Format: Picture Book Fiction

No More Bedtime

No More BedtimeNo More Bedtime! by Chuck Richards
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on December 10, 2019
ISBN: 0553535617
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“No More Bedtime” is a picture book story by Chuck Richards about a young boy who hates bedtime.  He conjures up  many inventions and  BECAUSE Elliot has so  MANY  ideas, such as a “snooper-scooper – 5000   a spy swatter – 5000 and snitch sweeper – 5000,”  he decides that he needs a longer day.  Elliot goes to the library to research ways to lengthen the day so that he won’t  have to go to bed at all!  However, after  he figures out how he can actually halt the Earth’s rotation, he and his friends have an extremely busy day where they play like  “there is no tomorrow!”  However, Elliot soon comes to realize that there are drawbacks “to making time stand still.”

A clever picture book story with  bold and colorful illustrations.  The frustrations of both Elliot and his family and friends are well delineated.

A great book to use to encourage “creative and inventive thinking.”  Children will enjoy the zany ideas that Elliot conjures –  all ending with the number,  5000!    Also, many children will  relate to   the main character, Elliot, for his dislike of bedtime.

Reviewed By Connie Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME

 

four-stars

Little Fox and the Missing Moon

Little Fox and the Missing MoonLittle Fox and the Missing Moon by Ekaterina Trukhan
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on March 19, 2019
ISBN: 039955565X
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Help Fox solve another simple mystery in this bedtime companion to Apples for Little Fox!
The mystery-loving fox from Apples for Little Fox returns with a new case! When Fox dreams that the moon is missing, he and his friends go on a quest to find it and return it to the sky. Teamwork and companionship are highlighted in this simple, inviting mystery that allows readers to follow along.
The muted palette and clean design will calm overstimulated children at the end of their busy days.

“Little Fox and the Missing Moon is a companion book for “Apples for Little Fox,” both bedtime stories by Ekaterina Trukhan.  Little Fox becomes a detective  when he, along with his friends, must solve the mystery of the “missing moon.”  Little Fox has a nightmare about a monster who eats the moon, and,  lo and behold,  when he got up in the middle of the night to check outside his window, the moon was indeed –  missing! Little Fox grabs a  flashlight and begins his search for the missing moon.  Little Fox encounters his friends, Owl, Wolf, and Bear, along the way who help in the search.   When they all decide to go to Rabbit’s house to enlist his help as well,  they are  surprised to  find Rabbit  busily scrubbing the “dirty” moon in his kitchen sink.  Now, children will  wonder, –  just  how  will  the moon get back into the sky?”

A clever , simple, and enchanting  story that explores how friends working together  together can solve a mystery.

The illustrations are engaging, expressive and endearing – all at the same time.

This book would make a perfect bedtime story along with its companion, “Apples for Little Fox.  Also, good to read when  beginning a introduction to “what is a mystery, detective” book” –  for the Kindergarten through second graders.  Also can be utilized when discussing  “teamwork” and “companionship.”

Reviewed by Connie M. Smith

five-stars

Princess Adventures: This Way or That Way?

Princess Adventures: This Way or That Way?Pick Your Own Adventure, Princess! by Amandine Piu, Sylvie Misslin
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on January 28, 2020
ISBN: 035805186X
Pages: 44
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Princesses Rose and Josephine are ready for adventure. Readers have the ability to choose the direction of the story, and only two paths lead the princesses to a happy ending.

The idea behind this book is a good one, but the execution misses the mark. I was mostly confused while trying to figure out what was happening, and the choices weren’t obvious. The illustrations are colorful, whimsical, and help convey emotions and help build the story. Given the choose your own adventure style of this book, it woud be most appreciated by slightly older picture book readers — 2nd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

two-stars

Carrot & Pea: An Unlikely Friendship

Carrot & Pea: An Unlikely FriendshipCarrot and Pea: An Unlikely Friendship by Morag Hood
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on April 4, 2017
ISBN: 0544868420
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Using simplistic illustrations, Carrot & Pea teaches us that our differences can be wonderful. Featuring a Pea named Lee and a Carrot named Colin, we first learn how Colin doesn’t fit in with Lee and his pea friends. But then we see all the ways that Colin’s differences are beneficial. The illustrations were made using collaged plastic grocery bags, which is incredible to look at the texture and the vibrant colors. The book has a simple and beautiful message. A must purchase for all libraries.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

The Great Eggscape

The Great EggscapeThe Good Egg Presents: The Great Eggscape! by Jory John, Pete Oswald, Saba Joshaghani
Published by HarperCollins on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 0062975676
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

From the duo that brought us The Good Egg, comes a new adventure with Shel and friends.. The other eggs in the carton have disappeared (as they do every day), and Shel is enjoying some peace and quiet while they’re out having adventures and playing. After a while, however, Shel begins to worry about whether or not the other eggs will come back. Shel decides to head out to find the other eggs, and hijinks ensue.

As with other books from this duo, the story is fun and witty. The illustrations are bright, colorful, detailed, and add humor and whimsy. Fans of John and Oswald’s other books won’t be disappointed with this newest effort. Recommended for K-2nd graders.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Agent Lion

Agent LionAgent Lion by David Soman, Jacky Davis
Published by HarperCollins on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 0062869175
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Ms. Flamingo’s cat, Fluffy, has gone missing, and Agent Lion is assigned the job to track her down. Easily distracted by food of any sort (especially jelly donuts), Agent Lion isn’t the most efficient detective. He searches high and low, interviews witnesses, and even considers that Fluffy may be wearing a disguise.

This book is fun and funny. The humor is pretty subtle and may be lost on younger readers, but they’ll still enjoy the story and pictures. The illustrations are colorful, whimsical, and fun. The facial expressions and details of the illustrations add to the humor of the book. Overall, this is a fun read recommended for K-2nd graders.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Vote for Our Future

Vote for Our FutureVote for Our Future! by Margaret McNamara, Micah Player
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 1984892800
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The children of Stanton Elementary are ready to speak up for themselves! Kids can’t vote, so they’re talking to the people who can about why voting is important.

This book is perfectly timed with upcoming elections, and it does a wonderful job teaching kids about the importance of voting. The illustrations are colorful, inclusive, and complement the text well. A recommended purchase for all libraries to share with Pre-K through 2nd graders, though it would also be a great book to share with older kids paired with more detailed discussion about elections and voting.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

The Paper Kingdom

The Paper KingdomThe Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee, Pascal Campion
on February 18, 2020
ISBN: 052564461X
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

When Daniel’s sitter cancels, he is forced to go with his parents to their night shift janitorial job. He expects to be bored, but his parents help engage him by imagining a world complete with kings, queens, and dragons.

I loved this book. It is a wonderful testament to family, imagination, and the power of kindness. More importantly, it touches on societal hierarchies when Daniel wonders why his parents have to clean up after other people. His parents encourage him, when he’s king of the paper kingdom, to be kind to everyone. The illustrations are colorful, detailed, and convey the emotions of the family. They’re engaging and add depth to the story. This book will appeal to Pre-K through 2nd grade readers.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

The Thank You Letter

The Thank You LetterThe Thank You Letter by Jane Cabrera
Published by Holiday House on October 29, 2019
ISBN: 0823442500
Pages: 34
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

After her birthday party, Grace writes thank-you letters to her friends and family for her gifts. Even when a gift might not have been perfect (she receives a toy dog rather than a living pup and gloves that are too large), she’s thankful nonetheless. But when all the gift givers are thanked, Grace begins to write thank you notes to her teacher for teaching her to read and write. She thanks her cat and dog. She even thanks the sky for being blue. Soon she is receiving love notes from everyone in town. This is a sweet story (without being saccharin sweet) teaching about being grateful for the many wonderful things in your life. The illustrations are cute and clear and represent a diverse community. This book can be used to teach young readers about letter writing, (Who doesn’t enjoy getting a letter in their mailbox?) but most importantly about gratitude. Grace is aptly named as she demonstrates grace perfectly.

5 star

Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Reviews

SLJ – VERDICT A love story about kindness and gratitude that serves as a good reminder for the young and the young-at-heart.
Reviewed by Amy Shepherd, St. Anne’s Episcopal School, Middleton, DE , Oct 01, 2019

 

five-stars

Ruby Red Shoes ( A Very Aware Hare)

Ruby Red Shoes ( A Very Aware Hare)Ruby Red Shoes: A Very Aware Hare by Kate Knapp
Published by Macmillan ISBN: 1509891897
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This book is a re release from 2012 and I’m so happy I picked it up! This book not only has a super cute story line but the vocabulary is spot on for introducing young readers to new words. The illustrations are also gorgeous and a little whimsical. Another stand out for me was the chosen font. I thought it was cute and stood out but was still very easy to read. I would recommend this for grades K-3.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

five-stars