Oh No, Ojò

January 23, 2026

Oh No, Ojó! by Alaba Onajin
Published by Random House Studio on July 15, 2025
ISBN: 0593805720
Genres: Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Ojò loves to draw and his mama thinks his drawings make their home a more beautiful place. Ojò needs to learn where he can color and where he can’t when his Papa brings him a new set of markers and Ojò thinks the walls make a wonderful canvas for his art and he draws everywhere in and around their home!
In their search for a solution big sister Oge brings him a pad of paper and Mama can hang his art on the walls.
Based on the author's own childhood.

Ages 4-6
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

The Boy, the Troll & the Chalk

January 22, 2026

The Boy, the Troll & the Chalk by Anne Booth, David Litchfield
ISBN: 1536243973
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

The Boy, the Troll & the Chalk

Anne Booth. Illustrated by David Litchfield

This picture book for ages 3-7 is about a big fierce troll who lived in the cave.
“Leave me alone!” it yelled. And everyone did leave the troll alone, except for a red-headed boy who brought some chalk up to the mouth of the cave and drew a flower with every petal colored in but one. The boy leaves the chalk behind and next day, he finds that the flower has been completed. Day by day, the troll finishes the boy’s drawings, until they each draw self-portraits holding hands. The boy tells the troll that he isn’t a big scary troll at all, but rather a boy just like him. The two boys start drawing together and soon all the other children gather to join in and draw with chalk. Everyone forgets that there was a troll inside the cave. This is a sweet story about patience, friendship, and the power of shared art. Unfortunately, the reader never learns why the “troll” was so isolated and despondent, which detracts from building empathy and understanding.

3 stars

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

How to Say Goodbye in Cuban

January 22, 2026

How to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Miyares
Published by Anne Schwartz Books on September 30. 2025
ISBN: 059356829X
Genres: Immigrants
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Carlos and his family live in the Cuban countryside in 1958. They are hardworking, loving, and happy together. One day his Papi wins the lottery and they are able to build a new home and woodshop in the city. They leave their beloved countryside and grandparents behind, much to Carlos’ dismay.
This all happens in the midst of the Revolution when Fidel Castro overthrows the government and creates an alliance with communist Russia. Carlos’ family life is thrown into chaos. Tempers are short and Papi is often away from home. Carlos and his siblings don’t know where he goes or what he is doing but they are scared and unsure.
This heartfelt story is in graphic novel format with chapters of Carlos’ family life separated by brief non-fiction historical material. With the illustrations we are drawn into this story which is not only that of a young boy and his family but an excellent introduction to this point in Cuban history.

Ages 8-12
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

An Embroidery of Souls

January 22, 2026

Published by Knopf Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Format: Young Adult
four-stars

Jade, a thread speaker, has the rare skill of being able to control souls using embroidery. A remarkable talent, but one she is reluctant to use given the consequences it can have. Lukas is trying to do right by his family after the deaths of his father and sister, and is wary of thread speakers due to a family tragedy. When these two meet and find themselves working together to track down a mysterious murderer whose modus operandi involves eye gouging, they find that their histories are as intertwined as the colors Jade sees in human souls.

Inspired by German and Mexican folklore, An Embroidery of Souls is a YA romantasy with a touch of pirate adventure. The romance is slow-going, but the mystery stays intriguing, and the kaleidoscope of emotions and attributes that Jade can see in the human soul is beautifully inventive. Romantasy fans will enjoy this but those looking for more action might find themselves tuning in and out.

Note: Probably best not to recommend this to those with emetophobia.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

The Big Book of Barf: A Spewnami of Sick Science, Hurled History, and Body Oddities

January 21, 2026March 21, 2026

The Big Book of Barf: A Spewnami of Sick Science, Hurled History, and Body Oddities by Vicky Lorencen
Published by Bright Matter Books on January 28, 2025
ISBN: 0593707915
Pages: 279
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Just what every elementary school library and public library children’s room needs is an encyclopedic book about vomit. And Lorencen delivers. This 275-page reference book collects all of the different words and concepts related to vomit from A-to-Z. Using color and many text features, Lorencen offers facts, vocabulary, science concepts, and more (a recipe for “vomit”!) to cover with great thoroughness all of the ways we have found in the English language to discuss this gastric phenomena. This book is truly not for the faint-stomached and those who have a sensitive gag-reflex and true emetophobia will want to leave it on the shelf. But for those who delight in the gross, the gloppy, the barf-tastic, this book will be a fun read. There are a lot of puns and some word play that might hinder a newer reader.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School

History Smashers: Ancient Egypt

January 21, 2026

History Smashers: Ancient Egypt by Kate Messner
Series: History Smashers
Published by Random House on 10/07/2025
ISBN: 0593902335
Genres: History
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Kate Messner is back to smash more myths, this time focusing on ancient Egypt. This engaging nonfiction book will educate readers on topics like King Tut, mummies, the pyramids, and hieroglyphs. Readers will learn about ancient Egypt as a whole including what life was like during different time periods under different rulers and how the rulers came to power. Messner also discusses how different artifacts were discovered and explains why many of the artifacts are in museums outside of Egypt.

This nonfiction book is perfect for elementary students who want to learn about ancient Egypt. Primarily narrative nonfiction, this text is broken up in fun and interesting ways. There are photographs of ancient artifacts, like the Rosetta Stone and King Tut’s trumpet and some content is in panels like a graphic novel. This book includes a table of contents and an index to help readers quickly find information as well as a timeline and bibliography, perfect for readers learning about nonfiction text features. This book would be a great addition to nonfiction collections in school or public libraries.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

Punch!:A Story About Kindness

January 19, 2026

Punch!: A Story About Kindness – A Funny Picture Book About Empathy and Bullying for Kids (Ages 4-8) by Michael Hall
Published by HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks on 2025
ISBN: 0062866214
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Before the story even begins, readers may find themselves wondering why the author titled a story about kindness, “Punch!” The inside front cover directs the reader to “look at the pictures very carefully” and notes, “Some words have more than one meaning.” The copyright pages shows Badger and Snaily sharing good times in a series of snapshots .

Badger, the main character, bursts onto the first page of the story, “looking for trouble”, angry and red in the face. Pulling a wagon carrying among other things, a shovel and pitchfork, he proceeds to physically hurt Elephant, Bear, Frog and Moose, without provocation or explanation.

The blocky cut out characters on a white background, allow us to focus on the animals’ facial expressions and the undercurrents of what is left unsaid. The friends are understandably bewildered and make a three-part plan to “teach (Badger) a lesson”.

In Part 1, as Badger digs a hole, Bear approaches him with “Punch!” (to drink); in Part 2, Badger smooths a pile of dirt and is surprised by Moose and Frog, who give Badger a “Belt!” and “Sock!” (to wear). Part 3 shows Badger placing flowers on a gravestone for his friend Snaily and Elephant “really let(ting) Badger have it” . . . . a “Slug!” (to care for). Readers will enjoy the way the story plays with the double meaning of the action words that turn into symbols of tenderness and empathy, even as they feel distress at understanding that Snaily has died.

As Badger accepts the compassion his friends are showing him, and allows them to support him in his grief over losing Snaily, something in him loosens and allows Badger to return the kindness.

This would be a positive story for families to read together to discuss empathy and an important life lesson: sometimes we lash out when we’re in pain and friends can choose to respond in kind, or with kindness. Punch!may need an immediate second reading for young readers to synthesize the story’s words with its images and message.

Recommended for public school libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

The Baby who Stayed Awake Forever

January 18, 2026January 18, 2026

The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever by Sandra Salsbury
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers ISBN: 0593805879
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This funny, relatable story for families with new babies, is perfect for bedtime. Follow along hour to hour as Mom, Dad and big sis try everything to get the baby to sleep, from good night kisses to pacifiers to cuddles. Nothing works.Even Mr. Neighbor wonders if the baby is going to stay awake forever.

Using humor that older siblings and parents will relate to, the reader is privvy to baby’s thoughts. Her master plan is to stay awake forever, exploring the wonders of the universe, jumping “fifty times in a row. Or one hundred times. Nobody knows, because babies can’t count.”

The illustrations are playful and alternate through full-page spreads, vignettes, panels and close-ups of Baby and family as she flings binkies, probes Papa’s face, and revels in her nighttime hijinks. Baby’s eyes are wide and round as saucers as everyone else’s eyelids get heavier and heavier.

This would be a delightful addition to a public library collection.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

The Dysfunctional Family’s Guide to Murder

January 16, 2026

The Dysfunctional Family's Guide to Murder by Kate Emery
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on October 21, 2025 (USA)
Genres: Family, Humor, Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Format: Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

When Ruth’s step-grandmother is found dead – murdered! – on the very morning that everyone is meant to head home after a long weekend at the remote family ranch, she knows it’s time to turn all her crime-reading hours into crime-solving expertise.

Teaming up with her too-cute-for-comfort and newly sort-of cousin Dylan as the Hastings to her Poirot, Ruth begins her investigation. Of course, the fact that the likely murderer is someone in the house – and therefore family (or family adjacent) is less than ideal. But Ruth doesn’t let that stop her. The real problem, she explains to the reader, is that there will be a second body before the end.

This younger YA/older middle grade Agatha Christie-esque whodunnit set in Western Australia is a lot of fun, and perfect for middle grade readers who enjoy a twisty mystery with an engaging, tell-it-like-it-is heroine. While there are two dead bodies, it avoids any goriness that might put some readers off and (spoiler alert!) in the end it transpires that neither death was actually murder – both were accidental. However, that plot point cleverly unfolds in a way that allows for a happy resolution, without disappointing the reader or feeling anticlimactic.

Highly recommend; an excellent addition to library shelves. 5 stars.

– Jenny Martinez, Maine State Library

Where Shadows Bloom

January 15, 2026

Where Shadows Bloom by Catherine Bakewell
Published by Harper on February 11, 2025
ISBN: 0063359081
Genres: Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Shadows – deadly monsters that move silently in the night – keep Ofelia little more than a prisoner in her well-guarded home. One of those guards is Lope, who has trained her entire life to be a knight defending Ofelia. Over the years, as their friendship has grown strong, other feelings have grown between them as well, though the difference in their stations prevents Lope from acting on those feelings, and Ofelia from understanding them.

Only the king’s palace offers a safe refuge from the Shadows. Driven by the increasing danger, Ofelia’s mother agrees to go there to ask for shelter for herself and Ofelia. But when she doesn’t return, Ofelia and Lope set out after her. When they arrive, they find her mother has mysteriously disappeared. Revelations unfold; Ofelia learns she is the daughter of the king himself, and he lays claim to her affection while promising her mother is safe. At first she believes him, but Lope, left to her own devices, begins to uncover strange inconsistencies in the king’s highly controlled and madly festive court. The Shadows, she realizes, originate from the palace itself. The king is not the protector of the land, chosen by the will of beneficent gods; he rules because of a deal struck with the Lord of the Underworld and is, in fact, the villain.

Now Lope is trying to protect Ofelia from herself, and the power-hungry king, as well as from the Shadows. Ofelia refuses to believe Lope’s assertion that the king is behind the world’s evil, causing a rift between them. Finally – though now apart – both realize the deadly truth behind the king’s illusions, and that the only way forward is into the underworld, where they might be able to save the other, if not themselves. But a whole new adventure awaits them there, and it is soon clear that sacrificing their lives is not what will change the world above.

Bakewell’s magical, atmospheric novel builds in intensity as the protagonists begin to more deeply understand both the world they exist in, and the depth of their feelings for one another. Unexpected twists allow the reader to get lost in the sometimes dreamy, fairy-tale quality of the story as well as to appreciate the thoughtful world-building and hopeful resolution. Will appeal to readers of sapphic romance, dark-ish fantasy, and satisfying endings.

– Jenny Martinez, Maine State Library