​Nancy Brashear and Carolyn Angus
Books in beginning-to-read and early chapter book formats support literacy development and leave readers looking forward to reading other books about the interesting characters they meet in them. In this column we review recently published first books in new series, much anticipated sequels, and the latest books in some popular long-running series for emergent to newly independent readers.

​Anna Hibiscus (Anna Hibiscus Chapter Books #1). Atinuke. Illus. by Lauren Tobia. (2022). Candlewick.
“Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa. Amazing Africa. In a country called Nigeria.” She lives in an old white house with her mother and father, her twin baby brothers (Double and Trouble), and her large intergenerational family. In this early chapter book first published in the UK in 2007, Nigerian-born master storyteller Atinuke introduces readers to charming young Anna Hibiscus in four short episodic chapters: “Anna Hibiscus on Holiday,” “Auntie Comfort,” “Anna Hibiscus Sells Oranges,” and “Sweet Snow.” Lauren Tobia’s gray-scale drawings showcase the contemporary West African urban setting, add to the humor of Anna’s mini adventures, and enrich reader comprehension. Candlewick will release two more titles, Hooray for Anna Hibiscus! and Good Luck, Anna Hibiscus!, in January 2023. (PreK Up)
—NB

​Ballet Bruce. Ryan T. Higgins. (2022). Disney Hyperion.
In this sequel to Ryan T. Higgin’s World of Reading Level 1 Bruce’s Big Fun Day (2019), the four geese who imprinted on Bruce in Mother Bruce (2015), the first of the popular picture books about the grumpy bear, want to do ballet after seeing a Swan Lake poster. They use sad goose eyes to cajole Bruce to ride his motorcycle to town through a congested construction zone to buy ballet shoes. The geese now want dancing pants. He makes a second trip to town and returns with them. but the geese still request one more thing. After a third trip, Bruce comes home with tutus, VERY tired, only to have the geese announce they no longer want to dance. They want Bruce to take them on a ride! (PreK-Gr 2)
—NB

​Charlie & Mouse Are Magic (Charlie & Mouse #6). Laurel Snyder. Illus. by Emily Hughes. (2022). Chronicle.
In this latest book in the Charlie & Mouse series, the siblings first introduced in the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award-winning Charlie & Mouse (2017) are involved in more fun-filled activities, which begin with Mouse mixing up a magic potion and making a mess in the kitchen while Mom is trying to make dinner. Mouse believes the potion works when he gets the cookie he wished for after putting a drop of the potion on his nose (Mom gave him a cookie and told him to scram). The four related short stories (“Magic,” “Invisible,” “Animals,” and “More Magic”) will engage the interest of beginning readers. Plan to have the earlier books in the series available for them to enjoy as they improve their reading skills. (PreK-Gr 2)
—CA

​Click, Clack Rainy Day (Click Clack Ready-to-Read #8). Doreen Cronin. Illus. by Betsy Lewin. (2022). Simon Spotlight.
The cows enjoy standing out in the rain. Farmer Brown, the mice, and the chickens, who do not like to be wet, stay inside. As puddles accumulate around the house and barn, Farmer Brown, worried about the cows, takes them umbrellas. The chickens take them rain boots, and the mice bring them sweaters. Back inside to stay dry, they watch as a strong wind blows away the cows’ rain gear. Soon the cows also blow over the farm before landing on their feet once more. Farmer Brown and all the farm animals join the cows, happily getting wet and muddy in the barnyard. Newly independent readers will enjoy reading other of Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin’s Click, Clack stories that have been published as Ready-to-Read Level 2 books. (PreK-Gr 2)
—NB

​Food Truck Fiasco (Frank and Bean #2). Jamie Michalak. Illus. by Bob Kolar. (2022). Candlewick.
Bean (an exuberant bean) invites Frank (a calm hot dog) to the Food Truck Friday contest to sell his Big Bean Candy Mountain donuts, but Frank shows up with his own surprise plan. He’s going to sell oatmeal. No one is interested in either Bean’s donuts with candy toppings or Frank’s plain oatmeal (they all want Mad Dog’s cupcakes) until a serendipitous collision creates a Friendship Bowl of oatmeal with zippy, zingy, sweet toppings. Everyone loves this unique food truck item, which is as unlikely and satisfying as the friendship between Frank and Bean with their very different personalities. Clever wordplay and colorful, digital artwork make this beginning chapter book a treat. (PreK-Gr 2)
—NB

Herbert on the Slide (Hippo Park Pals #1). Rilla Alexander. (2022). Hippo Park.
For Herbert, a purple hippo with a big smile, the best thing about going to the Hippo Park playground is the slide. “Herbert loved everything about the slide.” He loved the climb up the ladder, the sitting down and getting comfy, the test runs of his teddy bear and truck, the 3-2-1 countdown, the fluttery feeling, and then the slide down. ”Weeeee!” Herbert uses his imagination to make each climb up and slide down an adventure before lining up to start all over again. Fiona, Herbert’s sister who also loves the playground, is the star of Fiona in the Sandbox, the second book in a quartet of mini Hippo Park Pals books (out in February 2023). (Pre-K)
—CA

The Infamous Ratsos Live! In Concert! (The Infamous Ratsos #6). Kara LaReau. Illus. by Matt Myers. (2022). Candlewick.
Louie and Ralphie Ratso enlist musical friends Tiny, Millicent, and Velma to perform in a concert fund-raiser for a Big City Park restoration project in memory of their mother that began when she was on the Neighborhood Parks Committee. The Ratso brothers have gotten permission to use songs of their favorite pop group, Critter Kidz, but they need to persuade Chad Badgerton (even though he makes fun of the sparkly, girly costumes) to fill in when lead singer Tiny comes down with laryngitis. The song-and-dance performance is a success and ends with a surprise twist. Matt Myers’ humorous black-and-white cartoon illustrations add to the appeal of this chapter book series for newly independent readers. (PreK Up)
—NB

​It’s a Sign! (Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggie Like Reading!). Jarrett Humphrey. Illus. by Jerome Humphrey & Mo Willems. (2022). Hyperion.
This early reader story is told entirely in color-coded dialogue balloons that match up with foxlike cartoon characters (red One, orange Two, yellow Kat, and purple Four), who each contributes something based on what they can do with paper and markers to create a sign for their new club. The result is the perfect club name: “THE PAPER-FOLDING-LETTER-WRITING-WORD-FORMING-SIGN-MAKING CLUB!” It’s a Sign! begins with Mo Willem’s Elephant & Piggie seeing a sign advertising this “fun new book to read” and ends with the Pigeon joining them in starting their own club, a “FAVORITE THINGS CLUB!” (PreK-Gr 2)
—CA

Judy Moody and the Missing Mood Ring (Judy Moody and Friends #13). Megan McDonald. Illus. by Erwin Madrid. (2022). Candlewick.
Third-grader Judy Moody runs (literally!) into Mighty Fantaskey at the library, and they discover their common love of Nancy Drew, girl detective. When Judy visits Mighty in her haunted, old mansion, her favorite mood ring turns gray (for “I’m a Scaredy-Cat”), and something big and hairy jumps out at her in the attic. She escapes in a hurry only to realize after she’s home that her ring is missing. While searching for it in the attic, Judy and Mighty solve a real-life, ninety-year-old Nancy Drew-like mystery. Colorful, cartoon-like digital illustrations, diverse characters, a three-chapter format, and an enticing plot keep transitional readers reading to the end of this latest book in this popular series. (PreK-Gr 2)
—NB

​McTavish on the Move (McTavish #4). Meg Rosoff. Illus. by Grace Easton. (2022). Candlewick.
When Pa Preachy comes home from work singing a jolly tune and being smiley rather than grouchy, Ma Preachy and the kids (Ollie, Ava, and Betty) worry he’s ill until he announces that he has a new job, one that will involve a move. Everyone in the family likes the new house and neighborhood except Betty, who will have to go to a new school. Not to worry, McTavish, the lovable rescue dog adopted by the Preachys, who has “rescued” the family in the first three books in this delightful read-aloud or read-alone transitional series, involves the whole school in a stop-that-dog chase that makes Betty’s first day of school a success. (PreK Up)
—CA

​New Shark in Town (Harvey Hammer #1). Davy Ocean. Illus. by Aaron Blecha. (2022). Aladdin Quix.
Harvey (a young hammerhead shark) is busy drawing an episode of his comic about King Krusher, the Super-Fighting Crab, and his sidekick, Hammer-Boy, when his father hands him Baby Finn, who vomits all over him. In a rush to get to his new school, Harvey doesn’t change his shirt and is targeted for being stinky by Spike, a bully puffer fish. After Spike’s father (a doctor) and Harvey’s mother (the new chief of police) share embarrassing stories about their children at a school assembly, the boys bump fins. “Parents!” Back home, Harvey finishes his comic book story with his superhero and arch-enemy shaking claw and tail. Black-and-white digital illustrations, a Cast of Characters, Contents, Word List, and Questions enable smooth swimming through this Quix Fast-Fun-Reads chapter book. (PreK Up)
—NB

​Ollie’s Hug (Gossie and Friends). Olivier Dunrea. (2022). Clarion.
Ollie, the gosling who hatched in Ollie (2003) and wanted boots like Gossie and Gertie’s in Ollie the Stomper (2003), is in a mood. “Nothing feels right!” Gosling friends Gertie, Peedie, Gemma, BooBoo, and Gideon each try to cheer him up, but nothing works. It is red-booted Gossie who comes up with what little Ollie needs, a hug. This board book ends with a “Meet Gossie & Friends” chart with portraits and brief statement about each of the 12 lovable goslings with big personalities who star in Olivier Dunrea’s series of small books. With their simple text with a repetitive pattern and expressive ink-and-watercolor illustrations, the Gossie and Friends books offer gentle messages about kindness and friendship. (PreS-K)
—CA

​S’more Than Meets the Eye (Nugget and Dog #3). Jason Tharp. (2022). Simon Spotlight.
In this new book in Jason Tharp’s Level 2 Ready-to-Read Graphics series, Nugget (a chicken nugget) and Dog (a hot dog), best buds, are excited about going to Camp Lotta Pine and telling spooky stories around the Smoldering S’Mores Campfire. They’re not excited to find that Dijon Mustard, the evil mustard packet they encountered in the series opener, All Ketchup, No Mustard (2021), is also a camper. However, “Mean Green Pine Thing,” the scary story of Dijon mustard and his cousin, Honey Mustard, backfires to become the funniest story ever (even though Dijon continues to insist that he is “a true evil mastermind”). With text packed with clever wordplay and colorful cartoon artwork, this series is a perfect introduction to graphic novels. Each book contains a “How to Read This Book” guide with an introduction to panels, speech bubbles, and bubbly thinking clouds. (PreK Up)
—NB

​True Creative Talents (Audrey L & Audrey W #2). Carter Higgins. Illus. by Jennifer K. Mann. (2022). Chronicle.
Just as best friends and “true creative talents” Audrey L and Audrey W are adding the final touches to their papier-mâché parade balloon of their teacher, Ms. Fincastle, “teamwork troubles” leads to the reorganization of table groups in Room 19. Audrey L is now at the Igneous Rock table while Audrey W is three tables away on the other side of the room. Audrey L worries about losing her best friend until Ms. Fincastle helps her realize her special talents—having lots of good ideas and making friends—in this humorous chapter book about activities and relationships in a realistic second grade classroom. (PreK-Gr 2)
—CA

​Nicole Maxwell
 
Series are a perfect way to hook newer readers. They offer the opportunity to get to know an author’s writing style and their characters. This familiarity can motivate readers to seek out other books in the same series or those that are similar. The books in this column, whether they are the first, second, or twenty-sixth in an episodic or thematic series, will do just that.

​Belly of the Beast (The Fabled Stables #3). Jonathan Auxier. Illus. by Olga Demidova. (2022). Amulet.
The Fabled Stables, located on an island at the top of the world, houses one-of-a-kind creatures. In the midst of worrying that his job as caretaker at the stables will not last much longer, young Auggie learns that another magical creature named the Shibboleth is in danger. Accompanied by an enchanted Stick-in-the-Mud named Fen, he travels through a portal to the evil Rooks’ lair to find the Shibboleth. Upon their arrival, Auggie meets a young girl named Veena with a magical book that holds the key to interacting with the Shibboleth so that it can be rescued safely. Olga Demidova’s lively full-color illustrations help bring the latest adventure in this beginning chapter book series to life. (PreK Up)

​Catalina Incognito (Catalina Incognito #1). Jennifer Torres. Illus. by Gladys Jose. (2022). Aladdin.
Mexican American Catalina Castañeda pays great attention to detail and wants everything to be perfect. On Catalina’s eighth birthday, Tía Abuela, a famous telenovela actress, is in town for the grand opening of the children’s room named after her in the local library. When Tía Abuela gifts an old red velvet pouch containing sewing items to Catalina, she does not hide her disappointment well. However, she soon learns the sewing kit is magical and can provide her with a disfraz (disguise). When Catalina’s attention to detail leads her to notice that a ruby is missing from Tía Abuela’s Dragon Dress on display at the library, she is determined to find it and wonders if her newfound magic can help. Gladys Jose’s black-and-white drawings interspersed throughout the book enhance the text. The New Friend Fix, the second book in Jennifer Torres’s new chapter book series, was released simultaneously. (PreK Up) 

​Cornbread & Poppy (Cornbread & Poppy #1). Matthew Cordell. (2022). Little, Brown.
Two mice, Cornbread and Poppy, are best friends, even though they are very different.  Cornbread is a planner and always prepared. Poppy, on the other hand, prefers to spend her time adventuring, rather than planning. When winter comes, Cornbread is ready, unlike Poppy who refused to prepare with him earlier. Knowing that he cannot let his best friend go hungry, Cornbread accompanies Poppy on an unsettling adventure up Holler Mountain in hopes of finding food. Matthew Cordell’s illustrations using pen and ink with watercolor are a charming companion to this sweet friendship story. Cornbread & Poppy at the Carnival, the second book in this early chapter book series, will be released in June. (PreK-Gr 2) 

​Elmer and the Talent Show (Life in the Doghouse #1). Crystal Velaques (with Danny Robertshaw & Ron Danta). Illus. by Laura Catrinella. (2022). Aladdin.
This new early chapter book series is inspired by true stories that come from Danny & Ron’s Rescue, featured in the documentary Life in the Doghouse. Elmer is a lively long-haired dachshund living at the dog shelter when Benny’s family visits in search of a dog to help Benny adjust to life in the new town where the military has stationed his mom. After the family adopts Elmer, Benny and Elmer participate in a pet training course that culminates in a talent show, and their bond grows through their experiences. Laura Catrinella’s black-and-white digital artwork illustrates important aspects of the story told from Elmer’s perspective. The second book in the series, Moose and the Smelly Sneakers, was published simultaneously. (PreK Up) 

​Geraldine Pu and Her Cat Hat, Too! (Geraldine Pu #2). Maggie P. Chang. (2022). Simon Spotlight.
In this second book of this graphic-novel series for younger readers, Geraldine Pu adores her cat hat, Mao Maotz. While at the hair salon with her Amah (grandmother), Geraldine browses a magazine with various hairstyles and decides that her black, straight hair is boring. She plans to change her hair by making it look more like her Amah’s. When her younger brother tries to copy her, unexpected consequences arise, and Geraldine learns a valuable lesson about the importance of being true to yourself. In the front matter, Maggie P. Chang explains how to pronounce the Chinese and Taiwanese words used in the book. Back matter includes a letter to readers from Mao Maotz and directions for creating a self-portrait. Using mainly speech and thought bubbles, this entertaining tale is conveyed with full color illustrations in panels. (PreK-Gr 2) 

​I Am Malala Yousafzai (Ordinary People Change the World #26). Brad Meltzer. Illus. by Christopher Eliopoulos. (2022). Dial.
Brad Meltzer tells of Malala Yousafzai’s role in changing the world. Malala grew up in the Swat Valley of Pakistan, where girls and boys were treated differently. Desiring more equality for girls, her father opened a school that allowed girls to attend. When the Taliban took control, they enforced more traditional customs, resulting in the closing of her father’s school. By then, Malala had a solid start to her education and a drive to fight injustice. She used her words to oppose the Taliban, despite their threats. One day after Malala’s school reopened, a member of the Taliban attempted to kill her. Ultimately, this provided opportunities to advocate for more equality for girls. In 2014, at the age of 17, Malala Yousafzai became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. She continues to promote girls’ rights to education through her international organization, Malala Fund. Christopher Eliopoulos’s comic-like illustrations provide additional context for readers.  Back matter includes a timeline of key events and photographs. (PreK-Gr 2) 

​Marco Polo, Brave Explorer (Book Buddies #2). Cynthia Lord. Illus. by Stephanie Graegin. (2022). Candlewick.
Cynthia Lord’s second book in this early chapter book series introduces readers to Marco Polo, a small mouse originally given to children’s librarian, Anne, as a Christmas ornament that she thought looked like a brave explorer. Thinking Marco Polo deserves a chance at adventure, she makes him one of the book buddies at the library that can be checked out like a book. When Seth visits the library with his dad and younger brother, he is feeling nervous about his first sleepover that is coming up. In an effort to feel braver, he checks out Marco Polo to take with him to the sleepover. Marco Polo’s first adventure outside the library involving an encounter with a sneaky cat and some “missing” toys at the sleepover shows him that even brave explorers can be afraid, while Seth learns he is not the only one who needs a little help to feel brave. (PreK Up) 

​Racing Ace: Drive It! Fix It! (Racing Ace #1). Larry Dane Brimner. Illus. by Kaylani Juanita. (2022). Scholastic.
African American Ace is building her own go-kart and preparing to race it.  After adding the finishing touch to crank the motor and putting on her lucky scarf, she is ready to go. Once the race starts, obstacles, such as a missing part and a rut in the track, endanger her chances of winning. Yet, Ace doesn’t give up. She is determined to win. Larry Dane Brimner’s simple and engaging text combined with Kaylani Juanita’s full-color illustrations create an ideal book for new readers. The second book in this early chapter book series, Racing Ace: Build it! Jump it!, will be released in June. (PreK-Gr 2) 

​Simon Sleeps Over (Dear Beast #4). Dori Hillestad Butler. Illus. by Kevan Atteberry. (2022). Holiday House.
Simon the cat and Baxter the dog (otherwise known as Beast) finally meet each other at Andy’s dad’s house. Much of their interactions, though, continue in the form of letters written to one another. Baxter wants nothing more than to have fun at the sleepover with Simon, while Simon would prefer to maintain his usual routine as much as possible. Their first meeting turns out to be a disaster, and Simon runs away. Can Baxter convince Simon to come back? Dori Hillestad Butler has written an amusing and heartwarming tale of how the introduction of a boy’s vastly different pets might transpire. Kevan Atteberry aptly portrays the characters through full-color digital illustrations that add to the enjoyment of this series for beginning readers. (K-Gr 2) 

​That Egg Is Mine!: A Silly Story About Sharing (Duck and Cluck #1). Liz Goulet Dubois. (2022). Sourcebooks Jabberwocky.
Duck and Cluck argue over a hughe blue-with-white-polka-dot egg. Cluck claims to have hidden it behind a ladder in the barn; Duck claims to have rescued it when it splashed into the pond after seeing it rolling down the road. Neither one is interested in sharing the egg. What will they do? Whose egg it? With full-color illustrations and a short, silly story with a surprise ending, Liz Goulet Dubois has created an easy-to-read series opener in graphic novel format that is perfect for new readers. The next book, I Like This Color!: A Silly Story About Listening for Kids, will be out in October.  (PreK-Gr 2)

​Up and Down and Other Stories (Fox + Chick #4). Sergio Ruzzier. (2022). Chronicle.
Fox and Chick do not always agree, but they are always friends. This book includes three short stories about the friends’ adventures. In the first story, Chick climbs up a tree but is unsure about getting down. Then, Chick is eager to go sledding, and Fox encourages him to wait until there’s enough snow. Lastly, Fox presents Chick with his first book, and Chick builds a bookcase to hold it. The friends’ interactions are funny and endearing. Gergio Ruzzier’s pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations add to the silliness of these stories about the unlikely friendship between a fox and a chicken written in comic-book form. Like the previous books in this series, Up and Down and Other Stories is perfect for emergent readers. (PreK Up) 

​Wangari Maathai (She Persisted #13). Eucabeth Odhiambo. Illus. by Gillian Flint. (2022). Philomel.
In this chapter book biography inspired by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger’s She Persisted, Eucabeth Odhiambo shares the life story of Kenyan Wangari Maathai (1940-2011). As members of the Kikuyu people, Wangari’s family centered their lives around nature, prompting her love of the environment. In a time when girls rarely attended school, Wangari went to school, developed a passion for science, and eventually earned her doctorate. She went on to use the confidence she gained through education to advocate for women and the environment. Finding that women living in rural areas were unable to get wood and other necessary natural resources, she was determined to help by planting trees and getting others to join her. She became known as “Mama Miti” (the mother of trees) as she began the Green Belt Movement. In 2004, Wangari Maathai, who faced much adversity in her persistent work against injustices, became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Gillian Flint’s black-and-white illustrations complement the engaging text well. (PreK Up) 

Nancy Brashear and Carolyn Angus
 
Young children love reading series. Once they have been introduced to characters, they enjoy following them through new books in a series. In this column we review much anticipated sequels, the latest books in episodic series, and a first book in a new series that readers will enjoy reading again and again. 

Best Friends Forever! (Stick and Stone #2) Beth Ferry. Illus. by Tom Lichtenheld. (2021). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Stone agrees to join Stick on a quest to discover his family tree. “They wander, explore / through forests galore. // Through valleys and creeks / and high mountain peaks.” Stick fails to find the tree from which he broke off, and they are lost until Pinecone comes to their rescue. Although Stink is disappointed over not finding his family tree, he’s reassured by Stone’s “Stick! Your family’s ME!” The endpapers of this delightful friendship story told with a simple rhyming text and cheery mixed-media illustrations show a repeated pattern of Stick sprouting a single leaf from different types of trees (labelled with their common names). (PreK-Gr 2) 
—CA ​

Charlie & Mouse Lost and Found (Charlie & Mouse #5). Laurel Snyder. Illus. by Emily Hughes. (2021). Chronicle.
In four short chapters about things being nowhere and somewhere, brothers Charlie and Mouse find Mouse’s missing Blanket—and a big dog they think is lost. Charlie and Mouse love the dog (they name Silly), but their cat, Kittenhead, doesn’t. They are sad when a boy comes to claim Silly (whose name is actually Millie), but are happy to find a puppy (they name Boop) in a box in a bush while on a walk with their parents to get ice cream cones and take it home. Young readers won’t want to lose time catching up with Charlie and Mouse in the first four books in this engaging early reader series. (PreK-Gr 2)
—NB 

Cookies for Breakfast (Interrupting Chicken #3). Ezra Stein. (2021). Candlewick.
Still sleepy, Papa vetoes the little red chicken’s plan of having a breakfast in bed of cookies, but agrees to read a nursery rhyme book to her. By the second rhyme, Chicken is changing last lines. “There was an old woman / who lived in a shoe. / She had so many— / Cookies, she gave me a few!” Her metafictive disruption is revealed with a turn of the page showing Chicken interacting with the rhyme’s characters. After her interruption of two more rhymes, David Ezra Stein’s laugh-out-loud story ends with Chicken’s creation of her own illustrated poem, “Chikn’s Rime,” in a notebook with lined pages—that Papa interrupts with a super loud tummy-growl “RROARRR!” and an offer to make them a breakfast treat. (PreK Up)
—CA

Egg Marks the Spot (Skunk and Badger #2). Amy Timberlake. Illus. by Jon Klassen. (2021) Algonquin.
When rock scientist Badger explains to Skunk that there is no specimen for A in his alphabetically-arranged Wall of Rocks because his treasured Spider Eye Agate was “stolen, filched, purloined” years ago by Cousin Fisher at the Weasel Family Reunion, Skunk proposes an agate-finding expedition. Their pleasant camping trip to Badger’s favorite rock-finding spot on Endless Lake becomes an adventure involving a dinosaur egg embedded in amber in a cave and an unexpected encounter with Fisher, now a treasure dealer, who has employed a pack of Norway rats to excavate the fossilized egg. This second adventure of Skunk and Badger is a good choice for both independent reading and reading aloud. (PreK Up)
—CA

​Hickory Dickory Dock (Sing Along with Me!). Illus. by Yu-hsuan Huang. (2021). Nosy Crow.
The mouse runs up the clock and then down again on the hour at one o’clock to four o’clock in this nursery rhyme in the Sing Along with Me! series of board books with sturdy, easy-to-manipulate sliders for toddlers to push and pull while they enjoy
 Yu-hsuan Huang’s colorful, richly detailed cartoon illustrations. There is a QR code to scan on the back of the book to listen to and sing along with instrumental and vocal versions of the traditional rhyme. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star was published simultaneously. (Preschool)
—CA

Ivy Lost and Found (Book Buddies #1). Cynthia Lord. Illus. by Stephanie Graegin. (2021). Candlewick.
Children’s librarian Anne rediscovers her old doll, Ivy, in a box in the attic and adds her to the Book Buddies shelf of toys that can be checked out. When eight-year-old Fern goes to story time with her younger stepsiblings, Ethan checks out Piper (a flying squirrel stuffed toy), Sophie gets Lilyanna (a princess doll), and at the insistence of Sophie, Fern checks out Ivy, who doesn’t want to be borrowed. A backyard adventure with the toys helps both Ivy and Fern adapt to changes in their lives. Youngsters will be eager to share another early-chapter-book adventure with a Book Buddy in Marco Polo Brave Explorer (available March 2022). (PreK Up)
—CA

Judy Moody in a Monday Mood (Judy Moody #16). Megan McDonald. Illus. by Peter H. Reynolds. (2021). Candlewick.
Judy Moody is in a blue mood over Mondays until her third-grade teacher, Mr. Todd, turns Monday into Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day. She enlists the help of her brother, Stink, and friends to make every day of the week memorable by creating holidays such as Dress Up a Vegetable Day, Happy Feed a Ninja Squirrel Day, and Wear Purple for Peace Day. By the time the new week rolls around, however, she has come to realize that “when a holiday comes every day, it’s not so special anymore . . . and sometimes a good old Monday is all the adventure you need.” Newly independent readers will enjoy reading the previous books in the series, which began with Judy Moody Was in a Mood (2000).
—NB

Motor Mouse & Valentino (Motor Mouse #3). Cynthia Rylant. Illus. by Arthur Howard. (2021). Beach Lane.
A simple, humorous text and colorful cartoon artwork take young readers on three new adventures with Motor Mouse and his brother, Valentino. In “The Flight of Uncertainty,” timid Motor Mouse goes on a hot-air balloon ride with Valentino and Horatio, a penguin neighbor, and finds the excursion amazing. In “A Scooter of One’s Own,” Motor Mouse tries to teach Valentino to drive a motorcar, and Valentino introduces him to the joys of riding his scooter. In “Assorted Amusements and Prizes,” they enjoy the rides and yummy treats at Funfair, but have no luck at winning a prize until, just before heading for home, they try the Ding-the-Bell game and both win a prize. “It was a marvelous end to a marvelous day.” (PreK-Gr 2)
—CA

​Muchos Changes (Juana & Lucas #3). Juana Medina. (2021). Candlewick.
Juana and her dog, Lucas, live in Bogotá, Colombia, with her Mami and stepfather, Luis. Juana finds she is going to be a big hermana and that her mom has signed her up for patinaje camp—and she doesn’t even know how to roller skate! When Mami’s pregnancy problems put her on bedrest, Juana, supported by her abuelos, prepares to be the best sibling ever. This third book in Juana Medina’s chapter book series supports young readers with a lively text with some Spanish vocabulary and humorous ink-and-watercolor illustrations, several as labeled pictures (descriptions of skate components, features of an amazing nearby park, and what babies need). (PreK-Gr 2)
—NB

One Mean Ant with Fly and Flea and Moth (One Mean Ant #3). Arthur Yorinks. Illus. by Sergio Ruzzier. (2021). Candlewick.
An ant, a fly, and a flea, the stars of Jim’s Flea Circus, are tired of performing their death defying act every night and twice on Sunday. When not on stage, the acrobatic trio is kept in a cage. Ant comes up with an escape plan: to flee as a moth causes a distraction by flying away from a light bulb when it is turned on instead of right toward it during his act. The One Mean Ant trilogy, with Arthur Yorinks’ text full of clever wordplay and Sergio Ruzzier’s expressive cartoon illustrations, ends with one last grand performance as the four google-eyed insects—Ant, Fly, Flea, and Moth—safely fly toward the light of the full moon. (PreK Up)
—CA

Road Crew, Coming Through! (Construction Site #6). Sherri Duskey Rinker. Illus. by AG Ford. (2021). Chronicle.
“Six mighty friends are on their way / to help with something BIG today. / They’re off to work on something new . . . / to join the big ROAD-BUILDING crew! / (There’s a GIANT job to do!).” Excavator, Skid Steer, Dump Truck, Big Bulldozer, Cement Mixer, and Crane Truck team up with Compactor, Scraper, Grader, Roller, Striper, Water Truck, and Paver to build a “SUPERHIGHWAY, MEGA ROAD!” AG Ford’s illustrations, rendered in Neocolor wax oil crayons, show the visual story of highway construction—step-by-step—in double-page spreads, single pages, and panels that complement Sherri Duskey Rinker’s rhyming text. Back matter discusses the need for planning for the movement of wildlife when designing human transportation routes. (PreK-Gr 2)
—NB

See the Dog: Three Stories About a Cat. David LaRochelle. Illus. by Mike Wohnoutka. (2021) Candlewick.
Max reads a book that instructs the reader to “see the dog,” but what he sees is a cat. In “See the Dog,” a cat steps in for a sick dog and performs doggy actions (running, barking, and digging a hole—with an excavator!). In “See the Lake,” the cat protests as he swims across the lake to get a stick. In “See the Sheep,” the cat must protect sheep from a wolf. However, with a twist, the dog appears in the book to rescue the sheep, and the cat recovers in a hammock. David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka’s ironic role-reversal companion to See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog (2020) provides some satisfying belly laughs. (PreK-Gr 2)
—NB

Sydney & Taylor Take a Flying Leap (Sydney & Taylor #2). Jacqueline Davies. Illus. by Deborah Hocking. (2021). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Taylor (a hedgehog who is always ready for an adventure) wants Sydney (a skunk who would rather stay at home in their burrow reading) to help him with his latest Big Idea: to become the “World’s First Flying Hedgehog.” After several zany failures, an unexpected and dangerous final attempt is successful, but only because of Sydney’s timely rescue. Told in eleven short chapters with engaging digitally edited gouache-and-colored pencil artwork, this early chapter book will leave young readers wanting to spend more time with this funny duo by reading Sydney and Taylor Explore the Whole World (published simultaneously) and Sydney and Taylor and the Great Friend Exhibition (out in February 2022). (PreK-Gr 2)
—NB

¡Vamos! Let’s Cross the Bridge (World of ¡Vamos! #3). Raúl the Third. Colors by Elaine Bay. (2021). Versify.
Thousands of people cross Puente Libre every day to a city in another country where people on one side speak Spanish and on the other most speak English, and in both places many speak both languages. When Little Lobo’s delivery truck loaded with party supplies and a band headed to the big celebration (¡La gran celebración!) gets stuck in a traffic jam on the bridge, he and his pal Kooky Dooky help organize a spontaneous celebration of eating, singing, dancing, and whacking pinatas. “That night, on a bridge between two countries, La  Celebración came to everyone.” Raúl the Third smoothly incorporates Spanish vocabulary into both the quick-paced text and richly detailed illustration in this picture book in graphic novel format. Back matter includes a glossary and a note from the author. (PreK Up)
—NB