Field Trip to the Ocean Deep by John Hare - ESSENTIAL

Field Trip to the Ocean Deep by John Hare. PICTURE BOOK. Margaret Ferguson Books (Holiday House), 2020. $18. 9780823446308 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

A group has descended to the depths of the ocean. One of the members wanders away and finds an amazing new friend in the ocean depths. 

So, so cute! My favorites are the giant isopods that follow the explorer (who turns out to be a young boy) around – how can you make something that looks like a rollypolly bug have such expression? Well, Hare does it! I hope he has several more field trips planned, because I want them all! 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Goodnight Mermaid by Karla Oceanak and Allie Ogg - ADVISABLE

Goodnight Mermaid by Karla Oceanak, illustrated by Allie Ogg. PICTURE BOOK. Balliwick Press, 2020. $18. 9781934649800 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Oceanak’s mermaid lullaby is a fun read to send your own mermaid off to sleep. If you have a young one with a mermaid tail blanket, this is an even better choice! Or take the opportunity to gift a mermaid blanket with the book as a holiday gift. Oceanak’s rhyming text flows beautifully. Ogg’s illustrated mermaids are delightfully multicultural. The images are colorful, but without any depth – had they been just a little more dimensional this could have been an ESSENTIAL. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

I Love My Fangs! By Kelly Leigh Miller - ADVISABLE

I Love My Fangs! by Kelly Leigh Miller. PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Schuster, 2020. $18. 9781534452107 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When a young vampire loses one of his fangs, he is freaked out and despondent. And when the Tooth Fairy comes to take it away, he is even more upset. Finally, his parents step in and explain what’s happening. 

Though the main character is a vampire, this is not a Halloween book. It is a fun, silly way to talk to young ones about losing a tooth. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

How to Find a Bird by Jennifer Ward and Diana Sudyka - ADVISABLE

How to Find a Bird by Jennifer Ward, illustrated by Diana Sudyka. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane (Simon), 2020. $18. 9781481467056 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Ready to foster a new generation of birdwatchers? Ward’s book introduces kids to a wide variety of places (not just up) to look for birds. The illustrations include a lot of different birds and thankfully each is identified. Includes some of the most adorable endpapers that I’ve seen. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Tiny Baker by Hayley Barrett and Alison Jay - OPTIONAL

The Tiny Baker by Hayley Barrett, illustrated by Alison Jay. PICTURE BOOK. Barefoot Books, 2020. $18. 9781646860708 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The baker bee is ready for a new day of dispensing treats to her any customers. When her ladybug helpers all swarm, leaving behind a kitchen catastrophe, the ants pitch in and clean everything like new. 

As much as I love Alison Jay’s adorable illustrations, but I am not a fan of the text set up as rhyming couplets. I tried reading it out loud and it was a disaster as I couldn’t figure out whether to follow the sentence structure or stay true to the couplets. As nice as the story is, the rhyming text just makes it difficult to read. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Bread Pet: a sourdough story by Kate DePalma and Nelleke Verhoeff - OPTIONAL

The Bread Pet: a sourdough story by Kate DePalma, illustrated by Nelleke Verhoeff. PICTURE BOOK. Barefoot Books, 2020. 9781646860654 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Uncle JB has left his “Bread Pet” (sourdough starter) with Cora to tend while he is gone for a few days. Things get very out of control and now the bread pet is many bread pets. Cora will have to be very clever to save her home from being completely overrun – sharing may be the best way to go! 

I’m a little torn about this book – I really don’t get why JB tells Cora to feed the bread pet twice a day. I get that the author wanted to multiply the pet as quickly as possible – but this amount is extremely over the top. And there are some other contradictory statements, too. But Cora is clever and it all comes right in the end. And it is a fun opener for a baking lesson, or a math lesson about doubling. Plus bread baking has become quite a thing during the pandemic. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Rot: The Bravest in the World by Ben Clanton - AVERAGE

Rot: The Bravest in the World by Ben Clanton. PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum (Simon), 2020. $18. 9781481467643 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Rot wants to bask in the stinky, slimy pile of muck, but his big brother Snot warns him to watch out for “the Squirm”. Rot can’t stay away, though and worried about what The Squirm really is. 

“The Bravest” is the second book about Rot – He is a gross character, but his messages are on point. This time about kind-hearted teasing between siblings and not letting someone else steal your confidence. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

It’s Only One! By Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tony Neal - ESSENTIAL

It’s Only One! by Tracey Corderoy and Tony Neal. PICTURE BOOK. Tiger Tales, 2020. $18. 9781680102277 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Sunnyville was a tidy, pretty town, until Rhino casually tosses trash on the ground – it’s only one, after all. But when others follow, the garbage stacks up quickly. Then Giraffe picks just one flower from the park – it’s only one – right? How can Sunnyville get back on track and become lovely again? Timely, sincere, simple – an adorable book for the heart and the eye. 

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Calvin Gets the Last Word by Margo Sorenson and Mike Deas - ADVISABLE

Calvin Gets the Last Word by Margo Sorenson, illustrated by Mike Deas. PICTURE BOOK. Tilbury House, 2020. $18. 9780884488224 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Calvin is frustrated with his older brother – and all of the frustration shows on the pages on the dictionary Calvin carries, looking for the perfect word to describe that brother. Through a very busy day – both for Calvin and the dictionary – Calvin finds the perfect word and the dictionary gets some well-deserved rest. 

Librarians be aware – the important words and their definitions are on the end pages of the book – so DON’T COVER THEM UP! Kids will need help pronouncing the words and understanding the definitions. A silly book about sibling dynamics and also about some great words to learn. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Wherever I Go by Mary Wagley Coop and Munir D. Mohammed - ADVISABLE

Wherever I Go by Mary Wagley Coop, illustrated by Munir D. Mohammed. PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum (Simon), 2020. $18. 9781534419193 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Abia and her family have lived in the refugee camp for more than seven years. It is the only home Apia knows, and she is the queen of what she does – playing in the dirt, pumping water, pounding cassava root, and much more. And when she and her family get a chance to resettle, she will take that queenly spirit of hope with her. 

 A great story to read with your students. The back matter mentions than only 1% of refugees get resettled! It also includes an excellent list of supporting books – picture books, and secondary level. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Hurry, Santa by Tomie dePaola - ESSENTIAL

Hurry, Santa by Tomie dePaola, BOARD BOOK Little Simon Simon and Schuster, 2020. $8. 9781534464056 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre K - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Santa is getting ready to go. He puts on his coat, hat, gloves and belt, but oh no! Santa has to go, so off comes the coat, hat, gloves and belt and Santa runs to the bathroom! Phew! He gets dressed again and heads off to deliver Christmas. 

Oh so cute. The snow on the cover literally sparkles, Santa has a dog and a cat who play in the clothes, but the best illustration is Santa - looks just like Tomie dePaola - no better character to self portrait. DePaola passed away this year. He will be missed.

Lisa Librarian  

Our Favorite Day of the Year by A. E. Ali, and Rahele Jomepour Bell - ADVISABLE

Our Favorite Day of the Year by A. E. Ali, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell PICTURE BOOK Salaam Reads Simon and Schuster, 2020, $18. 978481485630 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

On the very first day of kindergarten, Musa's teacher tells the class that her favorite day of the year is the first day of school! She then invites the students to present their favorite days as part of show and tell this year. Musa's favorite is Eid, so when it is his turn, his mom brings food and decorations to the class and Musa shares why Eid is his favorite. Then, when it is Mo's turn, he tells about Rosh Hashanah, Moises brings food and decorations for Las Posadas, and Kevin teaches the class how his family celebrates Pi Day.

Such a great idea - I love that this classroom celebrates everyone's special days.  Some are religious, some are memorable, but all are important. Bell's illustrations are great, making Our Favorite Day of the Year a terrific springboard to a similar year long activity in any classroom.

Lisa Librarian