Sunday, December 31, 2023

Bears Are Best! by Joan Hollub and Laurie Keller - ADVISABLE

Bears Are Best! by 
Joan Hollub, illustrated by Laurie Keller.
PICTURE BOOK Crown (Random House), 2023. $19. 9780525645337 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Brown Bear thinks he is the only bear in this book until he meets other kinds of bears. Brown Bear helps us learn about bears, their habits, and habitats. 

The illustrations are absolutely charming and it's a fun way to learn about bear facts. 

 Michelle in the Middle

Where Can We Go? A Tale of Four Bears by Dai Yun and Igor Oleynikov - ADVISABLE

Where Can We Go? A Tale of Four Bears
by Dai Yun, illustrated by Igor Oleynikov
.  PICTURE BOOK Greystone, 2023. $19 9781771649810 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Four polar bears are trying to find a place to live that has lots of food. They come across a town that seems welcoming even though the residents are not. 

The art is funky and original and captures the charm of a northern bear family finding new experiences as they try to find the perfect home. Even though the main characters are bears, their culture is reflective of Canadian Immigrants. 

Michelle in the Middle

The World's Best Class Plant written by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick and illustrated by Lynnor Bontiago - ADVISABLE

The World's Best Class Plant written by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick and illustrated by Lynnor Bontiago. PICTURE BOOK.  G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2023.  $19.  9780525516354

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Follow Arlo and his elementary school class as they learn about, and fall in love with, their class plant. Other classes have normal (boring) animals, but Jerry the class plant is full of surprises. 

I never had a pet in any of my elementary classrooms, but this was a fun variation of that theme. It was fun to see the kids grow to appreciate the unique things about Jerry the spider plant. I also liked the subtle growth of the students’ appreciation for their teacher over the course of the year. It’s a clever way to illustrate how students mature a little more each year. The illustrations have great diversity and a great overall message of finding something special in everyone.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes


Fungi Grow by Maria Gianferrari and Diana Sudyka - ADVISABLE

Fungi Grow by Maria Gianferrari and Diana Sudyka. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Beach Lane Books (Simon), 2023. $19. 9781665903653

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 


Gianferrari and Sudyka give us an up-close look at the lifecycle and purpose of fungi - how they grow, how they reproduce, and their many uses.           


Fungi Grow features all kinds of fascinating fungi and many things you never knew about their spores and root systems. The whimsical illustrations and interesting text are engaging to the reader.                         


PGPowers

In the Dark by Kate Hoefler and Corinna Luyken - ADVISABLE

In the Dark by Kate Hoefler, illustrated by Corinna Luyken. PICTURE BOOK. Knopf (Random), 2023. $19. 9780593372838

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE


Dark can be scary - and communities living next to, but not with, each other can make for misunderstandings - hopefully not the kind that will lead to violence.


Hoefler and Luyken weave a mysterious story that can be read and re-read in three different ways to bring out the nuances within. I liked my 3rd and 4th reading even more, as I understood how to access the story more skillfully - but even a cursory 1st reading will bring wonder. I love that Hoefler has turned the traditional book reading experience on its side - while odd at first, I enjoyed it. 


Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS



I Don't Want To Read This Book Aloud written by Max Greenfield, illustrated by Mike Lowery - ADVISABLE

I Don't Want To Read This Book Aloud written by Max Greenfield, illustrated by Mike Lowery. PICTURE BOOK. G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2023.  $20.  9780593616581

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, ELEM (1-3) ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Finally, a picture book dedicated to all the quiet introverts out there, whose worst nightmare is reading aloud from the text. The book covers all the pitfalls of reading out loud, like not knowing a word, or losing your place, or getting sick of your own voice.

I actually think this was really cute. It's similar in tone to B.J. Novak's picture books, and the word play is something that I think would be a great introduction to class reads like The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster or The 13 Clocks by James Thurber.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Giants Are Very Brave People by Florence Parry Heide and Merrill Rainey - OPTIONAL

Giants Are Very Brave People
by Florence Parry Heide, illustrated by Merrill Rainey
. PICTURE BOOK Holiday House, 2023. $19 9780823450411 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Bigelow is afraid of almost everything until he meets the tiny Mrs. Pimberly, who is afraid of him. Maybe some magic words she teaches him can help him be brave. 

Bright and colorful illustrations help as Bigelow learns courage. The plot is pretty simple but the message is nice. No culture or race is depicted. Bigelow is blue. 

Michelle in the Middle

Forever Twelve (The Evers #1) by Stacy McAnulty - ADVISABLE

Forever Twelve (The Evers #1)
by Stacy McAnulty
, 351 pages. Random House, 2023 $18 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (girl falls from roof) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Ivy is excited to take the exam for the prestigious West Archer Academy - her love of learning and knowledge has left her feeling on the outs at all of her other schools. A random girl on campus mistakes Ivy for someone named Grace, leading to a deeper mystery - including Abigail trying to persuade Ivy that Abigail and a few others are Evers - children who have been changed and now live forever. Abigail is sure that Ivy is the key to finding out what happened to Grace - an Ever who disappeared more than 50 years ago. 

There doesn't seem to be a specific reason, at least not revealed yet, that the Evers have to be 12. And one of the Evers seems to be younger, but he doesn't appear much on the pages. It feels like the 1st book is a lot of set-up for things to start happening in the next book. The current Evers seem to do very little with their immortality. But the mystery and the dramatic rush at the end will draw some fans. Plus I want to see more of Ronan, Ivy's acquaintance from home who has his own supernatural challenges to deal with. The characters default to white. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLIS

Cookie Queen: How One Girl Started Tate's Bake Shop by Kathleen King, Lowey Bundy Sichol, and Ramona Kaulitzki - ADVISABLE

Cookie Queen: How One Girl Started Tate's Bake Shop by Kathleen King and Lowey Bundy Sichol, illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki
NON-FICTION, PICTURE BOOK Random House, 2023. $19. 9780593485668 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

11yo Kathleen gets up early and makes cookies. She wants to have them ready in time to sell at her dad Tate's farm stand, and they are good, but they aren't perfect. So every day Kathleen changes her recipe a little bit - she wants the perfect cookie that everyone will buy. 

A darling story about perseverance and patience. Kaulitzki's illustrations are cute - I can't believe she made all those different cookie recipes a bit different in her illustrations too. Includes a cookie recipe (not her famous chocolate chip cookie - sigh) " Kathleen is white. 

Lisa Librarian

The Princess and the (Greedy) Pea by Leigh Hodgkinson - HIGH

The Princess and the (Greedy) Pea
by Leigh Hodgkinson
PICTURE BOOK Candlewick Press, 2023. $18. 9781536231328 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

There was a green pea who was so hungry that it swallowed a brussels sprout. After that, he slurped up soup, munched bread and many other foods until he chomped up a table. He went upstairs for a snooze under a whole bunch of mattresses. A grumpy hungry princess came along and tried to sleep on top of all those mattresses. The pea is in for a big surprise. 

The Princess and the (Greedy) Pea is a delightful mash-up of "The Princess and the Pea" and "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly". The bouncy rhyme and funny bold illustrations are very enjoyable as well as the surprise ending. 

PGPowers

Horton Hears a Boo! By Wade Bradford and Tom Branson - ADVISABLE

Horton Hears a Boo! By Wade Bradford, illustrated by Tom Branson. PICTURE BOOK (includes stickers). Random House, 2023. $11. 9780593643532

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


AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE


Horton and his jungle friends hear a loud BOO echoing through their rest.  Though his friends are scared, Horton knows you can’t judge a thing until you actually know what it is. 


If you want a slightly spooky, but ultimately kind book for celebrating Halloween, Horton is a great candidate. Bradford does a good job on the rhyming text - though I could wish he had added some kind of call and response or a repetitive refrain to draw listeners deeper into the experience.


Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS


Illusions in Art: Food written and illustrated by Chiêu Anh Urban - ADVISABLE

Illusions in Art: Food written and illustrated by Chiêu Anh Urban. BOARD BOOK.  Candlewick Studio, 2023.  $13.  9781536223712

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

It’s two for the price of one! Find the hidden image inside each cleverly designed illustration with the help of the simple rhymes (and clues!).

This is my kind of art - simple, but striking, graphic design with a fun twist. I think it would be an engaging read for littles as they connect the concept with the image and learn how one thing can be multiple things, depending on how you look at it.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes


Friday, December 29, 2023

Bompa's Insect Expedition by David Suzuki, Tanya Lloyd, and Kyi Qin Leng - OPTIONAL

Bompa's Insect Expedition by David Suzuki and Tanya Lloyd, illustrated by Kyi Qin Leng
. PICTURE BOOK Greystone Books Ltd, 2023. $19. 9781771648820 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Twins, Nakina and Kaoru are going on another expedition with their grandpa, Bompa. Bompa takes them to look for insects near their house. As they discover the tiny animals living around them, Bompa teaches the twins about insects by imagining what it would be like to be the insects. 

I liked the twins' dynamic and curiosity with their grandpa. Young bug lovers will enjoy this book. The text would be too wordy for most preschool-aged children but would be perfect for kids ages 5 to 10. The characters are from Canada and are ethically Asian. 

 Rachel, Elementary School Librarian 

Look and Cook Snacks by Valorie Fisher - ADVISABLE

Look and Cook Snacks: A first book of recipes in pictures
by Valorie Fisher
INTERACTIVE, PICTURE BOOK Astra/Boyds Mill, 2023. $20. 9781662620447 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Delicious snack recipes, represented entirely in pictures (and necessary text). 

The snacks are healthy with fresh fruits and honey, and there is good guidance on when the child needs to be careful like for the hot oven or the blender or when needing a sharp knife. The author is a photographer and set designer. The cute doll house size characters in the tiny kitchen were adorable. The recipes were perfectly clear told only in pictures. There's a glossary of sorts at the beginning with words identifying all the important instructions, and the recipes themselves have helpful guiding words and measurements where the ingredients are listed. Can't wait to try this with my grandkids! The children depicted in this cook book are a variety of races. 

Lisa Librarian

I Love My Magic by Kelly Leigh Miller - ADVISABLE

I Love My Magic
by Kelly Leigh Miller PICTURE BOOK Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2023. $19. 9781534497696 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Willow loves her sparkly, fun and useful magic that helps her with everything. When she uses her magic to cheat and win a soccer game, she gets her wand taken away. Willow is miserable not being able to use magic. What will she have to learn to get her wand back? 

I Love My Magic! is cute and whimsical. I appreciated the underlying theme that it is always wrong to cheat. Miller's illustrations are colorful, amusing and tell a fun story. 

PGPowers 

Witch and Wombat by Ashley Belote - ADVISABLE

Witch and Wombat by Ashley Belote. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2023. $19. 9780593569634

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE


Ashley was so excited to get her witch’s cat, but the pet store ordered her a wombat instead. Wombat’s are nothing like cats and Ashley is embarrassed by her new familiar. She isn’t sure there is anything she can learn to appreciate about this new creature.


Another Halloween book without the big scares - always good to have on hand. Plus, Belote helps us learn to appreciate others for what they are, not for what we think they should be. She created the illustrations in Procreate - but did a great job of helping them not feel like computer creations.


Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS


The Ultimate Book of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Creatures by Sandra Laboucarie, illustrated by Benjamin Bécue - OPTIONAL

The Ultimate Book of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Creatures by Sandra Laboucarie, illustrated by Benjamin Bécue. PICTURE BOOK. Twirl (Bayard Group), 2023. $25.  9791036353079

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Explore all the ins and outs of all things dinosaur-related with this informative, interactive fold out/popup book.

An informative deep dive into all things dinosaurs. It says ultimate in the title for a reason! The interactive elements are super fun - so many pull tabs & foldouts & popups. It’s not really suitable for a class read aloud, but it will definitely enthrall your up-and-coming paleontologists for hours.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes

Thursday, December 28, 2023

365 : How to Count a Year by Miranda Paul and Julien Chung - ADVISABLE

365: How to Count a Year
by Miranda Paul illustrated by Julien Chung.
PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Beach Lane Books, 2023. $19. 9781665904407 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

We have 365 days in 1 year. That means 365 sunsets, 52 Friday nights, 12 fish tank cleanings, and 1 birthday. Paul cleverly shows different ways to count a year, such as in hours, seconds, Sunday-night baths, and flavors of the month. 

A year can be difficult for kids to conceptualize, but break it down into 365 pairs of (hopefully) clean underwear, and it becomes easier. In addition to not being overly wordy, the bright illustrations will grab kids' attention. The child in the illustrations has dark skin and black hair. 

Rachel, Elementary School Librarian 

Hands-On Science: Matter by Lola M. Schaefer illustrated by Druscilla Santiago - ADVISABLE

Hands-On Science: Matter
by Lola M. Schaefer illustrated by Druscilla Santiago
PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Charlesbridge Publishing Inc. 2023. $17. 9781623542436 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

Come play in the chemistry lab where you will learn all about the states and properties of matter! You can squish the clay (a solid) into a different shape, blow bubbles (a gas) in the juice (a liquid) watch them disappear, and more. 

The interactive text and simple illustrations work well together. This would be an excellent supplement for the science curriculum of 1st to 3rd grade. I liked that it explained the properties of matter in a kid-friendly way. The end even includes instructions for an experiment to make a gas with baking soda. 

Rachel, Elementary School Librarian 

They Lead: The Wolf Pack by June Smalls and Yumi Shimokawara - ADVISABLE

They Lead: The Wolf Pack
by June Smalls, Illustrations by Yumi Shimokawara
. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Familius (Workman), 2023 $18. 9781641709743 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A pair of wolves dig a den, have a litter of pups and a pack grows. They hunt together and protect each other. 

The endpapers look like a photograph of wolf fur! Shimokawara's illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. The writing seemlessly melds picture book with non-fiction as this book is a story of a wolf pack, along with great information about wolves. 

Lisa Librarian

Bent Out of Shape by Mirka Hokkanen - ADVISABLE

Bent Out of Shape
by Mirka Hokkanen
. PICTURE BOOK Candlewick Press. 2023. $19. 9781536223682 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Cat is very dirty. It's time for Cat's bath. Cat keeps hiding behind different shaped objects in every room. Kitty and Puppy help with the hide and seek. Will Cat ever be caught for his bath? 

Bent out of shape is a silly and engaging book for young readers. The text is minimal and simple and teaches young children their shapes. I really enjoyed Cat's clever antics. It is fun to guess what Cat is hiding behind on each page. 

PGPowers 

Meltdown! By David Griswold and Merle Goll - ADVISABLE

Meltdown! By David Griswold, illustrated by Merle Goll. PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2023. $19. 9781433842573


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


AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE


While robots are usually super easy to have around, sometimes even they can have a letdown and need regeneration or a reset.


Griswold does a very cute job of using robots as the role models as a corollary for human meltdowns - I felt it made the story more powerful to help students see themselves in the robots instead of being in-your-face about the topic. As usual, Magination includes great information in the back matter to help the adults apply the lessons from the book. If you haven’t looked at their catalog lately, you can find all kinds of useful subjects covered in very empathetic and caring ways.


Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS


Ultimate Spotlight Cars by Sophie Dussaussois, illustrated by Pierre Calliou - OPTIONAL

Ultimate Spotlight: Cars by Sophie Dussaussois, illustrated by Pierre Calliou. PICTURE BOOK. Twirl (Bayard Group), 2023. $19.  9791036357275

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Explore all the ins and outs of cars with this informative, interactive fold out/popup book.

An informative look at the basics of everything to do with cars. The interactive elements are super fun - pull tabs & foldouts & popups. It’s not really suitable for a class read aloud, but it’s a clever way to engage your budding gearhead.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

The Brand-New, Never-Used, Perfect Crayons by Leanne Hatch - ADVISABLE

The Brand-New, Never-Used, Perfect Crayons
by Leanne Hatch
PICTURE BOOK Holiday House, 2023. $19. 9780823452309 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When Violet gets a brand new box of 84 crayons, they are so perfect and beautiful, she can't bring herself to use them. Her little sister Marigold can't understand why Violet is so protective when she knows Violet loves to color! 

Hatch's illustrations are wonderful! Violet's illustration is accompanied by all the pictures she's going to draw until she decides not to use the crayons, and then they are no longer there. A subtle detail and I loved it. Violet is white. 

Lisa Librarian

Bear With Me by Kerascoet - ADVISABLE

Bear With Me
by Kerascoet
. PICTURE BOOK Random House Studio New York, 2023. $19. 9780593307670 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Bear grows up with a baby and becomes the child's best friend. The child refuses to ever be separated from Bear. On the child's first day of school, he tries everything to bring Bear until he is forced to leave it at home. Will the child be able to go through the day without Bear? 

Bear With Me is a cute story expressed only through illustrations except for the occasional "Bear with me". The illustrations and charming and humorous. I enjoyed the message that children have the power to be resourceful and resilient when disappointed. 

PGPowers 

A Stone is a Story by Leslie Barnard Booth and Marc Martin - ESSENTIAL

A Stone is a Story by Leslie Barnard Booth, illustrated by Marc Martin
. NON-FICTION, PICTURE BOOK Margaret K. McElderry (Simon and Schuster), 2023. $19. 9781534496941 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

What's the story of a stone? It starts as magma or lava, it's been moved by roots, water, other rocks - maybe it ended up in the ocean, had other bits added to it and after eras of time finds itself someplace else. 

A thoughtful and wonderous book - I'd never even considered that a rock has a story, or imagined all the places it might have been. I can't stop thinking about it! This picture book could easily spark a child's interest in geology. I loved the illustrations as well. Includes an author's note with additional resources and a great description of Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic rocks. 

Lisa Librarian

In The Night Garden by Carin Berger - HIGH

In The Night Garden by Carin Berger
PICTURE BOOK Neal Porter Books, 2023. $19. 9780823449866 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

In the night garden, fireflies look like fallen stars, moonflowers unfurl, stars glimmer and a cat tiptoes across the roof. Animals like bats and foxes move about . There are other sounds like wind moving through the trees. If you close your eyes, you can hear a song. What is the song telling you? 

Carin weaves a soothing tale to put us to sleep with spectacularly detailed graphics and collage artwork. The text is interesting and engaging, but I would purchase this book just for the artwork. It's incredible. 

PGPowers

Does a Bear Poo in the Woods? By Jonny Leighton and Mike Byrne - ESSENTIAL

Does a Bear Poo in the Woods? By Jonny Leighton, illustrated by Mike Byrne. PICTURE BOOK. Aladdin (Simon), 2023. $19. 9781665903479


BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH


Barry is all ready for his morning poo, but he can’t find a quiet place for it. Everywhere he goes, other animals are already doing their business. Where does a bear have to go to get some privacy?


Poo jokes at the ready! Funny, funny stuff for story time about #2. Lots to see and enjoy on the pages. No information about how the illustrations were created, but they are very cute.


Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS


 

The Bookshop Mice written and illustrated by Robert Starling - OPTIONAL

The Bookshop Mice written and illustrated by Robert Starling. PICTURE BOOK. Andersen Press, 2023. $19.  9798765608333

BUYING ADVISORY: PreK, EL (1-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A new mouse moves into the local bookshop and shows all the other little mice the wonders to be discovered within the pages of a book.

This is a cute little picture book about a community of mice and the businesses that they inhabit. There are some lessons about the magic of books and the possibilities therein, but there isn’t much by way of a meaningful classroom content connection.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Poppy & Sam and the Hunt For Jam by Cathon - ADVISABLE

Poppy & Sam and the Hunt For Jam
by Cathon
. PICTURE BOOK Owl Kids, 2023. $19. 9781771475921 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Sam wakes up from hibernation and craves rosehip jam. He wakes up his friend Poppy with his idea to make rosehip jam. He searches for all the necessary ingredients in the snowy forest meeting forest friends along the way. Sam gets trapped in a winter storm and shelters in a cave with a hungry bear looking for a mid-hibernation snack. Will Sam get home safely? Will he ever get all the ingredients for rose-hip jam? 

Poppy & Sam and the Hunt For Jam is adorable. The cartoon illustrations are charming. It feels like an early reader graphic novel. The storyline is very engaging as we hope Sam gets all his ingredients for his Jam. 

PGPowers 

Cheeky Chick! By Julia Jarman and Tom Knight - ADVISABLE

Cheeky Chick! By Julia Jarman and Tom Knight. PICTURE BOOK. Boxer Books (Union Square), 2024. $19. 9781914912306

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Cheeky Chick doesn’t listen to its mother she gives him warnings to keep him safe. He takes off on his own and is having a blast brushing off all of the animals warning him of danger - until runs headlong into someone who wants him for a snack.

Cheeky Chick is fluffy and has an attitude - funny while delivering a clear point. Of course, most kids will miss the point and just laugh at Fox as he receives his just desserts.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS


A Pack of Your Own by Maria Nilsson Thore - ADVISABLE

A Pack of Your Own
 by Maria Nilsson Thore
. PICTURE BOOK Pushkin Press (London) 2023 $19.00 9781782693581 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When a little Dachshund wants to make friends with the other dogs, he realizes that his habit of walking on two legs, enjoying coffee and cherishing his stick collection makes it difficult to become part of the pack. No one will play with him, in fact, they pretty much ignore him. How does a dog, who is a little different find his pack?

 Originally published in Sweden in 2020, this is a delightful story about not fitting in. I loved that the dog didn't make changes to himself just to try to make friends, and the friend he finds is a bit different as well. Thore's illustrations are so cute - the dog on the toilet is my favorite. Looking forward to sharing this with my dog loving friends, and maybe with the kid who is having trouble finding their pack. 

Lisa Librarian

Lizards at Large by Roxie Munro - ADVISABLE

Lizards at Large
by Roxie Munro
PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Holiday House, 2023. $19. 9780823453603 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Lizards live all over the world and have been around for hundreds of millions of years. This book discusses the facts of 21 incredible lizards. They come in all sizes, shapes, and colors with lots of different behaviors. 

 Lizards at Large is a great beginning science book for children to learn many facts about lizards. Munro's vivid illustrations are the same size as the real lizard she is describing. There is also a very detailed introduction fact sheet about lizards in general. 

PGPowers

The Museum of Nothing by Steven Guaraccia - ADVISABLE

The Museum of Nothing by Steven Guaraccia. PICTURE BOOK. Minerva (Astra), 2023. $19. 9781662651441
BUYING ADVISORY:  EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE


AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE


Two friends are off for an adventure at a new museum. What they find is - nothing! 


Along with Zero is the Leaves on the Tree by Betsy Franco and Mike Bender’s The Book of Nothing, Guaraccia celebrates nothingness in many forms. Lots to read on every page - some will need explanations for younger readers, but many can be enjoyed as is.


Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS


What a Map Can Do by Gabrielle Balkan, illustrated by Alberto Lot - ADVISABLE

What a Map Can Do by Gabrielle Balkan, illustrated by Alberto Lot. PICTURE BOOK. Rise x Penguin Workshop (Penguin Random House), 2023. $19.  9780593519981

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

There are all kinds of maps in the world, and our raccoon narrator friend shows us how to use different maps and how to navigate the world around us.

I thought this was a cute, easy way to introduce symbolic representation to littles. It takes an abstract idea and helps make it more concrete by teaching them how to navigate different kinds of map and make sense of various symbols and styles. I think this would lend itself to a lot of audience participation and even some STEM connections with coding robots to follow paths on the different maps.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes

Monday, December 25, 2023

Diggersaurs Mission to Mars by Michael Whaite - ADVISABLE

Diggersaurs Mission to Mars
by Michael Whaite
. PICTURE BOOK Random House New York, 2020. $19. 9780593648599 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Giant metal machines called Roversaurs are busy on the planet Mars completing chores of collecting soil, taking pictures, mapping the terrain, planting vegetables, exploring caves, and other duties. They need to build a Martian base under a dome but they need help. Who do they call from Earth to come and help them build it? 

If you love dinosaurs and big tractor trucks then you will enjoy Diggersaurs Mission to Mars. The main purpose of the book is just to look at all the fun creative dinosaur tractors Whaite has dreamed up along with a very simple space story. 

PGPowers 

How This Book Got Red by Margaret Chiu Greanias and Melissa Iwai - ESSENTIAL

How This Book Got Red by Margaret Chiu Greanias, illustrated by Melissa Iwai. PICTURE BOOK. Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2023. $19. 9781728265650

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH


When Panda and Red Panda sit down to read about pandas, Red is hurt because nowhere in the book does it talk about her - a red panda!  She decides to write her own book but throws it away when she feels inadequate. Some other pandas - red and others - find the book and encourage Red to keep writing so that they can see themselves in a book and so that others unlike them can learn something new.


I see what you did there, Greanias! Bravo! Red Panda does deserve to see herself in a panda book. All of the pandas are adorable and the message is super simple and meaningful.


Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS


Boom! by Paul Meisel - ADVISABLE

Boom! by Paul Meisel
. EARLY READER Holiday House, 2023. $15. 9780823448579

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When a storm outside causes loud sounds, the dog is scared, the cat is not. 

Paul Meisel must have both a cat and a dog of his own because he nailed their personalities. I loved this cute story, and the illustrations were great! The expressions on the dog's face, and the way the cat holds its toys were spot on. The cat was also not helpful or comforting. 

Lisa Librarian

One Brown Bear by Anne-Marie Labrecque and Mathieu Dionne St-Arneault - ADVISABLE

One Brown Bear: The World of Numbers
by Anne-Marie Labrecque illustrated by Mathieu Dionne St-Arneault 
PICTURE BOOK Twirl, 2023. $17 9791036358517 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

10 digits allow you to write all the numbers, which represent amounts, calculations, or counting something. Practice recognizing each number that is represented in five ways: in digits, with fingers, with dice, and in lower case and cursive letters. Have fun counting the colorful animals from 1 to 20. Can you count higher? 

Labrecque's PHD in written language learning shines in One Brown Bear. The pictures and text engage young readers (or counters) with cute animals doing funny things. I really like how she shows all the ways a number can be written or represented.

PGPowers

Welcome to Kiss the Book Jr.!

Welcome! Kiss the Book Jr. is for board books, picture books, early readers, and chapter books.  Also, any novels and non-fiction that we ag...