December 2017

ELEMENTARY

SECONDARY

No a Norman

Author: Bennett, Kelly

Illustrator: Noah Z. Jones

Candlewick Press, 2015 for Spanish

ISBN: 9780763689063

$6.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: “No a Norman” is about a boy who learns to appreciate his pet fish Norman. This is the Spanish version of "Not Norman" that was originally published in 2005.

On his birthday, a boy, the main character of the story, got a gold fish named Norman as a gift. But he did not want Norman. He wanted a different pet. He wanted a pet that could run and play, a soft and fluffy pet that could sleep with him at night. All the fish did was swim in circles. So, the boy decided to exchange Norman at the pet store. But first, he cleaned the fish tank. Norman showed his gratitude and started to jump and blow bubbles. He was happy in clean water!

Classmate Austin had a dog with puppies and the boy wanted to trade the fish for a puppy. At school, the children were giving talks about their pets. During the boy’s presentation, Emily announced that her pet snake was missing and everyone ran off and screamed. Only Norman stayed and gave the boy his full attention and the boy thanked him for that. During music class that afternoon, Norman moved to the rhythm of the music and he sang “Glu, glu, glu.” The boy had to stay after class and it was too late to go to the pet store.

That night, the boy woke up hearing noises. He looked at Norman and Norman wasn’t scared. The boy realized, he wasn’t alone. The noise he had heard was a tree branch hitting his bedroom window. The boy thanked Norman to comfort him.

On Saturday, the boy went to the pet store and looked at cats, dogs, snakes, hamsters, but none of the pets were Norman! He named Norman the best pet in the world. He would not change him for any other pet!

Verdict: This story is about appreciation. As a boy gets to know his goldfish birthday present, he learns to appreciate his presence and he expresses thankfulness.

Curricular Use: Pets, appreciation, thankfulness

Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start

Midnight at the Electric

Author: Anderson, Jodi Lynn

Illustrator: NA

Harper Teen, 2017

ISBN: 9780062393548

$17.99

Grades 6 - 8, Grades 9 - 12: Adri lives in Miami in the year 2065 and has been chosen as one of the lucky few to leave Earth and colonize Mars. To train for her trip Adri moves to Kansas to live with her only living relative, 107 year old Lily. Just weeks before leaving she finds the journal of a girl who lived in the house over a century ago. In the journal Adri reads about Catherine who lived in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl and Lenore living in England just after WWI. Told thru all three perspectives the story blends seamlessly with each girl dealing with environmental issues, leaving their homes behind them, and venturing out to find new ones. The details of each era construct a vivid setting for each of their stories which are both unique but similar at the same time. Each girl must make choices that determine what their future will be and how that realization shows them that they themselves can make their own destinies. Three very different girls facing similar issues and best of all the conclusion ties their stories together in a very satisfying way. Emotional and empowering, a story every reader will remember. Verdict: This book has it all, love and loss, secrets and betrayals. A must have empowering story appropriate for all secondary libraries.

Curricular Use: This could be a great book for a history class that is learning about the Dust Bowl era and/or discussions regarding the future of our planet and global warming.

Reviewer: Darcy Wishard, Library Media Specialist, Huntington Middle School

Warthog: A Counting Adventure

Author: Black, Birdie

Illustrator: Rosalind Beardshaw

Candlewick Press/Nosy Crow, 2017

ISBN: 9780763693237

$14.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: An adorable warthog (if warthogs can be adorable) goes on an engaging trip through his surroundings in this clever flap-designed counting books. Children will love lifting the flaps to see that what looks like an example of one number hides the next number in the sequence, so one hive contains to honey bees within the hive. His exploration comes to an abrupt halt when he comes to a cave containing one hungry lion, prompting our intrepid little beast to scramble home to the safety of his mother. The flaps will require that little hands be careful with the book, but read with adult supervision, the appealing illustrations should last for a long time to come. Verdict: Cute illustrations and clever construction make this a worthwhile book to add to a collection of concept books.

Curricular Use: This book can be used to teach counting, but also can be used to build prediction.

Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, Teacher Librarian, R. A. Long High School Librarian

Dear Martin

Author: Stone, Nic

Illustrator: NA

Random House Children's Books/Crown, 2017

ISBN: 9781101939499

$17.99

Grades 9 - 12: It all starts with his ex-girlfriend drunk in her Mercedes by the side of the road. Justyce knows he should just walk away, but she still has that pull. It's a pull that ends with Justyce, the black kid standing over a drunk white girl in a Benz, in handcuffs. It doesn't matter that the arrest is bogus. Set against the backdrop of the tense relationship between young black men and law enforcement, Nic Stone explores racism through narration and journal entries that Justyce writes to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and attempts to reconcile nonviolent responses in the face of clear injustice. Along the way, Justyce discovers that he is also in love with his spunky debate partner--who happens to be Jewish. The interracial romance is an interesting twist. The pace of the plot combined with the topic will appeal reluctant readers. Don't confuse brevity with complexity of ideas, though. Justyce is a bright young man who is grappling with difficult societal concerns. Give this to fans of Jason Reynolds and Angie Thomas. Verdict: This is a must-have purchase for most libraries.

Curricular Use: This applies especially well to EALR 1: Civics (The student understands and applies knowledge of government, law, politics, and the nation's fundamental documents to make decisions about local, national, and international issues and to demonstrate thoughtful, participatory citizenship) of the Washington State Social Studies Standards. It also relates particularly well with EALR 5: Social Studies Skills (The student understands and applies reasoning skills to conduct research, deliberate, and form and evaluate positions through the processes of reading, writing, and communicating.

Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, Teacher Librarian, R. A. Long High School Library

There Might Be Lobsters

Author: Crimi, Carolyn

Illustrator: Laurel Molk

Candlewick Press, 2017

ISBN: 9780763675424

$16.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: For anyone who has ever been scared. . .THIS IS YOUR BOOK. It's a story about a little dog named Sukie who was scared of everything. As she is invited by her person, Eleanor, to come and enjoy the beach, the author runs through all of the reasons why Sukie is terrified to participate. . .ending with the reality that "there might be lobsters." Sukie sits on the sidelines all day until her Chunka Monkey (a sock monkey toy) gets swept out to sea. Sukie then braves all the things she's afraid of to go and save her Chunka Monkey. The pictures are pitch perfect, and the story is memorable, and ends with a very cute phrase. Verdict: Perfect for any child who has to take a risk, this is a book that will be loved by everyone.

Curricular Use: The repetition invites opportunities for children to participate by coming up with additional reasons why Sukie might have been afraid. The way the author presented the reasons also represents the spiral that anxiety can cause, which provides an opportunity to discuss healthy self-talk.

Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, Teacher Librarian, R. A. Long High School Library

Just Like Us!, Birds

Author: Heos, Bridget

Illustrator: David Clark

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017

ISBN: 9780544570443

$14.99

Grades 4 - 5: I love this format of this non-fiction bird book. With bold, colorful headings of each section it grabs the reader to learn more. Text is in boxes that is applicable to the reader. Statements compare birds to humans with similarities and differences. Beginning with birds singing songs from an early age, as babies and using their singing to mate, request food, distract intruders, and to defend themselves.The illustrations are colorful, cartoon-like pictures with inserts of photos of birds. Next, birds like to dance like humans to attract mates. Learning bird facts is easy and entertaining in this book. Verdict: This unusual and fun format is motivating and I recommend more topics in such a form by David Clark and Bridget Heos.

Curricular Use: Perfect introduction to bird unit this book will motivate the reader.

Reviewer: Debbie Johnson, Library/Media Specialist, Wallace Elementary School

The Mouse Who Reached the Sky

Author: Horacek, Petr

Illustrator: Petr Horacek

Candlewick Press, 2015

ISBN: 9780763679163

$16.99

P - K: One day, mouse discovered something round and red in a tree. He thought it was a marble. He used a stick and still could not reach the marble. So, mouse asked is friend mole for help. Eagerly, mole helped his friend. Mole thought he saw a red balloon in the tree. He was taller than his friend mouse, but not tall enough. He realized that they needed more help. But rabbit, who was a lot taller, could not reach the shiny red object either. Rabbit thought it was a ball. Finally, mouse had an idea. Mouse on top of mole on top of rabbit still could not reach the desired object. Instead, their assembled tower fell apart and they landed hard on the ground, which caused the shiny, red CHERRIES to tumble down from the tree.

The morale of the story is that you can do anything when you help one another.

Verdict: This book by author and illustrator Petr Horacek includes important messages. Children learn to problem-solve, to ask for help, and to help one another, which are necessary life skills to have. The story includes some suspense as the reader does not know what the shiny red thing is at first and it sparks their imagination as the characters of the story come up with different answers on what the round red item could be.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start

Who Am I? An Animal Guessing Game

Author: Jenkins, Steve & Robin Page

Illustrator: Steve Jenkins

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017

ISBN: 9780544935396

$14.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: "Who Am I?" represents the seventeenth book in what appears to be a very successful author partnership. Starting with the cover and its cutouts over stalk-like eyes, this book invites children to participate in a guessing game. Each of seven animals is presented with five to six clues about its color, its exterior, and its prey, followed by a cut- and torn- paper collage illustration of the animal, and they're not just prosaic animals. The choices for this book include a frog, rabbit, crab, flamingo, owl, monkey, and ladybug. The end matter includes more interesting facts about the animals including the animals' habitats. Equally as wonderful is the comparison illustrations in the end matter that help children gauge the size of each animal. Additionally, there is a list of further reading for avid young readers who want to know more about the feature animals. Verdict: This is a must have purchase for young readers of nonfiction.

Curricular Use: Aside from the STEM opportunities to look at habitats, ecosystems, and make predictions, there are also opportunities for children to count and participate with skilled readers to build math skills.

Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, Teacher Librarian, R. A. Long High School Library

Dig Dig Digging A B C

Author: Mayo, Margaret

Illustrator: Alex Ayliffe

Macmillan/Henry Holt, 2017

ISBN: 9781627795166

$16.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: Okay, let's just say it. . .ALL alphabet book creators who are operating using a theme have a tough time with letters like "x" and "q" and "z". This fun book is no exception, but the author and illustrator have worked hand in glove to create an alphabet book that fans of transportation are going to enjoy. Each mode of transportation incorporates the pattern of the title, so the Express Train is "speed, speed, speeding" and the Quad Bike is "bump, bump, bumping." The nonlinear formatting of the font reinforces each verb-adjective pairing associated with the noun. Upper and lower case examples of each letter are at the top of each page. Verdict: This is a fun, colorful way to introduce the alphabet to new learners.

Curricular Use: The example of each letter is a strong way to build letter recognition. The repetition of the verb-adjective pairings allows children to work with turning verbs into adjective all the while playing with prediction.

Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, Teacher Librarian, R. A. Long High School Library

Amazon Adventure: How Tiny Fish Are Saving the World's Largest Rainforest

Author: Montgomery, Sy

Illustrator: Photographs: Keith Ellenbogen

Houghten Mifflin Harcourt, 2017

ISBN: 9780544352995

$18.99

Grades 1 - 3, Grades 4 - 5, Grades 6 - 8, Grades 9 - 12: This is such an intriguing tale! My first reaction, like the author’s, upon seeing the mass “harvest” of tiny fish the first time, was “Oh no, another gloom and doom rainforest story!” But quite the opposite is true. This is a story of successful human/resource interaction AND a chance for people around the world to help with the preservation of the Amazon’s ecosystem and the indigenous people who use it. Scott Dowd is a senior aquarist with the New England Aquarium and he hosts the author for the writing of this story that shows how tiny aquarium fish, who would perish during the natural dry cycle of the great river, provide income to the people who live on its banks. Filled with wonderful details (the value of the fish works out to be $3,600 per pound) and beautiful photographs, the fishery is explained. We learn about the seven deadly plagues of the Amazon including piranha (of course) and a catfish that crawls up inside you and erects spines to hold on and live there while it eats you! The chapter titles and many numbers and facts are written in an orange, handwriting type font to bring them off the page and each chapter has a little “fact” section at the end- not a list but smaller narratives. This facilitates a read aloud of the story with the option of discussion or fact additions later. There is an index and a couple of pages of web sources, author notes and acknowledgements but they don’t overwhelm. At the heart is the story of a small fish (think tetras in your aquarium) effecting a huge impact and success in a region where we’re used to just the opposite. I loved this “can do” book! Verdict: Picture book, narrative, packed with facts, this is a book for all ages and any collection.

Curricular Use: This is a non-fiction book filled with extras for biology classes, social studies discussions for livelihood and culture and for extras in science research projects.

Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Teacher Librarian, Mark Morris High School

Stories from Bug Garden

Author: Moser, Lisa

Illustrator: Gwen Millward

Candlewick Press, 2016

ISBN: 9780763665340

$16.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: Stories from Bug Garden highlights different kinds of bugs that make themselves at home in an abandoned garden. The bugs are given personalities. Lady bug does not always like to behave like a lady. Horsefly and Butterfly are giving each other a bad time about their names. A horse fly is not a horse and a butterfly is not butter. Dragonfly tries to give horsefly some advice, but comes up against deaf ears. Individual stories highlight characteristics of the bugs in the book.

Big Ant and Peach learn that the best way to get a peach down from the tree is to wait for the wind to blow it down. Earthworm, snail and lightning bug also get their own short story in this book.

Insects get together and celebrate the blooming of the flowers. They watch the opening of the flowers like fireworks shooting in the air. The abandoned garden becomes their home and it has a purpose again.

The stories help children to develop their language and literacy skills

Verdict: The adorable and simple illustrations encourage the young artists to draw and paint their own insects and the stories along with the illustrations help children to develop their own story telling skills. This book is an inspiration to aspiring writers and artists!

Curricular Use: Insects, Language Building, Story telling

Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start

Space Boy and the Snow Monster

Author: Regan, Dian Curtis

Illustrator: Robert Neubecker

Boyds Mills Press, 2017

ISBN: 9781590789575

$17.95

P - 1: Niko's imagination takes off again when a snow storm buries his "spaceship" and his sister becomes an evil snow monster who kidnapps his copilot, Radar. It's up to Niko to save the day and rescue Radar in time for some warming hot chocolate. The illustrations are beautiful and engaging and will enthrall young children. Verdict: A great addition to the primary section of elementary school and public libraries. If you don't already have the others in this series, add them as well!

Curricular Use: Picture books

Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School

ELEMENTARY

SECONDARY

Crenshaw

Author: Applegate, Katharine

Illustrator: NA

Feiwel & Friends, 2015

ISBN: 9781250091666

$7.99

Grades 4 - 5, Grades 6 - 8: Jackson's family has been doing pretty well financially, but when they fall on hard times it's not easy to find food or pay the rent. Perhaps they'll have to live in the family van. Enter Crenshaw, Jackson's fun and outgoing imaginary friend, a cat who helps Jackson cope with the challenges of his real life. Verdict: Not a high interested book, but important because it addresses children of poverty.

Curricular Use: Bibliotherapy for students struggling with poverty. It could also be used as a read-aloud for classrooms that are trying to read about diverse characters.

Reviewer: Katy Olson, Librarian, Monticello/Cascade Middle School

The Lines We Cross

Author: Abdel-Fattah, Randa

Illustrator: NA

Scholastic Press, 2017

ISBN: 9781338118667

$18.99

Grades 9 - 12: Think the issue of immigration is primarily a U. S. issue? Think again. "The Lines We Cross" looks at the issue of immigration from the perspective of two characters: Mina, whose family has immigrated at great personal and emotional cost from Afghanistan, and Michael, whose family opposes the increased immigration of Muslims from places like the middle east. The typical issues are raised: women are mistreated, Muslims are beheading one another and behaving like terrorists, and there is a cost Australians for housing immigrants. Michaels parents, though, are the leaders of the group Aussie Values which is gaining more political credibility. The two teens meet at a demonstration in which the Aussie Values group is met with the resistance of protesters against the the sweeping denunciations of Muslims that Aussie Values appears to represent. Michael's first view of Mina impresses him with her beauty--despite her opposition to his parents' agenda. He has the opportunity to get to know her better when she transfers to the prestigious prep school, Victoria College, that Michael attends. The larger questions about immigration are replicated in the AP class that the two teens attend, and, as Mina begins to share the realities of her life as an immigrant, Michael begins to question some of his parents' beliefs about immigration. It also calls into question some of the Islamophobic posts that Michael's parents allow to stand as posted on the Aussie Values social media pages. The story is solid, a quick read, and has a love story/human angle that makes it relevant to readers. The portrayal of Michael's parents as "likable" people creates additional tension in the premise that suggests that anyone who questions immigration is prejudiced or bigoted. That is my only quarrel: that people can question immigration policies without hating people who are trying to immigrate. Verdict: The fast pace and careful rendering of the issue of prejudice, combined with the setting of another country, make this a solid purchase for librarians. The issues are timely, and the plot is engaging.

Curricular Use: This title would fit well with Contemporary World Problems or World History conversations related to immigration. It also provides a fictional springboard for research and critical inquiry about the issue related to RL.8 in which students evaluate arguments, claims, and validity of reasoning. This also relates well to EALRs 3.2.2 (Understands and analyzes examples of ethnocentrism) and 3.2.3 (Understands the caues and effects of voluntary and involuntary migration in the world in the past or present) of the Washington State Social Studies Standards.

Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, Teacher Librarian, R. A. Long High School Library

Finding Serendipity

Author: Banks, Angela

Illustrator: Lewis, Stevie

Henry Holt, 2015

ISBN: 9781627791540

$16.99

Grades 4 - 5: Serendipity Smith is a famous author, and Tuesday's Mom. When Tuesday's mom disappears into her story, Tuesday goes to find her and bring her back, but Verdict: Original story, great pace, sweet and well thought out.

Curricular Use: Great book for kids who like writing.

Reviewer: Katy Olson, Librarian, Monticello/Cascade Middle School

Where is Bear?

Author: Bentley, Jonathan

Illustrator: same

Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2016

ISBN: 9780399555930

$16.99

P - K: "Where is Bear?" is a book that must, must be read aloud to young kids. A little boys is searching his house for his bear. I thought he was looking for his teddy bear, yet in each picture is a big, real bear. The kids point and scream at each illustration as the boy is unable to find his stuffed bear and parts of the real bear appear on the page. The surprise ending is of course the boy finds the teddy bear for the real bear. Ha Ha! Kids love this search and the ending. Verdict: It is always necessary to read a book that has an unexpected ending!

Curricular Use: A great story to read to pre-school kids and they love it.

Reviewer: Debbie Johnson, Library/Media Specialist, Wallace Elementary School Library/Kelso

Shapes, Reshape!

Author: Borando, Silvia

Illustrator: Silvia Borando

Candlewick Press, 2014

ISBN: 9780763690397

$14.00

P - K: This book takes the reader on a journey to use their imagination and be surprised by what can be created out of rectangles and squares of different colors. The young reader is introduced to new and common verbs, like reshape, flittering and fluttering, and adjectives like buzzy, jumpy and fiery. The repetitive question of “What could they be?” gets the reader thinking. Math is also incorporated as shape animals are created on each page and numbers are listed in reverse order from 10 to 1. The book has a surprise ending, as the normally fearsome and fire-breathing dragon shows a vulnerable side. He is scared of a - “teeny-weeny and oh so tiny!” spider!!!

The website at www.minibombo.com provides many different activity ideas.

Verdict: This book includes a fun play on words and gets the children counting and creating their own creatures out of shapes. It combines language, literacy and Math.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start

Monkey: Not Ready for the Baby

Author: Brown, Marc

Illustrator: Marc Brown

Alfred A. Knopf, 2016

ISBN: 9781101933275

$16.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: Arthur author and illustrator Marc Brown created a book for new siblings-to-be. MONKEY NOT READY FOR THE BABY helps parents and children to prepare for a new baby. Monkey is jealous and does not want to share anything with a baby. His parents and older brother are trying to get him excited to be a big brother, but he likes being a little brother. His Mom reads books about babies to him. They visit friends who have babies. Monkey wants to send the baby into space. He is not ready for the baby. Slowly, monkey changes his attitude as the doctor lets him use her stethoscope to hear the baby’s heartbeat and he feels the baby kick. Monkey is helping his parents to get ready for the baby and he starts to get excited. The moment he falls in love is when he holds his baby sister and she opens her eyes and looks at him!

The colored pencil drawings and the handwritten words add a nice touch to a beautiful story. I love that doctors are involving children and help them to prepare for the arrival of their baby siblings. I think that is really powerful.

Verdict: This is a wonderful book to help parents prepare an older sibling for the arrival of a new baby. It provides many useful tips in story-format.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start

Bad Romance

Author: Demetrios, Heather

Illustrator: NA

Macmillan/Henry Holt, 358

ISBN: 9781627797726

$17.99

Grades 9 - 12: It starts with a line from the musical "Rent" - "Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. That's how long it takes me to start falling out of love with you." In the beginning, Grace can't believe her good fortunate. Ultra talented bad boy, Gavin, has recently become available. He's broken, but available, and--miracle of miracles--he is attracted to Grace. At first, she can't believe her good fortune. After all, her personal life is a red hot mess led by an abusive stepfather and a mother who is rapidly becoming neurotic as a result. Gavin becomes Grace's savior, and his heroic shine, coupled with the unconditional love his parents shower Grace with, works to create a bond that is almost impossible to escape. Things become complicated when Gavin graduates. Grace, now in her senior year, is starting to come into her own, but Gavin is demonstrating signs of irrational jealousy. As the embrace of love becomes an unbearable chain, Grace begins to look for ways out. Gavin, however, has mastered the threat of suicide as a way to keep his lovers close. Demetrios capable captures how loyalty twisted by manipulation becomes a cage. She doesn't shy away from adding sex into the mix, with a frank examination of how a sexual relationship can turn from intimacy to control to borderline rape. The author's note and resources at the back make this an important part of a young adult library collection. Verdict: This is a title that is appropriate for mature readers, but which deals with issues that will lead to good conversations about healthy relationships.

Curricular Use: This is a title that is too mature for many freshman health classes; however, Demetrios examines relationships in a such a real way that any girl who has become dating or sexually active should be exposed to the book.

Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, Teacher Librarian, R. A. Long High School Library

Lulu's Party

Author: Chase, Kit

Illustrator: Kit Chase

G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2015

ISBN: 9780399257018

$16.99

P - K: Lulu’s Party will delight readers on a rainy day. It is pouring outside and Lulu wants to have a party. She invites her friends Charlie, the rabbit, and Oliver, the elephant. She decorates the house and makes hot chocolate. While Lulu wasn’t looking, the salt accidentally spilled into her hot chocolate and almost ruined her party as it was undrinkable. Charlie and Oliver save the day by making chocolate milkshakes.

I can’t wait to curl up with a book and a mug of hot chocolate on this “raining, pouring sort of day.”

Verdict: This is a cute book about friendship and how friends are there for each other. The book invites discussions on feelings, how to be a friend and on how to plan a party.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start

Julia Defiant

Author: Egan, Catherine

Illustrator: NA

Alfred A Knopf, 2017

ISBN: 9780553533354

$17.99

Grades 6 - 8, Grades 9 - 12: “Julia Defiant” is the sequel to “Julia Vanishes.” The book does a neat job of smoothly recapping the events of the first book, so a reader could probably pick this second one up without reading the first and not be confused. Julia and her various friends and allies have made it to Tianshi where they are hoping to find the monk Ko Dan, who put a piece of dangerous magic inside baby Theo, and get him to undo it without hurting the child. Julia is also trying to learn more about her unusual ability to slip into various layers of invisibility, especially the ability to go all the way to Kahge, the hellish shadow world. She knows her companions don’t quite trust her, but worst is not quite trusting herself.

Catherine Egan has created a wonderful magical world in the Witch’s Child novels. “Julia Vanishes” takes place in a clearly European-inspired city, and Julia travels to Asian-inspired fantasy city in “Julia Defiant.” Government is run very differently in both places, and witches and magic are managed differently. In Tianshi, witches aren’t drowned by the government, but that doesn’t mean they are treated altogether well. As Julia spies across the city, the place really comes alive, and the story deeply explores Julia’s character and relationships. There is a very light romance and off-the-page sex, similar to what you might find in a Tamora Pierce novel. The book includes a map and character list. “Julia Defiant” has a different cover look than “Julia Vanishes” had in hardcover, and the new look will probably have more appeal to teen readers.

Verdict: Recommended where magical fantasy are popular.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Becky Standal, Youth Services Specialist, Longview Public Library

Sing, Don't Cry

Author: Dominguez Angela

Illustrator: Same

Henry Holt, 2017

ISBN: 9781627798396

$17.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: Once a year Abuela would come and visit from Mexico. He would always bring his guitar. He always told us that when you are sad, angry, scared etc. you should sing, not cry. Singing always seems to make you feel better. Verdict: I thought this book had a great message, that we can learn from.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray

Great, Now We've Got Barbarians!

Author: Eaton, Jason Carter

Illustrator: Mark Fearing

Candlewick Press, 2016

ISBN: 9780763668273

$15.99

K - 1: This picture book tells a funny story about a horribly messy boy who doesn't listen when his mom tells him to clean up. He thinks she's overreacting about the ants and mice. But when the barbarians show up and take over the house the boy must admit his mom was right. The only way to get them out is to clean up his mess. Verdict: Readers will enjoy the antics of the barbarians and will be thrilled to finally see them go.

Curricular Use: Picture books

Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School

Go Sleep In Your Own Bed

Author: Fleming, Candace

Illustrator: Lori Nichols

Schwartz & Wade, 2017

ISBN: 9780375866487

$17.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: Hilarious hyperbolic language, alliterative dialogue, and illustrations that are chuckle worthy combine to make this a fun cumulative tale. It all starts with a little girl who is cuddling down into bed, but she isn't the only one. Starting with the tired pig who "toddled to his sty, waddley-jog", each of the animals finds another barnyard animal in his or her sleeping place. Each animal is evicted until the cat, who temporarily displaced the dog, gets invited to sleep with the girl. Told in stories and with noises and coupled with illustrations of only part of the squatting animal, this is a story that invites prediction and audience participation. Verdict: This is a read aloud that most librarian will want in their collections.

Curricular Use: There are ample opportunities for prediction, retelling, and the opportunity to talk about alliteration and hyperbole.

Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, Teacher Librarian, R. A. Long High School Library

I am Truly

Author: Greenawalt Kelly

Illustrator: Amariah Rauscher

Orchard Books, 2017

ISBN: 9781338167207

$16.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: Truly tells of all the things she can do if she sets her mind to it. You think of her as self-centered and brags a lot but the last sentence tells different. It says "I can do anything I set my mind to do. Do you know that you can do all these things too? You are truly fabulous." This changes the way you feel about Truly. It tells readers to believe in themselves? What a great message. Verdict: I like the message this story gives. Believe in yourself and you can do anything.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray

Braced

Author: Gerber, Alyson

Illustrator: NA

Arthur A. Levine Books, 2017

ISBN: 9780545902144

$16.99

Grades 6 - 8: Twelve-year-old Rachel is crushed when her scoliosis gets worse and she has to wear a back brace all day, even to school. Rachel had just made starter of the soccer team and was not going to let the brace get in her way. She put in extra hours outside of practice determined to get used to the brace and keep her spot. Her best friends were supportive, but many of her teammates and classmates bullied her because of the brace. Rachel overcame the adversity of being different and in the end became more confident in herself. Verdict: A great, positive read about overcoming adversity and conquering challenges.

Curricular Use: Realistic Fiction

Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School

Mission: Back to School

Author: Hood, Susan

Illustrator: Mary Lundquist

Random House, 2016

ISBN: 9780385384711

$16.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: What a fun concept for a book! Presented as a secret agent mission, this book takes the reader through the school day and presents every normal interaction in a fun way. For example, when the students meet the Intelligence Officer, they are really meeting their teacher and when they report a rogue agent, they are searching for their escaped class pet. Students are directed through their school day in this manual style book with 19 different directives. The illustrations are fun and the book in its entirety is just plain creative. An earlier book by the same author and illustrator combo is titled Mission: New Baby. Verdict: This is a great book and will be enjoyed all year long, not just on the first day.

Curricular Use: This would be a great read aloud on the first day of school and could also be used with sequencing.

Reviewer: N. Williams, CLC Teacher, Castle Rock Elementary

York: Book One The Shadow Cipher

Author: Ruby, Laura

Illustrator: NA

Walden Pond Press, 2017

ISBN: 9780062306937

$17.99

Grades 6 - 8, Grades 9 - 12: The Biedermann twins and their friend Jamie live in the same in New York city but not the NY that we know; one that was designed by the gifted Morningstarr twins in the 1800’s. They disappeared mysteriously leaving their trusted maid, Ava O’Neal in charge….and their treasure hidden. They were incredibly wealthy, and supported all orphans and people. But that isn’t what made them so ahead of their time. They designed solar power-driven machines that drive and clean the city in its power grids, “underway” (subway), beautiful buildings, schools and so much more. The treasure is accessible to all IF you can solve the cipher. The Tess and Theo B.’s grandfather has been trying to do just that for years. Now it is more important than ever because a present day real estate developer has bought their beloved building and is evicting everyone to prep for a new, “better” building. He is poised to do so all over the city and suddenly the children, only middle schoolers, succeed at the first clue to solve the cipher. Filled with intriguing details and interesting machines, this book takes you to the past for backstory and explanation, but is a Da Vinci Code type page turner as you root for the kids on their present day treasure hunt. The cipher itself seems to “want” them to solve it, but it will be an arduous task. First in a series, the cliffhanger ending will have your students begging for the next installment. Verdict: Engaging story from award-winning author.

Curricular Use: Good read aloud, also for illustrating point of view (chapters switch among characters), or foreshadowing.

Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Teacher Librarian, Mark Morris High School

Naughty Claudine's Christmas

Author: Jennings Patrick

Illustrator: Suzanne Kaufman

Random House, 2017

ISBN: 9781101937341

$16.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: Claudine did not like the idea of Santa coming into their house uninvited, she decided that she did not want Santa to come to her house. Her sister said if he didn't come she wouldn't get any presents. So she asked Santa to mail her presents instead. She tried to be naughty so he wouldn't come. Her sister said that wouldn't work because he was going to come anyway to drop off her presents. Claudine decided to wait up for Santa, but of course she fell asleep. In the morning there were no presents. Her mom asked her to bring in the paper. When she did there was a note that said I know you don't want me coming down the chimney, hope it's ok to leave the presents on the porch. All the presents were there waiting for them. Verdict: This was a very entertaining story.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Author: Sanchez, Erika L.

Illustrator: NA

Alfred A. Knopf, 2017

ISBN: 9781524700485

$17.99

Grades 9 - 12: Julia (pronounced Hoo-lee-ah) is NOT anyone's perfect Mexican daughter. She's angry and frustrated and curious. The angry and demanding has been an aspect of her life for years. The curious is relatively new and is the byproduct of finding scandalous lingerie and a hotel key card hidden among her recently deceased sister's personal effects. Fortunately, their mother didn't find the items because it would have destroyed the image of Olga as the perfectly chaste, obedient Mexican daughter. It turns out there are several mysteries, not only about her sister, but also about her parents. This is a book that captures the experience of Mexican immigrants with pitch perfect accuracy. Julia's desire to remain true to her heritage while breaking out and becoming a strong, independent woman drive the plot. The author takes a quick trip into the issue of mental health when Julia, after being grounded, attempts suicide. and includes concerns about LGBTQ youth in traditional Catholic households. As a character, Julia is not nearly as endearing as the character of Gabi Hernandez in "Gabi, a Girl in Pieces" by Isabel Quintero, but Sanchez accurately captures some of the challenges faced by children who have grown up in the U. S. but remain close to their Mexican roots. Verdict: This is a book that, though dealing with some mature issues related to sexuality, will resonate with teen readers who find themselves caught between two cultures.

Curricular Use: This provides a very different worldview for students of white culture. Additionally, this is a title that can be used to discuss mental health issues, acculturation, and build a wider perspective about cultural issues.

Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, Teacher Librarian, R. A. Long High School Library

Pinkalicious: Tutu-rrific

Author: Kann, Victoria

Illustrator: author

Harper, 2014

ISBN: 9780062572783

$9.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: An I Can Read book at guided reading level 1(though some of the vocabulary will definitely require some adult guidance). Pinkalicious was so excited to start ballet class (in her new pink tutu--'natch'!) with her friend Alison that she followed what looked like Alison's purple tutu and same-colored hair dashing into a classroom door. The class was starting quickly, so Pinkalicious started in on the plie's and kicks with the other girls, planning to find Alison later. Suddenly the other girls continued with dance moves the teacher had introduced in the previous lesson with Pinkalicious hopelessly lost. She caught up with the others as they began to spin, and the teacher of the advanced class, finally noticed her struggles. She will have one of her students walk Pinkalicious to the beginner class, but first has the errant student spin gracefully one more time, promising that it won't be long before Pinkalicious is ready to join her advanced pupils. Appended with a short history of the I Can Read books in honor of their 60th Anniversary. Verdict: Brings the popular Pinkalicious series to a level for beginning readers to try.

Curricular Use: Early reading instruction and love of reading

Reviewer: Carol Blix, Town Librarian, Cathlamet Public Library

Monster Trucks

Author: Keller Joy

Illustrator: Misa Saburi

Henry Hold, 2017

ISBN: 9781627796170

$16.99

P - K: The Halloween monsters have jobs on the other 364 days of the year. They pave the roads haul muck, plow the snow, etc. This keeps them busy all year round. This story is written in rhyme. Verdict: I like the story line of this book, and especially loved the rhyme.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School

Author: Kinney, Jeff

Illustrator: same

Amulet Books, 2015

ISBN: 9781419717017

$13.95

Grades 4 - 5: Another crazy plot for Greg Heffley and his family. His mom wants to unplug the whole city and live like the old days. Greg does not see this venture as better. Greg's pig becomes an issue in his household. It is treated as a human and with more rights than he has. Greg's dad had an idea to open a lemonade stand just like his days of old. So he fronted Greg $20 to get started. With Rowley as his partner Greg bought limes and lemons and had to learn to cut them and make lemonade. Serving everyone in the same cup he learned this was not sanitary.

Trying use research for better customers he found walkers from down hill bought more lemonade than the ones coming down.

Greg's diary is full of many life experiences without much of a plot or sequence of events, but that seems to be the draw for kids reading this series.

Verdict: If your library has the rest of the series, this is a must to purchase.

Curricular Use: It is an entertaining book for early readers and an example of graphic novels.

Reviewer: Debbie Johnson, Library/Media Specialist, Wallace Elementary Library, Kelso, WA

Truckeroo School

Author: Kirk David

Illustrator: David Kirk

Feiwel and Friends, 2017

ISBN: 9781250016904

$17.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: This story is done in rhyme. It is about monsters that from the time they are born are handed truck parts. They learn to build trucks by going to truck school. Each truck is designed to fit the personality of it's owner. Verdict: I love the rhyme and illustrations in this story.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray

Stay

Author: Klise Kate

Illustrator: Sarah Klise

Feiwel and Friends, 2017

ISBN: 9781250107145

$17.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: Astrid and Eli were best friends. Astrid was a little girl and Eli was a dog. Astrid grew taller than Eli but Eli grew older than Astrid. For every birthday Astrid had Eli had 6 or seven birthdays. When Astrid turned 6 Eli was an old dog. Astrid decided to make a bucked list for Eli. They then proceeded to do all the things on the list. In the end Eli was too old to do anything else. They just stayed home together. Astrid asked Eli if there was something they never did that he wanted to do, and he thought just this, staying home with you. That was all he ever really wanted to do. Verdict: I though this was a real touching love story between a child and her dog.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray

The Littlest Family's Big Day

Author: Martin Winfield, Emily

Illustrator: Emily Winfield Martin

Random House New York, 2016

ISBN: 9780375974311

$17.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: The Littlest Family’s Big Day takes the reader on a journey through the forest. Mama and Papa Bear with their two children, including a baby fox, find a place to live in the bottom of a tree trunk. On their “wander”, they meet squirrels, birds, a mail-delivering snail, and raccoons among other creatures of the woods. They experience wind. They go canoeing on a river, and eat strawberries for snack. They get caught in the rain and find shelter under a beautiful mushroom with a red shade.

The place to live becomes their home after getting to know the animals of the forest and after being rescued by an owl when they were lost.

The text is written in cursive. Painted illustrations support the story. The book could make a great bed time story and it lends itself to inspire new readers, writers and artists.

Verdict: This book may help a family who just moved and is trying to find their way around a new neighborhood and trying to make new friends. The story with its warmly illustrated pictures could encourage families to open up and talk about their feelings in a new environment trying to find a new home.

Curricular Use: Social-Emotional Development

Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start

Fort McHenry: Our Flag Was Still There

Author: Mattern, Joanne

Illustrator: photos

Red Chair Press, 2017

ISBN: 9781634402231

$NP

Grades 4 - 5: Fort McHenry is the fort near Baltimore where the last American flag was flying during the war with Britain. It is where Francis Scott Key wrote the poem of the flying flag, later to become our National Anthem. Built in 1798 it had 5 points and was a stronger fort and named after patriot James McHenry. After the British had attacked Washington, DC and burned the White House, they headed for the forts on the coast. After a long night and day battle the British retreated and Fort McHenry was saved. Francis Scott Key was captured aboard a British ship during the battle and the day rose he saw the flag and wrote the poem. It became :The Star Spangle Banner in 1931. Later, Fort McHenry was repaired and strengthened. Used to defend itself again Mexico and finally as a prison for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. McHenry Fort is now a National Shrine and visitors tour the site. Verdict: It is important to have easy to read books about our National sites for kids to read and learn about their country,

Curricular Use: This book can be used to honor Flag Day.

Reviewer: Debbie Johnson, Library/Media Specialist, Wallace Elementary School Library, Kelso

The Construction Crew

Author: Melzer, Lynn

Illustrator: Eko-Burgess, Carrie

Henry Holt, 2011

ISBN: 9781250112675

$7.99

P - K: Preschool teacher Meltzer's title is now available in board book format. A zippy line or two of text asks for the name of the right piece of equipment or personnel for each job required to demolish and rebuild a home, allowing preschoolers to look at the colorful computer-generated geometric illustrations and help shout out the rhyming answer. "Piles of earth, Push them over, What do we need? BULLDOZER!" Finally enough tools and construction rigs have done their job and the family is in their "HOME SWEET HOME!" Verdict: Just the right title for a preschooler starry-eyed over excavators, dump trucks and the like.

Curricular Use: Can be used with Early Childhood Education as an example of rhyming words, and with Parenting classes and Preschool story time as an engaging read.

Reviewer: Carol Blix, Town Librarian, Cathlamet Public Library

Rolling Thunder

Author: Messner, Kate

Illustrator: Greg Ruth

Scholastic Press, 2017

ISBN: 9780545470124

$17.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3, Grades 4 - 5: Fans of the picture book "Coming Home"--which was written and illustrated by Greg Ruth--will recognize his signature style of illustration in this gorgeously created homage to the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom that takes place annually at Washington, DC. It starts with grandpa, firing up his motorcycle, and the grandson whose family meets and camps with grandpa in Washington, DC to participate in the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom each Memorial Day. Spare, rhyming verse is supported by colorful illustrations that beautifully captures the solemnity of these veterans--and their families--who faithfully remember their fallen brothers in arms. Verdict: This multi-generational celebration of the sacrifices made by our military is well worth adding and reading, especially close to Memorial Day.

Curricular Use: This is a book that begs for discussion about the writer's decisions. The decision to tell the story in verse, and to end several verses with just one word is just one opportunity. The illustrator also does comic books, and that same style could also be discussed in comparison to some other choices for book illustration.

Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, Teacher Librarian, R. A. Long High School

Grimelda and the Spooktacular Pet Show

Author: Murray, Diana

Illustrator: Heather Ross

Katherine Tegen Books, 2017

ISBN: 9780062264497

$16.99

Grades 1 - 3: Grimelda lived in Cobweb Town with other witches. One day she learned of a Spooktacular Pet Show. Wanting to enter her docile cat, Wizzlewarts, she planned to make him spooky using her magic book. She shopped for a new pet that was spooktacular. No luck. The cat found the book with a magic spell for changing a cat into a spooktacular pet. Off they flew to the contest. Grimelda messed up the spell and Wizzlewarts was cuter. But appeared the monster from the swam and Wizzlewarts fought it off. Grimelda's second spell turn the monster into a fish bowl pet and they won the contest. Verdict: This book is a twist on a book about witches and it entertaining. Plus, there is plenty of text to justify the cost of the book.

Curricular Use: This is a great witch story to add to Halloween shelf in your library.

Reviewer: Debbie Johnson, Library/Media Specialist, Wallace Elementary Library/Kelso, WA

Me and Mr. Fluffernutter

Author: Olson, Jennifer Gray

Illustrator: Jennifer Gray Olson

Alfred A. Knopf, 2017

ISBN: 9780385754965

$16.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: Full disclosure: I picked this book up because it reminded my of my infant niece and her cat. Mr. Fluffernutter is the cat playmate of our little female narrator. In the first portion of the book, our narrator describes how much fun she and Mr. Fluffernutter have--despite the increasing appearance of discontent on Mr. Fluffernutter's part. Soon, our narrator realizes that Mr. Fluffernutter and she might be better off going their separate ways. Both are reunited when they both realize that being together is much more fun than being alone. The offbeat illustrations capture the whimsy of this story well, making it a tale that animal loving children will want to read over and over. The dedication says it all: "For those who love us, even at our most unlovable." Verdict: This fun story about friendship is by the same author as Ninja Bunny, and is sure to have a wide audience of fans.

Curricular Use: This is a good story for building print motivation.

Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, Teacher Librarian, R. A. Long High School Library

Nerdy Birdy Tweets

Author: Reynolds Aaron

Illustrator: Matt Davis

Roaring Brook Press, 2017

ISBN: 9781626721289

$17.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: This story talks about tweeting and how you need to be respectful of others privacy. Even though Nerdy Birdy and Vulture were very different from each other they were best friends. One day Nerdy Birdy discovered Tweetster. He was obsessed with the game, and with getting more and more friends. Vulture finally got bored with Nerdy and left. It took Nerdy Birdy an hour to even discover that Vulture had left. The next day Vulture came back and he had a Tweetster account. The two friends tweeted for a long while. Then Nerdy Birdy posted a picture of Vulture and wrote "Vulturegirl is a messy eater. She eats dead things. EWWWWW!!" When vulture saw the post he was mad and embarrassed. She flew away and didn't come back this time. Nerdy tried to get advice from Tweester but no one wrote back or had any advice. He finally flew all over looking for Vulture. He found her and explained how sorry he was. She was the most important thing to him. Verdict: This is an excellent example of online media sense and safety.

Curricular Use: This would go great with teaching media safety.

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray

Where Do Jet Planes Sleep at Night?

Author: Sayres, Brianna Caplan

Illustrator: Christian Slade

Random House Children's Books, 2017

ISBN: 9780399554483

$16.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: Adorable caricatures of a variety of aircraft make this bedtime story a cute way to end the day. The title question is posed in rhyme for a variety of flying machines: airplanes, sea planes, hot air balloons, hang gliders--even Air Force One makes an appearance. Most pictures include a juvenile version of the plane to accompany the adults. Father and mother aircraft are represented equally, which is nice in a picture book. Eventually the question is answered--the variety of aircraft reside in a little boy's room where he counts his model airplanes rather than sheep to fall asleep. Verdict: Children will enjoy this bedtime tale and will get a kick out of the variety of aircraft and the cute pictures.

Curricular Use: This is a great book for building print motivation. It also provides children with the opportunity to start learning about different kinds of aircraft.

Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, Teacher Librarian, R. A. Long High School Library

Another Way to Climb a Tree

Author: Scanlon Liz Garton

Illustrator: Hadley Hooper

Roaring Brook Press, 2017

ISBN: 9781626723528

$17.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: Lulu loves to climb the biggest and tallest trees. She climbs trees that no one else will. She'll help cats and kites get down from the trees. One day Lulu gets sick and is not allowed to go outside. The trees are lonely without her and Lulu is lonely without the trees. Then Lulu sees the shadow of the tree on her bedroom wall, and Lulu climbs the tree with her fingers.

Verdict: I love the way the author uses the imagination of a little girl to tell this story.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray

Bizzy Mizz Lizzie

Author: Shannon, David

Illustrator: David Shannon

Scholastic/The Blue Sky Press, 2017

ISBN: 9780545619431

$17.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: Bizzy Mizz Lizzie is a busy bee. She participates in a number of activities, she gets Bs in Bee School, and she has a goal. She wants to meet the Queen. Unfortunately, Lizzie's ambition gets the better of her. She becomes so hyperfocused on her goal that she exhausts herself, and winds up falling asleep during her chance to win the Spelling Bee with the main prize of--getting to meet the Queen. By contrast, her friend, Laizy Mizz Daizy, is a fan of just enjoying life and appreciating the flowers in her garden of life. As it turns out, Laizy Mizz Daizy might be on to something. Verdict: David Shannon has a hit in this cautionary tale about trying to achieve at any costs.

Curricular Use: This provides a great opportunity to compare and contrast the approaches of Bizzy Mizz Lizzie and Laizy Mizz Daizy.

Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, Teacher Librarian, R. A. Long High School Library

Round

Author: Sidman, Joyce

Illustrator: Taeeun Yoo

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017

ISBN: 9780544387614

$17.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: This cool book starts with a very simple concept (round), and focuses on all the reasons to appreciate its shape. It looks at things in nature and then even within one’s own life. There are a vast amount of descriptions of things that are round. It includes some you might not have thought about like the ripples of rain drops. The wording is beautiful and the concept subtly shared. An example is when it talks about the moon and showing itself “rounder and rounder, until the whole sky holds its breath.” Even the author and illustrator’s biographies are written in a round shape. Verdict: This is a great concept book and would be useful when introducing the topic to young students. The author also spends two pages explaining why things in nature are round.

Curricular Use: This could be used in math when discussing shapes, but also has a great nature aspect, as well.

Reviewer: N. Williams, CLC Teacher, Castle Rock Elementary

How to Pee - Potty Training for Boys

Author: Spector, Todd

Illustrator: Arree Chung

Henry Holt and Company, 2015

ISBN: 9780805097733

$12.99

P - K, Toddlers: Family practice physician Todd Spector shares his insights from potty training his son in his book How to Pee – Potty Training for Boys. Let your imagination run wild – potty training can be fun! Dr. Todd gives an encouraging word to parents in his foreword and leaves a note to parents and a few basic rules at the end of the book.

The different styles mentioned in this book cover how to use the toilet standing up or sitting down. Going outside is encouraged as well. Dr.Todd provides the tip of not having the child wear a diaper for a few hours. When children are naked, they really get a feel for their bodies.

In this book, boys learn to go to the bathroom cowboy style, with hands on the hips sitting down on a potty chair and shouting “Pee-haw! Yee-haw!” Free Style, going pee outside, is encouraged. Mommy style, learning to sit on toilet and to “tuck it in” is also covered in this book with wonderful illustrations with step by step directions on how to use the different styles. Waterfall style is a fun one. The boy carves a “riverbed” into the soil, which gives the pee a place to go, creating a water fall!

I find this book very entertaining. Imagination is encouraged in this book and even props are used to help the young potty trainer use a potty chair and toilet. This book will make potty training fun for boys!

Verdict: This book helps to support parents potty training boys by introducing styles of how a boy could pee in a potty chair, a toilet or even outside. Illustrations provide step-by-step instructions showing which styles and props make potty training fun for boys.

Curricular Use: Potty training

Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start

Mary McScary

Author: Stine R.L.

Illustrator: Marc Brown

Orchard Books, 2017

ISBN: 9780338038569

$16.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: I was excited to see that RL Stine has written a picture book. Mary McScary scares everyone all the time. This is the way she likes it. Everyone is scared of her except her cousin Harry McScary. Mary tries all her tricks to scare Harry but nothing works. When she's tried all her tricks she only has one thing left. She kisses Harry on the cheek and that does it, Harry is scared at last.

Verdict: Fun rhyme and illustrations.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray

Fox and the Bike Ride

Author: Tabor Corey

Illustrator: Same

Harper Collins, 2017

ISBN: 9780062398758

$17.99

P - K, Grades 1 - 3: The animals have an annual bike ride. Its so and easy and to fox BORING, he wanted to spice things up. Every animals had a job for the bike ride. Foxes job was to prepare the bike. They climbed to the highest mountain, but instead of stopping for their snack the bike kept going faster and faster. Fox did not fix the brakes (on purpose of course) it was an action packed adventure, that all the animals loved.

Verdict: This was a fun story. The animals have a lot of personality. The illustration tell even more about the story.

Curricular Use:

Reviewer: Tracy Robinson, Librarian, Robert Gray

Finders Keepers

Author: Tougas, Shelley

Illustrator: NA

Roaring Brook Press, 2015

ISBN: 9781596439900

$16.99

Grades 4 - 5: Christa and her new friend Alex discover that there may be money buried in their hometown...money Al Capone used to launder during prohibition. But will the danger outweigh the prize in finding it? Verdict: A little slow in the middle, but a great with some historical elements mixed in.

Curricular Use: If studying the 1920s Prohibition, this is a great little companion story.

Reviewer: Katy Olson, Librarian, Monticello/Cascade Middle School

Frazzled: Ordinary Mishaps and Inevitable Catastrophes

Author: Vivat, Booki

Illustrator: Booki Vivat

Harper, 2017

ISBN: 9780062398819

$12.99

Grades 4 - 5, Grade 6: Frazzled book 2. Sixth grader Abbie Wu's middle school days get off to a rocky start when she discovers that her long awaited locker already has someone else's stuff in it. A locker shortage forces Abbie to share with an unusual new girl, Jess, who also turns out to be her science partner. While their science project doesn't go as planned, Abbie and Jess become good friends and Abbie learns that sometimes the unplanned things, like new friends, can be pretty great. The frequent and funny illustrations add even more humor to this already funny story. A great pick for fans of the Dork Diaries and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Verdict: Abbie's flair for the dramatic, along with the ups and downs of middle school, will keep readers turning the pages and rooting for her.

Curricular Use: Middle School Fiction, Humorous stories, Reluctant Readers

Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School

Music Class Today!

Author: Weinstone, David

Illustrator: Vin Vogel

Farrar Straus Giroux, 2015

ISBN: 9780374351311

$17.99

P - K, Toddlers: The book Music Class Today is written by former punk rocker David Weinstone and illustrated by Brazilian-born author and illustrator Vin Vogel. One little boy does not want to join in the activities during music class. First, he stays close to his Mom, hiding behind her back or standing next to her or sitting on her lap and holding a toy froggy. The music teacher, through song, keeps encouraging him to join when he is ready. The refrain of the song goes like this: “That’s all right, that’s okay. Whenever you’re ready, come on over and play. That’s all right, there’s no rush. Whenever you’re ready, come play with us!”

The author takes the reader along to become part of this music class for young children. Children are greeted by name in a song. They participate hands-on and the class ends with a good-bye song that features the children’s names. John, who does not initially want to participate and only observes from his mother’s secure base, eventually participates and does not want to leave at the end.

This book has a great message – to give children time to join in activities!

Illustrations show children of different skin color and with different kind of hair. A mother is shown breastfeeding her baby during music class.

The song with a catchy tune is available on-line.

Verdict: This book helps children to overcome their shyness. It includes a great message for adults to give children time to warm up.

Curricular Use: Social-Emotional Support

Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start

Cat Nap

Author: Yuly, Toni

Illustrator: author

Freiwel & Friends, 2016

ISBN: 9781250112613

$7.99

P - K: In this board book version of the title, older grey Cat wants to sleep, but active and curious Kitten wants to play hide and seek. Cat sees a way to continue his nap and offers to hide, but Kitten keeps finding him. Simple color line drawings show Cat's annoyed expression and Kitten's playful delight in each moment of discovery. Readers can discover that a small mouse is hiding in each panel, too. A final spread shows Cat leaving for his bed and finding Kitten napping there ahead of him. Verdict: A simple and pleasing story, perfect for pre-readers.

Curricular Use: Could be used with Early Education, and Parenting classes.

Reviewer: Carol Blix, Town Librarian, Cathlamet Public Library