Orris and Timble: The Beginning

July 14, 2024

Orris and Timble: The Beginning by Carmen Mok, Kate DiCamillo
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536222798
Genres: Animals
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

The first volume in a promised early reader trilogy. The first time I read this book I was sort of let down, mostly, I think, because I have such high expectations for a Kate DiCamillo book. However, I came to appreciate its simplicity more after the second and third reading and cherished it after the fourth reading. First of all, the wonderful illustrations by Mok are adorable and endearing. This is essentially a retelling of Aesop’s tale “The Lion and the Mouse.” Orris the rat lives alone in an old barn surrounded by his treasures, until the day his solitude is disrupted by a loud screech from a small owl caught in a mouse trap. Inspired by the label on his sardine can to “make the good and noble choice” he reluctantly rescues the owl, despite the fact that owls and rats are natural enemies. Timble the owl and Orris the rat become friends by sharing stories and a gift of butterscotch in shiny gold wrapper. Short chapters and full-color illustrations make this book a great choice for a first chapter book, whether shared aloud or independently by a developing reader. Readers will look forward to seeing what the next adventures will be for these two unlikely friends.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

A Magical Parade

July 9, 2024

Afro Unicorn: A Magical Parade (Step into Reading) by Anthony Conley, April Showers
ISBN: 0593704150
Genres: Animals, Cultural / African American, Fairy Tale
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
four-stars

“A Magical Parade” by April Showers is an early reader featuring the Afro Unicorns. This story is for any unicorn lover, and is complete with glitter, rainbows, ribbons, and crowns! The plot is simple – the group of friends help another unicorn who lost their crown before the big parade. When the unicorns wear their crowns, they feel confident, and like they can do anything. The Afro Unicorns are all unicorns of color, making this a diverse and inclusive addition to any early reader collection. One of the unicorns is also given they/them pronouns, providing gender inclusivity as well. Recommended for ages 5-6 (Kindergarten to 1^st Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

Field Day

July 3, 2024July 3, 2024

Field Day! (Step into Reading) by Ashley Evans, Candice Ransom
ISBN: 0593643674
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Field Day is a transitional leveled reader in a series starring the Day kids (brother and sister). The short, declarative sentences tell the story of these elementary school-age siblings enjoying their field day. Beginning readers will enjoy this story about Field Day, and identify with the many activities (bouncy house, tug of war, etc.). The Day siblings are brown-skinned; the classmates are diverse in skin color and ableness.

New readers will enjoy this outing.The simple words, rhyming couplets and brightly colorful illustrations offer clues to help readers decode text. Recommended for public and school library collections.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

Arfy Has a Ball

July 3, 2024July 3, 2024

Arfy Has a Ball (Step into Reading) by Troy Cummings
ISBN: 0593643739
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This leveled comic reader and its main character, Arfy, will delight new readers. Arfy is a dog who knows what he wants, and what he wants is a ball. Along with Arfy, readers will learn that in the search for a just-right ball, one needs to be discerning. Some balls are too fast (a baseball zipping by), while others are too bright (a twinkling disco ball). In the end, he’s reconciled himself to a ball-less life, and then sniffs out a stinky, old tennis ball that he deems “perfect”.

Arfy and his surroundings are cartoonish and brightly colored. The comic illustrations by Cummings and the simple, relatable storyline will keep readers turning the pages, and the repetitive text will give them confidence to keep reading.

Readers who enjoy comics and want to read on their own will love this. Highly recommended for public and school library collections.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

Rabia’s Eid

July 3, 2024July 3, 2024

Rabia's Eid (Step into Reading) by Rukhsana Khan
ISBN: 0593706811
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In this leveled reader, we see Rabia, a young Muslim girl with brown skin, and her family as they enter the last day of Ramadan, and then celebrate Eid. Rabia is not expected to fast, because of her age, but wants to be part of it. The illustrations depict Rabia and her family in observance of Ramadan – in prayer, fasting, and then after sundown, breaking the fast by eating dates. The view of muslim culture is joyful, and welcome. Other traditions, such as painting henna designs, wearing new clothes, praying as a community and donating money to the poor, are also shown.

The appealing illustrations will capture the attention of young readers, and the simplicity of the text keeps the story moving along. Much information is offered through the illustrations – Rabia wears a hijab while kneeling on a prayer rug. There are concepts and words that will be familiar to some readers but not all such as Fitr, and the book does not offer additional context (glossary, author’s note, etc.) to deepen understanding. This is a great story for children with knowledge of Eid, who are interested in reading more about other children observing this Muslim holiday. If introducing Eid and Ramadan to young readers through this story, be prepared to answer questions that are not answered in the book.

There are not enough leveled readers depicting Muslim families observing their faith, making this is a necessary purchase for public and school library collections.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

Green Machines and Other Amazing Eco-Inventions

May 11, 2024May 11, 2024

Green machines and Other Amazing Eco-inventions by Meadows, Michelle
Published by Random House Children's Books on 2024
ISBN: 9780593488041
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

This informational book uses the image of the Lorax and other characters from the Seuss book to introduce the reader to many interesting eco-inventions The Lorax is the narrator. Inventions are described using rhyming couplets with simple words and short sentences, for beginning readers. The last section of the book uses prose, longer words and more complex sentences to explain how inventors do what they do. This book is meant to open young readers up to inventions that solve ecological problems of all kinds, from polluted riverways to animal poachers.

The book leans hard into the Seussian rhyming couplet format, but the rhymes are forced and clunky. In describing a portable water filter:

“Flip the whole thing over.
Glug, glug, glug, glug. Glug.
Safe drinking water flows into a clean jug.”

The illustrations are mixed-media collage, combining photos with characters from The Lorax. In one description of drones being used to plant trees, there’s an image of the Oncler and his Super Axe Hacker superimposed over a photo of a deforested area.

The connection between a beloved literary character and environmental inventions should work but the writing is uneven and unenjoyable. This book is not recommended.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

Words are Magic

April 30, 2024

Words Are Magic! (Step into Reading) by Felicia Whaley, Zaila Avant-Garde
Published by Random House on 1/2/24
ISBN: 0593571673
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
Words are Magic is an enjoyable early reader that shares the joy and power of words. The text is simple and the font is large, which is perfect for younger readers. The strength of this book is the illustrations. They are fun and colorful, without being too distracting, but they really stand out with how they invite the children to interact with them. There are short words that the children can sing, shout, rhyme, trace, and draw, which will reach auditory and kinesthetic learners. One two page spread is a city scene filled with signs that children can read either by using the picture as clues or with the help of an adult. This book encourages children to practice basic early reading skills in a fun way and is recommended for any library with preschool or kindergarten children.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

Bear and Bird: The Stars and Other Stories

March 6, 2024March 6, 2024

Bear and Bird: The Stars and Other Stories by Jarvis
Published by Candlewick ISBN: 1536234575
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
The second installment in the “Bear and Bird” series, Jarvis hits the mark once again with his knack for blending whimsical, lively illustrations with equally witty stories. Bear and Bird are best friends, on the fast track to being up there with the greats, a la Frog & Toad. This irreverently funny collection of short stories starts with Bear and Bird in the middle of a mutual silent treatment, and though neither of them can remember exactly why they’re fighting, they DO know they both need a new best friend. As they separately set out to find a new bestie, Bear & Bird are drawn back together in an unlikely way & this theme of unwavering support and friendship is woven through each story and each goof-up and misunderstanding along the way.

Short story collection for newly independent readers, this series has the feel of an instant classic. The illustrations will capture prospective readers’ eyes and Bear & Bird’s flawlessly flawed dynamic will keep kiddos coming back for installments yet to come.

Reviewed by Paiten Price – Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, ME

Pete the Kitty’s Outdoor Art Project

February 14, 2024

Pete the Kitty’s Outdoor Art Project Pete the Kitty's Outdoor Art Project by James Dean, Kimberly Dean
Series: My First I Can Read
Published by HarperCollins on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 0062974327
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
An “I Can Read” book featuring everyone’s favorite groovy kitty. Aimed at the Pre-K set, Pete the Kitty is tasked with finding pieces of nature for an art project. Usually one to use paints and paper, Pete is not so sure that art can come from objects in nature. As he walks around, he sees his classmates using objects to create interesting things like a flower crown and a pinecone turtle. Feeling inspired, Pete finds a way to create his own art with the items he finds. A nice exploration of the different ways we can define and create art for young readers. The text makes good use of repetition and sight words, and even throws in some new vocabulary like “nifty” and “awesome”, and the illustrations are clear and support the text. Get for collections with Pete fans or for those readers who always seem to have a few sticks and rocks in their pocket.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School Library

Frankie and Friends: Breaking News

February 14, 2024

Frankie and Friends: Breaking News by Alea Marley, Christine Platt
on October 10, 2023
ISBN: 1536237949
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Early Reader
Goodreads
four-stars
This beginner chapter book series introduces us to Frankie, an aspiring newswoman who wants to be just like her journalist mama. Breaking News starts when Frankie’s mother, Franklynn, must leave their family game night to report on breaking news – something she frequently has to do. Everyone in the family understands the importance of mama Franklynn’s work, but her presence is always missed. With the help of Frankie’s friends (her dolls, a stuffed teddy bear, and her cat named Nina Simone) she uses everything her mama has taught her about journalism to cover a developing story.

Though the emotional core of the story is simple (we all miss our mamas sometimes), Breaking News organically explains complicated topics in media such as how to create a news story, how to maintain journalistic integrity, and why “hard news” can sometimes be inappropriate for younger kids. The vocabulary will be advanced for the target audience, but keywords are capitalized and elaborated upon in a glossary. The text is also paired with colorful, incredibly charming and emotive illustrations that help tell the story. The Frankie and Friends series might have niche appeal, but it’s perfect for kids interested in journalism, families who need help explaining jobs that require travel, and newly independent readers who aren’t afraid of big words, big concepts, and a longer story. Consider Frankie and Friends: Breaking News when purchasing books for transitional readers!

Reviewed by Ivy Burns, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth