​Five Little Ducks
Written & Illustrated by Denise Fleming
Age Level: Baby - 8
Grade Level: PS - 3

This isn’t the only book titled Five Little Ducks, but I loved this one. It’s a simple backwards counting book with Papa Duck losing one of the little ones every day until all the ducklings are gone. Will Papa Duck have a happy ending? You’ll have to read for yourself.
Your little one can learn counting and days of the week from this book. The end pages show the farm animals Papa met along the way, plus a llittle bit about each one. Then if you want more fun, and who doesn’t, you can go back and find each animal in the story.

​Owl Diaries: Get Well, Eva
Written by Rebecca Elliot
Age Level: 5 – 7
Grade Level: K – 2
 
If you’re looking for a fun early chapter book, try Owl Diaries. It’s so good there are 20 books in the series. I read #16, Get Well Eva. Poor thing! She was all excited about her school carnival – until her wing broke. Oh no!
 
Eva winds up in the hospital for a day or two, but she made it to the carnival, with a wingsling and wingchair (too cute!). She also struggles with her wing when it comes time to write, which SO happens to kids too. Best of all Eva makes a new friend. When he can’t make it to the carnival, Eva finds a way to help him. You’ll have to read to find out how 😊

​Your Place in the Universe                                       
Written & Illustrated by Jason Chin
Ages:  8 - 12
Grade level:  3 – 7

​This is a wonderful book to help littles get a perspective on size. It starts with a pair of kids. Then the words and illustrations put them together. Two kids, they’re as tall as an ostrich. Each page moves onto larger and larger things, until children meet unimaginable ones like the earth, the moon, and eventually, the universe. Somehow the author/illustrator helps us imagine them all. Incredible!
 
The back matter is just as incredible too! It starts with the size of us humans and moves skyward. Up to the atmosphere, to the solar system, and beyond. It even peeks into light years, using stars to peer into the past and to guess the age of the universe itself. It’s a one-of-a-kind book for kids, their parents, and teachers!

​Penguin and Pinecone: A Friendship Story
Written & Illustrated by Salina Yoon
Illustrated by Rachel Clowes
Age Level: 1 – 4
Grade Level: PS – Up

Who knew a Penguin and a Pinecone could be friends? Not me, but this is a great friendship story, especially if you or your best friend move away! It’s  also part of a series of 9 books.
 
Penguin must not live in Antarctica – there are no pine trees, but wherever he lives, he meets a pinecone and they become best friends. They do all kinds of best friend things together, but their problem – Penguin discovers Pinecone belongs in a forest far away. Penguin is the best kind of friend – he takes Pinecone home. And at the end when Penguin comes back for a visit, Pinecone realizes he can’t stay forever. This is ONE lovely friendship story, especially the last line. (You’ll have to read it for yourself😊) 

​Pizza and Taco: Super-Awesome Comic
Written & Illustrated by Stephen Shaskan
Age Level: 5 – 8
Grade Level: K – 3

I loved this story! It’s #3 in a series of thirteen easy chapter books that are also graphic novels. The characters are a great combo -  pizza and taco. Who DOESN’T love them? They’re great as foods, but even better in their starring roles.
 
The problem,and the fun, it all begins when they decide to write a story together. Somehow they can’t agree on the plot or on their superhero features. How can they ever find their way back to a super-awesome comic book? You’ll have to read to find out!

​Little Bat in Night School
Written & Illustrated by Brian Lies
Age Level: 4 - 7
Grade Level: PS – 3 

Young readers and their parents will LOVE this book. Little Bat can’t wait for the first day of school, but new places can be scary. How does he find the courage to fly? Read and find out – Little Bat’s story is as cute as the cover promises!

The ​Puppy Place: Snowball #2
Written by Ellen Miles
Illustrated by Rich Davis
Age Level: 7 – 10
Grade Level: 2 - 5

I don’t usually read older books, but I found myself reading this one. Mostly because I was curious about the series. When I taught second grade, Puppy Place was always one of the choices in the Scholastic flier. I can see why. This is #2 in the series. It came out in November of 2011. Puppy Place is still publishing new chapter books. The latest, #69 came out this month, in February of 2024.
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And the plot, it’s short and simple, but these are great chapter book reads for kids who want to leave picture books behind. A kid wants a dog so he fosters one, a Westie. He decides the dog is better off with his grand-buddy so he gives it to her as a Christmas gift. He checks with the fostering place first, of course. This is an easy read, and it’s a perfect fit for its audience. Kids love dogs, and doggie books are best sellers at Scholastic.

​Aria Jones & The Guardians Wedja
Written by Melayna Evans
Age Level: 9 – 12
Grade Level:  4 – 7
 
If you read the first Jagger Jones book like I did, you couldn’t wait to get your hands on this one. It didn’t disappoint! Little sister Aria gets to be the main character. It starts with a field trip to an Egyptian museum where a pair of statues pass her some bracelets. They’re really tickets to the past. Aria hurries home to pack her bag, grab Jagger, and answer a call for help. Tatia is Pharaoh now, after the death of her father, mother, and step-brother, and she’s dying too. The Gods have stopped talking to the royal family, but they sent Aria and Jagger to help Tatia. Can the siblings figure out how to save them in time? You’ll have to read to find out, but be prepared – you won’t want to put this book down.

PS – Book 3 is in the works, and I can’t wait to read it!

​Be Strong:   The Rise of Beloved Public Art Sculptor
                            Nancy Schön
Written by Darcy Pattison
Illustrated by Rich Davis
Age Level/Grade Level: Not Available

Have you read, ‘Make Way for Ducklings?’ It won the Caldecott Medal for the best picture book in 1941. It was also the beginning of another story – the one in this book.
 
Follow Nancy Schön’s story from 1979 when she discovered public art to 1987, when her sculpture made its way into the Boston Public Garden. It took Nancy eight years to turn her idea into a sculpture, and it wasn’t easy. On her worst day, when she wanted to quit, a friend gave her two words on a slip of paper: Be Strong. If you want to find out how Nancy overcame her struggles, check out this book for yourself.
 
Then check out the back matter with photos of Nancy’s real life, her bio, Robert McCloskey’s involvement, and a list of Nancy’s sculptures over time. Best of all there’s a note from the author. Would you believe she made Nancy’s REAL words purple? It made rereading sweet – because I got to meet the REAL Nancy.  

​Friends Are Friends Forever
Written by Dane Liu
Illustrated by Lynn Scurfield
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: 1 – 2

​This book is lovely, from the illustrations to its theme.  DanDan lives in Northeastern China, and tomorrow her family is moving to America. Imagine the thoughts flying through her head! Moving is scary. Imagine having to go to a brand-new country!
 
Her best friend Yueyue says goodbye with a hug and three words . . . friends are forever. Then the two girls make snowflakes one last time. Yueyue sends DanDan off to America with stacks of red paper and a spool of string. Why? To make snowflakes with a new friend. It won’t be easy – DanDan doesn’t speak English. Read and find out if she finds that new American friend. Back matter includes information about the Lunar New Year and directions for those special red snowflakes.