Bioblitz: Counting Critters by Susan Edwards Richmond and Stephanie Fizer Coleman - OPTIONAL

Bioblitz: Counting Critters by Susan Edwards Richmond, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman. PICTURE BOOK. Peachtree, 2022. $18. 9781682633113 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Gabriel and his cousin Ava are participating in a Bioblitz – a count not just of birds, but of all critters – not how many of each, but of how many different species are in that location. The race is on to see which team can find the most different animals and together how many different species they see. 

A long form read with 80+ species listed along with the story – it’s a bit much for an easy read. Not as engaging as Bird Count, because the sheer number of species named and pictured is overwhelming. Kids will only access this if it is read to them, and I’m not sure why a teacher would. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Rainbow Parade by Emily Neilson - OPTIONAL

The Rainbow Parade by Emily Neilson. PICTURE BOOK. Dial (Penguin), 2022. $18. 9780593326589 Mature Content: PG-13 (naked bum, bondage wear, lgbt parents) 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Emily and her Moms are headed to, as Emily calls it, the Rainbow Parade. When the Rainbow Fairy invites the family to join the parade, Emily isn’t so sure she has the pride to join the colorful cast of characters, but her Moms show her how to occupy her space in the world.

A lovely celebration of annual Pride Parades and the cast of characters who attend them. Sure to make some people uncomfortable – maybe they should read it again. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Red Tin Box by Matthew Burgess and Evan Tuck = OPTIONAL

The Red Tin Box by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Evan Tuck. PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, April 2023. $18. 9781452179735

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

8yo Maude buried her treasures in a red tin box and eventually grew up and moved away. One day she takes her granddaughter back to the site and they dig up the box together.

Turk’s illustrations and the unique case cover are beautifully sweet. Unfortunately for me, I have no clue what the book is supposed to convey. The only value I see is in its use as a illustrative example. Maude seems to be black and she has a wife.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS

Arthur Who Wrote Sherlock by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Isabelle Follath - ADVISABLE

Arthur Who Wrote Sherlock by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Isabelle Follath PICTURE BOOK, BIOGRAPHY Tundra/PengRanCanada. 2022. $19. 9780735269255 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Even as a young boy, Arthur loved listening to stories; he wrote one himself when he was 6! His family struggled, moving often. At age 9, Arthur was sent away to boarding school (paid for by his uncles), where he delights the other boys with his stories. By his late teens, he's secured a position as assistant to a clever doctor. He works his way through medical school, taking different jobs when he needs to earn money. Finally becoming a doctor, Arthur has a lot of time on his hands waiting for patients so he writes. Eventually, his stories about Sherlock Holmes catch on, but they become too popular. Arthur must kill off his detective 

A nice biography with darling illustrations. I loved that the biography alluded to the source of some of the plot lines of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries.  However, to have a biography of a person who lived more than 100 years ago told in present tense felt odd. Even as the author wrapped up Doyle's personal life, it sounded like he was introducing a speaker. I appreciated the author's note which filled in some of the loose ends, and source materials. 

Lisa Librarian

Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin - ESSENTIAL

Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin, 224 pgs. Yearling, 2019. $18.

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (children in peril)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Snow and Rose lived an enchanted life in a grand home with loving parents until the day their father went into the woods and never returned. Now Snow and Rose have found themselves living in the same woods with a grieving mother, magical happenings, and a chance to break the spells that have stolen their happy-ever-after.

Enchanting story about the powerful bond between sisters. Readers will be thoroughly charmed by this beautifully written and illustrated fairytale set in an atmospheric wood where magic is woven into all parts of the narrative.

AEB

Where do Big Creatures Sleep at Night? By Steven J. Stephens, Clifford R. Simmons and Ruth E. Harper - OPTIONAL

Where do Big Creatures Sleep at Night? by Steven J. Stephens and Clifford R. Simmons, illustrated by Ruth E. Harper. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2022. $18. 9781623541439 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

Where do 11 large animals sleep at night? Unfortunately, the Simmonses wrote their book in bouncing, rhyming couplets – which is a terrible tone for a non-fiction book. Thankfully, Harper’s illustrations are delightful. But, wow – the text needs a whole rewrite. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Unknown Soldier by Jess M. Brallier and Jamie Peterson - NO

The Unknown Soldier by Jess M. Brallier, illustrated by Jamie Peterson. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2022. $18. 9781623541590 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - NO 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

Jack and his family have enjoyed a busy itinerary during their visit to Washington DC. On their last day, they visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

Gottesfeld and Tavares’ Twenty-One Steps is a much better look at the Tomb. Brallier spends too much time on the rest of Jack’s trip – a distraction from time spent on the Tomb and jack’s interaction with it. Even the illustrations pale in comparison. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Does a Bulldozer Have a Butt? by Derick Wilder, illustrated by K-Fai Steele - OPTIONAL

Does a Bulldozer Have a Butt? by Derick Wilder, illustrated by K-Fai Steele PICTURE BOOK, NON-FICTION Chronicle/Blue Apple. 2022. $17. 9781452182124

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

As a child walks to school with their dad, they question "which things do and don't have butts?" 

Wilder's rhyming text isn't educational, it's used to point out the silly illustrations of butts on things that don't actually have butts. AJ and I read it together - it's silly for sure. The end papers at the beginning are normal things like a boot, a plant, a park bench etc. At the end, all these things have butts. Much like the rest of the book - things like frogs butts, tree knots are turned into butts and other crazy stuff.  Kids who like that sort of thing will get a good laugh from all the funny butt depictions, other kids might feel awkward. 

Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 7)

Goodnight Racism by Ibram X. Kendi and Cbabi Bayoc - ESSENTIAL

Goodnight Racism by Ibram X. Kendi , illustrated by Cbabi Bayoc. PICTURE BOOK. Kokila (Penguin), 2022. $19. 9780593110515 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

 As the moon comes up in the evening sky, she shines just as softly on each person regardless of circumstances, religion, family makeup, color. 

Kendi has written a gentle look at the universality of man, of children – that we are all equal in importance. I am just sorry that this fundamental truth has to be reiterated. The illustrations are nicely diverse, and include a couple of same-gender couples. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

DJ Baby by DJ Burton and Andy J. Pizza - ADVISABLE

DJ Baby by DJ Burton, illustrated by Andy J. Pizza. BOARD BOOK. Little Simon, 2022. $13. 9781665927048

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Get ready to dance hard along with DJ baby!

Includes a pair of movable turntables in case baby wants to practice their scratching. As a child of 80’s LA, I love this board book – but it is niche. The turntables seem to be sturdy enough to with stand some heavy use.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Thank You Book by Danna Smith and Juliana Perdomo - ESSENTIAL

The Thank You Book by Danna Smith, illustrated by Juliana Perdomo. BOARD BOOK. Little Simon (Simon & Schuster), 2022. $8. 9781665902922

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

This bright and happy book teaches readers the power of thank you and all the ways to demonstrate gratitude.

The Thank You Book is a delightful and decorative board book to help teach littles basic SEL concepts. The art did feel a little chaotic to me in some places, but younger readers will love it. It’s such a simple thing, but I loved the inclusivity in the art! Different races, disability and LGBTQ representation, all in a little board book, so lots of kudos for that.

Kiera, #BookswithBeddes

Tap! Tap! Tap! Dance! Dance! Dance! By Herve Tullet - ADVISABLE

Tap! Tap! Tap! Dance! Dance! Dance! By Herve Tullet. PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle, May 2023. $20. 9781797221465

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Tullet takes the reader on a dancing journey with fingers and hands. 

The large format book is colorful and bright. I had a difficulty when the action moved from the page to air, but understood better the second reading – so if you read this with small ones, practice and guide them. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS