For the Youngest Readers (Toddlers to Kindergarten)

SHOE-LA-LA!
Written by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by LeUyen Pham (Scholastic Press)
Every girl should have a shoe experience like this with her friends; trying on every shoe in the store, exhausting the salesperson, and finally making up your mind on the perfect pair for the party.

I AM WHO I AM
Written by Bruno Hachler, illustrated by Iris Wolfermann (North South Books)
Young children will love this romping, rollicking, joyful book celebrating our diversity and our individuality.

MR. DUCK MEANS BUSINESS
Written by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Jeff Mack (Simon & Schuster)
Adding routine and structure to your day can be a good thing, but Mr. Duck learns that too much time alone also has consequences. This is a good book promoting the importance of compromise.

For Readers (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade)

HOW DID THAT GET IN MY LUNCHBOX? THE STORY OF FOOD|
Written by Chris Butterworth, illustrated by Lucia Gaggiotti (Candlewick Press)
This book is perfect for helping young readers realize that food has a history before it reaches the grocery store. Even adults may get a better understanding of what steps, from growing to processing the food, influence the market price.

EMMA DILEMMA: BIG SISTER POEMS
Written Kristine O’Connell George, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter (Clarion Books)
If you are one of the lucky girls who has a younger sister, this book of poetry is meant for you. The book would make a perfect gift from one sister to another. 

LARUE ACROSS AMERICA: POSTCARDS FROM THE VACATION
Written and illustrated by Mark Teague (Blue Sky Press)
Enjoy the hilarious fourth book of adventures with LaRue. The dog that is always right is a bit befuddled by two neighbor cats who put a damper on his original vacation cruise plans. 

For Readers (3rd to 6th Grade)                                    

HOW THE WEATHER WORKS: A HANDS-ON GUIDE TO OUR CHANGING CLIMATE
Written by Christiane Dorion, illustrated by Beverley Young (Templar Books)
This interactive book presents a thorough look into weather, including a section on the science behind predicting our future weather patterns.

MYTHBUSTERS SCIENCE FAIR BOOK
Written by Samantha Margles (Discovery Communications)
If you are even mildly curious and have an affinity for science, you are likely to carry this book everywhere until you try each experiment. Pay attention to parental guidance as directed, and rest assured parents have some of the same curiosities about many of the experiments found in this book.

HEART OF THE SAMURAI
Written by Margi Preus (Amulet Books)
Fast paced adventure novel, 19^th century riveting historical fiction, and Newbery Honor book folded into one fascinating read. Based on the life of Nakahama Manjiro, alias John Mung, the first Japanese man believed to have set foot on American soil.

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