That Thing About Bollywood by Supriya Kelkar - OPTIONAL

That Thing About Bollywood by Supriya Kelkar, 339 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2021. $18 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

11yo Sonali has her hands full dealing with her parents’ looming divorce and dealing with her little brother’s outbursts as he absorbs the news – good girl Sonali knows you aren’t supposed to actually express all of those feelings – it isn’t seemly. But her life starts turning into a Bollywood movie – dance numbers, over the top singing, and luridly colored costuming. Everyone around her finds each change to be normal, but Sonali is worried that if she doesn’t figure out how to change things, her life be stuck in Bollywood forever. 

A sweet message about not hiding your true feelings wrapped up in a flashy Bollywood-style setting. Don’t get distracted by the Bollywood – Sonali is learning real life lessons here and struggling to deal with the break-up of her family. The main characters are all from India.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Secret Letters by Margaret Peterson Haddix - ADVISABLE

The Secret Letters (Mysteries of Trash and Treasure #1) by Margaret Peterson Haddix, 360 pages. Katherine Tegen (Harper), 2022. $17 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12 yo Colin is spending his summer helping his mom at her organizing business. When he finds a shoebox of letters, he decides to rescue them. 12yo Nevaeh is also working with a parent this summer – her father, the Junk King. While their parents aren’t friends, Colin and Nevaeh come together to read the letters from the 1970’s and solve the mystery of why two fast friends suddenly stopped speaking to each other. Then Nevaeh also finds a letter – but one that hints at a modern mystery – did Colin’s mother sabotage her father’s business? 

The interplay between the two new friends is a nice echo of the mystery from the 1970’s. I enjoyed watching the modern kids as they tried to juggle their families and perhaps reunite two former friends. While not Haddix’s strongest writing, still satisfying. Nevaeh does continually bring up the differences between women’s choices in the 1970’s and now. The characters default to white. 

 Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Wretched Waterpark by Kiersten White - ADVISABLE

The Wretched Waterpark (Sinister Summer #1) by Kiersten White, 232 pages. Delacorte (Random), 2022. $20 

Content: G (mild danger) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Twins Alex and Theo have been left with their older sister Wil at their Aunt Saffronia’s when their parents leave on an extended trip. Distracted and/or down-right strange, their aunt buys them a week’s pass for the local waterpark – Fathoms of Fear. Things at the park are even weirder than at Aunt Saffronia’s. While the gothic motif is pretty awesome, the creepy proprietess, Mrs. Widow, whose husband seems to be missing, is not. And what waterpark doesn’t have churros! While Wil seems to be glued to her phone, Alex and Theo decide that they are going to solve the mystery on their own. 

White has begun what is sure to be an epic summer of mystery for the Sinister-Winterbottom siblings. While the comparisons to Lemony Snickett are inevitable, I see this more as getting younger students ready for White’s books for older readers. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Dark Was Done by Lauren Stringer - ADVISABLE

The Dark was Done by Lauren Stringer. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane (Simon), 2022. $19. 9781534462922 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The Dark was tired of everyone being afraid of it, so it decided to leave. At first everyone was happy to no longer be afraid. Gradually, though, people started remembering the gifts that came only from the Dark. It takes a young boy to go on adventure to find where the Dark is hiding. 

Stringer’s book read s like a modern fable – a sweet way to show students of many ages the gifts of the Dark and why we should not be afraid. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Booker the Library Bat by Jess M. Brallier and Jeff Harter - ADVISABLE

Booker the Library Bat by Jess M. Brallier, illustrated by Jeff Harter. PICTURE BOOK. Pixel & Ink, 2022. $18. 9781645950462 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

It’s Booker’s first night as a library bat – eating the bugs before they can eat the pages. While he’s worried that he will measure up to the other bats, he listens carefully to their tales. When Booker spies a thief among the books, he uses the knowledge of the other’s stories and their help in order to thwart the villain. 

At first I thought Braillier’s portrayal of each bat was over-the-top stereotypes – but Brallier was clever and used those stereotypes to aide Booker. Harter’s illustrations are a little flat and cartoonish, but the story’s charm almost makes up for that. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Through the North Pole Snow by Polly Faber and Richard Jones - ADVISABLE

Through the North Pole Snow by Polly Faber, illustrated by Richard Jones. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2022. $19. 9781536228526 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The fox searches for food on the cold, white landscape and stumbles into the home of a white-bearded man who welcomes the creature. Together they sleep away winter to spring – when the man starts building and making toys of all sorts. And through the end of fall, which brings letters from all over. When the man invites the fox to help him distribute the toys, the fox understands. Faber’s text and Jones’s illustrations combine for a dreamy, charming story of acceptance and love, centered around Christmas without being kitschy. Normally, I am not a huge Santa fan, but the depth within this book draw to it beyond the Santa-ness of it. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

What’s You Name? by Bethanie Deeney Murguia - ADVSIABLE

What’s You Name? by Bethanie Deeney Murguia. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2022. $19. 9781536218565 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

How important, how useful is your name – or anyone’s name? Come along and explore. 

Murguia has written a book on a topic I didn’t even know I wanted to read about. Her rhyming couplets flow throughout – and her illustrations are adorable and detailed – so much so that I most of the time forgot to read the words. A tiny minority might get theirs panties wadded because on one page a Louis tries on a tutu and an “A” on the end of their name – but don’t be afraid! Cuteness abounds! 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

All He Knew by Helen Frost - ADVISABLE

All He Knew by Helen Frost, 254 pages. Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, 2020. $18

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (abuse, death of children) ; Violence: PG (threats, talk of war, child slapped)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Due to a high fever, Henry has been deaf since the age 4. Economically stressed from both the Great Depression and now the start of World War II, Henry’s family doesn’t have the means to educate a deaf child, so Henry is sent to a state institution for “unteachable” children. Conditions here are terrible, but Henry makes friends and learns to survive. After several years a young man named Victor comes to work at the facility. He can see Henry’s intelligence and doesn’t just stand by to allow conditions to stay the same.

This story is loosely based on actual events in the author’s family’s past. Frost writes a beautiful novel-in-verse of a child who never loses hope, and of the family that continues to love him. The abuse, death, and violence that are part of the plot are handled delicately and without a lot of detail, as seen through the eyes of young Henry, who doesn’t fully understand what’s going on around him. While the setting is dark, Henry’s innocence and spirit never dim. This is a quick yet powerful read that sheds light on actual events from U.S. history, and includes themes of kindness, acceptance, hope, and choosing peace over violence. The characters in this novel are implied to be white.

Tammie H., Librarian 

Room for More by Michelle Kadarusman and Maggie Zeng - ADVISABLE

Room for More by Michelle Kadarusman, illustrated by Maggie Zeng. PICTURE BOOK . Pajama Press Inc, 2022. $19. 9781772782523

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Two wombats share their burrow to save other types of animals from the horrible fires; one more reluctantly than the other. Of course, they come to see that working together helps all of them.

Inspired by reports of animals finding safety in wombat burrows during the Australian bushfires of 2019-2020, the author creates a story of animals helping each other. The illustrations are soft and unfocused except for the expressions on the faces of the animals. This draws attention to the human qualities they are expressing. The end of the book includes a glossary and notes about the natural disasters being worsened by climate change. This would be a good book to include in an Earth Day type unit.

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian 

Reindeer Helper by Christy Webster, Alejandro Mesa and Chiara Florentino - ADVISABLE

Reindeer Helper (Uni the Unicorn) by Christy Webster, illustrated by Alejandro Mesa and Chiara Florentino. PICTURE BOOK. Random house, 2022. $11. 9780593178096

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Uni and the little girl are ready for Christmas. When Uni hears a sound outside, it isn’t Santa – it’s a little lost reindeer! Together Uni and deer work to catch up with Santa and discover they need to help, too, because Santa’s sleigh is out of balance and presents are being misdelivered!

The text is based on Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s books, illustrations based by Brigette Barrager’s work. While not the original author and illustrator, Uni is still so adorable, I can’t resist.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Heart of the Storm by Sharon Mentyka and Ellen Rooney - ADVISABLE

The Heart of the Storm by Sharon Mentyka, illustrated by Ellen Rooney. NON FICTION PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY. Little Bigfoot (Sasquatch Books), 2022. $19. 9781632172884

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Sue Bird an active fun loving girl who loves to run, jump, and climb all over everything. As she grows she finds that she is naturally gifted at almost any sport she tries. She also discovers a gift that she can see or hear something once and repeat it verbatim. Basketball ends up being her favorite. She is a natural leader on and off the court helping her teammates to stay focused and win. She excels in high school and college basketball and pushes herself to excellence. She achieves her dream and is drafted in the WNBA as well as competing in many Olympic games. This story reminds us that hard things create winners and leaders. I highly recommend this book.

Mentyka writes extremely well. She does a beautiful job of keeping things concise for a picture book and yet give wonderful details to expand on the story. However, the illustrations felt a little off to me. It's like the people were anatomically off just a little bit. The people almost seemed to be floating on the page instead of on the background. As a motivational story, though, it is great for elementary up to high school. I loved reading this charming story.

Emilee-Librarian 

Books Aren't For Eating by Carlie Sorosiak and Manu Montoya - OPTIONAL

Books Aren't For Eating by Carlie Sorosiak, illustrated by Manu Montoya. PICTURE BOOK. Walker Books, 2022. $18. 9781536214963

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Leopold is a bookstore-owning goat with a knack for matching the perfect book with a new reader. A visit to his shop gives every reader a wonderful new book to read. One day Leopold is thrilled to see another goat enter his shop! Leopold is sure this goat will love reading books as much as he does, until he starts to eat them! Leopold must find the best way to show the goat that books are for reading, not eating. 

Montoya's illustrations make me feel like I'm in a cozy bookstore. Leopold is a caring goat - about his customers and about his books. Readers who know how important books are will feel an instant connection to Leopold and his predicament. This story can a launch great lesson and discussion about how we should treat books. However, the storyline is not captivating for little ones who haven’t built up that relationship with books. For a picture book, my child was not interested in exploring this story or characters more than once.

Mariah Gerlach, MLS

Let’s Get a Christmas Tree! By Lori Haskins Houran and Nila Aye - ADVISABLE

Let’s Get a Christmas Tree! By Lori Haskins Houran, illustrated by Nila Aye. LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK. Golden Books (Random), 2022. $6. 9780593306536

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A family is ready to pick their Christmas tree from the lot and decorate it, ready for Christmas.

The diverse family is pretty cute, the book it pretty simple, with sweet illustrations evoking the right feeling if you have wintery Christmases.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Night Before the Nutcracker by John Robert Allman and Julianna Swaney - LOW

The Night Before the Nutcracker (American Ballet Theatre presents) by John Robert Allman, illustrated by Julianna Swaney. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday (Random), 2022. $19. 9780593180914

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Allman tries to set a story about dancers preparing and then performing The Nutcracker, using the rhythm of The Night Before Christmas. Tries – because it does not carry all the way through with the same excitement and interest of the original. Anyone trying to read this aloud like the original will soon lose track of the rhythm. While anyone who has danced in The Nutcracker might enjoy this, it has limited appeal for a wider audience.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

King Kong's Cousin by Mark Teague

King Kong's Cousin by Mark Teague. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books (Simon), 2022. $19. 9781665912303

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Junior is a little gorilla living in 1933 New York City. His cousin is the famous gorilla, King Kong. Junior, with his cat, Bernice, watches King Kong perform amazing feats of strength and courage while wondering if he will ever measure up.

Mark Teague uses a gray-scale color scheme reminiscent of the original King Kong movie set in 1933. It creates a nostalgic feeling for those familiar with the reference. Then, in the illustrations of King Kong performing his feats, Junior and Bernice are shown gazing wistfully on from the distance. Teague captures that feeling of admiring someone and envying them at the same time. A nice story about wanting to grow up to be like our heroes.

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian

Out Of This World by Sally M. Walker and Mathew Trueman - ADVISABLE

Out Of This World by Sally M. Walker, illustrated by Mathew Trueman. PICTURE BOOK/NON FICTION. Candlewick Press, 2022. $19. 9781536203561

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Galileo ponders space. The Hubble telescope photographs deep space. A minuscule speck grows into the universe. Galaxies, nebulas, planets and flaming stars are born. Space fuels our curiosity. Astronauts land on the moon and scientists search for life on Mars. There are many wonders in the heavens such as comets, shooting stars, and eclipses.

Out Of This World is a delightful sensory experience. It is a wonderful union of art and science. The illustrations are fascinating and luminously beautiful. The Haiku's are fun and instructive adding another layer of beauty to the book. The illustrations will speak to a younger audience while the haikus are enjoyable to an older audience.

PGPowers 

Christmas Street by Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Ingela P. Arrhenius - ESSENTIAL

Christmas Street by Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Ingela P. Arrhenius. BOARD BOOK. Nosy Crow (Candlewick), 2021. $18. 9781536227529

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Delight in Christmas A-Z as you lift the flaps and read the short rhyming poetry here.

Emmett and Arrhenius have pulled out all of the stops in their interactive, display-worth Christmas board book. The 13 pages are double-sided and the whole things pulls out accordion-style to create an instant tabletop display. I may not have a Christmas village at my house, but will certainly be setting this one up! The short poems rhyme well, and there is even at least one homophone joke embedded amongst them. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Donkey’s Song by Jacki Kellum and Sydney Hanson - ADVISABLE

The Donkey’s Song: a Christmas nativity story by Jacki Kellum, illustrated by Sydney Hanson. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2022. $19. 9780593375051

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The little donkey that carried Mary to Bethlehem, delights in the wonders of the stable and the events of the Babe’s birth.

Dreamy illustrations are the highlight here, but Kellum’s sparse rhyming text does work as a read aloud (I tried it). Definitely a book I will buy for my personal collection.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Bloom by Ruth Forman and Talia Skyles - ADVISABLE

Bloom by Ruth Forman, illustrated by Talia Skyles. BOARD BOOK. Simon and Schuster Kids, 2022. $9. 9781665903035

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Picture a beautiful garden full of colorful flowers. Imagine girls of color between the ages of 4-8yo in fun colorful clothes enjoying this delightful garden. Forman likens these girls to flowers and how each blooms in their own way.

Skyles does an enchanting job illustrating this book for young readers. I can picture a toddler looking at this book over and over again. The text is simple and repetitive helping with early reading concepts. The diversity of the flowers and the girls on each page makes this book that much more wonderful. The way she has drawn their eyes is my favorite part. They are so expressive.

Emilee Librarian 

All Cats Welcome by Susin Nielsen and Vivian Mineker - HIGH

All Cats Welcome by Susin Nielsen, illustrated by Vivian Mineker. PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum (Simon), 2022. $19. 9781534476974

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Leonard is a cat who loves his human, but he gets lonely while his human is not home. He sees another cat in an apartment building across the street. He decides to sneak out and meet the other cat. They become friends. On one of Leonard's excursions he becomes stuck inside his new friend’s apartment and can’t get home to his human. He can see through the window that his human is sad. Leonard is treated really nice at his friends house, but will he ever get back to his human?

All Cats Welcome tugged at my heart while Leonard was lost. Leonard’s thoughts and adventures are delightful to watch through clever words and cute illustrations. All “humans” will relate to this book as Leonard finds a place where all cats and their humans are welcome.

PGPowers 

Jingle Bells (Sing along with Me) illustrated by Yu-hsuan Huang - OPTIONAL

Jingle Bells (Sing along with Me) illustrated by Yu-hsuan Huang. BOARD BOOK. Nosy Crow (Candlewick), 2021. $9. 9781536227451

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Sing along to the classic Christmas tune as you maneuver the sturdy tabs, sliders, and spinners. Only the chorus is covered here, so it is super short.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Bear Looks for Santa Claus by Jannie Ho - ADVISABLE

Bear Looks for Santa Claus by Jannie Ho. BOARD BOOK. Nosy Crow (Candlewick), 2016. $9. 9781536227536

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Little Bear is looking all over the house for Santa. He finds lots of his friends getting the last touches ready, but no sign of Santa. Maybe if he goes to sleep Santa will come?

The Tiny Tab series is cute – Ho has such a charming illustrative hand. You have to be careful, though, because sometimes the pull tabs are sticky, or challenging to pull – some young friends will probably need help.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Fog Catcher's Daughter by Marianne McShane and Alan Marks - OPTIONAL

The Fog Catcher's Daughter by Marianne McShane, illustrated by Alan Marks. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2022. $19. 9781536211306

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Eily is a young, white girl that lives with her father on the Irish coast near the enchanted isle of Lisnashee. Eily's father is a Fog Catcher. Every year he must make the sea journey to the island of Lisnashee to collect fairy water. The fairy water protects the people of his town from the fairies. After he leaves, Eily discovers that he has left behind his protective charm. Eily takes her own boat to go after her father and rescue him. 

Marks has beautiful watercolor illustrations. Unfortunately, I had to read the story several times before I understood it. I am concerned that the story would be difficult for children to understand. 

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

The Not-So-Uniform Life of Holly-Mei by Christina Matula - ADVISABLE

The Not-So-Uniform Life of Holly-Mei by Christina Matula, 268 pages. Inkyard Press, 2022. $17.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

12yo Holly-Mei is always blurting out things and getting herself into trouble, which is why her friends aren’t talking to her at the moment. She thinks there couldn’t be anything worse until her mom tells the family she got a promotion at work and they are relocating to Hong Kong. Holly-Mei isn’t excited about going, but when the cold shoulder from her friends doesn’t look like it’s stopping anytime soon, she jumps into moving with both feet. What could be more exciting than an opportunity to live abroad and make new friends? Her Ah-ma (grandma) warns her that moving and making friends can be both bitter and sweet and that there will be an adjustment period, but Holly-Mei is convinced the move will be so wonderful that she barely registers what her grandma says. Next thing she knows, her family is in Hong Kong, she has started a new school and has already been invited to a party. Unfortunately, an incident at the party leaves Holly-Mei wondering if her Ah-ma might have been right. 

Matula writes a story that touches on friendship, family and trying new things, with an added glimpse of life in Hong Kong. It was engaging, the characters were relatable, and the story was realistic. Holly-Mei has a good relationship with her sister and a support system from both her parents and her grandma. A handful of terms throughout the story that may be unfamiliar to the reader, but it won’t hinder their understanding and the author includes a glossary of terms and a few recipes from the story. 

Reviewer: RB 

The Green Umbrella by Jackie Azua Kramer and Maral Sassouni - HIGH

The Green Umbrella by Jackie Azua Kramer, illustrated by Maral Sassouni. PICTURE BOOK. NorthSouth Books, 2017. $12 (paper). 9780735845039 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Elephant is keeping dry from the rain with his green umbrella. Along comes a hedgehog who thinks that the elephant’s umbrella is his boat. Elephant says he must be mistaken but offers to share the umbrella. Other animal also come by thinking it is their tent, flying machine, cane and more. Elephant is very kind and shares with them all, but who will get the green umbrella?

I really enjoyed The Green Umbrella. I appreciated the creativity of using the green umbrella in many exciting and different ways. I liked Elephant's character and how kind he was to all the animals. The illustrations were cute and told much of the story. The Green Umbrella encourages the imagination in each of us, and our desire to share and make friends.

PGPowers 

Bizzy Bear: Snow Sports by Benji Davies - ADVISABLE

Bizzy Bear: Snow Sports by Benji Davies. BOARD BOOK. Nosy Crow (Candlewick), 2021. $9. 9781536227437

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Bizzy Bear and friends are hitting the snowy slopes on their next adventure.

The four interactive tabs are sturdy and will stand up to lots of abuse – so no worry giving this to the littlest hands. If I had a grandchild, I would buy most of the Bizzy Bear books.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Moo, Baa, Fa La La La La! By Sandra Boynton - ESSENTIAL

Moo, Baa, Fa La La La La! By Sandra Boynton. BOARD BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2022. $7. 9781665914352

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The animals are all excited for Christmas and they have a song to express their glee. Be very careful – Deck the Halls is about to be filled with totally new words – and you will probably hear it over and over once your small friends have it memorized! But super cute – so it is probably worth the repetition?!

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Out of Range by Heidi Lang - ADVISABLE

Out of Range by Heidi Lang, 309 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Margaret K McElderry Books (Simon), 2022. $18. 9781665903349

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Abby (14), Emma(12) and Ollie(9) are sisters that have been sent to Camp Unplugged because they have been feuding for months. After moving from California to Utah, the relationship between the three sisters has become almost non existent. Their parents hope that being in the wilderness will help the girls learn to get along again. While on a hike, the girls get lost and face many perilous situations. 

Lang writes a cross between an adventure book and realistic fiction. I really enjoyed how the chapters alternate between the sister's struggles to survive in the wilderness and flashbacks of how their relationship became strained. I did not want to stop reading this book because it was so action packed! Out of Range would be very appealing to 5th and 6th graders. The girls are portrayed as white in the illustrations.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real by Margery Williams and Erin Stead - ESSENTIAL

The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real by Margery Williams, illustrated by Erin Stead. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday (Random House), 2022 (new illustrations). $20. 9780593382103

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This is the 100th Anniversary Edition of Williams classic tale. The Velveteen Rabbit and his adventures in the nursery. He lives the typical life of a toy. He's loved especially when he is played with on Christmas morning. But as time goes by he is forgotten as other toys overshadow him. Until, one night the boy couldn't find his China dog in whom he always slept with. He soon becomes the boy's constant companion to the point where he gets threadbare. The real question is when toys are loved that much can they truly become real?

This has been one of my favorite stories since childhood. The tale is truly charming and relatable, and that's what makes it a classic. The illustrator Erin Stead does a beautiful job using wood block printing and pencil. This medium of illustration keeps the story timeless and yet making it very fun to visualize.

E McCoy-Librarian 

Creepy Crayon! By Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown - ESSENTIAL

Creepy Crayon! By Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown. Simon and Schuster, 2022. $19. 9781534465886 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Jasper Rabbit at first pleased that the purple crayon he found is helping him get straight A’s. But pleasure quickly turns to terror as the creepy crayon does its job, despite Jasper banishing it, hiding it, melting it. Jasper just wants to go back to getting the Cs he earned all on his own. What can he do?! 

I love that Reynolds and Brown have chosen purple for the latest Creepy book. As an adult, I of course love the theme of not cheating, but kids won’t need to notice that – they will just love it. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS https://www.kingsenglish.com/book/9781534465886

Truck or Treat by Hannah Eliot and Jen Taylor - ADVISABLE

Truck or Treat by Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Jen Taylor. BOARD BOOK. Little Simon, 2022. $8. 9781665915977 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

What are these strange creatures? Those costumes look at bit spooky, a bit sparkly – and each of them is hiding a truck friend! 

I love that Eliot specifically chose each costume to fit the jobs of each truck, without being literal and Taylor made each costume clever and pretty. The flaps are fun to lift for little ones. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

I Found Hope in a Cherry Tree by Jean E. Pendzinol - ESSENTIAL

I Found Hope in a Cherry Tree by Jean E. Pendzinol, illustrated by Nathalie Dion. PICTURE BOOK. Groundwood Books, 2020. $19. 9781773062204

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Nature is beautiful, but also harsh. Experiencing what the world has to offer can bring many contradictions, but many wonderful discoveries. Shadows can be friendly, but then leave. Snowflakes can be soft and fluffy, but then sharp and icy. Cherry trees begin with hope in the autumn, but then bloom with joy in the spring.

A charming story that is elevated by beautiful illustrations. Young readers will be introduced to the contradictions that nature has to offer. What is one day fun and friendly may seem scary the next, but with time and patience, hope and joy will always be there in the end.

AEB

Peace by Baptiste Paul and Miranda Paul - ESSENTIAL

Peace by Baptiste Paul and Miranda Paul, illustrated by Esteli Meza. PICTURE BOOK. North South Books, 2021. $19. 9780735844490 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

From the simplest gestures to the biggest action, everyone is capable of creating and nurturing peace. 

Gorgeous illustrations accompany a story of how to find and generate peace. Young readers are given the tools that they need to understand peace and how they create it in their own lives. The authors have included information at the end of the book detailing the civil war in Mozambique and the hope for recovery and the creation of lasting peace. Also, published in Spanish. 

AEB

Three Strike Summer by Skyler Schrempp - ADVISABLE

Three Strike Summer by Skyler Schrempp. 320 pages. McElderry Books Simon and Schuster, 2022. $18.

Language: PG (7 swears, 0 'f');  Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Gloria and her family are having a tough time. It's the 1930s and they live in Oklahoma. Their farm failed again and they are mourning the death of their baby brother. When the bank forecloses on the farm, they load everything they own into their truck and head to California. Gloria is a really good pitcher, and when the family gets work at a peach orchard, Gloria hopes to join the boys in their game. 

An engaging story - times were hard, not just because the farm failed, but the families looking for work were mistreated and cheated out of money and resources due to them. Some fun baseball action and a bit of danger in the orchard. Historical fiction can be a hard sell, but sports lovers will like this too. Will probably purchase.

Lisa Librarian

Rosie and the Pre-loved Dress by Leanne Hatch - ADVISABLE

Rosie and the Pre-loved Dress by Leanne Hatch. PICTURE BOOK Putnam (Penguin). 2022 $18.00 9780593354483 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When Rosie and her mom are dropping off a donation at the thrift store, she spots a yellow dress with rhinestones and they buy it. Oh, she loves it so much and wears it a lot. The tag has a name on it - Mila - Rosie likes to imagine the adventures Mila had in the beautiful yellow dress. 

I love this perspective on thrift store clothing. Pre-loved is a great way to look at it. Hatch's illustrations are colorful and cute. A great read I know the kids will love.

Lisa Librarian

The Dragon in the Library by Louie Stowell and Davide Ortu - ADVISABLE

The Dragon in the Library (Kit the Wizard #1) by Louie Stowell, illustrated by Davide Ortu, 224 pages. Nosy Crow (Candlewick), 2019. $18

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

10yo Kit really doesn't like to read. She likes to actually experience danger, not read about it. But when her friends Alita and Josh bring her to the library, she discovers that she is really a wizard, and that she's part of a community grounded in the books, and yes, the building that is the library. In fact, there's a sleeping dragon in the basement! But, when an enterprising developer tries to buy the library, and destroy everything, it might be up to Kit and her friends to try to save the day. 

The Dragon in the library is a fun adventure! Lots of action, a couple of bad guys,  and a whole lot of silliness. I would love to read this aloud to a class! Ortu's black and white illustrations are plentiful and lend the perfect visuals to the story. The first in a series of 3 so far. 

Lisa Librarian

Granny and Bean by Karen Hesse and Charlotte Voake - ADVISABLE

Granny and Bean by Karen Hesse, illustrated by Charlotte Voake .PICTURE BOOK Candlewick. 2022 $19. 9781536214048 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

One cold day, Granny and Bean took a walk on the beach. They let the waves reach their boots, and they listened to the birds. They happily walked through the wind, even though it blew their hats off and made their cheeks red and their hair drippy. They were headed to something wonderful! 

AJ and I loved this book. It reminded both of us of a trip we took together to the beach. Even though it was a different season, we had a similar experience. Hesse's text is poetic, while the illustrations are perfect, expressive, and realistic - we could feel the cold wind and the moist air. We both loved Granny and Bean very much!

Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 6)

The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason and Byron Eggenschwiler - ESSENTIAL

The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler. PICTURE BOOK Tundra/PengRanCanada. 2020. $19. 9780735264472  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

A little ghost is different from his parents and his friends - instead of being a sheet, he is a quilt. His great-grandmother had been a lace curtain. It's hard for him to move quickly and fly through the air, one day he couldn't get away in time and had to look like a quilt on a park bench. The other ghosts even call him a name - Scrappy. But on Halloween, he has a plan to watch the trick-or-treaters from someone's front porch, but the evening doesn't go as expected. 

What a delightful story! I was intrigued by the quilt, and love the story so much I keep sharing it with everyone. The illustrations, mostly in grays and browns and oranges - except the ghost is a blue patchwork, are beautiful - reminiscent of picture books from the 1950s. AJ loved it! She said it was Halloweenie, but was fun for any time in the autumn. She also drew a patchwork ghost in school the next day as the book was still on her mind. So fun, highly recommended.

Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 6)

The Hero Handbook by Matt Langdon - ADVISABLE

The Hero Handbook by Matt Langdon, 146 pages. NONFICTION. Magination Press (American Psychological Association), 2021. $15.

Language: G (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Who is your hero? Langdon breaks down what qualifies someone to be a hero and uses both real and fictional heroes to teach readers that we can all learn to be heroes. Heroes make goals, go on real and metaphorical  journeys, defeat enemies, and help others – with the assistance of their hero teams.

While Langdon focuses his book on a younger audience, the principles are applicable to everyone, regardless of age and stage of life. The principles are centered around this idea that each of us can change the world and save lives, a concept that sounds unrealistic in those terms – but Langdon makes me feel like it is actually possible. Like everything else, we can practice heroism until we become heroes, and Langdon gives readers steps to get there.

The language rating is for one use of the word “damn” in the context of discussing how it is a swear word in some countries but not in others. The mature content rating is for mentions of sex, drugs, alcohol, and illegal activities. The violence rating is for mentions of threats, gun use, and suicide, and for discussions of life-endangering situations.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

Ways to Make Friends by Jairo Buitrago and Mariana Ruiz Johnson - ADVISABLE

Ways to Make Friends by Jairo Buitrago and Mariana Ruiz Johnson. PICTURE BOOK Greystone (Deborah Sloan). 2022. $23. 9781771649759 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A young frog has some "good advice for making friends". Like sitting under a tree and waiting, or giving everyone paper dolls you have made, or even saying high at least 40 times (if someone is shy). Some of his advice isn't very good, like talking to the stranger next to you during a movie or setting your aunt's bird free (the bird will fly away but will always remember what you did and be your friend). In the end, the frog gives ideas about things you can do by yourself. 

AJ and I liked this book. The illustrations are fun - much of the story isn't in the text, but rather in the illustrations - while the frog is waiting under the tree, he doesn't see all the friends who are IN the tree, he doesn't notice the irritated face of the hippo at the movies as the frog reaches for her popcorn. AJ recognized that his ideas weren't working and saw that there were plenty of animals playing with each other, the frog just isn't included. We talked about other ways to make friends that might be more successful. 

 Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 6)

B is for Broadway by John Robert Allman and Peter Emmerich - GIFT

B is for Broadway: Onstage and Backstage from A to Z by John Robert Allman, illustrated by Peter Emmerich. PICTURE BOOK, NON-FICTION Doubleday Penguin Random House, 2021 $19. 9780593305638 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Another Broadway Alphabet Book! I love these so much! This time, it's all about the shows and what goes on backstage - but don't worry, there's still all sorts of stars and playwrights and composers and directors and everyone cleverly characterized by Peter Emmerich. 

 Another fun read with my theater friends trying to guess who everyone is - and we were almost always right! I loved the attention given to the support people, the costumers and wig makers, the ensemble, the understudies, and the national tours. A wonderful reference is included with 5 pages of mini bios and credit for all the people included in this fun picture book. I need to say, though, that this would be a much better gift for the adult or teen drama geek, than as a bedtime story for a 5 year-old. I hope to see more! Encore!!!!!

Lisa Librarian

William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream retold by Georghia Ellinas and Jane Ray - HIGH

William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream retold by Georghia Ellinas, illustrated by Jane Ray. PICTURE BOOK Candlewick Press, 2021. $18. 9781536217735 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Robin Goodfellow (Puck) tells the story of Hermia, Lysander, Demetrius and Helena, and how the king of the fairies, Oberon and his queen Titania are in an argument that causes trouble for the young lovers. Hermia and Lysander had run away to get married, and Hermia's best friend Helena would like to catch the attention of Demetrius, but he isn't interested in Helena, he's planning to marry Hermia. King Opberon sends Puck to put a magic elixer in Demetrius eyes, but he get the wrong man, and the lovers get all mixed up, Poor Puck - he's got quit a mess to undo. 

I can't get over the illustrations, so beautiful. It's hard to put a full Shakespeare play into a short picture book, and I loved this retelling. It didn't feel like a synopsis, rather a story of its own. I can see reading this with a young Shakespeare cast to give them the background knowledge of the story. Showing this to my theater teacher right now! The only draw back. it's larger than my other picture books, while it fits on the shelf, it's both taller and wider.

Lisa Librarian

My Two Border Towns by David Bowles and Erika Meza - ADVISABLE

My Two Border Towns by David Bowles, illustrated by Erika Meza. PICTURE BOOK Kokila (Penguin Random House), 2021. $18. 9780593111048 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Every other Sunday, a little boy and his dad visit "the other side". They drive through town, and pay to cross at the border. The town on the other side of the river is the twin of the boy's town. They visit the boy's Uncle and cousins, then they get the things on mom's list, including t-shirts. treats and a prescription. On the way back, they stop on the bridge. The boy has a friend who is a refugee - living on the bridge because neither the US nor Mexico will take him. The boy leaves his family with many of the things they purchased, and they hope for the day everyone can travel freely back and forth 

Oh! What a surprise - this review is a bit of a spoiler, but so poignant, I couldn't leave it out. What started as a cute story about driving to another town to shop turned into a real life story about community, caring for each other, and the problems happening at the border, Wow. 

Lisa Librarian

In the Garden with Flori by Sonja Danowski and Marshall Yarbrough - ADVISABLE

In the Garden with Flori by Sonja Danowski, translated from German by Marshall Yarbrough. PICTURE BOOK North South, 2021. $20 9780735844582 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When Linn's grandpa ends up in the hospital with a broken foot, Linn offers to take care of his garden for him. Granpa's garden is in a greenhouse, so Linn gets to work watering, and Flori, her dog, gets to work digging, eventually digging himself out of the greenhouse. It rained that night, and by morning when Linn got to the greenhouse, there were snails everywhere! They had come in though the hole Flori dug and have munched on everything! Taking a picture for grandpa is now awkward - he's not going to like that the snails had a visit. Linn needs to think of something fast. 

Oh the beautiful illustrations! Linn's families clothes were so colorful, like patchwork quilts or harlequins. And the message of the story, being responsible and taking responsibility were great. I love the way grandpa reacted when he saw the damage the snails had done. It was also very interesting to read about the common snails in the "snail book".

Lisa Librarian

Look Grandma! Ni, Elisi! by Art Coulson and Madelyn Goodnight - ADVISABLE

Look Grandma! Ni, Elisi! by Art Coulson, Illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight. PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge, 2021. $16. 9781623542030 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Bo and his uncle Ben have been working on crafts to sell at the Cherokee National Holiday. Bo has been making marbles. His uncles invites him to come sell, he's finally old enough! So Bo looks for the perfect container, but the one he finds is too large for their small booth. How can he make the marbles fit in a container that takes up less space? 

I loved the realistic math problem and his different solutions - and the extra problems the "wrong" solution caused. The cultural connection was a nice bonus. The illustrations are great - and pair perfectly with the text. I loved that the reader gets to look at Bo's messy room to try and find the solution (before turning the page.) Includes some fun math activities, a note about playing Cherokee marbles, and a glossary of Cherokee words.

Lisa Librarian

Little Wonder by Claire Keane - ADVISABLE

Little Wonder by Claire Keane. PICTURE BOOK Chronicle Books, 2022 $18 9781797208121 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

An underwater boy, named Little Wonder, spends his day exploring and experiencing his world. The narration is a "letter" from his mother, which complements the illustrations. "High and low, near and far, your curiosity leads the way." 

I think this would make a nice bedtime story - the adventure is what dreams are made of - finding treasure, a mermaid, monsters (which are friendly) and some little bit scary situations - like finding the skeleton of a huge fish and then walking inside! A good first day of school book, one that will send the child off and assure them that mother will be their biggest cheerleader.

Lisa Librarian

Once Upon a Flower Girl by Marie Chow and Zoe Persico - OPTIONAL

Disney Princess: Once Upon a Flower Girl by Marie Chow, illustrated by Zoe Persico. PICTURE BOOK. Disney Press, 2021. $18. 9781368063654

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The idea of being a flower girl in a wedding is one many little girls dream about, but its also a responsibility many girls can be nervous to take on. This Disney picture book features many of the Disney princesses on their wedding days and shows the lessons and advice their flower girls need to succeed. 

As a fan of Disney and a fan of picture books I found this book to be wonderfully illustrated but the actual theme or story fell flat. I imagine this would be a sweet and easy gift for a flower girl and surely Disney Princess fans would be happy just to read another book featuring their favorites no matter the topic. But overall this is not one that I think most libraries need to have on the shelves. 

Reviewer: TC

Franklin Endicott and the Third Key by Kate DiCamillo - ADVISABLE

Franklin Endicott and the Third Key (Tales from Deckawoo Drive #6) by Kate DiCamillo. 103 pages. Candlewick Press, 2021. $16. 9781536201819.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Franklin Endicott is a kid with a lot of generalized anxiety. One day he goes on an errand with an elderly neighbor and receives an extra key--a third key!--he did not expect in his order. As Franklin bravely deals with this wrinkle, he finds a new friend and perhaps the advice he needs to finally put his worries to rest. 

This is the last book in this six-book series but the first that I've read, and I found it delightful. The story did strike me as one that adults would like kids to read perhaps more than one kids would be drawn to on their own. My only real complaint was the cartoon-y illustrations that I don't feel match the story at all. Overall a nice story and one that will probably be good to read aloud to my own kids--though its at a reading level they could easily tackle themselves. 

Reviewer: TC