Elementary – Hello, Spring; Sheep Won’t Sleep; Soldier Song; The Quest for Z

Rotner, Shelley. Hello Spring. Holiday House, 2017. 9780823437528. $16.95. 32p. Gr. K-2.

This book welcomes the arrival of spring with plenty of photographs on every page spread. The story progresses through early spring’s melting snow, to late spring’s arrival of dogwood blossoms, and all the way to the first day of summer and garden vegetables sprouting. Certain words are in a larger type size throughout the book (mostly verbs, but not always) and there is a small glossary on the last page. THOUGHTS: This picture book would be a nice addition to your library. It is similar to other season picture books you probably already have, but the children in the photographs in this book are diverse.

Picture Book                   Bridget Fox, Central Bucks SD

 

 

Cox, Judy. Sheep Won’t Sleep: Counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s. Holiday House, 2017. 978-0-8234-3701-6. Unpaged. $16.95. Gr. K-3.

No matter what she tries, Clarissa can’t sleep. Why not try the old standby, counting sheep? She counts 10 sheep and before she knows it they are hanging out in her bedroom! “Try pairs of alpacas,” advise the sheep, so Clarissa counts colorful pairs of alpacas in twos. When this still doesn’t work, she tries patterned llamas in fives and groups of yaks in tens who wear “…woolly coats of many colors…like a wardrobe of winter sweaters.” With a cast of characters crowding her room, Clarissa uses basic addition and subtraction skills to “unwind” for a night of sleep (she unravels the animals into a giant ball of colorful, patterned yard). What to do with a giant ball of colorful yarn? Why get out knitting needles of course! The last pages show Clarissa peacefully sleeping under a new brightly patterned quilt. Cox’s story and illustrator Nina Cuneo’s pen and digital ink illustrations create a fun, brightly colored math-themed bedtime read. THOUGHTS: Highly versatile–use in math class, at bedtime, or with any group of animal lovers.

Picture Book       Lindsey Long, Lower Dauphin School District

 

Levy, Debbie. Soldier Song. Disney Press, 2017. 9781484725986. $18.99. 80p. Gr. 2-5.

The Battle of Fredericksburg involved the largest number of soldiers of any battle during the Civil War. It was also a low point for the Union Army since more than 12,000 young men were wounded or killed with another 5,300 being wounded or killed on the Confederate side. After the battle, the soldiers camped on either side of the Rappahannock River to wait out the winter months neither side wanting to give up land. Due to the geography of the area, sounds carried very well from one side of the river to the other, especially the music that both sides used as both a time telling device (like, Reveille and dinnertime) and for entertainment. The divided armies could hear each other songs and would taunt each other by volleying back and forth between different patriotic songs. One day someone started playing the song, “Home, Sweet Home” and both sides joined in. That song and its message of home so touched the young men that they cheered for over half-an-hour. One soldier said in a letter sent home that if the river didn’t separate the two armies they would have come together after that song and settled the war right then. This story includes primary source Civil War letter snippets and song lyrics, in addition to the further information in the back of the book about The Battle of Fredericksburg and the history of the song, “Home, Sweet Home.” THOUGHTS: I loved this book. Not only did I learn facts about the Battle at Fredericksburg, but I walked away feeling hopeful about people. This book is great not just as a positive message about coming together even though we have differing opinions, but also the power of music to bridge the gaps between us. This is a great addition to any library or music teacher’s classroom library. The book includes web links to listen to the songs mentioned in the book.

Historical Fiction          Bridget Fox, Central Bucks SD

 

Pizzoli, Greg. The Quest for Z: The True Story of Explorer Percy Fawcett and a Lost City in the Amazon. Viking, 2017. 978-0-670-01653-2.  

Another nonfiction winner from the author/illustrator who brought us Tricky Vic: The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower. Greg Pizzoli amazes readers with the life of Percy Fawcett, daring Amazonian explorer and man of mystery. Fawcett was born into a British family of adventurers and took on his own explorations after a military career and training with the Royal Geographical Society in London. He explored in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru, charting then-unmapped territories and defining borders of r these nations. His South American travels met with many dangers, from aggressive anacondas to equally aggressive native groups, but Fawcett’s quick thinking and bravery usually won out and he completed several missions while making native allies along the way. It was from these people that he first heard of a legendary ancient city in the Amazon; Fawcett referred to the city as “Z” and imagined “…a paradise of grand temples and palaces carved from stone, hidden from modern man deep within the jungle.” In April 1925, Fawcett set off to find Z with only his son Jack, aged 21, Jack’s best friend Raleigh Rimell, basic provisions, a few local guides, and the financial support of several newspapers to whom he sold his story which was carried in snippets by local runners. Fawcett and his party were never seen again. Since Fawcett’s fateful trip in 1925, over 100 people have set off on quests to find Fawcett, or perhaps even Z. None have discovered his fate and some have even disappeared themselves. Pizzoli used a variety of sources including newspaper articles from 1925 and several books that have been written about Fawcett. It’s worth noting that one of Pizzoli’s sources, David Grann’s 2005 “New Yorker” article, is fascinating and would make excellent continued reading for mature readers. Pizzoli’s unusual and enjoyable illustrations provide some comic relief throughout the text. Back matter includes an Author’s Note, information on other Fawcett hunters, a glossary, and selected sources. THOUGHTS: So much more than just a biography, this book will be enjoyed by any reader who likes a little adventure.

910.92                  Lindsey Long, Lower Dauphin School District

YA NF – To Look a Nazi in the Eye

Kacer, Kathy, and Jordana Lebowitz. To Look a Nazi in the Eye: A Teen’s Account of a War Criminal Trial. Second Story Press, 2017. 978-1-772-60040-7. 256 p. $13.95. Gr. 9 and up.

“‘Everyone cries here. There is no shame in that. If you’re not moved by this experience, you won’t be influenced by it,’ the guide said….” (6). Being the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Jordana Lebowitz has been interested in history and her heritage for a long time. Her special connection to other survivors expands while on March of the Living, a high school trip with the Jewish Day School Jordana attended.  After the trip Jordana maintains contact with Hedy Bohm who survived Auschwitz but lost both of her parents there. Years after their initial meeting, Jordana learns Hedy is part of a group of Canadian survivors that are traveling to Germany to testify against Oskar Groening. Moved to be a witness of history and represent her generation, Jordana contacts Thomas Walther, the man responsible for organizing the survivors to attend the trial. With determination and persistence, Jordana is afforded the opportunity to attend Groening’s trial. This book is a compilation of Jordana’s experiences, photographs, trial testimonies, and blog entries.  THOUGHTS: Jordana’s determination to witness history is inspiring. With aging Holocaust survivors, To Look a Nazi in the Eye encourages teens to know history and make a difference in their worlds. Readers looking for a contemporary connection to the Holocaust will get one in this book. With varied sources, there is much room for discussion. Because of the nature of the trial, this book is most suited for high school students studying or interested in learning more about the Holocaust.  

345.43 Criminal Law, Holocaust      Maryalice Bond, South Middleton School District

MS FIC – Nevermoor

Townsend, Jessica. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow. Little Brown and Company, 2017. 978-0-316-50888-9 461p. $17.99.  Gr. 4 and up.

Morrigan Crow is considered a cursed child. Born on an unlucky day, anything bad that happens in her vicinity is blamed on her.  Cursed children die when they are eleven.  On the night that she is supposed to die, Morrigan is whisked away by the most amazing character, Jupiter North.  Jupiter takes her to an amazing place, Nevermoor, where she is entered into a trial to become one of the respected members of the Wondrous Society.  Packed with surprises, interesting characters, and lovely phrases, this book is sure to please fantasy readers, both young and old. THOUGHTS Reading this was similar to the experience I had reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone for the very first time.  It was a joy to read.  I would highly recommend this book for all middle grade and middle school collections.  

Fantasy      Toni Vahlsing, Abington Friends School

YA FIC – I Never; The Way It Hurts

Hopper, Laura. I Never. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2017. 978-1-328-66378-8. 304 p. Gr. 10 and up.

When Janey’s parents announce their divorce while on a fabulous vacation, her world is rocked. She used to know who she was, but now she’s not so sure. Add in golden boy Luke Hallstrom, and Janey realizes she has a lot to learn. Self-confidence becomes an issue Janey never realized she had as she experiences many firsts. Navigating uncharted territories (for her), Janey learns how to be who she wants with her family, her friends, and her boyfriend.   THOUGHTS: As an adult who works in a high school, I was uncomfortable at times while reading this book. I’m not saying I’m totally naive about what goes on, but I don’t necessarily want to read the details. Saying this book doesn’t shy away from the details is an understatement. Though I’ve never read it, Judy Blume’s Forever has stood the test of time as a challenged modern classic. I recommend you read I Never and gauge your audience before adding it to your school library. Descriptions of casual sex make this more suited for mature readers.  

Realistic Fiction      Maryalice Bond, South Middleton School District

 

Blount, Patty. The Way It Hurts. Sourcebooks Fire, 2017. 978-1-492-63278-8. 352 p. $10.99. Gr. 10 and up.

Dual narrators Eli and Kristen could not be more opposite. Eli is trying to jumpstart his rock career in a band while Kristen stars in her high school musical. Together they take center stage in the back and forth banter of social media misunderstanding.  Off the stage, both teens are dealing with issues in their own lives.  Eli is a protective brother to his autistic sister, while Kristen is navigating some issues with her family. When Kristen tries to diversify her musical resume by joining Eli’s band, sparks fly but not always in a good way.  THOUGHTS: I have enjoyed several of Blount’s character-driven books. Readers looking for a little music, a few family issues, and some social media drama will enjoy this one. As Eli and Kristen navigate their new fame and friendship, they each have some growing up to do and some big decisions to make about the future.   

Realistic Fiction      Maryalice Bond, South Middleton School District

Elementary NF – Penguin Chicks; Engineered by Nature

Murray, Julie.  Penguin Chicks.  ABDO Kids Publishing, 2018. 9781532100741. 24 p.  $19.00.  K-2.

With attractive photographs and simple text, Murray has written an introduction to the life cycle of the penguin from egg to chick for young readers.  The reader learns about the behavior and physical description of the penguin, as well as some simple terminology.  The book is designed in classic nonfiction style and includes an index and table of contents.  A few words are highlighted in the text, like hatch, thick, webbed and fine and these are defined in the picture glossary.  However, words like krill are not explained. There are one or two sentences on a page in a large font size, while the opposite page contains a full page photograph. Children can access activities and videos about penguins on abdokids.com by using the special code, which is provided.  This book is part of the ABDO Kids: Baby Animals series, but the other books in the series were not available for review.  THOUGHTS:  This book is perfect for teachers to use in the ever popular penguin unit. It will also appeal to children who will enjoy reading about this unique animal independently.  Young readers will be drawn to the charming photographs. This text is a winner and should be added to all elementary collections.

598.47; Birds            Denise Medwick, West Allegheny SD

 

Spilsbury, Louise and Richard. Engineered by Nature. Bellweather Media, 2017. 32 p. $25.95 each. Gr. 3-6.

Animal Adaptations. 978-1-62617-585-3.

Animal Homes and Hangouts. 978-1-62617-586-0.

Animal Traps and Lairs. 978-1-62617-587-7.

Born Survivors. 978-1-62617-588-4.

Deadly Predators. 978-1-62617-589-1.

Killer Plants. 978-1-60686-467-8.

This series focuses on the marvels of nature and the ways in which nature engineers animals and plants for survival. Each title focuses on a different mode of survival, such as physical adaptations or skillfully built animal homes. Every book provides a basic introduction along with 11 mostly well-done examples, such as the large ears of a fennec fox that help keep it cool in the hot desert climate or the intricately dug colonies of prairie dogs which keep them safe from predators. Examples include one or two colorful photographs along with straightforward text. Page layout is clean and often includes Fast Facts or Did You Know? highlights. Each book includes a Table of Contents, Index, Glossary, and To Learn More section. THOUGHTS: An attractive and interesting series for students of many ages.

500s              Lindsey Long, Lower Dauphin School District

Picture Books – Magic for Sale; Bruce’s Big Move; Silent Days, Silent Dreams; After the Fall

Clickard, Carrie. Magic for Sale. Holiday House, 2017. 9780823435593. Unpaged. $16.95.  Gr. K-3.

Georgie McQuist is on a mission to find the ghost that is rumored to be hidden in Miss Pustula Night’s magic shop on a dare from his classmates. This shop is full of magical supplies, like “mirrors that talk back to you.”  After entering the shop, Georgie falls into the basement through a hidden trap door. There he finds the unhappy ghost, who has been banished to the basement until he completes an inventory of its contents. The boy and the ghost accomplish the task, much to the dismay of Miss Night, who demands that Georgie leave immediately.  That he does, with a friendly monster in tow. The boy takes the monster to school for Show and Tell, which scares his classmates who initiated the dare.  Clickard is very clever in her use of rhyming text, which follows an AABBA pattern throughout the text.  The placement of the text adds a creative touch on some pages. Shelley’s illustrations are done in pen, ink, and watercolor.  The full bleed images are very detailed and children will enjoy poring over them to examine the magical artifacts. The characters and objects are depicted in a whimsical style and are appropriate for young children. THOUGHTS: This book is perfect for children who like their scary monster stories on the mild side.  A good addition to elementary collections.

Picture Book, Fantasy        Denise Medwick, West Allegheny School District

 

Higgins, Ryan T. Bruce’s Big Move. Disney Hyperion, 2017. 978-136800354-4. 40pp. $17.99. Gr K-3.

Bruce, the grumpy bear who unexpectedly became a mother to four geese and three mice who won’t move out, is back in this third edition in the series. With so many animals sharing his den, Bruce finds it’s too crowded, messy, chaotic, and loud. He tries to get rid of the mice, but they just won’t leave. So, Bruce leaves instead. He packs up his geese and heads off on his scooter in search of quieter lodgings. After finally settling on a secluded lake cabin, Bruce is happy, but the geese are mopey and missing the mice. It isn’t until the moving van pulls up and the mice begin making themselves at home that Bruce realizes some things will never change. Readers who’ve enjoyed this unconventional family’s story will find plenty to chuckle about as Bruce tries his hardest to reclaim his peaceful lifestyle before ultimately embracing his new reality of home.  THOUGHTS: Pair this title with Vera Brosgol’s Leave Me Alone! for a storytime centered around caregivers searching for sanity amongst the chaos of their crowded homes.

Picture Book       Anne Bozievich, Southern York County

 

Say, Allen. Silent Days, Silent Dreams. Arthur A. Levine Books, 2017.  978-0-545-92761-1. 63pp. $21.99. Gr 3-6.

James Castle was deaf, mute, dyslexic, and autistic, but nothing got in the way of his creative genius. Born in 1899, he spent his entire life living and creating art in attics and chicken houses on Idaho farms. Castle was a self-taught, untrained artist, and more than 15,000 pieces of his artwork survive today. This fictional story, narrated by Castle’s nephew, is based on real-life information, letters, and interviews about the artist. After studying Castle’s style and researching the mediums he used, including burned matchsticks, saliva, sharpened sticks, soot, and shoe polish, Caldecott-winning illustrator Say created this book’s images using some of the same mediums and drawing on Castle’s original artwork as inspiration. The result is a unique tribute to a largely unknown American artist, one who overcame any obstacle he encountered to fulfill his innate desire to create. A lengthy author’s note describes how Say first learned about Castle, and it also discusses his own process of creating this book’s unique illustrations.  THOUGHTS:  Although lengthier than many traditional picture books, this title could be used in conjunction with other books about people overcoming disabilities or as part of a biography unit. Art teachers may be interested in highlighting the unusual mediums Castle used to create his artwork.

Picture Book       Anne Bozievich, Southern York County

 

Santat, Dan. After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again. Roaring Brook Press, 2017. 978-1-62672-682-6. Unpaged. $17.99. Gr. K-5.

After his classic and well-known accident, Humpty Dumpty has a tough time getting back into his usual routine. He loves watching birds (which is, of course, why he was hanging out on a high wall in the first place) and his fear of heights now prevents him from being close to them. Even the top grocery store shelf with the most delicious cereals and his bunk bed are no longer options. One day, Humpty gets an idea to make a paper airplane bird. He knows it’s hard, but he keeps trying and trying through several failed attempts until his paper bird can fly high in the sky, close to the birds in his place. When his bird lands on top of the wall, Humpty almost gives up again, but then he thinks of all the hard work he’s put in and all the things he’s missed. He’s very scared, but he manages to climb the wall, one step at a time, “…until I was no longer afraid.” A final surprise makes this story of simple, real emotions even better. THOUGHTS: Santat’s beautiful, carefully designed illustrations help convey the range of Humpty’s emotions and struggle. Share this story with any group who could use help broadening their growth mindset.

Picture book             Lindsey Long, Lower Dauphin School District

 

MS/YA Nonfiction – Survivor’s Club; One Last Word

Bornstein, Michael, and Debbie Bornstein Holinstat. Survivors Club: The True Story of a Very Young Prisoner of Auschwitz. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2017. 978-0-374-30571-0. 348 p. $16.99. Gr. 6-8.

Born in 1940 in the Nazi-occupied ghetto of Zarki, Poland, Michael Bornstein spent the first 11 years of his life enduring an incredible amount of heartbreak and despair.  When he was only four years old, he and his family were relocated to the Auschwitz concentration camp, which he, along with his mother and grandmother, miraculously survived.  Sadly, his father and brother were killed at Auschwitz.  After returning home to Zarki, Michael and his remaining family discovered they were unwelcome, and eventually ended up moving to Munich as displaced persons.  There, Michael attended a Hebrew school and his mother worked until, after six years, they were finally able to emigrate to the United States.  Throughout this honest and harrowing memoir, the power of hope is consistently reinforced, as Michael’s mother is constantly reminding him: “Gam ze ya’avor” (“This too shall pass”).  The book is supplemented by an afterword, a Bornstein family “who’s who,” captioned photographs, a glossary of Yiddish terms, and source notes. This is a powerful and memorable addition to any middle school Holocaust collection.  THOUGHTS: There are many options for using this title in a school setting.  Social studies teachers could use it to supplement a unit on the Holocaust or to spark discussion about racism and senseless murder that is still happening in the world today.  Another option would be to pair this title with fictional stories about the Holocaust, such as Jennifer Roy’s Yellow Star, Alan Gratz’s Prisoner B-3087, or John Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.  As with many selections that deal with the Holocaust, bear in mind that there are some horrific scenes throughout the course of the story that may not sit well with more sensitive readers.

940.53; Holocaust       Julie Ritter, Montoursville Area High School

 

Grimes, Nikki. One Last Word. Bloomsbury, 2017. 978-1-61963-554-8. 119pp. $18.99. Gr. 5 and up.

“Can I really find / fuel for the future / in the past ?” (11) One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance is Nikki Grimes at her finest.  Following the beautiful poetic structure of Gwendolyn Brooks known as Golden Shovel, which Grimes explains in the preface, Grimes pieces together new poetry amongst Harlem Renaissance poems to explore life and common experiences.  Every other poem is written by Grimes with the even poems chosen from poets such as Jean Toomer, Countee Cullen, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Langston Hughes, Paul Laurence Dunbar and many others.  Grimes highlights the line from the Harlem Renaissance poems that she uses in her Golden Shovel style poem that follows (the words in her poems are also highlighted to connect back to the original text).  Intermixed with the poems are colorful mixed media art that support the poems and experiences. Two of my favorites are “Jabari Unmasked”, about how students mask themselves to fit in and often their hearts and mind are lost in the act, and  “Lessons”, about the impact of poverty in life and how love and family can save. THOUGHTS:  As a teacher-librarian, Grimes poems speak to the need to raise students up and praise them for their abilities while teaching them to strengthen their weaknesses.  Poems “Crucible of Champions”, “A Safe Place”, “The Sculptor”, and “Lessons” are just a few of the poems that remind the reader, adult or student, that life is different for each person no matter how similar they may seem.  This is an exquisite text.

Poetry     Erin Bechdel, Beaver Area SD

 

 

 

YA Mystery – Overturned

Giles, Lamar. Overturned. Scholastic Press, 2017. 978-0-545-81250-4. 341pp. $17.99. Gr. 7 and up.

Nikki Tate understands Las Vegas.  Taught by Nathan “The Broker” Tate to play cards and growing up in the casino owned by her family, Nikki understands that the easiest way out is to win.  When her father is murdered a week after his release from death row, Nikki is determined to finish what he started and figure out who murdered her father.  Using the photographs taken and notes made by her father, Nikki quickly learns that perhaps she doesn’t truly understand Las Vegas or at least her father’s Vegas.  As she learns more about the underbelly surrounding the glitz of Vegas and the Poseidon group, Nikki must lie, scheme, and risk her life (and her friendships) to uncover the truth about her father, the Poseidon group, and the true Vegas.  THOUGHTS:  This is a fabulous mystery that keeps readers rooting for Nikki while also questioning her choices.  Perhaps Las Vegas isn’t as legit as some think.

Mystery      Erin Bechdel, Beaver Area SD

Elementary NF – Sergeant Reckless

McCormick, Patricia. Sergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero. Balzer + Bray, 2017. 978-0-06-229259-9. Unpaged. $17.99. Gr. 2-5.

One of my favorite new titles from 2017, Patricia McCormick’s Sergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero is amazing in every sense. McCormick tells the fascinating story of a hungry little mare abandoned during the Korean War who was adopted by a group of Marines and taught to haul heavy ammunition. Named Reckless by the men, the horse had a very healthy appetite and worked hard for any and all food…and ate quite a few things besides! She especially loved ice-cold Coca-Cola. The little mare proved to be quite brave and steady in the face of danger. She earned a promotion from Private to Sergeant for her work within the Marines, and she is the only animal to officially hold military rank. She also received two Purple Hearts and retired with full military honors after the men she fought with started a campaign to bring her to the United States for her retirement. McCormick’s writing is well-paced and full of action, making this story a sure favorite for all lovers of horses and military history, but it would also make an excellent general read-aloud for all students. Equal to (or perhaps even topping!) McCormick’s writing are Iacopo Bruno’s marvelous, thoughtful illustrations. Every inch of the book is marked by Bruno’s work, from the detailed, informational front and back endpapers to the excellent back matter which includes McCormick’s Author’s Note and a photograph of Reckless at her ceremony of honor. Bruno illustrated the story in a scrapbook style which includes bits of newspaper articles and headlines, a snippet of the army field manual, layers of papers and photographs, advertisements, and more, and often McCormick’s writing is displayed on signs, sheets, playing cards, and other elements of Bruno’s illustrations. The book design is ingenious and makes the book even better. THOUGHTS: McCormick and Bruno are a winning team–students will love Reckless and her story.

636.1; Technology    Lindsey Long, Lower Dauphin School District

Picture Books – Chengdu Can Do; Pick a Pine Tree

Saltzberg, Barney.  Chengdu Can Do.  Disney-Hyperion, 2017. Unpaged. 9781484758472.  $16.99. Gr. PreK-1.

This is the latest book in the series about an adorable young panda named Chengdu.  In this volume, Saltzberg tells the story of what Chengdu can do on his own when he realizes he is hungry.  He finds a tasty bamboo plant, and the reader sees how Chengdu can jump, climb and swing on the shoots.  One thing he cannot do is reach the leaves until he gets help from two other pandas.  Although we are not told, we assume it is his parents who pull the tall bamboo plant down so Chengdu can munch on the leaves.  This book will appeal to young readers, who will see themselves in Chengdu as they realize what they can do on their own and when they may need help. The illustrations are done in pencil and watercolor with digital enhancement and are full bleed with a soft color palette.  Saltzberg uses foldout pages to show the length of the bamboo plant that the panda has climbed.  The panda swings back and forth on the bamboo shoot only to be catapulted off onto the ground.  The illustrator creatively shows this action sequence through the use of a foldout page followed by one-quarter and one-half size pages, which makes this part of the story appear to be almost animated.  Thoughts: Young children will enjoy reading the adventures of this young panda bear.  This book would be a good read aloud for preschoolers and primary grade students.

Picture Book         Denise Medwick, West Allegheny School District

 

Toht, Patricia. Pick a Pine Tree. Candlewick Press, 2017. 978-0-7636-957102. Unpaged. $16.99. Gr. K-3.

Looking for a fresh book to add to your holiday collection? Choose this jolly new offering from Patricia Toht. Pick a Pine Tree follows a family through their day as they find a tree at the Christmas tree lot, take it home and set it up, and host a decorating day with friends and family to trim the tree. Toht’s simple rhyming text evokes true holiday joy at all the simple traditions that families value during this season, such as setting up a Christmas tree. “Find the trimmings stored within bulging boxes, rusty tins, paper bags, a wood case. Bring them to that special place, there, beside your tree.” Illustrations by Jarvis are done with pencil, chalk, and paint. The colorful, cozy-looking pictures pair perfectly with Toht’s secular story. This is my favorite new holiday book that I purchase this year! THOUGHTS: Perfect for storytime or one-on-one sharing, read this little gem to children eager to begin the holiday season and trim their own trees.

Picture book         Lindsey Long, Lower Dauphin School District