Oh Dear, Look What I Got! by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury - ESSENTIAL

Oh Dear, Look What I Got! by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2025. $18 9781536235685 

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Rosen and Oxenbury have done it again! What an incredible picture book! An adorable little boy goes from shop to shop, requesting various items—a hat, a coat, a cake, a chair—yet instead of his requested items, he is given a completely different (and hilarious) object instead. Each "item" is wrapped in a fun guessing-game manner that will delight readers. 

 "I went to the shop to get me a coat. Oh dear, they gave me..." This repetitive phrase, with the magical answer on the page turn, will excite readers of all ages. What a fun and adorable book! We loved the illustrations. We loved guessing the hidden/wrapped item! This would be a fun book to teach a unit on rhyming. Readers will delight in the little boy's joy in unwrapping his final item. There is a fun rendition of "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" near the end of the book. Perfect picture book! 

S. Lewis

Imogen: The Life and Work of Imogen Cunningham by Elizabeth Partridge and Yuko Shimizu - ADVISABLE

Imogen: The Life and Work of Imogen Cunningham by Elizabeth Partridge, illustrated by Yuko Shimizu.  BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Viking (Penguin), 2025 $19. 9781984835185 

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

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Imogen began life as the 5th of ten children. She always loved to observe others and became good at art, but felt something was missing until she took up photography. She managed to make a living at it even before women had many rights, and became one of America's premier photographers. 

The illustrations use subdued colors and the style perfectly fits the subject matter. The author is Imogen's granddaughter and reveals Imogen's creative mind. The author's note and timeline were interesting and made me want to research more of Imogen's work. Imogen is white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Catside Up, Catside Down: A Book of Prepositions by Anna Hrachovec - ADVISABLE

Catside Up, Catside Down: A Book of Prepositions by Anna Hrachovec. PICTURE BOOK Feiwel & Friends, 2023. $19. 1250841267 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Cats are pretty playful. They can hide in all sorts of places and get into mischief. As the reader, you can see where these kitties go and learn prepositions along the way. The cat illustrations are all knitted creations that help show the different prepositions. 

The idea behind the book was good, but it didn't catch my attention. My five year old daughter also didn't find it very engaging, and she loves cats! It needed to have more of a storyline. Kids and teachers might be drawn to this since it teaches basic prepositions and has a cute cover. 

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language teacher 

How to Speak in Spanglish by Monica Mancillas and Olivia De Castro. - ADVISABLE

How to Speak in Spanglish by Monica Mancillas, illustrated by Olivia De Castro. PICTURE BOOK Penguin Workshop, 2023. $19. 978-0593521809 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

Sami is young boy who loves to speak English and Spanish. In fact, he likes to speak both languages at the same time. He calls this speaking in Spanglish. His abuela told him that these two languages don't mix. She told him to speak Spanish at home and English at school. Sami becomes confused and has a hard time. Pretty soon it becomes apparent that Sami needs to be who he wants to be and speak how he wants to speak. 

Although the premise of this book was great, my daughter and I didn't enjoy it. It seemed a little too long and disjointed. I like that it celebrates the idea of being comfortable with who you are. This book could be used to supplement dual language immersion. 

A. Criswell, English Language Arts Teacher

Lia & Luis Puzzled! by Ana Crespo and Giovana Medeiros - ESSENTIAL

Lia & Luis Puzzled! by Ana Crespo, illustrated by Giovana Medeiros. PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge. 2023. $17. 9781623543228

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Lia and Luis, two Brazilian children have received a mystery puzzle in the mail from Vovo, their Grandmother in Brazil. The children study the pieces to see how the puzzle works. They use math skills, specifically spatial relationships and sorting, to put the puzzle together. Lia and Luis work together to decipher Vovo’s message.

Lia & Luis is a charming and colorful story that helps teach math skills. Part of the text is in Portuguese and English and the concept of the children working together to figure out the secret message is a double asset in Puzzled. Medeiros’s illustrations are simple and realistic, readers can imagine themselves working a puzzle just like the characters. Lia & Luis would be a great gift for young readers, perfect for daycare and Kindergarten through second grade. The main characters are Brazilian. 

Deanna M. - Elementary Media Tech.

Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl and Patricia Metola - ADVISABLE

Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl and Patricia Metola. PICTURE BOOK flyaway books, 2022. $18. 9781947888357 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Britta has 2 favorite trees, Apple and Magnolia. She is sure the trees are best friends. One day, Magnolia loses her leaves and her bark turns grey - Britta is sure she is sick. Her Nana has told her that unusual friendships are special, so Britta devises a plan for Apple to help Magnolia. 

A sweet story about how love makes a difference, Britta's father and sister are naysayers, but Britta soldiers on and believes in the power of friendship. The text is lyrical and the whimsical illustrations are darling. Includes a link to teaching resources about how trees communicate.

Lisa Librarian

We Are One: How the World Adds Up by Susan Hood and Linda Yan - ADVISABLE

We Are One: How the World Adds Up by Susan Hood, illustrated by Linda Yan. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2021. $18. 9781536201147 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

This is a counting book that covers some basic mathematical principles that govern our universe. Counting up to ten, each number gets two or three real-life examples that illustrate that number and how it is used in the world. The breadth of topics that are covered in this simple book is amazing - ballet to Shakespeare, geography to the rules of baseball - it’s all in here. There are also a host of sources that a student can use to dive deeper into the topics. 

If you, like me, were intrigued by the thought of a mathematical picture book, this may be the one for you. The universe is a very broad topic for a children’s picture book. However, the overall message of community and union is like a silver thread throughout the whole piece. The art is unique and ties in perfectly with the whole feel of the book. It may be too broad a topic to do adequately, but this would be a great read, especially for a STEM-focused student. 

BookswithBeddes 

Lobstah Gahden by Alli Brydon and E.G. Keller - ADVISABLE

Lobstah Gahden: Speak out against pollution with a wicked awesome Boston accent! by Alli Brydon and E.G. Keller. PICTURE BOOK Sourcebooks, 2021. $18. 978-1728232461 

BUYING ADVISORY:, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When Walter and Milton - 2 Lobstahs from Boston - compete for the best Gahden, they discover that their biggest gardening problem is all the garbage dropped from the boat above them. So, they join forces to help clean up their gahdens, and send a message to the disrespectful fishermen. 

It is essential to read this out loud! Oh my heavens - such fun, and a great way to learn about the devastating effects of pollution on the environment. Comes with a clever glossary (about Boston and it's unique accent) sources and more information for helping keep our oceans clean. My cheeks hurt from smiling (and from reading out loud with a Boston Accent)

Lisa Librarian

This Very Tree by Sean Rubin - ADVISABLE

This Very Tree by Sean Rubin PICTURE BOOK Henry Holt (MacMillan), 2021. $19. 9781250788504 

BUYING ADVISORY:EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

At the base of the World Trade Center towers, there was a tree - the first to blossom in the spring, and a lovely shade tree for people to rest in, but when the towers were taken down on 9/11 the tree was buried, too. It was found, and in hopes that it was alive, removed from the site and transplanted to a nursery, where it recovered over the years and became a strong vibrant tree again. 

Beautifully illustrated and sensitively written, this story of 9/11 is one I hadn't heard before. A great read to teach about the event. New Yorkers are resilient, just like this tree. 

Lisa Librarian

What to Do When the News Scares You by Jacqueline B. Toner, PhD, and Janet McDonnell -

What to Do When the News Scares You: A Kid's Guide to Understanding Current Events by Jacqueline B. Toner, PhD, illustrated by Janet McDonnell 80 pages NON-FICTION, ACTIVITY BOOK Magination Press 2021 $17 9781433836978 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When children see, hear, or read the news, they are often worried or confused about what is happening. They may have feelings that are uncomfortable or make them unhappy. Sometimes the way news is reported makes it scarier. Readers are taught about viewpoints, sources and ways to discover if what they are hearing is real. 

This is a hands on workbook, with opportunities for the reader to write and draw about personal information - so I might be concerned buying this for the library. However, it's a great guide to information literacy. The child can respond throughout in words or drawings "Draw a picture of something you saw on TV" or "list 2 adults you can tell your worries to"; they can watch a news story and notice the things that make it seem more exciting. I loved that it began with notes for Parents and Caregivers and recommends that it be read together. I couldn't find any accommodations in the copyright for use in the classroom, but it would make a great springboard for preparing a lesson about the news. Buying advisory is listed as optional because it is a workbook.

Lisa Librarian

Copycat Science by Mike Barfield - ADVISABLE

Copycat Science by Mike Barfield, 96 pages. NON-FICTION. QED Publishing, 2020. $16. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Ten categories of STEM topics are explored through the example and examination of what many famous scientists, engineers, and mathematicians have already done throughout history to discover the way things work. Illustrated as a comic strip, each historic figure is described with a brief biography, followed by a companion page that depicts step-by-step directions to explore one of their experiments on your own. The content of this book is both engaging and educational. The wording is clear, and the experiments are all feasible for young (and old) scientists alike. Even if one were not to try any of the experiments, their descriptions add to the understanding of how great each of these people were in the development of their field.. 

My third graders found the material a bit above their comprehension level, but were fascinated by the illustrations of the experiments; they are so clear and understandable that even students this young could use the book to guide their own STEM activities. 

Keri, elementary school teacher and her third grade students 

Every Day, Chemistry by Julia Sooy and Bonnie Pang - ESSENTIAL

Every Day, Chemistry by Julia Sooy, illustrated by Bonnie Pang. PICTURE BOOK. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2021. $19. 9781250768698 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Science is all around us, and this book allows us a glimpse into the chemical changes that are taking place throughout the day, in regular ways. 

This book introduces the reader to chemistry, chemical changes, and chemical reactions in an easy to understand way. The illustrations and simple text display a world where chemistry is a common, and even delicious occurrence, rather than being intimidating or separate from our everyday lives. 

Keri, elementary school teacher 

Listening to the Stars by Jodie Parachini and Alexandra Badiu - ADVISABLE

Listening to the Stars: Jocelyn Bell Burnell Discovers Pulsars by Jodie Parachini, illustrated by Alexandra Badiu. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Albert Whitman, APRIL 2021. $17. 9780807545638 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

As a girl born in the 1940’s, Jocelyn loved science, especially the stars. She stood up for herself and found ways to get her education in a time when girls were expected to become homemakers. However, since she was only a student and a woman, when her research discovered the existence of pulsars, the Nobel prize went to her professor. None of that has stopped Jocelyn from continuing her work and encouraging other young women to explore the worlds through science. 

Teach science? Teach Women’s Studies? Either way, you need this book. Use it to leap into a discussion of women in science, or about the “mistakes” made the Nobel Prize Committee. Or even see what Burnell is doing right now. So many options! 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

How to Build an Insect by Roberta Gibson and Anne Lambelet - ESSENTIAL

How to Build an Insect by Roberta Gibson, illustrated by Anne Lambelet. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Millbrook (Lerner), 2021. $20. 9781541578111 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Gibson takes us step by step into what makes an insect, showing us also at crucial steps that too much of something, such as antenna, would make it something else. We work and build until we have completed our new insect. All along the way Lambelet enhances the experiences with vivid illustrations and wry humor on each page. A great builders manual for a simple craft or a craft lesson to supplement a longer lesson. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

It’s So Quiet by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Tony Fucile - ADVISABLE

It’s So Quiet by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tony Fucile. PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books. 2021. $18. 9781452145440

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Little mouse can’t sleep because it’s too quiet. But when he really listens, it’s too noisy to sleep. 

A great book for teaching or learning onomatopoeia. There are lots of great sounds, and it would be a good tool for really listening to background sounds that go largely unnoticed. The pictures are done on black backgrounds, which adds to the nighttime feel. 

 Michelle in the Middle 

Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum by Natasha Yin and Violet Kim - ADVISABLE

Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum by Natasha Yin, illustrated by Violet Kim. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge 2020. $7. 9781623541996

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

It’s Luna’s birthday and her family is out for dinner at a dim sum restaurant. Six pork buns should be easy to share among three kids, but when one falls to the ground, how do you share five? 

I like the different ways the kids try to decide who should have the most, and the mention of the Chinese zodiac. The final solution is the cutest of all. The back matter packs a lot of very useful info, including ways to lightly introduce math concepts to smaller children. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS https://amzn.to/3bu0oSg

The Heart of Mi Familia by Carrie Lara and Christine Battuz - ESSENTIAL

The Heart of Mi Familia by Carrie Lara, illustrated by Christine Battuz. PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2020. $17. 9781945635427.

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

AUDIENCE: HIGH

The Heart of Mi Familia is about a young girl who comes from a multicultural family. Her mother is European and has been in the United States for many generations. Her dad moved to the US as a small child from Central America. She talks about the two different cultures between visiting her abuela’s home, and her grandmother’s home. She merges the two cultures in her life to become one beautiful life.

The Heart of Mi Familia is a beautiful celebration of differences in cultures. It talks about the beauty in her one life, even though separately her two different lives are so different.  Even in the text, English and Spanish are used interchangeably, bouncing back between the two languages. It would be difficult to understand, except that the author places many context clues making it actually fairly simple to figure out.

At the end of the book, there is a note to the reader (geared towards parents). It is a wonderful explanation that children of different cultures, backgrounds, race, languages, etc. might experience discrimination. It talks about how these differences need to be celebrated and not put down. It urges parents to understand that it is through their example and attitudes that their children will learn to be loving and accepting to those who might not look and speak the same way as themselves. I marked this review as essential, as I feel that the current social and political climate the United States has been going towards has not exactly been the friendliest towards cultural diversity. It is something that parents need to be speaking about more frequently in their homes, and teaching their children the importance of love, compassion, and kindness to others regardless their heritages. This book does an excellent job at helping to open the conversation with love.

Reviewer: AR/SL

Harlem Grown by Tony Hillery and Jessie Hartland - ESSENTIAL

Harlem Grown by Tony Hillery, illustrated by Jessie Hartland. PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2020. $18. 9781534402317

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Tony Hillery tells his story of his Harlem Garden. Across from a public school, in Harlem, was a vacant lot filled with trash and refuse. He enlisted the students to help clean it up plant a garden. This is a true story and to this day the students help grow fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs. The book takes you through how it all came about, their failures and successes. The delightful illustrations help tell the story.

I remember hearing about this on the news. It was fun to read about it and I would recommend this book to students. It is a great way to show that they can impact and change their environment. Exciting projects like this make it easy to enlist the help of friends and neighbors. I loved this book.

 Ellen-Anita LMS 

Fairy Science: Solid, Liquid, Gassy by Ashley Spires - ADVISABLE

Fairy Science: Solid, Liquid, Gassy by Ashley Spires. PICTURE BOOK. Crown (Random), 2020. $18. 9780525581444 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The fairy Esther and her fairy friends are dedicated to study the world in a scientific way, while the other fairies experiment with their magic. When the local pond dries up, Esther and company are able to provide a scientific explanation – discovering the water cycle – even though they will have to wait for the pond to return from the clouds as rain. 

The illustrations are just as cute the second time around. This time however, it feels like Spires is deliberately making the other fairies look stupid – saying things like “the moon sneezes make the ice disappear”. Good science – but it needs to make room for science and magic to coexist. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Biggest Little Farm: Saving Emma the Pig by John Chester and Jennifer L. Meyer - ESSENTIAL

The Biggest Little Farm: Saving Emma the Pig by John Chester, illustrated by Jennifer L. Meyer. PICTURE BOOK.  Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan). $18. 9781250187796

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The Biggest Little Farm: Saving Emma the Pig is a unique true story about the heartwarming relationship between animals and the special people who care for them.  Apricot Lane Farms, located in California, received a new addition, Emma the pig.  Emma was not only pregnant, she was very sick.  Emma was fed all kinds of food to help her get healthy and plump before the babies arrived.  Her favorite food was apples!  Before they could get Emma better, the babies arrived.  Four, Five, Six.... Seven, Eight, Nine... soon there were SEVENTEEN new hungry piglets for Emma to care for.  Unfortunately she was too ill to properly care for the piglets.  Read to find how the owners of Apricot Lane Farms solved this desperate dilemma and how Emma's recovery saved the day.  

The illustrations in The Biggest Little Farm: Saving Emma the Pig are simply stunning!  The story is so tender and heartwarming yet illustrations take this picture book to a whole new level!  I would purchase this book for  the art work alone.  Add to that the amazing story of saving Emma and the Seventeen piglets and The Biggest Little Farm: Saving Emma the Pig is an absolute must have for any classroom or home library.  The Biggest Little Farm: Saving Emma the Pig could be used in a unit on Farm Animals.  

Reviewer: SL