Book reviews by library staff and guest contributors
Well, heck, this is the cutest book about a 7th grader in West Texas who is adjusting to big changes in relationships, school, and just gosh darn everything. And she’s got a 15 pound cat named Cheese. What could be better?
"Sharks that walk, sharks that speed, sharks that glow, sharks in danger… and baby sharks! Meet these sharks–and many more–in The Shark Book!”
Who says nonfiction is boring??? Not author Hannah Holt and illustrator Korwin Briggs! Their book, A History of Underwear with Professor Chicken, is about as delightful as the title suggests. Silly cartoon illustrations loaded with chicken-y antics show the evolution of underwear through time and culture. There’s lots to giggle at here. The text is age appropriate, interesting and factual, with many undie puns to keep it snappy. There is even a visual timeline of underwear and a substantial bibliography at the end. A fresh and fun addition to nonfiction for younger readers.
Garlic, of the title, is one of the vegetables brought to life by a witch named Agnes. They all work with Agnes in her garden and at her market stall. Garlic is happy and eager, but she's also anxious that she gets things right - at which she doesn't always succeed. One day after returning from the market Potato notices that there is smoke rising from the castle in the woods. Since the castle is supposed to be empty, the vegetables are alarmed. When Agnes tells them that it may be a vampire has returned, their alarm turns to panic.
Zuli is determined to find out why the souls of birds have stopped returning to the Great Tree and bring them back. Adventures and mishaps happen one after another as she gets closer to finding out who’s responsible and learns about who she really is and what she’s capable of. There’s magic and a slew of magical creatures like goblins, griffins, a dragon and the cautious, yet faithful owl, Frowly. The cliffhanger promises more adventures with Zuli’s newfound friends and more information about her past.
I'm always a little skeptical of books about libraries - maybe being a librarian has made me too jaded. But this story isn't really about libraries, and it's not even really about books, although there is a gorgeously illustrated spread celebrating the breadth of imagination and worlds to be found within the pages of a book and the walls of a library.
Written and illustrated by Chinese-Americans whose parents came from China and raised them in the United States, I am Golden celebrates the heritage behind the Chinese-American experience. With poetic language and colorful, captivating imagery, Mei's story is shared with us through the eyes of her immigrant parents. This is a loving, encouraging book with additional photographs and backstories about the author and illustrator at the end.
"Era la víspera de Orgullo, cálida como ninguna. La gente se alistaba al salir la luna."
Leslie Patricelli is a staple in this librarian’s house. She’s taught our two year old such valuable lessons already, like haircuts don’t hurt (Hair), how to make our mad go away (Mad, Mad, MAD), and possibly most important… that all toots are funny! (Toot) This summer, she’s back with an exciting trip to the beach in Splash!
Step into this wonderland of words! Marshmallow Clouds: Two Poets at Play among Figures of Speech by Ted Kooser & Connie Wanek, illustrated by Richard Jones, definitely feels playful, fun – and so delightful! Poems are grouped into four sections featuring the four elements (fire, water, air, and earth). They offer unique spins on everyday objects like trees, marshmallows, and flyswatters. Some poem titles include “Butterfly Luck,” “Why Pets Don’t Write,” and “Winter Ponies.” Softly painted illustrations add a dreamy feel to the collection.
“What if on the day she was born there was a quiet storm of tiny shimmering dust that settled on tree leaves, on flower petals, on rooftops, on the ground, on the shiny work shoes, and glided through open windows to settle on hardwood floors?”
The 2022 Charlotte Zolotow Award winner for best writing in children’s picture books, this new book by Meg Medina is a gem. Evelyn is Daniela’s best friend and they do everything together. Even as Evelyn’s family is packing boxes and loading the truck, these two besties don’t waste a single minute of their time together, playing together until the very last second of having to say goodbye.
Move over Boxcar Children, the Mighty Muskrats are on the case!
I highly recommend this enjoyable story and exciting mystery set in present day Canada. Realistic, multifaceted protagonists Chickadee, Otter, Atim and Samuel are inseparable cousins. They are known all over their reservation as “the mighty muskrats,” a nickname given to them by their oldest uncle.
Twelve year old Maisie Cannon is all about ballet. But now, after an accident and surgery, she is recovering rather than dancing. And all is not well. Her grades are slipping, she is growing distanced from her friends, and she is being uncharacteristically snippy with her family. All that Maisie wants is to get back to dancing. While on a family trip to the Olympic Peninsula, Maisie learns about her Native heritage as well as about some of her own personal family history. And that it is ok to ask for help.
Kimêtawânaw! We all play! Animals hide, peek, swim, chase, wiggle, and yawn in this gorgeously illustrated book by Cree-Meetis author, illustrator, and artist Julie Flett. And we play too! Children follow along with the fun, running and rolling in fields, climbing up snowy hills with their sleds, and winding down for a nap at the end of the book.
This realistic fairy tale follows Beatryce, a young girl with no memory of who she is and being hunted by the king because of a prophecy that she will unseat him, as she threads together a small band of allies with the strength of her love and courage. These friends include a very disagreeable goat, Answelica, a timid and kind monk, Brother Edik, an adventurous errand boy, Jack Dory, and a mysterious sage, Cannoc.
Are you looking for a book that is slightly quirky, and will leave you thinking about it even after you have finished reading? Then Magic Candies by Heena Baek may be just what you have been looking for.
I LOVE Bodies Are Cool! This glorious picture book celebrates all of the different human bodies that exist in the world. It is a truly joyous and inclusive book, and the delightful text and beautiful, exuberant illustrations combine to encourage body acceptance and confidence in the youngest readers – and the grown-ups who read to those little ones, too! “My body, your body, every different kind of body! All of them are good bodies! Bodies are cool!” Pick up a copy of Tyler Feder’s Bodies Are Cool and share some body love and positivity with the ones you love.
Our new Spanish language Art of the Picture Book collection highlights excellence in Spanish language picture book art in a wide range of visual styles, with an emphasis on original works by Spanish-speaking book creators from across the Americas and Europe.
In Halal Hot Dogs, we follow Musa, a young Muslim boy, through his life from the vantage point of the meals his family eats. This is a fun, rollicking story filled with laughter, dancing, and delicious food. The illustrations are done in bold, bright colors that create a visual feast for the eyes. It also introduces a good deal of Arabic vocabulary.
