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REVIEW TEAM FAVORITE
Locomotive
By: Brian Floca
Medal Winner
Reviewed by: Sara Masarik
Also read and recommended by: Sandy Hall, Sherry Early
Locomotive by Brian Floca is a completely marvelous invitation into the romance of trains, how they work, and why they matter. Floca uses lively and lovely illustration to draw the child in and pairs it with a metered narrative that is delicious to read aloud and exciting to listen to. Teaching the entire time, it is not hard to assume that Floca was one of those little boys who spent countless delight-filled hours with his toy trains.
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Flora and the Flamingo
By: Molly Idle
Honor
Reviewed by: Deanna Knoll
Recommended age: Ages 4-8
This gorgeous wordless picture book pairs a very young ballerina with a flamingo as they dance their way through the pages. At first it seems they are just playing copycat, but as the story progresses, the flamingo clearly recognizes the little girl needs assistance and turns their dance into a lovely duet. Highly recommend!
Mr. Wuffles!
By: David Wiesner
Honor
Reviewed by: Deanna Knoll
If anyone has ever owned a cat, this book will speak to the strange activities one must tolerate with a cat in the house. And yet, this book seems much more appropriate for an adult audience than the typical Caldecott audience as most children won't understand UFOs and aliens, particularly in relation to a cat toy. While there is certainly nothing offensive, this book would be classified as an adult picture book on my bookshelf.
