Format: Picture Book Fiction

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

The Pawed Piper

The Pawed PiperThe Pawed Piper by Chinlun Lee, Michelle Robinson
Published by Candlewick Press on July 9th 2019
ISBN: 1536201650
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

”

A tale told in first person, ” The Pawed Cat,” is  about a small girl who wants a cat of her very own.  One day, the small girl  goes to visit granny  and borrows things that  Hector, (granny’s cat) likes to play with.   Soon, and to the small girl’s great surprise, Hector  pays a visit to the small girl’s home –  but Hector does not come alone.  Oh NO, Hector is accompanied by – not  one cat,  not  two cats , but by 67 cats! The small girl  loves them all, but doesn’t really  mean to take anyone else’s cat.   When she posts flyers to find their owners, and  when the  cats are finally all claimed,  she remembers the  cat who stayed hidden in her sock drawer.  The small girl soon know’s  the reason when she  discovers kittens!   And all of these kittens, too,  soon found new homes  – – -“except the smallest one, who made himself a home in the corner and wouldn’t leave . . . not ever.”

A wonderful, loving book for any child who has ever wished for a pet. The story plot is clever and the ending is most satisfying when the small girl’s wish is fulfilled.  The tone of this story is quiet and the ending says – Awwww. . . .

The illustrations are soft but  add more meaning and tenderness to the text.  I would recommend this book as a nap time or bedtime tale – satisfying, soft and cuddely!

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

four-stars

When Everyone Was Fast Asleep

When Everyone Was Fast AsleepWhen Everyone Was Fast Asleep by Tomie dePaola
Published by Holiday House on May 14th 2019
ISBN: 0823442810
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Originally introduced in 1976, Holiday House brings back master storyteller and illustrator Tomie DePaola’s story of the Fog Maiden who sends Token the cat to the house of two children and returns with them on a nighttime adventure. This adventure includes,trolls, a ball, dancing peacocks, and the meeting with a king and queen. When the evening ends, they are delivered safely home by the Fog Maiden. With signature DePaola illustrations of soft color that gives a feeling of calm, this is a gentle story from the past that introduces Tomie DePaola to a new generation of readers.

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public lLibrary

four-stars

Hello Crabby!

Hello Crabby!Hello, Crabby! (A Crabby Book #1) by Jonathan Fenske
Published by Scholastic Inc. on April 30th 2019
ISBN: 133828150X
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Crabby lives on the beach and he’s not happy! The sun is in his eyes, and salt and sand are also irritating Crabby, they are in his teeth and his shell, making him a very grumpy crab! Crabby’s friend Plankton tries to cheer Crabby up. Plankton tries many methods – he even bakes Crabby a cake! The end papers also include directions kids can follow to draw their own Crabby! A fun and engaging read for the early reader.

Reviewed by Melissa Madigan

three-stars

Ginny Goblin Cannot Have a Pet

Ginny Goblin Cannot Have a PetGinny Goblin Cannot Have a Monster for a Pet by David Goodner, Louis Thomas
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on July 23rd 2019
ISBN: 0544764161
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

If you can’t have a goat for a pet, how about giant monster or fire-breathing monster or petrifying monster? No? Well, then, compared to those, maybe a goat IS the best option! 

The reader is invited into the story from the second page, “Maybe if we help Ginny…”.. Text is well-spaced in dark brown font  and is large enough for beginning readers to attempt reading. A few dark pages have text contrasted in white. Sentences vary in length with some interesting words such as ‘unequivocally’ and ‘tentacles’. 

Simple, cartoonish illustrations done in gouache and pen & ink rely on eyes to show emotions. Mostly white background helps keep the reader’s eye drawn to the important elements

This book could provide much humor with lower elementary ages in discussions of pet acquisition! A good purchase where ‘Ginny Goblin Cannot Open This Box’ is popular.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town.

 

four-stars

Nya’s Long Walk: A Step at a Time

Nya’s Long Walk: A Step at a TimeNya's Long Walk: A Step at a Time by Linda Sue Park, Brian Pinkney
Published by Clarion Books on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 132878133X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Although similar to other picture books about African children having to walk to get water, this story adds suspense of the little sister falling ill during the walk. Set in Sudan, fictional Nya represents many real villagers’ struggles for safe drinking water.

Brian Pinkney’s signature sweeping, swirling full-color illustrations intensify the emotion and sense of the dry, hot land.

This could be paired with Christine Ieronimo’s “ A Thirst for Home” (2014); William Kamkwamba’s “Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” (2012); Herb Shoveller’s “Ryan and Jimmy and the Well That Brought them Together (2006); or Susan Verde’s “The Water Princess” (2016). For libraries owning these titles, “Nya’s Long Walk” would be an additional purchase.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town.

four-stars

Bug Off! A Story of Fireflies and Friendship

Bug Off! A Story of Fireflies and FriendshipBug Off!: A Story of Fireflies and Friendship by Cari Best, Jennifer Plecas
on June 25th 2019
ISBN: 0374380627
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Let’s take a vote. How many of us think fireflies are bugs? Well…they are beetles, and beetles ARE insects, and bugs are insects, but fireflies and bugs are two different classes of insects. Confusing? It is to Maude, a newcomer in the neighborhood. She’s trying to make friends, and when she sees a poster advertising the Bug-of-the-Month Club, she thinks it’s the perfect way to meet other children and share her new passion for fireflies. However, it’s not at all confusing to club leader Louise, who rejects Maude’s bid for membership based on the fact that fireflies are NOT bugs!

The text weaves in basic information about bugs and lots of information about fireflies and how to create a firefly-friendly environment. It’s not preachy or dry – just the right balance to inform and entertain. The cartoonish, full color illustrations show mostly night scenes with the contrasting bright yellow fireflies and proportionately large white eyes of the children.

This book could be used to initiate a study of animal kingdom orders and classifications, but probably more useful as a how-to-be-a-friend’ story. Now, could we have a discussion about the terms firefly vs lightening bug?

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town.

five-stars

Dinosaur Farm!

Dinosaur Farm!Dinosaur Farm! by Penny Dale
Published by Nosy Crow on June 4th 2019
ISBN: 0763699365
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

“Dinosaur Farm!” by Penny Dale is a picture book that has different dinosaurs running a farm. The dinosaurs are plowing, building, digging, and picking things. What a busy farm! The illustrations are bright and busy. The text does not rhyme, but has a bouncing cadence, and a lot of onomatopoeia like “clatter,” and “rumble.”

The front and back papers identify various dinosaurs and farm equipment, though many kids will probably already be experts in both subjects. The book is aimed at kids age 3 to 6 and would make a fun read-aloud. The story itself is fairly basic, so this book is not a must-buy for your library collection, but if you have extra money in the budget, it would make a good additional purchase.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

three-stars