Format: Early Reader

Pizza and Taco: Too Cool for School

Pizza and Taco: Too Cool for SchoolPizza and Taco: Too Cool for School by Stephen Shaskan
Series: Taco and Pizza #4
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on June 28, 2022
ISBN: 0593376072
Pages: 72
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Early Reader, Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

In the fourth book in the Pizza and Taco series, the two friends are ready to go back to school. Pizza has a new backpack and he is ready to tackle the new year with his bestie, Taco. However, when they find out that a new student, BLT, is starting school they become preoccupied with being cool. Yet when Pizza and Taco stop being themselves to act cool, they start to realize they are not having any fun. This graphic novel would be a good choice for reluctant readers and those new to graphic novels. The story is broken into five short chapters each with illustrations that are simple and expressive. The font is large with a lot of word repetition to help early readers. Pizza and Taco will make readers smile while teaching about peer pressure and the importance of being yourself.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

four-stars

Catastrophe

CatastropheWednesday and Woof #1: Catastrophe by Gladys Jose, Sherri Winston
Published by HarperCollins on May 24, 2022
ISBN: 006297601X
Pages: 96
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Mystery
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
four-stars

This emergent reader/early chapter book captures your attention and you become invested in the character. Wednesday is a young girl with juvenile arthritis who, along with her service dog, Woof, solve mysteries. When the neighbors cat goes missing the pair are on the case. Young detectives will love the notebook pages about how to be a detective, and the clues that they find along the way. Emergent readers will be encouraged by little notes to the reader such as how many words they have read so far or how many chapters they have left. This book will be a hit with 1-3rd graders.

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75

four-stars

Clark the Shark: Friends Forever

Clark the Shark: Friends ForeverClark the Shark: Friends Forever by Bruce Hale, Guy Francis
Published by HarperCollins on June 7, 2022
ISBN: 0062912593
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
three-stars

Clark the Shark is back for another early reader story of friendship and understanding. Clark is super excited for the drawing contest — he REALLY wants to win the prizes. He’s so focused on what he needs and wants, he doesn’t notice his good friend Joey is super upset. After chatting with his mom and stepping back a bit, Clark realizes his friend needs a friend. This is a good book to teach kids about empathy and thinking of others. Fans of Clark the Shark will enjoy this latest book, though it is less humorous than previous Clark books. Recommended for new readers ages 6 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Biscuit and Friends Visit the Community Garden

Biscuit and Friends Visit the Community GardenBiscuit and Friends Visit the Community Garden by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, Pat Schories
Published by HarperCollins on March 8, 2022
ISBN: 0062910019
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
four-stars

Fans of the character Biscuit will, of course, want another story featuring the cute yellow puppy. This story is in the I Can Read! Level 1 beginner reader style with short sentences and familiar words. In this colorfully illustrated story, the setting is a community garden, so raised beds with flowers and vegetables abound. Accidents can happen, but in Biscuit’s world lemons are always turned to lemonade, so for example, to trip over the bird seed helps feed the birds and a shake after running through the sprinkler helps water the plants. With a positive feel-good attitude, this is a nice story, and with many communities and schools planning and opening gardens, it is a story that uses the shared garden setting.

Recommend for Grades K-1

Reviewed by Betsey Noble, Marcia Buker Elementary School

four-stars

Vivi Loves Science: Sink or Float

Vivi Loves Science: Sink or FloatVivi Loves Science: Sink or Float by Kimberly Derting, Shelli R. Johannes, Joelle Murray
Published by Greenwillow Books on February 15, 2022
ISBN: 006311657X
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
four-stars

By the authors who wrote the popular CeCe Loves Science (2018), Vivi is featured in her own picture book version with Vivi Loves Science (2021), and now in this early reader style story. Vivi is a girl who loves marine biology. For a class trip to the aquarium, Vivi is ready with a set eight of questions including “Do fish get sunburned?” and “Is a seahorse a fish?” The colorful, contemporary illustrations show off the delights to be found in an aquarium. Vivi and her classmates try a touch tank, learn about the sea creatures living at the aquarium, and explore the concept of density with the staff marine biologist. Vivi’s day at the aquarium teaches her how her goldfish can swim, and readers of the story get to see Vivi’s questions list marked with the answers, as well as try the density experiments themselves with instructions included at the back of the book.

Recommend for Grades 2-4

Reviewed by Betsey Noble, Marcia Buker Elementary School

four-stars

Rocket Finds Egg

Rocket Finds an Egg by Tad Hills
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on February 15, 2022
ISBN: 0593181271
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
four-stars

This beginning reader has characters and artwork based on the series by Tad Hills. Emerging readers and fans of the dog Rocket will be able to enjoy the story while practicing reading skills themselves: just one or two short sentences in a comfortably large font are fitted on every colorful page. One day when playing in the meadow, Rocket the dog and Bella the squirrel find an egg by the pond in the meadow. The egg is described and shown as small, white, and oval. When checking with various birds attempting to find the egg’s rightful nest, visual clues in the illustrations will help readers know where the egg does not belong because of a different size, color, or shape. Rocket and Bella check with many birds in the trees around the meadow, they check with the hens in the coop, even the ducks in the pond. After all that work, it is while they take a rest that the egg’s family finds them, claims the egg, and the egg can finally be put in the correct nest. A fun quest for the beginning reader in grades K-1.

Reviewed by Betsey Noble, Dresden Elementary School

four-stars

The Berenstain Bears Meet the Easter Bunny

The Berenstain Bears Meet the Easter BunnyThe Berenstain Bears Meet the Easter Bunny by Mike Berenstain
Published by HarperCollins on February 15, 2022
ISBN: 0063024470
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
three-stars

Written and illustrated by the son of Stan and Jan Berenstain. In this beginning reader story, the Bear family are ready for the Easter Bunny’s visit, but they are sad to start hunting and find none of the anticipated eggs or goodies. Papa Bear’s attempt to be an Easter Bunny substitute has the silly antics that fans of the series will expect and enjoy. Mama has the family go out to look for the real Easter Bunny who turns out to be taking a break from the annual duty. The Bear children’s pleas of need for the Easter Bunny make the Easter Bunny call out the helper bunnies and get delivery of baskets full of eggs and goodies started once again. This beginning reader from the I Can Read! series is from the My First stage with basic language and good for a shared reading experience for readers in grades K-1.

Reviewed by Betsey Noble, Dresden Elementary School

three-stars

Emily’s Big Discovery

Emily’s Big DiscoveryEmily’s Big Discovery (The World of Emily Windsnap, #1) by Liz Kessler, Joanie Stone
Series: The World of Emily Windsnap
Published by Candlewick Press on April 12, 2022
ISBN: 1536215228
Pages: 64
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
four-stars

Emily Windsnap stories are now available in early reader format perfect for gr K-2 readers. This first title in the new younger series is full of action, emotion and fantasy. Emily learns something that is very unique; she is a mermaid and has no reason to be afraid of the water. As the character explores her new underwater world young readers will be delighted with the test and lush illustrations. Her mother’s warnings and Emilie’s hesitations are overcome when she sees her long lovely mermaid tail. Both Emily and her new friend Shona experience their first adventures. Little sisters of readers of the Emily Windsnap series are sure to be pleased to receive or borrow this new title for emerging readers. The illustrations are charming, show character emotions and have use lovely colors. The text by Kessler in this first book totally introduces readers to Emily and her adventures. Add to public library and primary school shelves and gift to teacher classroom collections. This is the perfect gift for a K or first grade birthday gift.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, Retired Youth Services Librarian

four-stars

Marco Polo Brave Explorer

Marco Polo Brave ExplorerMarco Polo Brave Explorer by Cynthia Lord, Stephanie Graegin
Series: Book Buddies #2
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on March 8, 2022
ISBN: 1536213551
Pages: 68
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
five-stars

The second title in the easy reader Book Buddies series by award winner Maine author Cynthia Lord is enchanting and sensitive.  The author knows her audience and has provided a heart-warming story about a boy who needs something to make him brave.   Marco is a small character with a large heart who is borrowed from the local library for a special reason.    Without the mouse, readers might never have experienced a first sleepover with a charming protagonist named Seth.   The story is told in a compassionate voice which is reassuring and very honest.   Graegin’s illustrations make for a perfect complement as they depict the three boys, a family cat and the lost toys.   This reader is unsure who her favorite character really is; it could be Marco Polo, Tulip the cat, or Seth.

If only all libraries offered book buddies to their young patrons, what a service that would be!  Marco Polo Brave Explorer is a delightful easy reader with 68 pages of exciting text and delightful illustrations.   Media Centers in primary schools, public libraries and grade 1-3 classroom collections should all have this and the first book in the Book Buddies series.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

Fergus And Zeke And The 100th Day of School

Fergus And Zeke And The 100th Day of SchoolFergus and Zeke and the 100th Day of School by Heather Ross, Kate Messner
Series: Fergus and Zeke #4
Published by Candlewick Press on December 14, 2021
ISBN: 1536213004
Pages: 56
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
five-stars

Fergus And Zeke And The 100th Day of School is the fourth in an excellent advanced easy reader series.  Messner had previously introduced readers to these two talented mice;  this book will satisfy those who follow Fergus and Zeke.   These charming and well-developed animal characters capture the interest and provide humor to readers.  Although the text is written in nearly chapter book level the font is large and clear for advanced grade 1 – 3 readers.

Illustrations created by Ross are full of action.  Rats and children express emotion as they progress through normal school activities including art and gym classes.  The color pallet is simple and plenty of white space is used.

Add this book where easy readers are collected in libraries and classrooms.  When thinking of gifts for this age group, Fergus and Zeke stories make excellent selections.

five-stars