Format: Board Book

Alma at Home

Alma at HomeAlma at Home/Alma en casa (Alma's Words/Las palabras de Alma) by Juana Martinez-Neal
Published by Candlewick Press on 9/9/24
ISBN: 1536232335
Genres: board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In this simple bilingual board book, Alma tells readers about her house and what she likes to do there. Readers will be exposed to basic vocabulary in digestible short sentences, with the English text in black and the Spanish text in dark yellow.  The strength of this book are the beautiful illustrations which cover the whole spread.  The colors are mostly neutral with a pop of color to add visual interest and the facial expressions throughout convey the love and joy Alma experiences at home.  This would be a great addition to any collection with board books.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Alma, Where is Pajarito?

Alma, Where is Pajarito?Alma, Where Is Pajarito?/Alma, ¿Dónde está Pajarito? (Alma's Words/Las palabras de Alma) by Juana Martinez-Neal
Series: Alma's Words
Published by Candlewick Press on 9/9/24
ISBN: 1536232343
Genres: board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In this bilingual board book, Alma is looking for her pet bird.  In her search, readers will be introduced to basic prepositions, as she looks for her bird under her blanket, on her bed, and between her hats, for example.  Young children will enjoy the fun, expressive illustrations with muted colors that won’t overwhelm them.  The English text is in black and the Spanish text is in purple, making it easy for readers to differentiate between the languages.  The best part of the book might be the gentle humor sure to amuse kids- the bird she is looking for is on her head!

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Peekaboo Lion

Peekaboo LionPeekaboo: Lion (Peekaboo You) by Camilla Reid, Ingela P. Arrhenius
ISBN: 1536234834
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

With bright illustrations thanks to the prolific Arrhenius, Reid’s book is simple and interactive. Pages include rhyming text such as “Peekaboo monkey”, “Peekaboo munch”, “Peekaboo toucan”, “Peekaboo crunch” and sliders that reveal various animals. The final page includes a slider with a hidden mirror.

While the text is nothing spectacular, it doesn’t need to be; toddlers and their parents love interactive board books, and they are perfect for those ages 0-2 who are exploring their physical world for the first time. This book will certainly circulate and is recommended for libraries looking to boost or refresh their selection for their youngest patrons.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

three-stars

Five Little Ghosts

Five Little GhostsFive Little Ghosts by Holly Surplice, Lily Murray
ISBN: 1536235008
Genres: board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Based on the nursery rhyme “Five Little Ducks,” this lift-the-flap book is a fun story to share at Halloween and practice beginning counting. Mama Ghost and her ghostlings float through a pumpkin patch, a playground, a haunted house and a woods. Along the way, the ghostlings are disappearing, only to reappear hiding on the last page. with a resounding “Boo!” The repeated phrasing, “Mama Ghost said ‘Fly back to me!’ How many ghostlings can you see?”, prompts readers to search for and count the ghostlings. Kids ages 2-5 will enjoy searching for the ghosts, and as with all lift-the-flap books, it will be your choice as to whether to include in your library collection as they tend to be torn easily.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Spooky Little Halloween

Spooky Little HalloweenSpooky Little Halloween: A Finger Wiggle Book (Finger Wiggle Books) by Nick Sharratt, Sally Symes
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536231479
Genres: board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

A “Finger Wiggle Book”  that kids can poke their fingers through the holes of a witch, wolf, spider, ghost, pumpkin, bat, black cat, and monster/vampire. The bright, high-contrast illustrations and suggested sound effects, along with the finger-poking, will delight toddlers and introduce them to Halloween characters. Best read one-on-one for 1-3 year olds.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-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

Alma and her Family= Alma y su familia

Alma and her Family= Alma y su familiaAlma and Her Family/Alma y su familia (Alma's Words/Las palabras de Alma) by Juana Martinez-Neal
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on 9/5/23
ISBN: 0763693626
Genres: board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Alma and her Family is a bilingual board book based on the picture book character from Alma and How She Got Her Name.   This book introduces children to some family members and some easy verbs (kiss, paint, squeeze) in English and Spanish.  The text is easy to follow as the English is in black text and the Spanish is in light blue.  The illustrations are large, covering most of the pages.  The colors are soft and not overwhelming.  The pictures match the text perfectly and convey the deep love that Alma and her family feel for each other.  This board book would be a great addition to any public library.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Peep and Ducky: It’s Snowing!

Peep and Ducky: It’s Snowing!Peep and Ducky It's Snowing! by David Martin, David Walker
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536233285
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
one-star

Peep and Ducky are excited to play in the snow. They go sledding and build a snowman together, but things don’t always go as planned. They begin kicking snow at one another and yelling in anger, until their parents arrive to give them hot chocolate and cookies. 

While there was a great opportunity in this board book to teach about positive conflict resolution, it unfortunately fell short and was a bit problematic. This book is not recommended as a good model for young children. 

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

one-star

Good Night, Little Fish

Good Night, Little FishGood Night, Little Fish by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536224448
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

On the cover, this book is described as “A perfect bedtime story!”, and I could not agree more. Before Little Fish goes to bed, he says good night to all his friends – Red Fish,  Blue Fish, Yellow Fish, Eye Fish, Sky Fish, Bumble Fish, Scary Fish (shark) and Upside-Down Fish – before kissing Mommy Fish goodnight.  In typical Lucy Cousins style, primary colored, bold illustrations depict friendly and comical characters. Sure to induce giggles from toddlers! Probably best as a book to be owned rather than a library book as kids will want to read it over and over again.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars