Current

There are amazing trees that live in our world—yellow poplar, American beech, crape myrtle, and so many more! But how do you know which ones are which? Follow along in this heart warming tale as a father lovingly teaches his son to identify eight common trees in a park and then surprises him with his … Read more

I have always been a lover of alphabet books. They’re simplistic yet many times contain a wealth of information as does P is for Purr! Each letter, from A to Z, gets a full two- page spread. The illustrations are stunning; I love the big eyes on all the cats. There are 2-3 sentences for … Read more

Starting from the moment “a wiggly little cell from another/ joined with a round little cell from me,” and written from the intimate perspective of a gestational parent speaking to their fetus, this fact-filled, lyrical book takes young readers month by month through the stages of prenatal development. . .  A loving and encouraging intro … Read more

Loosely based on a 12th century Latin song, this story imagines how the animals in the celebrated Bethlehem stable might have made way for Jesus’s birth. In realistic illustrations, each docile beast offers its own preparation in turn: “The ox that stands in the drafty shed/ drops straw into a manger bed”; “The sheep tear … Read more

If You’re Scary and You Know It! Introduces eight adorably creepy characters for kids to play and play with. . . the clever and enticingly impish rhymes will have them moving their feet, yowling ghoulishly, and laughing together. Gerber’s rich language and detailed action-packed storytelling are a joy to sing or read aloud and give … Read more

“Benny, a newcomer to play group, exudes energy as he toddles into a room filled with bored babies, whose eyes brighten with anticipation. After Benny pulls a drum from a toy box, his playmates follow suit, and Gerber’s story takes off—as do the babies. . . It’s an exuberant celebration of toddlers’ willful, can’t-be-stopped independence, … Read more

“A jaunty counting story as a witch with “a long, speedy broom” invites nine of her compatriots to join her for a ride. Though the rhymes often suggest the witches are in a degree of peril (“3 little witches zipping through the night/ saw a ghost haunt a witch as she jumped in fright”), Fleming … Read more

“Generating sympathy for a bat isn’t always easy. Gerber pulls it off, though, thanks to some rewarding research and an engagingly repetitive structure. A little red bat hangs among the autumn leaves and wonders if she should stay in her tree or fly south. One by one, she meets a cast of woodland creatures, each … Read more

“This inspiring picture-book biography of a trailblazer in the field presents insight into the challenges of women interested in science during the late 19th and early 20th centuries… The realistic illustrations capture the time period and complement the text. This title will be a welcome addition to collections looking for biographies of women scientists, or … Read more

“This nonfiction early reader gives facts about stingrays in an engaging, uncomplicated way. A mixture of photographs and illustrations complement the text well. This would be a helpful resource for student research projects, or a good leveled reader for middle-elementary nonfiction lovers.” Kiss the Book.blogspot.com. Laurie rated it 5 of 5 stars “Text is easy … Read more

Selected as one of 20 Choose to Read Ohio titles for 2015 and 2016 (http://www.library.ohio.gov/ctro) Choose to Read Ohio (CTRO) spotlights Ohio authors and promotes reading across Ohio. Each CTRO booklist highlights selected books and provides free, downloadable, resource-packed readers’ toolkits for current and past CTRO books. Recommended by the National Science Teachers Association Grade Level: K-4 … Read more

“Bedtime rituals comfort and reassure a mom and her little one. Only the mother’s voice is heard, as she directs the action. She plays a recognition game first, asking her toddler to tweak ears, push nose, flap arms, clap hands and more. Movement and exercise are added along with some tickling and stroking. A pet dog mimics the … Read more

Selected as a 2014 National Council for Teachers of English Notable Title – Click here for Article “Ideal for classroom use, this collection of short performance pieces introduces seed distribution, plant germination, the roles of roots and sunlight, pollinators and some familiar creatures. . . With short lines, Judicious use of rhyme and interesting language, the poetry … Read more

“Absolutely delightful and a perfect gift! Two stories emerge — one on the right side of the page with the details of the song, emphasizing Ohio. ‘On the first of Christmas my cousin gave to me . . . a cardinal in a buckeye tree.’ On the left side of the page, a detailed story … Read more