Starting with a description of one of Ronaldo’s most famous goals, this biography is sure to be a hit with young soccer players. The book highlights Ronaldo’s career progress from his professional debut in 2002 at age 17 to his move in 2018 to his current team, Juventus. Ronaldo’s commercial sponsorships are mentioned briefly, but some of his charitable contributions are described in more detail. Very little is said about his personal life. This book is definitely targeted at the soccer lover.

Born into slavery, John and Millicent listened to their parents’ stories of their people flying to freedom. Even after their parents, Samuel and Maggie were sold away, those seeds of freedom survived in their minds and hearts. When the overseer injures a majestic bird as if flies over the plantation, John and Millicent risk their safety at night to retrieve and tend it. The bird slowly recovers, but refuses to leave. Secret word reaches their ears that in a week, John would be sold to a faraway farm. Following the flight of the bird, John and Millicent run through the storm to freedom.

Freedom Bird is Jerdine Nolen’s second book in a multigenerational narrative of an African American family. Big Jabe and Thunder Rose, the first and third books respectively have the storytelling characteristics of a Tall Tale. In Freedom Bird, Jerdine Nolen’s powerful storytelling voice can be heard in the story’s language and cadence without the hyperbole found in Big Jabe and Thunder Rose.

An important story told in a powerful voice that belongs in every library.

This story tells of the life of Mohammad Alaa Aljareel. Alaa stayed in Aleppo as the destruction of war in Syria forced many to flee. A caring man who worked as an ambulance driver, Alaa was struck with condition of the many cats left behind by fleeing families. By providing them food and water, Alaa soon was caring for more cats than he could manage. Through local and international support, Alaa established a home for abandoned cats where they are safe and loved. In the last few years, Alaa has also extended his shelter to include other animals and created playgrounds and an orphanage for the children of Aleppo.

An touching story of the power of love and the impact one good person can have on the world even amidst devastating circumstances. Alaa’s life is an inspiration.

The book begins with a letter from Mohmmad Alaa Aljareel in both English and Arabic.

David is starting his first day at a new school and he’s worried about making friends. When recess arrives, David heads out with a pocket full of rubber bands. He searches the children engaged in a variety of recess activities; tag, hide-and-seek, reading, video games, and hopscotch for someone who would play elastic skip with him. Finally he approaches a girl who responds to his question and asks how to play. So begins David’s first friendship at his new school. The next day, David runs to recess with his friends to chant and jump elastic skip.

A first day of school book that tells the story of fitting in, overcoming shyness, taking chances, and finding friends. By sharing something special to himself, David forges new friendships.

With lyrical text the reader follows a interconnected path from the base of the mountain into the cabin of a Cherokee family where in the kitchen sits a grandma weaving. As the family gathers round, the singing and the weaving unite them and create a bridge to a young woman flying an airplane in a distant conflict. Her prayers for peace in turn link her with her family back in the cabin. The circular story and illustrated threads both add to the feeling of unity and connection.

The author’s note recognizes the role of Native American women in the United States Armed Forces. She highlights the accomplishments of Ola Mildred “Millie”Rexroat, a Oglala Lakota pilot who served as a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) in World War II and beyond.

Leila and her family arrive her Naani’s (grandmother) house for an extended family dinner. When Leila looks in Naani’s mirror she thinks, “I’m not sure if I like being me.” Over the course of the evening, Leila finds things about herself to like. She shares her aunt’s smile, recognizes the beauty of her Pakistani artistic heritage, and successfully helps with cooking the curry. Finally when it is time to leave, her Naani helps her try on a saffron scarf. Reflected in the mirror, Leila now sees a beautiful girl looking back at herself.

A sweet story about recognizing the beauty found in connections to family and tradition as well as the beauty from within.

The colorful illustrations have a folk-art feel. Endpapers include a glossary of ethnic terms with definitions and pronunciation, but does not include language of origin.

Once Upon an Eid is an amazing collection of short stories by Muslim authors that celebrate the intersection of the modern Muslim childhood and the powerful meaning and significance of Eid. Many of the stories approach this special time for Muslims with typical childhood experiences like cooking disasters, experiencing firsts, impatience for presents, facing loss, siblings, and feeling different. With the characters’ growth, large and small, the tears, frustrations, insecurity, and heartache resolve into the peace, joy and hope of Eid.

The majority of the offering are in the form of prose short stories, but the book also includes two stories in verse and one in graphic novel format. A definite middle grade first purchase for all libraries.

Be Bold provides a kid friendly approach to bravery. The book starts by defining bold and gives examples that a child would understand; talk to a new kid, stop a friend from saying something mean, or admitting a mistake. It also reminds students that true heroes are smart about not taking unnecessary risks that might put themselves or other in danger.

• To help children develop boldness, the book provides suggestions.
  • Baby steps – break scary task into small parts and face them one at a time.
  • Be adventurous – be open to new experiences
  • Let yourself fail – and learn from your mistakes
  • Know when to say no – when either you or someone else might be hurt
  • Do your research – understanding can make things less scary
  • Believe in yourself – be confident and proud of who you are

The book concludes by asking the reader how a bold hero might react in three situations.

The specific suggestions, child appropriate scenarios, and connection to superheroes makes this a good choice for young children. Share individually or as part of a class lesson to encourage children to be bold and courageous in the face of new or scary things.

I would have liked to see the book also remind young children that asking for help does not mean your are not brave.

This title introduces readers to the process of photosynthesis with large colorful photographs and simple clear text. The reader is first informed that photosynthesis makes life on earth possible. The book then explains the role of plants and sun in this process followed by an explanation of the steps in the process. The book concludes by placing the process of photosynthesis within the food chain.

The book contains a Table of Contents, as well as endpapers with a “Let’s Review” section, Glossary, Index, and link to Abdo Kids online activities.

For a child, questioning the world starts with the everyday activities of life. Liwska poses question after question about such things as birthdays, being heard, and making choices just as a child might. Her sweet and sometimes humorous animal illustrations slow the reader and promote reflection and discussion. Liwska’s questions slowly progress into questions that dig deeper and instigate meaningful reflection of self and community. With her book, she provides an age appropriate way to encourage mindfulness in our younger students.

In South Sudan, Nya has to walk every day to a well to fill up water jugs for the family. Today, her mom makes her take her younger sister, Akeer along too. Akeer is tired and keeps slowing Nya. Nya tries to distract Akeer by pointing out things to see, and singing the clapping game song. At the watering hole, they drink deeply and play the clapping game twice before heading back towards home. On the return trip, Akeer drags her feet, walking even more slowly. Finally she starts to cry and sits down. Nya snaps at her, but then realizes Akeer is not usually a crybaby. When Nya knelt, she realized Akeer was sick with a fever and they were half a morning’s walk from home. Nya couldn’t leave Akeer and they couldn’t wait for what might be hours for someone to come along. Nya emptied part of the jug and had Akeer climb on her back and tied her on with a headscarf. Together Akeer and the jug were so heavy, Nya could only walk a few steps at a time before she had to rest. As she approaches the village, people rush to take Akeer and the water from her and she sinks to the ground exhausted. No matter how tired, her mother needs Nya’s help to carry food water for the 2-3 day walk to the clinic to get Akeer help.

The story is a powerful message on the scarcity of safe water for large numbers of the world’s people. The endpapers include information about Salva Dut, a former refuge who with his organization, Water for South Sudan, is installing wells to provide clean water. While told through fictional characters, the story also illustrates how access to clean water also made it possible for young girls to receive schooling.

Nya’s Long Walk is a picture book companion to Linda Sue Park’s novel, A Long Walk to Water.

A circle gets caught in a geo-dome shaped jungle gym and cannot get out by himself. A parade of different shapes try to help and some also get stuck. Finally a straight and narrow line rushes to the rescue. With the help of a prism and sphere, line creates a lever to pop the shapes free. The line then convinces the jungle gym to make her spaces wider so the other shapes will not get tangled in her again.

A fun and engaging story to reinforce geometric shapes. The mixing of 2 and 3 dimensional shapes without any identifying the differences, however, undermines the math concepts.

With a message of mindfulness and meditation, Julia Denow replaces the traditional in-and-out breaths with words and page turns. The books starts with the here and now of self, pointing out where, what, and how the reader fits into the universe. The book then moves on to noticing the big and little things both evident and hidden in the world around us. Finally the book moves on to envisioning the limitless possibilities.

Beautiful illustrations help portray both the immediacy of what we experience around us as well and the grandeur of the the universe and our boundless potential. The multi-racial family makes a powerful statement about diversity by not incorporating race in the message of the text.

Three children greet the first, long awaited snow of the year with glee even though it’s slushy and wet. The lyrical text follows these children through the whole season of snow. The reader hears of Fluff Snow, Angel Snow, Snowball Snow, Driveway Snow and so on. Each type of snow provides another unique experience. With the slushy Spring Snow, the children appear to shoo the snow away with,

Soon it will be Spring Snow,
Grass and mud and rain snow,
Time to go away snow;
no more lingering.

The last page pictures the children peering at their bikes in their garden shed ready for a new season of adventure. A perfect read for kids anticipating the arrival of snow.

Trains Run! will appeal to train enthusiasts. With the repeated refrain:

Steam engine,
gas engine,
electric engine too.
Chooka-chooka! Vroom zoom!
Hssss! Whoo-oo-whoo!

The rhythmic text helps to paint a picture of the role of trains past and present, of where they travel, and their power and strength.

The illustrations capture a feeling of movement and the majesty of trains. Characters in the illustrations are of diverse race, age, and lifestyle.

While the diversity and grandeur of the National Parks draw people from near and far, these amazing places are also the home to the creatures that live there. And yet the majesty and mystery of our National Parks also provide a sense of home and belonging to all who visit. The refrain, “you are home” echoes through the book.

The lyrical language helps the reader recognize the home that can be found in a memory or sense of belonging. Each pastel illustration is represents a National Park. Embrace the experience of visiting a National Park and feel a sense of home.

End papers describe the author’s connection to the parks and includes a United State map showing the location of the National Parks with thumbnail images of the books illustrations. The “More About” section is limited to only 5 of the parks and 4 of the featured animals.

Bear’s bright yellow birthday kite makes him happy. Holding tight to the long string, the kite begins to fly as he runs. He runs through the meadow, by the sea and finally back to the forest where his kite gets caught and ripped by a tree. Bird works hard to untangle it and flies off carrying the kite. Bear begins to run. The story ends with, “Bear no longer has a bright yellow kite, but Bear is happy. He has something better,” inviting the reader to recognize the value of a friend far exceeds any object, however loved.

A charming picture book with a message of friendship.

This non-fiction series from Abdo provides useful easily accessible information for young readers. In Crayfish, the reader learns about the crayfish’s physical features, habitat, food, defences, and the life cycle.

Each chapter begins with a QR code that links to additional online resources. The link includes a small amount of information at the same reading level as the book as well as 3 external links to more complex information. It is expected that informational texts include links to external resources. Keeping the online resources at the same level as the book, makes this series a step above most others.

Zuri, a young African American girl wakes early, excited for her big day. She wants a perfect hairstyle for she special day. Her hair has a mind of its own with “kinks, coils, and curls every which way.” While looking for hair ideas on her tablet, she drops it, waking her father. Her father is happy to help her get her hair perfect. He tries again and again with no success. Zuri mood falls a little bit with every attempt until she’s in tears. A heartfelt hug from dad and a can do attitude have them trying one more time – and “funky puff buns” is the answer. With her superhero cape it’s a perfect look. Just in time for Mom’s return from a trip! The story ends with a smiling family selfie celebrating their love for eachother.

A charmingly sweet message of love of self and recognition of the beauty of each person’s features.

In 1942 Los Angeles, Sam’s class is knitting as a way to help the war effort. Sam really struggles with knitting just as he struggles with how Keiko, his Japanese American classmate and neighbor is treated. Once the United States declared war on Japan, Americans of Japanese descent faced attacks, discrimination, and racism. The tensions escalated when President Roosevelt issued the decree creating the Japanese Internment Camps. The small actions of friends and neighbors to show their support of a group of people unfairly labeled. As Sam untangles his emotions he finds that his yarn is no longer as tangled either. The scarf Sam knits and sends to Keiko represents a concrete symbol of his change in thinking.

This complex and difficult time is portrayed in a way young students can understand. Connections can easily be made with current events and racial profiling.

This book focuses on archeological finds that are being exposed due to warmer temperatures and melting snow.  It starts with a brief introduction to the science of climate change. Then there are eleven different stories describing people and animals uncovered- from ancient Caribou dung in Alaska to a mountain climber in Italy.  Each story contains an inset with more information – both scientific and archeological. Information includes the difference between glaciers, ice patches and permafrost, as well as explanations of carbon dating and DNA testing.  There are photographs of the locations of discovery and some of the things uncovered, including mummified bodies. Additionally, there are artist’s illustrations of possible past scenarios. Glossary and timeline at the end of the book, and also a few resources to find out more. Easy to understand explanations of a complicated topic, including why this is important to us today.

“Imagine you’re the pilot.”  This book takes the reader through a day inside the deep-sea submersible Alvin.  Go along with scientists from the surface of the ocean, to the depths, and back again.  Evocative language and intriguing illustrations immerse the reader in the experience. Alvin’s journey introduces the reader to information on geology, as well as the flora and fauna of the deep sea. At the end of the book there are notes from both the author and the illustrator, facts on Alvin, a glossary, list of organisms, and resources to learn more.  Budding scientists and curious kids will enjoy exploring the mysteries of the deep ocean floor.

Gondra is a young dragon who has a mother from the West, and a father from the East.  Throughout the story, she compares her features to her parents and wonders who she will take after the most as she grows. Gondra is assured by her parents that they no longer need to horde treasure as she is their treasure. Includes interesting and informative author’s note at the end with background information on Eastern and Western dragon mythology. Positive message and delightful illustrations.

A young girl and her papa watch the night sky together. She’s proud that he works in the mill that is making the fabric for spacesuits of the astronauts who will someday land on the moon. Papa is only proud to make a living. Time passes slowly as they wait until the day of the launch and then the landing. As she sees the astronauts in their spacesuits, she knows those threads that are keeping the astronauts alive, the thread that are touching the moon are the same threads woven together by her father. The girl is so proud that her papa helped put a man on the moon.

A lovely story celebrating fathers. For primary level story time about space, pair with The Darkest Dark to highlight that space travel like other major accomplishments is the work of many people over the course of many years.

An attractive and informative young reader version of the authors’ award winning book, The Salish Sea: Jewel of the Pacific Northwest. The authors share their knowledge of the Salish Sea from an interdisciplinary approach that includes an history, geology, oceanography, marine biology, ecology, as well as the human impact on the region. Colorful captioned photographs highlight the text.

A great title to promote curiosity in the unseen magnificence of the Pacific Northwest. Highly recommended for all libraries.