Month: May 2019

Good Night, Mr. Panda

Good Night, Mr. PandaGood Night, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony
Published by Scholastic Press on August 28th 2018
ISBN: 133827595X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

Pandas are one of the most loved animals in the world, making the series of Mr. Panda books successful. This title however does not live up to expectations.  The animals remain adorable, the storyline simple, the clear and large font is readable but the action is slow.   Specific difficulty is that the bedtime story is omitted.  Surely every child knows they need to brush their teeth, take a bath, put on PJ’s and get a hug but where is the all-important bedtime book?

 As in other books by Antony the characters are adorable and the backgrounds allow the text and illustrations to shine.  His selection of colors helps to set the stage for a bed time story.  Silly as the ending is pre-school children will giggle as they setting into bed to await that missing bed time story.

Public libraries and pre-schools might consider this title.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired librarian in Scarborough, ME

three-stars

Josie’s Lost Tooth

Josie’s Lost ToothJosie's Lost Tooth by Jennifer K. Mann
Published by Candlewick Press on September 11th 2018
ISBN: 0763696943
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

Josie is the last kid in her class to lose a tooth. Finally one night she feels one start to wiggle (but just a little). At school the next day Josie is determined to get the tooth to fall out but nothing seems to works. Finally while playing a game of chase Josie falls and loses her tooth…and also LOSES HER TOOTH. Josie fears the Tooth Fairy wont leave her a coin if she doesn’t have the tooth to leave under her pillow. Luckily her friend Richard steps up and offers his shark tooth as a replacement. Josie leaves a note for the Tooth Fairy explaining the mishap and in the morning finds a reward for her and Richard. A very sweet story of friendship told with simple lined illustrations and water color that is great for any age.

Reviewed by Ali Reddy, Freeport Community Library

four-stars

Where the Heart Is

Where the Heart IsWhere the Heart Is by Jo Knowles
Published by Candlewick Press on April 2nd 2019
ISBN: 1536200034
Pages: 304
Goodreads
four-stars

Reminiscent of a Judy Blume novel (the ones for older middle grade readers), this book feels like you’re looking into the life of a friend who is struggling but doesn’t know how to talk about it.  It is intimate and honest, inspiring and raw. Thirteen-year-old Rachel is on the cusp of leaving her childhood behind, from getting a job to exploring her sexuality to coping with major financial hardship in her family, she is dealing with so many emotions and thoughts. Knowles deftly handles the awkward, challenging time of adolescence when things seem to change, when friendships threaten to shift and things that didn’t matter before, matter now (a one-piece bathing suit vs. a bikini, for example).  And when the reality of your home life becomes something you have to “handle” with some measure of maturity. With searing honesty and wry humor (sister Ivy is a hoot), the story covers one life-altering summer when Rachel struggles to define the definition of home.  Recommend to readers of The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin or Fish in a Tree by Linda Mullaly Hunt. Follow up titles if a reader likes this one: It’s Not the End of the World, Tiger Eyes, or Blubber by Judy Blume.

Recommended for grades 6-9

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

four-stars

Elbow Grease

four-stars

Elbow Grease may not be the biggest, smartest, or toughest truck at the demolition derby but he definitely has the most determination.  His brothers each have their own special talent and sometimes make fun of Elbow Grease for being different, but when Elbow Grease take off to join the  Grand Prix he teaches them that it can be fun to try new things even if you’re not the best at it. Truck lovers will enjoy this book with bright full-page illustrations and speech bubbles that allow each of the trucks to add their voice to the story. Over all a cute story of friendship and perseverance great for the 3 and up crowd.

Reviewed by Ali Reddy, Freeport Community Library

four-stars

The Magic School Bus Rides Again – Sink or Swim

The Magic School Bus Rides Again – Sink or SwimSink or Swim: Exploring Schools of Fish: A Branches Book (The Magic School Bus Rides Again, #1) by Judy Katschke
Published by Scholastic Inc. on December 26th 2017
ISBN: 1338194453
Pages: 96
Goodreads
four-stars

This series is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, and fast-paced stories. I had some of the kids at the local elementary school read them and they really liked them , and were asking for more. A good addition to any library.

Although the teachers are different they follow the  same familiar motto: take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!

Reviewed by Melissa Madigan retired Youth Services Librarian

four-stars

Flip Flap Dogs

Flip Flap DogsFlip Flap Dogs by Nikki Dyson
Published by Nosy Crow on December 11th 2018
ISBN: 1536202584
Pages: 28
Goodreads
four-stars

Flip Flap Dogs will have children wagging their tales and giggling over the silly hybrid names they create with this wonderful book. Once inside each page is sliced in the middle so you can mix and match the lively illustrations of each dog bread. Cross a dalmatian with a poodle to create a DALMOODLE! The possibilities and endless and when paired with fun rhyming couplets that teach a little bit about each bread this book is sure to be a hit with dog lovers big and small. Recommended for ages 3 and up.

Reviewed by Ali Reddy, Freeport Community Library

four-stars

A Long Line of Cakes

A Long Line of CakesA Long Line of Cakes by Deborah Wiles
Published by Scholastic Press on August 28th 2018
ISBN: 1338150499
Pages: 288
Goodreads
four-stars

Gr 4–6—The Cakes are a family of itinerant bakers. They move from place to place  and 11 year old Emma Alabama Lane Cake doesn’t like it. She is tired of making friends only to have to leave them behind when her father decides it’s time to move to the next town he feels needs their baking services.

This time though Emma feels that there’s something special about this town.

Even though she longs for a new friend she’s just not sure she’s up to it.

However, Ruby Lavender  of  Halleluia, MS  has other ideas.

Readers do not need to have read any of the other “Aurora County” novels to follow this novel about belonging.

Reviewed by Melissa Madigan retired Youth Services Librarian

four-stars

Bunny Built

Bunny BuiltBunny Built by Michael Slack
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on April 24th 2018
ISBN: 1627792708
Pages: 40
Goodreads
three-stars

LaRue is a  bunny who likes to build things. When he goes to start his industrious day he discovers he is all out of carrots! LaRue spends the rest of the book searching out different friends to inquire if they have any carrots. Sadly they are without carrots as well as a prized possessions of their own. LaRue finally decides to grow his own carrot instead from a giant seed he finds while visiting Ivy the squirrel. The giant seed provides a giant reward. A carrot big enough to solve all their problems and still leave LaRue enough carrot to enjoy a tasty treat after building things for his friends. The book is cute but seems a little unfocused. The pictures will delight fans of both animals and builders with lots of trucks and tools coming into play in the building scenes. Recommended for 3 and up.

Reviewed by Ali Reddy, Freeport Community Library

three-stars

Whale Quest: Working Together to Save Endangered Species

Whale Quest: Working Together to Save Endangered SpeciesWhale Quest: Working Together to Save Endangered Species by Karen Romano Young
Published by Twenty-First Century Books (Tm) on August 1st 2017
ISBN: 1467792462
Pages: 128
Goodreads
five-stars

Whales have captured the interest of humans for hundreds of years. Author Karen Romano Young introduces young scientists and environmentalists to the whale, its history – from Jonah to Free Willy, how they live, eat, breathe, mate and migrate. She also looks at the current condition of the whale population. Are they struggling with climate change as other animal populations are, how are they fairing in these current conditions and what does the future hold for the largest mammal on earth. Young has included side bars, photographs , a glossary, and a whale guide to give the reader the most accurate information available. Twenty First Century publications have always been on the cutting edge of science – be it whales, climate change, nuclear meltdowns. Add this important edition to libraries large and small. Use this with grades 5 and up.

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

five-stars

Girls Think of Everything

Girls Think of EverythingGirls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women by Catherine Thimmesh
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on October 9th 2018
ISBN: 1328772535
Pages: 112
Goodreads
four-stars

This edition of Girls Think of Everything has retained most of the gals from the original book published in 2000. This edition has added  women of color and women from outside the United States.

New profiles include Alissa Chavez, a Latinx teen who invented the Hot Seat to prevent infant deaths in hot cars; Azza Abdelhamid Faiad, an Egyptian teen who devised a method of turning recycled plastic into fuel; and Kiara Nirghin, a South African teen who came up with a way to fight drought using the absorbency of orange peels.

This updated edition also includes a useful Glossary and timeline of other girls and their inventions.

A great entertaining read for all.

Reviewed by Melissa Madigan- retired Youth Services Librarian

four-stars