Carole Lexa Schaefer

This book has just that little bit extra that takes it past the average "animal friends have ups and downs" easy reader.

In the first chapter, Monkey and Elephant decide to find some shade, away from the hot sun. But Monkey is too slow and Elephant is too fast. When they find a puddle, they both splash differently. Can they compromise? As they continue their walk into the second chapter, they find more things they don't agree on and one thing they do; singing! Finally, they start seeing show more shapes in the third chapter. Could they be trees? After a scary adventure, they finally find shade and decide their friendship is just right.

Bernstein's illustrations are crisp, digital swirls of color. Blue elephant and purple monkey are subtly associated - both have curls in their ears. Monkey has the curl motif repeated in her tail, while Elephant's tail matches Monkey's splayed feet.

It's the little surprises in the story that move it past the classic, and now somewhat overdone, Frog and Toad model. Fun vocabulary words sprinkle the text; scampered, galumphed, bumpity, swishing, and more. Monkey and Elephant's differences aren't just personality-wise, they're also physical and species; Monkey is small, quick, and sometimes vulnerable, Elephant is big, slow, and sometimes clumsy. Together, they make a perfect team.

Verdict: This is a bright new addition to the classic easy reader genre and I look forward to more Monkey and Elephant stories.

ISBN: 9780763648404; Published 2012 by Candlewick; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library show less

Amultiethnic group of five children plants and cares for their own neighborhood garden in a city setting.

This engaging story was inspired by a real community garden for children in Seattle. In this interpretation, the group of young gardeners includes two Asian girls, a black boy, a boy with light-brown skin, and a white boy. The kids appear to be on their own without adult supervision on this project, as they work cooperatively on a large plot of land with plentiful supplies for preparing show more the soil, planting seeds, watering, and weeding. The children also take time to play in the garden space and rest inside their “bean tent,” a cleverly constructed oasis of green bean vines twining around a tall structure of plant stakes. The short, evocative text effectively uses rich, imaginative language to describe the process of gardening with phrases such as “drip-drop damp” and sunflowers “rustling their leafy dresses.” Vivid illustrations in a naïve style use bright greens, sunny backgrounds, and a rainbow of flowers and produce to present the garden as a lively, welcoming environment. Anywhere Farm, by Phyllis Root and illustrated by G. Brian Karas (2017), also shows children gardening in an urban setting, making a nice pairing.

This charming look at a cooperative project outdoors in fresh air and sunshine captures the appeal of gardening and may inspire children to plant some seeds of their own. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-7)

-Kirkus Review show less

Simple and cute, with repetitions, bright pictures, and animals any child can see irl. Also there's a sneaky lesson about not getting upset if you don't get what you want - the critters flee, and that's good for them & ok for the baby.

Told from the perspective of an adorable baby with brown skin and slightly curling hair, this is a sweet adventure in the park. Nonna says “ciao!” and Baby gets packed into the back seat of a bike and they’re off. They settle onto the grass on the park - it appears to be early spring, based on the flowers, dandelion clocks, and grass but still chilly as Baby and Nonna are wearing sweaters and boots. They see a squirrel and Baby goes to meet it, “Scrunch, push. Scrunch, scoot.” but show more the squirrel takes off. Baby waves, “Ciao squirrel!” This doesn’t discourage Baby, who repeats their actions with a grasshopper and pigeon before it’s time to go home

Tobia’s illustrations are charming, showing a green oasis in the grey city and softly realistic drawings of the creatures Baby meets in the park. This has a little more of an urban feel than I usually purchase for my board books, but I love the idea of encouraging caregivers to take their babies outside and it’s nice to have a book with a darker-skinned baby who could easily be Hispanic (I’m guessing not because of the ciao, which I believe is Italian?).

Verdict: A sweet, sturdy board book which would make a good addition to your collection if you want more outdoor board books.
ISBN: 9780763683986; Published 2018 by Candlewick; Borrowed from another library in my consortium show less