Inspired by our modern day scientific experiments with gene modification and growing human organs on animals, Dayton delves into a possible future world that has become obsessed with human modification in a variety of troubling and complex scenarios. As the Bookish Actress' review points out, the true beauty of this book goes beyond an intriguing what-if scenario and asks who wields the power behind the what-if, who gets left behind, and why they do.

A well-written sci-fi book that weaves and explores a timeline influenced by one man held up like a diety.

LGBTQ: Non-binary, asexual

Another desperately needed perspective to help fill our bookshelves with queer diversity. Readers are taken through Maia's journey as e processes and labels em unique identity from childhood all the way to em current life. At the end of the book, this journey is incomplete and doesn't end with some inspiring certainty. Although having caused em much distress and pain, this uncertainty is reassuring to many queer folx out there whose gender fluidity may always be changing. And that is beautiful.

Age: 4-7 years
Media: Acrylic on canvas

A wonderful telling of a skink lizard losing its tail as a form of protection. She imagines herself with other animal tales in cute and funny renderings. Not ever satisfied, her tail grows back eventually and she is most satisfied with the way she always looks.

Awards:
Mom's Choice Awards honoring excellence
2009 Teacher's Choice Awar from Learning Magazine

Age: 2 years - 4 years

Although Cornelius P. Mud has good intentions to get ready for bed, he might not perfectly follow directions.The vibrant large pictures are great for younger ages and the kids can join in the repetition of "YES!"

Age: Preschool-1st grade
Food: Cookbook & food nonfiction

Dialogue and quick facts about food make this an excellent read aloud.

Age: Toddler-Preschool

An omniscient narrator starts off this how-to guide with authority and certainty. That is until the girl on the page has trouble with the very first step. In true child and cat fashion, the narrator loses all control and focus from the two. It is perfect.

Age: Preschool-1st grade
Emotions: Fear
Bugs: Bees

Bees are lovely do-gooders in our intricate world but if you're scared of them, you'd like to think otherwise. Inspired by his own childhood, Larkin acknowledges a common fear of bees but explains their crucial role in our ecosystem. At the end, readers can browse a guide of kind to kinda mean bees and wasps and tips for avoiding a sting. The reassuring, repetitive text is paired with photographs transformed into emotion-filled illustrations.

Age: Preschool-2nd grade
Sports: Dancing

From silly to serious dance moves, Heder illustrations a wide array of styles to get children out of their seats and dancing during storytime. Caution: some pages have quite a bit going on, so the reader should skip these or be prepared to slow down their reading so children can soak up the pictures.

Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
Family: Grandpa (Papa) and granddaughter

From morning to night, we see an average day for Papa. He is content and appreciates his rituals. But the next day, he has the same morning but his afternoon starts to change. The reader is left in (slight) suspense until we see a young girl racing into the arms of her Papa. A simple and heartwarming celebration of intergenerational love.

Age: Kindergarten-2nd grade
Family: Dad and daughter
Identity: Chicana
Things that go: Motorcycle

Exciting. Rich. Meaningful. All perfect for the high traffic of my Things That Go section of the library.