The result is astonishing. Not content to rest on her laurels, she enhances her invention with a pedal-powered fish feeder and a Makey Makey sound system.  Cowabunga!  Her problem-solving skills are put to the test when her teacher announces that the class will have a Pet Parade. How can she include her goldfish in this event? This dilemma proves to be her most daunting challenge to date. Multiple attempts to solve the problem result in multiple failures.

While messages of recycling and inclusion are woven into the narrative, it is Maxine's persistence in the face of setbacks that shines through. Spiro has created one determined little girl. Hatam's illustrations are brimming with clever and inventive touches. (Love the "wheelie delicious" fish-feeder that Maxine operates while reading Fish Tales.)

Let's hope that some little inventor shows up for Halloween dressed in sparkle shoes, a flouncy skirt and a knitted thinking cap with attached antenna.

Meet this trio of young problem-solvers. 

As is true for many factoid-filled books, Everything and Everywhere is destined to be a popular selection for browsing, sharing,  and discussing. This compendium has potential for appeal to a wide range of readers. They will endlessly pore over these pages. It's in a librarian's best interest to order multiple copies. 

Our world is filled with marvels great and small. Discover more fantastic places, amazing facts.

We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands  features stunning art on every page. 

What can you do with a ball of string? Try your hand at replicating the string game pictured in the book. These instructional videos can help you. Create a Cat’s Cradle with a friend. Jacob’s Ladder requires only one set of hands. However, it’s great fun to gather a couple of friends and create these fascinating string patterns.

For anyone who has loved and lost a treasured pet, this little gem offers solace and comfort. A stellar picture book that celebrates the capacity that art and color have to heal a wounded heart.
Thank you Laura for this treasure.

Construction Zoo is a delightful read aloud. It also functions well as an interesting study in compare/contrast. This can go many ways. Try this for an extension activity. Compare animals with other inanimate objects such as fruits and vegetables. Build your own snack time zoo. Creating was never so delicious!

Fun picture books celebrating zoo animals with color and geometric shapes.

But enough is enough. Even for a good witch. When the children discover her book of magic spells and her magic wand, chaos and catastrophe take over her tidy little residence. It's time for Willow to take action because...
"Willow was not ALWAYS a good witch."

Bethan's wit is liberally sprinkled throughout the pages. She manages to poke fun at existing tropes. (Yes, there is an oven scene. But not what you expect.) The subtle empowerment theme runs throughout.  But truly it's a great story that will be read and enjoyed again and again.
Her signature graphic style is evident. The cover features the top of heads, with expressive eyes which tell a story in and of themselves. The spot of color is a brilliant orange.  So now a Christmas classic works equally well for Halloween, and many other occasions. 
Thanks Bethan for another classic fairy tale remix.

Time to make some sweet and spicy gingerbread goodness.  If you're a good witch, feel free to share with children.

If you have missed either of these inventive retellings, now is the time to correct that. Experience Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel in an entirely different way.

Oliver has scrawny branches for arms, ending with puffs of leaves that resemble cheerleader pom poms. Anthropomorphism is only evident among the sequoias.  All other forest vegetation is depicted as silhouettes. 

The final pages provide information on actual sequoias as well as some great factoids on other natural and geographic second-largest record-holders.  A terrific follow-up activity would be to research other second-largest world records.  There is definitely a place for all second-place finishers!

Delacre ingeniously incorporates references to books with each illustration. Images throughout the pages contain direct references to the written word including posted signs, copies of newspapers, and naturally,  books. Two images stand out. First, Sonia sails in a paper boat, constructed from a printed page and her library card. "books were little boats that helped me escape sadness at home." Second, wearing her black robe, Justice Sotomayer ascends the steps to the Supreme Court Building. The steps are created from pages of legal documents. "Justice means treating people fairly under the law. It's also the name of what I am now - Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States."

End papers feature a collage of personal photographs. A timeline following the narration neatly encapsulates the life of this significant figure in United Stars history.