Picture Book Review: Lolo's Sari-Sari Store

One little girl loves helping her grandfather out in his store in the Philippines during the summers. She loves the community around them. Lolo has something for everyone and has a pulse on the community. He knows how to listen. But this summer is different and she is missing that sense of community. How can she help?

This a charming story with bright colors shares that community is all around us if we just stop to look. People always need help and kindness. What have you done today to spread kindness?

* Book sent for review

Graphic Novel Review: Camp Prodigy

Tate went to a concert where the violist didn't come out. But that night, Tate was looking for the bathroom and heard music. They were inspired that night. But they need a lot of work to get to that level.

There's a musical camp that Tate's excited to attend. They are surprised when the concert soloist is also attending the camp. Eli agrees to give Tate some pointers if Eli doesn't out her status. 

Tate's determined to improve their musical skills.

My Thoughts: This is a sweet graphic novel about hard work, friendship, and music.  There's a side story about Tate wanting to come out to their family. This graphic novel is perfect for summer with the camp theme. In the camp there were moments of hard work and stress, but there were also musicians who also wanted to have fun. It's all about that balance. A great friendship graphic novel. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library graphic novel collection. 

Picture Book Review: Do You Know Them

 

While this book shares an important piece of Black history, it's important to acknowledge these stories year round and not just in February. 

Lottie lost track of her family. They had been sold before the end of the war. Now she's desperate to find them. She works all the odd jobs she can to save money for an advertisement in the newspaper. She's hoping that someone will know where they are.

This is a heartbreaking story with lovely illustrations, but it's so powerful and important to read. Lottie is an inspiration in a dark time. She's determined and she gives others hope. There's nothing more powerful that hope. This is an important book to share with readers. 

* This book was sent for review

This is a must have picture book for your library's collection.

Review: Take

 

Cara isn't headed to college, she's headed to South America to go rock climbing. She has one last summer at home with her friends before they leave for college - together. Cara's worried that she's going to be left behind. The friends are determined to spend all their time together.

But when Cara's father isn't answering her texts or phone calls, she worries about him. She heads over to his house. He's not there, but she does find a wall of information. Cara isn't sure how to unravel all the information; there are pieces that don't seem to fit. Many of the clues involve a famous climber. Her ex-boyfriend read all his book. As much as she doesn't want to call him, she's desperate enough to ask for his help.

Can the two of them work together and solve the clues?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I love how all the pieces came together. There's so much in this book: rock climbing, second chance love story, figuring out your future, family drama, bits about WWII and Japanese Internment Camp. I liked the journal entries from the past interspersed with the present. Lots of twists and turns had me turning the pages quickly.

Cover Thoughts: Amazing

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library collection.

Picture Book Review: Our Pool

A family is headed to the pool for the day - the community has come together to hang out and play. 

I love how this book celebrates the entire community - people with different bodies and skin types. You can feel the heat of the summer sun, and it makes me jealous. I long to be there in that pool. There's lots of vocabulary to share and talk about. There is the perfect ending to a fun day. 

* Book sent for review

Picture Book Wednesday Hispanic Heritage Books

A couple books sent for review for Hispanic Heritage Month

Every Saturday Carina visits her Tia Mimi. Together they cook empanadas. But this week, Tia Mimi is helping out at the food center. She leaves a note for Carina to get all the ingredients and they will make empanadas together. 

Careful - this book just might make you hungry! It's all about community, family, food, and helping others. 

Martina likes quiet and her aunts are anything but quiet. She wishes to escape them - and finds herself in another world. There she finds a friend - just like her.

The author's note shares that this book is based on a Caribbean folktale "La Cucaracha Martina." Everyone needs a break sometimes and everyone needs someone to laugh at their stories too. Martina finds the best of both worlds. 

Middle Grade Review: The Night Ride

 

Above all, Sonnia loves horses. She's saving up her money to buy a horse, but she doesn't have a tenth of what she would need. When she learns that Ricochet will be moved to the royal stables to help train a racing horse, she's devastated.

Luckily, she knows a stable hand at the track. Sonnia finds a job. She loves working with horses.  After her chores are done, she can ride. It's not long before she learns of a night race.  

It's dangerous for the horses and dangerous for the riders if anyone found out. At first, she wants nothing to do with the race. But soon she begins to realize that the race is the only way to make real money. She needs to help out her family and it wouldn't hurt to finally have enough money for a horse of her own.

My Thoughts: If you're a fan of horses, this is the book for you. Lots of horse moments between caring for the horses and riding the horses. Sonnia has family struggles between wanting to be good to her family and wanting to forge her own path for the future. It's not easy growing up without money and opportunities. Danger and excitement come from the night rides. Sonnia knows they aren't right, and she struggles with her conscience over riding. She also struggles with fitting in, although she does make some nice friends. Although the ruthlessness of people and their greed surprise her. The ending was great. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library collection.

Picture Book Wednesday: Women's History Month Books (3)

Here are a few picture book biographies which are highly recommended for your school and public library's collection. 

Mary Katharine led a fascinating life - and she's someone I've never heard of. She worked for her brother running his newspapers. One of which printed the Declaration of Independence - along with her name.

This was a fascinating book about Mary Katharine Goddard. She's not mentioned often in history, but she played a powerful role. She ran articles about the colonists and revolutionists. She crossed boundaries. The author's note was informative. Reading this book makes me want to learn more about Mary Katharine. 

Harriet loved hats, especially with feathers. But when she realized those beautiful feathers killed birds, she decided to take action. She and her friends started boycotting feathered hats. They listened to bird lectures, organized a society to protect birds, and met John James Audubon, who painted birds. 

A really interesting story about Harriet Lawrence Hemenway (I had not heard of her either) - and the foundation of the Audubon Society. I loved this society's founding story - all due to fashion. Small ideas can grow into large movements and help change the world. 

* book sent for review

Aretha Franklin's famous song shared hope with the Civil Rights movement, the Women's movement, and marches today. 

I've been a fan Aretha Franklin's song since I first heard it. It's such a fun song to sing. And I enjoyed learning the history behind it and how it made other people happy and hopeful too. 

 

Picture Book Review: Vampenguin

The Vampire Family heads to the zoo where they have an interesting encounter with the Penguin Family.

If you're not read for Halloween to be finished, this is a fun vampire and penguin story. Lots of fun, lots of animals, and great illustrations. This is sure to please readers of all ages. And it's great for a storytime.

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your library collection.

 

Picture Book Wednesday: Simon and the Art Museum

 

Simon and his parents are at the art museum. Looking at ALL the art. Simon is bored but his parents aren't ready to leave...

I really enjoyed this book about art museums. I felt for Simon. He was bored but he solved his problems by becoming art, people watching, and eating cheesecake. This is a great introduction to museums for kids. Plus the art work was fun.

Cover Thoughts: Cute - captures the book perfectly

Library Recommendation: A great picture book for your library collection

More museum books:

Picture Book Review: Birthday Books

I've read a few birthday books lately and thought I'd share them:

Lots of babies come together to celebrate a first birthday.  Short in terms of words, but there's a lot going on in these pages, especially with emotions. The illustrations are sweet. As you can see from the cover, the babies are diverse.

It's Twig's first birthday and the family gathers together to see what item she will choose at her doljabi (a Korean tradition). A cute story about birthdays, sisters, tradition, and the future.

A fun book about all the ways to celebrate your birthday - complete with the colorful illustrations one expects from a Todd Parr book. And of course there's a birthday message from Todd.

Picture Book Review: You Are Home

I was supposed to be hiking the Grand Canyon again - rim to rim.

Instead, I'm home reading about it...

Not that this book isn't amazing. It's an ode to National Parks. I've been to several and have several more on my bucket list.

If I can't be there, the next best thing is reading about it.

This book has awesome illustrations and is perfect for anyone who loved the outdoors and hiking.

How many National Parks have you been to?

Picture Book Review: The Only Woman in the Photo

Frances Perkins was once a shy girl who challenged herself and ended up changing the world. 

A fantastic book about a rarely talked about woman who helped create several safety regulations, social security, and the New Deal. She was an invaluable member of FDR's cabinet. She didn't like the spotlight. She was influenced by her grandmother. She believed in helping everyone - an inspiriting woman.

Library recommendation: This amazing picture book is a must have book for school and public libraries. And the perfect book to share during Women's History Month.

Picture Book Review: Library Book

If you're bored - hit the library. There's always something entertaining there. 

I loved this book - from the cute illustrations to the book that come to life when you read. I loved seeing favorite book characters. This is a sweet and fun read.

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for school and public libraries!