Published by Peachtree Publishing Company

Summary:  Madeline’s dog Star is turning one year old, and he’s facing an important event.  Star and Madeline have been practicing meeting people and dogs, sitting and staying to get ready for Star’s test to qualify as a therapy dog at Walker Oaks Retirement Village.  All goes well on the first two days, except that Star fails to make old Mr. Humphrey smile, and Madeline can’t even get him to say hello.  The third time around, Madeline gets a reminder to be patient.  She and Star sit with Mr. Humphrey, reading him a book, until their patience is finally rewarded, and Star gets a therapy dog tag to put on his collar.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Somehow I’ve missed these adorable books about Madeline Finn and her dog: there’s one about her learning to read with Bonnie, the library dog, and another about how she gets Star.  This one will definitely tug at your heartstrings, both the winning illustrations and the touching ending.  Madeline and the two sweet dogs on the cover are sure to draw readers to them like a double canine magnet.

Cons:  Seemed like a missed opportunity not to have additional information about therapy dogs at the end.

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Published by Nancy Paulsen Books

All Because You Matter Published by Orchard Books

Summary:  Two books celebrating black children, especially black boys, with pictures by Caldecott-winning illustrators.  I Am Every Good Thing (by the team that brought us the multi-award winning Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut) is told in the first person by a boy who shares all the good things he is: powerful, good, creative, a gentleman and a scholar.  He falls off his skateboard, but gets right back on again. He’s funny, full of energy, and athletic.  But he’s also afraid sometimes, and “will not answer to any name that is not my own.”  He concludes with, “And without a shadow of a doubt, I am worthy to be loved.” 32 pages; ages 4-8.

All Because You Matter is narrated by a parent talking to her child, and takes the child from before he was born, when “you were dreamed of, like a knapsack full of wishes, carried on the backs of your ancestors as they created empires, pyramids, legacies.”  Then come first steps, first words, and first books.  There are predictions of troubles ahead, whether it’s classmates giggling at an unfamiliar name, a low grade on a test, or the sight of people on TV who “take a breath, take a stand, take a knee…as another name is called: Trayvon, Tamir, Philandro, and you wonder if they, or you, will ever matter.”  Throughout the book, the boy is assured that he matters, and the conclusion is, “You mattered. They mattered. We matter…and always will.” Includes notes from the author and the illustrator.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Two beautiful and important picture books that reinforce the message to all children, but especially to black children (boys in particular) that they are capable, worthy, and loved.  I am sure these will both be considered for multiple awards, both for their messages and their beautiful illustrations.

Sometimes if I can’t find any “Cons” for a book, I make up something silly, but that seems inappropriate in this case, so I’m just going with “Pros” for these two books.

If you would like to buy I Am Every Good Thing, click here.

If you would like to buy All Because You matter, click here.

 Published by Tundra Books

Summary:  Barnabus is a part-elephant, part-mouse creature who lives in a bell jar in the basement of Perfect Pets.  He was created to be a Perfect Pet, but instead joined others in the part of the factory called Failed Experiments.  He’s comfortable and well-fed there, but sometimes wonders about the outside world.  When he and the others learn they are about to be recycled, they start planning their escape.  With Barnabus leading the way, they manage to break out of their jars and travel through the labyrinth of pipes that ultimately take them to the great outdoors.  The final few pages see them living happily in a park, sometimes facing hardships, but working together to create a happy–and free–life for themselves.  72 pages; grades K-5.

Pros:  As one of the Fan Brother biggest–well, fans, I was delighted to see a new book by them (there are now three brothers on the team: Terry, Eric, and newcomer Devin).  Their wildly imaginative landscapes and animals could easily be turned into a Pixar film, and kids are sure to fall in love with the “Failed Experiments” that are adorable hybrids of different real animals.

Cons:  The somewhat creepy premise of animals living in bell jars until they’re recycled as well as the 72-page length may make this a picture book better suited to older readers.

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