Cat vs/ Vac

 Cat vs/ Vac

First of all, Kaz Windness - GREAT name. 

Second - GREAT book! This early reader incorporates short and long vowels in such a way that young readers won’t even realize they’re sounding out those words and following along so easily. The development of the storyline of the pets taking on the vaccuum is entertaining and the entry of a Roomba at the end could lead to a next book with these characters. The independent exploration of the pets in an apartment home has me connecting this book for lovers of “The Secret Life of Pets.”

Title: Cat vs/ Vac

Author: Kaz Windness

ISBN: 978-1-6659-3718-4

Published 2023 by Simon Spotlight

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.

Henry, Like Always

 Henry, Like Always

Mika Song’s illustrations give Henry and his classmates characteristics that make them unique. Samuel who seems like a student who needs movement and needs to express himself shines in the parade illustration where he gets to showcase himself and Henry finds his own place that is just right, even though a parade does not belong on Friday. Students will relate and empathize to Henry’s need for some consistency and develop a deeper understanding of classmates on the autism spectrum. 

Title: Henry, Like Always

Author: Jenn Bailey

ISBN: 978-1-7972-1389-7

Published 2023 by Chronicle Books

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.

Sejal Sinha Battles Superstorms

 Sejal Sinha Battles Superstorms

I love how Maya Prasad weaves Diwali traditions, science, and imagination together for a magical trip in a cardboard box where readers will learn as they turn each page to see if Sejal, Professor Cheetah, and her cousin Mira make it through the storm and help to limit damage to their relatives and home as well. Next up for me is Sejal Sinha Swims with Sea Dragons!

Title: Sejal Sinha Battles Superstorms

Author: Maya Prasad

ISBN: 978-1-6659-1178-8

Published 2023 by Aladdin

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.

Chicken Karaoke

 Chicken Karaoke

Chicken Karaoke has a fun rhyming pattern with a storyline where kids will “crack” up as they watch Duck hold that high note for way too long. As is often the case, the youngest of the bunch sees the solution. My favorite is the illustration by Aaron Spurgeon of Rooster “fixing” the karaoke machine. 

Title: Chicken Karaoke

Author: Heidi E.Y. Stemple

ISBN: 978-1-6659-1390-4

Published 2023 by Simon Spotlight

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.

See the Ghost: Three Stories About Things You Cannot See

See the Ghost: Three Stories About Things You Cannot See

I love the interaction between the reader and the characters in this story and Dog’s resigned attitude toward being blown right off and then back onto the page whereas the Cat is along for the ride, “This is fun!”. Kids will get a kick out of the ghost scaring itself in the mirror and the narrator being blown right off the page as well. Kids and adults alike will keep turning the page to see what comes next!

Title: See the Ghost: Three Stories About Things You Cannot See

Author: David LaRochelle

ISBN: 978-1-5362-1982-1

Published 2023 by Candlewick Press

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.

The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink

 The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink

I’ve always loved Shannon Hale and Leuyen Pham’s The Princess in Black books but THE EMU. LOVE. And an EVIL emu joined by twin ostriches?! Even better! The Princess in Black is joined by the Prince in Pink (as is indicated in the title…) to defeat, or at least makeover the emu and ostrich trio. My favorite spread is the battle/makeover sequence complete with “Beaky Furbish!” and “Glitter Flourish!”. Readers of all ages will delight in this newest addition to the Princess in Black series.

Title: The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink

Author: Shannon and Dean Hale

ISBN: 978-1-5362-0978-5

Published 2023 by Candlewick Press

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.

The Hidden World of Gnomes

 The Hidden World of Gnomes

Lovely. Simply lovely and whimsical and fun. Instead of more words though, I’ll leave you with my favorite quote of all from this treat and some of my favorite images.

“…to grow old is a precious and beautiful gift.”

Title: The Hidden World of Gnomes

Author: Lauren Soloy

ISBN: 978-0-7352-7104-3

Published 2023 by Tundra

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.

Try a Bite, Trilobite

 Try a Bite, Trilobite

I have two “trilobites” at home who have decided in advance which foods they definitely will not like. One of my trilobites is 14 and rolled her eyes…deeply when I passed her this book to check out. But only because it rings true for the pickiest of eaters. We also have LOTS of noodles in our house. Try a page, reader, you’ll really “eat up” Try a Bite, Trilobite.

Title: Try a Bite, Trilobite

Author: Jonathan Fenske

ISBN: 978-1-6659-3266-0

Published 2023 by Simon Spotlight

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.

Worm and Caterpillar are Friends

 Worm and Caterpillar are Friends

This book is quite simply gorgeous with lasting messages about how change is good and being accepting and supportive of our friends even (and especially) when they are different is incredibly important. Beyond that, the illustrations are breathtaking with obviously cartoon-like characters but STUNNING backgrounds of beautiful sky-scapes at every time of day and trees that twist and glow. This book makes my heart happy and a good how to draw is always welcome to capture the engagement of our budding artists.

Title: Worm and Caterpillar are Friends

Author: Kaz Windness

ISBN: 978-1-6659-2001-8

Published 2023 by Simon Spotlight

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.

Cornbread and Poppy at the Museum

 Cornbread and Poppy at the Museum

Cornbread is excited for his favorite day in his favorite place and invites Poppy to come along. Poppy agrees reluctantly because Cornbread agrees to go camping! Poppy dusts off her family heirloom of a hat and her best fancy clothes to go to the museum. This story is one that demonstrates one person’s trash truly is another’s treasure and your personal history might lie in the unlikeliest of places!

Title: Cornbread and Poppy at the Museum

Author: Matthew Cordell

ISBN: 978-0-316-50847-6

Published 2023 by Little, Brown, and Company

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.

Squirlish: The Girl in the Tree

Squirlish: The Girl in the Tree

I love just about everything about this book, from the story itself - who doesn’t love a “girl raised by squirrels” plot? To the graphic design that brought us a tail of a lower case h that is a squirrel’s tail and a lower case I dotted by an acorn. And even the imagery of a Central Park squirrel photographer who seemingly goes along with being Cordelia’s mother for permission purposes. All around, this is a fun story. While not a direct line, this made me think of another favorite “Flora and Ulysses”. Overall - read this one, you won’t regret it.

Title: Squirlish: The Girl in the Tree

Author: Ellen Potter

ISBN: 978-1-6659-2675-1

Published2023 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.

Starla Jean Cracks the Case

Starla Jean Cracks the Case

Starla Jean Cracks the Case but thankfully no eggs were cracked in the making of this book because Starla is also a chicken expert. Illustrator A.N. Kang really makes the book with her expressive illustrations of the characters, Starla Jean, and Opal Egg (the chicken) specifically. Willa is lucky to have such an observant older sister in Starla Jean, and we readers are along for the ride as they all stroll the neighborhood. 

Title: Starla Jean Cracks the Case

Author: Elana K. Arnold

ISBN: 978-1-250-30580-0

Published 2023 by Roaring Brook Press

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.

Dory Fantasmagory: Can't Live Without You

 Dory Fantasmagory: Can’t Live Without You

The very first book with main character Dory Fantasmagory (of the same title) was a PA Young Reader’s Choice nominee so I’ve been a fan from the start. Upon this reading, I felt like I could identify a friend’s daughter who might relate well to Dory and suggested the title to her as well. The intro and early chapters of “Can’t Live Without You” made me laugh out loud. Some examples:

Crossing Guard: I love your purse.

Dory: Thanks! I hate it.

And the contents of said purse created a…memorable…odor.

We actually had a similar circumstance with a class yesterday. 

A class was walked to the library and the teacher shared that all day long, the students had been complaining of a smell. And she also shared that it had been an eventful day in the hall, very similar to Dory’s classmate - George, who told the school nurse “Don’t worry about me. I throw up all the time.” So as not to alarm others about the contents of Dory’s purse. Back to the real life story - while the classroom teacher hadn’t been able to identify the mystery smell and thought the students were making it up, as I handed out library cards one at a time to students, I was able to pinpoint the mystery smell a bit better and requested that a student take their shoes to the hall. 

All that to say, this book’s plot and characters rang true to me and Dory’s (or Rainbow’s) fantastic imagination seems boundless. I hope that Abby Hanlon continues to create fantasmic content for future generations of readers yet to come!

Title: Dory Fantasmagory: Can’t Live Without You

Author: Abby Hanlon

ISBN: 978-0-593-61598-0

Published 2023 by Dial Books for Young Readers

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.

Fox Has a Problem

 Fox Has a Problem

What a lovely story of how working together can solve problems. And how sometimes one person’s “great” solution can really just lead to new and different problems…

This book would pair well with My Kite is Stuck by Salina Yoon. 

Title: Fox Has a Problem

Author: Corey R. Tabor

ISBN: 978-0-06-327792-2

Published 2023 by Balzer + Bray

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.

Reina Ramos Meets a BIG Puppy

 Reina Ramos Meets a BIG Puppy

Reina loves dogs, but she doesn’t realize until her friend gets Chico (a BIG dog) that she mostly likes little dogs and big dogs make her scared. At the same time, Reina learns a cartwheel and wants to share in the gymnastics fun with her friend but while Lila loves gymnastics, cartwheels scare her! Both friends learn that they can still have fun together and communicate about why they’re feeling scared but still be great friends in Reina Ramos Meets a BIG Puppy. The inclusion of a Spanish-English glossary at the end of the book will help readers create some context for some of Reina’s phrases. 

Title: Reina Ramos Meets a BIG Puppy

Author: Emma Otheguy

ISBN: 978-0-06-322315-8

Published 2023 by Harper

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.

Shermy & Shake: The Not-So-Nice Neighbor

 Shermy & Shake: The Not-So-Nice Neighbor

Each set of chapters is split into three sections of the book representing the summer months: June, July & August. While most kids might be excited to have a kid close in age move in next-door, Shermy is NOT excited to spend more time with Shake, the grandson of his next door neighbor, Mrs. Brown. Shake and Shermy couldn’t be more different but will they find common ground to develop a friendship over the summer? Or will Shermy decide to spend more and more time indoors to avoid his visitor from next door?

Title: Shermy & Shake: The Not-So-Nice Neighbor

Author: Kirby Larson

ISBN: 978-1-5362-1942-5

Published 2023 by Candlewick Press

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.

Vivi Loves Science: Wind and Water

 Vivi Loves Science: Wind and Water

I didn’t even realize until I checked out the end pages that the character I’d read about before was Cece in “Cece Loves Science.” There are also books featuring the character named Libby. Vivi’s story progresses naturally with a beach cleanup that leads to inquiry regarding where the dunes and tide pools went? Vivi and Graeme soon learn more about erosion, they even learn enough to teach their class about the topic when they are back in class. An experiment to replicate the one featured in the book Is included for readers to apply what they’ve learned as well as a picture dictionary.

Title: Vivi Loves Science: Wind and Water

Author: Kimberly Derting

ISBN: 978-0-06-311659-7

Published 2023 by Greenwillow Books

This copy was borrowed from the public library for review purposes.