BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Careless with her things, Tulip’s little mess grows into something so big that Tulip can’t ignore it any more. In order to reclaim something precious to her, she will have to tackle it piece by piece.
For us oldies, the story line reminds me a bit of Mrs. PiggleWiggle, without the kindly old lady. A nice simple object lesson wrapped in a digestible story.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: NOT RECOMMENDED
The family finds it impossible to deal with the sister of the family, who claims absolutely everything is hers.
The payoff or lesson is so late in the book, it might as well not be there. I also don’t like the rhyming text - reading it out loud is too sing-songy. I don’t mind the two LGBT references, but they feel forced, like they are there to make a point.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
With few words, Sagebrush gives us a look at the important role it plays in desert life.
The back matter is where the information really is about sagebrush. The illustrations are very dramatic and landscape painting-like, but there is very little to hold onto within the text. In communities where sagebrush is a big part of the ecosystem, I could see it being useful.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
The Parcel is on its way somewhere. He may not know where, but he will have quite an adventure along the way.
Gledhill’s illustrations are quite cute, but very busy. Not really a great way to teach little ones how the mail works. I also didn’t think that the end reveal was clear enough for little ones to get it - I had to re-look and think before I got it. Its cute - really cute - but I don’t think it lands its story.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
The Peddler of Puddles, a turtle, loves traveling the forest and making puddles big and small for his friends. One day he wanders down to the beach and needs their help when he gets stuck.
The illustrations are whimsical and engaging. The story feels overly complicated and wordy, though.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Toby looks for a gift for his dad and his uncle. He chooses a pair of socks for each. Toby is sad when his dad opens the present and doesn't care. His uncle, on the other hand, is excited to see Toby and says that the socks are just a wonderful bonus. Toby loves to hang out with his uncle who helps him feel "just right". What are the things his uncle does to help Toby feel that way?
Just Right is a heartwarming story that celebrates loving caregivers and the impact they have on children's lives. Martinez uses cute colorful artwork to capture the concepts.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3)- ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
The Secrets of the Jellies introduces readers to the spectacular world of weird and wonderful jellyfish. Engaging rhyming text is filled with fun facts about anatomy, behavior, habitats, and ecosystems. Learn about more kinds of jellyfish than you knew existed.
Jameson amazes us with awe-inspiring and easy to understand information about Jellyfish. In-depth backmatter reveals more jellyfish secrets. Hermansson's energetic undersea artwork helps engage the reader.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SOME
Pia noticed everything, and felt things deeply. She loved to play secret agents with her brother Charlie. One day, while they were sneaking to rescue Teddy, they had to be very quiet so that no one would notice them. Pia tripped and made a loud noise. The game was ruined. Everyone told her it was okay, but her feelings bubbled up until she was out of control. Her mother carried her up to her room telling her that she's not in trouble and that she was just a good kid having a hard time. But Pia can't calm down. What will help Pia feel better?
Dr. Kennedy compassionately shows caregivers how to deal with the emotional explosions from DFK - Deeply Feeling Kids. I liked her parent corner section in the back that gives more in-depth information.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Yuri visits the museum with his father. He is enjoying himself when he is frightened by the flying museum parakeet doing the evening inspection flight. The result is mayhem. Yuri collides with the center dinosaur exhibit, knocking down all the bones into a big heap. Everyone saw it happen. Yuri is in a miserable mess. What should he do?
Mayhem at the Museum is a cute story about finding creative and unexpected solutions when the worst happens. Brukner's illustrations are interesting and humorous.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
A young girl named Samantha tries to convince her parents that their cat Walter is a secret agent. She tells them his secret agent name is Agent Kitty Pants, but they don't believe her. Samantha points out his impressive espionage skills battling the neighbors cat and Aunt Marie's dog. The cat is still unappreciated - then Samantha falls out of the treehouse.
My Cat is a Secret Agent is humorous and delightful. I enjoy Mahoney's quirky characters and artwork.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
It is night time at a construction site. Suddenly a storm appears and starts a fire. Fire fighting vehicles come to the rescue! Can the firefighting vehicles and construction vehicles work together to fight the fire?
Rinker is up to thirteen books in her construction site series now! I think this book would appeal to children who like machines. Every vehicle has a face and the illustrations are very eye-catching. Even though the illustrations are cute, the book also teaches facts about fighting fires. It is a rhyming book with minimal words on a page.
Tracie, Elementary School Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Escargot has invited the reader to a soiree pyjama and really, really, really does not want to go to sleep.
Escargot is a sweet little character and he is very earnest in trying to have a good time at his soiree and not fall asleep. While I don’t think it will put your little one to sleep, I do think it is fun to read together.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
The Easter Bunny has lost its way to the Egg Hunt. The children must help him arrive on time to hide the eggs and save the day.
Cleland’s illustrations are a lot of fun to pore over. The iambic octameter rhyming text is a bear to read out loud, though.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: NOT RECOMMENDED
In 1976 Dick Gregory ran from California to New York to bring awareness to the plight of poor, hungry people around the country.
Barnes and Gregory wrote the book in an odd second person voice that made the story feel remote and impersonal. I couldn’t find my way into the story.
Gregory is Black.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Yuna, a young Japanese girl, visits her grandmother in winter. Yuna climbs into the old cherry tree and wants to know when the cherry tree will bloom. Her grandmother introduces her to the concept of "mono-no-aware." When the cherry tree is in full bloom, it becomes more beautiful because it will soon be gone. Yuna realizes the full meaning when something happens to her grandmother.
Goldsaito gives us a profound story that teaches concepts of nature, patience, and awareness of the bittersweet, temporary nature of life. Imamura's illustrations are beautiful.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
George lives at 102 Greenbriar Drive. One day, he is sent home from school with a fever of 102, and he sees his mother catch a mouse scurrying across the kitchen floor. His mother wants to get rid of it, but he wants to keep it in a cage. That night, at 102 A.M. a cricket motions for George to follow it. As he hops off the bed, he shrinks down to mouse size. He follows the cricket through the wall and into a tiny mouse kitchen at the base of an oak tree where he discovers the meaning of his quest.
102 is imaginative and very sweet. The story explores the values of curiosity, kindness, and generosity. I enjoyed Cordell's unique colored pencil style of illustration.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SOME
Three Weeks in the Rainforest follows the Field Museum's Rapid Inventory 30 team in Columbia as they race to gather data over three short weeks in the field. Biologists trek through mud and rain, counting every animal and plant they see. Social scientists visit villages, speaking with people about their goals for the land. Based on this evidence, the team makes a case of conservation. So far their teams have helped conserve almost 30 million acres of Amazon rainforest.
Swanson gives us a glimpse into real-life fieldwork in the rainforest. This is not a detailed book about animals and plants that live in the rainforest. I liked the pictures of the scenery and the animals they were able to capture.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
A young Jamaican girl's family is packing all their things. She is nervous that they are leaving their island home. On her final day, she takes in the final sights and smells. She wants to remember all of it. She takes a last swim in the ocean and finds a beautiful shell to take with her. Her family flies to a big city in Canada. She is still worried about her new home until she hears something outside her window.
The Last Last deals with the bittersweet experience of immigration, honoring memories of home while looking forward to new adventures. I liked Whittingham's use of vibrant colors in her illustrations.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
Long ago, a young girl named Beatrix was a maid in a castle. Life was hard and she was lonely. Her only joy was when she swept the great hall and could gaze upon the unicorn on the large tapestry. One night, she decided to go into the forest and look for the Unicorn to help her loneliness. Along the way, she discovered and helped scared, injured, and lonely animals and invited them along. When she stops to rest, she sees the unicorn in a dream. The unicorn helps her realize how to cure her loneliness.
Beatrix and the Unicorn is a sweet and interesting story about how to help with loneliness. I enjoyed Judge's soft, watercolor, storybook illustrations.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
Young polar bear Bartleby repeatedly says, "I prefer not to," when asked to join group activities at school and with other kids at recess. One activity finally interests him and he finds a way to participate on his own terms. Will this make it easier for him to join in other activities?
Bartleby teaches a gentle lesson about acceptance and being yourself. I like Phelan's cute characters and signature sketchy, watercolor style.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
A big friendly monster named sadness visits a young boy. Sadness explains that he visits on gloomy days as well as beautiful days, and that he only comes for a while and doesn't stay. He reminds the boy that it is okay to cry and that everyone cries. Sadness explains to the boy the many reasons people cry. How will crying help the young boy feel better?
Everyone Cries is a sweet comforting story that will help children understand and accept their feelings. Bongini's lively and cute illustrations aptly bring the abstract concepts to life.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
A young boy named Neil wasn't sure exactly how to be a man. He tried to observe the older boys at school, his soldier grandpa, bikers on the street, the men in his family at a funeral, superheroes, athletes and politicians on T.V., and made a chart of what he thought. The next day at school, he tried to act like what he thought a man was. He rode his bike against traffic, didn't play with Halima his best friend, laughed at Pablo, tripped Adri, and had a fistfight with Oscar. He started to feel sick and went to see the school nurse. He began to cry. What was wrong with Neil?
Men Cry is a fun, heartwarming story about gender roles and embracing individuality. I enjoyed Turu's expressive, quirky illustrations.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Aurora is a highly sensitive rabbit. She cares about the natural world and the other animals around her, but she has a hard time connecting with others. Her brothers tell her she is "too sensitive." When a flash flood destroys her family's burrow, Aurora meets a spiny lizard, a wren, a skunk, and a javelina who are sensitive too. They teach her some techniques for self care. Will she learn to connect with others while embracing who she is?
The Highly Sensitive Rabbit educates us about empaths, and offers easy-to learn coping and communication skills. I enjoyed Tanis' beautiful, colorful, desert illustrations.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
In the mountain Joseon kingdom, it was time for the crown prince to marry a princess chosen by his parents. Jeongsoon wanted to be a princess to help the hungry so she agreed to compete in the Manners Test, and the Wisdom Test. The queen chooses her out of all the other girls to compete in the final sleep test. Will she unknowingly feel a tiny grain of rice underneath 100 blankets? Will Jeongsoon pass the test even when she lets a hungry mouse eat the grain of rice?
I really liked Cho's Korean retelling of the Princess and the Pea. Jang's illustrations are interesting and beautiful.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Chopsticks Are is filled with words that describe what chopsticks are and how they are used. They are works of art, represent tradition, and are given as gifts. They are used in many cultures throughout the world. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about chopsticks in this book!
I enjoyed how this book uses beautiful illustrations of food and different kinds of chopsticks to catch the reader's eye. Words are limited on each page. At the end, you will find a history of chopsticks, the rules for using them and a food index that names the different foods that are listed.
Many different ethnicities are featured in this book.
Tracie, Elementary School Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
A group of friends gather to watch the sky for shooting stars. A young boy feels unlucky for not seeing anything except an airplane, the Milky Way, a satellite, and a full blood-red moon. His uncle tells him to feel lucky and excited about what he has seen, and reminds him of many other things the boy has seen in the sky. The boy goes out into the night to look again. Does he have any sky luck?
Sky Luck is a story that encourages a mindset of appreciation for the constant wonders already present in the world. Smith's illustrations nicely represent the infinite sky luck around us.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
I'm Joining the Herd explores over fifty different animal groups that live and work together. It follows a zebra character as she learns about various animal societies. It features fun facts about packs, flocks, prides, fish, insects, and more with a focus on cooperation and community.
Gwinn engages kids with a silly Zebra character that interacts with the animal groups. The book reads like a graphic novel with animals speaking. Ming's illustrations are detailed, expressive and fun.
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