Month: June 2021

Clues to the Universe

Clues to the UniverseClues to the Universe by Christina Li
Published by Quill Tree Books on January 12, 2021
ISBN: 0063008882
Pages: 304
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Rosalind Ling Geraghty and Benjamin Burns are pretty different but both nerdy in their own right. They become friends after being paired in science class and finding a mutual interest in things related to space and space travel. They have more in common than that, though—Ro’s father recently and unexpectedly died, and Benji’s father disappeared from his life when he was a baby, and Benji has never known him. When Benji and Ro discover some clues to the whereabouts of Benji’s father, they hatch a plan to find and meet him. Things, of course, don’t always go as planned, but they learn a lot along the way.

Alternating between Benji’s and Ro’s perspective, this is a fun book about friendship, family, science, loss, bullying, and adventure. Benji and Ro are relatable, and the plot moves well and is engaging. Things wrap up a little too quickly, easily, and seamlessly, but overall it is a good book that many kids will enjoy. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Sincerely, Emerson: A Girl, Her Letter, and the Helpers All Around Us

Sincerely, Emerson: A Girl, Her Letter, and the Helpers All Around UsSincerely, Emerson: A Girl, Her Letter, and the Helpers All Around Us by Emerson Weber, Jaclyn Sinquett
Published by HarperCollins on December 8, 2020
ISBN: 0063066963
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Sincerely, Emerson” by Emerson Weber and illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett is about a girl who sent letters to her pen pals all over the world. Based off of Emerson’s true story, one day she decided to give a thank you letter to her mail carrier for all the work he does to deliver her letters. The mail carrier shares her thank you letter with postal employees and it keeps getting shared and spreading the happiness and appreciation.

The theme of sincere thanks and love is clearly shown through the brightly colored and detailed illustrations. Everybody just looks so happy in this book! And the thanks don’t just stop with the post office. She thinks of all the helpers putting a bit of love into what they do, connecting everyone in a big worldwide hug. Emerson has a note at the end of the book about how something as small as a thank you can make so many people happy and how we should thank all the “helpers” in this world more often.

Aimed at ages 4 to 8, this picture book is not a must-buy, but a good additional purchase, especially if you have a child who gets excited by mail delivery. You might find that this book inspires notes/drawings of thanks in the child you read this to.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

three-stars

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

I want a hippopotamus for ChristmasI Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by Bruce Whatley, John Rox
Published by HarperCollins on September 15, 2020
ISBN: 0063043211
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Goodreads
three-stars

“I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” is based off the popular holiday song by John Rox and illustrated by Bruce Whatley. The book uses the lyrics to the song and shows the little girl imagining what it will be like to get a hippo for Christmas. If you’ve heard the song, you know how the book will go. The premise is silly enough that kids will probably enjoy it. Whatley’s beautiful illustrations skirt the line between completely realistic and cartoonish just enough that you can believe that this is what it would look like if a child got a hippo for Christmas.

Written for kids age 4 through 8, though younger children will enjoy the absurdity of a hippo for a present. The author bio at the back lets us know that the song was originally written in 1950 and became a hit in 1953 when it was used to raise money for the Oklahoma City Zoo to purchase a hippopotamus. Not a must-purchase for your holiday collection, but it will probably get picked up every December.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

three-stars

Dinosaur Christmas

Dinosaur ChristmasDinosaur Christmas! by Penny Dale
Published by Nosy Crow on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 1536214493
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Goodreads
four-stars

“Dinosaur Christmas” by Penny Dale is sure to be a hit with kids that love dinosaurs and vehicles. The seventh book in Dale’s “Dinosaur” series doesn’t disappoint!  Santa’s sleigh is stuck and he can’t get out of the snow. Dinosaurs come to the rescue in all sorts of vehicles! Dale uses repeated onomatopoeia to give each vehicle and movement a fun sense of action. A helicopter comes by to help: “choppa! Choppa! Choppa!” The plow pushes through the thick snow and ice: “crunch! Crunch! Crunch!”

The pictures are detailed and feature lots of different dinosaurs and vehicles (with names on the endpapers), which is helpful for readers. The dinosaurs are colored in brightly and are very expressive. The vehicles and environments are done in a more realistic style, which is a little jarring, but the story is so fun that most readers won’t mind.

Aimed at children ages 2 – 5, this book is a must-buy for picture book/holiday collections where readers are big on dinosaurs and/or vehicles.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

four-stars

Where we go from here

Where we go from hereWhere We Go From Here by Larissa Helena, Lucas Rocha
Published by Push on August 6, 2018
ISBN: 133855624X
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“Where we go from here” by Lucas Rocha is a young adult novel, originally written in Brazilian Portuguese and now translated into English. Three young men are thrown together by a chance meeting in an HIV testing clinic and we follow them as they navigate issues facing them. This book provides a lot of education about what it means to be HIV positive and answers questions that people may worry about when they find out they have HIV or are involved with someone with HIV. It manages to be informative without sounding overly clinical and by bringing up these issues in the course of the characters’ lives. Partially told through a series of conversations and text messages, this is a quick read that personalizes HIV and gives a lot of information to the reader.

Recommended for young adults and older teens, this book is a must-buy for any YA collection, especially where realistic fiction is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

four-stars

Does Earth Feel?

Does Earth Feel?Does Earth Feel?: 14 Questions for Humans by Marc Majewski
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on February 16, 2021
ISBN: 0063021536
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Environmentalist of all ages will declare Does Earth Feel?  a winner.  This picture book goes beyond the normal dimension of its genre as it requires readers to ponder deep questions regarding our Mother Earth.  The slight storyline offered in question form is accompanied by large and lush illustrations which prompt thoughtfulness. Each full-page illustration demands attention to detail.  This reader would love to view the full-size acrylic paintings.

Art teachers and grade K to 2 classrooms would appreciate a copy of this title in their collections.   Public libraries should consider purchasing and shelving with picture or concept book titles.  Earth day programs could be built around Does Earth Feel?

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

four-stars

Poojo’s Got Wheels

Poojo’s Got WheelsPoojo's Got Wheels by Charrow
Published by Candlewick Press on March 16, 2021
ISBN: 1536210366
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Goodreads
five-stars

An action filled romp yet a charming and sweet story, Poojo’s Got Wheels is sure to please.  Born with only front legs this adorable dog learns to use a specifically built wagon that minimizes his disability.  This story centers around the big-hearted and self-confident character who shows all readers how to maintain their smile and positive attitudes.    The illustrations are joyful and action packed surrounded by lots of white space.  The cast of characters includes all breeds of dogs and neighborhood wildlife. Certainly, young audiences will most appreciate the double page spread featuring the costume parade.

This is a delightful book in both storyline and illustration.  Public Librarians will want to add to their preschool collections and use for story programs.   School media specialist and social workers will find Poojo’s Got Wheels to be an excellent addition to collections dealing with disabilities.  This preschool to grade 1 book is nominated to the Cream of the Crop collection.

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

five-stars

Cathedral of Bones

Cathedral of BonesCathedral of Bones by A.J. Steiger
Published by HarperCollins on February 16, 2021
ISBN: 0062934791
Pages: 368
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Goodreads
three-stars

In an unknown time and equally unrecognizable location a dark fantasy develops surrounding one family and its community all tightly bound by magic.  Simon never seems to accomplish his goals or reach the potential expected by others yet he knows that he is a capable Animists.  In a defiant move Simon leaves his job and goes to rescue a village from a monster.  A coming-of-age story that is wound in fantasy and spiced by some horror; this is a story for adventurous middle grade readers.

Most of the characters are intriguing and well developed although hard to imagine.  Simon and Alice are both good and bad, the author has created a diabolical storyline that offers twist and turns. Supporting characters are less defined creating confusion.  At times this reader found that a quick perusal of a paragraph was adequate to follow the development of the plot.    Add to middle age library collections where fantasy is in demand.

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

three-stars

My Day With the Panye

My Day With the PanyeMy Day with the Panye by Sara Palacios, Tami Charles
Published by Candlewick Press on March 16, 2021
ISBN: 0763697494
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Fallon who wants to be a strong woman like her mom is thrilled to go off to market.  As Manman prepares to carry the panye Fallon wraps a scarf around her head in imitation of her mother’s mouchwa.   Charles takes the reader on a tour of Port-au-Prince as mother and daughter walk to the city market.  We view neighbors, foliage, storefronts with French signs and even the famous Haitian tap-tap bus along the journey.  The text seems to sing out with joy as the market comes alive.  The illustrations are balanced between multi colored coverage to large expanses of white space.  Each works as the tale progresses in action and Fallon’s skill increases.

This is a loving tale that speaks to national pride and the strength of women. The author’s note offers a personal touch to a book for students in grades K-3.  Add this cheerful informative picture book to public libraries and primary school media centers.

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

four-stars

The Patchwork Bike

The Patchwork BikeThe Patchwork Bike by Maxine Beneba Clarke, Van Thanh Rudd
Published by Candlewick Press on April 13, 2021
ISBN: 1536217417
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Previously published in Australia and New Zealand this paperback copy is the second US printing; a hardcover was published in 2018.  Written about three siblings who built a bike from scrap materials this is a book that will resonate with children everywhere.  Clarke offers a unique look at childhood in a remote village at the edge of a desert in a far-off land.  Kids will be kids is a universal concept which is proved by the existence of these three youngsters who find fun and adventure with their personal creation. The storyline is simple but it speaks volumes about the tenacity and creativity of youngsters.  Rudd’s dramatic and action filled illustrations add another level to the overall quality of this book.  His use of various shades of sand  places the book in a specific environment while his illustrations pull in the international Black Lives Matter Movement.

The Patchwork Bike is an excellent story begging to be shared with readers.  Librarians, K-2 gr teachers and art instructors will cherish a copy.  Add to libraries where paperback picture books are collected.

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

four-stars