Format: Picture Book Fiction

The Wishing Flower

The Wishing FlowerThe Wishing Flower by A.J. Irving, Kip Alizadeh
ISBN: 0593430441
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Birdie, a light-skinned girl with curly red hair, is happy by herself, reading books, watching bugs, and blowing on dandelion seeds, but she is shy around other children and wishes for a friend. When a new girl arrives in her classroom who is beige-skinned with long dark pigtails, they like many of the same things, especially wishes. The more they play together, the braver Birdie feels. This book is relatable to kids, especially shy kids, about the wonderful feeling of experiencing a true connection with another kid and feeling free to be themselves. Amazon lists this title as an LGBTQ-inclusive story about understanding your peers, however I did not get that vibe when I first read it. I simply viewed it as a sweet heartwarming book. I reread it, and I can see that now.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

My Dad THINKS He’s a Pirate

My Dad THINKS He’s a PirateMy Dad Thinks He's a Pirate by Katrina Germein, Tom Jellett
Published by Candlewick Press on August 23, 2023
ISBN: 1536225029
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

An homage to the dad joke, pirate-style. As a family prepares to head to the beach, a young child informs the reader that their dad thinks he is funny, and when the joke that follows is told, we learn that it is a pirate joke and that, in fact, the dad thinks he’s more than funny, he think he’s a pirate. Jokes, puns, and wordplay follow, all pirate-themed and mostly cringe-worthy but in a fun dad-joke way. The illustrations are large and bright and include an entire red-headed family with dad sporting a beard worthy of any pirate. Not necessarily a first purchase, but if pirates are popular and appreciated, this will circulate and would be a good read aloud (in one’s best pirate voice, of course).

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

three-stars

Black Girls: A Celebration of You!

Black Girls: A Celebration of You!Black Girls: A celebration of you! by Dominique Furukawa, Erika Lynne Jones
Published by Harper on September 26, 2023
ISBN: 0063205319
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

An oversized picture book filled with exuberance from its cover to the last page. Depicting Black girls with all skin tones and body types, this is a celebration of all that a child, a Black child, a Black girl can be. It would be nice to get away from heavily-gendered picture books, but since there are a plethora of books about “wonderful you” and “special child”, it is not a bad thing to center all of the talents and paths that a Black girl, one of the most marginalized of all demographics, can exhibit and take. And there are situations depicted in the book that don’t show up in a lot of picture books like a Black girl living with foster parents or shredding at the skate park. The rhyme scheme is often imperfect and a bit forced in places, but with a careful reading, it would make a decent read aloud. There was a missed opportunity to not include a page of back matter listing the Black female history-makers on the last few pages; all of them were recognizable to an adult, but since this is aimed at future innovators and influencers, it would have been a helpful and, perhaps, inspiring inclusion.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

three-stars

Runaway Pond

Runaway PondRunaway Pond by Bagram Ibatoulline, Nancy Price Graff
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536219983
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This picture book tells the true story, albeit in a tall-tale sort of way, of a man who outran the charging torrent of an overflowing pond to save a woman who was working at a mill in the water’s path.

The pictures are lovely and capture the seasons of Vermont perfectly. The telling of the story is a little hard to reconcile with the actual event (there is a description of what really happened at the end of the book), but it will appeal to young fans of historical fiction, nonfiction, and American folk legends.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Breathe Like a Bear First Day of School Worries

Breathe Like a Bear First Day of School WorriesBreathe Like a Bear: First Day of School Worries: A Story with a Calming Mantra and Mindful Prompts (Mindfulness Moments for Kids) by Anni Betts, Kira Willey
ISBN: 0593486722
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Bear, Bird, and Fawn are anxiously making their way to their first day of school – each one worried about being different. They meet a wise owl who gives them a mantra to remind them to take a deep breath and remember their similarities. Full of prompts to spark conversations between caregivers and children, and the (somewhat repetitive) mantra, this book specifically addresses childhood anxiety for big firsts. The story itself is kind and sweet, but the prompts and mantra make this book more for addressing a difficult topic, rather than an everyday go-to read aloud. Recommended for ages 5-6.

Reviewed by Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

two-stars

In the Dark

In the DarkIn the Dark by Corinna Luyken, Kate Hoefler
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on August 29, 2023
ISBN: 0593372832
Genres: Cultural / African American, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Witches walked through the trail in the dark woods, making witches brew around a fire, and flying on broomsticks through the air.

~OR~

People walked through the woods, admiring the wildlife, making a campfire for light in the darkness, and crafting beautiful kites to fly in the breeze.

This story begins alternating between two very different perspectives (one of the so-called “witches” and the other of the townspeople), showcasing misunderstandings and spreading stereotypes, until their stories intertwine and everyone realizes they are actually more alike than they thought. This book has lovely illustrations and an important message. However, the book itself is rotated so that the pages turn from bottom to top, making it cumbersome to hold. The alternating storyline also seems potentially difficult for children to follow. Recommended for ages 6-7.

Reviewed by Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

three-stars

Bear with me

Bear with meBear with me by Kerascoët, Marie Pommepuy, Sébastien Cosset
ISBN: 0593307674
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This beautifully illustrated and nearly wordless picture book perfectly captures the life of a growing child and their favorite teddy bear. The child and teddy bear are inseparable – that is, until the first day of school. The child bravely leaves Bear behind, but sweetly remembers Bear throughout the day, and joyfully reunites with Bear after school. This adorable story is easy to relate to, especially for the first day of school jitters, or needing to wean from a security blanket or lovey. A great addition to any picture book collection. Recommended for ages 4-6.

Reviewed by Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

four-stars

Where I Live: Poems about My Home, My Street, and My Town

Where I Live: Poems about My Home, My Street, and My TownWhere I Live: Poems About My Home, My Street, and My Town by Hyewon Yum, Paul B. Janeczko
Published by Candlewick on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 1536200948
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Where I Live is an anthology of children’s poems about everyday life in different homes and communities.  The poems are from a diverse group of poets and the watercolor illustrations reflect the diversity found in different places. Some of the topics most children will be familiar with, like shoes, cats, and school.  Others highlight a more urban or rural experience, like a block party or playing in the sprinkler.  Kids might enjoy checking this out as an introduction to poetry. Teachers could also use this anthology to show what happens in different types of communities or to teach literary elements, as many are utilized in these poems.  This would be a great addition to any children’s poetry collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Waaa Waaa Goes Táwà

Waaa Waaa Goes TáwàWaaa Waaa Goes Táwà by Alaba Onajin
Published by Random House Studio ISBN: 0593644077
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Táwà, an adorable and perfectly sweet little girl can’t talk quite yet, but not to worry! She communicates with a scream heard round the world, letting out a wail anytime things don’t go the way she envisions. A day in Táwà’s life tells a familiar story, not wanting to share, being upset she can’t come along to the market, being upset she has to now come along to the market, all which she meets with vocal defiance 10 times the size of herself. After each tiny tantrum, her family rushes to soothe her & to decipher and meet her needs, before being led back down the warpath once more.  

After a full day facing Táwà’s wrath, her family finally reach the end of their rope that night and wail in a chorus of WAAA WAAAAS in return as bedtime tensions rise. Being faced with a taste of her own medicine, Táwà rushes to soothe her family with kind words & a hug, the same way they had comforted her – the perfect cure!

Sprinkled with onomatopoeias and fun, jaunty words set against the beautifully illustrated backdrop of Táwà’s village in Nigeria, we’re lead in a singsongy dance between Táwà’s “waaa waaa waaas” and Mama’s “no no nos” all the way to a quiet resolution …. zzzzzz. Ònájìn hit the nail on the head for his debut picture book – with a silly & endearing ending, Waaa Waaa Goes Táwà answers the cries heard far & wide for the perfect bedtime read-aloud! 

For ages 4-8, though younger kiddos would appreciate it as a read-aloud.

Reviewed by Paiten Price – Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, ME

 

five-stars

A Spider Named Itsy

A Spider Named ItsyA Spider Named Itsy by Steve Light
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536225290
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“A Spider Named Itsy” is a retelling of the Itsy-Bitsy Spider rhyme, written and illustrated by Steve Light. Itsy starts out in their web all alone when suddenly their web is destroyed by a branch and the wind. Time to find a new home. In the process of climbing the waterspout to make a new home, Itsy meets and helps other insects along the way. The artwork is fun and colorful and full of little details to enjoy. Itsy helps others and by the end has made friends. Written for ages 3 to 5, but can be enjoyed by all ages. A cute book about friendship and helping, this is a suggested purchase for picture book collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars