Category: Book Reviews

It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity

It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender IdentityIt Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book about Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn, Noah Grigni
Published by Henry Holt & Company on June 4th 2019
ISBN: 1250302951
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

It Feels Good to Be Yourself is an informational picture book written by Theresa Thorn and illustrated by Noah Grigni which introduces the concept of gender identity to young children by showing four different children–brother and sister, Ruthie and Xavier, as well as their friends Alex and JJ. Ruthie is a transgender girl and Xavier is a cisgender boy. They both have brown skin, hair, and eyes, and appear to have a black mother and a white father. Alex is non-binary and has blue hair and freckled skin. JJ is also non-binary, with short, brown curly hair. They also use a wheelchair.

Thorn introduces the words transgender, cisgender, and non-binary with simple definitions that tie concretely into one of the four characters shown. Thorn uses language that is digestible even by young audiences but doesn’t talk down to readers or compromise the meaning of what she is describing. Thorn goes on to describe a little more about how genders are assigned and how a child might come to realize that their identity is different or the same to what they have been told to that point in their life. Throughout, Thorn reassures readers that whatever they identify as, however, they express themselves, and however much it all changes, it still okay and that they will be loved no matter what.

The text is accompanied by Noah Grigni’s watercolor, gouache, and ink illustrations, which bring diversity on each page with bold color and lines. The bright color they use invites readers into the story to explore a variety of different ways to express themselves.

The backmatter includes helpful terms to known, a note about pronouns, resources in the form of books for kids, book for adults, documentaries, and organizations/helplines. Both Thorn and Grigni provide a note to readers in the back.

The subject of this book is critical and the execution is sublime. Essential for all libraries.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library. 

five-stars

Hum and Swish

Hum and SwishHum and Swish by Matt Myers
Published by Neal Porter Books on June 11th 2019
ISBN: 0823442861
Pages: 40
Goodreads
three-stars

Hum and Swish is a simple, quiet book about a little girl with pale skin and brown hair. Jamie and her family are at the beach. Jamie is creating a sandcastle project and everyone keeps asking her questions. Finally, a woman comes to sit near Jamie and paint and doesn’t ask her any questions.

The story seems very simple on the surface, opting to show most of what is happening with the illustrations, rather than the text. The acrylic and oil paintings bring a beach-y ocean feel, with brush strokes demonstrating the swish of the ocean waves. Many children might need help articulating what the story is “about” but the illustrations give a lot for children to explore.

Recommended.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library. 

three-stars

Spin

SpinSpin by Lamar Giles
Published by Scholastic Press on January 29th 2019
ISBN: 1338219219
Pages: 400
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is about the music and the mystery. Kya and Fuse are the first people to find DJ ParSec after she has been murdered. Both girls had complicated relationships with their friend Paris (DJ ParSec) and now they must find out who killed her to clear themselves. Told through flashbacks and alternating, first-person narratives, readers learn that DJ ParSec is on the brink of making it big, but she has secrets to hide just as Kya and Fuse. Topics such as media bias and racism add thought-provoking content to the mystery. This book will find fans with readers of thrillers and the short chapters make this a good choice for reluctant readers, and the music references also make it a fine choice for music fans. With many references to rap artists like Biggie and Tupac (and even old-school Queen Latifah) this book will create a running playlist in the reader’s head. Edgar Award-winner and founding member of We Need Diverse Books, Lamar Giles, brings to life young, female, Black women in the world of hip-hop. The voices of Kya, Fuse, and Paris need to be on the shelves of all libraries serving young adults.  For Grades 8 and up. 

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

four-stars

Strangers Assume My Girlfriend Is My Nurse

Strangers Assume My Girlfriend Is My NurseStrangers Assume My Girlfriend Is My Nurse by Shane Burcaw
Published by Roaring Brook Press on April 30th 2019
ISBN: 1626727708
Pages: 208
Goodreads
four-stars

The author of Laughing at My Nightmare is back with another book that is a must-have for all libraries. This second book of essays is filled with stories that highlight Burcaw’s signature humor. The title comes from the essay in which Burcaw explains that people often assume that because he is in a wheelchair, his able-bodied girlfriend must be his nurse. Many of the essays in this collection focus on their relationship and how they “make it work.” Burcaw does not shy away from the details of their relationship, even going so far as to briefly explain personal details of his sexual life. Burcaw is an important Millennial voice. He clears up misunderstandings and provides a voice to others who are wheelchair-bound or who have spinal muscular atrophy. However, most importantly he is a fabulous story-teller. Readers will laugh-out-loud as they turn the pages!  For Grades 9 and up. 

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

four-stars

How to Walk an Ant

How to Walk an AntHow to Walk an Ant by Cindy Derby
Published by Roaring Brook Press on March 26th 2019
ISBN: 1250162629
Pages: 40
Goodreads
three-stars

How to Walk an Ant is a humorous and very educational book by Cindy Derby. Amariyah, a little girl with messy black hair and paper-white skin, describes her nine expert steps for how to walk an ant. The story is filled with slightly dark humor (Amariyah gives instructions for how to have an ant funeral and a caption on the back lets the reader know that “seven ants were harmed in the making of this guide”) that will appeal to older preschool and elementary-aged children.

The illustrations feature grey and white hazy backgrounds with characters and ants drawn over them in sharp, spiky, frenetic black ink. Splotches of color, such as Amaryiah’s green shirt, pink cheeks, and colorful leashes (for the ants) liven up the visual.

Some readers may struggle with the font that the book is printed in. Modeled after a child’s handwriting, the words share a similar spiky, shaky quality with the illustrations.

Purchase where humorous and dark books are in demand.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

three-stars

Caterpillar and Bean

Caterpillar and BeanCaterpillar and Bean: A First Science Storybook by Hannah Tolson, Martin Jenkins
Published by Candlewick Press on April 2nd 2019
ISBN: 1536201707
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Presented as a “science storybook,” this is two stories in one. A bean seed, wedged in  a crack receives enough rain to swell and grow. Leaves shoot up and roots grow down- thus begins it growing process. When enough leaves are on the plant- a caterpillar egg is laid and a hungry caterpillar emerges- thus beginning its life journey.Side by side, these two, plant and insect, grow and fulfill their life cycles. Clear, simple text supported by large muted illustrations done in mixed media make this an excellent choice to introduce the life cycle concepts to young scientists. There is an author’s note about growing at the front of the book and directions in growing a bean plant found at the back of the book. Use this selection with Pre-K- Grade-2 students in units about growing things, plants, and the life cycle of a butterfly.

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray

four-stars

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