The Book from Far Away by Bruce Handy, Illustrated by Julie Benbassat - OPTIONAL

The Book from Far Away by Bruce Handy, Illustrated by Julie Benbassat. 44 pages. PICTURE BOOK Astra, 2023. $19. 9781662651335 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

In this wordless picture book, a child spots a family from outer space who seem to have landed on earth for a picnic. The child exchanges his book with a young alien for a strange object that could be a book from another species. 

The art is reminiscent of an older style, and is colorful and beautifully done. A nice book about sharing and making different kinds of friends. If you like wordless picture books, this one will spark the imagination. The child is white. 

Michelle in the Middle

Grown with Love by Valeria Wicker - ADVISABLE

Grown with Love by Valeria Wicker. PICTURE BOOK. McElderry (Simon), 2024. $19. 9781665947084

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Young Oliver can create a plant for every gardening situation - except! Mrs. Kroftombottom has a severe case of blackthumbitis, which he can not seem to cure.  It is only with careful inspection, a lot of thinking, and making some calls that Oliver comes to the heart of the situation - of what Mrs. K really needs. 

Very sweet - I think a teacher would like this as a read aloud. I was pleasantly surprised by how gently the message shone through - especially because I wasn’t expecting a message at all. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Animal Albums from A to Z by Cece Bell - OPTIONAL

Animal Albums from A to Z by Cece Bell, 68 pages. PICTURE BOOK Walker (Candlewick), 2024. $20 9781536226249 

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

APPEALS TO: SOME 

If animals recorded record albums, this is what they would come up with. This is an alphabet book with an album cover, animal group, and song for each letter of the alphabet. The songs have plenty of alliteration, depending on their letter of the alphabet. 

The art is fun. The songs were longish, so kids may lose interest. This may be a good book for teaching style and having kids create their own versions, but may not be a book kids would sit and read cover to cover. 

Michelle in the Middle

When Nature Calls: the unusual bathroom habits of the world’s creatures by Maria Birmingham and Dave Whamond - ESSENTIAL

When Nature Calls: the unusual bathroom habits of the world’s creatures by Maria Birmingham and Dave Whamond. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Red Deer Press, 2024. $24. 9780889957244

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Birmingham regales us with in-depth information about the pooping habits of several of natires creatures. Pair this with Sara Levine’s Poop For Breakfast (https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/2023/09/poop-for-breakfast-by-sara-levine-and.html) for a very educational look at feces. Whether a teacher reads it aloud or not, it will get read! The information is more detailed than a casual reader - K-3 may pick it up for the pictures, but 4-up will really enjoy the material.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Tate's Wild Rescue by Jenny Turnbull, illustrated by Izzy Burton - OPTIONAL

Tate's Wild Rescue Jenny Turnbull, illustrated by Izzy Burton. 32 pages. PICTURE BOOK Random House, 2024 $19 9780593569078 

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

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Tate loves animals so much she wants to rescue the ones who live in the wild. She sends them letters and offers them a safe place with her. Tate is surprised that none of them will take her up on her offer. 

 The art is charming and the letter writing format is fun. It's a cute way to learn brief snippets about wild animals. The main character's race is not specified, but she is not white. 

Michelle in the Middle

Safe Crossing by Kari Percival - ADVISABLE

Safe Crossing by Kari Percival. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle, 2024. $19. 9781797214566

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

It is a wet spring night and the Amphibian Migration crew is on the job to help small critters safely cross the road to their egg-laying territories. The children in the group wonder if there would be a way to create a safe crossing for these tiny creatures, whose habitat has been bisected by the road.

Supplement this with Crossings by Katy S Dunfield, a more non-fiction picture book, which shows a variety of human-created animal crossing structures.  I do consider this non-fiction because of the great information included during the story-telling and the excellent back matter.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS