The Lonely Lake Monster by Suzanne Selfors and Dan Santat - HIGH

The Lonely Lake Monster (Imaginary Veterinary) by Suzanne Selfors, illustrated by Dan Santat. 205 pages. Little, Brown and Company, 2013. $16. 9780316225670

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

In the second book of The Imaginary Veterinary series, Pearl Petal and her friend, Ben Silverstein, have been hired to work for Dr. Woo, head of the clinic for imaginary creatures. Pearl and Ben were assigned to clip the toenails of a sasquatch, but Pearl’s curiosity got the better of her when she saw something in the clinic lake. Choosing to go against the rules, Pearl and Ben sneak over to see what is in the lake. Ben then becomes the captive of a lake monster. In the process of trying to rescue Ben, Pearl recruits the help of a sick leprechaun. What lengths will Pearl go to in fixing the situation? Suzanne Selfors has created a fun story about a clinic for sick imaginary creatures.

Although Pearl’s curiosity and adventures are a bit irritating for an adult reader, they seem enjoyable for this age group. I had some concern about all the lies Pearl seemed to be telling along the way, but, in the end, she fessed up. A genius idea at the end of the book was to talk about the history of the imaginary creatures and give ideas for fun related craft and science projects to do at home.

MOMMAC 

Little Polar Bear Finds a Friend by Hans de Beer - OPTIONAL

Little Polar Bear Finds a Friend by Hans de Beer. Translated by North South Books. PICTURE BOOK. North South Books, 2021. $18. 9780735844506

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Lars is a little polar bear who gets trapped in a box. When his box accidentally falls off the shelf in the carrier plane, he learns that he is not alone. He helps the other trapped animals escape. He and a brown near named Bea stay behind to help Walrus, who moves slow. These three friends will work together to rerun home.

While the illustrations for this book are adorable, the story line is choppy and the story simplistic. It could be the translation lacked warmth.

MOMMAC 

A Walk in the Words by Hudson Talbott - ADVISABLE

A Walk in the Words by Hudson Talbott. PICTURE BOOK. Nancy Paulsen (Penguin), 2021. $18. 9780399548710 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The boy loves pictures and drawing, but words are his nemesis – especially the wall of words that come with “big” books. It isn’t until he learns that it is okay to read at his own pace and to use the words he know to lead him to the meaning of the words he doesn’t, that he makes peace with the world of words. 

I hope this doesn’t become a book that teachers or reading aides read only to students who are struggling to read – it should be a celebration, not a bludgeon. These kinds of books need to be discovered by students on their own, not used as role models. I do love Talbott’s illustration of words as a forest and also of stepping stones. Very clever. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

A is for Oboe by Lera Auerbach, Marilyn Nelson and Paul Hope - OPTIONAL

A is for Oboe: the orchestra’s alphabet by Lera Auerbach and Marilyn Nelson, illustrated by Paul Hope. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Dial (Penguin), 2021. $18. 9780525553779 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

Auerbach and Nelson explore the many facets of an orchestra using a type of ABC arrangement. The free verse lines on each page have a dearth of any poetic devices. While reading aloud, I wanted to find meter, pattern, rhythm, or rhyme, but none of those are exist. While it was fun to see a modern look to the orchestra, this will never be a book that students will pick up and reread on their own. 

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Albert LeBlanc to the Rescue by Nick Butterworth - ADVISABLE

Albert LeBlanc to the Rescue by Nick Butterworth. PICTURE BOOK/ Harper Collins, 2021. $7 9780007250684 (REPRINT)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Sally the Hippo has been bought, and Albert, sitting in the window misses her. Luckily each day she passes in the bag of the child who bought her. But one day, in the rain, Sally falls out and is stepped on by a muddy boot. Can the toys organize a rescue? 

Originally published in 2007, this new paperback edition brings back the gang to put together another plan to save one of their own. Oh the pictures are so cute! A fun story.

Lisa Librarian

The Grandmaster's Daughter by Dan-ah Kim - ADVISABLE

The Grandmaster's Daughter by Dan-ah Kim. PICTURE BOOK Greenwillow Books (Harper Collins), 2021. $19. 9780063076907 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Sunny is the Grandmaster's daughter. She has earned a black belt at the martial arts school. Besides her chores around the dojang, sweeping, watering the plants and feeding the cats, Sunny also works with the beginning students as they learn to kihap. But when the kihaps are very bold, it wakes the dragons in the mountains who come to the dojang to train too. 

Such a magical and fun story. I can only imagine how much fun it would be to learn from a teacher who can bring it to life. Includes an authors note about this Korean martial art. We learned the 5 tenets of Tae Kwan Do which are: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit.

Lisa Librarian

Tad by Benji Davies - ADVISABLE

Tad by Benji Davies. PICTURE BOOK Harper Collins, 2019. $18. 9780062563590 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Tad is the smallest of the tadpoles. She's the slowest swimmer and the slowest to develop. She is also the most afraid of Big Blub, a huge fish who reportedly eats small tadpoles. So Tad stays away from the shadows and the deep. Soon, her tad brothers and sisters beginning to develop legs, lose their tails and leave the small pond. Tad isn't losing her tail, and she's worried. What if everyone leaves and it's just Tad and Big Blub? 

This cute story is about courage and growth and patience. I loved the message that everyone doesn't develop on the same timeline. There's a tiny bit of science as we watch tadpoles turn into frogs.

Lisa Librarian

Mother Goose Goes to India by Kabir and Surishtha Sehgal, and Wazza Pink - ESSENTIAL

Mother Goose Goes to India by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal, illustrated by Wazza Pink. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane (Simon), 2021. $18. 9781534439603 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

In small ways, the Sehgal’s change the words of familiar Mother Goose rhymes to reflect simple Indian concepts. Pink’s illustrations enhance the immersion into India. I was a little skeptical at first, but between the cute rhymes and the adorable illustrations, I was smiling a lot. Most of the rewrites are delightful – and each includes translations for the necessary words. I would use this as a fun cultural celebration. In a multicultural class it would be fun to ask other kids to supply the same translations for their own home language. 

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Honey: The Dog Who Saved Abraham Lincoln by Shari Swanson and Chuck Groenink - ADVISABLE

Honey: The Dog Who Saved Abraham Lincoln by Shari Swanson, illustrated by Chuck Groenink. PICTURE BOOK. Katherine Tegen Books (Harper Collins), 2020. $18. 9780062699015 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

7yo Abraham Lincoln often dawdled on his errands, because there was so much to see and do in the woods between his cabin and the mill. One day he came across a dog who had broken its leg. Abe knew just what to do, he used some sticks and bark to make a splint and brought the dog home. One day, while exploring a cave, young Abe got himself "fastened" between some big rocks and couldn't get out. It's up to Honey, the dog, to alert the right people who can come find Abe and rescue him from the cave. 

What a cute story! I loved that the dog's leg wasn't fixed perfectly, but good enough to be a friend and companion to Abe. The illustrations are beautiful - full pages which do as much to show the story as the text. It's cool that this really happened to our 16th president, but regardless, Honey is a sweet tale about a dog who really loved a little boy.

Lisa Librarian

Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player - ADVISABLE

Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player. PICTURE BOOK. Harper Collins, 2021. $18. 9780063014442 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

On a hot day in Los Angeles, the best thing for a kid to cool off is a visit to the Paletero Man, who has cold treats on his cart. The boy passes his friend the tamales man, the lady selling flowers, and the Korean BBQ place, waving to his friend in the bicycle shop because he's following the sound of a ringing bell to the Paletero Man. But when he finally finds him, he's lost all his money.

Great illustrations, text in both English and Spanish - not a translation, more bilingual, makes this a fun book for our dual language kids. Full of culture, friendship and summertime fun - I loved all the people on the street, what a great community this kid lives in. Author Lucky Diaz is a grammy winner, and a visit to http://www.hc.com/paleteroman has a cute book trailer and a song written especially for this book.

Lisa Librarian

There’s a Ghost in This House by Oliver Jeffers - HIGH

There’s a Ghost in This House by Oliver Jeffers. PICTURE BOOK. Philomel (Penguin), 2021. $28. 9780593466186 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

A little girl has heard that her house is haunted, but no matter where or when she looks, she can’t find one. 

The glassine pages between each spread are the key to finding the ghostly neighbors. While the story itself is uninspiring, readers will enjoy flipping the glassine pages back and forth, increasing the novelty factor. The full-sized glassine cover wrap will cause a big problem for libraries, as patrons will want to remove the cover, while librarians will want to tape it down. If it weren’t for the novelty of the interaction, I wouldn’t be recommending this. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Those Kids From Fawn Creek by Erin Entrada Kelly - ESSENTIAL

Those Kids From Fawn Creek by Erin Entrada Kelly, 336 pages. Greenwillow (Harper), MARCH 2022. $18 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ESSENTIAL; MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The 12 kids of grade seven at the Fawn Creek school have been together from the beginning – until the day Orchid Mason arrives, fresh from exotic places like Paris and New York City. Everyone already fits neatly into the slot life has doled out to them, but Orchid’s fresh eyes, confidence, and kindness sees everyone differently. Maybe they can see each other differently too? But a mean girl who moved away may have the power to ruin everything with her obsession to stay in control. Are four weeks enough to change the world – or is the future written in stone? 

A great classroom read aloud! Kelly tugs on heart strings and gives power to idea of breaking yourself free from other’s expectations and assumptions. A message that kids need to hear over and over again. And probably many adults. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS