Blackout (2011) - John Rocco

I love the idea behind Blackout and the execution of it: The power goes out in a city block, forcing a family to abandon their phones, computers, video games, cooking and anything else connected with electricity. Of course, the story is about how families can reconnect without technology (always a good lesson) and the doors that simpler times allowed.

The artwork is gorgeous and the nighttime scenes are simply wonderful. The book might work as a storytime prospect, but programmers may have to fill in some gaps for the kids, asking questions like "What are they doing here?" and such. (Younger kids who live in Suburbia might also need to have some aspects of "city life" explained.)

Storytelling  4
Color Attractiveness  4
Size of Book  3
Text Size  3
Illustrations  3
Participation Potential  3 
Overall Appropriateness for Storytime 3

Big Little Brother (2011) - Kevin Kling, Chris Monroe

Big Little Brother is a cute, funny, and probably realistic look at the advantages of being a big brother.... Until he grows taller than you! 

I really enjoyed the book and thought it had lots of subtle ideas dropped here and there that worked well (fear of the dark, the love/hate relationship of siblings, etc.), but think it would work far better as a one-on-one book than a storytime prospect.

Storytelling  4
Color Attractiveness  3
Size of Book  4
Text Size  3
Illustrations  3
Participation Potential  2
Overall Appropriateness for Storytime 3

Grandpa Green (2011) - Lane Smith

Lane Smith's Grandpa Green has a lot going for it, but it's probably not one of those books you'll use very often in a one-on-one situation. Like many other picture books out there, it's as much (maybe more) for adults than for kids.

The book is a touching look at life, love and death, not exactly the type of thing you want to promote in Storytime. ("Okay, kids! It's Death Storytime today!" Don't think so.) The illustrations, while excellent, are too detailed and too subtle for most children. I would never use this book for Storytime and would even hesitate to use it in one-on-one situations, and even then only if you're dealing with the death or near-death of a close family member, and even then only if the child was ready for it.

Storytelling  2
Color Attractiveness  2
Size of Book  2
Text Size  3
Illustrations  3
Participation Potential  1
Overall Appropriateness for Storytime 1