Science FACTopia!: Follow the trail of 400 STEM-tastic facts (FACTopia!, 6)
by Rose Davidson (Goodreads Author), Andy Smith (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

This book gives random facts about science, the earth, the universe, animals, trees, and the ocean. We can learn about astronauts, sloths, weird plants, tennis, rabbits, polar bears, and new technology. The illustrations and photos are eye-catching and colorful. Each factoid is short; just one sentence that tantalizes your brain to learn more! The factoids are arranged so that each fact leads into the next with one small thing in common.

However, I have to wonder just how much of this book is true, and how much is just guess-work and theories. The book does not always make it clear which factoids are theories and which are backed up by empirical data.

Llamando a mamá (Spanish Edition) (Calling Mama)
by Anya Damirón, César Barceló (illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

Max calls for his mother every time he needs something. He screams out “Mama!” if he is hungry or can’t reach his toys or wants a glass of water. He yells for her so much that she tells him to only call for her if he really needs help. One day he screams for his mother, but she doesn’t respond. She waits to see what he will do without her. And he learns to be more independent and solve his own little problems by himself. His mother is still there to help him when he really needs it, but Max starts doing things on his own more and more. Until one day, his mother is the one to yell out “Max!” when he is making a mess in the kitchen!

As Brave as a Lion
by Erika Meza

5 out of 5 stars

A little girl is sometimes scared, but her lion helps her to be brave. They are always together through everything. The little girl goes to a new playground and climbs up the highest slide she has ever seen. The lion climbs up with her. But when they get to the top, they are BOTH scared! It looks too high! How will they ever find the courage to get down? They give each other courage because they are together!

Betty and the Mysterious Visitor
by Anne Twist, Emily Sutton (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

Betty loves to visit her grandmother in the country. They get to work in the community garden and harvest berries to make jam. But one morning they discover that something has destroyed part of the garden, digging up the grass and flowers and plants. Betty stays up late to spy out her window and she sees a badger digging up the garden looking for food. Betty comes up with a plan to scare off the badger and save the garden!

Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure Hunt
by Jamie Michalak (Goodreads Author), Kelly Murphy (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

Dakota the mouse receives a letter from her cousin Julien begging for her help to find a lost book. Dakota follows the clues to a bookstore in Paris. She must search diligently to find each clue along the way that leads her to the secret book. But when she reaches the end of her search, the book is not at all what she expected.