A Few Favorite Picture Books I Read in 2023

 I did not read as much as I usually do in 2023, but I still have some favorites to share. These picture books were not all books published in 2023, but they are books I read in 2023. I won't post descriptions, but if you click on the covers, you can read about the books on Goodreads. 

Fiction Picture Books

Nonfiction Picture Books

What are some of your favorites from 2023? 

Balto and Togo: Hero Dogs of Alaska by Helen Moss

Balto and Togo: Hero Dogs of Alaska

by Helen Moss

Published Nov. 2023

Godwin Books

Hardcover

192 Pages

Historical Fiction

Middle Grade

Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

It's the winter of 1924 and a diptheria outbreak is threatening the population of Nome, Alaska. The only way to stop the deadly illness from causing a full blown epidemic is to immediately deliver one million units of the diptheria antitoxin to the affected communities ––a task that seems impossible given that the only way to reach any place in Alaska at this time of year is by dog sled. The stakes are high, and the snow is piling higher. Will the antitoxin make it in time? Or will the infection spread faster than they can treat it...

Follow along as Balto and Togo lead the way in this race against time to get the antitoxin and save lives.

My Thoughts

The story of Balto is one that many children, and adults have heard before. There are many books on the heroic sled dog delivering medicine to Nome Alaska, but most focus almost solely on Balto, the brave sled dog. In this story, the reader gets a clearer picture of the tremendous collective efforts that were necessary in making this mission a success. While Balto is the most famous of the dogs, we learn about various sled mushers and dogs and the challenges they face. In particular we learn about Togo, a smart and strong lead dog who keeps his team on track. 

Moss has researched the event well and includes important and interesting details that will have readers on the edge of their seats. She included discussions between the dogs that she imagined they would have had as they forged on in subzero weather. This dialogue makes the story even more interesting. 

I will definitely be adding this books to my school library. 

See What Others Have to Say About this Book:

Kirkus

Here is some more info on Togo if you are interested. 

Duel by Jessixa Bagley and Aaron Bagley

 Duel 

by Jessixa Bagley 

Illustrated by Aaron Bagley

Published Nov. 7, 2023

Simon & Schuster

Paperback

Graphic Novel

307 Pages

Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

A rivalry between sisters culminates in a fencing duel in this funny and emotional debut graphic novel sure to appeal to readers of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale.

Sixth grader Lucy loves fantasy novels and is brand-new to middle school. GiGi is the undisputed queen bee of eighth grade (as well as everything else she does). They’ve only got one thing in fencing. Oh, and they’re sisters. They never got along super well, but ever since their dad died, it seems like they’re always at each other’s throats.

When GiGi humiliates Lucy in the cafeteria on the first day of school, Lucy snaps and challenges GiGi to a duel with high sisterly stakes. If GiGi wins, Lucy promises to stay out of GiGi’s way; if Lucy wins, GiGi will stop teasing Lucy for good. But after their scene in the cafeteria, both girls are on thin ice with the principal and their mom. Lucy stopped practicing fencing after their fencer dad died and will have to get back to fighting form in secret or she’ll be in big trouble. And GiGi must behave perfectly or risk getting kicked off the fencing team.

As the clock ticks down to the girls’ fencing bout, the anticipation grows. Their school is divided into GiGi and Lucy factions, complete with t-shirts declaring kids’ allegiances. Both sisters are determined to triumph. But will winning the duel mean fracturing their family even further?

My Thoughts

I have admired Jessixa Bagley's work for years, but to my knowledge this is her first graphic novel. Her husband Aaron, a comic illustrator, created the illustrations in his first graphic novel project. 

First, I love that there is a character named GiGi. My younger self would have been beyond thrilled to see her name in a book! 

There is a unique set of complex and powerful emotions involved in sibling rivalry. Why is it that we can say and do the most awful things to our siblings that we would never imagine doing to another person? The Bagley team does an amazing job in depicting the tangled emotions between Lucy and GiGi through intense dialogue and actions. They use thought boxes to show the show the characters' inner feelings of fear, anxiety and deep sadness. I think students will enjoy being able to see what is going on in the heads of the siblings as they argue. 

I learned a lot about the sport of fencing through the chapter introductions. Each one introduces an aspect of the sport that also relates to the current action and mood in the story. The action gradually builds to a climax that leaves the reader surprised, satisfied and hopeful for the sibling and family dynamic. Perhaps there will be a sequel? 

I am excited to add Duel to my school library.  

See What Others Have to Say About Duel:

Kirkus

Publishers Weekly

Bookworm for Kids

Creepy Books by Aaron Reynolds in the Library

This past week was "Creepy Week" in the library. I decided to start a bit of a tradition during Halloween week and read all three of Aaron Reynolds' and Peter Brown's books in the "Creepy" series. 

I read Creepy Carrots with 1st grade, Creepy Pair of Underwear with 2nd grade, and Creepy Crayon with grades 3-5. This is the order of publication and I kept them in order, even though they can stand alone, because the last 2 books have an "Easter egg" from the previous books. Jasper Rabbit is an endearing character and the "creepy" characters have a silliness to them that draw students in without scaring them. 

Although some of the students had read the books, or some of them, they still enjoyed the stories. I used the soundscapes from Novel Effect which added just the right amount of effect of music, sounds and brief dialogue without overpowering the story. 

 

We are currently working on tracking fiction stories, story elements, and orally summarizing. These stories lend themselves perfectly to this work as the problems are obvious and Jasper tries several things to get rid of the creepy characters without success until he finally gets rid of them or solves them problem in some way. 

After checkout I like to have choices for the students. This week they could design their own carrots, underwear and a crayon bookmark from templates included in the Novel Effect resources. 

The most popular choice was the STEM challenge to build a trap to capture the creepy characters. The students were provided different building supplies and they were able to design and build their prototypes. I do not have a makerspace, but I do have a small collection of building supplies and consumables and I am trying to be more intentional about using them. 

A successful read aloud, in my opinion, leaves students wanting to read more from the author or stories similar to the read aloud. These books were checked out right away on Friday and I am fairly certain that they will not be on the shelves for a while. It was a fun week for sure. 

Quick Share-The Great Big ME Experiment by Alli Brydon

The Great Big ME Experiment by Alli Brydon
Illustrated by Harry Briggs

Expected Publication Oct. 17, 2023

By Odd Dot Publishing

Paperback

176 Pages

Interactive format

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Goodreads Summary

Uncover all the unique and incredible things about your body, your feelings, your mind, and more! Filled with experiments to test you, teach you, make you giggle, and make you go Whaaaa?!, each page will inspire wonder and show you the remarkable, surprising, beautiful, and messy stuff inside us all.
Get ready to experiment . . . on YOU!
Activities fab fingerprints • tell your smell • dissect a booger • dye your poop pink • color your feelings • fear crusher • can you fool your brain? • animal attributes • and sixty-seven more!

Image from Amazon.com.

I would have LOVED this book when I was younger! It is filled with personal quizzes, interesting facts, tips on managing feelings, friendship, art activities and so much more. Perfect for tweens and early teens. 

Quick Share-Always Sisters: A Story of Loss and Love by Saira Mir

Always Sisters: A Story of Loss and Love 

by Saira Mir

Illustrated by Shahrzad MayDani

Published August 22, 2023

Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Hardcover Picture Book

Fiction

32 Pages

Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

This much-needed picture book about navigating the difficult experience of pregnancy loss meets young readers at their level to offer a tender look at grieving someone who never entered the world.

Raya can’t wait for her baby sister to arrive. She’s already got a name—Nura—and Raya is certain they’ll be best friends. She’s got all kinds of plans for things they’ll do together like run through the sprinklers, play dress-up, and give piggyback rides.

But one day, Mama returns from the doctor with tears in her eyes. Nura won’t be coming home after all. Raya feels confused and sad, like all the love she has for Nura is trapped inside her. With the help of family, friends, and her school counselor, though, Raya finds a way to grieve this loss and to share the love she’ll always feel for her sister.

This sweet book portrays the excitement of a new sibling about to enter the world and the feelings of loss, confusion and sadness of a lost pregnancy in a way that is straightforward without being scary. 

It is an important reminder that siblings also grieve after this kind of loss. 

The illustrations are soft and fuzzy. Color changes and patterns are used to show emotional changes throughout the story. 

This book would make a great addition to a collection about grief and loss. 

Recent Reads-September 9, 2023

Hi everyone!

Here are a couple of books I have enjoyed reading lately. (Images from Goodreads). Click on the covers to learn more about each book. 

When looking for books to share around Indigenous People's Day, I read these two books. I loved them both and plan to get them for my library. 

Add this one to your collection of books on stereotypes and gender norms and expectations. 

I read there Maine Student Book Award books recently. 

I have a student who discovered skateboarding over the summer. 

I can't wait to share this book with him. 

Just Beautiful!

This gorgeous book is accessible to all students.

This was a really good audiobook.