BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
The turtles have found a hat, but both of them want to wear it.
Klassen’s book is quite hefty for a board book. And the muted color palette is an acquired taste. Adults who love the original picture book will probably buy this for gifting.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SOME
Nelson takes us through the early days of the bicycle - from the 1917 velocipede to the first working-man bikes of 1890s. Bruno’s old-fashioned illustrations set just the right tone. I don’t know if bicycles are a school topic - but inventions are. Teachers will like that it shows failures as well as the final success.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3), EL - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Hector breaks the cardinal rule of Cucumonga Campground - DO NOT FEED THE DUCKS! Then up from the depths arises …. The Quacken! Now Hector is on the run for his life!
A little bit Gremlins, a little bit Penelope Rex (https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/2018/02/we-dont-eat-our-classmates-by-ryan-t.html) - and full out adorable! I would love to read this aloud over and over and over again!
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
A girl and her mother make Challah in the morning, preparing for the Shabbat.
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Klassen helps the reader set up a simple forest, which then gets prepared to go to sleep.
I think this series of 3 board books needs to be a book/playset combo. I would play with them.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
The Goth Moth happily air drums all day in the abandoned old house on the edge of a cliff. When his singer crush comes for a concert in the woods, he ventures out into the daylight - for a meet cute and for a chance to rock himself.
Goth Moth held some promise - but it fell a little flat. Why is the drum kit just sitting there empty? Why does Moth kiss the singer, but goes back to the abandoned house? I’m confused. On the other hand, as a punk rocker myself, I love the illustrations and I am definitely going to have a personal copy to enjoy with small friends.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
Cynthia is so excited for her first day of kindergarten. She has a new backpack and a backpack buddy. When she loses her backpack buddy, Cynthia is upset, but school is so interesting, she is diverted from her anxiety.
Didactic books are never as fun to read as books that first want to tell a great story. Not a book kid is going to choose the read over and over.
The main character is Black.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Mr. Fox has a game for you. No matter what treats he offers, no matter what delightful experiences he has for you, you have to say NO to every single thing - otherwise you have to go back to the beginning and start all over!
How many times will it take for you to read this aloud to your young friends before they can make it all the way through? Who is the most stubborn kid in the whole class? A sure fire hit for read aloud time.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Made a mistake? Have a party and celebrate that learning experience! In fact, invite all your friends up to celebrate their own learning experiences, too!
The Monagues have created a wonderful way to turn the idea of failure on its head and celebrate taking chances and learning from our mistakes. They even include simple directions for throwing your own Fail-a-bration (including making name tags with your name spelled wrong!). And we all need another reason to eat cake, I believe. The mixed-media illustrations are interesting to look at.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
James Baldwin grew up in Harlem. His father expected him to become a minister, but his heart was drawn to writing. His teachers and mentors praised him, helped him obtain opportunities, and eventually Baldwin's writing turned to plays, music, poetry and books.
I liked that the reader gets a taste for his writing as many sections start with a passage of Baldwin's text. I'm torn about the illustrations . . . some were detailed and interesting, others were not so much. While the illustrations reflected the text, it wasn't enhanced by them. Includes an author's note, a timeline and a list of his works. James Baldwin was Black and Gay.
Lisa Librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Cute green pea people are excited that it is spring. They love the rain, flowers, and decorating easter eggs using tiny helicopters to dip the eggs in jars. On Easter morning the peas go on an Easter egg hunt. Will any of them spy the Easter Bunny?
Baker has created a fantasy pea village that shows small children all the fun that spring can bring. I enjoyed the soft pastel colors and cute antics of the busy comical pees.
PGPowers
