Dear Mr. President by Sophie Siers and Anne Villeneuve - ADVISABLE

Dear Mr. President by Sophie Siers and Anne Villeneuve, PICTURE BOOK Owl Kids Books, 2019. $19. 9781771473910 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Sam does not like sharing a room with his brother. His brother stays up late on his phone which keeps Sam awake. He writes letters to the President because he saw him on the news and, like the President, Sam thinks he needs to build a wall. Sam's dad would prefer the boys "negotiate" rather than building a wall. When Sam visits his grandma overnight, he notices his brother is trying to be nicer when he returns. As the boys start getting along better, their dad tells them about the Berlin Wall, and how it came down. Through his letters, a school project on walls and his brother's changed behavior, Sam begins to rethink his plans to build a wall in his room. 

Hmm, I liked this subtle examination of political policy and President Donald Trump. I enjoyed the humor as well as the message - that there are better ways to solve the problem than building a wall. It was also a great story about the importance of family and learning to live with your older brother. I'm not certain the picture book age audience will see the parallels, but the illustrations and the storytelling make it a great read aloud.

Lisa Librarian

This is a Dog by Ross Collins - ESSENTIAL

This is a Dog by Ross Collins, PICTURE BOOK Nosy Crow (Candlewick), 2019. $17 9781536212006 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

The dog takes over in this clever picture book, stealing the focus from every animal with his cute antics, even grabbing a crayon and changing the crocodile's name to "dog." He gets bolder as the book progresses eventually irritating a bear and a gorilla. Has the dog taken it too far? 

So happy and silly! The dog dressing up like an elephant is my favorite illustration. I loved this look at "stealing the show" and wish I was still teaching theater - I would love to share with an ensemble cast, a great introduction to working together and not taking over. Young readers will love the pictures and the animals, but especially this crazy dog.

Lisa Librarian

Alice & Gert : An Ant and Grasshopper Story by Helaine Becker and Dena Seiferling - ESSENTIAL

Alice & Gert : An Ant and Grasshopper Story by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Dena Seiferling, PICTURE BOOK Owlkids Books, 2020. $18. 9781771473583 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Alice is an ant, Gert a grasshopper. All summer and into the fall, Alice works tirelessly filling her nest with seeds for the winter, Gert, on the other hand, enjoys the warm days while she sings songs, writes plays and dances. Soon the leaves turn red - winter is on its way. Alice is ready, but what will become of Gert? 

Beautifully illustrated by Dena Seiferling, this retelling retains the original story, but it feels fresh. I loved the changing of the seasons as Gert's favorite snack changed from "soft green" to "dry". I loved the friendship and the gentle way Alice kept reminding Gert she was busy for a reason. Gert is so fun and creative - a great friend to take a break with.

Lisa Librarian

Hooray for Helpers! First Responders and More Heroes in Action by Mike Austin - ESSENTIAL

Hooray for Helpers! First Responders and More Heroes in Action by Mike Austin. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2020. $18. 9781524765620 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

When you hear first responder, most people jump to police, fire, and medical, but Austin reveals the wide variety of people whose jobs are also first responders: where they work, the tools of the trade, etc. 

I love his illustrative style – simple and linear, but textured and interesting. The text is also simple – mostly labels, with just a bit of explanation. Sure to be a reread and self-exploration title. 

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Scared of the Dark? It’s Really Scared of You by Peter Vegas and Benjamin Chaud - ADVISABLE

Scared of the Dark? It’s Really Scared of You by Peter Vegas, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud. PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle, 2020. $18. 9781452180694 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The narrator tries to explain to the reader that “the dark” is afraid of people, because it can’t come out during the day and is even scared away by a flashlight. Vegas’s personification of “the dark” is seriously cute – though not every incarnation works perfectly (climbing a tree?). For kids who are starting to be afraid of the dark, this would be a good way to discuss their fear. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

First Day Critter Jitters by Jory John - ADVISABLE

First Day Critter Jitters by Jory John, illustrated by Liz Climo PICTURE BOOK Dial Books for Young Readers Penguin Random House, 2020. $18. 9780735228559 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The sloth is very worried that he will be late for school because he is so slow. The snake is worried because he can't wear a backpack (no arms), the mouse is worried because she is so small, the kangaroo has never been away from his mother, the parrot is aware that sometimes she talk too much. There are other worried animals too, and (big surprise) their teacher, an armadillo is also worried because it's his first teaching job. Suddenly everyone is working together to make school a worry free space for everyone. 

 This is a fun read for the worried child - everyone worries about something, but if you make the best of it, and help out when you can, things will be alright! I loved the cute illustrations, Liz Climo has kept the animals as animals (although they can talk) and I loved that Jory John represented each animal's worry with something innate about that animal that couldn't be helped - and turned out to be a strength.

Lisa Librarian

Black Belt Bunny by Jacky Davis -- OPTIONAL

Black Belt Bunny by Jacky Davis, PICTURE BOOK. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2017. $17. 9780525429029

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Now that Bunny has mastered karate, it's time for him to learn a new skill: how to make salads. At first he's skeptical, but when he discovers he can karate-chop his vegetables into salad-sized morsels, he realizes that maybe trying new things is, well, a good thing.

Bunny's story is adorable, and the twist at the end is cute, but salad-making isn't exactly a commonly-needed skill for five-year-olds, which means it will be a bit harder for kids to totally identify with Bunny's task. I wish Bunny had needed to do something a little more kid-friendly, because then I could more enthusiastically recommend the book.

Sydney G., Elementary Library Media Specialist

The Arabic Quilt : An Immigrant Story by Aya Khalil and Anait Semirdzhyan - ADVISABLE

The Arabic Quilt : An Immigrant Story by Aya Khalil, illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan, PICTURE BOOK Tilbury House, 2020. $18. 9780884487548 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Kanzi's family is from Egypt, they speak both English and Arabic, when they were in Egypt, Kanzi's grandmother made her a beautiful quilt. Now they are back in the United States and Kanzi is starting 3rd grade at a new school. While she embraces her culture at home, Kanzi is worried about fitting in at school - does she have the right things in her lunch, what will the other kids think, will they accept Kenzi and her culture? So, when Kenzi brings the special quilt to school her teacher is inspired to make a class quilt featuring all the kids' names written in Arabic, and Kenzi's mom comes to help. 

Such a nice way to celebrate the diversity of your classroom and honor the uniqueness of our bilingual/multicultural students. Includes a glossary of Arabic words and other English words derived from Arabic.

Lisa Librarian

I'm a Zcary Vampire by Jose Carlos Andres, illustrated by Gomez - ADVISABLE

I'm a Zcary Vampire by Jose Carlos Andres, illustrated by Gomez, PICTURE BOOK Nubeocho, 2020, $17. 9788417673857 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When the littlest vampire is too small to scare even a little girl, he is worried. The next day is his big scare test and he's going to need some help to pull it off. If he doesn't scare someone he will have to go to Banana Peeler School! 

What a funny story! The illustrations are creative yet childlike.  My grandchildren adored this book. They wanted to talk like the little vampire and practiced big "scares". Translated from Spanish, I have to wonder if the adorable "mock" Eastern European accent (just switch out your S for a Z) works in other languages, too. This will be an hilarious read aloud. 

Lisa Librarian

On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex - ESSENTIAL

On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex. PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle, 2020. $18. 9781452181547 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

A little girl finds out that it is seriously a bad idea to fall asleep chewing your gum! 

Rex’s words and illustrations are absolutely hilarious! This homage to The Old Who Swallowed a Fly is a comic delight! 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

A Jedi You Will Be (Star Wars) by Preeti Chhibber and Mike Deas - OPTIONAL

A Jedi You Will Be (Star Wars) by Preeti Chhibber, illustrated by Mike Deas. PICTURE BOOK. Disney, 2020. $18. 9781368057240 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

As Yoda teaches Luke Skywalker how to become a Jedi on Dagobah, he addresses the reader about what it takes to become a Jedi also. 

 While it is fun for me, having seen the movie several times, to see Luke going through his trials, I'm unsure how popular this actually be with a new generation of possible fans. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

I Dig by Joe Cepeda - ADVISABLE

I Dig by Joe Cepeda, PICTURE BOOK, EARLY READER I Like to Read Books (Holiday House), 2019. $16. 9780823439751 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When the ocean waves bring a boy a shovel, he begins to dig, and discovers, shells, a crab. starfish, and even a dog underground. He spends the rest of the day/evening looking at the stars with the dog and his brother? Dad?

The illustrations tell this great minimally worded story about a fun day on the beach. For a beginning reader, this is perfect. The illustrations give great context - no surprises, and there's lots of room for the child's imagination to fill in story.

Lisa Librarian