Prehistoric Pets by Dr. Dean Lomax and Mike Love - ESSENTIAL

Prehistoric Pets by Dr. Dean Lomax, Illustrated by Mike Love NON-FICTION, INTERACTIVE PICTURE BOOK Templar Books (Candlewick Press), 2021. $18. 9781536217148 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Did you know your pet has animal ancestors? Dr. Dean Lomax (a paleontologist) tells about the pet, i.e guinea pig, gold fish, parakeet, cat or dog; the kind of animal - rodent, bird, fish; and then, when you open the fold out page, the prehistoric animal ancestor pops up and you learn all about them! So full of great facts, and colorfully illustrated. Dr. Lomax shows what their fossil looks like, where they lived, even what they ate. 

Ok, pop-up books are usually for the little kids, but I was thoroughly surprised and engaged when I opened the flap and there was a huge snake! (or saber tooth cat or Velociraptor). The informational pieces are in text boxes which are also fully illustrated, and I've gone back to re-read several times because it's just so cool. Putting this copy in my middle school library, but taking it up to show the Natural History Museum so they can get copies in their gift shop.

Lisa Librarian

Blossom and Bud by Frank J Sileo and Brittany E. Lakin - ESSENTIAL

Blossom and Bud by Frank J Sileo, illustrated by Brittany E. Lakin. PICTURE BOOK Magination Press, 2021. $17. 9781433835162 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

There are lots of different flowers in the flowershop. Blossom and Bud are two flowers who don't like their looks. Blossom feels she is too tall, and Bud wants to be a bloom, rather than a bud. But on a busy morning, when all the flowers were needed for a big wedding, Blossom and Bud discover that they are just the perfect size for what the florist needs. 

 Magination does a great job of teaching sensitive topics, and this one, about body image is terrific. I loved pointing out to AJ the sad faces on Blossom and Bud when the other flowers were being rude. And she was so excited to see them in the final page, happy and excited about their role in the wedding. The note to adult "florists" includes a description of body image and ideas for nurturing a healthy body image, including focusing on your child's inner qualities, being mindful of bullying and celebrating diversity.

Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 5)

13 Ways to Eat a Fly by Sue Heavenrich and David Clark - HIGH

13 Ways to Eat a Fly by Sue Heavenrich, illustrated by David Clark PICTURE BOOK, NON-FICTION Charlesbridge, 2021 $17.00 9781580898904 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

So many things eat flies - they are the food source for at least 13 - frogs, spiders, water striders, wasps, fish, birds and more. And because it's 13 ways - the reader also learns HOW they are eaten. From catching a fly in a web, to a fungus that infects them - eating the fly from the inside, it's a good thing they are so abundant! 

Delightfully illustrated by David Clark, what sounds like it could be a gross book, really isn't. So full of information, both fly and consumer are identified as part of the illustration, and the simple explanation is just perfect. Includes "nutrition facts", a chart of the parts of the fly, a thorough bibliography, websites and books for additional reading. I'm at a middle school and will be adding this to my books about insects.

Lisa Librarian

What to Do When the News Scares You by Jacqueline B. Toner, PhD, and Janet McDonnell -

What to Do When the News Scares You: A Kid's Guide to Understanding Current Events by Jacqueline B. Toner, PhD, illustrated by Janet McDonnell 80 pages NON-FICTION, ACTIVITY BOOK Magination Press 2021 $17 9781433836978 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When children see, hear, or read the news, they are often worried or confused about what is happening. They may have feelings that are uncomfortable or make them unhappy. Sometimes the way news is reported makes it scarier. Readers are taught about viewpoints, sources and ways to discover if what they are hearing is real. 

This is a hands on workbook, with opportunities for the reader to write and draw about personal information - so I might be concerned buying this for the library. However, it's a great guide to information literacy. The child can respond throughout in words or drawings "Draw a picture of something you saw on TV" or "list 2 adults you can tell your worries to"; they can watch a news story and notice the things that make it seem more exciting. I loved that it began with notes for Parents and Caregivers and recommends that it be read together. I couldn't find any accommodations in the copyright for use in the classroom, but it would make a great springboard for preparing a lesson about the news. Buying advisory is listed as optional because it is a workbook.

Lisa Librarian

Tiny T. Rex and the Tricks of Treating by Jonathan Stutzman and Jay Fleck - ADVISABLE

Tiny T. Rex and the Tricks of Treating by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Jay Fleck. BOARD BOOK Chronicle Kids, 2021. $8. 9781452184906 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Tiny T. Rex and his friends are going trick or treating, and tell about the tricks of getting the best treats. We learn about costumes, planning, knowing the different candy and being safe. 

"The Tricks of Treating" is a fun read in preparation for Halloween.  AJ especially loved the funny costumes.  With 3 other books in the series, I can see that children would love these characters. While you don't need to start with "Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug" having the whole set available would be great for your library.

Lisa Librarian and AJ age 5

Where's the Polar Bear? illustrated by Ingela P. Arrhenius - ESSENTIAL

Where's the Polar Bear? illustrated by Ingela P. Arrhenius. BOARD BOOK, ACTIVITY BOOK Nosy Crow, 2021. $9. 9781536220117

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre K - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Looking for animals of the north? This sturdy peek a boo lift the flap book is a fun play alone or as a read along. The pictures are covered by a piece of colored felt in the shape of the other illustrations on the page, and we loved the surprise at the end.

Lisa Librarian and AJ age 5

Donuts! Made with Love by Lea Redmond and Flora Waycott - ADVISABLE

Donuts! Made with Love by Lea Redmond, illustrated by Flora Waycott, 20 pages. BOARD BOOK, ACTIVITY BOOK Chronicle Kids, 2021. $10. 9781707210827 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Yummy donuts! This adorable board book is shaped like a donut with a hole right in the middle you can peek through.  It's a guessing game, full page illustration with a clue  i.e. "made with fruit" or "flavor begins with tree sap" and when the page is turned, the donut has a bite out of it, with the flavor printed in the bite space. 

AJ liked finding the matching donut to the cover, and waited for her favorite donut (it was there - chocolate with sprinkles). Baby will like the hole, as it makes the book easy to hold and the pages simple to turn.  

Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 5)

Mystery on Magnolia Circle by Kate Klise - ADVISABLE

Mystery on Magnolia Circle by Kate Klise 208 pages. Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan), 2021. $17. 

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When 10yo Ivy breaks her leg on the first day of summer vacation, she's sure this will be the worst summer ever. But when she witnesses what might be a burglary in her neighborhood, Ivy becomes an amateur detective. With the help of her best friend Teddy - who is dealing with his own trauma, Ivy's boring summer might just turn into a crime solving, friend saving miracle summer. 

Mystery on Magnolia Circle is a fun summer read, but also contains themes of homelessness, mental illness, friendship and grief. At the end of every chapter, Ivy responds with "what she learned" which was my favorite part. The seemingly heavy topics are addressed age appropriately and don't bring down the story. I really liked it, it will appeal to both boys and girls. 

Lisa Librarian

Twinkle Twinkle Little Kid by Drew Daywalt - OPTIONAL

Twinkle Twinkle Little Kid by Drew Daywalt, 40 pages. PICTURE BOOK. Philomel Books (Penguin Random House), 2021. $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

For two weeks, Clyde wishes upon a star. One night, the star wishes on him, too.

With every page, I fell more in love with Idle’s illustrations. The story was a cute idea, but the wordiness made it feel longer than it is. I would have enjoyed the book more if the language was more concise.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Bird Who Swallowed a Star by Laurie Cohen - OPTIONAL

The Bird Who Swallowed a Star by Laurie Cohen, 36 pages. PICTURE BOOK. Schiffer Kids (Schiffer Publishing), 2021. $17.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Swallowing a star changed the bird. Now he’s bright as a diamond and no one wants to be his friend.

Readers follow this bird as he tries to find where he belongs, a universal struggle. The bird’s persistence pays off but not right away. I love the reality of multiple attempts to find the best solution, and I love the simplistic style of Demuro’s illustrations.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

Every Little Kindness by Marta Bartolj - OPTIONAL

Every Little Kindness by Marta Bartolj, 72 pages. PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2021. $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Even when she’s sad, the girl's an act of kindness changes everyone’s day for good.

I love the simple story shown and lesson taught exclusively through pictures. Kindness needs no words, so Bartolj doesn’t use them.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Silenzio, Bruno! by Meredith Rusu - ADVISABLE

Silenzio, Bruno!: When in Doubt, Shout It Out! by Meredith Rusu, 40 pages. PICTURE BOOK. Disney Press (Buena Vista Books), 2021. $17.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Do you ever hear a voice telling you to be scared to try new things? That voice’s name is Bruno, and it’s time to tell him to be quiet!

The whole book is encouragement to try new things even if they’re a little scary. While I like that Rusu uses the familiar characters from the movie Luca to get her message across, she never introduces the main narrator of the story and she references experiences in the movie without explaining all of them. As a picture book, the audience might not care about those details, but seeing the movie gives the characters more context.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen