Reading Level: Early Elementary

Cork & Fuzz: Spring Cleaning

Spring has arrived, and for Cork the muskrat, that means one thing: cleaning! Cork and Fuzz: Spring Cleaning tells the story of two best friends with very different attitudes towards tidiness. While Cork is eager to organize and prepare for the new season, Fuzz the possum would rather stay in his nook and nap. Through their disagreement, young readers learn about compromise, communication, and the value of friendship.  

Written in third person, readers get to see both characters’ perspectives as they work to clean Cork’s yard. Cork is organized and motivated, immediately laying out a plan to pick up twigs and branches in his yard. In contrast, Fuzz is easily distracted, finding more joy in searching for stones and taking restful breaks. Their opposing personalities create tension, especially when Cork becomes frustrated and begins ordering Fuzz around. When Fuzz responds, “You are not the boss of me,” readers see how quickly small disagreements can grow into hurt feelings. This conflict helps children recognize the importance of expressing emotions and listening to others.   

As the story progresses, both characters reflect on their behavior. Cork realizes that he was being too bossy. He brings Fuzz a bag of potato chips as a peace offering and says, “I apologize for being bossy.” Fuzz accepts this apology, and the two friends share the snack together in Fuzz’s den, made from the very twigs Cork wants to clean up. This resolution reinforces themes of accountability and forgiveness, showing young readers how friendships can grow stronger after honest conversations.  

Cork and Fuzz: Spring Cleaning is designed for emerging readers. An introductory page addressed to parents and educators explains that the story supports children who are beginning to read multisyllable and compound words. It also helps young readers identify important story elements such as setting, characters, problems, and solutions. Divided into four short chapters, each page contains simple sentences that range from three to fourteen lines, making the book accessible to children transitioning from picture books to early chapter books.   

Colorful illustrations appear on every page, bringing Cork and Fuzz’s woodland environment to life. Readers can see Cork carefully raking leaves with a stick-made tool while Fuzz yawns and sleeps in his twig den. These visuals support readers’ comprehension and convey the characters’ emotions, helping young readers connect with the story.   

Cork and Fuzz: Spring Cleaning is a charming and engaging read for early readers. Through relatable characters and lessons about cooperation, the story encourages children to communicate openly, take responsibility for their actions, and value their friendships. 

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by Madeline Hettrick 

Makeda Makes a Birthday Treat

It’s Makeda’s birthday! To celebrate, she is excited to make her marvelous coconut drops to share with the class. But everyone else brings cupcakes for their birthdays. Will her classmates like her special treat? 

Makeda decides to bring coconut drops to school because she wants “to share things I love. Coconut drops and back home stories.” She is excited to share her special treats, but her classmates aren’t eager to try them. One person “made a rude face” and another asked, “Did you make a mistake?” Makeda explains her tradition: “I make them with Nana and my momma. We drop the drops, we dance, we sing. And Nana tells back home stories.” Soon, her classmates try the treats and begin sharing stories about their own family traditions. 

Makeda Makes a Birthday Treat is part of the Step into Reading Level Two series, which targets readers in preschool through first grade. Each page features one to eight sentences in large font, making it accessible for early readers. The book uses basic vocabulary and familiar words with a simple plot. Many pages include full-page illustrations of Makeda and her family, who are African American. The illustrations of her classmates show a diverse group of students, including one in a wheelchair. The artwork uses bright colors and focuses on the characters’ facial expressions to help readers understand their emotions. 

Readers will relate to Makeda, who is anxious about bringing coconut drops instead of cupcakes. Despite her nervousness, Makeda shares her special treats and stories with the class. Other students then share their own special treats such as halo-halo, moi moi, and stollen. The story gives adults the perfect opportunity to discuss different cultures and the importance of trying new things. Through Makeda’s brave act of sharing, young readers learn that celebrating our unique traditions can inspire others to embrace and share theirs. Encourage young readers to share their traditions through storytelling by introducing them to these books: Jingle Dancer, The Storyteller, and Octopus Stew. 

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Scout’s Rainy Day

Scout the Goat has been counting down to the County Fair for what feels like forever, looking forward to the rides, the treats, and the laughter with friends. But when a thunderstorm sweeps in and ruins the big day, Scout is sure all the fun is over. In Scout’s Rainy Day, Scout learns that even the cloudiest moments can bring the brightest surprises. With imagination, teamwork, and a little help from his farmyard friends, he discovers that sometimes the best adventures happen when things don’t go as planned. 

Scout’s Rainy Day is broken into two sections, with the first section focusing on the farm animals talking about what they enjoy about the county fair. All of the animals share what people do at the fair, such as going on rides, playing games, and eating “sweet treats.” There is even one cute illustration of Scout imagining himself riding a Ferris wheel while eating cotton candy.  

The second part focuses on what happens after a storm ruins the animals’ plans and Farmer Ray puts them into the barn. At first, “Scout’s face scrunched as a grumpy feeling rumbled in his belly. He shook off the rain, stomped his hooves hard, and huffed, ‘This is not fair!’” Afterward, Scout kicks an apple barrel before lying down with tears in his eyes. However, Scout isn’t sad for long. His friends come up with fun games to play in the barn, such as bobbing for apples and knocking over milk pails. In the end, Scout exclaimed, “This turned into the BEST rainy day ever!”  

Scout’s Rainy Day has cute illustrations that feature pigs, a horse, a highland cow, and other farm animals. Scout’s big blue eyes express his emotions, and most readers will be able to identify Scout’s feelings of excitement, sadness, and joy. Even though Scout’s Rainy Day is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read it independently for the first time. The story uses complex sentences and advanced vocabulary. However, the story’s dialogue and use of onomatopoeia make it fun to read aloud.   

The story features a fun protagonist, a relatable conflict, and a simple plot that will engage young readers. When Scout’s plans are ruined, he is at first understandably upset, but with a little imagination and a positive attitude, his day turns into a fun adventure. Anyone who wants a fun book to share with a little one will find Scout a fun protagonist to spend time with.  

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Cooler Than Lemonade: A Story about Great Ideas and How They Happen

One scorching summer day, Eva comes up with a great idea: a lemonade stand! But when she sees that Jake across the street has his own stand and he’s giving away free cookies, Eva knows she needs another idea to keep people lining up. Eureka—new flavors. 

Except Jake has ideas too. Bigger and better ones, and more customers! Soon Eva is out of ideas, and she thinks, out of business. But when she takes a moment to be creative again and makes a batch of delicious kulfi ice cream, she discovers fresh inspiration—and a new way to succeed. 

Eva is an inspiring main character who is always willing to “fix problems, to try new solutions, and to make new things.” The story shows how Eva often “stews” about an idea before putting her thoughts into action. However, her solutions require trial and error. For example, when Eva wants to add strawberries to lemonade, she “experiments, she tests, and she adjusts” based on her friends’ and family’s input. The story shows Eva’s thought process, which culminates in a new idea that snaps, sizzles, and spouts. Young readers will be inspired by Eva’s can-do attitude, which allows her to meet each new challenge.  

Eva’s story comes to life in bright colors, cute illustrations, and fun fonts. Keywords are printed in oversized font, making them jump off the page. Young readers will love examining the full-page illustrations because of the unique elements. For example, one illustration shows Eva watching in shock as her competitor, wearing a crown and holding a cookie, is carried on a surfboard. In another illustration, a boy dressed as a lemon holds a megaphone and a “free cookies!” sign. The illustrations add humor to the conflict. Many of the illustrations depict Eva’s little brother, reinforcing the idea that Eva is a good role model.  

Even though Cooler Than Lemonade 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. Each page has one to nine short sentences. However, younger readers may need help understanding some of the words. The end pages also include a brief description of kulfi and a kid-friendly kulfi recipe. 

Cooler Than Lemonade is a fun story that will leave readers feeling empowered to come up with their own ideas. The engaging story has a positive protagonist who demonstrates how to solve problems, adapt, and maintain a growth mindset. The story’s conclusion is perfect not only because it shows Eva’s cultural pride but also because it reveals her willingness to become her neighbor’s business partner rather than his competitor.  

The story’s positive message, determined protagonist, and emphasis on STEM thinking—particularly Eva’s habit of experimenting, testing, and adjusting her ideas—make Cooler Than Lemonade a must-read book. For more encouraging stories that focus on STEM education, read Charlotte the Scientist Is Squished, Cece Loves Science and Adventure, and Ada Twist, Scientist.  

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Cloth Lullaby: The Woven Life of Louise Bourgeois

Imagine growing up in a grand Parisian home that also functions as a tapestry repair workshop along the banks of the Seine River in the 1940s. Cloth Lullaby follows Louise as her life gradually unfolds, offering insight into how a world-renowned artist takes shape. Through quiet, observant moments, readers watch a young girl grow up and eventually leave her childhood home to attend college in Paris. 

The story of Louise Bourgeois demonstrates a rare level of sophistication for a children’s book through its use of literary devices such as allegory, along with the selective inclusion of a few French terms. At its core, the narrative honors the bond between mother and child, showing how loss reshapes a life and leads to a creative path of expression. 

A central thread in the story is Louise’s mother. Readers can picture her repairing fabric on a summer afternoon and sense the care she brings to Louise’s life. As the text notes, “She loved to work in the warm sun, her needle rising and falling beside the lilting river.” When Louise turns twelve, her mother begins teaching her the family trade. Through lessons in form and color, readers glimpse the start of Louise’s lifelong artistic path and her understanding that textiles can communicate meaning: “Some bore elaborate patterns, others told stories.” 

Cloth Lullaby unfolds with a steady, flowing narrative structure, yet attentive readers begin to notice underlying discontent. Louise’s father is largely absent from her life. When the text notes that “he was always leaving, which made Louise so mad, she threw herself into the river,” the phrasing is striking and unsettling. Within the context of a picture book, this moment reads as hyperbole, yet it signals deeper emotional unrest. 

Difficult themes such as neglect and loss are handled gently, though adult readers may notice subtle cracks in what appears to be an ideal childhood. For young readers, the story returns to comforting moments, such as Louise pitching a tent with her siblings and falling asleep to “the rhythmic rock and murmur of river water.” The “big house on the river” serves not only as a home but also as a source of creativity and sustenance, as the tapestry studio, surrounded by gardens, “provided flowers and fruit, a lullaby and a livelihood.” 

“Louise’s mother was her best friend.” This single line foreshadows the devastation Louise experiences after her mother’s death. While studying mathematics in college, grief redirects her path. Heartbroken, “she abandoned mathematics and turned to painting, applying the lessons she’d learned so far to art.” In this moment, the artistic life of Louise Bourgeois begins to take shape, leading eventually to her monumental, emotionally charged sculptures. 

Through allegory, the spider becomes a symbolic stand-in for Louise’s mother and a lasting source of inspiration. As the text explains, “Her mother was not unlike a spider, a repairer of broken things.” Bourgeois’s best-known works, her towering spider sculptures, some reaching thirty feet tall, can appear frightening at first glance but become deeply meaningful when viewed through this lens. As the text describes, “she missed her mother so much she sculpted giant spiders made of bronze, steel, and marble.” She named them Maman, meaning mother. 

Alongside these monumental works, Louise also created smaller-scale art. “She sewed. She stitched. She reworked. She wove.” She stuffed stockings to form cloth sculptures and figures, sewed colorful spirals and circular webs, and made cloth drawings and books, continuing the tactile traditions she learned at her mother’s side. 

As the story unfolds over time, select French words appear, such as araignée (spider) and rentrayage (to reweave through a hole in fabric). The text also introduces weaving terms of the trade, including warp and weft, with the warp referring to the fixed vertical strands on a loom and the weft to the horizontal threads that interlace with them. These specialized terms are made accessible through clear context and accompanying illustrations that visually reinforce their meaning.  

In conclusion, Cloth Lullaby is best experienced like a work of art, inviting readers to engage with its abstract, symbolic, and interpretive qualities rather than a strictly linear narrative. The last three pages of the Author’s notes add valuable context to Louise Bourgeois’s life, describing the recognition she began to receive. Her career culminated in a retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art at age seventy-one. Bourgeois remains one of the most renowned modern artists of her generation, and Cloth Lullaby offers young readers a meaningful introduction to art as a way of understanding personal history, loss, and creativity. 

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by Maureen Lowe 

Can I Give You a Squish?

Kai is a little mer-boy who’s big on hugs—or “squishes,” as he and his mama call them. But not everyone’s a fan of Kai’s spirited embrace, which he discovers soon after squishing a puffer fish, who swells up in fright! Kai feels awful; but with the help of his friends, he figures out another way to show his affection, and everyone demonstrates their preferred ways of being greeted. Because, as Kai realizes, “Every fish likes their own kind of squish.” 

Can I Give You a Squish? is a sweet story that helps young readers understand that not everyone feels comfortable getting a hug. When Kai learns this lesson, he feels really sad, but with the help of his friends, Kai discovers that there are other ways to show affection, including fist bumps, tail claps, tentacle shakes, and even a claw pinch. The short, simple story teaches readers the importance of respecting other people’s boundaries. 

One of the best parts of the book is the illustrations, which are beautiful and full of humor. Almost every page features Kai’s friends: an octopus, a dolphin, and a crab. The sea creatures’ facial expressions do an amazing job of showing emotions. For example, when Kai hugs the puffer fish, the octopus is grabbing hold of kelp, his eyebrows are lowered in a look of concern, and he is partly covering his eyes. Readers will love looking at all of the small details in the pictures, such as the snails floating in bubbles, the sea urchins hiding among the coral, and the colorful fish throughout. 

Can I Give You a Squish? will quickly become a favorite story thanks to its positive message and cute illustrations. Plus, with only a few short sentences on each page, it’s the perfect length for a bedtime story. While the story’s message is intended for younger children, it is engaging enough to entertain elementary-age readers. Explore more ocean-themed books that teach positive lessons by reading Pout-Pout Fish Adventure Series, Clark the Shark, and The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark. 

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Pocket Bear

Thimble-born from tip to toe, Pocket Bear remembers every moment of his becoming: the glimmering needle, the silken thread, the tender hands as each careful stitch brought him closer to himself. Born during the throes of WWI, he was designed to fit into the pocket of a soldier’s jacket, eyes sewn a bit higher than normal so that he always gazed upward. That way, glancing at his pocket, a soldier would see an endearing token of love from someone back home, and, hopefully, a good luck charm.

Now, over a century later, Pocket serves as unofficial mayor of Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured, where stuffed toy animals are refurbished and given a fresh opportunity to be loved. He and his best feline friend Zephyrina, known far and wide as “The Cat Burglar,” have seen it all, and then some. 

Told from Zephyrina’s point of view, Pocket Bear tells readers a sweet, gentle story about the hardship of war and the importance of bravery. When she was a kitten, Zephyrina didn’t have a home or a family to help care for her. This makes her slightly cynical and standoffish toward her human family, Elizaveta and Dasha. However, Zephyrina is completely loyal to her best friend, Pocket. Throughout the book, the cat looks to Pocket for guidance, who wisely says, “Sometimes, the most precious things in life are right under our noses.” With the bear’s help, Zephyrina transforms from a lonely, self-serving cat into a strong, capable leader and a loving pet who comforts Dasha. 

The beginning of the story focuses on Zephyrina, Pocket, and the other stuffed animals living in the Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured. At first, readers may assume that these stuffed animals are just a random collection brought together by chance. This could not be further from the truth. Elizaveta, Dasha, Pocket, and another stuffed animal named Berwon have all been impacted by war. In a twist of irony, Pocket’s soldier served in the “war to end all wars,” World War I. In the story’s conclusion, Pocket reveals that his soldier had died in the war. 

Dasha’s story unfolds slowly, ultimately revealing that she and her mother, Elizaveta, left Ukraine after a bomb injured Dasha and her father died. Dasha’s story unfolds through Zephyrina’s eyes, which softens the effects of the war. Additionally, Dasha doesn’t like to talk about the war because, “Unless you’ve been through it yourself, you can’t really understand.” In the end, the book doesn’t describe what happened during the war; it focuses on the war’s aftereffects, allowing readers to understand that war doesn’t just affect soldiers—it also affects innocent children like Dasha. 

Pocket Bear conveys an important theme: Bravery comes in many forms. For instance, Dasha considers Pocket a hero because, “He has been through a lot. But he is still kind.” However, Pocket is not the only hero. Zephyrina shows courage when she saves Berwon from being auctioned off. Additionally, the bears and Zephyrina show the importance of loyalty, kindness, and friendship. One of the most heartwarming parts of the story is when the cat helps Pocket stay with Berwon, even though Zephyrina must say goodbye to Pocket forever. 

Black-and-white illustrations are scattered throughout the book. These drawings help readers understand not only what the stuffed animals look like, but also Pocket’s tiny size compared to them. Readers will adore the illustrations, but the beginning of the story drags, and younger readers may struggle with the difficult vocabulary, such as disemboweled, tenant, arctophiles, and decipher. Many of the words cannot be easily deciphered from context clues; however, some are explained in the text. For example, when Zephyrina reflects on Dasha, she thinks, “People say cats are inscrutable. But I’ve learned some people are equally hard to read.” 

In the author’s note, Applegate discusses the importance of recycling stuffed animals and other toys. “About 80% of stuffed animals and other toys worldwide are eventually thrown away, making up 6 percent of plastics in landfills across the globe.” Applegate also lists organizations that would provide a home for “gently-loved” stuffed toys. After reading the unforgettable story, readers will gain a new perspective on toys and those who have suffered the effects of war. The book will also empower readers: even if you feel like a “small speck,” with others’ help, you can make a difference in someone’s life, and that is heroic. If you know a child who has been affected by war, reading The Day War Came and Survival Tails: World War II may help them process their emotions. 

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Violence  

  • When Zephyrina finds a stuffed bear, she carries it home by using her teeth. On the way home, a dog named Goofus gives chase. “Goofus loped over, all spittle and stink. Goofus and Zephyrina play tug-of-war with the bear. Zephyrina was not in the mood for a game of tug-of-war, particularly with a dog who enjoyed eating his own poop.” The bear isn’t hurt because “everyone knows toys can’t feel pain.” 
  • To get Goofus to leave, Zephyrina “slashed him across the nose with a claw. . . It wasn’t a dramatic swipe. . . But it was enough to get my message across.” Goofus leaves. 
  • When a family takes in Zephyrina, she’s thankful. “To show my gratitude, I brought them deliveries of mice and rats, grasshoppers and salamanders, baby birds and newborn opossums. Still alive, ideally with just enough squirm to keep them interesting.” 
  • Zephyrina thinks about the stuffed toys she’s found. “Most of the stuffed toys I’d known had been through a lot of . . . stuff. . . They’d been slobbered on and tossed aside and buried in toy boxes. They’d had their eyes yanked out and their tails chewed off and their stuffing spread around the family room like little snowballs. They’d been left alone in playgrounds while squirrels chittered at them and raccoons gnawed on them and dogs peed on them.” 
  • Zephyrina lives in a house with a child named Dasha. Pocket tells the story of her injury. “Dasha’s leg had been badly injured when a bomb hit her house.”

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  • Heck is used twice. 
  • When reflecting on Pocket, Zephyrina thinks, “He was my teacher. My coach. The guy who (gently) reminded me when I was being a jerk.” 

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A Kite for Moon

What would it be like if the moon was your friend? Find out as you walk alongside a little boy who journeys through life to achieve his dream of becoming an astronaut. And then blast off with your little one as you zoom to the moon together! 

A Kite for Moon begins when a little boy flying his kite notices a sad Moon. He sends up kites to her, writing notes promising he will come see her someday. This promise propels him through years of studying, learning, and training to become an astronaut until he finally goes up, up, up in a big rocket ship with a fiery tail. 

Inspired by astronaut Neil Armstrong, A Kite for Moon follows an unnamed boy’s friendship with the moon. Through the years, the moon watches the “very small boy” study algebra and geometry. The boy also learns how to “ride a bicycle, drive a car, fly a plane, and a rocket.” As the boy grows, he never forgets his promise to the moon. Several illustrations show him surrounded by books and his telescope, reminding readers that achieving dreams takes dedication and hard work. 

Illustrator Matt Phelan created beautiful illustrations that often cover an entire two-page spread. The simple illustrations show the vastness of the sea and sky, hinting at the seeming impossibility of the boy’s dream to visit the moon. Reflecting the ocean and moon’s blue hues, the muted colors give the book a dream-like quality that will captivate readers. Although it’s a picture book, adults will need to read it to young children because of its complex sentences and vocabulary. For example, as the moon watches the boy grow, it “waxed and waned.” 

A Kite for Moon is an inspiring book to read to a child, inviting readers to imagine their own dreams taking flight. The story also makes a wonderful gift for anyone transitioning through life, reminding them that dedication can lead to extraordinary achievements. The book includes a beautiful presentation page, making it ideal for gift-giving. Young readers who are fascinated by the moon should also read Mousetronaut, Rocket Says Look Up, and Moon’s First Friends: One Giant Leap for Friendship. 

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Historic Williamsburg: A Revolutionary City

In the 1770s, before the United States was a nation, most people lived on farms. But Williamsburg in Virginia Colony was a busy town with wide streets, grand public buildings, bustling shops, and a large market square―and 2,000 people! Discover how Williamsburg today offers a fascinating glimpse into America’s past. 

Historic Williamsburg focuses on the steps taken to preserve Williamsburg as a living history museum. This was not an easy process, as many of the buildings had to be restored, while others had to be rebuilt to resemble the originals. One reason Williamsburg is so significant is that many notable individuals spent time there, including James Madison, George Washington, and James Monroe. “Many of the ideas of democracy were first formed by our nation’s leaders in Williamsburg. It was here that the revolutionary Patrick Henry protested against unfair taxes imposed by England. Thomas Jefferson studied and practiced law in Williamsburg, and it was here that Jefferson formed his ideas of liberty and freedom that were reflected in his Declaration of Independence.”  

Unfortunately, most of Williamsburg’s stories were “about rich white men who made history. Visitors did not hear much about women or Native Americans.” The stories did not mention servants, the poor, or slavery. However, today, the museum has reconstructed slave cabins and has included women, slaves, and free black men in their story. 

The book’s design effectively supports its content through thoughtful graphic elements that break the text into digestible sections. Large red titles announce each new chapter, while red-shaded fact boxes provide additional context. Black-and-white historical photographs, as well as color photographs of the buildings, are included. Additionally, pictures of reenactments depict colonial soldiers carrying rifles. The book enables readers to step back into the 1700s and gain a fresh appreciation for history. 

Historic Williamsburg will appeal to readers interested in history and help them understand the significance of this colonial capital. “Historic Williamsburg can also help us understand how our own lives are connected to the lives of those who lived in the past. . . We may live in a very different world and have very different customs. But deep down, we face the same fears and joys as people did more than two hundred years ago. These common themes help us understand what it means to be an American, no matter what the date is.” 

Readers can explore more true stories about the 1700s by reading George Washington’s Spies and Anna Strong and the Revolutionary War Culper Spy Ring. Readers who want to jump back in history by reading a fiction book should read George Washington’s Socks, Night of Soldiers and Spies, and Rebecca Rides for Freedom.  

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  • The church played a vital role in the lives of those who lived in Williamsburg. “The church and the government ruled the colony together. Taxes were paid to the church. Each Sunday, everyone was required to attend church.” 

I Am George Washington

George Washington is known as the first president of the United States, but he had to overcome many challenges to reach that position. His father died while he was very young, and his cold and distant mother raised him. As a teenager, he finally moved in with his older half-brother, Lawrence. What followed was an idyllic upper-class childhood at Mount Vernon, a tobacco farm, where George lived with Lawrence and his wife. George faced his challenges—working hard on the farm and struggling in school—but the real trouble didn’t start until Lawrence died of illness. After losing his half-brother, George enlisted in the army. 

During George’s time in the army, he experienced his greatest failures as he led his men into defeat after defeat. Though a natural leader, George didn’t believe in himself. He lost many battles during the French and Indian War, which deepened his self-doubt. Haunted by the violence and tragedy of the war they had just won, he took time off to marry and live at Mount Vernon with his new wife and her children. However, when England began taxing the colonies unfairly, George was once again called into action—first in the First and Second Continental Congresses, then as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.  

During the Revolutionary War, George ultimately led the army to victory, but along the way, he suffered numerous defeats and lost many men. George was respected because he had led the Continental Army, was a virtuous man, and was eternally loyal to his country. After the war ended and the United States declared independence, George was named the first president. Even while serving as president, he questioned whether he was the right man for the job and had to be persuaded to accept a second term. 

George served as president for eight years and died shortly after stepping down. Now he is remembered for leading the country in the right direction. Washington helped unite the young country and did his best to prevent division. He was an instrumental part of setting up the government so no one man could have all the power, and so the people always had a voice. He persevered through challenges and failures, never letting them stop him from doing what he believed was right. He was a good leader because he cared about the people. Readers will learn that making sacrifices is necessary for leaders and that doing the right thing is always worth it, even when you don’t believe in yourself. 

This biography is divided into five short chapters with black-and-white illustrations on almost every page. Highlighted vocabulary words are defined in a glossary at the back. Other features include twenty fun facts, a timeline, a map, and illustrations of the important people in George’s story. There is also a section on places to visit and references to how he laid the groundwork for our current government. Through clear writing, engaging illustrations, and supplemental information, young readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of George Washington—not just as a founding father, but as a flawed human being who grew through adversity and whose legacy of principled leadership continues to shape our nation today. Readers who want to learn more about George Washington and the Revolutionary War should also read George Washington’s Spies, Night of Soldiers and Spies, and George Washington’s Socks. 

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Violence  

  • Many men died in battle during the French and Indian War. “A hundred soldiers on the side of the British died. Washington had no choice but to agree to a humiliating surrender.” 
  • Later in the French and Indian War, British troops were ambushed by the French and Indian troops. “More than nine hundred men were killed. . . George was unharmed even though his coat was shot four times, his hat was shot once. . . and two horses were killed while he was riding.” This battle cemented George as a war hero, even though he lost. The British later won the war.  
  • George Washington owned slaves, and the book describes slavery: “They were treated like property, no better than horses or plows, and sometimes even worse. Slaves were beaten and humiliated to a point where they were afraid to rebel.” 
  • During the Revolutionary War, many men died. In the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, “two hundred and fifty-nine soldiers died trying to defend New York.” Many other men died from starvation, illness, or the cold. “Many of their frostbitten feet had to be amputated.” 

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Supernatural  

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

by Abigail Clark 

If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving

What if you lived when the English colonists and the Wampanoag people shared a feast at Plimoth? What would you have worn? What would you have eaten? What was the true story of the feast that we now know as the first Thanksgiving, and how did it become a national holiday? 

Chris Newell answers all these questions and more in this comprehensive dive into the feast at Plimoth and the history leading up to it. Carefully crafted to explore both sides of this historical event, this book is a great choice for Thanksgiving units and for teaching children about this popular holiday. 

Unlike many books about the Mayflower landing, If You Had Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving focuses on how Europeans affected the Native peoples, especially the Wampanoag, who had lived in the area for thousands of years. The book discusses the cultural differences between the Europeans and the Wampanoag tribe. For example, the Native tribes did not view land as personal property, nor did they believe it should be changed. Instead, “All Wampanoag people worked for the good of their village, and the welfare of the village depended on preserving nature’s systems. By following the natural cycles of life in everything around them, the Wampanoag and other tribes adapted and thrived for thousands of years before the arrival of European ships.” 

As the colonists expanded, Native communities were forced “to give up land and traditional spiritual ways; they were enslaved and indentured with the intention of forcing them to become like the English settlers.” For Native people, the English colony caused devastating consequences. This is one reason some states have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. For some Native people, Thanksgiving Day is a reminder “of the disease, slavery and war their ancestors endured. . . Many of these tribes have a day of prayer or mourning rather than a feast around that time of year.” 

The book also discusses how Thanksgiving celebrations have been held throughout the world for thousands of years. While many are taught that Thanksgiving began the first year the Mayflower landed, this is not true. Many may be surprised that it wasn’t until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday as “a way to ‘heal the wounds of the nation’ as a result of the Civil War.” 

If You Had Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving‘s format will appeal to children. Each chapter begins with a colored question, such as, “What did life for Wampanoag people look like when the Mayflower arrived?” Most pages feature large, full-color illustrations, allowing readers to see the landscape, settlements, and period dress. Words from the glossary appear in bold font, and some pages include colored boxes titled “Did You Know” that provide additional information. While the book’s format will draw readers in, children may need help understanding its complex sentences and vocabulary. 

Both children and adults interested in American history will find the book full of facts that prompt readers to examine the holiday’s origins and consider Native peoples’ perspectives. By presenting an honest account of how European colonization impacted Indigenous communities, this book offers an important resource for understanding why recognition of Native voices and experiences matters today. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Six years before the Mayflower landed, a “ship had kidnapped twenty people to be sold into the Native Slave trade.” When the Mayflower landed, “several Nauset men ran out and began shooting arrows at them, thinking they were one more ship coming to steal hostages.” 
  • English captain Thomas Hunt tricked twenty Wampanoag into boarding his ship. The captain “kidnapped them, along with seven Nauset people, and took them to Spain to sell as enslaved people.” 
  • The Wampanoag people would kill deer. “They skinned it clean with sharpened bone scrapers made from large animal leg bones.” The hide was used to make many things, including clothes.  
  • The first war between the Europeans and Native peoples was the Pequot War in 1636. “The war was brutal and weakened the strength of their people to such a degree that they were no longer an obstacle to English expansion in their territory.” There is a one-page illustration of the fighting. The illustration shows houses burning, with Natives and Europeans fighting. One man has been shot in the heart by an arrow, and a Native has been shot with a rifle. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • The English called the natives “savages” or “Indians,” which are “inaccurate and dehumanizing” words.  

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • A group of English citizens moved to Holland “to practice Christianity freely as they chose. These people were known as religious separatists because of their wish to separate themselves from the large, established, organized churches of the time.”  
  • The separatists “referred to themselves as Saints.” The leader of the group that went to America wrote, “They knew they were pilgrims, and looked not much on those things, but lift[ed] up their eyes to the heavens, their dearest country; and quieted their spirit.” 
  • “Many cultures celebrated days of thanksgiving as part of their religion. They brought this tradition with them from England. The English colonists viewed their relationship with God as a sacred agreement. A day of thanksgiving was a way of honoring that sacred agreement.” 
  • The Wampanoag and other tribes celebrated days of thanksgiving throughout the year. “Offering thanks through ceremony, prayer, or sharing food acknowledges the gifts of the natural world that give people life.” 

Rescue on the Oregon Trail

Meet Ranger! He’s a time-traveling golden retriever who has a nose for trouble. . . and he always saves the day! 

Ranger has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog, but he can’t officially pass the test because he’s always getting distracted by squirrels during exercises. One day, he finds a mysterious first aid kit in the garden and is transported to the year 1850, where he meets a young boy named Sam Abbott. Sam’s family is migrating west on the Oregon Trail and, soon after Ranger arrives, he helps the boy save his little sister. Ranger thinks his job is done, but the Oregon Trail can be dangerous, and the Abbotts need Ranger’s help more than they realize! 

When Ranger is transported to a different time, he is understandably confused, but this doesn’t stop him from using his search and rescue training to help the Abbott family find their missing child, Amelia. Unsure of how to get back home, Ranger follows the Abbott family on their journey, where they face many dangers, including a buffalo stampede, raging rivers, and deadly illnesses. Through it all, Ranger saves the day. Along the way, he stays devoted to keeping Amelia from wandering off, and he learns to love Sam. However, Ranger misses his forever family, and he’s constantly looking for a way to return home. 

Readers will instantly fall in love with Ranger, who is dedicated to helping others while still acting very much like a typical dog who likes to chase squirrels and eat bacon. During his travels, he learns about the difficulties and dangers of the Oregon Trail. However, Ranger can’t solve every problem. One couple dies, leaving their daughter, Sarah, an orphan. Sarah’s story thread ends on a hopeful note as she reunites with her uncle, who provides her with a home. The wagon train’s difficulties add suspense and keep the story moving at a quick pace while weaving in accurate facts about the Oregon Trail. 

Rescue on the Oregon Trail is printed in a format that will appeal to even the most reluctant readers. Each chapter begins with an attention-grabbing title, and the text is printed in a large font. Each chapter has one full-page black-and-white illustration that helps readers visualize the journey. The illustrations also include information about the time period by showing how people dressed, what life on a wagon train was like, and the dangers posed by animals such as buffalo and rattlesnakes.

Rescue on the Oregon Trail is the first book in the Ranger in Time Series, and it sets up the plot structure for the other books in the series. Despite this, the books do not have to be read in order because Ranger visits a different time period in each book. 

The book will appeal to a wide variety of readers because it’s told from Ranger’s point of view, which gives it a unique perspective. The history of the Oregon Trail is presented in an interesting story that revolves around a young boy and his family. While it’s clear that the hardships they faced could be deadly, the descriptions are not graphic, and Ranger almost always finds a way to help. Rescue on the Oregon Trail is the perfect book to start readers on an adventure through time. 

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • Two men get in a fight. “One shoved the other so hard he flew backward into one of the horses. It neighed and reared up. . . The man who had fallen got up and ran at the other man. . .” The men’s fighting caused a yoke of oxen to stampede. No one is injured. 
  • While traveling, a herd of buffalo stampeded. The men shoot at the animals. “Pa fired his rifle again and again. Finally, one of the buffalo stumbled and sank to the ground.” The herd changes course. “Ranger followed Sam up to the collapsed buffalo. Its legs were crumpled underneath its great body. Its fur was matted with dust and blood.” 
  • Sam’s father butchers the buffalo. “Pa slit the buffalo’s hide from its throat all the way to its tail. Sam had to turn away.” 
  • While fording a river, Sam’s father falls into the water. Ranger jumps into the river. “Ranger caught the scent of death, too, rising up from the water. There were bodies down there. But Pa was still alive.” Sam’s father is rescued. 
  • When Sam is sick, the doctor checks on him daily. “He cut Sam’s arm so the bad blood could drain out.” Sam recovers. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • After two men fight, an adult says, “They got gold fever, and it’s turned them into a pack of fools.” 
  • When Ranger starts barking, someone asks him, “What in heaven’s name is the matter, Dog?” 
  • Sam’s mother uses “Oh Lord” as an exclamation once. 

Supernatural 

  • Ranger finds a first aid kit. The metal box began to vibrate. “The box felt warm at Ranger’s throat. Bright light spilled from cracks in the old metal and seemed to swallow up the whole yard. . . The light spread and grew. There was a blinding flash, and Ranger felt as if he were being squeezed through a hole in the sky.” He is transported to the Oregon Trail. 
  • Ranger knows it’s time to return home when he hears “a high-pitched humming. . . The metal box was humming so loud it seemed to be shaking the whole earth.” Then, Ranger is transported back to his time.  

Spiritual Content  

  • One family is traveling to Salt Lake because “there was a much bigger community of Mormon families” there. 
  • When Sam’s mother is worried, she hums a hymn from church. Sam thinks, “With such a long list of bad things that could happen out on the trail, she was humming a lot these days.” Sam’s mother does this often throughout the book. 
  • Before crossing a river, “Sam could hear her [his mother] whispering prayers.” 
  • When buffalo stampede, Sam’s mother prays, “Oh, Lord, keep us safe.” 
  • While eating buffalo steak, Sam’s mother says, “This is a little bit of heaven.” 
  • A man and his wife die, leaving their daughter alone. The daughter “watched as they laid her mother and father down in the prairie, said some prayers, and shoveled all the dirt back in.” 
  • When Sam is sick, the doctor says, “All we can do is pray.” 

The Gateway Arch: Celebrating Western Expansion

This magnificent arch rises on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. The nation’s tallest monument is the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, honoring Thomas Jefferson’s vision of Westward Expansion. Despite its controversial beginning, this amazing structure is now a national treasure and symbol of the nation’s reach from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 

The first four chapters of The Gateway Arch focus on Westward Expansion, providing a brief overview of the Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark’s expedition, and the motivations behind westward migration. While one paragraph mentions Sacagawea and the Native Americans who inhabited the West, the book fails to adequately address how Westward Expansion affected indigenous peoples—a significant omission in any comprehensive treatment of this topic. This section includes helpful maps and migration statistics, but while it explains the motivations for westward movement, it provides virtually no information about the actual experiences of settlers once they reached their destinations. 

The subsequent eight chapters examine how St. Louis sought to honor Thomas Jefferson’s role in Westward Expansion by creating a monument, ultimately leading to the construction of the Gateway Arch. These chapters thoroughly cover the architect who designed the monument, various construction delays, and the complete building process from conception to completion. The authors also include practical information about visiting the arch and exploring the Museum of Western Expansion. 

Readers interested in Westward Expansion and monument construction will find The Gateway Arch informative, particularly those researching the history of the Gateway Arch’s construction. However, the book suffers from a lack of personal stories and anecdotes that could have made the writing more engaging and humanized this important historical period. Instead, the authors focus primarily on facts, dates, and biographical details, creating a somewhat dry academic tone. The book concludes with a brief one-page glossary, two recommended books for further reading, and one suggested website—resources that feel somewhat limited for readers seeking to explore the topic more deeply. 

The Gateway Arch exemplifies how Westward Expansion shaped America by commemorating both the historical movement and the individuals who made it possible. Through its comprehensive overview, readers will gain insight into the events that helped define the nation. As the book concludes, “The Gateway Arch is an important symbol of America… It is a powerful symbol of how our nation grew and changed because of the settlers who were not afraid to travel west into a new world.” While the book succeeds as a factual resource, it would benefit from more engaging storytelling to fully capture the complexity of this pivotal period in American history. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None

Extra Yarn

Annabelle, a young girl living in a bleak, wintry town, is surrounded by darkness, cold, and solitude. Everything changes when she discovers a miraculous box filled with colorful yarn—magical, limitless, and full of possibility. As Annabelle knits, her creativity brings people closer and fills the town with color. Her generosity becomes a gift that keeps giving, gaining momentum with each act of kindness and resulting in a surprising twist in the story’s conclusion. This picture book invites children into a world where giving feels wondrous and unexpected, even as a dark force threatens to upend the town’s happiness. At its heart, the story celebrates generosity, creativity, and the triumph of goodwill over evil.  

Extra Yarn has a sweet, simple storyline: a quirky little girl with a dog named Mars begins knitting colorful sweaters and refuses to be discouraged when her neighbor, Nate, teases her. Instead, she knits one for him, too. “And even after she’d made a sweater for Nate and his dog, and for herself and for Mars, she still had extra yarn.” With each new creation, Annabelle always has yarn left over. The idea of extra yarn becomes a repeating motif throughout the story: “but there was still extra yarn.” For parents, the never-ending yarn is a gentle reminder that generosity and kindness have no limits. For young readers, the endless yarn creates a joyful and imaginative adventure. As the story unfolds, more and more color appears in the artwork, mirroring the growing warmth Annabelle brings to her world. 

Colorful knitting gradually appears on neighbors, pets, and wild animals—first as sweaters, scarves, and hats, and eventually even on the town’s trees and buildings. These scenes evoke the real-world art practice of yarn bombing, where public objects like trees, fences, and poles are wrapped in vibrant knitted creations. Comically, “Annabelle made sweaters for things that didn’t even wear sweaters.” Young readers will enjoy artwork revealing a once-dreary town transformed into a colorful, textured landscape. What begins as a simple sweater soon elevates Annabelle to local celebrity status for her miraculous knitting. “News spread of this remarkable girl who never ran out of yarn.” 

In a dramatic turn, a villainous archduke from a faraway land appears, recognizing the magical power of Annabelle’s yarn. He demands that she sell the box to him, offering millions of dollars in return. Annabelle refuses. The same little girl whose endless generosity and creativity have brightened her town has no interest in wealth, and her refusal only fuels the villain’s anger. He hires robbers to steal the box, an act that threatens to destroy Annabelle’s joy. Yet even as the yarn is taken from her, it becomes clear that Annabelle’s true gifts—her generosity, kindness, and unwavering goodwill—can never be stolen. They live within her, radiating a happiness no one else can claim. In the end, the box returns to Annabelle as mysteriously as it arrived. 

Extra Yarn has received many awards, including a Caldecott Honor and a spot on Time Magazine’s 100 Best Children’s Books of All Time. Jon Klassen’s artwork uses striking visual contrasts that complement Barnett’s storytelling. Most of the artwork is rendered in monochromatic or black-and-white tones, with the knitted pieces growing more vibrant as the narrative progresses. Created with a blend of pencil work, selective color, and digital techniques, the illustrations carry a vintage, minimalistic quality. Klassen’s mix of hard and soft edges mirrors the story’s shift from the ordinary to the magical. Each page is enriched with artwork, much of it unfolding in expansive full spreads. Extra Yarn shines when read aloud, especially with thoughtful pacing. Young readers will giggle at the imaginative, silly scenes of animals bundled up in sweaters. The story builds to a captivating finale that restores justice and offers relief when the box finds its way back to its rightful owner. In the end, goodwill wins.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • The story touches only lightly on burglary and vengeance, presented in a way that remains gentle and age appropriate. The villainous archduke “hired three robbers to break into Annabelle’s house, and they stole the box.” When he later finds out the box is empty, he yells, “Little girl, I curse you with my family’s curse! You will never be happy again!” The story unfolds much like a traditional fairy tale, complete with a clear antagonist and a moral resolution. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • The book carries a sense of quiet magic, the kind that feels whimsical rather than spiritual or supernatural, making it especially gentle and reassuring for young readers. 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

by Maureen Lowe 

Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band

Acoustic Rooster loves music and spends most of his days strumming on his bass guitar. When he learns about his farm’s upcoming Barnyard Talent Show, he is eager to join a band and show off his guitar skills. However, problems arise when Acoustic Rooster struggles to find a spot in the existing bands, leading him to a radical conclusion: “I’ll start my own band.” But finding musicians is no easy task; and with the talent show rapidly approaching, Acoustic Rooster’s chance to showcase his talent falls into jeopardy. Will he be able to perform in the Barnyard Talent Show?  

Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band is a quick, enjoyable story about a guitar-playing rooster who wants to share his love for music with others. Told in a third-person narration, the story follows Acoustic Rooster and his journey to participate in his farm’s Barnyard Talent Show. From the start, Acoustic Rooster is characterized as an easygoing, lovable rooster whose inviting personality helps him form a barnyard band. His ability to withstand rejection from the other bands and then effortlessly pivot to form his own band highlights his fortitude and quick thinking, which inspire many readers. By showcasing the real-life issues surrounding talent shows, such as organizing a team, the book also takes on a genuine feel, allowing readers to relate to the excitement and frustration of starting something new. 

The book presents an encouraging lesson on resilience and teamwork. Although Acoustic Rooster is rejected by multiple band groups, like Thelonious Monkey’s crew or Ella Finchgerald’s trio, he doesn’t allow rejection to define him. Instead, he turns a difficult situation into a creative solution by having “a great idea” and forming his own team. This resilience is an uplifting reminder, and the resulting band also demonstrates the importance of teamwork and friendship. Although Acoustic Rooster’s band doesn’t win the talent show, his love for his bandmates extends beyond his second-place finish, showing that good friends and teammates are more important than material accolades. Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band ultimately challenges readers to realize that their relationships with others are more important than their rewards and accomplishments.  

Overall, Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band is a fun story for early readers. Each page uses two or three sentences of simple narration and provides large illustrations with bright colors. The addition of a lively rhyme scheme also keeps the story fresh and engaging. Although this book may be too simple for older readers, Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band is the perfect book for early and reluctant readers who love animals and colorful illustrations. 

Sexual Content 

  • During a performance, Acoustic Rooster plays a “bossa nova tune” that “made the barnyard chickies swoon.” 

Violence 

  • None

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • None 

Language 

  • None

Supernatural 

  • None

Spiritual Content 

  • None 

by Caleb Kleinmann  

The Iron Giant

In the countryside, a strange being appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. A giant metal robot, taller than a house. Where he came from and who created him are a mystery. This being known as the Iron Giant has an insatiable hunger for scrap metal and begins stealing the material from local farmers. A local boy, Hogarth, set a trap to stop the Iron Giant, but he quickly discovers the robot is far from a threat.   

The Iron Giant, originally published in 1968 as The Iron Man, is a modern fairy tale. Author Ted Hughes presents the story in five chapters, each with a succinct title, such as “The Coming of the Iron Giant” and “The Return of the Iron Giant.” The text is large, and the language is written in such a way that younger children can understand. The book was adapted by director Brad Bird into a cult classic animated film in 1999 under the same name, though the film took many creative liberties compared to the original text.  

The only major similarities between the book and the movie are the characters of the Iron Giant and Hogarth. The book is far more fantastic in its approach than the film, which is grounded in Cold War atomic paranoia. The book is likely set in Hughes’ native England, while the movie is set in the fictional town of Rockwell, Maine. In the book, the Iron Giant’s origins are completely unexplained, giving him a more mythic status. In stark contrast, the film reveals that the Iron Giant was a weapon sent from space by alien beings, who, with the help of Hogarth, learns to reject his destructive purpose and become a hero in his own right—a development absent from the original text. In a similar vein, the relationship between Hogarth and the Iron Giant, a highlight of the film, is vastly inferior in the book. Their interactions are brief and sparse, and only serve to drive the plot forward. The book does not take the time to develop their relationship. 

Not long after the farmers realize the Iron Giant is harmless and provide him with a scrap yard to satisfy his hunger, the story takes a truly bizarre twist—an enormous space dragon crash-lands onto Australia and threatens to consume the entire world. Hogarth believes the only thing capable of stopping this threat is the Iron Giant, who agrees to challenge the dragon in a climactic battle of endurance, in which the Iron Giant ultimately prevails and becomes the unlikely savior of humanity. The Iron Giant’s heroism isn’t a conscious choice, as it is in the movie, and there is no moment of sacrifice driven by compassion because the book lacks the crucial narrative beats that make the film a cult classic. The confrontation between the two otherworldly beings is far more surreal and dreamlike than violent. Hughes’ writing focuses on the encounter’s pure bizarreness, giving the book a fairy-tale tone.   

While the characters are not as developed as in the film adaptation, Ted Hughes’ original story remains a classic modern fairy tale and a great short read. The themes of fear of the unknown, welcoming outsiders, and overcoming prejudices are as relevant now as they were when the book was first published in 1968. Learning The Iron Giant’s origin makes for a particularly interesting read for fans of the 1999 film, though this is a rare case in which the movie greatly outshines the book on which it was based, as the film tells a more emotionally resonant and narratively rich story with more defined and developed characters in both the Iron Giant and Hogarth. 

Sexual Content 

  • None 

Violence 

  • There is minimal violence in the final battle between the Iron Giant and the space dragon, though this is more of a battle of wits rather than a physical confrontation and is described through Hughes’ writings and shown through a few sparse illustrations. Though both beings are injured during this struggle, they survive without serious injury. 
  • The Iron Giant and dragon “battle” to see who can endure the heat of the sun the longest. While the heat is intense to the Iron Giant, it is the dragon’s ego that ultimately becomes his downfall. “‘It’s enough,’ cried the dragon. ‘It’s too much. I can’t stand another. The fires of the sun are too terrible for me. I submit.’ ‘Then I’ve won,’ shouted the Iron Giant. ‘Because I’m ready to roast myself red hot again. If you daren’t, then I’ve won.’” 

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • None 

Supernatural Content 

  • None 

Spiritual Content 

  • None

by Nicholas Paragano

Out of the Woods: A True Story of an Unforgettable Event

Five-year-old Antonio Willie Giroux lives at his mother’s hotel in Ontario, Canada, where he spends his time watching and interacting with the business’s many workers and customers. On most days, he finds himself exploring the nearby woods, peeking into hunters’ rooms, and listening to the conversations and laughter of lumberjacks and silver miners, who “played cards and made music.” However, everything changes one day when the sight of smoke and flames in the trees forces everyone to run for their lives. With the situation growing dire, Antonio and the others wade into the safety of Gowganda Lake as the air grows thick with smoke and dust. Will he and his family survive this disaster? More importantly, will his life ever be normal again? 

Out of the Woods is a sentimental story that conveys the importance of reflecting on one’s life experiences. Told from a third-person perspective, the book follows young Antonio’s life at his mother’s hotel. Given the story’s emphasis on impactful experiences, it offers little character development for Antonio, but readers can infer that he’s a curious and reflective child from his actions and thoughts. However, readers gain a sense of relatability with Antonio by seeing terrifying circumstances through his eyes. This allows readers to experience the threat of fire and destruction as a child would. Although many readers may not relate to Antonio’s experience with a forest fire, they can connect with his sense of fear, confusion, and amazement. His sense of calm and reflectiveness in the face of danger serves as an inspiring example for others also in difficult situations. 

The story excels at conveying profound messages without explicitly stating them, showing how life-changing experiences can forever impact the rest of one’s life. For example, Antonio’s experience with the wildfire significantly changed his being. Although he remained near Gowganda for the next ten years of his life, he “never forgot the fire or the people up to their waists in water.” Readers can surmise that the situation altered his perspective on wildfires, the significance of home, and the fragility of life. It ultimately encourages readers to reflect on their own experiences and how those times affected and shaped their character.  

Out of the Woods features realistic illustrations in a mix of ink and watercolor, with most illustrations filling each page and depicting the book’s events in an informative and emotional manner. Alongside these pictures, one or two short paragraphs with simple diction are sprinkled across each page, and an author’s note at the end provides context on the story’s creation and its writing influences. Although the book uses a destructive force like a wildfire to create conflict, the fire doesn’t directly impact the characters or locations; in fact, very little damage is shown outside of burnt trees and red skies, which makes it more early reader friendly. Overall, Out of the Woods is an emotionally rich book, and its ability to elicit personal reflections from simple text and art makes it a must-read for young and old readers. Adults who want to help a child explore the issue of wildfires in a child-friendly manner can pair Out of the Woods with The Fox and the Forest Fire, Wildfire Rescue, and Dolores and the Big Fire. 

Sexual Content 

  • None 

Violence 

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • None 

Language 

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content 

  • None 

by Caleb Kleinmann

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Edward Tulane is one of a kind. He is a china rabbit given to a ten-year-old girl named Abilene. One night, Abilene’s grandmother tells Abilene and Edward a story about a princess who never loved anyone and was turned into a warthog for her arrogance. The next day, Edward is taken on a ship with Abilene and thrown overboard. Thus begins his journey from home to home, as Edward learns how to love.  

He spends almost a year at the bottom of the sea before being rescued by a fisherman named Lawrence and given to his wife, Nellie. Renamed Susanna, Edward begins his journey of learning to care for others. Nellie tells him stories, and he actually listens to her. He finds that his time at the bottom of the sea has begun to change him. 

Next, Edward is taken from the comfort of this new home and found by Bull, a homeless man, and his dog Lucy. He travels with them, renamed Malone, and holds the secrets of the travelers that he meets. Once again, he finds value in listening to the people who care for him, and he misses them dearly when he is separated from them. 

Finally, he is found by Bryce, a young boy who gives him to his sick sister, Sarah Ruth, as a gift. Here, witnessing the love of Sarah Ruth before she dies, Edward truly learns the value of selfless love. He allows himself to be tossed to the floor and his ears to be sucked on because he knows that it brings Sarah Ruth comfort. 

A unique story told from the perspective of a toy, Edward’s narrative begins with despair. Edward is taken from the comfort of his home, and at times, he is forced to endure the cruelty of humans. However, he also experiences the care of humanity and learns that people are worth loving. He is able to let go of his obsession with his appearance, and he learns that to be loved is to be held, to be used. Edward’s perspective shifts from distant cruelty to a deep, abiding love for all the people he has met, and readers will follow Edward’s journey, becoming just as attached to him as all the people who have loved him. 

The story, which won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award in the Fiction category, is told in twenty-seven short chapters, each approximately three to six pages long. It also features illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. Through these images and DiCamillo’s words, readers will learn that even when life becomes difficult, there are always people worth loving and relationships worth nurturing. They will learn that even though something may be temporary, the love that was there will never go away. And they will learn that home exists in many forms, in many people. DiCamillo’s vivid writing and the timeless themes in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane make it a must-read. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • A dog named Rosie grabs Edward in its mouth and shakes him. “Before Edward even had time to consider the implications of being sniffed by a dog, he was in Rosie’s mouth and Rosie was shaking him back and forth vigorously, growling and drooling.” Abilene’s mother tells the dog to drop Edward.
  • Abilene’s grandmother tells a story about a princess who is turned into a warthog by a witch. The warthog is killed and butchered. “The men took the warthog back to the castle, and the cook slit open its belly.” 
  • Some boys toss Edward over the edge of a ship. “The rabbit hit the water with such tremendous force that his hat blew off his head. . . and then he began to sink.” 
  • Nellie tells Edward about her son Raymond, who died of pneumonia as a child. “He drowned inside of himself.”  
  • A policeman kicks Edward off a train. “With one swift kick, he sent Edward sailing out into the darkness. . . Edward landed with the most alarming thump, and then he tumbled and tumbled and tumbled down a long dirty hill.” 
  • To scare away birds, an old lady nails Edward to a pole. “She nailed his velvet ears to the wooden pole and spread his arms out as if he were flying and attached his paws to the pole by wrapping pieces of wire around them.” 
  • A man swings Edward against a counter. “And he swung Edward by his feet, swung him so that his head hit the edge of the counter hard. There was a loud crack. . . And the world, Edward’s world, went black.” His head is broken into 21 pieces, but he is repaired.  

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural  

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

by Abigail Clark 

Mount Rushmore: Faces of Our History

More than just a random display of U.S. Presidents, this imposing monument honors the leaders of America’s founding, expansion, preservation, and unification. Discover how these faces ended up on a mountainside in South Dakota’s Black Hills. 

In 1923, Doane Robinson, South Dakota’s state historian, sought to attract tourists to his state by creating an extraordinary landmark. After sharing his vision with others, the group began searching for a sculptor capable of bringing this ambitious project to life. 

They found John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum, who was then sculpting Civil War heroes at Stone Mountain, Georgia. When Borglum became frustrated and abandoned the Georgia project, he traveled to South Dakota to explore this new opportunity. However, Borglum rejected the original plan to carve Western frontier heroes, instead proposing to honor “people who were heroes for the whole nation.” He believed United States presidents would create a more meaningful and nationally significant monument. Before construction could begin, Borglum and his supporters faced the daunting task of securing funding for this massive undertaking. 

Borglum dedicated himself to the project from 1925 until 1937, when declining health forced him to transfer leadership to his son, Lincoln Borglum. The monument was finally completed in 1941, and today approximately 393,000 visitors travel to Mount Rushmore annually. 

Readers interested in the construction of Mount Rushmore will appreciate the book’s detailed illustrations and vivid descriptions of the workers carving the monument. The text serves as an excellent resource for anyone researching this iconic landmark. While much of the book examines the preliminary steps—including the project’s origins and fundraising efforts—pages 16 through 25 focus specifically on the carving process. These sections feature awe-inspiring historical photographs that capture the monument’s impressive scale and the remarkable skill required for its creation. 

The book’s design effectively supports its content through thoughtful graphic elements that break the text into digestible sections. Large red titles announce each new chapter, while red-shaded fact boxes provide additional context, such as the mountain’s namesake. Black and white historical photographs showcase the key figures who made Mount Rushmore possible, but the most compelling images depict workers suspended by ropes as they carved into the mountainside—a testament to both their courage and craftsmanship. 

Mount Rushmore chronicles the creation of an enduring monument while explaining why four presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt—deserve recognition for generations to come. As Borglum stated, “The purpose of the monument is to communicate the founding, expansion, preservation, and unification of the United States.” The book concludes with a one-page glossary, three recommended books for further reading, and one suggested website, providing readers with resources for deeper exploration of this remarkable achievement in American sculpture and history. 

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  • A quote on Mount Rushmore reads: “A monument’s dimensions should be determined by the importance to civilization of the events commemorated. . . Let us place there, carved high, as close to heaven as we can, the words of our leaders, their faces, to show posterity what manner of men they were. Then breathe a prayer that these records will endure until the wind and the rain alone shall wear them away.”  

Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions

From childhood to adulthood, Whoosh! explores the life of Lonnie Johnson, the inventor of the Super Soaker. Lonnie spent his childhood in a small home in Mobile, Alabama, with his parents and five siblings. From an early age, his curious mind led him to take apart household objects and put them back together—a habit that fueled his creativity and love for inventing. This passion for innovation motivated Lonnie to pursue his dream of becoming an inventor. 

Lonnie is a determined and passionate character whose commitment to learning shines throughout. He studies during parties, experiments with new ideas, and turns mistakes into opportunities. “He learned how to make rocket fuel. When it caught fire in the kitchen, Lonnie’s mom didn’t make him stop. She just sent him to work outside.” Lonnie’s tenacity—and the encouragement he received from his family—motivated him to continue experimenting. His constant investigations led him to create an invention that would make him famous: the Super Soaker water gun. Readers will enjoy learning about Lonnie’s humble beginnings and how his success was built on resilience and dedication. 

Barton depicts Lonnie’s story in a way that is both engaging and accessible for young readers. Each page includes detailed images of Lonnie as he passionately conducts experiments in different settings. These images will help readers understand how Lonnie is feeling, as he faces both successes and hardships in his career. As a child, Lonnie dreamed of becoming an engineer. However, an exam claimed that he would not make a good one. “His dream had been challenged. Lonnie was discouraged.” Barton uses these moments to teach readers about resilience, showing that setbacks can lead to new opportunities. The book’s full-page illustrations bring Lonnie’s inventions to life, demonstrating how persistence transformed his early discouragement into creativity and success. 

At the same time, Barton combines this easy-to-follow narrative with more advanced scientific vocabulary. When describing Linex, a robot Lonnie built, Barton writes, “Compressed-air cylinders and valves allowed Linex’s body to turn and its arms to move.” The addition of these technical terms in an otherwise approachable story helps young readers expand their scientific vocabulary while still enjoying a picture book. Although it is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child rather than for the child to read it independently for the first time. While some pages only have one to two sentences, other pages are more text-heavy, with a maximum of nine sentences on one page.  

Barton also weaves important historical context throughout the story. The book briefly touches on segregation and discrimination, particularly when Lonnie attends the University of Alabama in 1968. Just five years earlier, African American students had not been allowed to attend this university. When Lonnie competed in the school’s science fair, he felt challenged by a space that felt unwelcoming. These moments teach young readers about prejudice while celebrating perseverance and inclusion. 

Whoosh! is an inspiring and educational read that celebrates invention, problem-solving, and perseverance. With its blend of science, history, and heart, this book is an excellent choice for classrooms and families looking to spark children’s interest in STEM and inspire them to embrace curiosity and creative thinking. 

Sexual Content  

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by Madeline Hettrick 

Ty’s Travels: Super Ty!

Ty loves superheroes. He watches them on TV and reads books about them.  

When he puts on a cape and a mask, he becomes Super Ty! Super Ty flies around helping Momma and others. But even with his super skills, he can’t solve every problem by himself. That’s what Ty’s super friends are for—like his brother! 

One of the book’s highlights is how Ty acts like a superhero in everyday situations. At the grocery store, he helps a man struggling with a baby and groceries by “whooshing like the wind” to blow open the door. When a frightened boy hesitates at the top of a slide, “Ty rockets to the boy’s side” and they slide down together. These moments encourage children to practice kindness and help others. The story ends with a gentle reminder that everyone needs assistance sometimes. For example, when Ty can’t retrieve his plane from a tree, his superhero brother comes to the rescue. 

Part of the My First I Can Read Series, Super Ty! uses basic language, word repetition, and supportive illustrations designed for emergent readers. Each page features one to four simple sentences alongside large, brightly colored artwork that reinforces the text. The illustrations shift to a crayon-drawing style when Ty uses his imagination, helping young readers distinguish between reality and fantasy. 

Superhero-loving beginning readers will embrace Super Ty! The combination of short sentences, engaging visuals, and a heartwarming message about everyday heroism will appeal to both children and the adults reading with them. For more superhero fun with a positive message, pair Super Ty! with Yasmin the Superhero by Saadia Faruqi.  

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Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky

For centuries, the color blue was one of the rarest and most special in the world! People believed the color was sacred, even magical. Artists crushed shiny blue rocks called lapis lazuli from faraway Afghanistan to paint the sky and the sea. Merchants gathered tiny sea snails that made a few precious drops of blue dye for royal robes. Later, a plant called indigo became famous for its deep blue color. It was so popular that whole countries grew it just to make more dye. But it was very hard work for the people forced to grow indigo. Then one day, scientists invented a way to make blue in a lab, and suddenly blue was everywhere—easy to use for clothes, art, and even your favorite jeans! 

Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky invites readers on a journey to discover the origins of the color blue, both as a dye and a pigment, and reveals how rare, mysterious, and complicated its history truly is. Through gracefully woven historical snapshots, young readers will be fascinated to learn surprising facts, like how blue dye can be extracted from tiny sea snails. Readers will gain a powerful understanding of the color’s ties to slavery and the harsh realities of indigo production. 

As early as 4500 BC, when miners began extracting lapis lazuli from the earth, people discovered just how rare it was to find the color blue in any form. Crushing these vivid blue stones was the earliest method of creating the pigment. “By 44 BC, many Egyptians, including Queen Cleopatra VII, were applying a bluish mixture around their eyes that looked like eye shadow.” About six centuries later, blue began appearing in sculptures and paintings—but it remained a color reserved for the wealthy and powerful. 

Before long, people discovered a new, though challenging, way to create blue dye. Author Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond invites young readers to marvel at the humble sea snail. Inside its tiny body, “dyers had different ways of releasing the color. In Mexico, they pressed the snail’s foot. In the Middle East, they cracked its shell. Then they waited for the blue to appear.” For those who attempted it, creating snail-blue was incredibly difficult. Each snail produced only one or two drops of dye. Imagine how many snails it would take to color a single royal robe! 

At last, a discovery transformed the difficult process of making blue dye from sea snails into a thing of the past. “In parts of Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas, a group of plants in the pea family grew. . . There were a few different ways to get blue from these plants’ green leaves. Indian dyers soaked them in water, while West African dyers crushed and dried them.” The miracle of this discovery was that the blue from indigo plants was not only far less expensive to produce, but also equally vibrant and long-lasting. 

The story reaches a remarkable turning point when a scientific breakthrough changes how blue is made forever. “From the time blue was found, scientists worked hard to make a blue that wasn’t so difficult or cruel to produce. In 1865, scientist Adolf von Baeyer began trying, and forty years later, in 1905, he won the Nobel Prize for creating a chemical blue.”

Each turn of the page reveals a sea of blue awash in complementary tones that dance across the paper. Three-dimensional realism meets flat pattern work, their layers softened by watercolor washes, flowing drips, and textures drawn from the natural world. Illustrator Daniel Minter, recipient of a Caldecott Honor and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, traces the remarkable journey of a single color as it travels across the world and through time. 

The book concludes with a captivating double-page spread of supplementary material, featuring an Author’s Note and additional fascinating facts about the color blue. These final pages are well worth exploring, as they uncover surprising pieces of history—especially about the United States. “South Carolina was an important part of the global indigo economy in the mid-1700s. . . For a time, until the Revolutionary War began in 1775, indigo was more profitable than rice to the American economy.” 

The book introduces fascinating new words, like Indigofera and tekhelet. These words might be unfamiliar at first, but they help tell the story of where the color blue comes from. For example, “Afghanistan’s Sar-e-Sang valley” is where people once mined the deep-blue stone called lapis lazuli. And there is “a group of plants in the pea family. . . called Indigofera.” Additionally, “tekhelet is blue made from the secretions of sea snails. . . part of the Jewish High Priest’s uniform was blue.” Each of these words shows how people all over the world have searched for and discovered different ways to create the color blue. 

Although Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky is a picture book, it is meant to be shared aloud rather than read independently. Its exploration of the color blue’s long and fascinating history adds depth and makes the story especially engaging when read aloud. 

Younger readers will be drawn to Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky again and again, not only for its compelling narrative but also for its vivid illustrations that bring moments in history to life. The image of a sea snail being squeezed to make blue dye is both amusing and memorable, while the story’s uplifting conclusion invites readers to reflect on the color’s meaning: “It’s become a symbol of possibility, as vast and deep as the bluest sea, and as wide open and high as the bluest sky.” 

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Violence  

  • The story reveals how the history of slavery is deeply connected to the production of indigo dye. It describes how farmers in India and Bangladesh were often tricked or forced into growing indigo plants instead of food crops.  
  • In the United States, “some made the African captives they had enslaved farm indigo, calling the plant a cash crop because it brought in a lot of money.”  
  • The book also draws a powerful link between this painful history and the birth of American blues music, showing how creative expression can emerge from deep suffering. “We feel ‘blue’ when we’re sad, perhaps because the people who had to dig, grind and grow passed down their painful memories of working the mines or slavery on indigo plantations.” 

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  • The story explains that many cultures view the color blue as sacred because it is so rare. From Liberia to Italy, Indonesia to Israel, blue carries special meaning. In Israel, for example, “blue drapes hung in the temple King Solomon built. And many Jews still wear blue-dyed threads called tekhelet.“ 

by Maureen Lowe 

Unicorns and Germs

Zoey has come home to an exciting surprise: her mom is going to teach her how to make homemade yogurt! But when Zoey discovers that one of the main ingredients in yogurt is bacteria, she’s stunned. Her mom explains that some bacteria can be helpful because they keep the body safe and aid in creating delicious food! 

As Zoey and her mom cook the yogurt, their magic doorbell rings! Zoey opens the door to find an enormous rainbow unicorn named Tiny. Tiny is in pain from a large cut on his hoof. Zoey treats the wound with antibacterial ointment and wraps it up, but the unicorn comes back the next day with an infection. Now, it’s up to Zoey to conduct her own experiment—she must grow bacteria to find out which antibacterial will heal Tiny’s wound. With the help of her mom and her cat, Sassafras, can Zoey discover the perfect solution to heal the unicorn’s cut? 

Zoey is a kind and curious character who captures the hearts of young readers through her genuine compassion and scientific determination. When the unicorn shows up at her doorstep, Zoey is enamored by the large creature and wants to do everything she can to help him feel better. However, Zoey quickly realizes that healing Tiny’s wound will not be as straightforward as she originally expected. She utilizes problem-solving strategies to come up with another plan to help her new friend. “I need to get started on my research. I’ve got to make a list of things that I think will get rid of bacteria!” Young readers will love Zoey’s curiosity and feel inspired by her determination to help her magical new friend. 

The educational value shines through kid-friendly first aid lessons woven seamlessly into the adventure. Zoey explains to Tiny the steps that she takes when she gets a scrape. “The first thing my mom asks me to do is rinse it really well with water. Then she dries it and puts some antibacterial cream on it. After that she covers it with a bandage.” These simple explanations are repeated throughout the book as Zoey cares for Tiny and conducts her own experiments, making the story both engaging and educational. 

Citro enhances the educational experience by including a glossary at the end of her book. This glossary includes the definition of six scientific words, such as “agar” and “petri dish,” which are repeated frequently throughout the story. The book also includes black and white illustrations in every chapter, allowing readers to see Zoey’s experiments and Tiny the unicorn. These aspects add clarity and make the book more inclusive for any reader who wants to join Zoey on her journey to save her new unicorn friend. 

Unicorns and Germs is a perfect pick for kids who love science, animals, or magical adventures. Through Zoey’s curiosity and compassion, readers will learn about problem solving, helping others, and the fascinating world of bacteria—while enjoying a heartwarming story about friendship and discovery that demonstrates the power of child-led scientific inquiry. 

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Supernatural  

  • Only Zoey and her mom can see the magic animals that ring their doorbell.  
  • The unicorn has the power to heal other people with its touch, but it cannot heal itself or other unicorns.  

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by Madeline Hettrick 

Makeda Makes a Mountain

Makeda and her family are cleaning the house for a party! They make a huge pile of items they don’t use anymore, and soon it’s time to take them away. But Makeda is not ready to throw anything out. Can she find new ways to use her old things?  

Makeda Makes a Mountain is part of the Step into Reading Level Two series, which targets readers in preschool through first grade. Each page features one to eight sentences in large font, making it an easy read. The book uses basic vocabulary and familiar words with a simple plot. Many of the pages include full-page illustrations of Makeda and her family, who are African American. The illustrations use bright colors and focus on the characters’ facial expressions to help readers understand their emotions.   

Readers will empathize with Makeda, who doesn’t want to get rid of any of her things. As she looks through her things, she finds creative ways to repurpose items. Makeda uses old socks to make puppets and uses a sweater to make a fuzzy toy cat. Her family even agrees to keep their old puzzles with missing pieces to create a new game, but the reader doesn’t learn how the puzzles are recreated. Soon, Makeda’s school friends arrive with their own stuff. Through the story, Makeda is the only person to suggest new ways to use items. In the end, Makeda and her family don’t throw anything away.  

Makeda is a likable, kind, and creative character whom children can imitate. Her two parents and siblings make a small appearance and have healthy interactions. Makeda Makes a Mountain teaches readers the importance of repurposing. However, the story misses the opportunity to teach why reusing items is essential for reducing waste and conserving natural resources. Despite this, Makeda Makes a Mountain will entertain readers as well as teach a positive life lesson. Adults who want to teach children more about environmental causes can add these books to the reading list: PAW Patrol: The Clean, Green Rescue!, Saving Kate’s Flowers, and Rocket Says Clean Up!  

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