Month: October 2020

Playing Possum

Playing PossumPlaying Possum by Jennifer Black Reinhardt
Published by Clarion Books on July 7, 2020
ISBN: 1328782700
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

When a possum feels nervous, it freezes and plays dead. This is unfortunate for Alfred — he’s a very nervous possum. When he meets Sophia, a very nervous armadillo, they discover they have something in common. With time and patience, they feel more comfortable around each other, and they realize they can afford the same compassion to other nervous animals.

This is a very sweet book. The message of compassion and patience and letting people be themselves is an important one, and it’s presented well here for young readers. I especially loved the end pages that share more information about the different animals in the book and their defense mechanisms. The illustrations are whimsical and highly detailed. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Ducks!

Ducks!Ducks! by Deborah Underwood, T.L. McBeth
Published by Henry Holt & Company on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 1250127092
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Duck wanders away from the pond and returns to find all the other ducks are missing. This mostly wordless book tracks Duck’s search for the other ducks in a variety of unexpected places. The illustrations are simple and silly and somewhat reminiscent of the Pigeon books. This would make a great read aloud book and a fun one for story time with audience participation. This book is also great for very new readers learning to sound out words. Recommended for babies and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

The Blue House

The Blue HouseThe Blue House by Phoebe Wahl
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Leo is a long-haired white boy who lives with his father in a little blue house, and that’s the way it’s always been. The paint is peeling, the whole place is drafty, and the heater only works part of the time. It’s their house, though, and they love it. They cook, dance, grow food, and explore together. When eminent domain takes the house from their landlord, they’re forced to move. Leo and his dad are really upset, and frankly quite MAD. To work out their anger, they have a jam session where Leo does “a special scream solo.” When they move to their new house, it isn’t the same, but slowly and surely, it begins to feel like home as well.

There are so many things to love about this book. First, a boy living only with his father in dilapidated old house. Second, displays of love, affection, and wonderful coping mechanisms for processing emotions. Third, the illustrations are gorgeous and really bring the emotion out in this story. This sort of a father-son relationship is rarely depicted in picture books, so it is refreshing to see. The text is simple and not overdone. There are enough words to convey the story without being overly wordy. Recommended for wide purchase and for Cream of the Crop. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

A Cloud of Outrageous Blue

A Cloud of Outrageous BlueA Cloud of Outrageous Blue by Vesper Stamper
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on August 25, 2020
ISBN: 152470041X
Pages: 320
Genres: Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Edyth grew up in a small, quiet village but when she loses everything seemingly over night, she’s sent to live in a priory. Once there, she begins work and falls in love with old books in the scriptorium. When a boy from her past appears on a work crew, her future seems complicated. As the Plague sets in, her future is in even more turmoil. She knows she wants to be with him, but she feels drawn to her work and stuck there at the same time.

This book is phenomenally written. The main character, Edyth, has synesthesia — she sees colors for different emotions and circumstances. Though this plays a role in the plot, it isn’t the main focus. It does, however, lead to some exceptionally colorful and image rich writing. Throughout the book, there are also two-page spread illustrations, and the use of color in these illustrations personifies the imagery in Edyth’s mind. The story is engaging, the artwork is stunning, and the writing is gorgeous. A highly recommended purchase for young adult collections everywhere. Recommended for readers 13 and up and recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

KHALIL AND MR. HAGERTY AND DTHE BACKYARD TREASURES

KHALIL AND MR. HAGERTY AND DTHE BACKYARD TREASURESKhalil and Mr. Hagerty and the Backyard Treasures by Elaheh Taherian, Tricia Springstubb
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536203068
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“Khalil and Mr. Hagerty and the Backyard Treasures,” is a sweet story about friendship between Khalil, a young boy, and an older gentleman.  Khalil  lives upstairs and Mr. Hagerty lives downstairs – in a  house  – where both share the same backyard. Khalil likes to read and explore. Mr. Hagerty loves to take care of his garden. While Khalil sometimes struggles to read words, Mr. Hagerty struggles to “remember,”  the names of his garden  tools. One very hot day, day, while Khali is  digging in the yard for buried treasure,  Mr. Hagerty harvests some very shriveled carrots.  Agreeing that this is indeed “discouraging,”  Mr. Hagerty invites Khalil  inside for a large piece of chocolate cake and a tall glass of cold milk.  “Maybe we’ll be luckier tomorrow,” says Khalil.”  And they are!  During the night, each has an idea of how to cheer up and surprise the other.   As a result, a lovely friendship grows between them.

The lovely cut-out illustrations are expansive and expressive, conveying well  the growing appreciation that Mr. Hagerty and Khalil have for one another.

Good for intergeneration and cross cultural studies.  Also, when promoting the  building of  new and less common types of friendships.

 

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

four-stars

Agent’s Handbook

Agent’s HandbookOdd Squad Agent's Handbook by Adam Peltzman, Tim McKeon
Published by Imprint on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 1250222664
Pages: 160
Genres: Adventure
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A handbook for fictitious Odd Squad agents written for fans of the TV show and readers of series like Dog Man.   Many young agents introduce themselves and each share some mildly vital information concerning the organization and its members.  It is noteworthy that all the agents appear to be preteens with names that begin with the letter O.  Young readers might well enjoy the classification of creatures in pictorial form and the presentation of equipment.   The author obviously had some fun creating this handbook while the illustrations are detailed.   It is unfortunately however that some of the pictures are rather dark making details unclear.   There is a lack of any storyline yet some humor is available within the pages.  Target audience is  age 6-9.

For fans of the show but not a necessary purchase for school or public libraries.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services library in Scarborough, ME

three-stars

Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle, How Animals Get Ready for Winter

Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle, How Animals Get Ready for WinterSnack, Snooze, Skedaddle by Claudine Gévry, Laura Purdie Salas
Published by Millbrook Press (Tm) on September 3, 2019
ISBN: 1541529006
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This charming non-fiction book includes information about the ruby-throated hummingbird, blue whale, earthworm, chipmunk, northern wood frog, bear, moose, red fox, human, mouse, garter snake, and monarch butterfly. The rhyming text makes this a delightful read aloud for younger children. The colorful illustrations enhance the text. Each animal is depicted in a two-page spread. In addition to the rhyming text is a sentence or two in smaller type with more information about each animal. At the end of the book is a section for older readers about survival strategies such as migration, hibernation, and toleration. This information could be used for reports. A glossary is included. I highly recommend this for ages 5-9.                                              Kris Zuidema,  retired school librarian, Standish.

five-stars

The Tragical Tale of Birdie Bloom

The Tragical Tale of Birdie BloomThe Tragical Tale of Birdie Bloom by Temre Beltz
Published by HarperCollins on March 26, 2019
ISBN: 0062835831
Pages: 368
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Humor, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Birdie Bloom, an orphan, is destined to have her life end tragically as all the other orphans living in The Foulweather Home for the Tragicals. Agnes Prunella is a bored witch. Birdie has never had a friend and Agnes has never wanted one. The two end up exchanging letters and becoming unlikely friends. The letters are delightful. There are many twists and turns in the story, humor, adventure, and magic. The beginning of the book has a two page map. The story is narrated by the book itself and there are numerous footnotes that offer further explanations. The approach to the story is very creative and unique.   Recommended for readers grades 3-5.                              Kris Zuidema,  retired school librarian, Standish.

four-stars

Honey, the Dog Who Saved Abe Lincoln

Honey, the Dog Who Saved Abe LincolnHoney, the Dog Who Saved Abe Lincoln by Chuck Groenink, Shari Swanson
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 0062699008
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This beautifully written picture book biography is about young Abe Lincoln living in Knob Creek, Kentucky. One day he rescues and cares for a honey colored dog with a broken leg. Soon Honey and Abe go everywhere together whether it’s dropping off grain at the mill or going out on adventures. One day Abe ends up trapped between two boulders in a cave. Honey returns to Abe’s mother and leads the town folk to Abe. The soft and colorful illustrations enhance the well written text. The story is a wonderful read aloud. Not only will is appeal to animal lovers, but also to those who enjoy a well told story that happens to be about one of our most famous presidents. There is a fascinating timeline entitled Abraham Lincoln and His Animal Encounters. The timeline includes his childhood in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and continues to his years as the president depicting his lifelong compassion for animals The author’s note explains how this story came to be known. There is also an illustrated map around Hodgen’s Mills where the story takes place. This is the author’s debut picture book.                                                                                          I highly recommend this for children ages 4-9.

Kris Zuidema,  retired school librarian, Standish.

five-stars

THE SECRET GARDEN

THE SECRET GARDENThe Illustrated Secret Garden: 100th Anniversary Edition with Special Foreword by Anna Clark, Charles Robinson, Frances Hodgson Burnett
Published by HarperCollins ISBN: 1950435989
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A lovely adapted version of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic book, ‘The Secret Garden.”  This picture book is for young readers – ages 4-8.  It is an easily read, straight forward rendition accompanied by lush, colorful illustrations  by the Swedish illustrator and designer, Adelina LIrius.

This is  the story of a lonely child, Mary Lennox, who was moved into  Misselthwaite Manor in Northern England. Mary hates the cold dreary Manor, until  an old gardener tells her about  a hidden, secret garden. And soon, a  Robin helps Mary to  discover the key that unlocks the  the  ancient  and  unkept garden.  One day, Mary hears cries coming from one of the manor bedrooms and searches to discover a young boy, Colin, (brother  of Martha, the maid, who is sick and weekly.)  Mary brings him to the garden in his wheelchair  for fresh air and sunshine.  A  transformation occurs in the children  while working together  to  bring the old garden back to  life.  And slowly, as the  new garden  emerges, so does a new friendship between Mary and Colin.

Great for when studying classic literature with children.  A beautiful  read aloud with beautiful engaging artwork.

 

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

five-stars