Look How Much I’ve Grown in Kindergarten

Look How Much I’ve Grown in KindergartenLook How Much I've Grown in KINDergarten (A KINDergarten Book) by Joey Chou, Vera Ahiyya
ISBN: 0593643968
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Kindergarten is a time for discovering lots of ways to grow, but it can also be a time when children realize they are learning at a different pace than their peers. In Look How Much I’ve Grown in Kindergarten, the main character is a girl named Mason with freckles, wavy brown hair, and light brown skin,  who is worried “everyone can do everything right and I can’t”, comparing herself to her peers and feeling “small as a seed”. Many kindergarteners will identify with her frustrations: shoe tying, flower drawing, and identifying letter sounds. 

Mason’s kindergarten teacher, Ms. Perry, brown skin and coils of brown hair, helps her understand, “Everyone will grow differently but everyone is growing all the time.” The teacher’s support includes  asking the class of multiracial students to identify ways they would like to grow. The otherwise unremarkable story is buoyed by the charming and cheerful illustrations that support the plant motif running through the book: when Mason is successful at tying her shoes she feels “as tall as a sunflower”; flowers and plants appear on every page; and at the end of the story, Ms. Perry declares to the class that seeds need help to grow, “just like you!”

Ahiyya stresses the importance of the growth mindset, and its components, time and patience. Back matter contains an author’s note for parents regarding patience and practice for developing skills, growth mindset tips, a step-by-step shoe tying diagram, and a template for a thank you card.

Recommended for public and early elementary school library collections where other books by Ahiyya (the Tutu Teacher) are popular.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

three-stars

Great Gusts: Winds of the World and the Science Behind Them

Great Gusts: Winds of the World and the Science Behind ThemGreat Gusts: Winds of the World and the Science Behind Them by Khoa Le, MEGAN BENEDICT, Melanie Crowder
ISBN: 1536224510
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This is an informational picture book that uses brief poetry, evocative illustrations, and detailed sidebars to explain and describe fourteen winds, specific to their geographic location and climes. The poems are rhythmic  and vivid, mostly free-verse but occasionally following the traditional patterns of the geographic area they represent, such as Papagayo Jet, written in the copla form (folk poetry of Central and South America):

Even fierce, howling winds bring
hope, remake this world.
Rest, fragile beasts, where algae
blooms in cooling swirls.

Each wind has a double-page spread that includes a poem, a sidebar that explains how the unique geography forms the wind and its accompanying weather system, and an illustration that brings these  elements together, using “wind lines” to show how the winds blow over landscapes and seascapes.

The back matter contains a world map pinpointing wind locales, glossary, explanations of what makes the wind and how winds are named.

It is an extremely browsable book, with accessible poems and illustrations that strengthen the concept of how and where the winds take shape. Highly recommended for public and school library collections where patrons are keen on geography and weather.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

five-stars

No Dragons for Tea

No Dragons for TeaNo Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids {and Dragons} by Jean E. Pendziwol, Martine Gourbault
on December 15, 1998
ISBN: 1550745719
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This picture book conveys important fire safety information in a non-threatening manner through a story about a young white girl who befriends a dragon at the beach and invites him to tea. The rhyming couplets and Prisma color pencils create a dynamic story about a house fire starting in an unreal way (the dragon sneezes on the draperies), focusing on what to do (crawl out, meet everyone at an assigned location, etc.). The dragon makes errors in judgment that the girl sets right:


“Don’t ever go back – that just will not do.
We can get a new bear, but we can’t replace you.”

Everyone (including the teddy bear) is safe and sound. Realistic expectations (“The smoke made a mess, but the fire is out.”) are demonstrated. The book sets up realistic (other than the cause of the fire) expectations and outcomes, and provides many useful safety tips along the way in a story that is dynamic and engaging for young children. 

The back matter includes The Dragon’s Fire-Safety Rhyme and a checklist of discussion points and actions for caregivers to share with children. The story would make an excellent read-aloud at school for Fire Prevention Month (October), or at home to find a way to discuss and make a fire safety plan. Recommended for both public and school library collections.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

four-stars

A Bindi Can Be . . .

A Bindi Can Be ... by Kamala M. Nair, Suma Subramaniam
ISBN: 1525308033
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

For readers who may have only the vaguest idea about what a bindi is, and a curiosity to learn more; for readers who know exactly what a bindi can be and would like a picture book to explain it to others; and for readers who have never heard of the symbolic decoration worn for religious and cultural intentions. 

Many children are curious about others’ cultural and religious garb, but are told it’s rude to ask questions. This book answers many questions children might have about wearing a bindi, from the perspective of a Hindu young girl living in India, who explains how a bindi is made, why it is worn, and celebrates the many aspects, occasions and positive affect it can have on the mind and body. The language is simple and lyrical, and the illustrations in a vibrant, rich palette using glowing elements to suggest the special feeling wearing the bindi brings to the young girl. 

This would make a great Diwali (October/November) read-aloud for a younger (K-2) audience. If using as a read-aloud, review the author’s note and glossary in the back of the book. Both might be more complex than the audience needs, but both offer context and understanding for the reader.  Highly recommended for both public and school library collections.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

five-stars

Is It . . . Easter?

Is It . . . Easter?Is This . . . Easter? (Helen Yoon's Is This . . .?) by Helen Yoon
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536226289
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

In the second Is This . . . .  book from Yoon, the author/illustrator  finds the wonder, exuberance and tension around the mysterious appearance of a pastel egg. Unbeknownst to the two canine trios– one group small and roly-poly with adorable underbites, the other larger dogs with German Shepherd suggestions – the pastel egg has been placed in the grass by an unlikely Easter Bunny, a Zen like brown bear in bunny-ears headband and fluffy white tail. 

The smaller dogs see the pale pink egg as something to decorate, while the larger dogs see breakfast. Neither can understand the other group’s point of view. The dialog on the page accompanied by Yoon’s illustrations are brilliant shortcuts to her characters’ attributes: “IT’S BEAUTIFUL!” “BREAKFAST IS BEAUTIFUL!” Her distinctive pop-eyed protagonists passionately debate the best use of the egg. The ginormous bear returns,silencing all with its size and egg-handling finesse,  to demonstrate it’s okay to have different ideas, and that sometimes different ideas can co-exist.

Between the always timely message of compromise and the priceless illustrations, this picture book about Easter (without a genuine Easter bunny in sight) will be a strong addition to both public and school library collections.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

five-stars

Oh, Are You Awake?

Oh, Are You Awake?Oh, Are You Awake? by Bob Shea, Jarvis
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536226580
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Sometimes even best friends don’t want the same thing at the same time. Bob Shea’s comical imagining of one of those moments brings us Penguin and  Lion at bedtime. Penguin is already sleepy but Lion is hoping for a story. Penguin’s dreams of candy, unicorn adventures and a puppy train are disrupted by Lion’s inventive actions (crunchy potato chips, “super quiet” trampoline) and exhortations, “Oh, are you awake?”. Will these friends reach an amicable resolution?

Shea tells the story as a dialog between the two characters, using black text for Penguin and blue for Lion. Color-coding the dialog makes the tension clear from the start, with no “Penguin said” and “Lion said” gumming up the works. The story is relatable to anyone who has ever been very much awake when the head story teller feels too sleepy to tell a story. 

The illustrations by Jarvis, especially those depicting the characters’ dreams, are delightful. The dream illustrations are also color-coded, vivid and detailed. In contrast,the waking images accompanying the dialog are simple, with few details. Both dream scenes and waking scenes offer rich facial expressions that take the accompanying text from funny to hilarious. The ending is satisfying for all. 

This will be a bedtime read-aloud hit and would be a lively storytime. Highly recommended for public and school library collections.

five-stars

Wherever You Go

Wherever You GoWherever You Go (An All Are Welcome Book) by Alexandra Penfold, Suzanne Kaufman
ISBN: 0593430018
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Under the category of “milestone picture books”, Wherever You Go is another All Are Welcome book by Penfold and Kaufman. As in other books by this literary duo, there are appealing acrylic, ink, crayon and collage representations of all kinds of families, including differently abled, different skin tones, and different cultural and religious signifiers. 

The book is meant as a love letter from parents to their small children and the message is one of unconditional love and support, as well as pride. Simple rhyming couplets support the illustrations, revealing snapshots in a family’s life together: first day of school, talent show, quiet walks, grade school graduations. The text reinforces the idea that the grown up will always be there for those big and small moments. 

The theme of parental love and support for one’s children isn’t new but is always in demand. Caregivers will enjoy reading this book with their small children. Highly recommended for public library collections. 

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

four-stars

Best Friend!

Best Friend!Ava Lin: Best Friend by Vicky Fang
Series: Ava Lin #1
Published by Candlewick Press on June 4, 2024
ISBN: 1536229695
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Ava Lin is excited to start first grade.  She loves her new backpack and looks forward to making a best friend.  She loves collecting treasures, but gets in trouble when she leaves a crayon in her pocket and it goes through the wash.  Her mom also gets mad when she has to go to the doctor to get a pebble out of her ear.  There is not much action in the first installment of this early chapter book series, but it is still well suited for developing readers.  The font is large with a lot of space between the lines and there is not much text on each page.  There is a picture on each page, usually with funny captions, which readers will enjoy. The pictures also show diverse characters, which aren’t mentioned in the text, as some of Ava’s friends, as well as her doctor, are not white. Ava is a funny, sweet girl and young readers will enjoy reading more about her as this series grows.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Wide Awake Now

Wide Awake NowWide Awake Now by David Levithan
Published by Alfred A. Knopf ISBN: 0593706978
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Wide Awake Now” is a 2024 reimagining of David Levithan’s 2006 book “Wide Awake.” In “Wide Awake Now,” the first gay Jewish president has just been elected in the 2024 US elections, but the results are contested by the governor of Kansas. Main characters are Jimmy, a gay Jewish teen, and his boyfriend, Duncan, who is a black teen. They travel with their friends to Kansas to protest. They face threats, antisemitism, homophobia, and learn about politics all while wondering what their future will look like. Characters are written smartly and have Levithan’s signature humor. At times the book felt too short to cover so many important issues, but readers will find the novel an interesting take on today’s politics. A recommended purchase where YA speculative fiction about politics is popular.

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

three-stars

Frankie D, Vegan Vampire

Frankie D, Vegan VampireFrankie D, Vegan Vampire (Frankie D, Vegan Vampire, 1) by S. B. Dutra, Tiffani Brown
Series: Frankie D #1
Published by Kids Can Press on 6/4/24
ISBN: 1525304607
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Frankie and his vampire family left their familiar life in Transylvania to experience life in America.  Their biggest challenge is changing their vampire habits and fitting in with the humans they meet.  This means eating different foods, changing their sleeping habits, and for Frankie, this means going to school with human children.  In many ways readers will relate to Frankie as he learns to navigate his new school by making friends and dealing with a student who is mean to him.  Readers will enjoy the many humorous close calls Frankie and his family have, especially when they host a dinner party and later when they go to Frankie’s school concert.  This is a fun book for readers who like vampires but aren’t ready for scary books.  This novel is ideal for 2-4 graders, especially those working to build their stamina with longer books.  The chapters are short and there are a lot of black and white cartoonish illustrations that break up the text.  This is the first book in the series and readers will want to keep reading as it ends with a little cliffhanger.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars