BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Frank the yeti dreams of warmer temperatures than his chilly home. He sneaks a ride on Santa’s sleigh and almost ruins Christmas.
I don’t understand why the book is written in rhyme. I found it distracting. The Yeti is a cute character and the story line is solid, otherwise.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Leah’s father owns an inn and stable in Bethlehem. When the pregnant woman needs a place to rest, she convinces her father to let them stay in the stable. There Leah witnesses the Christmas miracle of the birth of Jesus.
Bateson-Hill condenses the entire Christmas story into one night - shepherds, wise men, and fleeing to Egypt included. While it makes for succinct story-telling, it is also misleading. I don’t see Leah replacing the Little Drummer Boy any time soon, though the illustrations are a dreamy touch.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3), EL - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Poor Santa has squished and lopsided butt problems from sitting in his sleigh too long. Everyone jumps into action to try and help, but Grandma ends up saving the day with the perfect solution for Santa's derriere.
McMillan is back at it with another one of her butt books. The illustrations are colorful and bold. I was glad to see they are large enough for a room full of students to enjoy and the rhyming story is short enough to hold the youngest readers' attention. The repeated use of the word "butt" will surely garnish plenty of giggles. I look forward to sharing this book as a read-a-loud.
Alissa Loves Books
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
Monkey goes up and then goes low. Duck floats and then dives. See animals do opposite actions depending on if you hold the book right side up or upside down.
Upside Down Animals is a clever engaging book of transformations. Each image transforms into its opposite when the book is flipped upside down.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
A father wakes his little girl, and together they quietly creep into the garden at night to wait for the hedgehog mother and her family. They put out some water and watch them drink. They have made something special to help the mother hedgehog. Will the hedgehogs find it and use it?
The Night of the Hedgehog is a sweet and tender Father-daughter book that will inspire in children an appreciation of nature. I enjoyed the expressive storytelling illustrations.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
One day Mommy Boar decides that it is time for her piglets to explore the forest for the first time. She warns them to stay together for the Big Bad Wolf might be near. Little Hogbert is following his siblings when he is lured away by a super-tasty trail and he gets lost. Hogbert is trembling with fear when he hears something rustling in the leaves. It is just a squirrel. Then he hears a growl coming through the trees. Is it the Wolf? How will he ever get back to his mother?
Hogbert is a delightful story with subtle fairy-tale references. It is about finding your independence, making new friends, and trusting your instincts. I loved the beautiful illustrations.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
A is for the US Air Force which was created in 1947. B is for the many Bombers used in the Air Force. C is for Cargo Aircraft. D is for Drones. Etc., etc.
Pallotta and Garnett created a comprehensive informational book about the Air Force. They included definitions where needed. The pages include both detailed illustrations and photographs. Specific number planes and missiles help the reader to see the depth of defense involved in the Air Force. A timeline of the Air Force can be seen at the back of the book. The book ends with a beautiful motto: Integrity first, Service before self, Excellence in all we do".
MOMMAC
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Young Brian, along with his friends and family, are preparing for a Pride month celebration and parade. The friends are deciding what to wear at the parade and Brian is not quite sure what to wear during the parade. Brian's school and teachers develop lessons and activities and present historical features of the Pride celebration including the lives of famous LGBTQIA+ people. While his friends make decisions about their parade wear Brian is slow to figure out his. Finally, he decides on an outfit that will be perfect.
The endnotes give facts about the Stonewall Uprising, activities, history of Pride and Pride flag, and a quiz." I liked the age-appropriate approach to Pride and the history of Pride. I like the portrayal of diverse families and a community working together to celebrate all people within a community. The characters reflect a wide diversity of ethnicities, gender fluidity, and family relationships. Something the book tries to do is not categorize the characters.
Bryant Baird, Certified Teacher Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Remember how magical it is to wake up to the first snow of winter? How the world looks completely different? Stefan and Agnes wake up to the first snow and have many adventures in the winter wonderland that is their back yard.
The First Snow captures the excitement and beauty of the first snow of the year. The plot is unpredictable as Stefan and Agnes use their imaginations to have fun in the snow. Stumpford uses soft, soothing pastel colors to create a magical winter land. The cover is textured and covered in glitter. This would be a great read aloud!
Stefan and Agnes cue white.
Tracie, Elementary School Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
The tiniest of creatures, as all animals, strive to find food and escape capture. They are found in all types of animal groups such as birds, fish, amphibians, invertebrates, mammals, and reptiles. Most of the tiny creatures use supremely defined ways of thwarting their enemies from camouflage, to body transformation, to poison, to bioluminescence, and to symbiotic relations. Some of these amazing creatures measure less than an inch.
Crumpton shares incredible information concerning tiny creatures. Dore's illustrations are lifelike and beautiful. Each new page is full of surprise and delight for biology lovers of all ages. At the end of each section, Dore illustrates on one page the comparison of the actual size of these creatures. This is a must read if just for the Illustrations.
MOMMAC
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SOME
Lucy Duff spent her younger years growing up on her grandparent’s farm in Canada. When her widowed mother remarried, they returned to England. Later Lucy married James Wallace, but he abandoned her and her daughter, Esme, after six years. Need prodded Lucy to come up with the idea to become a dressmaker. Women loved her designs. Eventually, she opened a dress shop in London under the name "Lucile", then one in New York and Paris. Her designs were famous. As her business grew, she came up with the idea of fashion shows, the first ever to do so.
Hugh Brewster used quotes from Lucy Duff to enhance his third person telling of her life story. Brewster gives a brief, but clear glimpse into Lucy's complicated life. There is a good mix between original photos connected with Lucy Duff's works and beautiful illustrations of the story. Anyone interested in fashion will enjoy the rich history and designs mentioned.
MOMMAC
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Our nameless protagonist cannot wait to find a yeti in the forest behind his house. He is a self-proclaimed expert - he has read all 27 books available in the library! So he goes exploring with his dog Milo to finally find a yeti, but only time will tell if he actually finds what he is looking for.
It’s a great day to go on a hunt for a yeti with our book’s narrator - the story is a fun adventure story where the reader gets to know something that the main character doesn’t know just yet.
Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes
