Butterfly Wings : A hopeful story about climate anxiety by Samuel Larochelle and Eve Patenaude - OPTIONAL

Butterfly Wings : A hopeful story about climate anxiety by Samuel Larochelle and Eve Patenaude. PICTURE BOOK. Greystone Books, 2023. $20. 9781778400827

Florent's anxiety could be upsetting for some readers.

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Florent has always been a sensitive, happy child. Then one night, he overhears his moms talking about having another baby and their worries that it could be irresponsible because of climate change. Florent internalizes his worries, and tries to put on a happy face for his moms. He starts having terrifying nightmares, and one morning, decides to stop speaking altogether.

At 104 pages, this is not a short picture book. It is for a very specific audience. I would not buy this for a library, but it could be a good SEL tool for adults and professionals. I loved how the illustrations depicted Florent's anxiety. 

This book was originally published in French in Canada. 

Florent and his moms are white. 

Rachel, elementary school librarian

Can You Find Taylor? Seek-and-Find Board Book - ADVISABLE

Can You Find Taylor? Seek-and-Find BOARD BOOK. Tiger Tales, 2025. $10. 9781664351851

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, ADULT - GIFT - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Enjoy nine pages of Taylor Swift hunting. Lots of pages also have 13 other things to find. Swifties young and old will have a fun time searching on each page. Even after searching, you can still spend time enjoying each scene.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Good Night Thoughts by Max Greenfield and James Serafino - ADVISABLE

Good Night Thoughts by Max Greenfield, illustrated by James Serafino. PICTURE BOOK. Putnam (Penguin), 2024. $19. 9780593697894

BUYING ADVISORY: PARENTS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The child is trying to go to sleep, but so many thoughts - bad ones and good ones - are keeping them awake.

I think almost every child at one point or another finds it hard to drift off to sleep.  For parents Greenfield has given them a good tool to start a conversation with their child about calming those thoughts.  I actually wish that there was some back matter here to give parents more information.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Taylor Swift (Tiny Idols) by J.D. Forester and Sophie Beer - OPTIONAL

Taylor Swift (Tiny Idols) by J.D. Forester, illustrated by Sophie Beer. BOARD BOOK. Penguin, 2024. $8. 9780593888902

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL; ADULTS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Any Taylor Swift fan will love getting this cute board book as part of a gift, any time of the year. The story dwells on her early days, showing her as an ordinary, insecure child, who found solace in songs, spending less time, which I appreciated, on her actual fame. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Gizmos, Gadgets, and Guitars by Michael Mahin and Steven Salerno - ADVISABLE

Gizmos, Gadgets, and Guitars: The Story of Leo Fender by Michael Mahin, illustrated by Steven Salerno. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2021. $20. 9781250251862

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Leo lost his eye in a farming accident, and his job as an accountant because of The Great Depression. Creating his own work as a small appliance repairman, he drew upon the skills he taught himself. Living in California, even the musicians around him came to Leo for help. When it came to electrified guitars, Leo felt that there was a better way - and he would put in the time and years to do it well. 

Guitar fans will certainly enjoy this picture book about Leo Fender's place in the invention of the solid body electric guitar. I like that the back matter includes more information about others who helped along the way. While not really fodder for elementary schools - unless the kids are in The School of Rock, nevertheless, I would show this to middle school and high schools if they have a guitar class. Leo is white. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian 

Ordinary Days by Angela Joy and Jacqueline Alcantara - OPTIONAL

Ordinary Days: the Seeds, Sound, and City That Grew Prince Rogers Nelson by Angela Joy, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcantara. PICTURE BOOK Roaring Brook (Macmillan), 2023 $20. 9781250797032 

Content: G (mentions only of parents yelling)  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Prince Rogers Nelson grew up in North Minneapolis, floating from house to house, as he escaped his parents' fighting. He loved basketball and music - honing his skills in both. He found his voice in what became the Minneapolis sound - and gifted the world with his music. 

Very mush a picture book that will be appreciated by the adults who love Prince's music. The biography part is all in the back matter - the picture book text is a poem that the author wrote as a tribute to the man who was famous, but who reveled in the ordinary, too. 

Cindy, Library Teacher

Meltdown! By David Griswold and Merle Goll - ADVISABLE

Meltdown! By David Griswold, illustrated by Merle Goll. PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2023. $19. 9781433842573

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS: ESSENTIAL; Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

While robots are usually super easy to have around, sometimes even they can have a letdown and need regeneration or a reset.

Griswold does a very cute job of using robots as the role models as a corollary for human meltdowns - I felt it made the story more powerful to help students see themselves in the robots instead of being in-your-face about the topic. As usual, Magination includes great information in the back matter to help the adults apply the lessons from the book. If you haven’t looked at their catalog lately, you can find all kinds of useful subjects covered in very empathetic and caring ways.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

J is for Judy by John Robert Allman and Peter Emmerich - OPTIONAL

J is for Judy: Classic Hollywood's Leading Ladies from A to Z by John Robert Allman, illustrated by Peter Emmerich PICTURE BOOK Doubleday (Random House), 2023. $19. 9780593565186 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

Allman introduces readers to the biggest stars of classic Hollywood including Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren. In most cases, G is for Ginger (Rogers) first names, but in some cases, C is for Crawford, (Joan) or there are even nods to famous roles - Greta Garbo is under Q for Queen Christina and Grace Kelly is under P because she became Princess Grace. X was creative, enabling Allman to highlight 6 female eXperts in the motion picture industry. 

Nostalgic and I loved it, however . . . most (probably all, I'm being nice) of these women are from a bygone era. I loved them all and that made me super weird in junior high. I can't think that many school-aged readers could even relate. My mother would have loved to look through this cute ABC book 20 years ago. Allman's Broadway picture books have a mix of classic stars along with current celebrities and they are much more relevant. I'm disappointed that J is for Judy doesn't have a greater appeal.

Lisa Librarian

Dear Yesteryear by Kimberly Annece Henderson - ADVISABLE

Dear Yesteryear by Kimberly Annece Henderson PICTURE BOOK Dial (Penguin). 2023. $19. 9780593529249 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Dear Yesteryear is Kimberly Henderson's ode to the past and the people who were part of it. Each phrase is accompanied by a photograph in black and white or sepia from the late 1800s to the early 20th century. Henderson is a historical researcher, and the photographs, while not of her own family beautifully represent her ideas. She seems to be speaking to the people in the photographs, asking for their stories. "Did you pay attention to Grandpa's old-timey stories?"  has a photo of an old man with probably his son and his grandchildren. 

I loved Dear Yesteryear - it put me in mind of my ancestors and what old photographs I knew of them. Henderson's look into the past is a remarkable, nostalgic trip to those times. All of the photographs are of African Americans. To a child, the photographs would be interesting, but I think an adult would enjoy them so much more. I appreciate the author's note and the photo credits. I feel inspired to write some family history stories. 

Lisa Librarian

I Already Love You by Willa Perlman and Sally Walker - ADVISABLE

I Already Love You by Willa Perlman, illustrated by Sally Walker. BOARD BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2022. $8. 9781665926447 

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

An expecting parent rejoices over the pieces of their to-be-born child. 

If you are heading to a baby shower, add this to present. Mother or father, the expecting parent will pore over the pages imagining touching their own baby. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Trek the Halls by Robb Pearlman and Luke Flowers - OPTIONAL

Trek the Halls by Robb Pearlman, illustrated by Luke Flowers. PICTURE BOOK. Little Brown, 2022. $18. 9780316361187

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Little Gorn is excited to hear about Spacefleet holiday celebrations, but Big Gorm tells him a cautionary tale of celebrations all over the Starfleet Universe, scary Little Gorn away from trusting Starfleet ever.

I wouldn’t advise actually trying to sing this – it would take a lot of practice to get it right. It is a fun celebration of every Star Trek incarnation – villains included. A great gift for Star Trek fans.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

With Great Power: The Marvelous Stan Lee by Annie Hunter Eriksen and Lee Gatlin - OPTIONAL

With Great Power: The Marvelous Stan Lee by Annie Hunter Eriksen, illustrated by Lee Gatlin. Page Street Kids, 2021. $19. 9781645672852 

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS – ESSENTIAL; EL - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Born in 1922, Stan Lee was Stanley Lieber, a skinny kid living in a tiny apartment in the Bronx. At 16 he took is first job as an errand boy at Timely Comics, working up to editor before he turned 20. After decades of formulaic heroes, in the 1960’s Lee and his collaborators introduced the Fantastic Four, ushering in the Marvel era of flawed superheroes based on Lee’s deep love of mythology and horror from his own childhood. 

A definite for adult lovers of all things Marvel. Kids will see it more as a novelty. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

IntersectionAllies: We Make Room for All by Johnson, Council, Choi, and Ashley Seil Smith - ADVISABLE

IntersectionAllies: We Make Room for All by Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council, and Carolyn Choi, illustrated by Ashley Seil Smith. PICTURE BOOK. Dottir Press, 2020. $19. 9781948340083 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS, HS – ADVISABLE; ADULTS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

With poetic stanzas, the authors explore many different aspects of intersectionality. The illustrations are the right amount of exuberant and there is lots of great backmatter. Perfect for a talk about supporting each other and the back matter provides an education for parents, teachers, and students alike. My middle school teachers are looking forward to sharing it when school starts in August.

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

#Metoo and You by Halley Bondy - ESSENTIAL

 #Metoo and You: everything you need to know about consent, boundaries, and More by Halley Bondy, 190 pages. 9781541581555 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG-13 (types of sexual violence mentioned several times) 

BUYING ADVISORY: PARENTS, TEACHERS, COUNSELORS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Bondy writes very clearly and honestly about consent - what it should like, doesn’t look like, and situations actual people have found themselves in. She gives examples of sexual harassment and sexual abuse and talks through ways anyone can/should proceed in these situations. 

 I wish this book had been around when my children were young, I would have bought this for them and read through it with them. It would have been supremely embarrassing for all concerned, but worth it. So if you have a tween or teenager, read this and share it with them. As for being in a school library, I wouldn’t want a student to pick this up randomly - it is a lot to take in. Do they need access to it - definitely. But your teachers and counselors definitely need this in their personal arsenal. 

 Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS https://amzn.to/3nnyP2w

Bowie by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Ana Albero - HIGH

Bowie by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Ana Albero. BOARD BOOK. Quarto, 2020. $10. 9781711246119 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, ADULTS – OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

In 12 board book spreads, the story of David Bowie’s life comes alive. 

 I haven’t read any of the Little People Big Dreams from Quarto before – Now I need to prowl the list and buy my favorites! I was very pleasantly surprised at what a great overview of Bowie’s life this is. Vegara really knows her Bowie and Albero’s illustrations are a highlight. The book is only OPTIONAL because it is for the children of Bowie fans. But dive into the whole series and you will find plenty that you will want for yourself! 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo - ADVISABLE

How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo, 216 pages. NON-FICTION. Workman Publishing, 2019. $20.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Paul and Russo go through the stages of human development -- book style. These women, with lots of personal and professional experience, give tips, tricks, and book suggestions to be used with the beloved children around you of any age.

While this book’s primary purpose is being informative, it’s easy to read with its conversational tone, and it’s full of great ideas to implement -- and even tweak to make your own! The suggestions made can be used as a guide and a springboard to meet the needs of individual children and unique families. I only mark this book as “optional” and “low appeal” because I don’t think teenagers are the most interested audience for this book.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Wall: A Timeless Tale by Macri and Zanotti - ESSENTIAL

The Wall: A Timeless Tale by Giancarlo Macri and Carolina Zanotti, illustrated by Mauro Sacco and Elisa Vallarino.  PICTURE BOOK. Happy Fox Books, 2019.  $17. 9781641240383

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The king is upset because there are so many different people in his kingdom – why don’t they all look like him?  They try t sort out his people, but he has to bring a few of them back to build the wall he sees as a final solution.  But after the wall, he wants a garden, and then a fountain, and so on, until he realizes he needs more space and that the wall is in the way and it must come down.

Adults will find this a fine poke at extreme nationalism, but children will easily realize how silly it is to only want people around you who look exactly like you. A great discussion starter.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Helen Oxenbury: A Life in Illustration by Leonard S. Marcus - OPTIONAL

Helen Oxenbury: A Life in Illustration by Leonard S. Marcus, 264 pages. Candlewick, 2019.  $40.

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS, GIFT - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Since her first illustrated book in 1967, Helen Oxenbury has created a wealth of wonder for children all over the world.  Mr. Marcus takes on a journey through 50 years of her career so far, letting us see photos of her with her author/illustrator husband and her children, along with many full-page, full-color illustrations from many of her books.

That said – I see a very limited market for this coffee table sized tome.  While kids will love looking at the illustrations, I can only see a few adults wanting this for a personal collection.  I was personally so excited to read it, but I was left cold when NONE of her 15 Tom and Pippo books were mentioned in the text – only in the bibliography.  SO disappointing.  I would suggest that you buy the actual board books and picture books to enjoy Helen’s art to the fullest.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Jacob’s Room to Choose by Sarah and Ian Hoffman - ESSENTIAL

 Jacob’s Room to Choose by Sarah and Ian Hoffman, illustrated by Chris Case.  PICTURE BOOK.  Magination Press, MAY 2019.  $18. 9781433830730

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS, HS, ADULTS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Jacob and Sophie need to use the bathroom at school, but the older kids chase them out because they each don’t look like the picture on the door.  When they explain to their teacher, she and the kids in the class talk it through and then come up with a solution.

So many, many people need to read this book.  Kids adults, politicians, administrators – there is not one person in this world that doesn’t need to digest and ponder the less of this sweet, simple, and very necessary (unfortunately) book. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Star Wars: Millenium Falcon Book and Mega Model - OPTIONAL

Star Wars: Millenium Falcon Book and Mega Model.  Studio Fun International, 2018.  $18.  9780794442071

BUYING ADVISORY:  GIFT (EL to ADULT) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Do you know someone who loves Star Wars? Especially fans of  Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon? Can’t afford the $800 Lego model version?  Then here is a great option for you for a holiday gift!  The accompanying 32 page book has some Falcon facts and some activity pages along with the directions for building the model.  The pieces are sturdy paperboard and the directions seem fairly easy to follow.  I would build it all once and the rebuild it using some glue for added strength and holding power.  A good shared activity or alone. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS