Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwal

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall (2017)

Ooh, I love this one and can't wait to use it in storytime. Jabari has graduated from swimming lessons, and is ready to conquer a jump off the diving board...probably. At the beginning of the day, he oozes confidence, but as he approaches the diving board, his confidence wavers and he employs some stalling techniques to hide his fear. But with patient support from his loving dad...Jabari jumps. Not too wordy for storytime, with large clear illustrations and a simply told but relatable narrative, this is storytime perfection. 

Themes/topics: bravery, swimming fathers, dads, being scared, jumping

Sample text from the wordiest spread:
Jabari watched the other kids climb the long ladder. They walked all the way out to the end of the board, as bit as tiny bugs. Then they stood on the edge. They spread their amrs and bent their knees and sprang up! up! up! And then they dove down, down down. 

Splash!

"Looks easy," Jabari said. But when his dad squeezed his hand, Jabari squeezed back.  

 

The Ring Bearer by Floyd Cooper

The Ring Bearer by Floyd Cooper (2017) #ownvoices

Weddings may not be the most common theme for storytime, but nervousness is universal. Jackson is very nervous about his role in his mama's wedding--he has to carry the rings! He's also nervous about calling Bill "Dad" and getting a new little sister, Sophie, who is the flower girl in the wedding. Grandpa helps get them ready to walk down the aisle--slow and steady--but Sophie forgets and is about to trip on a stair when Jackson catches her and saves the day. Jackson finds the confidence and comfort he needs within himself in this sweet read-aloud.


Themes/topics: weddings, nervousness, anxiety, siblings, family, remarriage, saving the day, blended families, #ownvoices

Sample text from two spreads:
Grandpop helps them practice, shows them how to walk down the aisle slow and steady. "That way you won't trip," Grandpop says like he knows just what's in Jackson's heart. But Jackson is worried anyway. 

The music starts and Sophie takes off. Grandpop nudges Jackson to get him going, too. Jackson walks slow and steady while Sophie skips ahead, ignoring Grandpop's advice. Mama's having a wedding, and Jackson has an important job to do, and no matter what Sophie does, he will not trip down the aisle!

Bat Count: A Citizen Science Story

Bat Count: A Citizen Science Story by Anna Forrester illustrated by Susan Detwiler

Jojo prepares a campfire, waiting for the rest of the family to come out for their loving evening ritual to watch and count the bats that emerge from their barn. Years ago, there were many bats, but the population has dwindled due to disease, and the family participates in 'citizen science,' counting and reporting the bat population numbers. Drama is introduced into the story since they are down to a single maternal bat, and they hope that they will see her with a baby, signaling growth in the population again.  The family relationship is warm and the story is well-told, making this a good tie-in for STEM programs, and older storytime groups.

Themes/topics: nature, bats, science, STEM

Sample text from opening spread--this is a longer story.
The sun is dropping behind the ridge and the red-winged blackbirds have quit their squalling, so I know it's almost time. Mom and Dad wash the dishes while I gather twigs. When my hands are full, I carry them down to the fire pit and pile them into a little teepee. I'm allowed to build fires on my own. "You know the way, Jojo," Mom says, "just keep and eye on our baby boys!" 

 

Round by Joyce Sidman illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

Round by Joyce Sidman illustrated by Taeeun Yoo (2017) #ownvoices

Look around—what round things do you see? For a little girl who loves round things, this book explores the many places she sees her favorite shape, and the sensory delight she finds in roundness. This book doesn’t rhyme, but Sidman’s chops as a poet are on full display in the first-person narrative. The words, as smooth and rich as a ripe berry, burst in your mouth and beg to be read out loud. Yoo’s illustrations are soft and lovely, inviting readers to spend time looking. Just lovely!

Themes/topics: Shapes, outdoors, nature, friendship, the moon

Sample text from final three spreads:
I can be round, too…in a circle of friends with no one left out.
Or, I can curl by myself in a warm, round ball.
I love round things. 

I’m Big Now by Anthea Simmons and Georgie Birkett

I’m Big Now by Anthea Simmons and Georgie Birkett (2017)

It’s always refreshing to find a new sibling book that is positive, and this one does a great job of honoring the feelings of the older sister, while still framing things in a positive helpful manner. To deal with her feelings of jealousy and displacement, she pretends to be a baby. In each case, a loving family member affirms her feelings and reminds her that she’s a big girl now in rhyming text.

Themes/topics: siblings, new baby, growing up, pretending

Sample text from two spreads:

The baby’s got his mushy food, he gets it in his hair. But I’ve got crunchy cereal and I sit on a chair.

“Would you like breakfast all mashed up?” Mummy teases me.

“No!” I can eat my big girl food with big girl teeth you see.

The baby’s on the changing mat and he’s not very happy.

I’m up on my potty. I don’t have to wear a nappy.

“This was you, once,” Daddy says.

“You hated diapers, too.”

“I’m a big girl, now,” I say. “I do what big girls do.”

Priscilla Gorilla by Barbara Bottner and Michael Emberley

Priscilla Gorilla by Barbara Bottner and Michael Emberley (2017)

Fans of “Miss Brooks Loves Books” won’t be disappointed with Priscilla, a similarly spirited youngster who clashes with her teacher over her exuberant love of gorillas. Certain that gorillas get their way, Priscilla resists following instructions in her class, and keeps ending up in the “Thinking corner.” A great read for class visits and older storytime groups, Priscilla learns her lesson, but inspires others as well.

Themes/topics: being yourself, behavior, school, gorillas

Sample text from one spread:

“Why do you love gorillas so much?” Her mother asked.

“They always get their way,” said Priscilla.

“Hmmm,” said her mother. “You already get your way a lot.”

“Not in Mr. Todd’s class. I was teaching lily my gorilla dance during nap time and Mr. Todd invited me to the Thinking Corner,” Priscilla explained.

“Did you do any thinking?”

“I was thinking how I don’t like the Thinking Corner.

If Your Monster Won’t Go to Bed by Denis Vega and Zachariah Ohora

If Your Monster Won’t Go to Bed by Denis Vega and Zachariah Ohora (2017)

When it comes to putting monsters to bed, don’t rely on parents—they’re no help with it comes to monsters. A series of tongue-in-cheek do’s and don’ts for getting your unruly monster off to bed include many asides and some body humor that will induce giggles with older listeners. Good for class visits and storytimes with older readers.

Themes/topics: monsters, bedtime, humor

Sample text from two spreads:

Step 6: In the key of screech, sing “Shock-a-Bye, Monster” and listen to those gigantic monster snores (along with the snores of your family and maybe even the whole block!).

Congratulations, you’ve done it! Your monster has officially gone to bed. You are the Master of Monsters, the Captain of Creatures, the Baron(ess) of Boogie Men! You’re so good, everyone in the neighborhood will start asking you to help with their monsters.