Format: Picture Book Fiction

The Knight Who Said “No!”

The Knight Who Said “No!”The Knight Who Said "No!" by Lucy Rowland, Kate Hindley
Published by Nosy Crow on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 1536208132
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Ned is lonely, the only child living in his medieval village. He’s an agreeable fellow, though, always answering “Yes!” when asked to do something. Until one day he wakes and feels a little different, a little mad, a little hot, maybe even a little mischievous.  On that day, Ned says “No!” and everything changes. When the dragon swoops into town, Ned refuses to hide inside as he usually does, and when the dragon refuses to roar, the two discover they are both lonely and find friendship in each other.

The colorful cartoon illustrations are charming and fun. Characters have telling expressions and little treasures can be found on each page. The story is told in playful rhyme, and children will delight in chiming in with the  repeated “Yes!” or with the occasional No!” The overall message is a good one: sometimes even the most agreeable kids can be a little bad-tempered, and that’s okay.

Reviewed by Kelly Greenlee, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

 

four-stars

Dasher

DasherDasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares
Published by Candlewick Press on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 1536201375
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

Dasher is a reindeer in a traveling circus with a cruel owner. She dreams of escape, into the cool nights and soft snow that her mother has so often described. When her gate is left open, she leaps at the chance of escape and soon runs into Santa and Silverbell, Santa’s horse, who is tired from pulling the too-heavy sleigh. Dasher offers to help, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Children will like this new take on the story of Santa’s reindeer, but parents might find it shallow. The story is carried by Matt Tavares’ gorgeous artwork. The story itself is on the weak side, barely acknowledging surprising details, like Dasher’s reaction to her first time in flight. That the remaining reindeer in Santa’s entourage are Dasher’s family, saved from circus living, is unimaginative, neat and altogether too expedient.

Dasher is a good addition to a Christmas collection, particularly a collection that may feel tired and in need of new life. Will Dasher go down in history? Not likely.

Reviewed by Kelly Greenlee, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

 

 

four-stars

Little Penguin’s New Friend

Little Penguin’s New FriendLittle Penguin’s New Friend by Tadgh Bentley
Published by Balzer + Bray on October 1st 2019
ISBN: 0062699954
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

Little Penguin’s New Friend is an easy reader that tackles preconceived notions and things not being as one might expect them to be. Penguin and his friends are excited for polar bear’s first visit to the Antarctic, but they all have ideas about what polar bears do and don’t do. When she finally arrives, it turns out that polar bears do, in fact, tell really bad jokes as suspected by Franklin, the killer whale. The text in this book is simple and appropriate for beginning readers, but the content misses the mark a bit. The bad jokes and puns will mostly be lost on younger readers (I had to re-read one several times to get it). The illustrations are colorful, engaging,  and follow the story well. This book is best used for one-on-one sharing or perhaps with a smaller group where you know they may actually understand the jokes. A secondary purchase where easy readers circulate well and need expansion.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta

three-stars

How to Hide a Lion at Christmas

How to Hide a Lion at ChristmasHow to Hide a Lion at Christmas by Helen Stephens
Published by Henry Holt & Company on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 1250230799
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

“How to Hide a Lion at Christmas,” written and illustrated by Helen Stephens, is the fourth book in the “How to Hide a Lion” series. Iris has a pet lion that she likes to take everywhere. All the people in her town and school are used to Lion, but her parents say that she can’t take Lion with her to her aunt’s for Christmas because everyone will be scared of him. Iris is sad and Lion hates to see her sad, so he follows her to her aunt’s home. He sneaks onto the train, misses his stop, and hijinks follow, including a meeting with Santa Claus.

Beautifully illustrated with a fun sketch-like style and bright colors, the book is silly and amusing. Readers will enjoy following along as Lion finds his way to his friend. A good additional purchase for your holiday collection if you need more Christmas picture books.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

four-stars

Sweety

SweetySweety by Andrea Zuill
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books on March 26th 2019
ISBN: 052558000X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Sweety is awkward, even for a naked mole rat with thick glasses and a head gear. She doesn’t always fit in, but with encouragement from her eccentric aunt combined with her own self confidence, she finds that being true to herself is the best way to be and the way to find true friendship. Sweety is a lovable, nerdy mole rat who will resonate with inquisitive, unique kids everywhere. Zuill’s illustrations are easy to follow and include small details that children may not catch but that adults will find humorous and endearing. This book is best for one-on-one sharing or for sharing with a small group. The overarching message of embracing individuality and being true to oneself paired with creative, funny characters and witty text make this a great book to share with a wide age range of readers. A recommended purchase for all public libraries and should be considered for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta

five-stars

Just Because

Just BecauseJust Because by Mac Barnett
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 0763696803
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

Every parent recognizes before-bed delay tactics and Barnett captures them in his picture book in a comic look at one parent’s attempt to counter his child’s curiosity with fanciful answers that she can incorporate into her dreams. The child decides to ask tough scientific questions like “why is the ocean blue” and “what are black holes” just as her father is putting her to bed. He, in turn, answers with inventive and silly answers perfectly illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault in a palette of muted colors of mint green, coral, aqua, gold, and lavender. The best use of this book would be as a bedtime story that lead to the investigation *during the day* of the answers to the child’s very real questions; then children could be in on the joke of the playfulness of the answers.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars

One Wild Christmas

One Wild ChristmasOne Wild Christmas by Nicholas Oldland
Published by Kids Can Press on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 1525302035
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Three friends : moose, bear and beaver are at it again. In this  latest addition of the Life in the Wild series, these three    set out to celebrate their first Christmas together. On Christmas Eve they are busy cooking, decorating and wrapping presents. As busy as they are, no one remembered to get a tree! Off to the forest to find the perfect tree and they do- but bear can’t let allow moose and beaver to cut it down. How will they celebrate their favorite holiday together? Can they come together with a compromise? A fun quirky story that both makes the reader laugh and think about what is most important about Christmas. Illustrations done in photoshop are  basic, and compliment the text so our youngest readers can follow the story.There are lots of sentimental, beautifully illustrated Christmas offerings available but there is room for the funny, the silly and the zany.

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library

four-stars

The Bear and the Star

The Bear and the StarThe Bear and the Star by Lola M. Schaefer, Bethanne Andersen
Published by Greenwillow Books on September 24th 2019
ISBN: 0062660373
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

On a winter morning bear observes a star in the East, a new star,a beautiful star and he knows it is time. Now to find a tree, the sturdiest, the one that would be the center of what was to come. Then comes his calls to the East, West, North and South, the call to all manner of animal and bird and then to all peoples, to come, to gather, under the star and around the tree for it was time. The Christmas theme is offered through the elements of nature and the message is simple – peace, hope, love and community. The text is supported and complimented with large, gentle, illustrations done in oil that evoke  Each year new Christmas books are introduced – this one is not to be missed.

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library

five-stars

Small in the City

Small in the CitySmall in the City by Sydney Smith
Published by Neal Porter Books on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 0823442616
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

The reader meets a small boy who is familiar with moving about the city. As he navigates the various areas, he explains that although one is small, one can survive the big city. The boy gives advice about what parts of the city one should avoid, dark alleys, yards with dogs that chase and bite,  and what places are safe, under a  mulberry bush, under a dryer vent to take a nap, and where to find food.  What the reader has to figure out is, who is the little boy giving advice to. The author slowly lets the reader know as the story continues. The illustrations compliment the text and are somewhat graphic in nature. Some of them are bright and defined and then there are those that are darker and muted. They evoke a strong sense of emotion as the boy travels through the city. This is a unique picture book that should not be missed.

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library

consider for Cream

five-stars

How Do You Care For a Bear?

How Do You Care For a Bear?How Do You Care for a Very Sick Bear? by Rosie Butcher, Vanessa Bayer
Published by Feiwel & Friends on June 4th 2019
ISBN: 1250298431
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

“How Do You Care For a Bear?” is Vanessa Bayer’s debut book. When young, she was diagnosed and treated for childhood leukemia.  This book, in an upbeat and joyous way, gives suggestions as to how one might help and “be there” for a friend who is experiencing illness.   Written and illustrated in such a way that is both reassuring and instructive, this adorable little picture book shows children how they might bring joy and happiness into the lives of others.  During times when one might  feel helpless and unneeded,  this book shows and reassures children  that  they  can make a difference.  And sometimes it’s enough to just “be there” and to be a friend.

I think this is an excellent book that gently provides  young children with several suggestions  of what they might do to bring happiness to a sick friend.  By doing so, a child may feel  a sense e of empowerment as opposed to feeling helpless and unneeded.

The illustrations are joyful and appealing.  I would recommend this book for children ages 3-8. Could be read anytime but especially when a child is concerned about another’s health.

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

five-stars