My Two Border Towns by David Bowles and Erika Meza - ADVISABLE

My Two Border Towns by David Bowles, illustrated by Erika Meza. PICTURE BOOK Kokila (Penguin Random House), 2021. $18. 9780593111048 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Every other Sunday, a little boy and his dad visit "the other side". They drive through town, and pay to cross at the border. The town on the other side of the river is the twin of the boy's town. They visit the boy's Uncle and cousins, then they get the things on mom's list, including t-shirts. treats and a prescription. On the way back, they stop on the bridge. The boy has a friend who is a refugee - living on the bridge because neither the US nor Mexico will take him. The boy leaves his family with many of the things they purchased, and they hope for the day everyone can travel freely back and forth 

Oh! What a surprise - this review is a bit of a spoiler, but so poignant, I couldn't leave it out. What started as a cute story about driving to another town to shop turned into a real life story about community, caring for each other, and the problems happening at the border, Wow. 

Lisa Librarian

In the Garden with Flori by Sonja Danowski and Marshall Yarbrough - ADVISABLE

In the Garden with Flori by Sonja Danowski, translated from German by Marshall Yarbrough. PICTURE BOOK North South, 2021. $20 9780735844582 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When Linn's grandpa ends up in the hospital with a broken foot, Linn offers to take care of his garden for him. Granpa's garden is in a greenhouse, so Linn gets to work watering, and Flori, her dog, gets to work digging, eventually digging himself out of the greenhouse. It rained that night, and by morning when Linn got to the greenhouse, there were snails everywhere! They had come in though the hole Flori dug and have munched on everything! Taking a picture for grandpa is now awkward - he's not going to like that the snails had a visit. Linn needs to think of something fast. 

Oh the beautiful illustrations! Linn's families clothes were so colorful, like patchwork quilts or harlequins. And the message of the story, being responsible and taking responsibility were great. I love the way grandpa reacted when he saw the damage the snails had done. It was also very interesting to read about the common snails in the "snail book".

Lisa Librarian

Look Grandma! Ni, Elisi! by Art Coulson and Madelyn Goodnight - ADVISABLE

Look Grandma! Ni, Elisi! by Art Coulson, Illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight. PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge, 2021. $16. 9781623542030 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Bo and his uncle Ben have been working on crafts to sell at the Cherokee National Holiday. Bo has been making marbles. His uncles invites him to come sell, he's finally old enough! So Bo looks for the perfect container, but the one he finds is too large for their small booth. How can he make the marbles fit in a container that takes up less space? 

I loved the realistic math problem and his different solutions - and the extra problems the "wrong" solution caused. The cultural connection was a nice bonus. The illustrations are great - and pair perfectly with the text. I loved that the reader gets to look at Bo's messy room to try and find the solution (before turning the page.) Includes some fun math activities, a note about playing Cherokee marbles, and a glossary of Cherokee words.

Lisa Librarian

Little Wonder by Claire Keane - ADVISABLE

Little Wonder by Claire Keane. PICTURE BOOK Chronicle Books, 2022 $18 9781797208121 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

An underwater boy, named Little Wonder, spends his day exploring and experiencing his world. The narration is a "letter" from his mother, which complements the illustrations. "High and low, near and far, your curiosity leads the way." 

I think this would make a nice bedtime story - the adventure is what dreams are made of - finding treasure, a mermaid, monsters (which are friendly) and some little bit scary situations - like finding the skeleton of a huge fish and then walking inside! A good first day of school book, one that will send the child off and assure them that mother will be their biggest cheerleader.

Lisa Librarian

Once Upon a Flower Girl by Marie Chow and Zoe Persico - OPTIONAL

Disney Princess: Once Upon a Flower Girl by Marie Chow, illustrated by Zoe Persico. PICTURE BOOK. Disney Press, 2021. $18. 9781368063654

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The idea of being a flower girl in a wedding is one many little girls dream about, but its also a responsibility many girls can be nervous to take on. This Disney picture book features many of the Disney princesses on their wedding days and shows the lessons and advice their flower girls need to succeed. 

As a fan of Disney and a fan of picture books I found this book to be wonderfully illustrated but the actual theme or story fell flat. I imagine this would be a sweet and easy gift for a flower girl and surely Disney Princess fans would be happy just to read another book featuring their favorites no matter the topic. But overall this is not one that I think most libraries need to have on the shelves. 

Reviewer: TC

Franklin Endicott and the Third Key by Kate DiCamillo - ADVISABLE

Franklin Endicott and the Third Key (Tales from Deckawoo Drive #6) by Kate DiCamillo. 103 pages. Candlewick Press, 2021. $16. 9781536201819.

Language: G (0 'swears'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Franklin Endicott is a kid with a lot of generalized anxiety. One day he goes on an errand with an elderly neighbor and receives an extra key--a third key!--he did not expect in his order. As Franklin bravely deals with this wrinkle, he finds a new friend and perhaps the advice he needs to finally put his worries to rest. 

This is the last book in this six-book series but the first that I've read, and I found it delightful. The story did strike me as one that adults would like kids to read perhaps more than one kids would be drawn to on their own. My only real complaint was the cartoon-y illustrations that I don't feel match the story at all. Overall a nice story and one that will probably be good to read aloud to my own kids--though its at a reading level they could easily tackle themselves. 

Reviewer: TC

The More the Merrier by David Martin and Raissa Figueroa - ADVISABLE

The More the Merrier by David Martin, illustrated by Raissa Figueroa. PICTURE BOOK Candlewick Press, 2021 $18 9781536209181 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

"I'm not like you, So I'll just do what I can do" Bear is on the way to something, and it's joyful dance seems contagious, as all the other animals join in with their own special moves - the more the merrier. 

Oh, what a fun read aloud! The lyrical verse, accompanied by the darling illustrations - I can see the kids out of their seats walking and dancing and galumphing and wiggling, even leaping and swooping. Find me some 1st graders!

Lisa Librarian

My Bindi by Gita Varadarajan, illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan - ESSENTIAL

My Bindi by Gita Varadarajan, illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan. PICTURE BOOK Orchard Books Scholastic Press, 2022. $18. 9781338598810 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When Divya's mother decides it's time for Divya to choose which bindi she will wear, she is so excited - they are all so beautiful - how will she choose? But she finds the perfect one. Her mother places it on her forehead. But, when Divya looks in the mirror, she is both proud and scared. What will her friends think? Many Hindu girls wear bindis but her friends aren't Hindu - will they understand its importance? 

Divya knows it makes her different, but when the teacher asks her to tell the class about it, Divya is very brave. She has the courage to embrace her culture. Such a beautiful story about finding your voice, and not being afraid to be yourself. Sreenivasan's illustrations are cute. Hindu children will relate to Divya, and I think other children will enjoy "My Bindi" as well.

Lisa Librarian

The Tinaja Tonight by Aimee M. Bissonette and.Syd Walker - ADVISABLE

The Tinaja Tonight by Aimee M. Bissonette, illustrated by Syd Walker. PICTURE BOOK, NON-FICTION Albert Whitman & Co., 2020 $18. 9780807579497 

EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A tinaja is a pool in the desert, formed by melting snow or rainfall. The desert animals come to the water at night, when the air is cooler. Animals like quail, javelina and jackrabbits keep a watchful eye out for predators, so do the deer, who can sense that a coyote is near. But, even the coyote is afraid of the mountain lion. Then the predators come, for a drink as well, bats and ringtails, foxes and owls. 

 The tinaja is life giving water for all who live in the desert. Walker's beautiful cover is a great sneak peak of the rest of the marvelous illustrations. Night is represented in purples and reds and blues - so lovely. The story is lyrical, and includes information blips with more stuff about the animals. Makes me want to find one of these tinaja's and hang around until dark, just to watch them all come out of hiding for a much needed drink.

Lisa Librarian

Goodnight Ganesha by Nadia Salomon, illustrated by Poonam Mistry - ESSENTIAL

Goodnight Ganesha by Nadia Salomon, illustrated by Poonam Mistry. PICTURE BOOK Philomel Books (Penguin), 2021. $18. 9780593203613 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Two children are getting ready for bed under the watchful eye of their grandparents. Nana prepares the bedroom, Tata reads stories. But Tata's snores keep the children awake, and Nana grants one more story. Soon, Ganesha is watching over the sleeping children. A beautiful tribute to Goodnight Moon and bedtime routines. 

I loved the repetition, the poetic text and all the Indian cultural references. Poonam Mistry's illustrations are breathtaking, so detailed! I got lost in the pages while reading, I can imagine how wonderful this would be as a bedtime story, but even more special for a child with connections to Hindu traditions.

Lisa Librarian

Chinese Kite Festival by Rich Lo - ESSENTIAL

Chinese Kite Festival by Rich Lo. PICTURE BOOK Holiday House, 2021 $19 9780823447640 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Chinese Kite Festival is a beautiful bilingual picture book. 

As each animal kite is identified, its name is highlighted in both the Chinese and the English text. There's a great glossary at the end which teaches what each animal represents in Chinese Culture. Rich Lo's illustrations are gorgeous. Showing my art teachers - I'd love to see these kites in the air. A magnificent book.

Lisa Librarian

A Feast for Joseph by Terry Farish, OD Bonny, and Ken Daley - ADVISABLE

A Feast for Joseph by Terry Farish and OD Bonny, pictures by Ken Daley. PICTURE BOOK Groundwood Books (House of Anansi Press), 2021 $19 9781773064383 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Joseph, who was a refugee from South Sudan, remembers the camp and everyone eating together. Now it's just Joseph and his mother, and it doesn't feel like enough people are there. He's hoping his Abubu will be able to make the journey too, or maybe his cousins and aunts and uncles, but so far, they can't find time. He invites his teacher and his neighbors . . . won't anyone come for dinner? 

I loved his good memories of the camp, and the connections with the food his mother makes. I loved that his friend made positive comments about his home lunch, and how Joseph is so positive and sweet. Gosh, I wish he'd invite me to dinner!

Lisa Librarian