Category: Book Reviews

Fern and Horn

Fern and HornFern and Horn by Marie-Louise Gay
Published by Groundwood Books on September 1st 2019
ISBN: 1773062263
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

Are Fern and Horn siblings? It doesn’t matter because what matters in this story is that they are creative and polite to each other. Even though Horn is a bit sneaky and tries to trick Fern, she offers the use of her crayons and scissors, and she knows how to tame him (chocolate chip cookies!).

The author understands children and offers many strategies for getting along, such as distraction. At first the cartoonish illustrations appear a bit messy, but being creative can be a bit messy. Fern and Horn are fortunate to have a family that allow this messiness, indoors and outside. The publisher blurb on the dust jacket says they are twins, but this reviewer did not interpret that from the book. 

This book might encourage youngsters to enjoy, explore, and expand their imaginations. 

This could be used in art units, behavior units, or just for a fun read aloud, just be sure to have some paper, crayons and scissors ready! 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

The Truth About Crocodiles

four-stars

Much more than facts about crocodiles, this humorous presentation will entertain and inform.

This author has done other “Seriously Funny Facts…” books about elephants, dolphins, bears, and hippos. 

Although the image of crocodiles are vaguely realistic, they are shown talking with speech bubbles and have human facial expressions. An impala, turtles, and a young girl help provide humor with their comments. Earthy tones were created with pen and ink with digital coloring. 

Informative text is easy to access as sentences are placed around the page and the reader can jump around or read from beginning to end. A variety of interesting charts and easy-to-read font make this perfect for middle and perhaps lower elementary students.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Prince Bertram the Bad

Prince Bertram the BadPrince Bertram the Bad by Arnold Lobel
Published by Henry Holt & Company on June 11th 2019
ISBN: 1250143667
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Fans of Arnold Lobel will be pleased to see the release of this 1963 favorite. This Henry Holt edition includes a note from his daughter about the story and has a different cover image than the original. This review will comment on the book as she would for any current picture book.

What to do with a prince who acts so badly that even a spanking does not good? You hope a witch comes along and turns him into a small, scaly dragon that the people in the kingdom will make fun of! Even when he runs away to the big forest, the animals think he is strange and will not play with him. One day in winter, he finds the witch stuck in a snowbank and as a reward, she restores him to princedom. The reader is left with the impression that he will be a nice prince in the future.

The illustrations, done in graphite and ink, are mostly black and white with watercolors, but are spacious and hold only the necessary details pertinent to the story. The medium-size, easy to read black font is balanced throughout the pages. 

Told in a fairy tale style complete with a moral and castle and dragon, this would make a good read aloud for preschool and early elementary children. The reader could prompt a discussion about behavior and consequences, but the listeners are apt to easily discern the lesson through the humor. 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Digraphs and Blends

Digraphs and BlendsDigraphs and Blends by Wiley Blevins, Sean O'Neill
Published by Red Chair Press on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 1634403444
Pages: 32
Goodreads
two-stars

Inconsistent coverage of the topic in this Sound It Out – LOOK! Books ™. Clear, close-up photographs, mostly of children’s faces, sometimes objects, such as a whale or tops appear on the right-hand side of each page. Large font text occupies the left-hand side. Some pages have  a small drawing inset showing another object mentioned on the page.

Readers may be confused by the discussion of blends.  L-blends and r-blends have the target letter as the second letter, but s-blends have ‘s’ as the first letter. The text says, “As far as blends go, this is the end.” This is misleading as there are many other blends. 

In the digraphs discussion, it gives a rule for some words and says there are some words that break that rule, but those words are not given, nor is the reader prompted to think of them. On some other pages, the reader is prompted to think up additional words.

This could be useful for a teacher to introduce digraphs and blends, but most elementary students would probably not use this as for self-guided instruction.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

two-stars

Clark the Shark Too Many Treats

Clark the Shark Too Many TreatsClark the Shark: Too Many Treats by Bruce Hale, Guy Francis
Published by HarperCollins on February 5th 2019
ISBN: 0062279173
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

The only way to be sure that all the brownies are perfect for his class is to eat them – one by one, until they are all gone! Clark realizes too late that he now has no treats to take to school the next day. Forgiving mom helps him make another batch, and he’s able to help his classmates understand that “When you’ve had your snack, just hold back.”

Level 1 for beginning readers in the ‘I Can Read Books’ line provides a valuable lesson in a humorous story.

Great story to teach younger elementary and preschoolers about impulsive behavior and making predictions. Includes a few facts about real sharks at the end.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Wings of Fire the Graphic Novel: Book Two, The Lost Heir

Wings of Fire the Graphic Novel: Book Two, The Lost HeirThe Lost Heir (Wings of Fire Graphic Novel, #2) by Tui T. Sutherland
Published by Graphix on February 26th 2019
ISBN: 0545942209
Pages: 224
Goodreads
four-stars

The second graphic novel of the wildly popular Wings of Fire series follows the plot of book 2 but in full-color glory. One of the dragonets of destiny is going home to the SeaWing Kingdom to meet her family. Sutherland adapts her own book to hit all of the important plot points (the joyful reunion of Tsunami with her mother Queen Coral and sister Anemone, suspicion by the SeaWings of the other dragonets, machinations happening in the rest of the kingdoms, and the intrigue of an assassin bent on eliminating all of Queen Coral’s heirs) and Mike Holmes creates the art that brings it all together. There is action, danger, and banter. Fans of the series will not be disappointed. Those new to the series will want to read book 1 and perhaps even the novel as the prolific number of dragons can be confusing to those who don’t know any of the characters.

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

four-stars

Bearnard’s Book

Bearnard’s BookBearnard's Book Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on February 5th 2019
ISBN: 1627797572
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Bearnard, a picture book with text by Deborah Underwood, is the story of a bear who is preparing to audition for his very first book.

One day, Bearnard the bear receives a very special letter from the Queen of Storybook Land.  He,  has been chosen to be in a book!  His mind is racing with  thoughts of children reading a book about him, and he rushes off to tell his best friend, Gertie, the duck. This honor is a dream come true for Bearnard, and he wants to be sure he is up for the challenge. So, he begins studying other bear tales to make sure he is prepared.  Unfortunately, every time that Bearnard attempts to replicate the other bear’s activities, he fails. From floating in a tub, being a messy bear, to having his porridge stolen, Bearnard  just can’t do these things.  There will be no book for him….Fortunately, he has a true friend who has his best interests in mind. Gertie points out that he tried all these things and therefore he is a brave bear, plus he may not have to do these things in his own book!  Gertie calms him down and convinces him to meet the queen and move forward with the book. He does so, and  finds out that the book is about him being a brave bear getting ready to be in his book. And that all he has to do is be himself. The book is ready to go.

The beige pages are colored with shades of green, coral and golden brown conveying a charming and homey feel.  The book abounds with lovely textures in the background from artsy wallpapers to textured shower curtain that create the feeling of security and warmth.  The illustrations are outlined in bold  black  and work work well with and easy to read typeface that looks like handwriting. The text is spot on and flows nicely with the illustrations.

An outstanding cream level picture book with many important themes that include : bravery, the importance of having support from a true friend  and the big message of just being yourself. A recommended purchase for all libraries.

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

 

five-stars

What is Given From the Heart

What is Given From the HeartWhat Is Given from the Heart by Patricia C. McKissack
Published by Schwartz & Wade on January 8, 2019
ISBN: 0375836152
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Not only is this a wonderful last book by one of our best storytellers, it is also illustrated by a talented artist. The combination of loving text and beautiful pictures makes this a contender for all sorts of awards. When Mama and James are struggling they learn that another family has lost everything in a fire.   Their minister asked his parish members to each find something to share.   This story is not new nor uncommon but the attitude is one of charitable giving without concern for personal sacrifice.  It is not surprising that McKissack has her character write and illustrate a book, she made this title a real gift to her readers.

The illustrations are wonderful, the blended colors make me think of lovely batik fabric. Even in this poor setting the pictures show shades of courage, love, and spiritual commitment.   Add this book to all public libraries, primary school media centers, church shelves and gift to readers who love and cherish other titles by Patricia McKissack.

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

five-stars

Inside Outside

Inside OutsideInside Outside by Anne-Margot Ramstein, Matthias Arégui
Published by Candlewick Studio on April 9th 2019
ISBN: 1536205974
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

Published first in France, Inside Outside is an art book for young viewers.  Yes it is a concept book but this title will not be shelved in public libraries with early education concept books.   It will be best appreciated by children between the ages of 4-6 and by art teachers of all ages.   The authors have produced a lovely and creative work that offers concepts to ponder.  The first few pages clearly show the inside and outside of an egg, a tunnel, and a castle. Readers may not be prepared for the illustration of birds on a captivating two page spread.  Equally challenging is the tent and whale illustration which this readers admits is her favorite.

Choice of colors, the depth within the illustrations and drama represented in this wordless book makes it a winner.   Add this to public libraries, primary schools and gift to your favorite art teacher and student.

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

five-stars

Perfect

PerfectPerfect by Max Amato
Published by Scholastic Press on January 29th 2019
ISBN: 0545829313
Pages: 48
Goodreads
four-stars

A lovely entry into the growth-mindset picture book canon. Eraser likes things just so, clean and smudge-free. Along comes Pencil traipsing across Eraser’s clean pages, making marks with wanton abandon. No problem, Eraser will just…erase. But there are so many marks and finally, an entire page scribbled in by pesky Pencil. When Eraser discovers that this dark page presents an opportunity to make intentional marks, a whole new world opens up. In the end, Pencil and Eraser can work together to make something greater than either could accomplish alone. A lovely metaphor for finding flexibility in your thinking and for accepting that everything does not always turn out exactly the way you picture it in your mind. A fun read-aloud with clear, energetic illustrations, this one will be a hit.

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

four-stars