BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Ryan Seacrest, and his sister, Meredith, wrote a children’s book about the power of imagination and make believe.
It’s a cute story about imagination, but felt a little bland. However, I did love the variety in the illustrations - there were different races and abilities represented, which is always a plus in my book.
Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL
When Hedgehog hears about the Friend Ship, she sets sail in hopes of finding it and finding new friends. As she sails she meets new friends who would also like to join her on her journey.
A sweet story about taking notice of the friends all around us. Cute illustrations.
Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME
Two male mayflies nurture a new mayfly as he emerges from the water. They encourage him to fly and see the world. The mayfly loves to fly and is amazed by all he sees. But when he notices other mayflies pairing off, he wonders if he will have to spend the rest of his day alone.
There is a good message of finding the beauty and wonder in the world and embracing your own uniqueness. There is some interesting information at the end of the book about the mayfly life cycle.
Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY
Huong loves her home. She loves the sounds and smells of the city. She loves her school and her friends. But as war intensifies she and her family decide to take the last flight out of Saigon, Vietnam. Huong worries about all she is leaving behind. She soon learns the sounds and rhythms of her new home and that with love and family you are always right at home.
Greene gives us a hopeful immigration story. She shows how you can be both a mix of the place you left behind and the new home you have adopted. I love the sweet and engaging illustrations. There is a glossary at the end of the book as well as an author’s note which further explains how this book is based on her mother's experiences.
Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL
From Halley's Comet's point of view, it tells the story of Earth as it passes by every 76 years. It relates the main changes in flora, fauna, and humans for the last two hundred thousand years. What will the comet find when it passes again in 2061?
Cosmic Wonder is a creative lyrical way to learn about Halley's Comet. It's interesting to think about all the changes the Earth has experienced in a very simplistic manner. The expansive illustrations are very pretty.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL
A young boy is interested in a field across the road from his school because it is full of old junk. There is an old silo where he yelled when his dad moved from home to a new place. But his dad said that his love for him wouldn't change. After the spring rains, ephemeral puddles form in the field. He and his dad explore the ponds and find lots of tadpoles. What do tadpoles turn into?
Tadpoles is mostly a tender reflection of a boy and his father during spring. I feel that it has a somber tone. There is also more scientific information about frogs and ephemeral ponds at the end of the book. I liked the quirky illustrations.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY
Our understanding of dinosaurs has been evolving since bones were first discovered in 1822. Sean Rubins shows us how our idea of what the iguanodon looked like has changed over time as scientists apply new understanding and information.
I really enjoyed Rubin’s book. The tone of the writing is inviting, interesting, well paced and has a little humor thrown in as well. The illustrations are wonderful and very detailed. Rubin not only looks at the science, but also the history of paleontology. This book will appeal to all sorts of kids and interests.
Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL
Montezuma, the Emperor, is in a bad mood today. His court tries everything to make him smile. They try entertainment, and dancing, but he tells them to go away. They try gifts of fantastic armor, or a headdress of a thousand feathers, but he orders them all away. Someone thinks of offering Montezuma Xocolatl (hot chocolate). Will he receive it? Will it make him happy?
Montezuma's Tantrum is funny and delightful. Through the story, the reader learns about life in the Aztec empire and the origins of hot chocolate. I was personally fascinated with the colorful illustrations in Aztec styles and symbols.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY
This nonfiction book is packed full of people of 25 people who made a difference in the Revolutionary War. Many of them are black or women that are rarely talked about in the history books. One of my favorites is about a woman named Anna Smith Strong who would put her laundry out in a specific way which would signal a message was ready. Then the number of hankerchiefs let them know where to find the message. Another is about a black man Peter Salem that was born into slavery. He was at the battle of Bunker Hill and was thought to have fired the shot that killed the British leader Major Pitcairn.
The illustrations bring bring this book to life. There are several boxes on each page that lists facts about that person. It also gives good information about how the war started and who was involved.
Emilee-Teacher Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL
Hiro is a young curious bear who is having trouble hibernating. She has been told that winter is a terrible thing, but she decides to slip out the door and try it. She follows some funny looking prints in the snow to a party. When she arrives, everyone runs away except a boy named Emile. Hiro roasts herself marshmallows. Will Emile dare to talk to Hiro?
Schneider's dreamlike tale is warmhearted and thoughtful. It's fun to imagine a conversation with a bear. Interesting soft watercolor illustrations decorate each page.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL
A young girl imagines the world she wants to live in. She remembers the Jewish philosophy tikkun olam or repair the world. One rainy day while walking to school, she uses the spark inside her to get a swing repaired. The spark inside her grows and connects to others. Can just one spark change the world?
I loved learning about the idea of tikkun olam and repairing the world by taking action today that will change the world tomorrow. Spiro's tale is thought provoking and inspiring.
Beautiful imaginative illustrations help explore these concepts.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY
Eddy is a very lonely goldfish living in a bowl. He wants a friend who could swim and blow bubbles like him. One day Eddy mistakes a cat's eye for a yellow fish. He has made a new friend! What will happen when Eddy decides to escape his bowl?
This is a delightful story that would make a great read aloud! I loved the funny plot and the lesson that the book conveys. The lesson is that our friends don't have to be the same as us. Students could make predictions on what will happen as you read the story.
Tracie, Elementary School Librarian
