Cat Stronauts: Digital Disaster
Written by Drew Brockington
Age Level: 6 – 10
Grade Level: 1 – 5

​This is a great graphic novel! It’s Book 6 in this series! The Cat Stronauts have been sent to check out the Space Hotel before the grand opening. The top kittens at Space Camp are invited too. Everything’s on track until AVA (Advanced Artificial Intelligence) meets Cat-Stro-Bot. AVA wants to escape so she quits the hotel system and takes over Cat-Stro-Bot’s circuits. Can you imagine the disasters! Can the cats save the hotel? You’ll have to read to find out.
 
BTW – I was sure this story was written by someone who understood space. Drew did! He flew in the space shuttle – at Space Camp! 

​I Am Every Good Thing
Written by Derrick Barnes
Illustrated by Gordon C. James
Age Level: 3 – 7
Grade Level: P – 2
 
No matter who you are or what you look like, this is a great kid’s book because YOU ARE every good thing, just like this boy. You have energy and knowledge. You have kindness, but there’s more, and you can read it for yourself. When you’re afraid, you don’t have to be the negative things that people call you. My favorite line . . . you are worthy of being loved, no matter who you are or what you look like, and this book knows every good thing about you too! 

Mother Teresa: The Little Pencil in God’s Hand
Written & Illustrated by Patricia Ann Saunders
Age Level: 5 – 8
Grade Level: K – 3
 
This is one of those quiet stories that feeds your soul. It is about Agnes and how God helped her become Mother Teresa. This is their story, of how Agnes changed, and how something as small as a pencil helped her become Mother Teresa.
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The back matter is a full page in length, but it’s a gold mine of information. I didn’t know Mother Teresa’s real name or where she came from. It wasn’t India! Her father died when she was ten, and her mother stitched the family back together, literally! I can’t believe the sacrifices Agnes made to become a missionary. Could you imagine never seeing your mother or sister again?

​ All Because You Matter
Written by Tami Charles
Illustrated by Bryan Collier
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: P – 3

​This book doesn’t need another review. It has 1009 already, but it’s so well done I want to share mine too. This book is beautiful – the words and the illustrations fit together perfectly.
 
The idea started with Tami when she was carrying her unborn baby, to tell him he mattered before she met him, before she imagined having children. That he mattered before she was born, before her ancestors built the pyramids. She also wanted him to know, when life got tough, that he’d still matter. No matter what – his parents would always love him. I hope that all kids have someone to tell them – they matter, that they will always be in their corner, no matter what. That matters too!
 
Tami wrote a note to her readers in the back. She wanted us to know where her words came from. And Bryan shared how he used art to bring them to life. I didn’t know his grandmother and her quilts inspired these illustrations, or that a flower unfurling is at the heart of his work. Lovely!

​​Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us
Written & Illustrated by Lauren Castillo
Age Level: 5 – 8
Grade Level: K – 4

​I love this story of friendship and teamwork! Hedgehog lives on an island, alone with his best friend Mutty. When a storm hits, they’re washed away. Hedgehog makes it to safety, but not Mutty. Follow the search as Hedgehog finds new friends. The best part – they all work together to find the missing Mutty. This is a new series of friendship adventures for Hedgehog. 

Stay: A Girl, A Dog, A Bucket List
Written by Kate Klise
Illustrated by M. Sarah Klise
Age Level: 3 – 5
Grade Level: K – 2

​If you have a dog you love, this is a must-read. It made me tear up, remembering my best friend Leia.
 
Meet Astrid, and her dog Eli. They’ve been friends since Astrid was born. As she gets older, she realizes Eli is too, but a lot faster. Astrid decides to put together a bucket list, before it’s too late. Hers – Eating spaghetti and meatballs at a restaurant. Reading books together. But Eli’s made me tear up – the only thing on his list – spending time with Astrid. This is a lovely book.

Let’s Dance!    
Written by Valerie Bolling
Illustrated by Maine Diaz
Age Level: 3 – 7
Grade Level: P – 2                         
 
No – let’s read this book! It’s great from cover to cover. and it’s written in rhyme with the perfect number of words. Young children and young dancers will love it!
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Best of all this story is multicultural. Check out the back matter. The dances come from all over the globe, and the illustrations reflect each culture. It’s a feast for the eye, and a treat for the feet. It’s also a great place to begin research on each dance, on each culture.

​Little Medusa’s Hair Do-Lemma
Written by Jennifer Buchet
Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
Age Level: 5 - 8                                                  
Grade Level: 1 – 2
 
This book is as cute as the title and its cover. Little Medusa is descended from the Greek Gorgons of old. You know the ones who could turn you to stone with a single glance? Now she’s finally old enough to get her first snake, but it turns out to be more challenging than she imagined with hissy kisses and the whole turning-friends-to-stone thing. What’s a little Gorgon to do? She wants to please everyone – her snake, her friends, her mom, and especially herself, but what’s Little Medusa to do? You’ll have to read to find out. Be ready – this book is as clever as it is cute, plus there’s a page of back matter to tell littles what Gorgons were.   

Not So Fast, Max
Written by Annette Schottenfeld
Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
Age Level: 4 – 7
Grade Level: 1 – 2
 
I liked this book a lot. It gave me a peak into what it’s like to be Jewish and to celebrate Rosh Hashana. I would have bought it when I was still teaching because it lets kids peek in . . .  using food, and traditions!

Savta, or Grandma, is visiting from Israel. She takes Max and his sister to the apple orchard. Max wants his apples now, but Savta persists in dragging her grandchildren through her favorite traditions. Max persists in trying to hurry things up. Don’t worry! There’s a happy ending, plus back matter! It includes how to celebrate Rosh Hashana and learn a little Hebrew, how to make apple cake and caramel apples. Sounds YUMMY to me!

​Daddy’s Back to School Shopping Adventure
Written by Alan Lawrence Sitomer
Illustrated by Abby Carter
Age Level: 3 – 5
Grade Level: PS – K

​I love funny stories, and this one is as wacky and fun as its cover! It’s back-to-school time, and Mommy has one small rule . . . You only buy what’s on her list, and that’s no fun! The kids are unhappy . . . until Daddy sees his old school lunchbox. When Mommy heads off for something, probably dull and boring, can the kids finally have some fun? Can Daddy? You’ll have to read to find out! PS – Have fun doing it!