Seeing Stars: A Complete Guide to the 88 Constellations by Sara Gillingham - ADVISABLE

Seeing Stars: A Complete Guide to the 88 Constellations by Sara Gillingham. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Phaidon, 2018. $25. 9780714877723

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

There is a little background to the history and use of constellations, but the bulk of the book is a catalog of each constellation. Each two page spread includes a full page illustration of the constellation, a description of where the stars are located, how to find it, and a story or legend associated with the image made up by the stars. 

Books don’t get much more beautiful than this one. The cover of the book is a beautiful matte finish with holes punched out for all the stars. The illustrations are all limited to three key colors, but it feels aesthetically soothing. I think this book will appeal to students interested in the night sky and would be fun to use as a school club on astronomy. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Stories in the Clouds: Weather Science and Mythology from Around the World by Joan Marie Galat - ADVISABLE

Stories in the Clouds: Weather Science and Mythology from Around the World by Joan Marie Galat, illustrated by Georgia Graham. PICTURE BOOK. Fitzhenry & Whiteside Whitecap, 2019. $17. 9781770502451

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This book pairs mythology with science. There is a story about one act of nature explained through legend from one culture and after that story are a few pages of the science behind the act of nature. 

I think the pairing of storytelling and science is brilliant and very interesting. I don’t see many kids sitting down and reading this book, but I do think it could be used effectively in an English or science classroom. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

The Superpower Field Guide: Beavers by Rachel Poliquin - ADVISABLE

The Superpower Field Guide: Beavers by Rachel Poliquin, illustrated by Nicholas John Frith. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018. $19. 9780544949874

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Divided up by superpowers, this books covers 10 of the impressive skills of the underrated beaver. Some of these include chainsaw teeth and unstoppable fur. Each beaver power section includes diagrams and added engagement features, along with the informational text. 

The limited color palette of the book is a  little boring, but the information is interesting. There is a lot of information in this book, but the amount of words rarely takes more space than that for illustrations, making this a very approachable book. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Follow Your Stuff: Who Makes It, Where Does It Come From, How Does It Get to You? by Kevin Sylvester - ESSENTIAL

Follow Your Stuff: Who Makes It, Where Does It Come From, How Does It Get to You? by Kevin Sylvester and Michael Hlinka. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Annick Press, 2019. $13. 9781773212531

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

This book walks the reader through the global economy and all the influences on a single purchase. The authors look at a shirt first and discuss where each material was made, where it was assembled, how much materials cost, and how the advertising and selling works. The book then walks through the process for medicine, a book, and a cell phone. 

Students will find this book very interesting. I love that it brought up important issues related to consumption in a global economy, but did not answer those questions because of their ethical complexity. This leaves room for students to think, discuss, and perhaps write a persuasive paper about. The aesthetics in this book are lacking, but other than that, it is an engaging read. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Extreme Abilities: Amazing Human Feats and the Simple Science Behind Them by Galadriel Watson - ESSENTIAL

Extreme Abilities: Amazing Human Feats and the Simple Science Behind Them by Galadriel Watson, illustrated by Cornelia Li. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Annick Press, 2019. $13. 9781773212494

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

This book is divided into eight sections, each covering an impressive physical feat. Each of those sections contains a history of people who have used that physical power, stories of people who currently use that power, warnings and tips, the science behind it explained, and then finally a section on how the reader can use what they just read about. 

This book is so interesting. I learned something new on every single page. I also found this book to be very approachable. There is a fair amount of reading, but it is divided up into easy to tackle sections. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Pope Francis: Builder of Bridges by Emma Otheguy - ADVISABLE

Pope Francis: Builder of Bridges by Emma Otheguy, illustrated by Oliver Dominguez. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Bloomsbury, 2018. $18. 9781681195605

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Pope Francis started as Jorge Bergoglio and lived in Buenos Aires where he saw many different walks of life and felt a deep compassion for them all. In his thirties, Jorge became a priest and used his influence to make positive changes for the poor and needy in his community. As his position grew, he continued to look out for others. 

If you are not Catholic, some of this book will be hard to understand and put into context. A little more religious background to the book would have been helpful. I loved the illustrations and learning more about such a public figure’s background.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

The Origin of Day and Night by Paula Ikuutaq Rumbolt - ADVISABLE

The Origin of Day and Night by Paula Ikuutaq Rumbolt, illustrated by Lenny Lishchenko. PICTURE BOOK. Inhabit Media, 2018. $17. 9781772271805

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The arctic fox and the arctic hare are at odds because one, the fox, can see better in the dark, and one, the hare, can see better in the light. They use their words to call forth the light or dark respectively, and the battle becomes wearisome. Finally, they decide to split the time and thus we have day and night. 

The illustrations look like chalk drawings on black and white paper and are very pretty. The story drags on a bit, but it is an interesting myth. I wish the book included more information of the Inuit beliefs and culture. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Building Books by Megan Wagner Lloyd - ADVISABLE

Building Books by Megan Wagner Lloyd, illustrated by Brianne Farley. PICTURE BOOK. Knopf, 2018. $18. 9781524773670

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A brother and sister are divided on their interests - one likes books and one likes building. When the librarian hears their argument, she gathers both into the library and gives them each a task - one to read and one to shelf. During the process, the builder discovers she likes reading about construction and the reader discovers he likes stacking books. 

This is an enjoyable book that will speak to students that aren’t naturally inclined toward reading. These students often feel like school doesn’t value their other interests, but this book does a beautiful job of validating that and pushing its boundaries.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Me, Myselfie & I: A Cautionary Tale by Jamie Lee Curtis - ADVISABLE

Me, Myselfie & I: A Cautionary Tale by Jamie Lee Curtis, illustrated by Laura Cornell. PICTURE BOOK. Feiwel and Friends, 2018. $18. 9781250138279

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

For a mom’s birthday, her kids buy her a smartphone and teach her how to take selfies. This quickly gets out of hand as the mom takes selfies of everything that she does. The kids finally put a stop to it and they go back to enjoying family time together. 

The illustrations in this book are so busy that they are hard to look at closely. The message is one that could provoke an interesting discussion with readers about the technology habits of their families and what they think the ideal balance might be. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Here Comes Rhinoceros by Heinz Janisch - OPTIONAL

Here Comes Rhinoceros by Heinz Janisch, illustrated by Helga Bansch. PICTURE BOOK. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2018. $19. 9781554554485

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A rhinoceros is sad because his horn was bent in an accident and he wants to float away. The animals around him comfort him and assure him that he is wanted and needed in their community. 

The illustrations are lovely and the language is poetic, but I think a lot of the fluidity to the story is lost in translation. Originally in German, this is a somber but beautiful book. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Abraham by Frank Keating Paintings by Mike Wimmer - Optional

Abraham by Frank Keating Paintings by Mike Wimmer PICTURE BOOK Simon & Schuster, 2017. $18. 1442493194

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Abraham Lincoln was born in poor circumstances, educated himself by reading lots of books and writing whenever he could. He became a lawyer without formal education. He was elected 16th President of the United States. 

Mike Wimmer's paintings are wonderful! However, this is an odd biography. Told in the first person, like an autobiography, it was strange to see quotes around his actual quotes. Also, the writing style is so jumpy - almost like it's in free verse, but it doesn't really read like that either. While I loved the paintings, I was underwhelmed with the text. 

Lisa Librarian

Melia and Jo by Billy Aronson and Jennifer Oxley - ESSENTIAL

Melia and Jo by Billy Aronson and Jennifer Oxley PICTURE BOOK, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018. $18. 132891626X

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Melia is an inventor. She works and works on her inventions but none seem to function as she would like. Jo is Melia's new neighbor. Jo is a singer and a dancer who doesn't respect Melia's space, nor does she see the inventions the same way Melia does. But wait! When creative Jo and logical Melia work together, they make a friendship (and a lot of other great things)! 

Aronson and Oxley have presented a great picture book which demonstrates why we need an A (Arts) in STEM - because creativity is so important! The illustrations are delightful, the story is spot on. I loved the smart resourceful girls, (and smart resourceful girls will love this book) 

Lisa Librarian