Search the world for scaly cold-blooded animals with backbones that lay eggs in Remarkable Reptiles. While reinforcing the characteristics of reptiles the text highlights the unique and extraordinary species of the class. From venom to hoods and third eyes to frills – reptiles are remarkable.

Blastoff Missions Amazing Animal Classes is a series sure to inspire a child’s natural curiosity. Each title starts with Mission Goals to promote fluency (identify sight words), enhance comprehension (identify traits), and promote critical thinking (think of a question).

The informational text engages the reader as a participant in the narrative. The conversational style of the text provides age appropriate academic and subject specific vocabulary. Bolded vocabulary terms are defined in the glossary. Colorful illustrations include identifying and descriptive captions. Extra tidbits of information are provided by Jimmy, a space traveling, cartoon-like avatar who accompanies the reader on all the narrative missions.

Endpapers include a glossary, index, and To Learn More section. The To Learn More resources have three print sources in the At the Library section. The On the Web resources direct the reader to Factsurfer which provides easy access to three curated age appropriate digital resources. Endpapers also include three extension questions in the Beyond the Mission section to help readers connect their learning from the book to their own experiences.

While exploring the world looking for Brilliant Birds, the common characteristics of the bird classification are reinforced with multiple examples. The text also highlights the many different ways birds nest.

Blastoff Missions Amazing Animal Classes is a series sure to inspire a child’s natural curiosity. Each title starts with Mission Goals to promote fluency (identify sight words), enhance comprehension (identify traits), and promote critical thinking (think of a question).

The informational text engages the reader as a participant in the narrative. The conversational style of the text provides age appropriate academic and subject specific vocabulary. Bolded vocabulary terms are defined in the glossary. Colorful illustrations include identifying and descriptive captions. Extra tidbits of information are provided by Jimmy, a space traveling, cartoon-like avatar who accompanies the reader on all the narrative missions.

Endpapers include a glossary, index, and To Learn More section. The To Learn More resources have three print sources in the At the Library section. The On the Web resources direct the reader to Factsurfer which provides easy access to three curated age appropriate digital resources. Endpapers also include three extension questions in the Beyond the Mission section to help readers connect their learning from the book to their own experiences.

In My Fade is Fresh, a young girl heads into the barbershop with a clear vision of what she wants. It seems like everyone has a suggestion for what she should have done – A PERM? A PRESS? A TRIM? A CHOP?. With fun rhyming text and dynamic, engaging illustrations, suggestion after suggestion is put forward and dismissed. The patience of both the barber and the little girl are increasingly strained as no one seems to be listening. Finally, after 3 hours, the young girl gets her fresh fade and proudly leaves the barbershop with a confident smile.

A fun celebration of black hair and creative ways to shine one’s personality through self expression.

Ayaan, a young African American boy, speeds around the playground at school wearing a cape and helping his friends. He feels proud of his efforts until some classmates laugh at him and tell him he can’t be a superhero – real superheroes don’t look like him. With the support of his father, Ayaan realizes that superheroes come in all shapes and sizes and their most important identifying characteristic is that they are committed to helping others. By continuing to be kind, helpful, and brave, Ayaan can live up to his superhero cape.

While not likely to engage most elementary school children, this book speaks to the preschool child through the relatable experiences, cute illustrations and clear language.

Moving to a new country and leaving extended family is hard. Rocio misses so much of her old life. Most of all, Rocio misses her Abuela. Rocio and Abuela used to spend a lot of time together and their love for each other is evident in the many small rituals of their lives together. Missing that connection to her Abuela, one night Rocio finds the brightest star and makes a wish. Her family wakes her the next morning singing Las Mañanitas for her birthday and she finds a package from her Abuela. That night she sends her love back across the sky to her Abuela.

Sprinkled with Spanish words and phrases, the story will resonate for children with similar immigration stories. The themes of family, relocating, and staying connected to family and traditions make this a meaningful story for all young children.

With rhyming repetitive text, Step by Step shows how many activities that can appear daunting or impossible for a child can be conquered with one small action after another. “Stride by stride, one by one” a child can make it to school. “Smile by smile, one by one” a child can make new friends. “A to Z, one by one” a child can learn the alphabet. And when working together with friends, children can accomplish even more. The story ends with a challenge to continue to learn and grow by tackling future adventures “step by step, one by one”. The illustrations are cheerful and optimistic, featuring diverse children and supportive adults.

Step by Step would be a great read aloud to encourage the reluctant student on the first day, promote perseverance when learning new things, and celebrate the next steps at the end of of the school year.

Daddy Speaks Love explores the special bond between father and child. Daddy speaks of nurturing though love, truth, joy, and comfort. Daddy also speaks of learning with dream, future, unity, and pride. The book then circles back to love and promise of together. The author’s note indicates that the story was inspired by words of 6 year old Gianna Floyd after her father’s death.

Beautifully warm illustrations feature father-child relationships of various races and ethnicities and children various genders.

Adam and his dog, Up are eating breakfast while his parents watch the news concerning the local cleanup after a large storm. The mayor cajoles everyone to keep working together for the community and ends her broadcast with, “Now, it’s time to get to work. Up and at ’em!” Adam heard a call to work for himself and his dog. Helping with lots of small tasks throughout his neighborhood, Adam’s cheerful greeting, willingness to help, and smiling face lighten everyone’s spirit. Finally Adam cooks batch after batch of cookies to share on the boardwalk.

Adam is identified in the endpapers as modeled after the author’s son who has Down syndrome. This story celebrates what Adam can do rather than focusing on how he is different. Through accepting and nurturing Adam for who he is, his cheerful and helpful nature resonated out into the community.

Use this book to promote a more inclusive community and to encourage community service.