BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
The goblin is ready to tell you all of the things that make him not like Valentine's Day.
Willan goes in a slightly different direction from his other books this time. (SPOILERS) You would think that Gilbert would become friends with a Cupid, but he vaguely realizes that he loves his friends. It didn't work quite as well for me as the other books in the series.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Big Bub is excited to get his new hat, even though it seems pretty small for his big head. When the wind blows it away, Big Bub is sad.
A fun adventure for a beginning reader. Front matter goes over the words that make up the story so that the reader can practice before they start. If you need a shelf refresh of this level of book, it is very cute.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Subramanyan Chandrasekhar was only 19 in the 1930’s when he did the math and wrote the paper that proved the existence of black holes. It took more than 30 years for the rest of the science community to take him seriously - and 50 years after that first paper, Chandra was awarded a Nobel prize.
Rao does an excellent job of succinctly giving us Chadra’s story in a way that captures our attention and keeps us reading. I am excited to show this to my middle school science teachers to support their curriculum.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SOME
Vegara gives us a short, but interesting look at the highlights of De Saint-Exupery’s life. It balances his life as a pilot with the few, but beloved, books he authored.
The Little People, Big Dreams series is so varied and interesting. They are a great model for a 2-4th grade biography project. A classroom teacher could have a collection built around particular topics for kids to read and share out to each other for building background knowledge.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SOME
A young girl's father lovingly and perfectly braids pink and brown ribbons into her hair before she leaves for school. He tells her that they weave their hair into a braid to remember history and family, and that her hair is like an unbreakable rope attaching her to her family.
Braided Roots is a poetic reminiscing about family endurance and history, and explores the love between a father and daughter. I enjoyed Goodnight's sweet illustrations.
The history of the family is of enslaved, mixed-race Black, Chickasaw, and Choctaw.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Claudia has a sister that she thinks is just plain sticky. Her sister is ALWAYS around even when Claudia wants time with her friends and her own personal time. Frustration gets the best of Claudia and she decides to tell a white lie to her sister after they invite her to tag along to Claudia's soccer tournament. Claudia ends up getting herself into a literal sticky situation and there is a somewhat silly consequence.
Sticky Hermana is a fun story that many sisters will be able to relate to. I had a laugh at the funny surprise ending that I think children will enjoy and realize there are consequences to actions. This would be a good book to hand to English Language learners who are trying to identify with books since it includes a lot of Spanish words. Mom and Sisters are Hispanic.
Alissa Loves Books
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Have you ever wondered what your dog is saying? The main character is a sweet little girl trying to figure out that very question. She wanders through the barnyard asking the animals if they can understand her dog. Each page has a lift up flap that reveals which animal she is asking. She realizes that just loving her dog is enough.
My Dog Smudge is a sweet story with soft and simplistic mixed chalk illustrations. The lift the flaps were a fun addition that will keep readers guessing which animal comes next.
The little girl has caramel-toned skin.
Alissa Loves Books
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Where the Deer Slips Through immediately immerses the reader with it's beautiful and captivating illustrations. Beginning with a small hedge surrounding the forest, Howes cumulatively and creatively showcases the day to day activities of all the wildlife that live there.
The text is sprinkled with verbs and descriptive text that when combined with the illustrations make this a perfect package. Definitely Caldecott worthy. The illustrations were absolutely breathtaking. I can't wait to share this with young readers. There is so much detail on each page that they will want to take the time to explore at their own pace.
Alissa Loves Books
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
There seems to be a dilemma between sheep and goat. Since they both say "baa", which animal really gets to say it. With the help of the other barnyard animals and an unusual visit from a space alien in a flying saucer, sheep and goat decide they can share "baa".
Students will eat this up with its humor and word play. This would make a fun read aloud since it has easier text and bigger illustrations.
Alissa Loves Books
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Peek is off for a day at the zoo. While she is enjoying all of the animals she sees, she would be much happier if she could also find Boo. Can you see where Boo is on each page?
Help your little friends find the hamster Boo on every page. Delightful illustrations, too.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Ready for the fourth book of the Butt or Face series? Now that my middle school students have discovered it, they can’t get enough. Humorous and highly educational. If you don’t know the format, each page has a close up of either the face or the butt of some kind of creature. Turn the page to find out which part you are looking at, the kind of animal it is, and then some interesting tidbits about it. Simple, fun, and lots to learn.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Kitty and her friends are getting ready for her birthday party. Each of them uses their phone in some way to make all of the arrangements.
Six big buttons will get a lot of pushing time! While it has an on/off switch, a parent might also be tempted to remove the batteries. It is a nice option instead of giving your child a real phone to play with.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
In the 1940’s men told Ursula Marvin that she was not allowed to study geology, so she went somewhere else for her education. In the 1970’s Ursual was the first woman to trek to Antarctica, joining a team searching for meteorites from all over outer space. While a broken leg cut her trip short, she still built her career on identifying and examining meteorites.
Could be an addition to any curriculum that talks about meteorites. However, it is text heavy and a bit dry.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
A young Hispanic boy named Cesar wants to borrow his little sister Gabi's brand-new cerulean crayon. She doesn't know what color that is, though, and she won’t let him show her by touching her crayons. As he tries to explain what crayon it is, they begin a game of many questions which is very frustrating to Cesar. Will Cesar ever get to use the cerulean crayon?
Cesar's Cerulean Surprise definitely has a surprise ending. I enjoyed the playful exploration of logic making this a storytelling math book. Herrera uses bright, fun, crayon colors and illustrations to bring this story to life. The story uses some Spanish words such as Abuela, montanas, and cielo.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO:SEVERAL
Today is Isabel’s birthday. Isabel tells her mother her birthday wish of a big cake, a big pinata and a big party with all her friends. Her mother tells her that this year they can only afford a small fiesta. Her mother sends her to school with a boiled egg for lunch. When she cracks it, it is the raw egg that was saved for her cake. Isabel is sad and knows there will not be a cake and that she will not get her wish. Is there anything that can save Isabel's birthday?
Isabel's Birthday Surprise is for anyone who's ever had big expectations that didn't go as planned. This heartwarming story reminds readers of the small things that really make life special. I liked Galvez's colorful, interesting, and expressive illustrations. Some Spanish words are used throughout the story.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Little Virginia loved writing and at nine years old, she started a newspaper about her family which delighted relatives. In her teens, she lost her mother, father and half sister. Virginia was very sad for a long time and stopped writing. Virginia and her other siblings moved to a different house in London for a fresh start. They started the Bloomsbury group of thinkers and artists. Virginia began writing again and was known for her inventive way of capturing character's thoughts and feelings.
Vegara captures the extraordinary life of literary giant and feminist icon Virginia Woolf simply enough for young children to understand. Illustrations are descriptive and adequate.
This book mentions one of her books, Orlando, about a boy who grew up to be a girl.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
A young child feels sad when the car shopping cart at the grocery store is already taken. He feels grumpy and notices that lots of other shoppers are grumpy too. When the other boy gets out of the car cart and gives it to him, he feels happy and tries to be kind to the other shoppers. Will his gesture of kindness spark a chain reaction?
Catching Kindness will help children recognize how kindness can show up in small, everyday ways, and encourages empathy. Mitchell's illustrations are cute and engaging. Many ethnicities are represented.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
When winter comes everything is white. A young girl puts on her mittens and runs outside to play. She catches a snowflake, follows animal tracks, feeds birds, builds a snowman and many other winter activities. Inside her house the young girl's family has other wonderful winter activities.
When Winter Comes celebrates the magical activities of winter from a child's perspective. Simple, beautiful, graphic illustrations focus on snow and nature.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
Come along on a submarine mission that takes you past reefs, beyond the shore sea floor, down through the sunlight layer, the twilight layer, the midnight zone, and all the way seven miles down to the bottom of the ocean. Along the way, learn about many types of fish at each depth, and the mysterious sea life that dwells in the deepest depths. Find out how interconnected the ocean's ecosystems are.
McIntyre has created a thrilling adventure for children to explore the depths of the ocean and the sea life that dwells there. Wright beautifully captures the sea with gouache and watercolor illustrations. I liked the fold-out poster and backmatter with even more scientific facts.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Mrs. Hartwell announces to the class that she won't be at school tomorrow. She tells her class that she is taking a class for teachers and that she is nervous. The class tells her that they get nervous too. The class talks about some of the things Mrs. Hartwell should do when she feels anxious. The students decide to write encouraging notes for their teacher to read if she gets nervous.
Teacher Jitters is great for helping both children and adults learn to prepare for anxieties and how to self regulate. Love's illustrations are well done and expressive.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Dinosaurs and trucks, what a great combination! If dinos had trucks, which ones would they like best? Maybe Stegosaurus would like a tow truck? Or Brontosaurus would drive a delivery truck? Read this book to find out!
Dinosaurs in Trucks Because Hey, Why Not? will appeal to preschoolers that love both dinosaurs and trucks. This is a board book with very bright primary colors. The text is shown in several different colors.
Tracie, Elementary School Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Have you ever wondered what happens to your body as you dive? Or who were the first people to try diving? What about who invented the system that divers use now? Find these answers and more in Dive-The Story of Breathing Underwater.
Dive-The Story of Breathing Underwater tells the history of diving through text and realistic illustrations. My favorite part was the use of actual experiments that students could try at home that explain the concepts talked about in this book. Dive is also a nominee for the 2026 Utah Beehive Book Award.
Many ethnicities are represented in this book.
Tracie, Elementary School Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
For anyone who thinks dinosaurs are totally scary, this book will show that dinosaurs developed unique ways to survive and thrive.
The art is bright and colorful and just right for young children. In addition to the informational text, which is easily understood, there are actions and questions for young listeners to answer or act out, which makes this interactive. Great introduction to dinosaurs for small fry.
Michelle in the Middle
PRE-K, EL (K-3)- OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
