Orangutan hats and other tools animals use by Richard Haynes, illustrated by Stephanie Laberis

  Candlewick does really interesting nonfiction for young readers and listeners. I haven't seen it collected in a series particularly, but it generally has a simple, read-aloud narrative, more in-depth information about the topic in inset paragraphs, a simple index, and some back matter.

This title is a little different, as it eschews the narrative portion, so it's not really a read-aloud option. For that reason, I'd pitch it to a slightly older, elementary school audience. It's still a fascinating piece of writing though.

Laberis' cheerful, colorful illustrations show a variety of animals in their habitats in full-page art and smaller thumbnails. This accompanies Haynes' sometimes dense text exploring the use of tools in a wide variety of animals. I've previously read some interesting books on this topic, some of which are referenced in the bibliography, but Haynes takes a different approach and a much wider definition of "tool use." He talks about some of the instances I'm familiar with - crows that use and make hooked twigs, dolphins and sponges, and of course various primates. However, some more unusual examples are elephants using twigs to pry ticks out of their skin, boxer or pompom crabs waving anemones for defense, or a heron dropping a worm into a pond to lure fish to the surface.

Tool use is divided into categories for food, grooming, defense, comfort and more. There is a thoughtful conclusion, looking at the use of tools and the implication of communication and intelligence in animal life, a glossary, bibliography, and index.

Verdict: While not a read-aloud, as I had been expecting, this is an informative and interesting book for elementary age readers. It's broken up into sections so a teacher could read aloud portions and it would make a great starting point for STEM projects and discussion of animals. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781536200935; Published April 2021 by Candlewick; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

This week at the library; or, School visits return

Programs

• 3 sessions for approx. 60 students: How to build an insect
• 3 sessions for approx. 60 students: Mish-Mash Monster
• 4 sessions for approx. 80 students: Mish-Mash Monster
• 4 sessions for approx. 80 students: How to build an insect
• 2 sessions for approx. 75 students: SRP promo and straw weaving

Projects

• Cleaning out the storyroom - we are flipping it from take-home craft and virtual program prep to be empty and ready for programs again, although the current plan is to hold all in-person programs in our larger community room. I am tentatively thinking of having some drop-in programs in it in August.

It was a long, exhausting, and somewhat frustrating week. Next week I have more school visits, but they're all with kinder - 2nd grade, which is a relief as the 4th and 5th graders are (understandably) challenging. I have gotten nearly all the furniture, play area, etc. back in place and families immediately returned to the play area and a group of middle school D&D players are back.

The Great and the Terrible: The world's most glorious and notorious rules and how they got their names by Joanne O'Sullivan, illustrated by Udayana Lugo

 I have a number of quirky history collections, often featuring royalty or famous people from the past, and I was interested to see how this measured up.

It's a collection of twenty-five rules known as "great" or "terrible." Each thumbnail biography includes a watercolor artist's rendition, basic facts about when they lived and ruled, a few pieces of historical context about their reign and a quick overview of what made them memorable as a ruler. The descriptions are light-hearted and include lots of jokes, even when dealing with tragic subjects. Back matter includes a glossary, index, and brief list of some additional rulers.

I was pleased to see a large number of female and non-Western rulers included, as well as accomplishments and inventions from non-Western countries. On the other hand, there's little to no recognition of the devastating effects of Western exploration and colonization. Some leaders, especially Western ones, seem like odd choices to include - why Wenceslas (who wasn't actually a king) and not Mansa Musa? There's a very brief and confusing entry on Attila the Hun but nothing on Genghis Khan. Catherine de' Medici had little to no actual royal power - why not Isabella of Castile or Boudicca? Of course, one can always second-guess the choices in a compilation like this and overall I would say it's a good start but did not go far enough.

For a genuinely funny and information collection about royalty check out Beccia's Raucous Royals; for more accurate representation of historical figures that include women and non-Western figures look for Shirin Yim Bridges' The Thinking Girl's Treasure of Real Princesses. However, if you have kids who have read and enjoyed the previous titles, especially Beccia's work, this is a fun addition to your "weird historical facts and figures" collection with more diversity than is usually seen in these books.

Verdict: An additional purchase, but a fun one!

ISBN: 9780762496617; Published 2020 by Running Press; Borrowed from another library in my consortium; Purchased for the library

Tabitha and Fritz trade places by Katie Frawley, illustrated by Laurie Stansfield

 The endpapers show the two titular characters, Fritz the elephant and Tabitha the cat, bored with their various routines in jungle and indoors. The story begins and is told through email messages, starting with the two of them seeing an advertisement on "www.lair-BNB.com"

Eager for a change, the two set off, Fritz to celebrate his birthday in a faraway place and Tabitha for an exciting rainforest adventure. At first, the two have great fun. Fritz loves the "small human," Tabitha's owner Claire and enjoys playing in the pool and trying new food. Tabitha meets her jungle cat relatives and delights in the sights and sounds of the jungle.

However, things go downhill quickly. Fritz's free and easy ways don't fit well in the city and he makes several mistakes that annoy and outrage his new neighbors. Meanwhile Tabitha is having trouble fitting into the life of an elephant, with all that mud and water. Frustrated and lonely for their respective homes, the two happily agree to switch back early and are happy to return to their own places, taking their memories of new friends with them.

Stansfield's colorful art makes a great backdrop for Frawley's tongue-in-check messages, showing just how wrong things can go in an unfamiliar place, from Tabitha using the meerkat's home as a litterbox to Fritz rolling in the dust of a very tidy suburban backyard. The animals remain determinedly cheerful and keep trying, even though things are difficult, but both are clearly pleased to be back in their proper places.

While this could be somewhat discouraging for kids who are immigrants or have moved from other places, it's a funny story for kids who are well-established in their homes and like to imagine what a far-away adventure might be like or to illustrate the adage of "the grass is always greener." It could also spark some discussion about what it's like to experience a different culture and how to handle it when the solution isn't as easy as a quick plane flight home.

Verdict: A funny story about appreciating what you have and trying new things, even when they don't work out as expected.

ISBN: 9781542008549; Published June by Two Lions; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

Early Readers: A giant mess by Jeffrey Ebbeler

 Holiday House's I like to read imprint has been a great boon to libraries, as it has produced a large number of low-level early readers for kids, especially in those difficult ranges of A - C levels. Like many publishers, they're jumping into the comic market and are trying an I like to read comics series.

A white girl has taken out all her toys and throws a tantrum when her mother asks her to clean up. But her laments are put into perspective when a green baby shows up - a giant green baby - who proceeds to pick up people, rummage through houses, and treat the town as a giant toy box. When the giant, whose name is Jack, is told by his picnicking parents to pick up his toys, Molly is horrified to discover that, just like her own complaints, Jack leaves behind a giant mess!

Molly quickly becomes a stern reminder of duty, insisting the giant pick up the zoo animals, people, cars, and airplanes he has been playing with. When the giant departs, leaving behind a confused mess of partially-picked up people, houses, and vehicles, Molly is reunited with her mother but finds that her playroom is still a mess!

The layout is closer to a traditional early reader, the book being approximately 9x6, but the illustrations are closer to a picture book than a comic. Full-page illustrations are occasionally interrupted by a few strategically placed panels and speech bubbles, with a large but light font, are scattered throughout.

I do find it frustrating that, unlike the original I like to read titles, there is no leveling information. I had to guess and it's hard to say what level reader who be able to handle these. The text is simple and the sentences short, but the crowded illustrations and the need for visual literacy may make these more challenging.

Verdict: Despite a few drawbacks, comics for younger readers are a big deal right now and I think kids will enjoy picking these up along with Scholastic's Acorn titles and other early reader comics.

ISBN: 9780823446391; Published April 2021 by Holiday House; Purchased for the library

Sweet Pea Summer by Hazel Mitchell

  A small child is sent to spend the summer with their grandparents, while their mother is recovering from an illness in the hospital. They have medium-length brown hair and are wearing patchwork shorts, flared wide like a skirt. Their gender is never mentioned, but the publisher description uses female pronouns.

At first she is shy and lonely without her parents. Bored and unhappy, she cautiously joins her grandfather in his expansive backyard garden and quickly becomes interested in the sweet peas. It's a frustrating interest, since the buds keep dying and they require a lot of delicate care, but after a lot of work she figures out what's wrong and gets a full crop of beautiful blue flowers, just in time to win a prize at the flower show.

The sweet illustrations and story have a distinctly British flair, at least to my mind, and the afterword with more information on sweet peas enforces this. The unnamed child and her family present as white, but there are some more diverse people in their town.

Although the ending is a little pat, this is a comforting story for children waiting through the illness of a parent and those interested in gardens and growing things.

Verdict: An additional choice, of most interest if you live in a suburban or rural area with a lot of gardens.

ISBN: 9781536210347; Published April 2021 by Candlewick; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

Reptiles everywhere by Camilla de la Bedoyere, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup

  Britta Teckentrup's unique art explores a wide variety of reptiles in this book from the Big Picture imprint. Previous titles in this series include fish and bugs. This imprint produces books that are more in the nature of browsing, since they do not include any back matter.

Squares in bold colors highlight blocky illustrations, starting with the definition and anatomy of reptiles, then moving on to their habitats, adaptations, and behavior. Readers will explore reptiles who live in a desert, reptiles in a rainforest, and many more. Some pages focus on a particular creature, like an almost full spread on komodo dragons, with panels down the right side showing their relatives, the extinct megalania, venomous gila monster, and shy Mexican beaded lizard.

Some spreads are vertical, like a deep blue one showing the life cycle of sea turtles, from the beach into the ocean. The final spread talks about the conservation challenges facing reptiles and the back spread shows an endangered gecko, who is hidden somewhere in the book.

Teckentrup's illustrations, and the crowded layout of the book do not lend themselves to storytime; she tends toward a muted palette, and the words can be difficult to read against the dark backgrounds. However, young fans of reptiles will have a great deal of fun browsing through the book and looking at all the interesting illustrations, which include diagrams and vibrant collage art. Older elementary students can pick through the facts scattered throughout, learning about the crocodilians' death roll, or the movement of sidewinders.

Verdict: If, like me, you are looking to fill in your elementary reptile collection, this is a fun browsing choice with attractive illustrations and is sure to fly off your shelves to young reptile readers.

ISBN: 9781536217070; Published April 2021 by Big Picture Press; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

This week at the library

All my spare time at home is now dedicated 
to trying to rip out the massive amount of bindweed
in my garden. Also this is a metaphor for my life.

 Programs

• Outreach visit with 3rd grade in the park (Jess)

Projects

• Continuing to prepare for and schedule school visits
• Reopening the play area, returning furniture, and reorganizing the department

Our deadline to have everything returned to "normal" is June 7, when we are going back to our full hours and youth summer reading programs officially start. I have multiple school visits, starting May 25th, so I got as much back out as I could this week. I took Friday off to take my mom to the airport for a family wedding (I'm not going, I just couldn't take off in the middle of everything, plus allergies).

Life in the balance by Jen Petro-Roy

 For a while I tried putting more of the upper-level middle grade/middle school titles in young adult, but now I'm thinking of shifting them back and instead separating the beginning chapters more clearly. All of which is to say, I purchased this book (because it included sports) and it's currently in the young adult section but will probably move to juvenile soon.

On the outside, Veronica is getting ready to focus her life onto making the All-Stars softball team, following in her mom's footsteps and cementing her close friendship with Claudia, while staying away from snooty Libby. But her family has big problems and they're about to throw her life off balance. Veronica's mom drinks, a lot. No matter how often she says she can stop, she doesn't until she has to attend rehab and finally admits she's alcoholic. Veronica is lost and bewildered, angry at her mother for not being there for her, frustrated with her father being unwilling to tell her what's going on, and struggling with making decisions about what she wants to do especially when her dad tells her that even if they make the team there might not be enough money for All-Stars.

Although Veronica feels unable to confide in Claudia, whose parents are getting divorced, she finds an unexpected bond forming with Libby, who turns out to be understanding about what she's going through and, once Veronica starts to get to know her, she realizes she's changed a lot from when they were younger. The two start to work together on a number for the talent show, at first with the idea of getting money for Veronica to play All-Stars, but as time goes on Veronica starts to wonder if she really wants to join the elite team.

Although there are no easy answers, Veronica is able, eventually, to speak up for herself, be honest with her friends, and look forward to a better future. Therapy and a support group help, as does her parents' willingness to also make an effort at better communication and honesty. The story switches between play-by-play narration of softball games and the emotionally-driven story of a girl dealing with a painful fissure in her family.

Verdict: This is very much a story I'd give to a middle school reader who liked "serious" or "issue" novels but isn't ready for the more intense language and events of young adult. The inclusion of sports, especially Veronica's feelings about loving the sport but not wanting to play competitively is nicely done and although her family is financially privileged, even when her dad thinks money might be "tight" many kids can still relate to Veronica's feelings and struggles. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781250619730; Published February 2021 by Feiwel and Friends; Purchased for the library

Read, Read, Read, said the Baby: Doggie gets scared by Leslie Patricelli

 Leslie Patricelli's adorable board books have been delighting toddlers and amusing parents for several years and it's always fun to see a new one.

The unnamed baby, with a single curl on its bald head, shows up again, accompanied by Doggie, a purple stuffed animal who is the baby's constant companion. On the first spread, Doggie and the diaper-clad toddler look small and lonely against a deep purple background. As the pages progress, they are shown nervously approaching a number of "scary" things like swimming, strangers, and storms. Of course, while it is supposedly Doggie who is scared, it's the toddler who jumps, eyes wide, and reacts in fear.

The narrator, who is also the baby, has a number of solutions for "Doggie's" fears, from producing a blanket to comforting Doggie with the rehearsing of the routine of daycare. But when Doggie gets left behind, the baby is scared themselves this time! It's a good thing they find Doggie and he's always there for them when the next scary thing - bedtime - arrives.

The last spread compares things that can be scary with things that are comforting, from bad dreams to a night-light.

While most toddlers won't grasp the humor of the story - that the baby is really the one who is scared, although they keep saying it's Doggie, they will definitely understand the concept of being scared of new things or being lost and will find the final pages especially comforting. As with any book about childhood fears though, there's always the chance that a precocious child will use the book as a suggestion list to develop new fears, so parents should be aware of that possibility.

Verdict: While there are other books in the series that are stronger, this is still a strong contender in Patricelli's popular series and worth adding to your board book collection.

ISBN: 9781536203790; Published 2020 by Candlewick; Purchased for the library

Keeping the city going by Brian Floca

  A lot of picture books have come out of the ongoing pandemic. Many focus on emotions, trying to help kids stay safe, both physically and emotionally. Others honor those community helpers who continue to work throughout the pandemic. For adults, "essential workers" can be a complex and sensitive topic. However, Floca has thoughtfully introduced the hidden workers throughout a big city that kept it functioning during its shut down.

The story opens as kids look out of apartment windows, watching the city shut down, the streets empty, and everything fall quiet. But not all the people are in their homes. Many continue working, to keep the city going. Floca's detailed watercolors show a panoramic view of New York's neighborhoods and a panoply of masked workers. People delivering food, from stores to homes, public transportation moving people to staff grocery stores, and taxis taking shoppers home. Garbage disposal, postal workers, and utilities. The page for fire and police shows a masked pair of light-skinned people in a fire truck and a masked pair of darker people in a police car, labeling it "the people whose job is to keep everyone safe."

This transitions to medical workers, shown with basic face masks and surgical scrubs, then back to the children and adults looking out their windows and, together, cheering for the workers who keep the city going. An author's note talks about Floca's inspiration and collection of art during the initial days of the pandemic and how it was put together into a story.

I think the reception of this will really vary on where you are reading it, to whom, and why. Like many books thanking essential workers, this inevitably positions the narrator and, by extension the readers, as people apart. "We" go into our houses, stay inside, stay home, while "they" keep the city going. The neighborhoods shown are all clean, in good repair, with utilities available as workers keep the internet, phones, water, and power working. The homeless have vanished from the streets and a careful 1-3 people are shown in each house. All the workers are shown wearing masks and looking calm and in control. There is no mention of protests or job loss. In my quasi-rural area, there continues to be a high rate of people refusing to mask, including many of those same essential workers, as well as police.

Verdict: There's certainly value in adults projecting calm to frightened kids, Floca's art is, as always, superb, and it's a heartfelt tribute to essential workers. I can't help but wonder though, how the many, many kids and families who have experienced the full effects of the ongoing pandemic will feel - certainly not that this is a book for them.

ISBN: 9781534493773; Published April 2021 by Atheneum; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

This week at the library; or, That loud grinding sound is us switching gears (again)

anemones blooming amidst the invasive ground cover

Programs

• 1 virtual school visit

Projects

• Getting ready for school visits, which will start the week of the 24th
• School materials requests for the last units (depending, the last day of school is June 10th)
• Managers' meetings dealing with a bunch of last-minute changes

Professional development

• Introducing 'Outdoor School' from Macmillan

A world of plants by Martin Jenkins and James Brown

 This oversized nonfiction book is part of Candlewick Studio's output, originally published in the UK in 2019. They produce beautiful books, but I've found they vary in appeal to readers, other than the appeal of a giant book, which can't be discounted!

This one is cool, but a challenging read for the average kid. Most spreads include a dense section of text on the left, with a stylized border, and a diagram of some kind on the right. The color schemes of each spread vary from green to purple, red to turquoise. The various sections explain in detail how plants reproduce, from seeds to spores, different types of plants from fungi to cacti, photosynthesis, plant communication, and more. It goes into enough detail for a high school biology text, throwing around chloroplasts, cycads, mycorrhizal networks, and more. The last spread introduces a number of endangered plant species.

Like most titles from this imprint, there are no sources or bibliography included. These are very much coffee-table books, titles that would be given as gifts to a child or adult with a deep interest in science. However, the diagrams are really well-done; they explained things I've never understood about plant reproduction and behavior. While this isn't a typical library purchase, it would certainly be a fun book for budding scientists to browse.

Verdict: Not a necessary purchase (except for the scientific gardener in your life) but if you have an oversized section or kids interested in science, this may well find a happy home in your library. For a more accessible book on the science of plants, look at Lita Judge's Wisdom of Trees.

ISBN: 9781536215328; This edition published March 2021 by Candlewick Studio; Review copy provided by publisher

Small Readers: The Itchy Book by LeUyen Pham

[Originally published October 2018]

This is part of the Elephant and Piggie Like Reading series; each title is introduced with popular characters Elephant and Piggie in a brief exchange and finishes with another comic interlude with the pair. I was surprised to realize I hadn't reviewed this one, since I must have read it 20 times last spring with class visits!

Piggie introduces the story by asking Gerald if he likes books that make you "feel things" and when Gerald confirms that yes, he does, the story begins! We first see a black and grey stone with "dinosaurs do not scratch" carved into it and a turtle sleeping below the words. A bespectacled orange-brown dinosaur, dressed in blue t-shirt and white shorts, reads the stone and is surprised to learn something new... when a triceratops happens along. When they start to scratch, the first dinosaur points out the stone and the fun begins... naturally, once they've been forbidden to do so, more and more dinosaurs show up with a desperate need to scratch! The first dinosaur is strong though - nothing will make them scratch! Not grass clippings, ants, itchy sweaters, nothing! Only one thing can make them scratch... when the turtle finally moves and the rest of the carved words appear!

Elephant and Piggie finish the story with some funny words about scratching - and friends. Pham's colorful art is sprinkled with speech balloons in different colors, including some comic panels. This title fits well into the Elephant and Piggie series, even though it's much more colorful, including backgrounds and lots of details. Emerging readers may find it difficult to follow, with the many different colors and some variety in fonts, but readers at approximately a first grade, beginning level will have no problem. It also makes a great read-aloud!

Verdict: While not a top pick for actual reading mechanics, this is certainly a top pick for fun! Beginning readers are sure to enjoy the continuation of Elephant and Piggie's adventures as well as Pham's artwork and silly story for their own merits.

Revisited: This is still a top pick for read-alouds and it flies off the shelf.

ISBN: 9781368005647; Published May 2018 by Hyperion; Purchased 2 copies for the library

From Ed's to Ned's by Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins

  I was disappointed by the collaboration between these two creators. Sterer's Not my nest and Cummins' Hungry Lion were both hilarious, fresh, and unique. This later effort does not live up to their earlier work though.

The title page shows twin, white girls, receiving a call on a tin-can phone while watching an old-fashioned television. The next page shrinks the figures down to doll-size and they travel to their neighbor's house - by climbing a clothesline. The theme continues as an increasing number of tiny children trampoline, slide, swing, float, and dig their way from home to home. The houses range from brownstones and suburban dwellings to dragon-infested castles. Once they all arrive on an apartment rooftop, they briefly zip back into focus, in company with a plethora of cardboard boxes and other materials, then are off to bed. But there's one more place for them to sneak out and visit that night, via a "Launch to Lou's!"

The pictures are not unattractive, although the tiny figures make it difficult to see whether or not this is a really diverse group. There's a wide range of houses, both realistic and fantastical, but excepting a few brick apartment buildings, most appear to be single-family, suburban homes and brownstones in excellent repair. The brief close-up of the whole "gang" shows 22 children, 7 with brown skin and dark hair, 7 that appear to be female based on hair style and length. Kids have complained to me before about weird names in books and these are so old-fashioned and primarily male that I have to say they have a point. These are the name's included: "Cal, Will, Ted, Jill, Trey, Sam, Paul, Pam, Fran, Duke, Beth, Luke, Jin, Dan, Steve, Stan, Zev, Fred, Ed, Ned." As you can see, all but one are traditional Western names, many are old-fashioned, and the four girls' names are old-fashioned.

There's nothing specifically wrong with the book, it just feels very old-fashioned and nostalgic and there isn't really anything there to hook the reader or listener. There's no plot, which isn't something I expect in picture books aimed at much younger listeners, but the art doesn't work well for very young children with the tiny, indistinct details.

Verdict: An additional purchase, for me it didn't click and I can't see an audience for it at my library.

ISBN: 9780525648062; Published 2020 by Alfred Knopf; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Floyd Cooper

 Weatherford tells the story of the Tulsa Race Massacre in measured, simple prose, explaining the facts without being graphic about the elements of the tragedy.

Descendants of slaves, Native Americans, and Exodusters had created a thriving community in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the turn of the century. Despite segregation, prejudice, and oppression, they prospered. Their community included business people who wanted a better life for their families than sharecropping and returning veterans from WWI who fought for a country that didn't honor them in return with basic rights. They had homes, churches, schools, and a community. In 1921, with the support of white police and political leaders, a mob used the pretext of a Black boy insulting a white girl to loot, murder, and destroy the community that had been known as the Black Wall Street.

Over 300 people were killed, including a famous doctor, veterans who tried to defend their homes and families, and women and children. Nothing was left of the thriving community but a burnt shell and the surviving families were treated like criminals and prisoners. It would take over 75 years for any investigation into the events to take place and even in 2020 the unmarked graves of those murdered have still to be discovered.

Weatherford's afterword talks about her sources - including her own family - and the monuments built that look towards hope for a better future for the community of Greenwood. Floyd Cooper's earth tones show the warmth and bustle of the community and the fear and devastation that followed the attack, while refraining from graphic illustrations of violence.

This is an important part of US history that has too long been overlooked and hidden. Weatherford and Cooper have done a superb job of telling the painful, horrific story in a way that is both appropriate and accessible to young readers, focusing on simple emotions and a basic statement of facts without dwelling on specific instances of violence. As I think about where I'll place it in my library, it makes me think a lot about what history we consider "appropriate" for children. My first instinct is to put it in the juvenile nonfiction, although it's in picture book format, so teachers and parents can gently introduce it to kids, rather than our picture book neighborhoods where kids are more likely to pull it off the shelf. But the audience for my picture books is up to 3rd grade - I have nonfiction about the Holocaust like Jars of Hope located there, as well as books about various wars. Maybe it's more the immediacy of this - the Holocaust happened far away and it's easy for kids to think of it as just a sad historical event rather than something that could have happened to them - or that their families could have inflicted on others. It's definitely something I'll be thinking about as I'm planning to overhaul our neighborhoods sometime in the near future.

Verdict: A required purchase for all library collections that serve children and include materials on US history.

ISBN: 9781541581203; Published February 2021 by Carolrhoda; Borrowed from another library in my consortium; Purchased for the library

This week at the library; Children's Book Week

 Programs

• 12 virtual story sessions
• STEM challenge virtual meet-up (supervised by J)

Projects and meetings

• Reading Colors Your World scanning and prep
• STEAM labs - board games - cataloging
• Managers' meeting

This was my last set of hybrid virtual/take home programs. There were six story sessions (Elephant and Piggie, Superheroes, Plant a seed, Favorite new stories, Reading colors your world, and Mish-Mash Monster) repeated over three days. 4K schools and individuals could sign up for each session and get crafts to go with each. Families could also sign up for the STEAM challenge and get a box of recyclables and a couple sheets of STEAM challenges then join a virtual meet-up to build and show their work.

I also had a dentist appointment on Monday and worked Saturday, just to round out the week.

Ben Yokoyama and the cookie of doom by Matthew Swanson, illustrated by Robbi Behr

 Like any funny, illustrated notebook novel, this book is immediately compared to Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It's not at all like Wimpy Kid, and in the best possible way. What stood out to me in this book was how nice all the characters were - I especially liked the sweet relationship between Ben and his parents, and his mom and his dad.

The story begins with eight year old Ben at a Chinese restaurant with his Aunt Nora. It's his first time (his family usually goes out to Japanese restaurants) and he's overwhelmed by all the options. Finally, after a brief departure into how much he loves noodles, he orders, enjoys his meal, and receives... a fortune cookie. His fortune is "Live each day as if it were your last." Tomorrow could be his LAST DAY??

After panicking, Ben decides he needs to make the most of his possible last day and, starting by waking up at 12:01am to complete his 1,000 piece model of the Taj Mahal and eat a piece of frozen cake, he begins a series of funny, touching, and sometimes scary experiences. Along the way readers will meet Ben's best friend Janet, Ben's eccentric neighbors including the might-be-a-witch Mrs. Ezra, and experience the wild ride as Ben and his mom try to salvage the events set in motion by Ben's eating the forbidden piece of cake, which includes baking a cake (note: tartar sauce does not substitute for cream of tartar.)

Behr's black and white illustrations pepper the book from creative swirls showing Ben's busy thoughts to depictions of his family, diverse neighbors, and various shenanigans. The back of the book is a conversation about the book between the married author and illustrator. Behr, who is "half-Japanese" like Ben talks about how she relates to the character while poking fun at her husband for writing too many books for her to illustrate!

The book is genuinely funny but also genuinely sweet. Even when Ben makes mistakes or inadvertently does the wrong thing and gets in trouble, his family is both supportive and firm. Readers can't help but cheer when he accomplishes his special trick on his scooter, hold their breath when he tries to leap his grouchy neighbor's hedge, and cry a little as he comforts Janet when she tells him her feelings about her deceased father. One of the funniest and sweetest parts of the book is the wacky enthusiasm of Ben's father for recreating his proposal and wedding while taking Ben's mom on a date to celebrate their "nine years, three months, and seventeen days anniversary" and the shenanigans that ensue when Ben's mom, who has never baked a cake, tries to recreate the saved piece of wedding cake (which Ben ate) so he won't be disappointed.

This book proves you can be funny without being mean and models a warm and supportive community and family relationship. It probably won't appeal much to kids who are die-hard Wimpy Kid fans and have thus trained themselves to consider his nasty behavior as "funny" but for younger readers this is a perfect book to get them laughing, thinking, and feeling along with the character.

Verdict: I can't wait to buy the other cookie stories in this series and recommend this to young readers and their parents who want the humor of a notebook novel without the mean-spirited behavior so often depicted. Highly recommended.

ISBN: 9780593302750; Published March 2021 by Alfred Knopf; Borrowed from another library in my consortium; Purchased for the library

Branching into chapters: She persisted: Harriet Tubman by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Gillian Flint

  I am wary of books written by celebrities or even most contemporary figures. Their popularity wanes and their politics change so quickly, that the books are often outdated faster than they can be published. On the other hand, I'm always looking for more diverse alternatives to popular historical series like I Survived and Who Was, as well as more diverse offerings for readers who are moving into chapters. So while I never looked at the She Persisted books, I did get a copy of the chapter book series to sample.

Andrea Davis Pinkney writes a lyrical narrative of Harriet Tubman's life, beginning with her birth into slavery, through her tumultuous early life, her persistent determination to free her family and others from slavery, and her work as a spy in the Civil War. The story includes attractive black and white illustrations in the style of Alexandra Boiger's original illustrations.

Most of the concepts and words are defined within the text, and Pinkney includes activities and discussion questions, some simple books to read more about Harriet Tubman, websites, and profiles of the authors and illustrators involved in the series.

I was won over by this series; it's at an easier reading level than the previous Who Was alternatives I've found, Lee & Low's Story of... or the VIP series from HarperCollins. It doesn't include too many graphic details, but it gives honest explanations of difficult concepts like slavery. I probably won't be able to add a new juvenile series at this time, but I'll be adding this in paperback and recommending it to readers who have finished all the early reader biographies I have and aren't yet ready for the above series or Girls Survive!

Verdict: If you serve 1st through 3rd grade readers, this is an ideal series to add to your collection.

ISBN: 9780593115664; Published January 2021 by Philomel; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

Read, Read, Read, said the Baby: A Very Hungry Wolf by Agnes Baruzzi

  There is absolutely nothing better than a children's book where all edible (or inedible) characters get eaten! This board book may be a little above the heads of the average toddler, but it's a sheer delight.

The eponymous wolf on the cover, a rectangular black creature with sharply pointed ears, lots of jagged white teeth, and a speckling of gray dashes, appears on each page, eyes glaring hungrily, but mouth firmly closed. Lift the flap, which includes the wolf's snout and a slice of its belly, and whatever creature was shown on the page is now shown going down the wolf's throat, "Chomp, chomp, down it went!" As the wolf devours a bird, a frog, and a squirrel, it's stomach grows larger, both on the top and beneath the flap, with each creature distending it a little more.

Finally, the wolf eats a not-so-edible creature and with pains in its tummy and mouth, along with rolling green eyes, it spits all the animals out. Why not try some vegetables? The book suggests helpfully.

The flaps are sturdy and could be easily reinforced. The simple, bold art is suitable for toddlers and while parents who are more sensitive will want to skip this one, most kids will enjoy a rousing chant of "Chomp, chomp, down it went!" along with plenty of giggles.

Verdict: A fun addition to your board book collection, especially if you have families that enjoy lift-the-flap books and aren't too picky about accuracy in animal diets.

ISBN: 9789888342051; Published 2020 by Minedition; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

Taking Care of Mama Rabbit by Anita Lobel

  Anita Lobel's work has recently been brought back to the attention of readers, with new editions of some of her work as well as some new titles. She wrote two books about a family of rabbits, my favorite being 10 Hungry Rabbits which features a variety of concepts, from counting to colors. However, both that title and the sequel, Taking care of Mama Rabbit were published in a small format, crowding her art and the lengthier text and making them difficult to use in storytime.

A new edition of Taking care of Mama Rabbit has been published and I hope 10 Hungry Rabbits won't be far behind. The story begins with Mama Rabbit sick in bed. Her ten children are concerned and each does something to help her feel better, from bringing hot chocolate to pretty flowers and pictures. By the time Papa Rabbit has returned with medicine for Mama, she is all better without it and she and Papa are ready to watch the little rabbits' surprise: a show just for them!

The new edition uses the same text, with only minor changes to the art, but the larger format allows Lobel's art to really shine and more details to be incorporated into the pictures. Readers can follow Mama from hiding under the covers to sitting on the couch and with more white space around the text, the story feels less wordy.

It's not a contemporary story, which wouldn't feature children taking care of their parent or a parent's illness being "fixed" by little presents, but it's just right for a toddler audience with the refrain of cumulative text and bright and attractive pictures.

Verdict: If you already own this title in the older edition, I don't know that it's really worth the $ to replace it, although I'd certainly do so if it was the previous title; However, if you if missed it the first time around now is the time to add it to your storytime repertoire.

ISBN: 9781534470644; New edition published January 2021 by Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster; Original edition purchased for the library; New edition borrowed from another library in the consortium

This week at the library; or, pre-summer outreach begins

Programs

• Storywalk - we borrowed a storywalk of this year's Big Read, Map into the world by Kao Kalia Yang.
• 3 virtual school visits
• Field trip

Projects

• Institutional (school) cards (I do this periodically, update spreadsheets of their checkouts, mark items lost, contact teachers, renew items, etc. It's a process that takes a while)
• Process new items
• Working on updating toys (I'm passing most of this over to one of my staff, once I've reviewed them. The toys I mean, not the staff.)
• Wisconsin Science Fest meetup

Professional Development

• Booklist webinar: Middle grade magic

I used the field trip as a test for the art programs I'm doing this summer - I read Milo imagines the world and Be quiet! by Higgins - and had the kids draw pictures for the journal of creative work from the kids I want to put together. We set the room up for 22 kids, 3 feet apart, tested the webcam and screen, and it went very well.