The Note Who Faced the Music by Lindsay Bonilla and Mark Hoffmann - ESSENTIAL

The Note Who Faced the Music by Lindsay Bonilla, illustrated by Mark Hoffmann. PICTURE BOOK. Page Street Kids, 2023. $18. 9781645676317

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Half Note is fed up - he isn’t as fancy as quarter notes or eighth notes and he doesn’t have the majesty of the whole note.  So, he decides it is time to take off to find a place of his own. Then the composer is ready to write a new piece of music - and he needs Half Note.  Now every note is scurrying around, hunting for Half Note before he does something really drastic!

Elementary music teachers will love this! I loved it! Such a fun way to introduce the different notes used in music composition and how long each of them lasts. Also includes references to rests and other musical symbols.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

This is Not My Story by Ryan Uytdewilligen and David Huyck - ADVISABLE

This is Not My Story by Ryan Uytdewilligen and David Huyck. PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2023. 9781525303432

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The author has begun to write the story, but the main character is buying any of it. Genre after genre, the two try out different stories, but the character doesn’t feel right in any of them.  Just when they run out of ideas, the character, who is not named Carl, realizes what this particular story is all about.

Uytdewilligen has created a cute picture book about genres. It is fun to see a new one of these every few years. Check your current books of this type and see if you need a new one.

The main character is Black.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Not He or She, I'm Me by A.M. Wild and Kah Yangni - OPTIONAL

Not He or She, I'm Me by A.M. Wild, illustrated by Kah Yangni. PICTURE BOOK Henry Holt & Company (Macmillan), 2023 19 9781250818607 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A nonbinary child goes through their day, doing all the things children do, and reminding the reader that they aren't defined by a pronoun. They are them, or just me. 

There was a disconnect for me which made the book difficult to read. I thought it would rhyme, it's written in lines that look like meter. Sometimes it rhymes other times it doesn't. An actual story was non-existent; the non-binary kid has friends and a loving parent but it didn't really do anything for me. The illustrations were ok. The main character and their mom are illustrated with brown skin. 

Lisa Librarian 

Yetis are the Worst! By Alex Willan - ESSENTIAL

Yetis are the Worst! By Alex Willan. PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2022. $19. 9781665921770

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Gilbert Goblin is worried again - this time about Yetis! Mostly because yetis are even more secretive than goblins - and Gilbert is a little jealous.  Gilbert sets out to find a yeti so that he can prove that goblins are still the best.

Willan has four books in the Are the Worst series now and each of them is winner - fun to read aloud, fun for kids to find the background action that Gilbert misses every single time. Gather all four, if just for story time.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds, Jerome Pumphrey & Jarrett Pumphrey - ADVISABLE

There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey & Jarrett Pumphrey. PICTURE BOOK A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2023. $19. 9781534439443 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

In February 1991, there was a grand opening of the Langston Hughes Auditorium at the Schomburg Center. That's the party for Langston! Jason Reynolds pays tribute to Hughes words and how they inspired two other poets Maya Angelou and Amiri Baraka, who attended that party. 

The Pumphrey brothers' illustrations are fun. They incorporate words into their pictures allowing the readers to spend extra time on each page immersing themselves in the extra text. One illustration (recurring) I especially loved was other black poets leaning out of their books on the library shelves to watch the party. A great introduction or supplement for a class studying Hughes. The characters are African American.

Lisa Librarian 

All Right With the World by Jennifer Adams and Christopher Silas Neal - OPTIONAL

All Right With the World by Jennifer Adams and Christopher Silas Neal. PICTURE BOOK. Harper, 2023. $18. 9780062962485

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Based on the poem Pippa’s Song by Robert Browning. 

Adams and Neal have taken Browning’s poem and tried to update it for a modern child. More a book that a parent might buy to read as a bedtime story.  Browning’s sleepy, idyllic look at the world doesn’t translate well to a book that a child might choose to read and re-read on their own.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

 

Forever Cousins by Laurel Goodluck and Jonathan Nelson - ADVISABLE

Forever Cousins by Laurel Goodluck, illustrated by Jonathan Nelson. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge/Imagine, 2022. $18. 9781623542924 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Amanda and Kara are cousins and best friends. They do everything together. But Kara's family is moving to the Rez. It's hard to say goodbye. And, after the move, they miss each other very much.. Finally it's time for the big family reunion on the Rez. But each girl is worried if the other will be happy to see her. Will being apart change their relationship? 

It's always hard saying goodbye to someone you are close to, and I'm happy that this story is about a temporary goodbye. Jonathan Nelson's illustrations are accurate and it was fun to compare the city version with the reservation view. I loved the author and illustrator's notes giving more context to the Indian Relocation Act, and the ways Indigenous families keep connected, even when they live far apart. The characters are represented as intertribal Native Americans. 

Lisa Librarian 

Linus by Stuart Hausmann - ESSENTIAL

Linus by Stuart Hausmann. PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum (Simon), 2023. $19. 9781665900300

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Linus lives in Linneopolis, where everyone is straight-up, orderly --- and boring. Linus loves color, many shapes, and celebrating. In order to find himself, Linus decides to leave his home and venture into the untidy, colorful world.  Maybe he can convince his town that color and differences doesn’t mean something is bad.

Linus’s message of celebrating differences and allowing others into our lives is heartfelt and adorable. The contrast between black and whites lives in Linneopolis and Linus’s technicolor world are a perfect visual metaphor.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Remember by Joy Harjo and Michaela Goade - ADVISABLE

Remember by Joy Harjo and Michaela Goade, PICTURE BOOK Random House, 2023. $19. 9780593484845 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Based on a beautiful poem by poet laureate Joy Harjo, a child is encouraged to remember the moon, the stars and the sky, her parents, and all the things the earth provides. She is also connecting with her ancestors and looks toward the future. 

Sometimes the text and illustrations of a picture book are perfectly complementary, and this is a fine example. It was as though a wave of colors images and ideas were embracing me as I read. Oh, I wish I had more knowledge about Indigenous culture, I'm sure I missed a lot, as there were symbols memories, and allusions throughout. Certainly buying a copy for my library. The illustrations and setting are based on traditional art and stories of Indigenous People. 

Lisa Librarian 

Blood! Not Just a Vampire Drink by Stacy McAnulty and Shawna J.C. Tenney - ESSENTIAL

Blood! Not Just a Vampire Drink by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Shawna J.C. Tenney. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Godwin Books (Macmillan), 2022. $19. 9781250304056

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The Vampire walks into the smoothie shop for a little blood to end his day.  However, the server behind the counter tells him all about how important blood is for humans, instead. 

McAnulty has taken something as basic as blood and turned it into fun! I would have loved this as my text for any science class on any level! She has such a talent for turning information into something intriguing.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung and Hanna Cha - ESSENTIAL

The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung, illustrated by Hanna Cha, PICTURE BOOK Henry Holt & Company (Macmillan), 2023. $19. 9781250820587 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

A child's mother tells him a story that takes him on a journey to two different culture's dragons - because that child has the magic of both dragons in them. 

Hanna Cha's illustrations are absolutely gorgeous! I pictured myself along the paths of both forests, sat with the wise women and marveled at the dragons. The story is sweet, revealing other important pieces of the dragon stories: bogs, hobgoblins, treasure and nine-tailed foxes, a white rabbit, and the moon goddess. I want to read it again and again. The main character is mixed European and Asian.

Lisa Librarian

Fox Has a Problem by Corey R. Tabor - ADVISABLE

Fox Has a Problem by Corey R. Tabor. EARLY READER. HarperCollins, 2023. $18. 9780063277915 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When Fox uses a very large fan to get his kites out of the trees, he causes a problem for Bear, then Rabbit and soon all the animals are mad at him - and his kites are back in the trees. 

I'm so glad Tabor keeps bringing Fox back! These easy readers are a lot of fun, with silly situations and clever solutions, made so much more delightful through Tabor's illustrations. 

Lisa Librarian

Wild Animals (Bookscape) by Ingela Arrhenius - OPTIONAL

Wild Animals (Bookscape) by Ingela Arrhenius. BOARD BOOK. Chronicle, 2022. $9. 9781797215570

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Arrhenius has created such a cute concept with these shaped board books. This one looks at a few of our wild animal friends. I would look the entire Bookscape series and choose the ones that appeal to you most.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

 

Construction Site: Spring Delight by Sherri Duskey Rinker and A.G. Ford - ADVISABLE

Construction Site: Spring Delight by Sherri Duskey Rinker and A.G. Ford. LIFT-THE-FLAP BOARD BOOK. Chronicle, 2022. $13. 9781797204314

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

All of the construction trucks are working hard and as they do, they each see the signs of spring.

Construction equipment at work is always a big draw for little readers. Good for an Easter basket or other springtime fun.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Monsters Never Get Haircuts by Marie- Lelene Versini and Vincent Boudgourd - OPTIONAL

Monsters Never Get Haircuts by Marie- Lelene Versini and Vincent Boudgourd. PICTURE BOOK Boxer Books (Union Square), 2023. $19. 9781914912733 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Children do a lot of things, like get their hair cut wear shoes and go swimming. Monsters do none of these things. 

My initial response to Monsters Never Get Haircuts was, "wow, I bet this was translated". It just kinda doesn't work. It was originally published in France. Sometimes these titles published outside the US seem odd to an American audience. The text might make fun drawing prompts for an art class even though some of the actual illustrations were a stretch (translation issue or illustrator disconnect?). Not giving it a "no" but barely not. 

Lisa Librarian

Rock Your Mocs by Laurel Goodluck and Madelyn Goodnight - ADVISABLE

Rock Your Mocs by Laurel Goodluck, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight. PICTURE BOOK HarperCollins, 2023. $20. 9780063099890 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

It's Rock Your Mocs Day, and Indigenous Nations are celebrating by wearing their moccasins. Different nations use different words to express their styles, designs, or what they are made from, and children honor their cultures in various ways. 

I loved so many things about this wonderful picture book. The children wore modern clothing - sweats, shorts, hoodies and were participating in things like skateboarding, playing in the park, walk to school. And, there were nods to their cultural traditions as well. A perfect blend of today and connections to their past with the moccasins. The illustration and the text identify many different Native and First Nation cultures. Includes author notes with more information about Rock Your Mocs Day, Moccasins, and Indigenous Children.

Lisa Librarian

Crack-Crack! Who is That? by Tristan Mory - OPTIONAL

Crack-Crack! Who is That? by Tristan Mory. LIFT-THE-FLAP BOARD BOOK. Twirl (Chronicle), 2022. $10. 9782408033583

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Five eggs are waiting to be opened.  Who will you find inside each one?

Lift-the-flaps are always fun - and this time the book comes with a built-in handle.  

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Pretty Ugly by David Sedaris and Ian Falconer - OPTIONAL

Pretty Ugly by David Sedaris and Ian Falconer. PICTURE BOOK. Toon (Astra/Boyds Mill), 2024. $19. 9781663665271 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Anna Van Ogre does all the things good little ogres do. She stomps on flowers, and talks with her mouth full, but her favorite thing to do is make scary faces (which for an ogre are cute faces like a bunny). Her mother hates these faces and warns her to be careful or she might get stuck that way. One day, she makes the scariest face of them all - that of a little human girl - and it gets stuck. Now she's pretty ugly. 

Pretty Ugly is a great concept. Anna lives in a community of ogres and everyone, even the doctor is horrified by her new ugly face. However, her solution is pretty gruesome. I found the final illustrations of Anna rather disturbing - I'm sure they were meant to be funny, but I don't want to share this book with my granddaughter. Take a look before you buy. 

Lisa Librarian

Give by Jen Arena, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell - ESSENTIAL

Give by Jen Arena, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell. PICTURE BOOK Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. $19. 9781524714994 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When a girl loses her hair ribbon, a boy gives her the ribbon from his gift box. The girl gives what she can to the next person who needs it, and on and on, creating a beautiful circle of giving kindness. 

The simple text and rich oil illustrations work together beautifully. For me, this was an impactful reminder to give, whether it's giving when someone has less or giving comfort. The children and adults were illustrated with diverse ethnicities. 

Rachel, Elementary Library Specialist 

Honeybee Rescue: a backyard drama by Loree Griffin Burns, photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz - ESSENTIAL

Honeybee Rescue: a backyard drama by Loree Griffin Burns, photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, $17. 9781623542399

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

When Mr. Connery found that some of his bees had swarmed to a nearby rickety garage, he called Mr. Nelson, a local bee rescuer.  Together the two men worked over a long, hot day to transfer the honeycomb and the bees to new frames for a new hive box.

If I taught elementary school, I would snap this book up in a hot minute!  Bees are already intriguing and Burns’s book feels even more intimate.  My husband keeps bees and I am astounded that Mr. Nelson handles the bees as he does without a bee suit - this whole operation is so interesting.

The people in the photographs are white.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

What Happened to You? by James Catchpole and Karen George - ADVISABLE

What Happened to You? by James Catchpole and Karen George .PICTURE BOOK. Little, Brown and Company/Poppy, 2023. $17. 9780571358304 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A little boy is playing at the park when another child shouts "You've only got one leg" and asks "what happened to you?" Instead of telling, Joe asks what they think, and all the other kids start shouting ideas - all of which are wrong and Joe simply says "no." Eventually the other kids start playing with Joe and realize it doesn't matter what happened. 

Originally published in England, Catchpole, who has a similar disability, teaches a great lesson about manners, and empathy. I liked the cute illustrations with all sorts of multicultural kids. Joe's facial expressions are my favorite. Also includes a letter to the adults, about how to handle a curious child who may be asking personal questions, and helps them through an awkward situation. 

Lisa Librarian

Hustle Bustle Bugs by Catherine Bailey and Lauren Eldridge - ADVISABLE

Hustle Bustle Bugs by Catherine Bailey, illustrated by Lauren Eldridge. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Little Brown, 2022. 978075557406

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Bugs and insects are an important part of our Earth. Bailey quickly sketches some of the ways different bugs work in a rhyming text, then adds more detailed information in a sidebar. Eldridge’s multimedia illustrations are the real star of the book.  I love the detailed afterword she gives about her process - and glad that the publisher included it. I will probably buy this just for my art teachers to use with students.

The girls in the book are black.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Mayor Good Boy Turns Bad Dave Scheidt, illustrated by Miranda Harmon - OPTIONAL

Mayor Good Boy Turns Bad by Dave Scheidt, illustrated by Miranda Harmon, 202 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL RH Graphic Random House, 2023. $13 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

10yo Abby is becoming increasingly irritable with her family. Turns out she is not the only person experiencing frustration. Mayor Good Boy might have an evil brother wreaking havoc on the town. Perhaps Abby and her brother can put aside their differences to help. 

While the art is catchy and colorful, the story is pretty straightforward without any surprises. There was a lot of farting and pooping references that didn't add to the humor. This is a fast read and the message that it's okay to make mistakes is good. If you are a fan of the series, read on about a dog who always tries to do his best.

Michelle in the Middle

How to Go Hiking by Jean Reagan and Lee Wildish. - OPTIONAL

How to Go Hiking by Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish. EARLY READER Random House Children's Books, 2023. $6 9780593644775 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A boy and his uncle are going on a hike. They will need to pack snacks, binoculars, and a first-aid kit. As they hike up the hill, they see hungry baby birds, play tag together like squirrels, and cross a stream. When they get to the top, they realize Uncle has a blister. Good thing they have a first aid kit! 

I enjoyed the simplicity of this level 2 Step Into Reading book with its large, low-level text. I like that it shows a non-traditional family. (The boy, his mom, and uncle live together.) The illustrations are bright and engaging. I did think the close-up foot blister was a little gross and unnecessary. The main characters are illustrated with dark hair and olive skin. 

Rachel, Elementary Library Specialist 

All Are Welcome : Welcome Back! by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman - ADVISABLE

All Are Welcome : Welcome Back! by Alexandra Penfold Suzanne Kaufman. EARLY READER Random House Children's Books, 2023. $6. 9780593430040 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

All are welcome at school! After summer vacations, kids will come to school to try, have fun, and be kind. Penfold touches on first-day-of-school feelings, what to expect, and welcoming everyone. Kaufman's illustrations show kids of diverse abilities and ethnicities on their first day of school. 

This Step Into Reading level 2 reader has large, low-level text. I am excited to read and discuss it with my younger grades at the first of the school year. 

Rachel, Elementary Library Specialist

I Am Happy by Michael Rosen and Robert Starling - ADVISABLE

I Am Happy by Michael Rosen illustrated by Robert Starling. PICTURE BOOK Candlewick Press, 2023. $15 9781536231281

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A cute puppy is very very happy. He is so happy that he swings on swings, skips through puddles, and many more fun happy things. Can this puppy be this happy all day? 

As I read I Am Happy!, I couldn't but help crack a smile with all the joyful antics of the cute little puppy. The reader may reflect on ways they could lighten their own mood. The illustrations dance with gleeful colors and emotions. 

PGPowers

Greeking Out by Kenny Curtis, Julian Hughes and J. Espila - ADVISABLE

Greeking Out: Epic retellings of Classic Greek Myths by Kenny Curtis and Julian Hughes, illustrated by J. Espila, 191 pages. National Geographic (Disney), 2023. $20

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Fighting against mythical creatures with some blood in pictures but not a lot)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Many of the myths of Greek Gods have been told however, this story is easy to read and exciting. We go from the beginning of the Titans and Olympians fighting and how they then become Gods. After we go into every story of the Gods and what made them special.

I have never been a mythology person, however, this book was so good at explaining the story and symbols in a fun way. The writing made sense and I didn't want to put the book down. I loved how it went in time and the order of the stories made it so I understood who everyone was and made it so I wasn't so lost.

All main characters had special amazing abilities.

Student Reviewer: Sarah- 9th Grade

Mira and Baku by Sara Truuvert illustrated by Michelle Theodore - ADVISABLE

Mira and Baku by Sara Truuvert illustrated by Michelle Theodore. PICTURE BOOK Annick Press, 2023. $19 9781773217567 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A young Japanese girl named Mira is angry that her Papa won't be home for her birthday which is in five days. Her imaginary friend Baku, a magical creature who eats nightmares, finds her and shows her a good stone on the ground. Mira and her Papa have collected stones together, so she adds it to her collection. At night, Mira and Baku fly over places they have been in the past looking for her Papa. The last night before her birthday, Mira and Baku find him in a concentration camp. The morning of her birthday, she throws away all of her stones. How will Mira know if her father still loves her? 

Mira and Baku gently portray the anguish and sadness of Japanese internment camps through the eyes of a child, and could create a good conversation about what can happen when we are fearful of each other. The illustrations are nice and show the strong emotions of people who endured this. 

PGPowers

Dear Unicorn written by Josh Funk, illustrated by Charles Santoso - ESSENTIAL

Dear Unicorn written by Josh Funk, illustrated by Charles Santoso.  PICTURE BOOK.  Viking Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2023.  $19.  9780593206942

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Connie and Nic have a pen pal writing assignment in their art classes. They send art and letters to each other and ask questions. The only thing is, they don’t know one is a unicorn and the other is a human! What is going to happen when they finally meet at the art festival?

Ah, this was such a cute and funny story. I also loved how the illustrations contributed so much to the story! You start to see bits and pieces from the letters show up in their regular lives as they build their pen pal relationship. It's a great story about being open-minded and making friends.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes

My Cat Does Ballet written by Robert Heidbreder and Matt Schu - OPTIONAL

My Cat Does Ballet written by Robert Heidbreder, illustrated by Matt Schu.  PICTURE BOOK.  Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon & Schuster), 2023.  $19.  9781665917032

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Our nameless protagonist and his ten friends celebrate the athleticism of their cats in My Cat Does Ballet. When other kids complain about what their cats do – like rip up toilet paper, or swing on ceiling fans – our narrator shares all the cool ballet moves he sees his cat do.

My gut feeling is that this is going to be a niche topic. I don’t know how many elementary school age children wax poetic about their cats, or who are familiar enough with ballet to understand all the terminology of the movements. But I do think that general audiences would enjoy it as a read-aloud; however, they just might not pick it up of their own volition. The back material was pretty interesting, highlighting past ballet dancers and providing a glossary of ballet terms.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes

The Sharing Book by Dianne White and Simone Shin - ADVISABLE

The Sharing Book written by Dianne White, illustrated by Simone Shin.  PICTURE BOOK.  Margaret Ferguson Books (Holiday House), 2023.  $19.  9780823443475

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Join in the fun with three families and two best friends on a camping adventure as they learn all the best things about sharing.

It’s a cute book. I applaud the racial diversity in the illustrations, it will be great if your library could use a little more BIPOC rep on the shelves. The overall message about sharing is one that will work in a lot of lower elementary classrooms. I also noticed interesting usage of ellipses and embedded clauses in the text, so this could be an interesting mentor text for older students practicing those elements of grammar.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes

When Impossible Happens by Jane De Suza - ADVISABLE

When Impossible Happens by Jane De Suza, 160 pages G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2023. $18 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

8yo Swara is living in India during the pandemic. Her favorite grandmother contracts COVID and passes away. Swara is sure that her grandmother has not passed away and is just missing. Will she find a way to make peace with the truth? 

I really enjoyed reading this book! It was interesting to get a glimpse of how children in India lived during the pandemic. It is also a beautiful book about coping with loss. I found myself thinking of my own favorite grandmother who passed away when I was young. All main characters are of Indian descent. 

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

The Wilderness by Steve McCarthy - ESSENTIAL

The Wilderness written and illustrated by Steve McCarthy.  PICTURE BOOK.  Candlewick Press, 2023.  $18.  9781536231373

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Oktober Vasylenko is a bit of an outlier in his adventurous family. While they love exploring the outdoors, Oktober prefers to be inside, exploring the pages of a book. One day the Vasylenko family goes on an outing together and Oktober gets lost. Will Oktober make it home ok?

A bookish little dude who would rather read than go outside? Me too. The Wilderness is so beautifully illustrated. The author & illustrator worked on the animated movie Song of the Sea and this book gave me a lot of the same vibes. It’s such a sweet story of finding wonder and awe in places or things that you might be scared of.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes

Splash Goes the Whale by Mathew Van Fleet - ADVISABLE

Splash Goes the Whale by Mathew Van Fleet BOARD BOOK (Pre-K) Simon & Shuster Books For Young Readers 2023 $25 9781665935562 G 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A little whale swimming in the ocean who said he was so hungry that he could eat from A to Z. An Albatross was listening and asked the whale if he could trade an apple with the letter A on it to have a ride on the whale's back. The whale agreed. After that, many other animals also asked to have a ride each bringing a letter of the alphabet in order. Just when the whale ate the last letter of the alphabet, there was a deep rumbling from underground. What did the whale eat next? 

Van Fleet has created a very fun and clever alphabet book for young readers. I was amazed that he could get so many paired animals and edible food items to match all the letters of the alphabet. The text is an engaging story set in rhyme and the illustrations are cute, active and expressive. 

PGPowers 

I Want to Be Spaghetti! by Kiera Wright-Ruiz, illustrated by Claudia Lam - ADVISABLE

I Want to Be Spaghetti! written by Kiera Wright-Ruiz, illustrated by Claudia Lam.  PICTURE BOOK.  Kokila (Penguin Random House), 2023.  $20.  9780593529874

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Ramen sits in the ramen aisle in the supermarket, surrounded by spaghetti propaganda. Everyone seems to love spaghetti! Ramen wishes they were spaghetti too. One day Ramen is taken home and introduced to new friends like Narutomaki and Nori. Can they learn to love themselves as they are?

A lovely little story about identity and belonging, told from the perspective of a young package of ramen. It’s a great reminder that we all have unique characteristics that make us who we are and we don’t need to be anyone else. It’s geared for a younger audience, but the message can work for older students.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes

Alligators and Crocodiles by Gail Gibbons - ADVISABLE

Alligators and Crocodiles by Gail Gibbons. PICTURE BOOK (K-3rd grade) NON-FICTION Holiday House 2010, updated 2023 $19 9780823454488 G 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Alligators and Crocodiles are some of the closest living relatives to dinosaurs. Alligators and crocodiles have many differences from each other. As we read through the pages we learn the different physical traits of these large reptiles and how they live, mate, and raise their young. We also learn how it is our responsibility to protect these animals. 

 Reading about alligators and crocodiles is always fascinating, and Gibbons text and illustrations make it easily understandable. I loved the detailed illustrations and facts. I really appreciated the maps on where alligators and crocodiles live. 

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