Louis by Tom Lichtenheld

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Have you ever thought about how your favorite stuffed animal feels about being squeezed around the neck? Squashed while you slept on him? Matted with food dripped on her? This story explores a boy’s unending, unforgiving, and maybe at times, suffocating love for his best stuffed bear, Louis. Louis has plans to run far away from this life as he has been stuck with needles (sewn back together), thrown into hurricanes (washed in the washing machine), and stranded places (accidentally forgotten on a bus). Will he succeed in running away or will he give in to being needed and loved?

This is a fun story with perfect, simple illustrations that are necessary to the story. Louis is a great tool for teaching point of view and would be a great addition to a library collection. Points of note: book cover is different than the jacket; Tom Lichentenheld’s real stuffed bear is photographed in the author bio at the back jacket flap; illustrations by Julie Rowan-Zoch.

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park

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This novel is for “Little House on the Prairie” fans, but with a racial equity twist. Obsessed with the Laura Ingalls Wilder books herself in her youth, Linda Sue Park was Laura in her imagination. But in her imaginings, she became an Asian girl living in De Smet, South Dakota — a Chinese girl with some Korean blood.

Our heroine is 14-year old Hanna, whose Caucasian father moves them to the Dakota Territory after Mama died. Hanna is half Asian and in 1880 in this part of the country, is the only Asian in the community. Hanna hides under her bonnet as long as she can and when the students in her one-room schoolhouse first discover she is not White, all but one stops coming to school. The racism that Hanna confronts is largely autobiographical and Ms. Park weaves many of her true-life occurrences into her book. Hanna’s strength is sewing, something she learned from her mother. Her father plans to open a Dress Goods shop, but the community shows no signs of wanting to frequent an establishment whose owner has a “Chinaman” daughter. Painful yet funny, the reader will cheer for Hanna’s strength on every page.

This book received the Asian/Pacific American Award – Honor Book in 2021.

Up on Bob by Mary Sullivan

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Full two-page illustrations and simple text in this picture book tell the story of Bob the dog.  Bob works hard to clear off a neatly made bed to sleep the day away.  As he finally settles in he notices “Someone” (the cat) is watching him. Will Someone go away so Bob can sleep, or will Bob’s nap be disturbed?  Young children will enjoy hearing this story with a surprise ending, and may be able to read it for themselves.

111 Trees, How One Village Celebrates the Birth of Every Girl, by Rina Singh, il. by Marianne Ferrer

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This lushly illustrated picture book focuses on Sundar, who grew up in a poor family, in a poor community, in a dry, hot region of India. His village continued the cultural traditions of celebrating the birth of boys while the birth of a girl was seen as a burden. After the childhood loss of his mother Sundar would hug trees for comfort. Working in the area’s marble mine as an adult gave him a view of it’s destructive practices and concern for the future of his village.  The loss of a daughter to dehydration inspired Sundar to promote the idea of planting 111 trees for each girl born. As village leader he eventually convinced villagers to join him in planting trees. Over many years the act of planting trees led to a renewal of the environment and an appreciation of girls within the community. It also improved the prosperity and quality of life for the villagers. The colorful illustrations enhance the tale based on a true story.  After the story are several pages with additional information about Sundar and the village as well as photographs of Sundar and the trees. The additional pages also have didactic information on gender inequality and eco-feminism not dispensed as charmingly as it was in the text of the story. This book could be used as a read-aloud for older students to start conversations about gender inequality and reclaiming the environment. The amount of text on each page of the story would make it a challenging read aloud for younger children. The additional pages of information are probably too text-rich for a typical elementary group read-aloud session.

Alien Nate by Dave Whamond

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This graphic novel tells the same plot about an alien coming/crashing to earth, only to have government agents try to find /trap it and the young people of earth trying to help it.

The originality of this graphic novel is what makes it so special! Nate, the alien, comes to earth because his planet has come into contact with 1977’s Voyager 1. The golden record was onboard, but what the aliens from Vega wanted more of was the pizza accidentally left on board. They wanted pizza!

Nate is taken to elementary school by earthling Fazel, who has dressed him up to be human in appearance. Nate enjoys learning all about earth but, “It was always just about the pizza. Now I wish we’d paid more attention to the golden record.” (18)

The facial expressions are right on as the reader ventures through to see who will alienate whom, Nate or the government’s Men in Beige. The word play is hilarious with the multiple meanings of worm holes, swear, alien, and vegan.

Just like it is the various toppings on a hamburger that make it memorable, so it is with Alien Nate. This is one memorable alien adventure to earth and back!

Curious George and the Summer Games, by Margret and H.A. Rey

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Another classic adventure by our favorite friend, Curious George. This book has him participating in the summer games hosted by his local town. His enthusiasm assists him in persisting in his attempts at various sports, and failing at most, until he finds the one which suits him the best. Then it takes much practice and even an opportunity to offer some confidence needed by a friend to complete her competition even though she felt some stage fright.

Our lovable hero earned a ribbon for making new friends and learning a new sport. Reading or sharing this story, before a school field day or sports day event, would likely create anticipation and discussion. This likable story combined with classic illustrations, make for a great addition to your library or personal collection.

The Little Mouse the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear, by Don and Audrey Wood

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Readers will appreciate the classic illustrative style of Don Wood with his large, engaging pictures which truly highlight this classic story. Our main character the mouse, wants to pick a strawberry but is warned by the reader, throughout the book, that the bear will want it. Out of fear, he tries many scenarios to hide the strawberry from the perceived bear, but in the end, there is only one way to really hide it. Watch our friend bring this book to a satisfying ending. The pictures help to carry the meaning and intention of this story. A Recommended classic addition to your library.

If You Were Night, by Muon Thi Van and illustrator Kelly Pousett.

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Kelly Pousette, illustrator of “If You Were Night”, creates layered scenes with a technique of cut and folded paper.  The illustrations add to the “magic” feel of the book as the author weaves this simple and profound thought of what is would be like to “become the night”.  A child’s imagination and connection to nature will be inspired as each set of pages create a scenario for children to contemplate.  What would they do?

This book includes fantasy, imagination and the creation of moments of magic as a child gets lost in the possibility of what happens in the night in our natural world.  The combination of art, nature and imagination make this an irresistible book. Timely book for nighttime or peaceful setting. Recommended for families, teachers, and librarians as antidote to the stressful time we are currently living in.   Don’t let this story disappear into the night! Recommended.

The Boy, His Stories and How they Came to be, by author/illustrator Oliver Jeffers

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This coffee table sized book contains four stories PLUS additional bonus pages full of author sketches, notes, pictures personalized by Oliver Jeffers. This is a fascinating book to muse through, as an adult, or child. The oversized book seems to emphasize the interesting, simplistic pictures which add to the intrigue of the adventures had by “the boy”, who is the main character in each story.

Although this isn’t a convenient book for student checkout in a school library, it would certainly be appreciated by teacher or parents to share with a child or group. The book boasts “Never Before Seen Notes Sketches” which make you feel as if you’ve had a private tour of the Oliver Jeffers’ ideas behind his stories. This book is a great experience to have by yourself or with a child. A wonderful addition to your child’s shelf or living room coffee table. A must have for devout Oliver Jeffers fans!

This Way, Charlie, Inspired by a real animal friendship. By Carol Levis and Charles Santoso

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Truly, a beautiful story about loyalty and friendship. The willingness to accept another with a disability and do your part to help with respect, dignity, and seamless care. “This Way Charlie” are the words used by the Goat named Jack, as he guides his blind friend, Charlie the horse. They come together at an animal sanctuary, where all the animals have a physical and/or behavior disabilities due to abuse or birth, accident, or birth defects. They learn to accept each other as is and many have created beautiful relationships with one another and humans. This beautiful story is based on a true life experience at the Wild Heart Ranch, found online at wildheartrescue.org.

The large sized picture book and bold but soft illustrations create a lovely experience as a read aloud in a group setting or reading alone to a lucky child. Highly recommended for those who love animals and actively participate in their friendships! You will want this sweet story in your library.