Kitty by Rebecca Jordan-Glum

Granny's cat sitting and due to misplaced glasses which leads to a case of mistaken identity, she spends the whole time taking care of a raccoon and trying to keep "kitty" out of trouuble. 

Thoughts: Hilarious! I love that the start of the problem was misplaced glasses. It's also hilarious that Granny never realized the kitty she was caring for was actually a racoon. The illustrations are colorful with a darker hued color scheme and almost no lines. Would pair well with Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin or Peanut by Lisa Alsenas. 

Themes: Raccoons, Cats, Pets

 (Roaring Brook Press, 2022.)

I'm Hungry! ¡Tengo Hambre! by Angela Dominguez

A red dinosaur is hungry and a blue bird tries to help. He offers the dinosaur everything he can think of, but the dinosaur isn't interested. He doesn't even want pizza? Will the bird ever be able to help the hungry dinosaur? 

Thoughts: Too fun! I would love to find a Spanish speaking volunteer to help me with a bilingual storytime using Angela Dominguez's books. They are all so fun. I love the back and forth dialogue and the simple, colorful illustrations. The bird's outrage when he realizes what the dinosaur wants to eat is hilarious. 

Themes: Dinosaurs, Birds, Bilingual 

(Henry Holt and Company, 2022.)

There's a Lion in the Forest! by Mônica Carnesi

Toucan hears a "deep, growly growl." He's convinced there's a lion in the forest. But that can't be. They're in South America. There aren't any lions in South America...or are there? 

Thoughts: So fun! I love the progression of the story and the final reveal of the lion. The illustrations are colorful with a mixture of styles and excellent use of white space. The back matter (The Animals of the Atlantic Forest of South America) offers readers more information about the animals. I can't wait to use this book in storytime. The possibilities are endless. Pair with Oh, No by Candace Fleming, Fear the Bunny by Richard T. Morris, or Maybe...by Chris Haughton. 

Other Books by Mônica Carnesi

• Sleepover with Beatrice and Bear 
• Little Dog Lost 

Themes: Jungle Animals; South America; Lions; Lions and Tigers; Lions, Tigers, and Bears

(Nancy Paulsen Books, 2022.)

Solitary Animals: Introverts of the Wild by Joshua David Stein

Everyone talks about animal groups, but what about those animals who prefer their own company? 

Thoughts: Solitary Animals is a visually stunning book. I like the juxtaposition of animal groups with the solitary animals. The digitally created illustrations are bright and bold. There's one page in the back with more information about solitary animals. No sources are cited. I think I would like to have that especially if kids want to know even more. 

Themes: Animals 

(Illustrated by Dominique Ramsey. Rise, 2021.)

A Dress with Pockets by Lily Murray

Aunt Augusta takes Lucy dress shopping for her birthday. The store has every kind of dress imaginable. but Lucy's looking for something different--a dress with pockets! 

Thoughts: There's so much to love about A Dress with Pockets! Lucy, her aunt, and two of the store employees are BIPOC. The simple fact that Lucy wants a dress with pockets for so many different reasons. (Did you know you can even get night gowns with pockets now? I'm not sure why.) The digitally rendered illustrations are charming. I especially like all the dresses and the scenes where Lucy is explaining why she needs a dress with pockets. I can't wait to use this book in storytime. Visit the publisher's website here for activity sheets. 

Themes: Clothes, Dresses 

(Illustrated by Jenny Løvlie. Peachtree, 2022.)

Line Up! Animals in Remarkable Rows by Susan Stockdale

Kids are often asked to line up. Did you know that some animals in nature also line up? Their reasons are a little different. They're not headed to the cafeteria for lunch, but they line up all the same. 

Thoughts: Susan Stockdale remains one of my favorite authors of nonfiction for the youngest children. Line Up! did not disappoint. I think it's genius to start with a concept children are familiar with (lining up) and then proceed to explore animals in their natural habitats through that lens. I know I learned something from reading the book. The illustrations are colorful and appealing. I love how the style varies some from animal to animal. My favorite are the arctic wolves and the fairywrens. The endpapers are also very interesting with lines of the animals in outlined white on a colored background. The back matter provides readers with more information about all the featured animals (type of animal, location, and why they line up). Visit the publisher's website here for activity sheets and a teacher's guide. 

Don't miss these other books by Susan Stockdale! (Links are to my reviews.) 

• Bird Show
• Fantastic Flowers
• Spectacular Spots 
• Stripes of All Types 
• Fabulous Fishes 
• Carry Me!
• Bring On the Birds

Themes: Animals, Lines 

(Peachtree, 2023.)

Tree Hole Homes: Daytime Dens and Nighttime Nooks by Melissa Stewart

Have you ever wondered about the animals who make their homes in tree holes? Tree Hole Homes explores the homes of fifteen different animals. 

Thoughts: Tree Hole Homes is a lovely, informative book for even the youngest of readers and listeners. I would definitely share this book in storytime. I would probably only share the larger text and then condense down the facets for my little storytime kids. Amy Hevron's illustrations (acrylic and marker on wood, collaged digitally) are colorful and interesting. My favorite illustration is the owls. The back matter (More about Tree Hole Dwellers, Selected Sources, and More Information about Animal Homes Booklist) provides so many extensions for the book. Visit the author's website here for even more extensions. 

Themes: Animal Homes, Animals 

(Illustrated by Amy Hevron. Random House Studio, 2022.)