Animal Doctors by Libby Romero - OPTIONAL

 

Animal Doctors by Libby Romero, 48 pages. NON-FICTION EARLY READER (Level 1).

National Geographic Kids (Disney), 2023. $5. 9781426373640

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

This book describes what a veterinarian is and what they do. It then goes into the different types of vets, such as farm vets and ocean animal vets. The book also has a Your Turn section where children decide where different vets would treat different animals. The book has great color photographs, giving a great insight into the veterinarian world, which students will enjoy.

This is a Level 1 reader. If a child likes animals, they may enjoy the book. If you need some fresh early reader books, especially non-fiction, Romero’s is a solid choice.

Ready, Set, Dough by Kelly J. Baptist - ADVISABLE

Ready, Set, Dough by Kelly J. Baptist 165 pages. Crown, 2023. $17. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G; 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

When her teacher announces a cookie dough sale, 6th grader Zoe is desperate to win, because first prize is a brand-new laptop. Zoe desperately needs one, but her parents can’t afford it. She’s even willing to neglect her friends to achieve her goal.

I liked this book. Zoe is spunky and not afraid to go after what she wants. She is positive and happy, but she really wants to win. She has to win. It was good to read about a child who knew what they wanted and set out to get it. It does not specify

Ellen-Anita Librarian

Time For Bed! by Kathryn Jewitt and Danielle Mudd - ADVISABLE

Time For Bed! by Kathryn Jewitt, illustrated by Danielle Mudd. BOARD BOOK Abrams Appleseed, 2024. $9. 9781419769191  

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO SOME

The animals are getting ready to sleep and so should you.

The short rhyme to connect the book is cute.  I enjoyed rubbing my fingers across the felt cutouts on each page.  As an adult, I am worried that the edges, which are also felt, will get dirty quickly. I love touching those edges - but I need to give this to a toddler to see how it holds up.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Goat and the Stoat and the Boat by Em Lynas illustrated by Matt Hunt - ADVISABLE

The Goat and the Stoat and the Boat by Em Lynas illustrated by Matt Hunt. PICTURE BOOK Nosy Crow, 2024. $18. 9798887770529 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO MANY 

Stoat is very happy in the boat on the moat until Goat in his yellow coat jumps into the boat. Stoat and Goat argue and scuffle about who gets to be in the boat. The boat tips over because of their fighting. Goat can float, but Stoat can't float. Who will save Stoat? 

Lynas has crafted a clever and funny easy reader for kids. I also appreciated the very graphic and bright, colorful artwork. 

PGPowers 

What is the Story of Jurassic World by Jim Gigliotti and Dede Putra - OPTIONAL

What is the Story of Jurassic World by Jim Gigliotti illustrated by Dede Putra, 108 pages. CHAPTER BOOK NON-FICTION Penguin Workshop, 2023. $8. 9780593383483 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO SOME 

The author takes us into the story of the Jurassic World movies. He begins by providing background information on paleontology and the Jurassic Age. He mentions early books and exhibitions about dinosaurs. The rest of the book is a summary of each of the Jurassic Park/Jurassic World movies. I found it interesting that Michael Crichton found his inspiration for the Jurassic Park books from reading Arthur Conan Doyle's book, The Lost World. The background chapters were very interesting. The rest of the chapters, which summarized the movies, were less interesting. However, if you have a student who loves Jurassic World they will enjoy this book. The book includes a bibliography and timeline. 

A. Snow 

Lights Out: A Movement to Help Migrating Birds by Jessica Stremer, illustrated by Bonnie Pang - ADVISABLE

Lights Out: A Movement to Help Migrating Birds by Jessica Stremer, illustrated by Bonnie Pang. PICTURE BOOK Paula Wiseman (Simon and Schuster), 2024. $19. 9781665931977 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

As the sparrows start their migration, they lose their map of the stars because of all of the light pollution from the big city. One injured sparrow even gets left behind. If the big buildings would turn off their lights at night, the migration would be much smoother. 

Without lecturing, Stremer helps anyone see the small things and big things to be done to aid migrating birds. The pictures are charming. The main character is Black. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Team Trash by Kate Wheeler and Trent Hungtington - ADVISABLE

Team Trash by Kate Wheeler and Trent Hungtington. 77 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Holiday House, 2023. $23. 9780823452279 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

Charlie and Oliver are working on their science fair project when an accident lands them in a time traveling machine. They travel back to different times and places learning about how people used to reuse, reduce and recycle. Once they have gathered enough information, the machine brings them back home. They use their new knowledge to finish their science fair project and start an environmentalist club. 

A graphic novel that teaches about recycling and presents sustainability tips in an accessible and fun way. 

A. Snow

No. 5 Bubblegum Street by Mikolaj Pa illustrated by Gosia Herba - OPTIONAL

No. 5 Bubblegum Street by Mikolaj Pa illustrated by Gosia Herba. PICTURE BOOK Greystone Kids, 2024. $19. 9781778400629

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO SOME 

The apartment building at No.5 Bubblegum Street at 5:00 p.m. has a lot going on. There are busy tenants on every floor. Mouse is looking for his hat, monkeys are baking a cake, Owl is flying around, Cat is listening to and recording bird songs, Panther is taking care of his house plants from around the world, the spider family is playing musical instruments, Hippo is sleeping, and much more. They are all preparing for something exciting that happens at 6:00 p.m. 

I enjoyed learning about all the different animals that live in the apartment building and their different talents. I also liked them coming together and having a party where everyone belonged. The illustrations are cute, colorful and full of life. 

PGPowers 

Yellow Pop by Aurore Petit - ADVISABLE

Yellow Pop by Aurore Petit. PICTURE BOOK Abrams Appleseed, 2024 $9. 9781419773457 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

Petit's six pop-ups give vivid examples of the color yellow. Bright and simple - a small package with charm for color exploration. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Basketball Dreams by Chris Paul and Courtney Lovett - ESSENTIAL

Basketball Dreams by Chris Paul illustrated by Courtney Lovett PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Roaring Book Press, 2023. $19. 9781250810038

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO AVERAGE 

Chris Paul was a young boy who loved basketball. But more than basketball, he loved his Papa Chilly. Chris shows us how his grandpa's example of living a life focused on caring about others helped him become successful. Chris loves basketball, but he understands that loving your family, friends, and community is more important. 

I love that "Basketball Dreams" is not about how Chris worked to become great, but how Papa Chilly taught him through example what true greatness is. Children will understand that achieving our dreams is easier when we have family supporting us. Chris Paul and his family are African Americans. Most of the characters are also African American in their home community in North Carolina. 

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian

There Was a Hole by Adam Lehraupt and Carrie O'Neill - ADVISABLE

There Was a Hole by Adam Lehraupt illustrated by Carrie O'Neill PICTURE BOOK Sleeping Bear Press, 2022. $18. 9781534111226 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

Lily has a hole in the middle of her chest. Nothing helps it, and it just keeps growing. Then, Lily stops trying. She stops playing with her friends, and stops trying in school. That's when Thomas tells her he has a hole like hers too, but he has patches to help repair it. Soon Lily learns to make her own patches by going outside, playing with her dog, and spending time with friends and family. She doesn't want it to be fixed completely, but the patches help.

Includes tips at the end on "how to make a patch." This would make a great addition to an SEL collection. I liked that it showed big feelings of sadness and loss in a realistic, tangible way for kids. Lily does not have a mom in this story which could allude to divorce, the death of a parent, or a non-traditional family. Lily and her dad have dark hair. The other characters are ethnically diverse. 

Rachel, Elementary School Library 

Just Try It! by Phil and Lily Rosenthal and Luke Flowers - ESSENTIAL

Just Try It! by Phil and Lily Rosenthal, illustrated by Luke Flowers. PICTURE BOOK Simon & Schuster, 2024. $19. 9781665942638 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO MANY 

The family motto may be "Just Try It", but at the food festival, Lil is having none of that! She rejects every choice her father presents with vehemence. When she finally reaches her limit of bad behavior - she gives in and tries something new - learning, of course, that new foods can be delicious! 

Some kids are so stubborn about trying new foods - either because they're scared, or because they have texture issues. This could be a gentle nudge towards being more food curious. The bright colors in the illustrations and the dynamic interactions between father and daughter help make this a lot of fun to read. Phil and Lil are white. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS