Two Dogs in a Trenchcoat Start a Club by Accident (Two Dogs in a Trench Coat #2), written by Julie Falatko and Colin Jack, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  Dogs Sassy and Waldo are back as "Salty", the student from Liver, Ohio whose relentlessly positive attitude and obsession with snacks made the first "Two Dogs in a Trenchcoat" book so much fun. In this installment, their beloved boy Stewart has reluctantly joined the Junior Office Supply Enthusiasts club after school, and Salty accidentally starts their own club, involving snacks, running around in circles, and napping. As all the school clubs - ranging from honoring Grover Cleveland to dog-training to protecting endangered birds - ramp up for the annual Founders' Day parade and creating their own floats to represent their clubs, Salty and their new friends scramble to create a float of their own.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Sassy and Waldo are the same earnest, excited, food-driven dogs, and their constant misunderstandings and single-mindedness will have kids laughing out loud. Punctuated by bold and altered text words, in the style of Geronimo Stilton, the short chapters go quickly and keep readers motivated. Most pages are accompanied by small cartoons to go along with the text, making this a great choice for readers ready to graduate from early chapter books but not quite ready for a thick wall of text.
 

If You Miss Me, written by Jocelyn Li Langrand, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  When Charlie moves away from her beloved grandmother, Grandma reassures her by telling her to "look at the moon" and she will do the same. Charlie is able to continue dancing without Grandma watching by talking to her on the phone and looking at the moon - but when Grandma passes away, she is lonely and has a hard time continuing to dance without her. By looking at the moon and feeling her grandmother with her, Charlie is able to dance in her big recital.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This beautiful picture book is a great choice for students who have lost a beloved grandparent. The depiction of Charlie's grief and loneliness is realistic, but hopeful, and suggests that loved ones are never really gone as long as they are remembered.
 

Clash, written and illustrated by Kayla Miller, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  The fourth installment in the "Click" series of graphic novels sees eternally positive, kind Olive, now a sixth-grader, clash with a new student in school. At first, new girl Nat seems like she'll get along great with Olive and her friends - but as she slowly freezes Olive out with a series of progressively mean microaggressions, Nat manages to usurp Olive's place in her friend groups and isolate Olive. When a Halloween prank goes too far, Nat is finally labeled as a bully and ostracized at school - until Olive, characteristically kind and understanding, extends an olive branch.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Olive and her friends are always role models for kind, helpful, positive pre-teens, and this installment is no different. As soon as her friends realize what Nat has been doing to Olive, and the cruelty of her final prank, they immediately cut her out and choose Olive's side without a question. Hand this to any preteen struggling to fit in or make friends - Olive's final realization comes in the form of a nightmare where she is in Nat's shoes, which gives her the empathy to reach out and attempt another connection. Recurring characters appear, but this novel can be easily understood even without the context provided by the preceding books.
 

One Smart Sheep, written by Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  Wilson is one friendly, woolly, smart sheep - the friendliest, wooliest, and smartest on Abigail Atwood's farm. When Wilson discovers that the fence has been left open, he decides to walk up to Abigail's house - but instead walks up the ramp to a piano van, embarking on an adventure through the city and prompting Abigail and her dog Tippy to start a search. Written in short chapters interspersed with colorful illustrations, "One Smart Sheep" is a quick, humorous adventure burgeoning readers will love.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Wilson's journey through town is punctuated by miscommunications, humorous asides, and the search for the music he hears from all corners of the town. This short chapter book is perfect to hand to fans of Mercy Watson that are looking for a few less pictures and a few more words.

Hello, Jimmy! written by Anna Walker, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  Jack worries that his dad is lonely, since Jack "couldn't be there all the time", and when he is there, they sit quietly and live separate lives. When Jack's dad finds a funny, talkative, loud parrot named Jimmy, he suddenly seems animated again. Everyone loves Jimmy - except Jack, whose parrot-filled nightmare prompts him to let Jimmy out. The search for Jimmy provides Jack and his dad the change to reconnect and remind each other who is actually important.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  A quiet, sparse book that addresses loneliness and the search for connection, "Hello, Jimmy!" could be an important book for a student feeling distant or alienated. Jimmy is mischievous and fun, stealing Jack's toothbrush and entertaining guests, while Jack is quiet and bothered by the noise. In the end, Jack and his dad reconnect and show the importance of communication.
 

From an Idea to Disney, writen by Lowey Bundy Sichol, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  This well-researched narrative of the Walt Disney Company from Walt's birth in 1901 to the opening of Shanghai Disney in 2016 is a perfect non-fiction book for those who love Disney or are interested in learning about how a business is formed. The company's development and growth is told as a simple, easy-to-follow narrative, and business terms are bolded and defined in small boxes on the same page ("mortgage", "revenue", "bankruptcy", to name a few). The pages are also decorated with black-and-white cartoon sketches, quotes by Walt Disney himself, and "fun facts", trivia about the company and the parks. Extra material includes a bibliography, timeline, and source notes. The first half of the book reads like a biography of Walt Disney, and the second half runs through the next two CEOs.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Sichol certainly skips over some of Disney's - and big business's - unsavory sides (the closest she comes to criticism is stating that Walt's smoking was a "dangerous habit"), but as an introduction to how a company is formed and an homage to Disney, this book is an excellent fit. Use for reports on Walt Disney or as a simple introduction to a mini society unit. Of note: this was written in 2019, and so some sections - notably the description of Bob Iger's tenure and the statement that the only cause of Disney World's closures has been hurricanes - will require supplemental research.

When I Grow Up, written by Bob Holt, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  The half-circle cutout on the top of this board book asks readers to "place your face here!" As they flip through the pages, readers can put themselves in the outfit of an astronaut, software designer, art teacher, musician, and more. Each career comes with a colorful costume and a brief two-line description of the person's responsibilities. The repeated "I can be..." refrain ends with the promise that the reader can be "anything in the world!"

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Kids could have fun putting their face on the page to take on a new career, and this could make for a fun career readiness project. A diverse range of professions are represented, and the bodies do not show the color of their skin, so any student could feel their face fits above any career. A fun additional selection for a board book collection.

10 Spooky Pumpkins, written by Gris Grimly, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  On Halloween night, a young girl meets spooky characters and scenes in groups of ten to two, until they come across one very scary moon that scatters everyone. The illustrations are reminiscent of the "Nightmare Before Christmas" - eerie, angular shapes that would be almost too scary if it weren't for the obvious fun the girl is having! The rhythmic pattern - "7 greedy goblins full of naughty tricks / Looking for a ghost and they found six" - repeats until the culmination in a Halloween dance party.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This creepy countdown is a perfect addition to any Halloween picture book collection. Full of juicy adjectives, a predictable pattern, and spooky characters, read to any kid in the weeks before Halloween and they will be sucked in!

The Girl Who Speaks Bear, written by Sophie Anderson, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  Yanka is already different from the other people in her village: She's stronger, bigger, and a foundling from the cave of the great bear. When she wakes one day to find she's grown bear legs, Yanka decides to venture into the forest to discover the truth about where she belongs. A beautiful fantasy adventure then enfolds, in which Yanka learns she can speak to animals, meets a house on chicken legs (readers of Anderson's first novel will recognize some characters), and starts to find her own place in the world.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This fantasy adventure is woven through with magic and Russian folklore, and will appeal to fans of Anderson's first novel as well as fans of Kelly Barnhill. Hand to readers looking for a gentle adventure of self-discovery with friends appearing along the way.

Land of the Cranes, written by Aida Salazar, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  Betita is a nine-year-old girl in Los Angeles who loves to write poems and draw pictures - until her father is deported and she and her pregnant mother are detained in a family detention camp. Among her fellow asylum seekers, Betita meets cruel guards, unfeeling administration, and desperately seeks to get her poems and story told - and her family reunited in their home. Told through pictures and poems, Betita's story is difficult to read but ultimately hopeful.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Betita's story is hard to read, but an important view into detainment centers and the difficulties faced by detainees. A beautiful collection of poems and pictures that tells a timely story about issues and fears faced by immigrants in the United States every day. Hand to readers who won't flinch from cruelty and are prepared to read the harsh reality and frustrations of immigration policy.

Barakah Beats, written by Maleeha Siddiqui, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  Nimra knows that transferring to a public middle school for seventh grade from her small Islamic academy will be difficult, but she's confident that her best friend, Jenna, will help her through. When Jenna becomes distant and seems to be ashamed that Nimra is the only person at school wearing a hijab, Nimra decides to prove to her that she fits in by joining the cool kids: three older Muslim boys who form the best band around, Barakah Beats. There's only one problem - Nimra's family's interpretation of Islam doesn't allow music.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Nimra is a refreshingly confident, proud Muslim character who has no interest in hiding herself or her religion, and readers looking for representation will flock to her. There's a lot to learn about Islam and the differences of practice even within the religion, as well as a diverse picture of the different types of people, races, and cultures that identify as Muslim. Although Nimra is wrestling with complicated decisions and issues that impact her family, friends, and religion, the story stays fun and hopeful.

Don't Say Poop! written by Jimmy Matejek-Morris, illustrated by Fred Blunt, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  Don't say the word "poop" - that's rude. Instead, you can say "humdrum bum crumbs" or "smelly belly funky jelly". This silly, gross picture book is a feast of rhymes, alliterations and tongue-twisters for "rude" words like pee, burp, boogers, and farts. Accompanied by colorful illustrations depicting all the rude words included, a young narrator walks the reader through a mixture of tongue-twisters that will have young readers rolling on the floor.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Be ready for gross-out contests and giggles after reading this book aloud! Or hand to readers looking for tongue-twisters.

Only My Dog Knows I Pick My Nose, written by Lauren Tarshis, illustrated by Lisa Bronson Mezoff, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  Lauren Tarshis (I Survived) makes her picture book debut with this sweet story about the relationship between a boy and his dog. The boy is a helpful, brave, broccoli-eating, toy-sharing brother - but only his dog sees the more mischievous burping, nose-picking, wild, silly side of him. Light watercolor illustrations depict the boy and his dog on their adventures together.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This picture book is a beautiful representation of the special relationship between people and pets, and shows a flawed but well-meaning boy whose dog "knows everything about me, and loves me all the time." Hand to young dog-lovers or read aloud as an illustration that no one is perfect.

Sydney & Taylor Take a Flying Leap, written by Jacqueline Davies, illustrated by Deborah Hocking, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  Hedgehog Taylor and skunk Sydney are best friends, back again for this second installment of their series. Taylor is ready to share his next Big Idea with Sydney: Taylor wants to fly. Several failed attempts - a blanket held by birds, building his own bat-like wings - end with Sydney breaking his fall, although Sydney continues to remind him that "hedgehogs cannot fly." When they come across a remote-control plane, Taylor at last has his chance to fly - and quickly comes close to crashing into a tree, then must flee from a great hawk. Throughout Taylor's hijinks, Sydney remains a loyal, if reluctant, friend and supporter.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Sydney and Taylor remain the same upbeat, silly pair from the first installment of this early chapter book series, and fans of the first book - as well as fans of Mercy Watson, Frog & Toad, and illustrated chapter books - will be delighted with Taylor's hijinks and Sydney's loyalty in this volume. Use as an impetus for a STEM lesson (What invention could we make to help a hedgehog fly?) or as a science lesson on the categorization of animals.

Sydney & Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World , written by Jacqueline Davies, illustrated by Deborah Hocking, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  When best friends skunk Sydney and hedgehog Taylor (think Frog and Toad) set off on an expedition to see the Whole Wide World, they find out just how exhaustingly large it is - and they meet a family of frogs, defend themselves from an excitable dog, and even meet Miss Nancy, whose potting shed they live in. Sydney and Taylor are funny, brave, and a great example of supportive best friends.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This short illustrated chapter book is perfect for fans of Mercy Watson, or those who love Frog and Toad but are ready for something longer. It could be used as a silly aside during social studies to demonstrate the importance of a map ("Maps and the real world are different," notes Sydney) or as a character lesson to describe the distinct personalities of the two friends. Young readers just ready for chapter books will love Sydney and Taylor's funny friendship and adventure, and will be begging for the next installment in the series.

We Shall Overcome, written by Bryan Collier, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  Accompanying the lyrics of the Civil Rights anthem "We Shall Overcome", four-time Caldecott honoree Collier illustrates the journey of a young Black girl as she passes both historical and current landmarks. As she wanders through black-and-white depictions of the 16th Street Baptist Church, the bus on which Rosa Parks refused to move, and Little Rock Central High School, the girl also passes modern scenes shown in full color, such as a Black Lives Matter rally and the painting of a mural. Often both black-and-white historical and full-color contemporary scenes are shown on one two-page spread, showing the juxtaposition between past and present.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This illustrated anthem is an excellent addition to any civil rights collection. The appendix gives a detailed history of each landmark passed, as well as the titular song itself, and describes the importance of each event. School librarians may want to note that some of the lyrics repeat "The Lord will see us through, someday". A great informational picture book!

Marsha is Magnetic, written by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  Marsha is a scientist, but when it comes to making a list of friends to invite to her birthday party, she's stumped. To solve her "birthday problem", she follows the scientific method: After observing Christa, the popular girl in school, and her "magnetic personality," Marsha decides to make her own popularity by wearing a magnetic suit and handing birthday invitations to everyone who gets stuck to her throughout the day. Her suit allows her to make connections with new friends and eventually opens a locked gym door, turning  her into a hero.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  "Marsha is Magnetic" is a cute, scientific spin on making friends by being yourself. This story could be used as a fun review or introduction to the Scientific Method, as each step is explicitly stated in a heading before Marsha embarks on it; teachers could also use this silly picture book to illustrate the importance of being yourself. A great beginning-of-the-year read for science and STEM classes.

Princess Unlimited, written by Jacob Sager Weinstein, illustrated by Raissa Figueroa, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  The king and queen shower Princess Susan with sparkles and dresses, while below the castle walls, villagers are desperately trying to fight off a dragon using mops, umbrellas and drinking straws. To address the inequity and equip the knights, Princess Susan embarks on money-making schemes - becoming a scullery maid and selling lemonade - only to have the king and queen once again squander the gold. Finally, Susan and her "vice princess of brave truth telling" (a former scullery maid) go off to fight the dragon themselves, and - with the help of some of Susan's sparkles - are able to convince it to contribute to the castle's coffers by providing dragon-fire fireplace subscriptions to the villagers.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This picture book is fun and full of sparkles, so young readers looking for a princess adventure will be well satisfied. The plot is reminiscent of "The Paper Bag Princess", and the colorful illustrations and fearless princess are charming. A fun depiction of a determined young princess out to live outside the box her parents and position have restrained her to.

Disasters by the Numbers: A Book of Infographics, written by Steve Jenkins, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  This non-fiction book explains the causes, effects, and extremes of natural disasters throughout the world, sorted into four sections: earth, weather, life, and space. Each disaster is treated to a two-page spread in the style of an Eyewitness non-fiction book: Every page is filled with colorful pictures, graphs, or diagrams explained by small paragraphs of text.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  If you're looking for a non-fiction book with high appeal for everyone, this colorful collection of disaster-themed infographics will fit the bill. Use it for a unit on non-fiction text features - you'll find every variety of graphs, charts, maps, timelines, and diagrams you can think of - or to satisfy a reader's curiosity about any number of natural disasters. Ranging from the more commonly known phenomena such as earthquakes and tornadoes, to lesser known dangers such as locusts and space disasters, and even including contemporary issues such as pandemics and climate change, this book leaves no disaster unexplored. COVID-19 is mentioned as "a new threat" under pandemics, and wearing a mask is identified as the best way to protect against it.

Duck, Duck, Moose, written by Mary Sullivan, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary:  When Duck, Duck, Moose, and a girl realize Goose is missing, they immediately go on a hunt to find him, coming across other farm animals, a locked gate, and a hive of bees in the process - only to have Goose return the next day from his beach vacation.

Straight Talk for Librarians: 
The song-like rhythm of the text and frequently repeated words make this an engaging read-aloud for younger students, who might find themselves chanting along. All words are simple, repeated frequently, presented through speech bubbles, so young children will have an easy time following along. Although the story might feel unfinished or stir up a few questions- why do they simply give up while concerned their friend is missing, and why were they not aware of Goose’s planned vacation? – those not overly concerned with plot will enjoy the silly hijinks and the chant-like quality of the words.