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

Addy McBean: Numbers Queen by Margery Cuyler, illustrated by Stacy Curtis

 Quix is an imprint for beginning chapters, "fast, fun reads." I've put some into my transitional chapters section, but I think they truly belong in the beginning chapters section. This is why I'm always moving things around; I keep changing my mind!

Addy McBean loves numbers and math. She lives next door to her best friend, Star Atlas, who loves maps. The two always pair up - but Mr. Vertex, their teacher, decides to assign different partners for a special math project - making displays for Family Night. Their theme is Math on the Move, which Addy is excited about. But she's NOT excited about being paired with Willard Gluck! He doesn't like math or numbers and crafts are "not his thing." To make things even worse, Star is paired with a different girl, Latoya, and they seem to be becoming best friends!

Of course, all the woes and drama of second grade are eventually resolved. Addy discovers that Willard loves space and they come up with a cool project. When Willard accidentally breaks their project, Addy is devastated but he comes up with a cool fix and Addy learns to be more flexible. Star is still Addy's best friend (although it's not really clear how she concluded that after her initial dismay) and "things don't always turn out the way you expect, and that's okay."

Quix books generally are in the 500-600 lexile and run to approximately 90 pages, including a cast of characters, glossary, questions, and author's note. Although this is pretty generic as far as plot, with minor dramas of school and friendships, the focus on a girl who loves math is a nice twist and there's some strong social-emotional elements as Addy learns to work with Willard.

Verdict: This is a good choice to expand your realistic fiction titles for beginning readers. It lands between an easy reader and chapter books like Junie B. Jones and has memorable characters. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781534489578; Hardcover on Baker & Taylor for $10.07

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

This week at the library; ALSC Institute 2024

Programs

• Paws to Read
• We Explore Squirrels (2 sessions)

Self-directed programs

• Lego Day
• Open Storyroom

Notes

• This week I attended the ALSC Institute in Denver and was off on Wednesday to prepare (i.e. quietly panic in my own space). We also had our Friends book 'n' bake sale (really more of a bake sale). 

Read, Read, Read said the Baby: Suki Cat Dancer by Grace Habib

 This is one of two board books released in a new series featuring a little cat who likes to dress up. Suki is a blue cat who starts out the story by pulling accessories and dress-up clothes out of a toy box. She's dressed in a pair of yellow overalls, but when she chooses a pink tutu she's transformed into a ballet dancer.

She appears at a barre with other animals in leotards, then on stage. A bigger, orange cat hurts her knee and Suki takes over as the star, finishing with the words "Dressing up is lots of fun, when Suki ban be... anyone!"

The rhyming text isn't particularly outstanding, and it's really not clear, especially for very young audiences, that Suki is imagining all this happening. However, the extra sturdy construction of the book and the additional sliders and moving parts make this a strong choice for board book collections.

Several pages have inset cardboard images that are moved with a finger pushing a circle back and forth. Other pages have thick cardboard sliders that pull out in different directions. I have had issues with this style - the kids pull them too hard and they break through the book, but I think these will last a long time.

Verdict: This looks like a fun series overall with a nice mix of subjects - the companion volume to this book is Suki being an astronaut - and the sturdy construction is perfect for little hands. Moving the sliders will require pinching and pulling, some of the important motor skills for little ones to practice and the series is very affordable. Recommended.

ISBN: 9798887770901; Board Book on Baker & Taylor for $6.29

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

When beavers flew: An incredible true story of rescue and relocation by Kristen Tracy, illustrated by Luisa Uribe

 This is a fascinating look at early conservation efforts. When people moved into the wilderness areas of Idaho in the 1940s, the beaver community posed a problem. The beavers flooded built up areas and damaged construction. The usual response at the time would have been to exterminate them, but a Fish and Game Warden, Elmo Heter, was experienced in trapping beavers and had a solution - relocate the bulk of them to the deep wilderness area of the Chamberlain Basin.

The book goes through all of the planning required for the project, as well as the experiments they made trying to figure out how to safely deposit the beavers in the wilderness. Eventually, they settled on dropping the beavers in crates and tested the method repeatedly to make sure they were safe as well as able to get out. When Heter flew over the area a year later, he saw the beavers had survived and were thriving, adapting the wilderness and creating habitats for numerous other creatures.

Pleasantly realistic illustrations show beavers first in the built-up areas and then in the wilderness. An author's note talks more about how conservation efforts have changed, especially in regard to relocating animals, as well as the benefits of beavers to the ecosystem. Tracy also notes the tribute to the indigenous people who originally in habited the area included in Uribe's art. There is also a selection of sources. 

Verdict: This is a thoughtful account of a true event that should spark discussion in a classroom about conservation, wildlife, and how people - and animals - adapt.

ISBN: 9780593647523; Hardcover/Picture book on Baker & Taylor for $10.63

Published July 2024 by Random House Studio; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

The shape of things: How mapmakers picture our world by Dean Robbins, illustrated by Matt Tavares

 I have a fascination with maps, which is ironic since I never really learned how to read them, have very limited spacial sense, and constantly get lost. However, this was an interesting history of mapmaking, paired with Tavares' realistic illustrations.

It starts with prehistory, showing people drawing maps in stone and on sand, then depicts a Native American woman carving a map on stone and an Egyptian man painting a papyrus map. The story touches on Greek philosophers debating the shape of the world, Chinese maps from the Qin Kingdom, and Polynesian maps of shells and sticks that depicted wave patterns. It mentions European explorers "proving" the world was round and passes on to European medieval mapping and surveying instruments, the development of geometry, and finally to modern cartography.

There are notes from the author and illustrator and an overview of current surveying and cartography.

Verdict: I appreciated the wide view of maps around the world and through history but I was disappointed at the ambiguous language that perpetuates the flat-earth/European discovery myth. However, this would be a strong choice for classrooms focusing on geography and a good addition to map-making units.

ISBN: 9780593479254; Hardcover/Picture book on Baker & Taylor for $11.19

Published August 2024 by Alfred A. Knopf; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library