Author Archives: Midge Livingston

Beatrice and Barb

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By Kate Jenks Landry, Illustrated by Vivian Mineker

More than anything, Beatrice wants a pet to cuddle, snuggle and take care of. After a long negotiation with her mom, they agree upon a plant. While Barb is not the most affectionate pet a girl can have, Beatrice does everything she can to take care of her plant. She begins to notice that Barb is not doing well and is beginning to look sick. What can Beatrice do to save her beloved pet?

I would highly recommend this well illustrated book that shows determination, dedication and love.

The Snow Man

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By Jonah Winter, Illustrated by Jeanette Winter

This is the biography of billy barr (he chooses not to capitalize his name), a man who chose to live in the Rocky Mountains alone in the early 1970’s and continues to live there to this day. The author’s note at the end explains that billy become bored and thus started measuring and noting information about the first snowfall, snowpack and when certain animals and flowers returned to the mountains or came out of hibernation. His notebooks are still used when researching climate change and global warming.

I would highly recommend this book for elementary school. It is a wonderfully written and illustrated book that can be used extensively when recognizing climate change as well as a great example of the scientific method in action.

The Bravest Warrior in Nefaria

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By Adi Alsaid

Bobert lives in the evil kingdom of Nefaria where everyone does what they can to keep evil “in check”. He lives a life where he feels that he is invisible. He is forgotten by all around him, even his parents. When he follows his classmates to a cursed gumball machine, he is sucked into an evil scheme created by Matt the evil wizard. Will Bobert finally be remembered by his classmates and found before the kingdom is taken over by Matt? Will Nefaria once again become a kingdom that is impervious to these evil schemes?

I found this book to be somewhat difficult to get in to as the storyline seemed difficult to understand at the beginning. The main character, Bobert, was difficult to get behind. If a reader enjoys quirky fantasy with underdog protagonists then they may enjoy this book.

Adventures with Linus and Friends!

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By Charles M. Schultz, et. al.

With old and new stories, this is a nice introduction to The Peanuts gang that young and old will enjoy. There are eleven tales in one graphic novel. Most all of them revolve around Linus and his love of his blanket and Lucy with her demands that he grow up. This is one of three books in a set that are familiarly illustrated. The new comics blend well with the original Schultz comics that are within the book.

This would be a nice add on to any graphic novel section in the library.

We Are Going to be Pals!

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By Mark Teague

In another well illustrated and fun book by Mark Teague, author and illustrator of the “How to Dinosaurs” series, he introduces symbiotic relationships to young readers in a humorous way. The overly chatty cattle egret introduces themself to the ever silent rhino. While getting to know each other the egret tells jokes and explains what you need to have a good friendship.

This beautifully illustrated book will have young readers giggling at the egret as he tries to get the rhino to talk to him. This is yet another great book from Mark Teague that will be popular in your library.

Bugging Out

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By Jorge Cham and daniel Whiteson

In this volume of the series, “Elinor Wonders Why”, Elinor and her friends are preparing for insect day at school by trying to decide what bug they want to dress up as. Elinor goes home to create her butterfly costume but searches in her garden with her dad to make sure her costume is correct. While searching, she learns many things about this beautiful insect.

This graphic novel series for young readers introduces science content in a fun way. The format is pleasing and the images are vibrant and appealing. This reader highly recommends this series for all elementary libraries.

How to Carry a Cupcake

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By Jorge Cham and Daniel Whiteson

When Elinor and her friends realize their teacher, Ms. Mole, is having a birthday tomorrow they decide to bring her a cupcake. Olive, the elephant is ready to bring one to school but is not sure how to get it to their teacher safely and not squished in her bag. Elinor, Olive and Ari study nature to solve their problem.

This is a elementary level book in the series “Elinor Wonders Why” where Elinor and her friends work to solve problems as well as explore nature. It is a fun story in the popular graphic novel format that will introduce science concepts as well. This reader highly recommends this series for young readers in the elementary library.

The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination

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By Brad Montague, Illustrated by Brad and Kristi Montague

Sparky, a very shy mail figment in the Bureau of Imagination, has a very busy job but always has time to write poetry. He never shares his poetry as he if very shy. One day while working diligently, he finds that his lack of sharing may be a part of the cause of a possible disaster. Sparky greets Brenda the dragon who to lives at and manages the Cave of Untold Stories and finds out that the cave is exploding! Sparky tries to help but only finds that the challenge is too daunting for him alone and thus, he writes a letter to all the humans in the world encouraging them to be agents of the Fantastic Bureau of Imagination. Will others join in to fix the challenge? Will YOU be one of the NEW agents of the bureau?

This is a wonderful book for any elementary library. There are many activities that can revolve around this whimsical tale. I would highly recommend it!

Elbert in the Air

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By Monica Wesolowska, Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey

Even as a baby Elbert could fly. Throughout his life, may gave suggestions to keep him from doing so but his mother always encouraged him to be himself. This is a tale of reaching for your dreams, being yourself and always moving forward to be the best you can be. It is also a great message for any parent, friend or mentor to support one another. While it is a nice story with a happy ending, I would recommend this book as an extra purchase as there are many others that give the same message in a more heartwarming way.

How to Make a Memory

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By Elaine Vickers, Illustrated by Ana Aranda

This adorably illustrated book encourages one to create memories in a variety of ways. It also gives examples of how to save these memories by writing them down, creating a picture or taking a photograph. One may remember memories just by hearing a few notes from a song or seeing something. The author also explains that there will be times when you cannot necessarily remember the entire memory or may forget all of it but that it’s okay to do so. In the end, the book encourages the reader to go out into the world knowing that these memories are a reminder of who they are, what they have endured and that one has the strength to overcome. This is a great read-a-like with “Oh the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss.