Category: Book Reviews

Why Are We Afraid?

Why Are We Afraid?Why Are We Afraid? by Fran Pintadera, Ana Sender
Published by Kids Can Press on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 1525311298
Pages: 34
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Originally written in Spanish, Why Are We Afraid? tells the story of a power outage and a young boy named Henry asking his dad to answer the question of the book title. This book launches into a very abstract and metaphorical discussion of fear, with illustrations that are simultaneously gorgeous and frightening while the end includes a more straightforward informational section about the history of fear. Overall, it is unclear who this book is for; it is in picture book format but seems more suitable for an older crowd than would normally read picture books. It could still be a book worth adding to a collection, but it may be a bit alarming for the younger crowd.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

four-stars

Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur?

Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur?Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur? by Helen Yoon
Published by Candlewick Press on May 9, 2023
ISBN: 1536226254
Pages: 32
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur? by Helen Yoon is a wonderfully illustrated story about a young boy who gives his dinosaur a bath and then can’t find him afterward. The use of crayon illustrations and negative space is a clever way to show where the dinosaur might be, without giving it away entirely. The premise did seem to promise more seeking out of the dinosaur as the reader, and perhaps this book would’ve benefited from a few more pages and for the reader to actively seek out the missing dinosaur. Overall a lovely addition to any collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

four-stars

So You Want to Be a Frog

So You Want to Be a FrogSo You Want to Be a Frog by Jane Porter, Neil Clark
Published by Candlewick Press on April 25, 2023
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

So You Want to Be a Frog is a nonfiction book all about frogs; where they come from, what they eat, and how they differ from one another. All this information is formatted as a call to the reader to become a frog, if they think they can, and it is an amusing and informative way to present the information. The illustrations are well done and bright. Overall, a solid addition to a collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

four-stars

A Brave Bear

A Brave BearA Brave Bear by Sean Taylor, Emily Hughes
Published by Candlewick Press on May 9, 2023
ISBN: 1536229636
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

A Brave Bear is the story of a papa bear and baby bear who want to get to some water to cool off from the hot summer day. This is a sweet story that reflects the languid energy of a lazy summer day, and shows the sweet relationship between father and son. A solid addition to a collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

four-stars

Let’s Go Puddling

Let’s Go PuddlingLet's Go Puddling! by Emma Perry, Claire Alexander
Published by Candlewick Press on April 25, 2023
ISBN: 1536228494
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Let’s Go Puddling is a fun onomatopoeic picture book about the joys of a rainy day. A group of small friends (accompanied by their caregivers) race to jump in puddles and enjoy the rain. The illustrations are mixed media with a diverse cast of characters, and both text and illustrations support each other in the telling of the story. A worthwhile addition to a picture book collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

five-stars

Where’s Waldo? The Great Speed Search

Where’s Waldo? The Great Speed SearchWhere’s Waldo?: The Great Speed Search by Martin Handford
Published by Candlewick Press on March 7, 2023
ISBN: 1536228613
Pages: 24
Genres: Arts
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Where’s Waldo? The Great Speed Search is a novel approach to the classic Where’s Waldo. This book is set up as a challenge, allowing two competitors to sit opposite each other with the pages oriented outward. Each page has the same content and readers are encouraged to find the hidden items faster than their opponent. It is still the classic Where’s Waldo that has maintained popularity throughout the years, but with a nice twist to allow for competition and more engagement. A fun addition to a collection!

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

four-stars

The Tree Book

The Tree BookThe Tree Book by Hannah Alice
Published by Candlewick Press on March 7, 2023
Pages: 18
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book does a thorough job of explaining the life cycles of different types of trees, using clear cutouts to help layer each “season” of the tree. This is a dynamic way to illustrate the cycles; however, there are a few pages where it muddies the message by making it unclear whether the infographic is for the current page, or if it is merely peeking through because of the transparent pages ahead of it. The topic is well-explained in easy-to-understand terms and is exhaustive, but it would have been helpful to have more about conservation at the end of the book, rather than wrapping the topic into one sentence. Overall, a worthwhile addition to a nonfiction collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

four-stars

My Friend, Loonie

My Friend, LoonieMy Friend, Loonie by Nina LaCour, Ashling Lindsay
Published by Candlewick Press on March 28, 2023
ISBN: 1536213934
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

My Friend, Loonie is about a young girl who befriends a yellow balloon and takes Loonie with her everywhere she goes, using it as a security blanket of sorts. When the balloon inevitably drifts away, she is sad but with the help of her two moms, she plants a flower to remember Loonie and begins to find yellow everywhere she looks. The prose is sweet and will ring true for any caregiver who has had to accommodate for the odd friends their children find. The illustrations are where this book shines however; the colors are vibrant and eye-catching and when the balloon disappears, the artist weaves in the color yellow more and more as the book continues. A worthwhile addition to any collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

five-stars

The Mystery Box

The Mystery BoxThe Mystery Box by Wes Hargis
Series: Down in the Dumps #1
Published by HarperCollins on September 13, 2022
ISBN: 0062910108
Pages: 96
Genres: Adventure, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Down in the Dumps: The Mystery Box introduces readers to the Westerfield Waste Transfer and Recycling Center and to Nana the moldy banana. This short adventure has the main characters, Nana, along with her friends a broken tea pot and a crusty blob of gum, trying to return a clearly misplaced teddy bear to the non-trash world outside. With short chapters and a quick and easy adventure to follow, this book will appeal to readers in grades first through third. A nice addition to a collection, but not necessary to add.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

four-stars

Trash vs. Trucks

Trash vs. TrucksDown in the Dumps #2: Trash vs. Trucks by Wes Hargis
Series: Down in the Dumps #2
Published by HarperCollins on September 13, 2022
ISBN: 0062910159
Pages: 96
Genres: Adventure, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Down in the Dumps: Trash vs. Trucks is about a trash heap and its inhabitants. This book follows a few pieces of refuse as they try to keep their trash heap where it is, to keep the giant dump trucks from scooping them up and relocating them. The prose is easy to follow and the adventure itself is engaging. The artwork adds to the overall ease of understanding and fun for the reader. An interesting addition to the book is that every now and then it stops and comments on how much the reader has read, which can be a nice benchmark for someone who may need a little encouragement.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

four-stars