Category: Book Reviews

To See An Owl

To See An OwlTo See an Owl by Matthew Cordell
Published by Random House Studio on January 7, 2025
ISBN: 0593649893
Pages: 38
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings, Nature, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Janie’s long hoped of seeing an owl. Accompanied by her devoted mother, Janie searches the woods and surrounding area. Not a single owl has presented itself after months of searching. Janie gets a tip from her teacher and experienced birder Mr. Koji. When Janie goes to the location he suggested, she spots two horned owls.

Beautiful pen-and-ink illustrations treated with watercolors convey the young birder’s drawings, notes, and map.  There are also subtler moments, such as  Mama’s unease while exploring or the time when the two miss a hidden owl in the illustration. Janie (aka Cordell) includes a page in her journal of the sounds different owls make. This book is informative and a pleasurable exploration of the magic of nature. Nicely paired with Jane Yolen’s Owl Moon (1987). For ages 6-9.

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

five-stars

Your Island

Your IslandYour Island by Jon Klassen
Series: Your Places
Published by Candlewick Press on February 4, 2025
ISBN: 1536230812
Genres: board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Part of a board-book series that includes Your Forest (2025) and Your Farm (2025). Familiar objects and employing a rhythm suited for reading aloud before bedtime, an island grows with all its cumulative items, including a tent, a fire, a boat, and a bird. it ends  when the sun goes down. This island is for the child to have whenever they want to visit there.

Not as dark as some of Klassen’s books for older children but still humorous. The repetition allows for pattern recognition and subtly reinforces spatial concepts. Simple and delightful for ages 2-5.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Bibsy Cross and the Creepy-Crawlies

Bibsy Cross and the Creepy-CrawliesBibsy Cross and the Creepy-Crawlies by Dung Ho, Liz Garton Scanlon
Series: Bibsy Cross, #3, #3
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on January 7, 2025
ISBN: 0593644492
Pages: 128
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner, Nature, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Bibsy is reminiscent of a modern-day Ramona. In this free-verse third book, Bibsy and her group must create a self-sustaining pickle-jar terrarium. When Bibsy notices mold growing in the terrarium,  she devises a way to put things right. Disaster ensues.

Eight-year-old Bibsy is a likable protagonist despite the  havoc she creates, and this is what will appeal to kids. Ho’s frequent artwork enhances the story, but I found the fluorescent green pages with white font difficult to read. It was okay  with its limited use in the drawings, Bibsy is light-skinned; but her  best friend Natia is dark-skinned. Her classmates are diverse.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

 

four-stars

Orris and Timble: Lost and Found

Orris and Timble: Lost and FoundOrris and Timble: Lost and Found by Carmen Mok, Kate DiCamillo
Series: Orris and Timble
Published by Candlewick Press on April 29, 2025
ISBN: 1536225304
Pages: 80
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Children's Beginning Readers, Farm Life, Nature
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Unlikely friends Timble the owl and Orris the rat suffer a sudden separation in this second book of a planned trilogy. i liked this book even more. than the first one. Each night, Timble visits Orris in the barn and listens to his stories. Orris is growing bigger and one evening Timble doesn’t show and Orris feels abandoned. When Timble  doesn’t appear the second night, his feelings turn resentful. When Timble finally does return and explains how he was lost, Orris heeds the slogan on the salvaged sardine tin, “Make the good and noble choice”,

As the Library Journal reviewer stated (and I could not figure out how to say it better), “DiCamillo’s short chapters and simple sentences, paired with Mok’s spare, sepia-toned, neatly drawn pictures of barnyard settings, will appeal to early elementary readers, and younger if shared as a read-aloud.” Children will relate to this tender story of hurt feelings, misunderstandings, and  forgiveness. Ages 6-8.

I know we usually don’t nominate a second book in a series for Cream of the Crop, but I am making an exception.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Molly, Olive, and Dexter: You Can’t Catch Me

Molly, Olive, and Dexter: You Can’t Catch MeMolly, Olive, and Dexter: You Can't Catch Me! by Catherine Rayner
Series: Mollie, Olive, and Dexter
Published by Candlewick Press on January 28, 2025
ISBN: 153623558X
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Book three in the Molly, Olive and Dexter series. In this book Molly the hare, Olive the owl and Dexter the fox, play a simple game of tag. Dexter the fox is frustrated when his owl and hare friends keep winning their chasing game until he remembers that he is clever. The feeling of being left behind or slower than others will resonate with young readers.

The best part of these books are Rayner’s  lovely watercolorlike illustrations . The pleasing pastoral scenes of fields and old stone walls, and especially the adorable animals, are charming with just a touch of sparkle added to the book jacket. The simple comfort of this gentle world is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Other Stories

Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Other StoriesGoldilocks and the Three Bears and Other Stories: (For Kids Ages 2-5) (Lucy Cousins Nursery Stories) by Lucy Cousins
Series: Lucy Cousins Nursery Stories
Published by Candlewick on September 3, 2025
ISBN: 153623477X
Genres: Fairy Tale, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Three familiar stories get repackaged in this new edition: “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” as well as “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” and “The Little Red Hen.” Originally published in 2009 titled Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales. The first shorter book in the 2-book series is Little Red Riding Hood and Other Stories: “Little Red Riding Hood,” “The Three Little Pigs,” and “The Enormous Turnip.” The stories are largely true to the retelling of the familiar tales with slight changes, e.g. the porridge is “too salty,” and the dog, cat and goose tell the Little Red Hen, “I’m busy.” instead of “Not I.” These changes do not distract and possibly add to the stories.

The illustrations are simple and in the typical style of other Cousin’s book illustrations. They will be visually interesting to preschool children with eye-catching patterns and details. I loved the troll! Add this book to library collections where simple introductions to fairytale retellings are needed and to where there are devotees of the author.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Earl & Worm : The Bad Idea and Other Stories

Earl & Worm : The Bad Idea and Other StoriesEarl & Worm #1: The Bad Idea and Other Stories (Earl and Worm) by Greg Pizzoli
Published by Alfred A. Knopf ISBN: 0593649664
Genres: Animals, Children's Beginning Readers
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

The first book in a new series about a bird and a worm. You might think that the action will center around the fact that birds eat worms, but Greg Pizzoli disregards this and instead the two become friends … of sorts. Worm is grouchy, set in her ways, and unwelcoming of her new neighbor. Early bird Earl is noisy  and a tad clueless. However, his good nature over three stories wins over the curmudgeonly worm.

Typical Pizzoli-style mischievous cartoon illustrations of these anamorphic characters will appeal to early readers and  strengthen the notion how these different neighbors become best friends. Book two, The Big Mess and Other Stories, and Book three, Snow Problem and Other Stories, are already available which leads me to believe that these friends will take their place among Early Readers Elephant & Piggie and Frog & Toad.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Bored Panda

Bored PandaBored Panda by Chuck Dillon, Mike Bender
Published by Random House on April 29, 2025
ISBN: 0593433602
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Panda is bored because the Wi-fi is out. Mother suggests he go for a walk in the woods. Panda thinks this will be boring and he encounters some lame characters who have boring ideas, but he discovers that they have created some pretty cool things. Maybe being bored isn’t so awful after all.

This is a worthy message albeit a somewhat predictable storyline.  The illustrations are bright and energetic, and the humor will appeal to young children. Panda’s right eye is surrounded by dark fur, similar to the logo for the content-aggregating website Bored Panda. It suggests to 4-8 year olds to put down their devices for a time.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

The Tour at School!

The Tour at School!The Tour at School by Katie Clapham, Nadia Shireen
ISBN: 1536242985
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

SPOILER ALERT!!!! A truly funny picture book that does not skimp on all caps or exclamation points. This is a “how-to-give-an elementary-school-tour” from the perspective of a super-enthusiastic Tour Guide, as she leads an overwhelmed New Person around, from the bathrooms (with its amazing echos) to the playground (where students play “Tag-You’re It” and “Worldwide” Hairdressers”) and many other important locations in the school.

The guide is a young girl with dark brown skin and hair in two neat braids; her bright red glasses emphasize her expressions, and she has a lot of them. The tour recipient has a hoodie up, signifying his own feelings of anxiety. The mixed media collages are exuberant; vibrating with energy, humor, and cheekiness (readers will point out the poop emoji drawing in the bathroom).  The school looks like there is space for everyone in this diverse, friendly environment but the new person is clearly apprehensive.

As the tour is coming to a close, and the guide comes down from her excitement to realize the new person has gone missing, she puts herself in his shoes and realizes he is having an EMERGENCY, and she recounts her own story of being the new student, just a year ago. The new person removes his hood, two students connect, and thus begins a beautiful friendship. We never learn the names of the guide and the new person but we learn a lot about how to be a good friend to someone who needs one.

This would make an amazing beginning of year read aloud that will have students laughing and learning at the same time, and leading to good discussions about empathy and inclusion. Highly recommended for public and school library collections.

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

five-stars

The Brilliant Brain: How It Works and How to Look After It

The Brilliant Brain: How It Works and How to Look After ItThe Brilliant Brain: How It Works and How to Look After It (Dr. Roopa's Body Books) by Dr. Roopa Farooki, Viola Wang
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536237809
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This appealing picture book will engage young readers between 5-7, who are curious about how the brain works. The Brilliant Brain is one in a series (Dr. Roopa’s Body Books) by Farooki and Wang .Farooki, a medical doctor, explains a complex topic in  descriptive, kid-friendly language. She uses the analogy of the body as a machine and the brain as the control room with the nerve network carrying messages back and forth between the two.

Wang’s illustrations of a diverse group of kids with their thoughts, experiences and ideas hovering around their heads, emphasize the premise that your brain is what “makes you you”.  How the brain works is explained in the body of the text, along with colorful and attractive diagrams, labelling the different parts and their functions. The care of the brain is a list of suggestions in the author’s note in the back matter. It could be more useful as a nonfiction picture book if it also contained a glossary.

Pair it with Lizzy Rockwell’s, The Busy Body Book, for a fun, narrative nonfiction read-aloud or read it on its own during Helmet Awareness Month (April) or Brain Health Month (June).  Recommended where other picture books about how the human body works are popular.

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

four-stars