Category: Book Reviews

Bears at the Beach

Bears at the BeachBears at the Beach by David Walker, Shirley Parenteau
Published by Candlewick Press on May 4, 2021
ISBN: 9781536208382
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Part of series “Bears on Chairs.” The bears try to build a sand castle but the sand is too dry. Then the sand is too wet. They build one “in between” and this one stands until they poke holes in it. They persist and finally make a grand castle. The rhyming text is a bit forced at times and the pastel bears are a bit too cutesy for my taste, but the book will likely be popular with kids who likes the other books in the series.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

two-stars

I Am Not a Penguin: A Pangolin’s Lament

I Am Not a Penguin: A Pangolin’s LamentI Am Not a Penguin: A Pangolin's Lament by Liz Wong
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on January 19, 2021
ISBN: 9780593127407
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Pangolin tries to explain who he is, but all the other animals keep getting him confused with the more popular penguin. Told mostly with speech bubbles and amusing confusion. The most interesting part of the book was the fact sheets in the back of the book. An introduction for kids about this little known animal. A missed opportunity in that a photograph of an actual pangolin was not included.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

The Sun

The SunThe Sun by J.P. Press
Published by Bearcub Books on January 1, 2021
ISBN: 9781647475093
Pages: 24
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Part of series “Off to Space.” Learn about the closest star to Earth and all it does. Simple text and engaging photos make this an excellent book for K-2 units on space or for examining components of a nonfiction book.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Jasmine Green Rescues: A Goat Called Willow

Jasmine Green Rescues: A Goat Called WillowA Goat Called Willow (Jasmine Green #6) by Ellie Snowdon, Helen Peters
Published by Walker Books US on March 9, 2021
ISBN: 9781536210293
Pages: 160
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Book 6 in series “Jasmine Green Rescues.” Jasmine and her best friend, Tom, adopt an orphaned baby goat for sale at the local fair. Willow, the goat, will not stay in his cage and he wonders all over the village so her parents tell her that she must return the baby goat. Jasmine has other ideas. Similar to the other “Jasmine Green Rescues” in that Jasmine is a plucky character and funny animal antics abound. There is a lesson learned about lying in this book though. Any child who loves animals will enjoy this series of beginning chapter books.

 

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Jasmine Green Rescues: A Lamb Called Lucky

Jasmine Green Rescues: A Lamb Called LuckyA Lamb Called Lucky (Jasmine Green #5) by Ellie Snowdon, Helen Peters
Published by Walker Books US on March 9, 2021
ISBN: 9781536210286
Pages: 144
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Book 5 in series “Jasmine Green Rescues.” When a little lamb loses his mother, Jasmine steps in to bottle-feed and care for him. When Lucky the lamb is big enough to go out into the field with the other sheep, sheep rustlers strike. Jasmine and her father rescue Lucky. The daughter of a veterinarian and a farmer, Jasmine knows what she needs to do and isn’t afraid to do it. The pacing is fast and the stories engaging. Plus, there are charming pencil illustrations of cute animals. Any child who loves animals will enjoy this series of beginning chapter books.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

The House of Grass and Sky

The House of Grass and SkyThe House of Grass and Sky by E.B. Goodale, Mary Lyn Ray
Published by Candlewick Press on April 13, 2021
ISBN: 9781536200973
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The old white saltbox house describes what makes a house a home from its point of view. Once it housed beloved families, but now it sits empty until the “right” family moves in to build new memories. An abundance of poetic language and pastoral watercolor illustrations create a thought provoking text that gives the reader a sense of time passing. This book can be paired with other books about houses, such as The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton (1942), Home Place by Crescent Dragonwagon and Jerry Pinkney (1990), and The Little Blue Cottage by Kelly Jordan (2020) for a compare and contrast lesson or about the meaning of home.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Noah’s Seal

Noah’s SealNoah's Seal by Layn Marlow
Published by Candlewick Press on June 15, 2021
ISBN: 9781536218510
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Fantasy mixes with reality in this endearing book that every Maine library, especially those on the coast, should own. Noah wants his Nana to take him on her sailboat to see the seals, but he has to wait until Nana can repair the sail. While waiting, Noah digs in the sand and makes a seal with shells for speckles, pebbles for eyes, and seaweed for a mouth. A storm blows in and the washes the seal away but a real seal is on the beach. This sweet and simple tale features a brown-skinned boy and his loving grandmother. Perfect for Story Time.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

What’s Inside a Flower: and other questions about science and nature

What’s Inside a Flower: and other questions about science and natureWhat's Inside a Flower?: And Other Questions about Science & Nature by Rachel Ignotofsky
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on February 2, 2021
ISBN: 9780593176474
Pages: 48
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Book 1 in series “What’s Inside.” The distinctive art style and engaging text clearly answers any questions you have about flowers. It’s both a picture book to read to kids and a book for them to sit and search through. Although it is very informative, the stunning artwork is what truly makes this an exceptional book.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Sydney & Taylor Take a Flying Leap

Sydney & Taylor Take a Flying LeapSydney and Taylor Take a Flying Leap by Deborah Hocking, Jacqueline Davies
Published by Clarion Books on August 3, 2021
ISBN: 0358106354
Pages: 80
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Book two in this fantastic series for emerging readers. Sydney and Taylor are an unlikely pair, a skunk and a hedgehog, living in a cozy burrow beneath Miss Nancy’s shed. They are best friends and, as such, they support one another, but when Taylor the hedgehog gets the idea to fly, Sydney is not supportive. Sydney is worried that Taylor will get hurt, or eaten by a hawk. This causes hurt feelings and a rift in their friendship, but Taylor persists in his attempt to fly and Sydney nervously watches. When Taylor gets stuck, he turns to Sydney, who not only helps, but finds an alternate, feasible solution. The book deals with growth mind-set and persistence, and also with thinking things through and being careful. The friends are able to work through their difference of opinion and find a way to support a wild idea. The full-page, color illustrations are warm and delightful. This series is ideal for readers of Owl Diaries, Mercy Watson, and Mouse & Mole.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars