Non-Fiction Pick: How Do Meerkats Order Pizza?

 

How Do Meerkats Order Pizza? Wild Facts About Animals and the Scientists Who Study Them

by Brooke Barker 

Illustrations by the author

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division 

2023

200 pages

ISBN: 9781665901604

This book sells itself. From its  bright cover to the winsome title, cartoon bubble conversations between animals and scientists and welcoming graphic/print format, readers will have no trouble finishing this book. And the true beauty of it: readers will learn a mountain of facts about interesting animals from bonobos to the humpback whale. 

Each scientist featured has their work explained in a fun, inventive way: part comic book, part non-fiction, part animal encyclopedia of facts, How Do Meerkats Order Pizza is an entertaining romp for all readers. Reluctant readers will have no trouble reading this entire book in one sitting. 

Each animal's habitat, diet, appearance and behaviors are presented to inquisitive readers. This book makes the perfect gift for that child who loves animals and likes to read non-fiction. Complete with a glossary, How Do Meerkats Order Pizza? will likely be heavily awarded for 2023. A superb achievement! 

Highly, highly recommended grades 3-up. 

YA pick: The Corpse Queen

 The Corpse Queen

by Heather M. Herrman

G.P. Putnam's Sons 

an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

2021

321 pages 

ISBN: 9781984816702

Macabre and dark, full of twists and turns, creepy and disturbing, The Corpse Queen delivers. 

Set in Philadelphia in 1855, seventeen-year old Molly is surprised to learn she has an aunt who's summoned for her to come to her home. Molly suspects the orphanage she's lived in has sold her to be a maid for the rich, but Aunt Ava is real and incredibly wealthy. 

Although unmarried Ava has amassed a huge fortune by dealing in the nefarious trade of human corpses. She orders which graves to be robbed and sells the bodies to medical schools for disection, but that's not the only place the bodies are ending up. 

When living young girls begin to disappear, Molly is worried and determined to unveil the killer. As she hunts for the killer, she discovers more secrets about her aunt's trade. 

Molly begins to study medicine, but in a profession "meant" only for men, she's belittled and taken as a joke. Searching for the murderer uncovers dark doings and evil Molly never thought possible, but she's not one to back down from a challenge, even if it could cost her life. 

Highly recommended for fans of horror, suspense and twisty tales. Grades 8 and up. Gore and violence. 

MMa

Beginning Reader Pick: Nat the Cat Takes a Nap

 Nat the Cat Takes a Nap

Ready-To-Read, Level One 

by Jarrett Lerner

Illustrations by the author 

Simon Spotlight

an imprint of Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2023

32 pages

ISBN: 9781665918916

Jarrett Lerner strikes again, and it's a home run! Nat the Cat wants to take a nap, but the pesky narrator keeps interrupting him. Nat sincerely wants peace and quiet, but the narrator won't leave him alone. Soon Nat the Cat is joined by his "brother" Pat the Rat. Nat the Cat vehemently denies that the rat is his brother. 

Soon Pat the Rat wants to nap also. The narrator interrupts and announces that Pat the Rat is taking a nap. Nat the Cat can't believe it. Kids will giggle at the antics of the meddling narrator and empathize with poor Nat the Cat who really just wants a decent nap.

Highly, highly recommended for beginning readers. 

Super Gross: What's in Your Body?

 

Super Gross: What's in Your Body?

Ready-To-Read, Level Two

by Ximena Hastings

Illustrated by Alison Hawkins

Simon Spotlight

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2022

32 pages

ISBN: 9781665927901

Colorful and welcoming, young readers will love reading about super gross stuff in their bodies: stuff like: bacteria, mucus, pus and germs and yes, pee, poop and passing gas! 

Sure to become a favorite read What's in Your Body has funny illustrations, cartoon thought bubbles, gross, but interesting facts shared by a narrator scientist Dr. Ick and his sidekick Sam the dog. 

Readers will learn super gross facts about their own bodies; for example, did you know that your small intestines are twenty-five feet long? or that skin is an organ? Kids should be grossed out to realize they have tiny bugs in their eyelashes. Mites do the icky job of cleaning dead skin and mucus from around our eyes. 

Complete with a glossary of terms and a fun science project to do at home, this is an entertaining book for the beginning biologist, but every reader will learn important things about the body. 

Highly recommended grades K-4. Reluctant readers will have an easy time reading and more importantly, enjoying this book. 

Picture Book Pick: This Book Is My Best Friend

 

This Book Is My Best Friend

by Robin Robinson

Illustrations by the author 

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

2023

32 pages 

ISBN: 9781665906814

Two kids find each other through their love of one book. Sunny loves the book because it's about robots and she dreams of being a robot when she grows up. Aarush likes the book because it has a mouse and he loves mice. For him, it's a quiet book he can read and escape to even when his siblings are noisy.

They each want the book because it's their best friend. They try to talk each other into getting a different book, but both of them want Factory Friends. They realize the robot and mouse in the book become friends, so why can't they become friends and share the book? 

The kids are depicted not as brats or argumentative. Each of them presents their point of view and are allowed to talk without the other interrupting. They take turns. They share and they come to a solution they both agree upon. They read the book together in the library and each of them goes home with a stack of books.

Heartwarming, sweet and profound, this picture book is a winner! I can't count the number of times a student has said to me or another student, "This book is my best friend." One student kept checking out the a same book all year. When I asked if I could get him something else, he said, "No, this book makes me feel better." At the end of the year, I bought a new copy and gave him his choice: take the brand new shiny copy or keep the well-loved, well-used book he loved. He chose the older copy because it was his best friend. I hope he kept that book forever. He was so happy when he left the library with his friend that finally belonged to him. 

Books are truly friends to so many children, and this picture book captures the childhood feeling of loving a particular book and knowing it's your friend. 

Highly, highly recommended grades pre-K and up. 

Novel In Verse: The In-Between (a memoir)

 

The In-Between

a memoir by Katie Wingate 

Aladdin

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division 

304 pages

ISBN: 9781665929325

Middle grade readers who love novels in verse are in for a treat: The In-Between. Filled with compassion and honesty, grit and determination, emotion and angst, this novel captures that in-between anxiety of too many questions and never enough answers. 

Katie Wingate and her family have been uprooted so many times. When they are evicted from their apartment, they have nowhere to go and no plan to survive. Her mother moves them into an extended-stay motel room--Katie, her younger brother and sister and her mom all sharing a small space, one phone, one bathroom and one desk. Living on top of each other, it's impossible to have a moment alone, so Katie turns to her notebooks. She seeks solace in writing. 

Middle school is hard enough without being "homeless." Katie pours her energy into her verse. She feels cramped in quarters that seem to be shrinking by the day and her mother who's usually a dreamer and happy-go-lucky, but who is now sinking deeper and deeper into depression. Mom can't find a job anywhere. Even an Italian restaurant turns her down, telling her she is "over-qualified."

Katie blows up at her mother and runs from the room, hoping to go live with her father. When Dad tells her about the divorce, Katie sees both sides and is able to make amends with her mother. Her mom is doing the best that she can with limited resources. Ramen for every meal is their norm. When they run out of food and money, Katie realizes they will go hungry until the child support check comes in.  

In-between is never easy to navigate. Not for Katie, not for her siblings and certainly not for her mother. After what seems like forever, Mom gets "the job" and they are moving again. Katie knows this might not be the last move, but it's a start in the right direction. 

Recommended grades 5 and up. A solid pick for reluctant readers. 

Graphic Novel Chapter Book: Paige Proves It

 

Paige Proves It: The Mystery Monster

Book 1 (graphic novel chapter book)

by Amy Marie Stadelmann

Illustrated by the author 

Aladdin

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division 

2021

112 pages  

ISBN: 9781534451612

Eight-year old Paige loves facts; in fact, she collects them. Strange facts like bananas are actually berries and Uranus was originally named George; Paige counts how many windows are on her street and collects facts about her neighbor Penn.

Penn and Paige become friends even though Penn talks too much--way too much. Penn tells her that they have a MONSTER on their street. Paige must collect facts because only facts will prove if they have a monster or not. The pair collect information and facts which Paige is careful to record each fact in her notebook. 

On the night of the Full Moon Festival, the kids hear howling and become convinced there's a werewolf on the loose. Paige must document facts to prove it. 

This easy to love format--graphic novel chapter book--makes Paige Proves It a great choice for reluctant readers. So often graphic novels don't center around a female character, so this is a welcome gem. 

Recommended grade 4 and up. 

Non-Fiction Pick: Save the...Whale Sharks

 

Save the...Whale Sharks

by  Anita Sanchez

Introduction by Chelsea Clinton 

Philomel

An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

2022

79 pages

ISBN: 9780593404270

Informative and important for readers of all ages learning about marine life and conservationism. Whale sharks are an endangered, mysterious species--mysterious because they travel thousands of miles always on the move for food. sometimes at depths of over one mile from the surface. One whale shark named Anne was tracked using a GPS device. Scientists discovered Anne had traveled 12,500 miles! Since whale sharks are hard to track, they don't know if all whale sharks travel this far or if Anne is a one-of-a-kind world traveler. 

Whale sharks aren't whales. They are huge fish and are sharks. Huge sharks, but so gentle, divers can get close to them.  

Every whale sharks has a unique pattern or constellation of spots which allows scientists to identify each on. Using a method developed by physicist Edward Groth and used by NASA to map stars, marine biologists can identify every known individual and add new sightings to their database. 

Whale sharks are gentle giants but they are at risk. The biggest danger to whale sharks and other marine wildlife is plastics. Even tiny particles of plastic called microplastics are dangerous. They give off toxins that hurt the whale shark's body including their ability to reproduce. For an already endangered species, this is an emergency. There are things we can all practice to help save these beautiful animals. 

Complete with facts pages and steps we can do take to help the whale shark, Save the...Whale Sharks is perfect for anyone who loves animals, the ocean and this planet we call home. Only humans can save our endangered friends, so we must step up to the plate. 

Highly, highly recommended grade 4 and up. Perfect for all collections and a great choice for reluctant readers. 

PB Pick: It's Diwali!

 It's Diwali! 

by Kabir Sehgal and Suishtha Segal

Illustratyed by Archana Sreenivasan

Beach Lane Books

Simon & Schuster

2022

32 pages

ISBN: 8671534453654

It's Diwali! is a wonderful explosion of color, celebration and culture that begs to be read aloud to the tune of "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe." Kids and adults will learn about the celebration of Diwali, the Indian festival of lights.

From painting on mehndi (henna designs that symbolize luck and happiness to traditional foods like jalebis, a dessert treat, Diwali is a fun event. Every page pops with color and life. Open this picture book and step into India. The art is that vibrant! Kudos to illustrator Archana Sreenivasan. 

It's Diwali! is a must have for any collection of picture books and likely to be heavily awarded. 

Highly recommended ages 3 and up. 

Novel In Verse: A Seed in the Sun

 

A Seed in the Sun

by Aida Salazar

Dial Books for Young Readers

Imprint Penguin Random House LLC
2023

272 pages

ISBN: 9780593406601

The year is 1966. The setting is the grape fields of Delano, California. The protagonist is a young girl named Lula Viramontes who finds her voice when she meets farmworkers' advocates and strikers. 

The workers want better conditions and fair wages. Tempers erupt, gunfires breaks out, Lula and her family must navigate their precarious existence and survive. 

A Seed in the Sun is a novel in verse about an historical event in the farm labor movement. Young readers will be moved by Lula's plight and her strength to speak out. 

Recommended for every collection. It is fiction based on fact and should be included reading in any history course, especially in the state of California. 

Board Book Pick: Non-Fiction: This Little Engineer: A Think-And-Do Primer

 

This Little Engineer: A Think-And-Do Primer

by Joan Holub

Illustrations by Daniel Roode

Little Simon

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division 

2023

26 pages

ISBN: 9781665912082

This STEM based non-fiction book introduces toddlers to engineers including Nicola Tesla who helped develop much of today's communications, female engineers like Marian Croak who developed tech to help us communicate over the internet, Gwynne Shotwell who is the president of Space X,  and Kimberly Bryant who created Black Girls Code which encourages and teaches black girls coding which will allow them to develop their own apps and computer games as well as building websites. 

Twelve engineers are highlighted and their importance to science and everyday life is presented in a toddler friendly package. Illustrations by Daniel Roode bring each engineer to life in a cartoon-like, fun way. Oversize eyes and always huge smiles greet young readers on each page. 

This board book will be most young readers first encounter with the idea that they can create and dream and work in space, technology, architecture, medical engineering and many other fields open to all of them. The sky is literally the limit! 

Recommended ages 2 and up. 

Picture Book Pick: A Sweet New Year for Ren

 

A Sweet New Year for Ren

by Michelle Sterling

Illustrations by Dung Ho

A Paula Wiseman Book 

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

2022 

32 pages

ISBN: 978534496606

Based on her father's stories of growing up in the Philippines, Michelle Sterling presents a sweet story of poor, young Ren--too little, too young to help with the preparing the pineapple cakes and dumplings for the Lunar New Year. Ren is a bit distraught. She wants to help. 

Ren hears it over and over from her mother, her baba, her aunt, everyone tells her she's too young, but her brother Charlie comes home to save the day. Charlie shows her how mix and roll the dough. Soon the house is filled with delicious aromas and Ren's extended family. Everyone gathers to eat, share and celebrate. Ren learns the best part of the Lunar New Year is her family and she is thankful. 

The recipe for Sterling's family's pineapple cakes is included. Beautiful artwork by Dung Ho will win over both readers and award committees. The warmth of the family and love is captured in every illustration. Kudos to Dung Ho! 

Highly recommended ages 3 and up. This picture book should be in every collection. 

Non-Fiction Picture Book Pick: If You Were a Princess

 If You Were a Princess: True Stories of Brave Leaders From Around the World

by Hilary Homzie

Illustrated by Udayana Lugo

Aladdin

An Imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2022

40 pages

ISBN: 9781534456174

If You Were a Princess is NOT the typical princess book, thank goodness! Kudos to author Hilary Homzie for approaching the term "princess," and teaching readers, especially young readers, about real princesses and their amazing achievements! This is one book all readers need. Illustrations by Udayana Lugo bring each princess to life and capture the time period and homeland of each of them. 

Real life princesses save animals, participate in the Olympics, and helped orphans in times of war. Famous princesses in history even commanded armies and defended their lands. Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini of Eswantini (previously Swaziland) even performs  her own rap music.

Other princesses earn degrees and help their countries as professors and researchers (Princess Akiko of Mikasa of Japan and Princess Nisreen el-Hashemite of Iraq respectively). Princesses from all over the world and throughout history are included in this unforgettable book. 

Readers are encouraged to stand up for what they believe, hold their heads high and "dazzle the world." 

Pages follow of famous princessess' bios and two pages of numerous works cited. It's obvious this is a well-researched book. 

 Note: This book was researched and published before the recent Harry and Meghan vs the royal palace, so Meghan is referred to Duchess of Sussex and Catherine is referred to as Duchess of Cambridge, who will become Princess of Wales. Meghan currently still holds the title Duchess of Sussex but no longer works on behalf of the royal familly and Catherine, Princess of Wales, is Catherine's title today. This is probably of no importance to young readers, but please note history is constantly happening. 

Picture Book Pick: Little Red and the Big Bad Editor

 

Little Red and the Big Bad Editor

by Rebecca Kraft Rector

Illustrations by Shanda McCloskey

Aladdin

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

2022

40 pages 

ISBN: 9781534469297

In this humorous romp of a fractured fairy tale, Little Red receives a beautiful scarlet colored cape from her granny. Even though Red's class hasn't learned to write a letter yet, Little Red drafts a thank you note, packs a basket of baked goods, dons her cape and sets off to her granny's house to thank her. 

What should appear? A big, bad voracious wolf who intends to eat Red, but when he spots her note, he goes into editor mode. He tells Red that her words all run together--there needs to be spaces between the words, Using a pencil which he carries behind his ear, Wolf edits her letter. Just when he leans in to gobble up Red, she throws a muffin in his mouth! 

Red runs off, outsmarting the wolf, but he soon catches up. Again, Wolf is bothered by Red's letter writing skills--or lack thereof. He continues to edit the note until Red arrives at Granny's. Wolf wants to eat both Red and Granny now, but when Granny comments about the beautiful letter written with such attention to grammar, Wolf beams. All three eat pie together. Wolf sends a thank you note saying how much he'd love to have both Granny and Red over to his house to EAT.  

Word choice makes this book a wonderful read aloud. Onomatopoeias abound as well as well-known similes and metaphors, for example, cool as a cucumber and smart cookie. Onomatopoeias include swish, splish splash, skippity-skop and many others. Adult readers will enjoy the fun sounding words as their audience giggles and learns each sound. 

Highly recommended ages 3 and up. A must READ ALOUD book. 

Picture Book Pick: Dark on Light

 

Dark on Light

by Dianne White 

Illustrated by Felicita Sala

Beach Lane Books

Imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2022

40 pages

ISBN: 9781534487895

What a beautiful book! Dark on Light delivers breathtaking illustrations by Felicity Sala and lyrical poetry that dances of the pages by Dianne White. This is the perfect bedtime book showing even though it's dark at night, there is so much light. What a comfort to young readers who fear bedtime and the dark! 

Soothing as a lullaby, this picture book is certain to become a bedtime favorite. A trio of siblings explore the woods near their home, taking in the magic of the night. They return home where it's warm and comfortable and climb into their beds after reading a bedtime story. 

Dark on Light deserves the highest award a children's book can receive. My pick for picture book of the year! 

Highly, highly recommended ages 2 and up.