Lots of love for AT THE END OF THE DAY!
From KIRKUS
A child struggles with feelings of sadness.
An unseen narrator repeats the title phrase to underscore a family’s fatigue. “At the end of the day, sometimes everyone is exhausted. Or bored. Or in a mood.” There’s homework to be done or piano lessons to attend. There’s often no time to play outside, especially if it’s too cold. And don’t forget chores. Even a seemingly small disappointment, like a missing puzzle piece, hangs over the family like a dark cloud. Briefly, though, such as during a family bike ride, things seems OK. What’s going on? The clues are there if readers carefully observe Bontigao’s cozy, digital illustrations. Dad and the children are engaged in a variety of activities, but Mom is absent. Readers eventually realize that she’s far away and sorely missed, seen only on a video call in her military uniform. For she is the missing puzzle piece. When she returns, the family’s emotions pour out, and all is right with their world, now filled with reassuring, comforting sights and sounds and lots of kisses and hugs. The lyrical text is paired with tender visuals that primarily focus on one of the children, who’s by turn confused, sad, and hopeful—and whose situation will elicit commiseration and compassion, especially from other kids in military families. Dad presents Asian, while Mom is brown-skinned, and the children vary in skin tone.
Gentle and heartwarming.
From THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS
School may be over, but for the household of a little boy, his two siblings, and their dad, the day is far from done. There's homework, chores, and dance lessons, and it feels like there's barely enough time to have fun—and sometimes by the time everything is finished it's already too dark to go outside. Some days are especially bad, with shots at the doctor's office or an admonishing note from a teacher, but even the worst days can always be tempered by washing out the negative feelings in the bath with the promise of a fresh start tomorrow. Family bike rides through autumn leaves and puppy kisses bring smiles, and when their soldier mother makes a surprise return home, the day couldn't be better. The digital artwork is gentle, using wobbly, pencil-like outlines in a soothing shade of brown to depict the family with cartoonish, slightly oversized heads, set against backdrops of playtime messes or the smudgy purple-orange beauty of a walk through a park around sunset. With its focus on balance and resilience, this would be a solid bedtime choice for a kid who needs a reminder that a bad day doesn't mean the end of the world and that it's just as important to appreciate little moments as big ones.
From HORN BOOK
For many children, the afterschool hours are anything but relaxing, "because now there is homework. Or a piano lesson. Or dance class." Detlefsen and Bontigao effectively portray this frenetic time between school dismissal and bedtime in an enjoyable picture book featuring a biracial family. The dad, who may be a stay-at-home parent, oversees the three young children's activities. Mom is in the military and joins her family via a video call in the evening, during which the kids experience the "pang of missing someone who feels too far away." While the children may be "exhausted...or in a mood" at day's end, there are also moments of lightheartedness. Dad and the kids enjoy taking a walk at twilight, telling knock-knock jokes, and eating bread fresh from the oven. Mom's return home makes the family complete but doesn't put an end to the chaos. Bontigao's expressive digitally rendered illustrations capture the havoc surrounding the family (e.g., the dog eats a child's homework, a vase is knocked off a table and shatters), while the text's soothing rhythm makes for a fine bedtime story.
From KIRKUS
A child struggles with feelings of sadness.
An unseen narrator repeats the title phrase to underscore a family’s fatigue. “At the end of the day, sometimes everyone is exhausted. Or bored. Or in a mood.” There’s homework to be done or piano lessons to attend. There’s often no time to play outside, especially if it’s too cold. And don’t forget chores. Even a seemingly small disappointment, like a missing puzzle piece, hangs over the family like a dark cloud. Briefly, though, such as during a family bike ride, things seems OK. What’s going on? The clues are there if readers carefully observe Bontigao’s cozy, digital illustrations. Dad and the children are engaged in a variety of activities, but Mom is absent. Readers eventually realize that she’s far away and sorely missed, seen only on a video call in her military uniform. For she is the missing puzzle piece. When she returns, the family’s emotions pour out, and all is right with their world, now filled with reassuring, comforting sights and sounds and lots of kisses and hugs. The lyrical text is paired with tender visuals that primarily focus on one of the children, who’s by turn confused, sad, and hopeful—and whose situation will elicit commiseration and compassion, especially from other kids in military families. Dad presents Asian, while Mom is brown-skinned, and the children vary in skin tone.
Gentle and heartwarming.
From THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS
School may be over, but for the household of a little boy, his two siblings, and their dad, the day is far from done. There's homework, chores, and dance lessons, and it feels like there's barely enough time to have fun—and sometimes by the time everything is finished it's already too dark to go outside. Some days are especially bad, with shots at the doctor's office or an admonishing note from a teacher, but even the worst days can always be tempered by washing out the negative feelings in the bath with the promise of a fresh start tomorrow. Family bike rides through autumn leaves and puppy kisses bring smiles, and when their soldier mother makes a surprise return home, the day couldn't be better. The digital artwork is gentle, using wobbly, pencil-like outlines in a soothing shade of brown to depict the family with cartoonish, slightly oversized heads, set against backdrops of playtime messes or the smudgy purple-orange beauty of a walk through a park around sunset. With its focus on balance and resilience, this would be a solid bedtime choice for a kid who needs a reminder that a bad day doesn't mean the end of the world and that it's just as important to appreciate little moments as big ones.
From HORN BOOK
For many children, the afterschool hours are anything but relaxing, "because now there is homework. Or a piano lesson. Or dance class." Detlefsen and Bontigao effectively portray this frenetic time between school dismissal and bedtime in an enjoyable picture book featuring a biracial family. The dad, who may be a stay-at-home parent, oversees the three young children's activities. Mom is in the military and joins her family via a video call in the evening, during which the kids experience the "pang of missing someone who feels too far away." While the children may be "exhausted...or in a mood" at day's end, there are also moments of lightheartedness. Dad and the kids enjoy taking a walk at twilight, telling knock-knock jokes, and eating bread fresh from the oven. Mom's return home makes the family complete but doesn't put an end to the chaos. Bontigao's expressive digitally rendered illustrations capture the havoc surrounding the family (e.g., the dog eats a child's homework, a vase is knocked off a table and shatters), while the text's soothing rhythm makes for a fine bedtime story.
Hooray for FARM BOOTS!
From BOOKLIFE
As the seasons change, so too does the footwear on a farm. Detlefsen takes readers on a journey through the everyday details of farm life, each boot presenting an opportunity to showcase tasks on the farm as seen through the eyes of children. Rhyming text and Renée Kurilla’s vibrant digital illustrations create an upbeat and modern atmosphere that welcomes readers to the farm through the playful theme of boots, both for work and play. Farm lovers and the shoe curious alike will enjoy the lighthearted depiction of the yearly rhythms of the farm, complete with task-specific patter and the clump of boots of all shapes, sizes, and colors.
In depicting modern farm life, Detlefsen covers lots of ground, showcasing an array of farm types, including dairy farms, horse stables, pumpkin patches, and tree farms. Curiously, the farms shown don't depict the top commodity crops grown in the US, corn, soy, and barley. What Farm Boots does showcase, though, is a host of diverse kids planting, lamb-cuddling, cow-milking, puddle-splashing, and caring for all of the life a farm bursts with. Play, muddy work, and even the polished boots worn to showcase animals at the fairgrounds are captured on rich, appealing pages whose colors and details kids will want to soak in. (The prize pig in particular is a delight.)
What carries the story is the cheerful tone, found in the text in lines like “Take a break in boots for play–/Climb the rope and jump in hay!” and in the warm illustrations of seasonal delights, smiling children, and friendly animals. Further information about types of boots (a “Farm Boots Glossary”) and their uses on the farm can be found on the last page. Well-suited for learning about seasons, farms, or the shoes we wear and why we wear them, Farm Boots is sure to win over young agricultural or footwear fans.
Takeaway: A cheerful celebration of farm footwear, work, and play as the seasons change. Editor's Pick!
From BOOKLIFE
As the seasons change, so too does the footwear on a farm. Detlefsen takes readers on a journey through the everyday details of farm life, each boot presenting an opportunity to showcase tasks on the farm as seen through the eyes of children. Rhyming text and Renée Kurilla’s vibrant digital illustrations create an upbeat and modern atmosphere that welcomes readers to the farm through the playful theme of boots, both for work and play. Farm lovers and the shoe curious alike will enjoy the lighthearted depiction of the yearly rhythms of the farm, complete with task-specific patter and the clump of boots of all shapes, sizes, and colors.
In depicting modern farm life, Detlefsen covers lots of ground, showcasing an array of farm types, including dairy farms, horse stables, pumpkin patches, and tree farms. Curiously, the farms shown don't depict the top commodity crops grown in the US, corn, soy, and barley. What Farm Boots does showcase, though, is a host of diverse kids planting, lamb-cuddling, cow-milking, puddle-splashing, and caring for all of the life a farm bursts with. Play, muddy work, and even the polished boots worn to showcase animals at the fairgrounds are captured on rich, appealing pages whose colors and details kids will want to soak in. (The prize pig in particular is a delight.)
What carries the story is the cheerful tone, found in the text in lines like “Take a break in boots for play–/Climb the rope and jump in hay!” and in the warm illustrations of seasonal delights, smiling children, and friendly animals. Further information about types of boots (a “Farm Boots Glossary”) and their uses on the farm can be found on the last page. Well-suited for learning about seasons, farms, or the shoes we wear and why we wear them, Farm Boots is sure to win over young agricultural or footwear fans.
Takeaway: A cheerful celebration of farm footwear, work, and play as the seasons change. Editor's Pick!
Make way for ON THE GO AWESOME!
From KIRKUS
Dedicated to the notion that there is always something more awesome to attempt.
A kid lets their mind wander to its natural limits. If, for example, “trains are cool,” and if “watching a train is very cool,” and if “riding on a train is even cooler,” then “conducting a train through the mountains” must be “CHUGGA CHUGGA AWESOME!” This pattern is replicated with a wide variety of other heavy-duty machines. Operating an excavator? “DIG INTO AWESOME!” Piloting a plane? “PREPARE FOR AWESOME!” The child, who has pale skin, like parents and sibling, and straight, dark hair, imagines operating subway trains, monster trucks, boats, and rockets. (Background characters are racially diverse; the woman-of-color co-pilot is a nice touch.) Finally the kid looks out the window of a camper. “Campers are cool. Wait! Are campers cool?” They sure are, and this is one family adventure the kid can actually take outside of the imagination. Detlefsen’s text delights in drilling into just how much fun each of the activities featured could be. Meanwhile, the colorful, cartoon artwork meticulously works to render every “awesome” encounter in its natural, amazing extreme. From the blinding array of instruments in the cockpit of an airplane to the sight of tiny cars being crushed beneath monster wheels, there’s a jolt of adrenaline cooked into every page. The transportation-obsessed have found a new tale to pore over.
Hyperbole taken to the utmost thanks to the bottomless well of transportation enthusiasm.
From PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY
Detlefsen (Catkwondo) and Neubecker (Little Smokey) fuel their transportation picture book by going full throttle on that ultimate kid fantasy: “What if I were behind the wheel?” Standing on a subway platform, a child acknowledges that watching people is “fairly fascinating” and that riding the train is “definitely fascinating.” But “operating the subway far below the bustle of the big city”? “Stand clear for awesome!” More good-better-best vignettes follow, each culminating in an appropriately over-the-top superlative: captaining an ocean liner is “Aye Aye Awesome!” while driving a monster truck is “Crushingly Awesome!” But lest readers come away thinking dreamy life is the ne plus ultra, the book ends with the kid realizing that being a passenger on a family cross-country camper trip is pretty great, too. The text’s playful formula and outdoor-voice decibel level makes it a readaloud natural, but it’s Neubecker’s gift for portraying incredibly detailed situations, chock-full of visual humor, that will render this book awesome for vehicle enthusiasts.
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
VERDICT A pleasant additional purchase to expand collections on this perennially popular topic.
From KIRKUS
Dedicated to the notion that there is always something more awesome to attempt.
A kid lets their mind wander to its natural limits. If, for example, “trains are cool,” and if “watching a train is very cool,” and if “riding on a train is even cooler,” then “conducting a train through the mountains” must be “CHUGGA CHUGGA AWESOME!” This pattern is replicated with a wide variety of other heavy-duty machines. Operating an excavator? “DIG INTO AWESOME!” Piloting a plane? “PREPARE FOR AWESOME!” The child, who has pale skin, like parents and sibling, and straight, dark hair, imagines operating subway trains, monster trucks, boats, and rockets. (Background characters are racially diverse; the woman-of-color co-pilot is a nice touch.) Finally the kid looks out the window of a camper. “Campers are cool. Wait! Are campers cool?” They sure are, and this is one family adventure the kid can actually take outside of the imagination. Detlefsen’s text delights in drilling into just how much fun each of the activities featured could be. Meanwhile, the colorful, cartoon artwork meticulously works to render every “awesome” encounter in its natural, amazing extreme. From the blinding array of instruments in the cockpit of an airplane to the sight of tiny cars being crushed beneath monster wheels, there’s a jolt of adrenaline cooked into every page. The transportation-obsessed have found a new tale to pore over.
Hyperbole taken to the utmost thanks to the bottomless well of transportation enthusiasm.
From PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY
Detlefsen (Catkwondo) and Neubecker (Little Smokey) fuel their transportation picture book by going full throttle on that ultimate kid fantasy: “What if I were behind the wheel?” Standing on a subway platform, a child acknowledges that watching people is “fairly fascinating” and that riding the train is “definitely fascinating.” But “operating the subway far below the bustle of the big city”? “Stand clear for awesome!” More good-better-best vignettes follow, each culminating in an appropriately over-the-top superlative: captaining an ocean liner is “Aye Aye Awesome!” while driving a monster truck is “Crushingly Awesome!” But lest readers come away thinking dreamy life is the ne plus ultra, the book ends with the kid realizing that being a passenger on a family cross-country camper trip is pretty great, too. The text’s playful formula and outdoor-voice decibel level makes it a readaloud natural, but it’s Neubecker’s gift for portraying incredibly detailed situations, chock-full of visual humor, that will render this book awesome for vehicle enthusiasts.
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
VERDICT A pleasant additional purchase to expand collections on this perennially popular topic.
Hana, Dul, Set... CATKWONDO!
From KIRKUS
A kitten claws her way to success in catkwondo.
“Observe the new student. She is eager. She is energetic.” She is also a gray, green-eyed kitten excited to break boards. Her sabeomnim, an elderly orange cat, gently guides her to take “One step at a time. In taekwondo, you must prepare both body and mind.” Despite the kitty’s excited first kicks and punches, she is unbalanced and lands on her bum with a “kerplunk!” Perfection does not come right away. Through practice at both the dojo and home, the kitten’s skills grow as she learns the patterns of movement and techniques. Her fellow furry felines of all stripes and colors also aid her in her journey, eventually helping her earn a yellow belt and pounce on her initial goal of breaking a board in half. Korean and taekwondo terms are seamlessly incorporated in the narrative, which is followed by a glossary. The terse sentences are often punctuated with bright onomatopoeia in display type, accompanied by action-packed images. Hunting draws each cat with an oversized round head and huge, circular eyes against a backdrop of bright, contrasting colors, giving the book an energetic tone. In addition to the comic portrayal of cats, the plot lays bare the tenacity and hard work required to achieve a goal.
A lighthearted introduction to the Korean martial art—this lively kitty entertains. (glossary) (Picture book 4-7)
From KIRKUS
A kitten claws her way to success in catkwondo.
“Observe the new student. She is eager. She is energetic.” She is also a gray, green-eyed kitten excited to break boards. Her sabeomnim, an elderly orange cat, gently guides her to take “One step at a time. In taekwondo, you must prepare both body and mind.” Despite the kitty’s excited first kicks and punches, she is unbalanced and lands on her bum with a “kerplunk!” Perfection does not come right away. Through practice at both the dojo and home, the kitten’s skills grow as she learns the patterns of movement and techniques. Her fellow furry felines of all stripes and colors also aid her in her journey, eventually helping her earn a yellow belt and pounce on her initial goal of breaking a board in half. Korean and taekwondo terms are seamlessly incorporated in the narrative, which is followed by a glossary. The terse sentences are often punctuated with bright onomatopoeia in display type, accompanied by action-packed images. Hunting draws each cat with an oversized round head and huge, circular eyes against a backdrop of bright, contrasting colors, giving the book an energetic tone. In addition to the comic portrayal of cats, the plot lays bare the tenacity and hard work required to achieve a goal.
A lighthearted introduction to the Korean martial art—this lively kitty entertains. (glossary) (Picture book 4-7)
Everyone into the pool for 1, 2, 3, JUMP!
From THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS
In this cheerful guide, an unseen narrator uses direct address to help the young protagonist through her first swim lesson. There is, of course, the suit (but not the gray three-piece with the top hat); then the cap (but not the jaunty baseball cap with the brim); and finally, goggles. Now, into the water. Well, maybe not yet—even after being assured that she will not freeze into a kidsicle and that there are no sea creatures, alligators, or sharks in sight, our girl just isn’t ready. The promise of flippers, however, finally gets her to take the leap, much to the enthusiastic cheers of her fellow pool-goers. Valentine’s buoyant illustrations deftly capture the playful milieu of the pool, from the sweet old ladies doing water aerobics to the excited kiddos jumping in with abandon, and the girl’s imaginings are made real in the art, with alligators, sea monsters, and mermaids all making an appearance. Dappled shades of teal and sky blue give the water both depth and movement while more solid pops of color can be found in swim caps, toys, and bathing suits; the girl’s trepidation is evident as oversized goggles magnify her already wide-eyed expression, and her triumphant plunge will surely garner cheers from viewers. Pair this with Cornwall’s Jabari Jumps (BCCB 5/17) for an encouraging primer before kiddos head off to make their big splash.
From KIRKUS
Playful encouragement for new swimmers. A splash!
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
VERDICT A great way to encourage children to both explore the world around them and incorporate new activities into their daily lives. Dive right in.
From THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS
In this cheerful guide, an unseen narrator uses direct address to help the young protagonist through her first swim lesson. There is, of course, the suit (but not the gray three-piece with the top hat); then the cap (but not the jaunty baseball cap with the brim); and finally, goggles. Now, into the water. Well, maybe not yet—even after being assured that she will not freeze into a kidsicle and that there are no sea creatures, alligators, or sharks in sight, our girl just isn’t ready. The promise of flippers, however, finally gets her to take the leap, much to the enthusiastic cheers of her fellow pool-goers. Valentine’s buoyant illustrations deftly capture the playful milieu of the pool, from the sweet old ladies doing water aerobics to the excited kiddos jumping in with abandon, and the girl’s imaginings are made real in the art, with alligators, sea monsters, and mermaids all making an appearance. Dappled shades of teal and sky blue give the water both depth and movement while more solid pops of color can be found in swim caps, toys, and bathing suits; the girl’s trepidation is evident as oversized goggles magnify her already wide-eyed expression, and her triumphant plunge will surely garner cheers from viewers. Pair this with Cornwall’s Jabari Jumps (BCCB 5/17) for an encouraging primer before kiddos head off to make their big splash.
From KIRKUS
Playful encouragement for new swimmers. A splash!
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
VERDICT A great way to encourage children to both explore the world around them and incorporate new activities into their daily lives. Dive right in.
RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE is the 2019 American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture Book of the Year and the Ag in the Classroom Book of the Year for several states, including Lisl's home state of Wisconsin!
From KIRKUS
In this farm-themed picture book, children learn the sources of the foods they eat.
Framed around children’s mealtimes, this cheery picture book by Detlefsen (If You Had a Jetpack, 2018, etc.) and from the publishing arm of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture pays tribute to farmers and farming. Illustrated with idyllic scenes of farmers at work and a diverse mix of children, the book begins with a little girl about to eat her pancake breakfast. The stories of farmers, her mother tells her, are “right here on your table,” and “Right this very minute,” farmers are in orchards testing juice oranges for ripeness, readying a field for planting wheat, and collecting maple sap for syrup.
An age-appropriate informational picture book offering a sunny celebration of farming.
From KIRKUS
In this farm-themed picture book, children learn the sources of the foods they eat.
Framed around children’s mealtimes, this cheery picture book by Detlefsen (If You Had a Jetpack, 2018, etc.) and from the publishing arm of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture pays tribute to farmers and farming. Illustrated with idyllic scenes of farmers at work and a diverse mix of children, the book begins with a little girl about to eat her pancake breakfast. The stories of farmers, her mother tells her, are “right here on your table,” and “Right this very minute,” farmers are in orchards testing juice oranges for ripeness, readying a field for planting wheat, and collecting maple sap for syrup.
An age-appropriate informational picture book offering a sunny celebration of farming.
Reviews are soaring for IF YOU HAD A JETPACK!
From KIRKUS
A whimsical story that challenges readers to dream, create, and share their fun with everyone.
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
In addition to fostering a sense of curiosity and invention, this book encourages a spirit of kindness, as many of the protagonist's imaginary adventures involve him helping others.
VERDICT An energetic, crowd-pleasing read-aloud that can be revisited again and again.
From THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS
Graduates of the Numeroff books and Loomis’ Astro Bunnies (BCCB 2/01) can swoop right on to this slightly more frenetic adventure.
From BOOKLIST
This vivid picture book will leave kids longing for jetpacks, while taking off on their own flights of fancy.
From KIRKUS
A whimsical story that challenges readers to dream, create, and share their fun with everyone.
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
In addition to fostering a sense of curiosity and invention, this book encourages a spirit of kindness, as many of the protagonist's imaginary adventures involve him helping others.
VERDICT An energetic, crowd-pleasing read-aloud that can be revisited again and again.
From THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS
Graduates of the Numeroff books and Loomis’ Astro Bunnies (BCCB 2/01) can swoop right on to this slightly more frenetic adventure.
From BOOKLIST
This vivid picture book will leave kids longing for jetpacks, while taking off on their own flights of fancy.
Check out what reviewers have to say about TIME FOR CRANBERRIES:
From KIRKUS
The author, who lives on a marsh, calls this a love letter to the cranberry-growing community, but it is also an enlightening, joyful celebration of a little-explored agricultural endeavor.
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
VERDICT A charming depiction of a small family business that helps children understand the origins of their food.
From BOOKLIST
A fine choice for young children who wonder how their food gets from farm to table.
From HORN BOOK
From the flooding of the cranberry marshes to the booming, corralling, suctioning, cleaning, and delivering, details of the harvest throughout are educational and informative.
From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Debut author Detlefsen (who lives on a Wisconsin cranberry marsh herself) vividly details each step, introducing terminology like "booming"... and "corralling," which involves putting on waders and gathering the berries "into one big bunch called the pot." (When Sam slips, his father assures him, "I always say you're not a cranberry grower until you fall in.")
From KIRKUS
The author, who lives on a marsh, calls this a love letter to the cranberry-growing community, but it is also an enlightening, joyful celebration of a little-explored agricultural endeavor.
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
VERDICT A charming depiction of a small family business that helps children understand the origins of their food.
From BOOKLIST
A fine choice for young children who wonder how their food gets from farm to table.
From HORN BOOK
From the flooding of the cranberry marshes to the booming, corralling, suctioning, cleaning, and delivering, details of the harvest throughout are educational and informative.
From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Debut author Detlefsen (who lives on a Wisconsin cranberry marsh herself) vividly details each step, introducing terminology like "booming"... and "corralling," which involves putting on waders and gathering the berries "into one big bunch called the pot." (When Sam slips, his father assures him, "I always say you're not a cranberry grower until you fall in.")