The Great Outdoors by Ingela P. Arrhenius - ADVISABLE

The Great Outdoors by Ingela P. Arrhenius. BOARD BOOK (Pre-K) Chronicle, 2024. $9. 9781797215600 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Arrhenius shows us the different activities that are available on a mountain in the board book that is shaped like a mountain. 

As a person who lives in the mountains, I found it confusing that all of the seasons are represented on the pages - skiers next to hikers, next to bikers - snow next to meadows and flowing lakes - I had a hard time computing this one. The shapes of the pages are the best part here. 

Cindy, Library Teacher

Peekaboo Who? by Elena Selena - OPTIONAL

Peekaboo Who? by Elena Selena. BOARD BOOK (Pre-K) Twirl (Chronicle), 2023. $15. 9791027612192 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Eight animals are hiding and ready to play peekaboo with you. 

The illustrated characters are absolutely adorable. Major design flaw here, though. The text asks about who is hiding - and instead of having the answer behind the flaps to open, the answer is right under the question. Why have a peekaboo that you don't have to uncover the eyes? 

Cindy, Library Teacher

Animal Eyes by Francoise Vulpe - ADVISABLE

Animal Eyes: How Creatures See and How Their Eyes Have Adapted to Their World by Francoise Vulpe. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Firefly Books, 2023. $15. 9780228104131 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Some animal eyes work like the human eye or camera eye, while other animals have interesting adaptations. Some creatures can see in ultraviolet wavelengths, or in near total darkness. Some creatures can rotate their eyes independently. Animal Eyes guides us through the wide range of eyes found in the animal kingdom and how their eyes help them survive in their habitats. 

Animal Eyes was full of intriguing photos of creatures, their eyes, and fun facts. It was very interesting to read. Younger children could enjoy the photos while older kids would like the extensive information. 

PGPowers

Hello Clownfish by Hannah Rogge, illustrated by Emily Dove - OPTIONAL

Hello Clownfish by Hannah Rogge, illustrated by Emily Dove. BOARD BOOK (Pre-K) Chronicle, 2024 $13.00 9781797210087 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The little clownfish is ready to escort the reader around its coral reef and explain how the ecosystem works. 

I love the two little clownfish on ribbons that could swim around the pages of Rogge's book. However - the non-fiction tone of the book is boring. I would rather have the fun ribbon fish with a playful story. 

Cindy, Library Teacher

Where is Bina Bear? by Mike Curato

Where is Bina Bear? by Mike Curato. PICTURE BOOK Henry Holt and Company, 2022. $19. 9781250762207 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Tiny was having a big party but where was Bina Bear? Tiny looked into a dark room and saw Bina pretending to be a lamp. Bina also pretended to be a table, a tree, a bookcase, an armchair, and some groceries in the kitchen. Tiny realizes that something is wrong with Bina. Will Tiny find out what is wrong and be able to help? 

Where is Bina Bear? is a humorous and sincere book about friendship and understanding. I enjoyed the simple text, and expressive illustrations. It did leave me with a feeling of sadness for Bina, so it's not a joyful story. 

PGPowers

When The Fog Rolls In by Pam Fong - ADVISABLE

When The Fog Rolls In by Pam Fong. PICTURE BOOK Greenwillow Books, 2023. $20. 9780063136540 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

A cute little puffin doesn't see the rest of the flock fly away. A fog rolls in and he realizes that he is alone. As it grows thicker, it is easy for him to stumble or be confused, and hard to find his way out. He feels like staying where he is but that becomes dangerous. What must he do to get safely through the fog? 

I liked Fong's allegory for navigating through uncertainty, opening your mind, and finding your way back to your flock. The illustrations are beautiful and expressive. Fong gives us a tenderhearted story that is a good place to start discussions on feeling lost, and making decisions. 

PGPowers

What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night: A Very Messy Adventure by Refe & Susan Tuma - ADVISABLE

What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night: A Very Messy Adventure by Refe & Susan Tuma. PICTURE BOOK Little, Brown and Company, 2023. $19. 9780316335621 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

It usually starts with an unexplained mess and your parents think you or the dog did it, but it was your toy dinosaurs. They will make messes in the kitchen, play with your toys, mess up the bathroom, get into your parents' stuff, mess up the laundry room, make noises in the attic at night, paint walls, and do other annoying things. They can get out of every trap. How will they ever be stopped? 

It's very fun to imagine toy dinosaurs coming to life and doing all these crazy things. I couldn't help but chuckle at every page. The text is funny and the photos will bring silly delight to each reader. 

PGPowers

Wallflowers by Mackenzie Joy - ADVISABLE

Wallflowers by Mackenzie Joy PICTURE BOOK Clarion Books, 2023. $18. 9780358726463 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

People call you a wallflower, but you don't mind at all. Even though you are not loud, you see things differently and have big ideas to share. Where will you find your garden to bloom? 

I loved the clever and beautiful illustrations celebrating shy children, and how every wallflower will someday bloom. All colors of children are represented. 

PGPowers

The Three Little Guinea Pigs by Erica S. Perl and Amy Young - ADVISABLE

The Three Little Guinea Pigs by Erica S. Perl illustrated by Amy Young. PICTURE BOOK Farrar Straus Giroux, 2023. $19. 9780374390044 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Three little guinea pigs, Rosie, Minty, and Pumpkin are old enough to set off on their own and make their own home. Rosie makes hers out of hay, Minty makes hers out of a box, and Pumpkin makes hers out of a wooden stump. Then they blow up balloons and have a party. Soon a hungry fox comes to visit. Will their houses be strong enough to keep the fox out? 

The Three Little Guinea Pigs is a fun retelling of the original story. It is quite entertaining to see how the cute guinea pigs outsmart the fox. I also like the interesting guinea pig fact pages at the end. 

PGPowers

Eleanor's Moon by Maggie Knaus - ESSENTIAL

Eleanor's Moon by Maggie Knaus. PICTURE BOOK Owlkids, 2023. $19 9781771475556 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

The Harvest moon is special to Eleanor and her grandfather. They will always share the moon, wherever they are. Growing up, Eleanor and her grandfather spent a lot of time together. They had many adventures out in nature and they always noticed the phase of the moon. Unfortunately, Eleanor's mom got a job in a different city and they had to move far away from Grandfather. Although they miss each other dearly, Eleanor and her grandfather can look up at the same moon and be close to each other. 

This book had a very sweet message. It acknowledges the strong bond between granddaughter and grandfather. This book can help young children face their fears if have have to move away from someone they love. 

A. Criswell, English Language Teacher

The Storytellers Rule by Christy Mandin - ADVISABLE

The Storytellers Rule by Christy Mandin. PICTURE BOOK Harper, 2023. $18. 9780063047358 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Birdie is trying to write a story, but she can't think of anything and her page is blank. When she falls asleep, the storytellers (which are her pencil, pen, and markers) get together and go over the three rules for storytelling. Birdie needs to #1 pay attention and marvel at the world, #2 Done is better than perfect, and #3 only you can write your story. The storytellers know that they can help and leave her clues. Will their clues help Birdie get inspired to write her story? 

I really liked the way Mandin turned what could be a boring subject into a creative, fun story, and made the steps of writing a story fun to think about. 

 PGPowers

A Song of Sun and Sky by Jason Cockcroft - ADVISABLE

A Song of Sun and Sky by Jason Cockcroft. PICTURE BOOK Henry Holt and Company, 2023. $19. 9781250819437 

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Lulu's road trip with her father seems dull while they travel through an orange desert. She is alarmed as the car releases gray smoke and her father turns red with frustration as the car overheats. They ask for help from an older women in a house nearby. Lulu watches the woman paint and she explains how the desert is full of color, and how the night changes all the colors. Who is this mysterious woman who knows so much about color? 

I enjoyed Cockroft's lesson on color and the tribute to the legendary woman painter Georgia O'Keeffe. Cockroft enchantingly helps us see color in new ways and shows his love of color in his charming storytelling illustrations. 

PGPowers