Category: Book Reviews

How To Catch a Keeper

How To Catch a KeeperHow to Catch a Keeper! by Connie Rand, Stephanie Mulligan
on March 19, 2019
ISBN: 1732302057
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Going out on a lobster boat can be a grand experience no matter how many times you’ve done it before. Author Stephanie Mulligan shows us this in her book based on her own experience of working on a Maine lobster boat for 8 summers. Captain Tom and his ‘The Lucky Catch’ boat are real!

The excitement and anticipation are felt in her rhyming text as she describes fictional Lucy and Luke’s first trip on the boat with their dad. Captain Tom’s dialogue is presented in italics, helping the reader discern his words from the others.  The smells, sights and sounds of being out on a lobstering boat are woven into the story and illustrations.

A fine example of ‘write what you know.” This boat and Captain Tom are real and the basis for the story. She obviously respects the Captain and his work.

Maine nature artist Connie Rand did the illustrations, which follow and explain the text. She presents a variety of sizes: small, single images, and full-page spread. Her paintings reflect the experience of being out on the ocean where you can, in good weather, see for miles; yet sometimes your attention is brought up close to details, such as how to band the lobster’s claws. Her illustrations help the reader remember the smells and sounds of the ocean.

This reviewer was given a free copy in exchange for a review. Also included were the “Activity Book” and a little stuffed toy lobster. The activity book is a perfect addition: with terminolgy and fact mini-quizzes, a lobster diagram to label, coloring pages, and a graphic organizer for aspiring writers to try their own hand at composing a story. This book earned Silver in the Moonbeam Childrens’ Book Award. The hardcover edition is now available.

Next time you’re near Casco Bay, catch a ride with Captain Tom and see what the excitement is all about. If you can’t make it, listen to the author read aloud her book on Facebook. You’ll almost feel like you are there – you can even hear the seagulls crooning in the background.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town

five-stars

In a Jar

In a JarIn a Jar by Deborah Marcero
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on January 21, 2020
ISBN: 0525514597
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

What can you catch in a jar? In Maine, fireflies and other insects are popular in the summer. But can you catch a sunset, or the smell of spring or the sound of the ocean? Llewellyn and Evelyn do! Until the sad day Evelyn moves away… and they discover a unique way to stay in touch.

My favorite line: “With Evelyn gone, Llewellyn’s heart felt like an empty jar.”

Llewellyn and his friends resemble rabbits from the world of Richard Scarry, but the backgrounds give the reader a chance to pause and enjoy the lovely scenery or Llewellyn’s vast and growing collection of jars. Various colored leaves adorn the end paper, and don’t forget to peek under the dust jacket!

Recommended as a pre-read to a nature walk, but you may want to brainstorm ways to catch nature other than in glass jars.

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

four-stars

Over the Moon

Over the MoonOver the Moon by James Proimos, Zoey Abbott
ISBN: 1452177155
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

There are many books for various ages titled “Over the Moon” but this one aimed at preschoolers will help them understand this expression as one of discovery and happiness. Two wolves find a baby floating in the river. They agree to take her home where the first wolf wants to “ …nourish her and teach her about good and evil, light and dark, right and wrong.” The second wolf, however, “…was planning on eating her.”  Readers will find the humor and sensitivity as the second wolf grows to love her as much as the first wolf. 

Simple cartoonish illustrations in soft colors on mostly double-page spreads show the various emotions of fear and comfort and curiosity.

Feels like a message for adults in a book aimed at children, but it could be used as a warm, snuggly book to show preschoolers (and their caregivers) that separation is natural: they do grow up, find other interests, go to school, and learn to read, but still come home to where they are loved. Each time this reviewer reads this book, she enjoys it more.

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

four-stars

Such a Good Boy

Such a Good BoySuch a Good Boy by Marianna Coppo
Published by Chronicle Books on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 1452177740
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

What makes Buzz a good boy? He does what good dogs do, day after day, but one day he dares to drop into a puddle. After being taken to the groomer, he escapes to be ‘free’ to stop, taste, and dig. When he sees ‘Missing’ posters and discovers his owner really misses him, he goes home.

The ending is a bit confusing – Buzz goes home but there is a cat in the window. Buzz is rolling in the mud, but the reader is left wondering if he’s been replaced by the cat or have his owners decided to have an indoor cat while allowing Buzz to be an outdoor dog? 

Buzz’s image is singular-dimension, small and simple. He is white, and, opposite of the appealing cover, doesn’t show up well on the many pages of white background. Variety of double and single page spreads with text of small but simple dark font. 

Could be used for point of view but there are many better books out there for that for preschoolers.

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

two-stars

Memoirs of a Turtoise

Memoirs of a TurtoiseMemoirs of a Tortoise by Devin Scillian, Tim Bowers
Published by Sleeping Bear Press on May 15, 2020
ISBN: 1534110194
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Add this to the other “Memoir…” books by this author, but more importantly, add it to your shelf on how to talk to children about the death of anyone, be it a pet or family or friend. 

Told in monthly installments from April to April, (which is Oliver’s favorite month) the reader shares the tortoise’s excitement and pleasure in his life with his pet, Ike (an elderly man) and then confusion and hurt when Ike suddenly disappears. Details about Ike and Oliver are gently distributed throughout the memoir, rather than dumped into the first few pages. Likewise, it takes a few pages and possibly some rereading to realize Ike has died. The reader struggles along with Oliver to understand loss and then develop gratitude for “…all those beautiful days we were lucky enough to have them (our pets) with us.” The sweet humor of the humans being the pets nicely balances the topic of death in a satisfying and compassionate manner.

This books joins the author’s collection illustrated by Tim Bowers:  Memoirs of a Goldfish (2010) …Hamster (2013) …Elf(2014) and …Parrot (2016: which was the 2018 Chickadee Award Winner),  

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

five-stars

The Box Turtle

The Box TurtleThe Box Turtle by Vanessa Roeder
on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 0735230501
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

When is a box turtle not a box turtle? When he’s born without his ‘box’! Can he truly be a box turtle without his box? What’s a young, shell-less turtle to do? 

Terrance, the shell-less box turtle, experiences a variety of emotions but perseveres through the ups and downs as he tries on a variety of possible shells. After discovering that each one has its own problems – a boom box was a little too loud; a pirate’s chest was a little too dangerous – he finally realizes that “…this little box turtle was so much more than his shell.”

Cartoonish illustrations contain enough detail for the reader to ‘see’ what is happening, but not so much detail that the reader is distracted. Some pages hold up to 4 small frames (that help build up the frantic pace), or maybe a double-page spread (that draws out the suspense).  End pages show the various ‘boxes’ Terrence tries.

To introduce this story, the reader could try to name possible replacements for a turtle’s shell. Recommended for sharing 1:1, or small group read alouds to allow time to examine the illustrations and discuss Terrance’s options to try to find an appropriate shell. Using the end pages, a compare/contrast activity could follow the reading to further comprehension by telling the pros and cons of the various shells he tried.

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

four-stars

How to Write a Story

How to Write a StoryHow to Write a Story by Kate Messner, Mark Siegel
Published by Chronicle Books on July 7, 2020
ISBN: 1452156662
Pages: 36
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Need a basic primer for elementary students? This would make a great anchor text for students who just don’t know where to start or what to do next when they feel stalled. Is this a complete writing manual? No. Is this useful for framing creative writing and mini-lessons? Absolutely. 

It reads like a story of someone telling the reader ten basic steps in the writing process, beginning with collecting ideas (lots of them!) and almost ending with sharing your story. It says that sharing your story is not the end of writing, as then it’s time to “…start searching for a new idea that wants to be written…”

Colorful illustrations follow a young writer as she explores and considers many ways to start and continue her story. Some pages show parts of a hand-written story; others show imagination bubbles where the writer is thinking. 

Even though the audience, at first glance, seems to be children, any age could use this as a basic framework that encourages thinking, exploring, and discovery of stories that want to be written. This could also be used as a companion book to Messner’s 2015 “How to Read a Story.”

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

four-stars

On Wings of Words

On Wings of WordsOn Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson by Becca Stadtlander, Jennifer Berne
Published by Chronicle Books on February 18, 2020
ISBN: 1452142971
Pages: 52
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

If you are familiar with Emily Dickinson, this book is for you. If you are not familiar with her or her work, this book is for you. This 19th century poet and her work still have relevance and meaning  today. The author, Berne, has used a tiny sample of Dickinson’s writings to illustrate her life.

The text is spread out across the pages, sometimes phrases, single sentences, or short paragraphs, making the content accessible. Historical accuracy in the soft illustrations is maintained where possible’ many of the illustrations place Emily outdoors, giving the reader a sense of her love of nature. Pieces of her poems are handwritten in the endpages and on occasional pages, deepening the reader’s understanding and appreciation for her work.

Paired with other picture books about Dickinson, such as “Emily” by Michael Bedard, and “My Uncle Emily” by Jane Yolen, middle elementary readers (and older readers!) will enjoy a multi-faceted picture of this poet of whom much is speculated. This would also be very useful for figurative language studies.

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

four-stars

Last Mirror on the Left

Last Mirror on the LeftThe Last Mirror on the Left by Dapo Adeola, Lamar Giles
on October 20, 2020
ISBN: 0358129419
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Move over, “Through the Looking-Glass” and “Greystone Secrets” to make room for this parallel universe installment for “The Legendary Alston Boys” series. Cousins Otto and Sheed are pulled into a series of mirrors from the Rorrim Mirror Emporium (check that name again!), where they are forced to assist in looking for a fugitive, trying to figure out who is the real enemy, and getting home safely without being locked in a mirror for the rest of their lives.

Occasional black and white sketches help the reader picture the characters.

This is a sequel to “The Last Last-Day-of-Summer” (previously reviewed on this blog) which sets up some of the problems; this reviewer has not read that which led to some confusion and trying to figure out the backstory, especially about Sheed’s mysterious, deadly illness. Purchase of both titles is recommended for the action, suspense, and diverse set of characters to satisfy middle-upper elementary fantasy readers. 

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

four-stars

Night Animals Need Sleep Too

Night Animals Need Sleep TooGenres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
four-stars

When do possums play dead? Do skunks belong in wolf dens? Are night animals more scared of humans than humans are of night animals? These are deliciously fun questions the reader will investigate in this humorous short but packed story featuring the same cast from the author’s ‘Night Animals’ (2015).

Night animals being awake during the day is not an unusual story line, but what happens to them during that time and how they manage to make it to night time is where this book stands above most others.

Silhouettes are occasionally used, and the animals find themselves in humorous positions. Bold double-page illustrations on wide pages with plain background keep the reader’s eye focused on the animals and text done in speech bubbles. The only other text shows various sounds, buzz, thunk, crunch, etc, that invite the reader to guess what will happen on the next page. Black and white text, images, and end pages add to the day-night mood.

This would make a great addition to your early readers, read-aloud, or nocturnal animals shelves, especially if you have the first story featuring this silly crew. Recommended for ages 3-5

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

four-stars