The Fairy Fashion Show by Bea Jackson - ADVISABLE

The Fairy Fashion Show (Ready to Read, Level One) by Bea Jackson. EARLY READER. Simon Spotlight, 2025. $19. 9781665941129

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Lilly and her fairy friends love fashion and especially love their summer fashion show. When Lily's human friend, Willow, wishes to dress like a fairy, Lilly and the other fairies work together to create the perfect fairy fashion for Willow.

The illustrations are whimsical. I can see this being a popular book with my students who love fairies. This series would be a great addition to an elementary library. Willow and the fairies are Black.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Elvis & Romeo Go to Dog School by Jacky Davis and David Soman - ADVISABLE

Elvis & Romeo Go to Dog School (Ready to Read, level one) by Jacky Davis and David Soman. EARLY READER. Simon Spotlight, 2025. $19. 9781665947978

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Elvis and Romeo are back, and it's their first day of dog school! The playful Romeo already knows how to "stay," but is nervous about learning how to catch a ball. Now, it's up to Elvis to help his young friend learn something new.

This is a great addition to the original Elvis and Romeo picture book. The text is a mix of speech bubbles and traditional narration. I wish there was a bit more of the dogs' fun personalities, but that would be hard to do with a low-level early reader.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

The Tunneler Tunnels in the Tunnel by Michael Rex - ADVISABLE

The Tunneler Tunnels in the Tunnel (Ready to Read, Level One) by Michael Rex.EARLY READER. Simon Spotlight, 2025. $19. 9781665962100

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

The tunneler tunnels in the tunnel to the gardener who gardens in the garden and the farmer who farms on the farm. The penguin tunneler keeps tunneling and leaving notes for a surprise ending.

The text is repetitive and full of alliteration which will appeal to early readers. The illustrations have some surprises hidden in the dirt. And, who doesn't love penguins doing human things? The characters are all penguins. 

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Elvis & Romeo Go to Dog School by Jacky Davis and David Soman - ADVISABLE

Elvis & Romeo Go to Dog School (Ready to Read, level one) by Jacky Davis and David Soman. EARLY READER. Simon Spotlight, 2025. $19. 9781665947978

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Elvis and Romeo are back, and it's their first day of dog school! The playful Romeo already knows how to "stay," but is nervous about learning how to catch a ball. Now, it's up to Elvis to help his young friend learn something new. This is a great addition to the original Elvis and Romeo picture book. The text is a mix of speech bubbles and traditional narration. I wish there was a bit more of the dogs' fun personalities, but that would be hard to do with a low-level early reader.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Can You Find Taylor? Seek-and-Find Board Book - ADVISABLE

Can You Find Taylor? Seek-and-Find BOARD BOOK. Tiger Tales, 2025. $10. 9781664351851

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, ADULT - GIFT - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Enjoy nine pages of Taylor Swift hunting. Lots of pages also have 13 other things to find. Swifties young and old will have a fun time searching on each page. Even after searching, you can still spend time enjoying each scene.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Mindful Nature- Connecting with our Great Green World by Paige Towler and Chris Gaugler - ESSENTIAL

Mindful Nature- Connecting with our Great Green World by Paige Towler, illusterated by Chris Gaugler. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2025. $32 9781433845185

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3), HS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Imagine what an animal is doing and feeling. Act like you think they would. Ask yourself questions about their experience and yours. Spending time in nature can improve our health in many ways. 

Children can learn to be mindful in nature as we teach them how to do so. Children will engage with this photo story. This book is a great resource for preschool activity time, thus I included the level of High School in this review. Gaugler formatted the photography and words creatively. The first 2 pages uses personification to grab the child's attention. Then, Towler moves the prose to simile and third person form.  

MOMMAC 

A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree by Daniel Bernstrom and Brandon James Scott - ESSENTIAL

A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree by Daniel Bernstrom, illustrated by Brandon James Scott. PICTURE BOOK. Hippo Park (Astra), 2022. $19. 9781662640087

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3), MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Bear is hungry and knows there is honey up in that tree. Bess, however, is on guard and is not alone in protecting the hive.

I have to say it – Scott’s illustrations are luminous! Gorgeous. Glowing. While Bernstrom’s story is simple, the words and pictures are a cohesive whole that will delight every reader. A master text for picture book writers – it’d be great to share with any creative writing class. And I really want to cuddle that bee!

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Oliver: The Second-Largest Living Thing on Earth by Josh Crute and John Taesoo Kim - ESSENTIAL

 Oliver: The Second-Largest Living Thing on Earth by Josh Crute, illustrated by John Taesoo Kim. PICTURE BOOK. Page Street Books, 2018. $18. 9781624145773

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3), EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Oliver is a huge sequoia tree, among the largest on the planet. Unfortunately, he isn't as large as Sherman. He knows what he has to do to get even bigger and tackles his task with gumption. He works hard but eventually learns a valuable lesson about no matter how hard we try, it might not be enough. Oliver learns that the most important things might have been right next to him the whole time. 

Crute has a great story of acceptance and kindness while introducing readers to the largest trees in the world. Readers will related to the feeling of being unnoticed when we anticipate we should be in the spotlight. We learn great lessons from Oliver in acceptance and understanding of something larger than just ourselves. The illustrations are captivating and readers will be enticed to learn more about sequoia trees.

Mariah Gerlach, MLS 

The Blur by Minh Lê and Dan Santat - ESSENTIAL

 The Blur by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat. PICTURE BOOK. Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers (Random), 2022. $19. 9780593377468

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3), MS, HS – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The Blur is the superhero alter-ego of our child protagonist. The picture book chronicles the growing pains and delights of raising a small child into adulthood, with time passing in a blur.

Perfect for the new empty nesters in your life, The Blur is both sweetly reminiscent of early childhood and humorously realistic of the ups-and-downs of raising a young child. The illustrations were heartfelt and a perfect companion to the sweet story. Dan Santat is a name to watch. I would pair this picture book with any coming of age story like The Graveyard Book or to serve as a mentor text for a personal narrative writing assignment for seniors about to graduate high school.

BookswithBeddes 

How to make a Book (About My Dog) by Chris Barton and Sarah Horne - ESSENTIAL

 

How to make a Book (About My Dog) by Chris Barton, illustrated by Sarah Horne. PICTURE BOOK. Millbrook Press (Lerner), 2021. $20. 9781541581289 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3), EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Chris Barton (and the whole publishing team) gives us a behind the scenes look at what it take to publish a book – this one about his dog, Ernie. With his usual wit and the support dynamic of Horne’s illustrations, we a easily understandable book, that is also a lot of fun. I would use this in any school that has a creative writing class. Truly one to share with everyone! 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Bowie by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Ana Albero - HIGH

 Bowie by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Ana Albero. BOARD BOOK. Quarto, 2020. $10. 9781711246119 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, ADULTS – OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

In 12 board book spreads, the story of David Bowie’s life comes alive. 

 I haven’t read any of the Little People Big Dreams from Quarto before – Now I need to prowl the list and buy my favorites! I was very pleasantly surprised at what a great overview of Bowie’s life this is. Vegara really knows her Bowie and Albero’s illustrations are a highlight. The book is only OPTIONAL because it is for the children of Bowie fans. But dive into the whole series and you will find plenty that you will want for yourself! 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Chicken Little: The Real and Totally True Tale by Sam Wedelich - ADVISABLE

Chicken Little: The Real and Totally True Tale by Sam Wedelich. PICTURE BOOK. Scholastic Press, 2020. $18. 9781338359015 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3), EL – ESSENTIAL; MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Chicken Little gets hit on the head and talks to the sky to investigate. Another chicken happens by, mishears Chicken Little and sets off a panic in the hen yard. It will take several tries to calm everyone down enough to hear the truth. 

A great twist on the traditional Chicken Little story, but also an excellent look the importance of fact-checking and how hard it is to get people to acknowledge the truth. Not just for elementary students! 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Squirrels’ Busy Year by Martin Jenkins - OPTIONAL

The Squirrels’ Busy Year: A First Science Storybook by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Richard Jones. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Candlewick Press, 2018. $17 9780763696009

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K – OPTIONAL.  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This book is divided up into seasons and follow two squirrels throughout the year. We see the changing weather, plants, and animal patterns. There are teaching aids in the front and back of the story and a small index. 

The very small index would be a great introduction to it’s use for a young class. The story, however, feels a bit scattered - you are following the squirrels all seasons but also an owl sometimes and frogs for a couple seasons. I found it hard to follow, but it does have solid information and nice illustrations. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Pet this Book by Jessica Young - ESSENTIAL

Pet this Book by Jessica Young, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman. PICTURE BOOK. Bloomsbury, 2018. $16. 9781681195070

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL. 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Told is bouncy rhyme, this book follows a girl dressed as a veterinarian as she explains how to take care of a series of animals. The cat needs petting, the parrot needs conversing, the dog needs scrubbing and so forth. The narrator invites the reader to preform each of these actions for the animals. The pages are not quite board book thickness, but they have more weight than a normal picture book. 

I don’t think I will ever get tired of this new genre of interactive picture books. It is so engaging for little readers and makes books come alive, which will hopefully create life long readers. On top of this, the book represents children of color, teaches how to be kind to animals and relates that kindness to animals with being kind to each other. A lot of good messages in this book. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Where’s the Bear? by Ingela P. Arrhenius - ESSENTIAL

Where’s the Bear? by Ingela P. Arrhenius. BOARD BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2018. $9. 9781536202519

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

One page asks the reader where a particular animal is, and the opposite page has a felt flap with the animal behind it. The felt is in different shapes and made with vivid colors. The final page asks where the reader is and has a mirror behind the flap. 

We loved this book. Even as basic as it is, my first grader had fun with it. The art is engaging and the felt shapes are fun. I anticipate that little readers will ask for this book on repeat. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Goodnight Songs by Margaret Wise Brown - ADVISABLE

Goodnight Songs by Margaret Wise Brown. BOARD BOOK. Sterling Children’s Books, 2014. $8. 9781454927068

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This book includes twelve songs, each on a two page spread, with illustrations done by different artists. The songs read more like poetry and they don’t all have to do with going to sleep, but they do all have calm subject matters. 

The art is delightful and the poems have a consistently soothing cadence. My daughter really wanted them sung, per the title’s indication, which could be a positive for some readers, but singing a bedtime poem is not my strong suit. Some of the talented artists included in the book are Renata Liwska,Isabel Roxas, Eric Puybaret, and Carin Berger.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Splash and Bubbles: So Many Sea Creatures! by The Jim Henson Company - OPTIONAL

Splash and Bubbles: So Many Sea Creatures! by The Jim Henson Company. BOARD BOOK. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018. $8. 9781328852793.

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The characters from PBS's "Splash and Bubbles" are featured in this board book that focuses on counting from 1 to 5. Each page has 1 fish, 3 sharks, etc. along with some conversation with the stars of the TV show. Besides the counting there is a minimal of other information shared about the ocean.

This is the kind of board book you buy simply because you like the TV show its from. There is also some added appeal from the squishy fish tail sticking out the side of the book that will be a hit with babies. The bright colors are fun, but as a counting book this one is nothing to rave about.

Reviewer: TC

Hello Ninjas! by Joan Holub - ADVISABLE

Hello Ninjas! by Joan Holub, illustrated by Chris Dickason. BOARD BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2018. $9. 9781534418691

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Three Samurai give ten ninjas a challenge that leads them to a box of tacos. The Samurai have a hard time sharing though and take the tacos, and thus the ninjas, on a journey. When the ninjas catch up, they share a taco salad dinner.  

For being a board book, the plot was surprising hard to follow. Why did the ninjas give the challenge and then take the prize? What I did like was that instead of just a counting book, it led the reader to addition and subtraction concepts. When three ninjas knocked down a door, seven rushed inside, thus pairing numbers to equal ten. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Exotic Fruit by Huy Voun Lee - ESSENTIAL

Exotic Fruit by Huy Voun Lee. BOARD BOOK. Sterling Children’s Books, 2018. $8. 9781454928027

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

These book covers several exotic fruits with bright illustrations on contrasting backgrounds. For each fruit there is an illustration of the inside and the outside of the fruit, a description of the appearance and a description of the flavor and texture, the country of origin for the fruit, and alternate names. 

I learned about fruit I did not know from this book and my third grade daughter finished the book and wrote down a goal to try to every fruit in the book. My only complaint is that each fruit gets two pages of information, but they are not on one spread - one fruit is on the front and back side of a page. The book even includes tips at the back for how to find some of these lesser know fruits, suggesting you go to a Chinatown market for some. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Dump Truck's Colors by Sherri Duskey Rinker - ESSENTIAL

Rinker, Sherri Duskey Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site: Dump Truck's Colors, illustrated by Ethan Long. BOARD BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2018. $7. 9781452153209.

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

As Dump Truck goes about his day at work, the colors around get noted and highlighted--the blue skies, the gray smoke, the green pipes and more.

I really enjoyed this little board book. The text is written in thyme and the color words are highlighted in their color. The illustrations are very cheerful and fun, and I think this will be a big hit with young readers.

Reviewer: TC