If you enjoyed Esperanza Rising you will enjoy this one as well. While this title has the feel of a fantasy at times in reality it is a realistic fiction of a young man who is a dedicated soccer player in Mexico. Not only does Max enjoy soccer he loves his father and grandfather who are often coming and going from the house for extended times because of their jobs. When Max’s dad has to travel to another town to get a copy of his birth certificate so he can try out for the elite soccer team, Max searches through his fathers belongings to see if he can help find the documentation he needs. He soon realizes there is a mystery behind his birth and where his mother is. When someone comes to the house needing help and is grandfather and father are both away, Max volunteers to help even though he knows little about what to do.

This is another great book by Pam Munoz Ryan that many will enjoy. I would highly recommend purchasing this book for your library.

Close friends, sloth and squirrel decide to get jobs as pickle packers so they can earn money to purchase a bike. They run into some issues when squirrel goes too fast and sloth goes too slow. Their work becomes disastrous and soon they find themselves sadly, without jobs. Working together, these unlikely friends must find a way to earn money for a bike.

This is a story that will make you smile. It focuses on teamwork, determination and perseverance. The artwork is fun and inviting and makes you want to read it again.

Given an assignment in art class to draw what you love, Sophia struggles until her teacher explains “perspective” and what it means in art. When she completes her project she is so proud that she want’s to put it up on the refrigerator. This entails going to the family “committee” to see if it is acceptable. Each committee member questions if it is quality enough until grandmama who finally sees Sophia’s perspective.

This is a beautiful story that teaches ways to see art from different points of view. It also show determination and family. The artwork is bright and engaging. It was an enjoyable book. Your school art teacher will enjoy this addition to the school library.

When X comes to school he finds out that his alphabet class is going on a camping field trip!Having never gone camping before he is unsure as to what to bring. First he thinks of an x-ray machine (0f course) and then a xylophone but when those two items don’t work out what does he do? As all of the alphabet letters start filling the bus with their supplies X is at a loss. What happens will make you smile.

This fabulous alphabet book has wonderfully expressive letters who show true friendship and happiness. This will be a great read-a-loud for youngers learning their alphabet. So fun!

There is a dragon is his closet that is a prankster! The dragon does all kinds of things such as breaking plant pots, putting on muddy shoes and walking around the house and leaving candies for him when he is unwell. Will this young man continue to have issues with the dragon? Will his mother find out if the dragon exists? You’ll have to read the book to find out

This picture book has unique art that is seen more clearly from a distance than close up. Personally, I did not enjoy the book. I loved the title and thus decided to choose it to read. I found that the book was rough at the start and not very clear. The artwork was not very clear to me but I found it was easier to see from a distance as it does not have clear clean lines. If you have more of Palmer’s illustrated books you will enjoy this one as well as you are familiar with his work

When Bobo is invited to the palace to meet the new queen he is surprised. He was rolling in the dirt when the invitation came. He is a boar! A little nervous about attending, Bobo couldn’t sleep the night before and thus when the car came to get him he was still sleeping. Feeling a little unprepared and underdressed, Bobo gets in the car. When he arrives at the palace disaster after disaster occur! He destroys everything! Will he be thrown out of the palace? You’ll have to read to find out!

This humorous picture book reminds us that it is okay to be you. The art is fun and inviting and will make everyone smile at the end!

This lovely poetry picture books sends you around the world to experience street food in a variety of countries. From New York to Dakar, from Saint Petersburg to Surabaya, the reader experiences different tastes from around the world. There is a great appendix at the end that describes each place and gives interesting facts.

This would be a great addition to any elementary library!

Poppy a precocious French girl decides that she and her dog, Baguette need to search the city of Paris for the “brightest light” in the city. This fun tour of Parisian highlights is a fun introduction to what makes Paris special. Traveling from the Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre and on to many other places ending in the Eiffel Tower this fun loving girl and her dog go on an adventure.

A fun tale with stunning artwork, this book is a delight that will give you a smile, especially if you have ever been to the City of Light.