Category: Book Reviews

Frog and Toad: A Little Book of Big Thoughts

Frog and Toad: A Little Book of Big ThoughtsFrog and Toad: A Little Book of Big Thoughts by Arnold Lobel
ISBN: 0062983415
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

I love Frog and Toad, so I was excited to see this book. It is a collection of quotes from the beloved and timeless Frog and Toad series of early readers. It captures some of Frog and Toad’s good times and is a great reminder of why the books are so great. The premise of the book is to highlight things that make great friends great. If your kids haven’t ever read the Frog and Toad series, they may be confused with this book. It feels a bit more like a book someone would gift to an adult as a reminder of their friendship than a picture book written for children. This is definitely an additional purchase for larger libraries. Recommended for kids 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Sunny

SunnySunny by Celia Krampien
Published by Roaring Brook Press on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 125031660X
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Sunny sees the good in situations where others simply complain — the rain, being carried away by a strong gust of wind, being late to school, etc. This is a sweet book about making the best of otherwise unfavorable situations. I love the positive message in this book, but I love even more that it shows that it’s ok to cry when you need it. The illustrations are fairly monochromatic with yellow highlights — Sunny’s umbrella, for example. This is a great book to share with kids of all ages as the message is a really good one. Recommended for kids 2 and up and for consideration for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Who Did it First?

Who Did it First?Who Did It First? 50 Politicians, Activists, and Entrepreneurs Who Revolutionized the World by Alex Hart, Jay Leslie, Nneka Myers
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 1250211727
Pages: 128
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This book is a snapshot of 50 influential people from around the world. It is definitely a launching point for further research or just a way to introduce kids to someone about whom they may or may not have heard. It is good in that it includes some lesser well known people and it has a diverese representation of people. Each person highlighted is accompanied by an illustrated interpretation of the person as well as a quote. The illustrations seemed too cartoonish and not very visually accurate — I would not have recognized Barack Obama out of context. Additionally, some of the firsts being recognized seemed a bit forced. For example, LeBron James is recognized as the “first NBA star to open a public school.” Recommended to 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Maker Comics: Grow a Garden

Maker Comics: Grow a GardenMaker Comics: Grow a Garden! by Alexis Frederick-Frost
Published by First Second on February 25, 2020
ISBN: 1250152143
Pages: 128
Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

Will, Violet, and Basil are students at the Garden Gnome Academy, and they’ve just landed in the class taught by the least popular teacher, Mr. Butternut. He teaches about composting and growing gardens — and it turns out to be a bit more fun than simple vegetable gardening.

This graphic novel is a combination of a fictional plot with a lot of information about gardening. While I like the idea, it just doesn’t seem to work for me. The plot is loosely there throughout, but there are also pages where the kids are just learning about gardening. I feel like a simple but well-done graphic nonfiction book about gardening may work better. I do like the information presented as it encompasses many types of gardening with several DIY activities to try at home. Recommended for 2nd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Vote! Women’s Fight for Access to the Ballot Box

Vote! Women’s Fight for Access to the Ballot BoxVote! by Coral Celeste Frazer
Published by Twenty-First Century Books (Tm) on August 6, 2019
ISBN: 1541528158
Pages: 120
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is a great overview of the history of women’s suffrage. It touches on women’s rights in general and gives a lot of background about how women won the vote. One thing I really liked was the recognition given to racial injustice surrounding suffrage. This book also covers a lot of the current struggles for equity in access to the ballot for minorities, the elderly, poor, and more. It includes historical and current photographs of protests, marches, ballots, and the people who influenced women’s right to vote.

Recommended for 4th grade and up, this is a great addition to any collection, especially in light of the 100 year anniversary of women’s suffrage.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Nature All Around: Plants

Nature All Around: PlantsNature All Around: Plants by Carolyn Gavin, Pamela Hickman
ISBN: 1771388196
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Another great addition from the Nature All Around series, this book combines beautiful and colorful illustrations with factual information about many different kinds of plants. It includes information about how animals interact with plants, how plants survive and thrive in different seasons, how to grow plants, and a bit on which plants to avoid. This book is definitely a launching point for young naturalists to further explore the wonderful world of plants. The illustrations are vibrant and provide context for some of the plants mentioned. That being said, I always prefer actual images of the real plants when discussing the science. Images provide a more accurate representation of the parts of the plants. Recommended for 3rd grade and up and a recommended purchase for most libraries.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Water Bears

Water BearsThe Water Bears by Kim Baker
on April 21, 2020
ISBN: 1984852205
Genres: Fantasy, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Newt Gomez lives on an island, and he survived a bear attack. He still has dreams about the attack, and he’s still physically healing as well. When he and a friend find a bear statue on the beach, and when the statue appears to grant wishes, things get interesting. Newt is ready to move on from island life, but the lessons he learns from his friends (and their interactions with the bear) may change his mind.

A little bit of magic, a lot of frienship, and a food truck with a giant rooster on it make this an all around entertaining read. The story felt a bit slow at times, but the plot, character development, and overall message are good. It also does a great job of exploring the challenges of overcoming trauma. A gentle coming of age story with a hint of magic, this book will appeal to a wide audience. Recommended for 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver

The Secret Garden of George Washington CarverThe Secret Garden of George Washington Carver by Frank Morrison, Gene Barretta
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 0062430157
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is an adorable non-fiction picture book of the young life and development of a celebrated botanist, early environmentalist, humanitarian and voice for racial harmony.  The pictures are colorful and delightful.  The text is simple but very informative.

The last words in the story are splendid, “Regard Nature, Revere Nature, Respect Nature”.  The book ends with a timeline, bibliography, and further reading suggestions.

I would highly recommend this book to all libraries, and to teachers and parents as a great read aloud.

I would rate this book a 5.

Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

five-stars

THUMP GOES THE RABBIT, HOW ANIMALS COMMUNICATE

THUMP GOES THE RABBIT, HOW ANIMALS COMMUNICATEThump Goes the Rabbit: How Animals Communicate by Fran Hodgkins, Taia Morley
Published by HarperCollins on January 7, 2020
ISBN: 0062491016
Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Level 1 Science, Let’s Read and Find Out

This simple non-fiction picture book explains simple communication used by a variety of animals.  The illustrations are cute, very child friendly, the text informative.  I was pleasantly impressed that the facts in this series are checked for accuracy by experts in the relevant field; in the case of this book, Dr. Fred Wasserman, Associate Professor of Biology at Boston University.

I especially liked the end of the book, with instructions to children on how to make observations just like a scientist.  Very simple, but wonderfully engaging, and very doable for children.

The author, from Rockport Maine, has written a very lovely, simple, beginning science book.  I would recommend this book to libraries looking to expand their collection of beginner science books.

I would rate this book a 4.

Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

four-stars

How Submarines Work

How Submarines WorkHow Submarines Work by Walt Brody
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541555686
Pages: 24
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This very short non-fiction picture book has very engaging photos and facts about submarines.  It includes a history of submarines, parts of a sub, and some facts on the current and future uses of subs.

This book is part of a series of books, Military Machines, so this book only describes military submarines.  There is no mention of submarines used in any other venture.

A glossary, suggested further reading sites, and index are in the back of this 24 page book.  Children interested in military submarines will thoroughly enjoy this beginner book.

I would rate this book a 3.

three-stars