Friday, February 23, 2024

Sourgrass by Hope Lim & Shahrzad Maydani

Sourgrass 
by Hope Lim & Shahrzad Maydani
Expected Publication March 26, 2024
Beach Lane Books
Fiction
Picture Book
Hardcover
40 Pages
Review Copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary
What do you do when your best friend moves away? This hopeful and resonant book filled with soft, vibrant illustrations tells the story of two friends who find a way to keep their special friendship alive, no matter the distance.

Every day, Sofia and May meet at the door of their shared fence. Sofia can always count on May to show up and May can always count on Sofia to wait for her. One spring day, Sofia and May discover a field of wild sourgrass flowers beyond their yards. The field becomes their favorite place, and the two friends grow closer than ever. But when May moves away, Sofia starts to Will their friendship last?

As the girls navigate a long-distance friendship, Sofia realizes that some friends are forever, even when they’re apart.

My Thoughts
What a sweet, gorgeous book! 
May and Sofia's friendship is like the Sourgrass, consistent. They can count on each other like they can count on the sourgrass showing up each spring. When their friendship is tested by distance, readers will need to read on see if they can remain friends (I won't spoil the ending here).  
This scenario is very familiar and relatable to children. They will enjoy reading how the long-distance friendship fares after the letters slowly stop coming. 
The story is told beautifully with rich word choices and figurative language. The illustrations are lovely with soft, colorful images. 

Image from Amazon.com

Pair Sourgrass with Evelyn Del Ray is Moving Away by Meg Medina. 

Thursday, February 22, 2024

This Little Kitty in the Garden by Karen Obuhanych

This Little Kitty in the Garden 
by Karen Obuhanych
Published January, 2024
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Fiction
Picture Book
32 Pages
Hardcover
Review Copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary
Spring is blooming, and what better way for rascally kittens to celebrate than by causing mischief in the garden in this charming picture book!
Spring has sprung on Sakura Way.
The five little kittles will garden today!

My Thoughts
This is a very cute book. Readers will learn about the steps of planting a garden in the spring through the experience of the cats. The rhyming text adds to the book's appeal and readers are exposed to terminology like tendril, rascals, and seedling. The cats are all different with various personalities and a fluffy bunny even makes an appearance. The target audience for this book is toddlers through kindergarten in my opinion. It would make a nice addition to your spring, garden or cat books. 

Image from Amazon.com 



Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Dear Muslim Child by Rahma Rodaah & Aya Ghanameh

Dear Muslim Child 
by Rahma Rodaah & Aya Ghanameh
Published February, 2024
Balzar & Bray
32 Pages
Hardcover 
Fiction
Review copy provided by publisher





Goodreads Summary
This inspirational picture book from the author of Dear Black Child encourages Muslim children to take joy and pride in their Islamic faith. Perfect for fans of In My Mosque and The Proudest Blue . Dear Muslim Child, your story matters. In this lyrical ode to Islam, Muslim children all over the world are encouraged to celebrate their faith and traditions.

My Thoughts
I found this book to be informative and inspiring. Readers will learn a lot of vocabulary relating to the Muslim faith as they learn about being a Muslim child. Most of the words are accompanied by a story of its origin or its importance in Muslim culture. I appreciate how the people depicted have diverse skin colors and appear to be form different backgrounds showing readers that Muslim people do not all look the same. 
I am always looking for books about different religions that explain the religion and its culture in simple terms. This book would be a good read aloud any time of year, but with Ramadan coming up in March, it would be a great choice as a general book about the Muslim religion. 

Image provided by publisher


See What Others Have to Say About This Book

Rahma Rodaah was born and raised in Hargeisa, Somaliland. At the age of eight, her family immigrated to Canada where she still resides today. She is a mother of four children and enjoys reading and coming up with silly bedtime stories. She is also the author of two self-published picture books and firmly believes that children need to be able to identify themselves in the books they read. You can visit her online at rahmarodaah.com.

Aya Ghanameh is a Palestinian illustrator, writer, and designer from Amman, Jordan. She received her BFA in Illustration from Rhode Island School of Design with a concentration in literary arts, and completed a yearlong Children's Books & Gifts Design Fellowship at Chronicle Books. You can visit her online at ayaghanameh.com.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Don't Trust Cats:Life Lessons from Chip the Dog by Dev Petty & Mike Bolt

Don't Trust Cats: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog 
by Dev Petty & Mike Bolt
Published January, 2024
Double Day Books for Young Readers
Hardcover
Picture Book
32 Pages
Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads Summary
Chip the dog from Don't Eat Bees is back, with more "wisdom" to share, including some hard-won life lessons about cats. From the favorite picture book comic duo of Dev Petty and Mike Boldt.Chip has been described as very smart and also a dog. And because he's a very good boy, he's going to share his tips on how to live your best life, Don't trust cats. Not even the little, fluffy ones with big eyes. Nohow, no meow.Trust the squirrel you always chase, trust grandpa (sure, he cheats at cards but he always has treats), and trust that skunk (he seems nice. What could possibly go wrong?). Do NOT trust cats, especially not Mittens.In this fabulously funny pet story, dog AND cat lovers will enjoy seeing their own fur-friends in Chip's earnest yet ridiculous guide to life. Also Don't Eat Bees (Life Lessons from Chip the Dog)

My Thoughts
Super FUN! Kids will love this book. Chip is an endearing character who gets into mischief and shares a unique dog's view of the world. The illustrations and text style work well to depict the playful nature of the book. Children will enjoy discussing how Chip interprets situations versus what is really happening. 

      Image from Amazon.com 

I will definitely be adding this book to my K-5 school library. 




Monday, February 19, 2024

This Baby. That Baby. by Cari Best & Rashin Kheiriyeh


This Baby. That Baby. 
by Cari Best & Rashin Kheiriyeh
Published February, 2024
Anne Schwartz Books
Hardcover 
Picture Book
Fiction
40 Pages
Review copy provided by publisher. 

Goodreads Summary
In this bouncy, playful picture book for very young listeners, follow two baby friends who live in facing buildings through their day--playing, singing, and napping--till they meet in the park!
Somewhere in the big, big city
two happy babies look out their morning windows
at the very same time.
Just what will these two babies do today? Well, this baby meows like his cat, and that baby barks like her dog. This mellow baby listens to a story, and that rambunctious baby sings a song.
Soon enough, both babies get hungry...and a bit cranky. How will this Mama and that Papa help them feel better? Perhaps a play date in the park will help!
Critically acclaimed and award-winning creators--author Cari Best and illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh--team up for this delightful read-aloud that will have listeners clapping and giggling right alongside this baby and that baby.


My Thoughts
This cute, simple book will appeal to young children from babies, toddlers and pre-k. It shows similarities and differences between the two babies including how they look and what they do all day. The ending comes abruptly, but it ends with the two babies happy to be together. The illustrations are colorful and fun with an appealing smudgy, rough quality.








Sunday, December 31, 2023

A Few Favorite Picture Books I Read in 2023

 I did not read as much as I usually do in 2023, but I still have some favorites to share. These picture books were not all books published in 2023, but they are books I read in 2023. I won't post descriptions, but if you click on the covers, you can read about the books on Goodreads. 

Fiction Picture Books










Nonfiction Picture Books






What are some of your favorites from 2023? 





Saturday, December 30, 2023

Balto and Togo: Hero Dogs of Alaska by Helen Moss

Balto and Togo: Hero Dogs of Alaska
by Helen Moss
Published Nov. 2023
Godwin Books
Hardcover
192 Pages
Historical Fiction
Middle Grade
Review copy provided by publisher


Goodreads Summary
It's the winter of 1924 and a diptheria outbreak is threatening the population of Nome, Alaska. The only way to stop the deadly illness from causing a full blown epidemic is to immediately deliver one million units of the diptheria antitoxin to the affected communities ––a task that seems impossible given that the only way to reach any place in Alaska at this time of year is by dog sled. The stakes are high, and the snow is piling higher. Will the antitoxin make it in time? Or will the infection spread faster than they can treat it...

Follow along as Balto and Togo lead the way in this race against time to get the antitoxin and save lives.


My Thoughts
The story of Balto is one that many children, and adults have heard before. There are many books on the heroic sled dog delivering medicine to Nome Alaska, but most focus almost solely on Balto, the brave sled dog. In this story, the reader gets a clearer picture of the tremendous collective efforts that were necessary in making this mission a success. While Balto is the most famous of the dogs, we learn about various sled mushers and dogs and the challenges they face. In particular we learn about Togo, a smart and strong lead dog who keeps his team on track. 
Moss has researched the event well and includes important and interesting details that will have readers on the edge of their seats. She included discussions between the dogs that she imagined they would have had as they forged on in subzero weather. This dialogue makes the story even more interesting. 
I will definitely be adding this books to my school library. 

See What Others Have to Say About this Book:
Here is some more info on Togo if you are interested.