Fireflies and Glowworms – Revised Summer is a great time for a firefly storytime, even in areas that don’t have fireflies. For a craft project, make on of these easy suggestions: 10 Fab and [continue reading]
May 2025
Prairie Dog Storytime
Prairie Dogs Prairie dogs are an unusual animal seen in Mexico and the southwestern United States. A storytime offers a great opportunity to include factual books that make great readalouds. For a craft project, [continue reading]
An Immense World Review
Yong, Ed. An Immense World: How Animals Sense Earth’s Amazing Secrets, Young Readers Edition. Rebecca Mills, Illus. Addl. Creator AnnMarie Anderson. Bright Matter, 05/2025. 272pp. Nonfiction. Trade $24.99. 978-0-593-81088-0. PLB $27.99. 978-0-593-81089-7. GRADES 5–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL. We know the world through our senses, but that is a mere slice of [continue reading]
Candle Island Review
Wolk, Lauren. Candle Island. Dutton, 04/2025. 352pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-0593698549. GRADES 5–7. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Twelve-year-old Lucretia and her mother are looking for a fresh start. Candle Island, Maine is far enough from their Vermont home to offer refuge from reminders of the father and [continue reading]
Black Diamond Kings Review
Smith, Charles R. Black Diamond Kings: Heroes of Negro League Baseball. Adrian Brandon, Illus. Candlewick,05/2025. [32]pp. Poetry. Trade $18.99. 978-1536225358. GRADES 2–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Dynamic, colorful illustrations and lively poems introduce a new generation to a lineup of Negro League legends. Each spread includes a powerful, [continue reading]
Safe Crossing Review
Percival, Kari. Safe Crossing. Kari Percival, Illus. Chronicle, 01/25. [48]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-7972-1456-6. GRADES Kindergarten–3. OUTSTANDING. On a wet night in spring, a biracial family becomes a crossing crew—safely ushering migrating amphibians across a road. Richly layered digital prints in purples and yellows capture the [continue reading]
Corals Review
Schwartz, Heather E. Corals: Ocean Engineers. Lightning Bolt Books: Ecosystem Engineers. Lerner, 01/2025. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.32. 979-8765647622. Paper $9.99. 979-8765662038. GRADES 2–4. ADDITIONAL. SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Alligators: Wetland Engineers by Heather E. Schwartz [continue reading]
Beavers Review
Schwartz, Heather E. Beavers: Freshwater Engineers. Lightning Bolt Books: Ecosystem Engineers. Lerner, 01/2025. 24pp. Nonfiction. PLB $29.32. 979-8765647615. Paper $9.99. 979-8765662021. GRADES 2–4. ADDITIONAL. SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Alligators: Wetland Engineers by Heather E. Schwartz [continue reading]