Month: April 2020

Grandpa’s Top Three

Grandpa’s Top ThreeGrandpa's Top Threes by Daniel Egneus, Wendy Meddour
Published by Candlewick Press on September 3, 2019
ISBN: 1536211257
Pages: 32
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

A young boy's original game coaxes a grieving grandpa to reconnect with the world in a touching intergenerational story of love and resilience.
Henry loves talking with Grandpa, but Grandpa has stopped listening. Mom says to just give him time. But Henry wants to talk to Grandpa now. So Henry tries his favorite game: Top Threes. And something amazing happens: Grandpa starts talking again. Out of a tale of favorite sandwiches and zoo animals, outings and trains, emerges a moving story about love, loss, and the wonder of grannies and grandpas.

“Grandpas’ top Three” is a lovely, inter – generational picture book for ages 4 through 8. When Henrytries to get Grandpa to listen and to interact with him, he finds that Grandpa isn’t ready “just now”to talk.Henry, however,  wants to talk “now”  and does not understand why Grandpa is so reticent.When Henry decides to try his game of “Top Three”on Grandpa (for example – “What are your top three favorite sandwiches?” he then very slowly warms up to Henry’s persistence in playing the game .When Henry asks his Grandpa who his top three Grannies are, Grandpa doesn’t answer. We then surmise that perhaps Henry’s Granny has passed away.

Henry then states who his own top three Grannies are:

“Granny who is dead. Granny who loves on top of the shoe shop, and Granny in Little Red Riding Hood.”

It is then that Grandpa opens up a bit and begins to speak of Granny who has passed away. This in turn leads to the start of a loving relationship between Grandpa and his grandson.

A lovely sad and poignant tale about how through the persistence of a young boy, Grandpa slowly begins to comes to realize the importance.

A heartfelt loving story to be enjoyed by inter-generations of folks who wish to foster closer relationships.

 

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

 

Arlo Finch in the Lake of the Moon

Arlo Finch in the Lake of the MoonArlo Finch in the Lake of the Moon (Arlo Finch, #2) by John August
Published by Roaring Brook Press on February 5, 2019
ISBN: 162672816X
Pages: 384
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Even without having read the first Arlo Finch book this reader found the adventure and supernatural story enticing.   Arlo is well developed as are several of the major characters.  Although I suspected something unique and strange when Thomas joined the Blue Patrol,  his true identity was a complete surprise.   Camp is somewhat different than girl or boy scout camp but certainly recognizable to readers  who were or are scouts.     Even with interesting characters it is the action that keeps readers on edge.

This is a series that will appeal to lots of intermediate readers and should find its way onto the shelves of middle school and public library shelves.   I need to read the first book and recommend that others do as well.

four-stars

The Piano Recital

The Piano RecitalThe Piano Recital by Akiko Miyakoshi
Published by Kids Can Press on September 3, 2019
ISBN: 1525302574
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Piano Recital” is an imaginative picture book for children ages 4 through 8. Momo, a young girl, is about  to perform her  first piano recital.  However, she is experiencing a great deal of anxiety.   Momo  keep repeating the phrase, “I’ll be okay, I’ll be okay”  to reassure herself before the performance.  Soon, Momo’s imagination kicks in and she believes she is beckoned by a mouseling  (who  has anxiety herself about performing) to come  backstage with her  where there is already a performance in progress.  When it is the mouseling’s turn to perform.   Momo offers to go with her  on stage, telling  the mouseling  “you’ll be okay. ”  And when it’s   mouseling’s turn to perform, Momo  accompanies  her by playing the piano –  thus causing   Momo to   forget her own worries.  When the piece ends,  Momo stands to take a bow and finds that she isn’t at the mouseling’s recital after all, but at her very own piano recital.

A cleverly executed  picture book, whereupon the award winning author/illustrator , Akiko Miyakoshi,  utilizes the power of imagination to help allay Momo’s anxiety.

A wonderful resource to use when children feel anxiety  or nervousness regarding performing in front of an audience. This story speaks to how a child might put his own  imagination to work when feeling discomfort.

 

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

four-stars

The Last Peach

The Last PeachThe Last Peach by Gus Gordon
Published by Roaring Brook Press on May 21, 2019
ISBN: 1626723508
Pages: 34
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Last Peach” is a  unique picture book for ages 4 through 8.   Two bugs happen to discover the very last peach of the summer, fully ripened and tantalizing,  hanging on a branch. The entire story is a discussion between the two  about  ‘why or why not,”  they should or should not eat the peach.   Which one of them  should eat the peach? The one who first noticed the peach? Should they share it with friends?  And,  what if the peach is rotten inside?  These two bugs wonder, contemplate and even argue about who the peach belongs to!  A fun, engaging trip  for the book’s audience;  being pulled into  a  long and lengthy discussion  regarding  the destiny of a peach!   Who would have thought!

And how do you think this books ends?

The illustrations are soft and luscious!!

This funny story could be read at the end of the school year approaches  as children begin begin to anticipate summer time  experiences.  Or anytime of year one hungers for a peach.

 

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

four-stars

A New Home

Published by Candlewick Press (MA) Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
three-stars

“A New Home,” by Tania de Regil is a simple picture book story for ages   4 through 8.  The story  features two young children, one living in New York City, the other in Mexico City. The child living in NYC is moving to Mexico City and the child living in Mexico City is moving to NYC.  After each child is  told by parents that they will be moving, the children  (a boy and a girl who are not named in the book)   express  their fears and apprehensions  about the things they will miss in their  current home cities.  This heartwarming picture book shows that  children living any where  in the world are  not so very different  after all.   “A New Home,” stresses the point that  wherever one goes, he/she  can find “home.”

A short,  straight  forward and well paced story that can be helpful to  a child who is anticipating a move to a new location.  The end of the book contains informative notes  on both Mexico City and New York City.  The book is also available  in Spanish.

The colorful  illustrations are bold, detailed and well executed.

 

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

three-stars

No More Bedtime

No More BedtimeNo More Bedtime! by Chuck Richards
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on December 10, 2019
ISBN: 0553535617
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“No More Bedtime” is a picture book story by Chuck Richards about a young boy who hates bedtime.  He conjures up  many inventions and  BECAUSE Elliot has so  MANY  ideas, such as a “snooper-scooper – 5000   a spy swatter – 5000 and snitch sweeper – 5000,”  he decides that he needs a longer day.  Elliot goes to the library to research ways to lengthen the day so that he won’t  have to go to bed at all!  However, after  he figures out how he can actually halt the Earth’s rotation, he and his friends have an extremely busy day where they play like  “there is no tomorrow!”  However, Elliot soon comes to realize that there are drawbacks “to making time stand still.”

A clever picture book story with  bold and colorful illustrations.  The frustrations of both Elliot and his family and friends are well delineated.

A great book to use to encourage “creative and inventive thinking.”  Children will enjoy the zany ideas that Elliot conjures –  all ending with the number,  5000!    Also, many children will  relate to   the main character, Elliot, for his dislike of bedtime.

Reviewed By Connie Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME

 

four-stars

Little Fox and the Missing Moon

Little Fox and the Missing MoonLittle Fox and the Missing Moon by Ekaterina Trukhan
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on March 19, 2019
ISBN: 039955565X
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Help Fox solve another simple mystery in this bedtime companion to Apples for Little Fox!
The mystery-loving fox from Apples for Little Fox returns with a new case! When Fox dreams that the moon is missing, he and his friends go on a quest to find it and return it to the sky. Teamwork and companionship are highlighted in this simple, inviting mystery that allows readers to follow along.
The muted palette and clean design will calm overstimulated children at the end of their busy days.

“Little Fox and the Missing Moon is a companion book for “Apples for Little Fox,” both bedtime stories by Ekaterina Trukhan.  Little Fox becomes a detective  when he, along with his friends, must solve the mystery of the “missing moon.”  Little Fox has a nightmare about a monster who eats the moon, and,  lo and behold,  when he got up in the middle of the night to check outside his window, the moon was indeed –  missing! Little Fox grabs a  flashlight and begins his search for the missing moon.  Little Fox encounters his friends, Owl, Wolf, and Bear, along the way who help in the search.   When they all decide to go to Rabbit’s house to enlist his help as well,  they are  surprised to  find Rabbit  busily scrubbing the “dirty” moon in his kitchen sink.  Now, children will  wonder, –  just  how  will  the moon get back into the sky?”

A clever , simple, and enchanting  story that explores how friends working together  together can solve a mystery.

The illustrations are engaging, expressive and endearing – all at the same time.

This book would make a perfect bedtime story along with its companion, “Apples for Little Fox.  Also, good to read when  beginning a introduction to “what is a mystery, detective” book” –  for the Kindergarten through second graders.  Also can be utilized when discussing  “teamwork” and “companionship.”

Reviewed by Connie M. Smith

five-stars

The Global Refugee Crisis

The Global Refugee CrisisThe Global Refugee Crisis: Fleeing Conflict and Violence by Stephanie Sammartino McPherson
Published by Twenty-First Century Books (Tm) on January 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541528115
Pages: 128
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Twenty-First Century Books has published another outstanding resource for young adult research. In this case, Stephanie Sammartino McPherson, presents clear and informative information on the global refugee crisis. McPherson begins with a historical background of refugees, such as European Jews before and during WWII and Cuban immigrants to America in the late 1950s. Although two of the eight chapters do focus on the United States, the information provided does span the globe. Syria, Eritrea, and Burma are a few of the countries that are highlighted. The focus on personal stories brings the human aspect to this crisis in each region of the world. McPherson also tackles the intersection of climate change and the refugee crisis, provides counter-arguments to those who believe that refugees are a burden to a country’s economy, and highlights the humanitarian efforts and how average citizens can help. The textual information is enhanced by charts, maps, photographs with captions and organized with colored headings and subheadings. Source notes, glossary, selected bibliography, resources for further information, and an index included. This resource is recommended for grades 6 and up. It is accessible for middle school students and would provide an overall foundation for high school students as a beginning for research. 

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

five-stars

Princess Adventures: This Way or That Way?

Princess Adventures: This Way or That Way?Pick Your Own Adventure, Princess! by Amandine Piu, Sylvie Misslin
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on January 28, 2020
ISBN: 035805186X
Pages: 44
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Princesses Rose and Josephine are ready for adventure. Readers have the ability to choose the direction of the story, and only two paths lead the princesses to a happy ending.

The idea behind this book is a good one, but the execution misses the mark. I was mostly confused while trying to figure out what was happening, and the choices weren’t obvious. The illustrations are colorful, whimsical, and help convey emotions and help build the story. Given the choose your own adventure style of this book, it woud be most appreciated by slightly older picture book readers — 2nd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

two-stars

I Voted

I VotedI Voted: Making a Choice Makes a Difference by Mark Shulman, Serge Bloch
Published by Neal Porter Books on January 21, 2020
ISBN: 0823445615
Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is a great introduction to the concept of voting. It moves from choosing apples or oranges all the way to voting for lawmakers. The process of voting, winning, and losing is presented in a format that’s easily understandable and accessible for young kids. The cartoonish illustrations use minimal color, but they help convey the message and lessons about voting. The book includes a great informational section at the end about what kids can do and how the government works.

This book is a wonderful starting place for young kids wanting to learn more about voting and our government. Best for K-3rd grade readers, this book would be wonderful as the beginning to a program or discussion about voting.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars