Category: Book Reviews

Mermaids Fast Asleep

Mermaids Fast AsleepMermaids Fast Asleep by Robin Riding
Published by Feiwel & Friends on April 9th 2019
ISBN: 1250076358
Pages: 26
Goodreads
three-stars

Mermaids Fast Asleep is a rhyming book that shows a young girl camping by the water. The text of the book takes the form of her wondering about the mermaids that might be below, also getting ready for bed. The text flows fairly smoothly and rhymes well, with a refrain of the couplet “Way down deep, way down deep/ Are there mermaids fast asleep?”. Illustrations show pastel digital paintings of mermaids of many different skin, hair and tail colors. The color palette gives the illustrations a dreamy quality that compliments the tone. There are two instances where the text mentions a specific color that doesn’t appear in the illustrations (“golden eyes” but all characters are drawn with small black ovals for eyes).

A solid purchase for picture book collections, especially where mermaids are in high demand (or where all current mermaid books have mostly white characters).

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

three-stars

Curse of the Evil Librarian

Curse of the Evil LibrarianCurse of the Evil Librarian by Michelle Knudsen
Published by Candlewick Press on August 13th 2019
ISBN: 0763694274
Pages: 336
Goodreads
four-stars

This is the third installment in the light-hearted, horror with humor Evil Librarian series featuring Cynthia (Cyn) Rothschild, theater set designer and demon-hunter extraordinaire.  It’s senior year and Cyn hopes she can relax and enjoy the auditions and rehearsals for the school’s production of Les Miserables.  All she has to do is support her boyfriend Ryan in his attempt to secure his dream role, or does she?  Nothing is clear cut for snarky, demon attracting Cyn, not even her friendship with the human loving demon Peter.  Cyn and the gang are called down to the demon realm and of course, Mr. Gabriel aka Evil Librarian has, for all “intense” purposes, escapes again.   Readers will want to start with the first book in the series to get the demon backstory.  Fans of the series will want to dive into this sinister and fun third production.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

Harrison Dwight Ballerina and Knight

Harrison Dwight Ballerina and KnightHarrison Dwight, Ballerina and Knight by Rachael MacFarlane
Published by Imprint on April 23rd 2019
ISBN: 1250138582
Pages: 34
Goodreads
four-stars

Harrison Dwight Ballerina and Knight is the second collaboration between author Rachael MacFarlane and illustrator Spencer Laudiero. Harrison loves ballet and dressing up as a knight. He likes to watch football with his mom and pick flowers with his dad. He competes in BMX races in pink gear and likes to paint his toenails. Harrison also talks about being okay with expressing his feelings and talking out problems with others.

What results is not a subtle book about it being okay for boys to like things that are both “traditionally masculine” and “traditionally feminine”. It times, to an adult or older reader, the language in the book may feel stilted or obvious. Still, this book will serve as an excellent starting point for the discussion on gender expression and healthy masculinity. Especially for children who have never had the ideas introduced, Harrison Dwight will give caregivers and children a glimpse at some language that can be used when these situations present themselves in everyday life.

The text is accompanied by digital illustrations showing a boy with brown hair and light brown skin–sometimes realistically and sometimes what he imagines he looks like. He is often accompanied by his mom (blonde with pale skin) and his dad (tanned with curly, brown hair). The background cast of characters includes adults and children of varying skin color, body type, and age. The pictures are a clean and bright way to show the story that will engage children.

Despite a lack of narrative, Harrison Dwight Ballerina and Knight provides a starting point for a very important conversation for all families to have. Recommended for most collections.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library. 

four-stars

Paws + Edward

Paws + EdwardPaws and Edward by Espen Dekko
Published by Kids Can Press on May 7th 2019
ISBN: 1525301357
Pages: 34
Goodreads
five-stars

A heartfelt story of a boy named Edward and his beloved dog, Paws. The story begins with the very senior dog sleeping. In his dreams, he is energetic and chasing rabbits. Unfortunately, this is something the elder dog can no longer do. Edward and Paws are together all the time. Edward encourages Paws to go for walks, and chase sticks but Paws is simply too tired, his paws too heavy. Paws just wants them to be together while he sleeps. As Paws continues to sleep more and more, the reader will sense that the end is near.

The passing of Paws is very gentle.  The two friends are together and Paws can feel Edwards heart beating and wonders why Edward  has wet eyes. Paws licks Edward’s hand for the last time, then he falls asleep – a deep sleep without dreams. The reviewers eyes  were wet as well, when the beloved pet passed on.

Now the house is quiet and empty and Edward can’t read. He goes outside and everything is there, except Paws. The illustrations on this page are dramatic and darkly hued as Edward falls asleep on the park bench . Edward begins dreaming and the the following page depicts the happy pair  together again . A youthful, larger than life, Paws, is racing around happily chasing rabbits while a napping Edward is on his pup’s back.

An important book for anyone who has lost a special pet. A touching story of loss and the importance of fond memories. A book that shows the beautiful friendship between an animal and a human and what joy they can bring to one another.

A recommend purchase for all libraries. This cream-recommended book  may bring a tear to your eyes and sad smile at the same time.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, ME

five-stars

Who’s Hiding On the Farm

Who’s Hiding On the FarmWho's Hiding on the Farm? by Nosy Crow, Katharine McEwen
Published by Nosy Crow on May 14th 2019
ISBN: 1536205869
Pages: 10
Goodreads
five-stars

Another in the series , Who’s Hiding, by Katharine McEwen, this  board book takes the youngest of readers to the farm for a day. With a statement about the farm on one page and the question, “who’s hiding here” on the facing page, readers lift flaps to see who indeed is on the farm. As each flap is opened, a fact about the farm occupant is given. The simple statement and question and the mystery of who is under each flap will engage the reader and offer a bit of knowledge  about the animals on and about the farm. It is STEAM at its basic. The soft , adorable illustrations only add to the reader’s enjoyment.  Use this with farm units for Pre-K-K students.

submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray

five-stars

The Real Boat

The Real BoatThe Real Boat by Marina Aromshtam
Published by Templar Books on January 8th 2019
ISBN: 1536202770
Pages: 64
Goodreads
four-stars

Translated from Russian, this imaginative picture book  is a modern fable about the importance of striving for your dreams and moving forward, no matter how difficult the journey may be.

This nautical adventures begins with a tiny paper boat floating in a little pond.  The paper boat was happy and content  until a duck and a frog question that he is a “real” boat. The duck talks about seeing “real boats” sailing on the ocean. The little boat  has never seen the ocean and sets out to find it. The waterways that lead to the ocean get larger and larger as do the boats that the paper boat encounters on his way. The adventure takes a turn for the worse ,when finally at the ocean, he encounters a storm which causes him to sink . Fortunately, he is rescued by a diver from a research boat . The diver brings him to the sea captain who is amazed at the little boat for sailing so far.  The sea captain declares the little boat  a  true seafarer and a real boat. He then  names him Intrepid. and places him inside a glass bottle with his name adorned on the bottle.. The “real boat” is now truly happy. The colorful and imaginative mixed-media illustrations demand your full attention and aptly convey the exciting voyage to the sea.  The illustrations are both whimsical and realistic  throughout the story. This book would be of particular interest to children who are interested in boats with many different vessels included from the simple rowboat to  a naval fleet destroyer and many other in-between. Both the author and illustrator live in Russia  and this Russian translation should please children everywhere.  A strong addition to any library and at the very least a cream consideration.

 

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, ME

four-stars

Guide Dogs for the Blind

Guide Dogs for the BlindGuide Dogs for the Blind by Alice Boynton
Published by Red Chair Press - (Look! Books) on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1634403150
Goodreads
three-stars

This non-fiction picture book for readers in grades 2-4 provides clear photographs and explanations of the process involved with training a guide dog.  This book is part of a larger series called “Animals That Help Us.”  The first section explains what the job of a guide dog is and then it follows various dogs as they progress through their training and finish with their day to day job.  The layout consists of two page spreads that contain a bright red heading, very adorable dog photos, three to four sentences in large fonts and plenty of white space. A few text bubbles are included on the pictures that label equipment like the harness or list the standard commands that the dogs respond to with the words that their owner would say.  The last page reminds readers to ask owners first before petting or playing with a service dog in harness.  A table of contents is provided in the front and the back matter includes a four word glossary, two book suggestions and two web sites to explore with an adult’s assistance and an index.   The first book suggested was an easy reader published in 1996 and the second book, although published in 2014, may be difficult to find in libraries, no libraries in the State of Maine catalog  had the book available.  There was not a bibliography, nevertheless, this would still be a useful title to provide to public libraries and school classrooms.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

three-stars

Bird Watch

Bird WatchBird Watch by Christie Matheson
Published by Greenwillow Books on February 26th 2019
ISBN: 0062393405
Pages: 48
Goodreads
four-stars

With all the multi-media available to our young readers, we often overlook the joy and experience of “communing with nature” first hand. Ms. Matheson  reminds readers of this by urging people to get outside and search meadows, fields, yards for those birds familiar to us and perhaps find new visitors. Her book has the reader identify common birds – chickadees, hummingbirds, and sparrows  through both counting them and finding them hidden on each page. The  text is minimal leaving room for  illustrations that  are soft and colorful,done in watercolor and collage. This selection is for that slightly older reader, as some of the birds are not easily found and counting them may go beyond the page in which they are introduced. What the story does do, is cultivate an interest in going outside and experiencing birds first hand in their surroundings. An author’s note about birding  has been included with facts about the ten birds she has chosen to highlight. Use with units on birds and habitats.

Grades K- 4

submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray

four-stars

See Me Play

See Me PlaySee Me Play by Paul Meisel
Published by Holiday House on June 11th 2019
ISBN: 0823438325
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

This picture book sized easy reader hits all the requirements for new readers.  The popular subject of dogs, a single repetitive sentence in large font per page and clear illustrative two-page spreads with lots of white space make this series a good fit for word recognition and confidence building.  Most sentences only change one or two words.  The humorous story line of the group of dogs following the ball and needing to catch an hot-air balloon, a motorboat, and a pink convertible is told through cartoon animal characters in action that enhance the simple sentence structure.  Suggested for school and library easy reader sections.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

 

five-stars

Polar Bears: Survival on the Ice

Polar Bears: Survival on the IceScience Comics: Polar Bears: Survival on the Ice by Jason Viola
Published by First Second on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 1626728232
Pages: 128
Goodreads
five-stars

Another excellent entry in the Science Comics series. This graphic novel, aimed at an upper elementary or middle grade reader but of interest to almost any age, focuses on polar bears and challenges the reader to explore the world of these bears that we think we know so much about (they are white, they live in the Arctic, they eat seals, they are losing their habitat). Reading this book was so informative; it was a deep dive into the lives of this animal. The reader will learn just how important ice is to polar bears; how they live and hunt and why; about mating and dining and stalking. Like all of the other books in the Science Comic series, Viola uses humor to discuss some of the more delicate areas like the subadult years of a polar bear and mating. And he is careful about how much gore to show when discussing hunting and eating.  Readers of the series will not be disappointed. Perhaps it will even inspire one or more of them to work on ways to protect this magnificent animal.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars