Hidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet, and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Every Day

Hidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet, and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Every DayHidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet, and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Every Day by Dan Nott
Published by Random House Graphic on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 9780593125366
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel, Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

“A hidden system is something we don’t notice until it breaks.” In a thoroughly understandable combination of text and graphics, Dan Nott does an amazing job of explaining exactly how some of the major infrastructures of our world work. Utilizing a 9-panel spread on most pages, with occasional full-page depictions of major ideas, the author covers the history, components, and possible futures of three major systems; internet, electricity, and water, in an engagingly accessible manner.  In the final section, Nott encourages the reader to understand these systems more deeply in order to reimagine them in a more environmentally and equitably balanced format. The book ends with Author’s Notes & Acknowledgments and a Selected Bibliography. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a simplified explanation of the hidden systems of our world.  (All ages)

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

five-stars

My Little Sweet Boy

My Little Sweet BoyMy Little Sweet Boy by Hilary Duff
Published by Random House on 2023
ISBN: 9780593300756
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Vibrantly illustrated, double-page spreads gently encourage boys to be kind, understanding, and patient with others in this world, addressing topics such as bullying.  As the title says, the entire tone of the book is very sweet. The illustrations attempt to be inclusive while focusing on the boys the book is geared towards. This is a companion book to the author’s My Brave Little Girl. Intended for 3-7 year olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

three-stars

A Very Cranky Book

A Very Cranky BookA Very Cranky Book by Angela DiTerlizzi, Tony DiTerlizzi
Published by HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks on September 19, 2023
ISBN: 9780063206670
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Multi-media illustrations and simple text repeatedly break the fourth wall when the titular Book converses directly with the reader about its dis-inclination to be read. When a group of other books gathers together to hold story time, the Cranky Book has a change of heart, but wants to be the only book there with the reader. The Book gets upset when the reader cannot stay, but the other books still invite it to join them. Ultimately, the Cranky Book pledges to try harder in the future… but no promises.

This title has the same kind of gentle irreverence found in Lane Smith’s It’s a Book (2010). I think kids would love the direct interaction with the Cranky Book, especially as a read-aloud. And who hasn’t experienced an occasional cranky day of their own that might be improved by friends?
Highly recommended.  Suggested for 4-8 year olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

five-stars

Colonization and the Wampanoag story (Race to the Truth)

Colonization and the Wampanoag story (Race to the Truth)Colonization and the Wampanoag Story (Race to the Truth) by Linda Coombs
ISBN: 0593480449
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Aquinnah Wampanoag member Linda Coombs portrays the life of the Wampanoag both before and after European contact with unflinching and necessary honesty. The chapters titled “When Life Was Our Own” are told through the life of Little Bird, a young Wampanoag girl, and her experiences of her tribe’s culture, customs, practices, and beliefs through the four seasons. In-between, Coombs explains the process and impact of colonization on the Indigienous nations in that region over time. These sections end with a “Let’s Think About This” page, imploring readers to consider the causes and implications of the actions taken and encouraging them to think critically about what was just read. The truth may be hard to swallow for some readers, but this is a solid addition to middle school nonfiction collections

Black and white photos, a Bibliography, and resources for further learning are included. 

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars

How To Love a Grandma

How To Love a GrandmaHow to Love a Grandma (How To Series) by Jean Reagan, Lee Wildish
Series: How To #11
ISBN: 0593708903
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Jean Reagan and Lee Wildish’s long-running series starting with How to Babysit a Grandma continues with this ways to show love to a grandmother. Love her by sharing with her, helping her, cheering her on, and giving her great big hugs. Grandmas and children are depicted in a variety of hues and dress. Both children and grandmas share a variety of adaptive devices and vary in age. Humorous and clever, similar to the other books in this series. Good addition to “Grandparents Day” theme Story Time.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Maisy’s Big Book of Kindness

Maisy’s Big Book of KindnessMaisy's Big Book of Kindness by Lucy Cousins
Series: Maisy Mouse
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536233544
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

The ever popular and adorable Maisy Mouse joins her friends in illustrating acts of kindness from sharing toys to making cards or gifts, nurturing animals to caring for the environment, looking out for one another to taking care of themselves. There are the typical Maisy bold and bright illustrations but this book is larger than most of the other board books and picture books, making this a great choice to share with a group of toddlers or preschoolers. Partner it with Finding Kindness by Deborah Underwood, The Cool Bean by John Jory, or Sorry (really sorry)
by Joanna Cotler for a “Kindness” themed Story Time.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

The Thing to Remember about Stargazing

The Thing to Remember about StargazingThe Thing to Remember about Stargazing by Matt Forrest Esenwine, Sonia Maria Luce Possentini
ISBN: 088448940X
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A poetic picture-book ode to stargazing with an underlying message of awe for the wonders of the night sky. Reminded me of the book Everyone Needs a Rock”  as it lays out over many pages the “right” way to look up at the stars. It reminds the reader at the end that the most important thing about stargazing is … to do it. The illustrations are rich and bold on each 2-page spread. Lovely to look at and a joy to read with a young child. Matt Forrest Esenwine lives in New Hampshire.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

The Wishing Flower

The Wishing FlowerThe Wishing Flower by A.J. Irving, Kip Alizadeh
ISBN: 0593430441
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Birdie, a light-skinned girl with curly red hair, is happy by herself, reading books, watching bugs, and blowing on dandelion seeds, but she is shy around other children and wishes for a friend. When a new girl arrives in her classroom who is beige-skinned with long dark pigtails, they like many of the same things, especially wishes. The more they play together, the braver Birdie feels. This book is relatable to kids, especially shy kids, about the wonderful feeling of experiencing a true connection with another kid and feeling free to be themselves. Amazon lists this title as an LGBTQ-inclusive story about understanding your peers, however I did not get that vibe when I first read it. I simply viewed it as a sweet heartwarming book. I reread it, and I can see that now.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Cosmic Wonder: Halley’s Comet and Humankind

Cosmic Wonder: Halley’s Comet and HumankindCosmic Wonder: Halley's Comet and Humankind by Ashley Benham Yazdani
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536223239
Genres: Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

First recorded traveling overhead in 240 BCE, Halley’s Comet returns every seventy-six years. In this book, Halley’s Comet is depicted as an anthropomorphized shining orb with a long, flowing tail, with the landscapes that change over the years.  From C. 200,000 years ago to 13th-century Mongol warriors charging down a hill (1222) until two children (one dark-skinned, one light-skinned) watch from a beach beneath an industrial city in 1986, when the comet was barely visible in the smoke-filled sky. She asks what will the Earth be like in 2061 when Halley’s Comet next returns? The illustrations are lovely with the comet lighting the landscapes through the years. However, the reader may be disappointed that the book is less about the comet and more about humankind. Author and illustrator Benham-Yazdani does explain who Edmond Halley was and the back pages explain comets along with an Author’s Note and Bibliography. Ages 7-10.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Thank you, Moon: Celebrating Nature’s Nightlight

Thank you, Moon: Celebrating Nature’s NightlightThank You, Moon: Celebrating Nature's Nightlight by Jessica Lanan, Melissa Stewart
ISBN: 0593435079
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In a series of thank-yous paired with brief notes on nature, Stewart highlights the influence of the moon on wildlife and the only known instance of direct lunar influence on a plant – the moon stimulates joint pines to exude a sticky sap to draw pollinators when it’s full in July. Towards the end of the book, a brown-skinned child appreciates the beauty of Earth’s only natural satellite. At the end, there is a schematic explanation of lunar phases and  information about the animals and plant that readers encountered earlier in the book. The pictures are rather dark, understandably because it depicts nighttime, making this book a better choice for one-to-one reading rather to a group. Ages 5-7.

Barb Rehmeyer. Liberty Library

four-stars