Oliver and the Twisting Tornado (Navigating Natural Disasters Book 2)

Written by Chrissy Hobbs and Ben Jackson

Illustrated by Tanya Zeinalova

This book is part of the Navigating Disasters series for children. The text is written in clear language to prepare children who live in areas that are prone to tornadoes. Without being scary, it clearly defines the steps that are necessary to plan ahead and then the actions necessary to keep safe.

Oliver and Emma live on a farm. They learn what to do. Although the children are apprehensive, their parents have prepared their farm and storm shelter. Readers are provided with a checklist and a certificate to prove that they have carefully read the story and know how to prepare their families and communities to do the same.

I highly recommend the book for parents and teachers who live in communities that may be susceptible to tornadoes as an excellent resource guide.

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All The Ways I Shine

Written by Kay B

Illustrated by Noor Zaki

This rhyming picture book is well-written with catchy rhymes and reinforcement learning activities.

It is an ideal read-aloud for a parent or a classroom teacher to introduce children to a group school experience.

The protagonist is a young boy who rides on a magical school bus. He uses this experience to practice positive social-emotional skills. At the end of the tale, these are listed as affirmations for the reader to say and practice. The author also includes a coloring page of a school bus and a matching activity.

Put this one on your list for back-to-school time or as a review in teaching social-emotional skills for children ages three through six.

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Mr. Macaw’s Paleta Adventure (The Mr. Macaw Children’s Book Series

Written by Leticia Ordaz

Illustrated by Yana Popova

This is an innovative bilingual picture book that relates an adventure taken by a one-hundred-year-old Macaw kite.

The Mexican children bring the kite to the seashore. Maxton and Bronx ask the kite if he can fly alone. The kite takes off on an adventure to a nearby village and then over the sea. Will Mr. Macaw find his way back to the beach in Mexico?

The book is written in simple phrases that are displayed in both English and Spanish on each page. Multicultural illustrations are lovely and appropriate. A lovely multicultural adventure for primary-grade readers.

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The Adventures of Pookie: Home is Where the Heart is

Written and Illustrated by Rebecca Yee

A story about animal adoption from the point of view of the dog being adopted.

Children meet Pookie, who is excited to meet her new owner. Readers follow her journey as she explores her new surroundings and the loving care of Pookie’s new human family.

The illustrations are simple yet expressive and evocative of the appropriate emotions. I would recommend this book to young children who want to adopt, and as a teaching tool to explain the shelter adoption system.

This book is recommended for toddlers, preschoolers, and primary-grade readers.

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Our Hearts: A children’s book about how we navigate all of our feelings together with the ones we love.

Written by Kathleen Davis

Illustrated by Martyna Nejman

This beautifully illustrated rhyming picture book imparts a beautiful message for any age. The feelings we hold in our hearts belong not only to us but to those around us who love and care for us.

Our parents and friends experience the joys and sorrows, successes and failures we hold in our hearts. As we grow older our hearts expand as does the ability of others to share in those feelings. Our ability to love always outshines the feelings of fear and sadness.

I especially enjoyed the multicultural illustrations and the interactive feature, which encourages young readers to find and identify scenes and objects in the book.

Highly recommended for elementary and middle school readers, but a joyful message for all ages.

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Mrs. Wiggles and the Numbers Patterns: Discover Patterns for Ages 3-6 

Written and illustrated by Lisa Konkol

Patterns and numbers are everywhere! Teacher, Mrs. Wiggles, summons her pupils to the schoolyard to play an I Spy Game. They will be searching for patterns among flowers, farms, animals, ponds, and gardens. Poor number zero is confused, but soon catches up with the other numbers.

At the end of the book, children find a number chart including numbers one through zero, and a useful tool to help them count by tens. The rhymes are crisp and sharp, enticing children to learn while not even realizing they are doing work.

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Teachers should add this resource to preschool and kindergarten libraries.

The Legend of the Sleep-Eating Elephant (Global Beekeeping Tales)

Written by Nocola Williams

Written by Henry Ezeokeke 

A charming legend from Kenya relates the tale of an elephant who cooperates with the humans and animals of his village by watering the crops.

One day, a cabbage is missing from the fields. On subsequent days, more crops are missing. Elephant becomes distressed as do the other animals and humans of the village. The members of the beehive community invent a clever solution.

Readers discover the problem and the innovative solution after reading this book. They also learn facts about elephants, honeybees, the environment, and conservation.

A good choice for the classroom or home bookshelf for children who enjoy learning about animals, problem-solving, and conservation.

Recommended for ages six through twelve.

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Franklin The Firefly: The Glow Within (A young, un-glowing firefly finds out that anything is possible when you believe in yourself)

Written and Illustrated by Thomas J. Penisten

Franklin is a firefly lovingly raised by his family. He tries to be kind to his fellow community. As Franklin matures, he realizes that his light is not as bright as the others. While his family reassures Franklin, his peers begin to tease him. Soon, Franklin feels ostracized and seeks the company of less desirable friends.

One day, Franklin learns that his former firefly community is in trouble. They are in danger. Franklin makes a decision that will change his life and the fate of many others.

This clever picture book is written in catchy rhymes with vocabulary that challenges and enriches the reader. It is suitable for a kindergarten through sixth-grade audience.

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The Fairies – Petal & Nettle and The Best Story Ever: A magical picture book celebrating friendship, imagination and the joys of storytelling!

Written by Kirstie Watson

Illustrated by Tilia Rand-Bell

A cute picture book about two friends who are fairies. When Nettle decides he will write the best story ever, he soon gets stuck.

Enter his friend Petal. She coaxes Nettle not to give up by revealing one at a time the elements necessary to a good story. Characters, setting, plot, and a problem to solve.

Together these two friends, along with others that they meet during their adventure, inspire young readers to persevere and never give up on their dreams. They also teach children the qualities and value of true friendship.

This book is appropriate for elementary and middle grade readers.

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