Month: December 2022

I’m a Unicorn

I’m a UnicornI'm a Unicorn by Helen Yoon
Published by Candlewick Press on September 13, 2022
ISBN: 1536219762
Pages: 32
Genres: Fantasy, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This romp of a picture book follows our narrator, a bull with one horn, through the emotional ups and downs and ups of self-identity. Using “Unicorn Facts & Myths” criteria as a guide, the bull declares himself a unicorn but begins to question this. Luckily he encounters some magical creatures that support his self-discovery. Yoon uses humor both sly and over-the top (be prepared for the poop jokes) to let readers know that it’s best to be who you are, not worry about what you’re “supposed to” look like and, equally importantly, support others who are being true to who they are.

Unicorns are (as always) having a moment, as is poop humor. Preschoolers through grade 2 will appreciate the expressive illustrations and simple language that delivers the message in a clear, creative and convincing way. This will make a fabulous read-aloud with lots of giggles.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

five-stars

Whales to the Rescue: How Whales Help Engineer the Planet

Whales to the Rescue: How Whales Help Engineer the PlanetWhales to the Rescue: How Whales Help Engineer the Planet by Adrienne Mason, Kim Smith
Published by Kids Can Press on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 1525305379
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An interesting nonfiction picture book that shows the importance of whales to a healthy ecosystem. Mason’s author note contains a reference to research papers that back up her hypothesis . The writing is illustrative and engaging. Did you know that a blue whale’s tongue is “heavy as two hippos”? In addition to a table of contents and sidebars, the back matter contains a glossary (bolded words in the text), index, and resources that tell readers how to help whales and where to find more online information about them.

The book starts by explaining whales’ feeding and pooping habits (poop plays a big part in the whales’ ecological engineering – spoiler alert!) and then outline various aspects of the environment (such as carbon and its affect on global warming). Mason then explains in clear detail with supporting illustrations and diagrams how whales’ habits positively impact the ecosystem.

The illustrations are realistic but at times, less helpful than they could be. For example, there is a “Know your Whales” diagram, showing several species of whales, beginning with blue whales, with a diver drawn to scale next to it. However, the other whales aren’t drawn to the same scale, which is confusing. It also discusses a history of whales being over hunted but doesn’t cover current controversies about whales and fishing vessels.

This would be a good addition to books on the ecosystem and offers some information on whales.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

four-stars

Little Ellen

Little EllenLittle Ellen by Ellen DeGeneres, Eleanor Michalka
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on May 3, 2022
ISBN: 0593378601
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
one-star

In this picture book, Little Ellen uses rhyming couplets to share the message that it’s best to be one’s most authentic self through love, kindness, and caring. It starts with Little Ellen questioning what makes Ellen “Ellen” – not what she says or things, but what she does for others. Between the subplot of a secondary character that Ellen cheers up and and then leaves in a gazebo, inelegant rhyme schemes, and illustrations that are colorful to the point of sensory overload, the message is obscured.

Between rhymes that contort themselves to fit the theme and illustrations that are overwrought, this is not a useful or enjoyable book.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

one-star

Up to No Ghoul

Up to No GhoulUp to No Ghoul by Cat Farris, Cullen Bunn
Published by HarperAlley on August 9, 2022
ISBN: 006289613X
Pages: 200
Genres: Horror
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

“Up to No Ghoul” is a middle-grade graphic novel written by Cullen Bunn and illustrated by Cat Farris. It is the sequel to “The Ghoul Next Door.” You definitely need to have read the first book to fully understand this book, so I would only recommend purchasing it if you already have the first book or are willing to purchase the first as well.

Grey is a middle schooler who lives in Ander’s Landing, a place where the supernatural live and weird things happen regularly!  He is also friends with Lavinia, a ghoul who lives in the cemetery nearby. When a blood drive bus arrives in town, people who give blood seem to become mindless zombies. Grey and his friends suspect vampires and try to stop them.

The art style looks like watercolor and adds a creepiness to the story. A fun adventure about friendship, and not making assumptions, this book is a recommended purchase where graphic novels are popular. Written for kids 8 to 12 years old.

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

three-stars

Something About Grandma

Something About GrandmaSomething About Grandma by Tania de Regil
Published by Candlewick Press on August 9, 2022
ISBN: 1536201944
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A lovely, quiet picture book about the magic of grandmas – their special gifts and their individuality. The writing is simple and carries the reader along as the narrator, Julia, a child, learns more about her grandmother while spending time with her at the grandmother’s home outside Mexico City. Julia changes from observer to fellow adventurer and finds maturity and her own maternal qualities along the way. It gently points to grandmas as individuals quietly teaching what that they know (seemingly through magic).

The illustrations use a collage of poems handwritten in Spanish (written by the author’s great-grandfather and transcribed by her grandmother) and a soft palette of blues for the nuclear family, while the grandmother is rendered in rose colors. This will make a great one-on-one read aloud for connecting generations.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

four-stars

A Very Big Fall

A Very Big FallA Very Big Fall by Emmy Kastner
Published by Clarion Books on August 2, 2022
ISBN: 035841945X
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A fall foliage picture book about “finding the joy in change” through the perspective of three deciduous trees’ leaves: Birch (adventurous), Oak (comfortable with status quo), and Maple (covetous). A sweet story, each leaf has its own perspective, voice, and fate, accompanied by simple illustrations that reflect their differences. Our three amigos learn that change can lead down unexpected but delightful paths.

Children are fascinated by changing leaves – collecting them, jumping in them, etc. – and may enjoy this appealing tale. This is a fun fall read-aloud for the younger crowd (PreK-1) that doesn’t worry itself with the ultimate fate of leaves once they’re no longer decorative. Great for “Inevitably of Change Month”, which happens to be October (kidding!). It is a fun, frothy, fall book.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

three-stars

I Am Coco: The Life of Coco Chanel

I Am Coco: The Life of Coco ChanelI Am Coco: The Life of Coco Chanel by Isabel Pin
Published by Prestel Junior on September 13, 2022
ISBN: 3791375083
Pages: 96
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
one-star

The book is comprised of approximately thirty-eight moments in Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel’s life. These moments are described in snippets of two paragraphs or less, accompanied by charming illustrations. This book is much less about the facts of Chanel’s life than about the connection of these experiences in her life to the inspirations for her designs. The author glosses over Chanel’s known collaboration with Nazis and other challenging times in her life.

Pin’s illustrations of Chanel designs are the draw (!) of this book but for fashionistas and others looking for information about this iconic designer would do better with Coco Chanel: Pearls, Perfume and the Little Back Dress (Goldman).

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

one-star

Behold Our Magical Garden: Poems Fresh from a School Garden

Behold Our Magical Garden: Poems Fresh from a School GardenBehold Our Magical Garden: Poems Fresh from a School Garden by Allan Wolf, Daniel Duncan
Published by Candlewick Press on March 8, 2022
ISBN: 1536204552
Pages: 48
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Poems of various types about the joys and bounty of a school garden, accompanied by delightful illustrations. The poems are simple and entertaining, mostly organized by gardening cycles. This is a great book to choose poems from to read-aloud to K-5 students, from either a poetry or gardening standpoint (or both!).

The illustrations are animated, and in harmony with the text. I occasionally wished the illustrations accompanying the poems offered labels (such as the illustration accompanying Good Bug, Bad Bug, so I would know which was which). Helpful Notes on the Poems in the back matter make this useful for the discussion of how and why the poems were shaped, along with commentary describing tools student gardener-poets should have in their toolbox.

This book is a fabulous way to energize and engage students in gardening and poetry.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

five-stars

Mushroom Lullaby

Mushroom LullabyMushroom Lullaby by Kenneth Kraegel
Published by Candlewick Press on October 11, 2022
ISBN: 153621941X
Pages: 32
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Mushroom Lullaby is a whimsical wander through mushrooms and the magic they contain. What starts out as a rhyming description of the different types of fungi you can find, takes a left turn into a fantastical smaller world of mushrooms-as-homes, showing that the fantastical might be a bit closer than one realizes. This book’s text is simple and rhymes, though the rhyming scheme is a bit inconsistent for a read aloud, nevertheless it helps elevate the charming cadence of the book. The illustrations are where this book shines, however, with detailed line art colored over with warm color palettes and a cozy look inside mushroom homes. Perfect for autumn days. A solid addition to a collection and good for pre-k through first grade.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars

Well Done, Mommy Penguin

Well Done, Mommy PenguinWell Done, Mommy Penguin by Chris Haughton
Published by Candlewick Press on October 11, 2022
ISBN: 1536228656
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Chris Haughton’s book Well Done, Mommy Penguin is the story of a mommy penguin fetching dinner for her baby while daddy penguin watches. Baby penguin watches and narrates the feats of mommy penguin, while asking daddy penguin if she will be back soon. Daddy penguin reassures baby that mom will indeed come back, and though there are some seals to contend with, she does indeed return, proving moms can do just about anything! This book continues the Chris Haughton tradition of writing animals with anxiety. The prose is simple while still action-filled, intermingled with sound effects to keep the younger readers engaged. Questions are peppered throughout and the reader is offered a chance to watch mommy penguin as if they are the baby, hoping for mom’s success. The illustrations pair beautifully with the text, the deep blues of the sky and the water giving a sense of nature and expansiveness while the mom swims, and the blank slate of the snow and worry that baby penguin feels while they wait for mom to return. This book is excellent for Pre-K-2nd grade and is highly recommended for any library collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars