At the Pond
by David Elliott ( Author), Amy Schimler-Safford (Illustrations)

4 out of 5 stars

There is a flurry of activity at the pond. In the morning, the red-winged blackbird sings to waken the inhabitants of the pond. Under the water, fish, frogs, turtles, and pollywogs dart about. Ducks and geese, beavers and muskrats swim around the pond as well. Even the insects have important business as dragonflies, water striders, and fireflies flit about. There is always something interesting to see at the pond!

I love the writing style! I found it very interesting that this book uses really big words for a children’s picture book. I wish it had a glossary at the back, so that children could look up the words and expand their vocabulary, but I guess a dictionary will do as well. I really love books that use big words for kids, and they can learn something new!

Lily Leads the Way
by Margi Preus, Matt Myers 

5 out of 5 stars

Lily is a little sailboat who is always pushed aside by the bigger cargo ships. She must pass under a drawbridge to leave the harbor and welcome a fleet of old-fashioned sailing ships who are coming to visit, but she can’t get through with all the bigger boats hogging the waterways. When she is finally able to leave the harbor, she meets the grand old sailing ships and escorts them back towards the drawbridge. It is up to Lily to toot her little horn to signal the drawbridge to open up for the ships to pass through, but will the drawbridge hear her little horn?

I loved this cute book so much! There are so many layers to this story as Lily proves that she may be little, but she is worth listening to and she is a capable leader. I love the positive messages about being tenacious and polite and brave. Lily has a lot of obstacles to overcome, but she continues with grace and kindness even when others are rude.

Old Wood Boat
by Nikki McClure

5 out of 5 stars

An Old Wood Boat waits on dry land, waits for someone to return her to the sea where she used to roam. She is beginning to rot away when a family rescues her and repairs her. They give her new sails and better planking. When Old Wood Boat is ready, she is launched back into the water. They set sail together searching for adventures on the ocean.

I loved this beautiful book! The story is so simple, but there is deep meaning in each sentence. I loved the descriptions of every little detail surrounding the ship and her family.

Somewhere
by Robie H. Harris, Armando Mariño (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

A little girl goes on an adventure all her own in the park, finding new places, and discovering little treasures of feathers and flowers. Her father is nearby to keep her safe, but she is exploring independently. When she misses her father, she returns to the park bench to show him all the treasures she has found. They decide to go on an adventure together to a new place they can discover side by side.

Firsts and Lasts: The Changing Seasons
by Leda Schubert, Clover Robin (Illustrator)

3 out of 5 stars

Two sisters chronicle their activities through the seasons, listing all the firsts and lasts of each time of year. In Spring, it’s the last time for a snow day, but the first time for a picnic in the park. In Summer, they wear their flannel pajamas for the last time, and run barefoot for the first time. In Fall, it’s the last time to pick fresh vegetables, and the first time to eat hot soup. In Winter, they watch the geese fly south for the last time, and drink hot chocolate for the first time.
The lovely thing about this book is that you know all these first and last times will come around again next year!

The Song of the Nightingale
by Tanya Landman, Laura Carlin (Illustrator)

3 out of 5 stars

At the beginning of the world, the animals had no colors. So the painter lines them all up and gives each animal its stripes, spots, and colors. The ladybugs, lions, elephants, flamingos, and crocodiles all get their distinctive colors. The zebras and tigers get their stripes. Even the whales get their deep blue color. With the last pot of paint, the painter gives a special coat of gold paint to the golden scarab beetle. But when the day is done and all the animals have gone, a shy nightingale approaches the painter. There is only one drop of golden paint left on the painter’s brush, and the painter drips it down the nightingale’s throat. Golden notes of music echo through the cool night air!

Nour’s Secret Library
by Wafa’ Tarnowska, Vali Mintzi (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

Nour and her cousin Amir must hide in the basement with their family while the Syrian civil war rages through their beloved city of Damascus. In the rubble of abandoned buildings, Amir finds books that he brings home. Amir and Nour collect so many books that they open their own secret library for the civilians of the city to enjoy. Their neighbors begin to rescue books from the war-torn streets as well, and soon they have a flourishing library. In the middle of destruction, they create something beautiful!

This was such touching and emotional story! I loved the way the story puts you right into Nour’s shoes, showing her love for her family and her love for books. You really get a sense of the terror and uncertainty of living in the middle of a war. But there is also hope and light!

Rooftop Garden
by Danna Smith (Author), Pati Aguilera (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

A group of neighbors decide to plant a rooftop garden. They plant the seeds, water them, and weed. They encourage pollinators like butterflies and bees, but they gently remove the pesky bugs and snails. Finally they can harvest their crop of vegetables and have a big feast!

I liked the illustrations, and I especially appreciated that the neighbors are from all types of ethnicities and ages. On each page, we see them all working together to build their garden. The art style is simple and attractive with bright colors.