BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SOME
The class is on their way to the museum and everyone has been assigned a buddy. But what if your buddy doesn’t want to be with you?
Wedelich gives us a look into the intricacies of being assigned a buddy. While I wouldn’t advocate for kazoos in museums, I do like the interplay between the two buddies.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Farmer Fran is a busy little bunny working hard on her farm. Then disaster strikes in the form of a giant storm. Farmer Fran doesn't know how to rebuild, but her friends and customers do. They host a community fundraiser which leads to an even better farm than before.
Schmitt introduces us to economics for young children. Farmer Fran sells her produce and uses the profit to buy what she needs. The back of the book has a short glossary, explanation, and discussion questions. A great addition to any elementary unit on money. Animal characters
Janae S., Reading Teacher
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
Zora is soaring high on her favorite swing when it begins to rain. Zora notices an umbrella under a bench at the park. A young boy asks her if he can join her. Then two more kids want to join as well. Zora includes more and more kids with the umbrella magically getting bigger each time. All of a sudden the umbrella blows away in the wind. Will Zora and her new friends be able to find it?
The Umbrella is a cute, magical story about the value of friendship, and working together. I liked Walker's illustrations and colorful and expressive illustrations.
The young boys and girls of this book are of many ethnicities.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
Bitsy Bat wakes up to see her first-ever snowfall. She's excited to go to school and try out wintry activities with her friends. She doesn't like being cold and wet, but she tries out making snow angels, sledding, and making snowmen. She pretends to have fun until a snowball fight pushes her over the edge. She retreats inside worried that her friends won't like her anymore. Inside the school a surprise awaits her. Enzo Owl and Mo are inside too. Will she get the courage to be honest with her friends outside?
Bitsy Bat, Snow Star is a cute story told from an autistic perspective, and celebrates emotional honesty and how individual differences make everyone shine. I love the adorable, expressive illustrations.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
When a new dinosaur moves into Penelope’s school, Penelope is pretty sure she doesn’t like this at all. Especially since the human kids start treating the dinosaurs as if they are exactly the same and Patty Topps seems to do many things much better than Penelope can. Penelope isn’t sure she can adjust to this kid in her class.
Penelope tackles bigger issues of jealousy and identity in her latest adventure. While not quite the same level of humor of the other books, I still love her.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SOME
In this classroom there is room for everyone. We will fail, succeed together, learn, push ourselves, and so much more!
This is a great book for classroom teachers to read to their students. The back matter has suggestions on how to use the book and create a classroom community. The colorful blob students and teacher complement the one or two lines of text on each page.
Rachel, Elementary school librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
Owl wakes up with a big idea for the day: to do everything “owl” by himself. He cleans his room. (Don't look in that corner) He brushes his teeth. ( Oops, the toothpaste is all over the place) He does many other things himself with many messes and misshaps. When he's at school he realizes that playing catch isn't fun by himself. What else does he need someone to help him with?
Owl by Himself is the perfect blend of humor and warmth, and filled with visual gags that will make readers laugh. I liked the spare text, and the adorable illustrations.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) -ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
One day, a terrible storm rips through the forest, destroying everything in its path. Nests have been blown away, trees are broken and burrows are flooded. The animals are all soggy and sad. First the beetles begin to help rebuild. Then other animals join in the small steps to rebuild their home. Beaver builds a dam, but then the raging waters start to wash it away. Will the water ruin what they've started?
The House that Love built is an inspiring story of hope, community, and working together. Readers will realize that small steps with everyone’s help make a big difference. I loved the expressive illustrations.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
Billy goes to sit by his favorite tree with his best stuffed friend Cosmo. Billy tossed in his apple to see how deep the hole was, then he heard a cold hard voice that said it preferred red apples. Billy picked some red apples from a neighbor's tree and threw them in. As the hole asks Billy for more things, Billy will have to decide if he will comply.
Billy and the Hole is a darkly humorous story about a toxic friendship, and that people should set boundaries and overcome peer pressure. Gooecke's illustrations are darkly beautiful.
PGPowers
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: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
Little ghost gets an invitation to a birthday party. He loves Halloween parties, but has never been to a birthday party. Anya talks him into going. He liked the birthday part of the party, but he wasn't good at any of the games. Little ghost decides to have his own birthday party, but it is summer, and he only likes bats, black cats, and candy corn. Halloween and summer just don't mix. He finally gives up on the birthday idea. But then Anya surprises him.
Little Ghost's Summerween is a warm and funny exploration of identity, friendship, and problem solving skills. Willis' illustrations are expressive and charming.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Toco, the toucan is searching for a home. He finds a beautiful tree and draws up plans for a treehouse. As he starts building, more and more toucans arrive to help. The new toucans don't look at Toco's plans or listen to his ideas. Will Toco ever get the treehouse that he wanted?
Readers get an intriguing story and learn valuable lessons with this book. Too Many Toucans teaches the great lesson of standing up for what you want. There are even tips in the back to teach children assertiveness and respectful disagreement. With its combination of bright pictures and interesting text, Too Many Toucans would make a great read aloud!
Trace, Elementary School Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Buttfish doesn’t like being constantly told his face looks like a butt. Looking for new friends, he heads to the depths of the ocean where he meets a new friend, Steve, who looks like a cheese. Maybe together the pair can be more than their looks.
Buttfish doesn’t look like a human-type butt, so don’t worry that you might offend through the illustrations - but if you read this aloud, you have to be comfortable with saying “butt” a lot. Pinson has really given us a story about seeing yourself differently from the roles others will try to force us into - and about being a good friend.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: MANY
A sheep and a goat saw each other and immediately started a rivalry. First they started jumping on smaller things trying to out do each other. Pretty soon cars and houses weren't high enough. Soon they were competing to climb the highest landmarks in the world. Their global adventure culminates on the top of the tallest mountain. They both become scared when neither of them can find a way down. Can two rivals learn to co-operate?
Paolini has authored a fun way to teach competition, teamwork and friendship. Arnaldo's illustration's are cute and animated with humor. I like the large fold out pages.
PGPowers
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
A young girl's schedule is very busy. She has so many important things to do like karate, trumpet lessons, Spanish and coding lessons. Will she ever have time to play with Flamingo and Potato? She tries to learn to find balance in her life.
The message of this book about finding balance in life is an important lesson for kids. Even though the illustrations are bright and engaging, I found the plot to be a little strange. The girl's best friends are a flamingo and a potato. The text is interesting though because it is written in a certain color for each character. The young girl is presumably white.
Tracie, Elementary School Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
A boy wants his father to put down his work and take him to the baseball game. The boy begins to sing the song, Take Me Out to the Ballgame while imagining himself in the game. By the end of the song, both are singing.
This visual rendition of the American pastime song will delight all baseball fans. The joyful intro of the boy begging his father to go will put a smile on your face. Clement adds some historical notes at the end about the songwriter and the song.
There are persons of color in the illustrations.
MOMMAC
