Month: February 2021

My Words

My WordsMy Words by Grant Snider
Published by HarperCollins on October 27, 2020
ISBN: 0062907808
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

At the beginning of the book, the narrator announces that she loves words. She then goes back to talking about when she was a baby and didn’t have any words. The story carries the reader through babbles to first words to a growing vocabulary. It ends with the narrator using her now expansive list of words to write. The illustrations in this book are simple, colorful, and complete the story. The text is sparse so the illustrations add a lot of the context to the story. Overall, the book isn’t bad, but the message isn’t very clear. A second purchase for larger collections. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Exploring the White House

Exploring the White HouseExploring the White House: Inside America's Most Famous Home by Kate Andersen Brower
Published by Quill Tree Books on December 8, 2020
ISBN: 0062906410
Pages: 240
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is an entertaining and informative look inside the most famous house in our country. It is an account almost completely from the perspective of the full time staff who continue working in the White House when the residents change from one term to the other. It talks about the dedication of the staff to the House rather than to the people occupying it. It provides history of the White House, including the use of slaves, and includes how things have changed over the years. From flowers to china sets to dogs to bowling, this book covers the many facets of life in the White House. It is definitely interesting and an easy, quick read. Young historians and those interested in political figures will find it interesting. Every reader is certain to learn something. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Wild Girl: How to have incredible adventures

Wild Girl: How to have incredible adventuresWild Girl: How to have INCREDIBLE OUTDOOR ADVENTURES by Helen Skelton
ISBN: 1406387649
Genres: Adventure
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Helen Skelton is a British TV personality who has managed to have some pretty amazing adventures. The title of this book is misleading, however, as it is mostly an autobiography and does little to help readers figure out how to have adventures they can actually attain. Most people aren’t going to run an ultramarathon in Namibia, solo kayak over 2,000 miles on the Amazon, or tight rope walk between two buildings. Most people shouldn’t attempt these things. While the book is mildly entertaining to read, Skelton has clearly lived a very privileged life and been very lucky and financially supported in her endeavors. Prior to signing up for most of these feats, she had little to no experience and was obviously able to devote most, if not all, of her time to training. The book is inspiring in that it shows that a lot of hard work can equate to success (and some failures, which she does discuss). The layout of the book will also appeal to young readers as it is full of graphics, sidebars, and lots of color. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up who love an adventure story or who are into extreme sports.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Anatomicum

AnatomicumAnatomicum: Welcome to the Museum by Jennifer Z. Paxton, Katy Wiedemann
Published by Big Picture Press on September 10, 2020
ISBN: 1536215066
Pages: 112
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This large format book is the latest installment in the Welcome to the Museum nonfiction series. The book is broken into various bodily systems: musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, digestive, etc. Each section opens with some text introducing the bodily system with cursory details, though that level of information works for a book like this. As with previous installments in this series, it’s the illustrations that really bring this book to life. The ink and watercolor illustrations are simultaneously gorgeous, detailed, and informative. Capturing the human form in a beautiful and scientifically accurate manner is extremely difficult, and this illustrator (and tattoo artist) has accomplished it wonderfully. This is a great book for reluctant nonfiction readers or anyone who appreciates beautiful art combined with science. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up though younger readers may enjoy the illustrations to help them learn about the inside of their bodies.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Kitty and the Treetop Chase

Kitty and the Treetop ChaseKitty and the Treetop Chase by Jenny Lovlie, Paula Harrison
Published by Greenwillow Books on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0062935771
Pages: 128
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Kitty and her feline friends are back for another superhero adventure, and this time, she’s got a new superhero friend, Ozzy. Ozzy is new in town, and when Kitty’s mom suggests a sleepover, Kitty is initially wary of how this will interfere with her nocturnal superhero adventures. Ozzy turns out to be another superhero in training who converses with owls, so the two are a perfect pair. This time, they’re working to find the dog who has wreaked havoc on the local bakery and to put things back before morning. Will they be able to figure it out, and how will their super powers work together to solve the mystery? This is the fourth installment in the Kitty series, and it’s every bit as sweet as the previous books. This is a great early chapter book series for kids who love mystery but who aren’t ready or interested in scary things. Kitty and Ozzy work together for good, and they’re bolstered by their animal companions. The illustrations are line drawings done entirely in black, white, and orange, as with previous books. They help to break up the text making the book more accessible for younger readers, and they add a level of fun and emotion to the story. Recommended for readers 2nd grade and up, though this makes a good read aloud for younger kids too.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Little Blue Truck’s Valentine

Little Blue Truck’s ValentineLittle Blue Truck's Valentine by Alice Schertle, Jill McElmurry
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on December 8, 2020
ISBN: 0358272440
Pages: 20
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

Ever popular Little Blue Truck is back for another installment. This is a board book that follows Blue as he delivers valentine cards to all the animals in the village. All the usual characters are represented, and the story has the usual theme of friendship and kindness. The illustrations are in line with previous Little Blue Truck books and add color and detail to the story. Recommended for wide purchase and for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton,Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Dot. For Pet’s Sake

Dot. For Pet’s SakeDot: For Pet's Sake by Candlewick Press, The Jim Henson Company
Published by Candlewick Press on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 1536216569
Pages: 80
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Dot is back for another adventure, this time in an early chapter book. Dot has a pet sitting business, and she initially has a couple pets to look after. When more and more pets get added to the bunch, it seems she has bitten off more than she can chew. This is a great early chapter book, and I hope it becomes a series. Kids will recognize Dot and her family, and the familiarity of the characters will encourage them to pick it up. The story is easy to follow and fun. The illustrations are characteristic of other Dot books — high color, cartoonish, and engaging for young readers. Recommended for readers 4 and up. This is a great read aloud for younger readers as well.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Ballad of Tubs Marshfield

Ballad of Tubs MarshfieldThe Ballad of Tubs Marshfield by Cara Hoffman
Published by HarperCollins on November 10, 2020
ISBN: 0062865471
Pages: 208
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Tubs is a frog and a musician, and he and his friends live in a swamp in Louisiana. They love it there. It’s their home. Recently, however, something terrible is happening. Animals all over the swamp are getting sick, and even Tubs’s music can’t make them feel better. Can Tubs and his friends figure out what is making them all sick in time to save the swamp community? This is a wonderfully written book — the tie between the plot and music weaves throughout the story and colors the language beautifully. This is a story of community, friendship, and trust. The swamp community works together to identify and combat the pollution that’s making them all sick. It tackles bigger issues of loss and environmentalism with grace and without being preachy. This is a great read for those who enjoy animal centered books and books without a lot of unnecessary drama. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Sun Flower Lion

Sun Flower LionSun Flower Lion by Kevin Henkes
ISBN: 0062866109
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This simple picture book is presented in 6 Chapters. It starts with the sun, the sun becomes a flower, the sun becomes a lion. The text is very simple, and this would be a great book for new readers. The illustrations are entirely in black, white, and yellow. The shape of the sun is carried throughout, even as it transforms from sun to flower to lion. This book would make a great read aloud as it has some opportunities for interaction. The book is, overall, pretty simple but Henkes recognition will ensure its popularity. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Evelyn del Ray is Moving Away

Evelyn del Ray is Moving AwayEvelyn del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina, Sonia Sanchez
Published by Candlewick Press on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 1536207047
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Evelyn del Ray and Daniela are best friends, they always have been. One day, everything will change — Evelyn is moving away. The two friends spend one last afternoon playing together in Evelyn’s apartment among the chaos and boxes of moving. They promise to keep in touch and always be each other’s numero uno. This is a heartwarming story of friendship and real life. Evelyn del Ray really does move away. It’s sad, but it’s real. There is racial diversity as well as families living in apartments — not a common dwelling for picture book families. The illustrations in this book are colorful, detailed, messy, and beautiful, and they really bring Evelyn’s and Daniela’s emotions to the forefront. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars