The Snatchabook
Written by Helen Docherty
Illustrated by Thomas Docherty
Age Level: 3 - 6
Grade Level: P – 2
 
I saw this book, and I had to read it. Eliza Brown the rabbit loves to read bedtime stories, till her book is stolen. So are all the other books in her neighborhood. Eliza decides to capture the thief. Her trap – a pile of books. This story melted my heart with its love and its restitution. Snatch this book! It’s great!

​My Journey to the Stars
Written by Scott Kelly
Illustrated by Andre Ceolin
Age Level: 5 - 8
Grade Level: K – 3

​If you’ve ever wondered how to become an astronaut, this is the book for you! Scott Kelly was a so-so student and a trouble-seeker, but he turned it all around after he read The Right Stuff with the Mercury 7 astronauts like John Glenn. Read how he turned his problems into strengths. He learned if you plan, then take small steps, you can reach big goals like becoming an astronaut. You can even command the International Space Station. Scott wrote about his life in space, but he also told how good it was to get back home. If you love space, you’ll love Scott’s journey to the stars. He has the right stuff, as an astronauth and as a writer.

​Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children

​Written by Jan Pinborough
Illustrated by Debby Atwell
Age Level: 6 - 9
Grade Level: 1 – 4

​Meet Anne Carroll Moore. You probably don’t recognize her name, but if you like the children’s room at your local library, it’s because of Anne. Miss Moore came into the New York Public Library and thought otherwise. She wanted a kid-friendly place with art to see and comfy seats to curl up in. She established the first children’s room. Read her story to find out how she did it and how she changed libraries everywhere. Thanks, Miss Moore!

Now meet the real Anne Carroll Moore. She was born in 1871 and died in 1961. She worked as a children’s librarian for almost 50 years. She also wrote a book that was runner-up for the 1925 Newberry Award. She was incredible, and so are her Four Respects. I think they still apply to children and children’s literature. Here they are:

1. Respect for children. She wanted children to be treated as individuals and to be treated seriously.
2. Respect for children's books. Moore was adamant that books for children should be well-written, factually accurate and should not mix fact and fantasy.
3. Respect for fellow workers. She insisted that the children's library be viewed as an integral and equal part of the complete library.
4. Respect for the professional standing of children's librarians. Moore felt that the profession must recognize children's librarianship as a professional specialty.  

Source for 4 Respects
​Cummins, J. (1999, July). “Moore than Meets the Eye”. School Library Journal, pp. 26-30  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Carroll_Moore

​Rulers of the Playground
Written and Illustrated by Joseph Kuefler
Age Level: 4 - 8
Grade Level: P – 3

​If you’re a kid, you know where your happy place is . . . the playground. Kids will love this book! It has a happy playground, happy till Jonah decided to become king. Everyone bowed to their King, everyone except Lennox who decided to become Queen. The kids bowed to Lennox, except for Jonah. Their argument turned into a Battle Royale for control of the playground. Who will rule, or will their friendship drool? Read to find out if this playground will ever be happy again!
 

​The New LiBEARian
Written by Alison Donald
Illustrated by Alex Willmore
Age Level: 4 - 7
Grade Level: P – 3

​A librarian is an author’s best friend, but when the librarian goes missing before story hour, BEAR saves the day. The kids search the floor and find some paw prints that lead to a puddle of honey. That’s when they find the BEAR sitting at the librarian’s desk. BEAR opens a book and reads with real expression . . . with roars, growls and even stomps. The kids ask to hear it again. You’ll have to read the book yourself to find out what happens to the the BEAR and the librarian. Hint . . . it’s so clever!

Riley the Retriever Wants a New Job
Written by Jill Mangel Weisfield
               and Deborah Mangel
Illustrated by Beth Nabi
Age Level: 3 - 8
Grade Level: PS - 2

​Riley the Retriever is on the lookout for the perfect job. She takes her search online to ‘Doogle,’ but nothing fits. Riley won’t quit till she finds her perfect match. This is a great read for kids who love dogs and want to learn more about them. Its mix of fiction and nonfiction make it a great resource for kids, parents, and teachers who want canine information on working dogs. Plus, it’s a good story too!

​The King Cake Baby
Written by Keila Dawson
Illustrated by Vernon Smith
Age Level: 4 - 8
Grade Level: K - 3
 
If you like The Gingerbread Man, I bet you’ll like The King Cake Baby too. It’s the classic story done New Orleans’ style. From King Day, January 6th, until Fat Tuesday, people in New Orleans bake cakes with tiny babies hidden inside, but one escapes. He takes you on a tour of New Orleans that includes the Café du Mond, and he serves up slices of French culture. Don’t forget to read the back matter! It includes a simple recipe for King Cake. Bon Appetit!

Heart on Fire:  ​Susan B. Anthony Votes for President
Written by Ann Malaspina
Illustrated by Steve James
Age Level: 6 – 9
Grade Level: 1 – 4

​I love stories that teach me something new. I already knew Susan B. Anthony was instrumental in getting women the right to vote, but I didn’t know that Susan voted because of the 14th amendment, or that she went to jail, or that she was fined for voting. BTW, she never paid the fine.
 
Susan’s story is retold in a way that’s outrageous, unbelievable but true. It’s a great read! In prepping for this review, I found out something new, sad, but true. Susan voted illegally on November 5, 1872, but it didn’t count. Women got the right to vote in 1920, but Susan never voted. She died in 1906, fourteen years too soon. So depressing, unfair, but true.

Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush
Written by Melissa Stoller
Illustrated by Sandra Sonke
Age Level: 4 – 7
Grade Level: K - 4

I picked this book after my painting experience! I thought it’d be about the joy of having a Magic Paintbrush. Pre-painting I’d always wanted one, but I’m rethinking that. Scarlet discovered she’d rather paint her own way than have a perfect paintbrush make all the decisions. Perfection is great, but staying true to yourself is even better! Post-painting, I think Scarlet was right! I learned things from painting myself that I’d never learn with a magic paintbrush.