Short Dog, Long Dog: A Book of Opposites by Anna Hrachovec - ADVISABLE

Short Dog, Long Dog: A Book of Opposites by Anna Hrachovec. PICTURE BOOK Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan), 2025 $19. 9781250907202 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Dogs demonstrating opposites, told in cute rhymes with even cuter knitted dogs. 

I'm a knitter and I loved Short Dog, Long dog so much. How clever was this knitter, to make all these different dogs doing so many different things? The little blanket, the jump roping dog, all fun knitting choices. Mostly actual things dogs do, but to keep the theme, they also played guitars, rode on scooters, read books and dressed up. All in all, dropping by the title to my local yarn shop - mildly disappointed it didn't come with patterns. Knitting community aside, I also think this is so cute and a child will enjoy all these opposite dogs as well. Recommending. 

Lisa Librarian

Up and Down by Jane Burnard and Tracey Turner and Dawn Cooper - ADVISABLE

Up and Down by Jane Burnard and Tracey Turner, illustrated by Dawn Cooper, 64 pages. NON-FICTION, PICTURE BOOK Pan Macmillan, 2023. $19. 9780753478363 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

From flying insects, bats and birds, to clouds satellites and the moon and eventually the galaxy, readers take a trip up, learning new science on each page. But then, flip the book over and read about what's below. Starting with the earth's core , through the plates and crust, into the ocean, and through the underground, human and animal homes and soil and the insects who live there. 

There's a lot to read about - a little bit about a lot of things, enough to springboard for more information if the reader is inclined. The realistic full color illustrations were eye-catching and complemented the text. A good "open anywhere and read" book. 

Lisa Librarian 

A Pocket Full of Rocks by Kristin Mahoney and E.B. Goodale - NO

A Pocket Full of Rocks by Kristin Mahoney and E.B. Goodale. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2025. $19. 9780593428542

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - NOT RECOMMENDED

APPEALS TO: SOME

A child gathers rocks in his pocket during the winter, petals in the spring, shells in the summer, and acorns in the fall.  His family tells him why he shouldn’t, but he continues for his own reasons, including using each item for the fairies his imagination finds in the forest.

The pudgy androgynous fairies were an odd choice for me, especially since they were naked in the winter, but used blankets in the spring and hats in the fall. I didn’t find the fairy illustrations delightful, as I usually do, instead they were off-putting. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

When the Rain Came Down by Leslie Helakoski, illustrated by Keisha Morris - ADVISABLE

When the Rain Came Down by Leslie Helakoski, illustrated by Keisha Morris. PICTURE BOOK. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Macmillan), 2024. $18. 9780374390204

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

What happens when a hurricane hits a community?  Do people work together and help save each other?  What happens after the hurricane is over?  These questions and more are answered in this picture book for younger children.

When the Rain Came Down has lyrical text and eye catching illustrations.  It teaches students about the effects of natural disasters in an interesting way.  The text on each page is minimal and would be a good read aloud for younger grades.  This book is a great example of resilience and helping others. Many races are represented in this book.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Wheetle: A Little Wagon with a Big Heart by Cindy Derby - OPTIONAL

Wheetle: A Little Wagon with a Big Heart by Cindy Derby. PICTURE BOOK Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan), 2025. $19. 9781250325501 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Wheetle is a little wagon who carried things around all day for his friends, but when his wheel has a problem, he might miss his favorite day. 

The story was OK. There's a helpful wagon and his friends didn't seem to be taking advantage. But I liked the illustrations so much more. I expect that the farm is abandoned, as there are no people, just mostly bugs, and Wheetle is the only inanimate "living" thing. I thought the bugs would call a tow for him, but as they didn't, Wheetle must be unique. Anyway, the story had some big holes for this adult, perhaps a child can look past them. 

Lisa Librarian 

Little People Big Dream: Roald Dahl by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Francis Martin - ADVISABLE

Little People Big Dream: Roald Dahl by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Francis Martin. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Frances Lincoln (Quarto), 2025 $16. 9781836005117 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Roald Dahl is famous author who based many of his characters and stories on experiences from his own life. 

This is a cute series, the biographies are short, the illustrations are fun. We don't get a comprehensive biography and I was (pleased) surprised to see this briefly addresses that some of his writings were unkind to others, especially Jewish people. All in all, an elementary student would learn who he his and where he got his ideas. Includes a timeline and a bit longer bio. Dahl is Welsh 

Lisa Librarian 

The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice by Amy Alznauer, illustrated by Anna Bron - ADVISABLE

The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice by Amy Alznauer, illustrated by Anna Bron. BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2025. $19. 9781536229479

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice reveals one woman's interest and journey in discovering several five sided tessellating shapes that can cover a surface and fit together indefinitely. 

Amy Alznauer tells the fascinating story of how a woman with no formal mathematical training discovers astonishing shapes.  It reveals a fun idea to approach geometry through art.  Bron's illustrations enjoyably lift the story and show us many of the wonderful shapes and surfaces. 

PGPowers

Ford NUMBERS by Gabriella DeGennaro and Emilie Lapeyre - OPTIONAL

Ford NUMBERS by Gabriella DeGennaro and Emilie Lapeyre. BOARD BOOK. Penguin Young Reader, 2024. $8. 9780593753088

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The book is all about Ford cars. It is a counting book and shows how many windows, mirrors, tires, etc. on a car.

It was OK, and small children might like to look at the book, point out the different things on a car and learn to count to 10 at the same time.

Ellen-Anita, Librarian

A Mouse Just Ate My House! by Kes Gray and Sebastien Braun - ADVISABLE

A Mouse Just Ate My House! by Kes Gray and Sebastien Braun. PICTURE BOOK. Happy Yak (Quarto), 2025. $19. 9780711288058

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The boy is severely stressed because is not just eating his cheese, but his entire home. Nothing seems to be able to stop it.

Kids will probably giggle at the idea that the voracious mouse ate his aunt, uncle, and the exterminator amongst so many other things.  The rhymes are a bit forced at times, but you won’t end up singing along as you read. Fun cut-outs scattered throughout add to the fun. You might wish for a happy ending - but you aren’t going to get it. Try to approach this as the piece of silliness that it is.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Hiding in Plain Sight by Beth Anderson and Sally Wern Comport - ADVISABLE

Hiding in Plain Sight: Kate Warne and the race to save Abraham Lincoln by Beth Anderson, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Calkins Creek (Astra), 2025. $19. 9781635928235

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

President-elect Abraham Lincoln was on his way from Illinois to his inauguration in Washington DC, but in order to arrive, he had to pass through Baltimore, a Southern States stronghold, with virulent anti-Lincoln sentiments. Word has reached the ears of the Pinkertons that an assassination plot was planned, heard by the vigilant ears of Kate Warne, one of Pinkerton's most trusted agents. Can they convince Lincoln to shift his plans even a little in order to avoid the danger?

If your school talks about inaugurations or covers Lincoln’s presidency, I can see adding Anderson’s book. It is interesting reading and the atmospheric illustrations add to the noir feeling of the whole. It all depends on who in your building would use it. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

My Hair is Like Yours by St. Claire Detrick-Jules - OPTIONAL

My Hair is Like Yours by St. Claire Detrick-Jules. NON-FICTION BOARD BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2024. $9. 9781797221854

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The book shows photographs of different people with the same hairstyles.

It was OK, but not wonderful. Some children might like to look at it.

The characters  are African American.

Ellen-Anita, Librarian

Maybe . . . by Chris Houghton - OPTIONAL

Maybe . . .  by Chris Houghton. BOARD BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2021 (hc), 2024 (bb). $11. 9781536238099

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The three little monkeys get restless waiting for mommy to return so they look around and see some yummy, juicy mangoes, but no tigers. They decide to hurry and get a treat. Hopefully they will be safe and there will be no tigers lurking.

Cute book. Children might enjoy finding the hidden tiger in each picture and then turn the pages to see if the disobedient little monkeys will be caught by a tiger. A fun and colorful book for small children. 

Ellen-Anita, Librarian