Geo Librarian

   THE COZY HOME Bat, Cat & Rat #1 written by Ame Dyckman & illustrated by Mark Teague Beach Lane Books, 2024 ISBN: 978-1-6659-3042-0 Source: purchased Ages 6-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Join Bat, Cat, and Rat on their three-and-a-half sweet and silly roommate adventures in this hilarious picture book, the first of a series, from New York Times bestsellers Ame Dyckman and Mark Teague. What happens when three friends—a bat, a cat, and a rat—move in together? In “Sharing,” Bat, Cat, and Rat find a cozy home to share. But will choosing rooms put their sharing skills to the test? In “Joking,” Rat sets off a series of pranks and shenanigans with his rubber spider that have the trio screaming in surprise and laughing in delight. In “Reading,” Cat catches Bat and Rat reading over her shoulder—or so she thinks, until it turns out they haven’t learned to read yet. Can Cat te...

CORNBREAD & POPPY by Matthew Cordell Little, Brown & Company, 2022 ISBN: 978-0-7595-5486-3 Source: purchased Ages 6-9 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Cover image & book description from Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Caldecott medalist Matthew Cordell debuts his first early reader series about two best friends who are as different from each other as can be. Cornbread LOVES planning. Poppy does not. Cornbread ADORES preparing. Poppy does not. Cornbread IS ready for winter. Poppy...is not. But Cornbread and Poppy are the best of friends, so when Poppy is left without any food for the long winter, Cornbread volunteers to help her out. Their search leads them up, up, up Holler Mountain, where these mice might find a new friend...and an old one. Celebrating both partnership and the value of what makes us individuals, young readers will find this classic odd-couple irresistible as they encounter relatable issues with humor and heart. REVIEW This adorable early reader fol...

  CRANKY CHICKEN by Katherine Battersby Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2021 ISBN: 978-1-5344-6988-4 Source: publisher for review Ages 6-9 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Narwhal and Jelly meet The Bad Guys in this heartwarming, brightly illustrated, and downright hilarious chapter book about what happens when a very cranky chicken is befriended by a very cheerful worm. Cranky Chicken is, well, cranky. With one cranky eyebrow, cranky eyes, and even cranky, scratchy feet. But then one day, Cranky meets a very friendly worm named Speedy who wants nothing more than to be friends. Young readers will love seeing the mismatched friendship grow over the course of three charming and laugh-out-loud short adventures as Chicken and Speedy become BFFs (Best Feathered Friends) and Speedy shows Chicken how to look on the bright side. REVIEW This delightful graphic novel for early readers follows the friendship between a chicken and a worm.  Chicken is very cranky as de...

GERALDINE PU AND HER LUNCH BOX, TOO! Ready to Read Graphics written and illustrated by Maggie P. Chang Simon Spotlight, 2021 ISBN: 978-1-5344-8469-6 Source: publisher for review Ages 6-9 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Geraldine Pu’s favorite part of school is lunch. She loves her lunch box, which she calls Biandang. She can’t wait to see what her grandmother, Amah, has packed inside it each day. Then one day, Geraldine gets stinky tofu...and an unexpected surprise. What will she do? Ready-to-Read Graphics books give readers the perfect introduction to the graphic novel format with easy-to-follow panels, speech bubbles with accessible vocabulary, and sequential storytelling that is spot-on for beginning readers. There’s even a how-to guide for reading graphic novels at the beginning of each book. REVIEW This early reader graphic novel tells the story of Geraldine Pu and her lunch box named Biandang who carries the delicious meals her Amah makes for her to take ...

  DEAR BEAST by Dori Hillestad Butler, illustrated by Kevan Atteberry Holiday House, 2020 ISBN: 978--8234-4843-2 Source: purchased Ages 6-9 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK A jealous cat really, really , REALLY wants to drive away his young owner's new dog in this playful illustrated chapter book from a two-time Geisel Honor winner. Simon has taken care of his owner, Andy, for many years. He's a good cat. Clean, responsible, and loyal. What more could a boy want? Even when Andy's dad moves out, Simon is certain that Andy doesn't need another pet. So why would Andy's dad adopt a DOG?! To make matters worse, the animal is a rude, rowdy troublemaker. Simon's job is clear: the beast has got to go. He decides to write him a letter. Strongly worded, of course. But when the dog's response sets off an unexpected correspondence, Simon realizes the beast may be here to stay. Can he make room for another ...

HOUNDSLEY AND CATINA AT THE LIBRARY by James Howe, illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay Candlewick Press, 2020 ISBN: 978-0-7636-9662-7 Source: purchased Ages 5-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK It's Saturday, and Houndsley, Catina, and their friend Bert are looking forward to their weekly visit to the library. But when the trio arrives, they find that Trixie, the librarian, seems different. She doesn't tell a joke or recommend a book like she always does. That's when the friends find out the news -- the library is closing! With Trixie retiring and enrolled in circus school, there's no one to take her place as head librarian . . . or is there? James Howe and Marie-Louise Gay have created another engaging tale about what it means to be a supportive friend and how it's never too late to learn something new. REVIEW In this delightful early reader about friendship and libraries, Houndsley, Catina, and Bert set off for the...

TRUTH OR LIE : DINOSAURS! by Erica S. Perl, illustrations by Michael Slack Random House, 2019 ISBN: 978-0-525-57883-3 Source: purchased Early Reader -- Nonfiction Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Tyrannosaurus rex's closest living relative is the alligator, right? That's a LIE! The TRUTH is, the massive carnivore was actually more closely related to chickens!! Though this engaging early reader is 100% fun, 25% of it is FALSE! In a unique question-and-answer format, proficient readers are quizzed about dinosaurs to see if they can separate facts from "lies." The book's mascot--the Truth Sleuth--guides readers through this funny and fact-packed Step 3 Reader, which features photos and illustrations of dinosaurs and fossils, with funny, kid-appealing art by Michael Slack. REVIEW This new series for young beginning readers is not only informative but gives said readers a chance to play a game and test his/her kno...

KICK IT, MO! by David A. Adler, illustrated by Sam Ricks Penguin Young Readers, 2018 ISBN: 978-0-425-28981-5 Source: purchased Ages 6--8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK The soccer season is starting, and Mo has been working hard on his kicking skills so he can help his team, the Billy Goats, score a goal. But when he gets on the field on game day, it seems like all he gets to do is run back and forth. Will Mo ever get the chance to show his team what he can do? REVIEW David Adler's Mo is at it again, except this time, he's playing soccer.  As in previous volumes, he struggles to develop the skills needed to play well.  His kicks tend to send the ball flying through the air, instead of along the ground.  During his team's game, he gets the chance to score a goal.  Will he kick the ball correctly or will it be another miss?  Mo is such a lovable character, with his love for sports and his willingness to do his bes...

WHAT THIS STORY NEEDS IS A PIG IN A WIG by Emma J. Virjan Harper, 2015 ISBN: 978-0-06-232724-6 Ages 3-6 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK What this story needs is a pig in a wig, on a boat in a moat with a frog, a dog, and a goat on a log. . . . As a panda in a blouse, a skunk on a trunk, and more hop on board, it becomes clear that what this story really needs is a bigger boat! Join Pig on an exciting boat ride as she discovers that life is more fun with friends in this fantastic funny read-aloud with cumulative text from author-illustrator Emma J. Virján. REVIEW  "What this story needs is a pig.  A pig in a wig, on a boat..." And so begins this ode to the joys and chaos of friendship.  But beyond the obvious themes is something that makes this book perfect for librarians like myself to use in teaching lessons about story elements.  As the story begins, a main character is presented (the pig in a ...

DUCK, DUCK, PORCUPINE! by Salina Yoon Bloomsbury, 2016 ISBN: 978-1-61963-723-8 Source: purchased Ages 3-6 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Big Duck likes to boss around her younger brother, Little Duck, and she fancies herself the leader of their trio--when joined by their gentle friend Porcupine. Little Duck doesn't speak yet, but through his expressions and his actions, he shows that he has a better grasp on any situation than his older sister. Told entirely through dialogue and visual storytelling with subtle humor throughout, Little Duck ends up getting the trio out of whatever jam they are in. REVIEW Every since I discovered the Elephant & Piggie books by Mo Willems, I've been keeping my eyes open for books with similar qualities.  Qualities such as delightful, expressive illustrations, short, funny stories, and great characters.  I'm delighted to say that I have found such a series in this new series by Salina Yoon. ...

THE TOTALLY SECRET SECRET Ballet Cat #1 by Bob Shea Disney Hyperion, 2015 ISBN: 978-1-4847-1378-5 Source: purchased Ages 3-5 Early Reader All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Ballet Cat and Sparkles the Pony are trying to decide what to play today. Nothing that Sparkles suggests--making crafts, playing checkers, and selling lemonade--goes well with the leaping, spinning, and twirling that Ballet Cat likes to do. When Sparkles's leaps, spins, and twirls seem halfhearted, Ballet Cat asks him what's wrong. Sparkles doesn't want to say. He has a secret that Ballet Cat won't want to hear. What Sparkles doesn't know is that Ballet Cat has a secret of her own, a totally secret secret. Once their secrets are shared, will their friendship end, or be stronger than ever? REVIEW As in Mo Willems Elephant and Piggie books, Bob Shea presents the reader with the trials and tribulations of friendship.  In this first book,  Sparkl...

NANETTE'S BAGUETTE words and pictures by Mo Willems Hyperion Books for Children, 2016 ISBN: 978-148472286-2 Ages 4-8 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Today is the day Nanette gets to get the baguette! Is she set? YOU BET! Mo Willems' hilarious new picture book, Nanette's Baguette, follows our plucky heroine on her first big solo trip to the bakery. But . . . will Nanette get the baguette from baker Juliette? Or will Nanette soon be beset with regret? Set in a meticulously handcrafted-paper-modeled French village, the uniquely vibrant laugh-out-loud world of Nanette's Baguette may be Mo's best creation yet. Get set to krack into an irresistible tale you won't soon forget! REVIEW Mo Willems has really hit it out of the park, again, with this amusing look at a youngster's efforts to run an errand for her mother.  Young Nanette, a frog, is sent by her mother to buy a baguette from the local baker...