Sophie Johnson, Unicorn Expert by Morag Hood –ADVISABLE

Sophie Johnson, Unicorn Expert by Morag Hood, illustratedby Ella Okstad. PICTURE BOOK. Aladdin (Simon)2018. $18.00. 9781534431614

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3)  –ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Sophie knows everything about unicorns, it seems almost anything can be a unicorn; her fish, her dog, her brother, her dolls, and more. She has to protect them, they are messy, and they can even lose their horns.  Features big bright illustrations.

This is a fantastic book with a surprise twist that I don’t want to spoil. It makes me very curious how long a child (or group of children) would take to catch onto it. The appeal of the topic and bright cover are very high, as unicorns are incredibly popular right now. The illustrations are fun and ready to be shared with a group.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.

You are loved: Welcome Wishes by New Babies by Nancy Tillman –GIFT

You are loved: Welcome Wishes by New Babies By Nancy Tillman.  PICTURE BOOK. Feiwel (Macmillan). 2018. $18.00. 9781250182975

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K –GIFT

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

 This book features little welcoming words to a new baby and fill in pages for parents, such as birth weight, name, nicknames, wishes, and more. Accompanied by the lovely imagery that Nancy Tillman is well known for. 

This book would make a nice gift for a family with a new baby. Its gorgeously put together. It does fall open quite nicely, so the pages would be easy to write on, though they would indent onto the art of the previous page, something a more traditional baby book is set up to avoid. But a busy parent could fill this out rather quickly and have a wonderful book to pass onto their child someday.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.

Guardians of the Gryphon’s Claw by Todd Calgi Gallicano - ADVISABLE

Guardians of the Gryphon’s Claw by Todd Calgi Gallicano, 373 pages.  Delacorte (Random), 2017.  $17.

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G (some violence, without being graphic)

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Sam London has been dreaming about a gryphon – over and over.  When he pursues the dream to Death Valley, he finds not only a gryphon, but gets involved with a whole secret world of what he thought were mythical creatures.  With Dr. Vance Vantana, Sam sets off on adventure to save the Gryphon’s Claw – the object that stops most humans from seeing magical creatures – from the evil creatures who want to rule over humans.  

Sam’s first adventure is a whole lot of fun.  And danger. Kids who like Brandon Mull or Chris Colfer will also enjoy this.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Knight’s Armor by Paul Gamble - OPTIONAL

The Knight’s Armor by Paul Gamble, 362 pages. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2018. $17. 

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Jack and Trudy are in week 3 of their stint with the Ministry of S.U.I.T.s (Strange, Unusual and Impossible Things). Once again their school is buzzing with unusual activity. This time it’s Merlin and his film crew. Jack knows it’s a ploy for something sinister. To save the United Kingdom he must battle automaton knights and vacuum cleaners, a bottomless pit, motion 

detecting spears, and avoid Mr. M’s muesli bars.

This book takes zany to the ultimate extreme. It’s full of one exaggerated, sarcastic comment after another. The author tries to add an element of reality by explaining all the impossibilities with real science. It’s all part of the absurdity. Over-the–top for my liking, but since humor is drawing a large fan base in middle grade reading selections, it’s worth looking at. Includes more humor in the footnote commentary and “pages” from the Ministry manual. These can be ignored without compromising the story to shorten the length.

Valerie McEnroe, Media Specialist

Vampirina in the Snow by Anne Marie Pace - ADVISABLE

Vampirina in the Snow by Anne Marie Pace, illustrated by Leuyen Pham. PICTURE BOOK. Disney, 2018. $18. 9781368023184

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

There is a storm heading toward a group of monsters and this book lists the things to do when a storm comes. This list includes dressing warmly, catching snowflakes on your tongue, and sledding. The pictures add the details and humor to the text. For example, when they sled, they are sledding in coffins and tombstones.  

I was not very impressed with this book, but there are a lot of readers who will enjoy it simply because they know of Vamperina from television. I thought the story was boring and it was clunky the read aloud. There is a fold out page, and these are usually used to reveal something unexpected or special, but it was just a normal sequence of pages behind the flaps.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher 

The Great Grammar Book by Kate Petty - OPTIONAL

The Great Grammar Book by Kate Petty, illustrated by Jeannie Maizels. PICTURE BOOK. Cadlewick Press, 1996. $25. 9780763695750

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Each two page spread in this book tackles one of the parts of speech. Each page contains a definition, a verbal activity, and lots of mobil elements like lifting flaps and turning wheels. The preposition page has an entire pop-up park scene and a dog that runs “under” and “through” the elements. 

I would absolutely recommend buying this book if it wasn’t for the fragile nature of it. I just don’t think it will hold up in a school with multiple readers. Between two kids and two readings, we already bent or broke at least three of the movable elements in the book. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Z Goes First by Sean Lamb - OPTIONAL

Z Goes First by Sean Lamb, illustrated by Mike Perry. PICTURE BOOK. Imprint (Macmillan), 2018. $18. 9781250123954


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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The letter Z is always at the end of the alphabet and thus always last. On this day, Z decides to shake things up and along with her friend, Y, they head to the front of the alphabet to go first! Along the way they meet up with the other letters and learn a little more about the complicated nature of the English language.

This is one of those alphabet books that is supposed to be funny because they make a lot of letter-based puns (e.g. Y always asks, "Why?" and Q saying a special hello to "U"). The entire concept of this story also confused me because when Z goes to the front of the alphabet, she then for some reason heads all the way to the back of the alphabet. It would make a lot more sense for her to make her way to the front and go through the alphabet backward; I read this multiple times and every time got caught up in this conundrum. I dunno. The illustrations are fun and the puns aren't bad but younger readers will not understand them. I feel like the idea of Z going first is good, but the actual story this author came up with was not spectacular.

Reviewer: TC

Once Upon a Star by James Carter - OPTIONAL

Once Upon a Star by James Carter, illustrated by Mar Hernandez. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Doubleday, 2018. $18. 9780525579335

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The subtitle of this book is, “A Poetic Journey Through Space.” With rhythm and rhyme, the book covers the creation of the sun through a big bang and the slow evolution of matter. It covers evolution of the stars and evolution on earth. 

I liked the poetic cadence of the book, but I was a little confused by the content. The book starts off talking about stars and then jumps to the absence of stars and then the evolution of stars and finally the evolution on earth. I am a bit unclear what the connections from page to page are. The book has a textured feel that is fun to hold and the illustrations are minimalistic but aesthetically pleasing. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Everybody’s Welcome by Patricia Hegarty - ADVISABLE

Everybody’s Welcome by Patricia Hegarty, illustrated by Greg Abbott. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday Books, 2017. $17. 9781524771652

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

It all starts with a mouse dreaming of a great big happy house and along comes a series of animals who are looking for shelter or friendship. They work together to build a house and more and more animals join as they work. Finally they have a house big and happy enough for all of them. 

I really liked the dreamy soft feel of the illustrations and the textured cover to the book. The book also includes different sized pages, adding visual pleasure to the reading experience. The story is simple and cozy and probably not high interest for young readers, but enjoyable none the less.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Potato Pants! by Laurie Keller - ADVISABLE

Potato Pants! by Laurie Keller. PICTURE BOOK. Christy Ottaviano Books (Henry Holt), 2018. $18. 9781250107237

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

For one day only a store is selling pants for the potatoes in town. Potato is very excited until he sees an eggplant in the store and is so upset that he refuses to go in. Potato remembers this eggplant from yesterday when the eggplant knocked him over. Potato stews for so long that all the pants sell out before he can get one. While he is fuming, eggplant comes over to apologize for yesterday and we learn that was why he was in the store, to apologize. 

This book is very quirky, but it was fun to read aloud and say “potato pants” over and over again. Also, a potato introducing himself by doing the robot was weird enough to be funny. There is a good moral in the story and I think a lot of kids will get a giggle out of the book.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Stop That Yawn! by Caron Lewis - ESSENTIAL

Stop That Yawn! by Caron Levis, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. PICTURE BOOK. Antheneum Books, 2018. $18. 9781481441797

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Granny is putting Gabby Wild, a young girl of color, to bed, but Gabby begs Granny to take her away from Sleepytown. They take off on a flying motorcycle bed and land in a city with the lights on full watt and a carnival going. On the ferris wheel, Granny caves and lets a yawn escape. The yawn takes over the entire town until finally it reaches the reader and then Gabby herself. 

It is a shame that seeing a granny of color was something I can’t recall having seen in a picture book before. I’m glad that more and more readers will see themselves and their family members in books. The colors in the book are a bit burnt and subdued and may not immediately draw in young readers, but the illustrations have enough details that I think most will enjoy the aesthetics by the end.   

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

How to Eat Pizza by Jon Burgerman - OPTIONAL

How to Eat Pizza by Jon Burgerman. PICTURE BOOK. Dial Books (Penguin), 2018. $17. 9780735228856

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This text includes two different fonts - one for the narrator who is explaining how to eat pizza, and one for the pizza who is explaining why you should not eat him. The pizza uses persuasive tools like highlighting his “crusty bottom” and offering a monologue on why biggest isn’t always the best. 

This book is bright and it is about pizza, so it may draw in some readers, but it is kind of lackluster. The pizza never really achieves funny and the narrator ends up eating him with veggies on top. I think adding the veggies was supposed to be the climax, but it wasn’t a very satisfying moment.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

If da Vinci Painted a Dinosaur by Amy Newbold - ADVISABLE

If da Vinci Painted a Dinosaur by Amy Newbold, illustrated by Greg Newbold. PICTURE BOOK. Tilbury House Publishers, 2018. $18. 9780884486671

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

A little hamster takes us on a visual journey of the styles of different artists by showing the reader what the paintings would look like if they had dinosaurs in them. The hamster looks right out at the reader and names the artist and then the bulk of the page is an illustration of dinosaurs in different styles. Some of the artists represented are Degas, Coolidge, Kahlo, and Matisse. 

This is a great book for the art room or for any readers interested in art history. I couldn’t really get over how cutesy the hamster was juxtaposed to the beautiful artwork. The dinosaurs in the illustrations are silly, but the art still feels sophisticated somehow. The text is only average, leaving the art work to do the heavy lifting in this book. Also, I feel like female artist where underrepresented, although that might be histories fault more than than this book specifically. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

A Name for Baby by Lizi Boyd –OPTIONAL

A Name for Baby by Lizi Boyd. PICTURE BOOK. Random House (Penguin). 2018. $18.00. 9781524714192

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3)  – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A mama mouse is trying to name her new baby. Everyone tries to help with suggestions, none of them are quite right. Eventually things fall into place. Features simple and harmonious illustrations.

This book went a little long for me, so I am not sure it would keep the attention of a young reader. I am sure that every child is curious about how they got their name, so this book does have some appeal. This was a soft and sweet approach, I think I would tend to gravitate towards a book on this topic that is funny instead. The artwork is adorable!

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.

First Laugh Welcome, Baby! By Rose Ann Tahe and Nancy Bo Flood –ADVISABLE

First Laugh Welcome, Baby! By Rose Ann Tahe and NancyBo Flood, illustrated by Jonathan Nelson.  PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge. 2018. $17.00. 9781580897945

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3)  –ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

At its most basic this is a story is about a family trying to make their baby laugh. But this story is about a Navajo family and one of their very special traditions. The first person that gets the baby to laugh gets to host the First Laugh Ceremony.  So all the family members happily persist through home and travel. Features stunning illustrations.

The illustrations in this book are top notch, bright, vivid and carefully crafted! I would add this story to my library in a heartbeat –both for the Navajo cultural aspect (one of the authors is Navajo) and for the cultural traditions surrounding babies (many more from other cultures are listed in the back of the book). I didn’t list this book as essential only because the Navajo tribe is local to my state, and perhaps librarians in other parts of the country may want to focus on the tribes in and surrounding their own state.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.

Polar Bear Island by Lindsay Bonilla - ADVISABLE

Polar Bear Island by Lindsay Bonilla, illustrated by Cinta Villalobos. PICTURE BOOK. Sterling Children’s Books, 2018. $17. 9781454928706

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The mayor of Polar Bear Island insists that no outsiders are allowed. One day a penguin shows up and begs to stay for just a bit. The mayor relents and the penguin introduces many of the polar bears to delightful things like flipper slippers and bed sleds. The mayor insists he leave, but slips, and ultimately finds the comforts for the slippers and bed sled useful and lets him stay. 

This is a pretty average book across the board. The illustrations are nice, but none of them pop. The book has an inclusive message, but my kids had a hard time relating the message to themselves. The story reads aloud well, but isn’t particularly well developed. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

What Do You Do if Your House is a Zoo? by John Kelly - ADVISABLE

What Do You Do if Your House is a Zoo? by John Kelly, illustrated by Steph Laberis. PICTURE BOOK. Tiger Tales, 2018. $17. 978168010118

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Oscar couldn’t decide what pet to get when his parents finally said he could have one, so he put an ad in the paper asking for replies from the pets that think they would be a good fit. He gets replies from a goat, a cat, a whale and more and then they just start showing up. Things get pretty wild and Oscar has to ask them all to leave. Finally he finds one last letter from a dog that is his perfect fit. 

The illustrations in this book are bright and engaging. There are a lot of extra text elements along with the story that keep it interesting, but hard to read aloud. These include his newspaper ad and all the letters Oscar gets in response. Also of note is that the parents in this book are interracial.   

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Hide and Seek by Anthony Browne - OPTIONAL

Hide and Seek by Anthony Browne. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2017.  $18. 9781536202601

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Two siblings are sad and don’t know what to play ever since they lost their dog. After much debate, they decide to play hide and seek in the forest. Poppy, the older sister, can’t find Cy, her younger brother. They both get nervous, but when they find each other they also find their dog. 

The plot of this story caused me some anxiety while reading. The kids seemed so worried, that I was worried for them. The hyper realistic illustrations are beautiful but they also contributed to my anxiety - showing kids scared and alone in the woods. The part of this book that I did love was the hidden pictures throughout the book. There is a list at the back of the book of items you can find during your reading. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Life in the Amazon Rainforest by Ginjer L. Clarke -- ADVISABLE

Life in the Amazon Rain Forest by Ginjer L. Clarke, 48 pgs. NONFICTION EARLY READER. Penguin Young Readers, 2018. $15. 978-1-52478-488-1

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL -- ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This nonfiction early reader uses color photographs to detail life in the Amazon rainforest, focusing specifically on different types of animals living in the five main layers. 

Despite being labeled as a "Young Reader" book, this one does not shy away from the violence that comes with surviving in the rainforest; in fact, so many animals eat each other in these 48 pages that it's hard to believe anything is left alive in the actual rainforest. While some readers will enjoy this unflinching look at life and death, more sensitive ones may wish to stay away. That said, the pictures are lovely, and the layout works well.

Reviewer: Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

Poppy & Sam and the Leaf Thief by Cathon - ADVISABLE

Poppy & Sam and the Leaf Thief by Cathon. PICTURE BOOK. Owlkids Books, 2018. $17. 9781771473293

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: EL(K-3), EL-AVERAGE

Poppy and Sam are hanging out in the garden where they live when they hear cries of distress from Basil--someone has nibbled on his leaves! To find the culprit, Poppy & Sam interview a number of insect suspects, try to stay up all night to catch the thief redhanded (FAIL), and eventually set a variety of traps to find the snacker who has gone after Basil.

I don't usually enjoy picture books that are designed in comic book style, but this one won me over. I love the simple cheerful illustrations, and the story is fun; I love all the insects who come into play here! This is a good book for anyone who loves bugs, loves to garden, or just wants a fun, simple book.

Reviewer: TC

Sun! One in a Billion by Stacy McAnulty - ESSENTIAL

Sun! One in a Billion by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Stevie Lewis. Henry Holt and Company, 2018. $18. 9781250199324

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

This darling book is narrated by the Sun. The sun explains what it means to be a star, what it does for Earth, how far and how big it is, and hot it is. The sun uses statistics and comparisons, and well as jokes and a little bragging to explain who he is. 

The Sun as a narrator is the perfect balance of charming and informative. My kids kept pointing out when he was bragging, which I thought added to his charm because it was a play on the word “star”. The numbers used in this book are always presented in relative terms, making them very accessible, and I may have even learned a thing or two. This is more picture book than informational text, but it does contain a lot of great curriculum connections.    

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher 

Black Bird Yellow Sun by Steve Light - OPTIONAL

Black Bird Yellow Sun by Steve Light. BOARD BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2018. $7.99.

9780763690670

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Follow Black Bird along as he explores different colors, shapes, and other animals in the landscape.

Bright and colorful illustrations along with giant font make this book great for learning colors and words, and finding the work on each page will be a fun activity for children. Great for babies and young toddlers, but probably wouldn’t hold the interest of kids much older than that.

Jessica, Librarian

Snails Are Just My Speed by Kevin McCloskey - ADVISABLE

Snails Are Just My Speed by Kevin McCloskey. NONFICTION GRAPHIC. TOON, 2018. $12.95.

9781943145270 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

This early reader graphic novel introduces readers to science and facts about snails including everything their mucus does for them. This book really makes snails come alive! Readers are guaranteed some laughs about mucus, which of course will have high kid appeal, and they’ll walk away from this book knowing a ton about snails, including a lesson on how to draw them. 

Jessica, Librarian 

See How We Move! A First Book of Health and Well-Being by Scot Ritchie - OPTIONAL

See How We Move! A First Book of Health and Well-Being by Scot Ritchie. PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, $17.  9781771389679

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Follow along with the five friends as they prepare themselves for the school swim meet and find ways to keep themselves healthy through exercise, eating healthy, and more. 

While the concepts in the book are important and should be introduced to kids, like healthy eating, stretching, exercise, deep breathing, washing hands, team accountability, and more, the topics are not presented in a particularly engaging or exciting manner. It seemed like it was trying to cover a lot of health topics very quickly. It could be used in a classroom lesson plan. 

Jessica, Librarian

Snow Day by Bill Scollon -- NOT RECOMMENDED

Snow Day (Henry HuggleMonster) by Bill Scollon. EARLY READER. Disney Press, 2015. $3.99. 9781484718056.

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Henry is set on sledding, and he's determined to make all of his friends go with him. When said friends balk because they are terrified of the mythical Snow-Grr, Henry dismisses them, saying that Snow-Grrs do not exist. As they continue up the mountain, evidence mounts saying that his friends are right. Still, he pressures them to come sledding with him. When what his friends thought was a Snow-Grr turns out to be something else, Henry feels completely vindicated.

This book is essentially peer pressure at its worst. Henry's friends are following their instincts, which say there is danger ahead, yet Henry continues to pressure them to repeatedly ignore these feelings and go into dangerous territory. While it turns out that there was nothing to be afraid of -- this time -- I'm not sure it's a great lesson to teach kids to dismiss their intuition in favor of giving in to their peers. In addition, this book has the feel of a television episode turned into a printed story. It lacks depth and heart, and tries to make up for those missing emotions by adding too many exclamation marks. Library money is precious; spend it on a different book instead.

Reviewer: Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

She Dared: Malala Yousafzai - ADVISABLE

She Dared: Malala Yousafzai by Jenni L. Walsh, 128 pages.  Scholastic, 2019.  $7.  

Content: Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE   

Malala lived in Pakistan with her parents and two brothers.  She dreamed of becoming a doctor and loved everything to do with school.  When the Taliban leaders start to infringe on the rights of the people in her community, Malala starts to speak out against the oppression.  She is targeted by the Taliban and shot while taking the bus home from school.  She received medical care in England and has used her experience to try and bring attention to the needs of girls around the world.  

This is a great succinct biography about Malala’s life.  I especially enjoyed the ending that includes all the ways that she has reached out and helped since this experience.  Her story is inspiring and courageous and this version of the story is well done without being scary.  

C. Peterson

I Do Not Like Books Anymore! by Daisy Hirst - OPTIONAL

I Do Not Like Books Anymore! by Daisy Hirst. PICTURE BOOKS. Candlewick Press, 2018. $16. 9781536203349

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

A little red monster named Natalie has a brother named Alphonse and they love it when their parents read them books and tell them stories. Natalie is learning to read and is disappointed with the experience because the stories in the simple books are boring. When her brother asks her to read a book, she can’t understand the words and declares that she doesn’t like reading. Finally, she draws her own story and realizes that her story can be made into a book she can read.

This book was confusing at the point when Natalie shifts from reading books to creating her own book. The transition between the two involved Natalie playing with her toys and narrating what is going on. By the end you can tell what is going on, but it is unclear at the time. The audience this book may appeal to are those who are also frustrated learning to read, and, although you could argue it doesn’t exactly encourage perseverance, it does provide sympathy.     

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher