Read, Read, Read, said the Baby: Big and Little a book of opposites; All year round a book of seasons by Amy Pixton and Carolina Buzio

Indestructibles were originally created in 2012 by Amy Pixton. They were marketed as "chew proof, rip proof, nontoxic, 100% washable" books for babies. They appear to be paperbacks, but are made of a material similar to packing envelopes. They can be ripped and do show wear, but it takes considerably more strength than a baby would have and titles I purchased back when they were originally debuted have certainly lasted longer than a typical board book or picture book.

The original titles tended to stick with a few basic words and nature pictures. Later titles branched out into nursery rhymes. The latest titles in the series I received include an individual author or illustrator (I think Amy Pixton, the original creator, still writes them?) and a bright array of pictures and diverse people.

Both of these titles show simple contrasts. Big and Little features a Black baby on the cover with warm brown skin and one little curl poking up out of their scribbled hair. The baby is shown with animals, crying and laughing, and interacting with a Black caregiver of indeterminate gender.

The second title, All year round, has a wider range of people pictured. The main baby shown may be Asian. They are shown being carried by a Black man, a white woman with red hair, and an older man with white-hair who may be Asian. They are also watched by an older white woman with white hair. A brown-haired and skinned older girl is pictured several times and appears to be a sibling. There are several white children, Black children, and a woman in Hijab shown in the background. The seasons are familiar to anyone who lives with "traditional" four seasons, from snow in the winter to fireflies in the summer.

I've found, because of their paper-thin spines, these are not ideal for a library board book collection. I was a bit surprised to see that Baker and Taylor offers them in Follet-bound editions. That seems to negate the point of the Indestructible format. However, what they are great for, in addition to gifts, is as part of toy bags and kits. I have several of them included in these and they're one of the sources I look at when choosing books to accompany circulating toys.

Verdict: Great choice for presents or giveaways and a good choice for circulating toys. These latest additions to the Indestructible series are bright and cheerful with a nice range of diversity pictured.

All Year Round, ISBN: 9781523511136

Big and Little, ISBN: 9781523511143

Published August 2020 by Workman; Review copies provided by publisher; Donated to the library

Luci Soars by Lulu Delacre

 Luci is born into a grim, black-and-white urban landscape and she was born with no shadow. At first it doesn't seem to matter. Her mama loves her, the neighbors call her "Que linda!" or "so cute!" but as she gets older people begin to notice that she's different. She begins to walk in the shadows of others until one day when she's brave enough to try to join the other children on the playground and is taunted and excluded.

As she cries, she begins to wonder why she needs a shadow anyways. "Does a shadow keep you on the ground?" and she begins to float. As she soars into the air, her clothes begin to light up with colors, as does her skin and then her hair. Colors float around her and she soars in a sea of blue, returning home to their small house that is now tinged with color, as is her loving mother. She can now see things from a different perspective and the book ends with a joyful, colorful picture of Lucy smiling and bold, looking directly at the reader.

This is a lovely fable with stunning illustrations and a Latinx flair with Spanish phrases and names sprinkled throughout. However, I'm disappointed that Luci claiming her difference implies putting down the other kids, not because of their unkindness but because of their shadows. The character Luci also shifts oddly in age, from a baby to looking like a teenager when she's floating, to a child with her mother, and then a teen or adult on the last page. 

I don't think I'd use this in storytime, but I can see reading it and discussing it in a classroom or with an adult, talking about how people handle differences, about excluding and including people, and looking at things with a different perspective.

Verdict: Not a required purchase perhaps, but an interesting and thought-provoking book with lovely illustrations.

ISBN: 9781984812889; Published August 2020 by Philomel; Review copy provided by the publisher; Donated to the library

Vicki Cobb's Why do I dry off? STEM kids discover the science of evaporation, illustrated by John Kurtz

Vicki Cobb has written a wide variety of science-themed books, primarily expository and hands-on. We've got several of her collections and I wasn't sure there was a need for this newer series, which is slim paperbacks, but having read one I think it's the perfect thing for many of our parents who are doing virtual or homeschooling.

It starts with a note for adults, encouraging them to allow their kids to ask questions, experiment and fail, and some simple supplies to have on hand as they work through the book.

Simple, easy-to-read language walks kids through basic experiments, some as simple as dipping a hand into water and letting it dry in different ways, to explain the science of evaporation. Colorful cartoons, featuring an Asian girl, Black boy, and several red-haired white children, demonstrate the concepts, showing how molecules interact. At the end of the book, there are more questions and experiments, and a glossary of STEM words.

It's not perfect; I felt the flow of the explanation and experiment jumped around a little, going from molecules to how refrigerators work, but it does follow more of a process of thought than a lesson plan. The text is simple enough for elementary kids to read with a little help and a self-motivated child could probably handle this on their own, although an adult to lead discussion would be useful.

Verdict: A good choice for parents and teachers looking for more resources for kids studying science at home, especially with minimal resources.

ISBN: 9781631583469; Published June 2020 by Racehorse; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

This week at the library; or, Getting up too early

Projects worked on this week:

• Lots of minor details, scheduling issues, getting things set up for other things.
• I am extremely grateful to have an assistant to help with virtual programming and just focus on the content and not all the (myriad) things which go wrong, connection issues, etc. etc.
• Virtual isn't as fun as seeing the 7th graders in person, but I still got to talk up lots of books and I did not have to carry them all to the middle school, so I'll count that a win!

Schedule

• Monday - 12-8
• Evening shift on the information desk
• Tuesday - 9-5
• Managers' Meeting
• Wednesday - 9-12 at library, remote work
• Gourd painting at Tasch Park
• Thursday - remote work
• Friday - 7-3
• Virtual 7th grade visits
• Recording
• Worked 41 hours; 12 hours remote; 11 hours on desk

Condor Comeback by Sy Montgomery, photographs by Tianne Strombeck

  Sy Montgomery, a veteran of the Scientists in the Field series, tackles the unique and wonderful condors in this latest work.

Montgomery joins a group of scientists, volunteers, and students, led by Dr. Estelle Sandhaus, in their quest to continue reintroducing condors to the wild. From their earliest extermination for pointless sport, or execution by people who mistakenly thought they threatened domesticated animals, condors dwindled into being critically endangered and extinct in the wild. Even among conservationists, there was a surprising amount of controversy over how the condor should be saved - and if it should be saved at all.

Despite many roadblocks, they were saved and reintroduced to the wild and now several small groups live in the wild, as well as captive birds in zoos. However, like all the Scientists in the Field books, the "story" of the condors is not yet over. Condors continue to be killed by poachers, to die from lead poisoning from hunters use of dangerous lead bullets, and to suffer from habitat loss and even normal threats like predators or extreme weather.

As Montgomery follows the journey of these strangely beautiful creatures, she gives them a personality and a voice, showing the fascination of a unique animal that is more than a scary or gross reputation. She also introduces information about the dangers of lead in the environment, and how science used to save the condors crosses boundaries to help other humans and animals as well. She introduces readers to amazing scientists, including the awesome Dr. Estelle Sandhaus, who talks about accepting herself and succeeding as a scientist in an intellectually and physically challenging environment, despite her unconventional body type. We meet representatives of the Chumash, who once honored and respected the condor and are using the great bird to regain their cultural heritage. There's a wonderful look at the future, as a local school learns about condors and picks up trash to keep their nesting sites safe.

A follow-up mentions how the condors we met in the book are doing now, having weathered the fires of 2018. One can only hope that they are surviving the current disasters (it looks like some a research station was destroyed and some condors are missing, but a few have been found and saved). There is also a timeline, links for ways students can support condors, bibliography, and a wide variety of sources for learning more about these amazing birds.

Verdict: Montgomery is the only author, I think, who could really bring these strange and amazing birds to life for readers, to get them to see past their stereotypical "ugliness" and "gross" habits and show them as the unique, social, and wonderful birds. She brings the people involved with them to life in the same way and this is a book that I am eager to recommend to teachers and students alike.

ISBN: 9780544816534; Published July 2020 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Purchased for the library

Catch that chicken! by Atinuke, illustrated by Angela Brooksbank

 Apparently, chicken-chasing is a thing. When I saw this book, I was immediately reminded of Janice N. Harrington's The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County, which is a favorite of mine. This story is its own, ha ha, bird though.

Returned to the unnamed African village of B is for Baby and Baby goes to market, Atinuke tells the story of an older child, Lami, who is the best in her whole compound at catching chickens. Her siblings, cousins, and friends all have their own things - spelling, braiding, herding - but Lami is the fastest and best chicken catcher! Until one day she goes too fast, slips, and twists her ankle. Bored and hurting, Lami is miserable until Nana Nadia shows her there are other ways to catch chickens besides speed.

Brooksbank shows a busy, loving, colorful community with movement and life in every corner of the compound. There are children learning at their school under the tree, cooking, gardening, herding, and of course chickens everywhere!

Verdict: This is a sweet story, just right for impatient preschoolers. It's short enough to make a good read-aloud and kids and adults will giggle over Lami's antics as she catches those chickens! I'd say this is for a little older audience than the Baby books, but can be enjoyed by preschool and up.

ISBN: 9781536212686; Published July 2020 by Candlewick; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

This week at the library; or, Really, summer can be done now

Projects worked on this week

• Planning for Wisconsin Science Festival
• Planning virtual book clubs for October
• Recording and planning for October virtual storytimes
• Materials and resources for teachers

Schedule

• Monday - 12-8 info desk
• Tuesday - 9-5 YS desk
• Wednesday - 9-12 at library, kite-flying program at park, work from home
• Thursday - Work from home
• Friday - 10-6 YS desk
• Worked 42 hours; 14 hours remote; 19 hours on desk

Life in a frozen world: Wildlife of Antarctica by Mary Batten, illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez

 This exploration of the continent of Antarctica starts with a bare, frozen landscape of sea and ice and sun. It is, says Batten, "The coldest, windiest, driest place on Earth." But there's an amazing amount of life here, as readers will learn. Plunge into the ocean, inhabited by penguins, whales, and seals, and look in detail and discover the algae that thrives below the ice, including phytoplankton. The algae is eaten by krill, massive swarms that can adapt to the extreme temperatures. Then there are icefish, whales, penguins, and seals. More invertebrates can be found below the ocean, many with extreme lifespans to match their extreme habitat.

Although the continent has no human population, scientists explore and visit for short periods of time. Their experiments and research, including global warming, are covered over the next few pages along with an illustration of drilling for an ice core. The dangers of global warming are already showing, affecting both the creatures that live on this continent and the very continent itself, melting ancient ice shelves and causing rising sea levels that have far-reaching impacts on the rest of the world.

Back matter includes a map of Antarctica, additional facts and quotes, an author's note, glossary, and bibliography. It does not, I am pleased to say, imply that kids can save the planet by riding their bikes to school every day or using both sides of paper to draw on.

 This nonfiction picture book is most likely to appeal to older readers. The photo-realistic art and lengthy chunks of text make it a poor read-aloud, but an excellent browsing book for kids who can either sit still and listen or would like to learn more about this mysterious continent. The art is stunning and pulls the reader into the strange world of a frozen, seemingly lifeless continent that is actually full of life and movement.

Verdict: A good title to update your nonfiction on Antarctica. While I'm cautious about buying books that reference global warming, as it's a rapidly changing science, this one is general enough that it will be relevant for several years at least.

ISBN: 9781682631515; Published November 2020 by Peachtree; F&G provided by publisher; Ordered for the library

Fort Builders Inc. The Birthday Castle by Dee Romito

  Caleb really wants the special edition of his favorite book, Castle Quest, but he still needs $10. Jax, his best friend, wants money for a new soccer net and has just gotten a refrigerator. Which gives Caleb an idea... they could build box forts to earn the money! They enlist a neighbor, Eddie, who is known to be good at signs and art and get started.

They get boxes from their neighbor, Mrs. Mohan, and their first client is Analise, who wants a pink castle for her birthday. But they discover a business isn't as easy as they thought. Luckily, Mrs. Mohan's granddaughter Kiara has more experience with design and is ready to help.

Together, the four of them work out various issues and challenges and finally they successfully build their first fort and have a satisfied client!

Black and white pen drawings are scattered throughout the book. Caleb and Jax both present white, their neighbor Eddie is black, and Kiara appears to be South Asian from her appearance on the cover and the mention of her grandmother cooking ladoos.

This is a Quix book, Aladdin's answer to Scholastic's Branches, and includes a list of characters at the beginning, words and sentences in bold (some appear to be more difficult vocabulary, others appear to be random), a glossary, questions, and a STEM project to make your own drawbridge.

Verdict: I would have liked to see the non-white characters as the main characters, instead of side-kicks, but otherwise I think this is the best of what Quix has done so far and will be popular. I purchased a previous Quix series, Mack Rhino, in the easy readers but this is a more advanced chapter book and I think I'll put it in the juvenile series (beginning chapter books).

ISBN: 9781534452381; Published June 2020 by Aladdin; Borrowed from another library in my consortium; Purchased for the library

Read, Read, Read, said the Baby: You're my little baby by Eric Carle

 

Honestly, I'm a little skeptical about this being a... genuine Eric Carle book? I mean, he hasn't really done any picture books in a while, just these kind of gift-type books that feel like remakes of his previous work. However, I don't think any of his fans will care and his signature art is a big draw.

The text compares the listener to various animals, "You're my little lamb, so gentle and sweet. You're my little monkey, whose smiles are such a treat." The real draw is the art and touchy-feely elements. I guess it's technically "touch-and-feel" but I've always said touchy-feely. The cover has inlaid sparkly hearts and the various toy elements are all on the left side of the page. The first page has a flimsy green plant flap, covering a baby bear. There is a soft, fluffy cotton inlay for the sheep, inlaid silver ripples in the lake around the hippo, a slight raised vinyl wing on the mother duck, and you can lift the picture of the mother cat and kitten to show the kitten playing. The final page has a heart-shaped mirror on the right side, accompanying the last half of the final rhyme, "You're my little baby and that you'll always be."

The animals show his typical blocky collages with squiggles across the painted surfaces and a variety of bright colors.

This is really a novelty book; in normal times, I'd probably add it to the board book collection because it will be popular, but would not expect it to last long. The couple flaps are very thin, with fragile hinges, and the edges of the sheep around the fluffy white cotton, are thin and easily bent. However, in current times I am trying not to circulate anything with a surface that can't easily be cleaned and the sheep's fluffy wool, which feels like loose cotton balls perhaps, makes this one not a good idea for a public library collection in my opinion.

Verdict: While this isn't the best choice for a public library collection, it would make an adorable gift. The familiar art and the nice variety of elements will keep the baby's interest and make this a nice bedtime/naptime story.

ISBN: 9781534474932; Published August 2020 by Little Simon; Review copy provided by publisher

Little green donkey by Anuska Allepuz

 First, let us take a moment to consider that the Spanish title of this book is "El Burrito Verde." I find that adorable.

Little donkey loves grass. She is never going to eat anything but grass, no matter how hard her mom coaxes her to try other things! But too much grass turns little donkey... green! Can she hide her new skin tone from her mom? Or will she have to, *shudder* try something new? And what if she likes it?

This goofy story has bright, cheerful colors, not just in little donkey's skin, as she goes from brown to green to orange (yep, she finds out she likes carrots). Her mom is every parent trying to get a picky eater to just TRY something else! A trio of silly little mice follow little donkey in the background and the deadpan delivery of the story adds plenty of humor for older listeners.

The publisher's description describes the little donkey with male pronouns, but the story is in first person and there's actually no indication of gender at all. So I made her female, because so many picture book animals automatically devolve to male.

Verdict: I wouldn't read this to kids young enough to believe that they'll turn green, orange, etc. from eating too many of those foods, but for kids old enough to get the joke this is definitely a fun read. It would fit in well as a tongue-in-cheek story on the importance of moderation and trying new things as well.

ISBN: 9781536209372; Published July 2020 by Candlewick; Review copy provided by the publisher; Donated to the library; Featured in our first virtual storytime of the fall.

William Still and his freedom stories: The father of the Underground Railroad by Don Tate

 I'm cautious about the number of historical picture books I purchase. There's not a lot of audience for them, no matter their quality, and a few books on each familiar topic is generally all I need. So I was skeptical when I saw another book about the Underground Railroad. Do I really need another book on this?

Turns out the answer is absolutely, yes. In today's climate, many Wisconsin residents seem to have forgotten the state fought on the side of the Union in the Civil War and, despite not being particularly forward-thinking in the matter of desegregation (as far as I know) was considered at least better than living in the South to the extent of having several historical Black communities in some larger cities. A few lessons on the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman, and that finishes off the Civil War. Growing up in the South myself, that was about all I ever heard about the Civil War either.

This is a whole new look at the Underground Railroad; speaking from the viewpoint of the slaves who traveled on it and, most importantly, the free Black people who helped them. Don Tate introduces readers to a largely forgotten but vitally important figure, William Still. His father was able to purchase his own freedom, but left for the North to escape the risk of being enslaved again. His wife, Sidney, took her two daughters and escaped North to rejoin her husband, leaving behind her two older sons.

In New Jersey they raised a family of 15 children, including the youngest, William. As a child he helped an escaped slave hide from slave catchers and flee farther north. He struggled to attend school, between his father's demands that survival and their farm be the priority and the racism and attacks he experienced when trying to attend school. As a young man he journeyed to Philadelphia, hoping to make a new life for himself.

After several years of low-paying and arduous work, he found a job as an office clerk with the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. He hoped to find more freedom and improve himself, but was at first disappointed. The pay was low and the actual work of the Society - speaking and writing - was done by white people. William was basically the janitor. Eventually, however, he became the Manager of the society. With his home as a stop on the Underground Railroad, William was shocked one day, when listening to the story of an escaped slave, to discover the man was his own older brother.

In an effort to help other families be reunited, William Still began to keep records of names, physical appearances, missing family, and the stories of those who had fled slavery. When the Fugitive Slave Act was passed, resulting not only in the brutal re-enslavement of escaped slaves but the kidnapping and enslavement of free Blacks as well, William Still hid the records that were now deadly for both him and those he had helped.

Eventually, he resigned from the society to start a business and support his family. The Civil War resulted in the end of slavery, though not of prejudice and injustice. William Still, now a successful businessman, continued to fight for freedom for other Black people and in 1872 published the stories he had so carefully saved.

Don Tate's illustrations show the sorrow and hardship of slavery and life for Black people, free or enslaved, without being graphic or frightening for young readers. A palette of soft colors emphasizes a wide variety of brown skin tones that glow with the colors recorded by William Still, "Copper. Chestnut. Dark brown."

Back matter includes a timeline and an author's note, talking about his research and inspiration for this book.

Verdict: There are so many powerful things about this book; the age-appropriate but honest description of slavery, prejudice, and the hardships faced by William Still and other Black people. The expansion of the story of the Underground Railroad to emphasize the slaves who escaped on it and the Black people who helped them, rather than the stories of white people. Like William Still, who wanted the stories of his people to be heard, Don Tate has done an excellent job of reviving the long-lost voice of a powerful figure from history.

ISBN: 9781561459353; Published November 2020 by Peachtree; F&G provided by publisher; Preordered for the library

This week at the library; or, New beginnings

Nothing to do with the week
just a book I bought for myself and
finally found time to read while I 
was on vacation.

We were closed for the holiday on Monday and school resumed on Tuesday the 8th, as well as our new hours. A regular schedule will be nice - I will be working our only evening hours on Monday, as we'll be closing at 6 the rest of the week.

I started our new virtual program schedule as well. Every week families can pick up a storytime craft (while supplies last), themed storytime bundle, and at least one activity pack. Our theme this week was Healthy Eating and my school colleague, Ms. Pattie, and I have almost all the September virtual programs recorded. 

This gives us a storytime on Tuesday morning with Ms. Pattie, some kind of story or post Tuesday afternoon (usually by me), evening storytime (mostly Ms. Pattie, some with me), and a story for school-age kids on Friday morning (me). I also scheduled a music/movement activity on Thursday morning; I've got a recording of a jump rope workout from one staff member that I've reposted and several active stories and Ms. Pattie will be adding some. Then we have a booktalk with the teen associate on Friday afternoon and an unboxing video Friday evening, as long as they last. I post these on Facebook, but I also send links out to our virtual news subscribers. They're posted on a closed platform, so people can't find them just randomly on the internet.

Other projects worked on this week:

• Virtual and outdoor programs for September/October
• Planning for Wisconsin Science Festival
• Working on grants
• Materials and resources for teachers
• Managers' meeting

Webinar: Disney Publishing Worldwide Preview (Booklist)

Schedule

• Monday - closed for holiday
• Tuesday - PTO
• Wednesday - Managers' meeting
• Thursday - Work from home, webinar
• Friday - YS desk
• Worked 25 hours; 8 hours remote; 10 hours on desk

Calli be Gold by Michele Weber Hurwitz

[Originally published 2011]                                                                           Sometimes I think realistic middle grade fiction is nothing but an endless list of How-not-to-parent-your-children examples. This is no particular reflection on this particular book, which I liked very much, just that there are sooooo many parents out there in fiction land who Should Know Better. Actually, there appear to be a lot in real life too, the stories I could tell...

Anyways, Calli Gold has the over-scheduled type of parents. All three of their children must have a passion and be doing something constantly. Calli, the youngest, is tired of being pushed into constant activities to find her passion and talent, which she is pretty sure she doesn’t have. She doesn’t feel like part of the Gold family – and sometimes she’s not sure she wants to be.

But then the Gold’s perfect, over-scheduled life starts showing a few cracks. Calli realizes her parents aren’t the perfect, happy, fulfilled people she always thought they were. Her older sister (who is, quite frankly, a nasty person and needs a hefty thwack on the head) turns out to not be the perfect overachiever either (although this doesn’t make her a nicer person) and her older brother shows some unexpected kindness. Calli herself has found something she really cares about; Noah, a second grader who has some issues. Calli is determined to stick with him for their class project no matter what and in the end she discovers that she does have a special and important talent.

I would like to digress here to mention my complete lack of patience with the “they’re going through a phase/growing up is hard” school of excuses for nasty older teen siblings. Just because you are suffering teen angst and you’re related to someone doesn’t mean you can take out your problems on your younger siblings. I actually see this a lot, just observing families. The older kids can call their younger siblings nasty names and poke them or whatever, and the parents just sigh and ignore them. Grr. Ok, digression over.

Every time I thought the story was going to slide into stereotypes, it popped around a corner and surprised me. There are a lot of tropes here that will grab readers; the underdog who is ultimately successful, the kid nobody thinks is important or good at anything who turns out to have a talent, the perfect family that develops some problems and then works through them. Hurwitz’ writing is steady and strong and she develops her characters and situations with enough familiarity to draw kids in and enough plot twists and turns to keep them reading. I look forward to more stories from this debut author!

[Revisited: Almost ten years later this is still a popular and relevant book in my library. It's now available in a new paperback (and prebound) edition and I continue to recommend it to my readers with great success. The emphasis on kindness and caring is perfect for young reader struggling through a difficult world and it's also a timely reminder of what's most important.]

Verdict: This is different enough from your usual “real girls in school and with their families” middle grade books to add to your collection even if you have a large number of these books. Especially recommended to girls with overachieving parents and older siblings….Recommended!

ISBN: 9780385739702; Published April 2011 by Wendy Lamb; ARC provided by publisher at ALA Midwinter; Purchased for the library

Emiline, knight in training by Kimberli Johnson

  This slight fantasy graphic novel is meant specifically for readers struggling with dyslexia.

Emiline, a sturdy young girl with light brown skin and puffs of brown curls, is heading back to school with her friends on her pudgy unicorn, Fluffkin. She's accompanied by several classmates, one black boy on a sheep, a green-haired elf on a dragon, and their red-haired teacher on a horse. 

Emiline struggles to read, but with her own courage and determination and the help of her classmates and teacher, she works to conquer her disability and together they enter the school grounds, save some dragon eggs, and find a safe place to wait while the ice giants finish their stone-throwing competition.

The art is a little amateurish, but will be very attractive to kids who like lots of fantasy touches, unicorns, and pretty dragons. The story is brief and simple and is written specifically to encourage struggling readers. The font is OpenDyslexic and the speech bubbles are clearly shown on a light cream background, standing out against the soft pastels of the art.

Verdict: This is unlikely to garner a huge audience, but it will be attractive to fantasy lovers, especially those who are unable to read the more involved fantasy stories that are popular right now. Even if your school district does not identify dyslexic students, it's extremely likely there are some - as many as 15% of Americans are dyslexic - and this is a nice resource to add.

ISBN: 9781620106440; Published 2019 by Oni; Purchased myself for review; Donated to the library

Small Readers: Beach day! by Candice Ransom, illustrated by Erika Meza

 This is a simple easy reader, showing a family setting off for a day at the beach. They pack the car, play in the ocean, have a picnic and ice cream, then finish off the day with a stop at the fair and a few rides.

The text is in a white font against the soft, colored backgrounds of sky, from the morning sunrise to the evening sunset. Digital illustrations show a family with two children enjoying their day on the beach. The text is in rhyme and is a large font. It's leveled to F&P level G, if that is of interest to you.

So, why purchase this very average easy reader of a day at the beach? Because it is the only easy reader I can think of to depict a Black family at the beach. The focus is completely on the family, showing the loving parents watching their children as they play together and alone. The only other people pictured are a young man with brown skin selling ice cream and an older woman with gray hair selling cotton candy. The father and son hang out together in their shorts, while the girl wears a cute little one-piece with a yellow frill and the mom a one-piece suit and occasionally a yellow cover-up.

Verdict: It's important to have a wide variety of easy readers for beginning readers and I would purchase this one just for the main collection, but with the warm depiction of a Black family this becomes a unique, must-have title for your collection. Incidentally, there is a whole series featuring this family and I recommend them all!

ISBN: 9781524720445; Published May 2020 by Random House; Purchased for the library

This week at the library; or, Summer finally ends

My tomatoes that absolutely refuse to ripen.

 This may be different for everyone, but for us this was the last week of summer. Our schools resume after Labor Day (in-person, if you were wondering) and normally this week would be a busy one with our historic county fair and at the library we'd be preparing to start programs next week. Of course, none of those things are happening now.

I put out leftover activities from summer for people to take and I've been making misc. "Ms. Jennifer's Favorites" book bundles. We had a big recording session on Tuesday with Ms. Pattie, my colleague from the school district who works with kids under 5 and normally does most of our early literacy storytimes. One of my aides started her new job at the school this week, so I am down to two, both of whom start their new (and very complicated) school schedules this week.

Our drop-in book sale in the lobby started this week and we also opened the adult fiction (and main part of the YA fiction) to the public. We will continue taking appointments for browsing the youth area through September.

I finished my YA weeding and genre project this week and am working on take-home activities and virtual programming for the fall.

I took off Friday, we're closed the following Monday, and I took off Tuesday, so I had a long weekend. What, you may ask, will I do with all this time? Paperwork and reviewing books mostly. Also laundry.

The big book of experiments by Dr. Kate Biberdorf

 Kate the Chemist is a professor at the University of Texas and performs experiments on tv. Apparently she's a popular personality, although, to be honest, I have never heard her mentioned by any kids. I would guess that she's more locally popular.

There's an accompanying fiction series, but I didn't care for it much. However, whether you're familiar with her or not, kids are sure to love this book of experiments.

Two notes at the beginning explain the icons for safety and introduce Kate the Chemist. Each experiment has a note, messiness level, materials, protocol (instructions), questions to encourage kids to think about what they're doing, and an explanation of the science. The explanations are clear and written in a down-to-earth, friendly tone. Dr. Biberdorf uses the correct terminology, which I'd guess is part of her persona - encouraging kids, especially girls, to love science - while keeping a humorous, kid-friendly tone.

The experiments range from simple, drawing with a crayon and spraying water over it, to more complicated, like magnetic slime. Some experiments can be done with household objects, there are a lot of different slimes, and some need dry ice. The book is illustrated with photographs of Kate and her experiments and the reactions and results of the experiments.

Verdict: A must-buy if you have fans of Kate the Chemist, but even if you don't this is a fun addition to your science experiment books and with so many kids schooling at home, easy science experiments with a clear explanation of the science behind them, will be an important addition to your nonfiction collections.

ISBN: 9780593116166; Published March 2020 by Philomel; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

Pizza and Taco: Who's the best? by Stephen Shaskan

  There's a nice trend in beginning chapter graphic novels going on over the last year or two. The sweet spot is above the Elephant and Piggie stories, but below favorites like Dogman. Simple, silly stories are favorites, like Narwhal and Jelly. I admit that I, personally, often don't "get" the humor of these books, but I can easily identify which titles are going to be popular.

Stephen Shaskan has produced quite a few silly picture books, which I loved, and some unique graphic novels like the Q and Ray series with his wife, Trisha Speed Shaskan. It looks like he did this new series on his own, so I'm hopeful this means Trisha Speed Shaskan is working on her own or in tandem with another author and we can expect twice the books!

Pizza and Taco are best friends. They are such best friends they can talk about nothing else! They're better friends than Hamburger and Hot Dog. But when Taco tells Pizza they're the best and Pizza doesn't give the right answer, the contest is on - which one of them IS the best??

They hold competitions, elections, and debates, and then finally try besting each other on a water slide. Ultimately, they realize that they both are the best at different things - but together they are best at being best friends! "Awesome! Yaaas!"

The art is a little different than I'm used to seeing from Shaskan. There are still the bold lines and goofy cartoon eyes, but the backgrounds are a snazzy polka-dot pattern and the pizza and taco images are collaged pictures with a sprinkle of scribbled toppings for Taco. The text is in a variety of fonts and while simple, is a smaller and lighter font than one expects in an easy reader, one way to note this is for more fluent readers. The art of the comic is almost completely Pizza and Taco in different poses, so readers really do have to pick up the dialogue to understand what's going on.

This book reminded me most closely of Charise Mericle Harper's Beandog and Nugget, although it's a more challenging title. My library kids literally read those books to pieces and I'm very excited to bring them a new, slightly more challenging, food-themed fest of hilarity!

Verdict: A goodhearted and silly new series that is sure to attract kids who are ready to move on from Elephant and Piggie and like the goofy humor of Charise Mericle Harper. Recommended.

ISBN: 9780593123300; Published May 2020 by Random House; Borrowed from another library in my consortium; Purchased for the library

Small Readers: What about worms? by Ryan T. Higgins

 The Elephant and Piggie Like Reading series continues, introducing another fun author/artist via these favorite characters. Piggie has a new book to show Gerald and it's all about WORMS!

Ryan T. Higgins, creator of Mother Bruce, the grumpy bear, and Penelope the t-rex, introduces a very, very brave tiger. The tiger is obviously a stuffed animal, with black button eyes and rounded paws. They aren't afraid of anything... except... maybe... worms. As the tiger encounters different things, they at first enjoy them - a pot of flowers, an apple, a book, until they realize there could be WORMS.

Finally, terrified of all the possible worms in the world, the tiger flees... and then the worms DO appear. Of course, it turns out that they're scared of tigers but unlike the tiger, they're willing to take a chance and read about them to learn more.

Elephant and Piggie end the story with a silly pun. The tiger doesn't end the story by making friends with the worms, as you might expect in a typical easy reader, but the message that you should learn more about things that scare you before running away, is still firmly underlined.

This is a delightful combination of Ryan Higgins' trademark humor and heart, a gentle lesson, and the familiar Elephant and Piggie dynamic to round out the story.

Verdict: This should be a popular addition to the series and a must-have for library collections.

ISBN: 9781368045735; Published May 2020 by Hyperion; Purchased four copies for the library