Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

Nell Plants a Tree

Nell Plants a TreeNell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter, Daniel Miyares
Published by HarperCollins US, Balzer + Bray on January 31, 2023
ISBN: 0062865773
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American, Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Wynter’s spare, verse-like text tells the story of a pecan tree, planted by Nell, in shifting timelines from the past (Nell planting the tree) to the present (Nell’s grandchildren enjoying its mature shade and fruit). Miyares’ gorgeous illustrations use pen and ink, gouache, and collage to fill each page with color and space, evoking a warm Southern afternoon in changing light. All characters are Black. Notes from both the author and illustrator at the end of the book discuss how personal this story is for them, growing up surrounded by family pecan trees – experiences which certainly played a large role in the development of this warm, beautiful story that will no doubt be popular with parents and children alike, and maybe inspire them to plant a tree of their own!

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

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

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

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

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

How to Write a Poem

How to Write a PoemHow to Write a Poem by Deanna Nikaido, Kwame Alexander, Melissa Sweet
Published by Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins ISBN: 0063060906
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A visually gorgeous book that invites readers to immerse themselves in colorful, poetry-making experiences through wordplay and art. Sweet’s collage illustrations and hand lettering exists symbiotically with Alexander and Nikaido’s text, blurring the line between written art and visual art, giving each page both words to ponder upon and endless artistic details to contemplate. A pitch-perfect introduction to all that poetry can be.

Easy to put in the hands of young children who enjoy looking at books on their own, and for families to read aloud; could also be used in a story hour paired with collage crafts. Highly recommend.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

Unseen Jungle

Unseen JungleUnseen Jungle: The Microbes That Secretly Control Our World by Eleanor Spicer Rice, Rob Wilson
Published by MIT Kids Press on May 2, 2023
Pages: 176
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A fun and fascinating look at the microbes that surround us in our homes, our yards, our food, and yes, our bodies. Conversational and humorous in tone, with colorful cartoon drawings throughout, this book is informative as well as entertaining. The chapters are short, the language is accessible, add in some occasionally creepy and gross details and you have high appeal for the upper elementary set. Interviews with scientists are interspersed and suggestions for further reading and a bibliography are included at the end of the book. 

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Grades 3-6

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars

The Book of Turtles

The Book of TurtlesThe Book of Turtles by Sy Montgomery, Matt Patterson
Published by Clarion Books on May 2, 2023
ISBN: 0358458072
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

While Sy Montgomery is renowned for her “Scientists in the Field” series, this nonfiction science book about turtles is not part of that series. The fact-filled text is engaging and the “Celebrity Turtle Profiles” features some of the world’s most famous turtles, including Myrtle, the 90-year-old, 550-pound green sea turtle at the New England Aquarium in Boston. The book concludes with some of the dangers turtles face and how we can help. Patterson’s highly detailed illustrations are accurate and life-like. I recommend this book for all ages. I guarantee you will learn something new about turtles. However, a book for adults Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell by the same author and illustrator duo will be published in September. The first sentence of the book is brilliant – “Sometime around 240 million years ago — about the time of the first dinosaurs, and 9 million years before the first crocodile — the shell invented the turtle.” It goes on to report that the shell, composed of 60 joined bones, makes a turtle a turtle.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars