What Will I Discover? by Tanya Lloyd Kyi and Rachel Qiuqi - ADVISABLE

What Will I Discover? by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, illustrated by Rachel Qiuqi. PICTURE BOOK (K-3rd grade) Greystone Kids, 2023. $19. 9781771648615 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A child ponders about how scientists seem to know everything about the world. They know that otters tie themselves to kelp. so they won't float away while they sleep. They know many things about deserts, starfish, macaws, glass frogs, Antarctica, and emperor penguins. Scientists know some things about dinosaurs, space, Mars and the human brain. But the child still has questions that scientists don't have answers to like, "Why does every humpback whale sing a different song?" and, "Do far away suns have planets like ours?". Then the child's biggest question of all is, "What will I discover?". 

What Will I Discover? gently stimulates the imagination of the young reader. I enjoyed the delightful storytelling illustrations and interesting questions that helped me feel curious about the world around me. The main character is dark skinned. It is difficult to tell what gender he or she is. 

PGPowers 

This Story is Not About a Kitten by Randall de Seve and Carson Ellis - ESSENTIAL

This Story is Not About a Kitten by Randall de Seve illustrated by Carson Ellis. PICTURE BOOK (K-3rd grade) Random House Studio, 2022. $19. 9780593374535 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A mother and daughter out for a walk to find a kitten. They need help, and we see the action domino through the neighborhood as more residents come to help. A tribute to community efforts and cooperation. 

I don't love the repetitive phrases, but young children might enjoy the predictability. The pictures are a well-integrated part of the story giving clues about what it coming and reflecting what has happened. I love that the story says the kitten put up a fight and then the little girl is shown with band aids on her arms. Ethnically diverse cast of characters reflecting different races and cultures of origin. 

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian 

Black Gold by Laura Obuobi and London Ladd - OPTIONAL

Black Gold by Laura Obuobi, illustrated by London Ladd. PICTURE BOOK Harper Collins Children's Books, 2022. $19. 9780063015760 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

A black mother tells her daughter the story of how she was created by the universe. After she was created by the universe, the sun gave her light and the moon gave her wisdom. All of her physical and spiritual attributes were created with purpose. The mother tells her daughter this story to give her confidence in who she is. 

The pictures are bright and intriguing. The text was very meaningful. The message of this book was "be happy with who you are" which many kids in today's world need to hear. I am just wondering if this book would only appeal to a limited audience. 

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

The Brilliant Calculator by Jan Lower and Susan Reagan - ADVISABLE

The Brilliant Calculator: How Mathematician Edith Clarke Helped Electrify America by Jan Lower, illustrated by Susan Reagan. PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY Calkins Creek (Astra), 2023 $19.00 9781662680069 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Born in 1882, Edith Clarke loved math and engineering and wanted to use it to make modern life better. But those paths were closed to women. She persisted in her own way first teaching, and then attending college, even if she was older than the others, and teaching more and heading back to school herself. In 1921 her Clarke Calculator helped electric engineers complete needful calculations faster and landed her a job as America's first female electrical engineer, improving electrical transmission and telephone lines for all. Clarke never stops teaching, never stops inventing, and never stops learning. 

I love a good biography that tells the story of another woman who forged ahead despite the odds - and brought her name out from obscurity. While a longer read for a picture book biography, it is not unwieldy. Lots of information about Edith is easily available on the Internet. Combine with the many female picture book biographies available for a great unit of study. Edith is white. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Love Without Bounds by Drs. Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council, and Carolyn Choi, and Ashley Seil Smith - ADVISABLE

Love Without Bounds: an Intersections Allies book about families by Drs. Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council, and Carolyn Choi, illustrated by Ashley Seil Smith. PICTURE BOOK Dottir Press, 2023. $20. 9781948340519 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Families come in all shapes and sizes. Each of them is meant to be cherished and to be a place where each member can feel cherished. Sometimes laws and the attitudes of others make some families feel less-than. 

The authors' second look at a bigger concept of belonging is a bit more cumbersome than the original IntersectionAllies, but the message is no less joyful. Smith's exuberant illustrations, though minimalist, work in a joyful way to convey the message. And the anthem, We Are A Family! We Love Without Bounds! is fun to shout. The illustrations represent a colorful panoply of ethnicities and genders.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Can We Please Give the Police Department to the Grandmothers? by Junauda Petrus and Kristen Uroda - NO

Can We Please Give the Police Department to the Grandmothers? by Junauda Petrus, illustrated by Kristen Uroda. PICTURE BOOK (K-3rd grade) Dutton (Penguin), 2023. $19 9780593462331 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - NOT RECOMMENDED 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

The author postulates that America would be a better place if the grandmother had the resources and the authority of the police. 

While the sentiment is sincere and loving, the idea is based on a fantasy. If grandmothers really had this much power - of stopping anger and violence through love - then they would already be able to stop the violence in their communities. I was saddened by the idea that people would believe this was a real solution. The characters are all Black. 

Cindy, Library Teacher 

Stars of the Night by Caren Stelson and Selina Alko - ADVISABLE

Stars of the Night; The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport by Caren Stelson, illustrated by Selina Alko. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Carolrhoda (Lerner), 2023 $20. 9781541598683 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The Jewish children of Prague weren't sure what was going on, but their parents were whispering and making plans as Adolf Hitler and his anti-Jewish war machine tightened their grip on their country. With the help of an unknown (to the children) man, they are given papers and loaded onto trains into the unknown - to safety. At the end of the war, the children return to Prague to find their parents, but very few of them do. 

I love every precious book I read about the Holocaust and believe that we need to start younger and explain the time to our children. Stelson makes me cry and you will cry too when you watch a bit of the BBC segment showing Nicholas Winton (the unknown man) meeting an audience full of the children (now adults) whom he saved. I only didn't rate this ESSENTIAL, because not every school has a teacher who teaches about the Holocaust. But where you do, make sure you buy this one! 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Hooked on Books by Margaret Chiu Greanias and Kristyna Litten - ADVISABLE

Hooked on Books by Margaret Chiu Greanias, illustrated by Kristyna Litten. PICTURE BOOK. Peachtree, 2023. $19. 9781682633670 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Pearl the anglerfish just wants to find some peace and quiet so that she can enjoy her book. But the other marine animals keep finding her and wanting to read the book too. She goes to great lengths to find a quiet spot. When she is finished, however, she realizes that reading alone and friendless may not be exactly what she wants. 

I love that the author introduces us to new concepts like yeti crabs and marine snow! Pearl is pretty cute with her built in reading light. Add this to a collection about books and reading if needed. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Border Crossings by Sneed Collard III and Howard Gray - ADVISABLE

 Border Crossings by Sneed Collard III, illustrated by Howard Gray. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2023. $18. 9781623542382 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A male ocelot heads south in search of a mate, but is stopped when it encounter a tall, long wall that is too high to climb and too close to wriggle through. While some places are still open, too much is now creating an artificial barrier that stops not only humans, but animals also. 

Collard brings to life how the border wall effects more that humans, with no solutions, only worry about what will happen if the whole thing is actually built. The afterward touches on the human toll and more about how much human politics effects animal life. An easy fit for science class, but if I had a modern government class in my school, I would take this to the teacher immediately. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

How Does Santa Get Down the Chimney? By Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen - HIGH

How Does Santa Get Down the Chimney? By Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2023. $19. 9781536223767 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Barnett and Klassen don’t have any answers about how Santa gets into every house on Christmas Eve, but they ask lots of good questions and have loads of ideas about the trick of it. Klassen brings a retro feel with his illustrations that hits the right note – classy, not cheesy! 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Five Little Penguins by Lily Murray and Holly Surplice - ADVISABLE

Five Little Penguins by Lily Murray, illustrated by Holly Surplice. LIFT-the-FLAP PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2022. $17. 9781536232608 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Each day mother penguin takes her five little penguins out to play. But each day one fewer penguin comes home. Where could they all be? Will they arrive home in time for Christmas day? 

The flaps are thick paper, easy to crinkle, so I wouldn’t let the littlest ones handle this on their own. But for adorable penguin illustrations, I would take the risk for a winter picture book collection. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Great Carrier Reef by Jessica Stremer and Gordy Wright - ADVISABLE

 Great Carrier Reef by Jessica Stremer, illustrated by Gordy Wright. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Holiday House, 2023. $19. 9780823452682 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The old carrier ship may be of no use on top of the waves any more, but it is about to start a new life on the ocean floor as an artificial reef – a new home for ocean life of all sorts. 

Stremer has filled a hole in the science picture book spectrum with this simple, true book about a single carrier becoming an artificial reef. Whether you are teaching a unit on ships, or ecosystems, or human-nature interactions, I can think of lots of ways to use this book. And a simple Google search yields articles and sites about artificial reefs from history. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS