Category Archives: Reviewer’s Library Type

What If I’m Not a Cat?

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written by Kari-Lynn Winters and illustrated by Kelly Collier

Donkey is a cat – or so he thinks. He acts like a cat. He cuddles the other kitties in the barn, he pounces and he perches. But, sometimes things don’t feel quite right. He doesn’t like cat food and climbing? That’s hard. One day, the farmer said something that made him question himself. She said “Donkey, you’re acting like a cat.” What? Is this true? He and his kitty friends start to wonder. Sadly, Donkey walks away to sleep under a tree by himself. Suddenly, he heard a kitten meow in distress and ran to the rescue, kicking at a fox and saving the day. Upon his return to the barn with the kitten, the other cats cheerfully welcome him back, whatever he is. He decides that he is happy with who he is – a don-kitty!

This book tells a story of friendship and being who you are. Speech bubbles and cartoon-like illustrations help us grasp the personalities of the characters. The story is humorous, sweet and a great kick off to everything from lessons on animal traits to self-acceptance. Given its many possibilities, this is a great book for your library. Highly recommended.

Zara’s Rules for Living Your Best Life

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By Hena Khan, Wastana Haikal – Illustrator

Zara, a young Muslim American, is looking forward to spring break while she organizes activities with her best friend for the neighborhood kids. When everything is coming together she finds out her friend, Naomi, is going to be at Hebrew Camp for the entire week. Then she finds out that she will be staying at her grandparents home with her brother Zayd every day as her parents have to work. While she is disappointed to not be spending time with friends she is still excited to spend time with her grandparents. Zara is determined to have an adventuresome and fun week only to find that Naano (grandma) is trying to make games out of doing chores and Nana Abu (grandpa) only wants to doze on the couch. Will the week be disappointing and boring? or will Zara find a way to make sure her grandparents are living their best lives and have fun the whole week?

This is a very heartwarming diverse book that many older elementary readers will enjoy. It is recommended for purchase as it is a book with humor and diversity.

Baby Badger

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By Hannah Shaw

Animal Advocate, Hannah Shaw, has written 4 books in the series “Adventures in Fosterland”. This title is book three and book five will be released Spring 2024. Baby Badger is a newborn kitten that has been abandoned by his mother during a winter storm. When he is about to die he is saved and brought to Fosterland where he fights to survive in an incubator. As he is becoming healthier, a pregnant cat, Mamma Mia, comes to Fosterland as well. Badger soon finds that being alone is not something that he has to endure. This heartfelt story of survival and the true meaning of family is recommended for elementary school age readers. Cat lovers in particular will enjoy this story of perseverance and acceptance.

This is book 3 in a 4 book (soon to be 5) series that is a great introduction to animal rescue groups for emerging readers. As I have not read the other books in the series, I cannot say if they are all as enjoyable as this one but after reading this one, this librarian plans on purchasing the others for her library!

There Might be a Kazoo Emergency

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written by Heidi E.Y. Stemple; illustrated by Selom Sunu

Gregory James is on his way to school when he is knocked over by two bigger boys. As he picks up the items that spilled out of his backpack, Lola (who becomes his new friend) stops to help him. He explains the odd contents of his backpack (duster, strainer and kazoo) and they walk to school, because they missed the bus. They come upon their school bus being attacked by a dinosaur AND flying aloft under a rainbow balloon. Fortunately, Gregory James has the tools necessary to save the day and rescue the bus and the bigger boys from earlier. Then, he and Lola continue on their way to school.

This early reader graphic novel starts with a nice tutorial about graphic novels, Speech and thought bubbles are explained as are panels. Minimal text and clean, simple cartoon-like illustrations make this an easy read. The story line is rather strange. But, a beginning reader will feel quite successful with this simple book.

What’s in Your Body? (Ready-To-Read: Level 2-Super Gross)

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written by Ximena Hastings; illustrated by Alison Hawkins

Blood, boogers, pus, gas and other bodily excretions and their origins are discussed in this early reader. Do you want to know how many skin cells you shed per hour? How about the mites on your eyelashes? You’ll learn all about those topics and more in this short, but informative, book.

Cartoon-like illustrations and photographs accompanied by simple informative text pack a lot of stuff into a relatively short book. A glossary, bold-faced type and a skeleton craft at the end will help would-be scientists learn basics of the messier parts of human anatomy and physiology. It might be too much information for its target audience. But, they’ll be happily ‘grossed out’ and will certainly share what they’ve learned.

The Doggie Defendant(Ready-to-Read Graphics: Level 3-Judge Kim and Kids’ Court)

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written by Milo Stone, Shawn Martinbrough and Joseph P. Illidge; illustrated by Christopher Jordan

Digger, Kim’s dog, is accused of ruining Neil’s birthday party. So, Digger has his day in court with Miles defending him and Neil as the prosecutor. Judge Kim presides and the truth is discovered!

This simple graphic novel is a wonderful introduction to the format of comics, with helpful tips for reading, such as the difference between speech and thought bubbles, panels and direction of the storyline on each page (left to right, top to bottom). Diverse characters round out a simple, fun story that will engage early readers. They will ask for more!

Sabrina Sue Loves the Sky

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written and illustrated by Priscilla Burris

Sabrina Sue, a precocious and somewhat silly chicken, wants to fly. Her farmyard friends try to tamp down her enthusiasm. But, she is not to be held back. She and her ever-present froggy sidekick jump into Farmer Brown’s truck and take a bumpy ride followed by a trek through trees and tall grass. She finally sees the sky, She and the froggy strap on their sky gear and run until they take off into the sky. After a quick selfie, she returns to her farm friends, eager to go again flying again one day.

Cute cartoonish illustrations and simple text make this a fun book for early readers. Speech bubbles are mixed in with short sentences. The story moves from single scenes to dual scenes throughout the story, which moves the story along at a quick pace. This is one of four Sabrina Sue books and is a fun addition to your library where early readers are in demand.

Happy Holidays! Juneteenth

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By Rebecca Sabelko

Juneteenth is a new and important holiday in our country. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are bright and welcoming. Each page has one to three simple sentences. There are many illustrations emphasizing celebrating as a community and as a family. Basic history of Juneteenth is also explained. This book would be a good purchase as there are few school library books focusing on this holiday. It is also extremely simplified and allows for readers to get the basic information they need in order to broaden understanding and appreciation in the future. It is highly recommended for libraries as there are not many titles published about this holiday as of yet.

The Blastoff! Beginners Happy Holidays! series contains informational chapters including but not limited to: simple information about what individuals do for the holiday, when the holiday is and what it is about, the importance of the holiday and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms and definitions that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades Pre-K to 3rd. They are at “Level 1″ which offers early readers information through simplified sentences for better understanding.

Happy Holidays! Saint Patrick’s Day

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By Betsy Rathburn

Saint Patrick’s Day is a fun holiday with a long history. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are bright and welcoming. Each page has one to three simple sentences. There are many illustrations emphasizing celebrating as a community and as a family. Basic history of Saint Patrick’s Day and Saint Patrick himself are also explained. This book would be a good purchase as there are few school library books focusing on this holiday. It is also extremely simplified and allows for readers to get the basic information they need in order to broaden understanding and appreciation in the future. It is recommended for libraries where there is a need for lower reading level books about holidays such as this one.

The Blastoff! Beginners Happy Holidays! series contains informational chapters including but not limited to: simple information about what individuals do for the holiday, when the holiday is and what it is about, the importance of the holiday and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms and definitions that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades Pre-K to 3rd. They are at “Level 1″ which offers early readers information through simplified sentences for better understanding.

Happy Holidays! Veteran’s Day

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By Betsy Rathburn

Veteran’s day is an important holiday in January for our country. This title is a good introduction to what the day means with basic concepts for better understanding. The graphics are bright and welcoming. Each page has one to three simple sentences. There are many illustrations emphasizing celebrating as a community and as a family. Basic history of the Veteran’s Day is also explained. There are many titles focusing on this holiday and thus, it is recommended as an extra purchase unless your school is limited on the amount of books on this topic at a lower reading level. It is also extremely simplified and allows for readers to get the basic information they need in order to broaden understanding and appreciation in the future. It is recommended for libraries where there is a need for lower reading level books about holidays such as this one.

The Blastoff! Beginners Happy Holidays! series contains informational chapters including but not limited to: simple information about what individuals do for the holiday, when the holiday is and what it is about, the importance of the holiday and facts. These books also include a glossary with terms and definitions that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades Pre-K to 3rd. They are at “Level 1″ which offers early readers information through simplified sentences for better understanding.