BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Play with a few simple construction motions in this brightly colored interactive board book. While I have seen other similar board books with more motions, like Bizzy Bear’s Big Building Book, I have never heard such a great sawing sound and motion! If you love board books, for that alone I would add it to my collection.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Using a slider on the side, the reader answers a simple question on each page about what the animals are doing around the farm.
The pictures are vibrant and the animals are adorable. It's that slider on the side that worries me the most. I can see my 2yo grandson tearing that off first thing. Board books that you have to guard from little hands are lass desirable for me.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Little Hare was sleeping soundly when she was awakened by a giant present falling on her house. She stumbles onto Santa Claus who needs some help cleaning up the spilled presents.
Sweet, but not compelling. This is a board book reprint of the original picture book from 2023.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Suki cat is off to fight fires today. Help her drive the engine, slide down the pole and other things on her journey.
5 sliders and tabs will withstand a lot of abuse.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Little sheep does not want to go to bed. He/she tries many ways to stay awake. Mom and dad are trying ways to get him/her to go to sleep.
This cute board book uses the song, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, to tell the story of a typical child not wanting to go to bed. The Playful illustrations help tell the story. The sheep in the story could be a girl or boy, so both can see themselves in the book.
The child could be either a girl or boy.
MOMMAC
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
An ode to the new classic Trunk-or-Treat. Simple flaps are liftable to see the candy each trunk presents. Super simple in design and execution. You might have to worry about your little ones getting their candy wishlists ready!
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
Rocket gets to go to the moon today. When Rocket realizes that she won’t actually be walking on the moon, though, she is very disappointed. Can Rocket get over her disappointment and help Lander learn how to fly down to the moon?
Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams is a cute story exploring friendship, overcoming fears, and managing disappointment.
Magoon's illustrations are fun and engaging.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Count the jungle animals as you trundle through the forest on the safari truck.
The train stretches out into a stand-up toy. Just think if the wheels actually rolled. but still a lot of fun.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
As you meet a wide variety of animals, each of them has a colorful body part to show off.
I really enjoyed how Prasadam-Halls rhymed the color with the animals’ first names. And Underwood’s illustrations are the right flash of fun and bright.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Follow the animals through this counting book to the surprise at the end.
Interestingly, Prasadam-Halls does not start on one - two is the lucky first number. Underwood’s illustrations are bright and easy to count.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
As Little Owl flies through the forest looking for Raccoon, he sees many animals who are displaying different kinds of opposites.
I enjoyed the little story, but Srinivasan’s illustrations are so clear that she could have also chosen to only have the opposites on each page. I need some Little Owl merch, he is so cute!
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
This book may be small in format, but it has a Big Heart! Jacomini is a dreamer; he’s clever and gentle. But can someone be too much of a dreamer? Too clever? Too gentle? No! All of Jacomini’s best qualities are character traits we should all want to emulate.
Usually, board books are loud and fast, but this one is sweet, soft and tender. I could look at the illustrations all day with their rich, breathtaking, classical colors. One can “feel” the texture of Jocomini’s sweater, see the details of the dandelion seeds, and almost touch the wisps of fir on many of the animals. A beautiful lesson is taught: whether tender or tough, true friends accept you just the way you are. The sturdy pages can withstand the enthusiasm of little hands. It’s a beautiful, durable “must have” for a nursery bookshelf.
S. Lewis
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
A young astronaut is preparing for a momentous mission: a solo journey.
While the setting is a gleaming, high-tech outer space, the emotional core is grounded in the "firsts" every child faces, like the first day of school or sleeping in their own bed. Rocket Ship, Solo Trip is the perfect "bravery" book for any little explorer about to take a big step. The bright, bold colors are inviting and fun. I loved the countdown motif to build suspense. This mimics the heartbeat of a child who is both terrified and excited about many ""firsts"" in their life. This is a sweet book that will be loved by many.
S. Lewis
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BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Our Prehistoric Planet is such a fun and unique book! The accordion-fold format is unlike any other. When fully opened, magnets connect and create a globe shape that can be placed on the desk or floor. Gallion explores famous dinosaurs as well as early sea life, soaring pterosaurs, and the eventual rise of mammals.
The artwork is vibrant and inviting. The colors are modern and make the ancient world come to life. Gallion turns a science lesson into an adventure. Each time a child unfolds this board book, there will be an "aha" moment where they realize just how big and ancient our world really is. Our Prehistoric Planet: Dinosaurs and Other Creatures of the Past will be a perfect addition to any unit on dinosaurs.
S. Lewis
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
This amazing pop-up book is a soft, rhythmic tribute to the quiet moments that build a relationship between Mom and child. Unlike books that focus on grand adventures, Otter focuses on the intimacy of the everyday. It highlights patience, creativity, and the invisible work of making a home feel like a sanctuary.
World’s Best Mom reminds all moms that motherhood doesn’t demand perfection. This book celebrates the mom who is best simply because she is there—the one who listens to the long stories, fixes the scraped knees, and offers the safest lap in the world. It’s a poignant reminder that while we often worry about doing enough for our children, to them, our ordinary presence is their entire world. Colors are bright and bold with fun pop-up illustrations that will excite little ones and parents alike.
S. Lewis
