The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo! by Elaine Bicknell and Raymond McGrath - ADVISABLE

The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo! by Elaine Bicknell, illustrated by Raymond McGrath. PICTURE BOOK. Philomel (Penguin), 2020. $18. 9780593202159

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The little ghost is wandering through the forest on the search for her boo, which has gone missing. While she might not find a book, perhaps a whoo, coo, or moo would work?

Very adorable illustrations, but the rhyming text has a variety of syllabic differences and in one place the line is split between two pages.  A cute idea, but more for someone to read on their own -- as read it aloud is a little awkward.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Binny’s Diwali by Thrity Umrigar and Nidhi Chanani - ADVISABLE

Binny’s Diwali by Thrity Umrigar, illustrated by Nidhi Chanani. PICTURE BOOK. Scholastic Press, SEPT 2020. $18. 9781338364484

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Today is Binny’s turn to teach her class about a festival important to her.  She excited to share about Diwali, a part of her Hindu religion.  After a small case of stage fright, Binny and her class enjoy a nice day.

A nice look at the Festival of Lights and a talking point about getting over stage fright and being kind to students who have it. The back matter contains a good explanation of Diwali and the endpapers are beautiful.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Eleanor Makes Her Mark by Barbara Kerley and Edwin Fotheringham - ADVISABLE

Eleanor Makes Her Mark: How Eleanor Roosevelt reached out, spoke up, and changed the world by Barbara Kerley, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Scholastic Press, OCT 2020. $19. 9780545826129

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

From the beginning of her life, Eleanor Roosevelt cared deeply about the welfare of others. When her husband, Franklin, became the president of the United States, she used her role as first lady to reach out to travel the US helping people of all sorts.

A text dense picture book perfect for a short biography project. A welcome addition to a deeper collection of biographical PBs about women.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

I’m not Afraid of this Haunted House by Laurie Friedman and Teresa Murfin - ESSENTIAL

I’m not Afraid of this Haunted House by Laurie Friedman, illustrated by Teresa Murfin. Carolrhoda (Lerner), 2020. $16. 9781575057514

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Simon Lester Henry Strauss is NOT afraid of anything in the haunted house. But the ghouls, the scares, the icky substances can’t frighten him. But there is something that does – and I’m not telling!

Murfin’s illustrations have a high ick factor!  I’m not sure that lower elementary students can stomach this.  But older students definitely will.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Oliver the Curious Owl by Chad Otis - ESSENTIAL

Oliver the Curious Owl by Chad Otis. PICTURE BOOK. Little Brown, 2020. $18. 9780316529877

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Like all good owl, the Owl family only ask “who”. That is until Oliver – who asks all the other questions too.  With his best friend, Bug, he explores the woods close by.  Then one day Bug is swept away down the river. Oliver gives chase and along the way asks more questions of new friends – which is a good things, because those questions are what they need to find their way back to the big tree of home.

This may be Otis’ first author/illustrator book, but it is absolutely adorable!  I am in love with Oliver – both his ball-shaped cuteness and his endearing manner.  Otis’ years as an animator really show.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Frankenstein Doesn’t Wear Earmuffs by John Loren - ESSENTIAL

Frankenstein Doesn’t Wear Earmuffs by John Loren. PICTURE BOOK. Harper, 2020. $19. 9780062941145

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

“Frankenstein” is headed out on a cold, wet night – BUT – not without his galoshes, earmuffs, snacks, etc, if his parents have anything to say about it!

Another adorable Halloween book!.  And since there is almost always inclement weather on Halloween, it will resonant with children all over! The rhyming pattern works very well for a rollicking read aloud.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

America the Beautiful by Katharine Lee Bates and Wendell Minor - OPTIONAL

America the Beautiful by Katharine Lee Bates, illustrated by Wendell Minor. PICTURE BOOK. $19. 9781623541217

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Wendell Minor has created brand new paintings for breath-taking sites around the United States to illustrate the words of Bates enduring poem.

Minor’s old-fashioned style of illustration lend a sense of timelessness to the book. The back matter talks about the writing of the poem and of the tune. Minor also includes info about each spot in the illustrations and a map of where they are. If you need a new picture book illustrating the song, then this is a worthy choice.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

A Mystery in the Forest by Susanna Isern and Daniel Montero Galan - ADVISABLE

A Mystery in the Forest by Susanna Isern, illustrated by Daniel Montero Galan. PICTURE BOOK. Cuento de Luz, SEPT 2020. $17. 9788416733927

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

When Rabbit damages Deer’s secret foraging spot, wrecks his kitchen, and steals his recipe book, Deer could react with anger.  After thinking it over, however, he comes up with a very different, very compassionate idea.

I would love to read this aloud with groups of students.  It lends itself to some great discussion at different parts of the story with a lead up to a very deep conversation about how we choose to react in bad situations and the possibility to react with empathy. Galan’s illustrations are delightful and full of interesting details worthy of a longer look.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

The Walk by Celia Sacido - OPTIONAL

The Walk by Celia Sacido. WORDLESS PICTURE BOOK. Cuento de Luz, SEPT 2020. $17. 9788416733804

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

An owner and dog are out for a walk.  When the owner throws a stick for fetch, the dog finds a surprise and a new friend.

The illustrations are very sweet and I love the sweep of little birds as they move across the page.  The story, however, is not particularly interesting. So a delight to look at, but without staying power.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Building Zaha: The Story of Architect Zaha Hadid by Victoria Tentler-Kaylov - ESSENTIAL

Building Zaha: The Story of Architect Zaha Hadid by Victoria Tentler-Kaylov. NONFICTION PICTURE BOOK. Orchard Books (Scholastic), NOV 2020. $19. 9781338282832

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ESSENTIAL; MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: EL, MS - AVERAGE

Zaha Hadid was born with her fascination for architecture.  Breaking stereotypes, she forged her own path to be able to design ground-breaking buildings all over the world – including being the first woman to design a museum in the US.

Fairly text dense for a picture book, but even though it is a PB, I am glad to see another focus on a woman who has contributed to the world in unique ways. Even MS can use this if they integrate bios of women amongst their varied unit themes.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Ikenga by Nnedi Okorafor - ADVISABLE

Ikenga by Nnedi Okorafor, 240 pages. Viking (Penguin), AUG 2020. $17

Language: PG (13 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (mild)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Nnamdi’s father was the chief of police in their small Nigerian town, until the day he was murdered. Nnamdi is sure that is was the Chief of Chief, the local head of all that is bad, but as a young boy, there is little he can do. Then one night he meets his father’s spirit, who gifts him with an Ikenga, an Igbo symbol of power.  Through the Ikenga, Nnamdi seems to have the power to bring bad luck to the Chief’s lackeys. But even has Nnamdi helps his town, he also feels out of control – he may not yet be old enough to wield the full power of the Ikenga.

Nnamdi’s desperation to help his mother, avenge his father’s death, and loose the hold of the thieves on his town will resonate with readers who like magical realism and against-all-odds main characters.Okorafor brings a small part of Nigerian mythology to life and introduces readers to the present-day culture of the region at the same time. As a librarian, I think it is time for me to update my world mythology books, as with the proliferation of new books based on a  wide variety of world mythology should spur a resurgence in kids wanting to learn more.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Bubble Kisses by Vanessa Williams and Tara Nicole Whitaker - ADVISABLE

Bubble Kisses by Vanessa Williams, illustrated by Tara Nicole Whitaker. PICTURE BOOK. Sterling, 2020. $18. 9781454938347

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A young girl loves her goldfish friend. Even though others don’t understand how she can love a goldfish.  The girl, however, knows that the bubbles from her fish friend’s mouth are bubble kisses winging her way.

Whitaker’s illustrations are utterly adorable. Mermaid crazy kids will be delighted.  It is also a good way to remind kids that there are many kinds of pets and that they can love them all.  The song if somewhat appealing,

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Hat Tricks by Satoshi Kitamura - ADVISABLE

 

Hat Tricks by Satoshi Kitamura. PICTURE BOOK.  Peachtree Publishing Company. $16. 9781682631508

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Hattie is no ordinary magician!  Her magic hat is no ordinary hat! Welcome everyone to Hattie's magic show!  After saying the magic words, "Abracadabra,  katakurico" readers can take a peek into the magic hat and guess what's hiding inside.  Is it a cat? Is it a squirrel? A small portion of each animal is sticking out from the hat for readers to play "peek-a-boo",  take a guess and have some fun! The grand finale is full of excitement and grandeur.  Hattie's magic show is a huge hit and will be beloved by little readers everywhere.  

The artwork in Hat Tricks is stunning!  Hat Tricks could be a wordless book thanks to the detail and expressions of the vivid characters presented by  Satoshi Kitamura. Readers will enjoy the guessing game of figuring out which animal will pop out of the hat next.  Readers will also love the final page when a magical and  unexpected surprise ending takes place.  We enjoyed reading this fun picture book!

Reviewer: SL

Potty! by Carol Zeavin and Rhona Silverbush - ADVISABLE

Potty! by Carol Zeavin, Rhona Silverbush, Jon Davis (Illustrator). PICTURE BOOK. American Psychological Association. $9. 9781433832512

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K- ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

JoJo, Ava, Jack and Kai are four little toddlers ready to attempt potty training.  JoJo does not want to use the potty by she also doesn't like a wet diaper!  Kai learns about flushing a poopy down the toilet. Kai waves, "Bye-bye, poopy!" Jack reads a book while he sits on the potty and waits for something to happen.  Although Ava doesn't wear diapers anymore she sometimes still has little accidents.  "That's OK," Daddy says. "You're learning to use the potty."  Whether a toddler is just beginning the potty training phase or has almost mastered it, Potty! will help explain procedures, ease fears, and get little ones excited to give potty training a try!

Potty! is very simply written but addresses all facets of the potty training process.  The toddler's parents are patient and helpful.  The toddlers are inquisitive and adventurous.  The illustrations in Potty! are simple and effective in expressing the toddlers emotions.  The dialogue is presented in a way that opens the door for further discussion.  Potty! will excite little ones and help parents in this often times difficult stage of toddler-hood.  

Reviewer: SL

Preschool, Here I Come! by David J Steinberg and John Joven - ADVISABLE

Preschool, Here I Come! by David J Steinberg, illustrated by John Joven. BOARD BOOK. Penguin Young Readers Group. $10. 9781524790547

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

On his first day of preschool a little  boy gets two hugs and a kiss from his Mommy with a promise that she will stay for the day.  After his teacher takes him by the hand and shows him around the room he is ready for a fun day at preschool! (He even sends his Mommy home with two hugs and a kiss goodbye).  Preschool, Here I Come! takes readers through the exciting events in a preschooler's day. From starting the day by washing their hands, to mixing colors; then to digging in the sand for dinosaurs and learning about seasons, preschool has so much to offer!  When his Mommy comes back to pick him up, this new preschooler is happy to reunite but can't wait for tomorrow when they'll be back for more!

Steinberg and Joven create a perfect peek into the events and emotions of a preschooler's first day.  The illustrations and busy and exciting.  The rhyming is informative and funny.  Preschool, Here I Come! will ease worry and concerns for what lies ahead for a new preschooler.  

Reviewer: SL

A Bear is a Bear (Except When He's Not) by Karl Newson and Anuska Allepuz - ADVISABLE

A Bear is a Bear (Except When He's Not) by Karl Newson, illustrated by Anuska Allepuz. PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow (Candlewick Press), 2020. $17.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A bear is a bear, but what if he forgets? Can a bear be a bird or a fox?

I wasn’t sure what I was expecting when I picked this up, but this book ended up better than those expectations. Newson has written a charming story that is random in a silly and fun way, colorful, and rhyme-y. Nothing about this book is serious, unless you want to make it about being happy with being who you are.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Rewindable Clock by Aaron Starmer - ADVISABLE

The Rewindable Clock (Locker 37 #2), by Aaron Starmer. 221 pages. Penguin Workshop, 2020. $17. 9780593222867

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  HIGH

In book two of the series, overachieving Keisha James has forgotten to do her science homework.   In a panic, Keisha opens magical locker 37, available only to fourth graders, to find the solution to her problem: a clock that can literally turn back time.  Keisha frantically begins using it in order to finish her work before class.

You could read this book out of order, but it helps to read book one first. This storyline is a little like Ground Hog’s day for the elementary set.  A short read, Keisha is a feisty character and there is enough humor to keep it going.  There are a couple of more factual chapters about the problems with time travel that the reader can peruse or skip over, but they add to the storyline.

Michelle in the Middle

The Magic Eraser (Locker 37 #1) by Aaron Starmer - ADVISABLE

The Magic Eraser (Locker 37 #1) by Aaron Starmer, 221 pages. Penguin Workshop, 2020. $17. 9780593222850

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  HIGH

Carson Cooper has a problem.  It’s the first day of school and he has a stain on his pants where no one should have a stain.  To avoid this social crisis, he utilizes Locker 37.  Locker 37 has magical properties available only to fourth graders and will produce a solution to any problem, though it might not be the solution one might want or expect.  In Carson’s case, the solution might be worse than the stain.

This is a fast read with illustrations interspersed.  Two chapters in a different font address math problems.  Readers could skip it or learn some fun story related math.  Carson’s problem addressing a bully and how to solve his problem is lighthearted and a wild ride.  You’ll be wishing you had a magic locker.

Michelle in the Middle

A Pouch for Pocket by Ran Yi - ADVISABLE

A Pouch for Pocket by Ran Yi. PICTURE BOOK. Reycraft Books. $10. 9781478868736

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

As young Pocket the kangaroo hops through the big, grassy grasslands she is curious as to why she has a pouch on her tummy.  Is her pouch supposed to be a vase for beautiful flowers? How about a fishbowl for fish from the river? Perhaps it's a honey jar? No!  Not only was the honey sticky... the bees wanted it!  As Pocket  hops away from the chasing bees and into her Mama's pouch she quickly realizes what her pouch is really made for! 

A Pouch for Pocket is a fun, adventurous picture book that will be beloved by little readers.  The curiosity of Pocket is contagious as she drums up all the many uses for her pouch.  Wei's illustrations are very similar to Eric Carle's artistic style.  Yi uses onomatopoeia on many of the pages as Pocket "Boings" throughout her adventure and is chased by the "buzzing" of bees.  We enjoyed A Pouch for Pocket!

Reviewer: SL

A Family for Louie by Alexandra Thompson - ESSENTIAL

A Family for Louie by Alexandra Thompson. PICTURE BOOK. Penguin Young Readers Group.

$18.  9781984813213

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Louie is a dog with very fine taste!  He eats at all of the finest restaurants.  He each day exploring the city while enjoying delicious food such as raspberry pancakes, spicy fish tacos or fettuccine and meatballs.  He always saves room for dessert.  There seems to be nothing missing from Louie's life.
"Well.... maybe there was one thing missing.  It might be nice to have a family, Louie thought." Read this delightful and beautifully illustrated picture book to see whether Louie finds a forever home of his very own.  

A Family for Louie will thrill young readers as they discover Louie's passion for life and his hopes of a forever family. The illustration are stunning!  We want both Louie and Bea to come live at our house!  A Family for Louie is a simple heartwarming picture book that will re read over and over in homes and school libraries for years to come.  Thompson "knocked it out of the park" with her debut picture book! 

Reviewer: SL

City of Secrets by Victoria Ying - ADVISABLE

City of Secrets by Victoria Ying, 254 pages, GRAPHIC NOVEL, Viking (Penguin Random House), 2020, $23.

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  HIGH

Ever Barnes is a reclusive orphan hiding out in an amazing puzzle box of a building, guarding its secrets.  The young women who work at the building’s Switchboard Operating Facility, which connects the whole city of Oskar, ignore the boy.  But Hannah, the building owner’s spunky daughter decides he needs a friend, which turns out he does, as his life is in danger as well as the secrets the building is hiding.

The steampunk building is key to the storyline, and is presented in pictures, but there isn’t much of a backstory as to how or why it came to be.  The story is continued and augmented by the illustrations, so pay close attention.  While wrapping up satisfactorily, the ending leaves the storyline wide open for a sequel, which isn’t a bad thing because the story is intriguing and you will want to know more about these characters and their future in the city of Oskar.

Michelle in the Middle

A Stopwatch from Grampa by Loretta Garbutt and Carmen Mok - ADVISABLE

A Stopwatch from Grampa by Loretta Garbutt, illustrated by Carmen Mok. PICTURE BOOK.  Kids Can Press, Limited. $18. 9781525301445

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The boy and his Grampa spend a lot of time together.  One of their favorite activities is to use Grampa's stopwatch and time everything.  How long does it take to race to the end of the street and back? Eating bubblegum ice cream takes 1 minute, 58 seconds.  Brain freeze: 6 seconds! Sometimes the boy times his Grampa: 5 minutes to eat three oatmeal raisin cookies.  But one summer Grampa was gone and the little boy was given the stopwatch. "I don't want the stopwatch.  I want him."  The little boy goes through a grieving period but comes out the other side with a greater appreciation for the time he was able to spend with his Grampa and the treasure that was left for him after his passing.  

A Stopwatch from Grampa is the perfect picture book to help grieving children understand the emotions associated with death.  The boy loved his Grampa very much.  Memories of him were tenderhearted.  But feelings of anger and sadness replaced those memories.  Eventually as time passes, the boy again remembers his Grampa with fondness and love.  A Stopwatch from Grampa would make a great gift for someone who has experienced loss.  The story is written in such a way that discussion of  death and emotions associated with death would easily follow.  

Reviewer: SL

Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz - ADVISABLE

Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz, 222 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin), 2020. $21.

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  HIGH

10yo Jamila Waheed has just moved into the neighborhood when she bumps into a strange girl her age at a garage sale.  Turns out, Shirley Bones is the neighborhood detective and Shirley and Jamila form an unlikely friendship as they solve a missing iguana case. 

Shirley Bones is a soon to be fifth grader and a Sherlock Holmes.  She is brilliant but socially awkward and can tell things about people just by observing them.  Jamila is the Watson sidekick character.  The art is delightful and the girls’ relationship with their families believable.  The characters are diverse and not everyone has a perfect home life, but the solving of the case also helps solve some problems with the summer and relationships as well.  

Michelle in the Middle

Raising Lumie by Joan Bauer - ESSENTIAL

Raising Lumie by Joan Bauer, 267 pages. Viking (Penguin), 2020. $17.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL         

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH   

Olive Hudson, 12yo, just lost her dearly beloved father to cancer. She meets a half sister, Maudie, 28yo, that she has never knownand the pair has to move three hours away. Olive is not impressed with their new boarding house, Stay Awhile. They meet a slew of original characters and even a bunny named Bunster. Olive wants a puppy but that will not fit in with their lives now. One day Olive is invited to come to Maudie's work. There Olive meets a boy, Jordan and a whole lot of adorable puppies, including little Lumie, who will be trained to be a guide dog puppy. Olive really wants to be chosen as Lumie's trainer. Eventually she is and Olive and Lumie have a wonderful year. Lots of hugs and lots of good times, and a good dose of trying times, too.         

I loved this book! This is definitely a must-read. It was heartwarming and uplifting. It shows that if you want something bad enough, and you are willing to really work for it, it might come true. Olive's father always said: "Doing a good job is one of life's great feelings, and doing a bad job never feels right." Olive and Maudie find out that they can build a whole new life out of the broken pieces of their old lives. Again, I could not put this book down. It made me want to see if we can raise a puppy like that, but it probably won't work, we already have an adorable mini schnauzer. Maybe later.      

Ellen-Anita, Librarian

Avengers Assembly: Orientation by Preeti Chhibber - OPTIONAL

Avengers Assembly: Orientation by Preeti Chhibber, 176 pages, GRAPHIC NOVEL, Scholastic, 2020, $14.

Language: PG (10 swears); Mature Content G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  AVERAGE

Kamala Khan is an average middle school kid who unexpectedly gains super powers and fights crime in New Jersey.  Kamala gets a letter from Captain Marvel inviting her to an extracurricular superhero school to hone her skills.  Together with Miles Morales, aka Spider Man, and Doreen Green, aka Squirrel Girl, they team up to hopefully rise to the top of their class. 

I realize I am not the target audience, but this was a confusing read for me.  I didn’t know who Kamala Khan was previous to the book and it was assumed that readers knew her super powers origin story as well as Squirrel Girl’s and Spider Man’s.  Is there really a Squirrel Girl?  I thought it a little puzzling that Kamala goes by Ms. Marvel when there is already a Captain Marvel.  Told in a collection of blogs, texts, stories, notes and graphic art, it was a fun idea but sometimes difficult to follow.  The narrators kept switching as well as the format, so it took awhile to figure out who was narrating.  The frenetic pacing and visual style will likely appeal to tech savvy middle school students who are into Marvel comics. 

Michelle in the Middle

Slamdown Town by Maxwell Nicoll and Matthew Smith - OPTIONAL

Slamdown Town by Maxwell Nicoll and Matthew Smith, 320 pages. Amulet Books (Abrams),

2020. $15.

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  AVERAGE

Eleven year-old Ollie is a professional wrestling fiend.  He and his brother, Hollis, were raised on wrestling, since their mother was a pro wrestler before turning referee.  Ollie’s world changes when Hollis buys him some used gum chewed by Ollie’s hero wrestler, Professor Pain.  The gum transforms Ollie into a buff pro wrestler named Big Chew.  But life isn’t a barrel of singlets:  the Slamdown Town  Arena is in danger of being shut down, Hollis is a bully, and Ollie’s friendship with his best friend is in jeopardy.

Finally, there is a book for professional wrestling fans. There is no explanation about why the ABC (Already Been Chewed) gum works or why it would have been sold on the Internet instead of being thrown away.  If you can get past this weird plot point, the story is fun, if predictable.  Cool wrestlers and themes of family and friendship make pro wrestling fun for the junior set. 

Michelle in the Middle

Anne Frank The Girl Heard Around the World by Linda Elovitz Marshall and Aura Lewis - ADVISABLE

Anne Frank The Girl Heard Around the World by Linda Elovitz Marshall, illustrated by Aura Lewis. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK , Orchard Books (Scholastic), 2020, $18. 9781338312294

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  HIGH

This is an introduction of Anne Frank and her diary and how she wanted to be heard for young readers.

It’s been more than 80 years since Anne’s diary was published, so this book would be a good introduction for young readers unfamiliar with her.  There isn’t any new information but it is a good reminder of what happened and the timeline at the back is a nice addition.  This could be a good jumping off place for students to learn more about Anne Frank, anti-Semitism, and the Holocaust. 

Michelle in the Middle

 

Baby Builders by Elissa Haden Guest and Hiroe Nakata - ADVISABLE

Baby Builders by Elissa Haden Guest, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata. PICTURE BOOK. Penguin Young Readers Group. $18.  9780525552703

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Babies of all shapes and sizes ride the bus and head to work.  After hard hats are on heads and safety vests are put on, these babies are ready to work! Using excavators, cement trucks, bulldozers, bricks, mortar, paint and plaster these baby builders create a master playhouse! In the middle of their day they take a break for lunch and mint ice cream for a snack. And when their day is done, they head home for bath and bedtime.

Baby Builders is a fun and lively rhyming picture book that will thrill little ones!  The artwork is stunning and inviting.  Young readers who are interested in construction work and construction vehicles will be delighted with Baby Builders!

Reviewer: SL