Elem. – Lemon Bird Can Help

Ganucheau, Paulina. Lemon Bird Can Help. RH Graphic, 2022. 978-0-593-12267-9. 98 p. $12.99. Gr. PreK-3. 

Lemon Bird, a precious piece of citrus with a beak and wings, may have trouble flying, but has more than enough traits to compensate. She makes a best friend in Pupkin when she rescues the pumpkin/pup from some aggressive vines. The pair romp about the farm yard but make the mistake of  napping in the back of a produce truck. They wake up far from home, but clever Lemon Bird comes up with a plan. The sweet, kind pair make new friends all along the journey, even winning over sour Keylime, who originally bullies Lemon Bird and mocks her for not being able to fly. This graphic novel could have been saccharine sweet, but manages to pull off adorable and heartwarming. Lemon Bird reminds others that it is OK to ask for help, and OK to be scared, good lessons for young readers, too. Ganucheau’s oversized illustrations are perfect for primary readers, drawing them into the story. One delightfully ironic vignette has Lemon Bird and Pupkin taken in by an elderly woman and her Boarnana, who daintily sips tea from a china cup, while Lemon Bird and Pupkin end up being the pigs and making a mess at the table. It is hard to imagine anyone not falling in love with Lemon Bird and Pupkin! As an added bonus, at the end of the book Ganucheau includes a lesson on how to draw Lemon Bird, as well as an exercise in imagining other Fruit Animals. 

THOUGHTS: This thoroughly delightful graphic novel should be popular with readers young and older. The produce-animals are adorable and engaging, the illustrations delightful, and while the storyline seems simplistic, it is an appreciated reminder that being kind is easy, and has unanticipated benefits. 

Graphic Novel          Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor SD

Elem. – Mae the Mayfly

Brennan-Nelson, Denise. Mae the Mayfly. Sleeping Bear Press, 2020. 978-1-534-11051-9. $16.99. Grades K-2.

Mae the Mayfly has only a day or so to enjoy the wonderful world that is all around her! Mother cautions her to be careful as she explores, and Mae almost ended her day by being eaten by a trout! As Mae hides in a tree, the beautiful world outside calls to her. Mae realizes that she cannot stay hidden in a tree, for there are so many things out there for her to see! As Mae explores, she realizes the same trout that tried to eat her needs help. Are they so different fr other? What should Mae do!?

THOUGHTS: The message of living your life and not hiding away is a great message found throughout this sweet picture book. In addition to this sweet message, this book provides information on an insect that many read may not know about. A delightful read!

Picture Book          Rachel Burkhouse, Otto-Eldred SD

Elem. – Rescuing Mrs. Birdley

Reynolds, Aaron. Rescuing Mrs. Birdley. Simon and Schuster. 978-1-534-42704-4. 32 p. $17.99. Grades K-3. 

Young Miranda Montgomery is an animal expert. She’s learned everything she knows from the Nature Joe Animal Show on television. Nature Joe is a whizz at rescuing animals and returning them to their natural habitats. So, when Miranda spots her teacher at the grocery store – out of the natural habitat of her classroom – she springs into action. Capturing Mrs. Birdley proves to be more challenging than Miranda initially anticipates. The teacher evades a leaf-covered pit and a blueberry yogurt-baited trap before Miranda ultimately captures her and returns her to the classroom where she belongs. After locking Mrs. Birdley in for the weekend, Miranda is feeling pretty proud of herself….until she spots her principal eyeing up lawn mowers at the home improvement store the next day. Vibrant digital artwork, featuring lots of jungle green, brings this story to life while also celebrating Miranda’s vivid imagination. 

THOUGHTS: This book will hook students during read-aloud time. Pair it with Peter Brown’s My Teacher is a Monster for a story time featuring titles about teachers who do not belong outside their classrooms. 

Picture Book          Anne Bozievich, Southern York County SD