For the Youngest Readers (Toddlers to Kindergarten)

WHO LOVES THE LITTLE LAMB?
Written by Lezlie Evans, illustrated by David McPhail (Hyperion)
Rhyming text and amiable illustrations share the many ways of a mother’s unconditional love for her child.

MY HEART IS LIKE A ZOO
Written and illustrated by Michael Hall (Greenwillow)
What do you do with a bunch of heart shapes? You turn them into a zoo of animals. Imagination abounds in this entertaining book. 

A PADDLING OF DUCKS: ANIMALS IN GROUPS FROM A TO Z
Written by Marjorie Blain Parker, illustrated by Joseph Kelly (Kids Can Press)
Whimsical illustrations are combined with the word play of some great vocabulary, bringing lots of laughter. Look for examples of the illustrator’s knack of working in a duck or two with each featured letter.

For Readers (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade)

SMILE!
Written and illustrated by Leigh Hodgkinson (Balzer & Bray)
Sunny is desperate. She has lost her smile. This book demonstrates magnificent ways to help keep your smile intact.

THE BEST FAMILY IN THE WORLD
Written by Susana Lopez, illustrated by Ulises Wensell (Kane Miller)
Carlota has been waiting for this day to arrive. She is being adopted. This lovely book puts readers into Carlota’s mind as she anticipates who her adoptive parents will be and how they will treat her.  

LOOKING CLOSELY AROUND THE POND
Written and photographed by Frank Serafini (Kids Can Press)
As springtime approaches, children love to go exploring outside. Spectacular nature photos in this book will build the anticipation of such an excursion to a pond near you—a  delight to witness in person. Look for other Looking Closely books by the same author.

For Readers (3rd to 6th Grade)

WHO IS BARACK OBAMA?
Written by Roberta Edwards, illustrated by John O’Brien (Grosset & Dunlap)
After one year in The White House, Barack Obama has become a household name, but how well do we know him? This biography is an informative read for students. Another wonderful new companion book is First Family by Deborah Hopkinson. 

WHALING SEASON: A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF AN ARCTIC WHALE SCIENTIST
Written by Peter Lourie (Houghton Mifflin)
This detailed account of bowhead whaling includes some amazing photos. It takes readers on a lifetime adventure to Barrow, Alaska that few non-natives have ever experienced.

MONSTER FLIERS: FROM THE TIME OF THE DINOSAURS
Written by Elizabeth MacLeod, illustrated by John Bindon (Kids Can Press)
Dinosaur books are always popular and this one is no exception. Cool silhouette pages at the back of the book give readers a time frame for these colossal birds.

Book reviews provided by BSU professor Stan Steiner, the Bookman.  For more book suggestions and reviews, visit his web page at http://education.boisestate.edu/stansteiner.