Category: Book Reviews

Before they were artists

Before they were artistsBefore They Were Artists: Famous Illustrators as Kids by Elizabeth Haidle
Published by Etch/Clarion Books on April 20, 2021
ISBN: 1328801543
Pages: 64
Genres: Arts, Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This is a collected biography of famous illustrators, and it chronicles their lives before they became famous artists. The artists depicted represent diverse cultural backgrounds and artistic styles. The book is laid out somewhat like a graphic novel, but includes a fair amount more text than typical graphic novels. Every artist profile begins with a two-page spread that includes beautiful watercolor illustrations and a timeline of the artist’s life at the bottom. Recommended for young readers and artists ages 8 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

100 Animals

100 Animals100 Animals (lift-the-flap padded board book) by Steve Jenkins
Published by Clarion Books on February 23, 2021
ISBN: 0358105455
Pages: 14
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

This is a board book with 100 animals displayed and named. Each two page spread features a different habitat—underwater, underground, treetop, etc. Each page has one flap that lifts to display a different drawing of the same animal. This book is simply listing and picturing the animals, there is no information about them. As a board book, it is good for babies who love flaps and different colors. Recommended for readers newborn to 2 yrs.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

The Delusionist

The DelusionistThe Delusionist by Don Calame
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on October 12, 2021
ISBN: 0763696897
Pages: 304
Genres: Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“The Delusionist” by Don Calame is a young adult novel about Quinn, a high school student who performs magic shows with his best friend, Perry. They receive invitations to the Masters of Magic Fantasy Camp, but will have to perform separately. This is the first wrench in their plan. The novel follows Quinn as he navigates Perry’s romantic issues, a new magical challenger who is talented, funny, and attractive, and his own feeling of inadequacy., all while trying to learn the ultimate magic trick from a washed-up magician/charlatan.

The book’s themes of accepting yourself and the importance of friendship are emphasized through Quinn’s emotional struggles. There are times when Quinn does very frustrating things, but he is a teenager and figuring out who he is/wants to be. “The Delusionist” is fairly funny, with humor geared towards high schoolers. Not a bad book, but not a must-buy. Purchase if Teen/YA humor novels are popular in your library collection.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

three-stars

Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales

Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous TalesBeasts and Beauty by Julia Iredale, Soman Chainani
Published by HarperCollins on September 21, 2021
ISBN: 006265263X
Pages: 336
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Fans of fractured fairy tales will be intrigued by these classic stories with more modern twists. Chainani includes topics of race, immigration, and LGBTQ relationships along with other current issues within familiar stories such as “Snow White”, “Beauty and the Beast”, and “Sleeping Beauty.” While these stories are intense, they are also refreshing. Many readers will rejoice as the Sea Witch tells the Little Mermaid the honest truth: That she does not know the name of her supposed true love, nor ever spoken to him, yet she is willing to mutilate herself when for all she knows “he could be a psychopath or a philanderer or a prince who prefers the company of men.”

There is a noticeable absence of quotation marks, which could throw some readers off a bit but is not enough of a hindrance to interfere with comprehension. 

Black and white as well as color illustrations adorn the pages throughout. 

Recommended for grades 6+

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars

Dogs at Work

Dogs at WorkDogs at Work: Good Dogs. Real Jobs. by Margaret Cardillo, Zachariah OHora
Published by Balzer + Bray on June 22, 2021
ISBN: 0062906313
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

What if dogs were the ones to go to work each day while the humans stayed home? “Dogs at Work” explores this very idea while also featuring some very real jobs that dogs do for us every day!

There are times when it is difficult to tell whose perspective the text is coming from–human or dog, but overall this is a cute introduction to working dogs that will invariably lead to lots of discussion and further investigation. The end of the book contains information about the real dogs who complete the jobs mentioned throughout as well as resources for more information. The illustrations have a very classic, vintage feel to them which will delight young and old readers alike.

Ages 4-8

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School. York

three-stars

Stealing Home

Stealing HomeStealing Home by David Namisato, J. Torres
Published by Kids Can Press on October 5, 2021
ISBN: 1525303341
Pages: 112
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars
Baseball loving Sandy and his family are living in Vancouver, British Columbia when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. It isn’t long before they are ripped away from their everyday life and sent to an internment camp. Sandy has difficulty adjusting to life at the camp and struggles to maintain a relationship with his father. Playing baseball brings back a sense of normalcy and camaraderie to an otherwise helpless and depressing situation.

Formatting this story as a graphic novel helps make this content accessible to the younger age group it is meant for. And the illustrations provide a stronger portrayal of the emotional impact of the discrimination and injustice faced by Japanese Canadian citizens (and their United States counterparts) than would be had by words alone. While the story seems to end a bit abruptly, it is nonetheless an important story to tell and a purchase that will add value to historical fiction collections in both school and public libraries. 

Grades 3-6

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

three-stars

The Deepest Breath

The Deepest BreathThe Deepest Breath by Meg Grehan
on May 9, 2019
ISBN: 0358354757
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Eleven year old Stevie is an Irish girl who is a bit obsessed with facts and finds comfort in knowing lots of things–knowing helps to keep her anxiety at bay. But lately Stevie is finding that she doesn’t have all of the answers. Because now when she looks at her best friend, Chloe, she gets a “fizzy feeling,” a feeling she’s not quite sure what to do with.

The Deepest Breath is a novel in verse and is quite short. There is no real resolution to Stevie’s anxiety, which makes the story seem unfinished. Regardless, readers will empathize with Stevie and will likely find that they relate to the confusion and delight of having a first crush. This is a gentle LGBTQ story, perfect for the younger end of middle grade.

Grades 4-6

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

three-stars

Snoozefest: The Surprising Science of Sleep

Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
three-stars
From the author of “This is Your Brain on Stereotypes” comes another middle school friendly dive into the workings of our brain, this time focused on all things sleep. Topics such as dreaming, sleep studies, and the effects of sleep on our health, memory, and happiness are briefly explored within about 55 pages. While the information isn’t extensive, students looking for some basic knowledge to start their research or who are just wanting some quick answers to their sleep questions will appreciate this easy to read and digest book. Colorful illustrations and side bars help to break up the text and add visual appeal.

“More to Explore” and “Selected Sources” included.

Recommended for grades 5-8.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

 

three-stars

It Could Be Worse

It Could Be WorseIt Could Be Worse by Einat Tsarfati
Published by Candlewick Press on June 29, 2021
ISBN: 1536217913
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Albertini and George are two sailors lost at sea, floating on the wreckage of their ship. As they encounter unfortunate situation after unfortunate situation, Albertini continues to get increasingly frustrated while George remains optimistic, musing “It could always be worse!”

This is a silly story that isn’t going to win any awards, but it could be a fun way to encourage children to reset and shift their perspective if they’re having a bad day. Because whether you are in the smelly belly of a whale or are being showered in the diarrhea of a school of flying fish, it could indeed always be worse!

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

 

three-stars

Nigel and the Moon

Nigel and the MoonNigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady, Gracey Zhang
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on February 15, 2022
ISBN: 0063056283
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Nigel and the Moon is a picture book about a child who shares his hopes and dreams with the moon, of being an astronaut, a dancer, a superhero. The parallels of his secret wishes and his school’s career week put into sharp focus the distinct differences between Nigel’s inner world and his outer, with Nigel eventually finding pride and peace with the important, concrete jobs of his parents and also honoring his grand possibilities for his future. 

This picture book’s words and illustrations go hand in hand to lead Nigel to his confident conclusion and hopefully will lead children to the same. Dream big and share those dreams! 

Submitted by Mary Randall, Children’s Librarian, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, ME

five-stars