Elem. – Stickler Loves the World

Posted on October 31, 2023 by pslamediaselectionreview

Smith, Lane. Stickler Loves the World. Random House Studio, 2023. 978-0-593-64983-1. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades PreK-2.

A strange yet winsome creature lives in the forest with many woodland animals. True to its name, Stickler is covered with sticks and enjoys collecting them to share with his friend Crow. With its multiple changing eyes, Stickler loves looking at everything in its world like “fluffy clouds…mushy moss…craggy stone [and a] slimy frog..” Yet the creature ponders what it would be like to see all these marvels with new eyes, so that it would all be fresh again. A short time later, Stickler meets a stranger in the forest, one who appears to have only three eyes and wearing a space helmet. Convinced that this being is not from Earth, Stickler takes it on a sensory tour of the area and describes such incredible things like the colorful and fragrant flowers, the warmth of the sun and the gusts of wind. In awe of everything, Stickler reflects that many wonders are passed by without being noticed. The stranger’s helmet, which is actually a can, pops off to reveal Crow, who is thankful to his friend for opening his eyes to an amazing world. Smith’s charming and engaging illustrations were created with mixed media. With sticks for hair, a big nose, and large ears, Stickler is an endearing character who encourages young readers to get out and really notice the world around them.

THOUGHTS: This enchanting picture book should be in every elementary collection. Children will enjoy listening to the story and will delight in knowing the identity of the helmeted visitor before the title character. Highly recommended and a Caldecott contender.

Picture Book

Elem. – Hot Dog

Posted on March 6, 2023 by pslamediaselectionreview

Salati, Doug. Hot Dog. Alfred A Knopf, 2022. 978-0-593-30843-1. 40 p. $17.99. Grades PreK-2.

Told in spare text, this story of a woman and her long-haired dachshund is no trivial tale. The unnamed pair live in a city and set out on a hot summer morning to run errands. With a to-do list in hand, the woman leads her adorable pup along crowded and noisy sidewalks, and the urban chaos upsets the tiny canine. Refusing to budge another inch, the animal sits down in the middle of a busy street in protest. The guardian scoops up her pet and realizing their need to get away, they head to the seashore by train and ferry. They breathe in fresh sea air and with umbrella in hand proceed to the beach to spend the afternoon. Without a leash, the little dog runs free and enjoys digging in the sand, splashing in the waves, and collecting rocks, which the woman uses to make rock art. As sunset approaches, both of them board the ferry for home. The twosome exit the subway to streets that are now quieter, less crowded and cooler. Feeling refreshed, they return home for dinner and a “deep ocean sleep.” The lyrical text is sprinkled with alliteration, onomatopoeia, and rhyme. What makes this story shine is the amazing artwork. For the initial city scenes, the images are vertically placed, each framed with a black border. This technique cleverly demonstrates the overcrowding, frenzy and din of the streets, and a few drawings give the dachshund’s perspective. The horizontal pictures at the seaside and of the city at night are unframed and are mostly full or double page spreads, which creates a sense of tranquility and openness. Salati uses pencil, gouache, and Photoshop to craft illustrations that touch the senses. There are the familiar scents of the city on their return (dog-trash can; woman-vegetable stand). City sounds are portrayed by the overwritten words on the drawings of the traffic jam (Hawwnk…Honk…Beep) and the construction site (Tukka…Tukka…Tukka). The orange and yellow image of pedestrians in the sweltering heat looks almost too hot to touch. The artist creatively represents the wind in the flapping ears and ruffled fur of the pup on the ferry, and the reader can almost feel the gentle breeze as the sheer curtains in the bedroom billow out from the open window.

THOUGHTS: This outstanding picture book reminds us to take time to relax and enjoy the beauty of the world with those we love. This is an essential purchase for elementary libraries. Young readers won’t be able to wait to take Hot Dog home.

Picture Book Denise Medwick, Retired, PSLA Member

Elem. – The Cat on the Mat: All About Mindfulness

Posted on March 3, 2022 by pslamediaselectionreview

Worth, Bonnie. The Cat on the Mat: All About Mindfulness. Random House, 2021. 978-0-593-37935-6. 45 p. $9.99. Grades K-3.

The beloved Cat in the Hat is back, this time to give readers tips on managing all of the stressors life tends to throw at us. In an ode to mindful meditation, the Cat in the Hat encourages readers to just sit, breathe, listen to the sounds around them, feel each body part from the inside, and focus on the present. He goes on to explain some of the benefits of being mindful, such as learning to focus and listen better and learning to be kinder to oneself and others. All of this wisdom is presented in rhyming verse and accompanied by animated illustrations that readers have come to expect from the Cat in the Hat.

THOUGHTS: Considering all of the stressors thrown at us during the last couple of years, I would say this is a very timely book and a reasonable purchase for all elementary collections. Give it to Dr. Seuss fans, students who are in stressful situations, or fans of Cosmic Kids Yoga.

Picture Book Julie Ritter

Elem. – Gumboot Kids Nature Mystery

Posted on February 8, 2022 by pslamediaselectionreview

Hogan, Eric, and Tara Hungerford. Gumboot Kids Nature Mystery. Firefly, 2021. $19.95 ea. 32 p. Grades K-2.

The Case of the Hanging Food Catcher. 978-0-228-10337-0.
The Case of the Shrinking Friend. 978-0-228-103350-5.

The mice Scout and Daisy (aka the Gumboot Kids) have returned to solve more nature-related mysteries! In The Case of the Hanging Food Catcher, when Scout and Daisy meet to pick pumpkins, Scout mentions nearly walking into a hanging food catcher earlier in the day. They consult Scout’s field notebook, where he recorded clues about his encounter, which lead them to a beautiful spider web. Their findings are confirmed when they consult a book about spiders. In The Case of the Shrinking Friend, while on a winter hike, Daisy notices that the snow mouse she had built the day before had shrunk! Using Daisy’s sketchbook filled with drawings from the day prior, they set off to solve the mystery. The clues, together with knowledge they gain from a book about weather, lead them to conclude that the snow mouse is shrinking because the warmth of the sun has melted the snow. Each title concludes with a mindful moment in which Scout and Daisy pause and reflect on nature and the knowledge they have gained. Back matter includes definitions of the terms in the field notes, a fact page featuring photographs, and a related nature craft that children can complete.

THOUGHTS: I love how this series encourages readers to solve mysteries by making observations and then consult books in the library to interpret their observations and answer their questions–what a great way to introduce the basics of the scientific research process to young readers. In addition, the series encourages readers to go out into nature, explore and engage with the world around them, and to be curious. Recommended.

500s Natural Sciences Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD

Elem – I am Courage

Posted on January 11, 2022 by pslamediaselectionreview

Verde, Susan. I am Courage. Abrams, 2021. 978-0-711-26145-7. p. 32. $14.99. Grades K-2.

What is courage? Is it speaking out, believing in ourselves, asking for help, trying new things, and getting back up in challenging situations? It also could mean feeling scared yet facing those things that place fear in our hearts. I am Courage, by Susan Verde and illustrated by Peter Reynolds, is a picture book that promotes love and acceptance. The story shows various ways that a person can connect with themselves and others.

We are strong.
We are capable.
We are important.
We are courage.

THOUGHTS: I am Courage, the newest addition to Susan Verde and Peter Reynolds I Am series, is a story of empowerment. Readers will be reminded that they can conquer anything and remain strong in their bodies and minds. The yoga and mindfulness exercises at the back of the picture book also will encourage readers to be strong and confident.

Picture Book Marie Mengel, Reading SD

Elem. – Too Many Bubbles

Posted on August 27, 2021 by pslamediaselectionreview

Peck, Christina, and Mags Deroma. Too Many Bubbles: A Story about Mindfulness. Sourcebooks, 2021. 978-1-728-23590-5. 48 p. $12.99. Grades PreK – 1.

Izzy starts with one thought, a grumpy one right above her head after a rough day, following her all day until it was time for bed. When she woke up the next morning, she had another thought bubble, and as the story goes she has more and more until they, literally, push her off the page. Izzy makes her way to her secret spot which has room for all of her bubbles. She takes a deep breath in and gently blows on the bubbles (the book encourages the reader to do the same to help Izzy). The back of the book has more information for the reader regarding mindfulness, as well as some exercises that the reader can practice. The illustrations in this book are very bright and colorful which was a nice contrast to the plot of Izzy feeling overwhelmed by all these thought bubbles.

THOUGHTS: This is a great introduction for mindfulness, as well as a great book to start a conversation with a reader about that topic. This book would be useful in any elementary library collection, or for an elementary guidance counselor or school social worker.

Picture Book Mary Hyson, Lehigh Valley Regional Charter Academy

Elem. – Arlo: The Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep

Posted on March 1, 2021 by pslamediaselectionreview

Rayner, Catherine. Arlo: The Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep. Peachtree, 2020. $17.99. 978-1-682-63222-2. 32 p. Grades K-2.

Everyone knows that lions need a lot of sleep. Exhausted Arlo the lion searched high and low for a good place to sleep, but all he finds are faults. “The grass was too prickly and the earth was too hard” while the “sun is too hot and the night is too cold.” Nearing desperation, Arlo encounters an owl who shares her secret song for sleeping through the daytime with less than perfect conditions. Before long, Arlo is using the song to calm his mind and body to fall asleep. Feeling fully rested Arlo is excited to share with his friends whom he awakens in his excitement. Thus, the story repeats for two cycles as the lion helps his friends perfect the technique until everyone is sound asleep. Brief, repetitive text is spread sparsely over the soothing mixed media artwork featuring watercolor, screenprint, acrylic ink, and pencil allowing readers to become absorbed in the mindful message and find stillness.

THOUGHTS: A nice gentle storybook featuring elements of meditation and mindfulness for children. Delightful as a stand-alone story or a good introduction to a breathing, meditation, and mindfulness lesson.

Picture Book Jackie Fulton, Mt. Lebanon SD

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