Recently I mentioned to a friend of mine that there are a lot of political titles happening, even in the children’s genres. And most are slanted seriously and obviously in one direction or the other. Therefore, when I find something that is not political, but could fit current events I try to pay attention.
Two of those books are A Place Called Galveston by Andrea Shapiro and illustrator Valerya Milovanova, as well as Claudia Said Sí!: The Story of Mexico’s First Woman President by Deborah Bodin Cohen, Kerry Olitzky and Carlos Vélez Aguilera. Both were read via online readers and are due in November 2025 and September 2025 respectively.
A Place Called Galveston is an immigration story and a refugee story. The Jewish peoples of Europe escape during the terrible conditions of their homeland to come to the US. However, the East Coast is crowded with immigrants leaving little opportunities for new arrivals. However, they learn of the West and its need for people. Therefore, the Jewish peoples find their way to Galveston where many help them find work, homes and safety. Every day people and one special Rabbi, will allow a community to grow as they help a nation grow.
It might be an immigrant story that is told in a familiar way, but it expands on the story showing how a group of people made a thriving community and kept politics positive. Showing how we all want similar things for ourselves and our family. 
While biographies of women and women of color are not new, contemporary history can be missed, especially if the subject is outside of the US. In Claudia Said Sí!: the illustrations, mostly because of the reputation of the butterfly as a symbol of change, picks things up and moves them in a direction we are not always familiar with. Yet, the strength and struggle of Claudia Sheinbaum is one we know. From a young child, Sheinbaum was a little different and always changing and growing. She was of a Jewish background, curious and moving onto the next challenge. Eventually that family unit and determination would bring her all the way to the position of President of a country that was ready for change itself.
Overall, everything pops with energy showing the politics of the times and place: making better choices for the people, country and environment. Making advancements that help keep things safe and clean for the butterfly, for the change, to keep growing and happening.