Category: Book Reviews

Scaredy Squirrel Visits the Doctor

Scaredy Squirrel Visits the DoctorScaredy Squirrel Visits the Doctor by Mélanie Watt
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on October 25, 2022
ISBN: 0593307437
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Scaredy Squirrel Visits the Doctor is another solid installment in the Scaredy Squirrel series, in which our squirrel protagonist goes to the vet. The book is packed full of ailments that Scaredy Squirrel thinks he might have, as well as advice on how to avoid said ailments. The illustrations are cute and help clarify the text, which can be a bit overwhelmingly packed on each page. A solid addition to a collection where subject matter on visits to the doctors might be a source of anxiety. Good for readers in grades K-2.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

three-stars

Hiding in Plain Sight

Hiding in Plain SightHiding in Plain Sight by Jorge Cham
Series: Elinor Wonders Why
Published by Kids Can Press on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 1525306197
Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

This adapted story in a graphic novel format, is from an episode of the animated TV series “Elinor Wonders Why.” Written for emerging readers, it follows a young bunny Elinor and her two friends on a nature adventure. Elinor is very curious and is always asking questions. Oliver her elephant friend is a big reader who has an excellent memory and loves words and facts. Ari is a jokester bat who loves to clown around and make his friends laugh. He is good at figuring out problems.

In this nature adventure, the characters start out playing hide and seek with two goats who can always find them due to their special eyes. They go on to find things hiding in nature and learn about camouflage. Let’s find out! panels appear throughout the story educating readers on katydids, camouflage, goats eyes, nocturnal toads, and sparrows. The back pages contain sections like “Hide-and-See in Nature,” “Let’s Experiment!”, and “We Need More Observations!”. The brightly colored illustrations are presented in two or three panels per page. This is an interesting story that is educational and fun and will have particular appeal to viewers of the PBS series, but will also appeal to those emerging readers who enjoy an educational graphic novel.

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

four-stars

The Lodge that Beaver Built

The Lodge that Beaver BuiltThe Lodge That Beaver Built by Randi Sonenshine, Anne Hunter
Published by Candlewick Press on September 27, 2022
ISBN: 1536218685
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

In “The Lodge That Beaver Built”, Sorenshine tells the story of Beaver, building his lodge to the lilting rhythm of “The House That Jack Built”. Along the way we meet the other denizens of the marshland and learn their relationship to the environment. It is brief but informative with the help of ink and colored-pencil illustrations that simply but accurately show what the text tells. For younger readers, this book will make them more curious about the fascinating lives of beavers. The back matter contains Beaver Facts, a glossary, and recommends online resources (websites and videos). It is too simple to support research (although the back matter helps) but it does an excellent job explaining the engineering of a lodge in a marsh. For early elementary classrooms researching Maine animals, this is a great read-aloud. You could also hand it to a naturalist who will love the way the illustrations and text work together.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

five-stars

The Mouse Who Carried a House on His Back

The Mouse Who Carried a House on His BackThe Mouse Who Carried a House on His Back by Jonathan Stutzman, Isabelle Arsenault
Published by Candlewick Press on August 30, 2022
ISBN: 1536216798
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In this beautifully illustrated book, about the bounty of sharing what you have, the main character is Vincent, a nomadic mouse. His house is small enough for him to carry but still manages to be large enough to welcome any animal in need of shelter. As the story progresses, his home grows (inside and outside) to accommodate these guests. At the climax of the story, when a hungry bear needs help, the smaller animals protest against allowing him entry. Vincent simply says, “(I)n my house, all animals are welcome.”

The illustrations (created with gouache, ink, and cut paper) support the story. The animals in need note that the house is bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside, however as more animals seek shelter, the house “grows” with architecturally different additions that pop up as the story goes along.

Preschoolers through second grade could find much to discuss in this sweet simple story about being generous and open to those who need help.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

four-stars

Books Aren’t For Eating

Books Aren’t For EatingBooks Aren't for Eating by Carlie Sorosiak, Manu Montoya
Published by Walker Books US on September 20, 2022
ISBN: 1536214965
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

A simply told story about finding that magical book that opens up the world of reading for the choosiest reader. Told from the point of view of Leopold, a goat who owns a second-hand book store and derives great joy from handing “just-right” books to various kinds of readers. Then he meets a tough customer (a fellow goat – most of his other customers are human). This goat savors the books Leopold hands to him but as a literal feast, instead of a literary one. In the end, Leopold finds the perfect book for the choosy goat to read.

The illustrations are fun with interesting details that immerse the reader more fully in the story. Young children will enjoy the silliness of the goat eating the books he should be reading. I thought Leopold was a little too invested in the goat customer seeing things his way. It is better than some other “the magic of just-right books” (talking to you, Goldie Socks and the Three Librearians) and not as good as Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I Don’t) by Barbara Bottner and Michael Emberley.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

two-stars

I’m a Unicorn

I’m a UnicornI'm a Unicorn by Helen Yoon
Published by Candlewick Press on September 13, 2022
ISBN: 1536219762
Pages: 32
Genres: Fantasy, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This romp of a picture book follows our narrator, a bull with one horn, through the emotional ups and downs and ups of self-identity. Using “Unicorn Facts & Myths” criteria as a guide, the bull declares himself a unicorn but begins to question this. Luckily he encounters some magical creatures that support his self-discovery. Yoon uses humor both sly and over-the top (be prepared for the poop jokes) to let readers know that it’s best to be who you are, not worry about what you’re “supposed to” look like and, equally importantly, support others who are being true to who they are.

Unicorns are (as always) having a moment, as is poop humor. Preschoolers through grade 2 will appreciate the expressive illustrations and simple language that delivers the message in a clear, creative and convincing way. This will make a fabulous read-aloud with lots of giggles.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

five-stars

Whales to the Rescue: How Whales Help Engineer the Planet

Whales to the Rescue: How Whales Help Engineer the PlanetWhales to the Rescue: How Whales Help Engineer the Planet by Adrienne Mason, Kim Smith
Published by Kids Can Press on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 1525305379
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An interesting nonfiction picture book that shows the importance of whales to a healthy ecosystem. Mason’s author note contains a reference to research papers that back up her hypothesis . The writing is illustrative and engaging. Did you know that a blue whale’s tongue is “heavy as two hippos”? In addition to a table of contents and sidebars, the back matter contains a glossary (bolded words in the text), index, and resources that tell readers how to help whales and where to find more online information about them.

The book starts by explaining whales’ feeding and pooping habits (poop plays a big part in the whales’ ecological engineering – spoiler alert!) and then outline various aspects of the environment (such as carbon and its affect on global warming). Mason then explains in clear detail with supporting illustrations and diagrams how whales’ habits positively impact the ecosystem.

The illustrations are realistic but at times, less helpful than they could be. For example, there is a “Know your Whales” diagram, showing several species of whales, beginning with blue whales, with a diver drawn to scale next to it. However, the other whales aren’t drawn to the same scale, which is confusing. It also discusses a history of whales being over hunted but doesn’t cover current controversies about whales and fishing vessels.

This would be a good addition to books on the ecosystem and offers some information on whales.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

four-stars

Little Ellen

Little EllenLittle Ellen by Ellen DeGeneres, Eleanor Michalka
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on May 3, 2022
ISBN: 0593378601
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
one-star

In this picture book, Little Ellen uses rhyming couplets to share the message that it’s best to be one’s most authentic self through love, kindness, and caring. It starts with Little Ellen questioning what makes Ellen “Ellen” – not what she says or things, but what she does for others. Between the subplot of a secondary character that Ellen cheers up and and then leaves in a gazebo, inelegant rhyme schemes, and illustrations that are colorful to the point of sensory overload, the message is obscured.

Between rhymes that contort themselves to fit the theme and illustrations that are overwrought, this is not a useful or enjoyable book.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

one-star

Up to No Ghoul

Up to No GhoulUp to No Ghoul by Cat Farris, Cullen Bunn
Published by HarperAlley on August 9, 2022
ISBN: 006289613X
Pages: 200
Genres: Horror
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

“Up to No Ghoul” is a middle-grade graphic novel written by Cullen Bunn and illustrated by Cat Farris. It is the sequel to “The Ghoul Next Door.” You definitely need to have read the first book to fully understand this book, so I would only recommend purchasing it if you already have the first book or are willing to purchase the first as well.

Grey is a middle schooler who lives in Ander’s Landing, a place where the supernatural live and weird things happen regularly!  He is also friends with Lavinia, a ghoul who lives in the cemetery nearby. When a blood drive bus arrives in town, people who give blood seem to become mindless zombies. Grey and his friends suspect vampires and try to stop them.

The art style looks like watercolor and adds a creepiness to the story. A fun adventure about friendship, and not making assumptions, this book is a recommended purchase where graphic novels are popular. Written for kids 8 to 12 years old.

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

three-stars

Something About Grandma

Something About GrandmaSomething About Grandma by Tania de Regil
Published by Candlewick Press on August 9, 2022
ISBN: 1536201944
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A lovely, quiet picture book about the magic of grandmas – their special gifts and their individuality. The writing is simple and carries the reader along as the narrator, Julia, a child, learns more about her grandmother while spending time with her at the grandmother’s home outside Mexico City. Julia changes from observer to fellow adventurer and finds maturity and her own maternal qualities along the way. It gently points to grandmas as individuals quietly teaching what that they know (seemingly through magic).

The illustrations use a collage of poems handwritten in Spanish (written by the author’s great-grandfather and transcribed by her grandmother) and a soft palette of blues for the nuclear family, while the grandmother is rendered in rose colors. This will make a great one-on-one read aloud for connecting generations.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

four-stars