A New Year, A New Story!

OpenAI. (2025). AI-generated illustration reading in winter [Digital illustration]. DALL·E.

As the new year begins, libraries are full of quiet excitement and new possibilities. Shelves are ready with fresh stories, cozy corners invite curious readers, and every book is waiting to be opened for the first time this year.

Reading in the new year is like setting out on an adventure. One book can take you to a snowy mountain, another to outer space, and another to a place that feels a lot like home. Libraries make it easy to explore all of it. You do not have to know exactly what you are looking for. You just have to start and see where it leads.

The new year is a great time to try something new as a reader. You might choose a longer book, discover a new author, or pick a story about a topic you have never explored before. Libraries are safe places to experiment, wonder, and grow. Every visit is a chance to find a story that surprises you.

Libraries are also places where reading becomes a habit, not a chore. You can set a simple goal for the year, like reading a little each day or finishing one book each week. There is no rush and no pressure. Reading is not about speed. It is about enjoyment, imagination, and learning something new along the way.

As the year unfolds, the library is always there. On quiet days. On curious days. On days when you need a good laugh or a gentle story before bedtime. A new year brings new pages, and the library is the perfect place to begin turning them.

Find out what's new at your 

local library!

Book Review #121

Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas

Author: Gail Piernas-Davenport
Illustrator: Marjorie Priceman
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN: 9780807509282

Genre: Fiction / Cultural Picture Book

Topic: New Year traditions, family, hope, and cultural heritage through the story of a girl learning about good luck foods for the new year.

Main Character: Shanté is a curious, thoughtful young girl who loves learning about her family and the traditions that matter to them. As New Year’s Day approaches, she wants to understand why her family eats black-eyed peas and what the tradition means.

Plot: As she watches the traditions unfold, Shanté becomes curious about why her family eats black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. Her questions lead to conversations with family members who explain the meaning behind the custom and the hope it represents for the year ahead.

Settings: The story is set primarily in Shanté’s home during the days surrounding New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

I Gave This Book 4 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 4 Roars? This book captures the feeling of standing on the edge of a new year with curiosity and hope. It introduces children to a meaningful cultural tradition while keeping the story warm, accessible, and relatable. Kids see themselves in Shanté’s excitement, questions, and desire for good things to come. However, be prepared for some children to dislike peas! 

Critical Analysis: Gail Piernas-Davenport weaves cultural learning into an engaging narrative rather than presenting it as a lesson. Shanté’s journey to understand why her family eats black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day unfolds naturally through conversation, family interaction, and anticipation. The style is warm, conversational, and joyful. The language is accessible for young readers while still rich enough to support read-aloud sessions and classroom discussion.

Marjorie Priceman’s illustrations are energetic and expressive, filled with motion, color, and emotion. The artwork reflects the excitement of New Year’s Eve and the warmth of family traditions, helping young readers feel the celebration rather than simply observe it.

Accuracy: The book accurately reflects the Southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas for good luck in the new year. Cultural elements are presented respectfully and clearly. The story follows a clear, linear progression from curiosity to understanding. Shanté’s questions guide the narrative, making it easy for young readers to follow along while building anticipation for New Year’s Day.

Connections: This book works especially well for January story times and early-year classroom themes such as new beginnings and family traditions.

Possible activities include:
• sharing family New Year traditions
• creating a “hope for the new year” drawing
• exploring foods associated with celebrations
• discussing how different cultures welcome a new year

Happy New Year!

OpenAI. (2025). AI-generated illustration,  New Year [Image]. DALL·E.