Our Classroom Rules! by Kallie George and Jay Fleck - ESSENTIAL

Our Classroom Rules! by Kallie George illustrated by Jay Fleck PICTURE BOOK Rodale Kids 2023 $13.00 0593378784 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Why does this classroom rule? It is filled with little kid animals such as porcupines, bears, and rabbits that all love to go to school. This story is told in a way that explains important rules and mindsets such as being on time, working together, and that it is ok to make mistakes. Mistakes are just part of learning. 

This is told with funny side comments from the animals, especially two earthworms. I liked this book because it had a great message for young students about school. It showed them excellent examples of how to follow the rules and to be kind to all. The illustrations were highly engaging. 

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

Mine! by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohman - ESSENTIAL

Mine! by Candace Fleming illustrated by Eric Rohman. PICTURE BOOK Anne Schwartz Books, 2023. $19. 9780593181669 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Up in the tree is a shiny, red, delicious looking apple. Different creatures such as a mouse, hare, bear, and fox all lay in wait for the apple to fall to the ground. Each animal daydreams about how delicious the apple will be. Finally the wind knocks the apple off the tree! A scuffle begins. Who will end up with the apple? It's not who you would expect! 

This was a great book. It had repetitive words such as "mine," which helps young readers engage and predict what will be said next. The illustrations were darling and went well with the text. The ending was especially fun with the surprise ending that also teaches a lesson. 

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Teacher

While You're Asleep by Emmy Kastner - ESSENTIAL

While You're Asleep by Emmy Kastner. PICTURE BOOK Simon and Schuster, 2024. $19. 9781665931335 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

All of the animals of the world are prepared to send you off to sleep with their peaceful night time sleeping. Or ARE THEY??? 

Kastner does a great job in lulling you into thoughts of a sleepy time book - until she doesn't. Actually, she seems just as startled as we are to see other creatures who don't sleep the night away at all. The twists are a lot of fun. Her illustrations hit just the right note. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Pig in Jeans by Brenda Li - HIGH

Pig in Jeans by Brenda Li PICTURE BOOK Orchard Books, 2024. $15. 9781339053691 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Brian is a pig who loves wearing jeans. He wears them to school, the beach, fishing, and the bathtub. Everyone asks him why he always wears his jeans. Brian loves his pockets. What does Brian keep in his pockets that helps many of his friends? 

Pig in Jeans is a humorous, cute, simple story about being true to yourself. Kids will love Brian the pig's funny antics and his mysterious pockets. 

PGPowers

How Do Dinosaurs Say Trick or Treat? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague - HIGH

How Do Dinosaurs Say Trick or Treat? by Jane Yolen illustrated by Mark Teague. PICTURE BOOK Scholastic Press, 2024. $19. 9781338891980

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

How does a dinosaur say "trick or treat"? Does it do naughty rude things like bang on the door, stomp on pumpkins, trip on kids' costumes, grab treats, or carry a garbage pail for its candy? No. Dinosaurs don't. Then how do they "trick or treat"? 

I really like how Yolen's hilarious dinosaurs help children learn the right way to enjoy Halloween. Teague's illustrations are over-the-top cute, clever, and funny. 

 PGPowers

The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants by Philip Bunting - ADVISABLE

The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants by Philip Bunting. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Crown Books for Young Readers, 2020. $18. 9780593567784 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants humorously discusses the world of ants and all their behaviors from colonies, queens, workers, jobs, roles, superpowers, and communication. It also relates how humans could benefit by learning from the way ants help each other, recycle, and leave the planet a better place. 

I enjoyed the way Bunting playfully engages the reader and makes it fun to learn about ants. His approach and illustrations are unique and creative! Children will enjoy learning about ants and their human-shared behaviors. 

PGPowers

Chicken Little and the Very Long Race by Sam Wedelich - ESSENTIAL

Chicken Little and the Very Long Race (Chicken Little #3) by Sam Wedelich. PICTURE BOOK Scholastic Press, 2024 $19. 9781338892420 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Hare is coming to town for a big, long, marathon race and all of the others chickens are atwitter. While they slavish read Hare's book and become devotees of his shoes, smoothies, and training regime (rest your muscles), Chicken Little decides to enter the race and train hard to build his stamina. Chicken Little will have to prove himself to the whole flock on race day. 

I was a little sad that Chicken Little is taking the spotlight from Hare's original competition - the Tortoise. But Chicken Little does have a lot of wise advice to disperse. And he's cute and funny. 

Cindy, MS Librarian, MLS

Lucky Duck by Greg Pizzoli - HIGH

Lucky Duck by Greg Pizzoli. PICTURE BOOK Alfred A. Knopf, 2024. $19. 9780593649770 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Susan the duck is feeling unlucky. The roller skates she ordered are too big: she lost her favorite marble, there are no more pickles, and a light bulb burns out. But with each knock on the door, a wolf tells her that she has won a big soup pot, onions, celery, and carrots. Maybe Susan is lucky. The wolf asks if the soup is ready and Susan invites him into her home to have some. The wolf says he is ready for some duck soup. 

How unlucky is Susan? Lucky Duck is a fun metaphor for life. Sometimes we think something that happened to us was bad when later down the road, it was for our betterment. Pizzoli's illustrations are cute and expressive. 

PGPowers

Oh, Are You Awake? by Bob Shea illustrated by Jarvis - ADVISABLE

Oh, Are You Awake? by Bob Shea illustrated by Jarvis PICTURE BOOK Candlewick Press, 2024. $18. 9781536226584 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

It is time for Lion and Penguin to sleep, but Lion wants a story. Penguin tells him no story and that it is time for sleep. While Penguin is trying to sleep, he wakes up to Lion on the drums, crunching chips, and jumping on the trampoline. What will Penguin need to do to get Lion to sleep? 

Anyone who has tried to put a non-sleepy child to sleep will chuckle while reading this story. Children will enjoy the antics of the non-sleepy lion and the colorful fanciful illustrations of penguins rudely interrupted dreams. 

PGPowers

Have You Seen My Sock? by Colombe Linotte illustrated by Claudia Bielinsky - HIGH

Have You Seen My Sock? by Colombe Linotte illustrated by Claudia Bielinsky. BOARD BOOK Twirl 2023. $11 9791036358531 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

This is a cute, simple board book about different animals that have lost their sock. The story includes alliteration and rhyming words. The animals range from flamingos to panthers- who knew all of these animals wore socks. Only an animal with numerous legs could be lucky enough to find all of these socks and be able to wear them! At the end, there is a challenge to the reader to remember whose socks belonged to each animal. 

This is a fun, simple book for young readers. The pictures are cute and help engage the reader. It is recommended for PreK and higher. This would probably only interest PreK to K ages. 

A. Criswell, English Language Arts Teacher

Hen in the Bed by Katrina Charman, illustrated by Guilherma Karsten - ESSENTIAL

Hen in the Bed by Katrina Charman, illustrated by Guilherma Karsten. PICTURE BOOK Nosy Crow, 2024 $18. 9798887770451 

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

 AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

The ten animals friends are all snuggled up for the night when Hen asks them all to roll over. LOVE IT! 

Each animal falling out of bed is on a series of graduated cut-pages so you can still see everyone sprawled on the ground. And the flip at the end when Hen finds itself alone in bed is darling! A surefire repeat bedtime read! 

Cindy, MS Librarian

It Is Time: The Life of a Caterpillar by Lizzy Rockwell - ESSENTIAL

It Is Time: The Life of a Caterpillar by Lizzy Rockwell. EARLY READER, NON-FICTION Holiday House, 2023. $16 9780823450794 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Have you ever wondered exactly how long the cycle of a butterfly is? This is a great non-fiction book written for young readers that explains it well. It uses scientific vocabulary words and text to engage young readers. The pictures complement the text and help add to the understanding of the life cycle. At the end of the story, the boy in the story is able to see the egg transform into a beautiful butterfly. 

This was a great information book for young readers. The pictures and text were accessible and engaging. The protagonist is not caucasian, but his exact ethnicity is unknown. 

A. Criswell, English Language Arts Teacher

What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night: A Very Messy Adventure by Refe & Susan Tuma - ADVISABLE

What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night: A Very Messy Adventure by Refe & Susan Tuma. PICTURE BOOK Little, Brown and Company, 2023. $19. 9780316335621 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

It usually starts with an unexplained mess and your parents think you or the dog did it, but it was your toy dinosaurs. They will make messes in the kitchen, play with your toys, mess up the bathroom, get into your parents' stuff, mess up the laundry room, make noises in the attic at night, paint walls, and do other annoying things. They can get out of every trap. How will they ever be stopped? 

It's very fun to imagine toy dinosaurs coming to life and doing all these crazy things. I couldn't help but chuckle at every page. The text is funny and the photos will bring silly delight to each reader. 

PGPowers

Eleanor's Moon by Maggie Knaus - ESSENTIAL

Eleanor's Moon by Maggie Knaus. PICTURE BOOK Owlkids, 2023. $19 9781771475556 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

The Harvest moon is special to Eleanor and her grandfather. They will always share the moon, wherever they are. Growing up, Eleanor and her grandfather spent a lot of time together. They had many adventures out in nature and they always noticed the phase of the moon. Unfortunately, Eleanor's mom got a job in a different city and they had to move far away from Grandfather. Although they miss each other dearly, Eleanor and her grandfather can look up at the same moon and be close to each other. 

This book had a very sweet message. It acknowledges the strong bond between granddaughter and grandfather. This book can help young children face their fears if have have to move away from someone they love. 

A. Criswell, English Language Teacher

Giant-Sized Butterflies on My First Day of School by Justin Roberts, illustrated by Paola Escobar. - ESSENTIAL

Giant-Sized Butterflies on My First Day of School by Justin Roberts, illustrated by Paola Escobar. PICTURE BOOK G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers 2023, $19. 9780525516439 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

It is the first day of school and the young is nervous. She feels like she has "giant-sized butterflies" in her stomach. After breakfast, her mom drives her to school. She sure wishes that her mom would stay with her all day. To comfort her, her mom tells her that her parents had giant-sized butterflies in their stomachs when she was born. Everyone gets big butterflies in their stomachs! Soon the little girl realizes that the butterflies will guide her and help her on her adventure- the first day of school. 

Lots of kids are nervous for the first day of school. The little girl in the book looks like she is starting Kindergarten. I liked that it acknowledged that everyone, kids, and adults, get nervous, yet they can overcome their fears to appreciate what is going on around them. The family and the little girl have slightly darker skin with dark hair. 

A. Criswell, English Language Teacher 

The Ice Cream Vanishes by Julia Sarcone-Roach - HIGH

The Ice Cream Vanishes by Julia Sarcone-Roach. 40 pages.  PICTURE BOOK Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2023. $19. 9780593309858 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Squirrel is a natural at making items disappear. Acorns, sandwiches, and fruit are easy! However, when squirrel leaves an ice cream cone on top of a rock on a sunny day, he can't figure out where the ice cream went. Therefore, he must be a magician! Squirrel enlists his friend, Bear, to help him figure this mystery out. They decide to follow the ice cream truck to see if they can do it again. 

My five year old daughter enjoyed this picture book because of hilarious illustrations that accompanied the text. The text is written with playful humor for little kids. The mystery of the disappearing ice cream cone is one that kids will solve immediately and then laugh at squirrel and bear as they try to figure it out. 

A. Criswell, English Language Teacher

The Bears Shared by Kim Norman and David Walker - ADVISABLE

The Bears Shared by Kim Norman illustrated by David Walker PICTURE BOOK Farrar, Straus, and Giroux 2023 $19 9780374389048

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

A family of bears shares a cave where their extra hair blows around. Close by, a mother bird borrows some of the bears' hair to build a nest in a tree. A storm comes and the baby birds fall out of the nest, land in a bush, and then slide on mud into the bear's cave. Will the bears share during the storm? 

The Bears Share is a cute and warmhearted story about helping others in need. The fun rhyming text and beautiful, adorable illustrations create a delightful story that children and adults will love. 

PGPowers 

Yetis are the Worst! By Alex Willan - ESSENTIAL

Yetis are the Worst! By Alex Willan. PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2022. $19. 9781665921770

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Gilbert Goblin is worried again - this time about Yetis! Mostly because yetis are even more secretive than goblins - and Gilbert is a little jealous.  Gilbert sets out to find a yeti so that he can prove that goblins are still the best.

Willan has four books in the Are the Worst series now and each of them is winner - fun to read aloud, fun for kids to find the background action that Gilbert misses every single time. Gather all four, if just for story time.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Dear Unicorn written by Josh Funk, illustrated by Charles Santoso - ESSENTIAL

Dear Unicorn written by Josh Funk, illustrated by Charles Santoso.  PICTURE BOOK.  Viking Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2023.  $19.  9780593206942

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Connie and Nic have a pen pal writing assignment in their art classes. They send art and letters to each other and ask questions. The only thing is, they don’t know one is a unicorn and the other is a human! What is going to happen when they finally meet at the art festival?

Ah, this was such a cute and funny story. I also loved how the illustrations contributed so much to the story! You start to see bits and pieces from the letters show up in their regular lives as they build their pen pal relationship. It's a great story about being open-minded and making friends.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes

The Wilderness by Steve McCarthy - ESSENTIAL

The Wilderness written and illustrated by Steve McCarthy.  PICTURE BOOK.  Candlewick Press, 2023.  $18.  9781536231373

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Oktober Vasylenko is a bit of an outlier in his adventurous family. While they love exploring the outdoors, Oktober prefers to be inside, exploring the pages of a book. One day the Vasylenko family goes on an outing together and Oktober gets lost. Will Oktober make it home ok?

A bookish little dude who would rather read than go outside? Me too. The Wilderness is so beautifully illustrated. The author & illustrator worked on the animated movie Song of the Sea and this book gave me a lot of the same vibes. It’s such a sweet story of finding wonder and awe in places or things that you might be scared of.

Reviewer: Kiera Beddes, #bookswithbeddes