Picture Book Review: Hey Bruce!

 

Poor Bruce is napping but the mice want him to be in their book. What's a grumpy bear to do? Poor Bruce! 

This is a funny interactive story that will delight readers of all ages. 

Library Recommendation: This is a must have picture book for your collection!  Bruce is a favorite of mine. I can't wait to read this in storytime. 

Picture Book Wednesday: Yours in Books

 

This is my new favorite picture book and I chat about it on TikTok. Of course, there were things I forgot to mention...

This one is great for older readers - 1st and 2nd graders. They will appreciate the humor.  

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library collection!

@yabooknerdlibrarian New fun picture book with a grumpy hero who finds he has a soft heart! #picturebook #booktok #owl #librarian #newbook #grumpyhero ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Picture Book Review: Library Books Are Not for Eating

Ms. Bronte is a wonderful teacher....minus the problem that she loves eating books. No one can convince her otherwise except for the soccer coach. He has a brilliant idea. 

A really fun story about the love for books and how they taste. Great illustrations. The last little bit makes me think there might be a sequel in the works. Which would be most welcome. 

Recent Favorite Picture Books

Here are a few recent picture book favorites:

Mother Goose and her team of firefighters help the Queen of Tarts after a baking mishap.

I love the fun play on nursery rhymes in this book and the pictures are super cute too!

Fern is writing a story about her friendship with Otto. Otto doesn't think it's very exciting. Together they go looking for adventure for inspiration.

I loved this book - the illustrations are gorgeous. I love the nods to fairy tales and nursery rhymes. And the friendship is very sweet too. Plus who can resist a story about writing a story?

Agent Lion is back and helping skunk find her missing birthday party. They search high and low for clues to discover the party room.

Another fun book with Agent Lion. He's not really a great detective, but he always seems to get the job done. I hope there are more Agent Lion books ahead.

Two best friends are having a sleepover and they mean to stay up ALL night....until the yawns come.

A funny book about not wanting to go to bed...And it will make you yawn.

Boys dance too....and this book celebrates the love of dancing. 

I loved seeing the famous men ballet and other types of dancers on posters in the studio. Plus there are mini biographies in the back of the book. Celebrate what you love and what you have fun doing.

Library Recommendation: Highly recommend all these picture books for your school and public libraries.

 

Picture Book Wednesday: Fatima's Great Outdoors

Fatima's going camping for the first time. She and her family has some mishaps, but in the end, everything turns out right. And Fatima imagines more trips, which makes her happy and full of hope.

Fatima has a hard time at school, so the trip allows her to relax and connect with her family. We can all relate to that. I enjoyed how her parents shared stories from their past in connection to camping adventures. A really sweet story with great illustrations.

Library Recommendation: High recommended for your school and public libraries.

Picture Book Wednesday: Bear Can't Wait

Bear is throwing a party, but time is moving SO Slowly! He's having a hard time waiting.

Tomorrow is my half birthday, so this was a great day to talk about the newest BEAR book. I love this series. And waiting for something special is really hard. I loved how bear's friends came together to celebrate - even though it didn't go as planned. Another great addition to this charming series.

My Thoughts: Highly recommended for your picture book collection

*Book sent for review

Picture Book Wednesday: Hugo and the Impossible Thing

 

Hugo wonders why the Impossible Thing is impossible. He asks all his friends if they've ever tried it. But no one has. Everyone just knows it's impossible. Hugo doesn't like that answer and he decides to try it. 

A great message about thinking for yourself, trying new things, and team work. The illustrations are charming.

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your school and public libraries - and of course it's perfect for this year's summer reading theme. 

Picture Book Wednesday: That Girl on TV Could Be Me!

When Lety was young, there wasn't anyone on TV who looked like her. She had big dreams and worked hard to make them happen. It wasn't always magical or exciting or easy, but Lety persisted. 

I loved this story about a woman Latinta news anchor and the important message of believing in yourself. I love how Lety tells students about her job and takes extra care with the shy ones. Great illustrations show the adventures Lety had working her way up the ladder. 

* This book is in English and Spanish

Library Recommendation: A must have picture book for your school and public library.

Picture Book Wednesday: A New Day

 

Sunday is tired of being a day. No one appreciates her. The other days are surprised but ban together to determine they need a new day. So they hold auditions...it doesn't go well.

A really funny picture book with great illustrations. Which day would you choose? Personally I like Puppy Day or Pie Day. Which day would you create? I'm a little surprised no one suggested book reading day. The ending was sweet and the message is great: a little more kindness and a little more appreciation of each others works nicely. 

Library Recommendation: A must have picture book for your school and public library

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 Wednesday: Road Trip

 

Bear had a car accident; he needs a new light. He hopes his friend Rabbit will be able to help. They pick up a few more friends and make tracks towards the junk tree. Could the part they need be there?

A really fun road trip with friendship, overcoming fears, and being hungry. It's not a full road trip without snacks. I loved the cars driving on trees. And the illustrations were really fun. I'm hoping this is the start of a new series. 

Library Recommendation: A great picture book for your school and public library collection.

* Book sent for review

Picture Book Wednesday: Eyes that Kiss in the Corners

 

A young Asian girl realizes her eyes are different than other people's eyes. Butt he more she looks, the more she sees that she eyes eyes just like her mother, her grandmother, and her little sister. 

A very sweet story about family, differences, and embracing yourself. Plus the illustrations are gorgeous. 

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have for your school and public library.

Blog Tour: Sock on the Loose

 What happens to the missing sock when you've washed it and can no longer find it? Could it be off on an adventure??

My Thoughts:

This is a super cute story about socks gone missing and what they might be doing. It talks about friendship, exploring, trying new things, and missing home. The illustrations are cute and fun to pour over. This would be a great read-aloud.  Highly recommended for your libraries.

My Sock Decorated:

My Sock off on an adventure - painting flowers

Picture Book Wednesday: Bear is Awake

Bear wakes up during the winter, finds a cabin, and befriends a little girl in this alphabet tale.

I really love how the story's told with just a few words. And of course, I love how they go together to the library. This is a very sweet story about friendship. I do hope there's another book about their time together in the spring.

Library Recommendations: A great concept book for your school and public libraries! 

Picture Book Wednesday: This Small Blue Dot

 

A big sister explains the world to her new baby sister.

This is a sweet story full of hope and knowledge. I loved the message (especially the part about broccoli and favorite cultural desserts). It's a great book for inspiring others to be their true selves, how everyone is different but we all share the same qualities. And it asks a very important question at the end.

Read Also:

Picture Book Wednesday: Where is Our Library?

 

The lions are puzzled when during their nighttime visit to the library, they discover all the books are gone! They're on a mission to undercover the truth about the missing books.

Patience and Fortitude enjoy a romp all over New York City. I enjoyed how they sought out answers and even more when they traveled to other branches of the NYPL system. I love how they love reading and discover new favorites and love old favorites. I love the artwork. Another winner in this series - and this reader desperately hopes for more books about these lions.

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for school and public libraries - what library doesn't want a book about library and book loving lions?

Picture Book Wednesday: Power of One

 

Words have the power to hurt, but even one person can make the smallest difference. One person can change someone's day. And one person can influence others to act the same.

This is a sweet story about words, kindness, and the power of one good deed. The illustrations are amazing. I loved the message at the end of the book - Planting Seeds of Kindness in your Community. Plus the recommended reading list and websites are a great addition to this book.

With the pandemic last year, I think Planting Seeds of Kindness in your Community is a great way to start off the new year. What can you do this year to spread kindness? I know I will be thinking of ways to help others.

Library Recommendation: A must have picture book for your school and public libraries.

Picture Book Wednesday: Louis

 

Louis isn't sure he wants to stay with the boy who loves him. Louis has been through A LOT and he's had enough. He's ready to leave...but maybe after he eats a cupcake.

A funny story about a bear who's life isn't all sunshine and rainbows, but is still full of love. Louis is determined to leave - until he's not. A very cute and funny story about a bear's who's loved. I really enjoyed this story.

 I imagine this is sometimes how my dogs feel when I cover them with too many kisses, make them sit for a photoshoot, or try to dress them up. But then there's always walkies, cookies, and doggie ice cream. That goes a long way.

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public libraries.

Picture Book Review: Where Lily Isn't

 

Lily, the much loved dog, has died before the book opens.

Her young friend notices all the places that Lily isn't before stating that Lily is in her heart.

A really sweet book that made me tear up. It's a great picture book about the loss of a pet. 

I read this for the Cybil's Picture Book Award. I'm really glad to read this book because it's one that I'm going to be adding to our library's collection. There are not a lot of great books about death for the picture book age, but this book handles it really nicely. 

Picture Book Review: I am One

One person has the power of make a great deal of difference.

I loved this book's message. It's so inspiring. And of course the art work is fantastic. This team is amazing.

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library