Category: Book Reviews

King Alfred and the Ice Coffin

King Alfred and the Ice CoffinKing Alfred and the Ice Coffin by Chris Riddell, Kevin Crossley-Holland
ISBN: 1536238805
Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction
Format: Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

King Alfred loved stories and had a wish for his people to read books in their native language. So, he learned Latin in order to translate important texts and stories into English. One day, a sailor named Wulfstan comes to the King’s court to tell a tale from the northern seas. After enduring a terrible storm, Wulfstan and his crew had become shipwrecked in Maarahvas. During their stay, they witnessed the celebration of life of one of the town’s leaders, which included viewing the deceased leader in an ice coffin, and dispersing his riches in a horse race. Captivated by the story, King Alfred pledges to record it so that it will never be forgotten. This book is formatted as a long picture book, with stunningly detailed monochromatic illustrations. Recommended for ages 9-11 (4th to 6th Grade).

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

four-stars

V. Malar: Greatest Host of All Time

V. Malar: Greatest Host of All TimeV. Malar: Greatest Host of All Time by Archana Sreenivasan, Suma Subramaniam
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536229113
Genres: Cultural / African American, Realistic Fiction
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

It is time for the South Indian celebration of Pongal (the harvest festival). Malar’s cousins have come all the way from Seattle to join in the four-day celebration. She tries to be a super host after her mom reminds her, “we will treat our guests like gods, no matter what.” But that turns out to be difficult when her jet-lagged homesick cousins routinely act out (ruining the kolam rice powder decoration, complaining that everything is small, and more). Despite their misadventures and squabbles, they find camaraderie by the end of the festival and are very sad to say goodbye. Such a sweet story of reuniting families with different cultural experiences. Fun illustrations break up the text and help the reader to visualize the celebrations (though the illustrations may have missed an opportunity by being in black and white, given the vivid and colorful descriptions throughout the text). Glossary at the end. Recommended for ages 8-9 (3rd to 4th Grade).

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

four-stars

Harriet Hound

Harriet HoundHarriet Hound by Kate Foster, Sophie Beer
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536238104
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Harriet lives with her family in Australia and helps run their dog rescue. She has a very special super power – she can call on any of the dogs in her shelter and they will magically appear, understand what to do, and help her!  Harriet uses her super power to help solve problems in three different adventures, finding her shelter dogs forever homes in the process. The problems she faces are appropriate for the youngest readers (for example, vanishing vegetables at a friend’s garden), but may be lackluster for the more thrill-seeking readers. Harriet is also autistic, and the book does an amazing job at explaining what that means for Harriet in an understandable and relatable way (such as wearing headphones in the car, or stimming when she’s nervous). There are also so many fun facts about different dog breeds throughout the book. A solid addition to any juvenile fiction collection, particularly for animal lovers and increasing autism awareness. Recommended for ages 7-8 (2nd to 3rd Grade).

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

four-stars

When We Gather: (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal Feast

When We Gather: (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal FeastWhen We Gather (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal Feast by Andrea L. Rogers, Madelyn Goodnight
ISBN: 0063076799
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This beautiful book covers so many desirable picture book categories: Indigenous knowledge and traditions, community, sustainability, family, food, caring for our elders, and so much more.

At the start of the story, a Cherokee girl welcomes the onset of spring. Details of tasks being done by different family members help set the tone, and readers will enjoy the family adventure to gather wild onions. The tale continues as everyone makes their way to the community center to help prepare a meal. Various traditional dishes are described and recipes are included in the back of the book.

In addition to the recipes, back matter includes a glossary of native words, a note to the reader, and a longer and more detailed author’s note. When We Gather was published in association with We Need Diverse Books. This selection is recommended for all libraries with picture book collections.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

five-stars

Find Out About Animal Tools

Find Out About Animal ToolsFind Out About Animal Tools by Jane McGuinness, Martin Jenkins
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536234044
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Martin and McGuinness have teamed up to make a lovely series of illustrated books about animals. This title teaches readers about some of the ways different animals use tools as adaptations.

Cleverly, there are two levels of text on each page. For example: “This one spits water at bugs – it’s got great aim.” is followed by a brief paragraph detailing how archerfish shoot jets of water at their insect prey. This allows the story to be read and enjoyed readers of different ages and abilities.

Illustrations are gentle and charming. The otters that grace the cover are sure to be a favorite with readers. This book is recommended for libraries needing to bulk up nature-themed books in their picture book section.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

three-stars

Oak: The Littlest Leaf Girl

Oak: The Littlest Leaf Girlby Lucy Fleming
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 978153623882
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
four-stars

Tiny Oak spends her days blissfully playing in a tree with her family and a  wide circle of forest animals. When the days cool off and her family starts packing to move into a warmer home for the winter, Oak panics at the idea of leaving the life she loves so much. So she doesn’t; she determinedly stays in the tree, alone, until she realizes that her home isn’t the tree-it’s wherever your loved ones are.

A cozy, nicely illustrated book about the difficulty of change and the ways family can help us through it.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

The Café at the Edge of the Woods

The Café at the Edge of the WoodsThe Café at the Edge of the Woods by Mikey Please
on October 1, 2024
ISBN: 0063345498
Genres: Fantasy, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

I have been holding off on writing a review about this one. If I could, I would give it 4 ½ stars. If you like the humor in Jon Klassen books, you will likely enjoy this one, too. Rene opens a café beside an enchanted forest and hires Glumfoot, a gnomish-like creature, as a waiter. Nobody shows up to sample her fine cuisine so Glumfoot goes out into the forest to solicit a customer. An ogre comes to the café and orders pickled bats, slugs, and battered mice! Rene cooks a bowl of rice but Glumfoot transforms it into a maggot fondue. The ogre loves it and returns with his friends. Rene  and Glumfoot make a great team and the café is a success. The cartoon-like illustrations are colorful and appealing. Not surprising since Mikey Please is an award winning animator. The plot is taut and the rhyming solid. Some may be disturbed by the disgusting dishes and  “A bag of bats! That smells like fart!” Others will be enchanted and find it hilarious. Choose your audience.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Go Well, Anna Hibiscus

Go Well, Anna HibiscusGo Well, Anna Hibiscus! by Atinuke, Lauren Tobia
Published by Candlewick Press on April 3, 2014,2024
ISBN: 1536238112
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

The 6th book in the reissued Anna Hibiscus series, a beginning chapter book with numerous black-and-white drawings throughout. As in the other books in the series, Anna lives in Africa in the country Nigeria in a city called Lagos. In this installment, Anna is going with her family and grandfather on a trip to the village where her grandparents used to live. This involves a ride on a packed, sweaty bus through the rainforest and scrubland, and through fields of bananas and oranges and sugarcane. It is still  a long walk away through the bush from where the bus dropped them off. Anna has never been to the bush before and there is no road, no running water, and no electricity. Anna is a spirited little girl who likes to learn new things. There are few books  that depict an adventurous girl with a white mom and a Black father, growing up in Africa. This series exposes children to life in Nigeria – both city and bush – and can expand a study of Africa beyond the amazing animals that live there. Approximately a 2nd-grade independent reading level but can be enjoyed as a readaloud with much younger children. (A 5-year-old at my library loves this series!)

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Thank You

Thank YouThank You by Jarvis
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536235865
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

A simple, sweet book about all the things the young boy is thankful for – “the moon for the nighttime” to “tyrannosaurus for being the longest word I know.” Incredibly creative collage illustrations accompanying the single thing he lists that he is thankful for on each page.  The boy presents as white but some of the other children are other ethnicities. However, you will always recognize the boy by the red hat he wears. The end pages are covered with words for “thank you” in different languages . This book could be used at Thanksgiving (or anytime) to enlighten kids about some of the unusual things that enrich their lives followed by a discussion about what for which they are grateful.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

No More Señora Mimí

No More Señora MimíNo More Señora Mimí by Brittany Cicchese, Meg Medina
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536219444
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Young Ana’s daily routine includes hanging out with her upstairs neighbor señora Mimí (and Mimí’s baby and dog) both before and after school while Ana’s mother is at work. Things are about to change, however, with the arrival of Abuela, who will be moving in with Ana and helping with the childcare. Ana is super excited about this until she has the realization that the routine she loves will end, as will the role that Mimí has played in her life.

What could have been a more straightforward picture book about change is transformed by Medina into a nuanced exploration of mixed emotions in young children and a glimpse into the bond that caretakers and children can have. The book would be easy to recommend for all kinds of  life events that might feel overwhelming, but it also fills a niche yet crucial need for children struggling with saying goodbye to caregivers, making it a terrific addition to any library.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars