Ten Dragon Eggs by Lynda Graham-Barber, andJeffrey Ebbeler

Ten Dragon Eggs: A Book About Counting Down by Lynda Graham-Barber, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler. PICTURE BOOK Peachtree. 2023 $19. 9781682635261 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A mother dragon is helping her eggs hatch by breathing fire on them. Each baby dragling is a little bit different. As they hatch, we learn how many have hatched and how many are left. 

First of all, Jeffrey Ebbler's illustrations are so fun. The baby dragons are cute and silly, and mother dragon's face as she runs out of fire is so funny. The story, however, AJ didn't love. She felt it was confusing. Instead of actually counting down, the story told how many were hatched and how many were left, so there were 2 things going on at once. We don't feel it's really a counting book. 

Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 7)

The Penguin of Ilha Grande by Shannon Earle and Renato Alarcão - ADVISABLE

The Penguin of Ilha Grande: From Animal Rescue to Extraordinary Friendship by Shannon Earle, illustrated by Renato Alarcão. NON-FICTION, PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge/Imagine. 2023 $18. 9781623541668 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

One morning, on a beach in Brazil, children found a small penguin with black goo on its feathers. Seu João carried the penguin home and carefully cleaned its feathers with dish soap. After a couple of weeks the penguin was strong enough to go home, but each time he was taken back, Dimdim returned. But then, several months later, Dindim lost his old feathers and grew new ones, this time, when Dindim dove in the water and swam out to sea, he didn't return. Will Seu João ever see him again? 

Wait - I want a penguin friend who will swim every morning with me in the ocean! Lucky Lucky Seu João. And lucky Dindim to have been discovered by someone who knew what to do. Renato Alarcão's illustrations are beautiful I love the colors of the water, and the sunset illustration is amazing. Includes information about Magellanic Penguins, conservation information and when Dindim may be now. 

Lisa Librarian

The Wishing Flower by A.J. Irving and Kip Alizadeh - ADVISABLE

The Wishing Flower by A.J. Irving and Kip Alizadeh. PICTURE BOOK Knopf (Random House). 2023. $19. 9780593430446 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Birdie makes wishes on "wishing flowers." She loves things like books and nature, but she's a bit of a loner. She doesn't play with the kids on the playground, preferring to read instead. But when a new girl starts at her school, named Sunny, Birdie hopes this is the friend she's been wishing for. 

Oh, what a cute story. I enjoyed the colorful illustrations - especially the sunset with the geese flying through the sky. While it reads as best friends, it's also LGBTQ+ inclusive. I loved it. AJ loved it too. She likes stories about kids who easily make friends. 

Birdie is a red-head, while Sunny has black hair. No race or culture is mentioned. 

Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 7) 

Louise Bourgeois Made Giant Spiders and Wasn't Sorry. by Fausto Gilberti - ESSENTIAL

Louise Bourgeois Made Giant Spiders and Wasn't Sorry. by Fausto Gilberti BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Phaidon. 2023. $18. 9781838666248 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Young Louise loved spiders, they reminded her of her mother who was a weaver. Sometimes she helped her mother repair tapestries. After her mother passed away, Louise studies mathematics at University, but soon changed to art school and moved to New York, where she became a sculptor. But she also loved to draw, especially spirals. Then at age 89 she created a giant spider out of metal and marble.

I love this series so much! I look forward to each new installment - I believe there's 5 now. Gilberti's illustrations are original and fun, and give a great idea of what Bourgeois' art is like. Readers will want to jump on the internet and look her up. There's a great photograph at the end of the giant spider sculpture - I hope to see one in person someday. While I have a set of these in my biographies, I'm getting another to shelve with the art books. Louise Bourgeois is French. 

Lisa Librarian

Animal Sidekicks by Macken Murphy, and Dragan Kordic - ADVISABLE

Animal Sidekicks: Amazing Stories of Symbiosis in Animals and Plants by Macken Murphy, illustrated by Dragan Kordic. PICTURE BOOK, NON-FICTION Neon Squid. 2022. $20. 9781684492015

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

This non-fiction book presents many different animal pairs and how they work together. It has a table of contents which would make it easy for teachers or librarians to just read certain pages to their students. There is a paragraph on each page and then it also gives a little more information next to the pictures. I think that students would be intrigued by Animal Sidekicks. The illustrations are colorful and the text is extremely interesting. It would be a great book for teachers or librarians to teach about working together or synergy. 

 Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

The Bright Side by Chad Otis - ADVISABLE

The Bright Side by Chad Otis PICTURE BOOK Rocky Pond Books. 2023. $19. 9780593530627

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3)  - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When a little boy and his family make a bus their home it is hard for him to look on the bright side of things. But he keeps using his imagination. He keeps trying to look on the bright side of things until one day it gets easier. He begins to feel that he can do anything when he looks on the bright side. Then his family decides it's time to park the bus so that he can go to a real school. But he does not know anyone and he is not used to sitting still and being inside. When the school party gets canceled the boy uses his imagination and his ability to look on the bright side to save the day. 

This is a sweet story about being positive and the power of imagination. I love the bright, cheerful, engaging illustrations. 

A. Snow

Grace Needs Space Benjamin A. Wilgus and Rii Abrego - OPTIONAL

Grace Needs Space by Benjamin A. Wilgus, illustrated by Rii Abrego, 204 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL RH Graphic (Random House). 2023. 22. 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Grace can hardly wait to fly off into space with her fun mom, Kendra, and leave her boring mom, Evelyn, behind on her home space station. Unfortunately, the trip isn't everything Grace had hoped for because Kendra is so busy with work that Grace feels lonely and left out. 

 The art is nice and the story is easy to follow. Very much a family relationship story. There were so many pages establishing the fact that Grace was lonely, there wasn't much else in the plot. The space idea is intriguing, but the storyline could have been set anywhere. No set race or culture is mentioned, but Grace and Evelyn have brown skin tones and Kendra is paler with red hair. 

Michelle in the Middle

Meesh the Bad Demon by Michelle Lam - ADVISABLE

Meesh the Bad Demon by Michelle Lam. 300 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Alfred A. Knopf (Random House). 2023. $22 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Meesh is not great at being a demon. She doesn't blow fire, and she likes watching a show about a fairy princess named Nouna. Meesh lives alone with her grandma. Life for Meesh changes when she discovers that demon-kind and her way of life is threatened. Turning to the fairy world for help, she discovers some unlikely allies. 

The art was beautifully done and helped the storyline. Meesh has to discover who she is before she can really be of help, so themes of friendship, inclusion, and self-discovery are relatable. Meesh and her friends will be going on a new adventure in a subsequent book since the ending suggests an evil mastermind. The author is Chinese American and all the different worlds have a variety of skin tones. 

 Michelle in the Middle

Lemon Bird Can Help! by Paulina Banucheau - OPTIONAL

Lemon Bird Can Help! by Paulina Banucheau PICTURE BOOK RH Graphic. 2022. $13 9780593122679 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

This graphic novel is about a little bird and his "pupkin" a looks like a dog with a pumpkin stem. Pupkin and Lemon Bird help each other get out of all kinds of scrapes. They get lost and go on many adventures to find their way back to make it home for adoption day. 

I had a really hard time following the story line of this book. It had good intentions and the comic story is simple but nicely illustrated. I just wasn't in love with the story line. I felt like it jumped around too much. I do like in the back of the book they had a How to Draw Lemon Bird which I thought was clever. They are all animals 

Emilee-Library Media Specialist

The Circles in the Sky by Karl James Mountford - ADVISABLE

The Circles in the Sky by Karl James Mountford. PICTURE BOOK Candlewick Studio. 2022. $19. 9781536224986 

Content: PG 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Fox is wandering in the forest and he finds a bird. This bird is sick. The fox tries many things to help the bird and the bird doesn't respond. A moth observes the fox trying to help. He and the fox talk about how the bird "just isn't Here anymore". The fox is confused and the sweet moth helps him understand about death and dying in a sweet innocent and very gentle way. 

 I cannot get enough of the illustrations in this book. The cover is captivating with its embossed areas, gold accents and earth tones. The illustrations are very angular and geometric. It's beautiful to create a landscape in an artistic way. The tender story does a really good job talking about dying and how that person's body might still be Here but their soul isn't. I highly recommend this book. They are all animals 

Emilee-Library Media Specialist

Pack Your Bags, Maggie Diaz by Nina Moreno and Courtney Lovett - ADVISABLE

Pack Your Bags, Maggie Diaz by Nina Moreno, illustrated by Courtney Lovett 272 pages. Scholastic Press (Scholastic). 2023 $19. 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Spring is in the air. Everything is going great for Maggie - her friends are a team once again, her grades are great, the 7th grade has planned a spring break trip to St. Augustine and Maggie is starting track. But it's Valentine's day and love is in the air. Crushes and Prom are on everyone's mind but Maggie's - well, maybe Maggie likes someone. Then Zoe fails a math test and can't come on the trip, Abuela signs up to be a chaperone and Maggie has to room with Vanessa, a new girl (who she thinks might be Julian's crush!). 

I really like Maggie Diaz - her home life is still a bit crazy. Her Abuela has moved out of her room and into the tiny house on their property, but she's still super involved, and I love it. I love that Moreno doesn't translate the Spanish (Abuela rarely speaks English) but easily incorporates context so there's no missed dialogue. Perfect middle school drama - with academic expectations mixed with who likes who. It reads a bit young for my 8th graders, but I'm still buying a copy for my library. Maggie and her family are Cuban. Maggie's sister is LGBTQ she is going to Prom with another girl, Maggie's friends are of various racies and orientations as well. 

Lisa Librarian

All in a Day by Chihiro Takeuchi - ESSENTIAL

All in a Day by Chihiro Takeuchi. PICTURE BOOK Berbay Publishing. 2023. $19. 9781922610546 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Starting at 7 a.m. and ending a 6 a.m. the next day, we follow the comings and goings of all the people who live and work in one building. Each spread at a different time of day. There is a clock featured with each spread and a description highlighting some of the people's activities. Each spread also includes questions for the reader asking them to find or notice certain things on each page. 

I love the bright, detailed, and colorful collage-style/cut paper artwork. I love the clock on each page that will help teach time-telling skills. I love how each page highlights a different time of day. I love the interactive element that encourages the children to look closely at the illustrations so that they can discover what is taking place. 

A. Snow

Caves by Nell Cross Beckerman, illustrated by Kalen Chock - ADVISABLE

Caves by Nell Cross Beckerman, illustrated by Kalen Chock. PICTURE BOOK Orchard Books (Scholastic). 2022. $20. 9781338726626  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Caves are natural holes big enough for a human to enter. Do you dare? Don't go alone! Some caves have stalactites and stalagmites, formed over thousands of years. Others, like The Cueva de los Cristales in Mexico, are full of crystals. Some contain fossils of early humans, some huge bat colonies. There are underwater caves and caves formed by volcanos. Many different caves and different ways to explore them 

The text is a combination of lovely poetry and informational prose. I've visited several caves and the illustrations represent the feel and look of many of those caves. I loved learning about the things that made some of the most special caves unique. 

 Lisa Librarian

Glitter Everywhere by Chris Burton and Chaaya Prabhat - ADVISABLE

Glitter Everywhere: Where it Came From, Where it's Found & Where it's Going by Chris Burton, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat. NON-FICTION Charlesbridge/Imagine. 2023. $20. 9781623542528 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Glitter lovers, this book is for you! Well-organized and engaging, Barton takes the reader through what makes it sparkle, and why humans might like sparkly things. We learn about iridescent beetles and ancient Egyptians, where Mica comes from, and how it was used in art and even fabrics. Barton covers the history of glitter in the US, and the factories that produced it. We learn the improvements to glitter today and even discover that there is edible glitter. There are tips for getting it out of your hair and concerns about microplastic and its effect on aquatic animals and other environmental problems. 

Full of informative text, this non-fiction dive into the world of glitter is better recommended for upper elementary. I loved the illustrations - I sort of expected the book to be very glittery, and it wasn't, and that was totally ok. I'll enjoy recommending this to my middle school readers as well as the upper elementary crowd. Everyone loves glitter! Right? 

Lisa Librarian

The Lobster Lady by Alexandra S.D. Hinrichs, illustrated by Jamie Hogan - AVERAGE

The Lobster Lady by Alexandra S.D. Hinrichs, illustrated by Jamie Hogan. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge/Imagine. 2023 $18. 9781623543938 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

102yo Virginia fishes for lobster with her son. As the traps come in, she checks and measures and throws back the ones they can't keep. But when a crab bites her with its claw, they must go back to shore and visit a doctor. When he asks what she was doing out there, she remembers her childhood on the island, and missing her family while she went to school on the mainland. As a teen, she learned to pilot her own boat and haul in her own lobster traps. After she married, she worked several jobs, but none of them were what she loved - lobstering, so her husband took her on the boat with him. 

I love that Hinrichs researched the story alongside Virginia herself. Jamie Hogan's illustrations are nostalgic and sweet. Sometimes the pictures say more than the words, especially when words aren't enough (the picture of the couple in a rowboat - be still my heart!) A lovely story of resilience and fighting to do what you love. Contains a recipe for lobster rolls! I'm excited to add Virginia's story to my picture book biography section. Virginia is white. 

Lisa Librarian

Dance With Oti: The Bird Jive by Oti Mabuse, illustrated by Samara Hardy - ADVISABLE

Dance With Oti: The Bird Jive by Oti Mabuse, illustrated by Samara Hardy. PICTURE BOOK, INTERACTIVE Candlewick. 2023 $18. 9781536225006 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A multicultural group of children are taking a dance class with British TV star Oti Mabuse. When a bird flies into the studio, the Jive dance lesson turns into the Bird Jive! Will the parents love their performance?

AJ loved this fun dance class! With clear directions and an engaging twist, she wanted to dance along while she was reading along. Comes with a QR code that takes the reader to a video of Oti doing the Bird Jive to an original song. Suddenly this is perfect for the whole class! Oti Mabuse is South African. 

Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 7)

Bravo, Bucket Head by Helen Laster and Lynn Munsinger - NO

Bravo, Bucket Head by Helen Laster, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. PICTURE BOOK Atheneum (Simon and Schuster). 2022. $19. 9781534493490 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - NO 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Mousetta is very shy. She walks backward so she doesn't have to meet people, and often hides under her mother's skirt or in her father's vest. So, when Dr. Gladpaw offers a special workshop at the Field Mouse Field House, she decides to try to take his advice, but, too shy to walk there herself, she wears a bucket over her head. When she arrives, she discovers, she's not the only shy field mouse in the field. 

There were several things that made me raise an eyebrow . . . popular mice children and regular mice children - and the popular ones were popular because of how they looked?!? I hated that Mousetta was described as "mousey" - no wonder she wants to hide all the time. Where are her siblings teaching her how to be brave, why do her parents let her walk backward and hide under their skirts? The ending was odd as well. Not recommended. 

Lisa Librarian

Night Owl Night by Susan Edwards Richmond and Maribel Lechuga - ADVISABLE

Night Owl Night by Susan Edwards Richmond, illustrated by Maribel Lechuga. PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge/Imagine. 2023. $18. 9781623542511 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Sova's mother is a scientist who studies owls. But each time Sova asks to come with her to watch for the owls she is told "not yet", and that sometimes a scientist must wait. Sova hasn't been old enough, but tonight, she gets to come! They will be looking for saw-whet owls which are migrating. They set up a delicate "mist net" but at each check of the net they return empty-handed. Until, the last check - a small owl whooshes into their net. Finally! 

I loved the voice of Night Owl Night - perfect for a quiet read before bed. Her worries about "what if we catch one" are perfectly answered by her responsible, scientific mother.  I loved watching how carefully they weighed, measured and banded the owl. And the illustration of the release was divine, with Sova imaging that she was flying, too. Ahhh - I loved Night Owl Night. Contains descriptions of the owls mentioned in the story with a QR code on each illustration that links to allaboutbirds.org where you can hear their call (so cool!) Author's note includes further information on the owl banding program, website links and books for further reading. Sova and her mother are Black. 

Lisa Librarian

Not Done Yet: Shirley Chisholm's Fight for Change by Tameka Fryer Brown and Nina Crews - ADVISABLE

Not Done Yet: Shirley Chisholm's Fight for Change by Tameka Fryer Brown, illustrated by Nina Crews. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Millbrook Press (Lerner). 2022. $21. 9781728420080 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Shirley Chisholm was always a fighter. When she saw people treated unfairly, she wanted to do something about it. She became a teacher, joined a political club, and began to run for office, she was Brooklyn's first Black assemblywoman, and the first Black woman elected to congress. She even ran for President of the United States. 

I love Shirley Chisholm, and am excited to see another picture book biography about her. The illustrations are nice - I especially love the backgrounds - some with historical figures, others with period posters or other views of the 60's. There's a lot of back matter, including a timeline, bibliography and resources. 

Lisa Librarian

Frank, Who Liked to Build by Deborah Blumenthal and Maria Brzozowska - ADVISABLE

Frank, Who Liked to Build: The Architecture of Frank Gehry by Deborah Blumenthal, illustrated by Maria Brzozowska. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Kar-Ben Publishing (Lerner). 2022. $18. 9781541597624 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When Frank Gehry was a boy, his grandmother would give him bits of wood to build with. His father called him a dreamer and thought he wouldn't amount to anything. This was discouraging for him, but he kept dreaming and playing with ideas. The buildings he would design were bent and curved and swam like fish. He would sketch, model and play and invent. Gehry's buildings are like no other - they don't even look like buildings, but, like the Guggenheim in Spain are some of the most beautiful architecture in the world. 

The story flows through the illustrations which are as creative as the architecture they are talking about. I loved the story, I loved the mixed-media representation of the buildings. The author's note contains photos of some of Gehry's works. A great addition to my short biography section. Gehry is Jewish Canadian 

Lisa Librarian

Best Wishes by Sarah Mlynowski - ESSENTIAL

Best Wishes (Best Wishes #1) by Sarah Mlynowski. 171 pages. Scholastic Press (Scholastic). 2022. $16. 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

5th grader Becca is looking forward to her upcoming birthday. She and her best friend Harper will be doing what they have done every year - tie dye, a story game and a sleep over. But, the Monday before her birthday, Harper "breaks up" with Becca - she has a new friend, Georgette, and they are becoming besties. Becca is devastated. Her day goes from bad to worse, and before it ends, her mom had taken her home from school, her face covered in anxiety triggered hives. But a special package is in their mail, a box addressed to Becca containing a special wishing bracelet (and containing a warning to take care and beware of the wish she makes). Becca wishes that everyone was her friend. 

I couldn't help but reminisce about the Mrs Piggle-Wiggle books and the trouble which ensues when a child gets their wish. AJ and I read Best Wishes together, and it was the perfect bedtime book. We had some nice discussions about friendship, what makes a good friend, and why you want real friends, not ones compelled by magic. The birthday party with absolutely everyone showing up was terrific. I see there's a book 2 cowritten by Mlynowski and Debbie Rigaud, we are looking forward to reading it. Becca and her family are Jewish 

Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 7) 

Elbert in the Air by Monica Wesolowska and Jerome Pumphrey - ADVISABLE

Elbert in the Air by Monica Wesolowska illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey. PICTURE BOOK Dial Books for Young Readers. 2023. $19. 9780593325209 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Soon after Elbert was born, he floated in the air. As he grew, he continued to float and his mother continued to reach up to feed him and help him. Several people had ideas about how to keep him on the ground. His mother just continued to climb up to reach him. When Elbert went to school the teachers also had ideas on how to keep Elbert on the ground. Elbert continued to float and his mother continued to encourage him to be himself. She knew that he would eventually find the place where he belonged among the people who would accept him for who he was. 

The watercolor illustrations are fresh and engaging. I like that no matter how many people tried to change Elbert, his mother continued to support him and encourage him to be himself. 

A. Snow

The Loud Librarian by Jenna Beatrice, illustrated by Erika Lynne Jones - ADVISABLE

The Loud Librarian by Jenna Beatrice, illustrated by Erika Lynne Jones. PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon), 2023. $19. 9781665910545 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Penelope had been practicing her library skills at home all year. When she was finally selected to be the student librarian she was elated. She had all of the right skills: friendly, helpful, and a book-lover. However, Penelope was also loud. She was so loud her voice could be heard in space. She was so loud that books fell from shelves and the ground rumbled when she spoke. When her loud voice ruined the library, Penelope was devastated. She was about to give up when she has an idea that will allow her to be a student librarian and be true to herself. 

This is a great story about being true to yourself and having the determination to find solutions to problems. The children depicted in the book have a wide variety of ethnicity and abilities. 

A. Snow

Always Anjali by Sheetal Sheth, illustrated by Jessica Blank - ESSENTIAL

Always Anjali by Sheetal Sheth, illustrated by Jessica Blank. PICTURE BOOK Random House Children's Books. 2018. $19. 9780593648834 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Anjali receives a bike for her 7th birthday. Later that day she meets her friends at the school carnival. At the carnival, there is a booth selling bike license plates with names on them. Anjali and her friends decide to each but one. However, Anjali can not find one to match her name. To make matters worse a boy at the carnival makes fun of Anjali by calling her Peanut Butter An-Jelly. Back at home, Anjali expresses her hurt feelings to her parents by insisting they start calling her Angie. Later Anjali's mom talks to her about the meaning of her name and how it is a Sanskrit word from India. She teaches Anjali to be proud of her name and that being different is marvelous. Anjali spends that night making a one-of-a-kind license plate for her bike with the name Anjali. 

The illustrations are bright, fun, and engaging. The messages of being proud of where you come from and rejoicing in our differences are well presented in the story. The characters in the book represent a variety of ethnicities. 

A. Snow

Pocket Full of Sads by Brad Davidson and Rachel Mas Davidson - ADVISABLE

Pocket Full of Sads by Brad Davidson and Rachel Mas Davidson. PICTURE BOOK Rodale Kids. 2023. $19. 97880593564561 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Rabbit and Bear have plans to go fishing but Bear is not feeling up to it. He feels like his pocket is full of sads. Rabbit tries several things to cheer Bear up. 

The illustrations are cute and engaging. I like that Rabbit tries lots of things to help cheer up Bear, but she is also willing to sit quietly with Bear and show him friendship. The text is simple enough for new readers. It shows kids how to be supportive when their friends are having tough feelings. 

A. Snow

Star Knights by Kay Davault - OPTIONAL

Star Knights by Kay Davault, 234 pages GRAPHIC NOVEL RH Graphic (Random House). 2022. $21 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Tad is a lowly mud-dweller frog who dreams of being a Star Knight. All he has to do is find a star and then he can leave his lowly status behind and go on exciting adventures. When Tad is lucky enough to find a star, he has the opportunity to show that even a lowly frog can be a hero. 

The art is colorful and bright. The characters have an anime-ish non-gender look to them and gender doesn't seem to be an issue when it comes to attractions. The storyline is fairly straightforward and predictable, but it wraps up nicely with a theme of being true to yourself. As for race, even when the forest animals transform into star nights, they have different skin colors. 

Michelle in the Middle

Go Wild! Frogs by Alicia Z. Klepeis - ADVISABLE

Go Wild! Frogs by Alicia Z. Klepeis. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION National Geographic Partners, LLC. 2023. $10. 9781426373862 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Frogs can be found on every continent in the world except Antarctica. They have all kinds of homes usually around water. Some frogs are as big as a newborn baby and as small as a fly. Frogs have many different body parts that help them live on land and in the water. Frogs use camouflage to hide from predators and sneak up on prey. Frogs are amphibians. Some frogs are tiny but toxic and have bright colors to warn predators. They help our world by eating many insects and mice., and by being food for snakes and birds. Frogs begin as eggs, then tadpoles, and continue to change until they lose their tail and become frogs. 

Go Wild! Frogs is full of very interesting facts simple enough for children to enjoy. There are easy words for small children to read on every page as well as more detailed information. All the colorful photos of frogs help the book jump to life. I enjoyed learning everything you would ever want to know about frogs. 

PGPowers

The Area 51 Files by Julie Buxbaum and Lavanya Naidu - OPTIONAL

The Area 51 Files by Julie Buxbaum, illustrated by Lavanya Naidu, 296 pages. Delacorte (Random House). 2022. $15 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Twelve-year-old Sky Patel-Baum is sent to live with her uncle Anish in Area 51, where the first and most important rule is, "Whatever happens in Area 51 stays in Area 51." Plenty seems to be happening. Not only does Sky discover there really are aliens, but some of them are missing, which could cost her uncle his job and put her in danger as well. 

 The illustrations are fun and help readers get a visual on the aliens. Sky and her alien friend, Elvis, are likable characters and the humor is fun. Agent Fartz spawned a whole lot of fart jokes that grew tiresome for me after awhile, but may appeal to a younger crowd. At almost 300 pages, the story could have been tightened up a little. Sky and her uncle appear to be Indian and most everyone else are aliens. 

 Michelle in the Middle 

The Cool Code by Deirdre Langeland and Sarah Mai - ADVISABLE

The Cool Code by Deirdre Langeland, illustrated by Sarah Mai, 222 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL, Clarion (Clarion Books). 2022. $13 

Language: G (1 swear 0 'f')); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

 BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Zoey goes from being home-schooled to her first year of actual school in 8th grade. She is nervous about fitting into this new and overwhelming environment. Zoey is a coder and she is developing the Cool Code to help her fit in. It should tell her what to say and even what to wear to be cool. Unfortunately, it may have some bugs. It may be a big help or could crash her social life. 

I like that Zoey is a coder and new to the school scene. I also love that algorithms are helpful, but navigating middle school and friendships takes trial and error. There are some great lessons to be learned and the characters and storyline are relatable and timely. The illustrations add to the story and are easy to follow. If you're a fan of Raina Telgemeier, this book is definitely for you. Races are unclear, though Zoey's friend is Black. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Lo & Behold by Wendy Mass, illustrated by Gabi Mendez - ESSENTIAL

Lo & Behold by Wendy Mass, illustrated by Gabi Mendez, 218 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL, Random House. 2023. $21 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Middle schooler, Addie is off on a father-daughter adventure when he gets a summer job that takes them across the country. Addie isn't excited and is struggling to work through some family issues. Reluctantly she finds herself getting caught up in some projects with virtual reality and meets a new friend, Mateo, who helps her see her world differently. 

Anytime a graphic novel can move your emotions, it's a singular event. This book deals with some difficult issues but in such an enchanting way that you will be completely sucked in. Both Mateo and Addie are dealing with some private pain. Too often as both middle schoolers and adults, we tend to get consumed by our own problems and don't recognize that others are struggling. This is a great book for teaching empathy, compassion, and wonder. The illustrations add to the work and I hope to see more from this collaborative team. Mateo is Cuban and Abbie is Caucasian. 

Michelle in the Middle 

New Kids & Under Dogs by Margaret Finnegan - ADVISABLE

New Kids & Underdogs by Margaret Finnegan. 277 pages. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 2022. $18. 9781534496408 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A 5th grader named Robyn has moved many times in her life. She moves to California with her mom and her two dogs. She sees an agility class for dogs and wants to join with her two Jack Russell terrier mixes. The teacher says no because one of her dogs is deaf and partially blind. The other dog has anxiety issues. Robyn tries to find a way for her dogs to do agility and she makes some friends along the way. 

This would be a great book for readers that are interested in dogs or who have experienced being the new kid at school. There are many great messages in this book about making friends and how we treat those different from us. Robyn learns many lessons and I think the reader will enjoy learning them along with her! Robyn is presumably white. 

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

All aboard! The Sesame Street Subway by Nichole Mara and Andrew Kolb - ADVISABLE

All Aboard! The Sesame Street Subway by Nichole Mara illustrated by Andrew Kolb PICTURE BOOK Abrams Appleseed. 2023. $13. 9781419766558

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Abby, Elmo, and a few of their friends are taking the subway to the library. How many books with purple covers do you see? Abby realizes she has lost her library card. At the stop for the park, she looks for it in the next subway car. This car is full of friends on their way to the park. At the next stop for downtown, Abby looks in car number three. More of Abby's friends are shopping with different shaped packages. But she still can't find her library card. Will she find her library card at the next stop for the library in the last car? 

All Aboard! creates a lot of interaction with the reader. It is fun to open the book into a long train, and then lift the flap of each car to see who's in the car and what they are doing. The text provides one or two simple questions to figure out in each car. Children will especially enjoy it if they are fans of the sesame street characters. 

PGPowers

Plátanos Are Love by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris and Mariyah Rahman - ADVISABLE

Plátanos Are Love by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, illustrated by Mariyah Rahman. PICTURE BOOK Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division). 2023. $19. 9781665902731 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A young girl works with her abuela in the kitchen, learning about different ways to prepare plantains and how important the plantains are to Latinx culture, community and cuisine. Abuela teaches that plantains are part of their history and that they represent so much more than just food. 

Plátanos Are Love is written in English with many Spanish words and phrases mixed right into the sentences on every page. At the end of the story, the author does include a thorough glossary that includes each Spanish word or phrase used in the book - the glossary covers two complete pages! The author also includes three detailed recipes for important plantain dishes mentioned in the story. This is a gorgeously illustrated book, with warm bold colors on the pages representing the current day story, and sepia tones on pages depicting history. The story is full of family and tradition and love. This would be an absolutely perfect book in a dual-immersion Spanish language classroom. It may be a little overwhelming or frustrating for someone to read if they have no Spanish language experience because there is so much Spanish included in the story. Some words and phrases are easy enough to understand using context clues and illustrations, but others are sprinkled in without any real language assistance until the glossary at the end. 

Angie Campbell, EL librarian

The Artist by Ed Vere - OPTIONAL

The Artist by Ed Vere. PICTURE BOOK Doubleday (Random House Children's Books). 2023. $19. 9780525580874

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

This is the story of an Artist (represented as a dinosaur) who sees the wonder, joy and beauty of everything in the world and makes it into her art. She goes on a journey, shares her art, makes some mistakes and gets discouraged, and then is encouraged by people who love her art to try again. 

I absolutely loved the bold and colorful illustrations in this book, done with mixed media style. And I liked what the story aimed to do which was to answer the question "what is an artist?" But the story itself was fairly abstract in answering the question, and the Artist's journey seemed to take the story in a totally different direction, landing on more of a "mistakes are how you learn" theme. This book was fun to look at and I think kids will definitely enjoy the art, but I found the story itself to be a bit lacking. 

Angie Campbell, EL librarian

So You Want to Be a Frog by Jane Porter and Neil Clark - ESSENTIAL

So You Want to Be a Frog by Jane Porter, illustrated by Neil Clark. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Candlewick Press 2023 $19 9781536225136

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Another fun non-fiction title from Jane Porter, following her Utah Beehive Book Award nominated "So You Want to Be an Owl" (which my K-5 students absolutely loved!) This non-fiction book is written as a welcome to the Frog Club, making sure the reader has what it takes to be a frog! Full of bright colors, fun and fascinating facts, and even a congratulatory certificate making the reader an honorary member of the Frog Club (printed on the inside of the back cover). This will inform and entertain elementary students (and I definitely learned a thing or two as an adult). If you’re looking for fun, engaging non-fiction/informational books this is a great option. Bonus: plenty of opportunities for physical play breaks during a read-aloud (wriggling, jumping, making various frog sounds, etc). 

Angie Campbell, EL librarian

The Name Game by Elizabeth Laird and Olivia Holden - OPTIONAL

The Name Game by Elizabeth Laird, illustrated by Olivia Holden. PICTURE BOOK Tiny Owl Publishing. 2022. $17. 9781910328880

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A young girl is at home and feeling bored when a magpie comes and taps on the window. The little girl strikes up a conversation with the bird and asks its name. The magpie responds by asking the girl to give him a name. She does, and then names a tree, a butterfly, and a cat as well. Her “new game” to give things names keeps her busy and eliminates her boredom. 

The overall theme of the book is summarized nicely on the last page “Everything, everyone, needs its own name!” This is a simple, gentle book. The colors are pretty and the basic but detailed illustrations are a cool mixed art style - maybe watercolor and colored pencil. This book may spark a bit of imaginative discussion, but overall it’s just not very engaging. 

Angie Campbell, EL librarian

Hooray for DNA! How a Bear and a Bug Are a Lot Like Us by Pauline Thompson and Greg Pizzoli - HIGH

Hooray for DNA! How a Bear and a Bug Are a Lot Like Us by Pauline Thompson illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Alfred A. Knopf (Random House Children’s Books, Penguin Random House) 2023. $19. 9780593427040

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

“DNA is the ABC of what makes you, you and what makes me, me.” Written in rhyming verse, Hooray for DNA teaches the very basic concept of all living things being related because of shared DNA. 

The idea of the reader being part llama and bat and cougar and giraffe and “the whole wacky lot of us? Part hippopotamus!” may confuse kids but it will certainly delight them. Thompson does a great job of breaking down complex concepts into kid-friendly bits of info throughout the story. She then includes more detailed information about DNA in the back matter, plus a DNA scavenger hunt as well as book, video, and website resources to help the reader explore some more. Pizzoli’s illustrations are fun and colorful and just right! Great book for a STEM day read - Thompson even included a page comparing building with DNA chemical bricks to building with LEGO. 

Angie Campbell, EL librarian

When Sea Becomes Sky by Gillian McDunn - ESSENTIAL

When Sea Becomes Sky by Gillian McDunn, 224 pages.  Bloomsbury Children’s Books. 2023. $17. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Set on an island during a prolonged period of drought, Bex and little brother Davey spend their summer days heading out in their rowboat and enjoying their own special spot in the salt marsh. As the days without rain continue, the marsh waters lower and a mysterious statue that had previously been submerged is exposed. When Bex and Davey learn that planned development will destroy the area where they love to spend their days, they know they need to solve the mystery of the statue in hopes of saving their special spot. 

This story combines a beautiful mix of adventure, mystery, and environmental awareness with family relationships, friendships, loss and love. This book was absolutely captivating from the first line to the last. The author, Gillian McDunn is a crafty storyteller and 11yo Bex is a delightful, thought-provoking character and narrator. I particularly enjoyed Bex’s musings on being an aspiring writer, and the way Davey (an avid reader himself) encourages her writing efforts. The sibling relationship in this story is everything, and the story is so much more than it seems on the surface. Profound and heartfelt, this is a book that quickly made its way to my personal favorites list. 

Angie Campbell, EL librarian

A Bear Far From Home by Susan Flectcher and Rebecca Green - ESSENTIAL

A Bear Far From Home by Susan Flectcher, illustrated by Rebecca Green. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Anne Schwartz Books. 2022. $19. 9780593181898

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

In 1251 or 1252 King Haakon IV of Norway gave Henry III of England a white bear to have in his menagerie at the Tower of London. Susan Fletcher uses historical documents and modern knowledge of polar bears to weave a history of that bear. This story starts with the birth of the cub and follows her through her life into captivity. 

The story is thoughtful and invites the reader to consider the existence of animals in captivity. I liked that this book is a readable non-fiction. The facts are presented with great heart and the reader feels for this before unknown bear. I like books that make history an appealing puzzle for children to resolve. The illustrations reference the medieval art of the era and are a history lesson in themselves. 

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian

Agent Moose: Operation Owl by Mo O'Hara and Jess Bradley - OPTIONAL

Agent Moose: Operation Owl by Mo O'Hara illustrated by Jess Bradley 125 pages. CHAPTER BOOK Feiwel and Friends 2022 $11 9781250222251 G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

This is the third book in a series about Agent Moose and his trusty sidekick, Owl. Mysterious floods are plaguing the Woodlands. It is up to Agent Moose and Owl to find out who is causing the floods and who has kidnapped Madame HQ. Agent Moose and Owl have many interesting disguises that help them solve the mystery. 

The plot and illustrations of this book were for me reminiscent of Dog Man, without the potty humor. My concern is that the vocabulary may be too difficult for six to nine-year-olds which are the recommended ages for this book. Older children would be more familiar with the more difficult words but I am not sure that the plot would appeal to them. 

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

The Disappearing Mr. Jacques by Gideon Sterer and Benjamin Chaud - HIGH

The Disappearing Mr. Jacques by Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud. PICTURE BOOK Alfred A. Knopf. 2022. $18. 9780525579410

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Mr. Jacques is a magician. He has traveled the world entertaining kings, but now he will entertain the reader of his book. Mr. Jacques disappears and reappears; in the book, in your hand, even on your nose. Mr. Jacques is happy to show his readers how they too can be magicians of imagination. 

This book strikes me as one that is meant to be read aloud. The drama and excitement of the disappearing magician are only truly felt as an interaction between the reader and listener. Mr. Jacques's proportions are incongruent which was a little distracting to me, but otherwise, the pictures are clever and match the drama of the text. 

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian

Spreckle's Snack Surprise by Sandra Salsbury - ADVISABLE

Spreckle's Snack Surprise by Sandra Salsbury. PICTURE BOOK Peachtree. 2023. $19. 9781682634820 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Spreckle, a dragon, was hatched in the chicken coup on a farm. He had a mother hen, siblings, but he didn't like the dried corn and slugs they ate every day. He flew the coop and tried other farm animals food. Nothing was very good. He even tried popsicles from the treat truck which were too messy. He soon gave up and sat on a haystack in the rain. Mother hen and chicks brought him back to his warm bed in the chicken coop. He decided dried corn wasn't so bad. Spreckle sneezed out some fire, and he found the perfect snack surprise. 

Spreckle's Snack Surprise has a fun and interesting premise with a surprise ending. Cute illustrations enhance the dragon's antics and frustration. I enjoyed the story. 

PGPowers

Puppy, Puppy Peekaboo by Grace Habib - ADVISABLE

Puppy, Puppy Peekaboo by Grace Habib. BOARD BOOK Campbell Books. 2023. $11. 9781914912771 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

"Puppy and friends are playing peekaboo. Will you play too? Hungry hamster where are you?
(Pull the page apart and find the hamster hiding and eating a sunflower seed. Shy bunny, where are you? (pull the page apart and find bunny hiding in the tulips.) Find Grumpy cat, Tricky tortoise, Sleepy fish, Happy puppy all playing peekaboo. And can you find baby in the mirror?" 

Puppy, Puppy Peekaboo is an adorable interactive board book for babies and very young children. They will eagerly and easily pull the pages apart to find the hiding cute animal. The illustrations are simple, colorful, and fun. Babies will especially enjoy the last page where they will see themselves in the mirror. 

PGPowers

Rain by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Lisa Congdon - ADVISABLE

Rain by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Lisa Congdon. PICTURE BOOK Beach Lane Books. 2023. $19. 9781442465091

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Before the rain comes, everything seems soft and quiet. The birds and trees whisper to other animals to hurry home. Children see the sky getting dark and hurry home. Whiskers on cats feel the rain coming and dogs smelt it yesterday, and they head inside. Ducks are happy about the rain, and have a glorious day with their babies. Wonderful free rain is good for everyone. After rain everything living will be better. 

Rain is a soft and calming book that focuses on the feelings rain brings on animals and people. Ryland ends her text with the good that rain provides for everyone. I enjoyed the colorful patterned illustrations and cute animals. Children will enjoy each picture of what the animals are doing to prepare for the rain. 

PGPowers

Me Gusta by Angela Dominguez - ESSENTIAL

Me Gusta by Angela Dominguez. PICTURE BOOK Henry Holt and Co. 2022. $15. 9781250818546  

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Me Gusta is written as a bilingual narrative about love. A young Latina girl share things that she loves in her life. She loves her parents, ice cream, and running through the sprinklers. Unfortunately, she also experiences people saying mean words to her and posters that discriminate against her. These are things she doesn't love. 

The plot is simple, yet deals with big emotions. As you read the text in English, you also are given the Spanish translation for many words or phrases. I liked this book because it was told in such a simple way, yet dealt with big issues like prejudice. It was fun to read out loud because of the Spanish translations. The reader will be engaged because they are able to learn Spanish vocabulary words along the way. 

A. Criswell, English Language Arts