Category: Book Reviews

Mystery of the Lost Lynx

Mystery of the Lost LynxMystery of the Lost Lynx (Cooper and Packrat, #5) by Tamra Wight, Carl DiRocco
Published by Islandport Press on May 17, 2022
ISBN: 1952143365
Pages: 240
Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In this fifth installment of Cooper & Packrat (or as I like to think of them as modern day Hardy Boys), the unique wintertime setting is at the Wilder family campground in Maine. Aspiring game warden Cooper Wilder and his friend Packrat, the boy of many pockets, are setting up for the winter festival when they learn of a poacher in the area. These eco-mysteries are fun to read and the environmental intrigue is perfect for outdoorsy middle-grade readers. They are also good read alouds, especially for predicting what will happen, but I would start with the first book. Tamara Wight is from Maine.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Sir Ladybug and the Queen Bee

Sir Ladybug and the Queen BeeSir Ladybug and the Queen Bee (Sir Ladybug, #2) by Corey R. Tabor
Published by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen on June 28, 2022
ISBN: 0063069091
Pages: 72
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

“Sir Ladybug and the Queen Bee” by Corey R. Tabor is the second book in the Sir Ladybug series of graphic novels. Broken up into chapters, the book follows Sir Ladybug, a knight, on a quest to stop the Queen Bee from being a bully and teach her to “bee kind.” The illustrations are simple and colorful and are very easy to follow. The style of the illustrations adds additional humor to the story and will make readers laugh. The story is relatable and treats the subject, bullying, in a serious way without sacrificing the overall humorous tone of the book. Good for classrooms, parents, and libraries, this book is aimed at children in grades 1-5.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library

four-stars

Marley and the Family Band

Marley and the Family BandMarley and the Family Band by Cedella Marley, Tracey Baptiste, Tiffany Rose, D
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on February 1, 2022
ISBN: 0593301110
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Marley, recently transplanted from Jamaica to Delaware, is hoping to make music and friends at the same time through a concert in the park. The concert is in jeopardy, however, because of a threatening storm. Never fear — Marley is resilient, resourceful, and about to learn that helping strangers turns them into friends. As the rainstorm creates problems for her neighbors (cats on rooftops! Basements in need of bailing!), Marley and her siblings lend assistance.

It is a simple story with brief but descriptive text, lots of musical references (a cat named “Coda”), and lyrical text (“a drenched, dripping duet”). The brightly colored, dynamic illustrations, created with digital crayons and watercolor brushes, incorporate musical notes on almost every page. Readers are shown a diverse cast of characters, with Marley’s father and a younger brother in dreads; Mom wears a head wrap. The predictable patterns and satisfying conclusion make this a great choice for a musical story time.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library

four-stars

Jigsaw: Mystery in the Mail

Jigsaw: Mystery in the MailJigsaw: Mystery in the Mail by Bob Graham
Published by Candlewick Press on July 5, 2022
ISBN: 1536224995
Pages: 40
Genres: Mystery
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

The Kelly family receives a mystery puzzle in the mail and just as they are about to finish it, they realize they are missing the last piece. Readers will have to pay close attention to the illustrations in order to solve the mystery of the missing puzzle piece. However, the second mystery of who sent the puzzle to the Kelly family is left for the reader to imagine. This picture book about family and serendipity contains detailed watercolor illustrations that span from full-page to graphic-novel-styled panels. Each illustration complements the text perfectly. This story filled with hope and wishes that eventually things will find their right spot will appeal to many young readers.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

three-stars

Buddy’s New Buddy

Buddy’s New BuddyBuddy's New Buddy by Christina Geist, Tim Bowers
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on July 12, 2022
ISBN: 0593307097
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

This is the third book in Geist’s Buddy series. Buddy’s best friend has moved away and Buddy is nervous about who he will play with at school and sit with on the bus. Luckily, Buddy’s class gets a new student, Sunny, and it seems like she and Buddy will become good friends. Consider purchasing if the Buddy Series is popular in your library; otherwise, not a first purchase.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

two-stars

Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas

Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma ThomasAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Walker Harvey, Loveis Wise
Published by HarperCollins on February 22, 2022
ISBN: 0063021897
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The picture book memoir about the artist Alma Thomas is also a story about segregation and perseverance. Alma was born in Georgia and was not allowed to attend the white school in her neighborhood. Her family bought books and invited teachers to their homes to help educate their children. Alma loved to learn but she also loved to be outside and her artwork reflects the colors of the natural world. Thomas grew up to be an educator and did not work on her own art until she was 70 and became the first African-American woman to have a solo show at The Whitney Museum of American Art and to have her work become part of the White House Collection. The illustrations in this book reflect the style of Thomas and many of her works are recreated for readers to see. With words from President Obama, an Author’s and Illustrator’s Note, a timeline, and source notes, this book is a wealth of information for readers of all ages. This book should be part of any library’s picture book biography collection and would make for a fabulous resource and display for Women’s History Month and Black History Month.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

five-stars

Hundred Years of Happiness

Hundred Years of HappinessHundred Years of Happiness by Thanhha Lai, Phung Nguyen Quang, Huynh Kim Lien
Published by HarperCollins on April 5, 2022
ISBN: 0063026929
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

From the celebrated author of Inside Out and Back Again, this picture book features An’s relationship with her grandparents, particularly her grandmother Bá who is experiencing memory loss. An and her grandfather Ông, try to stir Bá’s memories by growing a fruit that they ate when they were married in Vietnam. The author, Thanhhà Lai, addresses Bá’s memory loss realistically and tenderly, without providing an unrealistic ending to the story. Vietnamese words are included throughout the book, as well as an author’s note about her memories of Vietnam, and a recipe in the back. This book will bring a diverse voice to grandparent/grandchild stories in any library and it would pair well with Rashin Kheiriyeh’s Saffron Ice Cream for a lesson on food and memory. School librarians and teachers could use these books as mentor texts when asking students to write about a food that reminds them of a memory or a place.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

five-stars

Build

BuildBuild! by Red Nose Studio
Published by Anne Schwartz Books on May 17, 2022
ISBN: 0593376110
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Bold 3D objects made with wire, fabric, wood, and found objects illustrate the double-paged spreads in this entertaining picture book about construction. The images at the beginning are close-up to visualize a single word such as haul, unload, or lower. About three-quarters of the way through, the view expands and readers see a boy and realize they are not at a construction site, but with a boy playing. When the boy pulls out one piece of his structure, it causes everything to fall. The last pages feature the word “again” and shows the boy beginning a new building, but it could also be taken as an invitation to begin reading this delightfully imaginative book one more time! This book is a solid choice for school libraries with Pre-k programs and any library serving the youngest readers. Bonus: the inside of the book jacket is a poster illustrating all the machinery in the book!

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

four-stars

I’m Up

I’m UpI'm Up! by Antoinette Portis
Published by Clarion Books on January 18, 2022
ISBN: 0358181348
Pages: 22
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

Early risers will enjoy this humorous board book. Small enough for little hands, “I’m Up!” will be dragged around the house to be enjoyed in every room. Young toddlers will love the colorful pages but parents will most identify with the dark background morning illustration. Cheer and happiness surround this new family as the birds fly, the flowers grow, and parents prepare their little one for the day. The author/illustrator has drawn circles throughout, it is the dominant shape. Perhaps the best two-page spread shows baby being rescued from the crib. Consider adding this colorful and joyful title to public libraries with board book collections. This title has a companion book.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired Youth Services Librarian

three-stars

I’m Still Up

I’m Still UpI'm Still Up! by Antoinette Portis
Published by Clarion Books on January 18, 2022
ISBN: 0358181356
Pages: 22
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

A simple and appropriately small board book that will entertain young toddlers. While the theme is simplistic many new parents deal with the reality that their baby is not a good sleeper. The illustrations are large and the facial expressions reveal emotion making this a good introductory book for little ones. Siblings may want to read out loud to a younger child because of the cute cat and dog pictures. New parents are apt to learn that bedtime can be a real struggle.

Readers may wish that all the pages had light backgrounds. Libraries that collect board books may want to consider this and its companion book “I’m Up!”.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired Youth Services Librarian

three-stars