Icon: Picture Book

Boy + Bot

From bestselling author Ame Dyckman comes a simple and charming story sure to entertain readers of all ages. One day, while collecting pinecones, a boy encounters a lost robot. The two become fast friends, and the boy’s creativity and adventurous spirit delights the pragmatic robot. However, the pair’s fun comes to an abrupt halt when the robot bumps his off-switch. Concerned for his friend, the boy takes the deactivated robot home. There, he treats and cares for the robot in the only way he knows how: he feeds him applesauce, reads him a story, and tucks him in for bed.   

That night, the power switch bumps again and awakens the robot. Assuming that the sleeping boy is deactivated, the robot carries the boy to his home: a laboratory belonging to the robot’s kind inventor. There, the robot treats and cares for the sleeping boy in the only way he knows how: he reads him an instruction manual. He prepares a battery for him. When the robot’s inventor returns home, the boy finally awakens. The boy and robot are delighted to see that the other is perfectly okay. The inventor drives the boy back to his parents, but the boy and robot agree to play tomorrow. 

Boy + Bot is a very easy read, with only one to seven short sentences per page and no challenging vocabulary. The book is illustrated by prolific illustrator Dan Yaccarino. An author himself, Yaccarino matches the book’s simple story with illustrations that do not draw the reader’s focus away from the narrative. The main characters’ outfits are drawn with vibrant colors that catch the reader’s eye. Meanwhile, the backgrounds are limited to no more than two muted colors, and many pages have no background at all. Through this, the reader is able to focus on the Boy and Bot’s story without getting distracted by details of their environment. 

While not a challenging read, Boy + Bot is a warm and comforting story that teaches young readers the value of accepting and uplifting their friends. Boy and Bot could not be any more different on the surface, but their mutual love of play and exploration forms a quick and tight bond. If you are looking for a fast and easy read that tells an enjoyable story with a strong message, Boy + Bot is an excellent choice. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Because of Thursday

Thursdays have always been Annie’s lucky day. She was born on a Thursday and married on a Thursday. Each of her two children was born on a Thursday.  She opened her diner on a Thursday, and it was on a Thursday that she made the famous pasta salad that became a staple of her small town. As Annie grew older, she looked back on her life with pride and satisfaction. She had married the love of her life, achieved her dream of opening a restaurant, and raised two amazing children. However, one Tuesday, Annie’s husband tells her that he isn’t feeling well. On a Monday, her husband passes away. This loss upsets the joy that Annie once felt. Not long after, she closes her restaurant.  

Now, Annie spends most of her time at home. One day, she finds a dish towel on her porch with the word “Thursday” embroidered on it. Annie notices small movements and sounds coming from underneath. She lifts the towel and is delighted to find a kitten bundled up inside! Annie takes the kitten in and quickly finds herself taking care of it. She names the kitten “Thursday” and enjoys tending it. Soon, Annie is inspired to begin cooking once again. It doesn’t take long for the people of her town to hear. Soon enough, everyone helps Annie restart her restaurant. With this, Annie’s restaurant is restored as the heart of the town, and Thursday is adored by every customer who comes in. 

The author of over 70 children’s books, Patricia Polacco writes her stories with a natural grace. As in all her works, Because of Thursday is told with a heartfelt and human touch. Polacco speaks to her reader less like an omnipotent narrator and more like an old friend telling a story, elevating little moments into engaging pieces of a narrative. She describes the smaller details of the story, like the ingredients of Annie’s famous “Ugly Pasta” recipe, with a unique humor and conceit. “It looked like it had been kicked around in the dirt with all the burned pepper flakes in it,” she writes. “And wiped through someone’s armpit with all the lumps of garlic on it and blown across a dusty field with all the grated cheese on it.”  

While this kind of writing should not be a challenge for advanced readers, younger readers may need help navigating the book’s long paragraphs. Each page features four to twelve sentences. Parents’ assistance may also be needed to explain adjectives like “delectable” and “gelatinous.” Polacco’s dynamic illustrations add spirit and energy to the book. Each page features a double-spread illustration with vivid colors and attention to background detail. For example, the final page features Annie’s majestic and colorful manufacturing plant, complemented by a giant fountain shaped like a stack of noodles.  

While Polacco’s pleasant written voice and lively illustrations always make a good story, the resolution of Because of Thursday features a shift in tone that makes the story ultimately feel a little uneven. The book’s climax involves Annie achieving nationwide fame when a TV chef discovers her recipe. Although the chef’s name is never stated, he is drawn to look like Guy Fieri. Even though it’s satisfying to see Annie reach such a high degree of success, the inclusion of a specific real-life celebrity feels out of place in a fictional story. Readers familiar with Fieri will likely be confused by his appearance and may incorrectly assume that the book is a true story. 

With this being said, Because of Thursday is still a worthwhile read. Parents can use the story as a way to discuss the topic of grief with their child, specifically how it can affect someone’s mood and motivation. Additionally, readers can learn the importance of being there for others. Just as Annie gave joy to her town through her cooking, her town was there for her when she returned to her restaurant. As with any book by Patricia Polacco, Because of Thursday is a heartfelt and beautifully illustrated story that allows parents to discuss meaningful themes and messages with their children. 

Sexual Content 

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Violence 

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Drugs and Alcohol 

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content 

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The Christmas Baby

Mary and Joseph travel by donkey to Bethlehem, but when they arrive, the only place to stay is a barn. When the baby was born in the manger, Mary and Joseph rejoiced. The angels sang, and kings journeyed to bring gifts. When the baby was born, he “smiled at the world with God’s own smile.”  

The Christmas Baby is a heartwarming retelling of the birth of Jesus. Using natural colors of blue and brown, the illustrations focus on the animals and the sky. When the baby is born, a two-page spread shows the animals’ joy as they “brayed and mooed and barked and bleated he is come!” The book connects every child to the Christmas baby because babies bring joy. The last page speaks directly to the reader because when you were born, “you smiled back at us all with God’s own smile.” 

Celebrate the Christmas season by reading The Christmas Baby. Each page has two to four short sentences that use repetition to increase the excitement of Jesus’s birth. Even though the story focuses on Jesus’s birth, the story also shows how Jesus came for everyone—wisemen, kings, animals, and you. Not only will The Christmas Baby remind readers that God loves them, but it also shows readers how important they are to other people. For more Christ-centered picture books, read Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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Construction Site on Christmas Night

The mighty construction trucks are busy building a very special gift in time for Christmas Eve. But there’s a surprise waiting for them too! Excavator, Bulldozer, Crane Truck, Dump Truck, and Cement Mixer all receive a special present as each truck finishes their part of this important job, before rolling off to a sweet and sleepy goodnight.  

Construction Site on Christmas Night uses a repeating pattern to tell the story. In the first section, Bulldozer is working hard to clear the ground. Once he has completed his part of the job, he finds “a massive gift with cable ‘ribbon’ from the yard, it’s topped off with a thank-you card. An awesome carbon steel blade.” After Bulldozer opens his gift, he goes to sleep. The story repeats this format with each of the other trucks, with each gift reflecting the truck’s unique personality. For example, Dump Truck receives new tires and Cement Mixer receives a new drum. Then the conclusion shows the firetrucks snuggled into their newly built firehouse while the other trucks sleep outside in the snow.  

Even though Construction Site on Christmas Night is a simple story, it still has positive lessons. Each truck has a job that is unique to their design. Without each truck completing its work, the firehouse could not be built. In addition, the story shows the joy of giving and the value of work.  

Even though Construction Site on Christmas Night is a picture book it is intended to be read to children instead of having them read it independently. The story uses rhyming and onomatopoeia which make the story fun to read. The illustrations use primary colors as well as festive details, such as ribbons and bows. Each page has one to six sentences that keep the story flowing at a fast pace. 

Any child who loves trucks will find joy in reading Construction Site on Christmas Night. The story reinforces the importance of appreciating others and the importance of using your own unique talents. The book is perfect for snuggling up and reading on a cold winter’s night. Plus, it will leave readers with sweet dreams of what they will find under the Christmas tree. To read more about hard-working trucks, chug to the nearest library and check out Bulldozer Helps Out by Candace Fleming. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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Tallulah’s Nutcracker

It’s Christmastime and Tallulah finally gets what she’s been wishing for—a part in a professional production of The Nutcracker. She’s only a mouse, but she works as hard as if she had been cast as the Sugar Plum Fairy. 

On the night of the show, everything is perfect. But then disaster strikes! Does Tallulah have what it takes to become a real ballerina? 

Tallulah is a charming character who wants to shine. When she finds out that she will be one of eleven mice in The Nutcracker, “Tallulah hoped that she would stand out.” When the night of the performance arrives, Tallulah looks at the older dancers and dreams of one day being like them. However, Tallulah was just a little bit scared when she first got on stage. She began to dance and “then all of a sudden she stepped on a tall mouse’s tail. . . Tallulah tried to get up, but another mouse tripped over her, followed by two toy soldiers. They all lay in a stunned heap in the middle of the stage.” After the performance, Tallulah hides because she wanted to be the best mouse but instead she “was the total worst.”  

Even though Tallulah hides, the teenage dancers and the dance master find her after the show. Instead of being upset and criticizing Tallulah for making a mistake, they encourage her. The dance master, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Clara all tell their own stories of doing something embarrassing. Their encouraging words are heartwarming, and they help Tallulah learn that “in ballet, embarrassing things happen all the time, but a REAL dancer keeps right on dancing.”  

The story’s winter theme is illustrated in soft blues, while Tallulah’s clothing has pops of red. The beautiful pictures include snowy landscapes, Tallulah’s dance class, and several scenes from The Nutcracker. The children in Tallulah’s dance class are diverse and include several boys, while the illustrations of Tallulah as a mouse are adorably cute. To help readers distinguish the narration from Tallulah’s thoughts, her thoughts are written in large, bold letters. Since each page has two to seven sentences, parents will need to read the story to their children.  

If you’re ready for some Christmas cheer, Tallulah’s Nutcracker is a wonderful picture book that has enchanting pictures and teaches that while everyone makes mistakes, what’s important is that you don’t let that stop you from reaching for your dreams. Whether you’ve read all of the Tallulah books or this is your first, Tallulah’s Nutcracker is sure to enchant. Younger readers interested in dance will enjoy seeing Tallulah’s ballet lessons. However, most readers will relate to Tallulah’s embarrassment and will feel joy when Tallulah realizes, “I’m not the best mouse or a star, but I am a real dancer – at least, I’m going to be.”   

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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Polar Bear

April in the Arctic . . . / Cold winds send snow clouds scuttling across the sky. / Temperatures barely nudge above freezing. / But every now and again, / The cloud cover parts, / The sun shines down, /
And the frozen world stretches awake.

As spring approaches in the Arctic, a mother polar bear and her two cubs tentatively emerge from hibernation to explore the changing landscape. When it is time, she takes her cubs on a forty-mile journey, back to their home on the ice. Along the way, she fends off wolves, hunts for food, and swims miles and miles. 

While hunting for seals, Mother and the cubs move “to the edge of the ice” but “the ice breaks off and is carried out / far out, / into open water.” This section increases suspense, not only by showing Mother’s worried facial expression but also by having a two-page pull-out that shows the bears swimming, surrounded completely by water. Reader’s hearts will pound as they watch Mother try to get her cubs to safety. And readers will rejoice when the bears finally reach safety and curl up to sleep.  

Polar Bears is a beautifully illustrated picture book that follows a mother polar bear and her cubs. Using soft blues, browns, and whites, the artist’s oil paintings show the magical world of the polar bears. Readers will fall in love with the adorably cute polar bear cubs as they grow.   

Even though Polar Bears is a picture book, the book will appeal to older readers who want to learn more about polar bears. Younger readers will need the book read to them instead of reading it independently. Adults will need to explain some of the words—such as striding, fractured, and gorged—to younger readers. The book’s font is oversized and has rich, descriptive imagery that brings the events to life. However, many of the pages are text-heavy and have up to 15 short sentences.   

The back of the book includes a page and a half titled “It’s All About the Ice” – this section explains why polar bears need ice to survive. It also explains what is happening due to global warming, and how readers can make small changes to help polar bears. In addition, there are ten cool facts about polar bears and a two-page infographic that shows polar bears’ physical features.  

Polar Bears is the perfect picture book for readers of all ages who love polar bears. While the book can be read for enjoyment, adults and teachers can also use Polar Bears to teach readers about the polar bears’ habitat and life cycles. In addition, the back of the book includes information that can be used to teach how global warming is harming polar bears. The combination of beautiful illustrations and polar bear facts makes Polar Bears a book that will melt reader’s hearts and encourage them to make small changes to keep polar bears healthy and happy. 

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • Two wolves try to eat the baby polar bears. The wolves “are circling for an attack. Mother grunts for the cubs to keep close. The wolves inch nearer. . . Hissing, [Mother polar bear] rises up her full height—all seven feet of her. . . She growls. The wolves stop. Look. Lope away.”  
  • It is mentioned that polar bears eat seals.

Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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Little Quack’s New Friend

One day when Little Quack is playing in the pond, he hears the strangest noise. He listens closely along with his siblings, Widdle, Waddle, Piddle, and Puddle, only to discover that it’s a frog in their pond! The other ducklings aren’t sure about taking this new guy under their wings, but Little Quack is determined to make a new friend no matter how different he may be! Soon, everyone is squishing in the mud, splunking on lily pads, and quacking up a splash in the spirit of friendship in this board book edition that is perfect for little ones! 

Little Quack’s New Friend is an adorably cute, fun-to-read picture book that shows you can be friends with someone different than you. The five ducklings and the frog, Little Ribbit, have expressive faces that highlight their emotion. Readers may laugh at Little Quack’s siblings because they clearly don’t think playing with a frog is proper. After all, Little Ribbit is “too tiny,” “too green,” and he “can’t quack.” But when Little Quack and Little Rabbit play together, their faces radiate joy and happiness. The ducklings soon learn that they have something in common with Little Ribbit after all — “we all like to play!”  

Each page of Little Quack’s New Friend features the five sibling ducklings. Each sibling has a characteristic that makes them easy to recognize. For example, one duck has a blue flower in her hair while another duck has spikey hair. Joyful illustration is bright primary colors and a splash of purple add to the fun tone. Little Quack’s New Friend is perfect for reading aloud because of the alliteration in the duck names and the fun onomatopoeias. Plus, it’s a quick read, with one to six short sentences and simple vocabulary. 

Little Quack’s New Friend is a fun story that young readers will want to read again and again. The simple plot and cheerful illustrations will capture readers’ hearts. In the end, the ducklings connect because “we all like to play!” But beware: Little Quack’s New Friend may make your little one want to squish, bounce, and splash! Introduce more friendship-based books by reading Moon’s First Friends by Susanna Leonard Hill, Sparkly New Friends by Heather Ayris Burnell, and Bo’s Magical New Friend by Rebecca Elliott.  

Sexual Content  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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Grandma Elephant’s in Charge

Elephants are the biggest animals on land, and they live in big families, too. So who can possibly keep them in line? Grandma! 

Every elephant in the herd looks to Grandma to tell them how to find the best watering holes, gather the tastiest food, and sniff out danger. And you better be certain that when Grandma lays down the law, everybody pays attention.  

Teach young readers about elephants by reading Grandma Elephant’s in Charge, an entertaining and educational book about the everyday life of a family of elephants. The book uses a conversational tone to tell the story of an elephant’s family. Readers will learn how Grandma Elephant helps her family. Fun facts are also interspersed throughout the book. For example, when Grandma leads the herd “up the cliff to the salt lick,” a different font underneath the story text reads, “Salt licks are places where the earth is full of minerals. Lots of animals eat the salty earth there, which helps to keep them healthy.”  

Each page uses the soft colors of brown, green, and blue. The elephants are the focus of each picture and the landscapes fade into the background. Several pictures emphasize Grandma’s large size compared to the other elephants in the herd. Each page also has three to five complex sentences with some difficult vocabulary such as boisterous, scolding, and investigate. Even though Grandma Elephant’s in Charge is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read it for the first time independently. 

Grandma Elephant’s in Charge is the perfect book for readers interested in the day-to-day life of an elephant. The full-page illustrations are awe-inspiring, but some text-heavy pages may be daunting for young readers. If you’d like to rumble through the savanna and meet Grandma Elephant, then step into the book Grandma Elephant’s in Charge. Readers interested in learning more fun facts about animals should also read the What If Series by Sandra Markle. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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The Very Best Pumpkin

Growing up on Mimi and Papa’s farm, Peter knows a lot about caring for pumpkins. One summer, Peter finds a lonely pumpkin all by itself in the field, and with his tender care, the pumpkin flourishes. By autumn, it’s the very best pumpkin of all, and Peter wants to keep it for himself. But when a young girl shows up at the farm in quest of a perfect pumpkin, will Peter pass on his prized pumpkin and gain a friend? 

Peter enjoys eating out of the garden, where juicy strawberries and corn grow. When Peter finds a lone pumpkin in a field, he tends to it lovingly, pulling the weeds, loosening the soil, and watering it. As Peter cares for his pumpkin, a new neighbor, Meg, watches. When Meg comes to Peter’s family’s farm, Peter shows her “the very best pumpkin”—the one he has cared for all summer. This begins Peter and Meg’s friendship “and just like the pumpkins, their friendship grew and grew and grew.” 

The Very Best Pumpkin’s illustrations use muted fall colors and simple illustrations to bring the harvest season to life. Readers will enjoy the small details such as bees buzzing through the air, mice playing in the pumpkin patch, and birds twittering. Readers who tend to get wiggly may have difficulty sitting through a reading of the book because of the advanced vocabulary and long sentences. Each page has one to six long sentences. However, adults who want to show the joy of gardening and sharing will find The Very Best Pumpkin worth reading.  

Readers will learn the value of hard work and friendship by reading The Very Best Pumpkin. The book has an old-fashioned vibe that shows the simple joys in life. The story ends with information on how to grow your own pumpkin. The Very Best Pumpkin is the perfect book to read if you’re planning on planting a garden or you want to enjoy the scenes of autumn.   

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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Return of the Underwear Dragon

After Sir Cole saved the kingdom from the destructive wrath of the Underwear Dragon, he realized the Underwear Dragon wasn’t disobeying the signs that said not to attack. The Underwear Dragon couldn’t read the signs!

So Sir Cole sets out on a valiant quest. He’s not going to conquer the Underwear Dragon—he’s going to teach him to read. But it’s hard to teach a fire-breathing creature to read an actual book when he sets them all on fire. Besides, the Underwear Dragon is a reluctant reader. But when the Underwear Dragon finally succeeds, Sir Cole presents his star pupil with the perfect gift—gigantic alphabet underwear! 

The Return of the Underwear Dragon shines a torch on the dragon, who has nightmares about Sir Cole defeating him in battle. Young readers will relate to the Underwear Dragon’s nightmares as well as his embarrassment at not being able to read. Rothman uses humor to introduce the conflict: “Underwear Dragons get embarrassed when they don’t get gold stars. . . can’t do the monkey bars. . . trips on lutes. . . accidentally toot.” The dragon is so embarrassed that he disguises himself as a duck to tackle the hard task of learning to read. While learning to read is hard, the Underwear Dragon doesn’t give up—and neither should you!  

The silly storyline and illustrations perfectly come together in a book that will have young readers giggling (and maybe tooting too!). The story is a quick read with one to four sentences on each page. Plus, the rhyming words make the book fun to read out loud. The brightly colored illustrations have fun elements that show the Underwear Dragon’s embarrassment when he steps in poo, rips his shorts, and is bad at sports. 

The Underwear Dragon’s humorous adventure will captivate readers while also teaching that learning to read isn’t always easy. Young readers will love Sir Cole’s dedication to teaching the dragon, and they will giggle at the dragon’s delay tactics. Both Sir Cole and the Underwear Dragon show determination and grit. Sir Cole’s new assistant is a welcome addition to the story and thankfully, she is really good at putting out fires.  

The Return of the Underwear Dragon has unique characters, a funny plot, and a positive message about perseverance. If you’re looking for a picture book that readers will want to read again, and again, and again The Underwear Dragon Series is the perfect book. If you want more knightly fun, also add Knight Owl by Christopher Denise to your reading library. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

  • The Underwear Dragon keeps setting books on fire. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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Little Blue Truck’s Halloween

Beep! Beep! It’s Halloween! Follow Little Blue Truck and his good friend Toad as they pick up their animal friends for a costume party. This fun Halloween book will get readers eager to dress up in costumes and enjoy the fall festivities. 

The book uses a kid-friendly format, with the first page having four short rhyming lines. The second page repeats the same question, “Under the mask who do you see?” Readers will have fun lifting the flaps of this sturdy board book to find out who’s dressed up in each costume! The last scene shows Blue getting into the holiday spirit by dressing up as a ghost. The silly costumes, such as a cow dressed up as a king, will inspire readers to be creative with their own Halloween costumes.  

Little Blue Truck’s Halloween uses simple vocabulary and rhyming that is perfect for young readers. Each illustration uses fall colors with lots of Halloween details such as a full moon, black cats, and jack-o-lanterns. In addition, the forest animals get into the spirit and dress up. For example, one page shows a squirrel dressed up as a witch and a raccoon wearing a colorful hat peeking out of a tree. Adults can encourage children to find the black cat that appears on each page. Add even more fun by having readers count the pumpkins.   

Get ready for Halloween by reading Little Blue Truck’s Halloween, which leaves out spooky details and instead focuses on the fun of dressing up in costumes. The interactive book will keep readers entertained again and again. For more Halloween-related books, check out a copy of Dragon’s Halloween by Dav Pilkey and The Halloween Queen by Joan Holub. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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Victor, the Wolf with Worries

Wolves are known to be brave, fierce, and big. But Victor, a short and timid wolf who is more sheepish than wolfish, worries he is none of these things. He tries pretending to be brave, but he worries other wolves will expect him to do things he isn’t brave enough to do. He tries pretending to be fierce but worries that he will scare the other wolves away. While Victor wishes he could be as brave as the other wolves, he cannot seem to escape his constant worries.  

Fortunately, Victor has a best friend, Pablo. Pablo listens to his friend’s concerns and helps him take his mind off them. They sprint through the forest together until Victor feels better. They imagine their worries as bubbles and gently blow away each one. With Pablo’s presence, Victor realizes that all wolves share these worries, though not everyone feels comfortable talking about them. By discussing his feelings with Pablo, Victor feels reassured and comfortable with himself. 

Victor, the Wolf with Worries, is a short, sweet story that teaches readers the importance of addressing and discussing things that may cause stress or doubt. Victor is initially reluctant to open up to Pablo, saying, “If I tell you my worry, it becomes yours too.” Pablo shows Victor that discussing anxieties can help you realize such feelings are perfectly normal. By addressing these feelings, you can be better prepared to understand and cope with them.  

The picture book is easy to read, with only one to eight short sentences per page. Although younger readers may need help reading the book’s small font size, Rayner’s illustrations are sure to help them navigate the story. Rayner draws her characters with pencil before coloring them and the backgrounds with watercolor paint. The backgrounds are drawn in brilliant spring blues and greens, allowing for some particularly beautiful illustrations of the wolves’ lively forest.  

While everyone has their own method of dealing with anxieties and daily worries, Victor, the Wolf with Worries is a comforting story that encourages children to address and talk about their feelings. It is a perfect read for young readers who may have trouble discussing their feelings or coping with stress. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Jim Thorpe’s Bright Path

From the day he was born, Jim Thorpe’s parents knew he was special. As the light shone on the road to the family’s cabin, his mother gave Jim another name – Wa-tho-huck – “Bright Path.” 

Jim’s athletic skills were evident early on, as he played outdoors and hunted with his father and twin brother. When the boys were sent to an Indian boarding school, Jim struggled academically but excelled in sports. School life was difficult for Jim. In addition, he had to overcome family tragedies, including the death of his brother. Jim’s life dramatically changed when Coach Pop Warner at the Carlisle Indian School recognized Jim’s athletic genius. 

Jim Thorpe’s Bright Path follows Jim’s path to becoming a world-renowned athlete. Jim hates boarding school. One reason is that boarding schools “were designed to cut [Indians] off from everything that made them Indians—their language, their traditions, even their families—and make them fit in with white society.” Even though Jim hated school, his father was determined for Jim to get an education. At school, Jim fell in love with football, but because of his small size, the coach would not let him play. This didn’t stop Jim; soon, he formed a group of other small boys to play football with. 

Jim’s inspiring biography shows how he persevered despite many obstacles. His determination allowed him to become the greatest athlete of his time. As an athlete, Jim “was carrying not just a football, but the hopes and dreams of his family, his people, and all the Indians who had been told they could never compete with a white man.” Jim used his fame to fight for equal rights and opportunities for American Indians. 

Although Jim Thorpe’s Bright Path is a picture book, it is best suited for older readers. The pages have up to ten complex sentences that use advanced vocabulary such as Gauntlet, Pottawatomie, endurance, dormitory, and inconsolable. However, the illustrations will help readers visualize the story’s events because they focus on Jim’s activities. The end of the book includes a timeline and an author’s notes that discusses Jim’s accomplishments. 

Bruchac’s writing educates readers about the discrimination early Native Americans faced and the unique obstacles that Jim had to overcome. Jim is an inspiration not only because of his accomplishments but also because he used his education and fame to help his people. Jim’s story will encourage readers to overcome obstacles as they follow their own bright path. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

  • If Jim spoke his native language, he “got smacked hard across his knuckles with a wooden ruler.” 
  • Jim’s father “had been shot in a hunting accident and was dying.” Jim made it home to find that his father had recovered. 
  • Jim’s father “had been bitten by a snake while working in the fields and had died of blood poisoning.”

Drugs and Alcohol  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Berry Song

Berry Song by Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade follows an unnamed Tlingit girl and her grandmother as they forage for food in their homelands. Through beautiful and mystical watercolor paintings, the reader follows the girl and her grandmother through the sea and forest where they primarily harvest berries which have cultural importance to the Tlingit people. The font and rhyming words imply that the girl and grandmother are singing to each other. Singing helps show that the Tlingit people are grateful to the land for providing for them.  

The author provides a long note at the end of the story that gives more context to the important role berries play in the lives of the Tlingit: Berries provide necessary sustenance to the people and were given traditionally as medicine and ceremonial gifts. Berries also feature in many folk tales. Thus, the ritual harvesting and extensive use of berries in daily life make them the perfect symbol to teach others about the Tlingit culture. 

The teaching is done mostly through images, as Goade’s colorful watercolor paintings blend reality with the natural world. As the story progresses, the girl’s body becomes more intertwined with nature, such as her arm becoming a tree branch or her hair becoming leaves, showing how she is one with the land. There are one to two sentences per page, which allows the reader to focus on the natural scenes. The plot is straightforward. The language is simple, and the text uses one word from the Tlingit language which is translated as “giving thanks.” The native terms for berries are also given in the illustrations. 

In all, the story emphasizes the reciprocal relationship of respect and dependence that the native people share with their homeland. Phrases such as, “We take care of the land. . . And the land takes care of us,” are passed on from the grandmother to the girl as they collect berries together. This highlights how ancestors play a specific role in teaching future generations about important cultural practices. In the end, the girl, now older, takes the hand of her younger sister and leads her through the woods as her grandmother once did, proclaiming, “I have so much to show you.” The girl is excited to pass down her cultural traditions, while also remembering those that came before her. This simple and heartwarming story teaches the Tlingit values through detailed drawings that emphasize the connection between people and their land.  

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Hot Rod Hamster: Monster Truck Mania!

It’s Fair Day, and Fearless Franco’s famous Monster Truck Mania has come to town. Hot Rod Hamster and his friends are geared up for a roaring, soaring great time, so they set out to find the best ride at the fair. The water boats, spinning teacups, and bumper cars are great, but Hot Rod Hamster can’t seem to find the BEST ride. That is, of course, until Fearless Franco needs a last-minute back-up driver for his monster truck. Can Hot Rod Hamster help him out, and still find the best ride of all? In this rollicking new adventure, Hot Rod Hamster proves once again that being small doesn’t mean you can’t think BIG! 

Hot Rod Hamster and his friends, Dog and three mice, enjoy a day at the county fair. To keep readers engaged, they are asked what rides they would choose. For example, when going on the bumper cars, the text reads, “Sports car, race car, fun in outer space car. Cop car, mail car, make the siren wail car. Which would you choose?” The surprise ending will leave readers dreaming about having the perfect treat.  

One of the best aspects of this picture book is the detailed and humorous illustrations. The three mice are adorably cute and also funny. Readers will love exploring the pictures to find the mice. In one illustration, the mice are riding tea cups while one mouse is drinking tea, one is holding a clipboard, and one is collecting the doggie treats that are flying out of a bulldog’s cup. Each page is full of bright colors, interesting details, and funny situations.   

With one to six sentences per page, Hot Rod Hamster is a quick read. The animal’s dialogue appears in quote bubbles, making it easy to keep track of the speaker. Some of the words appear in large colorful font to highlight each ride’s qualities. All of the fun graphic elements perfectly complement the story’s words. Any child who enjoys going to the fair will love Hot Rod Hamster: Monster Truck Mania! The fun topic, cute animal characters, and interactive text make reading fun. Readers who love trucks should zoom to the library to check out Bulldozer Helps Out by Candace Fleming and Otis and the Puppy by Loren Long. 

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Arlo, The Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep

Arlo is an exhausted lion. Arlo can’t sleep a wink while his family sleeps soundly each night. He tries to sleep beside his family, but they wriggle too much. He tries to sleep beneath a tree, but its leaves and branches make too much noise. Try as he might, Arlo cannot manage a single night’s rest.  

Arlo’s fortune changes when an owl visits him. As a nocturnal animal, the owl is all too familiar with difficult sleeping conditions such as noise and heat. However, the owl sleeps peacefully each day by taking a deep breath and imagining all the places she would like to visit. With the owl’s advice, Arlo finally drifts to sleep. Feeling excited and rejuvenated the next morning, Arlo mistakenly wakes up the owl. After apologizing, Arlo repeats the owl’s advice to her. Soon enough, the owl is sound asleep. 

Arlo, the Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep is a sweet bedtime story perfect for restless readers. Parents who may share Arlo’s dilemma can also benefit from the owl’s advice. Along with its central message of how to get a good night’s sleep, the book teaches the importance of supporting your friends. Just as the owl helped Arlo with his problem, Arlo returned the favor at the end of the story. 

The book is a short and easy read, with only one to four sentences per page. The story is brought to life by Rayner’s beautiful mixed-media illustrations. Characters and backgrounds are drawn with pencil and colored in with various shades of watercolor paint. Each illustration is a double-page spread, emphasizing the environment’s vast, sweeping landscapes and the scale of its towering animals. Rayner also makes an excellent use of color. Arlo’s restless days are drawn in vibrant shades of yellow and orange, conveying the sun’s harsh heat. The peaceful nights are drawn in shades of dark blue and black, evoking a sense of much-needed calm and quiet. 

If you are looking for a gentle bedtime story with a strong central message, Arlo, the Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep is an excellent, beautifully illustrated choice. To help reinforce the importance of sleep, pair Arlo’s story with The Pout-Pout Fish and the Can’t-Sleep Blues by Deborah Diesen. 

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Time for School, Little Blue Truck

Little Blue Truck and his good friend Toad are excited to meet a bright yellow school bus on the road. They see all the animals lined up in the school bus’s many windows, and Blue wishes he could be a school bus too. What a fun job—but it is too big a job for a little pickup like Blue. Or is it? For when somebody misses the bus, it’s up to Blue to get his friend to school on time. Beep! Beep! Vroom! 

When Piggy misses the school bus, Little Blue zooms in to help. Since the bus is so far ahead, Little Blue takes a different path—through a forest full of animals that readers will have fun finding. Little Blue makes it to school at just the right time and when the school bus sees Little Blue Bus, he says, “You’re not big, not yellow, not long and wide, but you had room for a friend inside. You did this job your very own way. We needed a tough little truck today!”  

Get ready to use your animal voices, because Time for School, Little Blue is full of fun words to say! The book is full of animal sounds and other onomatopoeia. It also rhymes, which makes it great to read aloud. Each page has two to four short lines of large text, and each number and onomatopoeia is in a different color font. The illustrations use bright colors and are full of details, showing the wonder of nature with flying bugs, flowers, and animals that appear on almost every page.  

Young readers will love how Little Blue helps his friend get to school. In the end, the yellow bus and Little Blue both get student to school, but they do it in their own unique way. Time for School, Little Blue is a great read to get young readers excited about going to school.   

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The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School

Mr. Fish’s biggest worry was his first day of school. When he arrives, Mr. Fish feels out of place. Every other fish knows exactly where to go. They go to their lockers and classes in a fixed routine.  

Meanwhile, Mr. Fish, a new student, does not know what to do. He wanders into a writing class, but he does not know how to write any letters. He wanders into a math class, but he does not understand long division. At the end of the day, Mr. Fish swims towards the exit, tired of school.  

But Mr. Fish’s mind changes when a teacher, Miss Hewitt, stops him and says that all students begin this way. She says that with her help, Mr. Fish can learn. Miss Hewitt takes Mr. Fish to a classroom of new students who are each just as confused as him. By listening to Miss Hewitt, Mr. Fish begins to understand each subject. Finally, Mr. Fish is enjoying school! 

The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School is a fun and light-hearted picture book that is sure to connect with young readers who are dreading their first day of school. The book teaches readers that although school may seem overwhelming and challenging at first, it can be a rewarding experience if they are patient and attentive.  

The book is an easy read, with only one to six short sentences per page. Diesen uses a unique rhyming scheme to keep readers engaged. Like other Pout-Pout Fish books, this book includes a four-stanza chant (“Trouble One: I’m not smart! Trouble Two: I’ll never get it! Trouble Three: I don’t belong! So four: I should forget it!”) which Mr. Fish repeats throughout the book. At the end, he chants a positive, altered version (“Fact One: You are smart. Fact Two: You can get it. Fact Three: You belong. So Four: Don’t forget it!”). 

The art in The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School is drawn by series regular Dan Hanna and has a beautiful variety of colors. The hallways of the school are decorated with student drawings. Several jokes are hidden in the background too; the best of which is a series of posters with inspirational quotes from such names as “Shark Twain” and “Sharkspeare.” 

If your young reader is nervous for their first day of school, or simply having trouble learning something new, The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School is an entertaining story with a lesson about the importance of patience when facing a new experience. 

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Stacey’s Remarkable Books

Stacey’s favorite day of the week is Thursday because on Thursday the whole class goes to the library and she gets to lose herself in her beloved books.  

But on one of these special days, Stacey discovers a new student named Julie has trouble reading in English. So Stacey and Julie begin sharing books and stories to practice reading. Soon, more students start to join them. The group goes on magical adventures through their books, exploring other worlds and cultures—but best of all, the books bring them together as friends. 

Stacey’s Remarkable Books is beautifully written and shows the power of books. At first, Stacey spends her recess reading books alone. But once Stacey meets Julie, everything changes. Julie has a difficult time reading because she recently moved from Vietnam, so Stacey helps Julie practice reading in English. Stacey and Julie connect through stories. Both girls believe that “Maybe if we read together, we can make our dreams come true.” The girls’ experiences reinforce the idea that friendship can be built by sharing a common interest, such as reading. 

Another student, Haddy, moves from Gambia, and Stacey and Julie quickly bring her into their group. Soon, the book club grows to include several children of different cultures. While the girls connect over books, they also share their unique perspectives: “Each brought their own words and different histories.”  

Stacey’s Remarkable Books highlights the importance of inclusion and respecting each other’s differences. But the lessons don’t end there! Even though Stacey loves to read during recess, her friendship with Julie gives her the ability to try something new. Stacy realizes, “If she tried, she could be out on the playground too. Spinning in circles and running like a cheetah. Laughing and having fun. Like her favorite characters in her favorite books.”  

Stacey’s Remarkable Books is an engaging story that uses full-page illustrations to show Stacey’s love of books. Some of the illustrations also include fun details that bring books to life. For example, when Stacey and Julie are reading a book about an octopus, the octopus is shown playing a violin. Many illustrations show Stacy’s friends, who are a diverse group. Each page has three to seven sentences and many of the sentences are complex.  

Anyone who wants to introduce young readers to the magical world of books should read Stacey’s Remarkable Books to their child. The story is beautifully written and teaches the importance of inclusion and practicing a skill. The back of the book includes a two-page author’s note and a “List of Stacey’s Remarkable Books,” such as Hair Twins by Raakhee Mirchandani, I Am Enough by Grace Byers, and Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’O. 

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Attack of the Underwear Dragon

Cole’s wish comes true when he becomes assistant knight to Sir Percival, his favorite Knight of King Arthur’s Round Table. Cole learns how to ride a horse, swing a sword, cheer for Sir Percival when he goes to battle, and bandage his boo-boos when the battle is over. Cole loves practicing every skill a Knight-in-Training must master, and he is determined to be granted knighthood.

Sir Percival is a great knight in every way, except for one thing: He is terrified that an Underwear Dragon will come and destroy the kingdom. But when the unthinkable happens and Cole is the only knight left standing (and just an assistant knight at that!), Cole must use his newly acquired skills to battle the fearsome dragon and avoid catastrophe. Luckily, an unfortunate underwear mishap changes everything, and Cole triumphs. 

Readers of all ages will love the hilarious story, which shows that even knights “cry at sad plays and bad plays, when they step on something sharp or run into a hard wall.” When Cole goes to work as an assistant knight, he has a lot to learn including, “How to ride a horse, and swing a sword. How to paint Sir Percival doing awesome knight poses.” When Cole finally faces the dragon, “he was scared,” but that doesn’t stop him from fighting the Underwear Dragon. In the end, Cole earns his place at Arthur’s Round Table, which will leave readers cheering. 

Attack of the Underwear Dragon has a fun storyline with many interesting events. The story is perfect to read out loud because many of the words rhyme. For example, “Underwear Dragons can’t read letters . . . jesters’ sweaters. . . billboards. . . signs for Gil’s Swords. . . party invitations. . . poems about crustaceans. . . royal decrees. . . bath oil recipes. . .” Each page has one to four sentences, making the story a quick read. Not only is the text laugh-worthy, but the pictures give the story an extra dose of silliness. For example, when Cole learns to ride a horse, he slides to the horse’s underside and is clearly confused about how to get back in the saddle.  

Readers will fall in love with Cole’s bravery. Despite the difficulties he faces, Cole never complains and keeps getting up even when he’s “knocked down by a knight, knocked over by a princess, and knocked out by a catapult.” Even though the Underwear Dragon is the villain, readers will feel slightly sorry for him and will be eager to see what new trouble the dragon gets into in the next installment of the adventure: Return of the Underwear Dragon. Introduce readers to the joy of reading by pairing the Attack of the Underwear Dragon with Clovis Keeps His Cool by Katelyn Aronson.  

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Violence  

  • While training, Cole gets “knocked down by a knight, knocked over by a princess, and knocked out by a catapult.” He is not injured.  
  • When Sir Percival jousts with another knight, he is injured. The illustration shows the knight in a full body cast with a band-aid on his head. 
  • The Underwear Dragon “destroyed the kingdom.” The dragon sits on top of the castle and the kingdom is shown with broken towers and smoke coming out of them.  
  • Cole fights the dragon, who breathes fire at him. During the battle, Cole jousts, wrestles, and catapults the dragon. The battle is illustrated over five pages. No one is injured. 

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Her Right Foot

If you had to name a statue, any statue, odds are good you’d mention the Statue of Liberty.  

 Have you seen her? She’s in New York. She’s holding a torch. And she’s in mid-stride, moving forward. But why?

In this fascinating and fun take on nonfiction for kids, Dave Eggers and Shawn Harris investigate a seemingly small trait of America’s most emblematic statue. What they find is more than history, more than art. What they find in the Statue of Liberty’s right foot, is a powerful message of acceptance that is essential to an entire country’s creation. 

Her Right Foot is filled with facts about the Statue of Liberty, beginning with why she was made, who made her, what supplies were used, and how she was constructed. As the building process is explained, illustrations show the statue’s scope and scale by including humans in the pictures. For example, one picture shows two exhausted workers sleeping on the statue’s crown. The story educates readers about everything—how many rivets were used, why the statue is green, what every part of the statue represents, etc.  

Although Her Right Foot is written in picture book format, the concepts and vocabulary are suited to older readers who have some type of understanding of the Statue of Liberty. Each page has zero to four complex sentences with advanced vocabulary. The illustrations use bold primary colors and blocky illustrations. The book includes illustrations of diverse people, which reinforces the idea that Americans come from all over the world. While most of the book focuses on the statue, one illustration shows a refugee camp where people are suffering from “oppression.”  

While all of the facts are interesting, the focus on the statue’s right foot gives the story heart. Eggers points out that the Statue of Liberty is “going somewhere! She is on the move.” Her foot is mid-stride because “Liberty and freedom from oppression are not things you get or grant by standing around like some kind of statue. No! These are things that require action. Courage. An unwillingness to rest.”  

When it comes to immigrants, the statue reminds readers about the importance of being like her. “This statue has welcomed millions of visitors and immigrants to the USA. After all, the Statue of Liberty is an immigrant, too. And this is why she’s moving. This is why she’s striding. In welcoming the poor, the tired, the struggling to breathe free. She is not content to wait.” Her Right Foot leaves no doubt about American’s duty to welcome immigrants from all over the world. 

Her Right Foot will appeal to older readers interested in learning more about the Statue of Liberty. However, if you’re looking for a picture book that will appeal more to young children as well as teach about the importance of inclusion, All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold would be a better choice. Readers looking to reinforce concepts found in Her Right Foot, including the difficulties that immigrants face, should also add A Thousand White Butterflies by Jessica Betancourt-Perez & Karen Lynn Williams and Mango Moon by Diane De Anda & Sue Cornelison to their reading list.  

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My Football Family

Football runs in this family’s blood. Whether it’s the baby’s first steps, bicycle rides, recreational football games, or marriage, football plays a significant role in this family’s identity and journey through life. But as the family grows and changes, will football continue to be a presence in their life? Or will their love for football slowly fade away? 

My Football Family tells a story about a family’s exciting love for football. The sport encompasses all aspects of their life, and their excitement for the game strengthens their love for each other. Told from the perspective of an outside narrator, the book follows a family’s life as their son grows up in a household where football is a vital part of their family’s love, fun, and memories. Although the story doesn’t identify any specific main characters, its plot centers around the family’s child as he grows up and readers will find its depictions of the different seasons of life relatable and genuine.  

From the start, the book displays a positive outlook toward sports, family, and memory. The activities and stages of life are very authentic and relatable. Plus, the story’s main lesson encourages readers to love and support one’s family. Although the plot and character development are thin, the story excels in connecting with its audience, and it recognizes that “while seasons have their ups and downs . . . we’ll forever love our superstar, our favorite player—YOU.” This genuine and heartfelt message will challenge readers to reflect on what love looks like in their own families. 

My Football Family highlights the family’s progression through life with colorful, full-page illustrations that enhance the plot and deepen its message about loving and supporting one’s family. Each page features one to two sentences accompanied by bright pictures and the text is straightforward—perfect for beginner readers. Although the story’s plot is weak and might leave older readers bored, its message on family remains its focal point. Overall, My Football Family is an enjoyable, heartfelt tale about family and football that will leave readers smiling with joy. 

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Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle

Sylvia Earle was a biologist and botanist long before she knew what those words meant. As a child, she spent hours observing plant and animal life on her family’s farm. But it was when they moved to Florida and Sylvia discovered the Gulf of Mexico, that she lost her heart to the ocean. Her early investigations inspired her along the path to becoming a prominent and compelling advocate for the ocean.  

Sylvia dives deep and reveals the wonders of an underwater world of whales, angelfish, coral reefs, and tiny creatures that glow in the darkest depths of the sea. Whether she’s designing submersibles for exploration, living underwater for two weeks, or taking deepwater walks, Sylvia Earle has dedicated her life to learning about – and urgently calling on all of us to protect – what she calls “the blue heart of the planet.”  

The illustrations are one of the best aspects of Life in the Ocean. Many of the pictures are brimming with life. For example, in one picture Sylvia is sitting by a pond with a host of different plants, bugs, and animals. Readers will have fun trying to find all the animals and insects. Several pictures show Sylvia swimming with humpback whales, which allows readers to understand the size and majesty of whales. Both the text and the illustrations highlight Sylvia’s love of the ocean. 

The book ends with a two-page “Author’s Note” bordered by fish that are labeled by name. The “Author’s Note” explains the ocean’s importance and includes information about how humans are harming the plants and animals in the ocean.  

Even though Life in the Ocean is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read it for the first time independently. While young readers will love exploring the book’s rich illustrations, they may have a difficult time sitting through an entire reading of the book, as each page has six or more complex sentences and some advanced vocabulary. However, any child who loves the ocean can gain insight from Sylvia’s story. 

Adults who want to introduce readers to the splendor of the ocean should read Life in the Ocean to their children. This picture book will inspire readers to learn more about the ocean and hopefully, cause them to do more to protect the ocean. If you’d like to introduce a reader to more scientists, pick up Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating. 

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Giant Squid

The giant squid is one of the most elusive creatures in the world. As large as whales, they hide deep within the sea, forcing scientists to piece together their story from the clues they leave behind.

An injured whale’s ring-shaped scars may indicate an encounter with a giant squid. A piece of beak broken off in the whale’s belly; a flash of ink dispersed as a blinding defense to allow the squid to escape— these fragments of proof were all we had . . . until a giant squid was finally filmed in its natural habitat only two years ago. 

The mystery of the giant squid hasn’t completely been unraveled. However, Candance Fleming brings squids facts to life using beautiful imagery. Because the giant squid is so elusive, some answers cannot be answered. This is why the book uses many questions such as, “Who are the giants of the dark seas? How do they hunt? How do they eat? How do they breed? It’s a mystery.” The questions will engage readers and leave them wondering about the mystery of the squid. 

Each illustration focuses on part of the squid, which helps the reader imagine the squid’s large size. By using dark blues and black for the pictures, the illustrator not only gives the reader a glimpse of the squid’s natural habitat but also shows why the squids are so mysterious—they can quickly escape into the dark depths of the ocean. Each two-page spread has one to eight sentences. Even though Giant Squid is a picture book, it will need to be read to a child because of some of the difficult vocabulary such as barracuda, murky, impress, and pinpoints.

Giant Squid received the Robert F. Sibert Book Award which is given to “distinguished informational books.” Fleming’s non-fiction book gives interesting facts about the squid using imagery and alliteration that will capture the reader’s attention. The middle of the book has two foldout pages showing the giant squid’s huge size, and the back of the book includes more information about “The Mysterious Giant Squid.” Anyone who wonders about the creatures that live in the ocean should read Giant Squid because it’s educational while still highlighting the creature’s mystery. To learn more about the giant squid, read Tentacles! Tales of the Giant Squid by Shirley Ray Redmond. For an imaginative look at another sea creature, the octopus, read Octopus Stew by Eric Belasquez.  

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

  • Several pages are devoted to a giant squid eating. “The tentacles seize their prey. . .They launch on with powerful sucker-studded clubs. Row after row of suckers. Suckers ringed with saw-like teeth that rip into skin and hold on tight.” The illustration shows a fish caught in the tentacles, but there is no blood.  
  • The squid’s “bone-hard” and “parrot-like” beak helps break up food. “And inside the mouth? A terrifying tongue-like ribbon of muscle covered with sharp, tiny blades that slice. . . grind. . . file the food into a pasty sludge easy for the giant squid to digest.” The illustration only shows a squid’s beak, not what it is eating. 

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