Jenkins, Martin. Animal Camouflage. Jane McGuinness, Illus. Find Out About. Candlewick. 10/2023. 24pp. Nonfiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5362-2836-6. GRADES 1–3. LOW ADDITIONAL.

Mixed media illustrations depict various camouflage methods that animals use. Two-page spreads show readers how different animals use similar techniques (colors, body shapes, behavior) to blend in and hide—as leaves, twigs, desert, and snow. Includes an index, but there is no table of contents or sources, which hinders its use. A lack of photographs limits the appeal to younger readers who might be more interested in seeing pictures of real animals.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Rivera, Lilliam. Barely Floating. Kokila, 08/2023. 240pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-0-593-32312-0. GRADES 4–7. OUTSTANDING.

Bold and brash twelve-year-old Natalia de la Cruz Rivera y Santiago finds a path toward fulfilling her swimming dreams. Vibrant and outspoken, Nat has a love for all things sparkly and beauty-related, though her parents don’t approve. Yet it is her strong family foundation that bolsters the confidence enabling her to separate her dreams from theirs, as she pursues a sport not known for valuing a strong, beautiful, “fat and proud” Latina like herself. Others may (temporarily) underestimate Nat, but her activist mother’s powerful support and her own attitude toward her size are refreshingly affirming. As she navigates changing friendships, close family relationships, and a range of emotional challenges, she finds her own unique inspirations as she develops skills both in the pool and out. Like synchronized swimming, Barely Floating puts on full display the power of believing in yourself, supporting one another, and floating when life seems determined to pull you down.

Alexandre Petrakis—San Francisco Public Library

Ziefert, Harriet. Be Thankful for Water: How Water Sustains Our Planet. Brian Fitzgerald, Illus. Red Comet, 11/2023. [72]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-63655-074-9. GRADES Preschool–2. ADDITIONAL.        

Similar in style to Ziefert’s Be Thankful for Trees (2022), this title looks at another important natural resource: water. Seven uses and purposes of water (home, weather, health, recreation, etc.) are quickly displayed and mentioned in this fast-paced informational picture book. Digital and watercolor illustrations show one use per page, moving through various animals, environments, and human uses, before ending with human-caused problems and efforts to protect water. Simple, informative, and useful for young readers to think about the many ways water is important, this title would work well shared aloud in any preschool lesson plan on nature.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Love, Jessica. Bed of Stars, A. Jessica Love, Illus. Candlewick, 04/2023. 40pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-1239-6. GRADES Kindergarten–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

When the child narrator of this story expresses that the sheer magnitude of the universe keeps them up at night, their father proposes a camping trip into the desert so that they can “shake hands with the universe.” Filled with details like smells, types of mountain flowers, and how to build a campfire, this book is understated and charming. As father and child rest in the flatbed of their truck, the father proposes that maybe the universe won’t seem so big if they know the names of the stars, so together they make up names for all that they can see. When they return home, the child’s mother has a surprise for them too—she has decorated their bedroom with a million glowing stars. Love’s illustrations are done in watercolor, gouache, and ink. The family is white appearing with straight hair and light skin.

Rachael Reiley—Hillcrest Elementary K–8 / Oakland Unified School District

Slade, Suzanne. Behold the Octopus! Thomas Gonzalez, Illus. Peachtree, 04/2023. 32pp. Nonfiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-68263-312-0. GRADES Preschool–4. OUTSTANDING.  

Bold, rhyming adjectives, matched with fascinating detailed text, follow flowing images to capture the essence of the octopus. Full-bleed, close-up illustrations in vivid pastel, colored pencil, and airbrush give a strong sense of dynamic movement on—and sometimes speeding off—every page. The combination of simple words in larger type with descriptive paragraphs in smaller type make the text extremely suitable for reading aloud. With a poetic feel throughout, Slade is able to gracefully include details of behavior, habitat, life spans, egg-laying, and astonishing special attributes of twelve different species. The afterword provides more information, photographs, and further resources. This elegant informational picture book is a versatile readaloud that will inspire awe in a wide range of readers.

Alexandre Petrakis—San Francisco Public Library

Hokkanen, Mirka. Bent Out of Shape. Mirka Hokkanen, Illus. Kitty & Cat. Candlewick, 11/2023. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-2368-2. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.

Black Cat and white Kitty return in this shape-based concept book, with black Cat trying to avoid bathtime by hiding. As readers follow the clues to the various hiding places, each moved item reveals Cat contorted into the shape of that item. Then each shape (square, circle, triangle, etc.) becomes more complex than the previous. Simple digital illustrations show the white Kitty, Puppy, and a pair of flies enjoying chasing down where Cat is, while the off-page human repeats the phrases “Where’s Cat?” and “There’s Cat!” Young readers will enjoy the animal antics and seeing various subplots while trying to figure out where Cat is hiding next.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Harrison, Vashti. Big. Vashti Harrison, Illus. Little Brown, 05/2023. [60]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-0-316-35322-9. GRADES Preschool-2. OUTSTANDING.  

As a young girl grows, becoming a “big girl” changes from a positive message into a hurtful one.  From the body-shaming words of children and adults (all depicted in faded grey silhouette), a passionate, vibrant young Black girl feels the joy drain from experiences she had once held dear.  The composition of the digital and chalk pastel illustrations exemplify her experience by pushing her portrait to the very edges of the constricting page, and then breaking out beyond “to make space for herself” as she defies the labels placed upon her. With a new clarity, she returns the words, and keeps only what is true. The masterful use of color, composition, and words woven together with exceptional skill enhance every aspect of her challenging journey. As the first picture book both written and illustrated by award-winning creator Vashti Harrison, Big emphatically affirms the power of inner strength and self-acceptance for those in a small-minded world.

Alexandre Petrakis—San Francisco Public Library

Smith, Sydney. Do You Remember? Sydney Smith, Illus. Neal Porter, 10/2023. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-8234-4262-1. GRADES Preschool–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

Lying in bed, a mother and child trade memories. Calm, full-page, painterly illustrations alternate with smaller, borderless vignettes that unspool like cells of film, recalling events. The text is rich with sensory description. Oblique indications of what and who have been left behind add to the emotional punch, as mother and child move together into their future. Characters are white.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Applegate, Katherine. Doggo and Pupper Search for Cozy. Charlie Adler, Illus. Doggo and Pupper. Feiwel & Friends, 03/2023. 96pp. Reader. Trade $9.99. 978-1-250-62102-3. GRADES Kindergarten–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

In the third and final installment of the Doggo and Pupper series, the canine duo try to help their friend Cat “find cozy” by retrieving her old, smelly bed from the trash. Told in seven short chapters, the text contains rich vocabulary composed primarily of one- and two-syllable words, making this an attractive choice for newly minted readers with good decoding skills. The story also works as a small group readaloud, with the funny, expressive illustrations capturing each character’s distinct personality. Any child with a beloved “cozy” will relate to Cat’s predicament, understanding the need to hold on to something soft and familiar, even if the object is well past its prime.

Jenny Andrus—Independent

Smallman, Steve. Doggy Dance-Off. Robert Starling, Illus. Tiger Tales, 09/2023. [28]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-6643-0025-5. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.      

Dogs dressed in clothing show off their skills at the disco, where the Doggy Dance-off is held. Who is the dancer in the tux, fedora, and mask, demonstrating the best moves? The answer is a surprise but a few readers might guess it. The rhyming text points out each dancer’s breed, including a pug and a Labrador, and repeats the phrase “Down at the big Doggy Dance-off” which is perfect for chanting at storytime. The full-color, cartoonish illustrations are full of energy, showing the dance movement, and may have been done in gouache. Libraries who have dance party storytimes will find this essential, but it will be popular at any storytime or classroom readaloud.

Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool

Rash, Andy. Eclipse. Andy Rash, Illus. Scholastic, 09/2023. [36]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-338-60882-3. GRADES Kindergarten–4. OUTSTANDING.

When a young elementary school student learns of an upcoming eclipse, he makes plans to see it with his dad. Colorful, comic-style illustrations, outlined in black, show the preparations counting down to totality. After the big event the boy imagines how seeing the eclipse will impact the following minutes, weeks, months, and years. Unexpectedly heartwarming, dramatic, and philosophical, this charming, science-based story will inspire readers. Backmatter includes eclipse facts and end papers reveal past and upcoming U.S. solar eclipses, one of which is imminent. Characters are white.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Darwin, Sarah. Evolution: Join Us on an Exhilarating Journey from the Origins of Life to the Present Day. Olga Baumert, Illus. Addl. Creators Eva-Marie Sadowski. What on Earth, 09/2023. 64pp. Nonfiction. Trade $24.99. 978-1-912920-54-9. GRADES 4–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL. 

In this inviting look at the science and history of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, each spread focuses on a specific topic, including natural selection, how life began, fossils, dinosaurs, the evolution of humans, and other areas of the subject. Included are sidebars on “Pioneering People,” how climate affected evolution, and more. The full-color, detailed gouache artwork depicts women and people of color, maps, many plants and animals, and a timeline. It does not go into depth on any topic but is a nice overview that serves as a basis for further research. Written by Darwin’s great-great-granddaughter and another scientist, the book ends with an index, glossary, and source notes.

Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool

Dodd, Emma. Home Is Where the Heart Is. Emma Dodd, Illus. Templar, 12/2023. [22]pp. Picture Book. Trade $10.99. 978-1-5362-3257-8. GRADES Preschool–Kindergarten. ADDITIONAL.         

This reprint of the 2021 title changed to stiff board book pages and less metallic ink in the illustrations, but otherwise seems to be the same small picture book size, just thicker and sturdier. Momma cat shows her kitten what the meaning of home is by depicting many things cats do together in a home and ending with the idea that home is wherever they are together. Digital illustrations portray the sweetness of home and the richness of being with family, drawing eyes to what the cat and kitten are doing. Like many of Dodd’s books, the small book size and small color-blended fonts work best for one-on-one sharing.

.Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Rylant, Cynthia. Hornbeam All In. Arthur Howard, Illus. Beach Lane, 12/2023. [48]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-6659-2481-8. GRADES Preschool–2. OUTSTANDING.  

Hornbeam is a reluctant moose who stars in three brief chapters in this picture book that could also serve as a beginning reader, similar in format to James Marshall’s George and Martha series (Houghton Mifflin, 1972). Hornbeam goes on a picnic with duck Eureka, sleeps over at Cuddy the bull’s house, and is taught to swim by skunk Adorabelle. These short vignettes on friendship will be very relatable to the children enjoying this book, and the subtle humor of Hornbeam’s reluctance to try new things makes him a sympathetic character. The cartoon artwork, achieved using ink outlines, gouache, colored pencil, and watercolor set on stark white backgrounds, adds a goofy charm to the text. The characters wear clothes, drive cars, use cell phones, and act like humans. Look for the second book in the series, Hornbeam Gets It Done, scheduled for release in May 2024.

Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool

Salmon, Caspar. How to Count to One: (And Don’t Even THINK About Bigger Numbers!). Matt Hunt, Illus. Nosy Crow, 06/2023. 32pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 979-8887770246. GRADES Preschool–1. OUTSTANDING.       

No matter how exciting the items are to count, readers are unreasonably told to only count to one. Defiant young audiences will not be able to resist counting, shouting, and giggling through every page. Playful illustrations of bright color washes and simply shaped characters bring a joyful playfulness to contrast sharply with the repeated strict warnings to only count to one. Cleverly, the authoritative narrator leaves a challenge certain to be taken up with glee—“What?! Did you think you would learn to count to big numbers like a HUNDRED?” The end pages sneakily present one hundred colorful objects ready for counting. Using the QR code on the back provides a free audio reading filled with sound effects. Try this title for a crowd-pleasing readaloud and a lively interactive storytime filled with fun … and a little math along the way.

Alexandre Petrakis—San Francisco Public Library

Lanan, Jessica. Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider. Jessica Lanan, Illus. Roaring Brook, 04/2023. 48pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-250-81036-6. GRADES Preschool–2. OUTSTANDING.    

Prepare to be drawn directly into the life and the essence of being a spider. Well-paced text and full-bleed dynamic illustrations together invite the reader to vividly imagine and identify each of a jumping spider’s unique attributes and senses in great detail. The ink, watercolor, and gouache images use dramatic techniques of perspective, composition, blurring and a wrap-around fold-out to emphasize all aspects of Jumper’s world. A young girl parallels Jumper’s day with her own exploration in the background, further drawing the connections to an arthropod’s experience.  The thorough afterword offers detailed explanations about spider attributes, as well as tips for finding and identifying spiders in your own neighborhood. Jumper presents an exemplary and captivating readaloud that will inspire not only understanding, but also connection and curiosity to the microcosms we find in our daily lives.

Alexandre Petrakis—San Francisco Public Library

Eady, Antwan. Last Stand, The. Jarrett Pumphrey, Illus. Addl. Creator Jerome Pumphrey. Random/Knopf, 01/2024. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-593-48057-1. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.

A Black farmer and his grandson bring their crops to sell at their local market, where they are the only stand remaining. When Papa isn’t able to work at the stand anymore, the grandson gradually takes over the job and finds a solution that makes his family proud. The Pumphrey brothers employ handmade stamps to show a loving and hardworking community that has fallen on hard times through such details as the peeling sign at the weekly farmer’s market. Families preparing children for the inevitable loss of a beloved relative may wish to use this book to initiate the conversation. A detailed author’s note provides inspiration about Eady’s experiences that prompted the book and frames this family story within a bigger conversation about the role of Black farmers in providing food to the United States and the unjust treatment they received from the USDA. Together, Eady and the Pumphreys have created a book that can be appreciated on multiple levels for a broad and varied audience.

Beth Gousman—Montclair Elementary

Cline-Ransome, Lesa. Loud and Proud: The Life of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. Kaylani Juanita, Illus. Simon & Schuster, 09/2023. [48]pp. Biography. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5344-6352-3. GRADES 1–4. OUTSTANDING.         

Shirley Chisholm “talked big, walked tall, and told just about everyone what to do.” So begins this engaging biography of the diminutive woman who rose from poverty to become the first African American congresswoman on Capitol Hill and the first African American woman to run for president (in 1972). With bright, bold illustrations, the oversize picture book captures Shirley’s dynamic personality, as well as the tenor and style of the times—from hairstyle and clothes to protest marches. Voice bubbles with memorable quotes add emphasis, leaving an indelible impression of the congresswoman who refused to back down: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” An author’s note and timeline add context and provide further information about Chisholm’s legacy. 

Jenny Andrus—Independent

Rex, Adam. Oh No, the Aunts Are Here. Lian Cho, Illus. Chronicle, 05/2023. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $16.99. 978-1-7972-0794-0. GRADES Preschool–3. ADDITIONAL.

A young child and their family are overwhelmed when four aunts arrive on a whirlwind visit. Lots of specifics and exuberant, colorful, cartoonish illustrations capture aunt essentials and the humorous indignities of a home suddenly way too full. Hurly-burly text uses repetition, rhyme, and sheer quantity of words to convey “auntastic” overload. This witty and warm-hearted look at the ups and downs of a passel of disruptive, doting relatives loses focus when the story inexplicably shifts to fantasy. Young readers may question, “What just happened?” Parents and child are brown-skinned. The aunts are racially and gender-expressively diverse, appearing to be Black, brown, white, and Asian.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Dean, Kimberly. Pete the Kitty’s Outdoor Art Project. James Dean, Illus. Addl. Creator James Dean. Pete the Cat: My First I Can Read. HarperCollins, 03/2023. 32pp. Reader. Trade $16.99. 978-0-0629-7432-7. Paper $4.99. 978-0-0629-7431-0. GRADES Preschool–2. ADDITIONAL.       

In this brightly illustrated early reader, Pete the Kitty learns to make an art collage out of found objects. This is a cute story, but some of the language pulled from the 1970s may be unfamiliar to young readers—such as “nifty,” “cool,” “rad,” and “groovy.” At first Pete is not sure that “grass can make good art,” but with some help from his friends and teacher, he learns how fun nature art can be.

Rachael Reiley—Hillcrest Elementary K–8 / Oakland Unified School District

Hodgkinson, Leigh. Princess and the (Greedy) Pea, The. Leigh Hodgkinson. Illus. Candlewick. 12/2023. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5362-3132-8. GRADES Kindergarten–1. ADDITIONAL.

As the title suggests, this Pea is very greedy. Much like the song “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly,” this pea leaves its bowl of peas and begins swallowing everything on the table (and eventually the table as well). Then the story switches gears (and tales) and introduces a princess. The pea is tired and goes to bed. The hungry princess (the pea ate all the food) also goes to bed but does something unexpected in the process. Mixed media illustrations follow the greedy pea’s adventurous gluttony but the jarring mashup of the two classic stories may confuse some readers.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Marrero, Letisha. Salsa Magic. Levine Querido, 09/2023. 273pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-64614-260-6. GRADES 4–9. ADDITIONAL.

Thirteen-year-old Maya Beatriz Montenegro Calderon loves her close-knit Puerto Rican family, who all work at the family’s Brooklyn cafe, including the kids. Maya begins to question her family’s history when an estranged great aunt shows up and the kids are forbidden to talk with her. Maya struggles to find out what caused the estrangement decades ago, while also experiencing dreams and strange events that seem to be connected to this Titi. Marrero’s engaging setting and characters give insight into the practice of Santería, an old West African religion that believes every human has a special connection with a Yoruban deity. An author’s note to further explain the Yoruban gods and goddesses would be useful. Review based on an ARC.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Moriarty, Jackie. Secret of Lillian Velvet, The. Levine Querido, 10/2023. 443pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-64614-261-3. GRADES 6–9. ADDITIONAL.         

Lillian’s life has been very lonely; she has been living with her grandmother and is not allowed to go anywhere, not even school (academics are done at home, alone). But then for her tenth birthday she receives a jar of gold coins, which seem to strangely “push” her into another place—the land of Kingdoms and Empires—where she has brief adventures, often rescuing people. With a narrative that is equal parts fantasy and adventure, readers will gradually piece together the story more quickly than Lillian does, due to intermixed chapters and narrative “reports” which begin to explain the puzzle and what is really going on. A unique look at magic, different types of beings, and kindness.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Matich, Elise. Sew Sister: The Untold Story of Jean Wright and NASA’s Seamstresses. Elise Matich, Illus. Tilbury House, 10/2023. [40]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $18.95. 978-0-88448-982-5. GRADES 2–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.        

Jean Wright (who is white) learned to sew as a young girl, but her other hobby was following the events of space exploration. Those two interests merged when she found a job sewing special thermal blankets for NASA’s space shuttle. Although the book opens on Wright and her journey, the main focus of the book is how women and their sewing skills contributed to the success of the space shuttle program. The text describes the process of how they assembled the blankets, the materials used, the machinery needed, and how much of the construction was so delicate it had to be done by hand. The realistic illustrations appear to be done in pencil and watercolors, and many pages use quilting stitches as decoration. The book ends with more information and several color photos on the subject (which included depictions of two Black women on the otherwise white sewing team). Although this may seem like a minor story in the achievement of space exploration, the book is compelling and shines a light on women’s contribution to this history.

Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool

Klassen, Jon. Skull, The: A Tyrolean Folktale. Jon Klassen, Illus. Candlewick, 07/2023. 105pp. Folklore. Trade $19.99. 978-1-5362-2336-1. GRADES 2–5. OUTSTANDING.     

Otilla is lost in the dark, snowy forest when she comes upon a mansion and hears a voice. It turns out to be a skull who needs Otilla’s help to get away from a vengeful skeleton who chases the skull each night. Told in five brief chapters, using a large typeface with abundant white space, this works as a beginning chapter book for those moving up from early readers. The graphite-and-ink illustrations on each spread use just a few colors—black, white, bluish green, and brownish red—and give the story a haunted feeling. This slightly scary story is told in a way that will assist those moving into chapter books, and would also make a great readaloud. The book ends with an author’s note on how he adapted the story and lists the original source, demonstrating a reliable source note for this folktale.

Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool

Ferry, Beth. Stick and Stone on the Go. Kristen Cella, Illus. Stick and Stone. Clarion, 02/2023. 96pp. Graphic. Trade $12.99. 978-0358549383. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.   

This early reader graphic novel contains two stories about Stick and Stone, cleverly written by Beth Ferry and illustrated in a comic book style with panels, text bubbles, and text sound effects by Kristen Cella. In the first story, Stick and Stone meet up with new friends to explore a cave. The story includes some informative content about caves and a cave art activity. The second story opens with a rambunctious puppy who wants to play with Stick, and Stick and Stone realize they would enjoy having a pet. They find a caterpillar, Petunia, who eventually becomes a butterfly, and they learn how to say goodbye. A butterfly craft project follows this story.

Rachael Reiley—Hillcrest Elementary K-8 / Oakland Unified School District

Lerwill, Ben. Stone Age Beasts. Grahame Baker-Smith, Illus. Candlewick, 11/2023. 48pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-5362-3134-2. GRADES 3–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.      

Satisfyingly fierce and intimidating animal portraits stare down from prehistoric times, providing facts and also inspiring curiosity with unanswered questions. An introduction to the Stone Age and humans’ role within it is followed by full-bleed, mixed-media spreads of eighteen menacing carnivores and herbivores such as saber-toothed cats, woolly mammoths, dire wolves and Siberian unicorns, as well as astonishingly large hawks, sloths, lemurs, and wombats. Each spread provides engaging insets sharing scientific names, territorial ranges, extinction timelines, and human silhouettes for scale comparison. Afterword includes a brief conclusion and glossary. Sure to inspire future paleontologists with dramatic images, memorable facts, and ponderings.

Alexandre Petrakis—San Francisco Public Library

LaRocca, Rajani. Summer is for Cousins. Abhi Alwar, Illus. Abrams, 05/2023. [36]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-4197-5733-4. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.

Every summer an Indian American family’s vacation is full of fun-filled activities and traditions. Seven cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents make the most of the lake, the ocean, and each other’s company. Ravi, the second youngest, notes the changes another year brings. Vibrantly colored, lively illustrations leap off the page. The irresistible mix of summer adventure and warm family interactions is enriched by specific examples of how Ravi’s maturity brings him new skills and opportunities to step up, contribute, and add to the joy. 

Melissa McAvoy—Retired

Tidholm, Thomas. To the Ice. Anna-Clara Tidholm, Illus. Translated from the Swedish by Julia Marshall. Gecko, 09/2023. 80pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-7765-7507-7. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.        

Three young friends inadvertently find themselves on a thrilling polar expedition. This transitional chapter book carries the friends through ice floes, open ocean, an abandoned polar camp shelter, large penguin encounters, and a successful return homeward. The blurring of survivalist realism and fantasy will excite young readers, and give cautious caregivers pause. All three children are portrayed with light skin and straight hair. An award-winning team offers a dramatic story accompanied by quirky kid notions and delicate watercolor-and-ink artwork for a delightful reading journey.

Alexandre Petrakis—San Francisco Public Library

Markel, Michelle. Tomfoolery! Randolph Caldecott and the Rambunctious Coming-of-Age of Children’s Books. Barbara McClintock, Illus. Chronicle, 11/2023. 38pp. Biography. Trade $18.99. 978-0-8118-7923-1. GRADES 1–5. OUTSTANDING. 

A young, exuberant, light-skinned British boy draws pictures daily and soon grows to become the 19th century children’s book illustrator Randolph Caldecott in this brief picture book biography. The text is lively and energetic, describing his youth, attempts at newspaper and magazine illustrations, and finally his success after a children’s book publisher seeks out Caldecott to work for him. Unlike most children’s book art of that era, his illustrations are full of motion, movement, and humor, changing the business forever. McClintock’s illustrations are accomplished using watercolors with thin ink outlines, and evoke the style of Caldecott showing people in Victorian dress, including people of color and animals. There are also reproductions of some of Caldecott’s artwork. The book ends with more details on some of the facts mentioned in the main text, a timeline, and bibliography. A great companion to the author’s Balderdash! John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books (2017), both could spark a lesson on the book awards for an elementary grade class.   

Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool

Pallotta, Jerry. US Air Force Alphabet Book. Vickie Fraser, Illus. Addl. Creators Sammie Garnett. Charlesbridge, 09/2023. [32]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5709-1952-7. GRADES 2–5. LOW ADDITIONAL.        

It’s not clear who the intended audience is for this book. It is set up as an alphabet book, but the facts and text are definitely not aimed at early readers. There is detailed information, more appropriate for older readers, about fighter jets, missiles, helicopters, and other air force equipment such as the differences between the F-15, F-35, F-22, and F-18 planes. An older audience would be turned off by the alphabet format, and the detailed text would not be accessible for a younger audience. The artwork is a combination of current photos, historical photos, and illustrations, and the photos show primarily white men.

Rachael Reiley—Hillcrest Elementary K–8 / Oakland Unified School District

Simmons, Steven J. Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night? Ruthe E. Harper, Illus. Addl. Creator Clifford R. Simmons. Charlesbridge, 04/2024. [28]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-297-9. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.    

Young children often ask many questions about animals, including the one this title helps to answer. Colorful watercolor illustrations show a variety of animals, as the narration explains what these animals do while awake and when resting or sleeping. Two-page spreads guide readers through the variety of animals being shown, along with illustrated details about their habitat that also depict the animal in action and at rest. Lacking an index or table of contents, this informational picture book’s lyrical text simply guides readers through a story, answering the inquisitive child’s questions, before ending with what humans do and a simple “Good night.”  Libraries may choose to shelve in either the animal nonfiction or with picture books.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Gianferrari, Maria. You and the Bowerbird. Maris Wicks, Illus. Roaring Brook, 08/2023. [48]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-2508-4987-8. GRADES 1–4. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

On the edge of an Australian rainforest, a young, brown-skinned child observes, draws, and notes the efforts of a male satin bowerbird to construct and decorate his bower and attract a mate. Colorful, clear, and personality-packed cartoon illustrations capture the drama of the bird’s hunt for azure objects and the tribulations caused by rivals’ raids. Budding naturalists will be delighted with accurate information delivered in an engaging format and may be inspired to author their own naturalist’s notebook. Backmatter includes additional facts and a list of resources.

Melissa McAvoy—Retired