IF YOU MISS ME by Jocelyn Li Langrand.  New York:  Orchard Books, 2021.  32p.  ISBN 978-133868069-0 hb. $18.99      Gr. K-3      JUV

Charlie and her grandma both loved to dance.  Charlie took dance lessons because it was her passion, and Grandma watched from the sidelines, full of encouragement for the young dancer.  They spent summers together, but Charlie had to return to home each year for school.  They hated separating, so Grandma always said, "If you miss me, look at the moon. I will do the same."  When Grandma passed away, Charlie was full of sadness, even with the prospect of a big performance around the corner.  Lucky for her, the moon was visible from the performance hall window, reminding Charlie that her grandma was always with her.  This book provides a gentle way for children to deal with grief from the loss of a family member or friend.  Langrand enriches her story with expressive illustrations created digitally.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

LITTLE PEA'S DRAWING SCHOOL by Davide Cali. Illus. by Sebastien Mourrain.   Varennes, Quebec, Canada: Milky Way Picture Books, 2022.  32p.  ISBN 978-199025207-5 hc. $15.99    Gr. K-2     E PIC

Everyone recognized Little Pea's artistic abilities.  He drew flowers, trees, mountains, and bugs.  Since he already encouraged his friends to draw, they suggested that he open a drawing school.  His friends all signed up for classes.  Each had a talent for their own brand of art, except for Tarantula, who filled his paper with dots.  Little Pea took the group to an art museum to inspire his students to hold their own art exhibit back home.  The students did well, but guess who stole the show?  Readers could learn a new art technique, resulting in some home or classroom dot drawings.  
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

SLOW DOWN...IN THE PARK by Freya Hartas.  New York: Magic Cat Publishing, 2021. 12p.  ISBN 978-141976146-1 bb. $9.99     PreS-K   Board Book

Part of the series of Calming Nature Stories for Little Ones, Hartas features six parts of the natural world to read about.  She places a paragraph of basic information on the left page, while telling the same story in graphic panels on the right.  It's easy to follow and could be used to prepare young readers for graphic novels that will come their way later on.  The first page features ducks, with illustrations reminiscent of Robert McCloskey's art in MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS.  The heavy duty board book format is great for toddlers to pick up and read independently.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

CHILD OF THE FLOWER-SONG PEOPLE: Luz Jimenez, Daughter of the Nahua by Gloria Amescua. Illus by Duncan Tonatiuh.  New York: Abrams Books, 2021.  32p.  ISBN 978-141974020-6 hc. $18.99      Gr. 3-6     j897.4  or j921

This history of the Nahua people of Mexico, descendants of the Aztecs who were conquered by Spanish explorers and assimilated into Spanish culture, parallels the Native American experience in the United States.  In both countries, the displacement of native people was taking place from the late 1800's into the mid-1900s.  All of the customs and Nahuatl language that Luz Jimenez grew up with were replaced by modern job skills and the Spanish language.  Although Luz excelled at school, she didn't forget her heritage and aspired to teach the Nahua customs and stories to new generations.  With unwavering perseverance, Luz became an model for artists who wanted to depict the Nahua lifestyles in their art, and was also recognized as a source of historical folklore.  The illustrations are designed after several famous Mexican artists of the period, such as Diego Rivera, Fernado Leal, and Jose Maria Urbina.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

ONLY MY DOG KNOWS I PICK MY NOSE by Lauren Tarshis. Illus. by Lisa Bronson Mezoff.  New York: Orchard Books, 2021.  48p. ISBN 978-133868025-6 hc. $17.99     Gr. K-3     E PIC

For someone who is an ideal child, it's good to have a dog who knows all his secrets.   Little do his parents know that when he eats every bite from his lunch plate, his dog may have been helping.  And when he goes straight to bed at night, he throw back the covers to play with his toys one more time.  The title tells readers one more thing he does when nobody is around to see.  Everyone needs a pet to be themselves with, while still being loved unconditionally... and sticking to most of the house rules.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

ONE SHEEP, TWO SHEEP by Tammi Sauer. Illus. by Troy Cummings.  New York: Abrams Appleseed, 2021.  32p.  ISBN 978-141974630-7 hc. $14.99     PreS-K     E PIC

Rooster always counts sheep to help him fall asleep, but on this night, the other barnyard animals are also jumping over the fence, just like the sheep.  Rooster is unhappy with their efforts and interrupts his bedtime routine to yell at the chicken, pig, and cow who took part in the sheep count.  However, they all respond with "Baaa?" and don't seem to realize they aren't sheep after all.  Rooster gives them each a lesson in their proper identity, which makes the book a great read-aloud and a chance for listeners to participate in the story.  As he rounds up the sheep for a second try at bedtime, there's another surprise in store.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI  

SOUL FOOD SUNDAY by Winsome Bingham. Illus. by C.G. Esperanza.  New York: Abrams Books, 2021. 40p.  ISBN 978-141974771-7 hc. $17.99     Gr. K-3     E PIC

View a family gathering through the eyes of a child when "...everyone gathers at Granny's for soul food."  As the young narrator describes his extended family arriving in small groups, Granny drapes a chef jacket over his shoulders and proceeds to give him a cooking lesson.  He'll be making mac'n'cheese, cleaning the greens, and preparing meat for the grill, before adding his own sweet concoction for today's meal.  Both the author and illustrator learned how to cook from their grandmothers, making this beautiful book an authentic reading experience for young children.  They include a delicious mac'n'cheese recipe on the last page.  Enjoy!

Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI