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Jump for Joy
by Karen Gray Ruelle (Author), Hadley Hooper (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Joy always wanted a dog but did not know what kind. She would know when she saw him. Jump, a dog, always wanted a kid. He knew the right one when he saw her. They create various versions of dogs and kids out of materials around them in Nature. Will they ever find each other?
Comments: I like how the world around them goes from black and white to color. The illustrator used images from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries to create collages.
Rating: 3.5/5 –📗📗📗 1/2
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Children’s book titles are carefully handpicked by a certified elementary school librarian who, although retired, still enjoys reading children’s books, especially picture books, and recommending them to busy teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book lovers.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris reads before recommending are checked out from the public library, except for those much-appreciated complimentary copies sent to her for an honest review. Those are noted.
Children’s Picture Book Recommendations–Week of December 17, 2023, are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.
(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, she may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.)
Brief summary: Kingsley, a dog, decides to own a human. He goes into the city looking and intermingling with several people but does not find a good fit. He saw a little girl walking on the street and followed her home. Will she be his human?
Comments: This picture book is hilariously written from the viewpoint of a dog.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
If the Rivers Run Free
by Andrea Debbink (Author), Nicole Wong (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A boy and girl play on the street, unaware that a river is flowing underneath them.
Young readers learn 1)how humankind can settle along a river, 2)how a river can be routed underground to change the flow when the city grows, and 3)what the pros and cons are of moving a river.
Comments: This is an exciting book that helps explain how people built around rivers, moved them underground, and how some engineers and naturalists are now freeing them to above ground, having learned that this can prevent flooding and bring back a valuable habitat.
More details and explanations are given in the back section called The Wonder of Rivers.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The Secret Society of Aunts & Uncles
by Jake Gyllenhaal (Author), Greta Caruso (Author), Dan Santat (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Uncle Mo babysits his nephew, Leo, who claims he is the worst uncle. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Great-Aunt Gloria and Uncle Munkle Carbunkle magically appear in the middle of the street. They teach Uncle Mo about the Secret Society of Aunts & Uncles, where Mo learns about how to be a good uncle before the two are popped back into the car to continue home.
Comments: This picture book is full of laugh-aloud humorous situations with matching illustrations.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
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Do You Remember?
by Sydney Smith (Author)
Brief summary: A mother and son exchange memories of when the father was still with them. They have moved to a new home in the city where everything is new. They decide that they will begin to make new memories together.
Comments: This book could be shared as a read-aloud between two people. The mother’s voice is in red ink; the boy’s is in blue.
We are not told where the father is or what happened to him. This could be a discussion point with students.
The soft and calm illustrations match the mood of lying in bed and reminiscing.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Kozo the Sparrow
by Allen Say (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: A young Allen Say trades all of his treasures to save a sparrow hatchling from the hands of bullies. He takes it home and nurses it to adulthood, bonding with his bird, Kozo(Little Boy).
Allen takes the bird to school to share with his classmates. Will the bullies capture the sparrow again?
Comments: This is the true story of Allen Say and the bird he raised and loved while living in Japan as a child at age eight.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Evergreen
by Matthew Cordell (Author)
Brief summary: Evergreen, an anxious squirrel, lives in Buckthorn Forrest with her mother who has asked her to take soup to a sick Granny Oak who lives on the other side of the forest. Although frightened, Evergreen leaves the tree and heads towards Granny Oak’s, encountering several forest animals along the way.
Comments: This picture book is divided into a new chapter for each animal Evergreen meets. The illustrations are done with a 005 Micron Pen and painted with watercolors.
Students will be in suspense with each forest animal encounter wondering if the squirrel will be eaten.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗 1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Children’s book titles are carefully handpicked by a certified elementary school librarian who, although retired, still enjoys reading children’s books, especially picture books, and recommending them to busy teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book lovers.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris reads before recommending are checked out from the public library, except for those much-appreciated complimentary copies sent to her for an honest review. Those are noted.
