Category Archives: Recommend

Shall We Dance?

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written and illustrated by Robin Page

Animals move in many ways for a variety of reasons. Many use these “dances” as a courtship behavior while some animals spin and pirouette to warn of danger or to remove parasites. Whatever the reason, animals exhibit some amazing moves in this beautifully illustrated book.

Each page or two page spread has a large illustration of an animal (or pair) along with a short description of its “dance” and the possible reasons for such movement. There is a lot of information packed into those short paragraphs and they might pique the interest of would-be scientists, who will want to learn more about the featured creatures. Digital illustrations are colorful and dynamic. Text is not overwhelming and sometimes humorous. For example: the male praying mantis hopes that the female is well fed and won’t eat him after their courtship. This nonfiction book will certainly be popular in your library.

A Girl Can Build Anything

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written by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo and Pat Zietlow Miller; illustrated by Keisha Morris

“It starts with a vision.” So begins an encouraging story of dreaming, building, failure, success and growth. Girls are sketching, gathering materials and creating. There are a few adults to help. But, the girls are the stars and the book shows that it can lead to bigger things, because “A girl can build anything. A girl can build everything.”

Short sentences with digital paper collage impart an empowering message to girls everywhere. Characters are diverse and the process of creating and building is realistically portrayed as something that takes work and, on occasion, failure to successfully complete. While it is a wonderful story for girls, this book is really for everyone. The process of creating is the same for all builders and the growth-mindset involved is necessary no matter who you are. 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.

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! 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! Eid al-Fitr

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By Rebecca Sabelko

Eid al-Fitr is a Muslim holiday celebrating the end of the month of Ramadan. 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. I appreciate the diversity that is represented in the images. How this holiday is celebrated is simply 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 acceptance as the grow older. 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! Independence Day

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By Rebecca Sabelko

Independence Day (The Fourth of July) is an important summer 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 the Fourth of July 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 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! Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

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By Betsy Rathburn

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an 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. What I appreciated about this title is that there are many illustrations representing a diverse population. This book encourages readers to volunteer time to support others. It also emphasizes the importance of treating all people equally. This book would be a good supplement to support the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday as it is 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.

Little Black Girl: Oh, the Things You Can Do!

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The young black girl in this book has a dream to build a robot. With the message of belief that she can accomplish her goal is the added message that no dream is out of reach. “There’s no character, no type, no mold you must fit.” From writer to cleaner, and astronaut to comedian; there is no future that is out of reach and the young girl is encouraged to choose whatever path sparks her brain and fires her heart. Along the way the girl will face challenges, but her own worth and the support of her community will help her reach her goals.

Little Black Girl has in inspiring message to bolster young black girls’ confidence to dream big and to relentlessly pursue their dreams.