Month: March 2019

Crayola Spring Colors

Crayola Spring ColorsCrayola® Spring Colors by Jodie Shepherd
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1st 2017
ISBN: 151243292X
Pages: 24
Goodreads
three-stars

Crayola has teamed up with Lerner Publications in a non-fiction series that showcases colors produced by Crayola.  This non-fiction picture book for readers in grades preschool-2 from the “Crayola Seasons” series is about Spring.  The layout contains a table of contents and three chapters, a page identifying the names Crayola has given to each of the colors in the book, glossary and a listing in the back for further reading.  The books in the back are good choices.  The photos reflect flowers, animals, mud and other things associated with spring.  They all are clear and bright.  The text is written for the k-1 reader in mind and the font for each word about color reflects the color utilized. There is one page at the end of each chapter that suggests a coloring technique to correspond to the chapter contents.  Suggested for Preschool and Kindergarten teachers and spring themed story times.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

three-stars

Noodleheads Find Something Fishy

Noodleheads Find Something FishyNoodleheads Find Something Fishy by Tedd Arnold, Martha Hamilton, Mitch Weiss
Published by Holiday House on September 4th 2018
ISBN: 0823439372
Pages: 48
Goodreads
four-stars

The Noodleheads, Mac and Mac, are back in this third graphic novel for readers in grades k-3.  Fishing is the topic throughout the three chapter story with a beginning preface.  This comical, easy reader in graphic novel form integrates the slap stick young readers enjoy with clear, colorful action frames with a readable text.  The story weave jokes, reminiscent of Amelia Bedelia, in a plot line about learning three things as only two Noodleheads can appreciate.  In the first chapter, Mac and Mac get taken advantage of by Meathead who steals their snacks and money, but Noodleheads always figure things out.  In chapter 2, the Noodleheads experience how a boat works and chapter three they learn that the biggest fish always get away.  Recommended fun reading for children’s graphic novel collections.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

Blue

BlueBlue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Published by Roaring Brook Press on September 25th 2018
ISBN: 1626720665
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger is simple and elegant  with just two words per spread. This book can be enjoyed on many levels. Children will like peeking through the various die-cuts, one per spread, and see the next shade of blue including berry blue, ocean blue, and midnight blue. There is also a touching story of a little boy and a puppy(baby blue). They grow older, and the dog dies (true blue, so blue). After a passage of time you see an older boy with a girl friend who has a dog (new blue). Seeger’s  textured acrylic on canvas illustrations add richness and depth. This is similar to Seeger’s earlier Green, but this new book is easier to follow as a story. Recommended for Cream of the Crop. Margy Soule, Coffin School, Brunswick

five-stars

Nothing Can Frighten a Bear

Nothing Can Frighten a BearNothing Can Frighten a Bear by Elizabeth Dale, Paula Metcalf
Published by Nosy Crow on January 2nd 2018
ISBN: 0763696277
Pages: 32
Goodreads

A family of bears (mom, dad, Grace, Ben and baby) settle down for the night. Baby awakens when he hears a noise – a ROAR! It must be a MONSTER! Unable to sleep until he knows what made the noise, the entire bear family sets out to look for monsters! With the refrain” nothing can frighten a bear” they continue to hunt for the noise and the reader sees that one by one a member of the bear family disappears until it is just baby and dad. When they turn around and discover mom and siblings are gone, they think maybe there is a monster and they are next!

Large illustrations of mixed media add to the atmosphere of a monster hunt at night. Will dad (and reader) figure out what happened to the family and is there indeed a monster on the prowl.

The text lends itself to exposing the listeners to counting and the emotions of being scared, afraid, and excited about what will happen next. It is a good read aloud and invites the reader to experience feelings they all have- the monster in the room!

Reviewed by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray, Maine

The Boy Who Went to Mars

The Boy Who Went to MarsThe Boy Who Went to Mars by Simon James
Published by Candlewick Press on November 20th 2018
ISBN: 076369598X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

The Boy Who Went to Mars by Simon James is a story about a little boy who pretends he is a Martian while his mother is away on a short trip. After his mom leaves, he climbs in his cardboard box space ship, takes a quick round trip to Mars, and comes back a Martian. Under his dad’s care, the boy acts up in relatively modest ways, not brushing his teeth, ignoring vegetables at dinner, and shoving a child (not seriously hurt) on the playgroup. Once his mother comes home and asks him how he was, he feels guilty, jumps back in spaceship and returns as a boy, glad to be his old self again. Young child who are trying to figure out how to express their feelings will relate to this child. The father comes off as warm and caring; the brother understanding, and the little boy creative in his rebellion.  The sketchy cartoon illustrations give a sense of lightness to the story. Recommended for ages 4 to 7. Margy Soule, Coffin School, Brunswick

three-stars

Where is Little Fish?

Where is Little Fish?Where Is Little Fish? by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on March 13th 2018
ISBN: 076369486X
Pages: 16
Goodreads
four-stars

Another cheerful lift-the-flap board book from the creator of Maisy.   Little Fish is off swimming in the sea and playing hide -and-seek with her many friends.  Is it Little Fish you see inside the shell?  Only one way to know for sure.  Just lift the flaps to see what surprises await.  Fun, easy to use and simple colorful pages for little hands.

Karen Spiliopoulos, Parsons Memorial Library, Alfred

four-stars

Storm

StormStorm by Sam Usher
Published by Templar Books on August 17th 2018
ISBN: 1536202827
Pages: 40
Goodreads

It is a windy day and a small boy and his granddad are on their way out to do some kite flying- as soon as the kite can be located! While on the hunt , they find several other  objects that bring back memories of past adventures they had with said object, a telescope, cricket bat, boat. The kite remains missing and the wind is intensifying. When the kite is finally found, an adventure begins that will rival the previous ones.

Sam Usher has introduced his readers to this grandson-granddad duo in his past books: Sun and Snow. He has used the true picture book style, that being sparse text with illustrations of ink and watercolor that are large and expressive. The youngest of readers can “read” the story.

This is a story for a lap read with lots to look at or a story time setting. It is not only an adventure but shows the relationship between two people that enjoy each others company. They really look forward to their time together and have built great memories to be shared long after the adventure ends.

A good choice for units on relationships, grandparents, or just how to have fun on any given day

reviewed by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray, Maine

Count with Little Fish

four-stars

In typical Lucy Cousins fashion this colorful little board book is the perfect size counting book for the littlest hands .  The fish match the numbers in their bright appearance.  This will not fail to delight.

Karen Spiliopoulos, Parsons Memorial Library, Alfred

four-stars

Hidden Witch

Hidden WitchThe Hidden Witch by Molly Ostertag
Published by Graphix on October 30th 2018
ISBN: 1338253751
Pages: 208
Goodreads
five-stars

The sequel or continuation of Aster’s story from Ostertag’s first graphic novel Witch Boy. It’s tough for a second book to maintain the excitement and fire of a series, and while this book is a little less thrilling in its message of suspense and self-discovery, it makes up for that in messaging. Aster is really coming into his own as a witch, now being allowed to attend witch lessons in the open, and the support and compassion shown by many of the characters in the book was delightful. At the same time that Aster is dealing with an old evil, that of intolerance and hate from the past, he is being embraced by family and friends. And the other characters in the book are struggling to find their place in the world, but they are doing it with support, guidance, kindness, and love. There is a new character, Ariel, who dabbles in dark magic and whose backstory is hinted at, hopefully, sowing a seed for a 3rd book in the series. The artwork is clear and vibrant and pairs fantastically with the story. Like a Fetch hunting its prey, this GN will fly off the shelf.

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

five-stars

Hip-Hop

Hip-HopHip-Hop Lollipop by Susan Montanari, Brian Pinkney
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 1101934824
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Hip-Hop Lollipop by Susan McElroy Montanari and illustrated by Brian Pinkney is a joyful bedtime or anytime celebration made to be read aloud. Full of rhythm and rhyme this hip-hop ode to a happy family will get bodies swaying and fingers snapping. A little girl is sent off to bed, but she cannot contain her dancing. With her sister, “Teeth brushing. Music crushing! Bass thumping! Shoulders pumping! Head rotation. Jubilation!” With the help of dog, cat, mom, and dad, the little girl gets into bed and dreams hip-hop. Brian Pinkney’s ink and watercolor swirls of movement on every page match the beat of the text. Practice reading this aloud, get the rhythm, and enjoy sharing it with a three to seven your old.  Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Margy Soule, Coffin School, Brunswick, Maine.

four-stars