Category: Book Reviews

Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock!

Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock!Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock! by James Dean, Kimberly Dean
Published by HarperCollins on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0062868551
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Fantasy, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

How many ways can preschool and early elementary children enjoy Pete the Cat? Probably in as many ways as there are books about him! Here Pete explores crayon art and how different people interpret another’s ‘masterpiece’ in different ways. True to his nature, he figures out how to make the best of it and says of art: “There are no rules. It’s no big deal. Art is about how it makes you feel!”

Put this on your Pete the Cat shelf but don’t miss using it to express the value of art and get children excited about their crayons!

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Fins

FinsFins by Randy Wayne White
Published by Roaring Brook Press on March 31, 2020
ISBN: 125024465X
Pages: 313
Genres: Adventure, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Luke and sisters Maribel and Sabina sign up for a summer job tagging sharks for Doc Ford. When they stray a little too far on one of their fishing expeditions, they stumble across a ring of shark poachers. This middle school adventure is a welcome addition to the Doc Ford mystery series.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

four-stars

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer TeamAll Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat
Published by Candlewick Press on October 13, 2020
ISBN: 1536209457
Pages: 280
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The detailed story of the Thailand cave rescue that riveted the world in 2018. This non-fiction book will have readers on the edge of their seats reading about this true-life survival story. From Thai Navy seals to US Air Force leaders to engineering and water experts to medical professionals to religious leaders, this was a massive rescue and support effort. This book is extensively researched with sources and photographs, illustrations, and sidebars.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

five-stars

Stick With Me

Stick With MeStick With Me by Jennifer Blecher
Published by Greenwillow Books on November 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062748629
Pages: 256
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An original premise for dealing with middle school ‘friends’ and those who are not really friends!

Wren is missing practice time during school vacation for an upcoming ice skating competition as her little sister needs an operation in another city. Her family rents a house from Izzy’s family for the week. Neither want to attend Theater Camp, where jealousy and cliques rear their ugly heads for both girls.  

Izzy and Wren’s stories are interwoven through alternating chapters as they deal with each other, the operation, the rental, the Camp, the clique, and their own needs. The title refers to the multitude of stickers Izzy has on the back of her bedroom door – which is the room Wren stays in. The only detail that didn’t ring true for this reviewer was that Izzy’s family was uprooted for a week and stayed in the convenient garage apartment to make a little extra money.

Middle elementary girls could find lots to relate to here and perhaps glean a few strategies to deal with their own situations 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

The Purple Puffy Coat

The Purple Puffy CoatThe Purple Puffy Coat by Daniel Duncan, Maribeth Boelts
Published by Candlewick Press on November 10, 2020
ISBN: 1536204978
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Have you ever given someone a present because YOU liked it, never even considering if the recipient would enjoy it? Beetle learns to put himself in his best friend’s place after giving Stick Bug a puffy purple coat. Together they figure out how to make the present something they can both enjoy by resewing the coat to a smaller size for Beetle, and making a bow tie for Stick Bug.

Full-color illustrations by Daniel Duncan enhance the story with details that invite the reader to explore the setting and actions. 

Use wherever the need arises for a preschool or elementary level story with friendship, humor, determination, gift-giving, thinking outside the box, and making others happy instead of ourselves!

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Cannonball

CannonballCannonball by Josh Morgan, Sacha Cotter
Published by Sourcebooks Wonderland on June 1, 2020
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A dream turned to embarrassment. Trying to fit in. Trying others’ ways. Not giving up. Finding a way – my own way. The young unnamed narrator wants to make a perfect, blooming, slapping, splashing, dripping cannonball. After a few of his own failures, he tries everyone’s suggestions, which also end in embarrassing results. Finally, after consulting his Nan, (who gives him just the right encouragement to “listen to (your) heart), the book concludes with his spectacular splash.

Bright, inviting colors supply amusing details, especially on the endpapers (don’t miss the orange octopus hiding here and there). Published in 2018 in New Zealand as “The Bomb”, the brief glossary includes two Māori words.

Pair with many other stories of perseverance, such as “Great” (Glen Gretzky, 2016). Use wherever perseverance and individuality stories are called for. A creative writing exercise could have youngsters producing a mantra for one of their own dreams.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

I Found a Kitty!

I Found a Kitty!I Found A Kitty by Troy Cummings
on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 1984831860
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

After finding his forever home in “Can I Be Your Dog” (2018), Arfy now uses his letter-writing skills to help Scamper find the perfect place. Various townspeople give Scamper a try, but each finds a reason to put Scamper back out on the street. The reason for each rejection add up to the very reasons a nursing home becomes the perfect place – they love his singing, his curiosity, and his need to be cuddled just right. 

Another great book for empathy – Arfy knows the heartbreak of being homeless and unwanted. But don’t wait for a reason to share this book with animal-lovers of any age!

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

The Voice That Won the Vote: How One Woman’s Words Made History

The Voice That Won the Vote: How One Woman’s Words Made HistoryThe Voice That Won the Vote: How One Woman's Words Made History by Elisa Boxer, Vivien Mildenberger
on March 15, 2020
ISBN: 1534166734
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Most new lawmakers don’t have much influence, but most new lawmakers don’t have Febb Burn as their mother. After reading his mother’s recent letter, Harry Burn changed his tie-breaking vote from Nay to Aye, which allowed women in Tennessee the right to vote. Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment thus allowing all women in the United States the right to vote.

Full-color illustrations are adequate, and facial expressions and images of newspaper headlines add to the emotional atmosphere of this crucial vote. Text in various sizes, colors, and boldness help the reader grasp some of the important details.

What did his mother say in her letter? “Hurrah and vote for suffrage and don’t keep them in doubt.”

Use this book anytime you need a story on courage, speaking up, Suffrage, or women’s history in the US. Be sure to pair this with “I Could Do That: Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote” (Linda Arms White, 2005).

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

Over in the Woodland: A Mythological Counting Journey

Over in the Woodland: A Mythological Counting JourneyOver in the Woodland: A Mythological Counting Journey by Nicole Abreu, Shar Abreu, Susanna Covelli
Published by Familius on July 21, 2020
ISBN: 1641702419
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This version should top the shelf of your “Over in the Meadow” variations. The illustrations (Susanna Covelli) invite the reader to slow down and pour over them. The pacing and rhythm are highly polished. The selection of creatures will appeal to today’s fantasy fans. The “factual” descriptions about each creature in the back of the book are brief but will give the reader just enough information to give them bragging rights of being knowledgeable about each.

What’s not to like about this book??

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars