Category: Book Reviews

Operation Cupcake: How Simple Machines Work

Operation Cupcake: How Simple Machines WorkOperation Cupcake: How Simple Machines Work by Bambi Edlund
Published by Kids Can Press on October 3, 2023
ISBN: 1525306677
Pages: 44
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

I’m not sure whether to call this fiction or nonfiction as it is a combination of both. Ginger and Mac, a couple of clever mice,  on a quest to get a cupcake off the counter and do so by introducing   six simple machines. Edlund has created a fun way to teach the basic concepts of mechanical physics. Ginger and Mac’s adventure story is told in panels with dialogue boxes, while the science behind how simple machines work is explained throughout the story in fully illustrated sections.. This is a highly entertaining book that gives readers a clear and easy-to-understand overview of the six simple machines – inclined plane, lever, pulley, wheel and axle, screw, and wedge. The cartoon-like illustrations add to the fun. This is an excellent choice for teaching elementary school students  physics and to inspire inventors.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Cookie Queen: How One Girl Started Tate’s Bake Shop

Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
four-stars

This is the story of Kathleen King, a girl who worked hard to perfect the chocolate-chip cookie, and grew-up to found the world-renowned Tate’s Bake Shop. At 11-years-old, she started out by selling cookies she made at her father’s farm stand. She experimented many times and never gave up in her desire to make the best chocolate chip cookie. One has to admire her determination and attitude. When she grew up, she started Tate’s Bakery using the same recipe she developed when she was eleven. King is an impressive role model for kids wanting to start their own business. The book is appealing in its clear, straight-forward style and colorful illustrations. And there is a lot of information about cookies and the ingredients that go into them! My one criticism is the recipe in the back, which was an inspired addition, is for a molasses cookie when the whole story was about creating the perfect chocolate chip cookies. Is the recipe so secret that she cannot share it? Perhaps she intends for the reader to create their own?

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

See the Ghost

See the GhostSee the Ghost: Three Stories About Things You Cannot See by David LaRochelle, Mike Wohnoutka
Published by Candlewick Press on July 25, 2023
Pages: 64
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
five-stars

Book 3 in the “See the Cat” series. The Geisel Award–winning creators of See the Cat and See the Dog return for a comical new spoof of three stories about things they cannot see: ghost, wind, and fairy. Playful and colorful characters. This beginning reader makes use of repetition and  context clues. The speech bubbles add comical commentary from the dog and cat characters and from characters you cannot see. Recommended for all Easy Reader collections.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Vivi Loves Science: Wind and Water

Vivi Loves Science: Wind and WaterVivi Loves Science: Wind and Water (I Can Read Level 3) by Kimberly Derting, Shelli R. Johannes, Joelle Murray
Published by Greenwillow Books on January 10, 2023
ISBN: 006311660X
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads

This story opens with main character Vivi fascinated by a strong storm one evening. The following morning over breakfast, her parents tell her that the local park ranger needs help cleaning up the beach. After picking up Vivi’s friend Graeme, they all head over and get to work. The two children are surprised to see not only trash and debris, but a changed landscape. The ranger teaches them about erosion, and when they see their teacher assisting with the cleanup, they excitedly share what they have learned. The following day at school, Vivi and Graeme’s teacher has them perform a science experiment for the class so they might share this important information. The experiment involves pouring sand into different containers and using poured water and air blown through a straw to illustrate the effects on a smaller scale. In the back of the book there is a step-by-step guide to replicate the experiment at home, including a variation using rocks and plants to learn about how they help retain the shape of the soil.

Children ages 4-7 will appreciate this early reader, especially those who are already interested in science.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name?

Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name?Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name? (I Can Read Level 3) by Melissa Iwai
Published by HarperCollins on January 3, 2023
ISBN: 0063208091
Pages: 31
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
four-stars

This early reader has it all: likable characters, an interesting plot, life lessons, and cultural references. Gigi decides one day that her nickname is “a baby name”, and that she’s ready for something a bit more grown-up. The adults in the story (her parents and Ojiji, her Japanese grandfather) respect her choices, even as they change. Following a series of events, Gigi realizes that her name really does suit her and feels best after all. Along the way, readers learn a bit of Japanese, see Gigi’s excitement over visiting her public library, and follow along as the characters work their way through a scenario that may feel familiar.

Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name is an excellent pick for libraries looking to bulk up their early reader collection.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

four-stars

Don’t Worry, Little Crab

Don’t Worry, Little CrabDon't Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton
Published by Candlewick Press on April 25, 2023
Pages: 46
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

Chris Haughton’s picture-book-turned-board-book will be well-received by parents and their children. Out on an adventure with Very Big Crab, Little Crab scuttles across rocks, tidepools, and seaweed, with excellent use of onomatopoeia. This part of the journey has Little Crab feeling confident, until they reach the edge of the ocean and increasingly large waves begin to head their way. Little Crab feels fearful. Very Big Crab is a great model of a parent who reassures those fears while gently encouraging Little Crab to take small steps toward overcoming that fear. Eventually, they dive beneath a wave and Little Crab finds a whole new world to explore.

With bold illustrations and a recognizable author, this book is sure to circulate and would be a good choice for libraries interested in adding to their board book collection.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

three-stars

Farm Boots

Farm BootsFarm Boots by Lisl H. Detlefsen, Renee Kurilla
Published by Feeding Minds Press on March 21, 2023
ISBN: 194889811X
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

With brief text and effective use of rhyme, Detlefsen teaches readers why farmers wear a variety of boots for different tasks. Combined with Kurilla’s bright and cheerful illustrations, the pages lead the way through chores, seasons, and celebrations.

Several points of note may be of interest to librarians and parents. The children on the pages are representative of racial and ethnic diversity, and include various skin tones as well as one child wearing a hijab. This is helpful not only in terms of the “windows and mirrors” goal, but also because it more accurately represents the types of people working on modern American farms. For readers who want to learn more, there is even a farm boots glossary at the end of the book.

This book would make an excellent story time selection, and would appeal most to children ages six and younger. Farm Boots is a solid choice for any library that serves children of this age, but particularly those who live in rural areas.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

four-stars

Those We Drown

Those We DrownThose We Drown by Amy Goldsmith
Published by Delacorte Press on June 27, 2023
ISBN: 059357009X
Pages: 416
Genres: Horror, Psychological thriller, Supernatural
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

When Liv is offered a scholarship to attend a program aboard a cruise ship, she accepts it to bolster her college application. She also hopes it will give her some time to hang out with her friend, Will, and repair some recent damages to their friendship. Things seem weird almost immediately to Liv; the casual and constant underage drinking of her cohort, the appearance of a trio of glamorous influencers who call themselves The Sirens, and Will’s disappearance after the first night. Liv is determined to find Will and uncover what is really happening on this cruise, but can she do it before others start disappearing?

Those We Drown is tense and hard to put down, thanks to a solid plot that relies on the extreme gaslighting of Liv. Nobody can be trusted and while Liv knows something is terribly wrong, she can’t say exactly what it is or who is involved. This is a great debut that will appeal to horror, Lovecraft, mythology, and thriller fans.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

four-stars

Chloe’s Lunar New Year

Chloe’s Lunar New YearChloe’s Lunar New Year by Lily LaMotte, Michelle Lee
Published by HarperCollins on January 3, 2023
ISBN: 0063076519
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Chloe, her smaller brother, and her parents prepare for the annual Lunar New Year celebration with Taiwanese traditions taking place on the night of the reunion dinner: sweeping out the old, new shoes, good-luck oranges, turnip cake, good-luck fish, fortune cake, red envelopes, and remembering those who have died. But it also incorporates an American dish of apple pie representing two cultures. There is a recipe for Fortune Cake in the back; readers need rice flour (not glutinous rice flour) and a steamer in order to make them.

An uncle with red hair and beard are part of this family reunion. There are many references to a beloved grandmother (A-má), for whom the hot pot is made, but she is only present in the family photos. Add to any collection where Lunar New Year books are popular or if there is a need to build up cultural holiday books. This is a loving book to add to the collection.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Pick a Perfect Egg

Pick a Perfect EggPick a Perfect Egg by Patricia Toht, Jarvis
Published by Candlewick Press on February 14, 2023
ISBN: 1536228478
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In this seasonal rhyming Easter story, a girl and her mother gather eggs at a farm. They bring them home and hard-boil, dye, and decorate them ahead of the next morning’s Easter egg hunt. The illustrations, filled with spring colors, are joyful.

The little girl, with reddish-brown hair, blue eyes, and freckles, wears a white rabbit costume and joins other pale and brown-skinned friends for an Easter egg hunt. There are no religious references. The rhyme scheme works well and is easy to read aloud making this a good choice to share for story time. Companion book to “Pick a Pine Tree” and “Pick a Pumpkin” by same author and illustrator duo. This would make an excellent book to add to the library’s spring/Easter collection.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars