It’s got a good sturdy binding, and a solid amount of well-organized information packed into a book designed for early readers. Too often the effort to keep the text simple results in limited information. This book finds a good balance. The chapters make sense. The use of non-fiction text features, such as charts, glossary, table of contents, etc. is done well, rather than seeming like a forced add-on, as is also a frequent pitfall of early-reader non-fiction.

I kind of want to give it a Not Recommended rating, but I’m afraid my personal biases might be shading my opinion a bit, so I shall soften my opinion to an Alternate Purchase. I know it’s trying to honor the imagination of youth. It tells of a boy who wakes up one morning not wanting to be a boy, but to be a bear, wild and free. He proceeds to move through his day protesting any and all of the usual constraints on humans that are interfering with his desire to be wild and free, including the need to wear clothes and shoes. Mom manages to convince him of the benefits of clothes during cold weather, but sends him off to school with his shoes in his backpack instead of on his feet, where continues to protest the rules. The illustrations show him throwing things, including chairs, and hitting other students in line in his imagined bear state. As someone who deals with too much bear-like behavior from students on a regular basis, I don’t feel like I can recommend a book that encourages kids to just go with their feelings about such things.

It’s a celebration of the little, ordinary joys of everyday life: family, community, memories, traditions, etc. Told from the perspective of a young girl, she tells of her father-daughter ritual each evening when her Papi comes home from work and takes her for a ride around their neighborhood on his motorcycle. Throughout their ride, she narrates about the people and places they pass, and the significance each holds in her life. The soft, sunset-ish colors in the illustration, and the nostalgic tone of the text add a sense of the cherished to the ordinary.

While the diversity and grandeur of the National Parks draw people from near and far, these amazing places are also the home to the creatures that live there. And yet the majesty and mystery of our National Parks also provide a sense of home and belonging to all who visit. The refrain, “you are home” echoes through the book.

The lyrical language helps the reader recognize the home that can be found in a memory or sense of belonging. Each pastel illustration is represents a National Park. Embrace the experience of visiting a National Park and feel a sense of home.

End papers describe the author’s connection to the parks and includes a United State map showing the location of the National Parks with thumbnail images of the books illustrations. The “More About” section is limited to only 5 of the parks and 4 of the featured animals.

What first comes to mind when you hear the name George Washington? First president of the United States of America? General in the Revolutionary War? Mount Vernon? Slave owner? That last one caught me off guard, but in retrospect, it should not have. George Washington was a wealthy land owner in what is now the state of Virginia, which would be a slave state. Why wouldn’t George Washington own slaves.

This book was a wake up call for me in this regard. Oney Judge was the daughter of a slave and a white indentured servant. Any child born to a slave was automatically a slave. Oney’s father left the Washington’s service once his debt was paid.

Oney was Martha Washington’s personal maid. Oney went where ever Martha went: shopping, visiting friends, and parties included. “Trips with the Washingtons helped open Oney’s eyes to a whole new world.” (25) During these outings Oney was introduced to the free black community of Philadelphia. They would eventually help her escape when the time came.

Oney made her decision to escape when she found out Martha was gifting Oney to her granddaughter as a wedding present. Oney , whom the Washington’s considered family, was in fact property.

This book gives background on how slavery and slave laws evolved in the colonies/United States. One such law stated “that enslaved people who lived in Philadelphia for more than six months would be considered residents. They would become free. This law was meant to eventually end slavery.” (27) The Washingtons lived in Philadelphia, as the first United States Capitol. They moved their slaves back and forth between Mount Vernon and Philadelphia to avoid loosing their slaves due to this law.

After Oney ran away, the Washingtons placed a newspaper advertisement offering a reward for her return.

Oney made her way to New Hampshire, a free state, and lived her life in poverty rather than return to a life of slavery.

The book includes: Fast Facts, Stop and Think, Online Resources, Learn More, and an index.

Filled with historical references spread throughout the book to emphasize his points, from the printing press to television and the internet you are made aware of the impact on news and it’s spread.

Miller discusses how real news works and what is “responsible” journalism, including a discussion of a mistake vs created fake news.  He points to the ease, with the internet, that any person can now be a reporter through all the different venues – YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, podcasts, etc. His warnings include that responsible journalism begins with each one of us knowing our sources and checking facts. He tells us not to be the spreader of fake news.

Additionally, Miller asks readers to stop and think about what affects the news: Language, beliefs, money, political motives, humor, sarcasm, cynicism, culture, expectations, propaganda, conspiracy theories, bias, and etc. Well organized, colorful and timely, this little book reminds us of all of these effects both as a listener/reader as well as a reporter, spreader of news.  Food for thought for each of us, this is a highly recommended title for middle and high school libraries!

Bear’s bright yellow birthday kite makes him happy. Holding tight to the long string, the kite begins to fly as he runs. He runs through the meadow, by the sea and finally back to the forest where his kite gets caught and ripped by a tree. Bird works hard to untangle it and flies off carrying the kite. Bear begins to run. The story ends with, “Bear no longer has a bright yellow kite, but Bear is happy. He has something better,” inviting the reader to recognize the value of a friend far exceeds any object, however loved.

A charming picture book with a message of friendship.

This non-fiction series from Abdo provides useful easily accessible information for young readers. In Crayfish, the reader learns about the crayfish’s physical features, habitat, food, defences, and the life cycle.

Each chapter begins with a QR code that links to additional online resources. The link includes a small amount of information at the same reading level as the book as well as 3 external links to more complex information. It is expected that informational texts include links to external resources. Keeping the online resources at the same level as the book, makes this series a step above most others.

Zuri, a young African American girl wakes early, excited for her big day. She wants a perfect hairstyle for she special day. Her hair has a mind of its own with “kinks, coils, and curls every which way.” While looking for hair ideas on her tablet, she drops it, waking her father. Her father is happy to help her get her hair perfect. He tries again and again with no success. Zuri mood falls a little bit with every attempt until she’s in tears. A heartfelt hug from dad and a can do attitude have them trying one more time – and “funky puff buns” is the answer. With her superhero cape it’s a perfect look. Just in time for Mom’s return from a trip! The story ends with a smiling family selfie celebrating their love for eachother.

A charmingly sweet message of love of self and recognition of the beauty of each person’s features.