Category: Book Reviews

The Kids Book of Black History in Canada

The Kids Book of Black History in CanadaThe Kids Book of Black History in Canada (Kids Books of) by Arden Taylor, Rosemary Sadlier
Published by Kids Can Press on 2024
ISBN: 1525307371
Genres: Cultural / African American, Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This update of the 2003 The Kids Book of Black Canadian History is set up similarly to Dorling Kindersley books with short blurbs of text, many illustrations and maps, and numerous brief profiles of Black Canadians. The author points out multiple differences, similarities, and connections to United States Black experiences, revealing new perspectives on American history.

Opening with a definition of Black Canadian history, the book then continues through the 400 years of Black Canada, covering the Atlantic Slave Trade, slavery in New France and British Canada, the Underground Railroad, and Black Canadian involvement in the U.S. Civil War. There are entries on Black Canadian homesteaders, cowboys, domestic servants, railway porters, and World Wars I and II soldiers. The author discusses problems of prejudice and racism, immigration, and the continued fight for rights and representation in society. The final sections of the book include a chronology of Canadian Black Heritage celebrations, a section of mini-biographies, a glossary and an index.

Recommended to introduce young readers (approximately ages 8-12) to a different aspect of Canadian history, another view of the Black experience, and new perspectives on United States history.

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

five-stars

Pavlo Gets the Grumps

Pavlo Gets the GrumpsPavlo Gets the Grumps by Natalia Shaloshvili
Published by Candlewick Press on 2024
ISBN: 1536235547
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A kitten named Pavlo wakes up in a bit of a mood. He doesn’t want to to the park, nor go swimming, nor go to see a movie. His mother observes that he must have the grumps. Mama cat suggests that they go out anyway and Pavlo’s friends at the park gently bring him out of his funk.

With a universally applicable theme and soft, fuzzy-looking images created with acrylics and watercolors, Ukrainian-born author Natalia Shaloshvili has created a fun read-aloud gem. It would be an excellent pair with Laura Dockrill’s Gray, another recent picture book that puts a positive spin on less-than-positive emotions.

Highly recommended!   Suggested reading level: 3-7 year-olds.

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

five-stars

Olivette Is You

Olivette Is YouOlivette Is You by Nico Tortorella
Published by Random House on 2024
ISBN: 059338153X
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Simple rhyming text and effervescently cheerful illustrations introduce us to Olivette, a kid who can do, and be, anything. The message of the book is not only that Olivette is “all of it”, but so is everyone else.  One memorable two-page illustration shows a diverse row of children, and even Olivette’s dog, lined up at a table with their own nesting dolls showing the many different aspects of their individual personalities, from artists and athlete to doctors and scholars.
All the illustrations, done with Adobe Photoshop, are exceptionally inclusive.

An example of one of the most representative rhymes is:
“No matter where we come from,
What we look like,
How we speak,
We aren’t that different, after all.
We are equally unique!”

This book would make for an extremely cheerful, positive read-aloud for 4-8 year-olds.

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

five-stars

The Last Stand

The Last StandThe Last Stand by Antwan Eady, Jarrett Pumphrey, Jerome Pumphrey
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on 2024
ISBN: 0593480570
Genres: Farm Life, Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

An unnamed young teen boy helps his grandfather harvest and sell fresh produce at the last remaining farm stand in their all-Black neighborhood. Poignantly, their’s is the last stand open in what was once a thriving five-stall location. When the grandfather becomes ill, his grandson works hard to continue business as usual by loading up a wagon and peddling it to the farm stand with his bicycle. The grateful neighbors bring gifts of jams and baked goods to wish his grandfather well. The grandfather does recover and the last pages show that the grandson takes over the stand as an adult. Significantly, one of the other stands has also reopened by then, showing some signs of recovery for Black farmers, as well.

The author’s note at the end of the book explains the reality of the plight of small-scale Black farmers. He hopes this book will help to bring this issue to light. The illustrations are done with handmade stamps and digitally edited.

Highly recommended as an engaging way to introduce 3-7 year olds to important social issues.

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

five-stars

Rover and Speck: It’s a Gas

Rover and Speck: It’s a GasRover and Speck: It's a Gas! (Rover and Speck, 3) by Jonathan Roth
Published by Kids Can Press on October 1, 2024
ISBN: 1525305689
Pages: 104
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

In this story, the third in the Rover and Speck series, our main characters go in search of life on a giant gas planet. Rover and Speck depart their ship excited at the chance to learn about this planet and hopefully find life until they realize the lifeforms there are dangerous! The spark-shooting space sharks zap Rover and it’s up to Speck to save Rover and get him safely back to the ship.Thankfully he meets a flock of friendly Space Jelli’s to help him along his way. These new friends problem solve and help one another along the way.

This graphic novel pairs a fictional story with non-fiction “Fun Science Facts” parsed throughout, deepening understanding and encouraging curiosity.

Ages 7-10

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

three-stars

Up, Up, Ever, Up! Junko Tabei: a Life in the Mountains

Up, Up, Ever, Up! Junko Tabei: a Life in the MountainsUp, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains by Anita Yasuda, Yuko Shimizu
Published by Clarion ISBN: 0063242419
Genres: Adventure, Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is an exhilarating look at the life of Junko Tabei, the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.  Starting with her early life in Japan, the book profiles a life dedicated to climbing,  and, eventually,  to the care and maintenance  of mountains necessitated by so many people determined to reach the top.  After Junko climbed Everest she continued climbing and achieved all seven major summits of the world.

The illustrations are as colorful as the story, and work in perfect harmony to create a fitting tribute to a trailblazing climber, feminist, and humanitarian. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Peace on Earth

Peace on EarthPeace on Earth by David Litchfield, Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536235709
Genres: Adventure, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

What does peace on earth look like? This picture book shows how we can find peace in nature, friendships, and adventures. But sometimes peace can be hard to find when hurtful words are used. At that point, it takes bravery and kindness to come back together and rekindle the peace that once was. While the text of this book is simplistic (and sadly repetitive when peace is hard to find), the illustrations in this book are stunning – full of detail, color, and whimsy. This book could be useful for children navigating difficult relationships or having trouble with peers. Recommended for ages 5-8 (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

three-stars

Still Life

Still LifeStill Life by Alex London, Paul O. Zelinsky
ISBN: 0063229552
Genres: Arts
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In a still life painting, nothing moves – ever. This quirky story is narrated by a stuffy artist explaining his still life painting. He repeats his mantra that still life paintings never move, while to the contrary, an adventure featuring mice, dragons, a knight, and a princess unfolds before the reader’s eyes.  This book is silly and fun, with the text telling a different story than the illustrations.  Though, some knowledge of still life paintings (and sarcasm) may be helpful to fully appreciate the humor. The illustrations are a clever mix of traditional and digital styles. Recommended for ages 5-7 (Kindergarten to 1st Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

four-stars

Tiny Jenny: Little Fairy, Big Trouble

Tiny Jenny: Little Fairy, Big TroubleTiny Jenny: Little Fairy, Big Trouble by Briony May Smith
ISBN: 0593650476
Genres: Fairy Tale
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Tiny Jenny is a wingless fairy born to a family of wrens. She creates some mischief growing up in the forest, and is encouraged by a wise owl to go find the fairies to learn more about herself. She finds the fairies to be bullies, stealing from her friends and wreaking havoc in the woods. Instead of choosing to join the fairies and gain her wings, she stands up to them, daring to eat the mushrooms from their magic circle. With the circle no longer intact, the fairies are forced to leave the forest and Tiny Jenny returns to her family of wrens, and is (almost) never naughty again. The illustrations are lovely, celebrate nature, and are visually captivating. This story has so many lessons or potential parallel experiences (such as bullying, acting out, and feelings related to being adopted). The story is a bit long, and does paint the entirety of the fairy species as being “bad”. Recommended for ages 5-8 (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

four-stars

The Magic Callaloo

The Magic CallalooThe Magic Callaloo by Sophie Bass, Trish Cooke
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536235571
Genres: Cultural / African American, Fairy Tale
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Once upon a time, there was a tiny village that had a special gift – a Callaloo plant that granted wishes. The people of the village cared greatly for the plant, helping it to thrive and sharing the magic. One day, a very selfish man wanted the Callaloo all for himself so that he could have endless wishes. He became so lazy that he failed to care for the plant, which had withered away with the exception of one leaf. Meanwhile, a married couple back in the village longed for a child so much, that when an old wise woman told them where the plant had been taken to, they traveled in search of the plant, battling snakes and dragons, in hopes of getting one last wish fulfilled. With the last of the remaining Callaloo magic their wish was granted, and they named their daughter Lou. Lou was beautiful, with luscious Afro hair reminiscent of the Callaloo plant. The selfish man captures Lou and forces her into a life of slavery. Until one day, the wise old woman visits Lou, and gives her a roadmap home by braiding her hair. This story is a cultural and moving re-telling of the classic “Rapunzel”, with bright, colorful, vibrant illustrations, and it would be an excellent addition to any picture book collection. Recommended for ages 7-9 (2nd to 3rd Grade). Cream of the Crop nominee.

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

five-stars