Tag Archives: Picture Book

Elem. – You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!)

Posted on by
Reply

Henson, Taraji P. You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!). Illustrated by Paul Kellam. ZonderKidz, 2024. 978-0-310-16059-5. $19.99. 32 p. Grades K-3.

Little TJ is so excited about her first day of school! She is dreaming about all the things she will learn, the activities she’ll get to participate in, the lunch room, and of course making a million new friends. However, when she arrives at school her first day jitters set in, and she ends up alienating her classmates and attracting a bully. Each day seems to go wrong, and TJ finds herself shrinking to avoid being bullied; she stops wearing her favorite clothes, eating her favorite lunch, and sharing her work in class. TJ confides in her grandmother who offers support, gives her advice on how to deal with a bully, and encourages her to find her confidence once more. The next day TJ feels more like herself again. During recess she finds her rhythm in the music room, and once the other kids see how much fun she is having marching to the beat of her own drum (literally) they come to join her. TJ even finds common ground with her former bully and makes a new friend.

THOUGHTS: With notes from the author about how to help your child deal with a bully, this book is great for parents whose child might be struggling at school. The lessons in this book would also resonate with teachers and could easily be used at the beginning of the school year to encourage classroom community. This picture book has fun, vibrant illustrations that will catch the attention of kids ages 4-8.

Picture Book

Elem. – Line Leads the Way

Posted on by
Reply

Salas, Laura Purdie. Line Leads the Way. Illustrated by Alice Caldarella. Capstone, 2024. 978-1-684-46928-4. $18.99. 32 p. Grades K-3.

Line Leads the Way introduces numerous topics to young readers including, shapes and their features, perseverance, bullying, and determination. In this colorful, shape-filled book each shape is on a mission to become the new treasure keeper; each shape journeys to the audition at the library exhibiting their unique features along the way. Line is not flashy like the other shapes and his journey is filled with obstacles including other shapes putting him down. As each shape boasts about why they would be the perfect treasure keeper, Line admits that he is in fact not perfect. His humility and honesty impress the librarian who recognizes that the perfect shape for this role is someone kind, open, and a little broken, as we all are.

THOUGHTS: This book provides many opportunities for learning, whether focusing on shapes and what features make each shape unique or discussing bullying and the fact that no one is perfect. I appreciated the simple text and colorful illustrations that will appeal to kids ages 4-8. I think this would make a great addition in any classroom or home library.

Picture Book

Elem. – Sasquatch and Squirrel

Posted on by
Reply

Monroe, Chris. Sasquatch and Squirrel. Carolrhoda Books, 2023. 978-1-728-40466-0. $18.99. Grades K-2. 

Strawberry the Sasquatch lives a solitary existence in the forest. No other sasquatches live nearby and humans are afraid of her, so Strawberry spends her time doing typical sasquatch activities–hiking, swimming, pranking loggers, and making collages. One day, she has a chance encounter with Nutty, a friendly squirrel and the pair decide to hang out together. This leads to a day of adventures, including climbing (Sasquatch falls–a lot), a logger prank (the pair have a close call with an angry logger), and snack sneaking (they are almost caught in a Squatch Watcher trap!). It was a rough day–maybe the pair don’t have enough in common to be friends. But, the next day, as they recover from their injuries from the prior day’s adventures, the two relax in a field and watch the clouds go by and discuss making a collage later. All they needed was to find some common ground and activities that suited both their personalities, and their friendship has been cemented.

THOUGHTS: This humorous friendship tale is sure to be a hit with readers. Many (though not all) of the illustrations are divided into panels, giving the title a hybrid picture book/graphic novel feeling. Recommended.

Picture Book

Elem. – Addie and the Amazing Acrobats

Posted on by
Reply

Cagan, Shauna. Addie and the Amazing Acrobats. Hippo Park, 2023. 978-1-662-64046-9. $18.99. Unpaged. Grades PreK-2. 

 Addie and her best friends Ben and Jude live under a red bridge with other neighborhood bats. The three are best known for their amazing flying acrobatic feats. They love to flip, swoosh, and cartwheel through the night sky. While they are all talented, the star of their show is clearly Addie. In fact, the animals of the neighborhood soon give their act a name– “Addie and the Amazing Acrobats.” When they are invited to join the Big Bat Circus, the three are ecstatic! But, it turns out the circus is only interested in having Addie join their company. So Addie grabs her bag, leaves the bridge, and is soon performing as an acrobat under the big top. As time passes, however, Addie finds that no matter how popular she is with the circus crowds, there’s something missing–her two best friends. Back at the bridge, Ben and Jude are finding that their act isn’t quite the same without Addie. When the circus is due to travel by her home, Addie is worried. Will Ben and Jude still want to be her friends?

THOUGHTS: This delightful picture book would make an ideal read aloud and could also be paired with a non-fiction text on bats. Readers will enjoy the acrobatic bat tricks as well as the interplay between the narrator and the protagonist. The digital illustrations convey the personality of the bats as well as the excitement of the aerials. An enjoyable story about the bonds of friendship.

Picture Book

Elem. – Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story

Posted on by
Reply

Shaffer, Jody Jensen. Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story. Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. 978-0-593-56552-0. $18.99. Unpaged. Grades K-2. 

Creep, Leap, Crunch! introduces young readers to the concept of food chains. Told in cumulative rhyming verse, the story begins at the beginning of the day (“There was a blue sky with a bright shining sun / a glorious, life-giving, fiery sun. / The day had begun.”). The sun helps the grass grow, a cricket nibbles the grass, a mouse eats the cricket, a snake consumes the mouse, the snake is scooped up by a hawk, the hawk is caught by a fox, and the fox is eaten by a bear. (Note: None of the creatures preyed upon are eaten on page in the illustrations; the fatal attack occurs off page, making this an ideal option for sensitive readers). Readers also learn that not every day is the same. Some days the cricket might jump away from the mouse or the snake might slither away from the hawk, for example. The text is enhanced by Christopher Silas Neal’s colorful mixed media illustrations, which help to bring the animals to life on the page. Back matter includes a glossary that defines and discusses the parts of the food chain depicted in the story.

THOUGHTS: The repetitive cumulative rhyming format of this title makes this book an excellent read aloud option for science lessons relating to the food chain. Recommended.

577 Ecology 

Elem. – Elbert in the Air

Posted on by
Reply

Wesolowska, Monica. Elbert in the Air. Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey. Dial, 2023. 978-0-593-32520-9. Unpaged. $18.99  Grades PK-3.

Soon after his birth, Elbert begins floating in the air. Many have much to say and much advice about Ebert’s floating, but his mother embraces who he is, saying “‘If Elbert was born to float, I will let him.’” At first, Elbert creates a world for himself out of floating toys; then, as he is older, he plays in the yard… but he is always alone.  Yearning for companionship, he follows the local children to school, and once again, the advice begins to bring Elbert down to Earth. His mother, again advocating for her son, advises school to let him float.  As Elbert grows, he floats higher and higher, away from his friends and family, and the community’s acceptance of him grows more and more tenuous. In time, he floats high enough to discover a floating community of people just like him and finds the acceptance he has been looking for.

THOUGHTS: Elbert in the Air presents a unique story on acceptance. Elbert’s difference is unlike any other students will have encountered. Elbert’s situation offers the opportunity for young readers to make connections both to Elbert and to his mother, who advocates for him, and the differences and upstanders they meet in their own lives. A great read-aloud for enjoyment as well as to spark discussions. A strong choice for library and guidance collections.

Picture Book 

Elem. – The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn

Posted on by
Reply

Harris, Shawn. The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn. Alfred A. Knopf. 2024. 978-0-593-57188-0. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades K-2.

Once upon a time, when horses were mythical rarities, unicorns were quite common … but not one as small as the titular teeny-weeny unicorn! He lives with his family in a large (for him, extra-large) castle, where his brother and sister use him in place of a missing piece in their chess game and laugh at the tiny little splash made by his cannonballs into the moat. So, crying teeny-weeny tears, he runs away and gets lost in the vast lawn. There, he’s confronted by an eeny-teeny-weeny gnome whose sports car he just accidentally hoof-stomped. The gnome requests an outrageous $250,000 to cover the damage, so they return to the palace together to ask the teeny-weeny unicorn’s parents for the money. Luckily, his parents have access to a treasure trove of cash that they have no use for. His siblings deliver the gnome home with his new fortune while the teeny-weeny unicorn plays chess and does cannonballs to his heart’s content. A winningly whimsical storyline and evocative chalk pastel artwork will draw readers in!

THOUGHTS: Author and illustrator Shawn Harris delivers an important message about size and perspective – we are all just right! – wrapped up in a fantastical storyline.

Picture Book

Elem. – The Brothers Zzli

Posted on by
Reply

Cousseau, Alex. The Brothers Zzli. Illustrated by Anne-Lise Boutin. 1st American ed., Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2023. 978-0-802-85609-8. $17.99. Unpaged. Grades K-3.

The brothers Zzli, three bears who have been driven from their home, are looking for somewhere to live. A little girl who lives alone in the forest generously decides to take them in. The brothers Zzli prove to be wonderful houseguests. They are cheerful, complimentary, and gracious. They help around the house and tell hilarious stories. When they organize a party for the neighborhood, however, no one shows up except the girl and her bat-friend. When the girl and her bat-friend go to see the neighbors, they are told that the bears are dangerous, unwanted, and will overrun the forest if this carries on. The neighbors complain to the police, and shortly after a police officer shows up at the girl’s door, her house is destroyed by a suspicious fire. Ultimately, the brothers Zzli and their generous hostess must decide whether to rebuild or set off in search of a more welcoming community.

THOUGHTS: A profound allegory with an invaluable message about acceptance and inclusion, this is a unique take on the subject of immigration and prejudice.

Picture Book       

Elem. – Beatrice and Barb

Posted on by
Reply

Jenks Landry, Kate. Beatrice and Barb. Illustrated by Vivian Mineker. Kids Can Press, 2023. 978-1-525-30648-8. $21.99. Unpaged. Grades PreK-2.

For as long as she can remember, Beatrice has wanted a pet. After much begging and negotiating, Beatrice and her mother finally come to an agreement, and Beatrice gets her first pet: a Venus flytrap named Barb. Beatrice takes very good care of her new pet, taking Barb for walks and playing fetch with her. However, despite all of Beatrice’s efforts, Barb begins to wilt and droop. After an unproductive visit to the vet, Beatrice takes Barb to a little plant shop, where a friendly woman named Millicent helps them. Warm, colorful, digitally rendered illustrations complement this heartfelt story of friendship.

THOUGHTS: This is a great title for social-emotional learning collections. Beatrice displays tremendous responsibility for her pet and persists in finding a solution even when everything seems hopeless. In addition, the underlying message about how to take care of the ones we love is a powerful one, as is the idea that we are all special in our own unique ways.

Picture Book

Elem. – Mira and Baku

Posted on by
Reply

Truuvert, Sara. Mira and Baku. Illustrated by Michelle Theodore. Annick Press, 2023. 978-1-773-21756-7. $18.99. Unpaged. Grades K-3.

Mira’s Papa has been absent for quite awhile, but he has never missed her birthday before. However, when her birthday is only five days away, her mother tells her that Papa won’t be back for it. Mira is extremely upset by this news, so she asks Baku, her imaginary friend (and a creature from Japanese folklore), to help her find Papa. Together, they fly over mountains, fields, oceans, and villages. Throughout their travels, they discover clues as to Papa’s whereabouts, such as their abandoned house and his abandoned shop. As they search for Papa, Mira relives many fond memories of collecting stones with her father. Finally, her birthday arrives, along with a surprise. Although Papa is unable to be there in person, he has found a way to let Mira know she is loved. Colorful illustrations of the Canadian countryside are interspersed with more neutral, washed out spreads that reflect Mira’s somber mood. Back matter includes an author’s note describing Japanese Canadian internment in more detail, as well as a list of websites where readers can find more information on the topic.

THOUGHTS: Young children will probably need some background information and guidance to fully understand why Mira’s Papa is absent (he is being held in an internment camp). However, this book will resonate with any child experiencing family separation, whether their family member is in the military, incarcerated, or deceased. Mira’s way of coping with her father’s absence (turning to Baku and reminiscing about the happy times) could potentially provide comfort to other children who are experiencing a similar separation.

Picture Book