​Stick and Stone
Written by Beth Ferry
Illustrated by Tom Lichtenfeld
Age Level: 2 – 6
Grade Level: PS – 3

I loved this story! It’s a simple but deep tale about friendship. Stick is #1 . . .  just look at him! He’s as straight as the number. And Stone, he’s a plain 0. A big fat round zero. Poor Stick and Stone, they’re all alone until a pinecone decides to bully both of them. It’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship!​

​I Heard a Sound
Written by David J. Ward
Illustrated by Eric Comstock
Age Level: 6 – 9
Grade Level: 1 – 4

I loved this book! It’s all about the science of sound, and it includes experiments perfect for kids, their parents, and teachers. Best of all, it uses stuff you can find around the house or the grocery store, like straws and balloons, rulers and wax paper. Then it applies what you just learned by connecting it to pitch, even your vocal cords. It almost makes me wish I was still teaching, even though retirement suits me perfectly😊

​Dear Librarian
Written by Lydia M. Sigwarth
Illustrated by Romina Galotta
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: PS – 3

If you love books and libraries, you’ll love this story. It’s written as a letter to a librarian from a little girl. Her name, Lydia. It’s her story about moving from house to house, from state to state. Moving is hard! Lydia is just looking for a place that feels like home, but she doesn’t find it until a trip to the library. That’s also where she finds her new best friend, the librarian. Lydia’s story ends with her as a grown up. Can you guess what she decided to do? Become a librarian, just like her hero.
 
This book is a story, within a story, within a third story. It begins with a forward from a radio producer who invited the author in to speak. She talked about moving, feeling homeless,  and how a librarian made a difference. The audience response was incredible, and it inspired the author to write her real, true story. The book ends with one last letter, from the author. She shared a few more details and photos from her own experience.

​Music is a Rainbow
Written & Illustrated by Bryan Collier
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: PS – 3

This book is as beautiful as a rainbow, and as delicious as bittersweet chocolate. Sometimes we need stories like this, especially if you know a young one who’s following the crowd, leaving behind the values you tried to give him.
 
My favorite character is the father. He has an influence on his child beyond death, and his son listens and remembers his words. This dad always said don’t patch all the holes you see. If you do, you’ll never see the rainbow. The bitter part – the father dies, and his son gets into trouble. He listens to the crowd and starts to follow their lead. The sweet part – each time music speaks to him, and it helps the boy build a rainbow in his head and his heart. The best part – it gives him the strength to make good choices, the kind that would make his father proud.

​Waiting for Mama
Written & Illustrated by Gianna Marino
Age Level: 3 – 7
Grade Level: P – 2
 
Everyone loves a baby, especially a baby penguin. This is an unusual story . . . it’s told by an emperer penguin chick, first from inside the egg. It tells us when Mama leaves and how Papa keeps it warm. After it breaks out of its shell, the chick is amazed at Papa’s size, and I’m amazed at how it finds its Mama, just from the sound she makes. What I loved most, besides the gorgeous illustrations – how the chick gets to tell its own story. 

​ Party Crocc
Written by Margaret Read MacDonald
Illustrated Derek Sullivan
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: P – 3 

I loved this story! It’s a retelling of a folktale from Zimbabwe. The coolest thing – the author asked for permission from the son of the original writer of The Lion on the Path and Other African Stories. I believe asking permission and crediting the original author says something nice about Margaret Read MacDonald.
 
The story – a kid can’t catch a single fish so he promises a crocodile he’ll invite him to a party. But only if the crocodile will catch him some fish. The croc makes that promise, but if you want to know how this retelling ends, you’ll have to read this story yourself.  Enjoy!

​Solitary Animals: Introverts of the Wild
Written by Joshua David Stein
Illustrated by Dominique Ramsey
Age Level: 3 – 5
Grade Level: PS – 1
 
I loved this book because it’s so well written, but the reason I’m reviewing it tonight  is because it’s a great read for introverts of all ages. I was one, as a child. Sometimes, I still am.
 
In the book itself, you’ll meet trios of animals. Two of them live in groups, and the author names them, like a school of fish. The third animal is the introvert. The illustrations – gorgeous! The author decided to look at ocean animals and birds. If he wanted, he could turn this into a series by exploring more groups of animals, like mammals or reptiles. I hope he does!
 
Finally the back matter includes five questions and answers. The last one . . . it’s about us. I love, Love, LOVE this book!

​Little Houses
Written by Kevin Henkes
Illustrated by Laura Dronzek
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: PS – 3

​Imagine taking a trip to visit your grandparents who live at the beach. The ocean calls you down for a visit, and you find treasures . . . different kinds of seashells. Of course your grandparents remind you to make sure no one’s living inside, because those shellls are off limits. Pick up others, and imagine who once lived there. Then take them home so you’ll never forget about the sea. This is a lovely book for children, and for this grandmother who still likes finding treasures at the beach.

​Dad’s Camera
Written by Ross Watkins
Illustrated by Liz Anelli
Age Level: 5 – 9
Grade Level: K – 4

​This is a bittersweet story. What would you think if your Dad bought a camera . . . and he took pictures of the things he wants to remember, but he didn’t take a picture of you? Not one. Mom says Dad’s getting forgetful. The doctor says it’s part of the process. What do you say?
 
This is a lovely book for families dealing with memory issues. As a daughter of Alzheimer's, the ending brought tears to my eyes.  

​Amara and the Bat
Written & illustrated by Emma Reynolds
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: PS – 3

Amara loves everything about bats. She even collects facts about them, but when she moves to a new house . . . no bats. She’s afraid to talk about it at school, and even if she does, would it do any good? Read and find out what happens to Amara and those bats.
 
Don’t forget the back matter! It includes Amera’s bat facts, how echolocation works, a guide to bat houses, and ideas to begin your own bat adventures.