Category: Book Reviews

Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name?

Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name?Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name? (I Can Read Level 3) by Melissa Iwai
Published by HarperCollins on January 3, 2023
ISBN: 0063208091
Pages: 31
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
four-stars

This early reader has it all: likable characters, an interesting plot, life lessons, and cultural references. Gigi decides one day that her nickname is “a baby name”, and that she’s ready for something a bit more grown-up. The adults in the story (her parents and Ojiji, her Japanese grandfather) respect her choices, even as they change. Following a series of events, Gigi realizes that her name really does suit her and feels best after all. Along the way, readers learn a bit of Japanese, see Gigi’s excitement over visiting her public library, and follow along as the characters work their way through a scenario that may feel familiar.

Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name is an excellent pick for libraries looking to bulk up their early reader collection.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

four-stars

Don’t Worry, Little Crab

Don’t Worry, Little CrabDon't Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton
Published by Candlewick Press on April 25, 2023
Pages: 46
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

Chris Haughton’s picture-book-turned-board-book will be well-received by parents and their children. Out on an adventure with Very Big Crab, Little Crab scuttles across rocks, tidepools, and seaweed, with excellent use of onomatopoeia. This part of the journey has Little Crab feeling confident, until they reach the edge of the ocean and increasingly large waves begin to head their way. Little Crab feels fearful. Very Big Crab is a great model of a parent who reassures those fears while gently encouraging Little Crab to take small steps toward overcoming that fear. Eventually, they dive beneath a wave and Little Crab finds a whole new world to explore.

With bold illustrations and a recognizable author, this book is sure to circulate and would be a good choice for libraries interested in adding to their board book collection.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

three-stars

Farm Boots

Farm BootsFarm Boots by Lisl H. Detlefsen, Renee Kurilla
Published by Feeding Minds Press on March 21, 2023
ISBN: 194889811X
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

With brief text and effective use of rhyme, Detlefsen teaches readers why farmers wear a variety of boots for different tasks. Combined with Kurilla’s bright and cheerful illustrations, the pages lead the way through chores, seasons, and celebrations.

Several points of note may be of interest to librarians and parents. The children on the pages are representative of racial and ethnic diversity, and include various skin tones as well as one child wearing a hijab. This is helpful not only in terms of the “windows and mirrors” goal, but also because it more accurately represents the types of people working on modern American farms. For readers who want to learn more, there is even a farm boots glossary at the end of the book.

This book would make an excellent story time selection, and would appeal most to children ages six and younger. Farm Boots is a solid choice for any library that serves children of this age, but particularly those who live in rural areas.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

four-stars

Those We Drown

Those We DrownThose We Drown by Amy Goldsmith
Published by Delacorte Press on June 27, 2023
ISBN: 059357009X
Pages: 416
Genres: Horror, Psychological thriller, Supernatural
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

When Liv is offered a scholarship to attend a program aboard a cruise ship, she accepts it to bolster her college application. She also hopes it will give her some time to hang out with her friend, Will, and repair some recent damages to their friendship. Things seem weird almost immediately to Liv; the casual and constant underage drinking of her cohort, the appearance of a trio of glamorous influencers who call themselves The Sirens, and Will’s disappearance after the first night. Liv is determined to find Will and uncover what is really happening on this cruise, but can she do it before others start disappearing?

Those We Drown is tense and hard to put down, thanks to a solid plot that relies on the extreme gaslighting of Liv. Nobody can be trusted and while Liv knows something is terribly wrong, she can’t say exactly what it is or who is involved. This is a great debut that will appeal to horror, Lovecraft, mythology, and thriller fans.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

four-stars

Chloe’s Lunar New Year

Chloe’s Lunar New YearChloe’s Lunar New Year by Lily LaMotte, Michelle Lee
Published by HarperCollins on January 3, 2023
ISBN: 0063076519
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Chloe, her smaller brother, and her parents prepare for the annual Lunar New Year celebration with Taiwanese traditions taking place on the night of the reunion dinner: sweeping out the old, new shoes, good-luck oranges, turnip cake, good-luck fish, fortune cake, red envelopes, and remembering those who have died. But it also incorporates an American dish of apple pie representing two cultures. There is a recipe for Fortune Cake in the back; readers need rice flour (not glutinous rice flour) and a steamer in order to make them.

An uncle with red hair and beard are part of this family reunion. There are many references to a beloved grandmother (A-má), for whom the hot pot is made, but she is only present in the family photos. Add to any collection where Lunar New Year books are popular or if there is a need to build up cultural holiday books. This is a loving book to add to the collection.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Pick a Perfect Egg

Pick a Perfect EggPick a Perfect Egg by Patricia Toht, Jarvis
Published by Candlewick Press on February 14, 2023
ISBN: 1536228478
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In this seasonal rhyming Easter story, a girl and her mother gather eggs at a farm. They bring them home and hard-boil, dye, and decorate them ahead of the next morning’s Easter egg hunt. The illustrations, filled with spring colors, are joyful.

The little girl, with reddish-brown hair, blue eyes, and freckles, wears a white rabbit costume and joins other pale and brown-skinned friends for an Easter egg hunt. There are no religious references. The rhyme scheme works well and is easy to read aloud making this a good choice to share for story time. Companion book to “Pick a Pine Tree” and “Pick a Pumpkin” by same author and illustrator duo. This would make an excellent book to add to the library’s spring/Easter collection.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure Hunt

Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure HuntDakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure Hunt by Jamie Michalak, Kelly Murphy
Published by Candlewick Press on May 2, 2023
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy, Mystery
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A trip to Paris, a treasure hunt through a cafe/bookshop, and an adorably inquisitive mouse for a main character: what could be better? Michalak and Murphy team up again to bring us another Dakota Crumb adventure, this time beginning with a plea for help from a Parisian cousin and ending with (spoiler alert) a surprise birthday party!

This whimsical picture book leads young readers on a quest to find clues and search for a missing book, all while keeping an eye out for cats and a dog. The real treasure is the gorgeous watercolor illustrations. Murphy has an interesting way of playing with light and dark, and she creates plenty of tiny details that will charm kids and their grown-ups.

This book is recommended for all libraries that serve children in preschool through early elementary and will especially appeal to readers who are interested in miniatures and search-and-find books. After the conclusion of the story, readers are given an opportunity to look back through the book to find a series of small items hidden throughout the pages.

Reviewed by Kristy Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

four-stars

The Windeby Puzzle

The Windeby PuzzleThe Windeby Puzzle by Lois Lowry
Published by Clarion Books on February 14, 2023
ISBN: 0358672503
Pages: 224
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A book that is difficult to classify in a genre as it is a unique combination of fiction and nonfiction. A 2,000-year-old body was found in a peat bog in 1952 on Windeby Estate in northern Germany. Lois Lowry imagines the life that might have been, first for a young girl and then for a boy during the Iron Age. Estrild, not content with the dictates of what her life as a woman, wants to be a warrior. Varick, an orphan boy with a twisted back, is treated poorly because of his differences. We know how the stories will end with them blindfolded and left to die in the bog.

The reader learns much about bogs, bog people, and the history of the Druids in this rarely depicted time period. Although short and easy-to-read, the subject may be difficult for children because of the harsh content. Lowry takes quite a few liberties in imagining the two stories, but there is not a lot of information available about this first century time period. Interesting book, unlike any other, but definitely consider the reader before recommending it.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

The World and Everything In It

The World and Everything In ItThe World and Everything in It by Kevin Henkes
Published by Greenwillow Books on March 28, 2023
ISBN: 0063245647
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

I debated as to what genre to use to describe this book and finally settled on poetry. In typical Kevin Henkes style, the book is spare on words complimented by colorful, muted illustrations. It begins by comparing things that are little (tiny animals, flowers, pebbles, and things so small you can’t see them) with things that are big ( the sea, sun, and moon). And there are all the things that are in between, including you. Then it goes on to reflect how all things fit together.

An excellent book to use in teaching social emotional learning as the book touches upon curiosity, self-awareness, and belonging.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Granny Left Me a Rocket Ship

Granny Left Me a Rocket ShipGranny Left Me a Rocket Ship by Heather Smith, Ashley Barron
Published by Kids Can Press on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 1525305522
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

When Granny dies, she leaves father a tuba, mother a locket, sister a microscope, and brother a record collection. To the young boy, though, Granny leaves a world of adventure and a blue cane (never mentioned, but the cane can be spotted in each illustration). Granny is right beside him as he visits their memories.

Using spare prose, this is a beautiful story about loss, grief, and how to joyfully remember loved ones after they’re gone. Ashley Barron’s cut-paper collage illustrations are bright and colorful, bringing fun to the story and truly capturing the child’s imagination.

A wonderful resource about grief and the importance of preserving our memories of loved ones who have died.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars