Author Archives: Kristi Morefield

About Kristi Morefield

Teacher-Librarian at Chambers Prairie Elementary School in Lacey, WA.

Loch Ness Monster’s Unbelievable Science by Anne Appert

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This funny graphic novel by Anne Appert follows the Loch Ness Monster as he tries to explain why certain birds have unusual colors. While Ness tells exciting stories, Puffin repeatedly points out that the stories are not based on real science. Throughout the book, readers are introduced to actual facts about birds and learn about the importance of telling the difference between facts and misinformation. The colorful illustrations and humorous characters will appeal to many young readers.

I recommend this title as an additional purchase for elementary libraries. The book offers opportunities to discuss science, misinformation, and critical thinking. However, the graphic novel format and talking animal characters may make it difficult for some younger readers to distinguish between the fictional stories and the factual information. While the real science content is included, it can sometimes be overshadowed by the humorous narrative. Libraries looking to strengthen collections on media literacy and evaluating information may still find this a useful supplemental title.

Llama Llama Graduation Day by Anna Dewdney

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Llama Llama Graduation Day by Anna Dewdney is a heartwarming story about celebrating an important milestone. As the school year ends, Llama Llama is excited to graduate but also nervous about saying goodbye to his teacher and friends. With support from his family and classmates, he learns that change can be scary, but it can also lead to new adventures. This sweet book is perfect for young readers who are getting ready for their own graduation or other big changes. Consider adding this to your collection of Llama Llama stories.

The Last Kids on Earth and the Destructor’s Lair by Max Brallier

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The Last Kids on Earth and the Destructor’s Lair is an adventure where Jack and Quint must stop a powerful monster from destroying Earth while trapped in the Monster Dimension.

The story is fast-paced and funny, with lots of action and suspense. It also shows the importance of friendship and teamwork when facing big challenges. The short chapters and illustrations make the book easy to read and follow.

Overall, this is a great addition to a school library. If you already have The Last Kids on Earth series, you should add this 10th edition to complete the set.

The Sneakiest in the World by Ben Clanton

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The Sneakiest in the World is a funny picture book about a character who tries very hard to be sneaky. The story shows all the silly ways they attempt to sneak around, but things don’t always go as planned.

The writing is simple and humorous, which makes it easy and fun to read. The illustrations are bright, expressive, and add a lot of the jokes to the story. This book is great for students in grades K–3, but the reading level and humor also work well for early elementary readers in grades 2–4.

Overall, The Sneakiest in the World is a fun addition to an elementary school library, especially for kids who enjoy silly stories and graphic novels.

The Glass Pyramid by Jeanne Walker Harvey

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The Glass Pyramid is a true story about architect I. M. Pei and how he designed the glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The book shows how Pei faced problems and people who did not agree with his ideas. He used creativity and kept working until his design became a success.

The writing is clear and easy to understand, and the illustrations help readers see both the old museum and the modern glass pyramid. This book teaches that big ideas take time and hard work. It would be a good addition to an elementary school library, but it should be considered an additional purchase rather than a core title.

I’m Trying to Love Farts by Bethany Barton

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I’m Trying to Love Farts by Bethany Barton is a funny and informative picture book about something everyone experiences—farts! The book explains how the digestive system works and why our bodies make gas in a way that is easy to understand.

The writing is silly and fun, which will make kids laugh, but it also includes real science facts. The illustrations are bright and goofy, helping explain what is happening in the body.

This book is a good fit for students in grades K–3, but the reading level and science ideas may be easier for students in grades 2–5 to understand.

Overall, it is a fun and helpful book that shows kids that even gross topics are normal and part of how our bodies work.

Where There is Love A Story in African Proverbs by Shauntay Grant

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Where There Is Love by Shauntay Grant is a warm picture book about family and learning from elders. The story follows a young girl spending the day with her nana, where she hears African proverbs that teach important life lessons.

The writing is simple but thoughtful, and the proverbs add meaning, though some may need explanation for younger readers. The illustrations are bright and full of warmth.

While the story will appeal most to students in grades K–3, the reading level and deeper meaning may be better suited for grades 2–5. This book would be a great addition to an elementary school library, especially for read-alouds and lessons about family and culture.

The Blue Velvet Chair by Rio Cortez

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The Blue Velvet Chair by Rio Cortez is a meaningful picture book about family and memories. The story is about a girl whose mother tells her the story of a special blue chair that has been passed down in their family.

The writing is simple but also a little poetic, so some parts may take time to understand. The pictures are warm and detailed, and they help show the love and history in the story.

This book helps kids learn how objects can hold important family stories. It works well as a read-aloud for younger students, and older elementary students can read it on their own. It would be a great addition to an elementary school library, especially for learning about family and culture.

To the Top of the World: Barbara Hillary, the First Black Woman to Reach the North and South Poles by Deborah Blumenthal

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To the Top of the World tells the true story of Barbara Hillary, a brave woman who followed her dreams later in life. Even after facing hard challenges, including illness, she worked to become an explorer. At age 75, she became the first Black woman to reach the North Pole, and later she also reached the South Pole.

The writing is clear and easy to understand, making it a great choice for elementary students. The illustrations are bright and help show how cold and exciting the polar regions are.

While the story will likely appeal most to younger students in grades K–3, the reading level may be better suited for students in grades 2–5.

This book shares an important message: you are never too old to try something new. It would be a great addition to an elementary school library, especially for students who enjoy true stories and learning about inspiring people.

You Are Not Alone by Ingrid Law

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You Are Not Alone by Ingrid Law is a quiet picture book that focuses on the idea of connection and belonging. It shares the message that people are part of a larger world and are never truly alone.

The writing is simple and easy to follow, which makes it accessible for young children. The story is repetitive, and the message is direct. Some readers may find that it doesn’t have a strong plot or memorable characters to keep them fully engaged.

The illustrations are soft and pleasant, but they may not stand out as much as in other picture books. While they match the tone of the story, they don’t add a lot of excitement.

Overall, You Are Not Alone may work as a gentle read-aloud for younger students, but it may not be a favorite for all readers. I recommend this book more for preschool and kindergarten, where its simple message and calm style are a better fit.