Early Elementary – Page 2 – Sneak Peek Books

American Indian Biographies: Sacagawea

Imagine being captured by your enemies and taken to live in a new village, without knowing if you would ever see your family again. At age 12, Sacagawea was captured by an enemy tribe of her Lemhi Shoshone people. As a teenager, she traveled from a village on the Missouri River to the Pacific Coast, with a baby strapped to her back. During this journey with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Sacagawea helped by showing them which foods were good to eat and which plants the American Indians used for medicine. She also served as a symbol of peace to American Indian tribes. Today, many people celebrate Sacagawea’s contribution to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

As a young girl, Sacagawea was taken captive by a Hidatsa warrior, and then a French fur trader named Toussiant Charbonneau “visited the Hidatsa warrior’s lodge. . . Charbonneau purchased Sacagawea and Mountain Sage from the Hidatsa warrior. They became his wives.” The book doesn’t mention how the Hidatsa warrior or Charbonneau treated her. However, Wallner includes her opinion on how Sacagawea could have felt. For example, after Sacagawea’s village was attacked, Sacagawea saw her mother’s dead body. “It would have been difficult to hold back her sorrow any longer.”

Most of Sacagawea is told in an informative tone that includes many facts, but it also implies that Sacagawea agreed to travel with Lewis and Clark, when she had no choice. Sacagawea’s emotions are described: “Sacagawea certainly would have been excited to see her family again. But she may also have been worried about making such a long, hard journey with a small baby.” No one knows how Sacagawea felt because the Shoshone people did not have a written history. Unfortunately, Wallner portrays the white explorers as kind and peaceful and doesn’t include any of the white people’s cruelty towards the American Indians.

The American Indian Biographies lead you through the lives of famous American Indians. You will learn about their families, the types of homes in which they lived, and the chores they performed. Special sidebars will teach you crafts they made, games they played, or recipes they cooked. As you follow these American Indians through their lives, you will get to know their personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. And you will learn how the actions of these native people affect our lives today.

Sacagawea’s story is told in this easy-to-read biography, which uses large, full-color illustrations on almost every page. The book is divided into short chapters, with oversized text, pull-out quotes, and illustrations and captions that blend to make it visually appealing. A short glossary can be found at the back of the book.

Sacagawea provides basic facts about Sacagawea’s life after she was kidnapped from the Lemhi Shoshone people. Unfortunately, the book doesn’t include information about her Native community or explain how Sacagawea felt about being forced to live in the white man’s world. Sacagawea is an admirable woman who stayed calm during difficult situations, but she is best known for helping Lewis and Clark navigate during their expedition.

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The Hidatsa Indians attacked Sacagawea’s village. “One of the few men in the camp rushed out of his teepee, calling to the others. His warning cries stopped suddenly as an arrow pierced his heart. Women and children fled into the nearby forest.” Later, Sacagawea “noticed the dead body of her mother.”
Sacagawea tried to run away from the Hidatsa Indians. “A Hidatsa warrior reached down and grabbed her. Sacagawea fought hard. She bit and scratched, but the warrior just laughed and held her firmly in front of him on the horse.”

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While in labor, Sacagawea was given medicine made with “two dried rings from a rattlesnake’s tail with water.”

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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.

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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.”

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American Indian Biographies: Tecumseh

What would you do if an army threatened to take your town and home away from you? In the early 1800s, the U.S. government had already taken much land away from American Indians. Tecumseh wanted to stop the government from taking more. He believed that if all the American Indian tribes joined together, they could defeat the U.S. soldiers. Tecumseh traveled south from his home village in present-day Ohio. During his journey, he visited many American Indian tribes, hoping to gain their support. Today, many people respect Tecumseh’s vision of unity.

Even though Tecumseh could not unify the American Indians, he is still an admirable leader because he bravely fought to save his people from being pushed off their native land. Tecumseh dreamed of creating an Indian confederacy. “By joining as one nation, Tecumseh hoped the American Indians could protect their land and cultures.” Tecumseh was a great leader who showed generosity and compassion. Although Tecumseh died while fighting the U.S. Army, he is best known “for his vision of peace and freedom for the American Indian people.”

This easy-to-read biography tells Tecumseh’s story using large, full-color illustrations on almost every page. The book is divided into short chapters with oversized text, pull-out quotes, and illustrations and captions that blend to make it visually appealing. The text doesn’t describe violence in detail, but several battles are illustrated. A short glossary can be found at the back of the book.

Tecumseh brings history to life in an engaging book that won’t overwhelm readers. Tecumseh’s story shows how the U.S. threatened the Shawnee way of life by continually breaking their treaties and eventually forcing the Shawnees onto reservations where they were forbidden to practice their traditional way of life. Anyone interested in early American history should read about Tecumseh, who tried to bring peace not only to the Shawnee people but to all American Indians.

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Tecumseh was seven when “his father was killed in a battle with the white people.”
At 14, Tecumseh joined a war party. “Tecumseh had never watched warriors in battle, and he was scared. When he remembered the battle in later years, he said, ‘It was the only time in my life I felt afraid. When I heard the war whoops and saw the blood, I ran and hid beside a log.’”
A tribal leader, Chiksika, and Tecumseh joined a Cherokee war party. “Chiksika had a vision that he would be killed during the battle. . . As Chiksika foretold, he was killed during the battle. At the sight of the brave warrior falling to the ground, the other warriors panicked and retreated.”
When Tecumseh was away, the U.S. Army “crossed into Shawnee territory. . . the warriors attacked the white soldiers early in the morning . . . Within two hours, Tecumseh’s warriors were defeated. . . The white soldiers destroyed Tippecanoe Village.”
During a battle, “a U.S. soldier shot and killed Tecumseh.” When Tecumseh died, the American Indian retreated.

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Tecumseh’s brother, Temskwautawa, was a religious leader known as The Prophet. Temskwautawa told others “that it was their responsibility to protect the land the Great Spirit had given them.”
“According to the Shawnee elders, the shooting star was The Panther, a powerful spirit who passed across the sky each night. Very rarely did the spirit show itself to people.”
Tecumseh’s “land could not be bought or sold. He had believed that the Great Spirit had given his people the land to use, not to own or sell.”

Dragonfly’s Tale

Once, many lifetimes ago, the people known as the Ashiwi offended the spirits who had given them bountiful harvests. When the Corn Maidens withdrew their blessings, hard times came to the Ashiwi. It was left to a boy and his little sister, with the help of a wonderful insect fashioned from cornstalks, to restore the good fortune of their people.

The Ashiwi were blessed with food and yet, they were not willing to help two beggar women. An elder said, “These women are too lazy to grow their own corn. They are like hungry coyotes looking for an easy meal.” Instead of helping the woman, the Ashiwi wasted precious food. The people wanted to show off their good fortune, so they invited neighboring tribes to watch a fake battle. “Everyone laughed as they ducked flying bread and biscuits. One team hurled balls of dough, while the other threw globs of batter.” Because of the Ashiwi’s behavior, the Corn Maidens caused famine, which eventually caused the people to leave the village in search of food.

Based on a traditional Zuni tale, this story reflects the original teller’s concern with kindness to others and respect for nature’s gifts. The clear, light, and rugged landscape of the American Southwest shines forth from Rodanas’ richly colored illustrations. Although Dragonfly’s Tale is a picture book, it is best suited for older readers because the text-heavy pages have 3 to 7 paragraphs that use complex sentences and advanced vocabulary.

Dragonfly’s Tale is a beautiful fable that teaches the importance of being kind to others. It is only the kindness of two siblings that brings the Corn Maidens’ blessing back to the Ashiwi people. After the famine, “the people were careful not to take the Corn Maidens’s gifts for granted.” Young readers will cheer for the brother and sister who save their village and enjoy learning how the dragonfly came into existence. The tale has been kept alive by storytellers because of its timeless message. Even today, The Dragonfly’s Tale will help children appreciate their blessings.

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The Corn Maidens visit the city disguised as beggars. When they see the Ashiwi people wasting food, “like the windblown smoke, they banished.” The Corn Maidens cause a famine.
A boy makes a beautiful toy made out of cornstalk and gives it to his sister. The toy becomes a dragonfly. The insect flies to the Land of Everlasting Summer to ask the Corn Maidens for help.

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When winter ended, “the priests sang their most sacred chants and danced their most powerful rituals.”

Wilma Mankiller

The descendant of Cherokee ancestors who had been forced to walk the Trail of Tears, Wilma Mankiller experienced her own forced removal from the land she grew up on as a child. As she got older and learned more about the injustices her people had faced, she dedicated her life to instilling pride in Native heritage and reclaiming Native rights. She went on to become the first woman Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Wilma faced many hardships in her life, including breaking both of her legs in a car accident. After the car accident, Wilma was able to persist because she “focused on ‘being of good mind’ as Cherokee elders teach using this experience as something to move forward from in a positive way.” Despite her injuries, Wilma never gave up and continued to help the Cherokee people. Wilma used her grant-writing abilities to help her community get “indoor plumbing for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms in every home, so residents could stop hauling water to use for everything.” Through community projects, Wilma was able “to bring Cherokee people together and address their own challenges.”

Wilma recognized the importance of writing about the Cherokee Nation and other tribal societies. Most written material about the Cherokee nation was not written by the Cherokee people. Wilma recognized that “the voices of our grandmothers are silenced by most of the written history of our people.” This caused Wilma to write and speak about the Cherokee Nation and the contributions of its members. For Wilma’s contribution to society, President Clinton gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

To help keep readers engaged, Wilma Mankiller has short chapters and black-and-white illustrations that appear every three to five pages. However, some readers will have difficulty with the advanced vocabulary and complex sentences. The book ends by listing ways you can persist, just like Wilma. For example, “Visit with your family and elders. Listen to their stories. Create stories of your own.”

Wilma left a lasting legacy by helping improve the lives of all Cherokee. Her story teaches Cherokee history and will motivate readers to make an impact on their community. Readers who are interested in learning more about Cherokee history should also read Mary and the Trail of Tears: A Cherokee Removal Survival Story by Andrea L. Rogers. You can also learn about another inspirational Indigenous woman by reading She Persisted: Maria Tallchief by Christine Day.

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“In 1838, the US government rounded up Cherokee people like Pearl’s ancestors at gunpoint to force them to move west. . . Over four thousand Cherokee young and old—died during the roundup before the forced march and also along the way.”
Wilma was in a car accident and “suffered a lot of injuries—two broken legs, many broken ribs, and a crushed face.” The driver of the other car died.

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When Wilma was diagnosed with a disease, “Wilma required surgery—followed by strong medicine to help her body recover.”

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When Wilma died, “Indigenous leaders across the planet lit fires to help Wilma on her journey home to become an ancestor.”

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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The Storyteller

The Storyteller centers around Ziggy, a Cherokee boy in sixth grade, who is living in Poisonberry, New Mexico. Ziggy and his sister, Moon, are dealing with a tragedy. As Ziggy says, “When Moon and I were little, our mom disappeared. Native women go missing all over the country. Nobody seems to be doing much about it.” Ziggy, Moon, and two of their close friends decide to go on a search for any clues about Ziggy’s mom’s whereabouts.

The Storyteller brings up a prevalent issue in real life: the unsolved cases of Native women going missing. Ziggy explains, “In my mom’s case, the sheriff and the police have given up trying to find her. But it’s not just her. My friend Sheila has an aunt who’s missing. A few other Native kids at my school have relatives who are missing. It’s been going on way too long.”

Ziggy juggles starting middle school while also longing for answers about his mom; he also discusses how his anxiety affects his life. After his mom goes missing, Ziggy and Moon see a therapist. Ziggy says, “My therapist, Kari, says I have anxiety, which can make school and life harder in many ways,” but that “it’s nothing to be ashamed of.” Ziggy describes what his anxiety is like in a way that will allow readers to relate to him. Ziggy worries that because of his anxiety “all the other kids will think I’m dumb. The teachers won’t like me . . . Someone will beat me up or say something to embarrass me in front of everyone.” Even though he struggles with anxiety, Ziggy conquers his fears about making friends and befriends a girl from his class named Alice.

Alice, who is Cherokee and has hearing aids, offers him important and emotionally charged advice that will allow readers to empathize with both characters. Alice says, “We must protect each other. There are plenty of people who will tell lies about [Cherokee history]. There are many who don’t want our history to be a part of theirs. But we cannot give up. We take the truth of the past with us, and preserve it from being forgotten.”

Readers may be disappointed that Ziggy does not find his mother. However, readers will feel the warmth and love present in Ziggy’s family as Ziggy bonds with his dad. Ziggy’s dad tells him, “You can have my stories [about your mom] and the ones Grandma tells you. There are other people who knew her, too. If we can’t find your mother, we’ll find more stories.” This comforts Ziggy as he is worried that “Mom will disappear” because he does not have memories of her since he was so little when she went missing. Ziggy ultimately realizes if his mom were alive, she’d say, “Don’t be afraid. . . Live your life.”

The Storyteller uses fantasy tropes to educate readers about the historically prejudiced treatment of Indigenous people. Ziggy might not have any control over the past — but if he learns the lessons of the storytellers, he might be able to better shape his future and find the friends he needs. Learn more about the importance of telling stories by reading Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac

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Ziggy’s friend, Alice, says that she once used berries to try to poison someone. Alice says, “I tried to poison a bad man once . . . I put the [poison berries] in his tea when he visited my mother.” Alice explains that the man “was trying to hurt someone I was protecting. The berries made him sick, but he didn’t die.”
Ziggy’s sister, Moon, explains, “Andrew Jackson ordered the removal of Native tribes from their land. They were forced to migrate and leave.”
Ziggy and his sister recall a story their grandma told them about a dangerous group of people called the Raven Mockers. In the story a young boy is asleep and “the [Raven Mocker] ripped out his heart with her claws and ate it.”

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Supernatural

There are several instances of Ziggy and his friends encountering animals that can speak to them. For example, “The old buzzard opens his mouth and speaks: ‘Y’all headed out yonder to find the Storyteller?’” These animals guide Ziggy and his friends and offer words of advice.
Ziggy and his friends encounter an armadillo that speaks. The armadillo says, “My name is Andrew Jackson,” and he wants “to separate the Indians from immediate contact with the settlements of whites.” Ziggy and his friends leave the armadillo alone.

Spiritual Content 

Ziggy explains that his grandma told him stories of the Cherokee Nunnehi. “Nunnehi lived in underground tunnels and traveled around to help our ancestors when called upon. They were spirits, mostly invisible, but they could appear in human form if they wanted.”
Grandma tells Ziggy about how Nunnehi helped other Cherokee people. The Nunnehi “found joy in being tricksters, like turning themselves into coyotes or hawks. They chased the soldiers and frightened them.”

Pocahontas

As the young daughter of a powerful Powhatan leader, Pocahontas befriended the English settlers in Jamestown, Virginia. Although she helped them survive their difficult first years, and she may have saved settler John Smith’s life, they took Pocahontas captive. After her release, Pocahontas married an English settler and journeyed to England. Although she was just twenty-one years old when she died, Pocahontas changed American history through her compassion and friendship.

The first year the English arrived, the Powhatan people helped them survive through winter. Soon after, the Powhatan and the English were fighting. However, Pocahontas was curious by the English, so she helped the settlers many times. Without Pocahontas’s intervention, the Powhatan and English would have fought each other because the English did not respect the Powhatan people, and “they demanded corn even when the Powhatans had none to trade.” John Smith “wanted to capture Powhatan [the chief] and steal his corn.” The English also captured some of the Powhatan people, including Pocahontas. “The friends she had helped so many times were holding her for ransom. They wanted Powhatan to trade English prisoners and guns for his daughter.” Pocahontas finally agreed to marry an English man, allowing the Powhatans and English to live peacefully. However, that peace ended when Pocahontas died.

As an On My Own Biography, Pocahontas will appeal to early elementary readers because of the book’s format. The text is oversized, and each page has a large full-color illustration. The illustrations will help readers understand the text and showcase the period’s clothing and houses. The author acknowledges that much of the information cannot be verified because the Powhatan did not write, so many of the stories were told by the English.

Readers interested in Pocahontas will enjoy the simple story that takes the reader on a walk through history. To learn more about influential Indigenous women, read She Persisted: Maria Tallchief by Christine Day and Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer by Traci Sorell.

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The Powhatan took Captain John Smith prisoner. “Powhatan ([Pocahontas’ father] talked about killing the prisoner . . . Then two large stones were brought in. John Smith’s head was placed on them. Powhatan’s men raised their clubs.” Pocahontas saved John Smith’s life. However, the book acknowledges that the event may have been a story John Smith made up.

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When Pocahontas was taken prisoner, a minister taught her “about the Christian religion.” Later, she was “baptized as a Christian. She was given a new name, Lady Rebecca. Rebecca’s teachers boasted that she had given up her belief for theirs. But no one knows what she thought.” An illustration shows Pocahontas being baptized.

Remember

Remember is a picture book adaptation of Joy Harjo’s original poem, gorgeously illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade. In Remember, Harjo asks readers to appreciate the beauty of the world and acknowledge the fact that we are a natural and important product of this life cycle. For example, the text reads: “Remember the sky you were born under,” Harjo begins. “Know each of the star’s stories.” From here, Harjo asks the reader to reflect on the Earth’s many other wonders, from the luminescent moon to the setting sun, and ultimately reflect on the undeniable beauty of their own existence. “Remember your birth, how your mother struggled to give you form and breath,” she writes. “You are evidence of her life, and her mother’s; and hers.”

Harjo recalls the basic, universal aspects of life, but describes them with such passion that she conveys the wonder of our existence which is so often taken for granted amidst our busy lives. The book is accessible to younger readers, with only one to three short sentences per page.

Illustrator Michaela Goade brilliantly visualizes the poem. Goade reflects the beauty described by Harjo by using an intricate mix of colors for each page such as violets and reds for the night sky, deep shades of blue and green for the ocean. Just as Harjo describes nature and life with equal passion, Goade personifies every subject discussed in the poem. She draws faces in the sun and moon and draws the waves of a river and the leaves of a tree in the form of animals, visualizing Harjo’s message that everything is united by its place on Earth. For example, in a page depicting a mother and daughter planting seeds into the ground, they are illustrated with roots beneath them, showing that they too are products of the Earth and must take care of it.

Remember is a beautifully written and illustrated picture book that asks young readers to appreciate the beauty of the world and their own existence. This year, Remember received the American Indian Youth Literature Award, a biennial award that honors the best books for youth by and about Native American and Indigenous peoples of North America. Although it was created as a children’s book, its universal message resonates with readers of all ages. Pair Remember with We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom to teach young readers that people and nature are intertwined.

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Parker’s Big Feelings

Parker is not having a good day at school. When she gets home, all she wants is some time alone to read her book, but her brother and sister will not stop following her around. Parker is feeling lots of big feelings. How can Parker turn a bad day into something good?

When Parker has a meltdown and starts to cry, her mom helps her write a list of things that she can do to feel better—breathe, exercise, and have some quiet time. Parker goes to her room and “I close my eyes. I breathe in. I pretend I am smelling a flower as I count to five.” Next, Parker goes outside and rides her bike. Finally, she reads a book. After taking all of these steps, Parker feels better and plays with her siblings. The last page explains other ways readers can get help understanding their feelings.

As part of the Ready to Read Level 1 Series, Parker’s Big Feelings is intended for children who are just starting to read. The story is told using word repetition and simple sentences. The story has a simple plot that follows Parker through her day. Each page has a full-colored illustration to help readers visualize the story’s events.

Parker’s Big Feelings will help readers deal with “big feelings” such as sadness, frustration, or fear. By focusing on Parker’s bad days, the book helps readers understand that having a bad day is normal. Even though people have bad days, Parker shows that it is possible to turn a bad day into a good day. The simple story will appeal to all readers because everyone can understand Parker’s conflict. For another story that deals with having a bad day, check out Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang. 

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Trouble at School for Marvin & James

Trouble at School for Marvin & James is an enchanting narrative that takes readers on a captivating journey with the unlikely duo of Marvin, a small, intelligent beetle, and his human best friend, James Pompaday. The story unfolds as Marvin and James embark on a typical day at school, filled with learning, fun, and the occasional challenge.

The day starts with them heading to school, both equally excited for the day’s activities. One highlight of their day is art class, where they indulge in the joy of creativity. Together, they work on creating a vivid picture of a butterfly. Their camaraderie and shared enthusiasm for art is evident in their teamwork.

However, their day takes a sudden turn when lunch arrives. Disaster strikes in the most unexpected way when Marvin, with his tiny size and unsuspecting nature, finds himself trapped inside a cafeteria trash can. The story then spirals into a thrilling adventure as Marvin tries to navigate this predicament. Ultimately, Marvin finds his way back to James.

Without a doubt, readers will find themselves falling more deeply in love with the exquisitely crafted characters, Marvin and James. Their enduring friendship, which is tested and proven throughout the narrative, is the heart and soul of the story. Despite the challenges they face, their unwavering determination to reunite serves as a testament to their unshakable bond, beautifully illustrating the true essence of friendship. Their story is not just a thrilling adventure, but also a heartwarming exploration of love, loyalty, and the lengths to which one will go for a friend.

This enchanting tale offers more than just an engaging narrative that captivates the reader’s attention. It is subtly embedded with important life lessons that children can easily understand. The story beautifully illustrates the concept of friendship, showing the bonds between characters and how they care for one another. It also presents problem-solving in a way that is relatable for kids, demonstrating that challenges can be overcome with determination and creativity. Most importantly, the story underscores the value of experiencing school life, depicting the joy of learning and the precious memories made within the classroom’s walls. In essence, this charming story is a rich tapestry of lessons and experiences, wrapped up in an appealing narrative that children will undoubtedly enjoy.

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James to the Rescue

James to the Rescue is an engaging and delightful sequel to the enchanting story of Marvin, the beetle, and his human friend, James Pompaday. This captivating installment delves deeper into the life of Marvin’s beetle family, shedding light on their daily escapades and activities, offering readers a charming and intimate glimpse into their world.

The narrative takes a turn when Uncle Albert, a beloved beetle, accidentally falls onto a pair of scissors posing a major threat to his life. It’s here that Marvin turns to his trusted human friend James, seeking his assistance in this dire situation, further solidifying the enduring bond of friendship shared between them.

The story is a masterful blend of thrilling adventure and heartwarming friendship, and it’s certain to deepen readers’ fondness for both Marvin and James. The narrative is beautifully interwoven with camaraderie, bravery, trust, and love, making it a compelling read for audiences of all ages. This installment stands as a testament to the power of friendship, underscoring its significance even in the smallest and most unexpected corners of life.

Readers will fall even more deeply in love with Marvin and James. They will connect with Marvin’s unwavering love and trust towards his human friend, and admire James’s courage as he steps up to save his tiny friend’s life, demonstrating the true essence of friendship.

Overall, James to the Rescue is an effortless read. The book is filled with adorable black-and-white illustrations that are subtly highlighted with hints of blue. These artistic elements add depth to the narrative, helping to bring the story to life, and making it a truly immersive experience for readers. This adorable story can be enjoyed on its own, or as a part of the larger series. The charm and warmth of James to the Rescue are truly hard to resist, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a heartwarming tale of friendship and adventure.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

Marvin’s Uncle falls onto scissors injuring his shell. “He falls against the sharp point of the scissors. ‘Oomph! Ohhhh!’ He cries. Oh no! The sharp point of the scissors has pierced Uncle Albert’s shell. Marvin can see the yellow goo oozing out.” Marvin, his father, and Elaine worked to wrap Uncle Albert’s wounds. Uncle Albert’s wounds heal with the help of James.

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

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.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

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.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

Stuck with You

In Chapter 1, Unicorn shows Yeti her sticker collection. She wants to save the stickers, but Yeti wants to stick them everywhere! When Yeti uses a sticker without asking first, Unicorn is upset. But when Yeti apologizes, Unicorn forgives him. By the end of the chapter, both Unicorn and Yeti have stickers stuck all over their bodies.

In Chapter 2, Unicorn and Yeti roller skate under the sparkly ball. But soon, Yeti wants to try rollerblading outside, on the rocks and the ice. But skating outside is really hard. Once Unicorn and Yeti go back to the skating rink, they have fun making a train, dancing, and doing the limbo.

In Chapter 3, Unicorn teaches Yeti how to blow bubbles with gum. Yeti blows a bubble so big that both Unicorn and Yeti float into the air. When they pop the gum bubble, they fall back to the ground, but Unicorn and Yeti are stuck together by the gum that is all over them.

Children learning to read will enjoy Unicorn’s and Yeti’s adventures. The text is simple and when each character speaks, their words appear in different colored quote boxes. Each page has large illustrations and three or fewer sentences. Beginning readers should be able to read the text alone and will enjoy flipping through the story multiple times to look at the colorful pictures.

Stuck with You is a fun book for young readers. The brief chapters make it a perfect short read. Unlike the other books in the series, Stuck with You focuses more on the mischief that Unicorn and Yeti get into and less on teaching lessons about friendship. However, young readers will enjoy the story and the sparkly illustrations.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

Unicorn uses magic to create a path in the snow.
Unicorn uses magic to remove the gum that is sticking her to Yeti.

Spiritual Content 

None

The Golden Ghost

Delsie knew it wasn’t a good idea to dare her best friend Todd to explore the abandoned houses by the old mill. But she couldn’t back down after the words slipped out of her mouth. Together, the two friends bike to the mill and try the door of each abandoned house. They are all locked . . . except one. Delsie and Todd sneak inside and discover two strange things. Someone is living there. And something doesn’t want Delsie to leave. It’s a dog, a strange golden dog, that only Delsie can see!

Newbery Honor-winning author Marion Dane Bauer spins a fourth spooky tale to complement her previous stories, The Blue Ghost, The Red Ghost, and The Green Ghost. The Golden Ghost will grab readers’ attention right from the start and keep them reading until the very end. Many readers will relate to Delsie, who wishes she could have a dog. However, her dad says, “No dogs. No cats. No hamsters. No guinea pigs. No bunny rabbits. No little white mice. No groundhogs. I’m allergic.” Instead of having a pet, Delsie must be content spending time with her friend Todd and his dog, Bug.

When Delsie begins to see a ghost dog, it looks like “a collection of fireflies, glimmering in the evening light.” Delsie confides in her best friend Todd, and at first, he thinks Delsie is “positively nuts.” The mystery of the dog and the friendship conflict combine into a compelling story. In the end, Todd proves he is a true friend by believing Delsie even though he cannot see the ghost dog himself. In addition, the heartwarming conclusion shows how a dog’s love can transform a person’s life.

Readers who are ready for chapter books will enjoy The Golden Ghost’s format because of the short chapters, large font, and illustrations. The Golden Ghost is perfect for readers who want to explore the world of ghosts without being frightened. The suspenseful story explores the bond between a person and their pet. Unlike the companion books, The Golden Ghost doesn’t have a positive life lesson. However, the enjoyable story will appeal to readers who love animals, as well as those curious about ghosts. For more ghostly fun, read Ghost Ship by Erin Soderberg and Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon by Kate Dicamillo. 

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

When a dog named Bug begins jumping near an older man, the man “swung at Bug. First, he swung one of his bags of groceries. The bag missed. Then he swung a booted foot. The foot connected. Bug yelped, a single piercing cry. He turned and barreled back toward the house.”

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

When a dog named Bug begins jumping near an older man, the man yells, “Dad-blasted dog! Get away from me!” Later the man thinks to himself, “Blasted kids!”
When Delsie tells her best friend that she sees a ghost dog, her friend says, “Sometimes I think you’re nuts. Positively nuts.”

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

Dino-Gro

Cole is very excited about his new Dino-Gro toy. He can’t wait for it to reach its full size! But when Dino-Gro becomes much larger than intended, Cole goes so far as to put Dino-Gro on a liquid-free diet and an exercise regimen, which don’t seem to make a difference! As Dino-Gro becomes so big that he can’t fit in the house, Cole learns that growing up and getting bigger can have advantages too, even if you’re not a dinosaur.

Dino-Gro is a super sweet story about Cole and his Dino-Gro. When the cute blue dinosaur first begins to grow, Cole has fun playing with him. But soon Dino-Gro is so big that he can’t fit into the house. This makes Cole and Dino-Grow sad, but when Cole gets stuck in a tree house during a terrible storm, Dino-Gro’s size makes him the perfect dino to save Cole. In the end, Cole realizes that “Dino-Gro stayed big. And that was just fine.”

Cole and Dino-Gro’s relationship is heartwarming and humorous. Readers will laugh when Cole tries to get Dino-Gro to stay out of the water, and they will cry when Dino-Gro leaves because he is too big to stay in the house. However, the conclusion will have readers cheering when the two friends are reunited. Plus, the ending has a silly surprise.

Dino-Gro is a quick and fun story to read out loud. Dino-Gro is an adorably cute blue dinosaur who has wonderfully expressive facial expressions. In addition, readers will have fun seeing Dino-Gro interact with Cole and his family. The large illustrations use primary colors and cartoonish illustrations that are packed with emotion. Each page has one to four short sentences that use easy vocabulary. Matt Myers’ humor shines through in both the text and the illustrations.

Young readers will have so much fun reading Dino-Gro that they will want to read it again and again. Even though no one wanted Dino-Gro to grow so big and so strong, it is these very characteristics that make him the hero of the story. Dino-Gro uses the concepts of little and big to humorously show that growing up includes changing, which is “just fine.”

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

I Am Extraordinary

It’s the first day of school for Zoe, a young girl with hearing loss who dreams of playing on her school’s soccer team. But, self-conscious of her hearing aids, Zoe is too nervous to try out. With the help of and perspectives from new friends, what begins as a bumpy, anxiety-filled start for Zoe, soon transitions into an eye-opening experience about what it means to be different—and what it means to be extraordinary.

With her friends’ encouragement, Zoe learns that “Your dedication to practicing soccer and your hearing aids are what makes you extraordinary.” Zoe gains confidence, and with practice, she makes the team. To reinforce the theme of being extraordinary, the book features several people with disabilities. For example, a boy in a wheelchair is playing baseball, and a girl with a prosthetic foot is running.

While the book has a positive message, the story is not well developed, and it’s difficult to determine the target audience. Zoe and her friends look like elementary school students, but Zoe is trying out for soccer and is worried about not making the team. Getting cut from a team usually doesn’t happen in elementary school, so younger readers may not relate to Zoe’s conflict. The book begins with Zoe’s first day of school, but it’s unclear why she is attending a new school since her brother has already been attending the school, and he offers to show Zoe “the ropes.”

The book moves through events, but it’s difficult to keep track of the time changes. For example, one page shows Zoe at recess, and on the next page, she is at soccer practice, and then she is at a city park. In addition, one page races through events: “Zoe practiced every day. . . Soccer tryouts were held on the big field, and Zoe made the team with ease. In a few weeks, the season began.” The very next page shows the team making it to the championship game. The time lapses are confusing and make the plot difficult to understand.

I Am Extraordinary comes to life through illustrations that have bright colors. The illustrations show Zoe’s facial expressions which helps readers understand her emotions. The characters’ thoughts and emotions are in quote bubbles and the narration is in regular text. Each page has one to ten sentences which include the use of complex sentences.

Readers with disabilities will see themselves in the pages of I Am Extraordinary. The characters include children with different abilities as well as diverse characters. The story encourages readers not to give up and to accept their differences. However, the confusing plot and underdeveloped story take away some of the enjoyment of reading the book. To help young readers understand the importance of self-acceptance, read these picture books: The Mermaid with No Tail by Jessica Long, Angus All Aglow by Heather Smith, and I Am Enough by Grace Byers.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

Gigi and Ojiji: Food for Thought

Ohayo! It’s breakfast time and Gigi can’t wait to make her favorite meal—Peanut Butter Toast. Yummy! But her grandfather, Ojiji, doesn’t like peanut butter. How can anyone NOT like peanut butter? Ojiji prefers Japanese foods—like natto, made from fermented soybeans. Will Gigi learn to love a new breakfast treat? This story highlights the close relationship of Gigi and her grandfather and the importance of trying new things!

Young readers will relate to Gigi, who tries natto even though she thought it “smelled funny. It was sticky and slimy.” Because Ojiji loves natto, Gigi doesn’t want to tell him that she doesn’t like natto so she hides her natto in her napkin, but her dog Roscoe knocks the napkin off Gigi’s lap. Instead of being upset, Ojiji says, “You don’t have to like everything, even if other people love it. The important thing is you tried it.” The cute ending shows that even though Gigi and Ojiji don’t like the same foods, Roscoe does.

As part of the I Can Read Level 3 Series, Gigi and Ojiji: Food for Thought is intended for independent readers who are ready for more complex plots and challenging vocabulary. Each page has three to six sentences and large illustrations. The cute illustrations capture Gigi’s emotions while the back of the book has a Japanese vocabulary wordlist.

Gigi is a biracial six-year-old girl from a biracial family who is portrayed in a positive light. Although Gigi and Ojiji love each other, they sometimes have misunderstandings. However, they use positive communication skills to solve their problems. Gigi’s conflict lets readers see that you can love someone even if you don’t enjoy the same things. Gigi’s relatable conflict and the adorable illustrations will have children reading Gigi and Ojiji: Food for Thought again and again.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

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.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

Raymond and Roxy: Ready? Set. Rides!

Raymond and Roxy are going to Wild World Park! They try all sorts of rides. But Raymond loves speed, and the pony rides aren’t fast enough. He tries the Wild Cat Racer but it’s still not fast enough. Will Raymond be able to find the perfect ride before the day is over?

Ready? Set. Rides! is part of the Step into Reading Level Two series, which targets readers in preschool through first grade. Each page features one to four short sentences in large font, making it an easy read. The book uses basic vocabulary and familiar words to create a simple story. Many of the pages include illustrations of Raymond and Roxy. The full-page illustrations use bright colors and focus on the characters’ facial expressions so readers can understand their emotions.

Raymond’s excitement over going to an amusement park is contagious. Raymond wants to go on all of the rides — “rides that are high and rides that are low. Rides that spin and rides that bump.” Even though Raymond wants to go on the fastest ride, when he goes on the roller coaster, he finds that the fastest ride isn’t as fun as he thought it would be. Instead, the rollercoaster is “scary fast.” Through all of the rides, Raymond is accompanied by his best friend Roxy, and his parents.

Ready? Set. Rides! is an enjoyable story that features the adventure of going to an amusement park. Readers who are looking for summer fun will find it on the pages of Ready? Set. Rides!

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

Class Clown Fish

When a silly prank lands Squizzard in deep trouble, he comes down with a case of the barnacle blues. Instead of going to the Coral Carnival with his friends, he’ll have to do the impossible and turn Seaweed Elementary’s junk-filled basement into an activity room for after-school clubs. But there just may be hidden treasures to discover . . . if Squizzard can stop all his funny business long enough to find them.

After pulling a mean prank, Squizzard gets sent to the office and the principal tells him, “This bad behavior cannot go unpunished. I’ll have to do something drastic. I’m going to have to call your mother!” As punishment, Squizzard is not allowed to go to the carnival but instead must help clean out the school’s basement. While in detention, Squizzard hears about several instances of bullying, which helps Squizzard realize that not all pranks are funny—some can make people feel embarrassed or sad. Squizzard finally realizes that “No one should have to feel left out or made fun of.”

In the end, Squizzard’s time in detention teaches him an important lesson about understanding people’s feelings. Squizzard also proves that his humor can be used in a positive way—by making comics for the school newsletter. Still, not all of Squizzard’s time in detention is projective. While there, Squizzard draws a duck with a butt and helps his friend make photocopies of his butt. Young readers will giggle at Squizzard’s behavior, even if it doesn’t make adults grin.

Class Clown Fish will appeal to young readers because of its fun design. As a graphic chapter book, it has easy-to-follow paneling and artwork that supports text comprehension. Squizzard’s ocean world comes to life in bright colors and cartoonish illustrations that show exaggerated facial expressions in order to help readers understand the characters’ emotions. The story is broken up into six chapters and each pages has two or more simple sentences. Class Clown Fish is perfect for beginning and newly independent readers aged six to eight.

Squizzard’s outrageous behavior will leave readers giggling. However, the book isn’t just a series of silly events. Through Squizzard’s experiences, readers will learn that bullying is not a laughing matter. In addition to learning how to be a better friend, Class Clown Fish also teaches about cephalopods, sea urchins, jellyfish, and other ocean creatures. To reinforce the lessons Squizzard learns about bullying, add these titles to your reading list too: The Bully Blockers Club by Teresa Bateman and The Pout-Pout Fish and the Bully-Bully Shark by Deborah Diesen.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

Squizzard is upset and wants to distract himself, so he does a “funny prank.” He grabs a first-grade pufferfish and puts him on the teacher’s chair. When the teacher sits down, both the puffer fish and the teacher are hurt. The puffer fish cries and Squizzard gets sent to the principal’s office.
A shark is being mean to a jellyfish so the jellyfish’s friend, a sea urchin, purposely stands under the shark’s foot. The shark hurts himself, and the sea urchin is given detention.
The sea urchin remembers a time when he was invited to a birthday party. The sea urchin says, “But when we got there, I found out the joke was on me. They used me to pop balloons.”

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

The Library Fish Learns to Read

The Library Fish is very happy living in her fishbowl on the desk of Mr. Hughes, the librarian. Library Fish loves welcoming visitors and seeing the books come and go as they are borrowed and returned.

All the children seem so happy reading stories of faraway places, castles, and unicorns and listening to Mr. Hughes read at Story Time. Library Fish wants to read, too! Night after night, after Mr. Hughes says good night and locks the door, Library Fish gets busy. She learns the alphabet, puts sounds together to make words, and practices reading with all the wonderful books in the library. For Library Fish, a new world is opening up—and she is ready to explore!

The Library Fish Learns to Read doesn’t have the same whimsy as The Library Fish; however, readers will still enjoy watching Library Fish learn to read, especially because the fish is so obviously proud of her accomplishments. It takes Library Fish “hour after hour, night after night,” to learn every letter and the sounds they make. As Library Fish learns to read, she has favorite words such as glub, wiggle, and bubble. Library Fish’s persistence pays off and soon she is reading books about oceans, vampires, and more!

Library Fish is an adorably cute fish who encourages readers to learn to read on their own. One positive aspect is that Library Fish doesn’t learn to read quickly. Instead, she has to practice letters first, and then words. All the hard work makes Library Fish’s accomplishments even more rewarding in the end.

Even though The Library Fish 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 some pages have no words, others have up to seven sentences. A few pages are text-heavy, but short sentences keep the pace going. Most of the story focuses on Library Fish, but the illustrations showcase humans with different skin tones.

The Library Fish Learns to Read introduces the library to young readers and shows how reading can be an adventure. If you’re looking for a picture book that shows the joy of reading, then both Library Fish books are perfect for you.

To teach young readers important library etiquette, check out If You Ever Want to Bring a Circus to the Library, DON’T! by Elise Parsley; the book will leave readers giggling as they learn.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

None

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

None

A Daring Rescue

Abby’s family has just moved to the Florida Keys to run an island resort. She’s excited to feel the surf, sand, and ocean breeze every day! And when Bella, a visitor to the island, discovers a hidden cove that’s home to a pod of dolphins, Abby knows she’s right where she should be. But Bella makes Abby swear to keep the dolphins a secret. Can Abby keep her promise, or will their friendship be over for good?

Abby is a relatable character who is eager to be friends with Bella. Even though she is eight, Abby is given a phone because she is responsible. Abby helps at the resort when needed and is kind to the workers. However, Abby doesn’t always follow her parent’s rules. For instance, even though Abby knows it is wrong, she wades into the water to get closer to the dolphins. And when Abby’s parents discover that Abby is keeping secrets and disobeying their rules, they don’t discipline her.

Unfortunately, Bella isn’t a good friend because she is secretive and dishonest. Bella keeps sneaking off to see the dolphins. Abby tries to find out why Bella keeps disappearing, but Bella doesn’t tell her the truth. When Abby discovers the dolphins, Bella makes Abby promise to keep the dolphins a secret. Bella says she’s afraid that if others come to the secret cove, the dolphins will leave. Even though Abby makes the promise, she is conflicted and, in the end, she accidentally tells her parents about the dolphins.

A Daring Rescue’s plot is easy to understand, but readers may struggle with the advanced vocabulary. Black and white illustrations appear every eight to nine pages. The illustrations focus on the characters in the story and give the reader a visual of the island’s habitat. Each of the twelve chapters has five to nine pages, which makes A Daring Rescue a great book to read as a bedtime story.

A Daring Rescue will appeal to young readers because of the dolphins and the mystery of the parrot. Abby’s adventures on the island are suspenseful and the surprising ending will leave readers with a smile. However, adults may want to discuss when it is acceptable to keep secrets as well as the danger of swimming alone. Splash into more ocean-related books by reading The Wishing Pearl by Paula Harrison, Lana Swims North by Lisa Ann Scott, and The Secret Explorers and the Lost Whales by SJ King.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

A raccoon tries to eat a parrot named Bogart. “The raccoon was there—and he was creeping toward Bogart! The macaw edged toward the water, dragging his injured wing.” Abby and Bella save Bogart. The raccoon chase is described over four pages.

Drugs and Alcohol 