Author Archives: Midge Livingston

Zoo Borns! When I’m Big

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Andrew Bleiman – Author, Chris Eastland – Illustrator

This non-fiction picture book will be popular with all who truly adore animals. It is very accessible for many as there are few words on each page. The photography on each page is stunning with the image of a baby animal first, then the adult on the turned page. From lion to echidna, red panda to clouded leopard readers will smile as the learn more about diverse animals who are being saved in our zoos.

I would recommend this title for elementary libraries where animal books are popular. While this book has an introduction from a veterinarian at the Nashville Zoo and short details, descriptions and conservation status information in the back, it is more for enjoyment and general knowledge building and not for extensive research.

Our Universe: The Milky Way

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Marion Dane Bauer – Author, John Wallace – Illustrator

This non-fiction book in the Ready to Read Series (Level One) is well written for primary level students with a love of outer space or in the process of learning about our galaxy. It is clear with few words on each page. While the images are not photographic they are clear and helpful in explaining our place in the Milky Way as well as in comparing size of the Milky Way with other things like our country, planet and solar system within it. There are also explanations of other things in the galaxy such as: asteroids, black holes, comets and nebulae.

I would recommend this book for any library in which you have requests for books about outer space from classroom teachers and for libraries that can use more current books about this topic. Like many other Ready to Read books, this one is easy for students to pick up and understand and will allow for kids to stretch their reading comprehension. It also contains a Glossary at the beginning as well as some interesting facts at the end of the book.

A Song of Swords and Stuffies

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Written by Max Brallier & Joshua Pruett, Illustrations by Jay Cooper & Douglas Holgate, Color by Joe Eichelberger

A song of Swords and Stuffies is book 3 of the Last Comics on Earth graphic novel series.The Laser Blade Hero Squad has come into the picture when they arrive in Apocalyptia and save all from a vicious monster. They agree to ally with our heroes while the Savage Aloner is called home on a mission to save his people from being “cutified”. What is this crazy impairment that has affected the entire land? Will our heroes be able to save the world from ending up all being cute?

This series will be enjoyed by those who love the Last Kids on Earth, DogMan, and Captain Underpants. I would recommend this book series if you have students who enjoy silly humorous graphics and can afford another Dogman type series.

Dancing in the Storm

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by Amie Darnell Specht and Shannon Hitchcock

Kate’s life is full of friends, family, Girl Scouts and gymnastics. She is a very active and positive 12 year old when she finds out that she has Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP), a rare genetic disorder that causes bone to form in places in the body is shouldn’t. She now finds herself no longer able to do her favorite sport. Her parents are found in tears and removing things in the home that may harm her without talking about it. Her friends are awkward around her and her Girl Scouts leader no longer wants her to come into her home because of liability and the possibility of being sued if she is injured. How will Kate navigate this new chapter in her life? How will her friends and family accept her new limitations and continue to love and care for her? How can she be her normal self when “normal” no longer seems possible?

This chapter book is based on the author’s own experiences with FOP and is a heartfelt, open and uplifting story of finding one’s self through adversity. I would recommend this book for elementary and middle school libraries.

Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation

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By Cathy Ballou Mealey and Kelly Collier

Once again we see these close friends working together in this sequel to “Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle”. In this book they decide that they have had so much success with their pickle stand that they can take a vacation. While wanting to spend time together doing the same things once again, they find that they are separated. Squirrel does many activities but realizes that they just want to spend time with their friend Sloth. When they return, Sloth is gone. Sloth has gone out searching for their friend Squirrel!

This is another wonderful picture book about friendship, adventure, differences, acceptance and just the happiness of being together. I would strongly recommend purchasing this beautifully illustrated picture book for elementary school libraries.

Lunar New Year

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Written by Margaret McNamara and Wendi Gu. Illustrated by Mike Gordon

This beginning reader is a wonderful introduction story about how one family celebrates the Lunar New Year. Eigen’s mom comes to school to help him celebrate his favorite holiday with his class. She brings his favorite holiday treats and talks with the teacher and class about the holiday and what it means to Eigen’s family.

This simply written leveled book is great for younger readers who are interested in holidays and culture. I would strongly recommend this purchase.

PAWS: Hazel Has Her Hands Full

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By Michelle Assarasakorn and Nathan Fairbairn

The PAWS crew is back again in this fourth book in the series. Hazel has a condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and uses a wheelchair. This does not stop her from being an active member of the dog walking club. When summer comes along and her friends are leaving for camp, going to visit family and going on vacation, Hazel decides to take on two cats that need to be taken care of in the neighborhood on her own. Will all go smoothly or will things go badly when she chooses to not tell her mom that she is not being supported by others in the group.

While this is book four in the series, this graphic novel could also be considered a stand alone. There is a great deal of back story given on Hazel including how she was treated at her past school, what her condition is and how it has progressed and her connection with the PAWS group. This title also has some fun content as the end including: how to draw a dog and the names of parts of a wheelchair. The graphic novel series as a whole is a great addition to any library. It shows wonderful examples of teamwork, determination, creativity and friendship. I would strongly recommend this series for any elementary or middle school library.

Away

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Written by Megan E. Freeman

Four Colorado teens are brought together when they are evacuated from their homes due to an emergency. Many any months after moving to the relocation camp, they stumble upon some evidence that makes them doubt the legitimacy of the evacuation and they begin to dig deeper and start to see the true story and who is behind the land grab.

Megan Freeman has done it again with this companion book to her book “Alone”. While “Alone” is a book about a girl who is left in her town when it is evacuated, “Away” is what happens to everyone else when they are forced to leave. This near future science fiction is fantastic stand alone and yet feels like a part two in a series. Written in a variety poetry and prose forms this story will please many adventure and mystery fans. I highly recommend purchasing this book and believe it is appropriate for 4th to 9th grades.

Emilio Sloth’s Modern Manners

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Words by Renee Ahdieh, Pictures by Alea Marley

Emilio is a kind sloth who goes about his day with his dear friends always listening to what they have to say and asking how they are. He also lets them know how he is and always has a cheerful demeanor.

This is a wonderful book about being a kind and listening friend. It really highlights how fulfilling it can be to be a good person with a positive insight to life. Emilio is a great example for young students who are in the process of learning what being a friend means. If these are the type of books you need in your library I would recommend this one as an extra purchase.

Clara: The Triumphant Rhinoceros

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A True Story

Written by Jane Kurtz Illustrated by Claire Messer

This is a fictional tale about Clara, a famous rhinoceros that was taken in as a calf by a Dutch sea captain 260 years ago. This adorable Indian Rhino traveled with Captain Van der Meer where she became a wonderful ambassador for the species. As many know, rhinos have the reputation of be ill-tempered, deadly and cruel. Clara proved these assumptions to be wrong in her lifetime.

Today, many would feel that having someone travel with what should be a wild animal in this way is wrong but as the author’s note says the captain truly treasured Clara and took the best care of her he could. The note also discusses how with conservation efforts these rhinos are now numbering in the thousands although in the past very few were left alive and the species was almost extinct. II would recommend this book as an extra purchase as philosophies on wild animal care have changed and this may take some explaining to do if one was to want to read it aloud to groups and young children.