Category: Book Reviews

Desert Jungle

Desert JungleDesert Jungle by Jeannie Baker
Published by Candlewick Press on May 9, 2023
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Desert Jungle is the story of a young boy going to stay with his grandfather in a desert valley. This book is meticulously illustrated through collage that leaps off the page and gives the reader the sense of mystery, fear, and eventual wonder the protagonist feels when he begins to explore the wilderness around him. A beautiful love letter to a part of the outdoors that is often under-appreciated for its singular beauty, this is a must-have for any collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Jackie Ormes Draw the Future: The Remarkable Life of a Pioneering Cartoonist

Jackie Ormes Draw the Future: The Remarkable Life of a Pioneering CartoonistJackie Ormes Draws the Future: The Remarkable Life of a Pioneering Cartoonist by Liz Montague
Published by Random House Studio on May 16, 2023
ISBN: 0593426541
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Jackie Ormes Draws the Future is a biography about the artist Jackie Ormes. The book’s illustrations are an homage to Ormes’s drawing style and highlight the ebbs and flows of the story well. The biography spotlights her life from childhood through to her final largest illustrative success: Patty-Jo. An oft-overlooked figure in American history, this is a worthwhile supplement to any biography section.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

You, Me, We: A Celebration of Peace and Community

You, Me, We: A Celebration of Peace and CommunityYou, Me, We: A Celebration of Peace and Community by Arun Gandhi, Bethany Hegedus, Andrés Landazábal
Published by Candlewick Press on June 13, 2023
ISBN: 1536217441
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

You, Me, We is a picture book about finding peace in every moment of our life. Wide-ranging, it tells us that peace can be found in the big and the small, the movement and the stillness of everyday. The prose is simple and pairs well with the illustrations, which features a wide variety of people experiencing peaceful moments. A worthwhile addition to a collection: perhaps for those cultivating a mindfulness collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

What Matters Most

What Matters MostWhat Matters Most by Emma Dodd
Published by Templar on May 2, 2023
ISBN: 1536229784
Pages: 22
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
five-stars

Emma Dodd’s What Matters Most is a lyrical poem musing on the meaning of life. It uses a parent horse and a foal to illustrate the point, with highly evocative artwork that reflects the poetry on each page. A worthwhile addition to any collection, this is a rhyming read aloud that is sure to leave both reader and listener feeling loved.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

One Tiny Treefrog: A Countdown to Survival

One Tiny Treefrog: A Countdown to SurvivalOne Tiny Treefrog: A Countdown to Survival by Tony Piedra, Mackenzie Joy
Published by Candlewick Press on February 14, 2023
ISBN: 1536219487
Pages: 43
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

One Tiny Treefrog is a counting nonfiction book that takes young readers through the life cycle of a treefrog, starting with 10 tadpoles growing in their eggs and ending with 1 treefrog. Along the way, the tadpoles encounter predators, causing their numbers to decrease. This book is a gentle introduction for young children to predators. The bold, colorful illustrations dominate each page and include the English and Latin names for the predators. The text is minimal with only one sentence or less per page. Most of the content is found in the back matter including information about the predators and a diagram of the red-eyed treefrog life cycle. This book would be great for preschool age kids who love animals and are ready to start learning about natural selection. Kids will no doubt love the vivid illustrations that capture the Costa Rican habitat of the treefrog.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

Conjure Island

Conjure IslandConjure Island by Eden Royce
Published by Walden Pond Press on June 27, 2023
ISBN: 0062899619
Pages: 320
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Due to her grandmother’s illness, Del must spend the summer with her great grandmother, who she didn’t know existed. Her great grandmother, Nana Rose, lives on an island in South Carolina and runs a school that teaches “conjure magic” with the goal of preserving the rich culture of formerly enslaved people. Del is skeptical but slowly starts to believe in this magic and realizes she is in the perfect place to find the answer to questions her family won’t answer. Specifically, why did her grandmother leave Nemmine Island so long ago and why won’t she talk about Nana Rose? This summer is important for Del as she learns about the importance of friendship and she develops a connection with her family that she didn’t know was missing. Middle grade readers will enjoy this stand alone fantasy novel. The setting is unique and there is enough intrigue and potential danger to keep readers engaged.

Reviewed  by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Officer Clawsome, Lobster Cop

Officer Clawsome, Lobster CopOfficer Clawsome: Lobster Cop by Brian "Smitty" Smith, Chris Giarrusso
Series: Officer Clawsome #1
Published by HarperAlley on January 3, 2023
ISBN: 0063136368
Pages: 240
Genres: Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Lobster Cop is the first book in the new graphic novel series, Officer Clawsome. Written for children aged eight to twelve, young readers who like humor and fantasy will find this story funny and entertaining. Lobster Cop and his partner Stariana the starfish are a dynamic crime-fighting duo who try to keep the peace in Caper Cove. Criminals with names like Catburglarfish, Electric Eel, the Masked Mussel, and the crime boss Chowder-Head are no match for these two. Plenty of laughs are guaranteed with over-the-top marine humor such as “You break the law….you get the claw,” or “Time to talk to the top clam.” Fast-paced with lots of slams, bangs, and kapows! Digital illustrations are full-color, creative, and cartoonish! A strong addition to any graphic novel section.

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

four-stars

Dare to Be Scared!

Dare to Be Scared!Dare to Be Scared! by Stephen Shaskan
Series: Pizza and Taco #6
Published by Random House Graphic on June 27, 2023
ISBN: 0593481283
Pages: 72
Genres: Fantasy, Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

Pizza and Taco are geared up to prove that they are brave in the most recent book in the Pizza and Taco series. Dare to be Scared is a funny graphic novel for early readers with five short chapters and easy-to-understand text. The humor is very clever. In particular, the 3rd chapter (scariest “dariest” movies ) has word plays on popular scary movies that are hilarious. The illustrations are bright and bold throughout with the two silly characters standing out on the page, full of expression in their ultimate goofiness! They work their way up to bravery by staying in a dark closet, thinking about scary movies, to ghost pepper hunting in a creepy cemetery. After scaring each other at least once, they decide that they are both equally NOT SCARED by the end. The 6th book in the series will not disappoint fans of Pizza and Taco.

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

three-stars

Zombie Doughnut Attack

Zombie Doughnut AttackZombie Doughnut Attack! by Brian Yanish
Series: Shark and Bot #3
Published by Random House Graphic on August 2, 2022
ISBN: 0593485343
Pages: 96
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
three-stars

In the third book in the Shark & Bot series, the fun continues with Shark (the great white shark from Australia) and his friend Bot (a Model R-2300 Cutting Robot) working on a school project together. What could possibly go wrong? How hard can this be? Add in Zombie Doughnut attacks and fears about not having everything go perfectly, and you can have a tough time! Geared to readers aged 6 to 8, this graphic novel is set up with nine short chapters with lots of silly graphics and text that is suitable for emerging and beginner readers. The back pages include a page on the importance of taking deep breaths with tips from Shark. -Following is a page with step-by-step instructions on how to draw a zo-nut. A fun graphic novel chapter book that will keep young readers engaged.

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

three-stars

Bake, Make and Learn to Cook Vegetarian: Healthy Green Recipes for Young Cooks

Bake, Make and Learn to Cook Vegetarian: Healthy Green Recipes for Young CooksBake, Make, and Learn to Cook Vegetarian: Healthy and Green Recipes for Young Cooks by David Atherton, Alice Bowsher
Published by Candlewick Press on November 8, 2022
ISBN: 1536228435
Pages: 80
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A great cookbook for young cooks that focuses on vegetarian recipes that are healthy and green. David Atherton, a winner of The Great British Baking Show, has put together a wide range of easy-to-make vegetarian recipes. Readers get to choose from four fun food sections — yummy meals, savory snacks, sweet treats, and showstoppers. The book starts with a section on eating green, pantry essentials, and a quick equipment list. Then, it is on to the food sections. Each recipe includes a brief overall description, ingredient listing, and a numbered set of instructions (method). The colorful illustrations are playful yet very helpful. Serving suggestions also appear with some of the recipes. Not only are the recipes included delicious, they are good for the planet. An outstanding cookbook that should fly off the shelves. For children 8 and up (with some adult supervision).

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

four-stars