Month: July 2020

Thank You, Mr. Panda

Thank You, Mr. PandaThank You, Mr. Panda: A Board Book by Steve Antony
Published by Scholastic Press on December 26, 2019
ISBN: 1338312766
Pages: 26
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

Thank you, Mr. Panda is appealing to all of Antony’s young fans in the larger hardcover edition.  As a board book however, it is somewhat confusing for the baby and toddler audience.  The black, white and yellow color choices are perfect for the younger children and like all the previous books the illustrations are delightful.   Some of the illustrations lose their charity in the small format.  This reader finds the gift sequence to be a problem especially the underwear that does not fit.  Although the message is right on for pre-K and K children little ones may be challenged by the content.

Public libraries are better served with the full size picture book.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

three-stars

You Are Ready! The World is Waiting

You Are Ready! The World is WaitingYou Are Ready!: The World Is Waiting by Eric Carle
Published by Harper ISBN: 0062953524
Genres: Animals
Goodreads
four-stars

Cover and pages alike are ablaze with typical Eric Carle colorful illustrations.  The bold illustrations surrounded with vibrant empty space are perfect for very young early readers.  Perhaps the best audience would be 4 and 5-year-old children entering pre-K and K.  Parent child animal interaction speaks to new experiences, providing encouragement and expressing love.  Comforting text in large font mirror the adorable critters making this a winner for early readers.   Certainly, there are other uses, perhaps gift to a recent graduate or purchase for a baby shower.   Public libraries will want to add this Carle title to their collections.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

Coo

CooCoo by Kaela Noel
Published by Greenwillow Books on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062955977
Pages: 432
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

If there was a genre called charming fantasy, Coo would be the first novel on the list.   A girl rescued and raised by pigeons seems to be an unlikely plot, but then again, why not?  Readers will be delighted with the story line as they learn about pigeon lifestyle and human compassion.  Noel gently introduces readers to a wild child with descriptive words that express Coo’s loyalty and exposes her heart of gold. What is intensely interesting is that Coo cannot speak a word of English and therefor is unable too communicate with humans. Another central character is equally treated well in the text; Tully’s love of birds is well defined and her understanding of human behavior saves the day.

Although 407 pages are daunting the large font accounts for easy and fast reading for grades 4-6 students.  This title would make a wonderful family read aloud for younger readers and is recommended for parent/child book groups.  Librarians will want to place this new author’s work on the shelves of public and intermediate school libraries.   As a first novel this is a memorable read that is sure to lead to future titles.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME.

four-stars

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: Sound Book

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: Sound BookWe're Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury, Michael Rosen
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) ISBN: 1406357383
Genres: Adventure
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
one-star

This variation of a wonderful classic just does not reach expectations.   The illustrations almost remain unchanged but a considerable amount of story line is truncated. This reviewer prefers the full-length book as much content and many illustrations are  lost in the press-and-listen edition.   About the sound, it did work the first time but when this reader went through a second time, the sound was quieter.

Some may be tempted to purchase for baby gifts but it is recommended to obtain the full-length version. The size is nice for little hands, but due to the sound box this is a heavy book for little ones.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth service librarian in Scarborough, ME

one-star

Just Breathe

Just BreatheJust Breathe by Cammie McGovern
Published by HarperTeen on January 7, 2020
ISBN: 0062463357
Pages: 352
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Goodreads
five-stars

Just Breathe is valuable advice, thanks to McGovern for allowing readers to slow down and breathe as they turn pages.  The author has given us two somewhat fragile characters who are in personal painful struggles, one physically and one emotionally.  During his senior year David’s CF has landed him in the hospital where Jamie (a sophomore) is a volunteer.  Their relationship deepens to true friendship during personal exchanges and emails.   Physical and mental challenges direct the story line even as strong emotional ties become obvious.   The text is crafted beautifully offering a complex romantic coming of age story complete with parental conflict.  Readers may wonder about the cover illustration but will soon learn how a simple craft activity can center a person and provide healing benefits.

This is a powerful story that will take readers by surprise and challenge what they know about mental health.  Copies should be provided to school social workers and gifted to parents of ill or depressed teens.  Do place on public library and high school media center shelves.

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian, Scarborough, ME

five-stars

The Easy Part of Impossible

The Easy Part of ImpossibleThe Easy Part of Impossible by Sarah Tomp
Published by HarperTeen on April 21, 2020
ISBN: 0062898280
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

High school senior Ria is feeling lost after getting kicked off her diving team. Benny, her coach, refused to keep her after she had an accident at her last meet and refused to dive. We learn through Ria’s interactions with Benny that he has been physically abusing her. She struggles to get to a place where she can acknowledge that what he’s been doing is wrong. She eventually finds a way to cope with all her feelings by getting to know and going caving with Cotton, a childhood classmate. Cotton, with issues of his own, and Ria help each other deal with their fears. It’s incredibly uncomfortable to follow Ria along this journey, as the reader seems to realize the abuse before she does. It’s a grim look into the relationship between a coach and an athlete. The author showcases just how difficult it can be to get out of an abusive relationship or situation. Ria and Cotton get a hopeful ending, leaving the reader feeling good overall.  Best for ages 14+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

four-stars

The lightness of Hands

The lightness of HandsThe Lightness of Hands by Jeff Garvin
Published by Balzer + Bray on April 14, 2020
ISBN: 0062382896
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Life is not all glamour when you and your Dad work parties and bars as magicians.  Ellie manages to schedule performances and attend HS online as she struggles to live with her bipolar issues.   Her story is well depicted and exposes the truth about living with mental illness.  The story is far from gentle but offers a real presentation of a teenager’s life on the road in an RV.   Both Ellie and her Dad are well drawn characters who possess flaws but are resilient.    An online BBF and recently found boyfriend add interest while balancing Ellie’s life to a more manageable and normal existence.

Teens dealing with mental illness will find hope and satisfaction in this story.  A strong dose of family love is written into this book which should find a home on all HS media center shelves.  Public libraries who collect YA fiction must add this to their next book order.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian, Scarborough, ME

four-stars