Month: May 2019

Sharks on the Hunt

Sharks on the HuntSharks on the Hunt by Paul Mason
Published by Hungry Tomato (R) on January 1st 2018
ISBN: 1512459755
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is part of the series: Wild World of Sharks and gives the reader a crash course in sharkology. Within 32 pages, the reader learns the basics about these “wolves of the sea.” Sharks have been around some 400 million years, they are carnivores ( though some supplement their diet with plants). They hunt with all their senses- sight- they have good night vision, smell-nares on either side of their snout pick up scents for hundreds of meters touch- a line of sensors run the length of their body, it lets the shark know when the water is disturbed and they have touch sensitive teeth. They also have electro -location, they can sense anything that produces electricity- including humans. Other areas covered include what makes them sharks, where they can be found and what is their greatest enemy. Written in bullets surrounded with incredible photos, the information is short and sweet. The author offers a shark identification page and a glossary in the back. Author Mason has written a book that will whet the appetite of budding shark scientists. This addition works in any collection, large or small. Good for all ages.

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

four-stars

Tales From the Inner City

Tales From the Inner CityTales from the Inner City by Shaun Tan
Published by Arthur A. Levine Books on September 25th 2018
ISBN: 1338298402
Pages: 221
Goodreads
four-stars

In these twenty-five fantastical tales, Tan explores the relationships between animals and humans. Some of the chapters are whimsical, such as the crocodiles who live on the eighty-seventh floor, some are insightful (bears) and some of the chapters will pull on your heartstrings (dogs). Either way, the readers will be flipping the pages to get to Tan’s artwork.  Each double-page painting is created in Tan’s signature style of bold graphics and dramatic colors. After experiencing the stories and art in this book, readers will think about their relationships with animals more deeply and never look at them the same way again.

For Grades 7and up

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

four-stars

Freya and Zoose

Freya and ZooseFreya & Zoose by Emily Butler, Jennifer Thermes
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on January 29th 2019
ISBN: 1524717711
Pages: 208
Goodreads
four-stars

This adventure chapter book, most suitable for readers in grades 3-6, features a solitary, educated Rockhopper penguin named Freya and a sarcastic, yet scientific mouse named Zoose who stowaway on a hot-air balloon headed for the Arctic.   They learn to work together as they observe the three men, based on the real, but tragic Salomon August Andree hydrogen balloon attempt to the North Pole in 1897, struggle with the floating ice conditions.  Freya loves poetry and uses a special travel book as her standard for behavior, while overconfident Zoose is afraid of death but puts his eavesdropping and sewing skills to good use.   The pair survives sinking sleds, a bear attack and some shifty local animal characters.  Sadly, Freya and Zoose must watch the three humans succumb to death one by one.    Thermes ink draws are scattered throughout the story illustrating the whimsical stories and dreams that Freya and Zoose develop.  Butler provides the historical context to the adventure in the back which will have some seeking out all the interesting details to hot-air balloon flight and the perils it presented.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

Stick Dog Gets the Tacos

Stick Dog Gets the TacosStick Dog Gets the Tacos by Tom Watson
Published by HarperCollins on February 5th 2019
ISBN: 006268518X
Pages: 224
Goodreads
three-stars

Stick Dog and his group of literal minded canines are searching for food again in this ninth episode of the series for readers in grades 3-5.  Karen is her usual distracted, short-legged self and comes to tell Stick Dog, over the course of two chapters, that she saw some humans hitting a dog.  While investigating, Stick Dog uncovers that the animal is a piñata, the birdies being hit are from badminton and green goopy stuff is guacamole.  Although Stick Dog knows that guacamole isn’t made from green birds, he doesn’t correct the other dogs, just keeps them focused on getting food while the human family involved is not looking.  The dogs decide guacamole tastes good. After Poo-poo the culinary expert in his own eyes educates the group on textures vs flavors, Stick Dog shows them how to flip a chip with the dip into their mouths and then they are set to try the tacos and enjoy the piñata contents.  The layout is the same as the others in the series.  Large font presented on lined paper with 5-6 page chapters and Watson’s line drawings liberally placed to increase the humor value.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

three-stars

Lost and found Ducklings

Lost and found DucklingsLost and Found Ducklings by Valeri Gorbachev
Published by Holiday House on February 12th 2019
ISBN: 0823441075
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Brother and Sister Duck just received nets in the mail and want to go catch some things in them.  Unfortunately, they get so involved with the game they don’t heed their parent’s advice and wander into the forest as dusk comes.  Finding themselves lost, they cry “Peep, Peep” but only the animals in the forest hear them.  Each animal tries to assist by showcasing their own bellowing, piercing howl, shrill screaming and fierce growling, but to no avail.  Only after they all cry at once are the parents alerted.  The forest animals and their various accessories that go flying off as they call their special call are comical and demand listeners to follow suit.  There is a repetitive line after each animal tries to call that provides a positive way for young ones to join in with the reading.  This is a perfect story time read for children ages 3-6.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

five-stars

I Am Just Right

I Am Just RightI Am Just Right by David McPhail
Published by Holiday House on March 19th 2019
ISBN: 0823441067
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

A bunny tells the reader all the things that he is too big for like his crib, shirt, shoes, tricycle and being picked up.  He is just right for a hug, his bed, clothes, bike and his sister.  The general layout of the book has one sentence of text opposite a full page illustration in McPhail’s classic style showing the narrator with the object that is too big or just right.   The illustrations are perfect for beginner readers who need a clue to the second part of each repetitive sentence.  The color palette is pastels and the text is an easy to read large black font.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

three-stars

Hello Summer!

Hello Summer!Hello Summer! by Shelley Rotner
Published by Holiday House on April 9th 2019
ISBN: 0823439771
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

This nonfiction picture completes Rotner’s series about the seasons.  Bright photos capturing a racially diverse cast of children enjoying berries, popsicles, summer rain and playing in the park match the simple four sentence text blocks found on each two page spread.  Various words in each stanza of text are printed in a larger contrasting color.  Children put on sunblock, drink lots of water and celebrate with fireworks and barbecues.  The photos are crisp and clear and shown as full page, half page and smaller sizes throughout the book.  The reinforced binding is sturdy and durable.  A glossary in the back has these words:  Autumn, Nectar, Pollen, Ripe, Summer solstice, Surf and Thunderstorm.  Although not useful for science reports about summer, libraries and preschools looking to update their season books for children ages 2-5 would do well with this series.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

three-stars

What a Cold Needs

What a Cold NeedsWhat a Cold Needs by Barbara Bottner, Chris Sheban
Published by Neal Porter Books on February 12th 2019
ISBN: 0823441725
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

This singularly focused picture book, for readers ages 2-6, portrays the ebbs and flows of someone suffering from a pesky cold with precision.  From the red sore nose to the comforts of grandma’s chicken soup, Bottner captures the experience well.  Even after the young girl in the story has recuperated, the cold has found another victim in the multi-generational family.  The layout includes a variety of spreads that match the text and draw out the misery of a stuffy nose.  Sheban’s grey based colors provide the spot-on atmosphere of those feeling the effects of a cold, showing expression and the correct amount of sick weariness.  Pair this with Stead’s A Sick Day for Amos Mcgee as a perfect panacea for someone staying in bed due to a cold or a story time about health.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

 

four-stars

Lizzy McTizzy and the Busy Dizzy Day

Lizzy McTizzy and the Busy Dizzy DayLizzy McTizzy and the Busy Dizzy Day by Sarah Weeks, Lee Wildish
Published by HarperCollins on April 2nd 2019
ISBN: 0062442058
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Lizzy McTizzy is excited to be invited to a birthday party.  It is time to go, but she is unable to find one of her shoes.  A complete search of the house ensues from her bedroom and  up into the attic, “Ah-CHOO!.  She finally solves the problem by putting on a red boot she finds and shows up at the party with two different pieces of footwear.  She still feels proud because “you have to be you”.  Weeks rhyming text flows quickly and smoothly which assists the reader in making it sound like Lizzy is in a tizzy.  Wildish’s illustrations are bright and cheery. Lizzy, has a large, bright red fluffy head of hair and various expressions as she explores all the places that her shoe could be hiding. Perspective is shown during the search by distance and body proportions.  The children have somewhat larger cartoon heads and smaller skinny bodies.  The party goers at the party are  racially diverse.   The font is easy to read and varies from questions, to descriptions to interjections of emotion.  Lizzy McTizzy would “find” a place in any 2-6 year old story time.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

Cilla Lee-Jenkins: This Book is a Classic

Cilla Lee-Jenkins: This Book is a ClassicCilla Lee-Jenkins: This Book Is a Classic by Susan Tan, Dana Wulfekotte
Published by Roaring Brook Press on March 27th 2018
ISBN: 1626725535
Pages: 272
Goodreads
four-stars

Cilla Lee-Jenkins:  This Book is a Classic is the second book following the exploits of Cilla.  Cilla is a third grader from a biracial family who is an aspiring writer.  Cilla’s Auntie Eva is getting married, so she tries to make herself more Chinese in time for the wedding.  Cilla has other problems to deal with besides the wedding with learning how to be a good big sister, deciding what to do about her best friend also being friends with someone else, and liking animals despite Chinese people not liking animals (she thinks).  Readers will learn about Chinese customs and traditions along with some vocabulary in a fun interesting manner presented by Cilla. Cilla’s observant, curious nature provides a third grader’s look at the struggle of blending families/traditions/cultures, jealousy in friendships, and change.  The novel is interspersed with pencil sketches which bring an increased understanding to the situation on the pages. Readers from ages 7-10 who have a new younger sibling, are biracial, or who are aspiring authors may relate to Cilla and enjoy this book. Parents and teachers may find this a fun read aloud providing multiple opportunities to discuss family dynamics, being a good friend, stereotypes, and even literary devices.  Cilla is a positive role model with good morals who realizes that some changes can be nice.

Reviewed by Heather Hale, Easton School Department, Easton

four-stars