White, Dianne. Winter Lullaby. Ramona Kaulitzky, Illus. Picture Book. Candlewick, 12/2021 [32]pp. $17.99. 978-1-5362-0919-8. ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-K. A simple winter hibernation tale shows mother bear leading her cub to their winter den, all while seeing [continue reading]
Major Makes History Review
Twiss, Jill. Major Makes History: From the Shelter to the White House. Maribel Lechuga, Illus. Picture Book. HarperCollins, 09/2021 [32]pp. $18.99. 978-0-06-311876-8. ADDITIONAL. GRADES K-3. Major, the Presidential dog, introduces readers to how he was [continue reading]
Ellen Outside the Lines Review
Sass, A. J. Ellen Outside the Lines. Fiction. Little, 03/2022. 323 [+8]pp. $16.99. 978-0-7595-5627-0. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 4-8. A school trip to Barcelona, Spain frames this unusual middle-grade novel, and central character Ellen Katz narrates [continue reading]
Jeff Goes Wild Review
Rozelaar, Angie. Jeff Goes Wild. Angie Rozelaar, Illus. Picture Book HarperCollins /K. Tegen, 01/2022. [32]pp. $17.99. 978-0-06-284056-1. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-K Jeffrey Fluffy McSnuggle-Tum roams his apartment as if he is a tiger and can [continue reading]
Outstanding! August 2022
Fiction Being Clem (Finding Langston series), by Lesa Cline-Ransome, Holiday House, 2021. After his dad’s death in the Port Chicago disaster, African-American Clem and his family are struggling. Fully realized characters and a detailed portrayal [continue reading]
Cress Watercress
Maguire, Gregory. Cress Watercress. David Litchfield, Illus. Fiction. Candlewick, 03/2022. 224pp. $19.99. 978-1-5362-1100-9. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 3-6. After Cress’ father fails to return home, the heartbroken young rabbit and her mother and baby brother relocate from [continue reading]
The Bad Seed Goes to the Library
John, Jory. Bad Seed Goes to the Library, The Pete Oswald, Illus. Easy Read. I Can Read, Level 1 Series. Harper, 03/2022. 32pp. $16.99, 978-0-06-295456-5. PB $4.99, 978-0-06-295455-8. ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-2. The Bad Seed visits [continue reading]
Movie-Themed: “Encanto”
“Encanto” Movie Programming Ideas One does not need to be a child to enjoy the Disney film “Encanto,” due to its involving plot, humor, and wonderful music. Many libraries are holding “Encanto” film showings, [continue reading]