100 Chapatis by Derek Mascarenhas and Shantala Robinson - ADVISABLE

100 Chapatis by Derek Mascarenhas and Shantala Robinson. PICTURE BOOK Owl Kids, 2023 $19.00 9781771475631 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Simon and Pappa are waiting for a phone call, but Simon wants to know how long it will take for Mom to have the baby. Pappa says a long time, maybe as long as it will take to make 100 Chapatis. So they get busy! 

I really liked this "waiting" book. I liked how Simon got better at making his dough roll out in a circle, I liked how patient Pappa was with Simon and his frustration at having to share his parents with a new baby. I wish there was a recipe. I believe they are from India. 

Lisa Librarian

Make A Pretty Sound by Traci N. Todd, illustrated by Elenor Davis - ADVISABLE

Make A Pretty Sound by Traci N. Todd, illustrated by Elenor Davis. NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2025. $20. 9781452170640

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

Ella Jenkins, American folk singer, is born in St. Louis where she is intrigued by the vibrant city noises and the exciting rhythms of Moroccan, Indian, and bluesy harmonica music. She sings and dances to Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, and raises her voice alongside Martin Luther King. She grows up to be a singer, a teacher, a traveler, and eventually a celebrated "First Lady of Children's Music."

Make A Pretty Sound celebrates Ella Jenkins' life with rhythmic text and colorful illustrations. I enjoyed learning about her inspiration that touched on American history, civil rights, cultural awareness, and the power of music.

PGPowers

Snow is . . . by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Sonia Sanchez - ADVISABLE

Snow is . . . by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Sonia Sanchez. PICTURE BOOK Paula Wiseman (Simon and Schuster), 2024 $19.00 9781665915595 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A boy is excited that it snowed. He plays outside with his father, builds a fort and enjoys the winter day. Told in two line rhyming verse which perfectly capture that first big snow of the year. 

 I liked the illustrations, a perfect book to read on a cold winter day - there's an illustration where the storm has blown a door open and there is snow in the hall - I hate the situation but love the picture. It's a mixed race family. 

Lisa Librarian 

I am La Chiva! The Colorful Bus Of The Andes by Karol Hernandez and Lorena Alvarez Gomez - ADVISABLE

I am La Chiva! The Colorful Bus Of The Andes by Karol Hernandez, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gomez. PICTURE BOOK. Dial Books (Penguin), 2024. $19. 9780593529201

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Every morning a colorful Columbian bus named La Chiva wakes up very early with an important job to do. She picks up farmers and their pigs, chickens, and other goods they want to sell, and starts the long journey through the steep hills down to the town.  The people on the bus play music and sing. Suddenly, there is a loud pop! Oh no, the bus is in trouble. Will they ever make it to town?

I Am La Chiva! is a colorful fun celebration of the spirit of the Columbian people.  I liked the rhyming text and the bold, bright illustrations. A few key Spanish words were used in the text, and  I was grateful for the glossary at the end of the book.

PGPowers

La Mala Suerte Is Following Me by Ana Siqueira and Carlos Velez Aguilera - ADVISABLE

La Mala Suerte Is Following Me by Ana Siqueira, illustrated by Carlos Velez Aguilera. PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge/Imagine, 2024. $18. 9781623544546 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

After Miguel opens an umbrella in the house, his abuela warns that he will have Bad Luck - La Mala Suerte. When he doesn't clean the bad energy as she advised, Miguel's good luck turns to bad luck, he's worried because he has a soccer tournament coming up. Maybe he can change his luck back! 

What a cute story! I loved the bits of Spanish used throughout, in context so I didn't even need the glossary. A great author's note at the back about superstitions. Miguel and his family are Hispanic. 

Lisa Librarian

Lost by Mariajo Ilustrajo - ADVISABLE

Lost by Mariajo Ilustrajo. PICTURE BOOK. Frances Lincoln First Editions, 2022. $19. 9780711277953

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

A polar bear finds himself lost in a big city. Everyone is rushing around and he thinks they are lost too.  He feels homesick and no one seems to care. One little voice hears him and takes him home, but how will Bear ever get back to the North Pole?

Lost is a cute story about the power of friendship to help you feel found and to help you get home.  I was very impressed with the interesting illustrations that read a bit like a graphic novel.

PGPowers