Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
When an unusual egg appears in a duck's nest, she is determined to raise it with her other ducklings. But when it realizes it can't swim, a bluebird tries to help it find its family. It's not an oinking or a mooing duckling, so what could it be?
A darling retelling of the ugly duckling for a modern audience. The baby dragon is adorable. These early-reader graphic novels are perfect for emerging readers.
Lisa Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Chip the Penguin is not excited about swim class, so they decide to pretend to have “fin flop” in order to get out of it. Mom takes them to class anyway. Lucy also isn’t swimming and they talk about all of the reasons they don’t want to get in the pool. When the other swimmers look like they are having so much fun, however, are the two ready to conquer their fears?
A fun Level 2 reader, with a good story for independent readers to enjoy on their own. It's funny having a penguin afraid of cold water. Utah seems to have a proliferation of swim schools now, so Frost’s story could help lots of little ones get into the water.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Dr. Egg, Dr. Yang, and Dr. Woong find a mysterious fake golden poo in the woods with 8 poo capsules inside! Will they be able to use clues and find out which 8 animals the poos came from? Readers will learn along with these adorable scientists about animals and their poo.
Originally published in Korea, the chibi characters are endearing on their quest to discover whose poo is whose. There is lots of poop talk and animals are illustrated straining, grunting, and pooping. After each animal is discovered, there is a page of animal facts and stats with commentary from the characters.
The characters are Korean.
Rachel, Elementary library specialist
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
Rat is excited for his family's annual Nest Fest. Gnome is excited for the first snow. And to go to Nest Fest with Rat. When Gnome packs too much for the trip, will the pair make it in time for Nest Fest? Hilarious antics are sure to follow in this early graphic novel.
This was my first Gnome and Rat book. The characters were endearing. (Who wouldn't chuckle at a gnome using "bumblebutts" as an expletive?) The story was a little overly simple, but the humor and cute illustrations made up for it.
Rachel, elementary library specialist
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Sam-I-Am wants to take his grumpy friend Walter on a picnic with green eggs and ham. Walter is not a fan of the outdoors, and it is hard to get him started. As they look for the perfect picnic spot, they encounter steep slopes, stinging bugs, blocking rivers, thunderstorms, and a cave. Will they ever find the perfect picnic spot?
Kochalka includes all the fun of the green eggs and ham characters in this graphic novel. He uses his own graphic illustration style instead of Dr. Seuss' signature style, and it doesn't rhyme. It is a fun bridge for kids transitioning into chapter books.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
It may only be September, but Taco is so excited about Christmas, that he and Pizza go ahead and make their lists. Now they just have to be extra good the rest of the year - even being kind to CHeeseburger, if you can believe it! What will happen on Christmas Day if they don’t receive all of the presents they asked for?
I love Shaskan’s blend of humor and a nicely subtle lesson about being kind and not having a tantrum if things don’t go your way. While there isn’t much to this short early reader, it still packs unexpected heart.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
The author and illustrator start out on the same page, but they soon turn their book into a battleground of opposing ideas. If they’re going to finish their book, they’ll have to see where words and pictures can help each other—and the story!
While the focus is on complementing words and pictures for a story, Lemke also provides an example of working together with different ideas and strengths. The humor of the characters’ argument balances out the real life skills being illustrated.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
Content: PG (superhero fighting)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
Bobby Beacon isn't an ordinary kid, he has superpowers. The only problem is that he has trouble controlling his powers, so he has to go to a new school. Unfortunately, at first, it seems that he will experience the same problems as before. Why don't adults understand him? Luckily he gets a new teacher, Miss Brooklyn, who sees him for what he really is. When the school comes under attack, it will be up to Bobby to save the school.
I liked the message that this book conveyed. It teaches kids to be themselves, be in control of your emotions, and to stand up for what is right. It kept my attention and I enjoyed it.
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Poetry Comics is a graphic novel poetry collection that explores big moments and small over the course of the year, throughout all four seasons. It’s a clever way to illustrate the nature of poetry and the fickleness of creativity.
I find Snider's work to be very charming. This collection of visual poems exploring how to write poetry was very meta and also just *chef's kiss*. This would be a great mentor text in an ELA poetry unit for elementary, middle school, or high school.
Kiera, ELA teacher #bookswithbeddes
BUYING ADVISORY: EL: ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY
Three stores about Cranky Chicken and her best friend Speedy Worm. The first chapter tells us all about how to have the perfect nap, so we don't wind up like Cranky Chicken. Cranky Chicken patiently teaches her friend, Speedy Worm what being a worm means, and then we learn what family and friends are made of.
The graphic novel format makes the 103 pages breeze along. The illustrations are colorful and show a range of emotions. It was easy to follow and fun story.
