Category: Book Reviews

Only the Best: The Exceptional Life and Fashion of Ann Lowe

Only the Best: The Exceptional Life and Fashion of Ann LoweOnly the Best: The Exceptional Life and Fashion of Ann Lowe by Kate Messner, Margaret E. Powell, Erin K Robinson
Published by Chronicle Books on October 18, 2022
ISBN: 1452161607
Pages: 56
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Fashion designer Ann Lowe was the first nationally known African American fashion designer. Ann was an inspiring woman, not only for her contributions to the fashion world but also for her efforts in breaking racial barriers. Award-winning author Kate Messner and costume historian Margaret Powell team up with fashion designer and illustrator Erin Robinson to tell Ann’s colorful and important story.

Raised in Alabama, Ann learned her skills from her grandmother and mother. With a combination of hard work and passion, she rose to the top of the fashion world, creating gowns that were worn by the rich and famous — from celebrities to first ladies. One of her most famous dresses was the wedding dress worn by Jaqueline Kennedy. The digital art is colorful and detailed and fills up the pages showcasing Ann’s amazing designs. The back pages have more in-depth information on Ann’s life, a bibliography, and quotations. Also included are photographs that include advertising pamphlets, a paper pattern of designs, and a custom-made bridal gown worn by a client. An excellent informational picture book for readers aged five to 10 .

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library

four-stars

Hooray for DNA! How a Bear and a Bug are A Lot Like Us

Hooray for DNA! How a Bear and a Bug are A Lot Like UsHooray for DNA!: How a Bear and a Bug Are a Lot Like Us by Pauline Thompson, Greg Pizzoli
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on April 25, 2023
ISBN: 0593427041
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

An exploration of DNA presented in a rhyming, simplistic format for young readers. The picture book’s emphasis — that our shared DNA makes us all family — hits the mark. The colorful and cartoon-like mixed-media illustrations of diverse children in a school setting fill up each page. The story, however, is light on details and could have more substance if some of the facts from the back pages were incorporated into the main storyline. The back pages include more detailed information on what makes DNA so special, what DNA looks like, and why DNA makes you alive. Also included is an enrichment activity — a DNA scavenger hunt, along with a resource list that includes books, videos, and websites. An informational picture book that will work as a starting point to introduce DNA for readers ages 5 to 9.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library

three-stars

How to Love a Pony

How to Love a PonyHow to Love a Pony by Michelle Meadows, Sawyer Cloud
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on May 2, 2023
ISBN: 0593483162
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
three-stars

This beginning book will take emerging readers through a year of caring for a pony, including feeding, brushing, and training. The text is relatively simple and readers can use the illustrations to help them solve most of their new words, though some adult support will probably be needed. The text rhymes and has an easy rhythm to follow, which could help readers build fluency. One of this book’s biggest strengths is the diversity of characters represented in the illustrations. The main character is a Black girl and the other people in the book are a variety of ethnicities and have different body types. This book would be a great addition to an Early Reader collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Elf Dog and Owl Head

Elf Dog and Owl HeadElf Dog and Owl Head by Junyi Wu, M.T. Anderson
Published by Candlewick Press on April 11, 2023
ISBN: 153622281X
Pages: 240
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Elf Dog and Owl Head is a lovely new middle grade fantasy novel by acclaimed author M.T. Anderson that quietly alludes to the Covid pandemic in a very subtle way. Our main character, Clay O’Brian is stuck at home in quarantine with his family due to a “global pandemic”. Tired of fighting with his sisters over the computer, hearing his parents worry about money and only seeing his best friend on video chats, he escapes into the woods near his house. There he finds a beautiful young white dog with red ears and a bejeweled collar named Elphinore. That meeting draws him into a magical world in, around and under the woods and mountain. Eventually his sisters are drawn into this world as well, and the young humans befriend Amos, the owl boy, and Vud the ancient giant among others. They are chased by horrible creatures like wyrms, and the bad People Under the Mountain (where Elphinore came from), but also partake of the magical Midsommers Eve festival. The black and white illustrations by Junyi Wu are both creepy and beautiful, and really add another dimension to the story. Family, adventure, friendship, resilience and empathy are the main themes throughout. This book would appeal to any reader looking for something a little bit different.

Recommended for grades 4-6.

Reviewed by Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

four-stars

Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem

Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor EcosystemWhale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem by Melissa Stewart, Rob Dunlavey
Published by Random House Studio on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 0593380606
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a unique examination of a food chain through the lens of what happens when a whale dies and its body sinks to the ocean floor and becomes an energy-rich food source for organisms living in the deep sea. The text is easy to read and packed with intriguing information about little-known marine life. The illustrations are stunning although sometimes very dark, though the setting is the bottom of the ocean. The frequent circular insets add much to the informative text. “More About Whale Falls” (who even knew that “whale falls” was scientific a term?) and a variety of ocean species are present at the back of the book, along with an extensive Selected Sources. Fascinating book that is recommended for all libraries.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Yoshi, Sea Turtle Genius: A True Story about an Amazing Swimmer

Yoshi, Sea Turtle Genius: A True Story about an Amazing SwimmerYoshi, Sea Turtle Genius: A True Story about an Amazing Swimmer by Lynne Cox, Richard Jones
Published by Anne Schwartz Books on January 10, 2023
ISBN: 0593425685
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Yoshi, a loggerhead sea turtle, swims farther than any animal in recorded history, 23,000 miles!,  to return to the beach where she first hatched to lay her own eggs. Follow Yoshi from birth to her swim across the Indian Ocean to being trapped in a fishing net, and then rescued by a fisherman, rehabilitated at an aquarium, and tracked by satellite on her journey back across the ocean to lay eggs on the beach in Australia. The watercolor illustrations are lovely, particularly the graphic of the map of Africa that indicates her journey across the Indian Ocean. Author’s Note about loggerhead turtles includes information about their being on the endangered species list. A remarkable true story to add to a library’s nonfiction collection.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

The Animal Song

The Animal SongThe Animal Song by Jonty Howley
Published by Random House Studio on January 10, 2023
ISBN: 0593381467
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A crocodile playing a snare drum, a big brown bear with a bass, and a weasel with a banjo form a traveling band to play for the other animals in the woods. From spring to fall, they always attract an eager crowd. But when winter comes, the animals in the audience go off to bed and the band searches for a new stage in town. At winter’s end, the band is exhausted so they return to the woods to sleep.

Catchy rhyming text:  “Snap went the croc on the little snare drum. / Poom poom, the big, brown bear thumped with his thumb. / Jingle, jangle, strummed the weasel, all steady and strong. / Snap-poom-jingle-jangle went the animal song.” Colorful, comical illustrations will make it a fun read for story time. There is a musical score at the back of the book and readers can listen to the “free accompanying song and read-along” at https://jontyhowley.com/shop/theanimalsong-songandstory

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Uni the Unicorn: Tooth Fairy Helper

Uni the Unicorn: Tooth Fairy HelperUni the Unicorn: Tooth Fairy Helper by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Brigette Barrager, Christy Webster, Kaley McCabe
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on January 3, 2023
ISBN: 059317805X
Pages: 32
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Book 10 in the Uni the Unicorn series.  Saccharinely sweet and predictable. The unnamed little girl who lost her tooth has long blond hair and light skin. The overwrought tooth fairy has dark skin and black curly hair. Uni saves the day by chauffeuring the Tooth Fairy through her night deliveries. This reviewer wonders if Rosenthal wrote all these books before she died in 2017. Young unicorn-obsessed readers will love it.

three-stars

Izzy’s Dog Days of Summer

Izzy’s Dog Days of SummerIzzy's Dog Days of Summer by Caroline Adderson
Series: The Izzy #3
Published by Kids Can Press on September 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781771387347
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Izzy and her friend Zoe did not have the fun they were expecting at Summer camp, so they decided to create their own in Izzy’s back yard. They enjoy jumping on the trampoline, doing crafts and telling stories, much to the annoyance of Izzy’s grumpy neighbor. The third book in The Izzy series, designed for emerging chapter book readers,is a story of friendship, first between the girls, and later between Izzy and her neighbor. The font is large and the language is appropriate for readers at this stage. There are fun illustrations scattered throughout the text that add to the humor of the story. Readers who enjoyed the previous Izzy books will enjoy this installation, but this book also works well as a stand alone.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Doodleville: Art Attacks!

Doodleville: Art Attacks!by Chad Sell
Series: Doodleville #2
Published by Random House Children's Books, Knopf Books for Young Readers on November 1, 2022
Pages: 256
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
four-stars

This fun sequel to Doodleville by Chad Sell finds the characters trying to fix a major disruption caused at the Chicago Art Museum by their doodles. The art club must find a way to work together when everyone has very different ideas on how to solve the problems. Their creative teamwork and friendship really shine through in this diverse and colorful graphic novel. A great addition to your shelves!

Erin Scott Woodside Elementary School Topsham

four-stars