BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
The school bus pulls up. Animal kids climb aboard, greet friends, and take a seat. They laugh and giggle. The bus gets stuck in traffic and honks it's horn to say hello. Will the bus arrive on time?
Noisy School Bus is fun and delightful. Children will love to press the soft, silicone buttons on the school bus to hear entertaining sounds. They will also learn new object words, and enjoy finding the squirrel on every page.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - NO
APPEALS TO: SOME
A young girl named Sophie has a secret that lives in her brain. She calls him Ady. The doctors told her dad that it is ADHD. Ady contributes to her being late to school. Sophie's teacher is not very understanding. In school, Ady wants to be friends with everyone, doodles on the page, spills paint, and gets distracted during math. Sophie’s teacher takes her to the principal. What will the principal say?
Ady and Me starts out with wonderful insight into the brain of someone with ADHD, but then takes a wrong turn. The Principal is wonderfully sympathetic to Sophie and her ADHD, but then fires the teacher. I don't think that this is a message that should be supported.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
Spread a book wide and pretend it's an airplane and can fly. Put the book on your head, and it can be a hat. You can hold the book up to your face and it can be a monster mask. If you put the book on it's side it could be a pirate ship. What else can you imagine with just a simple book?
I really enjoyed Henson's playful picture book with unique ideas to unlock a child's imagination including interactive flaps and die cuts. I also loved Katie Vernon's fantastical illustrations.
Children with many ethnicities are represented.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
50 States of Love celebrates each state in alphabetical order and something wonderful and enjoyable about each. It is a poetic tribute to the beauty and uniqueness of each state., and the love that unites them all. Many different ethnicities are represented on each page.
I appreciated the way Aronson took inspiration form important landmarks, monuments, and traditions. I also liked her concept that the love across America is big, and bright. Her text and heartfelt illustrations might inspire a road trip.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Maxine is a dog who needs a job. She visits several of her dog friends and tries to do their jobs but is unsuccessful. Will she ever find the job that is right for her?
Maxine Gets a Job is a sweet book with bright illustrations and a good amount of words on a page for a read aloud. The plot is ok but not terribly exciting. It could be a good introduction into learning about jobs that dogs can do.
Tracie, Elementary School Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Lily the mermaid loves her pond home. She loves helping the creatures that live in and around the pond. She especially loves taking care of their pond. But, Lily starts to worry that all her hard work won't be enough. When a big storm comes, Lily's worries seem to all come true. Will Lily find the strength to confide in her friends and help the pond?
This is a cute story with the added bonus of having an SEL message. It would be a solid addition to a library in that it would appeal to kids who love mermaids, but it's not a must-have in my opinion.
Lily appears to be white
Rachel, Elementary library specialist
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
A girl loves Sundays, because Sundays are wash days. Wash days means lots of time with Mama, special conditioner, oils, braids, and beads. Mama teaches her daughter that taking care of her hair, even if it takes a long time, is about self-love and connection.
This book is endearing and filled with meaningful mother-daughter connection. The mom is patient as she engages with her daughter during their special Sunday time.
The characters are Black
Rachel, elementary library specialist
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Cristina Zenato grew up loving the ocean in her native Italy. During most of the year when she lived in Africa with her parents, she missed being in the ocean. When she grew up, Cristina learned to scuba dive in the Bahamas where she discovered a talent for making friends with sharks! Cristina decided to dedicate her life to educating people about sharks.
This was a fun read. I liked learning that sharks can have distinct personalities and moods. The back of the book includes more information about sharks and Cristina Zenato.
Cristina is white.
Rachel, elementary library specialist
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Meet the dinosaurs from Dinosaur Roar! They all have their own names and something unique about them. Includes a page of facts about the different dinosaurs.
There is no story to this one. It is literally an introduction to the dinosaur characters that are part of The World Of Dinosaur Roar. It would appeal to a dinosaur-obsessed kid, but is nowhere close to a quality book about dinosaurs, in my opinion.
Rachel, elementary library specialist
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
Every fairy has a special talent, but Lily hasn't found hers yet. With the help of her human friend, Willow, can Lily discover what is special about herself?
After reading this leveled reader, I plan to get the rest of the Fairies Welcome series for my library. I loved the illustrations and characters with different skin tones and body types.
The characters are Black.
Rachel, elementary library specialist
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Today is Bike's first day as a community bicycle. He is so nervous! What if he gets rained on? Or gets wobbly or tired? Bike carries many different people through the city, having many great adventures.
A Big Day for Bike teaches children about community bicycles and how it is important to serve others. The pictures are engaging but the text is quite small. There are even bike safety rules at the end.
Many different ethnicities are represented by the bike riders in this book.
Tracie, Elementary School Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Little Emma is so grumpy! She was not invited to the pirate party. Grandma broke her favorite tea cup. She is grumpy as well. Together they set off to have their grumpy experience together. Wise grandma knows just the trick to help little Emma send those "blues" out to sea.
No one listens and commiserates quite like a grandma can! With McFarlane's sweet story and Ainslie's amazing and inviting illustrations, readers will love this wonderful story of how to change a grumpy day into a special adventure. We loved this explorative book on emotions and how easy it can be to change a bad day into a great one. The illustrations are amazing. Little Emma is so precious. We loved that the last page shows readers how to turn a simple piece of paper into a boat. The characters are white.
Reviewer: SL
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
An adorable black-silhouetted bunny enjoys the adventures of seesaws, diving boards, ski jumps, and slides in this fun to read board book. The story is predictable until the very end when a heartwarming ending surprises the readers. The pictures are simple yet inviting, This is a fun board book for little ones hold and enjoy.
The illustrations are simple and inviting. The ending is a pleasant surprise. The occasional addition of yellow is fun and exciting.
Reviewer: SL
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
In this fun guessing and exploitative book, little ones will have fun not only guessing the answers, but will also learn interesting facts about different bird eggs. Readers look at the hints about the animals and then when turning the page look at the animal's egg. As a reader, I was fascinated with some of the information I learned. I rated this for K-3 as well because it would most certainly be beneficial in a unit on birds.
I enjoyed learning new information such as which egg’s shape makes an egg more stable. Or which color of an egg protects the chicks from sunlight. The illustrations are either very detailed or turn the page and they are very simple. This adds a fun contrast while reading.
Reviewer: SL
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Sea friends are playing tag. Dolphin accidentally swims into two of his friends. OUCH! Suddenly a variety of emotions are swimming alongside the friends. A wise octopus floats over and begins sharing the names of their emotions and a simple way to help calm down and understand each friend’s feelings a little better. Before they know it, the friends are again having fun and experiencing fun emotions, too!
I loved the simplicity of this book. Accidents happen, and emotions happen. It's ok to feel those emotions, but finding ways to turn them around is a lifelong habit to form in early years of life. Whether the feelings are big or small, all emotions need to be explored and understood.
Reviewer: SL
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
This is a wonderful multicultural take on a classic fairytale. The story takes place in beautiful Africa. The illustrations are colorful, detailed and beautiful. In this classic tale, the curse of the princess is broken in a very unique and imaginative way. Readers will love this story. Parents and teachers alike will be able to use this as a springboard for many lessons and discussions.
I loved the surprise ending. The message is empowering to all young women. The illustrations draw the readers into the story. The colors used in the illustrations are bright and bold. Set in Africa, this sweet fairytale will become a beloved book by many.
Reviewer: SL
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
When Sun Rises is a touching story of how the four seasons bless our lives. The awakening of nature in spring, the warmth of summer, the beauty of autumn and the hopeful feelings of winter bring families together.
The illustrations are very detailed and help tell the story. It was confusing the first time, through. For those of us who do not speak a foreign language (Spanish in this instance) it was a little difficult to remember the meaning of words. This would be a great book for those learning to speak Spanish or understand some Spanish traditions. Teachers could use this book in a unit on seasons or helping to teach a second language.
This book uses Mexican concepts and adds Spanish words in the text.
Reviewer: SL
BUYING ADVISORY: GIFT - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
Bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS series has created a fun, family oriented Go Fish card game that for children to enjoy. Families/ classrooms can Celebrate history’s heroes and discover new role models as they play. Simply collect and match illustrated cards featuring 36 inspirational figures and gather them into sets, including scientists, sports stars, activists, performers, and writers. The game comes in a sturdy board box with instructions and variations on how to play the game. The illustrated manual gives detailed information about each of the famous role models.
Although not a book, this is a fun and very educational card game. Learning about famous role models such as Louis Pasteur, Mozart, Jesse Owens and Harriet Tubman can bring hours of family/classroom fun and learning.
This multicultural game celebrates history’s heroes.
Reviewer: SL
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
With Mom by my side, I feel safe and strong. Using our imagination, we sail a ship around the garden. We take a rocket into space and have picnics on the moon. My mom can fix anything! We paint pictures, we dance, we jump, and we sing!
In this beautifully illustrated picture book, a heartwarming story of a sweet relationship between mother and daughter is explored. This would be the perfect book to give as a gift. This book could be used by teachers in a unit about families. I love that this book focuses on the mother/ child bond whether biological or adoptive mothers.
Reviewer: SL
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
When a big brother meets his little sister for the first time; the love is immediate! Yet waiting for her to do more than sleep, cry, drink, and repeat is frustrating Once his little sister is old enough, the adventures begin! The two are inseparable. They watch clouds, play hide-and-seek, discover, and dance. As they grow and eventually need to go their separate ways, the brother reminds her that he will always love her (trust me, I do!) and she can always count on him.
This is a heartwarming tale of just how deep a sibling bond can grow. Sewankambo gives us a perfect rendition of the emotional ebb and flow of sibling relationships. Most of the time things are wonderful and loving, yet there will be times of discontent. The illustrations are fun and exciting. The warmth of the colors draw the reader into each page.
Reviewer: SL
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Harold the bear loves fall days. He loves the changing leaves and he loves spending time with his friends the crows. Harold is saddened at the shortening of the days and the approach of winter. Harold DOES NOT want to hibernate. He wants to play and explore. Harold is very concerned that his friends will forget him if he sleeps the winter away. In this adorable picture book, friendship is explored and a tender ending will leave the reader wanting more Harold the Bear Story Series.
The illustrations are amazing! Harold's emotions are displayed perfectly. The colors are soft yet inviting. With a splash of bright colors, the pages draw the reader in. We loved the tender ending and how friendship is defined and explored.
Reviewer: SL
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
When two friends stumble upon a giant parsnip, their curiosity and their imaginations take off! Can they turn the parsnip into a car? What about a rocket? Finally it is decided to make a giant pot of parsnip soup. The work, and then the counting, begins. The final page offers a fun surprise that readers won't expect for the first time through this heartwarming book of friendship, hard work, and quality time spent together.
We love the illustrations in this fun counting book. The mix of a friendship theme, an imaginative task, and a fun counting book makes this a picture book that stands apart from most. Imaginative and educational, this book will become a favorite of many.
Reviewer: SL
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Lulu, an adorable bulldog, desperately wants to be a Rhino. Lulu's skin is wrong, her tail is wrong, but maybe if the perfect horn can be obtained, Lulu will finally become what she desires most. An ice cream cone? No- too cold. A sock? No- too floppy. But then Lulu finds exactly what she's looking for. Through trail and error, Lulu finally becomes what she desires most.
Lulu is a Rhinoceros conveys gentle messages for young readers about diversity, tolerance, self-expression, radical acceptance, and interdependence. We enjoyed this sweet story of acceptance and finding one's true identity. This picture book will be a great asset to teachers and parents alike. The words, "Yes! I am Lulu, I'm a Rhinoceros!" can be used as a springboard for many discussions with little ones.
Reviewer: SL
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
Everyone thinks Quokka is the happiest animal ever. Just look at that adorable smiling face! But Quokka explains that he is definitely not happy! He is sad, cranky, annoyed, concerned, and so much more.
Quokka facts are included at the back of the book. I loved the adorable artwork and engaging text. This would be a great book to help talk about emotions and being misunderstood. It's sure to be a hit with my younger students!
Rachel, Elementary Library Specialist
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SOME
When young Eliza steps through a fairy door, she finds herself in an enchanted world where all the curious creatures she believes in are real. And only she can rescue the fairies from the evil curse that threatens all of them.
Illustrated in color on every page, Eliza’s story will feel magical for your readers who love reading about fairies. A little younger in level than Shannon Hale’s Princess in Pink series. McDonald ventures away from her Judy Moody characters into the realm of fantasy. Eliza is brave and persistent.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Meet seven different vehicles and a little about what they are used for. Scott’s illustrations are fun and bright. The pages of the board book are graduated in size and are cut out so that they are a great tactile experience.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Crow is waiting on a wire when several of his friends try to get him to spend time with him. He refuses them all. The other animals find Crow rude. It's not that Crow is rude, it's that he has a secret, world saving mission to fulfill.
Cute and fun with an unexpected twist. Great illustrations.
Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Jots the mouse asks Dot the ladybug to find the perfect spot. Dot heads out looking for spots without asking enough questions. But it all works out when Dot realizes a spot does not have to be a dot.
Large text and simple sentences make for a good early reader book. The illustrations are bright and engaging.
Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Come play with dinosaurs as they enjoy a fun day.
Besides the wobbly bottom action, Frost’s board book has two other actions I haven’t seen before. One dino stomps its feet in separate directions and another has wings that also flap. Get ready for a lot of movement from your favorite toddlers.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Unicorn would like to play - do you want to play along?
I have played with many interactive board books. This is the first time I have seen the wiggling option! I could play with it for hours just doing that. A fun way to get little ones up and moving.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Meet seven dinosaurs within Scott’s board book. I love his illustrations. And the edges are graduated and textured, for a fun sensory experience - sure to end up in many a young mouth.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Izzy had a horrible day at school, but she doesn’t want to share with her family. She knows she is always making mistakes with her impulsiveness. As they are cooking tortillas for taco night, her Lito (I think that is her grandfather) coaxes the story out of her and helps her eat her mistakes. Then the whole family joins in, eating their own mistakes.
Teaching children to share their mistakes can be tricky - they are always thinking they will be punished. Seeing mistakes through Izy’s eyes and then having her family talk about their own mistakes can help - especially since Izzy’s story and the “mistaco” eating is so much fun. The illustrative style is not my favorite.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Follow the little puppy as it explores the neighborhood.
Each page, including the cover, has a textured piece to touch and feel. It also has a QR code to a site that will read the book aloud - though it will be more fun for an adult and child to read together. Short and simple. Maybe you can replace Pat the Bunny?
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Meet five critters around the house and hear their noises!
I am in love with this book! The sounds it makes are the real thing - enough that my cats pricked up their ears and looked for the critter. You can also turn the sound off - though I think a child will probably be able to figure out the mechanism quickly.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SOME
Ruth Asawa grew up on a farm in California. During WWII she and her Japanese family were imprisoned in a relocation camp in Arkansas. She was able to leave the prison and go to college. Her art was influenced by her travels and life experiences.
A beautifully illustrated and well written book about an artist who had to constantly fight for herself and for her art. She accomplished a great many things in spite of her many trials.
Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
The life cycle of a rock from millions of years ago to the present. The rock starts its life on the side of a volcano then makes its way through the stages of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic stages.
Bright illustrations bring the rock cycle to life. The back matter includes further information and sources.
Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian
