Category: Book Reviews

The Story Seeker

The Story SeekerThe Story Seeker (The Story Collector #2) by Iacopo Bruno, Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
Published by Henry Holt & Company on January 28, 2020
ISBN: 1250301092
Pages: 272
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Inspired by true events from the 1920’s, this is the second adventure of Viviani Fedeler and her family who reside in a second floor apartment in the New York City Public Library.  Viviani loves creating stories and fancies herself a writer.  When a school assignment promises a trip to the newspaper, Viviani responds to the pressure with writer’s block.  When she uses “Millions of Cats” by Gag, which is published the year before, as inspiration, she is accused of plagiarism.   On top of that, medical books from the library have been disappearing in large numbers.  It takes Viviani and her friends to assist with the crime solving.  The author’s note details the true facts of the Fedeler family, the NYPL’s real book detective on staff and the actual criminal prosecution.  This historical slice of life will inspire library lovers and future writers.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

How to Solve a Problem

How to Solve a ProblemHow to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion by Ashima Shiraishi, Yao Xiao
on April 7, 2020
ISBN: 1524773271
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Ashima Shiraishi is a world-class climber, and in the climbing world, boulders are referred to as problems. Shiraishi takes this play on words and runs with it wonderfully. She talks about how she solves problems in rock climbing, and that easily equates to solving problems in life. She takes the reader through her thought processes in bouldering, and she walks through how she learns from mistakes.

This is a great book for kids working through anxiety or who are feeling overwhelmed. It has a similar feel to Kobi Yamada’s What Do You Do With a Problem? but tackles the issue with less metaphor, and thus, may resonate with younger kids more easily. The illustrations are high color and reminiscent of the style found in many graphic novels. This is a great book for one-on-one sharing and would be best for kids 4 and up. Even older kids who are working through some problems of their own will benefit from this book.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Don’t Feed the Coos

Don’t Feed the CoosDon't Feed the Coos! by Heather Fox, Jonathan Stutzman
Published by Henry Holt & Company on February 25, 2020
ISBN: 1250303184
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

They’re cute. They coo. But, DON’T feed the coos! When you feed one, they will all come. And they will never leave you. Ever. And what’s worse? The coos poos. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

This funny book will delight children with it’s silliness, and who doesn’t love a poop joke? The colorful, cartoony illustrations fit perfectly with the mood of the book, and add to the humor. Anyone who has ever fed pigeons in a park (or seen someone doing so) will relate to this situation. This would be a great story time book and is recommended for kids 3 yrs and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat

¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat by Elaine Bay, Raúl the Third
ISBN: 1328557049
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Little Lobo is back, and this time he and his friends are delivering food to all the hungry luchadores before El Toro wrestles in the evening. This sequel to ¡Vamos! Let’s Go to the Market follows the same format with copious Spanish words throughout. The Spanish words are often translated on the same page, and there is also a glossary of Spanish words at the end. The classic, colorful illustrations are extremely detailed. Readers could easily see something new with each reading. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Seeds

SeedsSeeds by Carme Lemniscates
ISBN: 1536208442
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Seeds is a celebration of the power of seeds — seeds that grow into pumpkins or orchids and seeds of kindness that grow into compassion and friendship. The simple text explains the power of seeds’ ability to multiply — from one seed to many pumpkins full of hundreds of seeds. It then equates this power to emotional seeds: those of kindness as well as those that bring anger and misunderstanding. It concludes by reminding the reader that seeds can only grow what they bring. Pumpkin seeds grow pumpkins, seeds of kindness grow more kindness.

This is a wonderful book. The message is a good one, and it’s conveyed in a way that is accessible to young readers. The illustrations are gorgeous. They’re bright, bold and compliment the story well. This is a great story for one-on-one sharing or could easily be incorporated into story time. Recommended for 1-yr olds and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

The Mystwick School of Musicraft

The Mystwick School of MusicraftThe Mystwick School of Musicraft by Jessica Khoury
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on January 21, 2020
ISBN: 132862563X
Pages: 368
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Khoury uses all the familiar wizard school tropes and structure to create a fantasy world for grades 4-7 where magic is in the music.   Twelve year old Amelia, who lives with her disapproving guardian, auditions in hopes to attend her mother’s alma mater the Mystwick School of Musicraft.  Amelia’s mother died in a magical accident that Amelia believes should be pursued or avenged.  Picked up by the school’s magical zeppelin and placed in one of the four musically related houses, Amelia quickly meets her nemesis and finds her musical and her magical abilities put the test.   Fantasy fans of all things wizardly will enjoy the magic of music.  Did you know that singing jitterbugs are magical?  The chapter headings are humorous musical puns and serviceable full-page black and white illustrations by Federica Frenna are scattered throughout the book.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

Picture book of Alexander Hamilton

Picture book of Alexander HamiltonA Picture Book of Alexander Hamilton by David A. Adler, Matt Collins
Published by Holiday House on December 10, 2019
ISBN: 0823439615
Pages: 32
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Beautifully illustrated biography of the life of Alexander Hamilton, which details all important aspects of his life from birth to death. Included is a time life highlighting important dates in his life. Excellent book to use for child doing a report on his life. I was not happy about how the African Americans were depicted in the book.

For ages 6 to 10

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

three-stars

It’s Okay to be a Unicorn

It’s Okay to be a UnicornIt's Okay to Be a Unicorn! by Jason Tharp
Published by Imprint on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 1250311322
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

The town of Hoofington has a strict “No Unicorns” policy, but little do they know, there’s one in their midst. Cornelius J. Sparklesteed is known for his wonderfully unique hats, but the truth is that they’re there to cover his horn. When he’s given the opportunity to perform the final act at the annual Hoofapalooza, Cornelius decides to come out as the unicorn he really is.

The concept behind this book — be who you are — is a good one, but the execution misses the mark. The setting, all the associated puns and attempts at humor feel forced and like a distraction from the overall message. This isn’t a new theme in picture books and others (eg: Sweety; I Am Enough; or Julián is a Mermaid) just execute it more successfully. The cartoonish, highly colored illustrations are perfectly appropriate for the tone of the book. Best for kids 3 and up simply because there’s a fair amount of text on each page.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

two-stars

Cat Dog Dog

Cat Dog DogCat Dog Dog: The Story of a Blended Family by Andrea Zuill, Nelly Buchet
ISBN: 1984848992
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A man has a dog. A woman has a dog and a cat. They move in together, and everyone has some adjusting to do.

This is a wonderful book about a blended family and how things change when two families become one. The text is comprised almost entirely of the words dog and cat — with an occasional bird and frog. The illustrations make the book, and Zuill does not disappoint with her colorful, highly expressive art. Animal lovers will love this book, and kids will love this book. Recommended for kids 3 and up, this would also make a fun book for kids just learning to sound out three letter words.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

The Boy and the Wild Blue Girl

The Boy and the Wild Blue GirlThe Boy and the Wild Blue Girl by Keith Negley
ISBN: 0062846809
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Everyone in town finds the wild blue girl to be a nuisance — everyone, except Poul. The wild blue girl seems to cause distruction and frustration everywhere she goes, but Poul can see that she’s just trying to help. He decides to build something that will show everyone how wonderful and helpful the wild blue girl really can be.

This book is based on the work of Poul la Cour and his invention of wind turbines. The concept is a good one, I’m just not sure how well it will work with the intended audience. The text is very simple which may draw in younger readers, and they may miss the connection betweetn the wild blue girl and the wind. Used as a one-on-one read aloud, however, this book could spark wonderful conversations about energy use, metaphor, and so much more. The bright, pencil drawing illustrations are wonderful and really add to the story. You can feel the energy of the wild blue girl through the movement of the artwork. Recommended for kids 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars