How to Babysit Your Grown-up: Activities to Do Together by Jean Reagan with Janay Brown-Wood and Lee Wildish - ADVISABLE

How to Babysit Your Grown-up: Activities to Do Together by Jean Reagan with Janay Brown-Wood, illustrated by Lee Wildish. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Alfred A. Knopf (Random), 2023. $19. 9780593479230

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Do you ever get bored and need something to do?  Then this is the perfect book for you!  How to Babysit Your Grownup is a treasure trove of ideas of things to do when you are bored.  From outdoor activities, to paper crafts, science experiments and easy recipes, this book has it all!

Reagan has done it again -  so many activities for varying ages and abilities.  I loved the colorful illustrations!  I also like that there are some activities that require no supplies except your imagination. 

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Runaway Pond by Nancy Graff, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. - ADVISABLE

Runaway Pond by Nancy Graff and Bagram Ibatoulline. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2023. $19. 9781536219982

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Life in the small village revolved around a pond. The animals used it for water and the children used it for fishing and play. Each year, men would run a race around the pond and every year Spencer Chamberlain, the tallest man in town, won the race. One spring, the rain fell for many days without stopping. As the flood waters neared homes, the dam broke. The villagers were frightened for those who lived downstream. Can Mr. Chamberlain run fast enough to warn them?

Ibatoulline's illustrations are beautiful and the story is based on a true event. The pictures tell enough of the story to make it enjoyable.  While the prose clearly and distinctly tells the story,  the author took license to write the story a bit different than it actually happened which seemed unnecessary.

MOMMAC

Keep Up, Duck! by Rachel Bates and Ivan Bates - ADVISABLE

Keep Up, Duck! by Rachel Bates illustrated by Ivan Bates. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2024. $18. 9781536209389

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Puck is the smallest duckling in his family. He has a hard time keeping up with the others. But, Puck is resourceful. He finds ways to catch up. Puck finds his way home to the surprise of all.

Children will enjoy the adorably illustrated ducks. There is also a fun twist at the end of the book. This story, while fresh, is quite reminiscent of the classic story, The Story about Ping. 

MOMMAC

Wake up, Woodlands by Karen Jameson, illustrated by Marc Boutavant - ADVISABLE

Wake up, Woodlands by Karen Jameson, illustrated by Marc Boutavant. PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2024. $18. 9781797215037

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Children wake up to go exploring in the beautiful spring weather.  A butterfly floats through the fields. A bear looks for food. Other animals in the forest are waking up also. There is joy in the forest as all rejoice in a new beginning. 

This heartwarming book is written in simple poetry.  The beautiful rhyme provides a feeling of joy that spring has arrived. The illustrations are bright and cheerful. 

MOMMAC

Just Like Millie by Lauren Castillo - ADVISABLE

Just Like Millie by Lauren Castillo. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2024. $18. 9781536224818

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

A little girl moved with her  mother to a new city. She was happy on her own and not willing to interact with other children. When she showed her shyness, her mother would give her a hug and say, "It's Ok". Eventually, her mother took her to a dog shelter and let her choose a pet. She chose Millie. Millie was not shy around other dogs and made friends easily. Will Millie help the girl overcome her shyness?

Castillo tells a sweet story to encourage young children who are shy.  She lets them know that it's ok to feel shy. She also shows a tool that can help a shy child; a friend that can lead the way. Castillo's illustrations are simple, yet tell the story well. Various ethnicities are displayed in the illustrations. 

MOMMAC

Our Blue Planet by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe, illustrated by Emily Dove - ESSENTIAL

Our Blue Planet by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and Emily Dove. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2023. $20. 9781665928021

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

APPEALS TO:MANY

Our Blue Planet is amazing and in need of our help. Climate change and city encroachment are altering our planet. The oceans provide vital necessities for all living animals, including humans. From the deep, to the coral reefs, to the green seas, to the coasts, to the big blue, the drama of life is taking place between predator's and prey who create many ways to defend themselves. We need to do many things to help save our blue planet such as power down, plant and protect trees, become a sea -life spotter, use less plastics, and reduce, reuse, and recycle. This strikingly illustrated book that contains a forward from David Attenborough, describes in detail the various habitats of the sea. Stewart-Sharpe clearly details the characteristics of each area of the oceans.  Also contained in the book's pages are many interesting tidbits about the sea's inhabitants. Much time can be spent with the many illustrated examples of sea life. This book is a great way to introduce children to protecting our planet. 

MOMMAC

 

Glow Down Deep: Amazing Creatures that Light Up by Lisa Reagan - ESSENTIAL

Glow Down Deep: Amazing Creatures that Light Up by Lisa Reagan. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Firefly Books, 2020. $13. 9780228102526

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

There are many kinds of creatures in the ocean that light up. They get their glow from biofluorescence or bioluminescence. The creatures use the glow for various reasons such as: to hide from predators, to attract prey, or to attract a mate. Some use counter-illumination to hide against the bright background of the ocean's surface.

Glow in the dark pages make this book an eye catcher and a fun read. The information contained in these pages illuminates the mind of the reader. Clear photos inspire the imagination.

MOMMAC

In the Winter Woods by Daniela Kulot - OPTIONAL

In the Winter Woods by Daniela Kulot. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2024. $18. 9781623544959

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

It is winter and Fox, Mouse and Crow are so hungry, but it is winter, and winter is not willing to share.  Squirrel is also hungry, but he spent all summer gathering food for the winter.  If he can only remember where he hid his cache of food!  Will he share his food if the others help him look for it?

Kulot has a sweet book about sharing and also about how animals survive in the winter.  Even though the text and illustrations are engaging, the plot isn't very exciting.  Reading this book could spark conversations about sharing with others or the survival habits of animals in the winter.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Because I Already Loved You by Andree-Anne Cyr, illustrated by Berengere Delaporte - ADVISABLE

Because I Already Loved You by Andree-Anne Cyr, illustrated by Berengere Delaporte. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Groundwood Books, 2023. $20. 9781773069739

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

A little boy is told that the family will be having a baby. He can feel the baby move inside his mom. He and other family members make presents for the baby. The birth day came and the little boy waited and waited. His parents came home without the baby. The little boy is sad because he already loved the baby. What can they do to help their grief?"

Cyr and Delaporte sweetly share a grief experience of losing a child at birth. Delaporte illustrates strong emotion. The author and illustrator create a safe place to share difficult emotions for those who have experienced a stillborn child.

MOMMAC

All About Color by Elizabeth Rusch and Elizabeth Goss - ADVISABLE

All About Color by Elizabeth Rusch, illustrated by Elizabeth Goss. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge Publishing, 2024. $18. 9781623543532

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Color only exists in light. Without light, everything is black. Color can make us stand out or hide. Color can make us feel emotion. We can do many exciting things with color.

This was a good attempt to teach children about color, but it fell short on covering all the ins and outs of color. It works as a simplified discussion on the subject. The best information is given in the back matter.

Children of various ethnicities are illustrated.

MOMMAC

My Grandfather's Song by Phung Nguyen and Huynh Kim Lien - ESSENTIAL

My Grandfather's Song by Phung Nguyen and Huynh Kim Lien. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Children's Books, 2023. $19. 9780593488614

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A grandfather brings his family to a new land. Grandfather teaches that the land gives off music and that they must learn from it. The land gives gifts such as food and shelter. Even the animals can teach us strength and courage. During a storm, the boy is afraid and his grandfather calms him with song. When the storm passes, there is a new song. The song changes through the seasons and years.

Lien’s illustrations have a beautiful Asian design. Quang and Lien fashioned a sweet story about a grandfather and his grandson entwined with a story about environmental responsibility. The end notes from the author's can teach even adults about the beliefs  and hopes of these Vietnamese authors.

MOMMAC

These Olive Trees: a Palestinian's Family's Story by Aya Ghanameh - ADVISABLE

These Olive Trees: a Palestinian's Family's Story by Aya Ghanameh. NON-FICTION BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK.  Viking (Penguin), 2023. $19. 9780593525180

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Oraib lives in  the Balata refugee camp  near the city of Nablus. She and her siblings were born there. Oraib loves olives and helps her mother gather and process them in the camp. They were forced from their home by the coast of Palestine as others came in to take their land. One day, when she and her mother came home from the olive fields, people in the camp are packing up and leaving. The war has come  close to their camp and they  must move again.

Oraib is Aya Ghanameh's grandmother. This is her story of living as a Palestinian refugee. The author's end note provides greater detail about the Palestinian issue. Family photos are shared at the end of the book. Aya creates a desire in the reader to learn more about this subject.

MOMMAC