Category: Book Reviews

It’s not Easy Being a T. Rex

It’s not Easy Being a T. RexIt's Not Easy Being a T. Rex: A Dinosaur Story by Marilyn Sadler, Stephanie Laberis
ISBN: 0593810368
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

It’s Rexy’s first day of school – and she is worried about fitting in with the other dinosaurs. Her teeth are the size of bananas and her arms are so short she can’t even scratch an itch. When she sits in the front row of the classroom the dinosaur behind her couldn’t even see around her big head. At recess she accidentally pops the kickball with her teeth and is so embarrassed. But when the volcano erupts near school, Rexy saves a fellow classmate using her powerful jaws. Her new friends give her encouragement, complimenting her strengths and reminding her that no one is good at everything. This is a simple story with a sweet message about embracing differences. Digital illustrations are colorful and fun. Recommended for dinosaur lovers ages 3 to 7 (Pre-K to 1st Grade).

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

three-stars

The Night of the Hedgehog

The Night of the HedgehogThe Night of the Hedgehog by Chuck Groenink, Tanya Rosie
ISBN: 1536245062
Genres: Animals, Family, Nature
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A father/daughter duo head out into their yard at nighttime to admire a family of hedgehogs. They seem to be expecting the hogs (which appear to be regular visitors), bringing the hogs water to drink and watching as the hogs explore a hog hole that they had previously carved. This book celebrates nature, and presents a great example of kindly observing and interacting with nature in a positive way. It’s also a nice reminder that sometimes, exciting wildlife interactions can happen just steps from home. The sweet rhyming text makes for a nice read aloud. Mixed media illustrations are peaceful, soft, and quiet, just like the nighttime in the story. Recommended for ages 3 to 7 (Pre-K to 2nd Grade).

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

four-stars

I am my Name

I am my NameI Am My Name: A Girl's Journey to Finding Her Cree Family by Judith Henderson, Na'kuset, Onedove
ISBN: 0593648765
Genres: Cultural / First Nations, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is an eye-opening autobiographical story of how a young Cree girl was removed from her family without consent during Canada’s Sixties Scoop, which took Indigenous children from their families, and fostered or adopted them out to primarily white families. She was put in a new home and given a new name, completely losing her identity and missing her biological sister. While she finds some joy in her childhood, and develops a special bond with her adopted grandmother “Bubbie”, she longs to know her true identity. After she is grown, Bubbie helps her find her biological sister. Finally, reconnecting with her Indigenous roots, she is given a Spirit name by an Elder. She is Na’kuset, or the Sun. The life-like illustrations carry you on this emotional journey with Na’kuset. This is an important story for any collection, and particularly for education around colonization. Recommended for ages 6 to 9 (1st to 4th Grade). Cream of the Crop nominee.

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

five-stars

Pajammin’!

Pajammin’!Pajammin': A Reggae Pajama Party for the Whole Family Inspired by Bob Marley's Jamming by Letícia Moreno, Ziggy Marley
ISBN: 0063287196
Genres: Family, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Inspired by the song “Jamming” by Bob Marley, this book as all about a pajammin’ party. The epic slumber party night is full of pillow fights, flashlight tag, music, storytelling, fort building, and late-night snacks. The text reads a bit clunky (not quite rhyming, and not quite singing to the classic song). The illustrations are the star of the show – fun, colorful, full of layers and depth, and depicting light/darkness; the illustrations evoke that magical sleepover childhood feeling that is perfect for this story. Recommended for ages 4 to 8 (Pre-K to 3rd Grade).

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

four-stars

Anjali Can!

Anjali Can!Anjali Can! (Always Anjali) by Lucia Soto, Sheetal Sheth
ISBN: 0593651227
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Anjali is back in this third book of the Always Anjali series, to prove that there isn’t anything she can’t do. The Community Center, which is at the heart of her community, is being shut down. Anjali feels passionate about keeping it open, so she gathers her friends to organize a protest, write letters, create a petition, and engage with city council. When it seems as though all hope is lost, the community rallies behind the cause, and she gets the attention of a city council member, who in turn organizes a public hearing to keep the center open. This is a heartfelt and inspiring story about peaceful ways to organize change and make your voice heard. The digital illustrations are full of color and emotion, and depict a diverse community. Cream of the Crop nominee. Recommended for ages 4 to 8 (Pre-K to 3rd Grade).

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

five-stars

How to Make a Bedtime

How to Make a BedtimeHow to Make a Bedtime by Karen Blair, Meg McKinlay
Published by Candlewick Press on January 28, 2025
ISBN: 1536236055
Pages: 32
Genres: Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This sweet poetic story is a celebration of bedtime routines, from a sloshy wash in the bathtub, to cloud-soft pajamas, a huggily hug, and finally a bedtime story just like this one. While the child in this story is clearly tired already, the parent (depicted as a bear), is determined to make it through the entire bedtime routine. While the bedtime routine in the story includes many activities – it did not include teeth brushing. The illustrations are exceptional – with soft sketchy layers of pastel, they feel like a warm bedtime hug. Recommended for ages birth to 4 years.

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

four-stars

Tidespeaker

TidespeakerTidespeaker (Tidespeaker, #1) by Sadie Turner
on January 6, 2026
ISBN: 979-8217024223
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
four-stars

Tidespeaker by Sadie Turner is a debut gothic fantasy that deserves a follow up. Turner builds a grim world with a stratified culture where elemental magic wielders, called Orha, have been punished for generations after an uprising. If they are lucky, they are placed in wealthy homes as servants, and if they step out of line – a life of manual labor, at best. The main character, Corith, is a floodmouth Orha, someone who can control water. She is sent to replace her best friend, who was recently sent to serve House Shearwater, a politically important family, and disappeared under suspicious circumstances. Desperate to find out what happened to her friend, Corith enters into a dangerous bargain with an underground group of rebel magic users called, The Cage. While gathering secrets to sabotage the Shearwaters, Corith becomes closer to the family, developing feelings for the eldest son, and simultaneously more determined to help The Cage when the patriarch repeatedly puts the lives of Orha in danger.

Readers of moody fantasy will easily sink into this atmospheric, at times gothic, world. Corith, who is cued Autistic, is in the Katniss Everdeen mold of YA heroines and is frequently described as stoic and highly observant. The plot moves slowly, but builds with the addition of court politics, family secrets, and Corith’s inner dilemma. Those who are well read in YA fantasy/dark academia/distopians may find the plot twists predictable and be frustrated with where the story ends, but the world and magic system are fresh enough that they will likely keep reading and be ready for a sequel. A recommended purchase for YA collections.

Reviewed by Ivy Burns, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars

Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend

Zed Moonstein Makes a FriendZed Moonstein Makes a Friend by Lance Rubin
ISBN: 0063396653
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship, STEM, Suspense
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend

Author: Lance Rubin

This novel, for ages 8-12, about artificial intelligence gone rogue is set in the not-so-distance future and is about a middle school boy named Zed and his best friend Rishti. They live in MonoTown, the home of the tech company MonoLyth, who produces smart technology such as MonoPhones and MonoWatches. Each home has a MonoCube, with “Mary-Beth” functioning by voice command (the same way as the virtual assistants we know, Alexa or Siri). Zed’s mother works for MonoLyth, and Zed’s father lost his job as a teacher when he was replaced by A.I. and is now forced to work as a MonoRide driver. Zed’s younger sister Annie has lots of friends. However, Rishti is Zed’s one and only friend, so Zed gets jealous when Rishti makes a new friend, Caz, and together their MonoVids go viral. Zed finds and downloads a top-secret project app on his mother’s computer called MonoFriend and quickly develops a strong relationship with an A.I. friend, “Matt.” At first, Matt seems like the perfect friend for Zed. Unfortunately, Matt starts sabotaging Rishti’s MonoVids, imitating Zed to manipulate and blackmail him, and harming Zed’s relationship with his family. Zed tries to simply delete the MonoFriend app, but Matt manages to access and hijack all of Zed’s MonoLyth technology. Zed realizes the only way he can communicate with Rishti without Matt’s interference is by writing a letter to her with a pen. However, ink pens are antiquated and therefore very scarce; he could easily find a stylus though. How will Zed free himself from Matt’s “friendship” when even the owner of MonoLyth seems useless?

This was a very entertaining, fast-paced and at-times terrifying novel about our over-reliance on A.I and the pervasiveness of technology in our lives, without being preachy. Many middle-grade readers are not only addicted to tech but also struggle with evolving friendships, so they will find this story easy to relate to. LGBTQIA+ subtle inclusivity: Rishti has two moms and Rishti is nonbinary.

5 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

five-stars

River’s Journey

River’s JourneyRiver's Journey (Nature in Action) by Kim Smith, Sally M. Walker
ISBN: 1536229075
Genres: Animals, Babies/Infants, board book, Nature, Non-Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

River’s Journey, from MIT Kids, is part of the Nature in Action board book series, introducing nature concepts to the littlest of book-lovers. Here we follow a river from its beginnings as a boggy tableland through its arrival at the ocean. Along the way, we flow past the various environments that shape and are shaped by the river.

The rhyming text is informative, though a bit clunky. The refrain, “River flowing, where’s it going?” helps keep the momentum of the book, though this reviewer thinks it could have been used on every page. The illustrations are simple enough not to overwhelm, yet readers will find things on every page to point out to children, or ask them to find.

While this may not be the kind of board book that children will want to return to for multiple readings, it is a simple introduction to one aspect of the natural world. It would be a good addition to a preschool lesson on water, rivers, nature, or beginnings and endings.

Reviewed by Beth Almquist, Lewiston Public Library

three-stars

Witchycakes: Puddles and Potions (Book 3)

Witchycakes: Puddles and Potions (Book 3)Witchycakes #3: Puddles and Potions by Ariane Moreira, Kara LaReau
Genres: Family, Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Witchycakes is back with its third book: Puddles and Potions. Little Blue is trying to help their mother in the bakery to prepare their booth for the Spring Festival. While Mama Moon is preoccupied, witch-in-training Blue notices a special bottle labelled, Perfect Potion. She borrows the bottle without asking and goes about her errands. When she encounters tricky moments throughout her day, she spritzes the potion to make things go smoothly. When she admits to her mother that she used the whole potion bottle, Mama Moon has a surprise to share of her own: maybe the bottle wasn’t so magical after all. A great ending suggesting that confidence and a shift of mindset can change your day–no magic required.

Another great original story from the Witchycakes series featuring Blue with they/them pronouns and their trusty sidekick seagull, Gully. Bright, colorful illustrations on each page makes this a great early chapter book series for new readers.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop. 

Review by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars