Format: Picture Book Fiction

Octavio and His Glasses

Octavio and His GlassesOctavio and His Glasses by Marc González Rossell
ISBN: 1525313789
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Octavio can see the whole world better, thanks to his new glasses. He is now able to see things far away, close up, and all much more clearly. He is even able to see beyond what lies in front of him, as he enjoys reading at bedtime. A new world of possibilities, adventure, and imagination are opened up.

A fresh illustrative style features bold black and sparse white on a rich yellow background. This book will be reassuring for a child who is getting their first pair of glasses, but it will appeal to everyone who adores the journey of a good book. While the pages contain simple text, the meaning is celebratory and will be widely appreciated. A first choice for picture book collections; recommended for grades 1-2.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta.

five-stars

The Most Magnificent Team

The Most Magnificent TeamThe Most Magnificent Team (Most Magnificent, 4) by Ashley Spires
ISBN: 1525312952
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The Most Magnificent Team

Ashley Spires

This picture book for ages 4-8 is the latest in the Most Magnificent book series by Ashley Spires. It is about a girl and her dog who are ready to build something.   After she gathers her tools and supplies, she finds that her neighbor, along with her cat, not only had the same idea but also chose the same space in which to work. The girls decide to work together, but tensions start to rise when they quickly discover that each one has very different ideas and methods.

This book captures the rewards and challenges of working collaboratively as a team. It provides functional strategies to resolve conflicts that arise from teamwork.  It would therefore be an excellent addition to classroom libraries.

4 stars

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

four-stars

The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers (and Other Mysterious Creatures)

The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers (and Other Mysterious Creatures)The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers: And Other Mysterious Creatures by Jami Gigot
ISBN: 1525312634
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers (and Other Mysterious Creatures)

Written and illustrated by I. M. Furry with help from Jami Gigot

 

This picture book for ages 4-7 tells the story of an unlikely yet serendipitous friendship between Anna, a young camper, and Bigfoot.

To Bigfoot, the most fearsome and dangerous creatures in the forest are human campers. They’re invasive, loud, smelly, and messy. Thankfully, Bigfoot has ten simple guidelines to ensure that everyone is kept safe from them. However, after failing to adhere to Guideline #2 – “Never EVER allow yourself to be seen by a camper.” – Bigfoot can’t help but ignore his own advice. Perhaps he’s had the wrong idea about campers all along?

The text gives advice about what not to do, which is a playful juxtaposition to the illustrations that often contradict it! I laughed out loud reading this book. This book playfully encourages readers to reconsider any preconceived notions about what makes a good friend. It also reminds us that what we fear is often more afraid of us.

5 stars

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

five-stars

The Spaceman

The SpacemanThe Spaceman by Randy Cecil
Published by Candlewick Press on 2024
ISBN: 1536226165
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Science Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

A little orange spaceman lands his little ship on yet another planet to collect more soil samples, but this time things do not proceed as planned. A bird flies off with his ship, a dog frightens him, and a butterfly carries him away and drops him into a pond. When things look most dismal, the spaceman starts to realize this planet isn’t ordinary at all. The dog returns and fishes him out of the pond. Then the spaceman makes a surprising decision and pushes his rediscovered spaceship into the pond because he wants to stay to laugh and play with his new friend, the dog.

Simple text and richly-colored, full-page oil illustrations make this an appealing story about recognizing friendship and appreciating the beauty around us.
Recommended for 3-7 year olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

four-stars

Eli and the Uncles

Eli and the UnclesEli and the Uncles by Jehan Madhani, Rashin Kheiriyeh
Published by Candlewick Press on 2024
ISBN: 1536228117
Genres: Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Young Eli spends a day with his eight uncles who all have unique personalities and equally unique facial hair. They play, share dinner, and then each wish Eli a good night. The slightly chaotic personalities are matched well with the slightly chaotic, brightly colored illustrations in this fun read. Recommended for 4-8 year olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

three-stars

Who’s In Charge?

Who’s In Charge?Who's in Charge? by Jenny Klion, Marissa Valdez, Stephanie Allain
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536226505
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Mental Health, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

An anthem of bodily consent! Who’s In Charge by Stephanie Allain and Jenny Klion, is a powerful book that reminds children that they can have authority over their bodies. Text is sparse, but impactful, with rhyme and repetition.

“Who’s in charge of your face? I am.

Who’s in charge of your space? I am.”

The writing does a great job of being playful and engaging but also serious about who has power over their body parts. The authors’ note states that this is a book that reminds readers of all ages that, “We each have personal agency over our own bodies, voices, and choices.”

The illustrations are bright and eye-catching. Marissa Valdez drew them in watercolor pencils with digital editing, and the pencil strokes are a really nice touch. A great addition to those looking to add to their Consent, Boundaries and Youth Empowerment sections alongside other books like Yes! No!: A First Conversation About Consent.

Recommended for (all ages) but especially ages 2-5.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Big Gorilla: A Book of Opposites

Big Gorilla: A Book of OppositesBig Gorilla: A Book of Opposites by Anthony Browne
Published by Candlewick Press on November 19, 2024
ISBN: 1536235695
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Anthony Browne has published another beautiful picture book with his signature primate theme. In this one, he is showing us opposites. On one page, there is a beautiful older gorilla and on another page, a small younger gorilla. Browne’s illustrations are astonishingly detailed, especially when it comes to facial expressions; such as sad and happy. His illustrations evoke lightness but also wonder and curiosity. At the end there are two identical pages in a row, which I thought at first was a mistake in printing. “What is the opposite of opposite?” the text asks. And on the next page it answers, “The same!” Recommended for early childhood collections and appreciators of Browne’s work.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Gray

GrayGray by Laura Dockrill, Lauren Child
Published by Candlewick Press on May 7, 2024
ISBN: 1536235466
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“It’s OK to feel gray. You don’t have to feel bright every day.”

A child awakes in a gray mood, feeling as though all the color has drained from their world. Through the course of the book, emotions are equated with different colors. By the end of the book, the child realizes all the other colors are still inside of them, even when they can only see the gray. Also,  they come to understand their mother will always love them, no matter what color they are feeling. Lauren Child’s full-page, mixed-media, crayon-like illustrations include various cut-outs that work beautifully to transition the images from one page to the next.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

four-stars

Tomorrow’s Lily

Tomorrow’s LilyTomorrow's Lily by Chris Raschka
Published by Greenwillow Books on 2024
ISBN: 0063049376
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Very large font and slightly abstract watercolor illustrations are the hallmarks of this simple book about hope and remembrance. With a different lily illustrated and described for each day of the week, often accompanied by charming little animals, the book describes how lilies only bloom for one day but last in our memories forever, just as friends do. Lacking in plot, but pretty to look at, this books is written and illustrated by two-time Caldecott winner Chris Raschka. Recommended for 4-8 year-olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

three-stars

It’s Not Easy Being a Ghost

It’s Not Easy Being a GhostIt's Not Easy Being A Ghost: A Silly, Spooky Book for Kids and Toddlers by Marilyn Sadler, Stephanie Laberis
Published by Random House on 2024
ISBN: 0593702905
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Fantasy, Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Misty, an adorable kitty-shaped ghost, is miserable because she isn’t a “scary” ghost. With her bat friend accompanying her, she tries to dress up as a mummy, fly a broom like a witch, and howl at the moon with the werewolves, but something goes wrong every time. She goes home, feeling more dejected than ever. Then she receives a Halloween party invitation and decides to attend as herself, because she has failed at everything else. To her great surprise, all her friends scream with delight when she arrives. It seems they were all impressed with her efforts to be like them. Misty finally realizes she’s perfect just the way she is… and so are all her friends!

This boldly colored, digitally illustrated book is recommended for 3-7 year-olds.  It would be a fun read-aloud, especially for Halloween and to bolster children’s self-esteem.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library.

four-stars