Except Antarctica! by Todd Sturgell - ESSENTIAL

Except Antarctica! by Todd Sturgell. PICTURE BOOK. Sourcebooks eXplore (Sourcebooks Kids), 2021. $15. 9781728233260 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Turtle and a few other animals are on their way to Antarctica, despite the narrator’s frustrated warnings to stay back. There is some problem solving along the way to the coldest continent, but the animals quickly realize why they don’t live in Antarctica. 

The students generally enjoyed this book, citing its humor and the anthropomorphism as their favorite parts. Even though I struggled to separate out the various voices on the page, the students immediately caught on to the implied warnings and frustration of the narrator. One student remarked, “It was really funny because the animals did the exact opposite of what the book said to do.” Their favorite phrase of the book was “This is ridiculous,” because it really was. Although one student stated that there were “too many facts,” the rest of the class stayed completely engrossed in reading the last pages of the book where a few facts about the animals and Antarctica were listed. I heard many of them say, “I didn’t know that;” they were quite happy to learn from this book. 

Mrs. V, and her third grade class https://amzn.to/2SRyFFt

New in Town by Kevin Cornell - ADVISABLE

New in Town by Kevin Cornell. PICTURE BOOK. Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers (Macmillan), 2021. $19. 9780374306090 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The bridge in Puddletrunk has collapsed--AGAIN!! Bridge #273 must be built, but funds are scarce, and there is a worry about the continual termite infestation. Luckily someone new is in town. Hopefully they will be able to help. 

Student reviewers had this to say: “It is a book that can be good for kids and for grown-ups,” “It is entertaining and funny but also teaches a good lesson (which is to not lie because of money)”, and “I loved this book because of its humorous problems and solutions.” As noted by the students, there is a lot to laugh about and to learn from this imaginative story and its illustrations. There are scores of fun details hidden in the busy artwork, prompting more than one visit to the pages of Puddletrunk. 

 Mrs. V, and her third grade class 

Beaver and Otter Get Along...Sort Of by Sneed B. Collard III and Meg Sodano - ESSENTIAL

Beaver and Otter Get Along...Sort Of: A Story of Grit and Patience Between Neighbors by Sneed B. Collard III, illustrated by Meg Sodano. PICTURE BOOK. Dawn Publications (Soucebooks eXplore), 2021. 9781728232249 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Beaver moves to a valley where he finds running water, trees, and a mate--it is beaver heaven! But eventually some new neighbors make their way into the beavers’ habitat, making life a bit more difficult for Beaver. Will they be able to live peacefully in the same place? 

This is a great look into how animals act and interact within the natural world, creating habitats where living things both survive and thrive. This book consists of a perfect balance of literary features, making it easy to read and relate to, and informational text. It is an excellent book for a broad understanding of animal habitats, adaptations, and commensal relationships. The story is enhanced by the additional information shared in the back of the book where content connections and activities are printed. 

Keri, elementary school teacher 

Every Day, Chemistry by Julia Sooy and Bonnie Pang - ESSENTIAL

Every Day, Chemistry by Julia Sooy, illustrated by Bonnie Pang. PICTURE BOOK. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2021. $19. 9781250768698 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Science is all around us, and this book allows us a glimpse into the chemical changes that are taking place throughout the day, in regular ways. 

This book introduces the reader to chemistry, chemical changes, and chemical reactions in an easy to understand way. The illustrations and simple text display a world where chemistry is a common, and even delicious occurrence, rather than being intimidating or separate from our everyday lives. 

Keri, elementary school teacher 

The Boy Who Loved Everyone by Jane Porter and Maisie Paradise Shearring - ADVISABLE

The Boy Who Loved Everyone by Jane Porter, illustrated by Maisie Paradise Shearring. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2021. $17. 9781536211238.

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

On Dmitri's first day of preschool, he is eager to make friends. At every turn, Dmitri is telling kids and teachers that he loves them, but nobody responds to him with the same line. He is disappointed and suggests to his mom that he not go back the next day. Dmitri's mom helps him understand that people express their love in different ways--a smile, a hug, an invitation--and he feels better. 

This is a sweet story and absolutely ideal for a Pre-K audience. The pictures are colorful in a basic way and the story is a good one for life lessons. 

Reviewer: TC

Three Lines in a Circle by Michael G. Long and Carlos Velez - ADVISABLE

Three Lines in a Circle: the exciting life of the peace symbol by Michael G. Long, illustrated by Carlos Velez. PICTURE BOOK. Flyaway Books, AUGUST 2021. $18. 9781947888326 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Long gives a short, bright look at the history and proliferation of the peace symbol. I would have rated it “essential”, but you don’t actually learn about the meaning of the symbol until the back matter, so the introduction lacks the real punch for a more enthusiastic embrace. But highly worthy for any school that covers social justice, nuclear disarmament, the 1960’s or protest movements. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

I is for Immigrants by Selina Alko - ESSENTIAL

I is for Immigrants by Selina Alko. PICTURE BOOK. Christy Ottoviano Books (Macmillan), 2021. $19. 9781250237866 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

From abuelas to ziti, falafel to quinceaneras, I is for Immigrants lists and illustrates a cornucopia of wonderful things the United States has inherited from its immigrant populations. Each page is filled with a multitude of words and pictures that demonstrate the richness of the combined cultures in America. 

This is a fun, unusual take on traditional A-Z books, and a colorful, educational introduction to a vast array of interesting aspects of American life. It is inclusionary without being overt, and extraordinary in the way that it combines pieces and cultures of so many people and places, as an ideal American life could do, as well. 

Keri, elementary school teacher https://amzn.to/2SMTWA4

The New Kid Has Fleas by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Eda Kaban - ESSENTIAL

The New Kid Has Fleas by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Eda Kaban. PICTURE BOOK. Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan), 2021. $19. 9781250245243 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

A new kid has come to school, and she is really different. But once the other kids find out what she’s like, it’s really great to have the new kid in school! 

A beautiful message of inclusion and the need to withhold judgement is shared in an insightful, subtly crafted way through minimal words and excellent illustrations. 

Keri, elementary school teacher 

The 12 Days of St. Patrick's Day by Jenna Lettice and Colleen Madden - OPTIONAL

The 12 Days of St. Patrick's Day by Jenna Lettice, illustrated by Colleen Madden. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2021. $6. 9780593175019 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

 The story is a poem, and follows the pattern for The 12 Days of Christmas. It tells about what you find the twelve days leading up to St. Patrick's Day. It was a cute idea and the illustrations go right along with the story. 

 Ellen-Anita, Librarian 

Welcome to California by Asa Gilland - ADVISABLE

Welcome to California by Asa Gilland. NON FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Penguin Random House, 2021. $10. 9780593178232 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

 The story tells about California with easy to read text and bright illustrations. It has lots of interesting facts about California. A fun read, and lots of good information. This would be a good book for children learning about different states in elementary school. I highly recommend this book.

 Ellen-Anita, Librarian 

Art with Heart by Rachel Alpine and Addy Rivera Sonda - ADVISABLE

Art with Heart (The Invincible Girls Club #2) by Rachel Alpine, illustrated by Addy Rivera Sonda. 139 pages. CHAPTER BOOK Aladdin (Simon & Schuster,) 2021. $18

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE 

 AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Emelyn is dismayed to find out that someone has put up pictures and mean messages about students in the school. She is especially concerned because one of those messages was about her! Emelyn works with her friends and the grown ups in her life to find a solution to this bullying at school. 

Book 2 in the Invincible Girls Club series, this can be read as a stand-alone. A highlight of the book is the way that Emelyn and her friends look to each other and the trusted grown ups in their lives to solve their very real problems, demonstrating how they, and hopefully all of us, can be invincible in the face of difficulties. Additionally, the book ends with multiple short biographical sketches of women who have shown their own ways of being invincible. 

 Keri, elementary school teacher 

Are You a Cheeseburger? by Monica Arnaldo - ADVISABLE

Are You a Cheeseburger? by Monica Arnaldo. PICTURE BOOK. Katherine Tegen (Harper), JUNE 2021. $18. 9780063003941 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Raccoon is rummaging through the garbage, searching for cheeseburgers, when he finds a friendly seed. The seed thinks that it might be a hamburger plant, but it doesn’t know for sure. The two keep each other company through the long nights as the seed grows. 

Kind of silly, very sweet, with a lovely message about friendship. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS