Who's Writing this Story ?! by Robin Newman illustrated by Deborah Zemke - ESSENTIAL

Who's Writing this Story ?! by Robin Newman illustrated by Deborah Zemke. PICTURE BOOK. Creston Books, 2024. $20. 9781954354296 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

This is a unique way to teach young readers about the five basic story elements. It starts with a writer, writing the story of the Three Little Pigs. The writer is soon interrupted by the characters. The pigs want to change the plot, their names, and the conflict. The writer ends up being a weak character, so she is omitted from the pigs' new story. 

This is a fun way to see how you can changing elements in the plot will affect the story. I liked this book because I think that teachers and children will enjoy it for different reasons. This can be enjoyed as a regular story, or it can be used to teach the different story elements. It could also be used with gifted and talented programs. 

A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

If Lin Can by Richard Ho illustrated by Huynh Kim Lien and Phung Nguyen Quang - ESSENTIAL

If Lin Can: How Jeremy Lin Inspired Asian Americans to Shoot for the Stars by Richard Ho illustrated by Huynh Kim Lien and Phung Nguyen Quang. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2024. $19. 9781623543723

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Have you ever been told that you weren't tall enough? Good enough? Or weren't able to do something due to your race, ethnicity, or game?Jeremy Lin grew up hearing these types of statements. He wanted to become a basketball player. He didn't let these negative messages affect him. He persevered and went on to become a famous and inspiring player. 

I liked this book because it addressed many negative stereotypes and put downs that children hear every day. It was inspiring to see that despite being told he couldn't do it, Lin didn't let that stop him. The pictures and text were engaging. Jeremy Lin's emigrated from Taiwan. 

A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

The Words We Share by Jack Wong - ESSENTIAL

The Words We Share by Jack Wong. PICTURE BOOK.  Annick Press, 2023. $23. 9781773217970 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Angie's dad only speaks Cantonese. They have moved up to Canada and he relies on Angie to translate restaurant menus and interact with his community. He is able to get a job as a janitor and wants to create signs in English to remind people to clean up after themselves. Angie helps him create signs and sees that translating is a need that her whole community has. She begins helping others, but translates one sign at a laundry mat incorrectly. Will she be brave enough to make this right? Will people still want her to help them with their signs? 

I liked this story because it shows how kids can help newly immigrated families interact with their new community. Angie goes to school and therefore learns English faster than her dad. This book shows how many many people living in places like Little Chinatown have a hard time with language barriers, even though they have lived there for years. The characters speak Cantonese. 

A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

All the Pieces: When a Loved One Dies from Substance Use by Hallie Riggs illustrated by Adriana Predoi - ADVISABLE

All the Pieces: When a Loved One Dies from Substance Use by Hallie Riggs illustrated by Adriana Predoi. PICTURE BOOK. (K-3rd grade) Magination Press ― American Psychological Association, 2024. $20. 9781433842184 

Content: PG (This book talks about addiction and a parent dying.)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

A young boy has a father who has an addiction. He doesn't understand why sometimes his dad can be so fun, while other times, he gets so mad or sad. The boy's grandmother explains to him that people are made up of many different pieces, and this is just one piece of his dad. After the dad dies, the boy learns how to process and acknowledge his different emotions. 

This book was written by a LCSW and would be a great tool for kids that are going through something like this. I liked this book because many kids are going through this at home and this can help them process and talk about what is happening. I also liked that it was written by a LCSW. There are resources and additional information at the back of the book for adults and children. The pictures are cute and engaging. 

A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

Tasha's Voice by Carmen Bogan, Floyd Cooper and Daria Peoples - ADVISABLE

Tasha's Voice by Carmen Bogan, Floyd Cooper and Daria Peoples. PICTURE BOOK. Yosemite Conservancy, 2024. $19. 9781951179045 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Written by the same author as who wrote Where's Rodney?, this is about a young African American girl named Tasha, who is the new girl in class and is a little shy. When her teacher calls on her to share, no words come out. The class is going on a field trip to a park on Friday. Once Tasha starts exploring nature with the park ranger, she starts to become more confident with her environment and herself. She might even be brave enough to speak in front of the class. 

This is a story of bravery and friendship. I liked this book because of the overall theme and the illustrations. The characters were multicultural and authentic. This book would help students that are new to a school or any child that loves nature and the outdoors. 

A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

Mermaids are the Worst by Alex Willan. - ESSENTIAL

Mermaids are the Worst by Alex Willan. PICTURE BOOK Simon and Schuster, 2025. $20. 9781665962599 

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

When the Goblin takes a vacation, he discovers that Mermaids are the Worst. They are not quiet. In fact, his island paradise is the location of the Mermaid Tournament of Awesomeness. 

I adore this series. Alex Willan has so many great ideas. I hope he never runs out of magical creatures this goblin can hate. If you don't have Unicorns Dragons Yetis and Elves are the Worst quickly purchase the whole series for your library. 

Lisa Librarian 

I Am a Potato! by Ziggy Hanaor and Elliot Kruszynski - OPTIONAL

I Am a Potato! by Ziggy Hanaor and Elliot Kruszynski. PICTURE BOOK. Cicada Books Ltd. 2024. $17 9781800660519 

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

APPEALS TO: SOME 

A potato? An animal? But which kind? A small, furry creature is having an identity crisis. They ask their friends for help. The dog asks the creature questions to narrow down what the creature could be. Will the creature discover their true identity? 

I Am a Potato could be an introduction to classifying animals. The dog in the book asks questions that narrow down what the creature could be. The illustrations are eye catching and there are minimal words on a page. The plot was not very entertaining. 

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Lone Wolf Goes to the Library by Kiah Thomas and K-Fai Steele - ADVISABLE

Lone Wolf Goes to the Library by Kiah Thomas and K-Fai Steele. CHAPTER BOOK Neal Porter (Holiday House), 2025. $17. 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

When the stern librarian sends Wolf three letters to return his book, he worries he will not be allowed to ever check out a book again. But he has a careless postman - which is why it took 3 letters to remind Wolf about the overdue books - and he's afraid his book, mailed back to the library, won't actually be delivered. But his plan to get the book returned goes awry. 

Oh so clever and fun, Steele's illustrations are just as good as Thomas' story. I laughed outloud. This would be a delightful read aloud during storytime, and although I'm not The Stern Librarian (I think) I want to keep a copy of Lone Wolf Goes to the Library for myself. It's a cautionary tale - not for the wolf, but for the librarian, we need to make sure everyone feels welcome at the library. 

Lisa Librarian 

All the Dogs by Nikola Kent - ADVISABLE

All the Dogs by Nikola Kent PICTURE BOOK Andersen Press (Lerner), 2025. $!9. 9798765663318

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

This easy to read picture book is more picture than text. Dogs do many things, and Kent's illustrations are so cute - I loved that the final page is all of the pictures on the two pages so the reader can find their favorite again. A beginning reader will love "All the Dogs" and can probably read it themselves after just a couple of shares with an adult. Oh, I wish my grandchildren were still small. The Pre-K crowd will adore "All the Dogs" 

Lisa Librarian

The Fossil Keeper's Treasure by Amy Atwater and Natalia Cardozo - ESSENTIAL

The Fossil Keeper's Treasure by Amy Atwater and Natalia Cardozo. INTERACTIVE PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Magic Cat Abrams Amulet, 2025. $23. 9781917044264 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

The Fossil Keeper's Treasure includes 10 different fossils and each includes an embossed illustration the reader can touch. From early Cambrian trilobites to Cenozoic Smilodon and the primate Australopithecus, readers will encounter interesting facts, cool illustrations, and how long ago the fossils were originally discovered. 

I love the format of this interactive book. The pages are heavy, not like a board book, but thick to accommodate the embossed illustration which was so neat. So tactile and satisfying, although it wasn't like touching an actual fossil, it still gave that impression. I loved exploring the pages with my fingers before I looked, to find the place it was located. The illustrations include an artist's rendition of the fossil as it may have been found, with a full page spread of the environment along with what they may have looked like. Facts are dropped in text boxes onto the illustrations. I can think of so many fun classroom applications for The Fossil Keeper's treasure. I hope my local museum has a copy in their gift shop, I'm certainly buying one for my middle school library. 

Lisa Librarian 

Wave Warrior and the Reef Rescue by James Sellick, illustrated by Patrick Corrigan - ADVISABLE

Wave Warrior and the Reef Rescue by James Sellick, illustrated by Patrick Corrigan. PICTURE BOOK.  Ivy Kids, 2025. $20. 9781836003939 

Content: PG (picture of dolphins and sea birds caught in a net)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3)  - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

"Wave Warrior and the Reef Rescue" is a children's version of the fight Greenpeace is waging against overfishing, damaging of coral reefs, and polluting the ocean. Wave Warrior bravely confronts Codzilla, the fishing vessel breaking the law, and finds a solution to stop him. Wave Warrior has help from her other Green Machine friends when the mayor is too slow acting to solve the problem. 

I found the heroic actions of Wave Warrior to be a good adventure story. I appreciated the endnotes which explain the mission of Greenpeace and invite the readers to become involved in protecting our oceans. I think the bright illustrations will help children enjoy the story. Parents will have to decide how serious they want to be when discussing the overfishing and dangers of pollution. In my opinion, some children may find it distressing and will need the topic held at an appropriate level for their development. 

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian  

Grumpy Monkey: Mom for a Day by Suzanne Lang and Max Lang - ESSENTIAL

Grumpy Monkey: Mom for a Day by Suzanne Lang illustrated by Max Lang. PICTURE BOOK.  Random House Studio 2025 $13. 9780593709313

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

"Grumpy Monkey: Mom for a Day" is a clever look at the challenges facing moms every day. It begins when Crocodile needs a break from her babies and Jim Panzee steps up to the task. One by one other mothers drop off their babies, until Jim is left with quite the babysitting job. At first all goes well, but children become tired, hungry, and cranky, which lead to one grumpy monkey in charge. Jim Panzee learns that being a mom is not so easy after all. 

"Grumpy Monkey: Mom for a Day" is light-hearted but pulls no punches when showing the constant challenges of caring for small children. Children will see themselves in the behavior of the animal babies, and just maybe, learn a little appreciation for their moms. Also, bonus, the book has two pages of stickers at the end. Little ones can decorate school folders or water bottles with Grumpy Monkey. 

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian