After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again, Written and Illustrated by Dan Santat

We all know Humpty and his great fall, but what we aren't aware of, is the trauma he suffered afterward. Humpty gets put back together again, but now he is afraid of heights. limiting what he can do. He no longer can sleep in the top bunk, can't reach his favorite items at the store, and worst of all, can't climb back on that wall to watch the birds he loves so much. Time, determination, and creativity are what Humpty uses to push past his fears, and eventually, climb that wall again... only to discover why he's an egg in the first place!

The illustrations, warm colors, composition, as well as Humpty's expressions help us feel Humpty's fear, determination and triumph. Excellent for discussion about trauma, fear, determination, and how life will go on.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 2.6 • Interest Level: P-2 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 550 • Publisher: Roaring Brook Press• Pages: 40 • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-1-626-72682-6 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Primary

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrated by Rafael Lopez

Everyone has experienced the feeling of being different. The Day You Begin looks at those differences and teaches us that although everyone, at one time or another, has those feelings, we should not let those feelings hold us back. 

The text evokes memories for us all; walking into a new classroom and feeling that you look different, speaking with an accent and others laughing, when the lunch you bring to school is strange to others, last to be picked for a team because you're not good at sports, feeling like you're on the outside and wanting to join others on the inside. 

While those memories may have made us feel bad, the story, along with the colorful illustrations, help us to understand that our differences are what makes us unique, and while we are different, we are also very much the same. Our differences are something to celebrate!

Jacqueline Woodson writes with warmth and sincerity. Rafael Lopez's illustrations illuminate her words,  celebrating differences through the color, texture and form of the assorted media he uses.  A great read for the first day of school, or to evoke conversation when the need arises.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 4.0 • Interest Level: 1-4 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 980 • Publisher: Penguin • Pages: 32 • Copyright: 2018 • ISBN: 978-0-399-24653-1 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Primary

Madeline Finn and the Library Dog, Written and Illustrated by Lisa Papp

Madeline Finn hates to read. She especially hates to read out loud. She sometimes can't figure out the words, and some classmates giggle when she makes a mistake. Her teacher encourages Madeline to keep trying. Madeline would love to get a star sticker from her teacher, but stars are for good readers. The only sticker Madeline gets tells her to keep trying! Stars are for wishes, so Madeline wishes for a star sticker, but the whole week, Madeline doesn't get a star. When her mother takes Madeline to the library, she tells the librarian that she doesn't like to read. Today the library is special. the librarian takes Madeline to a room where there are dogs. Dogs in the library! She introduces Madeline to Bonnie, a beautiful white dog, and asks Madeline if she would like to read to Bonnie. Madeline decides to give it a try. As she reads to Bonnie, she makes many mistakes, but Bonnie doesn't giggle and listens patiently. Every Saturday Madeline reads to Bonnie. One day, Bonnie is not there, and Madeline is disappointed. On top of that, she is worried about reading at school, her mother tells her to pretend she's reading to Bonnie. Madeline is asked to read at school. She quietly starts to read, and before she knows it, she's done! Madeline has earned her star! Madeline goes to the library to tell the librarian she wants to give Bonnie her star. The librarian tells her that Bonnie has a surprise for her as well. She takes Madeline to Bonnie, and there she is...with her puppies!

A sweet book with a clear message for reluctant readers...keep reading! The pencil and watercolor drawings have a soft, vintage look to them and complement the tone of the text.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 2.3 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 520 • Publisher: Peachtree • Pages: 32 • Copyright: 2016 • ISBN: 978-1-561-45910-0 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Primary

Poor Louie, Written and Illustrated by Tony Fucile

Louie is a spoiled chihuahua, used to total and undivided attention from his 'parents'. Going on walks, going shopping, getting ice cream, dinner, a movie and a kiss goodnight. Then one day, things started to change. Unexpected guests with small creatures that wouldn't leave Louie alone. Louie's parents have kicked him out of their bed. And most unusual, Mom's stomach has been getting bigger! Then they started buying things in twos! Could it be there will be two new creatures in the house! Suddenly, Mom and Dad left in a hurry, and left Louie alone. That was the last straw for Louie. It was time for Louie to gather his things and runaway.

The illustrations are simple but expressive with mostly white backgrounds, line drawings and fill color. The use of scale, composition and text size help convey Louie's feelings. Poor Louie is a perfect allegory for how kids might feel when they are expecting a new sibling. 

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 1.8 • Interest Level: P-2 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 480 • Publisher: Candlewick • Pages: 40 • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-0-7636-5828-1 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Primary

Alfie: The Turtle that Disappeared written and illustrated by Thyra Heder

A sweet story about Nia, who gets a pet turtle on her sixth birthday. Nia  calls the turtle Alfie and for the next year becomes her best friend, reading him stories, making him gifts and teaching him to wiggle dance. Approaching her seventh birthday, here interest is waning, but then Alfie disappears. 

Now told from Alfie's point of view, Alfie appreciates all that Nia has done for him. He wantsbto make her as happy as she has made him by finding her a present for her seventh birthday. He leaves his aquarium to search for the perfect gift.

The ink and watercolor illustrations are sweet, and fill the pages with compositions that show the alternate perspectives of Nia and Alfie. A fun read aloud that is sure to bring up conversations about a variety of pet experiences.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 2.5 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 490 • Publisher: Harry N. Abrams • Pages: 48 • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-1-419-72529-6 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Primary 

Queen of the Sea by Dylan Meconis

Margaret is part of the St. Elysia Convent located on a tiny island off the eastern coast of the island kingdom of Albion. There are ten others on the island, comprised mostly of nuns and a few workers, of which Margaret is one. She was brought to the island when she was a baby, for reasons that are a mystery to her. Twice a year the island is visited by a ship that brings supplies, and sometimes new residents. A ship appears on the horizon, but the supply ship is not due for months. Worried that the ship may have nefarious purposes, the nuns quickly lock away important items and documents, preparing to protect themselves and the convent. It turns out that the ship brings a mysterious visitor cloaked in secrecy, accompanied by Her Reverence, Mother Mary Clemence and two guards, the nuns take them in as ordered by Albion's Queen Catherine.  Mother Mary and her guards watch every move the mysterious visitor takes, limiting where she goes on the island, and whom she talks to.


The visitor will eventually help to reveal what this island convent actually is, why the visitor is so carefully guarded, and ultimately who Margaret really is and why she was sent there.  

This historical graphic novel is loosely based on the exile of Queen Elizabeth I by her sister, Queen Mary during Renaissance England. Woven in the story is information about cultural, convent and religious rituals. I felt these interludes interrupted the story, and more often than not, didn't really add to understanding. The ending is a bit disappointing as it is clear that this will be a series, and leaves you hanging. The art work is well done, and its range of cold grays to warm earth tones help convey the mood. Good, but not great.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 4.7 • Interest Level: 5-9 • AR Points: 10 • Lexile Level: GN710 • Publisher: Candlewick Press • Pages: 400 • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-1-536-20498-8 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

The Important Thing about Margaret Wise Brown, Written by Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Sarah Jacoby

Many of you know the book Good Night Moon. Many of you don't know its author, Margaret Wise Brown. Mac Barnett has made sure that people know the author of some of our most beloved  children's books, and why she is important.

Barnett writes the book in a very conversational style, taking on some of Margaret Wise Brown's unique stylizations. He admits early on that in 42 pages he cannot cover her entire life, so he will cover what is important. He goes on to reveal Brown's love of animals, especially rabbits, and some of her quirky, unpredictable behaviors. Why is this important you ask? They are important, because they help you understand the basis for, and the reason behind her unique, quirky, and groundbreaking children's books. He then goes on to talk about her difficulty in getting them published, recognized and read. He spends several pages talking about Anne Carroll Moore, the children's librarian at the New York City Public Library. Her influence on library purchases across the country was profound. If she didn't like a book, it was not recommended for purchase, and she did not like Margaret Wise Brown's books. At all.

Eventually, Anne Carroll Moore retired, and although Margaret Wise Brown's books were unusual, people liked them, and the word spread. At the end Barnett touchingly explains that every good book will have a reader that doesn't like it. That while a book may be strange and unusual, so is life. Books like this are true, and books that are true are important. Children need important books, and it was important that Margaret Wise Brown wrote books. 

For read alouds, I would introduce and read some of Brown's books first, so children are familiar with the stories, subject and tone of her writing. With younger ones, you'll need to do a lot of explaining and editing. For older kids, especially ones already familiar with her work, the book can lead to discussions about writing, writing style, author's, and the influence of author's lives on their work.

Mark's Book Picks Score: Non-Fiction

Dewey: 921 • Reading Level: 4.2 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 620 • Publisher: HarperCollins • Pages: 42 • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-0-06-239344-9 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson, Illustrated by Sean Qualls

Born in Ghana, Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, faced a difficult life, born with only one functioning leg. While his mother, Comfort, had hope and love for Emmanuel, the village thought he was cursed and his father abandoned the family.  Emmanuel prospered through determination and grit. With his mother falling ill, Emmanuel, only thirteen,  left home to go earn money to help support his family. At fifteen, his mother's condition became very grave, so he came home to say goodbye. His mother's parting words inspired him to bicycle around Ghana. No one at home would support his idea, so he wrote to Challenged Athletes Foundation in San Diego, who sent him all the equipment he needed.

Wearing a shirt printed with "The Pozo" or "the disabled person," he rode through Ghana, gaining notoriety, as he talked  to disabled and able bodied people about the value of disabled people. Completing his journey in 10 days, Emmanuel became a national hero. Using his fame he became an agent of change in Ghana, helping to pass the Persons with Disabilities Act, ensuring the rights of the disabled in Ghana.

The mixed-media illustrations are bold, graphic, and beautifully help to convey the story. An inspirational story for both younger and older children, and will help teach that despite our limitations our potential is limitless.

Mark's Book Picks Score: Non-Fiction

Dewey: 362.4092 • Reading Level: 4.4 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 770 • Publisher: Random House • Pages: 40 • Copyright: 2015 • ISBN: 978-0-449-81744-5 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

The Very Impatient Caterpillar, Written andI llustrated by Ross Buach

Ever have a feeling of being left out? Being behind the curve? Being impatient? Being the one that everyone else is impatient with? Well, THATS the impatient caterpillar!

When impatient caterpillar sees his buddies leaving, he wants to know where they are going. "We're going to metamorphize." Having no idea what they are talking about, he has to catch up quickly. The story takes us through the metamorphosis process, with impatient caterpillar clueless and impatient each step of the way. The pencil and acrylic illustrations are bold, colorful, and clearly evoke the bewilderment and anxiety of the impatient caterpillar. The text is just as bold and expressive. This is a fun read aloud, that if done with the same expressiveness as the text and pictures, will have the audience roaring with laughter. Perfect as an introduction to a science unit, but a good read at any time.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 5

Reading Level: 1.7 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 260 • Publisher: Scholastic • Pages: 32 • Copyright: 2019 • ISBN: 978-1-338-28941-1 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding