Owen and Eleanor move in by H. M. Bouwman, illustrated by Charlie Alder

Two very different families learn to live together in this new beginning chapter book series.

Eleanor is not happy about moving; they have to share a house with another family (it's a two-level duplex), she had to leave her treehouse behind, and her fish, Scrumpy the Fourth, died on the way. When she meets Owen, she's intrigued; he's homeschooled, has some cool ideas, and is very excited to have a new friend his own age right there! Eleanor decides he's just the right person to help in her plan... to run away back to her old home.

It's very rare to find children's literature where faith is included in the story; not as a proselytizing tool or the focus, but as an everyday part of life. There are almost as few books that include homeschooling! Eleanor's family is black and conventionally religious; Owen's family is white and have a more general spirituality. The kids ask matter of fact questions - that's not the way we pray, why are you homeschooled - and talk casually with their parents about religious ideas. It doesn't overshadow the main plot of the story, which is quirky Eleanor's determination to bury Scrumpy back at her old house (and move back there) and Owen's worries about keeping his new friend. Black and white sketches, mostly of various items, are scattered throughout the book.

Verdict: This stands out as a well-written book with a strong sense of diversity and inclusion. The humor and plot will also appeal to young readers who will be able to recognize their own concerns and trials throughout the story. Definitely fills a gap in beginning chapter books; strongly recommended.

ISBN: 9781506439723; Published 2018 by Sparkhouse Family/Beaming Books; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

Small Readers: A Windy Day by Spencer Brinker

This is a new series/imprint from Bearport, a prebound, series nonfiction publisher. They have a lot of high-interest, low-reading level books, and although my preference is always for their animal titles, which are very popular in my library, I'm always willing to take a look at what else they're working on. This easy reader series is called "Bearcub Books" and the series is "Weather Watch." I received a copy of the title A Windy Day for review.

Each photographic spread shows something blowing in the wind and has two short sentences. On the top left, against a yellow rectangle, it says "Today is windy." On the bottom right, against rectangles of varying colors, each sentence starts with "I see" and then names the item in the picture - long hair (the mane on a horse), a flag, a leaf, etc. The opening and closing sentences vary slightly, "Look! It is windy." and "Look around! What can you see on a windy day?"

Each page is numbered, on a small yellow circle. There is a brief table of contents, a section of "key words" which list the five items seen and a thumbnail of the photograph, an index that includes each item, and a sentence about the author. A page of "teaching tips" is also included. A search of the publisher website gives the lexile of the book - 140.

It's a very basic title and I'm always looking for more basic easy readers, but it's not very... interesting. Which wouldn't necessarily matter when I'm bulking up easy readers, but I'm not going to shell out $17 on one title that will have limited interest.

Verdict: If you have the $$ and need more of this type of series nonfiction, or if you're a school library and need sets on nonfiction topics like this, it's a perfectly acceptable options. It's not one I'd really consider for the average, small-medium public library though.

ISBN: 9781684029990; Published 2018 by Bearport; Review copy provided by publisher

Eduardo Guadardo, Elite Sheep by Anthony Pearson, illustrated by Jennifer E. Morris

Eduardo Guadardo is about to graduate from the FBI. That would be the Fairy-tale Bureau of Investigations. Eduardo may look cute and fluffy, but he's going to be an elite sheep and he's going to get there on his own! He's passed all the tests and now he's getting his very own case! Eduardo explains what's going on to the audience as he reads through his dossier - Mary Sawyer, daughter of a wealthy farmer, is in danger of being kidnapped! Eduardo is on the case, in control, and ready for everything.

Except that witch. And the troll. And that speedboat. And... maybe Eduardo does need some help after all?

SPOILERS
In a delightful flipping of events, sweet little Mary reappears in a pantsuit, clipboard in hand, and kindly but firmly explains to the deflated sheep that just having skills isn't enough - he has to have teamwork as well! Once Eduardo realizes he's still got things to learn - and a team to be part of - he's ready to be junior agent to Mary Sawyer and they start their first case together; hunting down some lost lambs!

This over-the-top reimagining of Mary had a little lamb is sure to tickle the funny bones of children, whether or not they know the original story. There have been a plethora of "fairy tale mystery" movies in the past few years and my colleague has had a really positive response from another nursery rhyme mystery book, Levinthal's Who pushed Humpty Dumpty? and of course there's Dosh Archer's "Urgency Emergency" easy readers, so there's quite a few titles in this area, but there's definitely room for one more, especially one as funny as this.

Verdict: A great title to read to storytime on its own, to a classroom to teach them about the formation of plot, mystery, and fractured fairy tales, and to emphasize the importance of teamwork. The contrast of an arrogant young male who thinks he knows everything and the seasoned ability of a woman at the top of her field doesn't hurt either! Recommended.

ISBN: 9781503902909; Published October 2018 by Two Lions; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

Do not lick this book* (*It's full of germs) by Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost

This is a most unusual interactive book and I can't wait to read it with the kids!

The endpages are covered in... green spaghetti? Hmm, weird...

Ah, the story begins. Meet Min. Min is... a microbe! Microbes are everywhere and if you look really, really, really closely at the book, you'll see her, sitting between the threads of paper.

Readers will go on a wild ride with Min and her friends through a microscopic examination of the world around them (That green spaghetti? It's cloth!). Pick her up on your finger and visit your teeth, your clothes, and more!

A final page explains more details about microbes and what the cartoon characters in the book really look like, magnified.

I sometimes feel that if I get parents (and teachers) coming back to me saying "WHAT did you read in storytime??" my work is done. This definitely fills the bill. It's a fun way to learn about microscopes, microbes, and learn how important it is to brush your teeth! The pictures are hugely magnified images of teeth, cloth, paper, and skin, interspersed with simple but humorous cartoon illustrations.

Verdict: Use this with toddlers and preschoolers as well as grade schoolers; It's a fun way to learn about microscopes, microbes, the importance of brushing your teeth, and the cool stuff that's all around us every day! Recommended.

ISBN: 9781250175366; This edition published 2018 by Roaring Brook; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

This week at the library; or, Back to work

Happening at the library

• Monday
• Craft-o-rama
• Manager's meeting
• Worked 12-8
• Tuesday
• Toddlers 'n' Books (2 sessions)
• 2nd grade community walk
• Art Workshop: Ink Marbling
• Worked 10-6:15
• Wednesday
• We Explore Art: Melissa Sweet
• Worked 8:45-5:15
• Thursday
• Books 'n' Babies
• Bookaneers
• Worked 10:15-6:30
• Friday
• Maker Workshop: Miniatures
• Anime club
• Worked 12-6
• Saturday
• Lunch 'n' Learn (presentation)

There was torrential rain on Monday night (as I was trying to haul 75 holds to my car....) and then it was nearly 80 degrees on Wednesday. I am very disappointed in this weather. It is not at all autumnal! Worse than that, it's delaying the parking lot which is still not done and is causing problems for not only our programs but it's wearing on everyone's nerves, patrons and staff alike.

Professional Development

• Programming for 'Tweens by Amanda Struckmeyer, online class at UW-Madison, week 3
• Presentation: Collaborating with your public library: A win-win for everyone

Life according to Og the Frog by Betty Birney

The author of "The world according to Humphrey" series branches out to include the story of a new class pet. Og the Frog. Og was caught in a pond and brought to school; at first he lived with a mean bullfrog, but now he's been moved to Room 26 where he has a weird, furry neighbor named Humphrey.

Og enjoys life in the new classroom at first; he's got plenty of time to make up songs and poems, Humphrey seems nice (even if he can't understand the weird little guy) and after a trip home with the teacher they figure out his favorite food - crickets! But then the class starts arguing about sending him back to the pond; does Og belong in the classroom or in the wild?

I personally find the stories of Humphrey and the classroom kind of, well, boring. Nothing much really happens and the kids all feel like stereotypes (the one who complains, the one who asks questions, etc.). The teacher also feels very... scripted. Also, as Ms. Yingling points out, it's weird that Og understands English but not Humphrey. But! Kids really like these. They're not as popular as, say, Captain Underpants, but they circulate steadily and are good filler for lower-level chapter books, one step up from beginning chapters.

Verdict: Fans of the series will happily read the adventures of a new class pet; Purchase where Humphrey is popular.

ISBN: 9781524739942; Published July 2018 by Putnam/Penguin; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

The Tiny Geniuses: Fly to the rescue! by Megan E. Bryant

A lot of history/fiction blends have been coming out recently, and this is a new beginning chapter series in that vein.

Jake has really, really tried in science class. But, once again, he's failed a quiz. And this time his parents threaten to make him quit baseball! The only thing that's left to do is make a wish in the Wishing Well. Rumor has it that if you throw in your most precious possession, your wish will come true. Jake doesn't want to throw in his most precious possession (what would it be anyways?) but he does have a whole set of Heroes of History figures...

The next thing Jake knows, he's got a miniature Amelia Earhart and Sir Isaac Newton in his bedroom. When they're not marveling over paperclips or arguing over women's rights, they're willing to help Jake out with his science fair project - which just might let him pass and stay on the baseball team. But will they really be able to help or will Jake's science fair project just get him an even bigger F in science class?

An afterword tells the reader a little more about the two historical figures. This is a fun mix of science and fiction, but I'm not sure I'd be happy handing this to a kid. Both historical figures are necessarily caricatures, their personalities and accomplishments shown in broad strokes without some of the more complex details of their lives. Jake's school felt cartoony as well - do any teachers mark papers with big red Fs anymore? There's also a stereotypical bully. For that matter, how many schools still do a science fair? Jake's idea was cool, and his decision to use his own work and research and not that of Earhart and Newton was a nice conclusion.

Verdict: Not my top choice; this will appeal to fans of Ben Franklin's in my Bathroom and Magic Tree House fans, but it's not what I'd choose to introduce readers to these historical figures.

ISBN: 9780545909518; Published 2018 by Scholastic; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

Small Readers: Croc and Ally: Fun, Fun, Fun! and Friends Forever by Derek Anderson

Croc and Ally are two friends. They are the same and they are different. They are both male, they are both green, they are both reptiles. But Croc is short, grumpy, and prefers that things stay the same. Ally is tall, goofy, and likes to try new things.

In other words, this is a very, very typical "odd friends" easy reader, following the Frog and Toad pattern. In Fun, Fun, Fun! Ally takes Croc swimming, even though he does not want to get wet and would rather read, takes Croc to pick out a new hat (he prefers his old one), and the two face off against a Scary Bug together. In Friends Forever, Croc trades their old sofa in for two chairs so he can have some space (it doesn't work), Ally tries to cheer up Croc when he's grumpy, and the two search for the moon, with Croc finding a substitute so Ally can sleep.

Anderson's cartoon illustrations are bright and cheerful; the main color scheme is green, with Croc and Ally's backs a darker, greenish brown while Croc's stomach is a light green and Ally's is a bright yellow-green. There are lots of different shades of green in the grass, open areas, and backgrounds. Their adventures take place outdoors, which adds a goofy dimension to the story. When they are trying on hats, all the hats and furniture sits in a clearing amidst the grass. When they go to bed their beds and dresser drawers are plopped down in the middle of the clearing with no walls or roof to their "house".

There's no level placed on the book, but I would put it one step past beginner. There are more complicated words like "friend", "surprise", and "grumpy", but also lots of repetition. The text is bold and set against the clear light blue of the sky or the greeny-tan of the ground.

Verdict: These are light, amusing fare that makes a good filler for easy reader sections. I am a little frustrated that they are both male and that, once again, the more introverted character is constantly being bugged out of his "grumpiness" but this is a really common formula for easy readers and I've mostly just learned to live with it. An additional choice if you need to bulk out your easy readers.

Friends Forever: ISBN: 9781524787073
Fun, Fun, Fun: ISBN: 9781524787103

Published 2018 by Penguin Workshop; Review copies provided by publisher; Donated to the library

Cat Wishes by Calista Brill, illustrated by Kenard Pak

At some point, late in the summer of 2018, I suddenly became seized by the desire to have a cat-themed outreach storytime. Probably in December (I'm not discussing holidays, the use or lack thereof, so don't bring it up). Naturally, I then put on hold all the new cat picture books I could find.

In this sweet story, a hungry little striped cat, with a cute overhanging tooth, wishes they had something to eat. When he catches a wiggly gray snake, he lets him go for the promise of three wishes, although he doesn't believe in wishes. But first he finds a fish, then a home, and finally, a friend. A special friend who also got three wishes from a wiggly gray snake in the woods...

Kenard Pak's misty watercolors, with splashes of color, are an excellent match for Brill's gentle, wistful prose. Cat wanders through a misty world and readers can practically feel the chilly, dripping rain, the soft glow of the sun, and the spooky dark of a lonely house.

Cat is essentially a cat, one who doesn't believe in magic and accepts things as they come, but he's also lonely for a lap to curl up on and pleased to find a home at the end of the story.

Verdict: A sweet and mildly funny story, a good addition to a cat storytime with lovely pictures and gentle, lyrical prose. Recommended.

ISBN: 9780544610552; Published July 2018 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

Pluto is peeved by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by David Roman

It's not just about Pluto (even if Pluto thinks it is). It's about science.

Pluto is pretty upset. He's gotten kicked out of the big league of planets, and now he's just a dwarf planet, out in the Kuiper belt. Even his moon, Charon, can't comfort him. Pluto wants answers! Fortunately, they're at a museum and with a little research they're going to get those answers. Or are they?

Roman's colorful cartoons, presented in comic panels, take readers through multiple scientific changes, from the earth being demoted from center of the universe to the controversy over apatosaurus vs. brontosaurus. As Pluto and Charon travel through the museum's exhibits, they learn about how scientists learn new things over the ages, update their findings, and discover new things about the universe, including space. When Pluto discovers he has a sister dwarf planet - Eris - he decides that maybe scientists - and the world - think he's special after all, even if he isn't a big planet.

Extensive back matter explains in depth about the history of scientific research into the solar system, dinosaurs, germs, why scientists study rocks, and more. There is also a glossary, further reading, and websites. Bonus points for the depiction of scientists of different races and genders! Check out the author's website for a reader's theater activity for the book, a great choice for homeschool or small classroom use!

Verdict: This is so much more than just a graphic picture book about Pluto - it's a simple but fun introduction to how scientists learn new things and the importance of asking questions. Hand to teachers introducing astronomy, museums, or research, to kids who are interested in planets, and to young readers looking for simple graphic novels.

ISBN: 9781633224612; Published June 2018 by Seagrass Press/Quarto Group; Review copy provided by the author; Donated to the library