Becca's Bunch: B Is for Becca: An ABC Book by Jam Media 
Based on TV series Becca’s Bunch, this is a colorful, fun introduction to a child learning their ABC’s. Colorful characters throughout will. Very young children will want you to read this over and over.
For Preschoolers
Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner
Gold Rush! by Jesse Wiley A really fun create your own adventure book that takes you on a journey form Oregon to California, during the 1851 gold rush. Children will choose which way they will go and overcome many obstacles along the way, according to the choices they make.
# 7 in the series
For ages 10 to 12
Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner
Charles Darwin's on the Origin of Species by Sabina Radeva 
An interesting attempt to explain a very difficult concept to children. I am not sure if I think it succeeded. Easy to read text and appropriate illustrations add to its appeal. Perhaps more appropriate for middle school ages.
For ages 6-12
Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner
Sun by Alison Oliver 
Sun is a little boy who loves soccer but also feels that he is missing something. He encounters a fox on a walk and through this encounter learns what he is missing and loves to do the most. Loved the illustrations and the story.
For Preschool to 7 years old.
Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner
The Story Seeker (The Story Collector #2) by Iacopo Bruno, Kristin O'Donnell Tubb Inspired by true events from the 1920’s, this is the second adventure of Viviani Fedeler and her family who reside in a second floor apartment in the New York City Public Library. Viviani loves creating stories and fancies herself a writer. When a school assignment promises a trip to the newspaper, Viviani responds to the pressure with writer’s block. When she uses “Millions of Cats” by Gag, which is published the year before, as inspiration, she is accused of plagiarism. On top of that, medical books from the library have been disappearing in large numbers. It takes Viviani and her friends to assist with the crime solving. The author’s note details the true facts of the Fedeler family, the NYPL’s real book detective on staff and the actual criminal prosecution. This historical slice of life will inspire library lovers and future writers.
Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library
How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion by Ashima Shiraishi, Yao Xiao Ashima Shiraishi is a world-class climber, and in the climbing world, boulders are referred to as problems. Shiraishi takes this play on words and runs with it wonderfully. She talks about how she solves problems in rock climbing, and that easily equates to solving problems in life. She takes the reader through her thought processes in bouldering, and she walks through how she learns from mistakes.
This is a great book for kids working through anxiety or who are feeling overwhelmed. It has a similar feel to Kobi Yamada’s What Do You Do With a Problem? but tackles the issue with less metaphor, and thus, may resonate with younger kids more easily. The illustrations are high color and reminiscent of the style found in many graphic novels. This is a great book for one-on-one sharing and would be best for kids 4 and up. Even older kids who are working through some problems of their own will benefit from this book.
Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME
Don't Feed the Coos! by Heather Fox, Jonathan Stutzman They’re cute. They coo. But, DON’T feed the coos! When you feed one, they will all come. And they will never leave you. Ever. And what’s worse? The coos poos. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
This funny book will delight children with it’s silliness, and who doesn’t love a poop joke? The colorful, cartoony illustrations fit perfectly with the mood of the book, and add to the humor. Anyone who has ever fed pigeons in a park (or seen someone doing so) will relate to this situation. This would be a great story time book and is recommended for kids 3 yrs and up.
Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME
¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat by Elaine Bay, Raúl the Third Little Lobo is back, and this time he and his friends are delivering food to all the hungry luchadores before El Toro wrestles in the evening. This sequel to ¡Vamos! Let’s Go to the Market follows the same format with copious Spanish words throughout. The Spanish words are often translated on the same page, and there is also a glossary of Spanish words at the end. The classic, colorful illustrations are extremely detailed. Readers could easily see something new with each reading. Recommended for readers 4 and up.
Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME
Seeds by Carme Lemniscates Seeds is a celebration of the power of seeds — seeds that grow into pumpkins or orchids and seeds of kindness that grow into compassion and friendship. The simple text explains the power of seeds’ ability to multiply — from one seed to many pumpkins full of hundreds of seeds. It then equates this power to emotional seeds: those of kindness as well as those that bring anger and misunderstanding. It concludes by reminding the reader that seeds can only grow what they bring. Pumpkin seeds grow pumpkins, seeds of kindness grow more kindness.
This is a wonderful book. The message is a good one, and it’s conveyed in a way that is accessible to young readers. The illustrations are gorgeous. They’re bright, bold and compliment the story well. This is a great story for one-on-one sharing or could easily be incorporated into story time. Recommended for 1-yr olds and up.
Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME
The Mystwick School of Musicraft by Jessica Khoury Khoury uses all the familiar wizard school tropes and structure to create a fantasy world for grades 4-7 where magic is in the music. Twelve year old Amelia, who lives with her disapproving guardian, auditions in hopes to attend her mother’s alma mater the Mystwick School of Musicraft. Amelia’s mother died in a magical accident that Amelia believes should be pursued or avenged. Picked up by the school’s magical zeppelin and placed in one of the four musically related houses, Amelia quickly meets her nemesis and finds her musical and her magical abilities put the test. Fantasy fans of all things wizardly will enjoy the magic of music. Did you know that singing jitterbugs are magical? The chapter headings are humorous musical puns and serviceable full-page black and white illustrations by Federica Frenna are scattered throughout the book.
Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library