The Nature Girls by Aki - ESSENTIAL

The Nature Girls by Aki. PICTURE BOOK. Godwin Books (Macmillan Publishing), 2019. $17. 9781627796217

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

A group of young girls explore the world together. They journey to five different biomes and have a variety of adventures. After the narrative there is a spread explaining the elements of the different biomes. 

The illustrations in this book are fun and lighthearted. I love that the language frames the girls as “nature girls” and sets up readers to feel a sense of belonging in nature. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Mario and the Aliens by Carolina Zanotti - ADVISABLE

Mario and the Aliens by Carolina Zanotti, illustrated by Tamypu. PICTURE BOOK. Happy Fox Books, 2019. $15. 9781641240277

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A young boy is playing on a computer when a spaceship lands on his lawn outside. The aliens ask to be entertained and are disappointed when the boy suggests video games, so he shows them how to play recess games. The aliens are thoroughly entertained until their mom calls them back home for dinner. 

This narrative opens up a timely conversation about how we “play” and the effect electronics can have on our free time. The book even includes a set of questions to discuss at the end of the book.   

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Mr. Posey’s New Glasses by Ted Kooser - OPTIONAL

Mr. Posey’s New Glasses by Ted Kooser, illustrated by Daniel Duncan. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2019. $17. 9780763696092

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Mr. Posey finds that his life has become a little dull. On a visit to the thrift store, he realizes that the bin of used glasses can allow him to have different experiences. A pair of star shaped glasses, for example, allows him to see the night sky. Ultimately he realizes that his own glasses are best, they just need a good cleaning. 

I found this story a little bit slow, although it could have worked if it wasn’t also long. The narrative describes everything in great detail which in unnecessary for the tone of this story. The message of the story felt simplistic, especially given the length. All that said, the illustrations are charming.   

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed and Anoosha Syed - ESSENTIAL

Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed, illustrated by Anoosha Syed.  PICTURE BOOK.  Simon and Schuster, 2019.  $18. 9781534418103

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Bilal is excited that today his dad is cooking daal and his friends want to help and join in the feast. But daal looks different than anything they are used to and smells kind of different.  Plus it takes a long time to cook.  But Bilal distracts his friends with all kinds of activities as they wait for the dinner treat to finally be ready.

I had no idea that daal is actually lentils!  I love Saaed’s look at the daal process.  Not only the emphasis on patience and slow cooking, but also the friendship and trying new flavors together. A great book for a class lesson before a cultural activity or just a friendly shared meal.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

The Great Santa Stakeout by Betsy Bird and Dan Santat - ESSENTIAL

The Great Santa Stakeout by Betsy Bird, illustrated by Dan Santat.  PICTURE BOOK.  Arthur A. Levine (Scholastic), SEPTEMBER 2019.  $18.  9781338169980

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Freddy loves everything Santa – his Valentine’s are even Santa themed.  He has big plans to get his long-sought selfie with Santa this year. He’s pretty confident that all of his plans are fool-proof.

Hooray! What a great first Christmas book of the year!  I am looking forward to sharing this with many others!

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Bruno, the Standing Cat by Nadine Robert - OPTIONAL

Bruno, the Standing Cat by Nadine Robert, illustrated by Jean Jullien. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2019. $18. 9780525647140

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Bruno is no average cat. Peter finds him on his doorstep and realizes quickly Bruno does things very differently than other cats. He stands and skateboards and serves tea. But the best thing about Bruno is that he is a good friend to Peter. 

I am a big fan of Jean Jullien’s board books, so I had high hopes that this book would have the same dry humor as those, but I didn’t find this book particularly funny.  I think that dry humor is what they were going for, but it just didn’t land for me. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Fearsome Giant, Fearless Child: A Worldwide Jack and the Beanstalk Story by Paul Fleischman - ADVISABLE

Fearsome Giant, Fearless Child: A Worldwide Jack and the Beanstalk Story by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Julie Paschkis. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Godwin Books (Macmillan), 2019. $18. 9781250151773

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Essential elements of the Jack and the Beanstalk Story are gathered from around the world and woven together to make one story. The story changes characters and details and it moves around the world. The part of the world represented in written in the illustration that accompanies the text. 

This does not read like an engaging story, instead it becomes more like a quilt in which the pieces are roughly patched together. I think this book works in an academic setting, in which talking about the ways stories change and move around time and space is applicable. But I would skip this if you just looking for plot. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Ella May Does it Her Way! by Mick Jackson - OPTIONAL

Ella May Does it Her Way! by Mick Jackson, illustrated by Andrea Stegmaier. PICTURE BOOK. Words & Pictures (Quarto), 2019. $18. 9781786039057

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

In an effort to get her daughter to eat a new food, Ella May’s mom tells her it is good to try new things. Ella May runs with this idea and decides to try walking backward. Before long, walking backward catches on with other people and Ella May switches to cartwheels instead of walking. 

I am usually on board with books about doing your own thing and owning it, but this one just didn’t feel very relatable or interesting. This reminded me of the book Stephanie’s Ponytail, but without the humor. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

The Incredible Cabinet of Wonders by Lonely Planet Kids - ESSENTIAL

The Incredible Cabinet of Wonders by Lonely Planet Kids. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Lonely Planet, 2017. $22. 9781787011045

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

In the style of a museum exhibit, this book is a collection of the “weirdest, strangest, and most incredible objects on Earth”. Each two page spread has a theme and then a collection of flaps to lift and look at. 

This book is a lot of fun. Flaps for older readers are a bit of a novelty and I believe this will engage readers. The objects are sometimes boring or confusing, but on the whole, the collections are fun to look through and read about.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

The Brain is Kind of a Big Deal by Nick Seluk - ESSENTIAL

The Brain is Kind of a Big Deal by Nick Seluk.  NON-FICTION/PICTURE BOOK.  Orchard Books (Scholastic), OCTOBER 2019.  $18. 9781338167009

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL; MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

After his tour de force with the Sun, Seluk moves on with his trademark mix of humor and facts to teach us about the brain.  A bit harder to understand than the Sun book, but still filled with lots of humor. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

The Squirrels Who Squabbled by Rachel Bright and Jim Field - ESSENTIAL

The Squirrels Who Squabbled by Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field.  PICTURE BOOK. Scholastic Press, SEPT 2019.  $15.  9781338538038

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

When party squirrel Cyril realizes he’d better store something for the winter, he comes in direct conflict with Bruce who has been collecting everything all spring and summer. As the two pursue the last pinecone, hilarity ensues.

Bright has filled her book with bouncy rhymes that are complemented by Field’s bouncy illustrations. The lesson on sharing and friendship is easy to see, but the laughter as the story unfolds is the best part!

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Ocean: Secrets of the Deep by Sabrina Weiss - ESSENTIAL

Ocean: Secrets of the Deep by Sabrina Weiss, illustrated by Giulia De Amicis. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. What on Earth Books (White Star), 2019. $20. 9781999968076

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Every two page spread delves into different elements of life in and around oceans. One spread talks about the size of ocean animals, and another about caring for the ocean. Most of the information is provided in captions to illustrations and small text boxes scattered around the pages.  

This book covers a great breath of information and this keeps it fresh and interesting for readers. The topic vary widely enough to engage readers with different perspectives. The art is simple and aesthetic, but not cutesy. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Buck's Tooth by Diane Kredensor - OPTIONAL

Buck's Tooth by Diane Kredensor. EARLY READER. Aladdin (Simon & Schuster), 2015. $13. 9781481423822

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Buck likes a lot of things about himself, but he can't stand his one huge tooth. It seems to ruin everything. It's especially annoying now that he wants to participate in the upcoming talent show, because no matter what he does, that tooth is in the way. By the day of the show, he still has no idea what talent he wants to display. And then the perfect opportunity presents itself.

The beginning of this one is cute, and it's always nice to see a book that encourages self-acceptance, but other than that, this story fell pretty flat for me. The plot about finding a skill for the talent show is pretty over-done, and it made the story feel predictable. In addition, Buck's self-acceptance comes at the cost of someone else's art, and while he discovers something he's good at, it's not something he's particularly passionate about.

Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

What Will Fat Cat Sit On? by Jan Thomas - OPTIONAL

What Will Fat Cat Sit On? by Jan Thomas. PICTURE BOOK. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2007. $10. 9780544850040

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (Lower) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Fat Cat is looking for a comfy place to rest, but all around him are animals who refuse to be his chair. Once he does finally find a good spot, he has a new question: What will he have to eat?

This is a cute but ultimately unmemorable picture book. Sensitive kids will likely worry about the fate of the poor mouse long after the last page.

Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

The Itchy Book by LeUyen Pham - ADVISABLE

The Itchy Book by LeUyen Pham. PICTURE BOOK. Hyperion (Disney), 2018. $9. 9781368005647

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

All the dinosaur friends have itches to be scratched, but there's just one problem: A sign posted nearby declares, "Dinosaurs Do Not Scratch." They're determined to follow the rule, but when when they get a better look at the sign, they realize they were missing out on a very important bit of information.

This cute book is sure to get kids empathizing with the itchy characters, and they will enjoy the surprise ending. It would work well for whole-class use, as the dialogue lends itself well to a read-aloud. I look forward to sharing it with my first-graders next year in a lesson on following directions -- ALL the directions!

Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

The Griffins of Castle Cary by Heather Shumaker - ADVISABLE

The Griffins of Castle Cary by Heather Shumaker, 306 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2019.  $18.

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Meg, Will, and Ariel are spending a week with their aunt in the north of England while their parents are in London at a conference.  While just being in the country is exciting, the stories of ghosts in the town and the castle close-by are even more interesting.  As the older two chase down the castle ghost, little Ariel is in danger, because the closer ghost has more dire plans for 

her.

Wow!  At first I thought this was going to be a cute ghost story, but instead Shumaker ramps up the tension and the danger, rivaling Mary Downing Hahn and Betty Ren Wright.  Will there be more ghost stories to come?

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Diggersaurs by Michael Whaite - ESSENTIAL

Diggersaurs by Michael Whaite. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2017. $18. 9781984847799.

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Combining two childhood obsessions, this book features construction vehicles reimagined as dinosaurs. "Diggersaurs" of various designs are humongous and they dig, dump, excavate and more in this silly, super fun rhyming book.

This is a fantastic little book that will appeal to any kid who loves dinosaurs or trucks. The illustrations are colorful, bright and fun, and they work perfectly with the rhyming text. This is a book that will be a big hit with the preschool audience!

Reviewer: TC

Baby Bird by Andrew Gibbs - ADVISABLE

Baby Bird by Andrew Gibbs, illustrated by Zosienka. PICTURE BOOK. Francis Lincoln Children's Books, 2018. $18. 9781786035912.

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Baby Bird is a bit different from his brothers and sisters in that he has one wing that's smaller and a bit crippled. When it comes time to fly, he can't seem to make it work. Upon hitting the ground, Baby Bird meets a very different bird who who helps him embrace his differences and find his own way of flying.

I liked the general message of this story about diversity and achieving our dreams in our own unique way. The story felt a little long for what it was and didn't do a great job keeping my kids' attention. I think this is a book that could be utilized well in a classroom setting, however, in teaching citizenship skills/individuality/etc.

Reviewer: TC

New Shoes by Sara Varon - OPTIONAL

New Shoes by Sara Varon, 205 pages. First Second (Roaring Brook Press/Holtzbrinck Publishing), 2016.  $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL -- OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Francis loves his job crafting shoes for the locals in his village and has made quite a name for himself. When he finds out that his idol, singer Miss Manatee, wants a pair of his kicks, he's ecstatic. Unfortunately, he can't find one of his suppliers, and without him, Francis can't make the shoes Miss Manatee requested. Francis is not willing to let a little thing like that stop him, though, so he goes off to find the missing merchant, and has a nice little adventure along the way.

Graphic novels are extremely popular in my library, but I have trouble seeing this one really taking off. It's cute, but not particularly funny or gripping -- two qualities that make the most popular of our library's graphic novels, well, popular. My nine-year-old agrees; she is generally a voracious reader of graphic novels, but she did something she never does: she put this book down partway through and never bothered to come back to it. Honestly, this says a lot. That said, there's a tidy little lesson and a satisfying ending for those who read all the way through (which some undoubtedly will).

Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

The Woods by Rob Hodgson - ADVISABLE

The Woods by Rob Hodgson. PICTURE BOOK.  Frances Lincoln (Quarto), 2019.  9781786032744

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Three foxes are on the hunt through the woods for tasty rabbits.  They search high and low, bickering, not even thinking about who put up the signs they are following.  Too bad for those foxes!

The foxes are great caricatures and their ultimate fate is justly deserved (for anyone who prefers cuddly rabbits over wily foxes). I’d love to pair this with Road Runner cartoons!

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Wish by Chris Saunders - ESSENTIAL

Wish by Chris Saunders. PICTURE BOOK.  Words and Pictures (Quarto), 2018.  $18. 9781786033468

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL; EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

When three wishes lands at his feet, Rabbit asks his best friends, Mouse, Fox, and Bear, what they would wish for, asking himself each time “Is this wish for me?” When he finally makes the choices for his wishes, he wonders if he did it right and his friends show him how right he was.

Saunders' dreamy illustrations are the biggest seller – kids who love day-dreaming over illustrations will fall in love.  Sauders’ poetry follows a rhyme scheme, but no particular meter, which helps it read aloud smoothly without turning into a sing-song recitation.  Rabbit is a kind friend – a great example!

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Croc and Turtle: The Bestest Friends Ever! by Mike Wohnoutka - ESSENTIAL

Croc and Turtle: The Bestest Friends Ever! by Mike Wohnoutka.  PICTURE BOOK.  Bloomsbury, 2019.  $18. 9781681196343

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Croc is having a fun time showing off for Turtle, but every time he does something, another animal comes along and does the trick better. The friends are sad, until they come up with something that the pair really are best at.

The super cute twist at the end is just a last charming touch to this delightful book! Pre-school story time needs this quick!

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry and Vashti Harrison - ESSENTIAL

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison.  PICTURE BOOK.  Kokila (Penguin), 2019.  $18. 9780525553366

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Zuri’s hair kinks and curls like it has a mind of its own. Today is a big day, but only Daddy is around to help her do something with her mane. Together they try different styles with various levels of failure.  Thankfully YouTube comes to their rescue!

Anyone (men?) who hasn’t had much to do with styling little girls' hair will empathize with the father struggling to tame his daughter’s hair.  It doesn’t matter what your hair texture is – this is super fun to read! Here’s a link to a short video by the author and illustrator.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

The Fish and the Cat by Marianne Dubuc - ADVISABLE

The Fish and the Cat by Marianne Dubuc. PICTURE BOOK.  Princeton Architectual Press, 2018. $17. 9781616895051

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The Fish and the Cat is a fun, action packed story that will delight even the youngest readers.  This wordless picture book outlines a playful pursuit between a cat and a pet fish.  In the beginning of the book readers will wonder whether the cat is up to mischief.  The ending to this delightful book is sweet and a little unexpected.  The illustrations are simple yet detailed.  The story format allows children to add their own ideas to the mix.

We loved the illustrations as well as the playfulness displayed between cat and fish with activities such as hide and seek and a chasing game. Illustrations are in black and white with fish being displayed in a bright splash of red. 

Reviewer: SL

The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas by Tony Wilson - ESSENTIAL

The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas by Tony Wilson, illustrated by Sue deGennaro. Peachtree Publishing Company, 2018. $8. 9781682630518

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Unlike the Prince in the traditional fairy tale The Princess and the Pea, Prince  Henrik wants a princess who likes to play hockey, go camping and has a nice smile. Prince Henrick watched his sister-in-law and decided he wanted the complete opposite in his princess.  Instead of following his brother’s advice by putting a single pea under a pile of mattresses, Henrick found a thin camping mattress, an old sleeping bag and used a whole packet of FROZEN PEAS.  Parents and children alike will delight in the tender and unique ending to this not so common fairy tale!

What a fantastic twist on the traditional fairy tale The Princess and the Pea!  Rarely does such a creative plot such as this come along. We loved this book!  The illustrations are so much fun.  The colors are subtle and detailed.  Each page tells a story in and of itself.  We loved the practicality of the plot and celebrated its fun and unique ending.  This is a must for every home and library!

Reviewer: SL

Tropical Terry by Jarvis - ADVISABLE

Tropical Terry by Jarvis. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2019. $17.  9781536305466

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Terry the fish is plain blue and great at hiding.  But he is jealous of the dazzling, multi-colored tropical fish who refuse to play with such a plain fish.  Terry finds a way to dress-up colorfully and join the tropical, but when danger comes along, he discovers that it’s his plain colors that will save his life.

I love Jarvis’s bright illustrations of the world underwater.  Terry’s plight and its resolution make for fun to read. Plus the message to figure out to be yourself is delightfully light-handed.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Lost and Found Ducklings by Valeri Gorbachev - OPTIONAL

Lost and Found Ducklings by Valeri Gorbachev.  PICTURE BOOK. Holiday House, 2019.  $18.  9780823441075

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

The Duck siblings hear their parents tell then to stay close and not get lost, but of course they promptly forget and wander into the woods.  The forest creatures try to help by howling and growling and hooting to draw the Duck parents’ attention, but Mama and Papa Duck can only hear the cries of their own little ones.

Everything was pretty cute – up until the last page.  I really thought the Ducks would at least say “Thank You” to the animals – instead they just brush the animals off. Did not like that end.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Up To Something by Katrina McKelvey and Kirrili Lonergan - OPTIONAL

Up To Something by Katrina McKelvey, illustrated by Kirrili Lonergan.  PICTURE BOOK.  EK (Exisle), 2019.  $18. 9781925335705

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Billy is excited to help his Dad build a Soap Box Derby car for the race, but when he tries to help, Dad is just doing everything on his own – for him instead of with him.  Since his dad is ignoring him, he decides to make his own.

The story is a good lesson, but the lesson is really for adults, not kids.  The illustrations are uninspiring and do not draw the reader into the story.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Blooming Beneath the Sun by Christina Rossetti and Ashley Bryan - OPTIONAL

Blooming Beneath the Sun by Christina Rossetti, illustrated by Ashley Bryan.  POETRY/PICTURE BOOK.  Atheneum (Simon), 2019.  $18. 9781534440920

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Bryan has taken Rosetti’s classic poems and added his own cut paper art illustrations in his vibrant colors and exuberant style. Some of the illustrations feel more appropriate to the tone of the poems than others.  Art teachers may be interested in this to show a deeper range of this artistic style beyond Matisse.  A classroom teacher can be inspired for a short art/poetry lesson.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

The Star Shepherd by Haring and Connolly - ADVISABLE

The Star Shepherd by Dan Haring and MarcyKate Connolly, 320 pages.  Sourcebooks Young Readers, Sept 2019. $18

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Kyro has been helping his father return the stars to the sky for as long as he can remember. As Star Shepherds they believe in their mission – that the stars are there to keep evil out. When stars stop dropping in large numbers and they sight evil beings, Kyro’s Dad disappears and the Council refuses to believe Kyro or to help.  Now he is off to either find his father or find help.  And help can take many many forms.

This would make a good classroom read aloud. So sweet with just the right amount of adventure.  

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Hummingbird by Nicola Davies - OPTIONAL

Hummingbird by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Jane Ray. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Candlewick Press, 2019. $17. 9781536205381


BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Ruby-throated hummingbirds make an incredible journey every year from Central America up into the far reaches of North America. This story follows the birds on their migration, with an extra focus on the humans who look forward to their arrival and prepare food and things to help them on their way. Along with the fictionalized aspects, scientific facts about the hummingbirds are included on most pages.

I love hummingbirds and I was excited to read this book--especially because the illustrations are vivid and lovely. Unfortunately, the "story" itself fell a bit flat for me. It was hard to actually piece together any real story and I think the book would have been better served if it stuck to the nonfiction way of telling this story. That being said, it is a lovely celebration of hummingbirds and the illustrations really are terrific.

Reviewer: TC