Picture Book Pick: Abuela's Library

 

Abuela's Library

by Lisette Norman

Illustrated by Jayri Gomez

Harper 

An imprint of HarperCollings Publishers

2024

32 pages

ISBN: 9780067530

Alfonso goes to the library every week with Abuela (his grandmother). She loves books, and was, in fact, a librarian. She believes that there is no such thing as too many books. Abuela and Alfonso sit under their favorite tree and read each week. 

The power company must cut down their tree as it is leaning and will cause major problems. Both of them are sad to see their tree go until...Alfonso asks if they can use the tree stump to build a library inside. The entire family helps and soon, there is a cute library where neighborhood kids can come and take or leave books. 

Making something positive for the good of the community out of what could have been a dismal experience is Alfonso's superpower. When he sees all the kids reading, he decides he will become a librarian, too. 

A sweet story about a grandmother's love of reading and the time she spends with her grandson is wonderful. There is no mention of Little Free Libraries or the program or how to build one in your neighborhood. I feel this is a page that needed to be included, and the publisher clearly missed an opportunity to support a wonderful program. 

Recommended ages 4 and up. You can find more information about Little Free Libraries and maybe you'll be inspired to start a group in your neighborhood to build and support reading for everyone. 

Early Reader Pick: Sketty and Meatball (published in School Library Journal )

 

FICTION

Sketty and Meatball

by Sarah Weeks (text) & illus. by Alex Willmore

HarperCollins. (I Can Read Level 1). Jul 2024. 32p. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780062431622; pap. $5.99. ISBN 9780062431615.

COPY ISBN

Gr 1-3–A lovable duo that will charm young readers. Sketty and Meatball are the best of dog friends. They do everything together: run, play, bark at the cat, and curl up under the lemon tree for a nap. Aptly named Sketty is a bigger dog with long, spaghettilike hair. Meatball is a round, brown dog who looks like a meatball. Readers will love their names and their friendship. When the friends go to a dog show, they see dogs of every kind. After spending the day making new friends, Meatball curls up with Sketty to nap under their favorite tree. Repetition shows how close the two dog friends are and is good for new readers. For example, one will often always ask, "Are you thinking what I’m thinking?" and the other replies, “I hope so.” Then, Sketty and Meatball will blurt out the same answer together. Willmore captures the fun personalities of the dogs with colorful and playful illustrations. A note to parents at the beginning offers tips on shared reading, beginning reading, and reading alone, and a helpful web link promises more information.

VERDICT A must-have for early readers.

Reviewed by Pamela Thompson McLeod , May 01, 2024

Wordless Picture Book Pick: The Last Zookeeper

 

The Last Zookeeper 

by Aaron Bccker

Illustrated by Aaron Becker 

Candlewick Press

2024

40 pages

ISBN: 978`536227680

In this sweeping, breathtaking artistic masterpiece, NOA, a robot with a huge heart for creatures, steps up to save what is left of the world. There has been a catastrophic flood or tsunami that destroyed everything but an abandoned zoo. A few buildings still stand, but the only life seems to be the animals. NOA plans to save them somehow and take them to dryer and better land. 

He plans and designs a small boat, testing the waters. NOA transports the animals to higher ground as he builds a huge boat (ark) to sail to a better location and possibly find others like him and them. NOA sets sail with the animals, and they encounter a terrible storm and become shipwrecked on a beautiful island that is not underwater. Things are looking up...literally...as a friend shows up in a hot air balloon. It's someone NOA is happy to see. 

The Last Zookeeper has no text, no words, and none are needed. The gorgeous watercolor art tells the story, and readers are able to make the story up for themselves. There is so much to discuss about NOA's behavior: he, a robot, who has empathy and feelings for living, breathing creatures, so much so, he risked hurting himself to save them. He has hope of finding a better place, of saving all of them, of discovering what is still "out there." He works tirelessly, using his skills to plan and design a boat capable of bearing the weight of all the zoo animals. He is thrilled to see a new land where the animals can thrive. 

Genius storytelling through art has never been so masterfully done! Kudos to Aaron Becker for a true WIN! The Last Zookeeper is a book I'll never forget, and I'll bet young readers will remember it always. 

So highly recommended if you don't get this book for a young reader, you'll wish you had. The story is ageless and will withstand the test of decades. This is a true classic that will be on every single library shelf everywhere. 

For all ages, even pre-readers. 

Own Voices Pick: I Am a Masterpiece!

I Am a Masterpiece 

by Mia Armstrong

Illustrations by Alexandra Thompson

Random House Children's Books

a divisiion of Penguin Random House, LLC

2024

40 pages

A note from the author about Down Syndrome

ISBN: 9780593567975

Editorial Review:  “A celebration of self-advocacy, self-expression, and self-acceptance.” —Kirkus Reviews

My review: 

I Am A Masterpiece is a tribute to the genius, creativity and spunk of tween activist and actress Mia Armstrong and everyone like her. Mia was born with Down Syndrome, which makes her different from other people, but all humans have dreams and desires. While she may look a bit different, and her speech might sound different, she likes to do the same things other kids do: she likes to draw, she loves roller coasters and sleepovers. 

Sometimes grown-ups treat her like she's invisible, but her mother tells her to practice patience. Some people need to be taught that different is amazing. 

The actress herself believes her superpower is her Down Syndrome. It makes her empathetic and sweet. She knows when someone needs a hug or a kind word without them telling her. She may not wear a cape like a superhero, but she is one. This book is a celebration of acceptance and growth. It is such a positive message for all families and children with Down Syndrome. 

In her note, Mia explains that Down Syndrome is not the "r" word. People with Down Syndrome are intelligent and creative. The reason her voice sounds different is that the tongue is a muscle, and her muscles are "floppy." It doesn't mean she's not intelligent or that she can't speak. Different is not scary. Different is good. 

Highly recommended for all collections grades 3 and up. Inclusiveness, celebrating differences, Down Syndrome, educational, activism. 

Out of This World Pick Picture Book: Dalmartian

 

Dalmartian: A Mars Rover's Story

by Lucy Ruth Cummins

illustrations by the author 

Atheneum Books for Young Readers Children's Publishing Division 

2024

48 pages

ISBN: 9786659111955

One summer night some visitors land and begin collecting earth samples in Stepthen's backyard. When they were frightened off, one visitor got left behind. A little dog! Stephen invites the "dog" inside, and shows him where to sleep. The visitor is not having it. He enjoys the bed, not the floor.

They also have trouble at breakfast. It isn't until Stephen offers the dog bacon, that readers see the happiness erupt on the visitor's face. A tear of joy! Bacon! Later, on a walk to the park, the visitor insists on walking without a leash like a real "person." He is appalled when real dogs want to sniff his behind. 

The visitor waits for his ship to return, hoping to go home soon. A few nights later, his people do land and pick him up. On board the ship, the visitor questions "home." He should be happy to be where he belongs, but he misses his friend Stephen. He heads right back to Earth and grabs his favorite spot on the bed so that he's there when Stephen wakes. This is a true tail of intergalactic friendship! 

Dalmartian is quirky fun, and young readers will giggle at the visitor's antics which are very un "dog" like. Yellow, black and brown dominate the art, but the visitor and his ship are colored with green (a nod to Martian green). 

Highly, highly recommended for anyone who loves dogs, space and friendship. 

Picture Book Pick: Lighthouse and the Little Boat

 

Lighthouse and the Little Boat

by Katie Frawley

Illustrated by Ben Mantle

Quill Tree Books

an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers

2024

32 pages 

ISBN: 97800631114234

Lighthouse stands at the harbor: tall, strong and powerful, watching over everything in her harbor and guiding everyone to safety. When a little boat named Brightness visits, Lighthouse protects her. Brightness is happy to hang close to the harbor, but after a bit, she gets braver and wonders what is beyond the safety of her harbor. 

As the weather changes, suddenly Brightness is missing from the harbor. Lighthouse is lonely and sad. She continues to shine brightly with the hope that Brightness will see her beacon and find her home safely. Brightness makes it back and thanks Lighthouse for saving her, but Lighthouse tells her she merely lit the way. Brightness did the hard work. 

Beautifully written with illustrations that any young reader will connect with. Lighthouse and the Little Boat is destined to be an award winner this year and an instant classic. 

Ages 4 and up.