Books to Inspire: November 2026
The Big Disconnect
By Catherine Steiner-Adair and Teresa H. Barker
How do we stay truly connected to our children when technology is always within reach? And how do we know when our phones, screens, and digital lives are starting to get in the way? These are some of the questions at the heart of “The Big Disconnect” by Catherine Steiner-Adair and Teresa H. Barker.
The book goes beyond the usual conversation about screen time and asks us to look more closely at our own habits. How often do we check our phones while our children are talking to us? What are we teaching them, without even realizing it, through the way we use technology ourselves? What feels especially relevant today is the reminder that raising children in a digital world isn't only about setting limits for them. It also means being honest about the role technology plays in family life.
Thought-provoking and practical, “The Big Disconnect” is a timely reminder that while it is easy to be connected to everything, being present for the people right in front of us is something we can all work on.
“The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age” by Catherine Steiner-Adair and Teresa H. Barker was published in the United States by Harper in 2013. A copy can be found in the nonfiction section of Neilson Hays Library.
Can I Build Another Me?
Written and illustrated by Shinsuke Yoshitake
“Can I Build Another Me?” by Shinsuke Yoshitake is a wonderfully imaginative picture book that explores what makes us who we are. If we could create another version of ourselves, would it really be the same person? “Can I Build Another Me?” takes on this playful but surprisingly big question through the story of a child who wonders what it would be like to make another version of himself.
With Yoshitake’s characteristic humor and imagination, the book invites children to think about identity, individuality, and all the little things that make each of us unique. It also opens the door to a bigger conversation about technology: as machines become increasingly capable of copying our voices, faces, preferences, and even ways of communicating, what is it that makes us truly ourselves?
Rather than offering simple answers, the book encourages children to be curious and think for themselves. In a world shaped by algorithms and artificial intelligence, “Can I Build Another Me?” is a gentle and thoughtful reminder that being human is about much more than what technology can replicate.
“Can I Build Another Me?” by Shinsuke Yoshitake was published in the United States by Chronicle Books in 2016. Yoshitake is a Japanese children’s author and illustrator known for his playful, imaginative books. A copy can be found in the children’s section at Neilson Hays Library.
Prepared by Kit Lang @mskitlang. The Neilson Hays Library is Thailand’s premier English-language library. The Children's Program offers Saturday Story Time, a cozy Children's Corner, and special holiday events. Adult Programs include concerts, art exhibitions, book clubs, and book sales. Located in a UNESCO-awarded historic building with a garden and cafe on site: 195 Surawong Road, Bangkok 10500, Thailand. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.