Neck & Neck by Elise Parsley - ADVISABLE

Neck & Neck by Elise Parsley. PICTURE BOOK. Little, Brown and Company, 2018. $18. 9780316466745.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL-ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: EL-AVERAGE

Leopold is a giraffe who loves being the center of attention at the zoo. When a young boy starts praising his giraffe balloon as being better than the real thing, Leopold gets a little bent out of shape.

The best part of this book are the illustrations--I love them. The reactions on Leopold's face are fantastic, and I really like the style of the artwork. That being said, its a difficult book to read aloud so I think it is more suited to older elementary students who can read it to themselves. The story is amusing enough, but definitely lacks that certain something to make it a lasting classic.

Reviewer: TC

Space, Humans, and Farts by Dan Gutman - ADVISABLE

My Weird School Fast Facts: Space, Humans, and Farts by Dan Gutman, 181 pages.  Harper Collins, 2017, $6.  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL- ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

A.J. and Andrea are back. With some help from their science teacher, Mr. Docker, they explore science, scientists, the solar system, and more. Always full of fast facts and fun jokes, A.J. and Andrea keep the conversation going from start to finish. 

Like the other books in the series, this one is done as if it were a continuous conversation between A.J., Andrea, and their teacher. It is a quick read that scratches the surface of a lot of different scientific facts. Not to be mistaken as a science text, it is entertaining and can keep the attention of an eight year old. A good read or read aloud for second to fifth graders. A good book for a library that wants to expand fun and funny non-fiction for younger readers.

Reviewer: LMA, Bookin’ my way through life

Ira Crumb Feels the Feelings by Naseem Hrab - ADVISABLE

Ira Crumb Feels the Feelings by Naseem Hrab, illustrated by Josh Holinaty. PICTURE BOOK. Owlkids Books, 2018. $18. 9781771472982

BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3) - OPTIONAL; EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: EL(K-3) - AVERAGE

Ira Crumb and his best friend, Malcolm Cake, have lots of fun together. One day Malcolm wants to play tag and Ira doesn't; other kids join Malcolm in his game and Ira ends up feeling lonely and sad. Malcolm shows up again and helps cheer up Ira.

This is one of those books that has so little point to its story--beyond dumb jokes and over-the-top cartoon character dramatics--that its hard for me to fathom why it exists. But its also the kind of story I realize that elementary age kids will probably get a real kick out of. The story is super basic, the jokes aren't funny if you're over the age of 12, and its written with that conversation-bubble style I can't stand. But kids will think its amusing and enjoy reading it to themselves. (Parents will go crazy if required to read this one aloud.)

Reviewer: TC

Sloth At the Zoom by Helaine Becker –OPTIONAL

Sloth at the Zoom  byHelaine Becker, illustrated by Orbie.  PICTURE BOOK. Owlkid. 2018. $20.00. 9781771472494

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3)  – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A sloth is added to the collection of animals at the ‘zoom’. He observes that all the other animals are moving really fast, but don’t seem to be going anywhere. Eventually he meets another slow moving creature and together they help the other animals to slow down and enjoy life. Features simple and bright illustrations.

Of course the message of this story is great- don’t always be in a such a hurry, slow down and enjoy –I just don’t think that it really worked in this story –tea and leaves don’t seem like a great incentive. I know sloths are really popular right now so this story might have some appeal but I probably wouldn’t seek it out. The artwork just seems like it was drawn up quickly with a box of colored pencils.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.

How do you do by Larissa Theule –OPTIONAL

How do you do?  by Larissa Theule, illustrated by Gianna Marino.  PICTURE BOOK. Bloomsbury. 2019. $17.00. 9781619638075

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3)  –OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A Water Buffalo and Crane are bored and hot. Along comes a little goat and changes the way they see things –by getting them dancing and meeting new friends. Now the heat doesn’t bother them at all –they are no longer bored. Features large harmonious illustrations.

Gianna Marino is one of my favorite illustrator/authors, this book doesn’t give her much of a chance to be creative though –with its limited characters and scenery. Young readers might find it confusing that when the goat starts dancing –in the illustrations there is rain, but its only suggested that he started dancing ‘as sudden as summer rain’. As for the story itself, I like the message of meeting new friends and looking at the positives, but in this story it’s a  bit far-fetched for young readers.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.

I’m having a Sky Blue Day! By Maggie Testa - OPTIONAL

I’m having a Sky Blue Day! By Maggie Testa, illustrated by Clair Rossiter. PICTURE BOOK. Simon Spotlight (Simon & Schuster), 2018.   $13.  9781534415294

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Feeling blue? That’s not a bad thing in this colorful book about feelings, moods, and shades that bring them together. Whether you’re in the mood for adventure or relaxation, this book has a crayon color to match it all. The crayon illustrations are so animated, they really add to the feelings conveyed on the pages, especially the page about being surrounded by those you love. 

Great message about how not all days are perfect, but you can turn them around. Each page asks the reader what color feels like that emotion or feeling to them, which provides a nice, interactive element. A cute book for talking about emotions in different ways than the usual, this book includes fun elements like having a relaxing day or even a roller coaster day, which could help kids express how they are feeling in different terms.

Jessica, Librarian 

Holi Colors by Rina Singh - ESSENTIAL

Holi Colors by Rina Singh. BOARD BOOK. Orca, 2018. $9.95.  9781459818491

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Learn about colors in this vibrant board book that pays tribute to the Hindu celebration of Holi. 

The photographs are rich and stunning visual images on their own, drawing the eye immediately to the page. The subjects (except one crying) radiate happiness, joy and celebration. The rhyming is catchy and will make the book easy to read again and again, and the paragraph on the last page explaining the celebration of Holi is a perfectly written introduction to the holiday. 

Jessica, Librarian

My Magical Unicorn by Abrams Publishing – ADVISABLE

My Magical Unicorn  by Abrams Publishing.  BOARD BOOK. Abrams. 2019. $9.00. 978132842655

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

In this counting board book, a unicorn spreads joy through a magical land. It features bright colors, darling illustrations, and interactive pages that pull or slide. Just the right size for little hands and high appeal.

This book will be chosen quickly by young readers, even my 6 week old took a shine to it (over the other board books I read to her). The interactive pieces are super sturdy and the illustrations are adorable. Readers aren’t going to learn much by they will love to have this read to them none the less.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.

Swallow the Leader by Danna Smith – ADVISABLE

Swallow the Leader  byDanna Smith.  BOARD BOOK. HMH. 2016. $13.00. 978132842655

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

In this counting board book, a little fish leads other fish, gathering one at a time, on an undersea parade with cute rhyming descriptions. Eventually they garner the attention of a shark and suddenly there are less fish, one at a time. Extra large pages and bright simple illustrations.

I really like this book, the story and the rhyming are great. I didn’t as much care for the size of the pages and heaviness of the book, which is super heavy (totally unmanageable for a child young enough to want to put the book in their mouth or get it messy). This could work for a read-aloud though, as the large pages could be seen by a pre-k group. Also I wish there was a more creative ending, like maybe the last fish could have tickled the shark with its leader flag to make it laugh and spit out the fish.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.

Won’t you be my Kissaroo? By Joanne Ryder –GIFT

Won’t you be my Kissaroo? by Joanne Ryder.  BOARD BOOK. HMH. 2004. $9.00. 9781328482624

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K – (GIFT)

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

In this board book, a baby sheep is asked by his mom, Won’t you be my Kissaroo? It goes on to illustrate all the times a kiss might happen and why, like in the morning for wishes for a good day, ect. Then the reader see’s lots of different animals kissing their babies. Large pages for a board book and lots of big illustrations.

I think this book is better off as a gift, or for the home -that is, if your family is super kissy. There isn’t usually much kissing in a pre-k classroom. The story itself is great, but the illustrations are watery and have this yellow cast that was more urine like than sunshine. They were just sloppy. 

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.

Explorers, Presidents, and Toilets by Dan Gutman - ADVISABLE

My Weird School: Fast Facts: Explorers, Presidents, and Toilets by Dan Gutman, 185 pages.  Harper Collins, 2017, $6.  

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

A.J. and Andrea take a quick look at U.S. history beginning with the misconception that Columbus discovered North America. The first half of the book deals with our founding years. The second half covers the impacts of the Industrial Revolution up to World War II. Fun and fast, A.J. and Andrea are as entertaining as ever.   

Like the other books in the series, this one is done as if it were a continuous conversation between A.J., Andrea, and their teacher. It is a quick read that scratches the surface of a lot of different scientific facts. Although it wouldn’t qualify as a good book to use for a research project, it is an entertaining introduction to U.S. history.. A good read or read aloud for second to fifth graders. A good book for a library that wants to expand fun and funny non-fiction for younger readers.

Reviewer: LMA, Bookin’ my way through life

Jada Jones – Class Act by Kelly Starling Lyons - ADVISABLE

Jada Jones – Class Act by Kelly Starling Lyons, 88 pages.  Penguin Random House (Penguin Workshop), 2017 $0 (no price listed).

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Jada Jones is excited that she and her classmate, Miles, have been nominated to run for student council at their school. But now she must figure out a way to run an honest and respectful campaign against her friend and come up with the courage to give a speech in front of the whole fourth grade class. Maybe running for student council isn’t such a great idea after all.

The second in a series, this book brings back the likable character, Jada Jones, as she navigates what it means to be a leader. The author weaves in lessons about honesty, integrity and facing your greatest fears. The characters are likeable and realistic and will appeal to the intended elementary student audience. The large type and uncomplicated vocabulary will help give young readers confidence in their ability to read a chapter book. Overall it is a good choice for an elementary school or classroom library.

Reviewer: LMA, Bookin’ my way through life