Written by Kerry Lyn Sparrow
Illustrated by Guillaume Perrault
Kerry Lyn Sparrow introduces us to Duncan, the boy who likes the many preparations of getting ready for bed except the actual act of going to sleep. His exasperated Mom goes one step further one night. When Duncan complain again that he can’t sleep, Mom suggested counting sheep. In this hilarious story, Duncan encounters quite the flock of sheep. Thanks to a particular sheep, Duncan eventaully falls asleep.
Written and illustrated by Rashin Kheinyeh
This book is based on a memory of the author and depicts some of the differences between the United States and Iran.
After moving to New York City, Rashin’s parents take her and her brother to Coney Island. Along the way, Rashin reminisces about her family’s trips to the Caspian Sea and her favorite part, getting saffron ice cream.
Upon arriving at Coney Island, Rashin discoveries that many things are drastically different in America. Will she be disappointed or delighted with her new discoveries?
The bright folkart type illustrations do a good job reflecting the story and the author.
Written and illustrated Jennifer Black Reinhardt
Jennifer Black Reinhardt introduces us to Alfred, a nervous possum that couldn’t excel in most activities. Whenever he encountered an uncomfortable situation, Alfred played dead. Then Alfred notices Sophia an armadillo who curls into a ball when she feels nervous.
Together, they discover thaqt with patience, they no longer are nervous around each other. They start to notice other animals defense mechanisms. They try all sorts of things to overcome the other animals’ nervous habits and become friends.
The author includes a short essay on truth and imagination and a short glossary of animals.
By David Shannon
David Shannon brings back the incorrgible David in this endearing story of little brother antics. Like most older siblings, David’s older brother doean’t want David around him. Therefore, he blames many things on David but not without reason. With simple sesntences, it is an easy reader that younger student will enjoy.
Written by Scot Ritchie
Pedro is moving and he is so anxious. To ease his mind, his mom invites some of his friends for a sleepover. Mrs. Rivera introduces the children to mindfulness to help ease Pedro’s anxiety. This book is a great introduction to mindfulness with tips on how to accomplish it. There are activities in the back that families can practice along with definitions to help really understand the context of the exercises.
Written by Patty Lovell
Illustrated by Davis Catrow
Patty Lovell brings back the adorable Molly Lou Melon in Speak Up, Molly Lou Melon. Instead of her grandmother’s affirmations, she has her mother’s reminders to use her voice for good. Molly Lou’s mother prompts Molly Lou to do what is right even when it is the bully and difficult. This is an excellent lesson for children to learn without them realizing there is a lesson.
David Catrow comes through again with beautiful bright watercolor and ink drawings.
By Jim Benton
This well known author (Catwad, Dumb Diary and Franny K. Stein, just to name a few) creates an all-age graphic novel unlike anything you’ve read before. It is full of puns, bright illustrations and crazy antics. This book hooks you in with its premise and takes you along on an absurd journey with Bill Waddler. It’s a fast read that would draw in anyone who enjoys silly jokes while also following a long-form story from beginning to end.
Written by Doug Paleo
Illustrated by Aaron Blecha
This graphic novel is full of humor and quirky characters. Also, dinosaurs! The pictures are bright, cheerful and draw the reader into the story. This series-opener does revisit some well-worn narrative arcs, but is a solid, quick-paced text that will draw reluctant and voracious readers equally. Readers will be eagerly awaiting the next installation.
Tilly Pages is part fictional character. She along with many of her family and friends have the ability to wander in and out of books. In this third book in the series, Pages and Co., Tilly Pages and her friend Oskar realize that books are disappearing and people are forgetting their favorite stories. They set off a trip to Washington, DC to search for the Archivists to find out what is going on and end up meeting William Shakespeare. Tilly and Oskar and their friends must fight against the evil Underwood siblings and save bookwandering. Although this wasn’t as catching to me as the first book in this series, I still recommend this book.
The detailed and lengthy author’s note in the back of The Old Man and the Penguin, A True Story of True Friendship, reveals that this is a “true and remarkable story”. Julie Abery’s picture book tells the story of João (pronounce Je-WOW, as noted in the back of the book) and his discovery of a penguin barely clinging to life. Through an unlikely rescue, friendship forms between the retired man and his new penguin pet. Although João repeatedly attempts to return the penguin to his natural environment, the penguin always returns to João. Abery’s choice to to write this story in rhyming verse, “Fishy kisses, beak to nose. Day by day their friendship grows” and “Pecks and strokes for happy friends, a precious bond that never ends” seems unnecessary because it brings a much more primary tone to the story that would potentially be more engaging to upper elementary readers. Pierre Pratt’s full layout illustrations manage to capture the essence of the story making the book a page turner for non or beginning readers. Overall and entertaining story about both unexpected friendship and animal rescue.