Category: Book Reviews

Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure Hunt

Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure HuntDakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure Hunt by Jamie Michalak, Kelly Murphy
Published by Candlewick Press on May 2, 2023
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy, Mystery
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A trip to Paris, a treasure hunt through a cafe/bookshop, and an adorably inquisitive mouse for a main character: what could be better? Michalak and Murphy team up again to bring us another Dakota Crumb adventure, this time beginning with a plea for help from a Parisian cousin and ending with (spoiler alert) a surprise birthday party!

This whimsical picture book leads young readers on a quest to find clues and search for a missing book, all while keeping an eye out for cats and a dog. The real treasure is the gorgeous watercolor illustrations. Murphy has an interesting way of playing with light and dark, and she creates plenty of tiny details that will charm kids and their grown-ups.

This book is recommended for all libraries that serve children in preschool through early elementary and will especially appeal to readers who are interested in miniatures and search-and-find books. After the conclusion of the story, readers are given an opportunity to look back through the book to find a series of small items hidden throughout the pages.

Reviewed by Kristy Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

four-stars

The Windeby Puzzle

The Windeby PuzzleThe Windeby Puzzle by Lois Lowry
Published by Clarion Books on February 14, 2023
ISBN: 0358672503
Pages: 224
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A book that is difficult to classify in a genre as it is a unique combination of fiction and nonfiction. A 2,000-year-old body was found in a peat bog in 1952 on Windeby Estate in northern Germany. Lois Lowry imagines the life that might have been, first for a young girl and then for a boy during the Iron Age. Estrild, not content with the dictates of what her life as a woman, wants to be a warrior. Varick, an orphan boy with a twisted back, is treated poorly because of his differences. We know how the stories will end with them blindfolded and left to die in the bog.

The reader learns much about bogs, bog people, and the history of the Druids in this rarely depicted time period. Although short and easy-to-read, the subject may be difficult for children because of the harsh content. Lowry takes quite a few liberties in imagining the two stories, but there is not a lot of information available about this first century time period. Interesting book, unlike any other, but definitely consider the reader before recommending it.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

The World and Everything In It

The World and Everything In ItThe World and Everything in It by Kevin Henkes
Published by Greenwillow Books on March 28, 2023
ISBN: 0063245647
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

I debated as to what genre to use to describe this book and finally settled on poetry. In typical Kevin Henkes style, the book is spare on words complimented by colorful, muted illustrations. It begins by comparing things that are little (tiny animals, flowers, pebbles, and things so small you can’t see them) with things that are big ( the sea, sun, and moon). And there are all the things that are in between, including you. Then it goes on to reflect how all things fit together.

An excellent book to use in teaching social emotional learning as the book touches upon curiosity, self-awareness, and belonging.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Granny Left Me a Rocket Ship

Granny Left Me a Rocket ShipGranny Left Me a Rocket Ship by Heather Smith, Ashley Barron
Published by Kids Can Press on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 1525305522
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

When Granny dies, she leaves father a tuba, mother a locket, sister a microscope, and brother a record collection. To the young boy, though, Granny leaves a world of adventure and a blue cane (never mentioned, but the cane can be spotted in each illustration). Granny is right beside him as he visits their memories.

Using spare prose, this is a beautiful story about loss, grief, and how to joyfully remember loved ones after they’re gone. Ashley Barron’s cut-paper collage illustrations are bright and colorful, bringing fun to the story and truly capturing the child’s imagination.

A wonderful resource about grief and the importance of preserving our memories of loved ones who have died.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

What If I’m Not a Cat?

What If I’m Not a Cat?What If I'm Not a Cat? (-) by Kari-Lynn Winters, Kelly Collier
Published by Kids Can Press on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 1525305530
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Donkey thought he was a cat! He lived with cats, behaved like a cat, and the other cats accepted him. He was happy. However some things are not quite right. Donkey has an existential crisis when farmer says something that makes her question who she is. And it causes the other cats to question who they are. This book is hilarious and the humor is spot-on for young children. The illustrations are adorable, funny, and depict each cat’s personality. Speech bubbles compliment the text. Sure to be a story-time crowd-pleaser, this picture book could lead to discussions about identity and inclusiveness. At the end, one cat sums it up perfectly, “What does it matter? Donkey’s just Donkey.” Donkey has a different conclusion, but I don’t want to spoil it for the readers.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Whose Dinosaur Bones Are Those?

Whose Dinosaur Bones Are Those?Whose Dinosaur Bones Are Those? by Chihiro Takeuchi
Published by Candlewick Studio on May 9, 2023
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is the simplest of STEM picture books. Author Takeuchi introduces the youngest of paleontologists to the dinosaur’s most basic makeup- their bones. With the repeating question, “whose dinosaur bones?”, the facing page has a smattering of bones. It is up to the reader to guess the type of dinosaur it is. The following facing pages answer the question with a complete skeleton, the name of each dinosaur and what it looked like if we saw it with skin. Illustrations done in cut paper are simple with no clutter or extras. Readers find “fun fact” pages in the end that can “fill out” even further what the dinosaur was like while alive. What makes this book different is its simplicity and the challenge of guessing what type of sauropod the author has drawn. It is an engaging way of introducing dinosaurs to early and pre-readers.

Reviewed by Kathy George, retired Gray Public Library

five-stars

Ancient Night

Ancient NightAncient Night by David Alvarez, David Bowles
Published by Levine Querido on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 1646142519
Pages: 40
Genres: Fairy Tale, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Every night, Rabbit gathers glowing nectar from the holy maguey (a sacred agave plant) and pours it into a large vessel in the sky, creating moonlight. When Possum decides he wants some of the nectar for himself, he breaks the vessel, drains it out, and drinks it. The earth is dark. Filled with regret, Possum travels underground to bring back fire. He fills a vessel in the sky, creating sunlight. Together, Rabbit and Possum serve as Guardians of Light, lifting their cups of nectar in friendship. This story is “a twist on several traditional stories of Mesoamerica — what we now call Mexico and Central America.”

David Alvarez’s illustrations are stunning and were I just rating those I would give this book 5 stars. The text is brief and relies heavily on the illustrations to tell the story. So much so that the story is difficult to understand. For example, simply mentioning that the Ceiba is a tree and aguamiel is the nectar from an agave plant would have gone a long way to explain the story. Instead one has to consult the authors’ notes at the back of the book to learn about them. Children will have difficulty translating on their own, “Now, no heavenly light can shine upon the earth,” to there is no longer moonlight. Learning how Opossum lost the fur on his tail was a missed opportunity.

If I were to read this folktale aloud, I would explain the terminology and background, as well as pointing out elements of the illustrations while reading so that the audience understands the story. The illustrations are well-worth the extra effort.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Select

SelectSelect by Christie Matheson
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on May 9, 2023
ISBN: 0593567234
Pages: 224
Genres: Sports
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Alex has loved playing soccer since she was five years old. Now 12, she has been chosen to play for an elite team called Select. Playing for Select gives Alex a great opportunity to play at Nationals and earn a scholarship for college, which would be the only way she could afford to go. Playing for Select also means leaving the Rec team she loves, playing for a domineering coach who disrespects his players, and requires more logistical planning to get to practices and games, as Alex relies on public transportation. Alex is also frustrated by watching her mother not stand up for herself when her boyfriend mistreats her. Seeing this helps Alex confront her coach despite the risk of potentially losing her soccer career. This middle grade book would be great for readers who love soccer but also for those who enjoy strong female characters. This book confronts the issue of emotional abuse in an age-appropriate way both in the plot and in the author’s note. This book is more than just another sports book and would be a great addition to any middle school library collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

The Labors of Hercules Beal

The Labors of Hercules BealThe Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. Schmidt
Published by Clarion Books on May 23, 2023
ISBN: 0358659639
Pages: 352
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Hercules Beal has been given a tough assignment at his new school: to duplicate the feats of the mythological Hercules in his small Cape Cod town and write reflections on each one. At first this task seems daunting, but with some ingenuity and help from a few friends and neighbors, he is able to chip away at the twelve labors. As he reflects on his completed challenges, Hercules experiences a year of tremendous growth and healing after the death of his parents in a car accident. Hercules becomes an important member of his school and a valued member of his community, so when he needs help he is surrounded by a network of friends and neighbors who lift him up.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

As Brave As a Lion

As Brave As a LionAs Brave as a Lion by Erika Meza
Published by Candlewick Press on May 16, 2023
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

As Brave As a Lion by Erika Meza is the story of a young girl and her lion companion who helps her be brave. She lists all the ways the lion helps her, and then the reader goes on an adventure where our protagonist climbs the tallest slide but is too afraid to go down it. She looks to her lion for comfort, but he is scared too! So she decides to be brave for both of them. This book is a charming and sensitive look at facing your fears and figuring out what it means to be brave. The illustrations are bright and gorgeous and each of the characters are dynamically drawn and enjoyable to follow throughout the story. This is a great addition to any collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

five-stars