If you have that one elementary reader who lives and breathes dinosaurs, but it is poetry month at school, Last Laughs: Prehistoric Epitaphs just might be the book for them.

The rhythm and rhyme of these short epitaphs (twenty-one entries) give whimsical tales from creatures of the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic Eras. The epitaphs would not be nearly as enjoyable without the silly illustrations by Jeffrey Stewart Timmons.

There are facts about the prehistoric creature beneath each epitaph because the epitaph itself is not factual. I doubt any of the young readers will have any idea of whom the comic paleontologist Prof. M. Piltman, illustrated throughout the book, references dealing with the anthropological hoax of a “human skull” known as the Piltman Man.

The far left and right margins of each page turn provide the scientific Era and Period for each prehistoric creature being written about on that page.

Getting young people to eat healthily is presented through the use of bright colorful photos of fresh foods and examples of the daily amount of each food that should be eaten.

The five food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy are each given two or three pages including a photo of nutrient rich foods and two of three sentences in large font. The photos will stir the reader’s senses to want to eat something almost immediately. Examples of appropriate daily amounts each food group include: 32 grapes, 18 baby carrots, 1 cup of corn flakes, 1 egg, and 2 cups of milk.

Sometimes Foods suggests foods with too much sugar and/or fat to be eaten very often. They include: candy, soda, French fries, ice cream, and cake. It states, “Some foods are not very healthy. These foods have few nutrients.” (23) It also states, “People need to make good choices to have a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet gives you energy to work and play!” (27)

This is followed by Try This! suggesting the reader keep a food log for a few days and the Fun Facts, Glossary, Further Reading, and Index.

This series deals with math and how math can be found everywhere. The math this time, at the art museum, is not as straight forward as younger children might need. This book would best be used as a group read.

“This book is not intended to analyze art from a mathematical perspective. Instead, the intent is to highlight how math often informs art and also influences our daily lives.”

Geometry is the often the easiest form of math to see visualized is the art presented within this book.

Artworks by : Jasper Johns, George Seurat, Wassily Kandinsky, Fernand Leger, Pablo Picasso, Edgar Degas, Rene Magritte, Kim Jae-hong, Henri Matisse, Giuseppe Arcimboldo, and Salvador Dali are presented in connection with math vocabulary.

I am Courage is a must read, for any age, with its universal themes of learning to believe in ourselves and face what challenges us, including our fears. But this time, the life lesson is to do it together! The star character, a young girl, learns that courage is not the absence of fear, but the strength to try new and difficult things, or to stand up for others, even and especially when we are afraid. Simple, uplifting messages are skillfully illustrated showing children who find courage to keep riding even after they stumble, who share doubts with friends, and who always get up and try again whenever they fall. The book includes an appendix with multiple, easy to use techniques for calming ourselves with breath exercises and gathering strength with yoga poses. Children and adults alike can incorporate the simple messages to decrease stress and increase courage. I am Courage motivates and the illustrations inspire us all to cultivate resilience by kindly encouraging ourselves and leaning on each other. This way we can share our inner worries and triumphs, and others can share with us, leading to the creation of a stronger community together. A wonderful addition to any social and emotional learning collection, this book can be read again and again. 

Three makerspace projects are given in step-by-step precision, including a list all of the materials needed to complete each project. All three of these projects deal with motion, as the title indicates. Each project is presented with a number of variables so the maker can take their project to a new level or use the variables to make hypothesis for possible science fair entries. “Like all inventors, you will try out your machines. Then you will change your designs to make them even better.” (6)

After the project section of the book, there is a “Masters of Motion” section about six people made famous because of their work with motion. This is followed by a “Timeline: Machines that Move” from 3200 BCE – 2012. And finally a four word glossary and eight entry index.

The projects were photographed with a diverse set of young intermediate school student models.

I am only sorry I did not have access to an elementary age student to try out these projects due to the 2019 Covid pandemic.

This books talks about the importance of consent in relationships, and other topics avoid with their children. Written by a father / daughter duo (father is a physician and daughter is a high school writing teacher), the book does a good job in breaking these topics down into easily understandable lessons and is a good read for any age, especially parents who are wanting resources to teach their children.

Topics include: boundaries, consent, sexuality, friendship, bullying, sex, and trauma.

The authors provide recommended resources for further information.

Victoria just recently found out that her dad has cancer and ever since she was little, she and her dad have been obsessed with finding vampires. After her dad gets diagnosed, she goes to New Orleans to try to find one, as New Orleans was the first place in the United State where vampires were found. Victoria’s goal is to find a vampire, have it turn her into a vampire and save her dad’s life,

This story is a light read. The author does a good job of writing of vampire book that doesn’t make you cringe. She has a unique take on immortality and the cost of living forever.

Where the Oceans Meet is an endearing tale of an intergenerational road trip seen through the eyes of a young girl who has traveled with her mother to Southern India to visit her Paati (grandmother). The story symbolically braids together three generations, living oceans apart, who take a trip to visit special friends and places as they eat their way through Southern India heading for the tip of the country where three oceans meet. Highlights abound of a beautiful land full of whimsical patterns in fabrics, foods and gardens. The immigrant experience of a generation returning to their homeland is vividly expressed through illustrations where you feel the love, traditions and intimate relationships regardless of time and distance apart. The book includes a brightly illustrated map bringing to life the route, colorful places and local foods, including boiled peanuts carefully wrapped in folded newspaper cones. Any student who has ventured to visit new places, together with family, will relate to the unexpected and in between moments that accentuate a road trip and fill us all with lasting memories.

We Give Thanks written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier is an exceptional book especially for early readers. The book states why we should give thanks anytime, anywhere and encourages kindness. The creative illustrations add great visuals on how to give thanks. The book rhymes and has a rhythm that flows nicely. The beautiful illustrations make you want to turn the page to see more. Early readers will love this book, as will older, more experienced readers..