BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Maclear gives us many different, and highly original ways to be still when you are in need of some slow time.
Ready for nap time? Get this out for your little friends and read to them as they drift off to sleep. Make sure you pause frequently to allow them time to imagine the imaginings that Maclear invokes. Or sit quietly together in a gib pile and admire Suisak’s evocative illustrations.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SOME
Three animal friends are excited to get to work when they need to get out their equipment and clear the snow - so that they can then play in it, of course!
I admire their delight in seeing the snow and their work ethic as they get to clearing it. Whether you get snow in your town or not, someone will enjoy reading about it.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
WHen his aunt Morgana gives him a dragon egg before his eighth birthday, Prince Griffin needs to keep it secret, because his Queen mother is allergic to magical creatures. As Griff falls more and more attached to his quickly growing new friend he has to figure out a way to get his mother to let him keep him - he just has to!
The old-fashioned tone to Smith’s illustrations are a lovely backdrop for her story about a prince and a dragon. A dash of heroics and courage and a delightful book for dragon lovers of all ages.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL
Everyone knows Jack O’Lantern. He has the scariest face and he is the best at spooking the trick-o-treaters in line. But Jack has a younger brother, Jeff O’Lantern. Jeff has a friendly smile and kind eyes. Does he have to live up to Jack’s scary reputation, or can he find his own path this Halloween?
A sweet story about individuality and self-acceptance from the American Psychological Association, Jeff O’Lantern is flat-out adorable. It’s basically a Pixar short film in picture book format. The illustrations are colorful and eye-catching, and kids are going to eat this up during the spooky season.
Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
In his 4th adventure, Hank is impatiently waiting for Christmas. So impatiently that his friends are trying to distract him by having him help Santa’s elves finish the last minute gift wrapping. Hank may be a good helper, but he does have some ideas of his own.
Hank’s wry attitude is hilarious as always. Full of Christmas-y chaos with Hank’s auspicious nature at the end for good measure.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Dragon Dog may have been created as a mistake, but he is the fiercest beast in the forest. But Dandelion the sheep can only see his fluffiness and the fierceness doesn’t bother her at all. When Dandelion’s flock is threatened, its Dragon Dog to the rescue.
Dragon Dog really is so fluffy that it is hard to take him seriously as being fierce - even though he proves time and again. But all I want is a fluffy dog/dragon stuffie just like him.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SOME
When Lulu’s grandma tries to tell a story, it is usually very short and boring. Tonight's story is about a pumpkin; Lulu decides that it is time to help grandma liven things up.
I enjoyed the little girl working kindly with her grandma on crafting a more interesting story. Help your elementary students with story craft and wordsmithing by reading this aloud.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G ; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) EL (4-6), MS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY
The National Baseball Hall of Fame published an activity book all about – you’ve guessed it – baseball. Organized into nine themed sections, one for each inning in a game, the reader gets tidbits of baseball trivia along with a ton of fun activities like mazes, crosswords, coloring pages, word scrambles, and more.
This activity book is perfect for your budding baseball enthusiast. I learned some fun sports trivia that I didn’t know before and the activities look engaging for the upper elementary / younger teen age group. There is not much use for this activity book in the classroom library, but could be a fun addition to a doctor’s waiting room or indoor recess/rainy day kit.
Kiera Beddes, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
When a new dinosaur moves into Penelope’s school, Penelope is pretty sure she doesn’t like this at all. Especially since the human kids start treating the dinosaurs as if they are exactly the same and Patty Topps seems to do many things much better than Penelope can. Penelope isn’t sure she can adjust to this kid in her class.
Penelope tackles bigger issues of jealousy and identity in her latest adventure. While not quite the same level of humor of the other books, I still love her.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Splish is usually ready for anything, but today brings a whole slew of challenges. Can Splish navigate through all of them successfully?
Highly visual, short, but entertaining.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: NOT RECOMMENDED
Follow a boy as he packs up Halloween and gets ready for the next holiday.
I did not like the rhyming scheme of the text and from there it just went downhill. One page talks about going to pick out your turkey - showing live turkeys - which any savvy kid knows has to be killed and plucked. And the twist of confusing one holiday for another didn’t help matters. I already feel bad for Thanksgiving because it doesn’t have many fun picture books and it is usually overlooked in the run from Halloween to Christmas.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Thompson gives us many different words for “sleep” in his board book.
I like the variety of colors for each page and the extensive vocabulary. I think little ones will enjoy looking at the different animals. Otherwise, it is a tame board book.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
