Month: September 2022

Ali and the Sea Stars

Ali and the Sea StarsAli and the Sea Stars by Ali Stroker, Gillian Reid
Published by HarperCollins on May 17, 2022
ISBN: 0063015714
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Why wait to make a dream come true? Ali, a theater-loving girl in Breezy Beach, dreams of starring in a Broadway musical. Together with her friends, they decide to put on a production of Peter Pan for the Breezy Beach community. The only challenge to Ali’s dream is the weather. In this story, creativity, resilience, and a “can-do” attitude – all theatrical hallmarks – make the production a success.

Stroker is a Tony-award winning actress and was the first actress in a wheelchair to appear on Broadway. Ali (main character) uses a wheelchair that is depicted visually as a fast-moving purveyor of Ali and all her theatrical energy, but is never mentioned in the text. The illustrations and text work seamlessly together. Characters are differently abled, have different skin colors. The bright colors in the illustration complement the theater and the “Breezy Beach” vibe.

Readers will enjoy this engaging, fun, well-paced, and deftly written story combining a love of theater with a love of community. It is a great read-aloud for early elementary students. Theater kids (you always know your theater kids) will cheer. The story focuses on all Ali can do, without a heavy-handed message about the wheelchair.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

five-stars

The Digger and the Duckling

The Digger and the DucklingThe Digger and the Duckling by Joseph Kuefler
Published by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen on February 22, 2022
ISBN: 0063062542
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Digger, Dozer, and crew are back for another heartfelt story. This time, they’re busy on the jobsite when a duckling wanders in to their realm. While they’re trying to get work done, the little duckling is following Digger all over. Soon, it becomes clear what they need to do—build the duckling a pond!

As with The Digger and the Flower, this is a book that taps into the more sensitive side of construction machines. The normally rough and tumble machines need to be gentle and sensitive to take care of their little feathered friend. The digitally rendered images bring the story to life by conveying the relationship between the duckling and the machines. They also help carry the story where the text isn’t enough. Recommended for readers who love construction books and for readers 3 and up. This would be a good story time book for kids who can handle a little bit of a longer book.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Leila the Perfect Witch

Leila the Perfect WitchLeila, the Perfect Witch by Flavia Z. Drago
Published by Candlewick Press on July 12, 2022
ISBN: 1536220507
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Leila is a great witch but what she REALLY wants is to win the Magnificent Witchy Cake-off. It turns out, however, that baking isn’t exactly a piece of cake. Her sisters swoop in to help her, and she ends up a finalist on the show. In the end, Leila doesn’t win, but she learns that having fun is more important that winning.

This is a good book for kids who are struggling to accept losing. The story isn’t mind blowing, but there isn’t anything wrong with it either. This book will fill the role it’s intended to fill—it’ll help kids accept that they don’t win at everything. The mixed media illustrations add depth and humor to the story with movement, expression, and emotion. Recommended for one-on-one reading with readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Mae Makes Way: The True Story of Mae Reeves, Hat & History Maker

Mae Makes Way: The True Story of Mae Reeves, Hat & History MakerMae Makes a Way: The True Story of Mae Reeves, Hat & History Maker by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, Andrea Pippins
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on May 24, 2022
ISBN: 0525645853
Pages: 48
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This picture book biography of Mae Reeves (1912-2016) tells the story of a significant figure in our country’s history. Reeves was a successful milliner, civic organizer, and Black business owner in a time when these accomplishments were more difficult than they are now. Items from Reeve’s millinery shop including many of her stunning hats are on display in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).

Reeves made hats for the biggest names of the day (Lena Horne, Marion Anderson, Ella Fitzgerald), as well as for wealthy White women and less well-off Black women. The narrative puts Reeve’s accomplishments into historical and cultural context: “Hats were a way for these queens (Black women) to be SEEN, shining a light on the dignity they always had.”

Rhuday-Perkovich includes many specifics from Reeve’s story, putting Reeve’s societal and personal struggles and successes into context, so the reader understands how remarkable she was. Occasionally, the details get in the way of the narrative’s flow, but the specifics are fascinating.

The attractive, stylized illustrations support the text but don’t do justice to the actual hats. In the back matter are interviews with Reeve’s daughter and the NMAAHC Head of Collections, as well as photographs of some of Reeve’s hats in the museum collection. The photographs of her gorgeous hats help the reader understand the artisanship involved in creating them and why she is such an icon.

This could be an excellent story for students in middle school studying the Civil Rights era. The depth of the story makes it a good fit for students in grades 3-6, interested in history and finery. It could be an accompaniment to a maker activity about hats. If possible, share photographs of the actual hats.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

four-stars

Kindergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every Day

Kindergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every DayKindergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every Day by Joey Chou, Vera Ahiyya
Published by Random House Studio on June 21, 2022
ISBN: 0593484622
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Leo is nervous about kindergarten. He’s a quiet sort of kid, and he’s worried about how he’ll fit in in his new class. His teacher, Ms. Perry is dedicated to creating a kind classroom environment, and she helps Leo feel comfortable in his new space. Throughout the day, the kids in the class point out different ways to be kind—with words and actions.

This is a great story for kids new to school. The focus on being kind is a good one and will help young kids as they venture into new classrooms. The digitally rendered illustrations show Leo’s emotions well and bring his classroom and his school experiences to life. Recommended for readers heading to kindergarten for the first time.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

The Family Business

The Family BusinessThe Family Business by Ken Lamug, Lenore Appelhans
Published by HarperCollins on July 19, 2022
ISBN: 0062898868
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Lucky is a raccoon, and he’s finally big enough to participate in the family business. Turns out though, the family business is stealing food and things from other people. Lucky doesn’t like this at all, and he’s determined to make a change. When some kids make a video of Lucky dancing, the new family business takes off. Lucky’s video goes viral, and now he’s asked to dance wherever they go. His dancing brings joy to people, but they also give Lucky and his family food and all the things they used to steal.

This book is trying to have a good message, but it’s trying too hard. The story isn’t all that engaging, and the reliance on viral social media to bring the raccoon family what they need and want helps the message to miss the mark. The digital illustrations are colorful and do add to the story but not enough to save it. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

two-stars

Building

BuildingBuilding by Henry Cole
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on June 21, 2022
ISBN: 0063136554
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Henry Cole returns with another beautifully illustrated book about nature. This time, it’s the life and work of beavers. From building dams to building families, this book covers all aspects of beaver life. As with many of Cole’s books, the illustrations really make the book. The story is good though a bit slow for younger readers and those who desire a more fast-paced picture book. The story also ends a bit abruptly and unexpectedly. The line drawings coupled with a few splashes of acrylic color turn this book into a real work of art. The details drawn into each illustration are impressive and really give the works a life-like quality. Recommended for one-on-one reading for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

A Gift for Nana

A Gift for NanaA Gift for Nana by Lane Smith
Published by Random House Studio on May 10, 2022
ISBN: 0593430336
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Rabbit wants to find the perfect gift for his grandma. It’s not a holiday or her birthday, he just really wants to give her a gift. Convinced by a crow to go on a long journey, rabbit encounters all sorts of things—the moon, a volcano, and more. Though they all have gifts to offer, none of them seems just right. When rabbit gets to the gift mentioned by the crow, it turns out to be just right.

This is a sweet story of kind hearted adventure. Rabbit is thoughtful and conscious of things that would make his grandmother happy. The illustrations are full of little details, loads of colors, and really help bring life to the story. Recommended for one-on-one reading for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Welcome the New Kid/The New Kid Welcome

Welcome the New Kid/The New Kid WelcomeThe New Kid Welcome: Welcome the New Kid: A Flip-It Story by Suzanne Slade, Nicole Miles
Published by Rodale Kids on July 1, 2022
ISBN: 0593426320
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Plot twist! Or rather, book twist! Two different stories, two different outcomes, same words. This palindromic narrative literally turns the moment and thoughts around newcomers into the community on its head. The stories are told back-to-back, in first person plural, (the “we” voice), creating a powerful sense of control about the outcome for its readers. Text from The New Kid Welcome, “Check them out. So different from me – and my friends.” becomes “They’re not so different from me – and my friends. Check them out.” in Welcome the New Kid.

The illustrations of The New Kid Welcome depict a group of unsmiling children with different skin tones, differently abled, excluding the “new kid” (a White girl) from activities while Welcome the New Kid, the illustrations show the same children, smiling and inclusive, interacting with the same new kid. Illustrations play with “right-side up/upside-down” concepts as well.

The New Kid Welcome, the less charitable story, is the front cover (Welcome the New Kid includes the ISBN on its cover) and provides a less interesting arc than if it were the “second” story, but provides a happier ending this way. Readers will find this form engaging and will be excited to point out where and how the narrative flips. A helpful layout in the center of the book shows the text of each story side-by-side. Pair this with Someone New by Anne Sibley O’Brien.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

four-stars

Alexander von Humboldt: Explorer, Naturalist & Environmental Pioneer

Alexander von Humboldt: Explorer, Naturalist & Environmental PioneerAlexander Von Humboldt: Explorer, Naturalist & Environmental Pioneer by Danica Novgorodoff
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on February 22, 2022
ISBN: 1524773085
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Alexander von Humboldt: Explorer, Naturalist & Environmental Pioneer Novgorodoff, Danica (au. & ill.)

This picture book by Danica Novgorodoff (award-winning graphic novelist), blends sparkling text and captivating illustrations to tell the life story of Alexander von Humboldt, known as the Father of Ecology for his scientific work demonstrating interconnectedness of living things within an ecosystem. Quotes from Humboldt’s personal narratives are woven through the text and illustrations.

Novgorodoff presents a full picture of Humboldt (1769-1859), whose curiosity about the natural world put him “out of step” with his family and those around him. She is careful, through text and illustrations, to tell his story without generalizing the indigenous people he encounters during his travels, and acknowledges that many of the primary accounts were Eurocentric. The illustrations and diagrams are simple and vivid but provide detail and information for visual learners and readers.

Primary and secondary resources are an important feature of this picture book biography. The book is rich in back matter: timeline, quotation sources, maps as endpages, notes on the text – all work together (a backmatter ecosystem!) to enrich this account of his life.

Naturalists (any child who lays on the ground to examine a bug’s progress) will see themselves in this story about where curiosity can take a person. This is a wonderful example of how a picture book biography can provide enough information for a deep dive about an interesting subject, and still deliver the story in a way that is accessible to younger readers. This book would be a great read-aloud for younger children, and could be used with students through fifth grade, with attention to all the resources within the covers, outside the narrative. Highly recommended! Ten out of ten!

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

five-stars