Category: Book Reviews

The Richest Cow in the World

The Richest Cow in the WorldThe Richest Cow in the World by Barroux
ISBN: 1525314114
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A new take on the classic fisherman’s parable. Cow is taking a nap beneath his apple tree, when Pig comes along imagining all the ways Cow could turn a profit from the apples (making pies, selling merchandise, buying more trees and more land). Cow is intrigued and asks what happens next, after he becomes the richest cow in the world. Well – then the fun begins, explains Pig, by selling the business, Cow can then buy a small island and find a peaceful spot to nap in the shade. This reimagined classic tale is a great reminder to have balance and enjoy life. Watercolor and ink illustrations are so fun and expressive. Recommended for ages 4 to 8 (Pre-K to 2nd Grade).

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

four-stars

Baa Haa

Baa HaaBaa Haa by Audrey Perrott, Ross Burach
ISBN: 1546134034
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Everything makes Babette laugh. Babette laughs when she is surprised, excited, and glad. But she also laughs when nothing is funny – when she is nervous, scared, in trouble, mad, or sad. It is just easier for Babette to cover up her real feelings with silliness. Until one day – the knot in her stomach is just too big to ignore. Her caring friends come to the rescue, sensing that she’s not really okay, and remind Babette that they love her for her, no matter what she’s feeling. From then on – Babette lets her real feelings show.

The text is full of animal puns, and the cartoon-like illustrations are bright, colorful, and full of emotion. A sweet book with an important message; this book could be used as a tool to remind children to share their true feelings, even if those feelings aren’t positive. Recommended for ages 4 to 8 (Pre-K to 2nd Grade).

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

four-stars

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