The Little Guys by Vera Brosgol

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Roaring Brook Press

Image result for little guys brosgol

Image result for little guys brosgol

Summary:  The cute little guys with their acorn caps seem to be the underdogs of the forest, working together to share their habitat with bigger, fiercer animals.  But as the book goes on, the illustrations start to tell a different story. The little guys want everything for themselves and are working together to steal the animals’ food, even pushing a bear into the water to steal his fish.  But when their greed causes a catastrophe and the other animals help them out, they realize that cooperation works better than competition. 40 pages; ages 3-7.

Pros:  Caldecott honor illustrator Vera Brosgol has created a fun story to share.  Kids will laugh out loud at the antics of the little guys, but their tale is sure to provoke some discussion, too, about the do’s and don’ts of sharing space with others.

Cons:  I saw a few Amazon reviewers who thought the little guys were a trifle too nasty; my guess is kids will think they’re just pretty funny.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Camp Shady Crook by Lee Gjersten Malone

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Simon and Schuster

Image result for camp shady crook

Summary:  Archie Drake is looking forward to another summer at Camp Shady Brook, conning rich kids out of their money with the help of his faithful sidekick Oliver.  But when a new girl named Vivian overhears the two boys scheming, she wants in on their partnership. Thinking she’s only there for a week, Archie lets her in on a few of his secrets, but when he finds out she’s staying the whole summer, he’s had enough.  They make a bet to see who can pull off the unlikeliest con, with the loser having to give up bilking kids out of money for the rest of the summer. The only problem is, no matter how much Archie and Vivian pretend not to care, they can’t help feeling bad about the hurt feelings and ruined friendships they leave in their wake.  When one of their tricks backfires and threatens to shut down the whole camp, they realize it’s time to pool their talents and turn Camp Shady Crook around once and for all. 288 pages; grades 3-6.

Pros:  Fun summer reading with a story told points of view alternating between Archie and Veronica, reminiscent of Gordon Korman.

Cons:  It took me awhile to warm up to the two main characters.   

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

The Fisherman and the Whale by Jessica Lanan

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Simon and Schuster

Image result for fisherman whale lanan amazon

Image result for fisherman whale lanan amazon

Summary:  While a boy and his fisherman father work at hauling in their catch in this wordless tale, a whale gets tangled in nets and line under the water.  As the boat is heading home, the boy spots the whale’s tail in the distance and convinces his father to investigate. As they get closer, they can see that the whale’s mouth is wrapped in fishing line.  In a daring rescue, the fisherman jumps into the water with a knife, and manages to cut the whale free, repeatedly diving beneath the water to slice away the lines and nets. Safely back on the boat, the man and his son share a hug before hearing something in the water.  They look to see the whale leap from the water, and they exchange a wave and some smiles before each one heads off into the sunset. Includes an author’s note with more information about the dangers of fishing to whales, dolphins, and porpoises, as well as a note cautioning kids not to try any sort of rescue themselves.  48 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  I do love a good wordless book, and this one has gorgeous watercolor illustrations that tell the story clearly enough for preschoolers to understand.  The environmental message is a nice bonus.

Cons:  Even though the fisherman managed to save this particular whale, he still seems to be engaging in an activity that has the potential to kill other marine mammals.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Born Just Right by Jordan Reeves and Jen Lee Reeves

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Jeter Publishing

Image result for born just right

Summary:  Jordan Reeves was born with what she calls a “little arm”; her left arm ends just above the elbow.  Her mom has become her strongest advocate, making sure she participates in every area of life she can, including dance, soccer, softball, and Crossfit.  Jordan also has become passionate about design and STEAM, launching her Project Unicorn, a device she invented that can fit onto her left arm to shoot glitter.  Through her design work, she has become a spokesperson for people with disabilities, including working with Mattel to help design Barbies and American Girl dolls with limb differences. She and her mom cover a variety of topics in this book, not only their family’s story, but also what it’s like to have a disability, how to talk to a person about their disability, and resources for getting involved with design and the maker movement.  Includes a list of websites. 160 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  Kids will learn a lot about what it’s like to have a disability and how to interact with people with disabilities.  Jordan is unfailingly upbeat, but also honest about her occasional frustrations and sadness about her arm. Her mom has written a few sections giving her perspective which makes this a useful resource for parents as well as kids.

Cons:  It was hard for me to get as excited about a glitter shooter as Jordan seems to be about it.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Image result for born just right

Juana & Lucas: Big Problemas by Juana Medina

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Candlewick

Image result for juana lucas big

Image result for juana lucas big

Summary:  Juana and her dog Lucas are back for another adventure.  Coming to you from Bogotá, Colombia, Juana does a quick review of all the good things in her life for those who may have missed them the first time in Juana and Lucas.  But then she launches into her big problema:  her beloved Mami has a new friend Luis, and it looks like things are starting to get serious.  Much to Juana’s chagrin, the two get engaged and start planning a wedding. Juana is not excited, and is adamant that she won’t be a flower girl.  She wishes she could meet her father, who, we learn, died in a fire when she was a baby. But Luis is pretty nice, and gradually Juana gets used to the idea of him joining the family and moving to a new casa.  By the last few pages, she is planning where to hang the wedding photos of her new extended family in her new bedroom.  96 pages; grades K-3.

Pros:  Fans of the first book (which won a Belpré Award in 2017) will enjoy the new one just as much.  The large, colorful illustrations are adorable, and fans of Junie B. Jones and Judy Moody will recognize a kindred spirit in Juana.  The Spanish words are given context clues for non-Spanish speakers, and the glimpses of Bogotá make it look like a fun place to visit or live.  Thank you to Candlewick for sending me an advance reading copy of this book.

Cons:  Just like with the first book, I found myself wishing for a list of Spanish words with English translations at the end.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

 

Ninita’s Big World: The True Story of a Deaf Pygmy Marmoset by Sarah Glenn Marsh, illustrations by Stephanie Fizer Coleman

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Clarion Books

Image result for ninita's big world amazon

Summary:  Ninita is a pygmy marmoset, the smallest kind of monkey in the world, who was born deaf and abandoned by her parents after a few weeks.  Rescued by humans, she found a new home at the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation in Florida, where she thrived. Eventually, she was introduced to a male pygmy marmoset, Mr. Big, and the two now live together at the Foundation.  Includes additional information about pygmy marmosets and the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, along with a couple of photos of Ninita. 32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  This cute animal story with its messages of love and friendship will undoubtedly appeal to a wide variety of young readers.  

Cons:  There’s quite a bit of anthropomorphism, e.g., “Ninita wished she had a marmoset friend to share her adventures.”

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Image result for ninita's big world

Make a Wish, Henry Bear by Liam Francis Walsh

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Roaring Brook Press

Image result for make a wish henry bear amazon

Image result for make a wish henry bear

Summary:  Why do Henry Bear’s parents insist on keeping him up late at night, feeding him chocolate cake three times a day, and suggesting he stay home from school to watch TV?  Turns out Henry made a wish on his last birthday that his parents could be more fun. It’s been a year now, and Henry is ready to go back to some rules. When he finally gets to school on his birthday (late, thanks to Mom and Dad), he meets a new girl, Marjani, and invites her to to his house, where they discover, to Henry’s horror, that they’re having candy instead of cake for his birthday dinner.  With no candles to blow out, is Henry doomed to have another year of fun parents? Marjani just might have the solution. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  There’s a moral to this story, but it comes wrapped in a beautifully illustrated (Henry’s city is inspired by Ticino, Switzerland) and humorous package, that kids won’t mind at all.  

Cons:  If Henry’s new birthday wish doesn’t come true, Mom and Dad Bear might be getting a visit from the child welfare authorities.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Image result for make a wish henry bear

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Henry Holt and Co.

Image result for remarkable journey coyote amazon

Summary:  Ever since her mother and two sisters were killed in a car accident, Coyote and her father, Rodeo, have been traveling around the U.S. in an old school bus.  Rodeo declares anything that would remind them of their past a “no-go”, but when Coyote hears from her grandmother that a park near her old home is being destroyed, she is determined to go back there.  It turns out that, shortly before the accident, Coyote, her mom, and her sisters buried a memory box in the park. Coyote has to figure out a way to get Rodeo back to their hometown without revealing her motivation for doing so.  As they travel from Florida to Washington, they pick up an interesting assortment of people and animals who make the trip with them and become part of Coyote’s conspiracy to get back home. As they slowly make their way, Rodeo and Coyote have to both finally face the tragedy that befell their family and start to come to terms with their grief.  352 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  A fun cast of characters and a comedy of errors road trip make this an engaging story that also tugs on the heartstrings.  I have seen this mentioned on a few Newbery lists.

Cons:  The journey was fun, but once Coyote got back home, the search for the memory box got bogged down in some pretty mawkish sentimentality, something I though marred two other Gemeinhart books I’ve read, The Honest Truth and Good Dog.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Hector: A Boy, A Protest, and the Photograph That Changed Apartheid by Adrienne Wright

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Page Street Kids

Image result for hector a boy a protest and the photograph that changed apartheid

Image result for hector a boy a protest and the photograph that changed apartheid

Summary:  In 1976, Hector Pieterson was an ordinary 12-year-old boy living in Soweto, South Africa.  He went to school, played soccer, did chores, and hung out with his friends. On June 16, he went to school like he did every day; when he got there, he discovered a student demonstration going on to protest a new law forcing them to have half their lessons in Afrikaans instead of English.  A single moment is shown from three different perspectives: Hector, his older sister Antoinette, and Sam Nzima, the photojournalist who took a picture of Hector getting shot by police. The police confiscated all the film, but Sam managed to hide a roll in his sock. His picture of Hector’s lifeless body appeared in The World newspaper the next day, ending Sam’s career, but opening up the eyes of the world to apartheid in South Africa.  48 pages; grades 3-8.

Pros:  I didn’t know this story, and was shocked when Hector was killed at the end of it, much as Hector’s family must have been shocked by the turn of events on June 16, 1976.  This is an important book for American kids, many of whom are probably unfamiliar with South African apartheid.

Cons:  It’s difficult to know what ages to recommend this for.  It definitely could be disturbing to younger kids, and would be best read with some adult discussion.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Popcorn Country: The Story of America’s Favorite Snack by Cris Peterson, Photographs by David R. Lundquist

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Boyds Mills Press

Image result for popcorn country cris peterson amazon

Summary:  Who can resist a bowl of buttery, salty popcorn?  It’s one of the top snacks in the U.S., this book tells us, with an annual consumption of four and a half billion gallons.  If you’ve ever wondered how the popcorn gets to your movie theater, you’ll find some answers here, beginning in the Corn Belt, where over ninety million acres of corn are grown each year.  You’ll learn about the different types of corn, how popcorn is processed, and what causes the hard kernels to explode into the light, fluffy snack. There’s a brief history of popcorn at the end, along with a list of books and websites for further research.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  The straightforward writing with kid-friendly explanations (“plants that stretch so tall that they could tickle the chin of a young giraffe”) and lots of photos showing a diverse group of kids make this a great nonfiction choice for preschool and early elementary ages.

Cons:  I guess it’s unknowable, but I’ve always wondered how the first consumers of popcorn figured out that those hard kernels could pop.  This book doesn’t offer any speculation on that.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.