Ruth Spiro

When I initially saw this title I was not impressed. I don't care for board books that are really written for parents or purport to "teach" very young children who should be playing, not memorizing facts or learning to read.

But then I actually read the book and it's awesome! So, never judge a book by its title! The first spread shows a child greeting a small blue bird. Using the bird, Spiro explains flight in simple, child-friendly phrases. "The engines help the plane go fast, fast, show more fast...then the wings lift the plane into the air." The book progresses from how the bird flies, to how the plane flies, to how a rocket flies, all in simple language and demonstrations that a toddler can understand.

Chan's illustrations show a brown-skinned, gender-neutral child, smiling as they greet and watch the bird, plane and rocket. The pictures are colorful with small details but bold and simple enough for a baby or toddler's developing eyesight.

Verdict: Perfect for parents who want "educational" books for their babies or just delightful for every day reading. Highly recommended.

ISBN: 9781580895415; Published 2016 by Charlesbridge; Review copy provided by publisher for Cybils; Donated to the library show less

Maxine, an inventive white girl with chalked pink and blue streaks in her hair, loves to make things, recycling, inventing, and tinkering. She has a special pet, a goldfish named Milton, for whom she's built a "spectacular" tank! But when Miss McMiller announces a pet parade on the playground after school, the other children are skeptical that she'll be able to bring Milton, since he doesn't have feet to march in the parade!

Maxine starts confidently planning a vehicle that will get Milton to show more the parade, but over and over again she fails. She considers borrowing a different, fluffier pet, but in the end realizes that Milton is her friend. With renewed determination, she sets to work and this time she succeeds in creating a "fintastic, fintabulous, fincredible fishmobile!" The story ends with Maxine and her fish and the confident assertion that "If I can dream it, I can make it!"

I was disappointed that Maxine was paper white; it would have been nice to see children of color in other but the background. I do think there's also some privilege implied in books like this, where the kids have access to a wide variety of materials and tools and the space to tinker with them. It's also a little unbelievable that the school would have a pet parade -and that they have a whole line-up of pets (bird, hamster, rabbit, and turtle) but most school-based stories aren't really realistic anyways.

Verdict: A cheerful story about try, try, trying again and not giving up.

ISBN: 9780399186295; Published October 2018 by Dial; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library show less

The way I see this book it is a good excuse for a parent who is somewhat vague on the meaning of various terms and uses of computers to *upgrade* their understanding alongside of their child. Simple and easy to understand the application of this knowledge in daily life.
The illustrations by Teresa Martinez are to delightful, imaginative, and vividly colorful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or public show more library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Charlesbridge via NetGalley. Thank you! show less

"Imagine the world you want to live in.
If that's not the world you see, will you create it?"

There are many picture books about taking action to improve the world around you, but this is the first one I've seen that specifically mentions the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam.

An author's note explains that tikkun olam is the belief that "we each have a responsibility to make the world a better place....When we observe problems and take action to address them, we are doing our part."

See also: show more Every Dog in the Neighborhood; Sofia Valdez, Future Prez; Anywhere Farm show less