A raccoon has grown up living in the wall of a human restaurant where she emerges at night and cooks. She must make do with ingredients she finds on the window sill and in people’s lockers. When she tries to make ramen, she needs an egg. But just as she finally gets it in her hands, it hatches. She sets off to find the nest that the tiny baby crow came from. On the journey, they find Mole’s Hole, a restaurant for all sorts of animals that serves a variety of things made from worms. They make new friends, including a posse of other raccoons and a major enemy in an owl. Night Chef must find a way to save her little crow friend and that means figuring out where her own life is taking her.
This is Song’s first foray out of beginning readers and picture books and it’s a marvelous one. Her art is welcoming to young readers who will find colorful and friendly new characters on the pages. There is plenty of richly written action to carry the story forward and a quest worthy of our little heroine. The writing is deft and clever, funny at times but also full of heart.
A delicious new recipe for an elementary-aged graphic novel. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
Jazzy comes from a long line of witches who make the brooms that all of them ride. But Jazzy is different. She’s not excited about learning magic spells or about learning to ride a broom. It’s not until Jazzy sees her first bicycle that she finds her passion. Soon she is zipping around secretly on a bicycle that she made with the help of her best friend and Fiona, her pet bat. As Jazzy gets more and more focused on cycling, her friendship starts to fall apart along with her school work. When a broom riding performance is announced, Jazzy must find a way not to embarrass her entire family since she can’t ride a broom yet.
Bagley has created a marvelous witchy world in this graphic novel for elementary-aged readers. The diverse characters, include Jazzy’s family of Black queer women. With the focus on witch traditions vs. human bicycles, readers get to explore what being different from your family and community feels like and how telling the truth is a way to move forward and find acceptance. The art is funny, action-filled and fully depicts the community of witches.
A non-scary witch book that’s worth a ride. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
Anderson Hall is a retirement home for witches. Each of the retired witches and their familiars were known for different things, potions or astrology or gardening. Myrtle had been known as a champion broom rider. But when a boy comes to Anderson Hall and asks for Myrtle’s help in finding his missing guinea pig, Myrtle doubts that she can be of any help. It has been a long time since she used spells or rode a broom. With encouragement from her familiar, a pet toad who used to be a mailman, the boy and the other retired witches, Myrtle decides to try to help. It may take a few attempts to get off the ground though.
This early chapter book is a joy. It captures the hesitation of trying something new and taking risks combined with the joy of helping others. The rich witch retirement community is warmly rendered and distinctly and delightfully witchy despite their retirement. The text is approachable and the story moves quickly. The book has full-color illustrations that support the text and contribute to the cozy whimsy of the tale.
A magical read for the autumn season and beyond. Appropriate for ages 5-8.
Feather has never met a stranger before, since her community has been isolated along the decaying wall. So when he asks her for a favor, she helps him and manages to lose one of her group’s most valuable items, a spyglass for spotting oncoming danger. Now Feather must follow the stranger into along the wall and close to the dangers of the Forest where vines strangle and plants take over. Animals and insect grow huge and aggressive. As she travels, Feather finds safe places to hide at night, walking during the day and eventually finds small groups of other people living along the wall, each with their own societies and solutions for survival. Feather has to catch up to the stranger, save the spyglass and perhaps then she can return home to her family without disgrace.
As always, Hardinge’s text is extraordinary. She paints a vivid world being steadily devoured by the Forest and its invasive branches. Feather is such a small heroine against this sea of woods, the isolation of her journey, and the small moments of kindness. She shines against the darkness, alone and afraid but driven to fix what she has done. Gravett’s illustrations depict with some humor the daunting height of the wall, the dangers that Feather faces and the ingenuity of people in the face of destruction.
Perfect for sharing aloud thanks to the great pairing of text and illustration. Like Feather, this is a journey you must finish. Appropriate for ages 5-8.
Enter the weird and wonderful world of the Head friends in this graphic novel for elementary-age readers. Cabin Head and Tree Head are good friends and spend a lot of time together. They spend one day saying hello to all the other Heads and then realize the impact their surprise hellos are having on some of the more volatile Heads. In another story, Cabin Head starts doing portraits, first of a taco and then of other Heads who request it, but Tree Head thinks the taco portrait is too delicious to leave alone. There are adventures with holes and treasure maps, and another with the perfect hiding space that fits far too many. The book ends with byes, stories, drawing and a final pool party.
I just can’t express how delightful this graphic novel is. The concept is bizarre and immensely charming, creating a childlike playfulness that is enticing and great fun. I particularly enjoyed the riff on Jack and the Beanstalk as well as the interaction between the various Heads to solve problems and have fun.
Laugh-out-loud funny and joyful, this is a must-read for those who enjoy silliness. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
Wally is the mail carrier for Faraway Forest. He and his rabbit friend Bo deliver mail all over the woods. There are tiny envelopes and big heavy packages to deliver. The last house on the route is Mr. Sternbill’s and he’s quite grumpy. But Wally knows that you never know what is weighing on someone’s mind. In four chapters, readers get a tour of Wally’s route, see how a day can become surprisingly long by helping neighbors, see how a big storm impacts Wally’s job, and finally end the book with Wally getting sick and seeing how appreciated he is by his friends, including Mr. Sternbill.
This friendly and cozy graphic novel for elementary age is like a hug. Wally and Bo’s helpfulness shows the impact that someone can have on others in their community. The stories are fast paced and still make time for Wally and Bo to enjoy tea and lunch along the way. The illustrations are large, colorful, and friendly, making the reading more accessible and friendly for newer readers. The book begins with a seek and find for each chapter and ends with tips on how to draw Wally and Bo.
A welcome cozy delivery for young graphic novel enthusiasts. Appropriate for ages 5-8.
Reviewed from e-galley provided by Edelweiss & Chronicle Books.
Ty becomes a super hero in this newest book in the award-winning beginning-reader series. When Ty puts on his mask and cape, he’s ready to save the day just like his favorite super heroes. So when a dad needs someone to open the door for him, Ty saves the day! At the playground, when a boy is frightened of the slide, Ty saves the day by sliding with him. Mom can’t find her keys, but Ty can! Ty takes a break from all of his hard work as a super hero but when his paper plane gets stuck in a tree, Ty may be the one who needs to be saved.
Done in simple and readable language that is accessible to beginning readers, this book continues the themes of community and family that run through the entire series. Though the book’s language is simple, the story has a great depth to it and asks questions about being a helper and also accepting help from others. The illustrations are bright and cheery. They capture Ty’s imagination in childlike sketches that pop against the otherwise smoothly drawn images.
Another great book in a series that can’t be missed. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
I. M. Pei, a renowned architect had successfully redesigned part of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. But when the President of France asked him to work on the Louvre, Pei decided to keep the project secret. The Louvre had many issues as a museum with people unable to find the entrance and the long walk to reach the art once they did enter. So Pei set out to create a new way to enter the building. It was unclear what would work, but eventually he designed a glass pyramid. The French people though didn’t love the idea and argued that they should have hired a French architect. Pei stayed the course, doing interviews and calmly explaining his design. Could he win over the French people?
A look at the design process of a gifted architect allows young readers to see the resilience and persistence that design takes. Even when the design was finalized, there were issues with the construction that arose and then the arguments about the design itself. This nonfiction picture book explores process and results, engaging the reader in Pei’s childhood visits to China and what he learned there. The digital illustrations are a filled with crisp edges and renderings that capture Pei’s calm pride in his work. The book provides more information on the building at the end as well as sources and online resources.
A strong nonfiction picture book about one of the top architects in the world and one of his most famous projects. Appropriate for ages 6-10.
Reviewed from e-galley provided by Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Waking Brain Cells 