Category: Book Reviews

Luigi, The Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten

Luigi, The Spider Who Wanted to Be a KittenLuigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten by Kevin Hawkes, Michelle Knudsen
Published by Candlewick Press on March 4, 2024
ISBN: 1536219118
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A big hairy spider wakes up and finds a lady proclaiming that she has always wanted a kitten and will name him Luigi! Amazingly, illustrator Kevin Hawkes does a remarkable job of transforming a spider into an adorable cat. At first, Luigi enjoys the tasty breakfasts and all the attention so decides he will be a kitten. But pretending to be someone you’re not is wearying and Luigi discovers he can still have unconditional love as a spider. This longer picture book works well as a read-aloud for children ages 5-7 who will find it humorous and enjoy the message and happy ending. The silly story is endearing but the illustrations really make this book exceptional. Kevin Hawkes lives in Gorham, Maine. Nominated for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

five-stars

Orris and Timble: The Beginning

Orris and Timble: The BeginningOrris and Timble: The Beginning by Carmen Mok, Kate DiCamillo
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536222798
Genres: Animals
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

The first volume in a promised early reader trilogy. The first time I read this book I was sort of let down, mostly, I think, because I have such high expectations for a Kate DiCamillo book. However, I came to appreciate its simplicity more after the second and third reading and cherished it after the fourth reading. First of all, the wonderful illustrations by Mok are adorable and endearing. This is essentially a retelling of Aesop’s tale “The Lion and the Mouse.” Orris the rat lives alone in an old barn surrounded by his treasures, until the day his solitude is disrupted by a loud screech from a small owl  caught in a mouse trap. Inspired by the label on his sardine can to “make the good and noble choice” he reluctantly rescues the owl, despite the fact that owls and rats are natural enemies. Timble the owl and Orris the rat become friends by sharing stories and a gift of butterscotch in shiny gold wrapper. Short chapters and full-color illustrations make this book a great choice for a first chapter book, whether shared aloud or independently by a developing reader. Readers will look forward to seeing what the next adventures will be for these two unlikely friends.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

 

five-stars

Whale

WhaleWhale (Little Life Cycles) by Maggie Li
Series: Little Life Cycles
ISBN: 1536235059
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

One of seven books in Little Life Cycles series. There is a cut-out of a whale that young children will enjoy poking their fingers through. Starts off as a baby inside its mother. I found the beginning illustrations confusing as the whale is overlaid on the mother. It’s unclear whether it is inside or close by. Eventually the whale swims to the surface to take a deep breath and learn to talk. Then goes on an incredible journey, traveling to colder waters to find plenty of krill to eat. In time, whale returns to warmer waters to have a baby of its own and the circle of life continues. Informative and mostly clear illustrations, except for those beginning few. This book can be an added resource for Pre-K-2 classrooms studying life cycles and ocean life.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Bee

BeeBee (Little Life Cycles) by Maggie Li
Series: Little Life Cycles
ISBN: 1536235040
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

One of seven books in Little Life Cycles series. Clever cut-out of a bee that young children will enjoy poking their fingers through. This book is my favorite of the series. The illustrations are simple and much information is relayed about bees, probably more than the average preschooler will understand. But is is clear and accurate, despite the crown on the queen bee’s head and  no mention about bees stinging. Preschoolers will enjoy and be encouraged to look for bees in different stages and maybe not be so frightened of them . This book can be an added resource for Pre-K-2 classrooms studying life cycles and insects.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Wild About You

Wild About YouWild About You by Kaitlyn Hill
on May 21, 2024
ISBN: 0593650956
Genres: Adventure, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
three-stars

Wild About You by Kaitlyn Hill is a grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity (only one tent), opposites attract, annoyances-to-lovers reality show romance that is very aware of its tropes. The protagonist, Natalie Hart, is a bubbly, make-up loving, romance reading, aspiring actress who recently lost her college scholarship due to her worsening anxiety. She is paired in an “Amazing Race” style show with the curt, nature-loving Finn, who was planning to do the show with his recently deceased father. The two immediately clash when Finn doesn’t take her seriously as a partner, but as real world stressors are revealed (finances, grief, mental health) the characters form an organic friendship that turns into a sweet & supportive relationship. 

Kaitlyn Hill is known for her reality show romances and fans of this sub-genre will enjoy the “behind the scenes” scenes. This title is good for aspirational YA readers who want a more mature romance, but aren’t ready for the content in adult romance. The characters are 19, in college, and though they share a bed for most of the novel, the physical contact doesn’t get past heated kissing on the page. 

Wild About You has good character growth, but maximizing tropes clearly steered the plot development. Because this will only be enjoyed by a specific kind of romance reader, it is not a necessary purchase.

Reviewed by Ivy Burns, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

three-stars

10 Things I Hate About Prom

10 Things I Hate About Prom10 Things I Hate About Prom (Joy Revolution) by Elle Gonzalez Rose
Published by Joy Revolution on May 14, 2024
ISBN: 0593705173
Pages: 292
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Ivelisse Santos, theater nerd, and her neighbor Joaquin Romero, school baseball star, have been best friends forever. They’ve gone to every single school dance together, and Ive expects prom to be no different. Until Quin develops a crush on Tessa, head cheerleader and Ive’s archnemesis since 10th grade. Worse still, Tessa famously doesn’t date. So Quin wants to plan the most elaborate and irresistible promposal yet – and to do it well, he’ll need Ivelisse.

Ivelisse agrees to help – she just can’t say no to Quin – but suddenly her own increasingly complicated feelings are getting in the way. Despite agreeing to be his wingman, and genuinely wanting to see him happy, something goes catastrophically wrong with every promposal she helps with.

Overall, a sweet teen romance as the two main characters, already good friends and with an established, very supportive and positive relationship, navigate shifting emotions from platonic to romantic. Both Ivelisse and Joaquin’s families are Puerto Rican, and that culture and connection is very present. Diversity among students in their NJ city school is present without feeling tokenized. Less LGBTQ+ representation, though the one couple of note does have a solid supporting role to the storyline.

– Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

four-stars

The Shadow & The Ghost

The Shadow & The GhostThe Shadow and the Ghost by Cat Min
ISBN: 164614368X
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Shadow & the Ghost” is the unlikely tale of friendship between a ghost who would rather look at the stars than haunt houses, and a shadow who just wants someone to talk to. The ghost is awake at night, and the shadow is awake during the day. But they slowly get to know each other, over many days and nights, by leaving notes and gifts for each other, and inventing games to play. Finally, through the magic of a shower of shooting stars, they finally get to meet face to face. This is a nice story of friendship against the odds, with unlikely characters and cute illustrations. Recommended for ages 5-6 (Kindergarten to 1st Grade).

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

four-stars

The Spice Box

The Spice BoxThe Spice Box by Meera Sriram, Sandhya Prabhat
ISBN: 0593427130
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Rishi’s family has an heirloom spice box. A spice box that traveled with his grandmother across mountains when she dared to become one of the first female chefs. A spice box that crossed oceans with his father when he went overseas for university. This spice box represents more than just flavors – it represents home, tradition, family, bravery, and dreams. Rishi wants nothing more than to cook with and have the spice box passed down to him. In his excitement for Paati’s visit, the spice box is dropped and broken. But Rishi and his dad fix it together, clean it up, and it is officially gifted to Rishi. A diverse and sweet story, reminiscent of any family heirloom or tradition. The illustrations are colorful and perfectly fitting of the tale. The book includes an explanation of spices typically found in a traditional Indian spice box and a recipe for potato curry. Recommended for ages 5-7 (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade).

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

five-stars

Eyes that Weave the World’s Wonders

Eyes that Weave the World’s WondersEyes That Weave the World's Wonders by Dung Ho, Joanna Ho, Liz Kleinrock
ISBN: 0063057778
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

“Eyes that Weave the World’s Wonders” showcases a young girl of Korean descent processing the feelings of being adopted, and weaving those feelings together into her own story. Her adoptive family is wonderful, and she shares so many special moments with both of her parents. But she still wonders about where she came from, and acknowledges that her white adoptive family doesn’t look like her. The text is vibrant, descriptive, and tugs at the heartstrings. The illustrations are stunning, with images tying together her different worlds into her own experience. This is a must have for any library collection, and increases awareness for and representation of adoptive families. Recommended for ages 5-7 (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade).

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

five-stars

A Magical Parade

A Magical ParadeAfro Unicorn: A Magical Parade (Step into Reading) by Anthony Conley, April Showers
ISBN: 0593704150
Genres: Animals, Cultural / African American, Fairy Tale
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
four-stars

“A Magical Parade” by April Showers is an early reader featuring the Afro Unicorns. This story is for any unicorn lover, and is complete with glitter, rainbows, ribbons, and crowns! The plot is simple – the group of friends help another unicorn who lost their crown before the big parade. When the unicorns wear their crowns, they feel confident, and like they can do anything. The Afro Unicorns are all unicorns of color, making this a diverse and inclusive addition to any early reader collection. One of the unicorns is also given they/them pronouns, providing gender inclusivity as well. Recommended for ages 5-6 (Kindergarten to 1st Grade).

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

four-stars