Format: Board Book

River’s Journey

River’s JourneyRiver's Journey (Nature in Action) by Kim Smith, Sally M. Walker
ISBN: 1536229075
Genres: Animals, Babies/Infants, board book, Nature, Non-Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

River’s Journey, from MIT Kids, is part of the Nature in Action board book series, introducing nature concepts to the littlest of book-lovers. Here we follow a river from its beginnings as a boggy tableland through its arrival at the ocean. Along the way, we flow past the various environments that shape and are shaped by the river.

The rhyming text is informative, though a bit clunky. The refrain, “River flowing, where’s it going?” helps keep the momentum of the book, though this reviewer thinks it could have been used on every page. The illustrations are simple enough not to overwhelm, yet readers will find things on every page to point out to children, or ask them to find.

While this may not be the kind of board book that children will want to return to for multiple readings, it is a simple introduction to one aspect of the natural world. It would be a good addition to a preschool lesson on water, rivers, nature, or beginnings and endings.

Reviewed by Beth Almquist, Lewiston Public Library

three-stars

Your Island

Your IslandYour Island by Jon Klassen
Series: Your Places
Published by Candlewick Press on February 4, 2025
ISBN: 1536230812
Genres: board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Part of a board-book series that includes Your Forest (2025) and Your Farm (2025). Familiar objects and employing a rhythm suited for reading aloud before bedtime, an island grows with all its cumulative items, including a tent, a fire, a boat, and a bird. it ends  when the sun goes down. This island is for the child to have whenever they want to visit there.

Not as dark as some of Klassen’s books for older children but still humorous. The repetition allows for pattern recognition and subtly reinforces spatial concepts. Simple and delightful for ages 2-5.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Maisy Loves Butterflies

Maisy Loves ButterfliesMaisy Loves Butterflies: A Maisy's Planet Book (Educational Board Book About Nature - For Toddlers and Kids Ages 1-3) by Lucy Cousins
Series: Maisy's Planet #5
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on May 20, 2025
ISBN: 1536240397
Genres: board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Our long-loved friend Maisy loves butterflies! This board book is a mix of a fictional story with Maisy interacting with butterflies and basic, clearly illustrated facts about butterflies. We finish our visit with Maisy in her carefully planted butterfly and moth-friendly garden.

Ages 1-3

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

Yippee! Rabbit

Yippee! RabbitYippee! Rabbit (Jo Ham's Rabbit) by Jo Ham
Published by Candlewick Studio on 01/25
ISBN: 1536241334
Genres: Animals, board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A board book adapted from Ham’s picture book of the same title. High contrast black and turquoise designs on a white background. Simple text, one or two words per page, follow the antics of an adventurous rabbit. Delightful, simple and engaging. Toddlers will love this, and their readers will be likewise charmed.

Highly recommend.

5 stars, cream

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

The Queen of Ocean Parkway

The Queen of Ocean ParkwayThe Queen of Ocean Parkway (The Queen of Ocean Parkway, #1) by Sarvenaz Tash
Series: Queen of Ocean Parkway #1
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on September 3, 2024
ISBN: 0593809785
Genres: Mystery
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Roya knows just about everything that goes on in her Brooklyn apartment building.  At eleven years old, the building Superintendent’s daughter helps her mother keep the place running, all while mining for content for her amateur podcast.  Her ears perk up when she overhears Katya and her wife Stefanie arguing in the laundry room the day before Katya goes missing.  Roya and her new friend Amin investigate Katya’s disappearance, stumbling on a curse that affects Katya’s family for generations. Roya and Amin piece together clues to this mystery, which lead them on a time traveling adventure to Coney Island. As they try to save Katya by preventing her family from time travelling in the first place, Roya also tries to save her future father from the cancer he is now battling.

This novel would be a nice addition for any library that serves elementary school students.  It’s a fun mystery with fantasy elements grounded by the realistic relationships Roya has with Amin and her parents.  The characters are diverse, representing many cultures and family compositions, and the woman who is missing is gay. It’s perfect for readers who like suspenseful books that are not scary.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Little Bunny

Little BunnyLittle Bunny by Petr Horáček
Series: A Peek-Through Book; #2
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536238856
Genres: Animals, board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A sweet board book with die-cut on each spread to spy a host of woodland animal: colorful birds to count, a friendly bear, a scary red fox, and a helpful owl, all depicted in a colorful, artistic style. Mommy bunny welcomes  the baby bunny home at the end.  The simple, rhyming text and  illustrations will engage little listeners. I appreciated that not all the pages had holes but some were cleverly designed by having a corner cut so young readers are challenged a bit more than just poking their fingers in the holes – but that will be fun for them, too!

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

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