In a Jar
Written and Illustrated by Deborah Marcero
Age Level: 3 - 7                                                                                    Grade Level: PS – 2
 
I love the way the author thinks through a story! It’s unique, and the illustrations are gorgeous! The main character is named Llewellyn, definitely not your average name. It’s Welsh, if you were curious. Llewellyn collects unusual things like rainbows, and when he meets Evelyn, they collect things together. Then the worst thing happens – Evelyn has to move. Llewellyn feels like an empty jar until it gives him a great idea. Don’t worry – Llewellyn finds his happy ending. You’ll have to read to find out what it is!

Football Freddie  & Fumble the Dog:  Philadelphia
Written by Marnie Schneider & Susan t. Spencer
Illustrated by Kelsey Wilson
Age Level: 5 - 9                                                                          Grade Level: 1 – 2

This is one clever book! The hook – putting football together with Gameday in Philadelphia. Visit historical sites and try local foods. End the day by watching the Philadelphia Eagles play football. This book is now a series with Gameday in Chicago, the Carolinas, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Green Bay. Kids love this series!

Filigree’s Midnight Ride (At the Heels of History)
Written by Pam Berkman and Dorothy Hearst
Illustrated by Claire Powell
Age Level: 6 - 9   
Grade Level: 1 – 4

​I love history and historical fiction, and I couldn’t resist reading this book. Imagine combining dogs with history! Bow-wow-wow!
 
A British family throws out the Pomeranian for  causing problems. She is one lucky dog – Paul Revere, the one from that midnight ride, adopts her for his sick little girl. Frances. She gives Filigree her new name, but the neighborhood dogs, the Patriot Pack, see her as a Redcoat. That doesn’t change until Paul makes that famous ride. You’ll have to read for yourself to find out how Filigree saves the day for Paul, and the Patriots.
 
Please read the Author’s note. It explains what’s true, and what’s not. That’s one of my favorite parts of a book, discovering the truth about historical events. Enjoy – because this book is good to the last page!

Red Sky at Night
Written and Illustrated by Elly MacKay
Age Level: 3 - 7
Grade Level: PS – 2
                                      
I wish I’d had this book when I was teaching. It’s a collection of weather wisdom. It starts with a forward about weather folklore and ends with back matter about each one. The illustrations are beautifully done.
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When I got ready to do this review, I used my notes (above), but I didn’t realize there was a story about a grandfather taking his family out on a fishing trip. I never saw it! I only saw the weather folklore, the part I wanted. That’s the weakest part of this book. The grandfather’s weather warnings are told using the illustrations, but for teachers that can be a plus, to get kids to connect grandfather’s story to the weather wisdom. It makes me want to check out this book again!

Shark Baby
Written by Ann Downer
Illustrated by Shennen Bersani   
Age Level: 3 - 9
Grade Level: P – 3

Shark Baby is what happens when ARE YOU MY MOTHER gets an Eric Carle rewrite. Poor Shark Baby! When his egg case is torn lose, he spends the rest of the story trying to find out what he really is. This story is rich with descriptive words like a great dish. I read it when it was new, and I remember how much I loved it. It’s a good read!

Love Letters from God: Bible Stories for a Girl's Heart
Written by Glenys Neillist
Illustrated by Rachel Clowes
Age Level: 4 - 8                                                                       
​Grade Level: PS - 3

​This is a beautiful picture book that’s so unique! The hook – 14 Bible stories about girls who made a difference. Each spread is set up with the story, a verse, a gorgeous illustration, and a letter from God to you. It even comes in its own envelope. The ending – a place for you to write your own letter to God. This book is BEAUTIFULLY done!

Happy Go Ducky
Written and Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic
Age Level: 4 - 8
​Grade Level: K – 3        

​If you love Amelia Bedelia, you’ll love Max the Duck too! HAPPY GO DUCKY is an easy read that’s just plain fun! When Irene leaves, Max gets spring fever and cleans like crazy. Literally! Amelia Bedelia would have been proud! Young readers will love Ducky’s mixed-up, upside-down brand of fun!
 

 Papa Put a Man on the Moon
Written by Kristy Dempsey
Illustrated by Sarah Green
Age Level : 4 - 8
Grade Level: P – 3         

Can you imagine being part of history? History is made up of extraordinary people, extraordinary events. For most of us life is ordinary. It was for Kristy, until her Papa’s mill was given a government job – to weave one layer of cloth that went into the spacesuits that traveled to the moon in 1969. Kristy turned that  experience into this picture book, in time for the 50th anniversary of that moon landing.
 
Marthanne and her Papa are on the cover. She’s proud to have her town and her Papa become  part of the space race, but Papa is only proud to make a living for his family. Papa and the mill workers helped America win the space race. They watch as CBS newsman, Walter Kronkite reports the story of how Neil Armstrong took that first step onto the lunar surface, and Marthanne remembers that her Papa’s cloth is there on the moon with Neil. What an incredible experience! What an incredible story!

Sorry, Grown-Ups, You Can't Go To School!
Written by Christina Geist
Illustrated by Tim Bowers
Age Level:  3 - 7
Grade Level: P – 2        

 ​This book is as cute as its cover. The unthinkable happens when the grownups decide to go to school. Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, they all show up one morning dressed in their brand-new back-to-school gear. The kids will have to find a way to say no, without getting in trouble.
 
As a new grandma, the best part about this story is the reminder to remember my inner child. Sometimes you have to let it loose and have fun, whether you’re 8 or 80!

Juana & Lucas
Written and Illustrated by Juana Medina
Age Level: 5 - 8                             
Grade Level: K – 3

​Would you like to travel to Columbia? Learn a little Spanish? This is the perfect chapter book for you! Meet Juana from Bogata, Columbia. She’ll show you the best things about growing up in Bogata from a kid’s point of view.
 
But life isn’t perfect. Juana is failing English at school, and if  she doesn’t pull up her grades, Mom  is canceling the trip to Spaceland. Juana speaks Spanish, and English makes absolutely no sense. The only one who understands – the dog, Lucas, and he’s no help. Will Juana make it to Spaceland? Read and find out!
 
PS – if you liked this book, there’s a sequel – Juana & Lucas: No Problemas.