Month: November 2022

Clarice Bean Thinks Like an Elf

Clarice Bean Thinks Like an ElfClarice Bean, Think Like an Elf by Lauren Child
Published by Candlewick Press on September 13, 2022
Pages: 240
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A middle grade Christmas novel illustrated with Child’s appealing sketch-and-collage designs. Illustrations are playful, storyline is entertaining, messages are positive, ending is happy. Given Clarice Bean’s popularity, this will probably be a holiday book that will circulate, especially among young middle grade readers looking for something seasonal.
Recommend for ages 8-12.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

three-stars

Mommy’s Hometown

Mommy’s HometownMommy's Hometown by Hope Lim, Jaime Kim
Published by Candlewick Press on April 12, 2022
ISBN: 1536213322
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“Mommy’s Hometown” is a picture book written by Hope Lim and illustrated by Jaime Kim about a child and their mother going to their mother’s hometown in Korea from America. Loosely based on Lim’s experience of bringing her family from America to visit her hometown in Korea, the book starts out with the child remembering the stories that their mother has told them about her hometown. Excited to visit, the child is confused when they get to mommy’s hometown and find that it has been built up into a large city now. Things don’t seem to look like they pictured. Is anything the same?

Illustrations are colorful and clean, but with plenty of detail. Even though the city looks different now, the colors and style of the pictures still make it seem warm and inviting. The idea that we can make our own new memories while some things may change  and some things may stay the same is beautifully expressed. Written for children age 3-8, this book is a suggested purchase for your library’s picture book collection.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

I’m a Volcano

I’m a VolcanoI'm a Volcano! by Bridget Heos, Mike Ciccotello
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on October 25, 2022
ISBN: 0593302885
Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“I’m a Volcano” is the second book in the “Science Buddies” series by Bridget Heos. A non-fiction picture book about volcanoes, this book falls somewhere in between the early reader non-fiction and the middle grade non-fiction categories. The illustrations are hilarious and there is good information, but it is a bit too wordy for younger children and a bit too short for older kids. Includes a glossary and suggested further reading. Aimed at kids 6-9 years old, this book is good, but not a must-buy for a library collection.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook ME.

three-stars

The Terribles: Welcome to Stubtoe Elementary

The Terribles: Welcome to Stubtoe ElementaryThe Terribles #1: Welcome to Stubtoe Elementary by Travis Nichols
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on July 5, 2022
ISBN: 0593425715
Pages: 240
Genres: Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“Welcome to Stubtoe Elementary” is the first book in “The Terribles” series by Travis Nichols. The style is similar to “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” or the “StickDog” series with a mixture of illustrations and boxed comics style as well as straight up text. Stubtoe Elementary is where monster children go to school, including vampires, werewolves, invisible people, and gelatinous blobs. Each chapter features a different character and is reminiscent of the “Wayside School” series with plenty of weirdness and humor.

About a third of the book is illustrated, and the style is a lot more cute and funny than scary. This book would be a good option for kids who have already read through the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” or “Star Wars: Jedi Academy” series. Aimed at ages 8-12, this book is a suggested purchase for all school and public libraries.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Marco Polo Brave Explorer

Marco Polo Brave ExplorerMarco Polo Brave Explorer by Cynthia Lord, Stephanie Graegin
on October 4, 2022
Pages: 80
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Marco Polo Brave Explorer” is the second book in the “Book Buddies” series, featuring stuffed animals that are able to be checked out at the library and the adventures they go on after being borrowed. Written by Cynthia Lord and illustrated by Stephanie Graegin, the book follows Marco the stuffed mouse  as he becomes a book buddy and accompanies his borrower, Seth, on a sleep over. Seth is nervous about the sleep over and hopes brave Marco will help him be brave.

Themes of friendship and facing your fears will resonate with young readers. The illustrations are black and white, but are detailed and very cute and add to the story. Recommended for ages 6-9, this beginner chapter book is not a must-buy, but is a good addition to your early chapter book section.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

three-stars

Don’t Eat Bees

Don’t Eat BeesDon't Eat Bees: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog by Dev Petty, Mike Boldt
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on May 31, 2022
ISBN: 0593433122
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Chip is a wise dog. He knows a lot of things, and most of them involve what to eat and what not to eat. Do eat homework, don’t eat bees. Do eat Thanksgiving turkey, don’t eat bees. Do eat socks…again, don’t eat bees.

This is a funny and fun read that will have kids giggling throughout. Chip is silly and quirky and definitely goofy. The illustrations add even more humor to the story by giving motion and emotion to Chip’s antics and suggestions. They also show a softer side to Chip and how much he cares about his humans (especially the small humans). This is a fun story that would be good as a read aloud for kids 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Mystery of the Monarchs

Mystery of the MonarchsThe Mystery of the Monarchs by Barb Rosenstock
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book tells the true story of Fred and Norah Urquhart and their quest to uncover the secrets of monarch migration. It begins with Fred as a young boy observing bugs and monarchs and ends with the Urquharts finally helping to discover the overwintering grounds of millions of monarchs in Mexico.

This is a great book for young scientists and would be a wonderful addition to a school classroom, especially if they were going to tag monarchs. The text is a bit dense and somewhat long so this book is best as a one-on-one read aloud or for readers 5 and older.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Also

AlsoAlso by E.B. Goodale
Published by Clarion Books on February 8, 2022
ISBN: 0358153948
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A young girl is visiting her grandmother, and she’s noticing things about her surroundings. Each observation is paired with a memory — sometimes her memories, sometimes other people’s (or cat’s!) memories. It’s a good book for noticing and remembering little things and for making connections between the past and the present. The mixed media illustrations are colorful and help keep memories separate from real-time. This is a good book for one-on-one sharing with readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

If You Live Here

If You Live HereIf You Live Here by Christopher Silas Neal, Kate Gardner
Published by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen on February 22, 2022
ISBN: 0062865323
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a simply worded book exploring different types of dwellings. Each two page spread starts with, “If you live…” and is followed by a whimsical, unexpected, and sometimes comical conclusion. The types of dwellings are unique—from castles to spaceships to trains. It is a fun exploration of creativity and thought. The mixed media illustrations are essential for the book; the text alone does not carry the story. The pictures complete the thoughts of the text and bring life to the story. Recommended for readers 4 and up, this makes a fun read aloud where kids can offer their own interpretations of what needs to happen in each dwelling.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Lift, Mix, Fling

Lift, Mix, FlingLift, Mix, Fling!: Machines Can Do Anything by James Yang, Lola M. Schaefer
Published by Greenwillow Books on March 8, 2022
ISBN: 0062457101
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a fun and rhyming book that introduces the concept of machines to kids. From simple machines like levers, inclined planes, and wedges to more complex machines like hay balers, rockets, and cement trucks. The text is simple and does a great job of teaching kids that simple things are machines too. The digitally rendered illustrations are crucial for showing how the machines work and what they do. Recommended for story times, for readers 3 and up, and for a story/project combination program.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars