Gnome and Rat

January 10, 2025January 10, 2025

Gnome and Rat: First Snow!: (A Graphic Novel) by Lauren Stohler
Series: Gnome and Rat #3
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on 11/5/24
ISBN: 0593487907
Genres: Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Gnome and Rat are back in this third book of this graphic novel series. Gnome is eagerly awaiting the first snowfall of the season and all of the exciting snow activities that come with that. Rat, on the other hand, is more excited to go with Gnome to the Rat Family Nest Fest. When the two events happen on the same day, the two friends compromise, deciding to do some snow activities on the way to Rat’s family party. Gnome and Rat have fun ice dancing, but run into trouble riding on an uncontrollable toboggan and getting lost. Somehow the two end up at the Rat Family Nest Fest, just in time to enjoy the cozy festivities. Early elementary readers will enjoy the antics of these two as they get in and out of trouble on their way to visit Rat’s family. The panels are engaging, with bright colors popping against the mostly neutral background of the winter scenery. Gnome and Rat’s exaggerated facial expressions add to the graphic novel’s humor. This fun graphic novel would be ideal for any library serving early elementary students.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

Work: Interviews with People Doing Jobs They Love

January 8, 2025January 14, 2025

Work: Interviews with People Doing Jobs They Love by Julia Rothman, Shaina Feinberg
Published by Candlewick Press on December 3, 2024
ISBN: 1536232661
Pages: 64
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Work takes an inclusive and global look at a varied grouping of jobs people are doing in today’s world. The book interviews real people following their passions and doing the jobs they love. Readers will get insight into jobs such as toy shop owner, surfer,street food vendor, vegan butcher, candlestick maker, and prosthetics maker.

Each worker’s story includes information about themselves, the job they do, and why this job is important to them. Work takes a look at the day to day jobs that make the world run and shows how following your passion can lead to work that is fulfilling and rewarding as well as inspiring to others.

Ages: 6-9 years

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian, Lewiston Public Schools

Meesh the Bad Demon: The Secret of the Fang

January 8, 2025

Meesh the Bad Demon #2: The Secret of the Fang: (A Graphic Novel) by Michelle Lam
Series: Meesh the Bad Demon #2
Published by Random House Graphic on July 23, 2024
ISBN: 0593372913
Pages: 295
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

The second book in the Meesh the Bad Demon series starts with Chai, wolf friend of main characters Meesh and fairy princess Nouna. The forest is under attack from machines intent on clear-cutting, so Meesh has to get to bottom of the destruction. When she learns that it’s the same person who caused the poisoning of Mount Magma (in book 1), she is faced with a fight. This book focuses on friendship and redemption/forgiveness and pushes the message that with power comes responsibility. Meesh chooses to deal with the villain with kindness offering her a second chance. The book ends with a renewed hope that demons and fairies can live together and that there are enough resources for all. The anime-styled illustrations are clear and well drawn and the differentiation in palettes between the demon world and the fairy worlds make the action easy to follow. This will be an enjoyable duology for readers in upper elementary and middle school.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School

Kisses From Space

January 7, 2025

Kisses from Space by Andy Harkness, Anna Menon, Keri Vasek
ISBN: 0593811143
Genres: Adventure, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

It’s not every day that an astronaut mom goes to space, bringing a copy of her published book, and then does a live read-aloud from the Dragon (SpaceX) Capsule. Anna Menon has done just that with this special book titled “Kisses from Space.” In this story, a dragon mom must leave her children to go to space, but she is thinking of them the entire time – from training to landing home. The rhyming verse is clunky at times, but the illustrations are very unique and sculptural lending a three-dimensional effect to the pages. While the story itself feels very specific, it could be used for reassuring children when parents need to travel for work (even if they’re not an astronaut). The story does include a promise of “I’ll always come home”, so should be up to caregiver discretion if that’s appropriate for their situation. Still a very unique book from a trailblazing woman, that would also be a great example for young girls. Recommended for ages 5-7 (Kindergarten to 2^nd Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

Keep Up Duck

January 7, 2025

Keep Up, Duck! by Ivan Bates, Rachel Bates
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536209384
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Mama duck and her ducklings are swimming to the lily pond. But little Puck, with his downy feathers and small feet, has trouble keeping up. Mama reminds him to “Keep up, Duck!”, and continues swimming. Puck finds creative ways to catch up, and eventually gets to the lily pond first. The illustrations are gorgeous, with lots of color and soft sketchy lines that are perfect at conveying the movement, depth, and emotion in the story. The story itself may be bothersome to some readers, as the mama duck doesn’t seem to mind leaving her littlest duckling behind without waiting. Recommended for ages 5-6 (Kindergarten).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

Finding Things

January 7, 2025

Finding Things by Kevin Henkes, Laura Dronzek
on May 14, 2024
ISBN: 0063245663
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This very simple picture book celebrates the magic of found items, while also being conscientious about when it is OK to take a found item home. It would be a very lucky day if you found a ball, flower, box, and a kitten! An easy read aloud with bright illustrations that is best for the youngest audiences. Recommended for ages 4-5 (Pre-K to Kindergarten).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

Darkly

January 7, 2025

Darkly by Marisha Pessl
Published by Delacorte Press on November 26, 2024
ISBN: 0593706552
Pages: 399
Genres: Mystery, Suspense
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Dia Gannon is an outsider at school, thanks to her love of vintage fashion and her general distrust of anyone under 75. While she tolerates working at her mother’s antique store with her elderly coworkers, she finds herself dreaming of more and can’t believe it when she is chosen from thousands of international entries as one of seven participants in an internship for Darkly, an immensely popular gaming empire surrounded by rumor and mystique. The internship, which takes place on an island, is deceptive and confusing from the get-go, and Dia and her fellow interns must play an unreleased game while they try to understand what they’re all doing there.

Darkly is a masterclass in world-building and the chapters in which the interns play Valkyrie, the previously unknown game, are breathtakingly cinematic. Otherwise, the book is just a little slow, and would have benefitted from fleshing out the other interns. Mystery fans will still love it, especially all the twists and the lore surrounding the woman at the center of it all, game designer Louisiana Veda, arguably the most well-rounded character, though we never actually meet her. Recommend to fans of mysteries, board games, or try it with Squid Game watchers, although Darkly is nowhere near as bleak.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

The Girl With No Reflection

January 7, 2025

The Girl with No Reflection by Keshe Chow
Published by Delacorte Press on August 6, 2024
ISBN: 0593707508
Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Romance
Format: Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

An arranged royal marriage to the egotistical, cold, and indifferent prince is the last thing princess Ying Yue wants. Escape arrives when Ying discovers a magical world living in the mirror. Her reflection self asks to trade places with her. In the reflection world, Ying finds the reflection Prince to be kind and compassionate, leading to the love story she had been dreaming of. Like most fantasy stories, dreams are never what they seem to be. Monsters, mystery, secret plots, and a war are what begin to unfold. Ying must untwist a prophecy and try to put a stop to the horrible path she put into play when she started traveling between the real and reflective worlds.

This YA novel is a mix of fantasy, romance (romantasy), mystery, and a little horror. The author begins with a note stating that inspiration was taken from cultural elements of Imperial China, but are a work of fiction, not historical fact. The confusing task of determining who are the “good guys” is a huge driving force of the plot. The mirror world feels like an enticing concept for this fantasy story, but the characters and plot just don’t live up to the expectation.

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, ME.

Alma at Home

January 7, 2025

Alma at Home/Alma en casa (Alma's Words/Las palabras de Alma) by Juana Martinez-Neal
Published by Candlewick Press on 9/9/24
ISBN: 1536232335
Genres: board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In this simple bilingual board book, Alma tells readers about her house and what she likes to do there. Readers will be exposed to basic vocabulary in digestible short sentences, with the English text in black and the Spanish text in dark yellow. The strength of this book are the beautiful illustrations which cover the whole spread. The colors are mostly neutral with a pop of color to add visual interest and the facial expressions throughout convey the love and joy Alma experiences at home. This would be a great addition to any collection with board books.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

Alma, Where is Pajarito?

January 7, 2025

Alma, Where Is Pajarito?/Alma, ¿Dónde está Pajarito? (Alma's Words/Las palabras de Alma) by Juana Martinez-Neal
Series: Alma's Words
Published by Candlewick Press on 9/9/24
ISBN: 1536232343
Genres: board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In this bilingual board book, Alma is looking for her pet bird. In her search, readers will be introduced to basic prepositions, as she looks for her bird under her blanket, on her bed, and between her hats, for example. Young children will enjoy the fun, expressive illustrations with muted colors that won’t overwhelm them. The English text is in black and the Spanish text is in purple, making it easy for readers to differentiate between the languages. The best part of the book might be the gentle humor sure to amuse kids- the bird she is looking for is on her head!

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library