How Can I Wait When There's a Treat on My Plate? by Dan Graham and Teresa Martinez - ESSENTIAL

How Can I Wait When There's a Treat on My Plate? by Dan Graham, illustrated by Teresa Martinez. PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2021. $17. 9781433832260.

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Twin brothers Dell and Pete have a lot in common, but one brother is much better than the other at delaying gratification when it comes to treats. After Pete misses out on the after-game ice cream treat multiple times--because he opts to have a treat earlier in the day--he asks Dell for tips on how to wait. Dell gives Pete a number of suggestions and after practicing, Pete learns the important life lesson of delayed gratification. 

This book is put out by the American Psychological Association and they have included a long note in the back referencing the research of teaching delayed gratification to kids. I liked the bright illustrations and rhyming text to even introduce this topic with kids and I think its a good fit for libraries at school and home. 

Reviewer: TC

Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly - OPTIONAL

Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly, 192 pages. Greenwillow Books, 2021. $17. 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Marisol Rainey really wants to climb the big tree in her yard but she is scared. Marisol is scared of a lot of things, and she appreciates how her best friend, Jada, is totally okay with that. Eventually Marisol will figure out how to overcome her fears and learn that everybody does things on their own timeline--and that is just fine. 

This is a simple, if rather forgettable story told in short illustrated chapters that will appeal to younger elementary readers. The characters of Marisol and Jada are really quite endearing and relatable, but there's nothing that remarkable about the story. Perhaps in the quest to make this book easily accessible for younger grades, the author sacrificed a depth that would have given the story more meaning. Overall I'm not sad I read it, but I will probably forget about this one pretty quickly. 

Reviewer: TC

Do Your Best Every Day to Do Your Best Every Day: Encouraging Words from John Cena - OPTIONAL

Do Your Best Every Day to Do Your Best Every Day: Encouraging Words from John Cena. PICTURE BOOK/GIFT. Random House Children's Books, 2021. $15. 9780593377239 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

Filled with encouraging phrases such as "Live in each moment," and "Never be afraid to dream big," this book by John Cena of wrestling and film fame strives to empower its readers to do the hard work of dreaming and doing what is within their imagination and power. 

A colorful and kid-friendly book, this is visually captivating and could even be very motivating. My general feeling is that readers who are interested in John Cena aren't going to be looking for pretty pages with whimsical drawings. However, for those who want to read a motivational book with pretty pages and whimsical drawings, John Cena has that book here. 

Keri, elementary school teacher 

Happy Springtime! by Kate McMullan and Sujean Rim - OPTIONAL

Happy Springtime! by Kate McMullan, illustrated by Sujean Rim. PICTURE. Neal Porter Books (Holiday House), 2021. $19. 9780823445516 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Aptly named, this is a call to welcome the spring season and all the ways things change as the world transitions from cold gray days to long warm ones. It is a shout out to spring, as well as an invitation to look all around at what spring means physically in the world and in our actions. 

The cadence of the words matches the excitement of the sentiment of the book. The bright, cheerful illustrations are beautiful to look at (my favorite is of the artist painting flowers on a canvas) and match the message of the book perfectly. This would work well in a series, with a book for each season, respectively. As a stand-alone book, Happy Springtime! is a good way to welcome in its namesake. 

Keri, elementary school teacher 

Wanda's Words Got Stuck by Lucy Rowland and Paula Bowles - OPTIONAL

Wanda's Words Got Stuck by Lucy Rowland, illustrated by Paula Bowles. PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow (Candlewick Press), 2021. $18. 9781536217193 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Wanda finds herself nervous about having to talk at school. Sometimes her words won't come out at all. But she finds that there is power with even just one word at the right moment. 

This is a sweet story more about friendship than about overcoming shyness. The characters are all witches, and the setting is a school for learning magic. It's cute, but not spell-binding. 

Keri, elementary school teacher 

Quack by Anna Humphrey - ESSENTIAL

Quack by Anna Humphrey, 233 pages. Albert Whitman & Company, 2020. $17

Language: PG (12 swears); Mature Content G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

10yo Shady Cook doesn’t talk at school. He is a selective mute who has anxiety so badly that he doesn’t even talk to his best friend, Pouya. Pouya is the class clown and is pretty sure the end of the world is coming. When a stray duck enters Shady’s life, it seems to calm him. Anxious to help their son, Shady’s parents get a special permit for the duck to be a comfort animal at school. Wearing diapers, Svenrietta is a hit for the underdogs (or underducks). 

Written in alternating points of view, the author, who raised a daughter with selective mutism, helps throw some much needed light on this form of social anxiety. Shady communicates to people at school through blackout poetry, which is a nice touch. The characters are likeable and relatable, and it’s refreshing to see a supportive family as Shady navigates the sometimes traumatic world of Carlson Elementary. 

Michelle in the Middle

The Titanic (History Smashers) by Kate Messner - ESSENTIAL

The Titanic (History Smashers) by Kate Messner, 191 pages. NON-FICTION. Random House, 2021. $8. 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content PG; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Easy to read format about the Titanic with snippets of graphic novel and plenty of pictures. Younger readers and adults will find the format inviting, making Titanic facts easily accessible. Well researched, with an index and bibliography, even reluctant readers will be pulled into the tragedy of the luxury ocean liner that sank into frigid waters after hitting an iceberg. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Donuts and Danger by John Gallagher - HIGH

Donuts and Danger (Max Meow #2) by John Gallagher, 229 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Penguin Random House, 2021. $13. 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Max Meow is back. In this second book, Mindy is gaining some super powers of her own, but is hesitant to use them unless she is perfect at it. Super evil villains want to corner the donut market. Max and Mindy are on ready to save the day, but their heroics are complicated by Max and Mindy look-alikes from another dimension. 

 Super colorful, the art is definitely a plus. There are many references to entertainers and music that will probably not be recognized by the target audience. The plot is convoluted but predictable. This is a viable option to the Dog Man books.

Michelle in the Middle 

The Elephants Come Home by Kim Tomsic and Hadley Hooper - ESSENTIAL

The Elephants Come Home by Kim Tomsic, illustrated by Hadley Hooper. PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2021, $19. 9781452127835 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Lawrence and Francoise take in seven elephants into their preserve who have been mistreated, hunted and bullied. The elephants are angry and destructive and in danger of being put down. Though he doesn’t know anything about elephants, Lawrence sings to them and tells them stories. When Lawrence dies, the elephants seem to know and make a lengthy trek back to the Anthony home to be with Francoise, and returned for the next three years on the exact anniversary of Lawrence’s death. 

Beautifully written and touching story about friendship and kindness. Based on a true story about Lawrence Anthony and his unusual friendship with a herd of elephants. 

 Michelle in the Middle 

Six Feet Below Zero by Ena Jones - ADVISABLE

Six Feet Below Zero by Ena Jones, 283 pages. Holiday House, 2021. $19. 

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A missing will, a dead body, and two orphans who don’t want to be shipped off to boarding and military schools by an evil grandmother. Rosie and Baker’s great-grandmother has been taking care of them since their parents died, until she ups and dies herself. Before she does, she makes them promise to pretend she is alive until her missing will is found. Rosie and Baker are in a fight against time, trying to protect Great-Grammy’s home from Grim Hesper, evil lawyer grandma, who wants to sell it and everything in it, while trying to find the will that will save the farm as it were. 

 Great premise. I like how Rosie and Baker hide the body in the basement freezer and try to keep people from opening it. I especially like Great-Grammy’s character, who has planned way ahead. The story was fun but predictable and dragged out too long. That said, if you want to read about two plucky kids weaving an ever bigger circle of lies, this could be your book. 

 Michelle in the Middle 

Fearless by Kenny Porter and Zack Wilcox - HIGH

Fearless by Kenny Porter, illustrated by Zack Wilcox, 188 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Graphix (Scholastic). 2021. $13. 

Content G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Kara and Alice are best friends until Alice gets accepted into a new middle school two towns away. Alice quits answering Kara’s attempts to get a hold of her. Drawing on her favorite TV show, Shinpi Rider, Kara sets off on her bike to be fearless like her TV idol and find her best friend. Kara faces adventures and misadventures along the way and discovers that friends don’t always stay the same. 

If you’ve ever had a best friend move away, then you can relate to Kara. Kara discovers things about herself and that people change and move on and that other people move into our lives. Themes of friendship, family, and adolescence make this pretty universal. 

 Michelle in the Middle 

My Rainy Day Rocket Ship by Markette Sheppard and Charley Palmer - ADVISABLE

My Rainy Day Rocket Ship by Markette Sheppard, illustrated by Charley Palmer. PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2020. $18. 9781534461772 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

 What to do on a rainy day? The boy in the story knows just what to do. He uses his imagination with regular household items and transforms into an astronaut with a rocket ship that can fly out of this galaxy. 

 The book is written in rhyming verse and is easy to read. The bright, vibrant and colorful illustrations makes this little boys personality leap off the pages. I loved this book, and just reading it and looking at the pictures made me happy. 

 Ellen-Anita, Librarian 

Welcome to Texas by Asa Gilliand - ADVISABLE

Welcome to Texas by Asa Gilliand. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday (Random), 2021. $10. 9780593178270 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

 Information about Texas, what to see, what to eat and interesting facts. I would like to visit Texas, I have a Texas Bluebonnet in my yard and it is beautiful. I'd love to see the Alamo and see the Cadillac Ranch.

 Ellen-Anita, Librarian 

Bruno the Beekeeper by Aneta Frantiska Holasova, Aneta Frantiska Dolasova, and Andrew Lass - OPTIONAL

Bruno the Beekeeper by Aneta Frantiska Holasova, illustrated by Aneta Frantiska Dolasova, translated by Andrew Lass. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2021. $20. 9781536214611 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Bruno, the bear, is a beekeeper. He inherited the bees from his grandfather, but it is his grandmother who helps him take care of them. In the fall, Bruno removes the supers, the part of the hives where the honeycombs are kept. He cleans them and lets them dry. He stores the empty combs in closets over the winter. He and grandma make candles from the beeswax made by melting the combs. Over the winter, Bruno feeds his bees with sugar water and the bees rest. In the spring, Bruno sets up the hive for business once again. The bees work hard all summer to make honey. Bruno will scrape honey off the combs and put the honey laden combs into an extractor to get out the rest. And, the process starts all over again. 

While Aneta created cute illustrations, the flow of the story is interrupted over and over by fact pages. Although this format could work, it does not in this book. The story feels choppy. It would have been better for Aneta to tell the story and then talk about the bees. The book is packed with information, but the format makes it confusing, especially for a young reader. Illustrating grandma as a human while Bruno is a bear was also confusing. 

MOMMAC 

Lin-Manuel Miranda Raising Theater to New Heights (Trailblazers) by Kurtis Scaletta - ADVISABLE

Lin-Manuel Miranda: Raising Theater to New Heights (Trailblazers) by Kurtis Scaletta, illustrated by David Shephard, 163 pages. NON FICTION. Random House, 2021. $8. 9780593124468 

Content: G

 BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

 AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Lin-Manuel was born and raised in New York City. He excelled in school and he always worked hard. He loved theater and plays and music. He even performed a rap about Alexander Hamilton in front of President Obama in the White House. From that one song grew a whole musical. It was really well received all across the country and it has made Lin-Manuel really famous. He still lives in New York city with his wife and two sons.

I loved this book! Lin-Manuel's story fascinated me and I found his story very inspiring. The story shows that if you find your passion and work hard enough your dreams can come true. I learned a lot about Lin-Manuel and also about what it takes to put on a great musical both on and off Broadway. It was all very interesting. I highly recommend this book. I love to learn about people and this series, "Trailblazers", is great. It was a fast, easy read. Much happy reading to you!

 Ellen-Anita, Librarian 

Amelia Earhart: First Woman Over the Atlantic (Trailblazers) by Sally J. Morgan - ADVISABLE

Amelia Earhart: First Woman Over the Atlantic (Trailblazers) by Sally J. Morgan, illustrated by David Shephard, 169 pages. NON FICTION. Random House, 2021. $8. 9780593124581

 Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

 AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Amelia Earhart was born in her grandmother's house and she had a wonderful childhood filled with adventure and exploring. she had a "cool" mom who didn't believe in dressing girls in fancy dresses. Instead she made her daughters loose pants so they could run, play, climb and explore. Amelia kept a scrapbook of women who inspired her. Amelia started a club called the Ninety-Nines. It was started as a club for women pilots. Today the club has thousands of members all over the world. 

 I have always loved Amelia Earhart. I have read everything I have been able to find about her, from the time I was a little girl in Norway. She was brave and inspiring. As a librarian I bought every book I could find about her to put in my library. I think this is a fascinating book with a lot of details about Amelia's life. I loved the way it was written, with interesting tidbits tucked in between the rest of the text. I highly recommend this book. Read and enjoy!

 Ellen-Anita, Librarian 

Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by Jeff Gottesfeld and Matt Tavares - ESSENTIAL

Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by Jeff Gottesfeld, illustrated by Matt Tavares. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2021. $18. 9781536201482 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded 24/7 through every kind of weather by the highly trained sentinels who walk 21 steps, back and forth across the face of the tomb. 

Tavares’ beautiful illustrations hit just the right note to complement Gottesfeld’s information about the tomb and the sentinels. While I am not exactly sure how teachers will use this in their curriculum, I do think many kids will find it fascinating to read. 

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Starboy by Jami Gigot - ADVISABLE

Starboy by Jami Gigot. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2021. $19. 9781250239433 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The boy David hears music that seems to come from space. As he shimmies and taps through, he feels the scorn of the other children and the teachers, feeling dismayed. He tries to shut out the stars, but can’t ignore the pulsing. And as he perseveres, his enthusiasm seems to spread that love and rhythm to the whole world. 

It’s quite likely that young ones won’t know anything about David Bowie, but I do think they will enjoy the story of a young person spread joy through music. Adult David Bowie fans, of course, will have much fun. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Turtle Walk by Matt Phelan - OPTIONAL

Turtle Walk by Matt Phelan. PICTURE BOOK. Greenwillow (Harper), 2020. $18. 9780062934130 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A turtle family walks through the seasons until they reach the fun of winter. 

 This would make a great board book. The short choppy rhyme is just right for that kind of short read. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Survivor Tree by Marcie Colleen and Aaron Becker - ADVISABLE

Survivor Tree by Marcie Colleen, illustrated by Aaron Becker. PICTURE BOOK. Little Brown, AUGUST 2021. $19. 9780316487672 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A month after the events of 9/11 a very burnt tree with just a little bit of greenery was found among the rubble. Carted off to a plant nursery, it took more than a year for the tree to recover and begin to bloom again. After almost 10 years, the survivor tree was replanted at the now memorial site, exhibiting the resilience of life of all kinds. 

I had no idea I would read two books about the 9/11 Survivor tree today. I enjoyed both of them and they both support each other. I’e read a couple of other picture books about the tree – both of those told from the tree’s point of view which I did not enjoy as much (look them up on Amazon). I am going to suggest to our creative writing teacher that she use the set of four, maybe five books as the basis of a unit – I think It’d be very informative for students to evaluate them. Enough of that – this in particular is a worthy book besides its usefulness in the classroom. Coleen handles the subject gently and lovingly, infusing hope and positivity into a brutal memory. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Merry Witchmas by Petell Marie Ozbay, Tess La Bella, and Sonya Abby - OPTIONAL

Merry Witchmas by Petell Marie Ozbay and Tess La Bella, illustrated by Sonya Abby. PICTURE BOOK. Boyds Mill, SEPT 2021. $18. 9781635923186 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Witches are supposed to love Halloween, but Ginger’s heart yearns for Christmas. But in order to get her yearned for visit from Santa, she has to get him to believe in witches. 

Instead of an edgy Nightmare before Christmas style mashup, Ginger feels more Pollyanna. While I applaud the concept, the creep factor is just not high enough to make this an absolute must. 

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Hair Twins by Raakhee Mirchandani and Holly Hatam - ADVISABLE

Hair Twins by Raakhee Mirchandani, illustrated by Holly Hatam. Little Brown, 2021. $18. 9780316495301 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A Sikh father and daughter sometimes wear their long hair in the same style Beyond that they enjoy life together to its fullest. 

 A sweet look at a father/child bond and a celebration of a cultural tradition. Excellent peek into a slice of life that may be unfamiliar to many. 

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Sunny Makes a Splash by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm - ESSENTIAL

Sunny Makes a Splash by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm, 224 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Scholastic September 2021 $13 (paperback). 

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

12yo Sunny made it through her first year of middle school, but now summer is in full swing and all her friends are busy or away. No one will even be in town for her 13th birthday. Luckily, on a visit with her mom's friend to the country club for a swim, Sunny sees Tony, a boy she knows from school, working the snack shack. When the pool is cleared for "adult swim" and the shack gets super busy, Sunny helps out and Tony's dad offers her a summer job! 

I love this series so much! Sunny is adorable, I enjoy the nostalgia of the 70s - the bikes, the candy, the ice cream - even the country club - reminds me of my 12yo summers at the pool. Sunny's mom is priceless (and exactly like my mom) so suspicious and worried that Tony may have nefarious plans, when he's just a really nice boy. Full color illustrations and a great story. Stands on its own, but your library absolutely needs the whole set. 

Lisa Librarian

The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun's Tomb by Candace Fleming - ESSENTIAL

The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun's Tomb by Candace Fleming, 304 pages. NON-FICTION Scholastic Focus September 2021 $19.

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Starting with an ancient looting of the tomb, and concluding with present day theories about a curse, Candace Fleming's account of Howard Carter and his discovery and processing of Tutankhamun's tomb is both exciting and gripping. 

I loved the side notes about the deaths of those involved, and how she asked a question at the end of each, inviting the reader to decide whether or not a curse was involved. Full of captioned photographs, a bibliography and source note - budding archeologists as well as those interested in mummies and curses will not be able to put this down. A fascinating non-fiction read.

Lisa Librarian

The Promise Witch by Celine Kiernan - ADVISABLE

The Promise Witch (Wild Magic #3) by Celine Kiernan 215 pages. Candlewick Press, 2020. $16

Language: PG (2 swears); Mature Content: G. Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Ever since the deposed queen/witch sent the cursed winter, the weather around the castle has been unpredictable. Now there is a terrible drought. But Mup's mam, the new queen, is trying her best to unite the people; even opening a school for children where they can learn all the magic. But Crow is doing some magic of his own, and when his song conjures a monster, his mother, Magda, returns with a touch that turns things to ash and a mission to put the old queen back on the throne. Mup is compelled to get involved. 

The final installment of the Wild Magic Trilogy is just as creepy and exciting. Wraps up nicely with some great life lessons about respecting others' talents and differences, the strength of community and trusting in your abilities. Kiernan is a talented Irish author, and I hope to see more of her books published in the US.

Lisa Librarian

Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter - ESSENTIAL

Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter, 238 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix (Scholastic), 2021. $13.

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

More than anything else, 10yo Maggie wants a dog. Everyone in her family has someone - she has twin younger brothers, her parents are expecting another baby and Maggie is sure that a dog is the perfect companion. So she visits the shelter and finds the perfect dog, Maggie is in heaven - her dreams have come true. Until she starts itching and sneezing. That's right, before they can even bring the dog home, Maggie has an allergic reaction - in fact, the doctor confirms, it's not just dogs, it's any animal with fur or feathers. So much for getting a family pet. Then, when her best friend next door adopts a dog, Maggie feels personally attacked. How could she do this? Claire knew Maggie was allergic! 

Allergic is fun and angsty - in the same vein as Sisters (Telgemeier), Roller Girl (Jamieson) and Real Friends (Hale), it will find a similar audience. Maggie is realistic, funny and learning a lesson about herself. I loved the illustrations - the pictures of Maggie's itchy arms brought back memories of my own child's allergies. I loved that it wasn't a single story - besides the allergy problem it's also about building friendships, getting along with your family, and starting again in a new school. Buying a few copies, because one won't be enough. 

Lisa Librarian