When Spring Comes to the DMZ by UK-Bae Lee - ESSENTIAL

When Spring Comes to the DMZ by UK-Bae Lee translated from Korean by Chungyon Won and Aileen Won PICTURE BOOK Plough Publishing House 2019 (original publication 2010) $18. 9780874869729

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Over 65 years ago, an area was created between North and South Korea called a demilitarized zone. It's a stretch of land 154 miles long by 2.5 miles wide, and because there are no people there, it has become a wildlife sanctuary. Each season, the boy's grandfather comes to the DMZ to climb up to the observatory and looks north, the animals and plants are thriving, but it's still military controlled, so no one can go there, not even Grandfather. 

Beautifully illustrated by the author, the wildlife scones are striking, the DMZ pictures of fences and barbed wire are heartbreaking. Well written (translated) and the message is clear - it's time for this to be over. I love the author notes at the end.

Lisa Librarian

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero - ESSENTIAL

My Papi Has a Motorcycle  by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Peña. PICTURE BOOK. Penguin Random House, 2019. $18. 9780525553410

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

A young girl excitedly greets her daddy home from work because now she gets to go on their nightly motorcycle ride. They ride past familiar stores and newly shuttered ones. They nod at their friends, dodge stray cats, and outrun neighborhood dogs. The smell of sawdust flying off her daddy’s clothes, the lemon tree in front of her abuelos’ old yellow house, the sounds and colors of the streets streaming by – all these things are a part of her, and always will be. After visiting her papi’s worksite and roaring around Grand Boulevard, the circular street that used to be a racetrack, they return home to mami, little brother, raspados (shaved ice), and the promise of flying again tomorrow. Things about town are always changing, but the love she feels at home is constant.

The author has written a love story to her hometown, to her papi, and to his electric blue motorcycle, and was kind enough to take us along for the ride. An author’s note clarifies her nod to the hard work of immigrants who have helped build this country. Depicting a joyous slice of life in an immigrant neighborhood, with Spanish words sprinkled throughout, this book will provide a world-expanding window for some students and an affirming mirror for others. The book gets a HIGH audience appeal rating due to its featured motorcycle, and the engaging speech bubbles sprinkled throughout the illustrations.

P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian

Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom - ADVISABLE

Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom By Teresa Robeson, illustrated by Rebecca Huang PICTURE BOOK Sterling Children’s Books 2019 9781454932208 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Wu Chien Shiung was born in China in a time when educating girls was not valued, but her parents thought otherwise. Her father was a principal at a girls school and her mother the teacher, so Wu Chien Shiung was able to study science and went on to become one of the most important physicists ever. Despite sexism and racism, she embraced her name which means Courageous Hero, and proved the theories of important scientists like Enrico Fermi. Although the Nobel prized passed her by more than once, she deserves to be The Queen Of Physics.

Inspirational! I love short biographies, and Teresa Robeson found an amazing scientist to write about. Huang’s illustrations are great (I love the pearls and the lab coat on the cover). Hooray for women in STEM! Includes a glossary and life achievements.

Lisa Librarian

A Friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey - ESSENTIAL

A Friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey PICTURE BOOK Chronicle Books, 2019 $17 9781452167916 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Henry is looking for a friend in classroom 6. He has some specific requirements of a friend - must be able to play on the swings - so the class goldfish can't be his friend, friends like what he likes, they say thank you, they listen. Katie listens, she likes to watch Gilly the fish and she plays on the swings! Today, Henry has a friend! 

Henry is on the autism spectrum - not stated in the text but noted on the book jacket - I liked that he was patient and waited to find a friend, that he didn't have to change or learn anything new to get a friend. Sometimes that's all it takes, a little time. Mika Song's illustrations a perfect for the text - the children are expressive, Henry is sweet. A great story for building empathy or just read it with your class to talk about making friends, and waiting to find the person who is just right for you.

Lisa Librarian

When Aiden Became a Brother by Kyle Luckoff - ADVISABLE

When Aiden Became a Brother by Kyle Luckoff illustrated by Kaylani Juanita PICTURE BOOK Lee and Low, 2019 $19 9781620148372

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Aiden is excited to become a big brother. When he was born everyone though he was a girl, but as he grew, he realized he was a boy and his supportive parents helped him fix the things in his life that made him uncomfortable. But with a new baby on the way, he wants to make sure everything is right for them, too. 

A great story addressing the confusion and needs of a trans-gender child. A must read for families. Juanita's illustrations are delightful - oh Aidan's facial expressions are perfect. I love this kid so much! I also loved the author's note at the end. A nice addition to your collection.

Lisa Librarian

Smell My Foot By Cece Bell - ADVISABLE

Smell My Foot By Cece Bell PICTURE BOOK Candlewick, 2019. $13. 978-07636-7936-1 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Brain and Chick are friends. Brain is insistent that Chick should smell his foot - however, Chick requires everyone to have good manners - say please and thank you and you’re welcome, so the process of getting Brains foot smelled is a bit complicated, along comes dog, he feels Chick’s foot smells better that Brains does and invites Chick home “for dinner” Chick is so caught up in making sure Dog is appropriately well mannered, he has no idea dog wants to eat him! 

"Smell my feet" is always funny, so Bell’s comic style early reader is perfect for kids who like that sort of thing. Her simple illustrations are silly, the storyline is absurd, I see this being read over and over and over. My 5-year-old grandson is going to love this!

Lisa Librarian

Lift Every Voice and Sing: A Celebration of the African American National Anthem by James Weldon Johnson - ADVISABLE

Lift Every Voice and Sing: A Celebration of the African American National Anthem  by James Weldon Johnson, illustrated by Elizabeth Catlett, foreward by Ashley Bryan. NON-FICTON PICTURE BOOK. Bloomsbury, 2019 (reissue). $18. 9781681199559

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Written in celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday by a school teacher in Florida in 1899, and then set to music by his brother and first performed by 500 school children in 1900, this song is now the official African American national anthem, and has been performed countless times at celebrations and protests. First published in 1993, this reissue includes a foreword by award-winning author Ashley Bryan, Elizabeth Catlett’s original captions for her 1940s linocuts which illustrate the lyrics, and the musical score at the end.

This poem is truly a national treasure and this presentation is elegant. Black-and-white carved prints, a few with turquoise highlights, grace the left side of each spread, opposite a few lines of text, with a blocky turquoise pattern forming a top and bottom border. The lyrics and images combine to create a moving celebration of this anthem, just as the subtitle states. Use this book to introduce students to this song, some important figures from history (both from the context of the poem and subjects in the linocut prints), or the art form of linocuts.

P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian

Here and There by Tamara Ellis Smith - ADVISABLE

Here and There  by Tamara Ellis Smith, illustrated by Evelyn Daviddi. PICTURE BOOK. Barefoot, 2019. $17. 9781782857419

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Ivan loved climbing trees and singing like the birds he loved so much. He wanted to stay HERE at his mom’s house, but had to go THERE, to his dad’s new place. Once there, he sat still and quiet, not wanting to be there, until his dad started playing his guitar. One song pulled at his hands and tugged at both his feet, and soon he was singing with the joyous sounds of his beloved birds.

Ostensibly about learning how to be yourself even when you must split your time between parents, this story is also a celebration of birds. The author infuses descriptions of Ivan with bird references, and his lyrics for his dad’s guitar tune are based on different bird calls. The author’s inclusion of a list of bird calls on the last page helps clarify this reference. This would be a good purchase to address divorce and changing living conditions, as well as to reflect on our feathered neighbors.

P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian

Stop! Bot! By James Yang - ADVISABLE

Stop! Bot! By James Yang PICTURE BOOK Viking Penguin, 2019 $18.00 9780425288818 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

On the sidewalk in front of a tall building, a little boy’s bot is rising up the building, seemingly out of control. As it passes the various floors the residents all try different things to try to catch it. 

Graphic novel style dialogue makes this early reader engaging and fun. The illustrations are colorful and whimsical, and the shape of the book, tall and skinny, gives the reader great perspective. I loved the woman with the huge bouffant hairdo and the doorman chasing the thing is delightful. A perfect shared read with lots of things to look at and talk about. 2020 Geisel Medal winner.

Lisa Librarian

The Book Hog by Greg Pizzoli - ADVISABLE

The Book Hog by Greg Pizzoli PICTURE BOOK Disney Hyperion, 2019 $18.00 9781368036894 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The Book Hog is a pig who loves books. He collects them, he smells them, he carries them around, but although he has a lot of them, the Book Hog can’t read. One day he discovers a library, and the kind librarian invites him to story time and offers to read with him. With her help and a lot of practice, the Book Hog learns to read.

I loved the message of the story - I know kids who check out the biggest books and come in every day, but are actually more like the pig than they realize. What a wonderful world is open to a child when they become a reader! The illustrations are cute - green and pink and grey.

Lisa Librarian

William's Getaway by Annika Dunklee - ADVISABLE

William's Getaway by Annika Dunklee, illustrated by Yong Ling Kang PICTURE BOOK Owl Kids Books 2020 $19 9781771473378

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

KID APPEAL: AVERAGE

When William's little brother is driving him crazy, William can get away - in his hot air balloon! But when Edgar is finally brave enough to want to come, too, William convinces him that he doesn't need all his "stuff" no toy monkey, no snacks, not even his yo-yo. All Edgar needs is William - William is brave, and responsible and he loves his little brother. 

Yong Ling Kang's illustrations are precious - Edgar is so cute! I loved the sweet relationship between the brothers, and even when William needed some time alone, he wasn't mean about it. Oh, and what a surprise that there really might be a hot air balloon - or maybe just a brother who can make it seem so.

Lisa Librarian

Stormy: a story about finding a forever home by Guojing. - ADVISABLE

Stormy: a story about finding a forever home by Guojing. PICTURE BOOK Random House, 2019 $18 9781524771768 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A little dog is living under a wooden bench by a tree when a young woman notices him. She brings a ball and befriends the sweet little pooch, but he is leery and keeps his distance, until one evening he follows her home (at a safe distance) But when a storm blows in, their relationship changes, and maybe this dog can find a forever home. 

Guojing's beautiful wordless picture book is a sweet story. So much emotion in the illustrations. I loved how trust didn't happen right away, that the girl was persistent and the dog was brave. The cover illustration is perfect - share this with your dog loving patrons!

Lisa Librarian