Month: March 2019

Hide and Seek

Hide and SeekHide and Seek by Anthony Browne
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on November 13th 2018
ISBN: 1536202606
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Hide and Seek by Anthony Browne is a picture book story that will please children ages 4 through 8 who enjoy the surrealistic style and  something-is-about-to-happen mood of the illustrations. Two children are sad because their dog Goldie has disappeared. In their unrest, they decide to play hide and seek outside in the woods. While the younger waits impatiently to be found, the older sibling wanders farther and farther looking. Both begin to worry. The reader/viewer who looks carefully will find many hidden things in the illustrations including a giraffe, dogs, duck, and an ear. The illustrations’ perspectives and somber tones  reflect the increasing fear of the children. All is golden and bright, however, when the lost dog Goldie suddenly appears and finds her boy hidden among the brush. All three go joyfully home to a sweet, homey little trailer decked out with red banners, potted plants, and flowers. This trailer is near a tall cold-looking high rise leaving the reader/listening with the feeling that there is more to think about, a sense that is in all of Anthony Browne’s books.

Reviewed by Margy Soule, Coffin School, Brunswick

four-stars

American Road Trip

American Road TripAmerican Road Trip by Patrick Flores-Scott
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on September 18th 2018
ISBN: 1627797416
Pages: 272
Goodreads
three-stars

American Road Trip

 

Teodoro narrates a year in the life of his family from 2008-2009 when his brother, Manny, returns from Iraq with a devastating case of PTSD, his sister, Xochitl, tries to save what is left of her family by giving up her promising musical career to travel cross-country, and Teodoro falls in love and raises his aspirations and his grades in hope of attending the University of Washington.

There was a strong Mexican flavor as meals were described, chilies were grown, and families pulled together at parties, funerals, and farm stands.  One aspect that I didn’t like, though, was that so many people lied to each other, albeit for the greater good.  Xochitl lied to Teodoro over and over about where their trip was headed, no one told their parents about Manny’s suicide note and attempt until the end, and, in order to get Xochitl to perform as the lead act and sign to a recording label, he pretends she is only the opening act.  Somewhat annoying, also, was the way the characters kept repeating the name of the person to whom they were speaking over and over.  This book is recommended for grades 9-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School,

three-stars

How To Knit a Monster

How To Knit a MonsterHow to Knit a Monster by Annemarie van Haeringen
Published by Clarion Books on August 7th 2018
ISBN: 132884210X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

“How to Knit a Monster,” is a delightful picture book story about Greta, a goat,  who knits “socks for everyone she knows and for many she doesn’t know.”  One day, she decides to make something different and “click, click clickety”  go her knitting needles.” Before long,  little goats are sliding off her  needles.  Mrs. Sheep complains that Greta’s knitting is messy and that she drops stitches. This upsets Greta a great deal. She becomes angry,  (who likes to be criticized),   doesn’t pay attention to her knitting and before she knows it, a wolf jumps off her knitting needles.  Greta  then proceeds to knit a monster which gobbles up  Mrs. Sheep and a tiger.  But now, how does she get rid of the monster?  Can you guess?

This picture book is very funny, very  clever, and has a wonderful surprise ending.  This is a story that one  should  read just  for fun, taking note of Greta’s quick wit, quick thinking and tenacity as she comes to terms with the “monster” she has created!  A good story to use when wishing to encourage imagination and creativity in writing endeavors.   A wonderful example too, of how sometimes when you think you’ve solved one  problem, another rears its ugly head.

The illustrations match the theme of the story well: knitting. They are bold and colorful but somewhat sketchy,  loose, and scattered,  in part, perhaps,  to reflect the sometimes messiness of a knitting project.  This book will keep you in “stitches!”

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

five-stars

Copy Cat

Copy CatCopy Cat by Ali Pye
Published by Nosy Crow on May 22nd 2018
ISBN: 0763699357
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Anna and Bella are friends.  Bella wants to do everything Anna does, but when Bella wants to to play princess and there is only one crown the two friends end up all huffy-puffy by themselves.  It is not long when Bella picks up a jump rope and practiced, practiced and practiced and is noticed by Chloe who joins in.  When Anna gets tire of Playing alone she joins them and the three have fun jumping rope together until they see Dotty…

A delightful story about playground friendships and also about learning to be by yourself.  Great debut by author/illustrator Ali Pye

Karen Spiliopoulos, Parsons Memorial Library, Alfred

four-stars

Trees

TreesScience Comics: Trees: Kings of the Forest by Andy Hirsch
Series: Science Comics
Published by First Second on August 21st 2018
ISBN: 1250143101
Pages: 128
Goodreads
four-stars

Another winner in the Science Comics series. The series and book are aimed at upper elementary and middle grade readers, but anyone can get a lot out of reading these books. In Hirsch’s deft hands, an expressive acorn is not sure that it wants to become a tree, but aided by a leaf, a frog, a beetle, a woodpecker, a squirrel, and a mushroom, it sees how amazing it is to be one of these majestic plants and how honored it should be to join an ecosystem that provides so much for others. Through this journey of self-discovery, the reader learns so much about trees from their formation to their growth to their pollination and reproduction to their place in the world and finally, and most fascinating, to their way of communicating with one another. There is a lot of scientific vocabulary in this one, but there is a comprehensive glossary in the back and Hirsch does a nice job of explaining in simpler terms many of the complicated scientific processes at work in one tree. The acorn is a fantastic host and through it, Hirsch manages to inject humor and a message of responsibility that it and WE AS HUMANS have to nurture and preserve/protect trees on our planet. This book could be used in an Earth Science class or in a unit on plants or plant/animal adaptations. Add to any collection that already has some of these Science Comics titles and if you don’t have any, start with this one and then add as many as you can.

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

four-stars

Two Dogs in a Trench Coat Go to School

Two Dogs in a Trench Coat Go to SchoolTwo Dogs in a Trench Coat Go to School by Julie Falatko
Published by Scholastic Inc. on May 29th 2018
ISBN: 1338189514
Pages: 192
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is written for those who enjoy a realistic situation that uses humor to move the story. It’s a hilarious romp through the mind of a dog, well, two dogs, who go to school. The premise is silly, in the best way. The execution is fun, if you can suspend your need for realism, which most kids can easily do, and it brings up very real issues like bullying and taking responsibility for your work.  Sassy and Waldo are good dogs; after all, no squirrel has ever breached their perimeter, and they love their boy Stewart. But they are concerned that he is coming home from this terrible place called school smelling like anxiety and boredom, so they hatch a plan to infiltrate this evil place to check it out. Waldo has picked up enough English along the way to pose as a new student. Hi-jinks ensue and the two really do end up helping Stewart be more responsible and enjoy school more. The voices of the dogs were spot-on and the message of taking responsibility and seeing things in a different light would make this a wonderful upper-elementary in-class read-aloud or a family read-aloud (Falatko inserts plenty of witty humor for adults in this one). Jack’s black & white illustrations add to the ease of reading and entertainment of the book. Give this to fans of Bad Kitty, Stink, Stick Dog, and Captain Underpants or to strong elementary readers all the way through to middle grade readers who appreciate a laugh and love dogs. More books in the series are on their way in 2019.

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

four-stars

Violet and the Woof

Violet and the WoofViolet and the Woof by Rebecca Grabill, Dasha Tolstikova
Published by HarperCollins on October 9th 2018
ISBN: 0062441108
Pages: 40
Goodreads

“Violet and the Woof,” is a fun to read, easily relatable picture book for those who love a good story with a fairy tale squeezed inside.

Violet, a young girl, is taking her little brother, Peter, to visit a neighbor.  Along the way,  Violet  tells Peter a story.  The story is a bit scary and is “a journey fraught with danger and peril, ” so says Violet. So much so that we are made to wonder,  if indeed, it is even true!  The lady who lives  in the upstairs apartment  accompanies Violet and Peter on their journey and carries  with her  a  “woof,” –  thought to possibly be a wolf.  They follow this lady off the elevator  and  into  the “deep, dark, woods.”  Then, “the little girl and her brother were not in the woods anymore, ” Violet tells her brother.  “They stepped into a damp, dingy cave.”  And so the story goes until they arrive at Papa Jean-Louis’s apartment . . .

This story is full of surprises and contains  an element of humor. It would make for a great story time book as it has a slight element of scariness, but in a friendly and funny kind of way. Good to use when talking about fairy tales and how they sometimes  “bleed” through into our very own lives.  Violet tries to scare her brother,  but in a mild mannered way as she makes up her fairy tale while weaving through an apartment building.  An example to children of how their  imaginations can be put to use anytime, anyplace.

The illustrations are brightly painted, captivationg and embellish  the story well.  A child might  find the story  a tiny bit confusing on an initial  reading  – the idea that Violet is  inside an aprtment building and tellling such an imaginative  tale to her brother.  It may take a moment for  a child to what realize what is actually happening. Or is NOT happening!

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

Possum and the Summer Storm

Possum and the Summer StormPossum and the Summer Storm by Anne Hunter
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on May 22nd 2018
ISBN: 0544898915
Pages: 32
Goodreads

“Possum and The Summer Storm” is a delightful picture book tale about a Possum and her  family who have lost their home to a Summer storm.   “Thunder crashed.  Wind howled”

“Where will we live?” Where will we sleep?” cried the baby possums. With some help from  their friends,  Possum and her family are able to build a new home. A home that  turns out to be a very suitable home indeed!

Suddenly,  “thunder rumbled.” “Come inside,” invites  Possum.  So Possum and her family and ALL of their friends are invited  to stay warm and cozy  inside the new home while outside  it pours rain once again.  “Come back soon,”   calls Possum. “My home is your home.”

A wonderful (anytime of day story) for demonstrating kindness and the  idea of friends helping friends  in need.  Good reinforcement for The Golden Rule.  Also could be used when learning about small forest,/marsh creatures.  Probably best appreciated by Pre-school through Second grade.

The author/artist’s pictures are both endearing and expressive. Other Possum books: “Possum’s Harvest Moon,”  “Possum and the Peeper” , and “Cricket Song.”

 

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

The Night Box

The Night BoxThe Night Box by Louise Greig, Ashling Lindsay
Published by Clarion Books on September 25th 2018
ISBN: 1328850935
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Soothing bedtime reading, this reassuring and magical evocation of nighttime encourages imaginative exploration and marks the debut of a talented poet and illustrator picture-book pair.

When a little boy opens the Night Box, darkness swoops out, a fox uncurls, and a thousand stars sparkle and shine. Night flows freely then, cavorting and exploring, caring for all its creatures until morning comes, and it’s time for Night to rest again.      With its soothing cadences and air of quiet wonder, The Night Box is sure to charm any sleepy listener who wonders what happens between sunset and sunrise. 

“The Night Box”  is a clever, imaginative picture book fantasy about a little boy who possesses a key that  unlocks  “a box of midnight blue”  when:

“Day is yawning,  Quiet settles in the trees. The birds unfold their wings, the singing stops.”

How the boy comes to possess this  key  is indeed  a  magical mystery. When the boy turns the key in  the box    – “Click . . .  and another click . . . .”    Night suddently slips out as Day slips in.  And Night then shows how gently and carefully it  cares for all nighttime creatures.

This book would make  a soothing  bedtime story. It might also provoke interesting discussions about what Night  really is or perhpas evoke a discussion  about  why and how it is that  a small  boy comes to possess a key that can release Night.    Did  Night  give the key to the small boy  or did the boy  discover it, perhaps, underneath a rock, while playing.  “The NIght Box”  may be  useful in alleviating  a child’s fear of the dark  becuase  Night treats and guards the nighttime creatures so tenderly, thus,  a  reassuring and comforting story.  The  magical element  is  clever and AWEsome,  because , after all,  children do beileve in magic.  And so can we!

“The NIght Box”  is unique, imaginative, and can help to expand a child’s thinking in a variety of areas:  the sky, creatures on the Earth, (both diurnal and noctural),  magic, and being cared for even  by nature!

Ashley LIdsay, the illustrator of “The Night Box,” provides illustrations that are somewhat free flowing and softly portrayed.  However,  the small boy  is shown with carrot colored hair.  Chldren would enjoy pointing to and speaking about the details in the  illustrations!

 

Reviewed by:  Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School Library, Portland, Me

four-stars

The Season of Styx Malone

The Season of Styx MaloneThe Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon
Published by Wendy Lamb Books on October 16th 2018
ISBN: 1524715956
Pages: 304
Goodreads
five-stars

The Season of Styx Malone

 

The season of Styx is summer in Indiana in a book that is set in the present but has a feel of historical fiction.  Styx is a foster child who meets the main character, Caleb, and his brother, Bobby Gene, when he is staying nearby.  Caleb is mesmerized by everything Styx is:  adventurous, smart, and able to strike a deal in what is known as an escalator trade where one starts with a small trade and builds up to what is really wanted, in this case a moped.  Caleb and Bobby Gene have something to trade as they had parlayed their baby sister to their friend, Cory, who loved babies and had a bag of fireworks just waiting to be traded.  (Their baby sister had to be returned, but they kept the fireworks.)

The author, Kekla Magoon, was a Coretta Scott King honor book recipient for this book and it had four starred reviews.  It was excellent from start to finish as readers get inside the characters’ heads and understand their motivations.  The cover art is perfect with the depictions of Styx, Bobby Gene, and Caleb just as described in the text.

This book is aimed at students ages 8-12.

 

It is strongly recommended for Cream of the Crop.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

five-stars