The Sister Switch (Best Wishes #2) by Sarah Mlynowski and Debbie Rigaud - ESSENTIAL

The Sister Switch (Best Wishes #2)by Sarah Mlynowski and Debbie Rigaud, 170 pages. Scholastic Press (Scholastic), 2023. $16 

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

5th grader Addie Asante hates being the middle sister. Sophie, her big sister is bossy, and Camille, her little sister gets away with everything. So, when Addie is the next recipient of the bracelet, instead of reading the warnings about being careful about what you wish for, she quickly puts it on, and, not realizing it's a wishing bracelet wishes to not be in the middle anymore. Suddenly, Addie is in Sophie's body, attending her 7th grade classes, while her pre-k sister Camille gets to be Addie and Sophie is the baby sister. 

AJ and I are loving this series! The girls get in impossible situations, and we love watching Addie helpless as her little sister interacts with her friends - who don't know anything weird has happened. A terrific story about walking in someone else's shoes. We hope this becomes a nice long series. The Asante sisters are black. 

Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 7) 

Party Animals: Cranky Chicken #2 by Katherine Battersby - ADVISABLE

Party Animals: Cranky Chicken #2 by Katherine Battersby, 103 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. McElderry Books, 2022. $13. 9781534470217.

Content: G

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Cranky Chicken and her best friend, Speedy the Worm, are back at it in new adventures. Speedy is ever the optimist to Cranky's grumpy character and helps her out of a hangry mess, helps celebrate her birthday and finally drags her off to an excellent beach day.  

My reaction to Cranky Chicken is one of mild amusement but I'm an adult. The funny bits and jokes throughout this short graphic novel are the sort that will make young readers giggle and suggest the book to their friends. Its not my cup of tea but will be enjoyed by its target audience. 

Reviewer: TC 

Boo! Hiss! by Cyndi Marko - ESSENTIAL

Boo! Hiss! by Cyndi Marko, 70 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Aladdin, 2022. $20. 9781534425453

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Phyllis the ghost and Sheldon the snake are best friends who happily live together in an abandoned/creepy home on the hill. One day a human family moves in and the two friends band together to try and spook the family out. When all their efforts go awry, the friends bicker loud enough to scare the family into leaving--an event the friends now realize they don't want! Phyllis and Sheldon will have to change tack and figure out how to convince their neighbors to stay. 

This is flat out the most adorable graphic novel for kids I've picked up in a while. The story, the illustrations, the writing--all of it is absolutely top notch, spot on. I can't say enough good about it. Highly recommended--especially for spooky season!

Reviewer: TC

Adventures and Daydreams: Bug Boys #3 by Laura Knetzger--ESSENTIAL

Adventures and Daydreams: Bug Boys #3 by Laura Knetzger, 272 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. RH Graphic, 2022. $14. 9780593309520

Content: G

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Stag-B and Rhino-B are best beetle friends from Bug Village and in this new episode of their hit series they embark on a number of adventures together in a variety of short graphic stories. From meeting a long-asleep Cicada to venturing on a backpacking trip, the friends always stick together. 

My daughter beat me to the punch on reading this one and read it 3x's before I could get my hands on it. I'm not surprised however, as this is a sweet graphic novel that just feels so nice as you read it. The stories about Stag-B and Rhino-B do not fit together in any sort of story arc, but each is standalone and delightful in its own way. This is definitely a book aimed at elementary readers and the messages and fun stories are the kind parents will appreciate, too. This is the kind of graphic novel you want your kids to read! 

Reviewer: TC

Dear Unicorn by Josh Funk and Charles Santoso - ESSENTIAL

Dear Unicorn by Josh Funk, illustrated by Charles Santoso. PICTURE BOOK (K-3rd grade) Viking (Penguin), SEPTEMBER 2023. $19. 9780593206942 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Two young people are exchanging drawings and letters all year. What they don't know I that one of them is a unicorn and the other is human! Instead, they enjoy their exchanges, supporting each other's triumphs and consoling in sadness. Then the day comes that all of the pen pals are going to meet... Unicorns are a hot commodity and they are so cute and sunshiny. 

 I love that even though Connie (the human) starts out seeing many things from a negative perspective, Nicole (the unicorn) helps her see the silver lining in each situation. Connie is white, and Nicole is a pink unicorn. In one sentence Connie mentions that she has two moms. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Little Narwhal, Not Alone by Tiffany Stone and Ashlyn Anstee - ADVISABLE

Little Narwhal, Not Alone by Tiffany Stone, illustrated by Ashlyn Anstee. PICTURE BOOK. Greystone Books, 2021. $18. 978771646208. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Little Narwhal likes to explore and see new things. One day, he strays too far from home and before long he encounters danger and gets lost! While trying to find his family, Little Narwhal runs into a pod of beluga whales. He doesn’t eat like them, or speak like them, but he knows how to play like them! Before long, Little Narwhal loves traveling with his newfound friends and can’t wait to explore with them. 

This book is based on a true story about an uncommon relationship between a pod of belugas and a narwhal found in Canada. It teaches that although there may be differences in people you meet, there is always something you can relate to. The story is simple and the characters are charming. The text has slight rhyme to it which would help a younger child get interested in the story. The illustrations are not as invigorating as the story, the pages seem to blend into one another. But, overall, I think this is a fun book with a true story connected to it.

EllsBells

Here We Come! by Janna Matthies and Christine Davenier - ADVISABLE

Here We Come! by Janna Matthies, illustrated by Christine Davenier. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books, 2022. $18. 9781534417878. 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Take a moonlight adventure with a young boy and his many friends! Hum to the beat as he and his friends invite all who come along to participate in their fun musical parade. 

This book features lively rhyming text that almost any parent or child would enjoy. Its repetitive nature and beat would help any little child be excited to know what is going to be on the next page. The characters are quirky and original and the illustrations are simplistic to the eye. No major theme or lesson seems to be taught in the book, the story is simply for young children to enjoy the rhythmic nature of the text. 

EllsBells

Little Animal Hugs by Hans Wilhelm and Wednesday Kirwan - ADVISABLE

Little Animal Hugs by Hans Wilhelm, illustrated by Wednesday Kirwan. BOARD BOOK. Chronicle Books LLC., 2022. $10. 9781797207179.

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Through this interactive die-cut page board book, learn about ten little animal friends and find out what sound each animal makes while giving hugs!

This cute board book does a great job of teaching toddlers about animal sounds. The die-cut board pages can keep the child engaged by mixing and matching the different animals together. One drawback is that it’s a very simplistic book and, similarly, has simplistic illustrations. However, due to its simplicity, it is a great option for a starter book. 

EllsBells

Once Upon a Forest illustrated by Pam Fong - ADVISABLE

Once Upon a Forest by Pam Fong. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Studio, 2022. $18. 9780593380147.

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

When a little marmot sees her forest home go up in flames she becomes determined to fix it. With the help of her friend, a charming bird, they resourcefully nurture a set of trees. Although the work is challenging, they find happiness by realizing that their piece of home has started to flourish once again. 

This book teaches children of all ages the importance of taking care of our environment and that a small good deed can make all the difference. This book only has pictures, no words, therefore, it is easy for almost any child to understand. The illustrations in the book, particularly the marmot and the bird, are charming and easily followed. The big drawback is the lack of color. The majority of the pictures are black and white with the exception of one or two objects to emphasize the book's theme of environmental awareness. 

EllsBells

Our Roof is Blue by Sara E. Echenique and Ashley Vargas - ADVISABLE

Our Roof is Blue by Sara E. Echenique, Illustrated by Ashley Vargas. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge Publishing, 2023. $18. 9781623542337

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Antonio and his sister live in a home with a blue roof in Puerto Rico. One year, a hurricane blew toward their island. Their family prepared food, batteries, and toilet paper. They felt they were ready for the storm. But, when it hit, it took the roof off their house.  They were very frightened. After the storm, they had to clean up and wait for the house to dry. Would their house ever be the same?

Echenique tells her story of living through a hurricane in her homeland of Puerto Rico with clarity and emotion. At the end of the book, she shares how we can help the environment so there are not as many hurricanes. She published this book in Spanish also.

MOMMMAC

Big Stuff-Dozer, Excavator, Mixer and More by Joan Holub - ADVISABLE

Big Stuff-Dozer, Excavator, Mixer and More by Joan Holub, Illustrated by The Little Friends of Print Making. BOARD BOOK. Little Simon, 2023. $9. 9781665917896

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The Excavator, Bulldozer, Mixer, Borer, Crane, Backhoe, Dump Truck, Paver, and Forklift introduce themselves. They each describe a bit of their history, their purpose, and what they can do.

The introductions and short explanations with their bright, bold illustrations held my attention. Then, a whole page gives detailed information on each subject.  Sharing all this detail in a board book felt overkill. This would have been better presented in a picture book.

MOMMMAC

Cargo by Adele Tariel and Jerome Peyrat - ADVISABLE

Cargo by Adele Tariel, illustrated by Jerome Peyrat. PICTURE BOOK. Orca Book Publishers, 2023. $22. 9781459833760

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

A seagull watches the activities and movements of a cargo ship. It watches as the cargo ship is loaded, set sail, moves through storms and calm, angles into port, and unloads.  The captain watches over the ship through all stages.

While the illustrations are enjoyable, the author jumped from the bird's perspective to the captain's perspective at the end, which seemed jumbled. The prose plodded to the end.

MOMMMAC

Little Dumplings by Jekka Kulmann, Kriisy Kuhlmann, Haley Hazel, and Manita Boonyong - ADVISABLE

Little Dumplings by Jekka Kulmann, Kriisy Kuhlmann, and Haley Hazel, illustrated by Manita Boonyong. BOARD BOOK. Chronicle Books LLC, 2023. $9. 9781797216928

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

There are all kinds of dumplings in the world. They have different names such as Gyoza, Pieroge, Samosa, etc. They can be filled with meat or vegetables. They can be steamed, fried, or baked. They create connections at celebrations.

Boonyong created cute illustrations of the many different kinds of dumplings around the world.  At the end of the book, the author listed the names, with pronunciation, and regions of 33 kinds of dumplings so that anyone can be a connoisseur.

MOMMMAC

A Wee Boo by Jessica Boyd, Illustrated by Brooke Kerrigan - ESSENTIAL

A Wee Boo by Jessica Boyd, Illustrated by Brooke Kerrigan. PICTURE BOOK. Orca Book Publishers, 2022. $22. 9781459827639

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Boo is small and cute; not what is expected of a ghost. She struggles to get her haunting license because she is just too cute. The ghost committee gives her one last chance to scare a family. Boo tries everything she can think of but to no avail.  Until she sees a baby and decides she can scare him, but she can only make him laugh. The parents become frightened when they can’t figure out what the baby is laughing about.  The committee decides to grant her a license of haunting. Boo finds her place in life.

Each page of Boyd’s book brought a smile to my face! Who can resist an adorable little ghost? Boo finds a purpose in a life full of sweetness making a perfect ending to this delightful story.

MOMMMAC

Hooray for Spring! by Kazuo Iwamura - ESSENTIAL

Hooray for Spring! by Kazuo Iwamura. PICTURE BOOK. North South Books, 2023. $19. 9780735845213

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Mick, Mack, and Molly, little squirrel siblings, rush out to enjoy spring. They notice what the caterpillars and bees eat. Later, they find a little bird that is hungry and try to offer it the same kinds of food, but it won’t take any. Mommy bird finally flies in to show them what baby bird eats.

Iwamura illustrates a delightful story for old and young. The reader is instantly attached to the three siblings and their adventure. This treasure for the eyes by a famous illustrator should not escape perusal. 

MOMMMAC

The Fire of Stars by Kirsten W. Larson and Katherine Roy - ESSENTIAL

The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of by Kirsten W. Larson, Illustrated by Katherine Roy. PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books LLC, 2023. $19. 9781452172873

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Cecilia Payne loved science from her childhood, whether biological or physical. She worked hard to win a scholarship to Cambridge. One day, she heard a lecture on astronomy by Arthur Eddington, which drew her into the new field of study called astrophysics. Celia joins the astrophysics team at Harvard because Cambridge did not want a woman working for them.  She made her life focus on what elements made up the stars. Celia became the first person to discover the recipe for what makes the stars.

Larson writes a beautiful history of the life of Cecilia Payne. Although dealing with two interwoven, complicated stories, she writes in a concise manner that children will understand. Many pages of her life story are mimicked by the story of the birth of a star. Facts on her life and the life cycle of a star are given at the end of the book.

MOMMMAC

How Do You Spell Unfair? by Carole Boston Weatherford and Frank Morrison - ADVISABLE

How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Frank Morrison. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2023. $19. 9781536215540

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

MacNolia Cox worked diligently to become the first African-American to win the Akron, Ohio spelling bee in 1936. Many citizens in her town rejoiced with her and helped her earn money to attend the National Spelling Bee. She memorized one hundred thousand words in preparation for the contest. Many came out to see her off on her trip. But, when she crossed the border into Maryland, she found racism on every side. 

Weatherford beautifully tells a story that all should hear. Throughout this story, I like the way the author used spelling words to emphasize her narrative, such as: How do you spell nervous? How do you spell surprised? How do you spell discrimination? Etc.

MOMMMAC

Peek-A-Boo Haiku by Danna Smith and Teagan White - ESSENTIAL

Peek-A-Boo Haiku by Danna Smith, Illustrated by Teagan White. BOARD BOOK. Little Simon (Simon and Schuster), 2023. $9. 9781665926461

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Forest and lake animals enjoy the seasons.

While children may not be used to the non-rhyming pattern of haiku, they will love this lift-the-flap book. The illustrations and peek-a-boos will delight all who read this book.

MOMMMAC

Becoming a Butterfly by Ruth A. Musgrave - ADVISABLE

Little Kids First Board Book: Becoming a Butterfly by Ruth A. Musgrave, illustrated by various photographers. BOARD BOOK. National Geographic Partners, LLC, 2023. $8. 9781426374128

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Butterflies live all over the world and come in many colors. They come with spots and stripes on their wings. They eat with their tongue like drinking from a straw. The butterfly has many stages in life: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly.

While this book is not the most exciting book on butterflies, its colorful pages will hold the attention of a young child. The last page is the best.  It gives commands for a small child to follow such as: “Wiggle your legs at the caterpillar”.

MOMMMAC

The Day the River Caught Fire by Barry Wittenstein and Jessie Hartland -

The Day the River Caught Fire: How the Cuyahoga River Exploded and Ignited the Earth Day Movement by Barry Wittenstein, illustrated by Jessie Hartland. PICTURE  BOOK. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2023. $19. 9781534480834

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

In August of 1969, the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio caught fire. How does a river catch fire? It caught fire with all the sludge, oil, and sewage that had been dumped in it. This was not the first time a river caught fire, but this fire created enough publicity that people started talking about saving our environment. Cleveland became the symbol of the nation’s pollution crisis. Within a year, on April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day took place.  

This book brings awareness to our need to take care of the only world we have. The writing is clear, yet sometimes preachy. While the illustrations add to the storyline, they appear jumbled with unnecessary signage.

MOMMMAC

Davy in the Snow by Brigitte Weninger and Eve Tharlet - ADVISABLE

Davy in the Snow by Brigitte Weninger, Illustrated by Eve Tharlet. Translated by David Henry Wilson.  PICTURE  BOOK. North South Books, 2023. $20. 9780735845022

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre K, EL (K-2)  - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Davy, the rabbit, wanted to take his grandparents some delicious carrot cake his mother had just made. Davy felt confident he could find his way to their home through the winter snows.  Mia, his little sister came along. When they arrived, the group enjoyed the cake while Grandpa shared a story. Davy still felt confident he could find their way home again. But, a winter storm came up and the terrain looked different. Davy had been taught that if he was lost to just stay in one spot and wait for help.  So, Mia and he found some cover and waited.

This sweet story shows how children can be safe if lost. The cute illustrations add to the reading enjoyment. Davy is a loveable character. An awkward translation jolts the reading on the first page.

MOMMMAC

The Secret Life of Bugs and other Little Critters by Emmanuelle Figueras and Alexander Vidal - ESSENTIAL

The Secret Life of Bugs and Other Little Critters by Emmanuelle Figueras, Illustrated by Alexander Vidal. PICTURE  BOOK. Twirl (Bayard Group), 2023. $19. 9782408042547

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre K, EL (K-2) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Bees, spiders, butterflies, ants, dragonflies, and stick bugs all lead industrious and curious lives. Bees work in a hive to survive. Spiders create webs to live. Butterflies go through metamorphosis. Ants work in a community. Dragonflies live close to water in order to eat bugs. And stick bugs use camouflage to escape their predators.

The paper-cut illustrations done in bold colors create an impact that will carry any reader’s interest. While the information about each creature enlightens the reader, it is the beauty of each page that makes it a winner.

MOMMMAC

Between Tick and Tock by Louise Greig and Ashling Lindsay - ESSENTIAL

Between Tick and Tock by Louise Greig, illustrated by Ashling Lindsay. PICTURE BOOK (K-3rd grade) Egmont Books Ltd, 2018. $25. 9781405286596 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Liesel is a young girl living in a large city. In her room is a large clock which can stop time. She stops time to help people and animals in the city. She helps to add color and happiness to the city. 

I really enjoyed this book! My favorite part was the text. The words are so beautiful and meaningful. It sounds like poetry and would be fun to discuss with a class. It teaches to look for ways to help others. The illustrations are simple but intriguing. This is actually the 2nd book by this author and illustrator. The first book is called The Night Box. The main character is presumably white. 

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

In The Pond by Will Millard and Rachel Qiuqi - ADVISABLE

In The Pond: A Magic Flaps Book by Will Millard, illustrated by Rachel Qiuqi. BOARD BOOK (Pre-K) Magic Cat Publishing, 2023. $13. 9781419765933

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

There is much wildlife to be found around a small pond. The kingfisher is ON a cat tail, and then dives OFF to try to catch a fish. The stickleback fish is IN his nest and comes OUT to avoid an attack. A Nymph is LOW on pond weeds until it sheds its skin and becomes a dragonfly where it flies HIGH in the skies. In the pond, Frog lays her eggs. Tadpoles hatch that are SMALL and become BIG frogs. In the LIGHT we see a small hole where the Vole hides in the DARK.  

In The Pond is a cute book with rhyming text and some first words to see and say. The book is made up of five different nature stories in a single pond. I really enjoyed the double-layer flaps on each page telling the story of that animal. The flaps and the simple words on the flaps make the book fun and interactive for small children. 

PGPowers 

Look, it's Roar Roar Lion by Camilla Reid and Clare Young - ADVISABLE

Look, it's Roar Roar Lion by Camilla Reid, illustrated by Clare Young. BOARD BOOK (Pre-K) Nosy Crow Inc. 2023. $11. 9798887770024 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A beautiful graphic foiled zebra says, "Clip Clop" while a ladybug hides behind felt tree leaves. An artistic foiled monkey says, "Ooo, ooo!" while a shiny snail hides behind a felt bush. A decorative foiled hippo says, "Munch, munch!" while a hoppy frog hides beneath a felt rock. An artistic foiled lion says, "Roar, roar!" while a pretty butterfly hides behind a felt cloud. But what do you say as you look into the mirror hidden behind a felt crown. 

Roar Roar Lion is a beautiful multi-sensory book for a young child. I like the artistic graphic illustrations of the animals all shiny with foil. It is also fun to find the small animal on each page hidden by a felt flap. 

 PGPowers

Wilds of the United States-An Animals Survival Field Guide by Alexander Vidal - ESSENTIAL

Wilds of the United States-An Animals Survival Field Guide by Alexander Vidal. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Chronicle Books LLC, 2022. $23. 9781452184494

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

This stunning guide book a non-fiction masterpiece. The illustrations are simple yet captivating. Each page is a different ecosystem. It lists different animals that live in that area and gives brief interesting facts about how they survive in the wild and/or the adaptations that they use that are unique to that animal. With kids' attention spans getting shorter the information is just perfect and yet they will learn so much about different animals on each page. 

I cannot get enough of this book. The bottom color strip on the bottom of the page is color coded to the different areas in North America. It also has a visual symbol for each fact depending on the things they do to survive. For example: foraging, hunting, field signals, shelter, uniform, navigation, athletics, performance, toolkit, survivalists, community and wilderness experts. I highly recommend this book. they are all animals 

Emilee-Library Media Specialist .

Dragon Rider by J.C. Phillipps - ADVISABLE

Dragon Rider (Pacey Packer Unicorn Tracker #4)  by J.C. Phillipps, 234 GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House. 2023. $8 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Pacey and Slasher (the world's grumpiest unicorn) are back to save Rundalyn. They need to find pieces of the magic horn before the evil alpha unicorn does. Pacey is all in until she is faced with her fear of heights and the only way to save her sister, Mina, is to ride a dragon. 

It's nice to see sisters who get along. The story jumps around a bit, going back and forth from different groups, however the pictures will help the reader navigate that. If you're on book four, then you've already bought into the unicorn universe and the whimsy that goes with it. Fast read with humor and quirky characters. There is no specific race for Pacey and the book is filled with fairytale-type creatures. 

Michelle in the Middle

Recognize! by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson - ADVISABLE

Recognize!: An Anthology Honoring and Amplifying Black Life by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson, 145 pages. SHORT STORIES. POETRY. NONFICTION. Crown Books, 2021. $17.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

With 33 collaborators, this anthology reaches out to readers through nearly every possible format. Artwork, poems, essays, short stories, letters, comics, historical texts, and even an interview all work together to emphasize our wholeness as people.

Each contribution in this collection is an exclamation point to the phrase “Black Lives Matter.” Readers struggle with the authors as they try to put into words their feelings and experiences, as we learn to recognize what the issue is and how to address it. Because, in the end, we are each of worth and are never less than all of who we are. The mature content rating is for mentions of drugs and alcohol. The violence rating is for mentions of threats, assault, guns, shootings, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Wild Journey of Juniper Berry by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown - ADVISABLE

The Wild Journey of Juniper Berry by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown, 256 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2023. $20.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Juniper (11yo) lives with her family in the woods because Society is bad and mean. But then Hawk gets so sick that their mom, Clara, doesn’t know what to do, so the family leaves the woods to take Hawk to a doctor. Juniper learns that she has an uncle and cousins—and she experiences for herself what her parents meant when they warned her about Society.

Juniper’s story is an extreme example of truths we often forget: the world is better when we are kind to ourselves and those around us. No one wants to be mocked or made to feel worthless, and we forget that another person’s worth does not take away from our own. Though, unlike Juniper, we know how to use a toilet and to not get into fights in school, we can learn from Juniper’s humility and confidence.

Juniper is depicted as White on the cover, though her dad is described as having “light brown” skin in the text. The majority of characters are implied White. The violence rating is for arrow shooting and shin kicking.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Bibi by Jo Weaver - ADVISABLE

Bibi by Jo Weaver. PICTURE BOOK Peachtree. 2022. $19. 9781682635537 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Bibi is the oldest flamingo in the flock. She takes care of everyone - teaching them how to stand on one foot, showing the first-time parents where to build their nests, and welcoming the new chicks as they arrive. This year, the lake they live on is drying up, and it's a long way to the next one. While the adults fly to the volcano which shadows their new home, Bibi makes the long walk with the young who can't fly yet. Jo Weaver's realistic illustrations are the star of Bibi. 

 I loved that the old Flamingo was, well, a bit rough around the edges, even the cover shows her missing a good deal of feathers. AJ enjoyed the illustrations, too. She commented that they look like real flamingos. I loved how everyone loved her so much, and how much she was willing to sacrifice. The author explains in the after notes that "Bibi" is Swahili for "Grandmother." 

Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 7)

I Feel Safe by David McPhail - ADVISABLE

I Feel Safe by David McPhail. PICTURE BOOK Holiday House. 2022. $18. 9780823450725 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When a young child is awakened by thunder and lightning, the mother comes in and comforts, daddy takes them to the porch where they can safely watch the storm together, grandma lights candles when the power goes out, and grandpa turns the night into a party. But, most of all, they are making the child feel safe - but where are the pets? 

I love David McPhail's illustrations. I feel safe is a great bedtime read on a stormy night or anytime a child needs a little extra reassurance. There are so many family members in this child's life to comfort and love them. AJ really liked I Feel Safe. She noticed all the different ways different people show they are taking care of the child. She said it made her feel safe.  The family is Black. 

Lisa Librarian and AJ age 7