Category: Book Reviews

Bear and Bird: The Stars and Other Stories

Bear and Bird: The Stars and Other StoriesBear and Bird: The Stars and Other Stories by Jarvis
Published by Candlewick ISBN: 1536234575
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

The second installment in the “Bear and Bird” series, Jarvis hits the mark once again with his knack for blending whimsical, lively illustrations with equally witty stories. Bear and Bird are best friends, on the fast track to being up there with the greats, a la Frog & Toad. This irreverently funny collection of short stories starts with Bear and Bird in the middle of a mutual silent treatment, and though neither of them can remember exactly why they’re fighting, they DO know they both need a new best friend. As they separately set out to find a new bestie, Bear & Bird are drawn back together in an unlikely way & this theme of unwavering support and friendship is woven through each story and each goof-up and misunderstanding along the way.

Short story collection for newly independent readers, this series has the feel of an instant classic. The illustrations will capture prospective readers’ eyes and Bear & Bird’s flawlessly flawed dynamic will keep kiddos coming back for installments yet to come. 

 

Reviewed by Paiten Price – Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, ME

four-stars

Waaa Waaa Goes Táwà

Waaa Waaa Goes TáwàWaaa Waaa Goes Táwà by Alaba Onajin
Published by Random House Studio ISBN: 0593644077
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Táwà, an adorable and perfectly sweet little girl can’t talk quite yet, but not to worry! She communicates with a scream heard round the world, letting out a wail anytime things don’t go the way she envisions. A day in Táwà’s life tells a familiar story, not wanting to share, being upset she can’t come along to the market, being upset she has to now come along to the market, all which she meets with vocal defiance 10 times the size of herself. After each tiny tantrum, her family rushes to soothe her & to decipher and meet her needs, before being led back down the warpath once more.  

After a full day facing Táwà’s wrath, her family finally reach the end of their rope that night and wail in a chorus of WAAA WAAAAS in return as bedtime tensions rise. Being faced with a taste of her own medicine, Táwà rushes to soothe her family with kind words & a hug, the same way they had comforted her – the perfect cure!

Sprinkled with onomatopoeias and fun, jaunty words set against the beautifully illustrated backdrop of Táwà’s village in Nigeria, we’re lead in a singsongy dance between Táwà’s “waaa waaa waaas” and Mama’s “no no nos” all the way to a quiet resolution …. zzzzzz. Ònájìn hit the nail on the head for his debut picture book – with a silly & endearing ending, Waaa Waaa Goes Táwà answers the cries heard far & wide for the perfect bedtime read-aloud! 

For ages 4-8, though younger kiddos would appreciate it as a read-aloud.

Reviewed by Paiten Price – Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, ME

 

five-stars

A Spider Named Itsy

A Spider Named ItsyA Spider Named Itsy by Steve Light
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536225290
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“A Spider Named Itsy” is a retelling of the Itsy-Bitsy Spider rhyme, written and illustrated by Steve Light. Itsy starts out in their web all alone when suddenly their web is destroyed by a branch and the wind. Time to find a new home. In the process of climbing the waterspout to make a new home, Itsy meets and helps other insects along the way. The artwork is fun and colorful and full of little details to enjoy. Itsy helps others and by the end has made friends. Written for ages 3 to 5, but can be enjoyed by all ages. A cute book about friendship and helping, this is a suggested purchase for picture book collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Creep, Leap, Crunch!: A Food Chain Story

Creep, Leap, Crunch!: A Food Chain StoryCreep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story by Christopher Silas Neal, Jody Jensen Shaffer
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on 2023
ISBN: 9780593565520
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Soft, full-color illustrations accompany fun, rhyming text that builds the steps of a temperate deciduous forest food chain in a style similar to “The House that Jack Built”, starting with the rising sun and leading all the way up to the black bear. Along the way, all the animals appear to succeed in their food acquisitions, but then the book takes a fun twist and turns the tables. All the food gets away! The book concludes with a glossary. This book would be excellent for story times, and makes for a simple, exciting introduction to natural food chains. It is recommended for 4-8 year olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

five-stars

Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World: The Story of Two Groundbreaking Environmental Artists

Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World: The Story of Two Groundbreaking Environmental ArtistsChristo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World: The Story of Two Groundbreaking Environmental Artists by Elizabeth Haidle, G. Neri
Published by Candlewick Press on April 18, 2023
ISBN: 1536216615
Pages: 48
Genres: Arts, Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

This is the story of how controversial artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude met, married, and started creating their art together. Their philosophy was that “Art [was] supposed to make you see things differently” therefore, much of their early art involved wrapping objects of varying sizes to obscure what was inside.  After moving to the United States, the couple created The Wall of Oil Barrels (1962), a wrapped Medieval Tower (1968), and even wrapped the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago (1969). They started wrapping natural objects, adding an Ocean Front (1974) and Wrapped Trees (1998) to their accomplishments. One of their best-known projects was The Gates (2005) that consisted of a park full of flowing fabric gates. Full color illustrations throughout the book add life to the text. A note at the end of the text explains that the artists never accepted public money to create their works. They also never charged anyone to experience their works. Because all their installations were temporary, they were each treated as an event.  The author  includes a list of Fun Facts and a Bibliography at the end of the book. Intended for ages 6-9 years old.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

three-stars

Caught in a Bad Fauxmance

Caught in a Bad FauxmanceCaught in a Bad Fauxmance (Joy Revolution) by Elle Gonzalez Rose
ISBN: 0593645790
Genres: Romance, Science Fiction
Format: Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

For years, Devin Baez’s family and Julian Seo-Cooke’s clan have hated each other with a mutual loathing that peaks during the annual Winter Games at their Florida camp compound.  They earnestly compete – and audaciously cheat – to win the top prize and bragging rights. But it has been four years since Devin and his papi, twin sister, step-mother and step-brother have been to camp, four years since Devin’s mom died. Facing that loss is hard enough without having to deal with the smarmy, ultra-rich Seo-Cookes and their despicable father who stole papi’s invention and made millions off it without so much as a share to the Baez’s. So when Julian asks Devin to pretend to be his boyfriend in order to snub an ex, Devin shockingly says yes, if secretly only to get the inside scoop on how to defeat the insufferable family once and for all. The stakes are high, shenanigans ensue, and a romantic happy ending satisfies. This is a fun and clean romance that sometimes splashes into more serious moments of grief and familial discord. The secondary characters, especially the touching relationship between Devin and his twin sister Maya, bring weight to what could be a trope-filled enemies to lovers story. Instead this fauxmance to romance rises to the top with its mix of sweet emotions, funny pranks, and a fabulous comeuppance.   Reviewed by Melissa M. Orth, Richmond Middle/High School, Richmond, ME

five-stars

Other Words for Nonno

Other Words for NonnoOther Words for Nonno (-) by Dave Cameron, Yong Ling Kang
Published by Kids Can Press ISBN: 1525305751
Genres: Humor, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Mental Health
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Other Words for Nonno is a heartfelt story about the relationship between a girl named Jill and her grandfather, whom she calls, “Nonno.” What they bond over, as they walk around their town, is the power of words and different wordplay.

Jill gets excited and announces, “Seaplane!” as they sit by the water. Nonno says, “I do see a plane.” There are many examples of different words and meanings until Jill realizes that Nonno has days where he cannot remember certain words. Because Nonno is experiencing memory loss, Jill writes words down on paper and tapes them around town where they take their strolls. There are soft watercolor illustrations that are comforting as we learn more about Nonno’s good days and bad days. At the end of their stroll, Nonno writes his own card on paper with the word, “Us” and tapes it to an antique store window where there’s a mirror that they often stop and look at themselves in.

This is a great choice for children who have grandparents experiencing memory loss. It’s also a great choice for children who are interested in wordplay. Recommended for ages 3+.

Reviewed by Gia Pilgrim Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Give

GiveGive by Jen Arena, Rahele Jomepour Bell
Published by Random House Children's Books ISBN: 1524714992
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Give is a powerful, near-wordless picture book showing the power of kindness in a day. The richly detailed illustrations by Rahele Jomepour Bell show one boy helping his classmate as they walk in the wind and rain. On the next few pages, we see that same classmate offer her scarf to a friend who looks cold. That classmate then helps her teacher by offering her a new pencil when her lead breaks. The cycle of kindness continues throughout the day in a “pay-it-forward” style of storytelling.

The writing by Jen Arena is simple, yet poignant, giving just enough context for each moment of generosity. Children will love looking over the pictures and watching the different classmates interact differently throughout the day. The boy from the first page is carrying a gift box in his hands, and by the last page, we discover that he has cupcakes for every single classmate to enjoy. The line on that page says, “The good you do comes back to you.”

This picture book can be for a variety of ages from early childhood to upper elementary. Highly recommend it as a tool for modeling altruistic behavior and empathy for other humans and animals. Four stars.

Reviewed by Gia Pilgrim Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

The Wilderness

The WildernessThe Wilderness by Steve McCarthy
Published by Candlewick Press on 10/3/23
ISBN: 1536231371
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Oktober isn’t like the rest of his large family.  While they love the outdoors and the possibility of adventure, he prefers staying inside with his books where he is safe, dry, and warm.  His parents validate his feelings while gently encouraging him to be brave and face the unknown.  One day he gets lost in the wilderness.  This experience helps him overcome his fears as he changes his perspective and makes an unexpected friend.  The illustrations carry this picture book, though the voice used by the narrator who speaks directly to the reader, will also be appealing.  Children will like the somewhat cartoonish drawings and the colors evoke a strong feeling of fall that readers can almost feel.  This book would be great for children to check out and take home so they can take time to explore the beautiful and detailed illustrations.  Children will notice something different each time they hear this story.  

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

I am Stuck

I am StuckI Am Stuck by Julia Mills
Published by Clarion Books on September 26, 2023
ISBN: 0358695333
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Poor Turtle is stuck on his back.  His friends offer suggestions to help get him unstuck, but they don’t work.  Finally Possum comes around and just lays with him and they talk.  Even through a big rain storm, Possum doesn’t leave.  Possum eventually says something Turtle finds funny and they both laugh so hard Turtle flips over.  Turtle realizes being stuck isn’t so bad if you aren’t alone.  Backmatter includes three kid-friendly suggestions to try when they are feeling stuck.  Kids will enjoy the simple, amusing illustrations.  Most pages have a white background, which allows the few pages with a darker background to have a big impact.  The message in this book is similar to Rabbit Listened and Grumpy Monkey, but this book has a lot less text and would be appropriate for younger audiences.

 

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars