Door by Door by Meeg Pincus and Meridth McKean Gimbel - ADVISABLE

Door by Door: How Sarah McBride Became America's First Openly Transgender Senator by Meeg Pincus, illustrated by Meridth McKean Gimbel. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Random House. 2023. $19. 9780593484654 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Sarah McBride was always interested in politics. When she was young, she liked to read presidential biographies and build models of the white house out of blocks. Everyone knew she wanted to be president when she grew up, but what people didn't know was that the boy everyone saw was actually a girl inside. While Sarah knew she wanted to be a politician, she also knew that she wasn't ready to come out as transgender. But by college, she realized that showing her true self was part of her dream. 

I loved the inspiring story and the parallel journey of Sarah's political journey alongside her personal gender struggles. Gimbel's illustrations were nice, I loved the 2-page spread of young Sarah with a boyish look on one side and a more female appearance on the other. Includes a note from Delaware State Senator McBride and a list of ways a cisgender person can be a trans ally. Sarah McBride is White. 

Lisa Librarian 

Jackie Ormes Draws the Future by Liz Montague - OPTIONAL

Jackie Ormes Draws the Future: The Remarkable Life of a Pioneering Cartoonist by Liz Montague. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Random House. 2023. $19. 9780593426548 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

Even as a child, Jackie Ormes loved to draw, as high school yearbook editor, her edition was full of cartoon characters based on her teachers and classmates. After high school, she moved to Pittsburgh where her character Torchy Brown was published in the Courier. After a long break which included classes at the Art Institute of Chicago, she created her now famous "Patty-Jo 'n' Ginger cartoon. 

Montague's illustrations were sometimes in the style of comic panels, which I did not find appealing and it wasn't consistent. Sometimes the text was just in a box and read more like a description of the illustration. The story is all over the place, jumping from her professional experiences to her personal life, and back again. The author's note included a photograph of Ormes and an example of her work. Includes source material. Jackie Ormes is Black. 

Lisa Librarian

Wings, Waves & Webs: Patterns in Nature by Robin Mitchell Cranfield - ADVISABLE

Wings, Waves & Webs: Patterns in Nature by Robin Mitchell Cranfield. PICTURE BOOK (K-3rd grade) NON-FICTION Greystone Kids 2023. $19. 9781771646765 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Anything repeated in a regular way can form a pattern. Dots, stripes, colors, and many other things in nature form patterns. The ladybug is an example of exact important spots, while the guinea fowl can lose a feather having 22 spots and not even notice.  A skunk's stripes warn predators, while sunflower seed stripes encourage animals to try a tasty snack. Other patterns found in nature are spirals, mirror symmetry, radial symmetry and waves. There are the sturdy hexagon shapes when packed together make homes for tortoises and honeybees. Nature also has patterns of branching found in lightning and snowflakes, meandering found in rivers and snakes, and many more patterns. Which patterns can you find? 

Wings, Waves & Webs pleasantly surprised me with the informative simple text and beautiful graphic art of patterns in nature. Each page was enjoyable to peruse. Children will be introduced to the interesting patterns found in nature and encouraged to explore and recognize patterns in the world around them. 

PGPowers 

Play With Jay: Fun and Games for Little Readers by Pascale Bonenfant - ADVISABLE

Play With Jay: Fun and Games for Little Readers by Pascale Bonenfant. PICTURE BOOK Orca Book Publishers. 2023. $20. 9781459835504

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Jay the bear and his friends, Nora the bunny and Clementine the bird, have created many pages of fun and games. The first page Jay asks us where all these delicious foods come from. Some of the successive pages and games include: Put the letters of the alphabet in order, what emotion is the animal feeling, which words are good words or bad words, telling the difference between these two people, pairing up objects, junk drawer, counting with numbers, which monster is scariest, big or small, and many others. 

I liked Play with Jay. It would be great for kids who are bored. Although there is not much of a storyline, the very simple activities are fun, and the illustrations are cute and engaging. 

PGPowers 

And I Think About You by Rosanne Kurstedt, illustrated by Ya-Ling Huang - ADVISABLE

And I Think About You by Rosanne Kurstedt, illustrated by Ya-Ling Huang. PICTURE BOOK Kids Can Press. 2022. $19. 9781525304590 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A story that shows how a child and a working mother think about each other and stay connected throughout the day. There is a dual story showing the child's activities at school and the mother's activities at work. While she does different tasks she is reminded of her child like while she reads emails she is reminded of reading stories with her child and while eating lunch with a friend she is reminded of a lunch shared with her child. 

The mother and child are represented as bears. The other characters in the story are represented as a variety of other animals. This is a sweet story that reminds children that even if parents are away from them during the day, they are still thinking about them. 

A. Snow

Annie's Cat is Sad by Heather Smith, illustrated by Karen Obuhanych - ADVISABLE

Annie's Cat is Sad by Heather Smith, illustrated by Karen Obuhanych. PICTURE BOOK Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan) 2022. $19. 978-1-250-80684-0 G 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When Annie comes home from school she realizes that her cat is sad. She tries several things to cheer up her cat like jokes, warm milk, yoga, a TV show, and a hug. Annie realizes that sometimes you have to face your bad day head-on and have a good cry. 

I like that Annie and her cat found comfort in each other. The illustrations are fun and expressive. The text format and structure are good for early readers. This book will teach children that we all have bad days sometimes. 

A. Snow

Glitter Everywhere! by Chris Barton and Chaaya Prabhat - ADVISABLE

Glitter Everywhere!: Where it Came From, Where It's Found & Where It's Going by Chris Barton, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Charlesbridge. 2023. $20. 9781623542528

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS  - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Glitter is lots of things. It is tiny, clingy, colorful, loved, and not loved. Glitter is iridescent and is the reason glitter captures the eye and the reason most of us are attracted to it. 

The science and story behind glitter are revealed in this all-encompassing book. The ancient Egyptians used iridescent beetles to glitter objects. Glitter was once called “flitter” until the word glitter became more popular. Glitter is bad for the environment, and scientists are working on many biodegradable forms of glitter. Glitter everywhere! calls attention to something most of us haven’t thought twice about. Barton’s humorous approach and interesting facts produce a very enjoyable read. The vibrant, whimsical illustrations add to the sparkling information. 

PGPowers 

Leo at the Park by Anna McQuinn and Ruth Hearson - ADVISABLE

Leo at the Park by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Ruth Hearson BOARD BOOK Charlesbridge. 2023. $9 9781623543402 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Leo and Mommy are going to the park. Mommy is pushing Leo on his tricycle. When they get to the park, Leo’s friend Yu is there having a picnic with her mother and brother. Leo and Yu play, swing, dig in the sand, and splash in the water together. Now it’s time to enjoy the picnic. Soon it’s time to go. 

Leo at the Park is a cute book showing fun interactions between families of different ethnicities. Small children will enjoy looking at the charming illustrations. Leo and his Mommy are African American, and Yu and her family are Asian 

PGPowers

Big Truck Day by Rosanne Parry, illustrated by Niki Stage - OPTIONAL

Big Truck Day by Rosanne Parry, illustrated by Niki Stage. PICTURE BOOK Greenwillow Books/Harper Collins Publishers. 2022. $14 9780063218864 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The story follows children, families, and trucks as they make their way to the library for Big Truck Day. 

The rhyming text and bright, bold illustrations make the book appealing. I like that the story features a library. However, the book left me a little confused. Until I read the description of the book online, I did not realize that the story is about a community book drive and the grand opening of the new bookmobile. There is a concise history of bookmobiles at the end of the book that adds interest. 

A. Snow

Frank and Bean-Food Truck Fiasco by Jamie Michalak and Bob Kolar - HIGH

Frank and Bean-Food Truck Fiasco by Jamie Michalak, illustrated by Bob Kolar. 42 pages. CHAPTER BOOK Candlewick Press. 2022. $17. 9781536214413 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Frank is a hot dog who enjoys quiet. Bean is a bean that owns a food truck. Bean asks Frank to go with him to a food truck competition. Bean hopes to win the competition with his donuts and toppings. Frank decides to go but prepares his own dish and enters the competition. 

I really enjoyed this book and I think that it will be very appealing to those students who are just starting to read chapter books. The storyline is interesting and the pictures are bright and humorous. I believe that the story and illustrations will hold a child's attention. This is the 2nd book in the Frank and Bean series. 

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

Not A Monster by Claudia Guadalupe Martinez and Laura Gonzalez - HIGH

Not A Monster by Claudia Guadalupe Martinez, illustrated by Laura Gonzalez. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Charlesbridge. 2023. $18. 9781623543037

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Living in the Canals around Mexico City is a creature called a water monster or an axolotl. It is not a monster, but actually, a salamander that will never lose its gills or fins. The water monster starts as an egg in the canal. It grows a mouth, a tail, long fins, and three pairs of gills before it hatches. The tadpole sprouts four grey legs with thin toes. It hides from predators and searches for food. It finds a mate and lays eggs. The axolotls are disappearing as the canals become more polluted. 

Not a Water Monster is an easy and enjoyable read about a unique and interesting creature. Martinez engages the reader with a few key Spanish words (Branquias-gills) with a dictionary page in the back. I enjoyed trying to guess what each Spanish word meant and then looking the definition up in the back. She also used Spanish words for the colors (rojas – red) and the word was printed in the color. The effect of her use of a few Spanish words created an exotic effect. The illustrations are adorable. 

PGPowers 

Welcome, Rain! by Sheryl McFarlane, illustrated by Christine Wei - ADVISABLE

Welcome, Rain! by Sheryl McFarlane, illustrated by  Christine Wei. PICTURE BOOK Greystone Kids. 2023. $19 9781771646956  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A young girl enjoys going outside in the rain. She talks to the rain telling it how much the birds appreciate it and how she loves splashing in it with her brother. She tells the rain about how much her garden needs it, and how much they use the water at home. Then she decides there is enough rain for now and that it should stop. When the rain does stop, she enjoys the sunshine, Soon, there is too much sunshine and it becomes too hot. The little girl longs for the rain again. 

Welcome Rain! is an enjoyable read exploring the emotions and many feelings that come with weather. The playful text and cute illustrations encourage a connection with our natural world. 

PGPowers

Namaste is a Greeting by Suma Subramaniam and Sandhya Prabhat - ADVISABLE

Namaste is a Greeting by Suma Subramaniam, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat. PICTURE BOOK  Candlewick Press. 2022 $19. 9781536217834

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Namaste is a popular phrase in Yoga culture. It's the greeting you say at the end of a session. "The divine in me honors the divine in you." 

This sweet book put that phrase into action. How can you live that phrase and make the world a better place? The illustrations are engaging and I love how the little girl navigates through breaking her potted plant, fixing it, and then giving it to an elderly adult. It's so kind. Diversity is well represented in this simple yet powerful story. 

Emilee Teacher Librarian 

This Field Trip Stinks by Becky Scharnhorst, illustrated by Julia Patton - ESSENTIAL

This Field Trip Stinks by Becky Scharnhorst, illustrated by Julia Patton. PICTURE BOOK Penguin Random House. 2022. $18. 9780593403334 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Scharnhorst has the most hilarious way of telling a fun story about a school class spending a field trip in the mountains. It is not your usual school class. The teacher is a grizzly. The classmates are a crocodile, a skunk, 3 monkeys, a gorilla, a snake, a mouse, AND....one little boy. He reminds me of Russell in the movie Up. Everyone at Wildwood Elementary is enjoying the field trip but the little boy. He seems to keep running into challenges with nature that are not easily solved. His other classmates have natural instincts to survive and he starts to realize the difference. 

 This story is written in diary form and the humor is quite funny. I chuckled several times through this book and I could not help but smile in other parts. Patton has a clever way of illustrating to make the story fun to move through. This is definitely a book I will be reading to my grandkids. The diversity is in the animals and not the humans because there is only the little boy and he is Caucasian. 

Emilee-Teacher Librarian 

Sandor Katz and the Tiny Wild by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, June Jo Lee, and Julie Wilson - ESSENTIAL

Sandor Katz and the Tiny Wild (Food Heroes #4) by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and June Jo Lee, illustrated by Julie Wilson. PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY Readers to Eaters. 2022. $20. 9780998047713 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Sandor Katz was born in New York, and grew up eating pickles and sauerkraut on hot dogs. He searched the city for such foods. Sandor wanted to build city parks and walkways that connected the residents of New York. A new epidemic had just started in New York, AIDS caused but the HIV virus. Katz lost many friends to AIDS and he himself was diagnosed in 1991. He read everything he could on HIV, AIDS, how to take care of his body, grow plants and learn from them. He left New York, moved to Tennessee where everybody made their own food, and raised goats, as there was no store for miles. Katz learned about growing plants and eating healthy foods. One fall day, he noticed all of the cabbages were ripe at the same time, he did not want to waste them so he made a kraut from them. Then he made kimchi, pickles and continued on with many different types of fermented foods from all over the world. He wrote a book, teaching anyone how to make fermented foods.

Illustrations in Sandor Katz are descriptive and fun. Colorful pages of vegetables being chopped, packed and fermented. Recipes are included and the instructions and drawings complement each other nicely. The style of illustrations will capture the young reader. There are multiple resources at the end of the book as well as a note from Sandor Katz, the authors, and illustrator which are informative and educational. Sandor Katz is a picture book biography that will teach readers about fermentation and experimenting with foods. A must-have for elementary libraries.

The characters are mixed gender, queer and multicultural. The character is queer and lives with other queer individuals who dress in drag and live in a small community. 

Deanna M. - Elementary Media Tech. 

Hello, Dark by Wai Mei Wong and Tamara Campeau - ESSENTIAL

Hello, Dark by Wai Mei Wong, illustrated by Tamara Campeau. PICTURE BOOK Pajama Press. 2021. $18. 9781772782219 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

A young Asian boy is tucked into bed, ready for sleep. He begins to talk to Dark, asking him if he can hear him. The boy tells Dark that Dark keeps him awake and makes him worry as Dark blows gusts of wind at the windows and creaks around the house, making the young boy feel helpless and alone. The boy asks Dark if he is always so scary. Dark shields the bright light of the sun so the world can sleep and play in safety. The moon and stars shine brightly because of Dark. Maybe Dark isn’t so bad after all, maybe just lonely? The young boy asks Dark to be friends so they may play, imagine, count sheep, practice breathing, and listen to music.

Illustrations in Dark are exquisite, every page is dark like the night. The animals are adorable, the Dark is a wonderful illusion, and the young boy is so inquisitive and sweet. The text moves smoothly complimenting the illustrations beautifully. Dark is modern in the ways the young boy copes with his fear of the nighttime and solves the problem, so today’s readers will feel like they may do the same to help with their own night fears. The brief Author’s Note at the end describes useful techniques for helping with sleep anxiety and reframes the dark in a positive way. A wonderful book to give as a gift, perfect for a doctor’s office, preschool, school counseling office, and elementary library. 

Deanna M. - Elementary Media Tech. 

Just Like Jesse Owens By Andrew Young, Paula Young Shelton, and Gordon C. James - OPTIONAL

Just Like Jesse Owens by Andrew Young, Paula Young Shelton (As told by), illustrated by Gordon C. James. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Orchard Books (Scholastic) 2022. $19. 9780545554657 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A bunch of kids in the inner city love playing all kinds of games after school until dinner time. It is at the beginning of World War II and Hitler's rise to power. Segregation and racism is alive and well in the United States at that time. The children love playing together regardless of their race. Just like any child, they have a lot of questions about why people act the way they do. The narrator of the story goes to a movie with his Dad sitting in the colored section and having to enter through the back door even though they paid the same amount as the white people did. He sees Jesse Owens a black track star at the Berlin Olympics in Berlin. He watches as Jesse Owens wins gold medals over and over. He realizes that Hitler's ideas are wrong because Jesse Owens a black athlete has beaten all his Arian white athletes. It motivates him to continue standing up for his equal rights. 

James does an amazing job with the illustrations they are incredibly details and enchanting. I think they are done with oil pastels and are very life-like. The story just kind of stopped. I needed another page or two. It also had a rough start for me. I did like the perspective of a black American during World War II curious about Hitler. It's a perspective I haven't seen before. 

Emilee-Teacher Librarian

Daddy Speaks Love by Leah Henderson and E. B. Lewis - ADVISABLE

Daddy Speaks Love by Leah Henderson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis. PICTURE BOOK Penguin Random House. 2022. $18. 9780593354360 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Daddies speak love to their children every day. They answer endless questions, make thousands of plans, and give tickles and hugs when tucking in at night. They make monsters vanish and teach what they have learned, providing protection, safety, and acceptance, teaching the value of making mistakes and learning that the world is not always fair and just. Daddies encourage, give comfort, and guide. Daddies speak and teach love and trust, reinforcing their children to speak their minds and know that Daddy has got them. The basis for Henderson’s book is Black Lives Matter and the death of George Floyd.

Realistic and thoughtful illustrations represent all of the ways a daddy can show and teach love to his children. The characters are multicultural, with daddies from many races and ages. The text is poetic and flows smoothly. Children from all over the world will see themselves and their families growing, learning, and loving each other in Henderson’s Daddy Speaks Love. The characters are multicultural. 

Deanna M. - Elementary Media Tech. 

A Tale of Two Brothers by Eveline Hasler, illustrated by Kathi Bhend - ESSENTIAL

A Tale of Two Brothers by Eveline Hasler, illustrated by Kathi Bhend. PICTURE BOOK  NorthSouth Books. 2006. $18. 9780735844803 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

A Swiss/Italian tale of two brothers, Morris and Boris, who both had humps upon their backs. Both looked similar, almost like twins, however, they were very different. Morris was helpful, kind, and thoughtful. Boris was mean, thoughtless, and never had a kind word for animal or human. The brother's hut needed work before winter, Morris spoke to Boris about it, explaining he had gone to the hut in the spring and now it was Boris’s turn. Of course, Boris refused, so Morris set out on the long journey. Morris was kind to the ants, admiring the toadstools and gently untangling the thorny bushes that scratched and tore at his clothing. Morris was complimentary to the forest and marveled at the big toad hidden in the bushes. As Morris slept through the noisy night, strange figures crept out to look at him and wonder. The creatures know Morris and his kind ways and gave him a gift. Morris quickly fixed the hut and returned back to the valley. Boris wanted the gift Morris had received from the forest witch and made his way to the hut. He, however, was less than kind to the toad, thorny branches and toadstools. The forest witch and other strange creatures gave Boris a gift he would never forget. 

Bhend’s illustrations are classic fairytale illustrations. Black and white pencil drawings, some with color, showcase this 150-year-old story beautifully. Many faces and figures are hidden in the intricate drawings, which will capture the young reader on every page. The illustrations are so intricate and engaging, children will be captivated. The text and illustrations are classic, complementing each other well. This is a fabulous read, a must for elementary school libraries. A wonderful book to share with students to teach about fairytales and folklore. Students will want to check this book out over and over again.
The characters are white. 

Deanna M. - Elementary Media Tech. 

From Here to There: A First Book of Maps by Vivian French, illustrated by Ya-Ling Huang - ADVISABLE

From Here to There: A First Book of Maps by Vivian French, illustrated by Ya-Ling Huang. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2023. $18. 9781536225112

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Anna’s friend Zane wrote her a letter and included a map. Except Anna thinks it should look different, so her dad gives her some paper to make her own map. She then learns all about maps and how they work.

This picture book is a great way to introduce map-making for younger grades. I liked how the authors showed different kinds of maps and different parts on a map, but kept it simple and easy to understand. This would be a great supplemental material book for an informational writing unit.

Kiera, #bookswithbeddes

The Boy with Flowers in His Hair by Jarvis - HIGH

The Boy with Flowers in His Hair by Jarvis PICTURE BOOK Candlewick Press. 2022. $19. 9781536225228 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Everybody loves David. He has flowers in his hair. He is sweet and gentle just like his flowers. One day all of his flowers lose their petals. All he is left with is his sticks. His best friend makes him some paper ones to replace them so he doesn't feel so self-conscious. Then one day a new flower appears. 

This is a story of true friendship and the power of friends taking care of each other. The illustrations are adorable and I can see children checking this book out over and over again. The story is simple and would be a perfect addition for a beginning reader. I like the imaginative concept of flowers growing in someone's hair. The ethnicity is quite diverse. Both genders are represented and there is even a child in a wheelchair in the school class. 

Emilee-Teacher Librarian 

The Teachers I Loved Best by Taylor Mali, illustrated by Erica Root - ESSENTIAL

The Teachers I Loved Best by Taylor Mali, illustrated by Erica Root. PICTURE BOOK Penguin Random House. 2023. $19. 9780593565230

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Multiple children tell of the teachers they loved best and why. Teachers who inspire, push you to work hard, and demand in a positive way. Teachers, librarians, crossing guards, and principals who make you want to be better than plain good. Teachers who are not always the center of attention, coaches who fortify and fire, teachers who promote confidence, and learning, and go above and beyond. The most important, teachers who love and give what is needed, have their student’s backs and push them gently. These are the best teachers that are loved.

Illustrations by Root are very simple, clean, and descriptive. The way they depict the classroom, gym, playing field, science lab, art room, or choir room is so realistic and engaging. The characters are multicultural and disabled, demonstrating that ALL children can thrive with hard work, love, and devotion. A charming book for any elementary library and school counseling staff.  The characters are multicultural and show children with physical disabilities. 

Deanna M. - Elementary Media Tech

Lola Loves Animals by Imapla - No

Lola Loves Animals by Imapla PICTURE BOOK Penguin Random House. 2022. $19. 9781662650512 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - NOT RECOMMENDED 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW  

Lola goes to the zoo with her mother. She sees many animals, gorillas, fish, giraffes, deer and elephants. Her mother buys Lola a toy duck that she takes home. When it is bedtime, Lola takes the toy duck to bed with her and an adventure in her dreams begins.

The illustrations in Lola Loves Animals are very colorful and basic, with stick figures and simple animal depictions. The story is easy to follow in the beginning, but as Lola goes to sleep and you go through the red door to her dreams/adventure, it is difficult to understand what is being portrayed. The animals look stressed and upset. Lola Loves Animals is abstract and a bit difficult to understand. The main characters are white. 

Deanna M. - Elementary Media Tech

Repeat After Me: Big Things to Say Every Day by Jazmyn Simon and Dulé Hill, illustrated by Shamar Knight Justice - ADVISABLE

Repeat After Me: Big Things to Say Every Day by Jazmyn Simon and Dulé Hill, illustrated by Shamar Knight Justice. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2023. $19. 9780593426975

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL (4-6) – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The authors are a married couple who created these 12 different affirmations with simple poems to inspire children and build their positive self-outlook.

This is such an important book, full of positivity and empowerment. I loved the representation. I loved the sweet illustrations. I loved the overall message. This would be a great addition to any classroom library or SEL lesson. That being said, I do think this would be more popular with adults than with children.

Kiera, #bookswithbeddes

Sometimes I KAPLOOM by Rachel Vail and Hyewon Yum - ADVISABLE

Sometimes I KAPLOOM: A Big Feelings Book by Rachel Vail,  illustrated by Hyewon Yum. PICTURE BOOK Orchard Books (Scholastic). 2023. $19. 9781338840308  

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Katie Honors is a brave kid. She tries not to be afraid throughout the various activities she tries each day. But she has a secret, sometimes she is not brave. Sometimes her emotions get the better of her and she goes kaploom. Her mother reassures her that she can be brave and sad or even brave and scared. 

This is a great story to teach children that sometimes our emotions are too big to hold in and it is ok to let them out. The story will remind children that even when our emotions are hard to handle, in time things will feel better again. The illustrations are great at conveying Katie's different emotions. 

A. Snow 

Carina Felina by Carmen Agra Deedy and Henry Cole - HIGH

Carina Felina by Carmen Agra Deedy, illustrated by Henry Cole. PICTURE BOOK Scholastic Press. 2023. $20. 9781338749168 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Pepe the parrot falls in love with a cat. He invites her to his house for dinner. Only Carina Felina has other plans. She eats him whole. This is only the beginning of what Carina Felina plans to eat that day. The story is a Cuban retelling of a classic folktale. 

This is a fun story reminiscent of the Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.  The illustrations are bright and colorful. The human characters are Cuban. There are Spanish words throughout the text. The words are translated within the text as well as in a list at the end of the book. The end of the book includes a short history of the folktale and the recipe for the Cuban crackers that Pepe serves to Carina Felina. 

A. Snow

The Little Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, and Rafael Lopez - ESSENTIAL

The Little Book of Joy by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, illustrated by Rafael Lopez. PICTURE BOOK Random House Kids. 2022. $19. 9780593484234 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu might not be from the same country or share the same religion but they have changed the world with their message of joy. They co-wrote a book called The Book of Joy and have now created a companion picture book to share this delightful message. It talks about their young lives and the challenges they faced especially making friends. Life might not be always easy but, It is a gentle reminder of the power of finding joy in the world around you. 

I highly recommend this book. I loved the simple message of finding joy. It seems to be a message that a lot of people are having a hard time finding these days. The concept of joy is illustrated by a colorful wisp-like wind. The illustrations are whimsical and captivating. This story has such a sweet sentiment. The characters are from very diverse backgrounds. The Dalai Lama is from China and Desmond Tutu is from Africa. It does a wonderful job celebrating different cultures, religions, and ethnicity.

Emilee-Teacher Librarian

Who Ate What? A Historical Guessing Game for Food Lovers by Rachel Levin, illustrated by Natalia Rojas Castro - ADVISABLE

Who Ate What? A Historical Guessing Game for Food Lovers by Rachel Levin, illustrated by Natalia Rojas Castro. PICTURE BOOK. Phaidon Press, 2023.  $20. 9781838666903

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (4-6) – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Do you know what weird and wonderful things people ate throughout the ages? The authors share 10 different places and ages in history and the unique things people ate.

A delightful exploration through the history of food across the globe. Each location has a beautifully complex illustrative spread that invites the reader to guess what people of that time/place actually ate. It's a great nonfiction picture book packed with bright colorful illustrations.

Kiera, #bookswithbeddes

Love is Loud by Sandra Neil Wallace and Bryan Collier - ESSENTIAL

Love is Loud: How Diane Nash Led the Civil Rights Movement by Sandra Neil Wallace, illustrated by Bryan Collier. PICTURE BOOK, BIOGRAPHY Simon Schuster. 2023. $19. 9781534451032 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Diane Nash was born in Chicago in 1938. After high school, Diane moved to Tennessee for college. Segregation is strongly enforced in Tennessee and Diane sees it for the first time. Diane is encouraged to go along to get along, but Diane won’t follow the rules if the rules are wrong. Diane believes that love, strength, and determination is the way to change the rules. She and her friends go to a lunch counter, and order a sandwich, causing much confusion and anger. Diane is arrested after several sit-ins at lunch counters. She is arrested for ordering a sandwich. Diane leads six thousand Black Americans to meet the mayor of Nashville to convince him to stop segregation. By the time Diane was 22, Nashville’s lunch counters served all Americans, white or black. Next, Diane arranges for Freedom Riders to ride a bus across America to promote civil rights. At age 23, pregnant with her first child, she is jailed for putting the Freedom Riders in action. As more violence occurs, Diane almost quits but she continues to work for civil rights. For the next 50 years, she travels across America to promote freedom, voting rights, women’s rights, and civil rights for men and women of all colors. Towns across America welcome her, and appreciate her bravery strength, and courage.

Collier’s watercolor illustrations are realistic and authentic. The reader can feel the emotions, indignation, and seriousness of the segregated South in the ’60s. Nash’s story is full of courage, history, and dedication. Diane Nash is a hero to the civil rights movement as well as the women’s movement. She is not well known, but with Love is Loud, she will be on the minds and lips of many people who read Wallace’s book. The Author’s Note, Illustrator’s note, timeline, quote sources, bibliography, and resources provide more information for further study and the photographs of Diane are priceless and educational. A must-read for elementary school students, a valuable book for the study of the civil rights movement in the history curriculum.

The characters are multicultural. 

Deanna M. - Elementary Media Tech

Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem by Sojourner Kincaid Rolle and Alex Bostic - ADVISABLE

Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem by Sojourner Kincaid Rolle, illustrated by Alex Bostic. PICTURE BOOK Union Square and Co. 2022. $18. 9781454943747 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The war is over, President Lincoln declared that those who lived in bondage are now free, and the Emancipation Proclamation is the law. Slaves for over 300 years, pick up and flee to find a better life for themselves and their families. Some travel far, some only a short distance, and some did not live to experience freedom. Juneteenth is the accepted date celebrating the end of slavery in the United States. Many families meet and celebrate on this day to honor and remember those ancestors who were enslaved and to celebrate endurance, resilience, and finally freedom.

Illustrations in Free at Last are beautiful and telling. The reader can imagine the feelings of the characters on each page, joy, heartbreak, sadness, fear, and jubilation. Bostic accurately depicts the time period clearly and in detail. Rolle’s poem is eloquent and easy to understand for the younger reader. What an important message to portray in such a beautiful and poignant way. An eye-opening read for elementary school readers. The characters are African-American. 

Deanna M. - Elementary Media Tech 

Maria Tallchief by Christine Day, illustrated by Gillian Flint - OPTIONAL

She Persisted: Maria Tallchief by Christine Day, illustrated by Gillian Flint. 55 pages  CHAPTER BOOK BIOGRAPHY Philomel Books 2021. $6 9780593115817

Content: G  

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

Maria Tallchief was born in the early 1900's in Oklahoma. She belonged to the Osage tribe. Maria started taking ballet lessons at age 3. She was the first Native American to become a professional ballet dancer. Maria is known as one of the most influential ballerinas in history. This book tells her story. 

Maria Tallchief would work well as an easy, short chapter book for early readers. My concern is that interest in this book would be restricted to girls that like ballet. It is part of the She Persisted series. This series started out as picture books by Chelsea Clinton and have now branched out to chapter books written by several women authors. 

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination written by Brad Montague and illustrated by Brad & Kristi Montague - ADVISABLE

The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination written by Brad Montague and illustrated by Brad & Kristi Montague. PICTURE BOOK. Dial Books (Penguin Random House), 2023. $19. 9780593323472

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (4-6) – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination has a bevy of special agents, called “figments” who help to keep the world’s creativity running. One agent, Sparky, notices a disaster brewing in the heart of the bureau, so he puts the call out to all the readers of the world to help save the bureau with their imaginations.

Brad Montague was the creative mind behind “Kid President” and almost all of his content is charming, uplifting, and empowering. His book, co-illustrated with his wife, is the same. It’s a fantastical tale, brimming with magic and possibility. I would argue that it’s complex enough for upper elementary (4-6) as I don’t think younger readers would grasp the full message. I do think it is a book that would be more loved by adults than children. I also think this would be a great supplementary book in the classroom for a creative writing unit.

Kiera, #bookswithbeddes

The Day Fin Flooded the World written and illustrated by Adam Stower - ESSENTIAL

The Day Fin Flooded the World written and illustrated by Adam Stower. PICTURE BOOK. Andersen Press, 2023. $19. 9781728492131

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL (4-6) – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Fin is a forgetful boy. He forgets everything, even his pants! One evening, he forgets to turn off the sink and accidentally floods the world. How is he going to fix this?

This is a charming “what-if” tale where the author explores the consequences of Fin’s actions, both positive and negative. The illustrations are so fun and engaging, especially watching for Fin's goldfish on every page. I could see this picture book paired nicely with the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series.

Kiera, #bookswithbeddes

The Together Tree by Aisha Saeed and LeUyen Pham - ESSENTIAL

The Together Tree by Aisha Saeed, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. PICTURE BOOK Simon Schuster. 2023. $19. 9781534462960 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Rumi has just moved from his old home and school. Rumi sits under a big willow tree, twirling a stick, by himself while the other students are playing. When Rumi hears a laugh, he turns to look where Asher and Ella are laughing and bullying him.  Han doesn’t say anything even though he is unhappy about what is happening. More days go by with Rumi being bullied until one day, Rumi is hurt when a rock is thrown at him. Han asks Rumi if he could play with him and sees what Rumi has been doing under the big willow tree all of this time. More kids come to join Rumi under the tree, but not Asher.

Pham’s illustrations in this heartbreaking but timely story are so realistic and colorful. The young reader will feel as if he/she is in the story with Rumi and the others. The text brings tears to the eyes of the reader as one feels deeply for Rumi as he is bullied and excluded because he is the new boy. A lesson is to be learned from this wonderful book, teaching tolerance and acceptance. The Author’s Note at the end of the book is a note that MUST be read by all reading The Together Tree. A must-have for preschool through elementary school.

The characters are multicultural. 

Deanna M. - Elementary Media Tech 

Somewhere by Robie H. Harris, illustrated by Armando Marino - OPTIONAL

Somewhere by Robie H. Harris, illustrated by Armando Marino. PICTURE BOOK Candlewick Press. 2022. $18. 9781536207354 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

A young girl wanted to go a new adventure, she said goodbye to her daddy and left to go on her own adventure. Her daddy knew where she was, but she needed to go on her adventure by herself. She went to a lovely quiet place, filled with flowers, birds and beautiful flowers. On her adventure, she found three feathers, a pretty white flower, a green leaf and a peso. The little girl called out to her father, he must be so lonely without her and she knew he would have loved her adventure, just as she did. The little girl decided she must return, but was mixed up until she saw her footprints in the mud. She ran to her daddy and they decided to go somewhere new together.

Marino’s illustrations in Somewhere are vivid, colorful and bright, depicting an island paradise park somewhere warm and tropical. The text is simple and easy to read for younger readers. The courage of the main character is enticing, encouraging the younger reader to explore somewhere new on their own, but not too far from the security of daddy. Somewhere may not appeal to many children.  The characters may be Mexican or of other Latino descent. 

Deanna M. - Elementary Media Tech

The Flock by Margarita del Mazo Guridi - OPTIONAL

The Flock by Margarita del Mazo Guridi. PICTURE BOOK NubeOcho. 2022. $18. 9788419253262 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

There is a flock of sheep assigned to everyone. The sheep in the flock are supposed to follow the sheep in front of them and jump when they are called upon to help them fall asleep. Everything is going well for Mike's flock until number four refuses to jump. This has never happened before and none of the sheep know what to do. 

A nice story about standing out from the crowd. The illustrations are cute and expressive. 

A. Snow

Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur written and illustrated by Helen Yoon - ESSENTIAL

Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur? written and illustrated by Helen Yoon. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2023. $19. 9781536226256

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Our protagonist gave their invisible pet dinosaur a bath and now the dinosaur is lost! Can you help find it?

This picture book is darling, starting immediately with the cover with the shiny invisible dinosaur shape on the matte surface of the dust jacket. The author cleverly used crayon illustrations to draw what the invisible dinosaur “looks” like. It’s an adorable story of imagination and problem-solving, with really engaging illustrations.

Kiera, #bookswithbeddes

Our Dragon by Mem Fox, illustrated by Linda Davick - OPTIONAL

Our Dragon by Mem Fox, illustrated by Linda Davick. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books (Simon & Schuster), 2023. $19. 9781534453333

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Two new human parents are at a loss about what to do with their baby dragon who keeps setting things on fire.

I wanted to like this picture book more than I did. It was odd to have a mixture of humans and a dragon in a family. The art wasn’t my favorite either, because it didn’t draw me in and felt flat on the page.

Kiera, #bookswithbeddes

Soon, Your Hands by Jonathon Stutzman and Elizabeth Lilly - ESSENTIAL

Soon, Your Hands by Jonathon Stutzman, illustrated by Elizabeth Lilly. PICTURE BOOK Random House 2023. $19. 9780593433188

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Fathers, grandmothers, and mothers, all neighbors, taking care of small children, directing them in life, holding their hands as they grow.  The children learn by mistakes, growing as they discover the world, feeling with their hands, and experiencing life, a different situation for each family and small child.  Each child has a different lifestyle with different challenges and experiences in different situations, but each child is supported, hands held by a loving family as they grow into adulthood, shaped by the experiences they had as a loved child with family and close neighbors. 

Illustrations in Soon, Your Hands are simple, clean, and realistic.  The characters are multicultural, multigenerational, and diverse.  The detail in what the children see, feel and experience leads them into adulthood and future careers, supported by loving family and friends  Family members hold the hands of their children through mistakes, learning, and stories as they grow and mature.  A charming book, a lovely addition to an elementary school library, showing children they are in a storybook, despite disability, race, family situation, and other life situations.

Deanna M. - Elementary Media Tech

Phonics Fun series by Brian P. Cleary and Jason Miskimins - ADVISABLE

Phonics Fun series by Brian P. Cleary, illustrated by Jason Miskimins. PICTURE BOOK Lerner Publications. 2022. $21 9781728440859

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Reading this book series is a fun way for early readers to hone their reading skills. Each book features a certain vowel sound. I read books one, two, three, and six in this series. There are eight books altogether. I would recommend this book series for early readers because the pictures are bright and engaging. The text and illustrations together are often humorous and will keep a student's attention. In the back, there is a list of words that were highlighted in each book. Students are encouraged to make up a story using those words. 

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Smart Sisters by Mechal Renee Roe - OPTIONAL

Smart Sisters (Happy Hair) by Mechal Renee Roe. PICTURE BOOK Doubleday. 2022. $17. 9780593433188 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Girls of all ethnicities are bound together by sisterhood, whether familial or friend, sisters always have other’s backs. Their love is bold and strong, ready to support and lend a hand. They are regal and royal, loyal and lovely, perfect together, and friends for life.

Illustrations for Smart Sisters are modern, bold, and vibrant. The sisters are of multiple races, mixed together, sharing their love and support for each other. Girls will be drawn to Smart Sister as it depicts the togetherness and support females have for each other in life. Smart Sister is fun and colorful, timely and affirmative, but the appeal is lacking to a wide audience. All of the characters are of different races. 

Deanna M. - Elementary Media Tech

Baba's Gift by Ariana Shaheen Amini, Christina Maheen Amini, and Elaheh Taherian - ESSENTIAL

Baba's Gift by Ariana Shaheen Amini, Christina Maheen Amini, and Elaheh Taherian. PICTURE BOOK Sasquatch Books. 2023. $19. 9781632173232

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

An Iranian family of 6 girls remembers their father, Baba, as he tells them stories of his childhood in Iran. He left Iran at age 19 to attend medical school in San Francisco, California. Baba tells his daughters about his home in Iran, the wonderful gardens that were connected to his families’ houses, full of nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, and cousins, and the wonderful times they spent together. He tells them of the love his mother had for him. The daughters pretend they are doing all of the things Baba describes in his childhood. They listen to Baba and dream.

The illustrations in Baba’s Gift are simple but very detailed and lead the reader to imagine Baba’s life in Iran and the life he has with his 6 daughters. The colors are vibrant and bold. Baba’s Gift is tender and loving, depicting love, devotion to family and culture, and dreams. Baba shares his dreams for his daughters as they walk and dream on the Persian carpet Baba’s mother packed into his suitcase in Iran. A wonderful story of family stories, love and being true to one’s self. The Author’s Note at the end is informational and a wonderful tribute to Fairborz Amini, Baba. A lovely addition to elementary libraries, especially for those with families who have immigrated from other countries. The characters are Iranian. 

Deanna M. - Elementary Media Tech

When You Open a Book by Caroline Derlatka and Sara Ugolotti. - ESSENTIAL

When You Open a Book by Caroline Derlatka, illustrated by Sara Ugolotti. PICTURE BOOK Bushel and Peck. 2022. $19. 9781638190943

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Two children are in a space with many books, they choose one and open the book. The magic begins, they begin their journey in a bird-shaped boat, traveling far to a dragon’s lair, riding the back of a hare, sleeping on top of a tall palm tree and waking to fight pirates, and then having tea under the sea. There is a friendly giant and a rainbow to go over and a witch in a tower, of course. Finally, the two readers travel to space; the room and stars. Will the two readers return home? Yes, close the cover and you will see.

Ugolotti’s illustrations are fantastical, magical, and enchanting. The colors used are bright, vivid, and engaging. There is so much to see on each page, readers will be mesmerized for hours studying each detail. The text is rhyming and flows smoothly a real page-turner. Children will love When You Open a Book, it is everything the text and illustrations depict, a magical and charming read. The characters are multicultural. 

Deanna M. - Elementary Media Tech

What the Bread Says Baking with Love, History and Papan by Vanessa Garcia and Tim Palin - ESSENTIAL

What the Bread Says Baking with Love, History and Papan by Vanessa Garcia, illustrated by Tim Palin. PICTURE BOOK Cardinal Rule Press 2022. $18. 9798985805123 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

A Latino grandfather, Papan, and his granddaughter bake bread together. Baking with Papan is like a geography lesson as well as baking delicious breads from all over the world. Papan tells stories as he bakes, his story of when he was a little boy, leaving Paris for Cuba and then having to leave Cuba for the US, where Papan is free. He and his granddaughter bake baguettes first, then Sweet Cuban bread, and lastly, Challah bread with the braids meaning love, history, and harmony. The breads tell the story. Papan says bread talks.

Palin’s illustrations are realistic and modern looking, depicting the love a grandfather and his granddaughter have for each other, spending time together and baking. The detail in the illustrations will have the reader tasting and smelling freshly baked bread. There is a note at the beginning, asking the reader to follow some steps before reading the book. At the end, there is Papan’s French bread recipe. A loving, compassionate book about family history, the desire for freedom and safety, baking, and family bonding is a must-read book for elementary students.

The characters are Latino. Deanna M. _ Elementary Media Tech