Zuri, a young African American girl wakes early, excited for her big day. She wants a perfect hairstyle for she special day. Her hair has a mind of its own with “kinks, coils, and curls every which way.” While looking for hair ideas on her tablet, she drops it, waking her father. Her father is happy to help her get her hair perfect. He tries again and again with no success. Zuri mood falls a little bit with every attempt until she’s in tears. A heartfelt hug from dad and a can do attitude have them trying one more time – and “funky puff buns” is the answer. With her superhero cape it’s a perfect look. Just in time for Mom’s return from a trip! The story ends with a smiling family selfie celebrating their love for eachother.

A charmingly sweet message of love of self and recognition of the beauty of each person’s features.

In 1942 Los Angeles, Sam’s class is knitting as a way to help the war effort. Sam really struggles with knitting just as he struggles with how Keiko, his Japanese American classmate and neighbor is treated. Once the United States declared war on Japan, Americans of Japanese descent faced attacks, discrimination, and racism. The tensions escalated when President Roosevelt issued the decree creating the Japanese Internment Camps. The small actions of friends and neighbors to show their support of a group of people unfairly labeled. As Sam untangles his emotions he finds that his yarn is no longer as tangled either. The scarf Sam knits and sends to Keiko represents a concrete symbol of his change in thinking.

This complex and difficult time is portrayed in a way young students can understand. Connections can easily be made with current events and racial profiling.

This book focuses on archeological finds that are being exposed due to warmer temperatures and melting snow.  It starts with a brief introduction to the science of climate change. Then there are eleven different stories describing people and animals uncovered- from ancient Caribou dung in Alaska to a mountain climber in Italy.  Each story contains an inset with more information – both scientific and archeological. Information includes the difference between glaciers, ice patches and permafrost, as well as explanations of carbon dating and DNA testing.  There are photographs of the locations of discovery and some of the things uncovered, including mummified bodies. Additionally, there are artist’s illustrations of possible past scenarios. Glossary and timeline at the end of the book, and also a few resources to find out more. Easy to understand explanations of a complicated topic, including why this is important to us today.

“Imagine you’re the pilot.”  This book takes the reader through a day inside the deep-sea submersible Alvin.  Go along with scientists from the surface of the ocean, to the depths, and back again.  Evocative language and intriguing illustrations immerse the reader in the experience. Alvin’s journey introduces the reader to information on geology, as well as the flora and fauna of the deep sea. At the end of the book there are notes from both the author and the illustrator, facts on Alvin, a glossary, list of organisms, and resources to learn more.  Budding scientists and curious kids will enjoy exploring the mysteries of the deep ocean floor.

Gondra is a young dragon who has a mother from the West, and a father from the East.  Throughout the story, she compares her features to her parents and wonders who she will take after the most as she grows. Gondra is assured by her parents that they no longer need to horde treasure as she is their treasure. Includes interesting and informative author’s note at the end with background information on Eastern and Western dragon mythology. Positive message and delightful illustrations.

A young girl and her papa watch the night sky together. She’s proud that he works in the mill that is making the fabric for spacesuits of the astronauts who will someday land on the moon. Papa is only proud to make a living. Time passes slowly as they wait until the day of the launch and then the landing. As she sees the astronauts in their spacesuits, she knows those threads that are keeping the astronauts alive, the thread that are touching the moon are the same threads woven together by her father. The girl is so proud that her papa helped put a man on the moon.

A lovely story celebrating fathers. For primary level story time about space, pair with The Darkest Dark to highlight that space travel like other major accomplishments is the work of many people over the course of many years.

An attractive and informative young reader version of the authors’ award winning book, The Salish Sea: Jewel of the Pacific Northwest. The authors share their knowledge of the Salish Sea from an interdisciplinary approach that includes an history, geology, oceanography, marine biology, ecology, as well as the human impact on the region. Colorful captioned photographs highlight the text.

A great title to promote curiosity in the unseen magnificence of the Pacific Northwest. Highly recommended for all libraries.

Pig seems to be always making trouble; messing up the living room mat, shattering a beautiful vase, and ripping up a dress. With an innocent bug-eyed look, Pig blames his friend Trevor. Poor Trevor doesn’t understand how his friend can do this to him. Pig’s next scheme, however, catches up with him. As he climbs up to grab a bag of treats from the to shelf, a bowling ball behind the treats falls and smashes him in the head. He’s learned his lesson!

Expressive illustrations, rhyming text and engaging characters make this a fun picture book for storytime.

This leveled reader from Dash! (imprint of Abdo) describes for young readers what a cat needs and some of the behaviors to expect from a pet cat. Colorful cat photographs directly support the text. Unlike some leveled readers, this title contains enough text to effectively communicate meaning, yet the volume of text brief enough to not overwhelm young readers. Readers will walk away understanding the basics of cat care.

Contains table of contents, glossary, index, and online resources.

Sayre again celebrates the diversity and beauty of nature this time with a book showing the explosion of color and shape of flowers in bloom. Oversized book format makes the close-up color photos a good companion for a story time focusing on spring or flowers.

Leaves emerge./Stalks surge./Bloom boom!
Bulbs send./Tips extend./Bloom boom!

The sparse, but rich language encourages readers to delve into the nuances of scientific descriptions.