Shark Princess Shark Party! by Nidhi Chanani and Elizabeth Kramer - OPTIONAL

Shark Princess Shark Party! by Nidhi Chanani illustrated by Elizabeth Kramer, 78 pages. CHAPTER BOOK Viking, 2023. $13. 9780593464649  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO SOME 

Mack would like to go to the shark party but Kitana does not feel like going. Mack convinces her to go. Once they arrive they learn that a deep ocean shark was not invited to the party. Mack and Kitana swim down to invite him. Once they find him they learn that he prefers to be alone. 

This graphic novel has a good message about appreciating people's differences. However, the story is choppy and does not hang together well. The odd references to the sharks peeing and making warm water were odd. I liked that a variety of sharks were shown. Both Mack and Kitana refer to themselves as shark princesses. 

A. Snow 

Anteaters, Bats & Boas : The Amazon Rainforest from the Forest Floor to the Treetops by Roxie Munro - ADVISABLE

Anteaters, Bats & Boas : The Amazon Rainforest from the Forest Floor to the Treetops by Roxie Munro 35 pages. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Holiday House, 2021. $9. 978082345466 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO AVERAGE 

From the tiny black-eared hummingbird to the giant anteater, the Amazon rainforest is home to some amazing creatures! Munro offers bite-sized information on 30 Amazonian creatures. These creatures have unique features and abilities that they use to survive in their tropical home. Includes an author's note, a coloring page, a note about preserving the rainforest, and suggestions of where to learn more. I really enjoyed the bright paintings of the rainforest and its creatures. 

This is a great introduction to some of the most unique animals out there. The facts are interesting, grab the your attention, and leave you wanting to know more. 

Rachel, Elementary Library Specialist 

Alice's Wonderful Wonderland Adventures by Catherine Hapka - ADVISABLE

Alice's Wonderful Wonderland Adventures by Catherine Hapka, 160 pages. EARLY READER (Pre-1). Disney Press, 2023. $8. 9781368084581

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Learn more about Alice as she has five new adventures in her Wonderland Bakery. 

Each story is based on an episode of Alice’s animated series on Disney Plus (sorry for the advertisement). Bold colors, and fun stories - the computer graphics transfer well to the page - which isn’t always true. 

Maid For It by Jamie Sumner - ESSENTIAL

Maid For It by Jamie Sumner, 232 pages. Atheneum, 2023. $18 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO MANY 

12yo Franny’s mom has been sober for a while and things are looking up - except for mean girl Sloane, who harasses Franny at school whenever she gets a chance. When her mom is in a car accident and hospitalized, Franny decides to take over Mom’s cleaning jobs - blackmailing Sloane to work with her because Franny caught Sloane cheating on a test. Franny thinks she has everything under control - but maybe she doesn’t. 

I loved this story of Frannie. She has guts, she is spunky, she stands up for what is right, and does her best to help out in hard situations, all the while keeping good grades in school. She is a star shining brightly, a very believable character. The book is really well written, and it was an easy read. Franny defaults white. 

Ellen-Anita. Librarian 

Teaching Eddie to Fly by Katarina Macurova - ADVISABLE

Teaching Eddie to Fly by Katarina Macurova. PICTURE BOOK Albatros, 2024. $15. 9788000070773 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO MANY 

Eddie the ostrich and Arthur the bear are friends. Arthur decides to teach Eddie to fly. Eddie doesn't like Arthur's lectures and is afraid of heights. Arthur tries tying Eddie to a hot air balloon and many other things. Will Eddie ever learn to fly or is he better at something else? 

Teaching Eddie To Fly is a very funny story about finding what you are good at and what makes you unique. I liked the quirky and silly illustrations. 

PGPowers 

Jerry Changed the Game! by Don Tate and Cherise Harris - ADVISABLE

Jerry Changed the Game! How engineer Jerry Lawton revolutionized video games forever by Don Tate, illustrated by Cherise Harris. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Simon and Schuster, 2023. $19. 9781665919081 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

Though he never earned a college degree, Jerry Lawson is one of the 5 people credited with creating the first video game console with interchangeable cartridges. A short look at Jerry's childhood leads us to a more in-depth look at how he became involved in the video game industry. 

I like that it shows his failures as well as his successes. I do feel that adults who grew up in the 70's - 90's will be more interested in this than current young people. But if your school has a gaming club, a class, or a focus on Black inventors, then Tate's book is an easy purchase choice. I will be buying a couple to gift to various people I know who will love it. Jerry is Black. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage by Lisa Rogers, illustrated by Il Sung Na - ADVISABLE

Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage by Lisa Rogers, illustrated by Il Sung Na PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Anne Schwartz Books (Random House), 2024 $19.00 9780593646625 G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO AVERAGE 

Born in 1912, John Cage thought that all sounds were beautiful - not just the sounds of a professional orchestra, but also city sounds, country sounds - and the sounds heard in silence. Many people did not have his quirk of imagination - audience members and even orchestras were known to walk out of his performances, but he persisted. 

Listening to a John Cage piece is an experience you will never forget - whether you share in his vision or not. Music teachers with avantgarde attitudes, or those willing to explore what music means, should enjoy sharing the book and then Youtube videos of the performances with their students. John is white. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Cranky Chicken Crankosaurus by Katherine Battersby - ADVISABLE

Cranky Chicken Crankosaurus by Katherine Battersby, 103 pages, GRAPHIC CHAPTER BOOK. Simon & Schuster, 2023. $13. 9781665914550

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

Three stores about Cranky Chicken and her best friend Speedy Worm. The first chapter tells us all about how to have the perfect nap, so we don't wind up like Cranky Chicken.  Cranky Chicken patiently teaches her friend, Speedy Worm what being a worm means, and then we learn what family and friends are made of.

The graphic novel format makes the 103 pages breeze along. The illustrations are colorful and show a range of emotions.  It was easy to follow and fun story.

All the Small Wonderful Things by Kate Foster - ADVISABLE

All the Small Wonderful Things by Kate Foster, 234 pages. Candlewick Press, 2023. $18. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SEVERAL 

11yo Alex may be autistic, but wants friends just like everyone else. He decides to enter his dog Kevin in the PAWS Dog Show so that they can win a trophy and impress everyone - and maybe make himself a friend. 

I loved this book. I read it in one sitting. Alex's voice is clear, concise and consistent. I felt like I really got to know Alex, and to understand his thinking. Alex is white Australian. 

Ellen-Anita Librarian

Rise of the Cat (Hilo #10) by Judd Winick - ESSENTIAL

Rise of the Cat (Hilo #10)  by Judd Winick. 226 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House Children's Books, 2024. $15. 9780593488126 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO MANY 

Hilo's friend Polly was hoping to become the youngest student ever to be named sorcerer. However, all her past adventures with Hilo have gotten her in trouble with the council. She and her brother Pip (who also seems to always find trouble) are sent to Wombatton, a school for bad kids. Strange things are happening as Wombatton. The teachers and other kids are picking on Polly's new roommate, students are disappearing and monsters keep showing up. It is up to Polly, Pip and their new friend Noria to solve the mystery. 

A fun, entertaining, well-drawn graphic novel that fans of Hilo will love. The story includes adventure, mischief, and mystery. There is also a good message about being kind to people who are different than us. 

A. Snow 

The Robbery by Camp - OPTIONAL

The Robbery by Camp PICTURE BOOK Berbay Publishing, 2024. $19. 9781922610706 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Three thieves decide to dig a tunnel to rob a bank. They begin digging and come up in an orchestra, where Thief 3 plays the violin. They keep on digging and come up in a wrestling ring, where luckily they are all karate experts. They keep on digging coming up in different places. Will they ever make it to the treasure? 

I don't really enjoy books for children that are about hoping the characters will break the law.
The pictures and antics of the thieves are cute, but I wouldn't recommend it.

PGPowers

What's Inside a Bird's Nest by Rachel Ignotofsky - ESSENTIAL

What's Inside a Bird's Nest by Rachel Ignotofsky. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Crown (Random House), 2024. $20. 9780593176528 

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

APPEALS TO MANY 

Dive into all kinds of information about birds - lifecycles, species, different kinds of nests, and much more! 

Oh so darling! Ignotosfsky first fills a page with the cutest illustrations. Then she adds a bit of text as an explanation. THEN she adds little descriptors - so that if a little one points at a page and asks "what bird is that?" then you both will know the answer. So clever! Jam packed with a lot of info - so much that it isn't a read-aloud kind of book. But every page spread is worth the time it takes to enjoy it from the pictures to the information. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS