Fraser the Forest Ranger by Matthew Schufman - OPTIONAL

Fraser the Forest Ranger by Matthew Schufman. PICTURE BOOK Random House Studio, 2023. $19. 9780593648278 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Fraser loves being a forest ranger, but sometimes he gets lonely. He decides he should go out into the world to see if he can find a friend. What he finds is friendship in an unimagined place. 

Schufman's story is simple and cute - a nice story about looking for friendship, but without much depth. Fraser is white. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Where Have You Been, Little Cat? by Richard Jones - ESSENTIAL

Where Have You Been, Little Cat? by Richard Jones. PICTURE BOOK Peachtree, 2023. $19. 1682635643 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Have you ever wondered where your cat goes during the day? A little girl eagerly awaits the tap she hears on the door, signaling that her cat is back from its adventure. She always asks, "Where have you been, little cat?" As she asks questions to her cat, the illustrations provide fun examples of what the little cat has been up to. Although the cat has fun adventures, she always comes home in the end. 

Although this book appears to be pretty simple in plot, the illustrations help drive it. They help the reader see what the little cat does when it is away. It is quite funny and sweet. My five year old daughter and I really enjoyed this book. She loved the humor from the illustrations. 

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

Drake the super-excited overeager in-your-face Snake by Michaele Razi - ADVISABLE

Drake the super-excited overeager in-your-face Snake by Michaele Razi. PICTURE BOOK Little Bigfoot (Sasquatch), 2023. $18. 9781632173539 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Drake the snake loves to play and loves to give hugs. When the other animals tell him they don't like playing or hugging without permission, he at first doesn't listen. He quickly learns, however, that asking first is always more fun than being a pest. 

A very gentle and and nonjudgmental way to show kids how to interact with each other in ways better to make everyone happy. While some might point fingers and talk about consent as a bad thing, asking permission and being kind are never out of fashion. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Our Classroom Rules! by Kallie George and Jay Fleck - ESSENTIAL

Our Classroom Rules! by Kallie George illustrated by Jay Fleck PICTURE BOOK Rodale Kids 2023 $13.00 0593378784 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Why does this classroom rule? It is filled with little kid animals such as porcupines, bears, and rabbits that all love to go to school. This story is told in a way that explains important rules and mindsets such as being on time, working together, and that it is ok to make mistakes. Mistakes are just part of learning. 

This is told with funny side comments from the animals, especially two earthworms. I liked this book because it had a great message for young students about school. It showed them excellent examples of how to follow the rules and to be kind to all. The illustrations were highly engaging. 

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

Skybound! by Sue Ganz-Schmitt, and Jacopo Bruno - ADVISABLE

Skybound! Starring Mary Myers as Carlotta, Daredevil Aeronaut and Scientist by Sue Ganz-Schmitt, illustrated by Jacopo Bruno. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY Calkins Creek (Astra), 2024 $19. 9781635928150 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Mary Myers had her head in the clouds - literally! She dreamed of flying and worked with her husband on the science of aeronautics - even helping create a new fabric for balloons, even though it was dangerous to formulate. It isn't until she is 30 that she finally goes up in a balloon of her own - on her own - and doesn't ever stop. 

How fabulous! I love that Ganz-Schmitt and Bruno have brought Mary forward from the fringes of history and back into the limelight she so deserves. Our 9th graders build hot air balloons with tissue paper every spring, so I am very excited to be able to share this with them. The main text is exciting to read and view. The back matter is a great supplement, with a few photographs and artifacts of "Carlotta" and her exploits. Carlotta is white. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Cinderella and a Mouse Called Fred by Deborah Hopkinson and Paul O. Zelinsky - ADVISABLE

Cinderella and a Mouse Called Fred by Deborah Hopkinson illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. PICTURE BOOK Anne Schwartz Books, 2023. $19. 0593480031 

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

 AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

This is not your average Cinderella fairy tale. Told as a fractured fairy tale, it starts off with a mouse named Fred, who later is transformed into the horse that pulls Ella's carriage to the ball. The fairy godmother is more grouchy than kind, and Ella doesn't like the Prince because she likes to garden and he doesn't. Luckily, love will prevail and Ella will find her own happy ending, girl power style. 

This was a fun book to read because the characters were so different than the traditional ones portrayed in Cinderella. The plot has a different story line, especially at the end. It was silly enough that young and older readers would enjoy this book. Cinderella falls in love with a female farmer and marries her. 

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

The Fabulous Fannie Farmer by Emma Bland Smith and Susan Reagan - ADVISABLE

The Fabulous Fannie Farmer: Kitchen Scientist and America's Cook by Emma Bland Smith, illustrated by Susan Reagan. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY Calkins Creek (Astra), 2024. $19. 9781635926125 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

After a bout of polio when she was 16yo, Fannie turned to her love of cooking. It wasn't until she was 31 that she entered the Boston Cooking School, going on to become the principal. Dissatisfied with cookbooks of her day, Fannie and her students started experimenting and standardizing the measurements and instructions for recipes - pioneering a new standard and helping home cooks for generations. 

While text heavy, Smith still keeps the story simple and engaging, supported by Reagan's old-fashioned illustrations. Every cooking class would welcome this addition. Fanny is white. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Mine! by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohman - ESSENTIAL

Mine! by Candace Fleming illustrated by Eric Rohman. PICTURE BOOK Anne Schwartz Books, 2023. $19. 9780593181669 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Up in the tree is a shiny, red, delicious looking apple. Different creatures such as a mouse, hare, bear, and fox all lay in wait for the apple to fall to the ground. Each animal daydreams about how delicious the apple will be. Finally the wind knocks the apple off the tree! A scuffle begins. Who will end up with the apple? It's not who you would expect! 

This was a great book. It had repetitive words such as "mine," which helps young readers engage and predict what will be said next. The illustrations were darling and went well with the text. The ending was especially fun with the surprise ending that also teaches a lesson. 

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Teacher

The Fastest Drummer: clap your hands for Viola Smith by Dean Robbins and Susanna Chapman - ADVISABLE

The Fastest Drummer: clap your hands for Viola Smith by Dean Robbins, illustrated by Susanna Chapman. PICTURE BOOK, BIOGRAPHY Candlewick, 2024. $18. 9781536224863 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

As part of her family's all-girl jazz band, Viola loved the drums and would always talk to other, more seasoned, drummers at their shows, trading tips and tricks. When the other girls left to pursue other interests, Viola formed her own band and advocated for women in music throughout her 107 year life. 

Viola's enthusiasm shines through a rare combination of enthusiasts text and swooping illustrations. What a fun book for any music class. There are some videos of Viola on the internet - so a great way to back-up the picture book with footage of her playing. Viola and her family are white; some of the other drummers are Black. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

I'm An American by Darshana Khiani and Laura Freeman - ADVISABLE

I'm An American by Darshana Khiani illustrated by Laura Freeman. PICTURE BOOK Viking Books for Young Readers, 2023. $20. 9780593464724 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

This picture book explains what it means to be an American from multiple kids' experiences and backgrounds. Different children share their stories on how their ancestors came to America. Other kids are new to the country and are still adjusting to their lives in America. Some kids are grateful for basic human rights, while others appreciate the freedom of religion. This book recognizes Native Americans, same gender parents, and Russian Jews to name a few. 

Although this book was filled with great information, it was hard to get through. There was too much text on each page. My five year old daughter lost interest and didn't want to finish reading it. It seemed a little repetitive and was too long. All of the characters' voices were from different cultures, races, and origins. 

A. Criswell, English Language Teacher

Tala Learns to Siva by Kealani Netane, and Dung Ho - ESSENTIAL

Tala Learns to Siva by Kealani Netane, illustrated by Dung Ho. PICTURE BOOK Orchard (Scholastic), 2024. $19. 9781338859324 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Young Tala wants to dance the taualuga, a traditional Samoan dance, as beautifully as her Aunty Sina. While Tala can practice the steps, the final key - dancing to express love and reverence for her ancestors - will have to come from her heart. 

LOVE that there is another picture book from a national publishing house reverencing Polynesian culture. Ho's illustrations are bright and capture the beauty of the islands. Any school with Polynesian students needs to add this to their collection. Great for a simple lesson on the cultures or on dance in general. All of the characters are Samoan. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

One Of A Kind by Richard Michelson and Sarah Green - OPTIONAL

One Of A Kind by Richard Michelson illustrated by Sarah Green. PICTURE BOOK, BIOGRAPHY Calkins Creek, 2024. $19. 9781635925319 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Sarah (her birth name) was a poor Jewish immigrant living in a poor, smelly, noisy, neighborhood in New York. Her parents had been fancy and rich until the German government took their money and put Papa in jail. Sarah noticed all the unfairness around her, and wanted to change things. She changed her name to Sydney. She pushed the limits for women and Jews. She joined a socialist club. She wrote a book called All-Of-A Kind Family. She tried to publish it. No one was interested. After World War II, she sent it in to a contest. Was the world finally ready for her book? 

Michelson interestingly portrays Sydney Taylor's life and how she was a strong voice against anti-Semitism, low wages, and helping others to feel represented. The illustrations are nice and reflect the emotion of the story. 

PGPowers