​Pirate Stew
Written by Neil Gaiman
Illustrated by Chris Riddell
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: P – 3

​Kids will love this book! I did! Imagine – your babysitter is a pirate, and he’s bringing his buddies to help him cook up some pirate stew, just for you. The story is as much fun as the title and the cover promise, and it’s a great read aloud for kids, parents, and teachers. Bon Appetit! 

​Zuri Ray Tries Ballet
Written by Tami Charles
Illustrated by Sharon Sordo
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: P – 3

​What’s better than a story about best friends? One with BFFD’s – Best Friends From Diapers. That’s Zuri and Jessie, until they try ballet class, with tutu’s and everything. What are two friends supposed to do when one loves ballet, and the other is all about soccer? You’ll have to read to find out, but BFFD’s don’t let a little thing like ballet, or soccer,  ruin their friendship.

PS – if you liked this story as much as me, it’s the first in a brand new series.

​Ben’s West Texas Snow
Written by Callie Metler-Smith
Illustrated by Christee Curran Bauer
Age Level: 5 – 8
Grade Level: K – 3
 
What would you do if you lived in West Texas, and all you dreamed about was snow? You’d wait – for the fields to bloom. Would you believe this book began with a real boy who wished for snow? The best part – the mixture of fiction and nonfiction – they make this book fun to read, but they also let you discover something new.

​Ida, Always
Written by Caron Levis
Illustrated by Charles Santoso
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: P – 3

​Are you looking for a beautiful story about friendship and saying goodbye? This is it! Meet Gus and Ida, two polar bears who are also best friends. They lead the perfect life until Ida refuses to come outside. That’s the day the zookeeper tells Gus that Ida’s dying. Gus spends the rest of the story figuring out how to say goodbye. The fascinating part – this story was inspired by a real pair of bears. Sometimes, animals are amazing!

​The Plan for the Gingerbread House
Written by Darcy Pattison
Illustrated by John Joven
Age Level: 4 – 12
Grade Level: P – 6

A book that’s a marvelous plan? You got it! This one gives you all the steps you need to make your own gingerbread house, and it’s written like The House That Jack Built. When you’re done reading, use this book to make your own marvelous plan for a gingerbread house of your own. 

​Wei To Go
Written by Lee Y. Miao
Age Level: 8 – 12
Grade Level: 2 – 6
 
Are you looking for adventure? That’s what you get when your mom wins a free trip to Hong Kong, but your dad’s business is in trouble. Black Turtle, a Hong Kong company, wants to take over. Follow Ellie Wai Pettit and her brother Kipp to Hong Kong. They have four days to explore the city and to save dad’s company. Can they do both? You’ll have to read and find out how this adventure ends.
 
My favorite part – how Ellie thinks and talks to her family. This line made me chuckle, “A kid never wants to scare her parents.” Truth! Teenagers are happier without parents knowing their business, especially the adventurous kind.

​Astronaut Handbook
Written & Illustrated by Meghan McCarthy
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: P – 2
 
I loved this book! It was funny, but spot on about the things you need to know if you want to become an astronaut. I should know . . . I’m from Wapakoneta, Ohio, the hometown of Neil Armstrong, the 1st man to set foot on the moon. I even wrote a book about his wind tunnel dream.
 
This Handbook could be in our local museum. It’s accurate about astronaut stuff from the jobs they do, to the preparation you need to make if you want to become one. My favorite part – the ‘Vomit Comet!’ It’s true!

​​I Love You, Baby!
Written by Claire Freedman
Illustrated by Judi Abbot
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: P – 3

​From dawn to dusk the text and illustrations show how much animal parents love their babies. This is one LOVELY book! I love it as much as I love my kids and grandkids.

​I Got a Chicken for My Birthday
Written by Laura Gehl
Illustrated by Sarah Home
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: P – 2

What happens when you want amusement park tickets for your birthday, and your Abuela gets you a chicken? The worst birthday ever! Your grandmother is supposed to spoil you, but then it gets even worse – the chicken takes everything, including your dog, cat, and hamster. URGH! But don’t worry! There’s a happy ending, thanks to the chicken, and one great plan.

​Blizzard
Written & Illustrated by John Rocco
Age Level: 3 – 6
Grade Level: P – K

​I remember the Blizzard of 1978! I was 18, a freshman in college, and the author/illustrator was six. I loved the way he told his story. On the very first page he showed how much snow fell that Monday. He also did an illustration that showed Monday pre-blizzard, and post. The best part – the large spread in the middle . . . John mapped out his tennis racket route to get supplies for the family. I love the way six-year olds think!