Click! Snap! Picture That! written by Dieter Böge, illustrated by Benjamin Gottwald, and translated from German by David Henry Wilson and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: Admittedly the first time through this book I was picture walking as I do this often with my elementary school students, especially in the younger grades. I was smitten by the quirky wonder as each animal is seen before they show how they wish to be seen. There are some surprises along the way, too, which will lead to some discussions, I bet. Reading the simple text of the animals and their dreams of how they want others to see them makes this a much deeper book than I thought the first time through it. I like books that are fun and interesting and capture my students attention, but really love when they are teachable, too. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: How we share ourselves in selfies, photographs of our favorite people, places, and activities is not often dealt with in children's books. I noticed that this book was translated from German by David Henry Wilson (original publication date in German in 2024), I did a bit of reading about the book and the intentions. I can definitely use this book when we talk about our future selves (career education), digital literacy (understanding photographs), and using illustrations to expand stories. This book has lighthearted illustrations by Benjamin Gottwald that will attract readers and likely lead to students repeating some of his style. My favorite spread is the cockatoo who dreams of being depicted by a famous artist while surrounded by the cockatoo in many frames in the style of famous artists. My art teacher and I will be having conversation about that spread, for sure! I read over 500 books a year and I really rarely return to books. This one will be revisited and shared as it struck me as unique. I recommend this Dieter Boge book for elementary school collections.

Buzz! Boom! Bang!: The Book of Sounds by Benjamin Gottwald and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: Benjamin Gottwald has stunning illustrations that are colorful, vibrant, and engaging throughout this very long picture book. Some illustrations spread across two pages in one illustration and others are paired in a way that is hysterical to see. I am certain my students will immediately see the intention and provide the noises expected, though Gottwald explains it on the first two pages. I could use this book and its often glorious and sometimes serene illustrations to build community, build vocabulary, teach onomatopoeia, and remind students that reading can be just for the fun of it! I know it is geared toward younger readers, but this one will be shared with all of my elementary grades as it is too good to miss! I will also share this with my art teachers as I am sure they could find more wonder for our students to build from the concept of this book. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: On first look, this is the thickest picture book I have seen since Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabaret won the Caldecott Medal. The huge difference is that there are no written words on the illustrations in this picture book. Onomatopoeia gone mad would be one way to explain the engagement I expect to receive from my students when I share this wonderful book. I admit I laughed out loud at several of these and am certain my students of all elementary grades will find it equally appealing. I understand why Gottwald won awards for it in 2022 when it first was released in Germany. I expect it would make a great book for classrooms working on writing exclamations, a shared book in music class (kids could use a music app to create sounds that work for picture pairs), or as a pick me up when laughter and community building is needed. I highly recommend this book!

Big Choo written and illustrated by Stephen Shaskan and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: A young train is ready to prove to his Dad that he can do the hard work of pulling a line of freight cars on the main line while his Dad cheers his efforts. When he topples off the track on an incline, he is encouraged by his father, and they get to celebrate a day of hard work, determination, and bravery together. This book allows students to see hard work and support from adults in such a beautiful way. The engines are adorable and the story is so very sweet. Stephen Shaskan offers a nod to celebrated illustrator and author Virginia Lee Burton both in the style of his illustrations and on the last page of this book. I look forward to sharing this book with my junior kindergarten and kindergarten students. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: As a teacher, the story of the little engine that could is referenced often when we talk about books or about writing. Determination, perseverance, and effort are goals for all of us of any age. I welcome a new hero into my library collection! My teachers are going to love this one as much as I do. Perseverance, self-confidence, and recognizing that growing up takes time and each step forward is worth celebrating are wonderful concepts for young children. I highly recommend this book for preschool and elementary libraries.

My Animalitos: A Frida Kahlo Story written by Monica Brown, illustrated by John Parra and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: In a lovely tribute to Frida Kahlo in spirit and in connection to animals, this board book will appeal to animal loving children and their parents. This would be a perfect gift for a schoolteacher, especially an art teacher. An ode to a famous painter with a menagerie of animals that she loved dearly. This is a brightly colored board book with a feeling of warmth, love, and compassion for animals and the qualities they share with us. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Each animal is introduced with poetic comparison of the animal and the character trait Frida gains from that animal. It reads powerfully with Frida depicted with the animals much like Kahlo did in her own art. In very few words, this book manages to both honor a celebrated Mexican artist and the child that is reading or being read the words. These statements are bold declarations of spirit, connection, and acceptance. It is lovely.

Grow written by Theodore Henry ; illustrated by Hsulynn Pang and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: I love the bright colors in this ode to a growing child. The book begins with a mother during pregnancy. The children in these glorious illustrations are diverse races. The poem is a lovely tribute to family. The comparison to a garden is lovely. There are pull tabs that make a lovely garden off the top of the book if all pulled out at once. I expect young children will love the smiling faces of the humans as much as the beautiful flora on each page. The poem is written in cursive and visually appealing as much as lyrical to read. Children are a wonder and I bet any new parent would love to share that wonder with their children. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: I was very impressed with the quality of this board book. It feels sturdy throughout and since there are pull up sections, that is a huge deal for me. I will be recommending my friends in need of baby shower gifts to see this book, for sure.

The Oregon Trail #1: The Race to Chimney Rock written by Jesse Wiley and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: This Choose Your Own Adventure in the Oregon Trail series took me right back to the early 90's and playing this game with students in public schools where I was a substitute teacher. (The game had everything and I wanted to know how this book series could capture that excitement, dread, wonder, and risk taking.) Jesse Wiley must have played the game, as well as this book has it all! Backmatter guides you to how to problem solve issues that affected Westward settlers. (A foreword reminds readers to read the backmatter before making their first decision.) There are short sections/chapters of only a few pages and then you face a choice. Choose right and your journey continues. Choose wrong and you may die or be lost or be without supplies including that wagon that is your chance for a better future. I chose well for a bit, but then there was an impossible choice that I did not like at all and I did die. I went back to where I had chosen wrong and made a new choice. This time I finished the journey and ended at Chimney Rock. I did go back and read more with different choices to see what would have happened. In short, this is a fun book and I think my students will like it. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Note to teachers- If your district requires Westward Expansion knowledge, read on! I have never been a fan of Choose Your Own Adventure books, but this series was a connection for me to my younger years in teaching. If my students do like this series, I will add more for them. I like the connections to history, geography, and life skills (fixing wagons, managing money and supplies, caring for the ill or injured, and hierarchy of the wagon train) for the characters that students may gain more insight from. I played both Oregon Trail and Amazon Trail with my students and their knowledge of locations and animals were directly boosted by these games. I also discovered at my local library that the Oregon Trail game is available on a couple of different game systems. (My library had it!)

The Oregon Trail #7: Gold Rush! written by Jesse Wiley and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: This series that replicates the subject of a game I taught my earliest classes to allow us to better understand the problem solving needed during Westward Expansion was quite the hit. I hope this series will do the same for my current students. Each book in the series explains where the wagon train is at, the dangers of the next section of the trail, as well as some tips for avoiding those dangers. The path has a divide to reckon with: head to California or to Oregon. There are friendships to be made, hard decisions to be made, and animals to hunt or care for in order to move your wagons safely on that trail. Some may be trustworthy that you meet on the trail, but others have no good intentions. Reading the notes in the backmatter allows you the best chance to complete this story with success. Some endings will be loss of oxen to pull your wagons, loss of other humans, or your own life. Sickness is prevalent along the trail and you have to have your wits about you to stay well. This series and this book are a lot of fun. I hope my students will also have fun with the rest books. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: I think this series is worth book talks as historical fiction is studied in my schools and the short chapters may engage my less motivated readers. Westward expansion is part of the curriculum and the issues of the 1800's might be fascinating for today's generation.

The Oregon Trail #8: The Oregon Trail: Calamity in the Cold written by Jesse Wiley and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: Moving from Florida to Oregon is no easy feat in 1845. Unusual weather also makes the trail more difficult. Many hazards await. Will teaming up with a Cherokee family you meet along the way increase your chance of success? I made more mistakes in this book than in The Race to Chimney Rock. I realize that the game I used to play with students early in my career allowed me not to walk away. I saw the words The End, returned to my choice and continued the story. When I finally reached Oregon City, I felt that same rush. This book did not have to be read specifically before or after the last. It stands alone with its own challenges. I look forward to sharing this with students next year. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Some students like short chapters and a Choose your adventure book may be just what engages them. I will have to book talk these to explain how to check the back of the book notes, Guide to the Trail, before beginning the story. I will allow students to think about how to manage an early death due to the dangers on the Oregon Trail. I will likely also prep them that there used to be an enormously popular game that engaged students in Westward Expansion in wonderful ways. Though I don't think many of my students will find this series on their own, they may respond well to it once I talk about it.

Spirit Animals: Fall of the Beasts #3: The Return by Varian Johnson reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: If you like longer series with riveting characters, action, danger, adventure, and majestic animals, this Spirit Animals series is for you! Follow Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan as they seek to stop the Wyrm that is taking over humans and spirit animals with only destruction in mind. There are many characters to meet along the way and many communities to learn about. Be sure to check that map at the beginning of the book for a better understanding of your journey. (Though the online game is no longer supported since 2025, the books do stand alone as engaging stories to enjoy.) 

Straight Talk for Librarians: First: the online component is no longer available, but that does not negate that this book and the series Fall of the Beasts is well written. Secondly, the Spirit Animals series as a whole seems to have waned in popularity. The connection of the books to a game online was huge for a bit. Since I am not drawn by online gaming, I focus only on the books themselves. The characters are consistent book to book despite the series being written by different authors. Varian Johnson is stellar at the scenes of violence and danger. He manages to expose the character flaws at just the right time for the heroes of the story to save the day. These would make great read alouds. I love the map included for reference. I have some students who won't read a Fantasy book without a map. Though the animals are not all cute and cuddly looking like the Panda on the cover art, they are all cunning, loyal, and fascinating as support characters to the young warriors as they continue their quest to defend and save the Evertree. I am trying to figure out why this series is not as popular as it once was and after having read Fall of Beasts, I will have to book talk it, again. It is a great adventure with interesting characters and animals bonded to them. There is literally nothing to not like.

Alice Jones: The Impossible Clue written by Sarah Rubin and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: This is a fabulous mystery for elementary or middle schools where the genre is needed. The main character is teased by a classmate and another classmate fawns on her and neither are classmates she wants to hang with, but the mystery requires it. (The way that becomes clear is itself fascinating.) Her father is a news writer and allows her to work through a missing person in their town (as long as he gets the scoop, of course). The danger is real, the money involved in the scandal of a missing scientist is massive, and the loyalty of the sleuth to her classmates is palpable. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Mystery genre is a big one in my elementary schools. I have trouble finding mysteries that my students will engage with enough for the unit taught. I now will be checking out all of Sarah Rubin's mysteries as this one worked so very well. Alice Jones is a likeable character with very real feelings about middle school and her classmates. She loves to solve mysteries. She does not have time in her life for nonsense, including spit balls thrown by others at her. Alice is a twin, but her twin lives with their Mom while Alice lives with their Dad. Her twin is an actress and they butt heads whenever they are together. Since her twin is there for the summer, Alice is feeling all her feelings. It does not take long for Alice to recognize that the villain in this mystery may not be the person who kidnapped the scientist. Uncovering the information puts Alice and her family and friends in grave danger. I especially liked that the conclusion is not perfectly orchestrated as solutions to big problems rarely are neat. I could not put this one down.

The Willoughbys Return written by Lois Lowry and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: The kids from the original book have grown up. They think very little about their long missing parents and know nothing about how their parents have somehow thawed out. In a bit of a parallel story readers see how Richie, son of the eldest Willoughby, Tim, is not managing well the failure of the family chocolate company and his father needing to slow down on buying him whatever he has ever wanted. Next door to them is a family named Poore who is quite poor. The husband is traveling west to sell his outdated encyclopedias and to gather rocks for his daughter who loves rocks. The stories begin to intermingle when Mrs. Poore takes on the thawed Willoughby couple and feeds them poisonous leaves as salad. She has no phone, so she has to go to the mansion when Tim lives to use that phone and get medical help. The antics of the thawed Willoughbys who have missed 30 years of advancements in technology and communication as well as those of Mr. Poore who takes the term bumbling idiot and makes it seem complementary are quite amusing. I believe students would love the frustrations about technology advancements and it would offer great opportunity to extend that study to any decade, so students better understand the changes in lives due to technological inventions. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Truth be told, I struggled with the first book. Perhaps I could not fathom the amount of dry wit in a book for kids. For whatever reason, I never book talked it in my 2 elementary school libraries. This sequel reads similarly to the original book but went so much more smoothly for me. The language use, as expected in a Lowry book, is exceptional and often the dry commentary of the adults and the wit of the children produce great laughs. The first book has a movie, but no movie has been made from this 2020 sequel. I could easily see English teachers use this book to talk about expressive written language and to increase vocabulary in both oral and written language for their students. The social commentary is also unique and may appeal to many subject level teachers. Just think if the government banned candy and how it would affect our world! Think about if global warming could thaw out the absurdly quirky Willoughby parents who froze while climbing a mountain? That could lead to some wonderful writing about what else could regain life after being frozen. My students love I wonder if kinds of writing and this book certainly gives them much to think about. Finally, the technical advancements in the 30 years that the Willoughbys have been frozen are astronomical and I am certain my students will find their shock and amazement quite amusing. I have never liked a sequel more than the original book before now. I should not have been shocked that Lois Lowry penned the first sequel that I like better than the original story.

Ten: A Soccer Story written by Flint Shamini and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: Maya is 11 years old and obsessed by soccer. In Malaysia where she lives, soccer is for boys. Maya is not okay with that. She knows the national teams. She watches all the games, not just the World Cup games. She has a favorite player. Yes, Zico, her favorite player does not make a penalty shot that could have kept his team playing, but she still thinks he is the best. Maya and her brother Rajiv know something is amiss at home with their parents. They are terribly sad when it becomes clear they were right. So, Maya now has to create a girls soccer team, get them the support they need for uniforms and field time, and save her family. 

 

Straight Talk for Librarians: First up is the soccer fanaticism which will appeal to many students since we just had another World Cup in 2026. Secondly the race/cultural issue: Maya lives in Malaysia in a very small town. Her town is very patriarchal, she goes to a religious school where she stands out, her parents are a mixed race/culture marriage, and her grandmother is always going on how the kids and that marriage embarrasses her. Books including many races and cultures can be quite appealing to students wanting to understand others around them. Finally teen angst: both Maya and Rajiv have feelings of duty to their families, but Maya also has a strong frustration with her place in society. She does not want to stay quiet and meek as her grandmother seems to want her to be. She wants to be a soccer player, though she has only watched it on TV. She wants to learn to speak up for her dream, encourage others to join her, and find a way to be taken seriously. That is very much the thinking process in middle grade books. How can kids be true to themselves despite family, school, and society norms? Maya finds herself in this story and it is lovely to join her on this ride.

The King of Kazoo: A Graphic Novel written by Norm Feuti, reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: King Cornelious is frustrated that he has no accomplishment unlike the kings before him. His daughter, who knows magic, comes to him to share what her familiar, a bird, allows her to see from its eyes. There is a problem on the mountain just outside the kingdom. When she brings this curiosity to the king, he dismisses her. He shows her his new car, created by his clever worker, Torq. Torq is very creative and capable, but never gets credit. When an explosion happens in the mountain, something must change. Off they go in the car to find the problem and solve it to save the town. King Cornelius is hysterically small minded and his daughter and Torq are needed to give them a chance to discover the musings of an evil wizard and to stop him from destroying the town. This graphic novel is adorable throughout. There are fun characters me along the way, but it is the goofy antics of the king that save the day. It is lovely that in the end, the king discovers that credit needs given when people deserve it. Kindness and compassion as well as humility are wonderful traits to share. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: The creativity and fun never end in this one from the town, to the swamp, to the mountain and back again Norm Feuti has held my attention. I am certain that he will entertain my students in my elementary school, as well. I don't typically read graphic novels aloud, but I might have to show this one off with my 3rd graders as I have several in those classes that I think will beg to check this one out for themselves. I especially loved how he explains newspaper comics, his job, in his bio at the end of the story.

A Baby Like You written by Catherine Thimmesh, reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: This board book is larger sized and delightfully engaging. The full page + color photographs of newborn babies are described along with the same with a human baby. First breath, transporting babies, eating habits, learning to play, walk, and communicate. The pages opposite the color photographs have two parts: one that is details about the animal baby and the act they are experiencing or learning from their parents while the other gives greater details in smaller font at the bottom half of the page. I really like this format as the top could be what is read for months before an older child may want more information. This book essentially grows with your baby and that would make it a lovely gift for new parents. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: As a teacher of young children I especially love the size. I read aloud to a class of about about nine 2.5 to 4 year old special education students. The size of this book makes it more approachable for my visually impaired students, the lovely photographs of all kinds of babies will most certainly engage my students, and the thick soft cover and the thicker pages will allow those of my students with the dexterity to turn the pages themselves to have that option. These are all very important considerations for me for this particular group of students!

The Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels #4: Claudia and Mean Janine adapted by Raina Telgemeier and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: I had to read one of the most popular series in my graphic novel collection. I was surprised how much I liked this book. The story is easy to follow of the club and and the work they do for their community in babysitting and now play groups. The meat of this story, though, is really about the importance of family. Claudia and her very smart, very studious sister do not get along. Claudia does a lot to help around the house, but her sister is always studying. When their grandmother has a stroke and needs help, the tension increases. I like the way Raina Telgemeier (originally Ann M. Martin) handles this family tension and allows both girls to grow and change in their relationships with their family. I also like how the summer play group interactions allow for this dynamic to change for the better. The pace, graphic format, and club and family depictions are well done. So, the story is about communication all said and done. Communicating is not the same as reacting to things and making time to communicate changes perspectives most of the time. Janine and Claudia are very different and rather than talk through the differences, they allow them to fester. One of the kids the club sits for has a new baby sister and he is allowing his frustrations to get in his own way of celebrating his new sister that he already loves so much. When Mimi, the grandmother of the family is diagnosed with a stroke, she has to relearn communication and Claudia learns quite a bit from that experience enabling her a chance to try connecting with Janine differently. 

Straight Talk for Librarians:  I have a very mixed reaction to the book series from students and parents in my building. Kids love the series and will also read the Little Sister versions. Parents feel the girls in middle school and what they deal with at their age is too much. I had to divide and conquer with graphic novels. I have a very small budget. When I started my collections, I made a section for only 4th and 5th and put Babysitter's Club books there and the younger section is where the Little Sister books are located. Having read this one, there is no reason I can see that it cannot be read by younger students, but my families have grown used to what I did when I did not have enough graphic novels, so I keep that system. I would recommend that Elementary Librarians be ready for discussions with parents. I read over 500 books a year, but if you cannot keep up with that much reading, join our Libres Blog (https://libresbooksmi.blogspot.com/) and read about the books or use NovelList or Titlewave to get reviews. Most parents just want to be heard and know you are thinking carefully about your collections in your school library.

Finish the Fight: The Brave and Revolutionary Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote written by Veronica Chambers and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: In a two page spread there are images of women we may have learned about who had a hand in the women's suffrage movement including 8 women all appearing white in the sketches. The next spread is a two page spread with at least 40 others who are obviously white, black, Hispanic, and Native American with mostly unfamiliar names to me. I was hooked right then. This book in 13 chapters and a conclusion puts the focus on the ways that voting rights for women mixed often with rights for other groups: Black Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans as well as the reality of the lack of rights for women in general, especially if they were not married to a man. The writing is easy to read and intermixed with photos and illustrations that highlight the time period of the suffrage movement well. Veronica Chambers and the staff of the New York Times have made a very heated and contested topic approachable for the very young. The backmatter is spectacular, which makes sense as it was written by folks with newsroom expertise. The illustrations by Ellen Duda are interesting and I had to return to the pages throughout the book when reading the Illustrator's note about the flowers along the page edges connecting to specific women in the suffrage movement. I also listened to this book using the Hoopla app through my public library and found it wonderful to hear. I believe my ability to read the names of some of these famous women was lacking and I need to do better in saying the names of these remarkable women just as I say the names of my students. Names matter. These women matter now more than ever and I am glad to have learned about them. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: I see this as a great book for middle school and high school libraries to support students who want to understand the epic struggle the suffrage movement was and to recognize the things it could not do yet. I was a student who often researched beyond the textbook and I know many of my current students do the same now. I want our libraries to offer them more than they learn in class when they seek it and to support the need to research and learn as much as can from the books they have access to at school. I am sharing this with a high school library in my district where it will supplement the collection well.

A Sporting Chance: How Ludwig Guttmann Created the Paralympic Games written by Lori Alexander, illustrated by Allan Drummond and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: This book is the story of a genius doctor with a passion for neurology. He was lucky enough to work under one of the best neurologists in Germany. Unfortunately, there are new laws coming from the Nazi Party that Jewish folks cannot work in government jobs. Dr. Guttmann finds a new job at an all Jewish hospital and leads their neurology department. Laws were made by the Nazi Party to single out those with physical disabilities as unworthy and send them to death camps. After Kristallnacht, Dr. Guttmann moves his family to England. At the hospital there when Ludwig begins treating soldiers, his awareness of how little improvement his soldier patients are having when not being active. He creates an archery tournament on the hospital grounds. He realizes that physical activity is not just good for the muscles it is good for the spirit. His tournament expands to other sports, some adapted for wheelchair users. It is now an international event and inspires many around the world. In his lifetime, Dr. Ludwig Guttmann changed the course of medical care for those with disabilities and changed the perspectives of many about accessibility to sporting facilities and the lack of adequate wheelchairs for sporting quadriplegics. This book has amazing back matter. Though there are photo illustrations (some that are very graphically focusing on the issues of being bedridden and immobile) most of the illustrations are drawn by Allan Drummond. Mr. Drummond is one of my favorite non-fiction author/illustrators for my elementary students. His picture books are in every library collection I have overseen. I admit to being stuck with the contrast in the drawings versus the photographic images from Dr. Guttmann's life. The Paralympic Games has given life and opportunities to so very many. I fear where we would be now had Dr. Guttmann not fought so hard for his dreams. 

This book is magnificent. It deserves readers of all ages. I hope I am wrong about the illustrations limiting those who will read it. I also listened to it using Hoopla through my public library and I could not stop driving around town as it was riveting to hear. Lori Alexander has put in so much research into a brilliant doctor and his dedication to his paralyzed patients despite so many hardships in the world in his lifetime. His reach continues even today. I look at my student's wheelchairs and cannot believe that not too long ago, the variations were not available nor even considered necessary. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Schools and public libraries need this book! Physical differences are in every community and recognizing how much has changed in a couple generations allows us to dream bigger for the future. Medical science is always changing and it has to have an impactful and committed advocate for that change to happen. Every one of us needs to know the history of medical science to accept and advocate for the current and future possibilities. This book is as much a book that is about science and commitment to improving the lives of folks with medical needs as it is a biography of an important doctor that I have never heard about, even in the field of education where I have students with physical medical challenges. Access is a universal need and this book captures that well. Ludwig's research is data based and that supports my STEAM activities that I do with students.

Scientists in the Field: Eclipse Chaser: Science in the Moon's Shadow written by Ilima Loomis and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: Amanda Cowan's illustrations will bring in the readers for this amazing book about eclipse scientists and how they accomplish the gathering of information to better understand eclipses. Ilima Loomis' 5 chapters filled with details about the planning and execution of eclipse studies over decades and chock full of absolutely breathtaking photo illustrations with captions and maps or sketches to break up the details of scientific study. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: The Scientist in the Field series is consistently so very good at engaging my students in what they could do in the field of their choice. There is so much diversity in this series and so many fields of science to discuss with eager young science lovers. I am very happy to add this one to my collection.

A True Wonder: The Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything written by Kirsten W. Larson , illustrated by Katy Wu and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: This book feels like a comic with this artwork by Katy Wu alongside the research history of the character by Kirsten W. Larson. I was smitten from the start! I loved Wonder Woman, but as a child did not associate her affect on women's rights as well as how she changed the way people saw women. (Very helpful before the war as during the war women were needed to keep so much running.) This book will be loved by my students and allow for great conversations with their families about how Wonder Woman, a comic and TV character, affected so many. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: So many of my students love graphic novels and comics and manga. Few seem to know what precipitated the graphics they love so much. This book allows me to show them historical changes since comic books were so huge and some characters became TV stars, as well. I am so impressed with the backmatter in this book. I love opportunities to discuss back matter and author/illustrator notes!

Packs: Strength in Numbers written by Hannah Salyer and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: This beautifully illustrated picture book has full double page spreads that are eye popping and so very appealing. The text explains how some animals are better together as packs provide strength and security for them. The pack names are specific to the animal group, as well. (My students love those kind of facts!) It also touches on how humans are better together, as well. Learning from these animals while delving into these magical illustrations I hope my students will get the strength in numbers message, especially now. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: I love that Hannah Salyer added information about the dangers of losing animals in our world do to human choices of land, water, and lack of pollution management. Great back matter in this one. Always makes me happy to see that back matter! We have many teachers that do animal reports from K-5th grade and this one has lots of good information. Mostly it is about the language of pack by animal and their support of one another. Gorgeous illustrations allow my art teacher to join in the educational fun, too!