Category: Book Reviews

Where’s the witch?

Where’s the witch?Where's the Witch? by Ingela P. Arrhenius, Nosy Crow
Published by Nosy Crow on July 16, 2019
ISBN: 1536207535
Pages: 10
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

This simple board book will be loved by many babies and could be used as well for early readers. The Halloween theme is fun and not at all scary. The flaps are felt rather than the usual paper so they may hold up over time a bit better. The colorful illustrations paired with the brightly colored felt flaps will help to keep babies engaged while providing different textures as well. Definitely recommend this for anyone with a child who’s in the phase of flaps and exploring with touch.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

My little ocean

My little oceanMy Little Ocean by Katrin Wiehle
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on June 11, 2019
ISBN: 1328535258
Pages: 16
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

This board book explores things found on, in, and around the ocean. It is a very simple book best for the youngest readers. The color illustrations are simple and provide context for the words in the book. Each page simply names different animals, plants, etc. found in the ocean environment. It is a good exploration of ocean life. The board book is made of 100% recycled materials, but feels like it won’t hold up long with heavy use (or heavy chewing by babies).

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

My little pond

My little pondMy Little Pond by Katrin Wiehle
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on June 11, 2019
ISBN: 1328544850
Pages: 16
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

This board book explores things found on, in, and around ponds. It is a very simple book best for the youngest readers. The color illustrations are simple and provide context for the words in the book. Each page simply names different animals, plants, etc. found in the pond environment. It is a good exploration of pond life. The board book is made of 100% recycled materials, but feels like it won’t hold up long with heavy use (or heavy chewing by babies).

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Stormy

StormyStormy: a Story about Finding a Forever Home by Guojing
Published by Schwartz & Wade on September 17, 2019
ISBN: 1524771767
Pages: 34
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This wordless book is simply stunning. It’s a story about a stray pup, a very kind woman, a fierce storm, and the pup finding a forever home. The illustrations are exquisite, detailed, and gorgeous. They’re laid out like a graphic novel and combined with several impressive full page spreads. It is a heartwarming story of patience, kindness, and trust. This book would be best for K-3rd grade readers. A gorgeous, well thought out story. Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

1,2,3, Jump!

1,2,3, Jump!1, 2, 3, Jump! by Lisl H. Detlefsen, Madeline Valentine
Published by Roaring Brook Press on May 14, 2019
ISBN: 1626726817
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This fun book explores the excitement and fears often associated with the first swim lessons. The main character appears more nervous than excited, but the promise of trying on flippers at the end of swim lessons is awfully alluring. The colorful illustrations bring life to the book and further the story well. My main criticism of this book is that the humor is somewhat demeaning of the kids. It’s meant to be light hearted and silly but sometimes comes across as belittling. Additionally, if someone has a child nervous about swim lessons, mentioning the fear of alligators, sea monsters, and sharks in the pool isn’t likely to be helpful. The power of suggestion is strong in little kids. Overall, however, the book is a fun look at swim lessons with a positive ending. It would be best shared one-on-one with kids Pre-K-1st grade.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Girls Who Run the World

Girls Who Run the WorldGirls Who Run the World: Thirty CEOs Who Mean Business by Bijou Karman, Diana Kapp
Published by Delacorte Press on October 15, 2019
ISBN: 198489305X
Pages: 208
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A showcase of 31 Female CEO’s who rule and run the world. This book offers 31 short biographies and tips and tricks to help women in their own business ventures. The book is full of interesting facts about these lady CEO’s but because of the limited length of pages given to each woman the info doesn’t really amount to much. The book seems to be falling short of giving real advice that teens can take to heart and actually implement.  I would recommend this book for tweens. It reads too young for older teens.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

three-stars

Rocket Says Look Up!

Rocket Says Look Up!Rocket Says Look Up! by Dapo Adeola, Nathan Bryon
Published by Random House ISBN: 1984894420
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Rocket is a little girl obsessed with the night sky and outer space. She can’t stop talking about it and wants the world to share in her enthusiasm. The Phoenix Meteor Shower is coming right up, and Rocket passes out flyers to all her friends and announces it at the local grocery store. All of this is much to the embarrassment of her older brother, Jamal. Can she get him to stop looking at his phone and look up?

This book is great for any family that has a child who is obsessed with a particular topic, especially if it’s space. It will inspire families to go out and look at the night sky. It could also be a sneaky way to get someone to spend less time on their phone. The illustrations are adorable. Rocket’s family has a mom and a brother (no mention of a father) and they are all dark-skinned. Background characters have a variety of skin tones and some wear turbans. Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Samantha Cote, Windham Public Library, Windham

five-stars

DINOSAURS BY THE NUMBERS

DINOSAURS BY THE NUMBERSDinosaurs: By The Numbers by Steve Jenkins
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on July 16, 2019
ISBN: 132885096X
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

I enjoyed this informative book on dinosaurs.  The layout is very professional, using graphs, charts, timelines and simple illustrations to show when dinosaurs lived, and what they may have looked like and how they may have behaved.

The text compares the special features of prehistoric dinosaurs to modern dinosaurs and common animals and humans of today.

This book will appeal to the scientific minds of youngsters, possibly middle grades 4-6.  It is advertised for grades 1-4, but I believe older children will better understand it and be rewarded by this unique way of exploring the lives of dinosaurs. It will be a valuable addition to a school classroom and library setting.

There are dinosaur facts, a glossary and bibliography in the back of the book.

Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

 

 

five-stars

Pete The Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase

Pete The Cat: The Great Leprechaun ChasePete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase by James Dean
Published by HarperCollins on January 15, 2019
ISBN: 0062404504
Pages: 24
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Pete the Cat gets a brilliant idea of starting a leprechaun chasing business. Friends approach him to ask for help related to different problems that they are having, and Pete follows the rainbow to its end to find Clover, a leprechaun. Most of the time Clover evades him, singing a new song each time. Does Pete need the leprechaun for luck and to help his friends, or was it inside him all along?

The storyline doesn’t rise to the excellence of previous Pete the Cat books, but is a serviceable St. Patrick’s Day book if you need more in your collection. Additionally, it would fill the needs of your most ardent Pete the Cat fanatics. The illustrations are typical of a book in this series: simplistic and full of color. A poster, stickers, and 12 St. Patrick’s Day cards are included.

Reviewed by Samantha Cote, Windham Public Library, Windham

two-stars

The Kingdom

The KingdomThe Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg
Published by Henry Holt & Company on May 28, 2019
ISBN: 1250293855
Pages: 352
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Kingdom” by Jess Rothenberg is a young adult science fiction novel set in the relatively near future (2096) at a theme park that sounds suspiciously familiar. The main character, Ana, is a hybrid human/animatronic princess who works for The Kingdom. The princesses, called Fantasists, are required to live their entire lives in the park, interacting with guests in prescribed ways and making their visits magical. Any aberration is met with re-education and rebooting or ultimately, destruction.

Ana is starting to have feelings and notices that she is becoming less content to live within the Kingdom forever under their rules. She falls for a Kingdom worker and then finds herself accused of his murder! The book switches between interviews with Ana during the trial, court documents, and the actual events of two years before the trial.

Written for ages 13-18, this interesting science fiction and mystery book is a good addition to young adult collections where science fiction is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

four-stars