Category: Book Reviews

Field Trip to the Moon

Field Trip to the MoonField Trip to the Moon by John L. Hare
Published by Margaret Ferguson Books on May 14th 2019
ISBN: 0823442535
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

A picture book that truly needs no words, Field Trip to the Moon provides young readers with the opportunity to make this their own story.   Nearly all the illustrations of the children and teacher share feeling and mood without facial expressions.  It is the emotional response registering on the faces of moon beings that makes this book outstanding.  And I love that a crayon box is the implement of friendship, our lost child returns home having left behind an appreciated gift.

Hare’s first picture book is clever, artistic and imaginative.   From the yellow spaceship to the craters of the moon young readers will be able to identify objects as they narrate the storyline.  Parents and grands will be attracted to the lone student who experiences the field trip in a unique way achieving the bonanza interaction.

Recommended for Cream

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

Kitty and the Tiger Treasure

Kitty and the Tiger TreasureKitty and the Tiger Treasure by Paula Harrison, Jenny Lovlie
Published by Greenwillow Books on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 0062934767
Pages: 128
Goodreads
four-stars

This book series is about a young girl with cat-like superpowers!  Kitty’s mom is also a superhero who goes on adventures every night.  Kitty is just beginning to develop her superpowers, with the help of her cat crew.  Each book is a different adventure for Kitty, as she masters her new skills and powers.

This simple chapter book has few illustrations, done all in black and orange colors.  The chapters flow nicely, as Kitty communicates to her cat friends about their adventures.   Kitty is still learning her special cat skills, like climbing abilities, night vision, super hearing and vision, but she always solves the mystery  and saves the day!

This book would be wonderful for children first venturing away from the easy readers and graphic novels, to a real chapter book.

Reviewed by Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Library, Castine

four-stars

Kitty and the Moonlight Rescue

Kitty and the Moonlight RescueKitty and the Moonlight Rescue by Paula Harrison, Jenny Lovlie
Published by Greenwillow Books on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 0062934724
Pages: 128
Goodreads
four-stars

This book series is about a young girl with cat-like superpowers!  Kitty’s mom is also a superhero who goes on adventures every night.  Kitty is just beginning to develop her superpowers, with the help of her cat crew.  Each book is a different adventure for Kitty, as she masters her new skills and powers.

This simple chapter book has few illustrations, done all in black and orange colors.  The chapters flow nicely, as Kitty communicates to her cat friends about their adventures.   Kitty is still learning her special cat skills, like climbing abilities, night vision, super hearing and vision, but she always solves the mystery  and saves the day!

This book would be wonderful for children first venturing away from the easy readers and graphic novels, to a real chapter book.

Reviewed by Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Library, Castine

four-stars

Hold Hands

Hold HandsHold Hands by Sara Varon
Published by First Second on June 4th 2019
ISBN: 1596435887
Pages: 40
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This sweet picture book has very cute illustrations, colorful and clear.  The rhyming simple story explores different times when it is helpful to hold hands.  However, I find some of the messages to be not very appropriate or helpful.  “Hold hands when the day is new… before pancakes and during cheese…”  I loved holding my children’s hands, but not at these moments.

The intent of the text is charming; to hold hands is a very loving, friendly, reassuring gesture.  It also may have been the perfect time to introduce some manners, such as “May I hold your hand?”

Reviewed by Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

four-stars

This Book of Mine

This Book of MineThis Book of Mine by Sarah Stewart, David Small
on August 27th 2019
ISBN: 0374305463
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

This book confused me.  It is titled “This Book of Mine” but the first and last pages show a little girl clutching a book she just took out of a library.  ”I take this book… to chew on while you read it…”  Wow, please do not chew on my library books!

If I can get past the library references, it is a charming book, with very simple text exploring the love of books.  The illustrations are very simple pen drawings, with a purple wash over for color.  The books on each page have a different color wash to stand out.

This is a very sweet read aloud, with simple text and illustrations.  If I could only change the library illustrations to a bookstore?

Reviewed by Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Library, Castine

four-stars

CLIMATE CHANGE AND EXTREME STORMS

CLIMATE CHANGE AND EXTREME STORMSClimate Change and Extreme Storms by Mary Dykstra
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 1541538633
Pages: 32
Goodreads
two-stars

This climate book reports on the hazards of climate change, highlighting recent newsworthy hurricanes, storms and flooding.  The text also explains how we are trying to offset the damage, by building storm-sturdy buildings, roads, and bridges and how we can track these approaching storms with satellites and warning systems.

Other than turning off the lights, however, it does not give any solutions or suggestions that children could engage in to help solve this crisis.  It does not explain how these changes occurred in our climate.  There is a page dedicated to what children can do to help prepare for a storm, how to donate items to people in need, and referring them to local pet shelters to offer assistance.  A brief timeline, glossary and fact sheet for more referrals is found in back of book.

The text is very readable; photos are informative.  I would have preferred to see the glossary terms explained in bubbles or boxes in the text of book, rather than in back.

Reviewed by Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Library, Castine

two-stars

THOMAS EDISON Lighting the Way

THOMAS EDISON Lighting the WayThomas Edison: Lighting the Way by Lori Haskins Houran, Gustavo Mazali
Published by HarperCollins on November 5th 2019
ISBN: 0062432885
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

This charming biography of Thomas Edison starts off disclaiming a common belief.  Edison did NOT invent the light bulb, but made it better so everyone could use it.  Before he improved it, the light bulb would only stay lit for seconds before it burned out.  Edison studied and experimented and finally came upon a solution to make it usable for everyone in their homes and factories.

This book follows his life as a young boy, and how his love of inventions and making discoveries shaped his amazing contributions to the modern world.  He pursued his dream, becoming a full time inventor!

Children will be charmed with the simple color illustrations, and hopefully encouraged to follow their dreams.  A timeline and actual photos of Edison follow the story. This short book, only 32 pages, is an excellent first biography for children.  It is intended for adults to assist with the reading, as some words will be too difficult for beginning readers.

Reviewed by Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

five-stars

JUST LIKE US! CROCS

JUST LIKE US! CROCSJust Like Us! Crocs by Bridget Heos, David Clark
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on July 23rd 2019
ISBN: 1328791920
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

This colorful picture book compares crocodilians to humans; their family habits, eating habits, communication, parenting styles and general lifestyles.  Pen-and-ink and watercolor drawings are mixed with actual photos of the beasts in a humorous attempt at lighthearted comedy.

This book is marketed to K – 3rd graders, intended as a read along experience with an adult.  Language and terminology are too difficult for most 3rd graders.  Also, some of the text is hand lettered that an average 3rd grade student might find problematic.

I found the jumping from species to species confusing as there is only a brief sentence on the first page identifying the different crocodilians.  There is a glossary in the back of the book, but I would have preferred to have those terms being introduced on the page they appeared, in a bubble format perhaps?

The illustrations are aimed at a young audience, but the content and information seem to be more appropriate for an older child.  I would welcome this book in my library if I needed books on this topic, as it might be helpful to teachers doing a class project.

Reviewed by Irene Hall, Witherle Public Library, Castine

four-stars

Make a Wish, Henry Bear

Make a Wish, Henry BearMake a Wish, Henry Bear by Liam Francis Walsh
Published by Roaring Brook Press on April 30th 2019
ISBN: 162672332X
Pages: 40
Goodreads
three-stars

On Henry’s last birthday, Henry wished that his parents were more fun. Be careful what you wish for! For the past year Henry is not allowed to go to bed early and is often late for school, and he can’t wait for his next birthday to roll around so he can wish for more responsible parents. While 4-6 year olds will find enjoy Henry the bear being allowed to stay home and watching TV and eat chocolate cake for breakfast, I thought the plot would have been clearer if told in a chronological order rather than the reader learning about the birthday-wish-gone-wrong two-thirds of the way through the book. The artwork is beautiful with a European feel to the cartoonish illustrations. A fun book to give or read for a child’s birthday and brainstorming what birthday wishes they might make.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library, Liberty

three-stars

No Room for a Pup

No Room for a PupNo Room for a Pup! by Elizabeth Suneby, Laurel Molk
Published by Kids Can Press on October 1st 2019
ISBN: 1525300296
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

A clever retelling of the Yiddish folktale, It Could Always Be Worse. Mia wants a dog but her mother says that there is NO ROOM for one in their small city apartment. So Grandma hatches a plan with Mia and comes to visit with her squawking parrot Roger, the class bunny, a neighbor’s cat, and even grandma’s book club accompanied by their pet pig. Mother is relieved when they all leave and decides there might be room for one little dog. The book has a consistent format throughout building up to the gratifying conclusion. I will use No Room for a Pup for a readaloud during preschool Story Time, inviting kids to join in when mom cries “NO ROOM.” The full-color illustrations of the animals are adorable and characters are fashionably dressed people of varying ages and races. The picture on the last page of only the “pint-sized” pup and Mia will surprise and delight readers of all ages. Primary students could compare and contrast this book with It Could Always Be Worse: A Yiddish Folk Tale by Margot Zemach.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library, Liberty

Reviews: Perfect for young ones yearning for a pet.―Kirkus Reviews; 4.8 out of 5 on Amazon

five-stars