Batter Up for the First Day of School! (Viking) by Bethany Hegadus, illustrated by Nomar Perez has received a starred received a starred review from School Library Journal. ★ It’s the first day of school at Grand Slam Elementary and twins Hank and Erin, both with light skin and brown curly hair, are eager to go. They wake up cheerfully in their baseball-themed bedroom, while their parents radiate the enthusiastic energy of supportive fans. Hegedus’s inventive game announcer narration increases the anticipation: “The Twins are off to a sluggish start. And here they come … with a bit more pep in their step … and they are ready for some fuel!” At Grand Slam Elementary, designed to replicate a baseball stadium, Hank and Erin meet their teacher, who plays the role of a coach. The class huddles for an overview of the dugout rules before starting their school day innings, which include art, spelling, lunch, and recess. Will Hank and Erin’s first day of school be a home run? Reminiscent in style to his book Coqui in the City, Perez again digitally paints colorful illustrations, which are bright and uplifting. Endpapers are scattered with mitts, helmets, foam fingers, and pennants […]
Gertrude Gish on a Dish on a Fish (Random House Books for Young Readers) by Sarah Hwang has received a glowing review from School Library Journal. Gertrude Gish adores stacking stuff. Her obsession leads to a poorly planned stack and an inevitable crash, after which her community requests that she cease and desist. Soon, though, it turns out that a penchant for balancing random objects on top of one another is the very thing that will help save the mayor’s precious penguins, who are stuck in a tall, tall tree. Gertrude revives her hobby to rescue the penguins, and from then on she uses her stacking talents in service to others. Bold outlines and bright colors make for cheerful illustrations. This title is part of the new Seuss Studios early reader series; though the rhymes in this volume don’t scan with the ease of Seuss’s work, the overall feel is similar. VERDICT This rhyming tale of an unusual character in a wacky situation will appeal to fans of Dr. Seuss. Congratulations Sarah! The book will be published May 6, 2025. Pre order it here
That’s My Truck! A Good Inside Story About Hitting, written by Dr. Becky Kennedy and illustrated by Joanie Stone, is a New York Times Bestseller for the second week in a row! Congratulations Joanie!
Claudette Colvin: I Want Freedom Now! (FSG) by Phillip Hoose, illustrated by Bea Jackson has been selected for the 2025 Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Titles Intermediate List. Since 1926 KNEA has published a list off recommended books by reading level as a service for school librarians and classroom teachers. Congratulations Bea! Get the book here Learn more about the KNEA Reading Circle here
You Made Fun of My Sandwich (Teacher Created Materials) by Jessica Pegis, illustrated by Harry Briggs is #1 on the Children’s Book Council’s Children’s Favorites List for Third to Fifth Grade,and This is My Brain! A Book On Neurodiversity (Chronicle) by Elise Gravel comes in at #3! Congratulations Harry and Elise! See the full list here
Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship and the United States (Christy Ottaviano Books) by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Huy Voun Lee has been named to the May/June Kid’s Indie Next list. See the full list here The book will be published May 27, 2025. Pre order it here
