Month: February 2022

Time for Kenny

Time for KennyTime for Kenny by Brian Pinkney
Published by Greenwillow Books on January 12, 2021
ISBN: 0060735287
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Kenny is a busy little boy. This story follows him throughout his busy day. He starts with putting on the proper clothes and getting dressed in the morning then taking Granddaddy to the bus. Next back home,  he encounters the big, scary vacuum cleaner which he does not like.   It roars and eats up all of the food on the floor.  Could it eat him up!?

His sister teaches him how to play soccer  which takes him awhile, but he eventually learns how to play and score a goal. Finally, it is the end of the day and it is time to get ready for bed. The problem is that he is not the least bit sleepy. Until he finally is, but not too tired to be  read a story to.

This is a great book to read to a child since it gives the repetitiveness and routine of a day, something a small child learns and needs. It is broken into four little snippets of stories. The illustrations are colorful and can tell the story without the text.  It is a book that shows the love and support of a family as well. A nice addition to a collection.

Reviewed by Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

three-stars

It All Comes Back to You

It All Comes Back to YouIt All Comes Back to You by Farah Naz Rishi
Published by Quill Tree Books on September 14, 2021
ISBN: 0062741489
Pages: 432
Genres: Romance
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

It All Comes Back to You is  the second book by Farah Naz Rishi. This book will appeal to those that enjoy rom-coms and Pride and Prejudice type stories.  The story is about Muslim characters and culture and revolves around the impending wedding of Amira Noorani and Faisal Malik.

Amira’s sister, Kiran,  thinks her older sister is rushing into marriage and then moving cross country with Faisal after knowing him  for only three months. To make matters worse, Kiran used to date Faisal’s brother in the past, a relationship that did not end well after he (Deen) ghosted her during her mother’s fatal illness diagnosis. Flash forward three years and he is back in her life. Her mother is deceased and her sister is leaving her for a new life with his brother.

Deen and Amira decide to keep their past romance a secret from the future bride and groom.   Amira cannot  help herself in meddling in the relationship of her sister after discovering that the fiancée is hiding  something in his past from her sister.

This story revolves around Amira trying to break up the relationship and expose Faisal’s past. She now is also forced to deal with all of the past and present issues that she has with Deen being that he is back in her life again. It is a story of many twists and turns and secrets.  The looming mystery of what Faisal’s deep, dark secret is keeps the reader engaged. However, this story was a bit long winded and I had a difficult time finishing it due to the lack of progression and the  ending was a bit deflated.  Not a must for a collection but for those pre-teens and teens that enjoy romance comedies and it being a book of diverse characters it may  be a fun story.

 

Reviewed by Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

three-stars

Dear Teacher, A Celebration of People Who Inspire Us

Dear Teacher, A Celebration of People Who Inspire UsDear Teacher,: A Celebration of People Who Inspire Us by Holly Hatam, Paris Rosenthal
Published by HarperCollins on March 16, 2021
ISBN: 006301274X
Pages: 40
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Dear Teacher, is the fourth book from Paris Rosenthal and Holly Hatam who have done similar “Dear” style books.  The story is from the viewpoint of a child expressing gratitude for all the teachers, mentors and people that inspire them.  Bright and fun illustrations depicting all of the things that are taught to be a better student, person and athlete.  There is not much text in this story and it seems as though this would make a nice book to gift to a teacher or a mentor. It is not an essential book to have in a collection.   The message of gratitude is nice but this book probably would fit more in a gift giving situation .

 

Reviewed by Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

three-stars

The Big Bad Lies

The Big Bad LiesThe Rizzlerunk Club: The Big Bad Lies by Leslie Patricelli
Series: The Rizzlerunk Club
Published by Candlewick Press on January 25, 2022
ISBN: 0763651052
Pages: 256
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“The Big Bad Lies” by Leslie Patricelli is the second book in the Rizzlerunk Club series. The two club members, Darby and Lily, find themselves in a bunch of trouble regarding two BIG lies. WARNING: There is animal death involved in this book.

The story starts with the class doing an experiment on two rats, which seems ethically wrong to me, but it’s part of the plot. Darby gets to take one of the rats home and Lily accidentally steps on it, killing it. Instead of fessing up to Darby, Lily insists that she didn’t do anything and the rat just died. In turn, Darby draws Michelangelo’s David nude, but when confronted by the teacher, she blames it on Lily. There’s a subplot about bullying, but mostly the book is about learning to face the consequences rather than lying.

The book is very funny, but I was affected by the death of the pet rat. Sensitive readers may find this plot point disturbing and not want to read further. I would recommend this book only if you already have the first one.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

three-stars

The Velvet Fox

The Velvet FoxThe Velvet Fox by Catherine Fisher
Published by Walker Books US on November 9, 2021
ISBN: 1536214922
Pages: 208
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Folklore, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In the second book of the Clockwork Crow series, “The Velvet Fox” the battle continues between Tylwyth Teg, a magical kingdom of Welsh fairy folk, and Seren Rhys, now adopted daughter of Captain Jones and Lady Mair. In the first book, Seren Rhys had rescued young Tomos Jones from the Tylwyth Teg, helped with the worn Clockwork Crow embodied by a human alchemist imprisoned by a spell. One autumn day, Tomos boasts that he would never be captured by the fairies again.

Before they know it, a strange, new governess, Miss Honeybourne, takes up residence at Plas-Y-Fran. Nothing is the same. All the members of the household except Seren Rhys are put under Miss Honeybourne’s spell. Young Tomos sits in a trance in front of a magical toy carousel that he was given on his birthday. Who is really controlling Plas-Y-Fran? Miss Honeybourne or someone more sinister?

When Seren Rhys writes a note with the magical feather quill of the Clockwork Crow. Will the Clockwork Crow come to help her save Plas-Y-Fran? And who is the Velvet Fox?

These endearing characters are perfect for children who love magical fantasy. The age-old theme of good vs. evil is the central element of this story.

Appropriate for children ages 8 and up.

Reviewed by Liz Davis, Children’s Librarian, Waterville Public Library

four-stars

The Book of Labyrinths and Mazes

The Book of Labyrinths and MazesLabyrinths and Mazes by Finn Dean, Silke Vry
Published by Prestel Junior on September 14, 2021
ISBN: 3791374745
Pages: 96
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This ambitious book lost me immediately. I was so excited to start this because I love labyrinths and mazes (and Minotaurs!), but the entire first section read more like a child’s self help book and I was confused about where it was going and why it was going that way. I think there is a lot of excellent material here; there are interesting ways to think about labyrinths and mazes and apply them to our lives. The scope of it, though, could have benefited from a different organizational structure and maybe some editing. Every page has a new direction and while a lot of the information is useful, it all came across as frantic to me.  This is not a must-have but some kids are fascinated by mazes and it might be worth it to have it for them.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

A Bear to Share

A Bear to ShareA Bear to Share by Alicia Mas, Jessica Alba, Kelly Sawyer Patricof, Norah Weinstein
Published by HarperCollins on October 26, 2021
ISBN: 0062957171
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A Bear to Share is about a girl who is given a new teddy bear because hers is so well-loved and worn out. She’s confused as to why her mother wants to replace her old bear, because she thinks the missing eye and rips give her bear personality. When she shares her thoughts with a friend, she learns her friend has never had a teddy bear.

This story is a gentle introduction to the idea that some of the things we take for granted, others don’t have it all. It briefly mentions how some families can afford what others cannot. The story was written for a nonprofit that provides diapers, clothes and other necessities to children in poverty.

The book talks about the value of having friends that are good listeners. And includes a child being generous without the prompting of an adult. The illustrations are bright and bold, and digitally drawn. The main character is a person of color.

The story isn’t anything unique, but it tells a very understandable and straightforward story with a great message. The bright colors, and spreading of kindness, will make this an excellent additional to libraries shelves. For ages 4-8.

Reviewed by Katie Drago, Children’s Librarian, Rockland Public Library, Rockland, ME

four-stars

One Mean Ant with Fly and Flea and Moth

One Mean Ant with Fly and Flea and MothOne Mean Ant with Fly and Flea and Moth by Arthur Yorinks, Sergio Ruzzier
Published by Candlewick Press on October 26, 2021
ISBN: 0763683965
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

One Mean Ant with Fly and Flea and Moth is the story of “friends” who don’t seem to like each other, arguing. This is the third book in the series. The titular ant, fly, flea, and moth are prisoners and entertainers in a flea circus. Ant and Flea yell at each other while trying to figure out how to escape. The story is full of griping and misunderstandings.

Illustrator, Sergio Ruzzier, can be divisive. The creepy, 70s-style illustrations might be somewhat fitting for a depiction of bugs, but I wasn’t pleased with some of his artistic choices. The fly and moth, who are portrayed as being less intelligent, are drawn with buck teeth and Exotropia respectively. Overall, I found the illustrations unpleasant.

One line of dialog did make me laugh, but for the most part it wasn’t an enjoyable read. It’s listed as being recommended for ages 3-7, but I suggest this for school age kids only. I think the characters are too mean, with no lessons learned, for a young audience. But I do think elementary kids would laugh at the snarky characters in a read aloud.

Reviewed by Katie Drago, Children’s Librarian, Rockland Public Library, Rockland, ME

two-stars

Finding Junie Kim

Finding Junie KimFinding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh
Published by HarperCollins on May 4, 2021
ISBN: 0062987984
Pages: 368
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Part contemporary, part historical, this is a middle grade novel about a Korean American girl who turns the lessons from her grandparents’ experiences in Korea during the 1950s into the strength to counter the hateful actions of racists in her school.  Junie just wants to fit in at her school, but as an Asian student she is targeted by a bully. When her school gym is graffitied with racist slurs, Junie doesn’t fully understand why her friends, particularly those who are from the ethnic and racial backgrounds targeted by the slurs, are angry and want to take action that will let the rest of the students know how it feels to be a person of color in their school and in this country. Junie is overcome with anxiety and spirals into depression, even toying with suicidal ideation. Through therapy and weekly meetings with her grandfather in which he shares stories from his youth during the Korean War, Junie is able to find coping mechanisms and to reconnect with her friends. Oh uses a story from her own mother’s childhood in Korea as an anchor for the plot and it is deftly woven into the family lore in the book. This is an important story for library collections.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

When I Wake Up

When I Wake UpWhen I Wake Up by Jessixa Bagley, Seth Fishman
Published by Greenwillow Books on November 9, 2021
ISBN: 006245580X
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This book starts with a young child who has been told not to wake their parents until 7:00 AM, so they fantasize about the adventures they could have in the early hours until their parents wake up. There are then four color coded options the reader can follow. The problem is that it only becomes apparent that you can choose to follow a color at a time, as opposed to reading them all in order on every page, a few pages into it and, at that point, it would be awkward to start over.  So, it ends up just being confusing and all over the place. It’s a nice concept but it didn’t quite work for me the way it was supposed to.

(Note: I just realized that directions for reading it are on the back of the book. But given that I read it twice without seeing them, I think they should probably be included before the story starts.)

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars