Month: November 2020

How to Write a Story

How to Write a StoryHow to Write a Story by Kate Messner, Mark Siegel
Published by Chronicle Books on July 7, 2020
ISBN: 1452156662
Pages: 36
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Need a basic primer for elementary students? This would make a great anchor text for students who just don’t know where to start or what to do next when they feel stalled. Is this a complete writing manual? No. Is this useful for framing creative writing and mini-lessons? Absolutely. 

It reads like a story of someone telling the reader ten basic steps in the writing process, beginning with collecting ideas (lots of them!) and almost ending with sharing your story. It says that sharing your story is not the end of writing, as then it’s time to “…start searching for a new idea that wants to be written…”

Colorful illustrations follow a young writer as she explores and considers many ways to start and continue her story. Some pages show parts of a hand-written story; others show imagination bubbles where the writer is thinking. 

Even though the audience, at first glance, seems to be children, any age could use this as a basic framework that encourages thinking, exploring, and discovery of stories that want to be written. This could also be used as a companion book to Messner’s 2015 “How to Read a Story.”

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

On Wings of Words

On Wings of WordsOn Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson by Becca Stadtlander, Jennifer Berne
Published by Chronicle Books on February 18, 2020
ISBN: 1452142971
Pages: 52
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

If you are familiar with Emily Dickinson, this book is for you. If you are not familiar with her or her work, this book is for you. This 19th century poet and her work still have relevance and meaning  today. The author, Berne, has used a tiny sample of Dickinson’s writings to illustrate her life.

The text is spread out across the pages, sometimes phrases, single sentences, or short paragraphs, making the content accessible. Historical accuracy in the soft illustrations is maintained where possible’ many of the illustrations place Emily outdoors, giving the reader a sense of her love of nature. Pieces of her poems are handwritten in the endpages and on occasional pages, deepening the reader’s understanding and appreciation for her work.

Paired with other picture books about Dickinson, such as “Emily” by Michael Bedard, and “My Uncle Emily” by Jane Yolen, middle elementary readers (and older readers!) will enjoy a multi-faceted picture of this poet of whom much is speculated. This would also be very useful for figurative language studies.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Last Mirror on the Left

Last Mirror on the LeftThe Last Mirror on the Left by Dapo Adeola, Lamar Giles
on October 20, 2020
ISBN: 0358129419
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Move over, “Through the Looking-Glass” and “Greystone Secrets” to make room for this parallel universe installment for “The Legendary Alston Boys” series. Cousins Otto and Sheed are pulled into a series of mirrors from the Rorrim Mirror Emporium (check that name again!), where they are forced to assist in looking for a fugitive, trying to figure out who is the real enemy, and getting home safely without being locked in a mirror for the rest of their lives.

Occasional black and white sketches help the reader picture the characters.

This is a sequel to “The Last Last-Day-of-Summer” (previously reviewed on this blog) which sets up some of the problems; this reviewer has not read that which led to some confusion and trying to figure out the backstory, especially about Sheed’s mysterious, deadly illness. Purchase of both titles is recommended for the action, suspense, and diverse set of characters to satisfy middle-upper elementary fantasy readers. 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Night Animals Need Sleep Too

Night Animals Need Sleep TooGenres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
four-stars

When do possums play dead? Do skunks belong in wolf dens? Are night animals more scared of humans than humans are of night animals? These are deliciously fun questions the reader will investigate in this humorous short but packed story featuring the same cast from the author’s ‘Night Animals’ (2015).

Night animals being awake during the day is not an unusual story line, but what happens to them during that time and how they manage to make it to night time is where this book stands above most others.

Silhouettes are occasionally used, and the animals find themselves in humorous positions. Bold double-page illustrations on wide pages with plain background keep the reader’s eye focused on the animals and text done in speech bubbles. The only other text shows various sounds, buzz, thunk, crunch, etc, that invite the reader to guess what will happen on the next page. Black and white text, images, and end pages add to the day-night mood.

This would make a great addition to your early readers, read-aloud, or nocturnal animals shelves, especially if you have the first story featuring this silly crew. Recommended for ages 3-5

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

The Willoughbys Return

The Willoughbys ReturnThe Willoughbys Return by Lois Lowry
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0358423899
Pages: 192
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

One does not need to read “The Willoughbys” to enjoy this follow-up in which the mean and presumed dead parents thaw out and return home after 30 years of being frozen in the Alps.

Lowry is known for her clever writing, and this book is no disappointment. Each chapter begs the reader to keep reading. In spite of a lot of technical terms about finance, medicine, and manufacturing, these are not distracting, and can add to the humor for older readers. Lots of footnotes directed to the reader add to the entertainment, and some describe certain historical events, which may prompt further investigation by the reader.

Would make a great read aloud for middle elementary and perhaps younger grades. As a pre-reading activity, students could try to list things not heard of 30 years ago, such as Google, Uber, and Tesla.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Flight For Freedom: The Wetzel Family’s Daring Escape from East Germany

Flight For Freedom: The Wetzel Family’s Daring Escape from East GermanyFlight for Freedom: The Wetzel Family’s Daring Escape from East Germany by Kristen Fulton, Torben Kuhlmann
ISBN: 1452149607
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Quick. Make a list of all the ways someone might escape from East Germany during the Cold War… 

Did you have ‘balloon flight’ on your list? I didn’t either, until I read this incredible account of not only one, but two families who made their escape in a home-made hot-air balloon!

This event is made accessible to middle elementary readers as historical fiction with clear but informative sentences and limited text on each page. The reader is introduced to young Peter Wetzel and how he lives with the differences between life in the East and West. The events leading up to the final escape attempt and the escape are told through Peter’s eyes. Upper elementary readers would find this an easy to understand account of a dramatic true event.

Realistic photos, some double-pages spreads and some single, with dark, shadowed tones appropriate to the confinement and night time escape. A map of their route from East Germany to West appears on the end pages. Back matter includes information on how their balloon was made and functioned, author notes, photos of the actual balloon and landing site sign, and the Cold War and the Berlin Wall. 

Highly recommended for all post-WWII collections and historical fiction shelves. This could be used with middle to upper elementary readers as an introduction to the Cold War, personal narrative writing lessons, or historical fiction examples.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

A is For Another Rabbit

A is For Another RabbitA is for Another Rabbit by Hannah Batsel
on April 7, 2020
ISBN: 1541529502
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The title gives the reader a clue that this will not be a standard alphabet book, which will be a surprise to the ‘wise’ owl who is expecting a nice little ABC book of various animals. By the end of the book, he is exhausted from the effort of trying to stay on track and overwhelmed by the deviation from a usual ABC book and the sheer number of rabbits.

Text in clear font is carefully placed, and sometimes slips into rhyme. Many unusual words are included such as overzealous, rambunctious, tenacious, and will stretch a youngster’s adjective vocabulary. Lots of humor in the cartoonish illustrations showing rabbits doing an enormously wide range of activities. Adults will appreciate some of the humor, such as one rabbit singing “Bunny and the Jets,” an art museum boasts “The Rabbit with the Pearl Earring” and “The Mona Rabbit.”

Be sure to spend time examining and comparing the front and back end papers. A fun addition to your alphabet book collection.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

The Little Penguin

The Little PenguinThe Little Penguin by Kip Noschese, Margo Gates
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541558677
Pages: 16
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This easy reader book is part of a series by Lerner showcasing animal habitats.  It meets all the criteria for beginner readers with two simple sentences in large print per page.  The story sequence is that the little penguin sees the snow then says “Let’s play in the snow”, which is repeated for ice, water and then a nap with Dad penguin.  The vocabulary promotes success in basic identifying words and the nap at the end adds humor.  The illustrations by Kip Noshese consist mainly of the penguin planted into the landscape of lines and mountains in the background.  All the colors are white with a blue tint and gray, which are not distracting from the text, but are not that exciting either.  The layout includes a table of contents which consists of the story, and the back page matter.  The last page provides visual clues of specific words and then an index of where various words such as:  Dad, friends, huddle, ice, jump are located in the book by page number.  Useful for school libraries and easy reader sections.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library

 

three-stars

The Berenstain Bears’ Big Track Meet

The Berenstain Bears’ Big Track MeetThe Berenstain Bears’ Big Track Meet by Mike Berenstain
Published by HarperCollins ISBN: 0062654721
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In this easy reader episode of the Berenstain Bear family, a track meet with Mama Bear as the coach provides the vehicle for learning comparisons.  In clear, repetitive phrasing and simple sentence structure that corresponds to the #1 Beginning Reader designation, the bear family competes against each other at various track meet events.  Sister and brother bear prove they are the fastest runner, farthest jumper and highest climber.  Some, more and most are presented as well as under, into and over.  Papa Bear never seems to the best at anything, that is, until it’s time to take a nap!  There is plenty of white space in the layout, and the illustrations show each event.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

The All-Together Quilt

The All-Together QuiltThe All-Together Quilt by Lizzy Rockwell
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 27, 2020
ISBN: 0375822046
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Fiction based on real situations provides depth to the plot especially when factual information reinforces the text.  Rockwell offers a heartwarming story that crosses ethnic and age lines allowing a community to come together in the development of art.  Children and seniors are paired in the artistic creation of a quilt.  Their enthusiasm and joy are exhibited on each page of this colorful and informative picture book.  Illustrations emphasize the many happy faces and vibrant pieces of fabric selected for the quilt.  A complete construction lesson is taught as the storyline progresses from cutting, layering, painting, to machine and hand sewing the quilt.  Caution, young readers will want to put paint on their own hands in anticipation of an art session.

Rockwell has included back pages which include; the history of her Peace by Piece quilt project, classic quilt blocks, and a distinctive presentation of the origin of each fabric used in the quilt.  Both the hardcover illustration and end pages are eye catching.   This is a book that belongs in all public libraries and would be useful to art teachers in the primary grades.  Community center, youth organizations and  churches would also benefit from adding a copy of this book to their shelves of picture books.

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

five-stars