Hissy’s Big Day - ADVISABLE

Hissy’s Big Day. EARLY READER. Disney Press (Disney Book Group), 2018. $5. 9781368047098

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The dogs and cat in this book are from the Disney Junior show “Puppy Dog Pals”. In this story, the dogs are trying to provide an exciting day for a cat who is visiting, but their plans don’t go well. The cat, Hissy, just wants to play at the house with her dog pals.

The dogs and cat in this book are great models for trying to serve and be kind to our friends. The story is fast paced and funny and a young reader will have an easy time staying engaged in the story.  The reading levels seems to be appropriate for about early first grade.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Shhh! I’m Reading! by John Kelly - ADVISABLE

Shhh! I’m Reading! by John Kelly, illustrated by Elina Ellis.  PICTURE BOOK. Tiger Tales, 2019.  $18.  9781680101348

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Pirates, penguins, even aliens can’t pry Bella away from her book just as she is getting to the exciting part right at the end.  When she finally finishes and is ready to play, her friends now have other ideas.

As librarians this is exactly what we hope for our children – that they can immerse themselves into a book so much that nothing can pry them away.  Hopefully all of the little ones you read this too will love it also.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The One-Stop Story Shop by Tracey Corderoy - ESSENTIAL

The One-Stop Story Shop by Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tony Neal.  PICTURE BOOK.  Tiger Tales, 2019.  $18. 9781680101331

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

When the knight comes to battle the dragon, the dragon is off on vacation.  A friendly neighbor takes him to the one-stop story shop where the helpful shop owner is out of dragons, but he does have many help suggestions to help the knight find maybe a different kind of adventure.

Ready to turn story tropes on their head?  This is just what you need!  Lots of adventure – both silly and suspenseful, with great twists.  Neal’s illustrations are the perfect foil for this delightful story that begs to shared.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Just Right: Searching for the Goldilocks Planet by Curtis Manley - ADVISABLE

Just Right: Searching for the Goldilocks Planet by Curtis Manley, illustrated by Jessica Lanan. NONFICTION PICTURE BOOK.  Roaring Brook (Macmillan), 2019.  $19.  9781250155337

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Since the beginning of recorded history, mankind has wondered if there are other planets with life on them somewhere out in the stars.  How do we search for these planets?  What would life on them look like?

Manley gives us a detailed, but accessible look at the different ways scientists are looking for other planetary bodies throughout space.  Detailed enough that it will work best with older students – any class that discusses space exploration could use this.  The explanations of how the different methods work was very clear – clear enough for this non-scientist to get a good grasp.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Bearnard’s Book by Deborah Underwood - ESSENTIAL

Bearnard’s Book by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Misa Saburi.  PICTURE BOOK.  Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2019.  $18. 9781627797573

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Bearnard has received a summons from the Queen of Storybook Land to appear in a book of his very own. He’s a little apprehensive, so he wants to study up on famous storybook bears.  His friend Goose is more than happy to help.

Bear and his friend Goose are super cute! Watching him prepare for his big role is a real treat. Prime your students by reading Winnie-the-Pooh, Paddington, and The Three Little Bears with them so that they will recognize the references as they come up. Or be prepared with the books so that you can talk about them afterwards. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Donkey Egg by Janet Stevens - OPTIONAL

The Donkey Egg by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel. PICTURE BOOK. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019. $18. 9780547327679

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

A bear is sold a watermelon with the promise that it is a donkey egg. The bear takes care of the “egg” with extreme dedication and ignores the taunts of his neighbors who assure him it is not an egg. In the end, when the watermelon smashes, the bear uses the seeds to plant a field and uses the new watermelons to sell and earn money to buy a donkey.

This story was quite long and slow. The text and illustrations felt old fashioned and didn’t hold my kids’ attention for very long. The structure of the story does repeat and could potentially lend itself to a lesson on predictions.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

The Goose Egg by Liz Wong - OPTIONAL

The Goose Egg by Liz Wong. PICTURE BOOK. Alfred A. Knopf (Penguin Random House), 2019. $18. 9780553511574

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

An elephant on a swim bumps his head and in the process of doing so knocks a nest and an egg lands on his head. At first he thinks it is a bump on his head, but when it hatches, he raises the chick and falls in love with his new family lifestyle.

This book started off so cute with the “goose egg” play on words, but that was only a very small portion of the book and the rest was just a cute childish story of an elephant raising chicks. The characters are all likeable and the illustrations sweet.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Honu and Moa by Edna Cabcabin Moran - ADVISABLE

Honu and Moa by Edna Cabcabin Moran. PICTURE BOOK. Beach House Publishing, 2018. $13. 9781933067957

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

In this Hawaiian version of the the Tortoise and the Hare, a rooster and a sea turtle are racing for a spring of warm water that feeds into the ocean. They have decided to start their race when the sun rises, and true to the form of the original story, the rooster gets overly confident and distracted.

I liked this retelling of the Tortoise and the Hare because it was easy to see the parallels, making it enjoyable for young readers. I also appreciated that the sea turtle stayed consistent with his message that the spring doesn’t belong to anyone and in the end used winning to show that to the rooster. The illustrations are a little disappointing in that they feel very traditional and static.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

In a Minute Mama Bear by Rachel Bright - ADVISABLE

In a Minute Mama Bear by Rachel Bright.  PICTURE BOOK. Farrar Straus Giroux (Macmillan), 2019. $17.  9780374305789

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Mama Bear is a big hurry to get on with the day, but Bella Bear is taking her own good time.  It isn’t until Mama is about to lose her cool that she has a change of heart and a change of day.

Little kids can relate, and hopefully parents who act like this might see themselves.  The rhyming text reads smoothly, but I’m just not sure how many timesa parent will want to read this aloud.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Brave Ballerina by Michelle Meadows - ADVISABLE

Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins by Michelle Meadows, illustrated by Ebony Glenn. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK.  Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2019.  $18. 9781250127730

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Long before Mist or Michaela became known figures as black women in the world of ballet, Janet Collins went from being told she would have to lighten her skin to finally someone recognizing and wanting her just for her talent – and in 1951 she became prima ballerina at the Met.

Glenn’s illustrations light the pages, while Meadows streamlined, rhyming words flow across the page.  The only issue I have is picky – the book shows Janet on pointe as a child, when in actuality she wouldn’t have donned toe shoes until she was a least 12. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

My Footprints by Bao Phi – ADVISABLE

My Footprints by Bao Phi, illustrated by Basia Tran. PICTURE BOOK. Capstone, 2019. $20. 9781684460007

BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3) –ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Thuy is a young girl named Thuy, who is being bullied at school. On her way home from school she imitates a variety of animals by making their footprints in the snow. When she gets home, eventually her two mom’s coax her into revealing what has been going on. As a family they think of new animals and make the footprints and shadows together.

The artwork in this story is adorable! I like that Thuy related to animals and tried to take on their traits to help her. But ultimately this is a cute story about a family coming together, and two parents who are taking the time to help their daughter understand they are a team and they support her with love and understanding –not just running off to sue to the school and the parents of the bullies.  

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.

Pup 681: A Sea Otter Rescue Story by Jean Reidy - ADVISABLE

Pup 681: A Sea Otter Rescue Story by Jean Reidy, illustrated by Ashley Crowley.  PICTURE BOOK.  Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2019.  $18. 9781250114501

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A little sea lion pup is found shivering on the shore and taken to an aquarium to live. There she learns that family can be a different bond than she originally thought.

Crowley’s illustrations are just the right touch of sea-blue dreamy.  The accompany story is short enough for a quick read, but only offers a taste information.  A teacher or other reader needs to be prepared with links to the videos and info about the real 681’s story to flesh this out.  Luckily a quick Google search will give you plenty of hits.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS