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40 pp.
| Holt
| April, 2022
|
TradeISBN 978-1-250-78249-6$18.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-250-87681-2$10.99
(3)
K-3
Our Universe series.
Illustrated by
David Litchfield.
This companion to Earth!: My First 4.54 Billion Years; Sun!: One in a Billion, et al., focuses on the impact of human activity on our warming planet. Giving readers simple steps to address climate change, the cheerful text invites them to choose "human power--that's from your own two feet" and other sustainable resources. A large, smiling Earth fills, and sometimes spills over the edges of, square pages. With its long eyelashes and bright brown eyes, the endearing planet narrator makes a strong case. An author's note, additional related information, and a source list are appended.
40 pp.
| Holt/Godwin
| August, 2022
|
TradeISBN 978-1-250-30405-6$18.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Shawna J. C. Tenney.
The "I Don't Vant to Suck Your Blood" smoothie shop is a vegan establishment, but a thirsty vampire fails to notice (although viewers will, courtesy of the comical illustrations), and orders "a pint of your best blood..." The young (vampire) proprietor launches into an enthusiastic explanation of why blood is "too important to humans for us just to drink it," describing how it travels through the cardiovascular system and why. Meanwhile, the elder vampire grows increasingly desperate: "Vhen does it flow into my mouth?" As in McAnulty's Brains!: Not Just a Zombie Snack, accessible text and art balance lightly macabre humor with clear information, making the biology lesson easy to swallow. A "Dear Blood-Filled Reader" note, additional facts, and a source list are appended.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2022
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Matthew Rivera.
A cheerful zombie narrator, who's trying to kick her brain-eating habit, introduces the features and functions of the human brain. Both the text and animated illustrations successfully walk the line between science--"Your brain is the boss, the coach..."--and silliness: "...the main computer--but tastier than a computer." Our ghoulish guide demonstrates how the five senses act as messengers (here they act as a zombie early-warning system). She compares the human brain's appearance and weight to various animal brains and gets a little more science-y in discussion of neurons, glial cells, and parts of the brain (e.g., brain stem, cerebellum, temporal lobe). An author's note, more brain facts, and list of sources are appended.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Deborah Hocking.
Max (Max Explains Everything: Grocery Store Expert) is back, with the accessible comic-book conventions and gouache and colored-pencil illustrations characteristic of his previous supermarket shenanigans. This time, the humor stems from Max explaining soccer while remaining largely oblivious to the game--he picks dandelions, watches clouds, and enjoys a snack, but never remembers to kick the ball.
40 pp.
| Holt
| October, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-250-19932-4$17.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Stevie Lewis.
The personified Sun (with a capital S) takes center stage to narrate this cheery, tongue-in-cheek celebration of itself, Earth's nearest star. A surprising amount of science is included among the humor, including the concept of gravity and Sun's comparative size and location in the solar system and the galaxy. The illustrations, created with colored pencil and digital tools, feature the star shining and smiling throughout. Factual back matter adds depth.
295 pp.
| Random
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5247-6757-0$16.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-5247-6758-7$19.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5247-6759-4
(3)
4-6
After being struck by lightning, Lucy became a mathematical genius. Now, four years later, she's a homeschooled recluse with OCD--and no friends, other than her online math pals. So Lucy's grandmother takes action and, much to the brainy twelve-year-old's dismay, enrolls her in middle school. McAnulty's preteen characters feel like the real deal here, as does the math-in-the-real-world content (such as optimizing shelter dog adoptions).
32 pp.
| Putnam
| April, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-101-99644-7$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Deborah Hocking.
Curly-haired Max eventually comes around to accept his conscription as Mom's errand-companion and shares his expertise in a how-to guide for potential supermarket-draftees. Digitally manipulated gouache and colored-pencil illustrations show stylized (and stylish) characters amid the store's abundance. Comic-book elements create gentle dramatic irony, but Max navigates the tedium in earnest, making realistically childlike attempts to manipulate a loving but savvy mother.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Edward Hemingway.
Cat Mr. Fuzzbuster is obviously owner Lily's favorite. His fellow pets disagree, so the smug kitty writes a note asking Lily to decide. Her response is not what Mr. Fuzzbuster expected (though listeners might have), inspiring him to shift his perspective. The well-paced text--which includes silly pet names and a final twist--is complemented by humorous mixed-media illustrations conveying Mr. Fuzzbuster's emotional roller coaster.
32 pp.
| Running
| October, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7624-5782-3$16.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Joanne Lew-Vriethoff.
"A brave kid has super strength. / And a courageous heart. / A brave kid leads the team. / And never gives up." For all the book's heroic-sounding qualities, warm, detailed illustrations (featuring a diverse cast) cleverly highlight everyday scenes: e.g., a "courageous" boy checks under his brother's bed in the dark. Some juxtapositions work better than others, but the overall message is well delivered.
40 pp.
| Holt
| October, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-250-10808-1$17.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
David Litchfield.
This sweetly humorous picture book presents facts about the earth as told by Earth itself. Touching on its formation, place in the solar system, and its inhabitants, the mixed-media illustrations depict a winsome Earth with a variety of facial expressions and accessories. The story briefly (and lightly) discusses pollution and conflict before ending positively. Factual back matter is included. Bib.
113 pp.
| Random
| January, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-553-52191-7$9.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-553-52192-4$12.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-553-52193-1
(4)
1-3
Stepping Stone: The Dino Files series.
Illustrated by
Mike Boldt.
Aspiring paleontologist Frank visits his grandma at the Dinosaur Education Center of Wyoming, where a fossilized egg hatches adorable dinosaur Peanut. Frank and bratty cousin Samantha must keep Peanut a secret--first from a greedy neighbor and then from a film crew. Dinosaur enthusiasts will dig the Jurassic Park–lite premise, but trite dialogue and weak characters may bore others. Cartoonish illustrations add appeal. Review covers the following Stepping Stone titles: A Mysterious Egg and Too Big to Hide.
40 pp.
| Random
| July, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-385-39189-4$17.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-97365-9$20.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-385-39190-0
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Joy Ang.
Protesting all the way to the tub, a boy lists one hundred and one reasons why he shouldn't take a bath. The relatable scenario includes many wacky objections (e.g., "the faucet gives me nightmares about waterfalls") before he runs out of steam and just repeats "I don't want to" thirteen times. The humorous cartoon illustrations wordlessly reveal his realization that he actually likes playing in the tub.
32 pp.
| Knopf
| May, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-553-51023-2$16.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-553-51024-9$19.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-553-51025-6
(1)
K-3
Illustrated by
Julia Sarcone-Roach.
Each alliteratively named Ellis child is "excellent" at something; their dog, Ed, excels at things that aren't necessarily desired (e.g., "breaking stuff"). In an affirming twist, Ed achieves his own kind of excellence in the loving home. McAnulty's playful text and Sarcone-Roach's mixed-media illustrations (which depict the Ellises as a family of color) excel at communicating the family's warmth. In a word? Excellent.
110 pp.
| Random
| May, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-553-52194-8$9.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-553-52195-5$12.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-553-52196-2
(4)
1-3
Stepping Stone: The Dino Files series.
Illustrated by
Mike Boldt.
Aspiring paleontologist Frank visits his grandma at the Dinosaur Education Center of Wyoming, where a fossilized egg hatches adorable dinosaur Peanut. Frank and bratty cousin Samantha must keep Peanut a secret--first from a greedy neighbor and then from a film crew. Dinosaur enthusiasts will dig the Jurassic Park–lite premise, but trite dialogue and weak characters may bore others. Cartoonish illustrations add appeal. Review covers the following Stepping Stone titles: A Mysterious Egg and Too Big to Hide.
32 pp.
| Running
| September, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7624-5781-6$16.95
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Joanne Lew-Vriethoff.
As the book recounts the virtues of "beautiful girls," spirited illustrations offer their interpretations: "Beautiful girls move gracefully" describes girls playing soccer, rugby, and wheelchair basketball; "beautiful girls know all about makeup" has the girls covered in stubbly pirate beards. Each new page surprises with its empowered twist on worn-out sentiments, allowing girls to embrace their own brand of "beautiful."
115 pp.
| Random
| October, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-553-52197-9$9.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-553-52198-6$12.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-553-52199-3
(4)
1-3
Stepping Stone: The Dino Files series.
Illustrated by
Mike Boldt.
To avoid the press after photos of their dinosaur, Peanut, surface online, future paleontologist Frank, his fame-hungry cousin Sam, and Frank's dad take Peanut camping and discover a Nothosaurus, a prehistoric water reptile. Despite some illogical character motivations, this third book is an action-packed romp full of prehistoric creature facts; exaggerated cartoon illustrations add visual variety for new chapter-book readers. Glos.
32 pp.
| Boyds
| October, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59078-876-9$15.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jef Kaminsky.
On January 1st, young dinosaur Ernest B. Spinosaurus begins writing letters to Santasaurus thanking him for his presents and vowing to stay on the "nice list" all year. Subsequent letters are filled with wish lists and confessions of progressively outrageous mischief. Visual irony augments the comedy: vibrant, black-outlined illustrations clearly show that Ernest doesn't always tell Santasaurus the whole truth.
Reviewer: Shara Hardeson
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2013
17 reviews
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