National California Day
The Funtastic Festivity Booklists compile stories that relate to fun and festive days so that readers of all ages can join the celebration with a good book!
Tomorrow, February 22, is National California Day, where we shine a spotlight on the Golden State. Whether you’re soaking in the vibe of Los Angeles or exploring the charm of San Francisco, California is home to world-class entertainment and a beacon of diversity and culture.
While we celebrate all the state has to offer, we also take a moment to reflect on the resilience of Californians in the face of challenges like the recent devastating wildfires. These natural disasters remind us of the strength of the people here and their unwavering commitment to rebuilding and protecting this extraordinary land.*
So, let’s all honor everything that makes California truly unforgettable!
10 Little Monsters Visit California, Second Edition, by Jess Smart Smiley (Familius) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, Places / Travel, Humor, ages 4-6.
Ash’s Cabin, by Jen Wang (Macmillan / First Second) — Fiction, Graphic Novel, Coming of Age, Cultural Diversity, Family / Community, Teen.
California Baby (Local Baby Books Series), by Jerome Pohlen; illustrated by Kyle Reed (Sourcebooks / Hometown World) — Fiction, Board Book, Concepts, Places / Travel, Series, ages 0-3.
California Wildfires (21st Century Disasters), by Sue Gagliardi (North Star Editions / Focus Readers) — Nonfiction, Illustrated Prose, Science / Nature, Places / Travel, Series, ages 7-12.
Clouds over California, by Karyn Parsons (Hachette Book Group / Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) — Fiction, Prose, Historical Fiction, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, BIPOC Characters and Creators, ages 7-12.
Golden Gate (City Spies Book 2), by James Ponti (Simon & Schuster / Aladdin) — Fiction, Prose, Mystery / Thriller, Family / Community, Teen.
The Lost Coast, by A. R. Capetta (Candlewick Press) — Fiction, Prose, Fantasy, Mystery / Thriller, LGBTQIA+, Teen.
Mira’s Diary: California Dreaming, by Marissa Moss (Creston Books) — Fiction, Illustrated Prose, Sci-Fi, Historical Fiction, Series, ages 7-12.
Nuestra California / Our California (Bilingual edition), by Pam Muñoz Ryan; illustrated by Rafael López (Charlesbridge) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, Places / Travel, History, Spanish, ages 7-12.
Secret Agents Jack and Max Stalwart (Book 4): The Race for Gold Rush Treasure: California, USA, by Elizabeth Singer Hunt; illustrated by Brian Williamson (Hachette Book Group / Running Press Kids) — Fiction, Illustrated Prose, Action / Adventure, Mystery / Thriller, Places / Travel, ages 7-12.
Sweet Child Born in California, by Whitney Strauss and Dr. Kathleen Cooter (Brown Books Publishing Group / Brown Books Kids) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, History, Places / Travel, ages 4-6.
They Hold the Line: Wildfires, Wildlands, and the Firefighters Who Brave Them, by Dan Paley; illustrated by Molly Mendoza (Chronicle Books) — Nonfiction, Illustrated Prose, Science / Nature, Places / Travel, ages 7-12.
What Made California the Golden State?: Life During the Gold Rush: (A Who HQ Graphic Novel), by Shing Yin Khor and Who HQ; illustrated by Kass Gray (Penguin Random House / Penguin Workshop) — Nonfiction, Graphic Novel, History, Biography / Memoir, ages 7-12.
Celebrate California today and everyday by reading a book!
List compiled by CBC’s resident holiday celebrator, Sommer Wissner. Check out other book lists on our blog.
*Our deepest thanks to Brein Lopez, the booksellers at Children’s Book Week, and CBC’s 140 member publishers for mobilizing to get books to L.A. families. The children’s book publishing world is providing boxes and pallets of books.
