We Believe in You by Beth Ferry

A celebration of animal parents believing in their offspring. 

Thoughts: Such a lovely book! I love how the text relates directly to the characteristics of the animals in each illustrations. I look forward to adding this to storytimes about animals and parents/kids. When I use this book in storytime, I think the best way would be to read it straight through and then go back and identify the animals. Molly Idle's illustrations are soft colored and detailed. I want to keep looking at them. 

Themes: Animals, Parents & Kids

(Illustrated by Molly Idle. Roaring Brook Press, 2020.)

Kitties on Dinosaurs by Michael Slack

These kitties like to climb. They've climbed everything they can on their own island. Now it's time to go to Dinosaur Island and climb everything there. Wait...are these kitties going to climb dinosaurs?

Thoughts: Hilarious! The kitties' multiple attempts to climb the dinosaurs combined with the narrator warning them not to had me laughing out loud as I read. I'm sure Kitties on Dinosaurs will be a storytime hit. The illustrations are colorful and energetic. 

Themes: Dinosaurs, Cats 

(Dial Books for Young Readers, 2020.)

Nine: A Book of Nonet Poems by Irene Latham

A girl is turning nine and this book of nonet poems helps her count down to her celebration. 

Thoughts: I don't think I'd heard of the nonet poem before reading this book. I know I've never tried writing one. It's an intriguing form and one I think kids will like to try. My favorite poems are Nonet, Play Ball!, Nine-Banded Armadillo, Ninth President, and Game Night. The mixed media illustrations are colorful and lively. I can see myself sharing Nine: A Book of Nonet Poems with classes of older elementary students and then inviting them to try their hands at writing their own nonet. Irene Latham even has a handout on her website called How to Write a Nonet.

Themes: Elementary

(Illustrated by Amy Huntington. Charlesbridge, 2020.)

Catch the Sky: Playful Poems on the Air We Share by Robert Heidbreder

Short poems celebrate all the things you might see in the sky. 

Thoughts: These short, fun poems will be wonderful to share with children. This collection reminds me of The Great Frog Race and Other Poems by Kristine O'Connell George in that it is a celebration of childhood. I could see myself sharing this whole collection during storytime or just sharing a few as they relate to a theme (living things with wings, for example). I love the word choice and the imagery used in the poems. My favorite poems are Dragonfly, Starlings, Elephant Cloud, Crows, and Fireflies. The illustrations are detailed and saturated with color. Each tow-page spread features two poems. I love seeing children of all ethnicities represented. My favorite illustrations are Catch the Sky, Hot-Air Balloon, Rain, Storm, and Moonrise. 

Themes: Numerous

(Illustrated by Emily Dove. Greystone Kids, 2020.)

Night Wishes selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins

What do you wish for when you or your child dreams? 

Thoughts: This is such a sweet collection of poems to share with your child at bedtime. I love how most poems address the child directly. My favorite poems are "Blanket" by Jude Mandell, "Book" by Joyce Sidman, and "Stars" by Deborah Ruddell. Jen Corace's gouache illustrations are charming. I especially like the use of dandelions throughout. 

Themes: Bedtime

(Illustrated by Jen Corace. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2020.)

Bird Show by Susan Stockdale

This nonfiction book introduces the youngest readers and listeners to birds and their appearances with the perfect blend of simple text and gorgeous acrylic on paper illustrations. 

Thoughts: Susan Stockdale's latest book does not disappoint. Her nonfiction books are perfect to share during storytime. I can't wait to add Bird Show to my bird theme. The text is simple and the illustrations are bright, colorful, and detailed. The additional information at the end of the book identifies each bird, tells you where to find them, and how they use their appearances to attract mates. The very last page of the book is a pattern identifying activity. This is also available as an activity sheet from the publisher here. 

Themes: Birds

Other Books by Susan Stockdale:

• Fantastic Flowers
• Stripes of All Types 
• Spectacular Spots
• Bring on the Birds 
• Fabulous Fishes 
• Carry Me! Animal Babies on the Move 

(Review copy provided by publisher. Peachtree, 2021.)

Spi-Ku: A Clutter of Short Verse on Eight Legs by Leslie Bulion

Learn all about spiders in Leslie Bulion's latest collection of science poetry. 

Thoughts: Short poems and lots of facts make this a fascinating poetry collection. I found it easiest to read all the poems through and then go back and read all the facts. I've enjoyed science poetry collections before by Douglas Florian and Joyce Sidman. I think I need to add Leslie Bulion to my list. The poems are engaging while teaching the reader about spiders. My favorite poems are Golden Silk Orbweaver, Fishing Spider, Diving Bell Spider, and Hawaiian Happy-Face Spiders. The illustrations are colorful, detailed, and realistic. I wanted to reach out and pet the Goliath Bird-Eating Spider. I enjoyed that while the spiders may not be actual size, they were in proportion to the other spiders on the page. The back matter includes a glossary, notes on poetic form, spider identification, spider hunt, and spider sizes. I especially love the illustration of the spider that has written haiku in Japanese. A teacher's guide is available here from the publisher. I'm looking forward to adding a few of these poems to my next bug themed storytime. (Yes, I know spiders aren't bugs, but I use the term bugs to mean insects and spiders.) I think this would be a great book to pair with Charlotte's Web by E. B. White to further explore the world of spiders.

Themes: Spiders

Other Poetry Collections by Leslie Bulion: 

Leaf Litter Critters

Amphibian Acrobats

Superlative Birds 

Random Body Parts 

Hey There, Stink Bug!  

(Review copy provided by publisher. Illustrated by Robert Meganck. Peachtree, 2021.)