The Truth About Parrots by Maxwell Eaton III

Everything you've ever wanted to know about parrots including some rather humorous asides from the birds themselves. 

Thoughts: From the very first I've loved this series! Great facts paired with colorful illustrations and tons of humor. It's a great way to get kids reading more nonfiction. I learned a lot from this book and look forward to sharing with with first and second grade students when I visit classrooms. 

Visit the author's website for some fun activities! 

Don't miss the other Truth About... Books

• The Truth About Hippos 
• The Truth About Bears 
• The Truth About Dolphins 
• The Truth About Elephants 
• The Truth About Crocodiles 
• The Truth About Hawks 
• The Truth About Butterflies 

Themes: Elementary 

(Roaring Brook Press, 2021.) 

Fourteen Monkeys: A Rain Forest Rhyme by Melissa Stewart

Discover which monkeys live in Manú, a national park in Peru. 

Thoughts: Such an informative book! I like that the actually text is short so I could potentially share Fourteen Monkeys with my storytime kids. The additional information on each page makes this a great book to share with older kids as well. I really could have made use of this book back in the summer when one of my weekly themes was Jungle (South America & Southeast Asia). Steve Jenkins's cut paper collage illustrations are stunning as always. My favorites are the pygmy marmosets and the Emperor tamarins. The included information at the end of the book is great for readers who want to know more. 

Themes: Rain forest, Monkeys

(Illustrated by Steve Jenkins. Beach Lane Books, 2021.) 

Those Are Not My Underpants! by Melissa Martin

Bear Cub finds a pair underpants. Who do they belong to? 

Thoughts: To funny! Underpants books are always a hit with the storytime crowd. My favorite parts were sparkly underpants for owls and long underwear for snakes. Pair with The Underpants Zoo by Brian Sendelbach, any of Claire Freedman's underpants books (Pirates Love Underpants, Monsters Love Underpants, Aliens Love Underpants), Monster's New Undies by Samantha Berger, Underwear by Jennifer Harney, or One Big Pair of Underwear by Laura Gehl. 

Themes: Forest Animals, Underpants 

(Illustrated by Troy Cummings. Random House, 2021.)

I Want a Boat by Liz Garton Scanlon

A girl has a box, but wants a boat. No problem! Just add a little imagination. 

Thoughts: Simple text with gorgeous illustrations. I love the girl's exuberant imagination. Would pair well with Not a Box by Antoinette Portis, Big Friends by Linda Sarah, Box: What Would You Do with a Box? by Min Flyte, and What To Do with a Box by Jane Yolen. 

Themes: Boxes, Boats, Imagination 

 (Illustrated by Kevan Atteberry. Neal Porter Books, 2021.)