BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: FEW
Told in alternative timelines, switching from NYC in 2020 to NYC of the late 60s, this picture book is a fictionalized look of the life of Marsha P Johnson, a black trans woman activist at the heart of the Stonewall riots in New York City, 1969.
I don’t know a lot of details around the Stonewall riots, but I did hear of Marsha’s name and have seen pictures of her before. This book is more about her as an individual, and less about the historical events that led to those riots in June. I wish it had more verifiable historical context, but I did appreciate the unapologetic look at trans joy and the woman that started LGBTQ Pride for so many people. I do think that it will only appeal to a few students though.
Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
A young astronaut is preparing for a momentous mission: a solo journey.
While the setting is a gleaming, high-tech outer space, the emotional core is grounded in the "firsts" every child faces, like the first day of school or sleeping in their own bed. Rocket Ship, Solo Trip is the perfect "bravery" book for any little explorer about to take a big step. The bright, bold colors are inviting and fun. I loved the countdown motif to build suspense. This mimics the heartbeat of a child who is both terrified and excited about many ""firsts"" in their life. This is a sweet book that will be loved by many.
S. Lewis
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Archaeologist Anna Goldfield shares a variety of mysterious historical artifacts from around the world in a unique guessing game to see the weird and wonderful things humans have used throughout history.
I thought this was a super fun way to engage readers in historical nonfiction. Each page features different clues to help the reader guess what the artifact might have been used for and then they can uncover the flap to find out more details about the historical artifacts. The author included a wide range of historical artifacts from all over the world, not just Western Europe. I could see this being used as supplemental materials for a history class, especially when talking about artifacts and how historians & archeologists learn about the past through what humans leave behind.
Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Perla the dog and her boy, Nico have a new neighbor, the Pirate! He is really a teenager in a rock band, but he wears a Pirate t-shirt. One day, Nico gets lost walking home from school, and it’s up to Perla, the Pirate, and Nico’s older sister, Liz, to find Nico again.
This is the second in the Perla series, and for the most part, it’s okay if you haven’t read the first book. I will say that I had forgotten who Liz was at the beginning, but then I figured it out. My biggest complaint (and this was also the case with the first book) was the magical elements that were sort of sprinkled through the book. The magic can easily be explained as the result of a child’s imagination, but for an adult, the lack of a logical magical framework is a little infuriating. All in all, a cute story about a boy and his dog, and how the dog is the hero at the end of the day.
Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes
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BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Our Prehistoric Planet is such a fun and unique book! The accordion-fold format is unlike any other. When fully opened, magnets connect and create a globe shape that can be placed on the desk or floor. Gallion explores famous dinosaurs as well as early sea life, soaring pterosaurs, and the eventual rise of mammals.
The artwork is vibrant and inviting. The colors are modern and make the ancient world come to life. Gallion turns a science lesson into an adventure. Each time a child unfolds this board book, there will be an "aha" moment where they realize just how big and ancient our world really is. Our Prehistoric Planet: Dinosaurs and Other Creatures of the Past will be a perfect addition to any unit on dinosaurs.
S. Lewis
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
A young girl takes us on safari to see elephants. She reminds us that we will want to bring a camera and a water bottle. We observe an elephant eating, and then jumping in a watering hole. The young girl also jumps in and they play hide and seek. We learn much about elephants including how they keep cool, how they love to play and swim, how much they weigh, how much they poop, and many other interesting facts.
Kerbel takes us on an informal delightful wildlife adventure through the eyes of a young girl with fun-to-read sidebars of fascinating facts about elephants. I enjoyed the warm, colorful illustrations of the playful savanna expedition.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
This amazing pop-up book is a soft, rhythmic tribute to the quiet moments that build a relationship between Mom and child. Unlike books that focus on grand adventures, Otter focuses on the intimacy of the everyday. It highlights patience, creativity, and the invisible work of making a home feel like a sanctuary.
World’s Best Mom reminds all moms that motherhood doesn’t demand perfection. This book celebrates the mom who is best simply because she is there—the one who listens to the long stories, fixes the scraped knees, and offers the safest lap in the world. It’s a poignant reminder that while we often worry about doing enough for our children, to them, our ordinary presence is their entire world. Colors are bright and bold with fun pop-up illustrations that will excite little ones and parents alike.
S. Lewis
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
World's Best Dad follows a series of relatable, small-scale moments that define a father-child relationship. From the fixing of broken toys to the bravery required to check for monsters under the bed, Otter captures the multifaceted role of a modern dad. The illustrations are detailed and fun.
World’s Best Dad feels like a long-overdue thank you for the subtle magic of fatherhood. It reminds us that being the best isn't about being perfect or heroic in a grand sense; it’s about the consistency of showing up. It’s a beautifully tender mirror for any father trying his best.
S. Lewis
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Mira had always loved birds since she was very young. She could mimic their sounds and behaviors. Mira had a special gift with birds, but she was anxious and confused when dealing with people. She was mostly left alone by the kids at school. One day a new boy named Jad arrived at school. He was different too. He connected with trees like Mira did with birds. At recess, Jad made trees with chalk on the pavement. Mira wanted to say hello, but her words scattered away. Can Mira find a way to be friends with Jad?
The Language of Birds gently explores connection, and finding friendship in unexpected ways. I liked Manbeck's fresh, modern vintage illustrations.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
One sunny day at the local library, a family of readers rushed in the front door to read, enjoy, search, and explore. In the library, a group of older men were reading the news, while other kinds of bookworms were reading in nooks.
A Family of Readers embraces libraries as powerful, welcoming spaces for learning and community. Unfortunately, it was a little boring, even though they tried to have things happening in the library that wouldn't really happen such as breadmaking. Benda's illustrations were cute. There is an illustration of a boy dressing like a girl throughout the book.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
True to its title, the book encourages children to literally poke their fingers, hands, and even their faces into the pages. It breaks the don't touch rule of traditional literature. Tullet introduces children to the power of a simple dot or a wiggly line. He proves that you don't need a complex plot to tell a story; sometimes, the story is simply the relationship between a blue circle and a yellow hole.
Reach In! is the ultimate antidote to screen time. It provides that same instant, high-contrast feedback that a tablet does, but it requires the child to use their fine motor skills and spatial awareness to make the magic happen. It’s not a book that says, "Sit still and listen"; it’s a book that says, "Come and help me finish this!" It makes the reader the most important part of the experience.
S. Lewis
