Author Archives: Midge Livingston

This Book is NOT a Present

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Written by Max Greenfield, Illustrated by Mike Lowery

This big print, humorous book focuses on how kids would not want a book as a gift for any holiday. It caters to the child who is always on the go and not wanting to sit at any time, let alone to read a book. As I read, I kept waiting for the twist at the end saying something to the effect of “huh, I guess I did enjoy reading a book and getting a book as a gift” but alas that never occured. I had mixed feelings about this book being in an elementary library and thus, I searched for other reviews online. There were many 5 star reviews that seemed to be from parents. Theses parents found this book to be hilarious and their children would want them to read it over and over again. After much thought and consideration, I would not recommend this purchase for a school library where funding is limited as it could discourage reading although it seems to be a hit for a bedtime story.

When You Take a Step

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By Bethanie Deeney Murguia

A short and sweet picture book that reflects on moving forward in life. It is a gentle book reflecting on peace and mindfulness as you walk your own path. The mostly black and white images are soft with pink shoes on every page showing how one can be curious, kind and thoughtful with every step on makes. This book would be a great extra purchase for any socio-emotional school curriculum.

I am Superman

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Written by Brad Meltzer, Illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos

Brad Meltzer has added the series “Stories Change the World” to his repertoire after the success of the “Ordinary People Change the World” books. It is about the story of Superman/Clark Kent/Kal-El. This book gives the backstory of Superman in a thoughtful way, explaining how what makes makes him an incredible person isn’t what he can do and how strong he is. It’s what is in his kind heart. The illustrations are what you would expect, remarkable! The pictures will attract emerging readers as well as older readers who want to read something quick and fun. I would recommend this fun and thought provoking graphic to all elementary grades. This is one of three books in this new series including Wonder Woman and Batman.

The Fantastic Flying Competition

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by Tjibbe Veldkamp & Sebastiaan Van Doninck

This whimsical picture book introduces young children to many different types of birds (as well as bats) in the race of the ages. Many teams fall to the wayside (the owls get a late start as they have slept in) and one team is cheating! This book has zany illustrations with a lot of color and will be popular with many of your young students. Who will win? You will not find out until you laugh your way through this fun picture book. Recommended for K-3.

Sharing a Smile by Nikki Kramar and pictures by Ashley Evans

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This timely picture books introduces us to Sophie who used to be so comfortable being around her neighbors, playing and helping and smiling with them. Now that they all have masks on things are different and Sophie is worried. What if she can’t tell they are smiling? As she watches she notices that her friend, Jenny from across the street looks very scared to go outside. Sophie and her grandfather make a plan to make not only Sophie comfortable but also her friend Jenny.

This is a great story about friendship and supporting each other during times of change. It is a gentle reminder to us, as adults, about how young children can feel with so many plain, sterile masked people in the world. I would highly recommend this book for the fall. A great read-a-loud for students returning to school.

Pascual and the Kitchen Angels

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Written and Illustrated by Tomie dePaola

Pascual was touched by God at a very young age. Initially, he was a shepherd but as a young adult he felt the desire to feed the poor and thus he decided to become a friar. He traveled to a Franciscan monastery where the friars asked him to become their cook. Not knowing anything about a kitchen, he prayed to God and angels came to the kitchen where they made incredible meals. Pascual never did learn to cook but by the gift of God he provided food to the friars as well as the poor. An author’s note at the end of the book explains that Pascual is the patron saint of cooks and the kitchen. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is light. I would recommend this book as an extra purchase for an elementary library.

Rover and Speck: This Planet Rocks!

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By Jonathan Roth

This fun graphic novel is an adventure that delves into the science of terrestrial planets. Rover lands on a planet and is ready to search for information only to find Speck who had landed before and was unable to power up it’s solar panels. Once Speck is charged up, they travel in search of life forms. They discover a type of “rock creature” and find that they are friendly when they hear music. While the story is not realistic, there are many facts about planets that are interspersed throughout the book. The back pages show images of the Mars and the Rover that was sent to it. Students will enjoy this book and learn along the way – Highly Recommended!

Rick: the Rock of Room 214

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Written by Julie Falatko, Illustrated by Ruth Chan

Rick is a rock who lives on a shelf with other items found outdoors by students that learn in room 214. Rick finds that the students seem to have many adventures and he wants them too. He wants to be the rock that does more that sit. He wants to have adventures like going through a volcano, falling off cliffs and posing on a majestic mountain. One day, he falls into a backpack and goes outside looking for new things to do. What he finds are many rocks who are quiet, and no longer want adventures in their lives. Will Rick find what he wants or will he end up being a quiet rock sitting in a field? This is a very cute book that wonderfully explains how one can find adventure and enjoy life wherever one is, even if it is just sitting on a shelf in a classroom. I would highly recommend this one!

Tim Possible & the Time-Traveling T. Rex

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Written by Axel Maisy

The main character, Tim Possible, is an adventurous boy who worries a lot. He and his best friend, Tito, run into a time traveling T-Rex whose time machine has turned evil. This humorous and adventuresome book will be a great addition to a library that may see a need for more books along the vein of “Captain Underpants”, “DogMan” or “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”.

Noodle and the No Bones Day

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Written by Jonathan Graziano, Illustrated by Dan Tavis

What a wonderfully adorable book about a pug and his person. This tale emphasizes that it is okay to have an “off day” every once in a while. Noodle and his person, Jonathan – the author, have busy and adventuresome days every day but when Noodle is feeling under the weather, Jonathan becomes concerned. Soon he realizes that there are days where one must just take the time to relax and be content to just be. A highly recommended tale for elementary students that really explains that it’s okay to have a “no bones” day.