Format: Picture Book Fiction

Sammy Claws: The Christmas Cat

Sammy Claws: The Christmas CatSammy Claws: The Christmas Cat by Lucy Rowland, Paula Bowles
Published by HarperCollins on September 17th 2019
ISBN: 0062959115
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Sammy Claws, beloved kitty of Santa Claus, is very sleepy. As Christmas draws near, Sammy is eager to help…after a cat nap. Fearing he will oversleep, Sammy settles into a cozy box for a quick snooze in the workshop. Misadventure after misadventure ensues, and Sammy finds himself helping Santa on delivery night in an unexpected way. When a pair of robbers tries to ruin Christmas by stealing the presents from Santa’s sleigh, Sammy jumps at his chance to finally give Santa a hand. Back at the North Pole, Santa recognizes Sammy’s efforts and he wakes up Christmas morning to find the perfect gift for him under the tree. Delightfully illustrated and written in rhyme, this tale of friendship, helpfulness, and personal growth is a great choice for a holiday season read-aloud. Children ages 4-10 will find it particularly enjoyable. 

 

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, SAD 17 Elementary Librarian, Oxford Hills.

 

four-stars

Amelia Bedelia Gets the Picture

Amelia Bedelia Gets the PictureAmelia Bedelia Gets the Picture by Herman Parish, Lynne Avril
Published by Greenwillow Books on October 8th 2019
ISBN: 0062935259
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

In the latest Amelia Bedelia adventure, Amelia is super excited for picture day only to be disappointed when the photographer has the flu. Amelia doesn’t dwell on the situation though; she takes initiative and turns her day around.  This is an early reader for kindergarten through second grade and would be great for kids who need help dealing with disappointment. Some kids will get a kick out of the humor in Amelia’s interpretation of language and her literal imaginings of idioms. A nice, upbeat book.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Home Is a Window

Home Is a WindowHome Is a Window by Stephanie Ledyard, Chris Sasaki
Published by Neal Porter Books on April 23rd 2019
ISBN: 0823441563
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

A family learns what home really means, as they leave one beloved residence and make a new home in another.
Home can be many things—a window, a doorway, a rug…or a hug. At home, everything always feels the same: comfortable and safe.
But sometimes things change, and a home must be left behind.
Follow a family as they move out of their beloved, familiar house and learn that they can bring everything they love about their old home to the new one, because they still have each other. This heartfelt picture book by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard is richly illustrated by former Pixar animator Chris Sasaki.

An ode to home and the comfort and feelings of safety it produces, Home is a Window is beautiful in its simplicity. The patterned, warm illustrations are relaxing and the prose is sparse but kind. The first half of the book embraces home while the second half explores the emotions involved in moving to a new one. As someone who moved several times as a kid I appreciated how the book validates the sadness and anxiety about moving but then reassures the reader that home is, in fact, more about  where your loved ones are than a particular building. A good read aloud book for pre-k through second grade or anyone who might be facing either a move or a big family change.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Around the Table That Grandad Built

Around the Table That Grandad BuiltAround the Table That Grandad Built by Melanie Heuiser Hill, Jaime Kim
Published by Candlewick Press on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 0763697842
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

The cover sets the tone for this enchanting holiday offering.  Beginning with the table that Grandad built most of the items that find their way to the meal were contributed or made by someone loved by the group.   Be it family members, extended family or friends the characters all have a unique role in this clever progression.  The two-page spreads are well divided as they show the interaction of individuals and the work ethic of the group.  Who would not want to be invited to the table that Grandad built?

Add this to all public libraries, this book should find a home in most primary school media centers.  The facial expressions make this a worthy gift for early grade art teachers and the close relationships exhibited make this book a great addition to church libraries.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

Field Trip to the Moon

Field Trip to the MoonField Trip to the Moon by John L. Hare
Published by Margaret Ferguson Books on May 14th 2019
ISBN: 0823442535
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

A picture book that truly needs no words, Field Trip to the Moon provides young readers with the opportunity to make this their own story.   Nearly all the illustrations of the children and teacher share feeling and mood without facial expressions.  It is the emotional response registering on the faces of moon beings that makes this book outstanding.  And I love that a crayon box is the implement of friendship, our lost child returns home having left behind an appreciated gift.

Hare’s first picture book is clever, artistic and imaginative.   From the yellow spaceship to the craters of the moon young readers will be able to identify objects as they narrate the storyline.  Parents and grands will be attracted to the lone student who experiences the field trip in a unique way achieving the bonanza interaction.

Recommended for Cream

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

Hold Hands

Hold HandsHold Hands by Sara Varon
Published by First Second on June 4th 2019
ISBN: 1596435887
Pages: 40
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This sweet picture book has very cute illustrations, colorful and clear.  The rhyming simple story explores different times when it is helpful to hold hands.  However, I find some of the messages to be not very appropriate or helpful.  “Hold hands when the day is new… before pancakes and during cheese…”  I loved holding my children’s hands, but not at these moments.

The intent of the text is charming; to hold hands is a very loving, friendly, reassuring gesture.  It also may have been the perfect time to introduce some manners, such as “May I hold your hand?”

Reviewed by Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

four-stars

This Book of Mine

This Book of MineThis Book of Mine by Sarah Stewart, David Small
on August 27th 2019
ISBN: 0374305463
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

This book confused me.  It is titled “This Book of Mine” but the first and last pages show a little girl clutching a book she just took out of a library.  ”I take this book… to chew on while you read it…”  Wow, please do not chew on my library books!

If I can get past the library references, it is a charming book, with very simple text exploring the love of books.  The illustrations are very simple pen drawings, with a purple wash over for color.  The books on each page have a different color wash to stand out.

This is a very sweet read aloud, with simple text and illustrations.  If I could only change the library illustrations to a bookstore?

Reviewed by Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Library, Castine

four-stars

THOMAS EDISON Lighting the Way

THOMAS EDISON Lighting the WayThomas Edison: Lighting the Way by Lori Haskins Houran, Gustavo Mazali
Published by HarperCollins on November 5th 2019
ISBN: 0062432885
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

This charming biography of Thomas Edison starts off disclaiming a common belief.  Edison did NOT invent the light bulb, but made it better so everyone could use it.  Before he improved it, the light bulb would only stay lit for seconds before it burned out.  Edison studied and experimented and finally came upon a solution to make it usable for everyone in their homes and factories.

This book follows his life as a young boy, and how his love of inventions and making discoveries shaped his amazing contributions to the modern world.  He pursued his dream, becoming a full time inventor!

Children will be charmed with the simple color illustrations, and hopefully encouraged to follow their dreams.  A timeline and actual photos of Edison follow the story. This short book, only 32 pages, is an excellent first biography for children.  It is intended for adults to assist with the reading, as some words will be too difficult for beginning readers.

Reviewed by Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

five-stars

Make a Wish, Henry Bear

Make a Wish, Henry BearMake a Wish, Henry Bear by Liam Francis Walsh
Published by Roaring Brook Press on April 30th 2019
ISBN: 162672332X
Pages: 40
Goodreads
three-stars

On Henry’s last birthday, Henry wished that his parents were more fun. Be careful what you wish for! For the past year Henry is not allowed to go to bed early and is often late for school, and he can’t wait for his next birthday to roll around so he can wish for more responsible parents. While 4-6 year olds will find enjoy Henry the bear being allowed to stay home and watching TV and eat chocolate cake for breakfast, I thought the plot would have been clearer if told in a chronological order rather than the reader learning about the birthday-wish-gone-wrong two-thirds of the way through the book. The artwork is beautiful with a European feel to the cartoonish illustrations. A fun book to give or read for a child’s birthday and brainstorming what birthday wishes they might make.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library, Liberty

three-stars

No Room for a Pup

No Room for a PupNo Room for a Pup! by Elizabeth Suneby, Laurel Molk
Published by Kids Can Press on October 1st 2019
ISBN: 1525300296
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

A clever retelling of the Yiddish folktale, It Could Always Be Worse. Mia wants a dog but her mother says that there is NO ROOM for one in their small city apartment. So Grandma hatches a plan with Mia and comes to visit with her squawking parrot Roger, the class bunny, a neighbor’s cat, and even grandma’s book club accompanied by their pet pig. Mother is relieved when they all leave and decides there might be room for one little dog. The book has a consistent format throughout building up to the gratifying conclusion. I will use No Room for a Pup for a readaloud during preschool Story Time, inviting kids to join in when mom cries “NO ROOM.” The full-color illustrations of the animals are adorable and characters are fashionably dressed people of varying ages and races. The picture on the last page of only the “pint-sized” pup and Mia will surprise and delight readers of all ages. Primary students could compare and contrast this book with It Could Always Be Worse: A Yiddish Folk Tale by Margot Zemach.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library, Liberty

Reviews: Perfect for young ones yearning for a pet.―Kirkus Reviews; 4.8 out of 5 on Amazon

five-stars