Little Wolf's Howl by Nelly Buchet, illustrated by Mathias Ball

 I got interested in Nelly Buchet's work after her superlatively hilarious book, Dog vs. Strawberry was such a huge hit as a read-aloud. She's a truly diverse creator, ranging from funny to touching, informational to social-emotional learning in her books.

This title pairs her with a Canadian illustrator, Mathias Ball, who is new to me. They have a distinctively colorful, swashy style that's a nice fit for this sweet story.

Broad swathes of green, red, orange, and yellow make a forested background to introduce a litter of wolf pups. Our heroine, Little Wolf, is the smallest and weakest and her howl is pitiful, making all her siblings laugh at her. She runs away and gets lost, but remembers her mother always told her to "find North" to get home. Ball shifts the art to deep turquoise and sad blues as Little Wolf, her tail tucked, sets off on her journey. Along the way she meets various friendly animals and explores the beautiful Northern forest until she finally arrives home.

Verdict: The text is a little lengthy for a toddler storytime, but this is perfect for preschoolers and kindergarteners with lots of opportunities for interactive discussion of the animals that live in the North, different perspectives on where we live, and, of course, howling! Recommended.

ISBN: 9781958325186; Hardcover/picture book on Baker & Taylor for $18.99

Published September 2024 by Marble Press; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

Welcome to the Woofmore by Donna Gephart and Lori Haskins Houran, illustrated by Josh Cleland

 Donna Gephart is primarily known as a middle grade author, although her previous book, from 2021, was a picture book, Go be wonderful! However, she's now teamed up with experienced early chapter book author Houran for a new beginning chapter book series and this is the debut volume.

Rufus, a big shaggy dog, is eager to please his boss, Ms. Coco and make the grand opening of the Woofmore go as well as possible. When Rufus gets instructions to give a famous guest the VIP treatment, he's ready... if a little nervous. Then Greta Garbark, a big movie star, arrives and says she wants peace and quiet! Can he keep the puparazzi away and handle any other little issues that arise? Like... maybe... a FLEA INFESTATION?? Oh no!

Short, simple paragraphs with puns in italics make this an easy read for kids transitioning into chapter books. The book is illustrated with plenty of colorful cartoons and each character has their own unique personality.

Verdict: A fun new series, this is a strong addition to beginning chapter collections especially for readers who like humor.

ISBN: 9781419767623; Hardcover/Chapter book on Baker & Taylor for $14.24

Published May 2024 by Harry N. Abrams; Purchased for the library

This week at the library

Paws to Read

Programs

• Itty Bitty Bopping Bakers
• Paws to Read
• Family Storytime
• Youth D&D
• Family Storytime
• Project Explore
• Teen Engagement

Outreach, drop-in programs, etc.

• Outreach storytimes 3s and 4K (4 sessions)
• Pokemon Hangout

Meetings, hosted events, etc.

• Event planning with HHS
• PLLS youth services meeting
• Choose Your Own Adventures: Research-based play experiences that work for libraries (recorded webinar from CLEL)

Notes

• I was going to say that the most exciting? thing that happened this week was I got new tires and some other stuff fixed on my car BUT my library was one of 35 in the state to receive the Flexible Facilities Grant! Our library received $2.1 million and we are super excited! Our main goal is to make changes and updates to our building to support greater access to broadband and digital connectivity and to provide spaces that directly enable work, education, and health monitoring. There will be lots of changes and challenges in the future!

The wild guide to starting school by Laura & Philip Bunting

 I was looking at Kane Miller's newest offerings and saw that I'd missed a Bunting book! Philip Bunting's subtly comic illustrations, sometimes combined with words from Laura Bunting, sometimes with nonfiction musings of his own, are always a fun treat.

This picture book features a range of Australian animals in a pseudo-guide for new students. Kids are told to get a good breakfast, illustrated by two contrasting sequences. In one, a koala eats a bowl of "Delicious Gum flakes" and has energy to play, learn, and be active all day. In the other, the koala eats an ice cream cone and quickly winds of flat on their side. This is especially hilarious when you know that koalas spend most of the day sleeping anyways!

There are tips on interacting with your teacher (hint - do not eat the teacher) and what to do if you miss home, using the bathroom (do not leave blocks of poop in the, well, blocks!) and how to make friends (sniffing is not recommended.)

There are jokes for caregivers included, like the little koala who can't think of anything that happened that day... until bedtime! And the Buntings' tongue-in-cheek humor is very much in evidence. It's a little tricky to figure out the right audience for this. While it purports to be for first-time students, I don't think preschoolers will really grasp most of the story. Older kids are unlikely to need or want reminders to talk to their teacher if they need help or practice good listening (which isn't to say that they don't need them!). I think this is most suited to one-on-one reading and discussion with a younger child and as a funny classroom read with some gentle hints for older kids returning to school.

Verdict: While there are a lot of back to school books that are likely to be higher on the teacher request list than this, if you have room in your budget I would recommend purchasing it for some comic relief and as a story that adults, as well as kids, will enjoy.

ISBN: 9781684646081; Hardcover/Picture book on Baker & Taylor for $15.19

Published 2023 by Kane Miller; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

Find out about animal tools by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Jane McGuinness

 I don't do storytimes much anymore; my school colleague does our regular weekly storytimes for families and my associate fills in as needed and does our 4K outreach storytimes. I spend more time selecting and sourcing materials for said storytimes (among other stuff). When I did more storytimes, I always made it a point to try to include nonfiction, but I've found myself getting away from that in past years. It's just easier to grab a couple funny books when I'm only reading once a month to 1st graders or to get more traditional storytime picks for various themes. We're also moving away from traditional programs in general, as our attendance (although not our circulation) has been waning for many years.

However, this book revived my interest in nonfiction-themed storytimes and I can think of so many ways to use it! It's officially part of the "Find Out About" series, but more generally is part of what I think of as a series from Candlewick that features picture books with bold, simple sentences for reading out loud, slightly longer paragraphs that add more information, and a simple index and back matter.

This book focuses on animal tools and shows a wide variety of animals using simple tools from a crocodile balancing sticks on her nose to lure in birds to otters cracking open food with stones. McGuinness' sweet illustrations show cute animals (yes, even the crocodile is cute) moving about pastel-colored landscapes in a natural, but not hyper-realistic, way.

The general format of the books is made for storytimes with a wide variety of ages. Younger kids can focus on the short, bold sentences while older listeners will have the patience for the longer paragraphs. The simple sentences paired with the pictures offer easy starting points for discussion and engagement with a variety of ages. The book is also a great starting point for hands-on activities, both for sensory and motor development. You could set up stations allowing the kids to test out the different animal tools, like making their own crow-style hook or decorating a bower, or offer a challenge to create their own tools for picking up, pinching, and moving items.

Verdict: A strong addition to any collection and a great starting point for introducing more nonfiction into your storytimes. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781536234046; Reinforced/Picture book on Baker & Taylor for $14.39

Published July 2024 by Candlewick; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

Adventures in a video game: My friend from the future by Dustin Brady

 Dustin Brady has written a number of series with a video game connection or style. While I am always wary of books that claim to be unique on the market, I will say that there are not a lot of titles that follow this structure. They generally have a lot of white space on the page, widely-spaced text, and are under 200 pages. There are black and white illustrations scattered throughout as well.

Previous series include "Trapped in a Video Game" and several spin-offs and most recently World's Worst Time Machine, which I personally really enjoyed. Most recently, he's releasing "Adventures in a Video Game" which are stand-alone titles that follow a similar structure to his first books.

The story kicks off with a light reference to the other series and the corporation/software that got the kids stuck in video games in those titles. In this story, Bentley is trying to have a decent 12th birthday party, but his friends, old and new, can't seem to keep away from the sensitive topic of his sixth birthday party, when everything Went Wrong. His friends pry the story out of him and he tells them about how his dad used to work for a popular arcade/gas station/pizza place but was fired when his latest creation, the newest game for the Polly arcade machine, seemingly "killed" the owner. The Polly arcade featured the owner's deceased daughter as a superhero fighting to save earth and delivered a real slushy if you won.

Bentley and his friends discover that his dad has been trying to fix the new game and sneak into the corporation's headquarters to try it out, but it's still got some serious glitches - Bentley's friends get sucked into the game and Polly comes out of it into the real world! Polly believes she's from the future and there to save the world, but Bentley wants to save his present - and his friends.

Brady writes a fast-paced story with lots of video game jargon and details that will draw in players but he also does a good job at writing balanced characters, especially strong female characters and realistic male characters with a range of feelings. There are almost always some underlying messages and this book talks about dealing with grief as well as the larger themes of whether or not it's right to make some people expendable in order to save others.

Verdict: If you don't already own Brady's books, start with the first series and go from there. If you've already got fans, this will be a sure hit and I'm especially pleased to see that the books are stand-alones and don't need to be read in order. Recommended.

Released simultaneously with Don't Climb This Mountain, which has a YouTube video theme, similar to this one focusing on arcade games.

ISBN: 9781524890353; Paperback on Baker & Taylor for $9.59

Published September 2024 by Andrews McMeel; Review copy provided; Donated to the library

This week at the library

Programs

• 

  Posters to go with the new
  civics books I got with a 
  grant. I do the words and my
  associate makes them look nice!

  Teen homeschool hangout
• Homeschool hangout
• Paws to Read
• Family Storytime
• Outreach storytimes (6 sessions)
• After school outreach
• Family Storytime

Drop-in programs, self-guided activities, and hosted events

• Girl Scouts
• Teen engagement
• Open Storyroom

Professional development, meetings etc.

• System director's meeting (attended for my director)
• Managers' meeting

Notes

• We've updated our teen volunteers (teen engagement) and my teen services associate is setting it up to be more group activities and focusing on interacting more with the teens. We do still have some teens who volunteer and don't need supervision, but a lot of our junior volunteers need more attention!
• Our director was gone for part of the week and a lot of things fell apart (literally - our poor circ manager said people kept bringing her pieces of the library...). For whatever reason, we all felt kind of unmotivated and meh in my department. Some weeks are just like that. We did fine outwardly though, with nice turnouts to programs, several outreach ventures, and a lot of other work finished.

I worked hard on that! by Robyn Wall, illustrated by A. N. Kang

 I'm not familiar with Robyn Wall's work - she's written a board book series, My Cool Family, and a few short stories and this is her first picture book. However, I am a big fan of A. N. Kang's adorably cute cartoons (my favorite will always be Papillon the Very Fluffy Kitty) so I snapped this book up right away, especially when I realized it featured spiders!

Kiara, a sweet little cartoon spider with a leaf hat and big red glasses, is used to making webs to catch food. Then one day, she sees an amazing web, strung between trees, a masterpiece of angles and design. Inspired, Kiara begins trying new things with her webs. But each time she almost figures it out, or nearly gets it right, someone - a fluffy squirrel, a big stomping foot - ruins everything. "Hey! I worked hard on that!" she yells, feeling more depressed and discouraged each time her work is ruined.

But when she meets Orb, a four-eyed weaver with a bushy mustache and red beret, and the creator of her original inspiration, she tries again and together they create - and complete - something amazing.

Until Orb gets hungry. Kiara is angry, hurt, and ready to give up forever when she accidentally messes up someone else's work and gets a second dose of perspective about art and creation.

Kang's art puts Kiara and her creative process front and center, with increasingly elaborate and imaginative webs, ending up with creations that look similar to crewel work with colors and thick, textured lines.

Verdict: Younger kids can enjoy the cute artwork, repeated refrain, and shared frustration of having to try again and again. Older listeners can discuss what Kiara learns about creativity, perfectionism, and letting a project go to create something new. This would be an especially helpful book for caregivers struggling with kids who want to keep every single thing they make!

ISBN: 9781665938723; Reinforced/Picture book on Baker & Taylor for $15.19

Published October 2024 by Simon & Schuster; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to library

Super Swifts: Small Birds with Amazing Powers by Justin Anderson, illustrated by Clover Robin

It's not a recognized series or imprint, but periodically Candlewick releases nonfiction picture books, specifically focusing on different animals, that I think are great core collection purchases. The books have a basic thread of text, sometimes short enough to be read in storytime, sometimes needing a little editing. Each page also features smaller, inset paragraphs with additional facts. There is brief back matter at the end that always includes an index.

This title is one of the newer additions to this "series" I've seen and is of special interest (to me at least) because of the chimney swifts we've had getting trapped in the library basement over the years. Yes, the basement, it's a long story and I think/hope the problem is resolved.

Anyways, the text in this story about common swifts is a little lengthy for storytime, but could easily be adapted. It follows a female common swift on a long journey from Africa to Europe, adding details about the swifts' abilities, the challenges they face (including crossing the Sahara desert), and their unique skills - they can stay airborne for years! When she finally arrives in Britain, our swift nests and raises her chicks, getting them ready to make the long journey back to Africa.

Collage-style illustrations with cloudy colors show the swifts swirling through blue skies, drifting through the night, and tucked up cozily in their nests.

Verdict: A strong addition to nonfiction picture book collections, although this features a swift that is not native to the US it's a good starting point for learning about native birds and getting kids interested in nature.

ISBN: 9781536231489; Reinforced/Picture book on Baker & Taylor for $15.19

Published September 2024 by Candlewick; Review copy provided by publisher and donated to the library

The Rescues: Best Day Ever by Tommy and Charlie Greenwald, illustrated by Shiho Pate

 I loved the first book in this series, although it is taking a little while to take off with my patrons. This is no reflection on the book - it was only added to the library last December and kids in the early readers/transitional chapters section are definitely creatures of habit, reluctant to try new things. 

In their first collection of adventures, a three-legged dog and a one-eyed dog were rescued from a shelter. They were joined in their new home by a stray cat and the three are now close friends.

In this new collection, Cathy, their owner, takes them on an adventure... to the vet! Moose and Bear are scared and nervous, but Tiger bravely leads the way and they all make it through the exam, getting treats at the end. In chapter 2, after their busy morning, the three take a nap. But Tiger and Bear are fighting over the comfy orange chair! Glowing oranges, pinks, and yellows fill the pages as Moose figures out a solution, convincing both to share the chair. That evening, the three friends are playing with their toys when Cathy goes out for the evening. A scary storm comes up and the three speculate on what might be causing the strange noises and sounds. Fortunately, with the three working together, they make it through.

Glowing, swashy colors fill the pages of the three animals' simple, cozy adventures. The text is short but complex enough to offer a challenge to beginning readers.

Verdict: There are plenty of early readers and transitional chapters featuring animals, but the focus on rescuing, specifically animals that aren't perfect, and the gentle social-emotional tenor of the story makes this one that will appeal to a small but specific group of children. For readers who like gentle stories and animals.

ISBN: 9781636551173; Hardcover/Picture book on Baker & Taylor for $13.30

Published September 2024 by Red Comet Press; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

This week at the library

Fall dahlias from
my garden

Programs

• Paws to Read
• Family Storytime (2 sessions)
• Project Explore
• Teen Advisory Board

Self-directed programs

• Pokemon Hangout
• Open Storyroom

Meetings, etc.

• BlueCloud Analytics review
• Connecting Wisconsin Libraries

Notes

• I took Monday off, coming back from the ALSC Institute, which sort of shoved the whole schedule off. There was a mix-up over Paws to Read, but everyone was very nice about it apparently. I worked Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday, so it was a weird week all around.

I want to read ALL the books by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

 One day, Hana, a black-haired girl with brown skin, has a question about raindrops. Her mom hands her a book and Hana gets her question answered... but she has a lot more questions! Hana decides to read ALL the books so she can mark off every question on her list, but the more she reads and learns, the more questions she has.

When she finishes all the nonfiction books in the house, she moves on to fiction. Then to the books in her friends' houses, including the dictionary. Her mom takes her to the bookstore, but they can't possibly buy ALL the books, so next they go to their small, local library. Hana quickly reads her way through that as well so they go to the big downtown library.

Hana, however, is panicked by the number of books she sees - she's never going to be able to read all of them, answer all her questions, and know everything! A wise librarian encourages her to enjoy what she reads and share it with others, and Hana starts a book club. She also learns to enjoy asking questions, even if she can't answer all of them, and recommending and sharing books with her friends and family.

On the surface, this is a funny book for voracious readers, but it's also a thoughtful look at deluge of information kids receive in modern times and how to pace yourself and accept your limitations.

Verdict: This is kind of a niche title - I think a lot of kids will ask why she didn't just Google her questions - but for voracious readers and those who struggle with the overflow of information, it's a very comforting and joyful celebration of reading.

ISBN: 9781481416306; Reinforced/Picture Book on Baker & Taylor for $15.19

Published September 2024 by Simon & Schuster; Review copy provided by publisher and donated to the library

No more Senora Mimi by Meg Medina, illustrated by Brittany Cicchese

 Sometimes I get a little tired of the plethora of social-emotional learning picture books and I yearn for a plain old story with dinosaurs or silly cats. Then something like this comes along that's just perfect and I realize that it's a great time for picture books after all, with something for everyone!

Ana, a cheerful elementary-school age girl with brown skin and curly hair has a regular routine. Every day her Mami takes her upstairs and drops her off with Senora Mimi while she goes to work. With Senora Mimi, her baby Nelson and her dog Pancho, Ana gets ready for school, walks there, and then gets picked up again and goes home through the park to spend the afternoon with Senora Mimi until her mom gets off work.

But now things are going to change and Ana is very excited! Her Abuela is moving in and will be living with them! She'll be with Abuela every day before and after school - Abuela will probably let her stop and play any time she wants and there are so many fun things they will do together! But then Tynisha, a kid in her class, reminds her that having Abuela means... no more babysitters - no more Senora Mimi! Ana is shocked at the realization and Mimi's quiet sadness during the day is brought out - she's going to miss Ana too! Fortunately, Senora Mimi has some wise words to help Ana and the story ends with the expansion of the community, showing Ana, Senora Mimi, Nelson, Pancho, and Abuela all in the park together.

Cicchese's illustrations remind me a little of Lauren Castillo's art, but they have a softer, blurry edge. A knitted motif runs through the story - Mimi has knitted matching sweaters for herself and Ana and on the last page she is starting a new project with the same yarn. Ana has a small but diverse class of 9 children of different races, one in a wheelchair, and the brownstone apartments and neighborhood park appear clean and well-kept with no signs of urban decay or other city issues. It raises an interesting question for adults - the two families appear to be single-parent units - there's no mention or sign of a second adult in either one. Mimi appears to be a stay at home mom with her baby and dog and Ana is the only other child she cares for. So, are the two families really privileged to live in an upscale area with a clean apartment building, complete with working elevator and for Ana to attend a small preschool or kindergarten with a small class, or is this just from a child's perspective? All the adults are caring, sensitive people who don't seem likely to pass on worries or problems to young children and with a safe, happy home, young children are unlikely to observe things from a more adult viewpoint. It's an interesting way to look at it.

Regardless of how realistic the background of the story and families is, it's a beautiful portrait of a child who is loved and cared for not just by her family but also by her other caretakers and a touching story of the love and care of caregivers for young children. It's also a charming way to introduce children to changes in their caregivers - it's not unusual in my area for grandparents to take over some childcare and, depending on the grandparent's mobility and state of health, they might be more likely to do so when the child is in school or more independent.

Verdict: Beautifully written and illustrated with thoughtful talking points for both young children and adults, this works equally well as a read-aloud for a group and as a one-on-one story. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781536219449; Reinforced/Picture book on Baker & Taylor for $14.39

Published September 2024 by Candlewick; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library