Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

Say Something!

Say Something!Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Orchard Books on February 26th 2019
ISBN: 0545865034
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

Say Something is unique in its diversity and level of kindness shown between children.  Reynolds acknowledges all children and motivates them to raise their voices concerning justice and personal power.   Interactions within this book are positive and express empathy, we all need more of the ability to reach out to others and to speak up.

The illustrations are fairly simple and direct, they appear on backgrounds featuring many dots and vivid colors.  On one page the dots turn into birds reinforcing the message to “Keep saying it…and you may be surprised to find the whole world listening”.  Imagine how that sentence sounds to a shy child who has yet to find her/his voice. 

Building self-confidence and honoring the freedom of expression needs to be part of the educational process for all youngsters.   Add this to primary school media centers, put on public library shelves and gift to K – second grade teachers.  In addition school guidance counselors would appreciate a copy to use with students.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

Misunderstood Shark: Friends Don’t Eat Friends

Misunderstood Shark: Friends Don’t Eat FriendsMisunderstood Shark: Friends Don't Eat Friends by Ame Dyckman, Scott Magoon
Published by Orchard Books on January 29th 2019
ISBN: 1338113887
Pages: 42
Goodreads
five-stars

In the first “Misunderstood Shark” book, Bob the jellyfish ends up getting eaten while interviewing Shark for his TV show, Underwater World with Bob.  The opening endpapers of this sequel give us a brief recap of that by showing Bob in Shark’s stomach.  The action begins right away on the title page with Bob being burped up as his camera crew begins filming the next episode of his show.  In this episode, Shark claims NOT to have eaten Bob; that he was just giving him a tour.  While Bob and Shark argue about whether or not Shark did, in fact, eat Bob, they also teach us some actual facts about sharks.  In the end, both Bob and Shark apologize and remain friends.  This book, along with the first in the series, is a first purchase.  Great for all ages.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

five-stars

Right as Rain

Right as RainRight as Rain by Lindsey Stoddard
Published by HarperCollins on February 12th 2019
ISBN: 006265294X
Pages: 304
Goodreads
five-stars

Twelve year-old Rain and her parents move from rural Vermont to an apartment in Washington Heights in New York City. As Rain adjusts to her new life in the city, she is harboring guilt associated with the death of her older brother along with a secret that she can’t share with her parents. Grief is also ripping apart her parents’ marriage. Rain’s father spends his days in bed isolated and depressed while her mother spends long days at work. Rain spends her free time exploring her new neighborhood where she is in the minority as one of the few white residents. When Rain is recruited by the track coach to run on the girls’ relay team, she begins to make friends and feel more at home. Stoddard weaves a lot of issues into the story including themes of grief, friendship, acceptance, family and community. The book eloquently captures the overwhelming feelings related to loss and how people deal with their grief in different ways. At one point the story teeters on the edge of becoming a “white savior” book where the white main character helps save the predominantly Hispanic neighborhood community center from demise, but the book ends up striking the right balance by the end. Give this book to readers who enjoyed Patina by Jason Reynolds and The Ethan I Was Before by Ali Standish. (Grades 4-6) Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Cathy Potter, Falmouth Middle School

five-stars

Lurid London

Lurid LondonLurid London by E. Merwin
Published by Not Avail on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1684026709
Pages: 24
Goodreads
five-stars

Creepy pictures and scary text will send chills through young readers looking for a ‘scary’ book. They might not even care what ‘lurid’ means, but that’s OK. The text is minimal but descriptive, and the photos and drawings will invite younger and middle elementary readers to look for the grossest image to share with their friends.

This slight book provides the necessary non-fiction access features, including a map of London identifying the locations mentioned with a United Kingdom map inset on top of a world map.

Librarians looking for books to add to their ‘scary’ shelves for young readers should consider this and/or one of the seven other titles in this “Tiptoe Into Scary Cities” series.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

Undefeated

UndefeatedThe Undefeated by Kwame Alexander
Published by Versify on April 2nd 2019
ISBN: 1328780961
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

An oversize picture book that offers readers an experience from cover to cover. Stunning artwork from Kadir Nelson paired with the earnest, lyrical poetry of Alexander tells the story of the many black Americans who have contributed to the story and glory of this country. Alexander shared the poem on ESPN’s The Undefeated. He wrote the ode after his second daughter was born so that she would see heroes who looked like her, but this book can resonate with any audience and should be read widely. Mention of the slave trade, the bombing in Birmingham that killed four girls, and the police shootings of unarmed black citizens like Sandra Bland and Trayvon Martin make this a book for an older audience in terms of discussion, but it is not only a tool for conversations. It should be read with all children because it is necessary for our continued humanity for kids to see heroes of all skin colors.  Recommend for Cream of the Crop and for all library collections, public and school, elementary through high school.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote SunriseThe Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
Published by Henry Holt & Company (BYR) on January 8th 2019
Pages: 352
Goodreads
five-stars

In Dan Gemeinhart’s The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise, readers dip their toes into the unforgettable world of Coyote and her father, Rodeo, who have been on the road for five years, traveling wherever they want in their home, Yager – a worn schoolbus converted into a mobile living space.  Gemeinhart’s knack for accessing the inner thinking of adolescents shines again in this heart-wrenching read.  As the story progresses, readers learn that Coyote and her father are on the run from their emotions after the tragic death of Coyote’s mother and sisters.  While driving from place to place feels freeing at first, Coyote soon realizes that she misses the stable feeling of “home.”  Along the way, Coyote and Rodeo begin to pick up other world-weary travelers and embark on a memorable, special quest.  This book will leave an imprint on readers’ hearts.  Ideal for readers ages 10-13, though I think many others would love it.

Review by Noelle Gallant, Saco Middle School

five-stars

Beastly Puzzles: A Brain-Boggling Animal Guessing Game

Beastly Puzzles: A Brain-Boggling Animal Guessing GameBeastly Puzzles: A Brain-Boggling Animal Guessing Game by Rachel Poliquin
Published by Kids Can Press on May 7th 2019
ISBN: 1771389133
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Each page of this compact nonfiction book presents a series of common items, things found around a house or workshop or whatever setting is pictured (and these are generally not associated with the animal for an added challenge), and asks the reader to guess which animal can be made. Many common animals are used, but when made from items like 3 billiard balls, 2 feather dusters, and dinosaur feet, can you guess which one? Brilliantly conceived and exquisitely illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler, this book will engage even the most reluctant reader. Teachers will find ways to use this in units on animal adaptations and could model a fun, engaging lesson that challenges students to craft their own beastly puzzle. This reviewer hopes for a Beastly Puzzles 2 and 3 and 4 and…

Recommended for Cream of the Crop. For readers in grades 1-8.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura BelprePlanting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise, Paola Escobar
Published by HarperCollins on January 15th 2019
ISBN: 0062748688
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Such a lovely presentation of a significant American librarian, Denise and Escobar combined their talents to create a winner.  As a biography, Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre sets the bar for other picture book biographies.  Those in the library world know somethings about her life story but this book goes beyond listing Pura’s talents and achievement, it makes her come alive for adults and children.  Storytellers are special people especially when their craft fills a need; in her case Belpre brings Puerto Rican stories to the children of New York City and beyond.

Both the author and illustrator have treated Pura Belpre with love, readers feel like they know her and they want more stories.   Escobar’s digital illustrations add joy and hope to the storyline. To the delight of readers the flowers jump off the pages as well as off the cover and dustjacket.  From Manhattan to rural communities Belpre has planted her seeds of storytelling in her culture while offering the love of reading to children everywhere.   She is a role model for us all in the library field.  I encourage librarians in primary school media centers and in public libraries to add this title to their picture book biography shelves. Grade one to three teachers may want a copy in their classroom.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

ERNESTINES MILKY WAY

ERNESTINES MILKY WAYErnestine's Milky Way by Emily Sutton, Kerry Madden
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books on March 5th 2019
ISBN: 1524714844
Pages: 40
Goodreads

“Ernestine’s Way” is a lovely  historical fiction picture book about neighbors helping neighbors-  set in war time (rouglhly 1942)  in the Great Smokey Mountains.   “I’m five years old and a big girl” says Ernestine.” So Ernestine’s mother asks her to carry two mason jars full of milk from their dairy cow, Ole Peg, to neighbors who live a distance away.  “It won’t be easy,” mother warned.  “You’ll have to walk through the thickets of crabapple and blackberry by the creek, down the path of prickly goseberry and honeysuckle, past the vines of climbing bitterweet, into the valley of doghobble and devil’s walking stick, and through the barbed witrre fence.” Ernestine meets a few critters along the way but reassures herself by saying, “I’m five and I’m a big girl.”  All goes well until Ernestine drops one of the mason jars filled with milk . . .

“Ernestine’s Way” is based on a story that was told to the author by a friend who lived in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. The story is  filled with building tension, but not in a way that would be scary to a young child, but  enough to make you wonder if Ernestine can  indeed complete the long  trek to the  neighbor’s house. The ending is a surprise which is delighful and unexpected!

This book could well be utilized with even older children when learning about life in the Great Smokey Mountains during the years of WW 11. Younger children would find the story interesting and entertaining as well.

The illustrations depict the lushness of a deep mountain holler, and are a bit whimsical.

Reviewed by Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME  

Let Me Sleep Sheep

Let Me Sleep SheepLet Me Sleep, Sheep! by Leila Rudge, Meg McKinlay
Published by Candlewick Press on April 16th 2019
ISBN: 1536205478
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

“Let me Sleep, Sheep,” is an adorable, clever  bedtime tale for the 3-6 year old set.  Amos, a yound child, is “counting” himself to sleep when suddenly he hears  a loud THUD.  And then another. Two fluffy, white sheep land in his bedroom because Amos has called them to his room to be counted! The sheep are not pleased by this and suggest  that Amos count pigs instead. “Where’s the fence?” asks one  sheep. When Amos  is puzzled by their request,  the sheep tell Amos  that there must be a fence becuase “it’s in the rules.” Amos  suggests the sheep  try to jump over the cupboard, but,  for one reason or  another, the cupboard  isn’t suitable.  Amos  then builds a fence (of sorts) , and when he’s finished, the sheep insist that Amos test the fence.  So Amos jumps, and jumps, and jumps until he’s finally exhausted  and falls asleep.

Those  sheep know how to put a kid to sleep afterall!

This “turn the tables” tale  is clever, charming  and satisfying. “Let me Sleep, Sheep,”  makes a great nighttime story  for small children.  It’s  both hilarious and endearing at the same time.  The illustrations are colorful, without being overly  bold and bright, and are clearly delineated.

I recommend this book for Cream of the crop.

 

Reviewed by Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School. Portland, ME

five-stars