Papa's Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jesus Trejo and Eliza Kinkz - ADVISABLE

Papa's Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jesus Trejo, illustrated by Eliza Kinkz PICTURE BOOK Minerva, Astra/Boyds Mill, 2023. $19. 9781662651045 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Jesus gets to help his dad on Saturdays. The family business is gardening and dad has a magical water-jug clock. Throughout the day they'll drink the water and when the water is done, the job is done. But, Jesus is helping today. So he shares the water with some cats and a dog and before long the big jug is empty - but the day isn't finished. Maybe it's not so magical after all. 

I thought the title was cumbersome, so I kept putting it further down my TBR pile. I should have read it first! What a delightful story! AJ liked it too. We love how Jesus is so innocent that he's giving away all the water, and, we loved his father's reactions. A great lesson was learned, that would be valuable for any family - it's better to have fun when you are working together, but it's important to be responsible. The characters are Hispanic. 

Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 8)

A Letter for Bob by Kim Rogers, illustrated by Jonathan Nelson - ADVISABLE

A Letter for Bob by Kim Rogers, illustrated by Jonathan Nelson PICTURE BOOK Heartdrum, HarperCollins, 2023. $20. 9780063044555 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A child writes a letter to the family car 'Bob" thanking it for the safe travels, fun times and memories. 

I loved the connection of the family car to all the things the family did together. The illustrations were fun, with awesome facial expressions on the characters. Maybe more nostalgic than story though, I think this might be loved more by the parents and older children who have accumulated some of the same kids of memories than the kids who would be reading the picture book.. The family is Native American (Wichita and Cherokee). Several words are incorporated into the story, and are defined in the glossary. 

Lisa Librarian

We Could Fly by Rhiannon Giddens, illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu - ADVISABLE

We Could Fly by Rhiannon Giddens, illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu PICTURE BOOK Candlewick, 2023. $19. 9781536222548 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A little girl sees a sparrow and shows her mother. Her mother tells her the story of her grandmother, who each night would fly like the birds. The grandmother had noticed that the girl was like her. Where would she go if she could fly away? 

Based on Rhiannon Giddens' song, the text is lyrical and beautiful. Uchendu's illustrations are colorful and gorgeous - particularly the pictures of the girl flying. The author's note is definitely worth reading - a tribute to cultural picture books. The characters are black 

Lisa Librarian 

Lia Park and the Missing Jewel by Jenna Yoon

Lia Park and the Missing Jewel by Jenna Yoon, 352 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2023. $11      

Language: G (3 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G (death in fire mentioned); Violence: PG (death in fire mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

12yo Lia Park goes to a magic school ,but hasn't found her power yet. She goes on a journey to find her power and save her parents. She has a friend, Joon, along the way that helps her face the challenges. As she goes on her journey, she is tormented by an evil diviner spirit that wants to take a jewel to have ultimate power. Lia goes to the land of the immortals to get help from the dragon king to stop the evil spirit. 

I liked that Lia had a friend along the way. I also liked how it wasn't only one of them figuring things out, but both of them were figuring things out. I didn't really not like anything, because I thought the book was pretty good all around. 

Lia is Korean and so is her friend Joon.      

STUDENT REVIEWER: B. Goring, 7^th grade

 

Because I'm Your Mom by Ahmet Zappa and Dan Santat - ADVISABLE

Because I'm Your Mom by Ahmet Zappa, illustrated by Dan Santat PICTURE BOOK Little, Brown and Company, 2023. 9780316338219 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Mom Monster is talking to her child monster. She is telling him/her all the good things, fun times, and amazing adventures they are going to have together because she is the mom. 

Every child would love to be promised such a level of encouragement, support, and very expensive trips. I loved the bright and bold illustrations, but I was a little confused because the pictures show the humans as having negative reactions to the monsters in a few scenes. Are we supposed to understand that sometimes doing your own fun thing will be judged by others? Is it supposed to point out that the monsters are different and scary? The little monster is blue, and in some scenes is shown with an older sibling who is pink. I thought this might be a gender clue but no identification either way is ever made. 

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian 

Desert Queen by Jyoti Rajan Gopal and Svabhu Kohli - ADVISABLE

Desert Queen by Jyoti Rajan Gopal and Svabhu Kohli PICTURE BOOK Levine Querido, 2023 $19. 9781646142620 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The boy loves music and dance, but dancing is for women. But when his parents die, and he is left to care for his younger sisters, he discovers he can dress as a woman and dance at night, making money to support the family. But as he suffers through the taunting as a boy during the day, will the coins he makes at night be worth it? 

Based on the life story of drag performer Queen Harish, this story of being ones true self is poetically told and beautifully illustrated. Includes an author's and illustrator's note along with a longer biography of Harish Kumar. Harish is from India. 

Lisa Librarian 

Benito Juarez Fights for Justice by Beatriz Gutierrez Hernandez - ESSENTIAL

Benito Juarez Fights for Justice by Beatriz Gutierrez Hernandez PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY Henry Holt and Company, An Imprint of MacMillan, 2023. $19. 9781250257772 

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Benito Juarez is as essential to the history of Mexico as Abraham Lincoln is to the history of the United States. Beatriz Hernandez has created a picture book biography outlining the life and impact of Benito Juarez on the Mexican people and culture. Benito is presented from his childhood in a poor native village, through his education, and then through his political career. His family life is also documented and presents the reader with an awareness of the sacrifices he and they made for the dream of a free and equal Mexico to be realized. 

Beatriz Gutierrez Hernandez is both author and illustrator. She uses a color scheme of muted greens and oranges that evoke a sense of the natural world Benito must have been familiar with. I liked how these colors created a sense of place for the reader. The outline of Benito's accomplishments is kept clear allowing the reader to feel the range of emotions that the story creates in a personal manner instead of being told what to feel. "Benito Juarez Fights for Justice" is a book that will be meaningful to Mexican American students because it is a history book for their family's culture. 

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian

Finding Papa by Angela Pham Krans and Thi Bui - OPTIONAL

Finding Papa by Angela Pham Krans and Thi Bui. PICTURE BOOK HarperCollins, 2023. $19. 9780063060968 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When Mai's father leaves to find a new home, Mai and her mother wait for his letters, until finally he tells them to come. They pack a small bag, walk through a swamp (where there might be alligators) and start a long journey. Hopefully Papa is at the end. 

Based on the author's real-life experience leaving Vietnam with her mother in 1983. Thi Bui, the illustrator is also an immigrant from Vietnam a few years earlier. The story is poignant, with illustrations of wading through waist high water, climbing a cargo net to get on a ship, and feeling weak from hunger. I like having picture books about the immigration experience, and this is the first I've read from Vietnam. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman by Mari Lowe - ADVISABLE

The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman by Mari Lowe, 162 pages. Levine Querido, 2023. $19. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (mean pranks, dangerous situations). 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

11yo Shaindy Goodman has never been the popular one in her class. In fact, most of the girls in her class barely notice her. So when the most popular girl, Gayil, invites Shaindy to help her play some fun pranks on their class, Shaindy can hardly believe it! But when the pranks aren't actually funny, and some of the girls involved get hurt or embarrassed, Shaindy realizes she's in over her head, and maybe Gayil isn't the nice girl everyone thinks she is. 

Shaindy is in 6th grade at a Jewish school, so religious instruction is part of everything they do. While I'm familiar with much of the Jewish religion, I wondered if it would be too much; it wasn't as Lowe expertly keeps the reader in the loop. I'm certain a Jewish reader will relate better than I to Shaindy's story, but I loved the classroom drama and Shaindy's situation. The fact that the girls are all about rollerblades and heelies makes me think it takes place in the 90s. 

Lisa Librarian 

Hidden Hope by Elisa Boxer and Amy June Bates - ADVISABLE

Hidden Hope: How a Toy and a Hero Saved Lives by Elisa Boxer, illustrated by Amy June Bates, BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Abrams/Amulet, 2023. $20. 9781419750007 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Teenager Jacqueline Gauthier worked with the French Resistance during WWII delivering documents to Jewish families to help them escape the Nazis. The papers were carefully hidden in a toy duck. Who would suspect a young girl bringing a toy to a family? 

I loved this story of courage during the Holocaust. In the author's note, there's a photograph of Jacqueline's documents as well as the duck (now part of an artifact collection in Israel). The illustrations are tones of browns and orange - makes Paris look very smoky and scary. An interesting addition to my holocaust stories. Jacqueline is (believe it or not) Jewish! 

Lisa Librarian  

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookies of Chaos by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr - ADVISABLE

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookies of Chaos (Cookie Chronicles #5) by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr, 348 pages. CHAPTER BOOK Knopf (Random House), 2023. $14 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Ben finds a lost wallet with 50 dollars in it and no real identification besides just some random business cards. Ben would love to keep the money, but also wants to do the right thing. Janet, Ben's good friend, is convinced Ben needs a personal philosophy to guide him. Ben goes through five different fortune cookies to find his personal philosophy as chaos ensues through the form of a vengeful librarian, and a terrifying toilet. 

Ben and Janet are great characters and the idea of gaining a personal philosophy is an important talking point. The humor is spot on and the adventures are fun. Ben always learns something but it's never heavy handed and it's a joy ride of self discovery. The art work helps with the story and the tone as well. No culture or race is specified. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Lei And The Fire Goddess by Malia Maunakea - ESSENTIAL

Lei And The Fire Goddess by Malia Maunakea, 298 pages. Penguin Workshop, 2023. $18      

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some fighting, not described in detail).

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

12yo Anna goes from Colorado to Hawaii to visit her Tutu every summer for three weeks. During that stay, her Tutu tries to teach, and tell her the stories about her Hawaiian heritage. But Anna doesn't believe in that stuff anymore. Then she picks Pele's (the fire goddess) special 'ohi'a lehua flower and Pele's hawk comes and takes Kaipo, her best friend in Hawaii, away. Anna has to embark on a journey that takes her to the cave of a mo'o, and up the side of a volcano with a demigod to save her Tutu's house from the lava, and her best friend. With the wind at her side, and a talking bat, she learns to believe the stories her Tutu told her.

I liked how easy it was to get into the book. And it was a new experience for me, reading about Hawaiian Lore, it was cool. And it was a good amount of adventure and action. The characters were likable as well.    Anna is half Hawaiian.         

STUDENT REVIEWER E. Anderson 9^th grade

    

Timid by Jonathan Todd - OPTIONAL

Timid by Jonathan Todd, 272 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix (Scholastic), 2024. $13 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Cecil is a sixth grader who has just moved from Florida to Massachusetts. He discovers that fitting in is a little harder and his sister urges him not to be an Oreo: black on the outside and white on the inside. He wonders if he needs to sit with the white kids at lunch or the other black ones. Cecil loves to draw, but when a piece of his art is misused, he needs to overcome his timidity to stand up for himself. Cecil's dad thinks Cecil needs to be physical to stand up for himself, but Cecil finds a nonviolent way, which is nice. 

Religion comes into play and is handled respectfully and casually as a key part of Cecil's life. Universal themes of fitting in, friendship, and following one's muse. 

Michelle in the Middle

Four Eyes by Rex Ogle and Dave Valeza - HIGH

Four Eyes by Rex Ogle, illustrated by Dave Valeza, 224 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix (Scholastic), 2023. $13 

Language: PG (2 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Sixth grader, Rex, is having a rough time at school. He's being bullied and his best friend no longer has anything to do with him. To top it off, he needs glasses, which his family will have a difficult time paying for. 

 Rex's coming of age story has a lot of depth to it. He has a step-father who stutters, a hard working waitress for a mother, and an estranged father who doesn't want to pay for extras. Rex's story of trying to fit in and adjust to glasses while dealing with bullies, friends, and family should resonate with middle school readers. Rex's mother and grandmother are Hispanic. 

 Michelle in the Middle 

Love is in the Air by Dee Romito and Vivian Mineker - OPTIONAL

Love is in the Air : the Story of Aviation Pioneer Nancy Harkness Love by Dee Romito, illlustrated by Vivian Mineker. PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY Aladdin (Simon & Schuster), 2023. $19. 9781534484191

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  AVERAGE 

Nancy Harkness Love fell in love with flight. At 16 years old, she decided she would learn to fly, and in high school, she got her pilot's license. Despite criticism and discrimination, Nancy was determined to fly. During World War II, she became the leader of the women pilots squadron. Nancy paved the way for more women to become pilots. The end pages include photos and a note about Nancy and other female pilots of the time. 

I enjoyed learning about Nancy, her determination, and courage. At 40 pages, I thought it was a bit lengthy. This would probably be better suited for middle grade audiences and older; young children may lose interest  Some aircraft names and other specific vocabulary are explained in the text, and some are left to context clues. While this didn't detract from the story and may not bother readers, it bothered me (for example, a barnstormer pilot and Milton Academy are mentioned without definitions). Nancy is white. 

Rachel, Elementary School Librarian 

Don't Worry, Wuddles by Lita Judge - OPTIONAL

Don't Worry, Wuddles by Lita Judge. PICTURE BOOK  Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon & Schuster), 2023. $19. 9781665916769 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Duckling has a plan to keep all of the animals warm this winter! Wuddles the sheep surely won't mind sharing his wool; he has so much, after all. But, Duckling gets carried away, and now Wuddles is cold. Don't worry Wuddles, Duckling has another plan! 

Kids will enjoy Duckling's antics and the silly expressions on the animals' faces. This would be an enjoyable, simple read-aloud for winter. Kids who know about sheep might question just how Duckling is taking all that wool, as it seems to just fall off. The characters are barnyard animals. 

Rachel, Elementary School Librarian 

Two New Years by Richard Ho, illustrated by Lynn Scurfield - ADVISABLE

Two New Years by Richard Ho, illustrated by Lynn Scurfield. PICTURE BOOK Chronicle/Blue Apple, 2023. $19. 9781797212814 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A mixed culture family celebrates two New Years. Rosh Hashanah in the fall and Lunar New year in the Spring. Comparisons are made of the holidays and how similar they are. 

I loved the illustrations! Full color and full of cultural images that a child within those cultures would readily recognize. Some of the illustrations look like they are framed with cut paper borders and backgrounds. Includes a visual glossary describing in more detail the traditions mentioned in the story, as well as some questions that can be asked of the child or a class about how they celebrate their own traditions. The family is Chinese/Jewish. 

Lisa Librarian

Little Land by Diana Sudyka - HIGH

Little Land by Diana Sudyka. PICTURE BOOK Little Brown and Company, 2023. $19. 9780316301763

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Once there was a little bit of land that had existed for a hundred million years. Change was always present and the land provided for all that lived upon it. Ice and fires would change the land but life would find a way. Then people started changing the land with more and more buildings, factories, cars, and power plants until the land seemed beyond repair. What will it take to make sure the land finds a way? 

Sudyka tells a glorious and touching story about our little piece of land, the planet earth, and how to take care of it through creative, interesting, and fanciful ideas and illustrations. Each page is so enjoyable to ponder. 

PGPowers

Afikomen by Tziporah Cohen and Yaara Eshet - OPTIONAL

Afikomen by Tziporah Cohen and Yaara Eshet. PICTURE BOOK Groundwood, 2023. $20. 9781773066066 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When 3 children slip under the table at the seder meal they find themselves in ancient Egypt. The girls put baby Moses in a basket and send him down the river, they follow the basket to make sure he gets safely to Pharoah's daughter; they encounter Egyptian children and a crocodile but eventually the baby arrives safe and sound. Will they get back home safely themselves? 

This wordless Passover story includes an author's note telling about the afikomen and the customs surrounding it. A young child would need some background knowledge to understand what they are seeing in the pictures. The characters are Jewish. 

Lisa Librarian 

Shermy & Shake, The Not-So-Nice Neighbor by Kirby Larson and Shinji Fujioka - ADVISABLE

Shermy & Shake, The Not-So-Nice Neighbor by Kirby Larson, illustrated by Shinji Fujioka. 85 pages. Candlewick Press, 2023. $16 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL - AVERAGE 

Shermy, a young elementary student is so excited for summer to start. He has many plans to read books, work on puzzles and collect treasures. A new boy moves into Shermy's neighborhood that is completely different from him. He likes to play street hockey and space explorers. He shows up unannounced and has his own rules for board games. As the boys spend more time together, will they learn to get along? 

This was a really sweet early chapter book. The way the boys learn to get along teaches an important lesson. We can be friends with those that are different from us. The illustrations are in black and white but are very engaging. The main characters in this book are presumably white. 

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Concealed by Christina Diaz Gonzalez - ADVISABLE

Concealed by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, 320 pages. Scholastic Press (Scholastic Inc.), 2021. $19.

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Three years ago, Katrina (12yo) was in an accident that caused amnesia—which means she can’t remember what her life was like before she and her parents started living on the run. But she’s getting tired of all the secrets. With one wrong move, the secrets start crashing down around Katrina, and it’s too late to turn back.

Fast-paced and action-packed, the search for identity takes Katrina and readers to unexpected places. I loved Gonzalez’s solutions, even if there was some trust whiplash as Katrina struggled with the overwhelming number of secrets revealed. Part of me is still braced for another stab in Katrina’s back despite the non-cliffhanger ending.

Katrina’s mother is Cuban, and Parker is half Dominican. The mature content rating is for illegal activity and mentions of drugs and alcohol. The violence rating is for gun use and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Julie and the Mango Tree by Sade Smith and Sayada Ramdial - ADVISABLE

Julie and the Mango Tree by Sade Smith, illustrated by Sayada Ramdial. PICTURE BOOK Feiwel and Friends, 2023. $19. 9781250806345 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Julie loved mangos, and she had a mango tree in her front yard. Julie went out to get a mango, but they were up too high and there were none that had fallen from the tree. She tried to wait for one to drop, jump, climb the tree, and finally to ask it nicely, but nothing worked. How long will Julie have to wait to get a delicious mango? 

Julie and the Mango Tree had me feeling like I needed a taste of a juicy mango as well. The recipes included at the end look delicious. I really liked the vibrant colors in the illustrations that capture and beauty and feel of the Caribbean islands. 

PGPowers 

Elf Dog & Owl Head by M.T. Anderson and Junyi Wu - ADVISABLE

Elf Dog & Owl Head by M.T. Anderson, illustrated by Junyi Wu 232 pages. Candlewick, 2023. $19. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (home invasion not brutal but damage, peril, dog attack). 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Pre-teen Clay finds a magical dog in the woods near his home. Because of the pandemic, everyone is in lockdown, so he doesn't get to play with his friends - he's stuck with his sisters. So, a dog is a great thing! But this dog was left behind when the People Under the Mountain ventured to the surface on a hunt. Now, as Clay wanders the woods with "Elphinore" he is led to hidden places that exist alongside Clay's community, but which humans can't see. There he meets a boy with an Owl's Head, and the two become fast friends. But Amos (the Owl Head boy) knows that if they are discovered, Clay's family will be cursed and Amos will be punished. 

M.T. Anderson weaves a pandemic story that was not as weird as I expected. His world-building - within the human world - made sense. I loved the side characters, the sleeping giant was my favorite, and the story was a lot of fun. Who hasn't dreamed of stepping off a path in the woods and entering a whole other world? Junyi Wu's illustrations were plentiful and expressive. A great read for either upper elementary or middle school. Clay and his family are white. 

Lisa Librarian 

I Drew a Heart by Gillian Sze illustrated by Naoko Stoop - ADVISABLE

I Drew a Heart by Gillian Sze illustrated by Naoko Stoop PICTURE BOOK Little, Brown and Company, 2023. $19. 9780316349574 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A young boy drew a heart that was very wobbly. His sister felt that the heart was like their hips while they danced, and the boy agreed and felt it was a heart like his. Then he drew a heart that was silly, one that was floaty, one like a dream that drifts, one that looked like a brave face, and he found out more about his own heart each time from the comments of his family. What could he find out about himself and nature when he drew a small heart like a whisper? 

I enjoyed Sze's new insights on the deep meaning in something as simple as drawing a heart. Stoop's illustrations are beautifully painted on wood and with a soft whimsical feel. The family is Chinese American 

PGPowers 

Later When I'm Big by Bette Westera and Mattias De Leeuw - OPTIONAL

Later When I'm Big by Bette Westera, illustrated by Mattias De Leeuw. PICTURE BOOK Eerdmans, 2023. $18. 9780802856104 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A little girl tells her mother all the things she will do when she's big, like helping the zookeeper clean the lions' and tigers' teeth, or swimming in the ocean with mermaids, or petting a polar bear. 

 The illustrations are full page watercolors, and there is a lot to see on each page. In her imagination there's this giant rabbit which is her toy IRL. It might be fun for the reader to spot it in the picture although it's usually with or near the little girl. A good story to use if talking about learning to be brave. The child and her mother are white 

Lisa Librarian

Doris by Sarah Jacoby - ADVISABLE

Doris by Sarah Jacoby PICTURE BOOK  Roaring Brook Press, 2023. $19. 9781250829382  

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Doris is a show horse. She has grown up performing and receiving applause. One night she grows curious about the outside world and goes out to do her own kind of dance. In doing so she learns to validate her own dancing without applause from others. 

The illustrations of "Doris" are watercolors and create a dreamlike atmosphere. The horses are almost surrealistic, because although they are clearly horses, they are not accurate horses. Some children will like them, while others may not. 

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian

The Book of Turtles by Sy Montgomery & Matt Patterson - ESSENTIAL

The Book of Turtles by Sy Montgomery & Matt Patterson. NON-FICTION, PICTURE BOOK HarperCollins, 2023. $20. 9780358458074 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Turtles have been around as long as the dinosaurs, but they somehow survived. We learn about their shells (which makes them turtles after all) and interesting things about the different species. 

Matt Patterson's paintings are so accurate! Well detailed and gorgeous. I loved Montgomery's text, well written and engaging. I had no idea there were so many things I didn't know about turtles. My favorite part was the spotlights on specific turtles, especially the one about the break up of a couple who had been together over 100 years. A must read. Also includes ways we can help them including sites with resources. 

Lisa Librarian

Fiona Builds a Fairy House by Kristen Dickson and Celia Krampien - ADVISABLE

Fiona Builds a Fairy House by Kristen Dickson illustrated by Celia Krampien PICTURE BOOK  Roaring Brook Press, 2023. $19. 9781250792570  

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Fiona has a big imagination. She loves all imaginary creatures, but right now is focused on fairies. She wants to build a fairy house but all her supplies are lost. At this point her maybe not-so-imaginary friends come to help her. With their help, Fiona is able to build the best fairy house ever! 

"Fiona Builds a Fairy House" is a good partnership between story and illustration. The comic strip like pictures add detail and depth to the written text. Readers will like the imaginary characters come to life, especially the ogre with sticky boogers. Lots of diversity shown in picture of school classmates. 

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian

Dancing Hands: A Story of Friendship in Filipino Sign Language by Joanna Que & Charina Marquez - ADVISBALE

Dancing Hands: A Story of Friendship in Filipino Sign Language by Joanna Que & Charina Marquez, illustrated by Fran Alvarez. PICTURE BOOK Chronicle/Blue Apple, 2023. $18 9781797213323 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Sam noticed that her new neighbor Mai only spoke with her dancing hands and facial expressions, gradually they get to know each other and soon Mai teaches Sam Filipino Sign Language. 

The end papers are full of examples of FSL. Includes an authors note about sign language and the need for global sign languages. The colored pencil and graphite illustrations are bold and interesting. (Sam's braids). An interesting title representing a hearing impaired child. The children are Filipino 

Lisa Librarian

Hey Otter! Hey Beaver! by Brian Pinkney - ADVISABLE

Hey Otter! Hey Beaver! by Brian Pinkney PICTURE BOOK (K-3rd grade) Greenwillow Books 2022 $19. 9780063159822 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Otter and Beaver are friends. Otter likes to play in the river with the sticks and twigs, while Beaver wants to work in the river and build a dam with the sticks and twigs. When Beaver has taken all the sticks and twigs, what will Otter play with? How will these friends work out this conflict of interest? 

The illustrations are swirls and swaths of color showing movement and energy. Otter and Beaver are presented more as abstract ideas of shape than realistic animals. Beaver comes across as a demanding character but at the end is an example of forgiveness. There is complexity inside the simplicity of the story. Otter and Beaver are gender neutral.

 J. Smith, Teacher Librarian

The Eyes & The Impossible by Dave Eggers - ADVISABLE

The Eyes & The Impossible by Dave Eggers, 250 pages. Random House, 2023 $19.00 Language: PG (9 swears (all deity) 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Johannes is a wild dog who lives in a park. The bison, who seem to be in charge of all the wildlife in the area, have given him the responsibility of being The Eyes. He runs through the park and reports back what he sees - with the help of his friends a seagull, a squirrel, a pelican and a raccoon they know about everything - the people, the park workers, the construction projects. The bison are wise and know just what to do. But Johannes has a problem, he's not fast if he gets distracted. 

The Eyes & The Impossible isn't just another dog book. Oh, I loved it so much. Eggers' story telling is engaging and exciting. The characters, although animals are realistic and believable. The gorgeous landscapes (actual Fine Art with the dog added) made the book fancy and beautifully illustrated. A sure purchase for my library 

Lisa Librarian

How to Eat in Space by Helen Taylor, illustrated by Stevie Lewis - ESSENTIAL

How to Eat in Space by Helen Taylor, illustrated by Stevie Lewis. PICTURE BOOK  NON-FICTION Little, Brown, and Company, 2023. $19. 9780316367745 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Author Helen Taylor has created a fun and interesting glimpse into the eating habits of astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Written as advice to future astronauts, the book covers safety, manners, and ingenious innovations that make eating in zero gravity possible. It is packed with trivia and will leave the reader saying, "Wow, I never thought about that!" 

I liked the friendly conversational tone of Helen Taylor's writing. Instead of just recounting the challenges of eating in space, she makes the reader feel that they are about to embark on a space trip and need to know how to eat out there. Children will find the idea of space burps entertaining (and disgusting.) Both genders and multiple ethnicities are well represented. 

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian 

A Song for the Unsung by Carole Boston Weatherford, Rob Sanders and Byron McCray - ADVISABLE

A Song for the Unsung: Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the 1963 March on Washington by Carole Boston Weatherford & Rob Sanders, illustrated by Byron McCray, BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Henry Holt & Company (Macmillan), 2022. $20. 9781250779502 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Bayard Rustin organized the March on Washington. He was an advocate for Civil Rights, worker's rights and human rights. He was also a gay black man. Pushing Martin Luther King forward as the face of the Civil Rights movement, he didn't let the discrimination he faced stop him from making a difference. 

 I love the format, beginning with waiting for the march, then a bit about Rustin growing up - especially the influence of his grandmother. I love that a whole bunch of civil rights songs were mentioned, in context. Back matter includes a Rustin timeline, the history of peaceful protests and The 10 Demands of the March on Washington For Jobs and Freedom. An important addition to my civil rights collection. 

Lisa Librarian 

Hooray for Fall! by Kazuo Iwamura - ADVISABLE

Hooray for Fall! by Kazuo Iwamura PICTURE BOOK NorthSouth Books 2023. $20. 9780735845435 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Summer was over, and three mice siblings went out with Papa to collect nuts. When they got home, Mama had knitted them a red sweater for the coming cold. Mick, Mack, and Molly went out into the woods and discovered that because it was fall, many other things in nature had also turned red. Now what was Mamma Knitting? 

Hooray For Fall is a sweet story about what happens to nature in fall and may help children discover changes in their own neighborhood. The watercolor illustrations are very cute and expressive. 

PGPowers 

Henry, Like Always by Jenn Bailey and Mika Song - ADVISABLE

Henry, Like Always by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song. 44 pages. CHAPTER BOOK Chronicle/Blue Apple, 2023. $15. 9781797213897 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Henry loves his classroom - Room 10 - the days are predictable. He loves the big calendar in the classroom and he knows just what happens every day. But when the teacher announces that there will be a parade on Friday, Henry is confused! Parade isn't on the calendar! 

Based on the picture book A Friend for Henry https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/2020/02/a-friend-for-henry-by-jenn-bailey.html I love that he's a little older and that Katie is still his friend. Mika Song's illustrations are darling. The fact that Henry is on the autism spectrum is not stated in the story but is mentioned on the front cover flap. Henry is white. 

Lisa Librarian

A Gift of Feathers by Ken Schept - ADVISABLE

A Gift of Feathers by Ken Schept. PICTURE BOOK  Fiewel and Friends, 2023. $19. 9781250838049  

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

2 young girls visit their Grandma Dot and they notice a vase if feathers by her front door. Grandma explained that each feather reminds her of her parents watching over her. The next time they visited there are three vases of feathers. Grandma let them play with the feathers. Grandma told them that next year they would visit for her hundred-year birthday party, but instead it was for her funeral. How could the girls still feel close to their grandma? 

I enjoyed Schept's affectionate and hopeful story about how traditions help us remember loved ones. Well done watercolor illustrations complete the feelings of comfort and love. 

PGPowers 

Benita and the Night Creatures by Mariana Llanos, art by Cocoretto - ADVISABLE

Benita and the Night Creatures by Mariana Llanos, art by Cocoretto. PICTURE BOOK Barefoot Books, 2023 $18. 9788888590027 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Benita is trying to read a brand new book, but a series of night creatures try to scare her, to no avail as she is really into her book. 

I love this story - what a fun answer to managing scary things at night. Totally sharing with my granddaughter. Includes Backmatter with more information about the creatures (who are from Peru, Bolivia and Chile). I especially loved the author's note about her own childhood night creatures. A great book - so much more to it than just a simple story. Benita is Peruvian 

Lisa Librarian

Mermaids Song to the Sea by Dianna Hutts andAston Renee Kurilla - HIGH

Mermaids Song to the Sea by Dianna Hutts, illustrated by Aston Renee Kurilla. PICTURE BOOK Hippo Park 2024 $19 9781662640285 G 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Three mermaids sing to the sea at the end of the day. They swim around and sing to each creature from clams, fish, sharks, seahorses, jellyfish, turtles, whales, and crabs, to many other sea creatures. They finally are tired and go to sleep when an interesting surprise happens. 

Aston tells a very cute story with an enjoyable surprise ending that transforms everything that you were thinking while reading the story. I also enjoyed the fun and colorful illustrations of all the marvelous sea creatures. 

PGPowers 

A Crown for Corina by Laekan Zea Kemp and Elisa Chavarri - ADVISABLE

A Crown for Corina by Laekan Zea Kemp illustrated by Elisa Chavarri. PICTURE BOOK  Little Brown and Company, 2023. $19. 9780759556843

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A young Mexican girl named Corina is having a birthday, and her grandmother is helping her make a flower crown from the flowers in her garden. It is tradition that she first picks flowers to remind her of her family. She then picks flowers that remind her of who she wants to be.  That night her grandmother reminds her that like flowers, nothing, including people, can survive far from home, and that she must always remember her family. Her crown loses petals and she takes it off her head, but what will she still feel? 

Kemp's story informs us of a very sweet and loving family tradition and the symbolism of the Mexican flower crown. The illustrations are very cute, colorful and eye-catching. There are some Mexican words placed throughout the text. I enjoyed learning about this tradition. 

PGPowers 

The Mona Lisa Vanishes by Nicholas Day and Brett Helquist - ADVISABLE

The Mona Lisa Vanishes by Nicholas Day, with art by Brett Helquist. 276 pages. NON-FICTION Random House, 2023. $20.

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

In 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre museum in Paris. This theft made the Mona Lisa the most famous painting of them all. Author Nicholas Day switches back and forth between 1911 Paris and the 1400s as he tells about Leonardo da Vinci, Lisa Gherardini, the Medici family, and the lives of women in Renaissance Italy, as well as 20th century newspapers, early 1900's forensic investigations, what would seem like a bumbling cop, and the race to find this painting. 

A lot is going on in The Mona Lisa Vanishes, but Day has skillfully weaved his narrative nonfiction to keep the reader sitting on the edge of their seat. I love Brett Helquist's illustrations placed at the perfect times to give a sense of the clothing, the culture, and the story. A delightful read, the kids who like true crime will eat this up and learn a lot about Art and the Renaissance too. Lisa Librarian

Big by Vashti Harrison - HIGH

Big by Vashti Harrison PICTURE BOOK (K-3rd grade) Little, Brown and Company, 2023. $20. 9780316353229

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

A beautiful happy black baby girl has big dreams. As she grows, adults tell her that she is such a good, big girl. As she learns and grows into a very large girl, she realizes that being big is no longer a good thing. Things people say make her feel sad, small, and invisible. Will she need to change to be happy? 

Big confronts the issues of fitting in, standing out, and learning to accept yourself. I enjoyed the deep, painful, thoughtful journey of self-acceptance done in soft beautiful pastel illustrations. 

PGPowers 

Houses with a Story by Seiji Yoshida - ADVISABLE

Houses with a Story: A Dragon's Den, a Ghostly Mansion, a Library of Lost Books and 30 More Amazing Places to Explore by Seiji Yoshida (translated from Japanese by Jan Mitsuko Cash,) 124 pages. Abrams/Amulet, 2023 (originally published in 2000 in Japan) $25.

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Senji Yoshida is an illustrator. He has always imagined the houses in the stories he's read and wanted to create illustrated houses that could be in these stories. 30 different houses are represented, with a short single-paragraph story starter a character who lives there, and something about what makes the house special. Then, the illustration itself is a cutaway (ala David Macaulay) with labels for the things we might miss or which need to be explained and a blueprint-type drawing of the layout. 

I really loved Houses with a Story! The stories themselves were intriguing, I wanted to imagine a story that would happen in the house. Except for the House of the Seven Dwarves, none of them seemed to be connected to actual stories. Includes dragons, ogres, a clocksmith, orphans, ghosts and so much more. Special pages teach about different roofs, toilets, and a glimpse into the artist's studio. A fun book that can be opened to any page and feed the reader's imagination. Most of the characters are Japanese 

Lisa Librarian 

An American Story by Kwame Alexander, art by Dare Coulter

An American Story by Kwame Alexander, art by Dare Coulter PICTURE BOOK Little, Brown and Company/Poppy, 2023. $19. 9780316473125 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Kwame Alexander tells about American slavery, as though a teacher is giving a lesson to her class. The students respond and are trying to promote change. 

Alexander's text told a story of hardship and perseverance and hope, the modern day connections were good, but it made the book feel disjointed. I get what he was doing, using a modern classroom with their feeling and their resolve but it wasn't evident from the beginning. The mixed media illustrations were often odd. I didn't like the clay sculptures photographed with illustrated backgrounds. The traditional illustrations were very nice, and the sketches that went with the modern day classroom were wonderful. I have mixed feelings about An American Story. The Characters are Black 

Lisa Librarian

Mr. S by Monica Arnaldo - ADVISABLE

Mr. S by Monica Arnaldo PICTURE BOOK Kathrine Tegen Books, (HarperCollins imprint), 2023. $20. 9780063003958

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

It's the first day of school, and the kids in room 2B are waiting for their teacher. Someone has left a sandwich on the desk and the name Mr. S on the board. Could it be that this sandwich is actually their teacher, Mr. S? 

This book is very funny. I am excited to use it as a first-day-of-school book with my classes. My students will love this hilarious mystery. The students are illustrated with a variety of ethnicities. 

Rachel, Elementary Library Specialist 

In Every Life by Marla Frazee - ESSENTIAL

In Every Life by Marla Frazee. PICTURE BOOK Beach Lane (Simon and Schuster), 2023. $19. 9781665912488 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

In every life there are smiles, light, hope, sadness comfort mysteries, tears and love. 

Marla Frazee's illustrations are gorgeous. Each pages remembers a different aspect of life with various representations of children, teens, adults, families even the elderly and their experiences. Some 2 page spreads of a single picture as well - I wanted to gather my kids and climb that mountain, or sit by that lake. An amazing picture book I highly recommend. I do think the adults will appreciate it more than the kids, though. a mix of everything, ages, cultures, abilities, races. Everyone will see themselves. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Bears Shared by Kim Norman and David Walker - ADVISABLE

The Bears Shared by Kim Norman illustrated by David Walker PICTURE BOOK Farrar, Straus, and Giroux 2023 $19 9780374389048

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

A family of bears shares a cave where their extra hair blows around. Close by, a mother bird borrows some of the bears' hair to build a nest in a tree. A storm comes and the baby birds fall out of the nest, land in a bush, and then slide on mud into the bear's cave. Will the bears share during the storm? 

The Bears Share is a cute and warmhearted story about helping others in need. The fun rhyming text and beautiful, adorable illustrations create a delightful story that children and adults will love. 

PGPowers 

Mi papa es un agricola: My Father the Farmworker by J. Roman Perez Varela and Jose Ramirez - ADVISABLE

Mi papa es un agricola: My Father the Farmworker by J. Roman Perez Varela, art by Jose Ramirez. PICTURE BOOK Lil' Libros, 2023. $20. 9781948066754 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A child's father is a farm worker. He gets up early and walks many miles in a day, picking and caring for crops in all weather. He is a hard worker and the child is proud of him. 

Told in both English and Spanish, Mi papa es un agricola is a gift for the author's father, who explains in the notes that his father gave up his own dream so that Varela could pursue his. Jose Ramirez also pays tribute to his father. His art is full of sunsets and weather - it is evident how difficult farm work is. I loved that this is a positive book, showing how persistent and dedicated they are despite their hardships. The characters are Hispanic. 

Lisa Librarian