Format: Picture Book Fiction

The Midnight Panther

The Midnight PantherThe Midnight Panther (A Poonam Mistry Fable) by Poonam Mistry
ISBN: 1536238716
Genres: Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

The outstanding feature of this book are the gorgeous illustrations! In this fable, Panther feels he is not special like the other big cats in the forest. He doesn’t have stripes like Tiger, a mane like Lion, or spots like Leopard. Panther despairs until Moon encourages him to embrace his blackness which sparkles in the dark like the night sky. Inspired by her Indian heritage, Mistry creates the most stunning artwork. The story is not all that original but takes on a folkloric quality of a pourquoi tale and one can always use a reminder of seeing the beauty in oneself. This book can be used as a Story Time readaloud but children will want to examine the illustrations more closely in an intimate setting.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

King Alfred and the Ice Coffin

King Alfred and the Ice CoffinKing Alfred and the Ice Coffin by Chris Riddell, Kevin Crossley-Holland
ISBN: 1536238805
Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction
Format: Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

King Alfred loved stories and had a wish for his people to read books in their native language. So, he learned Latin in order to translate important texts and stories into English. One day, a sailor named Wulfstan comes to the King’s court to tell a tale from the northern seas. After enduring a terrible storm, Wulfstan and his crew had become shipwrecked in Maarahvas. During their stay, they witnessed the celebration of life of one of the town’s leaders, which included viewing the deceased leader in an ice coffin, and dispersing his riches in a horse race. Captivated by the story, King Alfred pledges to record it so that it will never be forgotten. This book is formatted as a long picture book, with stunningly detailed monochromatic illustrations. Recommended for ages 9-11 (4th to 6th Grade).

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

four-stars

When We Gather: (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal Feast

When We Gather: (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal FeastWhen We Gather (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal Feast by Andrea L. Rogers, Madelyn Goodnight
ISBN: 0063076799
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This beautiful book covers so many desirable picture book categories: Indigenous knowledge and traditions, community, sustainability, family, food, caring for our elders, and so much more.

At the start of the story, a Cherokee girl welcomes the onset of spring. Details of tasks being done by different family members help set the tone, and readers will enjoy the family adventure to gather wild onions. The tale continues as everyone makes their way to the community center to help prepare a meal. Various traditional dishes are described and recipes are included in the back of the book.

In addition to the recipes, back matter includes a glossary of native words, a note to the reader, and a longer and more detailed author’s note. When We Gather was published in association with We Need Diverse Books. This selection is recommended for all libraries with picture book collections.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

five-stars

Oak: The Littlest Leaf Girl

Oak: The Littlest Leaf Girlby Lucy Fleming
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 978153623882
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
four-stars

Tiny Oak spends her days blissfully playing in a tree with her family and a  wide circle of forest animals. When the days cool off and her family starts packing to move into a warmer home for the winter, Oak panics at the idea of leaving the life she loves so much. So she doesn’t; she determinedly stays in the tree, alone, until she realizes that her home isn’t the tree-it’s wherever your loved ones are.

A cozy, nicely illustrated book about the difficulty of change and the ways family can help us through it.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

The Café at the Edge of the Woods

The Café at the Edge of the WoodsThe Café at the Edge of the Woods by Mikey Please
on October 1, 2024
ISBN: 0063345498
Genres: Fantasy, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

I have been holding off on writing a review about this one. If I could, I would give it 4 ½ stars. If you like the humor in Jon Klassen books, you will likely enjoy this one, too. Rene opens a café beside an enchanted forest and hires Glumfoot, a gnomish-like creature, as a waiter. Nobody shows up to sample her fine cuisine so Glumfoot goes out into the forest to solicit a customer. An ogre comes to the café and orders pickled bats, slugs, and battered mice! Rene cooks a bowl of rice but Glumfoot transforms it into a maggot fondue. The ogre loves it and returns with his friends. Rene  and Glumfoot make a great team and the café is a success. The cartoon-like illustrations are colorful and appealing. Not surprising since Mikey Please is an award winning animator. The plot is taut and the rhyming solid. Some may be disturbed by the disgusting dishes and  “A bag of bats! That smells like fart!” Others will be enchanted and find it hilarious. Choose your audience.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Thank You

Thank YouThank You by Jarvis
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536235865
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

A simple, sweet book about all the things the young boy is thankful for – “the moon for the nighttime” to “tyrannosaurus for being the longest word I know.” Incredibly creative collage illustrations accompanying the single thing he lists that he is thankful for on each page.  The boy presents as white but some of the other children are other ethnicities. However, you will always recognize the boy by the red hat he wears. The end pages are covered with words for “thank you” in different languages . This book could be used at Thanksgiving (or anytime) to enlighten kids about some of the unusual things that enrich their lives followed by a discussion about what for which they are grateful.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

No More Señora Mimí

No More Señora MimíNo More Señora Mimí by Brittany Cicchese, Meg Medina
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536219444
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Young Ana’s daily routine includes hanging out with her upstairs neighbor señora Mimí (and Mimí’s baby and dog) both before and after school while Ana’s mother is at work. Things are about to change, however, with the arrival of Abuela, who will be moving in with Ana and helping with the childcare. Ana is super excited about this until she has the realization that the routine she loves will end, as will the role that Mimí has played in her life.

What could have been a more straightforward picture book about change is transformed by Medina into a nuanced exploration of mixed emotions in young children and a glimpse into the bond that caretakers and children can have. The book would be easy to recommend for all kinds of  life events that might feel overwhelming, but it also fills a niche yet crucial need for children struggling with saying goodbye to caregivers, making it a terrific addition to any library.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Chang’e on the Moon

Chang’e on the MoonChang’e on the Moon (Everlasting Tales, #1) by Cornelia Li, Jaime Chu, Katrina Moore
on September 3, 2024
ISBN: 0063295806
Genres: Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Everlasting Tales: Chang’e on the Moon

Retold by Katrina Moore

 

In this picture book for ages 4-8, Katrina Moore and Cornelia Li re- tell the Chinese legend of Chang’e, the moon goddess. Chang’e is a kind and beautiful woman who deeply loves her husband, Hou Yi, a talented archer who travels from village to village to purge communities from monsters and create caring communities. One morning, multiple suns rose in the sky, scorching the earth and threatening life. Hou Yi shoots arrows to destroy the extra suns until only one remained. To reward Hou Yi, the heavenly goddess presented him with a single elixir of immortality. Hou Yi and Chang’e’s love was so strong that they both declined the elixir, choosing to remain together on Earth. Despite hiding the elixir for safety, Hou Yi’s apprentice, Peng Meng, found it and wanted to use it to rule the world forever. Chang’e realized she must get rid of the elixir once and for all. With the help of her animal friends, Chang’e took back the elixir and drank it herself, which caused her to float way to the moon (considered part of Heaven). Hou Yi was heartbroken to be parted from Chang’e, but he spent the rest of his life sharing the story of her sacrifice everywhere he went.

Chang’e’s bravery and selfless sacrifice not only saved her people but also inspired the annual Mid-Autumn Festival, during which participants give thanks to the moon for their harvest. To this day, friends and family gather every year to share mooncakes and to tell the tale of Chang’e. This lovely story of courage, altruism, and enduring love is underscored by the beautiful and vivid painted illustrations.

4 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

four-stars

Mr. Santa

Mr. SantaMr. Santa by Jarvis
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 153623883X
Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In Jarvis’ newest holiday picture book, Mr. Santa, he writes a story comprised of only questions and exclamations. Written from the perspective of a curious little girl who catches Santa in the act of gifting presents in her bedroom, she asks all the questions a child might want to know. Santa only responds with gentle, non-verbal expressions which adds to the humor of the story. “Have you wiped your shoes?” “Want to meet my goldfish?” “Can we visit your house?” What ensues is a magical evening spent with Santa, reminiscent of The Polar Express or The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. Young readers will love wondering what the answers to these questions might be. When she wakes up in the morning, she wonders, “Was it really real?”

Illustrated with Jarvis’ soft, muted blue tones and use of stars and sparkles, it has a dreamlike quality that really evokes the Christmas magic that readers love to experience during the holidays. It’s digitally illustrated but has the look of colored pencils and sponge prints that gives it a unique look. Would recommend for any library’s holiday collection; for ages 3-7.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

The Wild

The WildThe Wild by Yuval Zommer
ISBN: 0593708989
Genres: Animals, Folklore, Juvenile Fiction / Climate
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

One will be immediately intrigued upon first sight of the cover of The Wild by Yuval Zommer. The extraordinary shades of green and shimmery gold accents culminate together to form a large fox/dragon-like creature that represents the entirety of the Wild in this climate-themed fable.

In this story, people lived lightly in the Wild. They said, “The Wild is so huge and giving that there will always be enough for us.” But the people began to take more and more, and take care of it less and less. One day, a child noticed that the Wild was weak and turning yellow. He spoke up, and others spoke up with him. Together, they learned how to live in harmony—how to give as much as we take. The Wild would be vibrant and green once more. It is a simple message akin to The Lorax, but a powerful one where the illustrations tell much of the story.

Zommer’s work is a fantastic example of quality digital illustration. Every single page could be framed, and his line work and color choice is absolutely stunning. This climate story is a fable of what our world could look like, and it paints a cheerful picture of what that could be. This story might be too rose-colored for some adults, but it’s geared for children, so one can appreciate the hopeful message. Best for ages 3-7.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars