Month: February 2019

Saving Winslow

Saving WinslowSaving Winslow by Sharon Creech
Published by HarperCollins on September 11th 2018
ISBN: 0062570706
Pages: 176
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a short and sweet novel for upper elementary-aged lovers of animals and/or books like The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate and Moo, also be Creech. Louie has had several failed attempts at taking care of the runt animals born at his Uncle Pete’s farm, so when his father brings home a tiny, weak baby donkey, no one expects it to live, not his uncle, his parents, or his quirky new friend Nora.  However, Louie, born two months early so kind of a runt himself, accepts the challenge of proving them all wrong. And while it generally takes more than love and determination to keep something alive, the presence of those two things certainly go a long way to help little Winslow’s chances. Told in short chapters with headings that provide a pretty good hint about what’s going to happen, the story of the bond between a boy and a donkey moves along quickly even as it deals with issues of growing up and accepting change. And the book offers a satisfying and wistful ending that will bring a smile and a hee-haw.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

Undercover Princess

Undercover PrincessUndercover Princess by Connie Glynn
Published by HarperCollins on September 4th 2018
ISBN: 0062847805
Pages: 448
Goodreads
three-stars

Undercover Princess is the debut novel of Connie Glynn, perhaps better known by her youtube name of Noodlerella. Glynn crafts a story of Lottie Pumpkin, a hardworking and kind orphan, who has received admission to the prestigious Rosewood Hall, a british boarding school for the children of dignitaries, lords, and other lofty personage. Her roommate is the mysterious and slightly punk-rock Ellie Wolf. A rumor soon goes around the school that one of the classmates is the princess of the small country of Maradova. Classmates think it must be Lottie, who plays along with the role, especially after she finds out that Ellie, who has become her best friend, is the actual princess. Drama of both the teenage and international variety unfolds in a plot that could ensnare Lottie, Ellie, and others in true danger.

This story for readers in 7th grade or higher feels much the same as watching a Disney Channel Original Movie: the characters are far too capable for their ages and the plot ends up feeling sugary sweet, like cotton candy. It makes for an enjoyable read, but not a substantial one. The characters, who are mostly 13 year olds, encounter adults more as obstacles on their way to defeat international abduction and assassination plots, and many problems come together a little too easily. Still, there are those readers out there who will devour the book and clamour for the sequels. A good effort, recommended for large collections or those in need of more fluffy sweetness for younger teens.

 

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

three-stars

Mouse House

Mouse HouseMouse House by John Burningham
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on September 18th 2018
ISBN: 1536200395
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

A family lives in a beautiful house where every evening after supper the children go to bed. They think they are the only family in the  house.  However, a family of mice comes out to look for food and play every night after the human family has gone to bed.  The mouse children are warned not to be seen by humans but one day they are discovered. The human father decides to get rid of the mice but the children warn the mice. So, the mice move outside and the children watch them play at night. The human children are kind to the little mice and make them toys to play on.  Then Winter comes and the mice are nowhere to be seen outside. The story ends with the discovery of a mouse inside, but the secret is safe with the children.  The illustrations are charming and whimsical and are set off against plenty of white space.  A gentle story about kindness that will appeal to toddlers to young readers.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, ME

three-stars

Sun

SunSun by Sam Usher
Published by Templar Books on June 12th 2018
ISBN: 0763699497
Pages: 40
Goodreads
three-stars

A sweet story about a grandfather and grandchild and their picnic adventure  This is the third picture book that features this loving pair.  Deciding to go on a picnic, the two set out to search for the ideal spot. Many of the pages depicting their adventure are full page spreads with full illustrations and little text. The illustrations done in ink and watercolor are detailed and vividly colored.Some of the events that take place are only imagined but the lines between reality and fantasy are blurred which is not a bad thing for this tale.  A story that can easily be reread many times with plenty of details you wouldn’t want to miss.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, ME

three-stars

Look at me! How to attract attention in the animal world

Look at me! How to attract attention in the animal worldLook at Me!: How to Attract Attention in the Animal World by Robin Page, Steve Jenkins
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on June 19th 2018
ISBN: 0544935535
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

Most of the time, animals try to blend in, but sometimes they want to stand out and be noticed. Young readers will enjoy reading about a variety of animals who do just that. Some animals like the hooded seal and frigatebird attract attention by inflating skin to form eye catching pouches. Some are great imitators like the ladybird mimic spider who fools hungry birds by looking like a ladybug. Thus, the spider avoids being a meal, as ladybugs are  poisonous and are avoided as a meal choice .  And some animals just want to be desirable. Like the stalk-eyed fly who pumps air into its eyestalks because females prefer mates with the longest eyestalks.  The book is filled with many other fascinating animals that have unusual traits.  The text is brief but on point, and is complemented by the large colorful illustrations done in torn and cut paper collage. The back pages include a glossary and a sidebar that explains why the males of many species are so colorful.  Another great collaboration from Steve Jenkins and Robin Page, that is educational and entertaining.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, ME

 

four-stars

The Bat Can Bat

The Bat Can BatThe Bat Can Bat: A Book of True Homonyms by Gene Barretta
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on February 13th 2018
ISBN: 0805099468
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a clever word picture book introducing children to “homonyms.” Homonyms are words that are spelled alike and sound alike but have different meanings. The book is filled with vibrant,  lively, cartoon like illustrations of various kinds of animals engaged in playing a variety of sports. Often two homonyms are used in a single sentence, thus making it a bit easier for children to understand the difference in the meanings of the two words – which are spelled alike and sound alike!

Good book to use for teaching a “homonyms” lesson.”

 

 

Reviewed by Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School Library, Portland, ME

four-stars

The Digger and the Flower

The Digger and the FlowerThe Digger and the Flower by Joseph Kuefler
Published by Balzer + Bray on January 23rd 2018
ISBN: 0062424335
Pages: 48
Goodreads
five-stars

Digger, Dozer, and Crane work together every day building a city. One day, during a break, Digger finds a small flower in the middle of the buildings. He thought it was beautiful and decided to protect it. Eventually, they built up the whole city, and the only spot not built on was the spot the flower sat on.  Before Digger could stop Dozer, he cut the flower down. Devastated, Digger finds seeds where the flower used to sit, and takes them up into the hills for safety.  He buries them in the ground. The final spread is of multiple flowers growing outside of the city.  It’s a lovely little story that can also be used to talk about environmentalism. The illustrations are simply done with muted colors and add to the beauty of the story.  Recommended for purchase.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

five-stars

Don’t Forget Me

Don’t Forget MeDon't Forget Me by Victoria Stevens
on February 13th 2018
ISBN: 0374305609
Pages: 360
Goodreads
four-stars

Hazel has recently moved from London to Australia to live with the father she just met. The night before she’s to start school there, she meets Red, a similarly troubled, kindhearted gay teen with whom she instantly bonds. School is difficult at first, but she is soon befriended by a duo of friends and starts to feel more comfortable.  However, she is thrown for a loop when she meets Red’s twin brother, Luca, who is withdrawn and angry and not only attends her school, but is also friends with her new friends.  She and Luca secretly develop a begrudging friendship as they bond over their similar grief, and friendship starts to turn to romantic feelings, which inevitably causes problems.  A look at teens dealing with grief and learning how to move past it, this book is a lovely read.  It would be especially great to add to collections for teens dealing with their own grief, but is a good selection for general collections as well.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars

Little Helpers

Little HelpersLittle Helpers: Animals on the Job! by Michaele Brummer Everett
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on May 8th 2018
ISBN: 0544879554
Pages: 32
Goodreads
two-stars

An informative story that educates young readers on a range of service animals who help support  people in a variety of ways.  The format throughout follows a pattern of two sentences centered on a page with the following page showing an illustration of the service animal and human  Eleven different animals are highlighted in this story. The illustrations  which were digitally created are  very simplistic and not very interesting.  The color palette is rather dull, with grey and yellow hues. The execution of the story is rather bland, even though the intention of the story is well placed. A glossary of the service animals is included and provides additional information.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, ME

 

A glossary of the service animals appears in the back.

two-stars

Building Books

Building BooksBuilding Books by Megan Wagner Lloyd
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 1524773670
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

Owen and Katie are siblings who are very different.  Katie does not enjoy reading but absolutely loves to build things.  Her brother loved nothing more than reading books.  They just don’t understand each other and argue over which is the best — building or reading. One day  a librarian steps in to see if she can help them see their worlds a bit differently.  Katie is supposed to read books, while Owen is ask to shelve books.  Both of them are displeased and ignore the librarian’s request.  However, through a twist of fate, while Katie is building with a pile of books, she discovers a book called Castle Engineering.  Immediately intrigued with this book, she begins to read.  Meanwhile, Owen begins building with the large stack of books and realizes he enjoys creating something new.  Both now agree that reading and building are both great things to do and settle into a big library chair and read, together.   The illustrations were created using ink and gouache, and finished digitally. The detailed illustrations are colorful and playful set off against plenty of white space.  The text is well-paced and offers a valid lesson of being open to new things and keeping an open mind.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, ME

three-stars