Geo Librarian

  CLAYDATE: A Playdate with the Claymates written by Dev Petty, illustrated by Lauren Eldridge Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2026 ISBN:9780316564540 Available April 7, 2026 Source: eARC from publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK When two clay friends decide to sculpt a unicorn-dragon and a potato-knight and try to tell an epic story with them, nothing goes quite how they planned. Unicorn-dragon isn't fearsome at all, and potato-knight keeps getting squished! Can the claymates work together to save their story and remember that a playdate doesn’t have to be perfect to be plenty of fun? Anything can happen in this laugh-out-loud adventure that celebrates friendship, storytelling, and endless creativity. REVIEW As a huge fan of the first book, Claymates , I was thrilled to have the chance to read the sequel. In this follow-up that highlights the...

  INTERRUPTING CHICKEN SAVES THE NUTCRACKER written & illustrated by David Ezra Stein Candlewick Press, 2025 ISBN: 978-1-5362-0779-8 Source: purchased Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK At her first ballet ever, can an excitable little Chicken resist helping the story along? Fans will cheer as their favorite interrupter puts her spin on a beloved holiday classic. “Hi, Clara! Like my tutu?” “Ahem,” said the narrator. “Chicken!” said Papa. “You can’t go onstage!” It’s winter vacation for the little red chicken and, with promises of best behavior, she’s on her way to see The Nutcracker with Papa. She can’t wait! In fact, she’s so excited that Papa is worried she might get a little carried away . . . Take your seats and get ready to giggle as a certain irrepressible audience member dances onstage at key moments, determined to save the nutcracker from that bully Fritz and the swo...

  AMY WU AND THE RIBBON DANCE written by Kat Zhang, illustrated by Charlene Chia Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2023 ISBN: 9781665916721 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kat Zhang loves traveling to places both real and fictional—the former have better souvenirs, but the latter allow for dragons, so it’s a tough choice. A writer of books for teens and children, she spends her free time scribbling poetry, taking photographs, and climbing atop things she shouldn’t. You can learn more about her at KatZhang.com.  ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR Charlene Chua draws many things, from baos to dragons, and everything in-between. When they are not drawing, they enjoy cooking, reading, and playing with their cats. Charlene grew up in Singapore, and now lives in Canada. Her favorite baos are  still  char siu baos, and her favorite...

  THE DEPTH OF THE LAKE AND THE HEIGHT OF THE SKY by Kim Jihyun Floris Books, 2022 ISBN: 9781782507420 Ages 4 and up Wordless picture book All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. REVIEW The beautiful art in this book took my breath away. Sometimes pictures really are worth a thousand words. A young boy leaves the city with his parents to visit his grandparents in the countryside. While there he wanders down a path through the woods.  He stops to admire the tall trees and listen to the sounds of the forest. At the end of the path he finds a lake. He takes a dive into the water and swims down to the bottom where he admires the plants and fish he finds.  Based on an experience the author had one summer.  While this may be Kim Jihyun's first picture book, I sincerely hope it isn't her last. The beautiful lines and the serene peace to be found in the illustrations makes this a true work of art.  In fact, ...

Ironically, I am choosing to review two books today that directly contradict the weather I'm experiencing here in Utah. It hovered around 0 degrees today. Burr! But these books brought a smile to my face in reminding me that the warmth will return and in the meantime I'll keep reading books like these and sharing them with children. Another remarkable thing is that HOT DOG just won the Caldecott Medal! Congratulations, Doug Salati! Thank you for producing such a wonderful book. HOT DOG by Doug Salati Alfred A. Knopf, 2022 ISBN: 978-0-593-30843-1 Source: purchased Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. REVIEW In poetic text combined with lovely pencil, gouache on paper and Photoshopped illustrations, Salati presents readers with a delightful reminder of the need to enjoy nature's beauty's once in a while. The story follows a dachshund getting walked around New York as his owner runs errands. Eventually t...

These two nonfiction picture book blew me away with their stunning illustrations.  Both book look at the importance of light, one looking at all kinds of light from lightning to bioluminescence while the other one looks only at bioluminescence.  What a remarkable way to introduce children to the wonders of the world. LUMINOUS Living Things That Light Up the Night by Julia Kuo Greystone Kids, 2022 ISBN: 9781771648882 Source: purchased Ages 4 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. REVIEW What a beautiful book.  Kuo introduces young readers to the amazing kind of light called bioluminescence, the light created within the bodies of living creatures.  Combining an introductory text in larger font with additional explanatory text in smaller font the book works well with both older and younger elementary students.  A variety of creatures produce bioluminescence including foxfire (fungi), glowworms, d...

  NONI THE PONY COUNTS TO A MILLION by Alison Lester Beach Lane Books, 2023 ISBN: 9781665922289 Source: publisher for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. REVIEW This Australian import follows Noni, a pony, as she counts from 1 to 10, then dozens, hundreds, thousands, and a million.  She begins by standing under one tree watching two friends dance by the sea.  She gathers companions as she moves from one activity to another, ending up sleeping under millions of stars.  The rhyming text flows smoothly from spread to spread as Noni meets other animals on her journey. Not only is this a cute book about counting, but it's an adorable introduction to a variety of animals.  Noni, with her big eyes, and her friends are appealing companions on this journey of numbers. THIS BOOK IS MY BEST FRIEND by Robin Robinson Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2023 ISBN: 9781665906814 Source:...

PARKER SHINES ON An Extraordinary Moment by Parker Curry & Jessica Curry illustrated by Brittany Jackson Aladdin, 2021 ISBN: 978-1-5344-5474-3 Source: publisher for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Cover images from Goodreads.com ABOUT THE BOOK The New York Times bestselling team behind Parker Looks Up returns with an uplifting story about Parker making a new friend and learning about self-expression, opening your heart, and helping others. Parker Curry loves being a big sister. She gets to play dress-up with her little sister, Ava, and piano with her baby brother, Cash. And Parker loves to dance, twirling and leaping and spinning in joy. But when a dancer joins her class and needs her help, Parker wonders if she has what it takes to be not only a real dancer, but a real friend. This inspirational picture book has an afterword by prima ballerina and New York Times bestselling author Misty Copeland. REVIEW In this follow-up to the Currys' Parker Looks Up...

WHEN PENCIL MET ERASER Story by Karen Kilpatrick and Luis O. Ramos, Jr,  Illustrated by German Blanco Imprint, 2019 ISBN: 9781250309396 Source: purchased Ages 3-8 All opinions expressed are solely my o wn.   ABOUT THE BOOK Ever wonder why there's a little pink eraser on every pencil? Find out in this picture book that tells the true story of how Pencil and Eraser became the best of friends. When Pencil draws on the pages of this book, Eraser erases parts of Pencil's work, and the book itself becomes a canvas for their different takes on creativity--until the two discover their artwork is even better when they work together.   REVIEW   This delightful story provides an explanation for how pencil and eraser came together.  Pencil loves to draw and is very good at it.  Pencil is not impressed when Eraser erased some of the picture Pencil drew. Pencil tries to ignore Eraser, but Eraser continues to change Pencil's pictures. Finally, Pencil tries to stump...

SUPERBUNS! Kindness is Her Superpower by Diane Kredensor Aladdin, 2019 ISBN: 978-1-4814-9068-9 Source: publisher for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Some superheroes can leap tall buildings in a single bound, some can crawl up a wall, some grow wolfsharp claws, and some have superhuman speed. And Superbuns? Her superpower is being kind. Super kind . She can’t help but be kind: watering a neighbor’s daisies; helping a friend cross the street; feeding a hungry goldfish. Superbuns’s older sister Blossom is a super know-it-all who doesn’t believe kindness is a superpower. Not one bit. And all this kindness is slowing them down on their way to Grammy’s house, where a yummy carrot cobbler awaits. But the sisters are being followed by a little fox, and when Blossom learns the fox is not after their cobbler but is lost, she discovers kindness really is a superpower after all. REVIEW  This adorable book follows the adve...

MOON! EARTH'S BEST FRIEND by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Stevie Lewis Henry Holt and Company, 2019 ISBN: 978-1-250-23983-9 Source: publisher for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK From writer Stacy McAnulty and illustrator Stevie Lewis, Moon! Earth's Best Friend is a light-hearted nonfiction picture book about the formation and history of the moon—told from the perspective of the moon itself. Meet Moon! She's more than just a rock—she’s Earth’s rock, her best friend she can always count on. Moon never turns her back on her friend (literally: she's always facing Earth with the same side!). These two will stick together forever. With characteristic humor and charm, Stacy McAnulty channels the voice of Moon in this next celestial "autobiography" in the Our Universe series. Rich with kid-friendly facts and beautifully brought to life by Stevie Lewis, this is an equally charming and irresistible companion...

A PIGLET NAMED MERCY by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen Candlewick Press, 2019 ISBN: 978-0-7636-7753-4 Source: publisher for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Every porcine wonder was once a piglet! Celebrate the joy of a new arrival with this endearing picture-book prequel to the New York Times best-selling Mercy Watson series. Mr. Watson and Mrs. Watson live ordinary lives. Sometimes their lives feel a bit too ordinary. Sometimes they wish something different would happen. And one day it does, when someone unpredictable finds her way to their front door. In a delightful origin story for the star of the Mercy Watson series, a tiny piglet brings love (and chaos) to Deckawoo Drive — and the Watsons’ lives will never be the same. REVIEW As a big fan of the original Mercy Watson early chapter book series, I was thrilled when I heard about a new book about Mercy.  And I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.  It...

HELLO, I'M HERE! by Helen Frost and Rick Lieder Candlewick Press, 2019 ISBN: 978-0-7636-9858-4 Source: publisher for review Ages 4-8 Picture Book Poetry/Nonfiction All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK A poetic text and wonderfully intimate photographs follow a newborn sandhill crane as it takes its first steps into the world. Will my legs hold me? What if I fall? Peek in as a sandhill crane hatchling makes its first wobbly stand and takes its first steps alongside its brother. With their parents close by, they flap their wings and dance before enjoying a buggy treat. Someday they will fly with the majestic cranes overhead, but for now, Mama's soft feathers beckon. With a lyrical narrative and lovely photo illustrations, this latest venture from an acclaimed creative team makes a perfect new baby gift -- and will appeal to bird lovers, too. REVIEW Helen Frost and Rick Lieder have created another beautifully poetic ode to the won...

FROM TREE TO SEA words by Shelley Moore Thomas, Art by Christopher Silas Neal Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2019 ISBN: 9781481495313 Ages 4-8 Source: publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK From the edge of the sea to a high mountain top, everything has its place in the world and all living things are connected. The world around us has a lot to tell us if we take the time to look and listen. This tender and comforting picture book celebrates the wisdom in many of the things great and small that make up our wonderful world. REVIEW This wonderful book takes the reader on a journey through some of the beautiful scenery that nature offers us.  The natural world has much to teach us if we are willing to listen and pay attention.  The author shares the things that she sees when she looks at the world around her.  For example, she points out that bees can teach us the value of wo...