things like, "She's in a better place now," or "I know how you feel." You do not, one little boy thinks after his grandma passes away. Caught in the swirl of anger, confusion, and fear that accompanies grief and mourning, he doesn't just think death is unfair—he thinks death is stupid. It takes him some time, but when he starts sharing cherished memories of his grandma and working in her garden, he starts to feel just a little bit better. Necessary, beautiful, and ultimately reassuring, Death Is Stupid helps make death a little less scary—for kids and adults.The Ordinary Terrible Things series shows children who navigate trouble with their senses on alert and their souls intact. In these stories of common childhood crises, help may come from family, counselors, teachers, or dreams―but crucially, it's the children themselves who find their way to cope and grow.

Samantha Baxter has a full, sane life―creative job, lovely family, and all the trappings of middle-age happiness. But when she gets a diagnosis that terrifies her, a lifetime of polite pleasing and putting others first ignites in her a surprising, pure rage. Maybe Sam will survive the surgery, and maybe not, but either way, she’ll spend the next three weeks burning her life down: sleeping with a student her daughter’s age, speaking every truth she’s ever swallowed, and refusing to apologize for her wildest, most essential self.“Sexy and sad, dark and funny, ruthless and kind, this is Rachel DeWoskin’s ferociously feminist masterpiece. Every page of it glitters with rage and with love...It radiates with truth.” ―CHERYL STRAYED, NYT-bestselling author of Wild, Tiny Beautiful Things, Brave Enough, and Torch“A wicked, delicious ride towards an ambivalent redemption―angry, hilarious, all too true.” ―ALLY SHEEDY, actress and author“Banshee is the kind of book every woman I know wishes she'd written. Fierce, necessary, honest, a burn-it-all-down scorched earth policy to the toxic masculinity of this Age of Terror.” ―Emily Rapp-Black, author of Poster Child and The Still Point of the Turning World“Raucous, white-hot, and page-turning brilliance...A singular and vital reading experience.” ―Gina Frangello, author of A Life in Men

One of the first-ever books about astrology for kids, Astro Baby is for babies who like to gaze at bright colors, toddlers who are fascinated by images of babies and animals, older children who like learning about their zodiac signs, and grown-ups who are obsessed with their star signs.The first in Michelle Tea's charming Astro Pals series, Astro Baby shows kids that everyone has unique qualities that make them who they are. Created by superstar scribe Michelle Tea and illustrated with psychedelic abandon by Mike Perry (animator for Broad City), Astro Baby is a fun, clever spin on astrology that will captivate young and old alike.

[A] celebration of solidarity, allyship, and community...A welcoming resource for conversations about equality and social justice that shows readers how identities are made up of myriad influences.—PUBLISHERS WEEKLYThe brainchild of three women-of-color sociologists, IntersectionAllies is a smooth, gleeful entry into intersectional feminism. The nine interconnected characters proudly describe themselves and their backgrounds, involving topics that range from a physical disability to language brokering, offering an opportunity to take pride in a personal story and connect to collective struggle for justice.The group bond grounds the message of allyship and equality. When things get hard, the kids support each other for who they are: Parker defends Kate, a genderfluid character who eschews skirts for a superhero cape; Heejung welcomes Yuri, a refugee escaping war, into their community; and Alejandra’s family cares for Parker after school while her mother works. Advocating respect and inclusion, IntersectionAllies is a necessary tool for learning to embrace, rather than shy away from, difference.Featuring gorgeous illustrations on every page by Ashley Seil Smith, as well as powerful introductions by activist and law professor Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw, who coined the term “intersectionality,” and Dr. Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, author of Intersectionality: An Intellectual History.

Part of the Ordinary Terrible Things series, Divorce Is the Worst is a funny but frank picture book for kids whose parents are going through a divorce. In her iconic straightforward-but-sensitive way, author Anastasia Higginbotham sheds light on how hard it is for children to stay whole when their whole world, and the people in it, split apart. As a child of divorce, I can tell you that the worst part is feeling alone, and feeling like no one could ever understand how awful it is. This book counters those terrible feelings in a beautiful, heartfelt, funny, and digestible way. So incredibly important. —PETER PAIGE, executive producer and co-creator of ABC Family's "The Fosters" Anastasia Higginbotham...doesn’t sugarcoat the words or the charmingly rumpled illustrations in her new book about parents spitting up...With real humor and no pretension, Ms. Higginbotham offers kids empathy necessary to gain hope and perspective on any traumatic event. —JULIE BOWEN, actress, "Modern Family"

Sally lives next to the park in a house surrounded by enormous old trees - gnarled and with hollows in the trunk where owls live. One day, out walking, she finds what looks like a scruffy old ball on the path. Picking it up just seconds before a big dog snatches it away she realises that it’s not an old ball after all but on owl chick fallen from a nest high up in the tree above her head. What should she do? How can she save the owl? And what will Daddy say when he comes home to find an owl in the kitchen, sitting on the kettle?

FEATURED IN THE NEW YORK TIMESPart of the Ordinary Terrible Things series, the new and expanded edition of Death Is Stupid is an invaluable tool for discussing death, exploring grief, and honoring the life of our loved ones.When someone we love dies, adults often say things like, "She's in a better place now," or "I know how you feel." You do not, one little boy thinks after his grandma passes away. Caught in the swirl of anger, confusion, and fear that accompanies grief and mourning, he doesn't just think death is unfair—he thinks death is stupid. It takes him some time, but when he starts sharing cherished memories of his grandma and working in her garden, he starts to feel just a little bit better. Necessary, beautiful, and ultimately reassuring, Death Is Stupid helps make death a little less scary—for kids and adults.The Ordinary Terrible Things series shows children who navigate trouble with their senses on alert and their souls intact. In these stories of common childhood crises, help may come from family, counselors, teachers, or dreams—but crucially, it's the children themselves who find their way to cope and grow.

Part of the Ordinary Terrible Things series, Divorce Is the Worst is a funny but frank picture book for kids whose parents are going through a divorce. In her iconic straightforward-but-sensitive way, author Anastasia Higginbotham sheds light on how hard it is for children to stay whole when their whole world, and the people in it, split apart. As a child of divorce, I can tell you that the worst part is feeling alone, and feeling like no one could ever understand how awful it is. This book counters those terrible feelings in a beautiful, heartfelt, funny, and digestible way. So incredibly important. —PETER PAIGE, executive producer and co-creator of ABC Family's "The Fosters"Anastasia Higginbotham...doesn’t sugarcoat the words or the charmingly rumpled illustrations in her new book about parents spitting up...With real humor and no pretension, Ms. Higginbotham offers kids empathy necessary to gain hope and perspective on any traumatic event. —JULIE BOWEN, actress, "Modern Family"