Horned Toad Has a Superpower by Jill Esbaum

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Jill Esbaum and Bob Shea are back with a new nonfiction title in their Secret Animal Superpowers series. This time, we’re learning about Horned Toad’s superpower, and it’s another one that’s sure to get the “Eeeeeew!” reaction from kids that made Parrotfish Has a Superpower such a fun read-aloud. In this book, we follow a conversation between the titular horned toad and a burrowing owlet. Through their conversation, we learn a great deal of nonfiction information about both creatures. The illustrations are bright and engaging while also effectively teaching readers about horned toad behavior. There’s enough information for students to use this text for beginner research projects, but it’s engaging enough to keep kids coming back just for the fun of reading it. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.

Countries of the World Series

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The Countries of the World series is a perfect addition to any elementary classroom or school library. These Level 2 Blastoff Readers are ideal for first through third graders interested in geography, working on research projects, getting excited about upcoming vacations, or learning more about their families’ countries of origin.

The nonfiction text features in these books are exceptional. The table of contents clearly outlines the sections, with each book including “All About ___,” “Land and Animals,” “Life in ___,” and “___ Facts.” The opening spread features a map alongside information about the country’s continent and capital. From there, high-quality photographs and fact boxes highlight natural landforms, weather, and animals through simple, accessible text. A section on daily life introduces readers to the country’s food, popular sports, and holidays, and many children will especially enjoy learning how to say “hello” in the local language.

Additional nonfiction text features, including graphs, are included in the “Facts” section, and the books conclude with a glossary, resources for further learning, and an index. I highly recommend this series for primary students.

Sammy and Sunny’s First Day of School

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Story by Nina LaCour, pictures by Elizabeth Lilly

Sammy wakes up in the morning, takes off her bonnet, and gets dressed. Today is the first day of school! Sunny, her cute dog, accompanies her as she gets ready. After Sammy is dropped off at her first day of kid school, Sunny is dropped off at the first day of puppy school. Both kid school and puppy school are full of firsts, feelings, and learning. The end of the day comes with the realization that tomorrow will be the second day of school.

A sweet and charming introduction to the start of school. The parallel story of Sunny’s puppy school experience helps calm possible anxiety through shared experiences and routines.

The Cloud that Stuck

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Written by Karen Krossing, Illustrated by Dorothy Leung

Tansy had a cloud blow in and get stuck above her. No matter what, nothing could get it to go away. Her father tried to pull it away from her. Tansy’s teacher grabbed a fan and tried to blow it away from her. and her friend, Rue, tried to shoo it away. Nothing could make the cloud go. With Rue’s help, Tansy learns how to work with the cloud around her and in the end, a rainbow comes out and the sun shines even though the cloud never goes away.

What a great book to help with grief or situations that will never go away. I would highly recommend this book for purchase for your library.

More Than a Tree

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By Sarah Kurpiel

This softly illustrated picture book tells the tale of a girl who loves the old tree in her backyard. How she adores it in every season of the year and how it speaks to her and her family. One spring the tree is not doing well and the family must take it down as it is dying. As she processes the loss of her beloved tree, her family helps her by showing her how to press the leaves and make art. When it is gone, they family creates a butterfly garden and plants a new tree. In the end she decides that like the old tree looked out for her, she will look out for the new baby tree.

I would recommend this book about loss and renewal. It can be a great tale for any young reader who may be experiencing the loss.

Worm on the Job

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Written by Maureen Fergus, Illustrated by Paul G. Hammond

Worm, as head librarian, has read all the books in the library and is now ready for a new adventure. Many feel that worm cannot be successful at many jobs but he knows he can do anything. As a security officer at an invention convention, worm successfully captures a robber. What will worm do next? Will he stay in this job? or will he move on to another adventure. The illustrations are crisp and comical. They storyline is straightforward. I recommend this book as an extra purchase. Readers will learn from worm that they can do anything if they want it bad enough.

The Sweater: a Story of Community

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Written by Larissa Theule, Illustrated by Teagan White

A young bird arrives into the forest neighborhood. The raccoon notices that they have been through some tough times. Raccoon goes around to all the animals in the community and collects things to create a sweater for the new bird. The animals gather at the new birds house to give their welcoming gift to them and they help him to make his home safer from the storm coming. When the wind storm is over, the bird gives the people a gift of their song.

This is a warm felt story of acceptance and community. The illustrations are clean and inviting for all readers to enjoy. I would highly recommend elementary schools to purchase this book as it can have many layers of meaning to it from welcoming a new member of the classroom or helping young readers have a better understanding of people coming from other countries.

Maine Coons: The Giant Cat

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By Tamra Orr

How can you go wrong with a non-fiction book about cats? This cat in particular? Maine Coons are very popular with kids and this book has chapters about this breeds history, living and taking care of these gentle giants, and if Maine Coons would be a good fit for you. There are details on how to read non-fiction for kids as well as recommendations on further reading of books as well as on the internet. The glossary and index are helpful as well.

I would recommend this book for purchase. The pictures are adorable as well as insightful. The book clearly describes these wonderful cats as well as how to care for them. Young readers will enjoy looking through the book over and over again.

Pickleball for Me

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Joanne Mattern

This book is a great addition to any elementary library’s non-fiction sports section. It has great color images of kids playing pickleball. It explains the history of the sport, the rules and how to play the game, what equipment is needed, and if it is the sport for you. It also explains how young readers can successfully read non-fiction. It has a glossary as well as recommendations for further reading and internet sites. It is clear and concise and an interesting read. I would recommend this book for purchase as there are few books about this sport at a lower reading level.

Bittersweet

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Based on the True Tale of the Berlin Candy Bombers

By Christy Mandin

This adorably illustrated book is about Berlin after World War II. It describes how many were short on food and supplies and many buildings were destroyed and rubble was everywhere. Hilda was struggling to survive as the roads, rivers and railways were being blocked by the eastern side of the city. The U.S. decided that the best way to resolve this by flying over and dropping supplies. One pilot decided that kids needed hope and thus dropped chocolate and other treats for kids.

This is a great book that talks about post war situations that could be happening today in our world. It also talks about how others can create hope in the world. I would recommend this book for purchase as there are many ways to address it. There is also a great author’s note at the end as well. For older readers it would be a great pairing with Michael Tunnell’s non-fiction book, “Candy Bomber: The Story of Berlin Airlift’s Chocolate Pilot”.