Month: July 2022

Global Ocean

Global OceanThe Global Ocean by Natasha Donovan, Rochelle Strauss
Published by Kids Can Press on May 3, 2022
ISBN: 1525304917
Pages: 36
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This is a nonfiction book that presents information about the interconnected nature of the world’s oceans. It’s loaded with information about sea life, ocean currents, climate change, and more. It looks like a picture book from the outside; however, the text inside is so dense only older readers will be able to stick with it. The information presented is good, the format just isn’t ideal for kids. It would have served its audience better as a longer book with more infographics and broken up blocks of text. Recommended for readers 5th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Trucks on Trucks

Trucks on TrucksTrucks on Trucks by Nik Henderson, Sorche Fairbank
Published by Greenwillow Books on May 17, 2022
ISBN: 0062842099
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Truck fans rejoice! This is a fun and quick read for those who love all things truck. “…Red truck on blue truck. Old truck on new truck.” The rhyming text pairs perfectly with the illustrations that convey the stacked trucks. It makes a great read aloud as the text is simple with just one sentence per page, and kids will love seeing all the different kinds of trucks. The mixed media art will delight readers and is full of bright colors and whimsical details. Recommended for truck lovers ages 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Jasmine Green Rescues a Foal Called Storm

Jasmine Green Rescues a Foal Called StormA Foal Called Storm (Jasmine Green #11) by Ellie Snowden, Helen Peters
Published by Walker Books US on April 26, 2022
ISBN: 1536222712
Pages: 144
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Jasmine Green is back for the 8th installment in this early middle grade series. This book follows the format typical of previous books where Jasmine and her friends find an animal in need. In this case, it’s a young foal injured and separated from it’s mother. Jasmine and her friend Tom work together to heal the foal and figure out who owns it. They’re also trying to take care of a bunch of other animals, so they really have their work cut out for them.

This is a fun, lighthearted, and gentle series for early middle grade readers. It’s the perfect length and difficulty level for those ready to move on from early chapter books but who aren’t quite ready for heavy hitting content. Fans of the previous books in the series will not be disappointed in this latest, and those who haven’t read any of the previous books do not need to do so in order to enjoy this book. Recommended for readers 7 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Clark the Shark: Friends Forever

Clark the Shark: Friends ForeverClark the Shark: Friends Forever by Bruce Hale, Guy Francis
Published by HarperCollins on June 7, 2022
ISBN: 0062912593
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
three-stars

Clark the Shark is back for another early reader story of friendship and understanding. Clark is super excited for the drawing contest — he REALLY wants to win the prizes. He’s so focused on what he needs and wants, he doesn’t notice his good friend Joey is super upset. After chatting with his mom and stepping back a bit, Clark realizes his friend needs a friend. This is a good book to teach kids about empathy and thinking of others. Fans of Clark the Shark will enjoy this latest book, though it is less humorous than previous Clark books. Recommended for new readers ages 6 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Birds

BirdsLittle Kids First Board Book: Birds by Ruth Musgrave
Published by National Geographic Kids on March 1, 2022
ISBN: 1426371446
Pages: 26
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a National Geographic board book part of a series perfect for budding naturalists. Each two-page spread features a full color photograph of one bird species. There is one sentence in large text perfect for reading aloud to babies, but there is also an additional piece of information about the bird in smaller text. Read some of the words, read all of the words, or simply let baby marvel at the brightly colored birds. The ratio of text to picture is perfect for board book readers. Recommended for babies up through new readers.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Just Joking Science

Just Joking ScienceJust Joking Science by National Geographic Society
Published by National Geographic Kids on March 22, 2022
ISBN: 1426371519
Pages: 208
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This is a National Geographic book of jokes camouflaged as something scientific. Per usual for National Geographic, there are gorgeous photographs throughout the book, but there is minimal science. Each page features a handful of jokes written as speech bubbles coming out of animal mouths. Some jokes are nature/science related, and some are not. There are small snippets of scientific information on some pages that relate to either the picture or the joke, but the text is much smaller and science buffs may find themselves fishing for more facts. In reality, this is a joke book and not a science book. Fans of slapstick and knock knock jokes will enjoy it though younger readers may not actually understand some of the puns. Recommended for readers 2nd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Dream Annie, Dream

Dream Annie, DreamDream, Annie, Dream by Waka T. Brown
Published by Quill Tree Books on February 8, 2022
ISBN: 0063017164
Pages: 352
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Annie Inoue is excited for 7th grade, and she’s looking forward to all the opportunities she has—basketball tryouts, trying out for the school play, and her first crush. When Annie is cast in the school’s production of The King and I, she’s ecstatic until she hears murmurs at school that she only got the part because she’s Asian. This hurts her, but it also emboldens her to show her classmates that she’s really deserving of the part.

This story has a lot of good intentions but somewhat misses the mark. The story is slow and wandering, and it feels about twice as long as it needs to be. It does tackle issues surrounding racism toward Asian Americans, and that part of the story is important. Readers will also identify with Annie’s typical 7th grade insecurities and anxieties. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up and for collections needing to bolster their Asian American representation.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog Take an Evening Stroll

Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog Take an Evening StrollBig Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog Take An Evening Stroll by Britta Teckentrup
Published by Prestel Junior on May 10, 2022
ISBN: 3791375199
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog are on their way home. Little Hedgehog keeps noticing reasons to stop along the way, but Big Hedgehog is anxious to keep moving. Despite Big Hedgehog’s desire to keep moving, they oblige Little Hedgehog’s wishes to watch the sun set, observe the moon, say goodnight to the frogs, and so on.

This is a gentle story that reminds us to stop and notice everyday things we may otherwise miss. The paper collage and digital illustrations are colorful and help bring the hedgehogs’ adventures to life. There is a fair amount of text, so this is best as a one-on-one share or a read aloud for older kids. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

A Mouthful of Minnows

A Mouthful of MinnowsA Mouthful of Minnows by John Hare
Published by Greenwillow Books on May 10, 2022
ISBN: 0063093227
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Alphonso loves to fish. Alphonso is an alligator snapping turtle. He sets off to find breakfast, but he’s thwarted by an adorable group of minnow and their grandmother. What starts as a hunt for Alphonso turns into a kind hearted gesture towards new friends.

This is a fun, funny, and sweet story. While unlikely to ever occur in the natural world, the kindness that Alphonso shows to his new school of friends is adorable. The acrylic paint illustrations really add to the story as Alphonso’s face is full of emotions. The back pages talk more about alligator snapping turtles and their unique tongues and fishing techniques.

Recommended for readers 3 and up and for Cream of the Crop. Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

The Last Laugh

The Last LaughThe Last Laugh (The Initial Insult, #2) by Mindy McGinnis
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on March 15, 2022
ISBN: 0062982451
Pages: 384
Genres: Horror, Psychological thriller
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a perfect book to recommend to fans of Edgar Allan Poe, Hemlock Grove, Carrie, or Heathers. In this sequel to The Initial Insult, three narrating characters cope with what must have been quite a cliffhanger in the first book. Tress is nursing an infected panther wound, Ribbit is learning what it means to go viral in the most humiliating way possible, and Rue, an orangutan, worries from her cage about the danger Tress is in (which is separate from the sepsis developing in her blood).

The Last Laugh is gory, fast-paced, has great character development, and is tense and shocking in a “What’s next!? Oh no, that’s next!?” sort of way. It also has a fantastic cover that will get attention if it’s displayed face out. Your horror fans will thank you for this one.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars