For the Youngest Readers (Toddlers to Kindergarten)

DAD AND POP: AN ODE TO FATHERS & STEPFATHERS
Written by Kelly Bennett, illustrated by Paul Meisel (Candlewick Press)
This book is perfect for kids who happen to have two loving fathers in their lives. Each father is unique in appearance, interests, work, and time spent with the children, but one thing they both have in common is love for the kids.

POPVILLE
Written Anouck Boisrobert & Louis Rigaud (Roaring Book Press)
Call it urban sprawl or magic, before your eyes this pop-up book starts with one building. By the time you get to the end of this clever work of art, you have a city.

I’M A TRUCK DRIVER
Written by Jonathan London, illustrated by David Parkins (Henry Holt)
For the truck aficionados in the preschool or home, this book in rhyming verse will likely become a favorite. Enticing illustrations and playful characters take readers on a rumble-tumble ride.

For Readers (Kindergarten to 2nn Grade) 

THE SANDWICH SWAP
Written by Her Majesty Queen Rania of Al Abdullah and Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Tricia Tusa (Hyperion)
It has been said that food is the first assimilation into learning about another culture. This beautiful story, based on a real life experience with Queen Rania, has an even greater message about friendship across ethnic groups.

A BOOK ABOUT COLOR: A CLEAR AND SIMPLE GUIDE FOR YOUNG ARTISTS
Written and illustrated by Mark Gonyea (Henry Holt)
This book explains the elements of color, from primary and secondary colors to complementary and analogous colors. Another nice feature is the explanation of color’s effect on emotions.

ZOOMER
Written and illustrated by Ned Young (Harper)
Zoomer has always looked at the world a little more creatively than his two brothers, Hooper and Cooper. His family cannot understand why he is not getting ready for school. He is having a blast playing because he knows something even his father does not know.

For Readers (3rd to 6th Grade)

DINOSAUR MOUNTAIN: DIGGING INTO THE JURASSIC AGE
Written and illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray (Farrar Straus Giroux)
This book provides a great historical perspective behind the beginning of dinosaur bone discovery and paleontologists in North America. Maps, a glossary, and an introduction to Dinosaur National Monument are included.

FOR GOOD MEASURE: THE WAYS WE SAY HOW MUCH, HOW FAR, HOW HEAVY, HOW BIG, HOW OLD
Written by Ken Robbins (Flash Point)
Through color photo images and descriptive text, Robbins gives readers a good understanding of the origins and present-day practice of measurement.

ME AND ROLLY MALOO
Written Janet S. Wong, illustrated by Elizabeth Buttler (Charlesbridge)
Janet Wong raises the question, “would you cheat to be popular?” Sixty percent of students have cheated on a test in the past 12 months. In this captivating story, Jenna and Rolly Maloo learn about the consequences of putting popularity over true friendship.

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