Debbie Tanner

With content that will appeal to a wide range of readers, this beautiful book about patterns is excellent choice for elementary libraries.Pincus, Meeg. Door by Door: How Sarah McBride Became America’s First Openly Transgender Senator. illus. by Meridth McKean Gimbel. 40p. Crown. May 2023. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780593484654. Gr 2-5–This heartwarming biography begins with McBride’s childhood and goes through her win as state senator. The book’s framework is to pivot during key moments of her life between her two truths, which Pincus makes clear from the first page: McBride’s love of politics and her realization that she, assigned male at birth, was a girl. With roughly 30 words per page, the story is easily a read-aloud for classes and Gimbel’s illustrations show her pathway into politics and inner struggle to come out as transgender. The full-color illustrations are at times whimsical (McBride received a podium for Christmas as a child to practice speeches) and during darker moments of the story are sparse emotional snapshots (such as the image of McBride crying in her sleep as a college student). Additionally, the images show racial diversity in the schools she attended, at her university, and in her political forays, and diverse ability, with a child in a wheelchair watching election results. The book has a short author’s note, a brief note from McBride, a glossary of political terms, an explanation on how to be an ally to transgender people, and a bibliography. VERDICT This is a recommended purchase for libraries.–Vi Ha

A good addition to libraries needing informational text about neighborhoods and communities.

This book straddles a line between a story for upper and lower elementary readers. A good choice for libraries needing fiction picture books about starting to consider one’s place in the world.

Knowing The Great British Baking Show and having an adventurous spirit will make this a fan-favorite and have it flying off the shelves.

A good choice for libraries seeking out books for their very youngest patrons. Little Hippo’s game of pretend is spot-on and deeply engaging.

A nice way to send children off to post–story hour naps, at least once.

This pretty “find the shape” book will find fans with very young readers.

Gorgeous paintings of industry and determination, set to a story of a practical young woman who wanted people to feel good about themselves and was a pioneer of natural Black hair care products, this is a good choice for the elementary biography section.

A solid choice for a library needing middle grade nonfiction about careers.