Mine, Mine, Mine Said the Porcupine by Alex English, Emma Levey 
Tells the story of a porcupine who learns to share. Why a porcupine? Only because it rhymes with “mine” as far as I can tell. What kid is going to say, “Shall we play with this?” There are much better early readers and books about sharing.
Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library.
Frank and Bean by Jamie Michalak, Bob Kolar 
Frank is quiet, serious, and solitary. Bean is loud, gregarious, and social. When Bean suddenly arrives in Frank’s space, it seems like the two might never be able to get along! This mild and humorous fare from Jamie Michalak takes an odd couple pair similar to the classic Bert and Ernie and adds a dash of Captain Underpants funnies (Bean is very musical after all). A good addition to most early reader collections.
Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library
Piranhas Don't Eat Bananas by Aaron Blabey 
Though the title will make you want to mispronounce piranha so that it rhymes, this story is a rollicking good time for toddlers. The front of the book defines piranhas as South American meat-eating fish who will eat anything, even “little children who’ve actually been pretty good.” Brian the piranha offers his friends a number of different fruits and vegetables to try, but they insist that they won’t, and instead share a part of the body that they love to eat that happens to rhyme with said fruit or veggies. Peas vs. knees. Plums vs. bums. Brian won’t give up and finally convinces his friends to try some fruit. In the end, though, they still prefer their meat. This book has many chances for audience interaction and using fun voices. Perfect for a toddler storytime. It would also work well for parents trying to get their kids to try something new. Recommended for ages 3-8.
Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library
This Book Just Stole My Cat! by Richard Byrne Byrne is back with another hit. This story finds Ben from “We’re in the Wrong Book!” back and having a similar experience to Bella in “This Book Just ate my Dog!”. He’s taking his cat for a walk. Suddenly the cat disappears! It has been swallowed up by the gutter of the book. Many people try to rescue the cat, but they all disappear too. Finally, Ben receives a note from the void telling him that if he tickles the book, it will sneeze and let them all back out. The book encourages interaction by asking the children to tickle it in several places. Ben finally gets his cat back, but there’s a surprise! Fantastic as a solo or group read-aloud. Combine with “Stuck” by Oliver Jeffers for a storytime about unexpected results. Recommended for ages 3-7.
We're Going on a Treasure Hunt by Kelly DiPucchio 
We’re Going on a Treasure Hunt is a pirate themed animal adventure structured just like the song Going on a Bear Hunt. There’s a chorus that remains the same for kids to chant alongside you. Brightly colored animals embark on a treasure hunting adventure. The animals reach the treasure and are afraid of one animal, causing them to return back through all their adventures to where they started. Generally speaking, this would make a fun storytime read-aloud. Just be sure to read ahead so that you don’t have trouble with the spot where the rhyme pattern falls apart. Recommended for ages 3-7.
Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library
Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border by Mitali Perkins, Sara Palacios This charming picture book illustrates a family’s dedication to their history and their grandmother, who lives in Mexico, across the border from San Diego, California.
It’s Christmas time, and the children are busy making gifts for their grandmother Abuela, who they haven’t seen in 5 years. We travel with them by bus to Border Field State Park in San Diego, where they gather with others to visit their loved ones across the fence in Mexico. Border patrol officers direct them in groups to visit for 30 minutes. Maria and Juan have made simple gifts for their grandma, but rules forbid any items from going through the fence.
This story is a wonderful introduction to another culture and their struggles, love and simple miracles. The book explains very simply the celebration of Las Posadas, a nine- day festival celebrated throughout Mexico which remembers the birth of Jesus, and La Posada Sin Fronteras (The Inn Without Borders), celebrated one day during Las Posadas along the border.
This picture book is a wonderful read aloud, with simple, easy- to- follow illustrations that match the text perfectly. An unusual Christmas book for a library collection, it will enhance the diversity and love the holiday entails.
Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine
The Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise, Lucy Ruth Cummins This charming picture book is about a love letter found in the forest. Each time a little creature finds it, they believe it was written for them, and become remarkably more cheerful and loving.
The author was inspired to write this story based on the many notes she and her daughter wrote for each other.
The illustrations are charming, with relaxing colors and simple drawings. Nothing is hidden or bright or surprising, just nice. This book would be a very sweet read aloud at night or at storytime.
Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine
Everybody Says Meow by Constance Lombardo 
In this one note comical cumulative tale, a cat welcomes the reader to that “magical time when everybody says, “Meow”. All of his cat friends answer, “Meow” and then a dog sneaks on and says “Woof”. Although the cat tries to get the dog to change his response, it is obvious that he can’t and the cat changes the parameters of what everyone says. The same pattern happens for the frog, duck and then “ROAR!” which clears the page. Lombard’s childlike cartoon drawings appear stiff, but provide the backdrop of the joke appropriately. Preschool story times will enjoy the silliness and readers can engage listeners with the inclusiveness shown by the cat’s response each time.
Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library
Dino-Halloween by Lisa Wheeler, Barry Gott The Dino’s in Wheeler and Gott’s popular sports series are now doing holidays. Halloween provides the Dinos a chance to go to the pumpkin patch, carve pumpkins, buy or make costumes and go trick-or-treating. The same format found in the sports series is used here, rhyming action phrases littered with large font dinosaur names. Not as many different dinosaur names appear in this one. Half way through the story, the action refers to the previous dinosaurs and APATOSAURUS, who seems to always have a problem to solve. Vocabulary includes grimace, finesse, anxious and feline. Besides the one item parent’s won’t allow their children to have, apples, this provides a sweet dinosaur story for preschoolers preparing for Halloween night.
Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library
Animal Babies Like to Play by Jennifer Adams, Mary Lundquist This is an alphabet picture book with the letters identifying animals for each entry. Children in animal suits that zip up to the chin while sporting ears, tail, trunks and whiskers are the illustrated animals. Each page presents a sentence with the letter and the action of the story follows a romp in the park, sandbox, ice cream mishaps and an ongoing game of hide and seek. Animals include an Iguana, Jaguar, Narwhal, Quail and Reindeer. U is represented by Ulysses butterfly, while V is represented by Vulture baby and X by X-ray tetra baby. The color scheme is soft pastel colors and the cast exhibits multiple skin colors with the same small eyes and cartoon red circle cheeks. Preschools needing alphabet and animal books for story time will find this alphabet book useful.
Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library