The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi - ESSENTIAL

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi. PICTURE BOOK. Knopf (Random), 2022. $18. 9780375806131

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Unhei is ready for her first day of school in America, but none of the kids on the bus can say her name correctly, so she decides to tell her new class that she needs to pick a name. They are kind and give her lots of suggestions of their favorite names. Then a chance encounter helps Unhei appreciate her own name.

A great beginning of school read aloud to help all of us remember that our own names can be just right and that we can all learn each other’s with just a little practice and patience. While a little long in text, very much worth the time.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Poopsie Gets Lost by Hannah E. Harrison - ESSENTIAL

Poopsie Gets Lost by Hannah E. Harrison. PICTURE BOOK. Dial (Penguin), 2022. $19. 9780593324172

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The narrator is tired of watching the pampered Poopsie groom herself and suggest the cat do something much more exciting – like go outside. But will the narrator help, or will they walk Poopsie right into danger?

Harrison’s wry voice shines through, along with her gorgeous illustrations. Children will alternately scared for Poopsie and cheer her on throughout her adventures. The author leaves the narrative eon just the right note. Great jungle-y endpapers, too!

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

I'm a Volcano! by Bridget Heos and Mike Ciccotello - ESSENTIAL

I'm a Volcano! by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Mike Ciccotello. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION. Crown Books for Young Readers (Random), 2022. $19. 9780593302880

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Kids love volcanoes and they'll love this book. This book discusses two types of volcanoes and it explains the causes of eruptions. It talks about how and why scientists study volcanoes. The book offers explanations for the eruptions and how they differ. It also covers the benefits of volcanoes to our planet and to us.

The art work incorporates the words that describe the different eruptions, which gives a visual for the book. There's a section at the back listing famous volcanoes and volcanoes that changed history. The book has charts that show the science and inner workings of the earth and volcanoes. I also like that the book uses volcano vocabulary.

Wendi Smart, Librarian 

The Notebook Keeper by Stephen Briseno and Magdalena Mora - ADVISABLE

The Notebook Keeper: a story of kindness from the border by Stephen Briseno and Magdalena Mora. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2022. $18. 9780593307052

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Noemi and her mama are fleeing the violence in their village. When they arrive at the border, they are told to find the notebook keeper and get their name in the book. As they wait for days, and then weeks, then months, Noemi wonders how each notebook keeper is chosen.

The back matter teaches that until Covid shut down the border, each notebook keeper was someone waiting for their own number to be called. Briseno and Mora tell a poignant story that very few people would previously know. I was glad to learn from them. The illustrations have just the right dreamy, washed look to them and very pretty end papers and a unique cover wrap.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

How to Draw a Happy Cat by Ethan T. Berlin and Jimbo Matison - ADVISABLE

How to Draw a Happy Cat by Ethan T. Berlin, illustrated by Jimbo Matison. PICTURE BOOK. Hippo Park (Astra), 2022. $19. 9781662640049

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The artists want to help us draw a happy cat, but our cat is sad. Can we help our cat be happy? How do you draw an airplane?

Berlin and Matison’s how-to book takes making a sad cat happy to an absurd level. I can see a room of budding artists coming with their own wacky ways to make a cat happy – or maybe a chicken?

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

So Much Snow by Kristen Schroeder and Sarah Jacoby - ADVISABLE

So Much Snow by Kristen Schroeder, illustrated by Sarah Jacoby. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2022. $19. 9780593308202

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

It's a Monday, and it starts snowing. The snow continues for the week. As it snows, the world become white. The animals wonder how high the snow will go. Then, one day, the sun comes out.

I liked the sequencing of the days of the week. The art work is great and shows a range of colors that helps with the sequencing of the story.

Wendi Smart, Librarian 

The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher and Shane DeVries - ADVISABLE

The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Shane DeVries. PICTURE BOOK Random House. 2021. $19. 9780593566169 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Christmasaurus is a one-of-a-kind dinosaur who lives at the North Pole. His wish is to someday pull the sleigh on Christmas Eve, but first he must learn how to fly. Eating flying raindeer food didn't work. He'll need to wait and try next Christmas. The Christmasaurus tried thinking happy thoughts, only to crash again. The next year Santa had wings made for him, but when even that didn't work, Santa invited him along, to ride in the sleigh. But when he falls into a chimney and Santa flies away, leaving the Christmasaurus behind. 

Lyrical text and gorgeous illustrations make The Christmasaurus a fun holiday read. Nicely tightened down from Fletcher's novel; bringing the story to a picture book makes so much sense.  

Lisa Librarian

Bessie the Motorcycle Queen by Charles R. Smith Jr., and Charlot Kristensen - OPTIONAL

Bessie the Motorcycle Queen by Charles R. Smith Jr., illustrated by Charlot Kristensen. PICTURE BOOK, BIOGRAPHY Scholastic Press (Scholastic). 2022. $19. 9781338848373 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Bessie the Motorcycle Queen competes in races and performs exhibition rides. People are often surprised to see her dark face when she takes off her helmet. Most places are welcoming and friendly, but the further south Bessie travels, the more careful she needs to be, as there was a lot of racism in the deep south, and it wasn't safe for a black woman, alone on the road. 

Bessie the Motorcycle Queen is another look at the prejudice African Americans faced in the 20s and 30s. I enjoyed the illustrations, and the story - I love these short biographies. Kristensen's illustrations of the racist signs in the town said more than the text ever could. I struggled with the text on and off throughout the story - Smith expands the vowels to make it sound like a carnival barker, but if pronounced the way it's written would not be understood. The text is lyrical, but some of the rhymes are a stretch. There's a point, however, in the middle of the story, when Bessie is being pursued by a truck of men - most likely KKK, where the text is brilliant - it reads like the thrum of the motorcycles on the road. I wish the rest of the story was so well written.

Lisa Librarian

Howard the Average Gecko by Wendy Meddour and Carmen Saldana - HIGH

Howard the Average Gecko by Wendy Meddour, illustrated by Carmen Saldana. PICTURE BOOK. Peachtree, 2021. $18. 9781682634349

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Howard thinks he is an exceptional Gecko and that he is the only camouflaged creature in the rain forest. Other camouflaged creatures are all around him, but he has never noticed them. Finally, a stick insect that is tired of Howard bragging awakens him to all the other camouflaged creatures in the forest. Howard is now sad that he is just average and no longer special. Then he meets another creature that helps him feel loved and important.

Howard the Average Gecko is an engaging story that also teaches us about Geckos and other camouflaged insects in the rain forest. The illustrations are beautiful and contain hidden camouflaged creatures. It is fun to see how many creatures you can find in the book.

PGPowers 

Franny's Fix-it Shop by Edward Miller - HIGH

Franny's Fix-it Shop by Edward Miller. PICTURE BOOK. Holiday House, 2022. $19. 9780823443376

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Franny is a girl who can fix anything. She encourages people to repair and reuse rather that throw things away. She fixes her friends wagon and makes it look new again. Franny explains the different simple machines that make up each item she fixes. She fixes a skateboard, wheelbarrow, scissors, and a go-kart. She even helps Mr. Mayor.

Franny’s Fix-it shop is a fun and interesting way to teach children about the physics of simple machines and how they use them in their everyday lives. I also liked the principles taught such as it is better to fix and reuse things instead of just throwing everything away, and fixing things is easy if you break them down into parts. The illustrations are bright, fun, clear and informative.

PGPowers 

A Mermaid Girl by Sana Rafi, illustrated by Olivia Aserr - ADVISABLE

A Mermaid Girl by Sana Rafi, illustrated by Olivia Aserr. PICTURE BOOK Viking (Penguin). 2022. $18. 9780593327609 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Heba has a brand new Burkini to wear to the community pool! Mama has a matching one. But when they get to the pool, Heba's friends have all sorts of questions and comments. Soon, she doesn't feel like she fits in. When she voices her concern, her mother has wise advice. 

Olivia Aserr's beautiful illustrations highlight Sana Rafi's sweet story about courage and acceptance. I've never seen anyone in a burkini, and loved the tone of the book - Heba did not get angry or defensive when her friends were asking about it, she just showed them she could do everything they could. AJ liked the story, and the illustrations - her favorite part was the friends swimming together at the pool. 

Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 7)

Doña Esmeralda, Who Ate Everything! by Melissa De La Cruz and Primo Gallanosa - ADVISABLE

Doña Esmeralda, Who Ate Everything! by Melissa De La Cruz, illustrated by Primo Gallanosa PICTURE BOOK Orchard Books (Scholastic). 2022. $19. 9781338751611 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Doña Esmeralda is a small woman who is voraciously hungry. She eats the food that children refuse and she drinks diet soda. If a child doesn't like something, Doña Esmeralda can hear them, and comes to slurp it up with her straw - even liver and onions, even brussels sprouts, even giniling! But one day, children begin eating all their food, and Doña Esmeralda is desperate! 

What a fun modern folk tale! I loved all the different words De La Cruz used for eating (gobbling, chewing, wolfing, gorging, etc.) and the lists of foods - expertly illustrated by Gallanosa. Includes a nice author's note, with her inspiration for the story as well as her mom's delicious recipe for lumpia. AJ thought the story was funny and she loved the silly pictures. 

 Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 7)