BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Rocket is ready for her trip into space, but will something stop her from her dream?
Parrish’s illustrations are the highlight of the story. A young reader who loves space and tech will enjoy the story.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO:SEVERAL
Little Crab is scuttling around the ocean floor.
I will admit, the draw for the book is that as you pull out the tabs, they actually do click and clack. Your youngest toddlers will need help pulling the tabs, but a 2 ½ - 3 year old should have no problem.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Archibald was the only dinosaur without fur. As he searches high and low for his fur, he makes some friends and manages to avoid different dangers. When his hair refuses to come back with him, Archibald is going to have to figure out how to live without it.
Maybe kids will realize that the story isn’t about any real dinosaurs or any real time period. From what I’ve heard about kids who like dinos, however, is that they like to learn all about them.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
When the Cassini spacecraft was sent towards Saturn to explore the tiny moon Enceladus, the scientists thought they had packed it with every needed tool. As the team had more questions to answer and challenges for Cassini, the little spacecraft responded beautifully, until they discovered the one question Cassini couldn’t answer - is there life on Enceladus.
I love this look at space missions and scientists finding out their hypotheses were incorrect and then changing their trajectory both literally and figuratively. Excellent for all levels of science teachers.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Antczak and Fryza give a simple, practical book about how to raise your house cat.
I love the simple, but well-researched information that the authors bring to their book. An excellent resource for first-time, young cat parents.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
A Native American grandfather is introducing his grandchildren to the Echo People. While the grandson finds the Echo People irritating, the granddaughter had an uplifting experience. Grandfather explains to them about getting back what you put out into the world.
A lovely lesson in a story. While a couple of pages are quite wordy, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the message sneak up on me.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SOME
The Ojibwe of Lac La Croix First Nation had a special relationship with the wild ponies of their area. As white people settled the land, however, the large herds were reduced to a final four ponies. In order to save them, the Ojibwe helped round them up in 1977 and smuggled them across a frozen lake to a ranch in the United States. Today the herd has grown to almost 200.
A lovely look at the cycle of almost destroying and then saving a species. Great for a science lesson about man’s effect on nature, saving endangered species, etc.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Doug, a hamster, has never seen a button he wouldn’t press, a lever he wouldn’t pull -- you get the idea. His friends hope to curb his frenetic energy by giving him some thrilling, but safe (?) activities. Can Doug learn?
Powell-Tuck creates a fun book, but the final illustration negates the whole possibility of this being also a subtle lesson. An adult would have to do a lot of discussion to turn this into a useful exercise.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
While the differences between a rock and a roll are pretty obvious, could they also have similarities?
Thompson gives us a quick, yet profound look at the idea of compare and contrast. I am very impressed and will be showing this to lots of secondary teachers.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Mustaches are everywhere! They are found on different types of animals, on mountains, fruit, buildings, and anything else you can imagine. Is there anything in this book that does not have a mustache on it?
I did not enjoy this book because it does not have a plot. The author basically added stache to different words and drew mustaches on all kinds of things. Even though the illustrations are cute, I don't know that this book will hold a child's interest.
Tracie, Elementary School Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Lizzie's mom makes brownies, and they take them over to her friend Joshua's family because their grandpa has just passed away. Joshua's family is having a sitting shiva where people come to offer the bereaved family comfort. Lizzie tries to cheer up her friend by offering him brownies and putting her arm around him. But what is the thing that works the best?
Something Sweet teaches readers about the Jewish custom of sitting shiva after a loved one passes away. Newman tenderly captures the feelings of grief, remembrance, and how to support a friend. Rich's illustrations are expressive, tender, and beautiful.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
It is the year 1160 BCE. Pharaoh Rameses is dead, his tomb and treasures are safely hidden in the Valley of the Kings. You have come to live with your uncle in Egypt as his apprentice. He leaves you a task to discover who stole the map that shows where Pharaoh Ramses tomb is, and to stop the robbers. In this game of chance, you will choose how to solve the mystery. Make your choice and spin your Survival Spinner to survive. Will you have success or disaster?
Hawkins has created a clever story that is also a game for young ancient history lovers. I enjoyed playing the game as I read along.
PGPowers
