No More Señora Mimí

February 1, 2025February 11, 2025

No More Señora Mimí by Brittany Cicchese, Meg Medina
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536219444
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Young Ana’s daily routine includes hanging out with her upstairs neighbor señora Mimí (and Mimí’s baby and dog) both before and after school while Ana’s mother is at work. Things are about to change, however, with the arrival of Abuela, who will be moving in with Ana and helping with the childcare. Ana is super excited about this until she has the realization that the routine she loves will end, as will the role that Mimí has played in her life.

What could have been a more straightforward picture book about change is transformed by Medina into a nuanced exploration of mixed emotions in young children and a glimpse into the bond that caretakers and children can have. The book would be easy to recommend for all kinds of life events that might feel overwhelming, but it also fills a niche yet crucial need for children struggling with saying goodbye to caregivers, making it a terrific addition to any library.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

Sir Callie and the Witches War (Book 3)

January 31, 2025

Sir Callie and the Witch's War by Esme Symes-Smith
Published by Penguin Random House ISBN: 0593711084
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This third installment in the engaging and diverse Sir Callie series is another winner for middle grade fantasy lovers looking for queer and nonbinary main character representation. Symes-Smith grapples with very difficult topics, including discrimination, trauma, complicated families and more, in a way that is very real and appropriate for middle grade readers, neither shying away from these things, but also not including them just to drive a plot point home. A book that will circulate with current fans easily and a must-have for any library that owns the first two in the series.

Reviewed by: Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

Chang’e on the Moon

January 30, 2025

Chang’e on the Moon (Everlasting Tales, #1) by Cornelia Li, Jaime Chu, Katrina Moore
on September 3, 2024
ISBN: 0063295806
Genres: Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Everlasting Tales: Chang’e on the Moon

Retold by Katrina Moore

In this picture book for ages 4-8, Katrina Moore and Cornelia Li re- tell the Chinese legend of Chang’e, the moon goddess. Chang’e is a kind and beautiful woman who deeply loves her husband, Hou Yi, a talented archer who travels from village to village to purge communities from monsters and create caring communities. One morning, multiple suns rose in the sky, scorching the earth and threatening life. Hou Yi shoots arrows to destroy the extra suns until only one remained. To reward Hou Yi, the heavenly goddess presented him with a single elixir of immortality. Hou Yi and Chang’e’s love was so strong that they both declined the elixir, choosing to remain together on Earth. Despite hiding the elixir for safety, Hou Yi’s apprentice, Peng Meng, found it and wanted to use it to rule the world forever. Chang’e realized she must get rid of the elixir once and for all. With the help of her animal friends, Chang’e took back the elixir and drank it herself, which caused her to float way to the moon (considered part of Heaven). Hou Yi was heartbroken to be parted from Chang’e, but he spent the rest of his life sharing the story of her sacrifice everywhere he went.

Chang’e’s bravery and selfless sacrifice not only saved her people but also inspired the annual Mid-Autumn Festival, during which participants give thanks to the moon for their harvest. To this day, friends and family gather every year to share mooncakes and to tell the tale of Chang’e. This lovely story of courage, altruism, and enduring love is underscored by the beautiful and vivid painted illustrations.

4 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

Even Better Than Sprinkles

January 30, 2025January 30, 2025

Even Better Than Sprinkles: A Story About Best Friends by Heather Fox, Linda Skeers
ISBN: 0593705513
Goodreads
three-stars

What could be Even Better Than Sprinkles? It turns out friendship is the most important thing in this new picture book by Linda Skeers and Heather Fox.

The story takes us through playdates between two friends, though one friend (with the orange hair and white-presenting skin color) is more inclined to do what the other friend (Black presenting) wants to do. Our narrator tells us that a good friend will be “the back half of the unicorn costume,” or “will let you be the knight” of the castle, “even though you were the knight last time—and the time before that.” The playdates continue this way, until a big birthday party incident happens and causes a falling out. Will a glittery, hand-written apology solve everything? Yes, it will.

Caregivers will appreciate this story that encourages relationship skills and how to apologize when there’s a rift. The rainbow sprinkled cover will catch the eye of any child browsing the picture book stacks, but the story’s generic illustrations and predictable story-line might render it forgettable. Ages 4-8.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

Near Misses and Cowboy Kisses

January 30, 2025

Near Misses & Cowboy Kisses by Katrina Emmel
on July 23, 2024
ISBN: 0593708148
Genres: Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Near Misses and Cowboy Kisses” is a YA romance by Katrina Emmel. Riley Thomas is 17 and dealing with moving from California to Nebraska due to her parents’ jobs. Beyond that, she also has to go on an Oregon Trail-themed family vacation (yes, involving wagons). While there, she meets Colton Walker, an 18-year-old cowboy working for the Oregon Trail Adventure. He is quiet and she is angry. Their awkwardness turns into friendship and then more. This is a slow-moving cowboy romance that at times is frustrating due to the main character’s miscommunication and assumptions. A suggested purchase where YA romances are popular.

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

A Queen’s Game

January 30, 2025

A Queen's Game by Katharine McGee
on November 12, 2024
ISBN: 0593710703
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“A Queen’s Game” is the first in a new YA historical romance series by author Katharine McGee. The three main characters are all based on actual historical women from 19th-century Europe. Alix of Hesse is expected to marry Prince Edward, but she has fallen in love with Russian prince Nicholas. Former French princess Helene d’Orleans meanwhile meets up with Prince Edward and falls for him. And lastly, May of Teck wants to marry royalty to get away from her family.

There is a lot of drama, political twist, and romantic scenes, so readers who enjoy a twisty historical romance will like this one. It reads a bit like a Victorian Gossip Girl at times. It unfortunately ends on a cliffhanger, so readers will have to wait for the sequel. This is a suggested purchase where YA historical romances are popular.

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

Blame My Virgo Moon

January 30, 2025

Blame My Virgo Moon (Never Trust a Gemini, #2) by Freja Nicole Woolf
on May 2, 2024
ISBN: 153623530X
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Blame My Virgo Moon” is the second book in the “Never Trust a Gemini” YA series by Freja Nicole Woolf. Cat is 15 years old and very into astrology. She is an Aquarius. Since the end of the last book, she has a girlfriend, Morgan, who is a Gemini. Cat is having trouble integrating Morgan into her friend group. Cat also ends up in the school play as a lead, so she has to deal with stress there as well.

A funny high school novel that seems a bit foolish at times (I don’t know if teens actually exclaim “gooseberries” all that often) and has a lot of rom-com tropes, this is an additional purchase for YA collections where astrology books are popular.

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

An Animal a Day: 365 Amazing Animals to Take you Through the Year

January 28, 2025

An Animal a Day: 365 Amazing Animals to Take You Through the Year by Miranda Smith
Published by Bright Matter Books on 11/05/24
ISBN: 0593903358
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

An Animal A Day is a great book for young animal lovers. This book highlights a different animal for each day of the year. Some of the animals are well known such as the great white shark and the giant panda, while others might be new for kids, like the gulper eel and fat-tailed dwarf lemur. This book would be more suitable for a public library rather than a school library. The text for each animal is only a paragraph about some of the more interesting facts followed by a list that includes the diet, size, and status of the animal. The information offered is important and interesting, but it is not in depth and won’t satisfy readers who want to learn a lot about these animals. The strength of this nonfiction book are the beautiful illustrations. The colors are generally muted to support the text without being overwhelming. The end of the book does include a glossary and index, making the text more accessible for readers.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

Mr. Santa

January 25, 2025January 25, 2025

Mr. Santa by Jarvis
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 153623883X
Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In Jarvis’ newest holiday picture book, Mr. Santa, he writes a story comprised of only questions and exclamations. Written from the perspective of a curious little girl who catches Santa in the act of gifting presents in her bedroom, she asks all the questions a child might want to know. Santa only responds with gentle, non-verbal expressions which adds to the humor of the story. “Have you wiped your shoes?” “Want to meet my goldfish?” “Can we visit your house?” What ensues is a magical evening spent with Santa, reminiscent of The Polar Express or The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. Young readers will love wondering what the answers to these questions might be. When she wakes up in the morning, she wonders, “Was it really real?”

Illustrated with Jarvis’ soft, muted blue tones and use of stars and sparkles, it has a dreamlike quality that really evokes the Christmas magic that readers love to experience during the holidays. It’s digitally illustrated but has the look of colored pencils and sponge prints that gives it a unique look. Would recommend for any library’s holiday collection; for ages 3-7.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

Legend of the White Snake

January 22, 2025

Legend of the White Snake by Sher Lee
Published by Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins on October 15, 2024
ISBN: 0063327198
Genres: Fantasy, Folklore, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Prince Xian’s mother is near death. The cause of her slow demise is that of a snake bite she received many years before. After searching for the elusive white pearl cure, Prince Xian had it in the palm of his hand, until Zhen, a white snake, consumed the pearl becoming a spirit snake, able to transform into a man. Seven years later, an oracle has foreseen the white snake drawn near the kingdom and Prince Xian sets off on a quest to find it and the cure.

On his quest, Xian encounters a charming young man named Zhen. They are drawn together until each other’s pasts become clear; both have to battle some inner turmoil to hopefully find their “happily ever after.”

This novel is a modern take on the Chinese folktale of the same name. There is a nice mix of fantasy and romance. Lee expertly portrays Chinese culture and LGBTQ characters. Like many fairy tales, the characters fall in love at first sight and in this novel they do have a sexual relationship (not overly detailed) which not all young readers may be ready for. Overall, it fits well within the YA folktale retelling formula that finds success.

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, ME.