Reviews
Midwest Book Review - Big Boy 4014 and the Steam Team: The World's Largest Steam Engine Roars Back to Life!
Kids who love trains will relish the lively history, colorful illustrations by Adam Gustavson, and details of train restoration and recovery which follows how the Big Boys were not only part of the past, but are now part of present-day rail efforts… View →
Story Monsters Ink - Yasi and Mina's Pomegranate Tree
An enduring tale about two young children who share a courtyard and are separated by the activities of war. W View →
Story Monsters Ink - When Night Comes Calling
A delightful book about the wonders of nighttime. View →
The Horn Book - The Dog Who Saved the Bees
Gibeault’s text nicely balances details about beekeeping and dog training with plenty of action and emotional appeal. Hohn’s soft illustrations in an earth palette bring dog Mack’s lovable, if at first unruly, personality to life. View →
Publishers Weekly - The Mouse Buffet: A Christmas Treat
Juxtaposed with the sure-to-pounce cat, scenes of the rodents—who look alternatingly euphoric and frantic—gobbling the kaleidoscope of goodies create a gentle suspense. And Ross Ferreri’s brief and bustling onomatopoeic outing serves up a sudden, surprise ending that’s delicious for all. View →
Donovan's Literary Services - Big Boy 4014 and the Steam Team: The World’s Largest Steam Engine Roards Back to Life!
Big Boy 4014 and the Steam Team will reach a wide audience thanks to especially vivid connections between past and present train activity and history and the efforts of steam train preservationists to keep the engines running, all depicted in this wonderful exploration designed for… View →
Donovan's Literary Services - The Bakers Dozen
[This] rhyming donut celebration is accompanied by a recipe and counting opportunities that read-aloud adults will find multifaceted fun, promising education and entertainment all bound into a delicious doughnut theme. View →
Donovan's Literary Services - No One Told Sandra Day O’Connor What to Do: The First Woman to Serve on the United States Supreme Court
The biography gives lively embellishment to O’Connor’s life and her ideas….The result will encourage many discussions among young people about women’s history, rights, and effectiveness. View →
Midwest Book Review - The Beat of the Dragon Boat
Christina Matula’s The Beat of the Dragon Boat…enjoys vivid, impressive illustrations by Nicole Wong as it follows a young boy’s education about the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival. View →
Midwest Book Review - Brave Old Blue
Kids will enjoy the appealing illustrations by Christopher Thornock which expand and portray Blue’s new life. View →
Midwest Book Review - Goose Egg Island
Julia Richardson’s Goose Egg Island…receives especially colorful, eye-catching illustrations by Meneka Repka as it surveys the new home of Goose and Gander on a frozen pond leading to a small island ideal for nesting. View →
Midwest Book Review - OH DEER!
[This] story evolves into one of who is cleverer in a tale that gardeners will especially relate to, and which parents will enjoy reading to the very young, with its colorful confrontations and opportunities for dramatizing sounds. View →
Midwest Book Review - When Night Comes Calling
From the night sky to animals that awaken and venture out only in the cover of darkness, Schumerth’s lovely lyrical rhyming story, enhanced by lovely illustrations by Sheryl Murray, brings this world of wonder to life in a manner that will attract read-aloud adults and young picture book View →
Midwest Book Review - Yasi and Mina’s Pomegranate Tree
This lovely story of friendship against all odds, life in Iran, and adapting a relationship to change evolves is delightfully absorbing and thought-provoking. View →
School Library Journal - STARRED REVIEW - My Name is Ai Lin
Starred Review Ai Lin has to teach her classmates how to say her name properly. When she started school, the kids said American words and names instead of her name. She carefully explains the meaning of her name and how it fits into her culture. Ai Lin does a beautiful job with… View →
School Library Journal - Miss Betti, What Is This?: How Detroit’s School Lunch Lady Got Good Food on the Menu
VERDICT With themes of making a difference, taking care of others, and the inclusion of African American innovators, this is an excellent addition to nonfiction collections for elementary students. View →
STARRED REVIEW - School Library Journal - My Name Is Ai Lin
VERDICT This charming book about a girl navigating new situations belongs in every collection. View →
School Library Journal - Little Ghost House Hunts
VERDICT A great fall and Halloween read aloud that is not scary but sure to be entertaining. This will put little readers into the spooky spirit. View →
School Library Journal - The Mouse Buffet: A Christmas Treat
VERDICT This is an enjoyable addition to story time collections, especially as a part of the Christmas holiday season. View →
School Library Journal - A Cowpoke's Christmas
VERDICT Heartwarming and thoughtful, this picture book is a charming addition to the canon of Christmas tales for young children. View →