Food Truck Fest! by Alexandra Penfold - ADVISABLE

Food Truck Fest! by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Mike Dutton. PICTURE BOOK. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2018. $18. 9780374303181.

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

There is a food truck festival planned in town and chefs and families alike are excited to attend. As the family readies themselves for a day out, the chefs are prepping their trucks and getting ready to roll out. Once arrived, everybody has a great time trying different foods (falafel! waffles! kimchi tacos!) from the plethora of food trucks gathered.

This is the most hipster picture book I have reviewed this year and I didn't hate it. The rhyming text is solidly written and makes this a really fun book to read aloud. The pictures are brightly colored and the story is simple enough for any kid to follow and enjoy. Its a very timely book with the explosion of food trucks all around the country, but I don't feel like its got the staying power of a classic. Still, it could be a big win for hipster parents and elementary kids who want to be hipsters too.

Reviewer: TC

Dig, Dig, Digging ABC by Margaret Mayo, illustrated by Alex Ayliffe - ADVISABLE

Mayo, Margaret Dig, Dig, Digging ABC, illustrated by Alex Ayliffe.  PICTURE BOOK.  Henry Holt, 2017.  $17.  9781627795166

From scooters to yachts, from ambulances to rockets, this book takes the reader on a tour of the different types of vehicles as they go through the alphabet. 

This catchy, read-aloud book combines to favorite picture book themes: an ABC book and a vehicle book.  The illustrations are full page and very colorful.  The author uses both repetition and rhyme to keep this vehicle book revving. 

Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.

Trucks Galore by Peter Stein, illustrated by Bob Staake - ADVISABLE

Stein, Peter Trucks Galore, illustrated by Bob Staake.  PICTURE BOOK.  Candlewick Press, 2017.  $16.  9780763689780

When they say trucks galore, they really mean it.  All sorts of trucks that you wouldn’t expect: cock-a-doodle-DOO truck, oink truck, bold truck, Lost-his-pants truck, etc. 

The illustrations are positively eye-catching and make this book a must purchase for the parents of all truck lovers.  Pair it with the author's other titles, Cars Galore and Bugs Galore.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.

Where is Bear? by Jonathan Bentley - ADVISABLE

Bentley, Jonathan Where is Bear? PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday (Random), 2016.  $17.  9780399555930

As you can guess from the title, a little boy is looking for his bear.  But where?  He looks inside of his house.  He looks outside of his house.  Meanwhile a very big bear is behind him in all of the illustrations until the unexpected and charming conclusion.   

Author/illustrator, Jonathan Bentley’s illustrations literally steal the show in this charming little story with an unexpected twist at the end.  A great bed-time story that kids will want to read over and over again. 

Pre-K, EL (K-3) – Advisable.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.

Twinkle, Twinkle, ABC: A Mixed-up, Mashed-up Melody, by Barney Saltzberg, illustrated by Fred Benaglia - ADVISABLE

Saltzberg, Barney Twinkle, Twinkle, ABC: A Mixed-up, Mashed-up Melody, illustrated by Fred Benaglia.  BOARD BOOK.  Phaidon, 2017.  $13.  9780714875071

The melodies to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and ABC song are combined for a hilarious mash-up.  A few twinkles and few ABCs, two boys, a girl, and an array of animals.  There’s tweets and moos, grrs and U’s.    

A delight to read aloud (or sing)!  So many wonderful words and sounds.  The illustrations are bright and whimsical. 

Pre-K – ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt: Snow Globe Edition by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury - ESSENTIAL

Rosen, Michael We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: Snow Globe Edition, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury.  PICTURE BOOK.  Candlewick Press, 2017.  $17.  978153620029

A charming twist on the familiar song, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.”  Author Michael Rosen uses repetition and alliteration to make the trip even more memorable as they travel through the grass, river, mud, forest, snowstorm, and finally the cave. 

Kids and adults will happily “squelch squerch” through the entire book.  The pop-up illustrations are eye-catching and make a most unforgettable bear-hunt. 

Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.

Merry Christmas from The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle - ADVISABLE

Carle, Eric.  Merry Christmas from The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  Grosset & Dunlap (Penguin), 2017.  $8.99.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.

A sweet, small picture book about what Christmas is a about.  Christmastime is about sparkling lights, giving and receiving gifts, sharing with others, and feasting.  When we see snow, we rush out to play and wait for that special day when Santa Claus Comes.  

All of the illustrations have the unique and unforgettable style of Eric Carle’s artwork, with bold patterns and bright colors.  The pictures pair perfectly with the short text and make this book an easy and fast read-aloud book for the littlest to the biggest of readers.  Children will have fun finding the Very Hungry Caterpillar on every page.    

Pre-K-ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

Grimelda and the Spooktacular Pet Show, by Heather Ross, illustrated by Diana Murray - ADVISIBLE

Ross, Heather.  Grimelda and the Spooktacular Pet Show, illustrated by Diana Murray.  Page #.  Katherine Tegen Books (HarperCollins), 2017.  $16.99.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.

Grimelda is a witch and she wants to win the Spooktacular Pet Show.  The only problem is that her cat, Wizzlewarts isn’t very Spooktacular.  She tries to find her spell book to turn her cat into something spookier.  She can’t find it, so she goes to the General Store, but they’re practically sold out.  She searches for a new pet and find several that just won’t work.  She catches a monster of an eel—only it is too Spooktacular!  She flies back home to find Wizzlewarts sitting on her spell book.  They rush to the pet show and Grimelda messes up the spell.  Wizzlewarts is now pink and cute.  The monster eel catches up with Grimelda and Wizzlewarts saves the day.

Charming illustrations coupled with a delightful story are sure to appeal to wee witches and warlocks everywhere.  The magical creatures are never too scary, but definitely Spooktacular.  The story has a few twists and a perfect ending.  This picture book would be great for a Halloween story time.      

Pre-K, EL-ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal - ADVISABLE

Elya, Susan Middleton.  La Princesa and the Pea, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal.  G. P. Putnam Sons,2017.  $16.99.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.

Primarily in English, but with several Spanish words thrown in, the fairytale of the Princess and the Pea is retold.  El Principe was lonely and wanted to get married, but his mother was very picky about princesses.  One day, a beautiful maiden on the way to her castle asks to stay.  The mother picks the smallest of peas and demands that several mattresses be brought.  The maiden tries to sleep on the mattress, but can’t.  She passed the test and married the prince.  The prince was quite pleased for he had put pitchforks and stones in the bed.  And they have several children after they are wed.   

The author uses great riming and natural word rhythms that make this a natural read aloud book.  The story sparkles with wit and words in both English and Spanish.  I really liked the twist of the prince making sure that the princess passed the test.  The illustrations have a South-American flare and pair perfectly with the story.  This book would be a great choice for story times, particularly bilingual Spanish/English story times. 

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

The Great Puppy Invasion by Alastair Heim, illustrated by Kim Smith - ADVISABLE

Heim, Alastair.  The Great Puppy Invasion, illustrated by Kim Smith.  Clarion Books (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), 2017.  $16.99.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.

Once there was a very strict town that didn’t allow fun or cuteness, until the day a puppy arrived. Then more puppies.  The town tried to get rid of the puppies.  They threw sticks and the puppies simply brought them back.  They tried to chase them away, but the puppies seemed to love to run.  Finally, they tried to get rid of the puppies by feeding them.  The puppies wagged their tails and were cuter than ever.  All of the townspeople ran to hide in their houses, except for one boy who picked up a puppy.  One by one the townspeople came out of their houses and all found their very own puppy.  And the town wasn’t strict again.

The digital illustrations show a great variety of dogs and people.  Children will love the expressive expressions on the townspeople and that they are afraid of the cute puppies.  The pacing is perfect in the picture book and even small children will understand the humor implied (sticks to chase them away, becomes “fetch”).  A delightful twist that will appeal to both two-legged and four-legged friends. 

Pre-K, EL-ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

Danny McGee Drinks the Sea, by Andy Stanton, illustrated by Neal Layton - ADVISABLE

Stanton, Andy.  Danny McGee Drinks the Sea, illustrated by Neal Layton.  Schwarz & Wade Books (Random House), 2017.  $17.99.  Content: PG (cartoon bum).  PICTURE BOOK.

Danny McGee thought he could swallow the see.  His sister disagreed, but got him a long straw.  He swallowed the sea, then went on a swallowing spree.  He swallowed: trees, bees, birds, cats, and fleas.  Then he started to swallow the world: mountains, jungles, and every last tree.  He swallowed all the people and even the ABCs.  But he forgot one thing—his sister.  And she swallowed him right up.  Little brothers can be annoying, you know.

Author Andy Stanton makes a cameo in one of the illustrations inside of Danny McGee’s belly.  Both the author and the illustrator seem to be having tons of fun with Danny McGee’s voracious appetite. The illustrations are stylistic, with both Danny and his sister’s curls being scribbled swirls. The story has plenty of alliteration and rime, so reading it you’ll have a great time.   

Pre-K, EL-ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

If You Ever Want to Bring a Circus to the Library, Don’t! by Elise Parsely - ADVISABLE

Parsely, Elise.  If You Ever Want to Bring a Circus to the Library, Don’t!  Little, Brown and Company, 2017.  $17.99.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.

The poster read, “You Can Do Anything at the Library” and Magnolia did just that.  She brought a circus.  She twirled and leaped, but asked the audience to hold the applause, because you need to be quiet in a library.  She dressed up like a clown and got a pie in the face and tried to hand out concessions.  But she learned that you can’t clap, cheer, or hand out concessions in the library.  Magnolia tried to boom from her canon, but it didn’t work.  Luckily there were some great books handy and she kept her audience spellbound by reading to them.  Then her canon went kaboom and she learned that circuses are just too noisy for libraries. 

Magnolia has other books that tell you what NOT to do.  Such as, If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t and If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, Don’t.  Magnolia is a sparkling and energetic main character that you can’t help but root for, even though you know that what she’s doing is going to end in disaster.  The author manages to portray the vivid imagination of childhood by the story and the bright, charming artwork.  The male librarian is portrayed in a positive light and it’s actually another patron who does all the shushing.  This book would be a great choice for a circus storytime.     

Pre-K, EL-ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

What Are You Waiting For? by Scott Menchin; pictures by Matt Phelan - ADVISABLE

Menchin, Scott.  What Are You Waiting For?  Pictures by Matt Phelan.  Roaring Book Press, 2017.  $16.99.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.

A badger asks his friend, a rabbit, what he is waiting for.  The rabbit doesn’t want to ruin the surprise, so he doesn’t tell his friend.  The badger asks questions, like how big it is and if it has a mustache.  The rabbit says that it doesn’t have legs or a tail.  The badger is confused, the rabbit assures him that it isn’t scary and that it’s always changing.  Badger asks even more questions before falling asleep.  Rabbit wakes him up to see the moon. 

Children will be like the badger, eager to find out what the rabbit is waiting for and trying to guess what it is.  The dialogue between the two friends is charming.  The illustrations were created with pencil and pastel and compliment the natural scenery of the story.  Both badger and rabbit are endearingly drawn and will appeal to children. 

Pre-K, EL-ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

Bloom by Deborah Diesen, illustrated by Mary Lundquist - ADVISABLE

Diesen, Deborah.  Bloom, illustrated by Mary Lundquist.  Farrar Straus Giroux (Macmillan), 2017.  $16.99.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.

A sweet book about flower gardening featuring a beautiful biracial family.  The mom and the daughter plant the bulbs in the dirt in the fall.  Then time passes: holidays, vacations, happiness, and sadness.  Meanwhile the bulbs grew little by little, like love.  In the spring, all of the flowers bloom.  

The illustrations are perfectly paired with the story and feel light and bright.  This story would be a great book for a gardening storytime. 

Pre-K, EL-ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

Trains Don't Sleep by Andria Rosenbaum, illustrated by Deirdre Gill - ESSENTIAL

Rosenbaum, Andria.  Trains Don’t Sleep, illustrated by Deirdre Gill.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017.  $16.99.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.

Beautiful descriptive language and excellent rhyme and meter make this train book steam ahead of the rest.  A great book to read aloud with sentences like, “Rumbling, grumbling, screech and squeal, / Rolling, trolling wheels on steel.”  The train reaches the station in a busy city and a little girl in a yellow dress climbs aboard.  The train travels far over the tracks through forests, canyons, and even snow until it reaches the circus.  Then the train begins its journey back home underneath the stars and the little girl in yellow gets off the train in the city.  A glossary is included at the end of the book to define train lingo, such as “boxcar” and “caboose.”

The illustrations are simply gorgeous and have the same feel as The Polar Express (another excellent train book).  Each two-page spread is its own nostalgic painting of the past.  Highly recommended. 

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -ESSENTIAL.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

The Almost Impossible Thing by Basak Agaoglu - ADVISABLE

Agaoglu, Basak.  The Almost Impossible Thing.  Philomel Books (Penguin), 2017.  $16.99.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.

The dream wanted something impossible.  So, the bunny tried to fly.  The bunny tried putting on wings and jumping on a tramp.  Other animals couldn’t see the dream.  The dream was too small to contain and pushed and pulled until it became a rocket of color.  Even then, others still couldn’t see it.  

The story is written from the “Dream’s” perspective and is a lovely allegory of how human dreamers struggle to make their dream become reality.  The illustrations were created with block printing, gouache, and ink.  They are a colorful, whimsical, and the stuff that dreams are made of.   

Pre-K, EL-ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

Dream by Matthew Cordell - ADVISABLE

Cordell, Matthew.  Dream.  Disney, 2017.  $16.99.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.

A gorilla parent lovingly dreams about who their new baby will be and what the baby will do.  The journey their child will make and the dreams their child will dream.  The sorrows, the joys, and the discovering new things.  The entire child’s life in a few pages and then ending back at the beginning with the question, “Who will you be?”   

The writing is lyrical and moving.  The story is deceptively simple in its scope, but deeply perceptive of the human experience.  The illustrations look almost scribbled and childlike in some places, but clearly recognizable what the author is trying to portray.  I loved the dots of color that surrounded many of the illustrations and propelled the story on.  A great book for toddlers and preschoolers and their adoring parents.     

Pre-K-ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. - ESSENTIAL

Martin, Bill, Jr. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Illustrated by Eric Carle.  Translation by Teresa Mlawer.  Henry Holt, 2017.  $9.99.  BOARD BOOK.

This 50^th Anniversary edition is a bilingual board book in English and Spanish.  Bill Martin Jr.’s timeless story is a great way for kids to learn their colors from the animals: brown bear, red bird, yellow duck, blue horse, green frog, purple cat, white dog, black sheep, and goldfish.  Illustrator Eric Carle colorful illustrations against a white background are as unforgettable as the first time you read this as a child or to your child.   

Pre-K-Essential.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

The Unexpected Love Story of Alfred Fiddleduckling by Erin - ESSENTIAL

Ering, Timothy Basil The Unexpected Love Story of Alfred Fiddleduckling. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2017. $15.99. Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

The story begins with Captain Alfred as he plays his fiddle for his new ducks and dog on his small boat.  Nestled in his fiddle case is a single duck egg, a present for his wife.  He chose to name the near-to-hatching duckling, Alfred Fiddleducklin'.  A storm arrives and an hour later, the seas are finally calm and the egg hatches alone, floating in the fiddle case.  The duckling feels frightened until he sees an object and swims over to it.  The duckling hugs the fiddle to him and is filled with joy.  Alfred is magically able to play the fiddle and its beautiful sound comforts him until he reaches land.  As he tries to find his way to a home he's never seen, the reader travels with him, hoping for a happy ending. 

This children's book was intended for children, age 2 to 5, but I found that it was a delightful read for any age.  I read the book with my 16 & 12yo daughters and 8yo son; all were equally taken with the sweet character and beautiful artwork.  The story has just the right amount of narrative and tension, then let's the illustrations say the rest.

PRE-K, EL(K-3), EL-ESSENTIAL; MS, HS-OPTIONAL  Stacee S. Reading teacher

Lion's Lullaby by Mij Kelly, illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown - ESSENTIAL

Kelly, Mij.  Lion’s Lullaby, illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown.  PICTURE BOOK.  Disney, Hyperion, 2015.  $16.99.  Content: G.

Who puts the animals to bed?  Who reads them stories?  Tells them to be quiet.  Gives them a drink.  Blows them a kiss.  Who sings the lion to sleep with a lullaby?  Is it you?  Do you sleep with a lion or a bear?  The last illustration includes a little girl sleeping with all the animals mentioned in the book, except they are stuffed animals. 

This bedtime story is sure to peak the curiosity of young children using common bedtime routines for animals instead of kids.  The end is perfect for the story and any parent with a child who loves having stuffed animals on their bed can relate to it.  The illustrations are positively charming.  The animals are recognizable, but with a look and pencil lines all of their own. 

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -ESSENTIAL.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.