Elem. – Make Way for Butterfly

Burach, Ross. Make Way for Butterfly. Scholastic, 2023. 978-1-338-75263-2. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades PreK-3.

Make Way for Butterfly begins when Bee buzzes past Butterfly, who is relaxing on a flower. Curious, Butterfly asks Bee what they are doing, and launches into an explanation of pollination from Bee. The more Butterfly learns, the more desperate they become to be just like Bee. When Butterfly learns how Bee’s sticky hairs help with pollen collection, they break out the glue. When Butterfly learns about Bee’s pollen baskets, they attempt to create baskets of their own… and then comes the jet pack, and fuzz, and stingers, and stripes. In the end, Butterfly learns that, even without speed, fuzz, stingers, stripes, pollen baskets, and sticky hairs, their unique way of pollinating is very important to the ecosystem as well.    

THOUGHTS: Make Way for Butterfly combines bright illustrations, scientific fact, and humor to tell a tale that will engage young readers and encourage multiple readings… and might just hook the adults that read to them, too. The science in the story is sound, and the message about being yourself evolves throughout the book without being heavy-handed. This a book young readers will love and seek on library shelves. Highly recommended.

Picture Book

Elem. – Are You Big? 

Willems, Mo. Are You Big?  Specific House, 2024.  978-1-454-94818-6. Unpaged. $17.99. Grades PreK-1.

On a quick glance of its cover and slim trim size, this picture book seems to be just another story about a growing child.  After a couple of pages, it is obvious that this is no ordinary tale about getting bigger.  Instead, Willems has created a brilliant concept book that discusses the relative size of mostly inanimate objects. It begins with the narrator asking a child, drawn as a stick figure,  “Are you big?” On the next page, a hot air balloon walks into view and the point is wordlessly made that the balloon is bigger. The question is repeated as the next thing appears. The balloon is compared to a cloud, the cloud to a storm, the storm to Australia, and so on until it ends the exercise with a galaxy cluster. For each comparative pair, the previous objects (and child) are arranged in a row at the bottom of the page, drawn to show their size relative to the new larger entity. On the final pages, the story reverts back to the child, who seems reassured about his/her size when an ant emerges. In his usual cartoon style, Willems has managed to personify the non-living subjects. The “characters” all have legs, mouths and eyes, which are depicted quite cleverly on Earth. The author includes a tongue-in-cheek disclaimer that the objects are not drawn to scale and provides a chart comparing their relative size differences in words- “An average kid is 430 times taller than an ant.”

THOUGHTS: The latest offering from Mo Willems is a BIG winner and an engaging read aloud. Children will eagerly anticipate and greet each new comparison with a BIG Whoa! This is an absolute must-have for all elementary collections. In fact, librarians may want to buy multiple copies and place one in nonfiction and one with Mo’s other fictional picture books.

153.752 Cognition and Memory
Perception of Space

Elem. – My Senses (Series NF)

Nilsen, Genevieve. My Senses. Tadpole Books, 2023. $19.29 each or $96.45 Set of 5. Grades K-2.

Hear. 979-8-885-24086-4.
See. 979-8-885-24089-5.
Smell. 979-8-885-24092-5.
Taste. 979-8-885-24095-6.
Touch. 979-8-885-24098-7.

This reviewer had the opportunity to read Hear. Bright photographs accompany sparse text in this nonfiction series. Simple sentences like “I hear a dog bark.” introduce readers to the ways we hear sounds around us. Teachers can use this series for a science lesson on the five senses. With a Table of Contents, Words to Know, Review, Index, and Tools for Caregivers, this series is accessible for young readers who are learning to navigate nonfiction text structures.

THOUGHTS: Purchase this set for elementary libraries serving young readers with an interest in nonfiction text. They’ll experience success reading them quickly and be ready for more.

612.8 Nervous System

Elem. – Buffalo Fluffalo

Kalb, Bess. Buffalo Fluffalo. Illustrated Erin Kraan. Random House Studio, 2024. 978-0-593-56453-0. 40 p. $18.99. Grades K-2.

Buffalo Fluffalo lives in a stunning valley that features a distant mountain range, majestic pine trees, and a beautiful turquoise lake. But Fluff is a “surly old buffalo / Who was ever so snarly and gnarly and tuffalo.” He stomps on flowers, snorts in warning, and wears his fluff like protective armor. His number one request? “Leave me alone because / I’ve had enuffalo!” Despite his grumpy demeanor, affable critters approach with offers of a handmade hat, a race through prairie dog tunnels, and a friendly chat. Fluff meets each offer with a resounding rebuffalo. But when a sudden thunderstorm soaks Fluff to the skin, his true (very diminutive) form is revealed. Embarrassed, Fluff defensively asserts his toughness, until the animals whose friendship he denied step in and assure him that they like him just as he is. The sun comes out and shines on Fluff, surrounded by all of his new, affectionate friends. Readers may even spot a happy tear in his eye! Author Bess Kalb has written Buffalo Fluffalo in playful, rhyming couplets with vocabulary that is somehow both nonsensical and perfectly descriptive (rain lands with a “spluffalo”). Erin Kraan’s delightful illustrations are rendered through hand-carved woodcuts, Photoshop, and acrylic gouache, creating engaging scenes with a variety of textures.

THOUGHTS: Young readers will identify Mr. Fluff’s guarded posturing and root for potential friends to break through his “gruffalo” persona!

Picture Book

Elem. – No Cats in the Library

Emmons, Lauren. No Cats in the Library. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024. 978-1-665-93368-1. 32 p. $18.99. Grades PreK-2.

In this heartwarming picture book, a stray creamsicle kitten named Clarisse discovers “a magical building where people walked in empty-handed and came back out with books!” That’s right – it’s the library! Clarisse is determined to get inside, but the children’s librarian is having none of it. Finally Clarisse discovers the book drop, and with a few acrobatic maneuvers, she’s in! Disappointed that she can’t read the books that are full of squiggly dark lines, Clarisse finds a girl in the children’s book section who is happy to read aloud to her. The magic of a read-aloud turns lines on a page into fabulous stories. Knowing a good idea when she sees one, the librarian announces that read-aloud cats are welcome in the library and just like that, Clarisse has a new home! Author and illustrator Lauren Emmons’ artwork is rendered in appealing shades of tangerine, teal, and cream. There is diverse representation among the library patrons: people of various ages, ethnicities, and physical abilities are depicted enjoying everything the library has to offer. Repeated readings will reward readers with little details such as the collar that appears on Clarisse after the librarian makes her announcement. 

THOUGHTS: There’s just something about adorable animals and libraries that go so well together! Readers will delight in reading No Cats in the Library over and over.

Picture Book

Elem./MG – Esports

Abdo, Kenny. Esports. ABDO Books, 2023. $21.95 each or $131.70 for Set of 6. Grades 2-4.

Call of Duty. 978-1-098-22846-0.
Fortnite. 978-1-098-22847-7.
League of Legends. 978-1-098-22848-4.
NBA 2K. 978-1-098-22849-1.
Overwatch. 978-1-098-22850-7.
Rocket League. 978-1-098-22851-4.

Esports – possibly more popular and well known than your typical physical sport! This Esport series showcases some of the most popular online video games that are currently around. The reviewer read the title Fortnite. Fortnite has had a massive impact on the esport world. Starting with a typical co-op format, it quickly gained traction when it turned into a battle royale. This title highlights the championships, top players, and impact it has made globally.

THOUGHTS: This easy read will be a popular book that will engage young readers who are interested in the game!

794.8 Electronic and Video Games

Elem./MG – Ancient Marine Life (Series NF)

Moening, Kate. Ancient Marine Life. Bellwether Media. 2023-2024. $19.95 each or $199.50 for set of 10. Grades 3-7.

2023

Archelon. 979-8-886-87168-5.
Ichthyosaurs. 979-8-886-87169-2.
Megalodon. 979-8-886-87170-8.
Mosasaurs. 979-8-886-87171-5.
Plesiosaurs. 979-8-886-87172-2.
Sea Scorpions. 979-8-886-87173-9.

2024

Basilosaurus. 979-8-886-87840-0.
Dunkleosteus. 979-8-886-87841-7.
Livyatan. 979-8-886-87842-4.
Orthocones. 979-8-886-87843-1.

Discover extinct animal life with the series Ancient Marine Life! Take a deep dive into the past with this series. The reviewer read the title Megalodon. Megalodon – the massive ancient shark, so massive it is the largest to ever live! Read about its body parts, life, and extinction. Discover this predator’s prey and environment and where it lived with this easy-to-read text for reluctant readers.

THOUGHTS: This series, while containing some difficult words, is a great resource for reluctant readers. Small groups of text, detailed and colorful pictures, maps, and other resources are available for young readers in this series.

565-567.9 Fossils & Historic Life 

Elem. – Brainpower (Series NF)

Colich, Abby. Brainpower. Jump!, Inc., 2023. $18.95 each or $75.80 for Set of 4. Grades 2-5.

Your Brain When You’re Angry. 979-8-885-24140-3.
Your Brain When You’re Happy. 979-8-885-24143-4.
Your Brain When You’re Sad. 979-8-885-24146-5.
Your Brain When You’re Scared. 979-8-885-24149-6.

The Brainpower series discusses what happens to the brain when an individual experiences strong emotions, such as anger, happiness, sadness, and fear (being scared). The reviewer read the book Your Brain When You’re Sad. Your Brain When You’re Sad discusses what happens in your brain when a person experiences sadness, the chemical releases and reactions to the emotion, and ways to help cope and manage sadness. The book utilizes photos and diagrams to discuss certain parts of your brain and what occurs at that time. Complete with brightly colored illustrations and goals, this book series helps establish emotions and why they occur.

THOUGHTS: The addition of Grow with Goals included in this series is a fantastic way for young readers to help establish ways to cope with strong emotions. A great beginning series for young readers to learn about their brain and emotions.

152.4-155.4 Emotions

Elem. – Life Cycles (Series NF)

Life Cycles. The Child’s World, 2023. $24.95 each or $299.40 for Set of 12. Grades 2-4.

Merritt, Robin. The Life Cycle of a Butterfly. 978-1-5038-5837-4.
—.
The Life Cycle of a Chicken. 978-1-5038-5842-8.
—. The Life Cycle of a Frog. 978-1-5038-5838-1.
—. The Life Cycle of a Human. 978-1-5038-5870-1.
—. The Life Cycle of a Polar Bear. 978-1-5038-5844-2.
—. The Life Cycle of a Snake. 978-1-5038-5843-5.

Owens, L.L. The Life Cycle of a Clown Fish. 978-1-5038-5841-1.
—. The Life Cycle of a Daisy. 978-1-5038-5869-5.
—. The Life Cycle of a Fern. 978-1-5038-5871-8.
—. The Life Cycle of a Ladybug. 978-1-5038-5872-5.
—. The Life Cycle of a Snail. 978-1-5038-5840-4.
—. The Life Cycle of an Earthworm. 978-1-5038-5839-8.

The Life Cycle series provides readers with information on a variety of plant and animal life cycles. The reviewer read the titles The Life Cycle of a Butterfly and The Life Cycle of a Clown Fish. The Life Cycle of a Butterfly provides information on the transformation from an egg, to a caterpillar, to a butterfly, ending back with the egg. Readers explore the detailed information on the butterfly life cycle, with detailed text, up-close photographs, and bonus facts and charts. The Life Cycle of a Clown Fish provides information on the clown fish species’ life cycle. While there are several different types of clown fish, they all go through the same life cycle. Readers will explore this interesting transformation, with detailed text, beautiful photographs, and bonus facts and charts.

THOUGHTS: An extremely well written and detailed life cycle series on popular plants and animals. This series is unique, as it discusses animals and plants that are popular, but not necessarily discussed.

583-636.5 Plants & Animals

Elem. – Worm and Caterpillar are Friends

Windness, Kaz. Worm and Caterpillar are Friends. Simon & Schuster Book for Young Readers. 2023. 978-16659-2001-8. $17.99. Gr. K-3.

Worm and Caterpillar are similar but different. Even though they are different, they are best friends! Caterpillar is about to go through a big change and is concerned about their friendship. Can two different animals survive such a big change? Will their friendship survive this change?

THOUGHTS: A fun Ready-to-Read graphic novel for beginning readers. Although change happens in life, friendship can last throughout it!

Graphic Novel