Spanish Is the Language of My Family/El español es la lengua de mi familia by Michael Genhart, illustrated by John Parra

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Published by Neal Porter Books

Summary:  Manolo is excited to sign up for his school’s Spanish spelling bee, because “Spanish is the language of my family,” or “es la lengua de mi familia.”  He already knows how to spell a lot of Spanish words, but some are unfamiliar to him, and his abuela helps him prepare.  While they study, she tells him how she and her classmates were punished for speaking Spanish in school.  On the big day, there’s stiff competition, but Manolo wins the bee by correctly spelling “respeto,” the Spanish word for respect, which he has for his abuela, his family, and his Spanish language.  Includes an author’s note with additional information about the history of the Spanish language in the United States and the National Spanish Spelling Bee.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Manolo’s pride in his bilingualism is evident, with Spanish words easily woven into the text, and a contrast to abuela’s shameful experiences with the language when she was growing up.  John Parra’s illustrations are always a treat. I hope this story will inspire educators to check out the Spanish spelling bee.

Cons:  The disgraceful history of the Spanish language in the U.S.

A Human for Kingsley by Gabriel Evans

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Little Hare Books

Summary:  Kingsley’s a bit of a free spirit, but he’s decided to own a human.  It’s a big responsibility, so he takes his time choosing.  One woman is too fast, another (hairdresser) doesn’t appreciate the hair Kingsley adds to her collection, and a third has too many “small human subordinates” (kids).  Then he meets a girl whom he finds intriguing.  She’s loud and a bit bossy, but Kingsley hangs around, observing some of her odd hobbies like reading and taking a bath on purpose.  Unsure, Kingsley takes a walk to consider his options.  The girl goes out looking for him, and when she finds him, tells him that she missed him and leads him back to her house.  Kingsley realizes he’s found a human who needs him…and that means he’s also found a home.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Kids will fall in love with the adorable and somewhat droll Kingsley, whose quest for a home reminded me of a Gen-Z’er’s search for the perfect job.  

Cons:  Despite the picture of a dog in a bun on his food truck, I thought Kingsley should have at least considered the hot dog man.

Our Pool by Lucy Ruth Cummins

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Summary:  It’s Pool Day!  A child and mother join the parade of families heading to the city pool.  After a quick stop in the locker room and a sunscreen rubdown, it’s time to head for the water, joining all kinds of other people who swim, float, or sit on the sides and chat.  There’s Marco Polo, racing, and swimming between friends’ legs, where kids feel like dolphins.  After one last cannonball, the family heads for home, happily making one more stop at the ice cream truck.  48 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A fun slice of summer that perfectly captures the joy of swimming in a crowded city pool on a hot day.  Although the story is narrated in first person, it’s impossible to tell who the narrator is from the busy illustrations, and the diverse cast of characters will mean that many kids will see themselves in the story.

Cons:  I prefer my swimming a bit less crowded.

Ready for Kindergarten by Bethany V. Freitas, illustrated by Maja Anderson

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Published by Clarion Books

Summary:  Are you ready for kindergarten?  You’ll be practicing skills and learning new ones, like singing the alphabet, counting, creating art, and identifying shapes and colors.  If you like to play with friends and be on the go, you’re ready.  Practice saying your name so you can introduce yourself to your new teacher and classmates.  Get ready for a fun year of kindergarten!  Includes tips for caregivers about preparing kids for kindergarten.  32 pages; ages 4-6.

Pros:  This cheerful and encouraging book with its bright, busy illustrations will have kids excited for the first day of kindergarten.  The tips at the end make it a great resource for parents and other caregivers.

Cons:  Feels like preschool kids are doing a lot of what’s portrayed here as being done in kindergarten. 

Half Moon Summer by Elaine Vickers

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Peachtree

Summary:  Drew and Mia were born on the same day at the same hospital in Half Moon Bay, California.  When Drew wouldn’t stop crying, the two babies were put in the same bassinet, which calmed Drew down.  Mia and her family moved to Sacramento, but the summer after sixth grade, her family is back for a few months, and she and Drew, initially not knowing their history, become friends.  Their story is told in chapters that alternate between Drew’s prose journal entries and Mia’s verse ones as each one faces family difficulties: Drew’s father’s mysterious illness seems to be worsening, while Mia is dealing with the heartbreaking loss of a home that the family has dreamed of for years.  When they decide to train together for a half marathon, each one has individual reasons for running, but they support each other to keep going, both during their early morning runs and on the day of the race itself.  The end of the summer means Mia is moving back home, but the friendship promises to keep going through potentially difficult days ahead.  288 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  A compelling story of two kids dealing with some pretty serious family difficulties who show readers how to cope with courage and grace.  Their two distinctive voices, with the alternating prose and poetry narratives, keep the story moving along at a good pace.

Cons:  The story about the two kids meeting as babies was cute but felt like a bit of an unlikely coincidence.

Night Market Rescue by Charlotte Cheng, illustrated by Amber Ren

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Published by Rocky Pond Books

Summary:  Stray dog GoGo follows his nose to a night market in Taipei, filled with stands and carts selling all kinds of delicacies.  He eats what he can find, following a rolling watermelon that takes him to a lost young girl sitting under a tree.  GoGo encourages the girl to share the fun of the market with him, and there she finds her parents, who greet her with tearful hugs.  As GoGo turns to leave, the family calls him back, and just like that, he has a new home.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A heartwarming story told with a bouncy rhyme and colorful illustrations that capture the magic of the Taiwanese night market.

Cons:  The illustrations feel a little too precise to fully convey the market’s energy.

A Tulip in Winter: A Story About Folk Artist Maud Lewis by Kathy Stinson, illustrated by Lauren Soloy

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Published by Greystone

Summary:  Maud Dowley was small and bent from a young age, a condition that her doctor could not explain.  Still, she had a happy childhood in Nova Scotia, exploring the world of color through her painting.  As an adult, though, life became tougher.  Her parents died, her brother moved away, and no one would hire Maud because of her physical condition.  Eventually she became the housekeeper, and later the wife, of local fish peddler Everett Lewis.  Although they were poor, they found ways to get Maud paint and she continued with her art, and the two drove around the countryside selling fish and Maud’s paintings.  Eventually, she became too disabled to paint, and Everett pushed her around in a wheelbarrow.  After her death, the little house they had lived in, and that Maud had decorated with paintings, was restored and placed in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Includes additional information and notes from the author and illustrator. 44 pages; grades K-3.

Pros:  A fascinating story of a little-known artist who overcame physical disabilities and poverty to create beautiful works of art full of color and joy.  

Cons:  I wish there had been reproductions of some of Maud’s paintings included.

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

~ Janet Dawson ~ 3 Comments

Published by Barefoot Books

Summary:  From a honey farm in Yemen to a circular garden in Senegal to an underwater biosphere in Italy, this book takes readers on a tour of innovative sustainable food production sites around the world.  Each two-page spread has a rhyming couplet about the farm or other site, with illustrations showing people at work.  A map at the end shows all the sites and provides information about sustainable farming and food justice.  There’s additional information about each place, including a description and why it’s sustainable.  Includes notes from the author and illustrator about how they were inspired to create this book.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  An inspiring look at sustainable food production that includes both indigenous practices and new technology.  The built-in definitions and pronunciation guides make this a great resource for younger kids, who will also find the bright folk art style illustrations appealing.

Cons:  Some additional resources would have been nice.

Super Small: Miniature Marvels of the Natural World by Tiffany Stone, illustrated by Ashley Spires

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Greystone Kids

Summary:  Each of the fifteen tiny animals profiled here has a superpower. Whether it’s the pygmy seahorse’s ability to camouflage, the axolotl’s regenerative powers, or the black-footed cat’s lethal aim, each animal has something that allows it to survive despite being so small.  Each profile includes an illustration, a poem, and a comic strip that gives the animal the chance to show off its special abilities.  The final poem asks readers to consider what their superpowers might be.  36 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  The cute poems, comics, and illustrations offer a fascinating look at some unique animal adaptations, and the last poem is a nice way to get kids thinking about what makes them unique as well.

Cons:  I would have loved some additional information at the end, particularly about how the hydra stays young forever.

Lo & Behold by Wendy Mass, illustrated by Gabi Mendez

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Published by Random House Graphic

Summary:  Addie remembers a happy childhood with two parents who loved her and encouraged her interests, but after her mom’s bike accident, she changed and no longer lives with the family.  When Addie’s dad gets a chance to work on a virtual reality project at a university, he takes Addie with him to live on campus for the summer.  There Addie discovers VR and the immersive worlds it can create, while tentatively making steps toward Mateo, her across-the-hall neighbor.  Addie’s virtual discoveries help her uncover some truths about her real life, and by the end of the summer, she’s willing to confide in Mateo and to learn about a tragedy that occurred in his family.  As Addie begins to accept the reality of what’s happened to her mom, her whole family finds a way to heal and move forward together.  224 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  There’s a lot going on in this appealing graphic novel, and fans of the middle school realistic fiction graphic novel genre will be only too happy to discover Wendy Mass (and maybe try some of her excellent non-graphic novels).  The artwork is inspired, particularly the way Gabi Mendez differentiates the virtual reality sequences.

Cons:  This seems like a book that would appeal to elementary kids, but reviews seem to recommend it more for middle school, maybe due to the addiction storyline.