The Dragon Slayer

By Tatyana Feeney

What a fun story about a girl who was content and happy in her life but wanted MORE! Freya wanted a dragon to SLAY! And yet, not far away there was a dragon who was dreaming of a girl TO EAT! They both go out into the world and search for what they want but neither of them can find it. When they find each other will they end up slaying and/or eating? You’ll have to read to find out!. This is a wonderfully illustrated book with a fun ending that many will enjoy. I highly recommend this book for your library!

All I Need to Be

By Rachel Ricketts. Illustrated by Tiffany Rose

“All I Need to Be” is a wonderfully illustrated picture book that encourages the reader to be okay with themselves as they are. The main character reminds us that it is okay to look within ourselves when the world gets to be too much. When students read this they will more than likely see themself in the many different characters on the pages. This would be a nice addition to a library that may be in need of SEL books for younger readers. I would recommend this picture book.

Willa and Wade and the Way-Up-There

By Judith Henderson and Sara Sarhangpour

From Judith Henderson, the author of “AAAlligator!” we now have “Willa and Wade and the Way-Up-There”. A humorous picture book/graphic for young readers about friends Willa (an ostrich) and Wade (a penguin) who will do anything to fly! The two birds try a variety of things from pogo sticks to jumping off cliffs to meet their goal. This is a fun book about perseverance and determination. Early readers will enjoy the bright and engaging illustrations and read how sometimes, your goal cannot be met easily. I recommend this silly read for all elementary libraries. Especially if one is looking for more books that are similar to Elephant and Piggie.

Puffin and Penguin

By Helaine Becker and Kevin Sylvester

This graphic novel for young readers is cute and will be relatable to students. A school story about Puffin, whose mom becomes an ambassador to the United Avian Nations. He has to move to New Stork City and start in a new school for international students. Like all new students, he is worried about fitting in and is missing his cold and watery home. Penguin is assigned to be his “buddy” but is overwhelmed with the many activities he’s committed to and thus is concerned about adding on being a buddy to the new kid. Puffin struggles to fit in and is laughed at and misunderstood as many of the birds at school are not water birds. In the end, Penguin realizes that Puffin is struggling and does what he can to make things easier for him. They end of in the drama club together and during a performance, Puffin saves the day. The illustrations are great for a graphic novel. I particularly like the very funny and relatable introduction of the various birds in Puffin’s class. Canada Goose, the fashionista. Downy Woodpecker, the drummer. Loon, the gossip and all the others you will giggle about. There are many school stories that will interest students and thus I recommend this one as an extra purchase. It would be a great purchase if you need more graphics, especially if you have the extra money for it.

Two Birds…and a MOOSE

By Jame Preller. Illustrated by Abigail Burch

This humorous book written by James Preller is a funny tale about a moose that wants to be in a tree with his friends the two birds. There are few words on each page that are simple for early readers. The illustrations are engaging and allow for readers to understand the story without necessarily understanding the printed words. It is a book that even as an adult, made me smile. I recommend it for early level readers. It was enjoyable.

Our Universe: The Solar System

By Marion Dane Bauer. Illustrated by John Wallace

Marion Dane Bauer has created a well written book about our Solar System. There are interesting facts given about all of the planets in order of closest to furthest from the Sun as well as other objects that are in the system. It has a Glossary at the beginning with clear definitions of more challenging words as well as their pronunciations. The final page also has interesting facts to encourage more reading. The illustrations are vibrant and engaging and will make readers more interested to learn more. This beginning reader is a good addition for any library in need of non-fiction books at a lower level.

Countries of the World: Ukraine

By Monika Davies

Ukraine covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. Readers will be interested in the unique geographical features including the Dnieper River as well as some of the exotic animals of the country: gray wolves, steppe polecats and wood grouse. It shows the vibrancy of life in the country as wells as popular sports: soccer, volleyball and swimming and favorite foods: borscht, holubtsi, and verguny. This book does not mention the war that is currently occurring in Ukraine and thus is general enough to be a basic resource in the library for many years. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.

The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”

Countries of the World: Thailand

By Monika Davies

Thailand covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world and thus readers will be interested reading this book. There are unique geographical features including: the Chao Phraya River. Included is an explanation of the weather in Thailand well as some of the exotic animals of the country: clouded leopard, Asian elephant, and the Irrawaddy dolphin. It shows the vibrancy of life in the country as wells as popular sports: Muay Thai, and swimming, and favorite foods: pad thai, som tam and kluai khaek. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.

The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”

Countries of the World: South Sudan

By Monika Davies

South Sudan covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. At the publishing of this book, South Sudan is the youngest nation in the world as it became a country in 2011. Readers will be interested in the unique geographical features including: the White Nile River, the Boya Mountains and the Sudd of the South Sudanese country as well as some of the exotic animals of the country: African savanna elephants, shoebills, and Nile lechwe. It shows the vibrancy of life in the country as wells as popular sports: wrestling, basketball or soccer, and favorite foods: kisra asida and ful. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.

The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”

Countries of the World: Peru

By Monika Davies

Peru covers basic information of the country. It has appealing images and maps as well as words in bold that correlate to a Glossary at the end of the book. Readers will be interested in the unique geographical features including: Rainbow Mountain, Atacama Desert and the Andes Mountains of the Peruvian country as well as some of the exotic animals of the country: humboldt penguins, scarlet macaws and black caimans. It shows the vibrancy of life in the country as wells as popular sports, and favorite foods. This book is recommended for any library where students at a young age do country research or for English language learners.

The Blastoff! Readers Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: All about the country, land and animals, life for the people, and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 1-3. They are at “Level 2 which offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied sentences, increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”