Format: Picture Book Fiction

The Luckiest Snowball

The Luckiest SnowballThe Luckiest Snowball by Elliot Kreloff
Published by Holiday House on September 10, 2019
ISBN: 0823441059
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Izzy meets Larry sounds like a preteen romance.  Actually, Izzy is a rambunctious child enjoying a winter day in the snow who makes friends with a snowball.  The storyline is very unique but it works in this four-season concept book for early graders.  Larry the snowball spends a total of one year in the family freezer however he takes day trips out to greet the arrival of each season.  Readers will not miss Larry’s many expressions as well as his cries for help.

The illustrations are cute and very detailed.  Readers will notice the dog’s jacket in winter, flowers in spring, ocean animals in summer, and the fall leaves.  It just might be that the fruits and veggies, pops and turkey inside the refrigerator are more interesting but it all speaks to the change of seasons.  Early education professionals will want this book in primary school media centers as it has STEM and literacy sections in the back. Teachers would love a copy in their pre K – grade 1 classrooms    Public libraries who collect concept books should consider the purchase.  The Luckiest Snowball is also good for nursery schools where playing in the snow is a winter activity.

four-stars

Dibs

DibsDibs! by Laura Gehl, Marcin Piwowarski
Published by Carolrhoda Books (R) on May 7, 2019
ISBN: 1512465321
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

It is true that brothers do not always share well but “Dibs” brings new meaning to sibling rivalry.  Julian seems determined to not allow his baby brother any leeway;  while Clancy is learning the meaning of “dibs” and the associated behavior.   This book is silly enough to make adults dispense with reality in order to get into the mood.   While little brother manages to get 100% of his way and leaves the earth big brother realizes his loss.

The illustrations are eye catching and seem to represent Washington DC.  Colors are an attractive blend of light and dark surrounded by ample white space for little brother readers.  Early reader l big brothers will appreciate the large font and simple text.  Gift this to families with a new addition and consider for public libraries to encourage sharing.

three-stars

Christmas Cheer for The Grouchy Ladybug

Christmas Cheer for The Grouchy LadybugChristmas Cheer for The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
Published by HarperCollins on September 17, 2019
ISBN: 0062932268
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Eric Carle has blended characters and illustrations from previous works making this a special Christmas book.   The art work is consistent with his lifelong collection of illustrations;  it is colorful, bold and identifiable.   Having recently learned of Carle’s death I will treasure this book and purchase a copy for my soon to be born grandchild.

An excellent gift book for Christian families with preschool age children.   Kindergarten teachers will welcome a copy in their class collections as the print is large and perfect for early learners.  Public libraries will want to add this to their Eric Carle storybook shelf.

four-stars

Grandpa’s Top Three

Grandpa’s Top ThreeGrandpa's Top Threes by Daniel Egneus, Wendy Meddour
Published by Candlewick Press on September 3, 2019
ISBN: 1536211257
Pages: 32
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

A young boy's original game coaxes a grieving grandpa to reconnect with the world in a touching intergenerational story of love and resilience.
Henry loves talking with Grandpa, but Grandpa has stopped listening. Mom says to just give him time. But Henry wants to talk to Grandpa now. So Henry tries his favorite game: Top Threes. And something amazing happens: Grandpa starts talking again. Out of a tale of favorite sandwiches and zoo animals, outings and trains, emerges a moving story about love, loss, and the wonder of grannies and grandpas.

“Grandpas’ top Three” is a lovely, inter – generational picture book for ages 4 through 8. When Henrytries to get Grandpa to listen and to interact with him, he finds that Grandpa isn’t ready “just now”to talk.Henry, however,  wants to talk “now”  and does not understand why Grandpa is so reticent.When Henry decides to try his game of “Top Three”on Grandpa (for example – “What are your top three favorite sandwiches?” he then very slowly warms up to Henry’s persistence in playing the game .When Henry asks his Grandpa who his top three Grannies are, Grandpa doesn’t answer. We then surmise that perhaps Henry’s Granny has passed away.

Henry then states who his own top three Grannies are:

“Granny who is dead. Granny who loves on top of the shoe shop, and Granny in Little Red Riding Hood.”

It is then that Grandpa opens up a bit and begins to speak of Granny who has passed away. This in turn leads to the start of a loving relationship between Grandpa and his grandson.

A lovely sad and poignant tale about how through the persistence of a young boy, Grandpa slowly begins to comes to realize the importance.

A heartfelt loving story to be enjoyed by inter-generations of folks who wish to foster closer relationships.

 

Reviewed by Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME

 

The Piano Recital

The Piano RecitalThe Piano Recital by Akiko Miyakoshi
Published by Kids Can Press on September 3, 2019
ISBN: 1525302574
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Piano Recital” is an imaginative picture book for children ages 4 through 8. Momo, a young girl, is about  to perform her  first piano recital.  However, she is experiencing a great deal of anxiety.   Momo  keep repeating the phrase, “I’ll be okay, I’ll be okay”  to reassure herself before the performance.  Soon, Momo’s imagination kicks in and she believes she is beckoned by a mouseling  (who  has anxiety herself about performing) to come  backstage with her  where there is already a performance in progress.  When it is the mouseling’s turn to perform.   Momo offers to go with her  on stage, telling  the mouseling  “you’ll be okay. ”  And when it’s   mouseling’s turn to perform, Momo  accompanies  her by playing the piano –  thus causing   Momo to   forget her own worries.  When the piece ends,  Momo stands to take a bow and finds that she isn’t at the mouseling’s recital after all, but at her very own piano recital.

A cleverly executed  picture book, whereupon the award winning author/illustrator , Akiko Miyakoshi,  utilizes the power of imagination to help allay Momo’s anxiety.

A wonderful resource to use when children feel anxiety  or nervousness regarding performing in front of an audience. This story speaks to how a child might put his own  imagination to work when feeling discomfort.

 

Reviewed by Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME

four-stars

The Last Peach

The Last PeachThe Last Peach by Gus Gordon
Published by Roaring Brook Press on May 21, 2019
ISBN: 1626723508
Pages: 34
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Last Peach” is a  unique picture book for ages 4 through 8.   Two bugs happen to discover the very last peach of the summer, fully ripened and tantalizing,  hanging on a branch. The entire story is a discussion between the two  about  ‘why or why not,”  they should or should not eat the peach.   Which one of them  should eat the peach? The one who first noticed the peach? Should they share it with friends?  And,  what if the peach is rotten inside?  These two bugs wonder, contemplate and even argue about who the peach belongs to!  A fun, engaging trip  for the book’s audience;  being pulled into  a  long and lengthy discussion  regarding  the destiny of a peach!   Who would have thought!

And how do you think this books ends?

The illustrations are soft and luscious!!

This funny story could be read at the end of the school year approaches  as children begin begin to anticipate summer time  experiences.  Or anytime of year one hungers for a peach.

 

Reviewed by Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME

four-stars

A New Home

Published by Candlewick Press (MA) Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
three-stars

“A New Home,” by Tania de Regil is a simple picture book story for ages   4 through 8.  The story  features two young children, one living in New York City, the other in Mexico City. The child living in NYC is moving to Mexico City and the child living in Mexico City is moving to NYC.  After each child is  told by parents that they will be moving, the children  (a boy and a girl who are not named in the book)   express  their fears and apprehensions  about the things they will miss in their  current home cities.  This heartwarming picture book shows that  children living any where  in the world are  not so very different  after all.   “A New Home,” stresses the point that  wherever one goes, he/she  can find “home.”

A short,  straight  forward and well paced story that can be helpful to  a child who is anticipating a move to a new location.  The end of the book contains informative notes  on both Mexico City and New York City.  The book is also available  in Spanish.

The colorful  illustrations are bold, detailed and well executed.

 

Reviewed by Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME

three-stars

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