Category: Book Reviews

Pizza and Taco: Draw Your Own Comic!

Pizza and Taco: Draw Your Own Comic!Pizza and Taco: Draw Your Own Comic!: Stickers Inside! [An Activity Book] by Stephen Shaskan
Published by Random House Children's Books ISBN: 0593814576
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Humorous, Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Shaskan created a gem with this quick and interactive read. Beloved characters, Pizza and Taco, take readers on a journey to learn all about comics and how to make their own. Graphic novels fans will learn important terminology (did you know the space between panels is called the gutter?), and how to use different elements to convey different meanings to readers. Shaskan also covers important topics like character develment, setting, and story creation.

The end of the book is a series of guided blank panels that encourage readers to create their own comic. No detail is overlooked: children can remove the book’s jacket to create a new cover, adding their own art, subtitle, and byline.

The only reason this book received four stars instead of five is because it is not suited for library shelves. This book literally begs to be drawn in. It would be a great gift for any child who likes comics or creating their own stories and would work very well as a giveaway to complement a library workshop on the topic.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta

four-stars

The Cookie Vote

The Cookie VoteThe Cookie Vote (Mr. Tiffin's Classroom Series) by Daniel Bernstrom, G. Brian Karas, Margaret McNamara
ISBN: 0593173309
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

The Cookie Vote

Authors: Margaret McNamara & Daniel Bernstrom

 

This picture book for ages 4-8 is the latest in the Mr. Tiffin’s Classroom series. Mr. Tiffin, whose students are learning how bills become laws, announces that the student who comes up with the best idea will have the opportunity to present his or her bill to Representative Noor during their upcoming class trip to the state capitol. Jeremy believes his state needs an official cookie, but his classmates begin to argue over which cookie flavor is the best. As is appropriate for a civics lesson, the class settles the debate with a vote. When the students visit the State House to present their bill, Jeremy learns that every vote counts and that compromise is often a necessary, albeit a frustrating part of government. The end of the book highlights three real student-sponsored bills which led to the appointment of three official state cookies. Additionally, a recipe for Jeremy’s official state cookie is also included. This book would be a nice supplement to a school lesson on government, and may even inspire students to draft their own bills.

3 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

three-stars

Awesome Earth

Awesome EarthAwesome Earth: Concrete Poems Celebrate Caves, Canyons, and Other Fascinating Landforms by Joan Bransfield Graham, Tania García
Published by Clarion Books ISBN: 0358396042
Genres: Nature, Poetry
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Both young poets and scientists will enjoy this book of concrete poems about the wide variety of earth’s landforms. Each page explores a landform that is described by a poem whose text structure corresponds to the geological feature itself. The poems are easy to process and the illustrations are effective and simple enough to let the text catch the reader’s eye. There are a few pages of back matter that provide additional information about the land masses in traditional paragraph form. A good resource for either a poetry or earth science unit for younger grades.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Taylor Swift: Superstar!

Taylor Swift: Superstar!Taylor Swift: Superstar! (Step into Reading) by Shana Corey
Published by Random House on 2/25/25
ISBN: 9788217031535
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Taylor Swift: Superstar! is a Step Into Reading  biography about Taylor Swift.  Early readers will enjoy learning about Swift’s upbringing in Pennsylvania, her move to Nashville, and her rise to superstardom.  Taylor Swift had big dreams and readers are encouraged to follow their big dreams, too.  The font is large and there are no more than three sentences on a page.  This book is ideal for readers who still need some support as they learn how to read.  The colorful illustrations will appeal to young Swifties and this is a fun way to introduce readers to the biography genre.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Cranky Makes a Friend

Cranky Makes a FriendCranky Makes a Friend (Cranky and Friends) by Pete Oswald, Phúc Trần
ISBN: 0063256304
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Humor, Vehicles
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Cranky the crane is back and today there is a new crane on the construction site. Lefty is geared up to meet everyone – happy to help, he is cheerful and full of compliments and jokes for his new crew. Cranky feels threatened and jealous – what if his friends like Lefty better than him? Cranky puts on a fake smile to try to fit in and then blows a gasket. Cranky’s friends can sense that something is wrong, and reassure him that they like Cranky for who he is. After all, it’s OK to have different kinds of friends, and not everyone has to be the same. The text has plentiful construction puns and the illustrations are colorful, fun, and detailed. This book would be a useful tool to start discussions about more complex emotions like jealousy. Recommended for ages 5-7 (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

four-stars

Green Eggs and Ham Take a Hike

Green Eggs and Ham Take a HikeDr. Seuss Graphic Novel: Green Eggs and Ham Take a Hike: A Green Eggs and Ham Story (Dr. Seuss Graphic Novels) by James Kochalka
on January 7, 2025
ISBN: 0593703006
Genres: Adventure
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

A new spin on a classic favorite, Sam-I-Am is back and ready to take Mr. Plot on a hike (complete with a picnic of green eggs and ham). Mr. Plot does not want to go on a hike; he wants to stay home and play video games. But, as always, Sam-I-Am will not take no for an answer. After being wheeled out of his house, landing in the dirty dirt, smelling flowers, getting stung by a bee, crossing a river, and climbing through a cave, Mr. Plot realizes that maybe he is up for a challenge after all – and he won’t stop until he reaches the top of the mountain. While predictable, this is a fun and easy to read graphic novel with good banter and colorful illustrations. Recommended for ages 5-7 (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

four-stars

Ruffles and the Bouncy, Bouncy Ball

Ruffles and the Bouncy, Bouncy BallRuffles and the Bouncy, Bouncy Ball by David Melling
ISBN: 1536241385
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Ruffles is a dog who loves howling, scratching, eating, fetching, sniffing, and more. But most of all Ruffles LOVES his bouncy bouncy ball. But today, he can’t find it. He looks everywhere, and even gets help looking from his friend, Ruby. They continue the search and make the unfortunate conclusion that bouncy bouncy ball is lost. Can Ruby help Ruffles feel better? With the help of a squishy squashy mud puddle, Ruffles recovers and discovers he loves playing with his friend Ruby best of all. A sweet story with cute illustrations, simple text, and a kind message; perfect for the youngest readers. Recommended for toddlers, ages 2-4.

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

four-stars

Botticelli’s Apprentice

Botticelli’s ApprenticeBotticelli's Apprentice: A Graphic Novel by Ursula Murray Husted
on March 11, 2025
ISBN: 0063157934
Genres: Arts, Historical Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

In Ursula Murray Husted’s historical fiction graphic novel, Botticelli’s Apprentice, young Mella is a chicken girl who dreams of being a painter like her boss Botticelli. Unfortunately she cannot become his apprentice due to her gender so she lets a boy (Botticelli’s actual apprentice) take credit for her work in exchange for painting lessons. Dog hijinks, occasional jokes, and a reluctant friendship add some entertainment, but overall this is an educational and message focused story with a surprisingly heavy tone.

It is clear from the glossary and 6 pages of art notes that Husted cares deeply about educating middle grade graphic novel readers about creating art in the Renaissance period. It is nice to get a story about the anonymous people who help create great works and the amount of information about the logistics of preparing a canvas alone is impressive. However, the art style, unsteady digital linework with no color blending, is below the standard for modern graphic novels and does a disservice to its topic. The common wisdom (especially in graphic novels) “show, don’t tell” is not followed, often making the art a static vehicle for the text.

Overall, Botticelli’s Apprentice has a positive message, many facts about creating Renaissance art, and a plucky heroine who is easy to root for, but the art style holds it back from its true potential. Would be enjoyed by middle grade readers who are interested in feminism, the Renaissance, or art history.

Reviewed by Ivy Burns, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

three-stars

Smiling Eyes

Smiling EyesSmiling Eyes by Lenny Wen, Linda Sue Park
Published by Allida/HarperCollins ISBN: 035866392X
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Smiling Eyes is a rhyming, feel-good picture book that celebrates the many different kinds of human eyes one sees every day. As we follow a young child throughout his day, we see friends, neighbors, and community members and the various shapes, colors, and abilities their eyes have. There is a nice cadence to the rhyming and the pictures are colorful and bright, making this a good read-aloud choice for school or bedtime.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

The Unlikely Heroes Club

The Unlikely Heroes ClubThe Unlikely Heroes Club by Kate Foster
Published by Candlewick Press on 4/1/25
ISBN: 1536239046
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Oli is spending his spring break at Hero Club, a weeklong program for autistic children to learn social and self care skills.  On the way to his first session, Oli sees a dog that needs rescuing, but he freezes in the moment and doesn’t help the dog.  The guilt stays with Oli and he tries to think of ways to help the dog.  He is relieved to find out that other kids in the Hero Club have also seen this dog.  None of the adults believe the kids, so they decide to come up with a plan to rescue the dog on their own, before the building it is living in is demolished.  It’s a risky plan, especially for Oli, but he does not want to disappoint his new friends.

This chapter book is a great mirror/window book about neurodiversity.  Readers will enjoy the suspense of the Heroes trying to rescue the dog, but the backdrop of the book are the sessions where the kids work hard to learn about things autistic people often struggle with such as identifying emotions, making and keeping friends, and quieting their minds and bodies.  All of the main characters are neurodiverse, so they don’t stand out negatively in any way.  In fact, each character is celebrated for the unique skills they contribute to the dog’s rescue.  Oli also has a supportive and loving family, and his relationship with his sister is sweet to witness.  This book is highly recommended for any school or public library that has 3rd-5th grade readers.  

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars