Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

It’s bedtime and all the sheep are ready for sleep, but Russell can’t get tired. He tries all kinds of tricks to help him, maybe it needs to be darker, or is it too hot, or does he need a different sleeping place. None of these gimmicks help him find sleep. He attempts one more trick, will counting sheep help? This is a great bedtime book for children who have trouble falling asleep. A book to have on hand when sleep is elusive for you toddler.

Published In: 2005
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, Inc.
Age Level: 2-6 years
AR Level: 1.9
Pages: 32
Stars: 5
Series: 3 Books

A Good Night Walk by Elisha Cooper 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

The reader takes a walk before bed with a child and parent through the neighborhood. They pass the neighbor who is gardening, the squirrels in the trees, the birds in the air and much more. The illustrations are charming and the words soothing. The book is perfect to settle down with when it’s bedtime. A great book to end the day.

Published In: 2005
Publisher: Orchard Books
Age Level: 3-5 years
AR Level: 2.3
Pages: 36
Stars: 5

The Wheel On The School by Meindert DeJong 🟊🟊🟊

I tried so hard to read all of this children’s classic but after 100 pages I was done with it. Six schoolchildren are on a quest to bring back storks to their small Dutch fishing village. They are looking for a wagon wheel which supposedly is where storks like to build their nests. The story moves very slowly, and it was not that interesting. Maybe in 1955 it appealed to elementary school students, but it will not engage today’s children.


Published In: 1954
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, Inc.
Age Level: 8-12 years
AR Level: 4.7
Pages: 298
Stars: 3
Awards: 1955 Newbery Medal

Journey by Aaron Becker 🟊🟊🟊🟊

A young girl cannot find anybody to play with her. Her friends are off doing other things, and her family is too busy. So, with a red maker in hand, she draws a red door, and that door leads to another world. She sets off on a boat to a castle, then rides a red balloon and is captured by a evil emperor. When she loses her red maker how will she ever get back home? The book is wordless so be prepared to use your imagination when “reading” this book with your child. What the book lacks in words is does make up in the stunning illustrations.

Published In: 2013
Publisher: Candlewick
Age Level: 3-6 years
AR Level: N/A
Pages: 40
Stars: 4
Series: 3 Books
Awards: 2014 Caldecott Honor

Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary 🟊🟊🟊🟊

Beverly Cleary’s series of books about Ramon are classics. In this book she is in second grade, and she has two big worries. They both concern her father. First, her father has been laid off from this job and her mother must go back to work full-time. Not only is the money tight but the family routine has been disrupted. Second, Ramona’s sister had told her their father’s smoking will cause him to die. Ramona and her sister embark on a campaign to get their father to quit smoking.

In today’s world not many American families have a parent that smokes. So, I found this part of the book irrelevant. On the other hand, many families can relate to a parent losing their job. Ramona antics bring laughter to the story and overall, it is an enjoyable read, even thou if feels a bit dated. I would get this one from the library.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 1975	Profanity: No
Publisher: Fitzgerald Books	Violence: No
Age Level: 8-12 years	Sexual Content: No
AR Level: 5.2	Mature Themes: Unemployment
Pages: 165 Series: 8 Books
Stars: 4 Awards: 1978 Newbery Honor

 

Snow by Uri Shulevitz 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Love the illustrations, love the book. One boy and his dog really want it to snow. As they look out the window, they see a snowflake. They run outside and go all around town telling the people on the streets that it will snow but the towns people tell him it will melt. The boy is right and by the end of the book the whole town is white. This book was at my granddaughter’s reading level, so she read the book to me. We had fun with the pictures, and she was so proud to be able to read it by herself. A great first reader that is actually a good book.

Published In: 1998
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, Giroux
Age Level: 2-7 years
AR Level: 1.6
Pages: 28
Stars: 5
Awards: 1999 Caldecott Honor

Jake the Fake Keeps it Real by Craig Robinson and Adam Mansbach 🟊🟊🟊🟊

Jake will attend a new school starting in 6th grade, the Music and Art Academy. This is the same school that Jake’s very talented and gifted sister goes to. Jake is not sure how he managed to get into the school but now that he is there can he convince his teachers that he is talented and gifted like his siter? Jake attempts several projects to find his true talent with no results. Finally on the night of the big talent show Jake finds his true calling. The book is funny and middle school boys will enjoy Jake’s antics. The book is not a classic but great for reluctant readers.

 

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 2017	Profanity: No
Publisher: Crown Books	Violence: No
Age Level: 8-12 years	Sexual Content: No
AR Level: 5.4	Mature Themes: No
Pages: 135
Stars: 4 Series: 3 Books

Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Pig is a pug who does not like to share his chew toys, balls, and bones. Trevor, the wiener dog, lives in the same house as the pug. Trevor really wants to play with some of the dog toys, but the greedy and selfish Pig will not share. When Pig puts all his toys in one pile and climbs on top of them an accident happens. Pig then rethinks his greedy ways, and both dogs learn to play together. A wonderful book for siblings that have trouble sharing. The story teaches life lessons without being preachy, my granddaughter loved it. I recommend getting the complete 13 book series.

Published In: 2015
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Age Level: 2-5 years
AR Level: 1.7
Pages: 24
Series: 13 Books
Stars: 5

Tops & Bottoms by Janet Stevens 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Hare needs to feed his very hungry family, but he has lost all his money and land. In desperation he and his wife form a plan to trick the lazy Bear that lives down the street. They want to use the land in front of Bear’s house to plant crops. Hare tells Bear he will plant and harvest the crops, and Hare will keep the bottom half and Bear can have the top half. When Hare’s family digs up the carrots, radishes, and beets, the family keeps the good parts grown on the bottom and Bear is left with the greens on top. The innovative Hare family does this again and again to Bear before he says no more. Bear then grows his own crops but not before Hare has been able to sell the surplus crops and buy land for his own family to harvest. Add this clever book to your home library, it will be asked for over and over.

Published In: 1995
Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
Age Level: 4-7 years
AR Level: 3.2
Pages:32
Stars: 5
Awards:1996 Caldecott Honor

Fun Activity: Plant a small or big vegetable garden with your child.

The Giant Jumperee by Julia Donaldson 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Rabbit comes home to his burrow and finds an intruder. Someone claiming to be the Giant Jumperee is hiding in his home and says, “I’m as scary as be!”. Rabbit does not want to enter his house, so he runs to his friends Cat, Bear and Elephant for help. All three try to get the Giant Jumperee out of Rabbit’s burrow but with no success. Elephant asks Mama Frog for help, will she be able to get the intruder out of Rabbit’s home? This is a delightful book that your toddler will want to read again and again.

Published In: 2017
Publisher: Dial Books
Age Level: 2-4 years
AR Level: N/A
Pages: 32
Stars: 5

The One Thing You'd Save by Linda Sue Park 🟌🟌🟌🟌

“If your home was on fire, what one thing would you save?” People and pets are safe, and it doesn’t matter the size of the item. This is the homework that Mrs. Chang gives her class. The answers she gets back are as varied as the diversity of the children in her class. The book is written in verse which is the perfect vehicle for each the students to express their thoughts. Being a Nana I particularly loved the responses that had items associated with family, the sweater that Gran had knitted, hair clippings from a dead brother, or the plant cutting from a grandmother’s philodendron.

My 9-year-old grandson liked the book, but he found it a bit overwhelming. After each student’s response he would have to rethink his own answer. It took us two sittings to finish. I do agree with other reviewers that the author jumped around too much between students and their inner thoughts. “The One Thing You’d Save” gets a solid 4 from me.

Published In: 2021
Publisher: Clarion Books
Age Level: 8-12 years
AR Level: 3.9
Pages: 80
Stars: 4

Zin! Zin! Zin a Violin by Lloyd Moss 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

One by one the musical instruments are introduced and given the spotlight in the delightful counting book about music. It starts with the “mournful moan” of the trombone and ends with the “angel’s wings” of a harp to form a “Chamber Group of Ten”. The book is written in verse which gives it a flowing musical vibe. The book is an intro to musical instruments for young readers. If your child shows an interest in music this is the book for them.

Published In: 1995
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Age Level: 2-4 years
AR Level: 3.3
Pages: 27
Stars:5
Awards: 1996 Caldecott Honor

26 Fairmount Avenue by Tomie DePaola 🟊🟊🟊🟊

“26 Fairmount Avenue” is a good book but not a great one. The one-year autobiography of Tomie DePaola covers his fourth year of life. The first event he describes is the hurricane of 1938 that hits the town of Meriden, Ct., what it was like and the aftermath of the storm. This is also the year that his family starts to build a new home and with all building projects there are ups and downs. Two other significant events happen to Tomie, he starts kindergarten, and the movie Snow White by Disney is released. He is very disappointed to find out that he will not learn to read until 1st grade and refuses to go back to school. Then the movie Snow White is not at all like the book and is very upsetting. The book is heartwarming and entertaining, but it did not leave my grandkids wanting more. Get this one from the library.

Published In: 1999
Publisher: Putnam
Age Level: 5-8 years
AR Level: 4.6
Pages:58
Stars:4
Awards: 2000 Newbery Honor

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Picking blueberries is hard work and Little Sal would much rather be eating berries than picking them. At Blueberry Hill Little Sal and her mother are picking berries to be canned for winter. Eventually she becomes tired and sits down in a clump of berries to rest and of course eats more berries. Meanwhile on the other side of the mountain Little Bear and his mother were getting ready for winter by eating lots of berries to prepare for their long winter nap. Little Bear and Little Sal lose track of their mothers and both venture from their resting place to find them. In their attempt they pair up with the wrong mothers. Oh No!

“Blueberries for Sal” is a timeless story. It was one of my favorites as a child and my 5-year-old granddaughter enjoyed the book. Even though it was published 75 years ago both the illustrations and text are relevant for today’s preschoolers. The story has suspense without being scary. I think every child at one time, or another comes behind a person at the grocery/mall thinking it was their mother only to find out its somebody else. A must for every home library.

Fun Activity: If possible, go berry picking and then make something with them; pie, muffins or jam.

Published In: 1948
Publisher: The Viking Press
Age Level: 2-5 years
AR Level: 4.1
Pages: 64
Stars: 5
Awards: 1949 Caldecott Honor

 

Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

 

“Across Five Aprils” is an historical novel that takes place during the Civil War. Jethro Creighton is a nine-year-old boy living in rural southern Illinois when the Civil War breaks out. He watches as his brothers go off to war and he is left at home to take care of the family farm. He endures many hardships over the next five years, his father’s heart attack, the family barn burns down, always worrying about the crops and if his brothers will come home from the war.

The book is hard to read whether you are an adult or a middle schooler. The words are written as they are pronounced but the dialect is 1800’s farm county which takes a couple of chapters to catch on to what the characters are saying. The author gives a lot of details about the battles and Generals. The history is accurate but it’s easy to lose interest in the story. I was much more focused on how the family was going to survive the war then which General fought what battle. The book is a classic, but your child will need encouragement to finish it. A book for the student in your family.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 1964	Profanity: No
Publisher: Follett Publishing Company	Violence: War
Age Level: 12-16 years	Sexual Content: No
AR Level: 6.8	Mature Themes: Racism
Pages: 223
Stars: 5 Awards: 1965 Newbery Honor

One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

“One Cool Friend” is one cool book. The very proper and polite Elliot takes a trip to the aquarium with his father. His father settles on a bench to read his newspaper, and Elliot is left on his own. He skips the saltwater tank, the jellies display, and the hands-on tide pool. He heads straight to the penguins. Elliot knows he has a lot in common with the penguins and one of them would be a perfect pet. So, he puts a penguin in his backpack to take home. How will his father react once he finds out about Elliot’s new pet?


Published In: 2012
Publisher: Dial/Penguin
Age Level: 5-8 years
AR Level: 3.1
Pages:32
Stars:5
Awards: 2013 Caldecott Honor

Hot Dog by Doug Salati 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

It’s summertime in the city and one dog has had enough of the heat, noise and crowds. The hot dog lies down in the middle of the street and refuses to move one more step. The dog’s owner has an idea, she picks up her pet and calls for a taxi. The two of them take off for an adventure at the beach. This is just the trip to revitalize both dog and owner. When they make it back to the city, they are ready to face the stress of city life. The book has more illustrations than words which make it a great discussion book. My 4-year-old granddaughter enjoyed talking about all the beautiful pictures and narrating her own side story.

Published In: 2022
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Age Level: 2-6 years
AR Level: N/A
Pages: 40
Stars:5
Awards: 2023 Caldecott Honor

Trayaurus and the Enchanted Crystal by DanTDM 🟌

The book is written by a popular You Tuber and Minecraft gamer, DanTDM. The plot of the book “reimagines the minecraft-style world and characters”. My 9-year-old grandson read the first 30 pages and he had enough. Even though he is into gaming and watches You Tubes he didn’t like the book. He told me the main character was not interesting and kind of boring. Which is too bad because I thought the book had great potential.

I did make an attempt to read some of this book myself but I have to say graphic novels are not my thing. I am not sure if it’s all the pictures on the page or the small print. I never know what panel to read next. I had a very hard time following the story. I did notice that it was all the DanTDM fans that gave the book 5 stars. Wish I could rate it higher, but Nana gives it 1 star.

Published In: 2016
Publisher: Harper
Age Level: 7-9 years
AR Level: 2.7
Pages: 192
Stars: 1
Graphic Novel

Stone Soup by Marcia Brown 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

“Stone Soup” is a children’s classic tale that has been retold by many authors. This version was written in 1947. Some of the older Caldecott books do not age very well, but this one does stand up to the test of time. Three soldiers are on their way home after fighting in the wars. They are very hungry when they come to a village. They ask the villagers for some food and a place to sleep. After the villagers say no to their request they have an idea, let’s make stone soup. Can stone soup turn in to a feast? This vintage book is a must for the home library.

Published In: 1947
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Publisher
Age Level: 3 -8 years
AR Level: 3.3
Pages: 46
Stars:5
Awards: 1948 Caldecott Honor

Alphabatics by Suse MacDonald 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

I have read a lot of Alphabet books and this one is my favorite. I love the way the letters become part of what they represent. Such as the letter C for clown turning into the clown’s smile. The colors are great, and the pages have just enough activity without becoming cluttered to keep the reader turning the pages. This is a wonderful book for the toddler who is learning the alphabet.

Fun Activity: Shape letters using pipe cleaners

Published In: 1986
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Age Level: 3-6 years
AR Level: N/A
Pages: 64
Stars: 5

Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein - 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

It’s bedtime and Papa Chicken is trying to tell a bedtime story to Little Chicken. Each time Papa starts a tale she cuts the story short to save the characters from danger. Papa runs out of stories, so he asks Little Chicken to tell him one. Who will fall asleep first? Even though the book does not teach a lesson about interrupting the book is fun and silly. Toddlers will want to read it again and again.


Published In: 2010
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Age Level: 3-6 years
AR Level: 2.2
Pages:40
Stars: 5
Series: 3 Books
Awards: 2011 Caldecott Honor

A Child's Good Night Book by Margaret Wise Brown 🟌🟌🟌🟌

“A Child’s Good Night Book” is a calming and soothing story about all the animals in the world going to sleep at night. Its text is repetitive which makes it a favorite with children under 4 years. The illustrations were creepy to me. I know the animals were suppose to be sleeping but they looked almost dead. I would borrow this one from the library before buying.

Fun Activity: Name an animal and have your child tell you where they think they sleep at night.

Published In: 1943
Publisher: William R. Scott
Age Level: 0-4 years
AR Level: N/N
Pages: 32
Stars: 4
Award: 1944 Caldecott Honor

There's a Nightmare In My Closet by Mercer Mayer 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Parents of toddlers around the world are familiar with the “Little Critter” series by Mercer Mayer. They are a great set of books and part of almost everybody’s childhood since the 1970’s. However, there is another series of Mayer’s books that I think are better, called “There’s Something in My Room”. The first in the series “There’s a Nightmare in My Closet” is the one most readers recognize. The other two are “There’s an Alligator Under My Bed” and “There’s Something in the Attic”. In the series the character conquers their fears, whether it’s the monster in the closet, under the bed or in the attic.

“There’s a Nightmare in My Closet” is the first book my granddaughter had memorized by the age of 3. At the age of 5 she still loves this book and will ask me to read it again and again. The humor is spot on and if you read the book using the right voice and with some drama, any child will forget to be scared about the monster in the closet. All three books give solutions on how to overcome the imagined fear of a scary monster. I would recommend all three for your home library, just be ready to read them over and over.

Fun Activity: Your and your child take on the task of cleaning out their bedroom closet just to make sure no monsters are living in it.

Published In: 1968
Publisher: Penguin Putnam
Age Level: 2-5 Years
AR Level: 2.4
Pages: 32
Stars: 5

The Black Pearl by Scott O'Dell 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

“The Black Pearl” is a classic and should be read by every middle schooler. Ramon Salazar wants to be a great pearl diver like his father and to find the largest pearl in the sea, the Pearl of Heaven. As with most who desire treasure, there is a price to pay and Ramon pays with the life of his father.

The text is straightforward, and the storyline flows effortlessly. The book should be an easy read for any 10–13-year-old. “The Black Pearl” is an adventure novel with lots of suspense that keeps the reader going page after page until the book is finished. My only complaint is that the illustrations are dark and hard to decipher but otherwise this book has a place in every home library.

Published In: 1967
Publisher: Dell
Age Level: 10-13 years
AR Level: 5.4
Pages: 96
Stars: 5
Award: 1968 Newbery Honor

When Giants Come to Play by Andrea Beaty 🟌🟌🟌🟌

It is summertime and two giants have come to play with Anna. The play hide and seek, marbles, catch and a slew of other games. It is fascinating to see how the author and the illustrator pull together to make this book a fun read. Each page displays an activity that Anna plays with her giant friends. These are not scary giants at all and by the end of the book you wish you had two giants for friends.

The whimsical illustrations are what makes the book entertaining. When I read this to my 5-year-old granddaughter we had more discussions about the pictures than the text. I would have liked more substance to the story. I went back and read the book without the pictures, and it was not that exciting. “When Giants Come to Play” is 4-star book.

Published In: 2006
Publisher: Abram Books for Young Readers
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: 3.2
Pages: 31
Stars: 4

The Pied Piper's Magic by Steven Kellogg 🟌🟌🟌🟌

Peterkin is a cheery elf even though he is poor. He is searching for work when he comes across the home of a retired witch whose house need some repairs. The witch tells him she has no money to pay him, but he does the work anyway. Upon Peterkin completing the work she gives him a magical pipe. The pipe does not make the sound of notes but instead letters. When he spells out the letters of animals they appear before him and then when he reverses the letters the animal turns into what he has spelled out. While Peterkin is traveling the county, he comes upon a dark and dreary city full of rats. With his magical pipe he is able get of rid the rats but also turn the city into a lovable place for people to live.

The illustrations in this book are bright and colorful. The pictures make the reader happy just looking at them. I never read the original tale of the Pied Piper which apparently is not a very happy story but this one has a feel-good ending. My granddaughter and I liked the book, and we will read it again. If you were to pick just one of Kellogg’s books, I think there are better ones such as the those that retell American folk stories.

Fun Activity: Try to find some simple wind instrument in your house such as a recorder or harmonica, and have your child make some noise.  

Published In: 2009
Publisher: Dial/Penguin
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: 4.3
Pages: 40
Stars: 4

Galaxy Zack Monster In Space ! by Ray O'Ryan 🟊🟊🟊

The “Galaxy Zack” books are perfect for the student who is just beginning to read chapter books, lots of pictures and big print, but that might be all its good for. I read the “Galaxy Zack Monsters in Space!”, number 4 of 18, with my grandson and he was not impressed. The book did excite him enough to want to read anymore in the series. The story is about a new kid at school who does look like anybody else in the class. Can Zack find it in himself to be friends with him? There are more engaging books for the beginner reader, get this one from the library before you purchase.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 2013	Profanity: None
Publisher: Little Simon	Violence: None
Age Level: 5-9 years	Sexual: None
AR Level: 3.3	Mature Themes: None
Pages: 119	Series : 18 Books
Stars: 3

A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart by Zetta Elliott 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Many strong feelings are presented in this book. As a young boy copes with a shooting in his neighborhood he deals with sorrow, fear, and anger. At the same time, he has other emotions joy, pride, and peace. The story is told in the form of a poem, and the illustrations are expressive and powerful. The Black Live Matters movement is displayed prominently throughout the book. The audience for this picture book is the elementary school student, I would not recommend it for preschoolers.

Published In: 202
Publisher: Farrar, Staus and Grioux
Age Level: 6-10 years
AR Level: N/A
Pages: 32
Stars: 5
Awards: 2021 Caldecott Honor

Taking Care of Mama by Mitra Modarressi 🟊🟊🟊🟊

Oh no! Mama is sick in bed. Papa and the kids must step up and take care of both Mama and the house. They have to do all the cooking and the gardening. Which they tackle with enthusiasm but there are a with a couple of mishaps along the way. By the end of the day the house is in chaos. Quickly the family must clean, so Mama does not come downstairs to find a mess. This is a cute book that reinforces the message that all family members need to pitch in when things go astray. My 1st grade granddaughter was able to read the book all by herself.

Published In: 2014
Publisher: Knopf
Age Level: 3-5 years
AR Level: 1.6
Pages: 20
Stars: 4

The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Noble 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

This is one of the funniest children’s books you will ever read. A little girl describes to her mother the class trip to a farm. It starts with a crying cow and from there she tells her mom a series of hilarious events that took place at the farm all because Jimmy brought his pet Boa to meet the animals. My kids loved this book and now the grandchildren like it just as much. It’s a classic in our house and a book that is asked for over and over.

Published In: 1980
Publisher: Penguin Putnam
Age Level: 3-7 years
AR Level: 2.2
Pages: 32
Stars: 5

Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Twelve-year-old Martha Boyle has a lot to deal with. One of her classmates was hit by a car and died, she finds herself liking a boy that she previously despised, and her relationship with her family is strained. As the author sends the Boyle family off on their annual family vacation to Cap Code to visit mother/grandmother, all these issues come to a head. It is Goodbee, Martha’s wise grandmother that helps her navigate through all of life’s problems.

“Olive’s Ocean “is a coming-of-age book that is more suitable for middle-schoolers than elementary school children. The book has a smattering of “bad” language and one sexual reference. Even more important is that the feelings and thoughts that Martha has are more age appropriate for the older student. I enjoyed the book and read it for the first time as an adult. I could relate to Martha as I look back at myself at her age. I will be putting the book on the list for my granddaughters to read. In my opinion, it is a book that would appeal more to girls than boys.

Published In: 2003
Publisher: Greenwillow
Age Level: 8-12 years
AR Level: 4.7
Pages: 217
Stars: 5
Award: 2004 Newbery Honor

Henry Heckelbeck Gets a Dragon by Wanda Coven 🟌🟌🟌🟌

“Henry Heckelbeck Gets a Dragon” is the first book in a series of 18 books. Henry seems like a normal kid, but his family is anything but normal. His Mom, Sister and Aunt are witches. He does not think that he has any magic until he finds a book of spells in his room. Henry tries one of the spells on his toy dragon to make it come alive. At first, he didn’t think the spell worked but the next morning at school the dragon was flying. Will he be able to corral the dragon and turn it back into a toy?

The book has illustrations on about every page which helps keep young readers engaged. The print is big and the words simple. The series is a great start for reader that are beginning chapter books. The plot is predictable but second graders will enjoy Henry’s antics.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 2019	Profanity: None
Publisher: Little Simon	Violence: None
Age Level: 5-9 years	Sexual: None
AR Level: 3.2	Mature Themes: None
Pages: 119
Stars: 4

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Dragons love tacos but only with mild toppings. They can’t handle spicy salsa or green chilis. If a dragon gets a hold of salsa, it makes their “ears smoke”, they “snort sparks” and they get “tummy troubles”. When the dragons are invited to a taco party somehow spicy salsa finds its way onto the tacos. What will happen to the dragons when they eat the tacos? OH NO!

This is a classic children’s book, and it can be read over and over. All my grandchildren love it along with its sequel. This is a great bedtime story and a must for all home libraries.

Fun Activity: Make some tacos with your child and be sure to have all the toppings. 

Published In: 2012
Publisher: Dial Books
Age Level: 2-5 years
AR Level: 3.1
Pages: 32
Stars: 5

This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience and Regrowth by Sean Rubin 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and the windows of my apartment looked across the harbor at the World Trade Center. Every morning when I woke up, they were the first things I would see and at night before I went to bed the last. I was not living in NY at the time of the 9/11 tragedy but like everybody in America if affected me deeply.

“This Very Tree” is a book that introduces the devastation of 9/11 without being too scary for younger children. The events of that day are told through the eyes of a tree without the details of the death and destruction. The tree is a Callery pear and is based on the real experiences of a tree known as the “Survivor Tree”. This tree is at the new plaza for the World Trade Center.

This picture book is not for preschoolers but rather elementary school children. Children will want to know more about this day so be prepared with your answers. I like to emphasize the resiliency and strength of the people, city and our nation that was shown after the attack. This book is a must for your home library.  

 Fun Activity: Go to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum home page and watch the video on the Survivor Tree and complete the recommended activity.

https://www.911memorial.org/learn/youth-and-families/activities-home/survivor-tree-leaves 

Published In: 2021
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
Age Level: 6-12 Years
AR Level: 2.9
Pages: 48
Stars: 5

Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm 🟊🟊🟊🟊

The year is 1899 and 12-year-old May Amelia has a rough life. She is the only girl in a family of 8 children, in fact she is the only girl in the community of Nasel. Her Pappa is always telling her “Don’t Get Into Mischief May Ameila” and to be a “Proper Young Lady”. All she wants is to go fishing and run around the logging camp with her brothers. May Amelia might get some help from her mother who is pregnant, and May Amelia is hopeful that it will be a baby girl.

The book is written without quotation marks when the character is talking, making it sometimes hard to follow the dialogue. I like May Amelia, she is both tough and compassionate. Her character develops over the book which makes her endearing to the reader. This historical fiction is a wonderful insight into Pioneer Life at the turn of the century. If your child likes historical fiction this is a great addition to your home library.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 1999	Profanity: None
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, Inc.	Violence: Murder
Age Level: 10-13 years	Sexual: None
AR Level: 4.8	Mature Themes: Death of a Baby,
Pages: 253	Aging, Prejudice
Awards: 2000 Newbery Honor Stars: 4