Format: Picture Book Fiction

Dress Like a Girl

Dress Like a GirlDress Like a Girl by Patricia Toht, Lorian Tu-Dean
Published by HarperCollins on January 22nd 2019
ISBN: 0062798928
Pages: 32
Goodreads
two-stars

“Dress Like a Girl” purports to be sending a girl power message, telling girls to dress how they want, but the text actually tells girls that they DO have to follow the rules, they can just do so in their own way.  It goes on via text to state what the fashion “rules” are and via the illustrations shows young girls dressing up in ways that sort of meet that rule but in an unexpected way, such as wearing a white space suit for the “crisp white” on a hot summer day rule.  The book’s refrain ends with, “Make your own rules in this big wide world. Set your sights high and…dress like a girl!” and shows all the girls in various outfits from the earlier pages with signs that say “my own hero”, etc. It’s clear what the author was reaching for with this book, attempting to send the message of empowerment to girls, but she really misses the mark here.  The text sends two very different messages, making it very unclear. Are we to live within the rules or do what we want? Not recommended.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

two-stars

Pippa’s Passover Plate

Pippa’s Passover PlatePippa's Passover Plate by Vivian Kirkfield, Jill Weber
Published by Holiday House on February 5th 2019
ISBN: 0823441628
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

This rhyming holiday book is sure to please Jewish families with preschool age children.  Families who follow other religious traditions will appreciate this enchanting story that offers an introductory fictional  tale about Passover.  Librarians and parents will enjoy reading the text aloud, there are many tongue twisting sentences that will tickle the funny bone of young listeners.  In spite of her shivers and shakes Pippa approaches less than friendly animals to help her find the special Passover Plate.  A little fright adds to the storyline making the book more fun than most holiday books.

The illustrations add charm, each page has several small surprises with lots of detail.  Preschoolers and K students will love to search for all the animals; some of which stand out using color while others almost melt into the environment.  Add this new Passover book to public library collections and gift to early education programs and K classrooms.

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

four-stars

The Rabbit The Dark, and the Cookie Tin

The Rabbit The Dark, and the Cookie TinThe Rabbit, the Dark, and the Cookie Tin by Nicola O'Byrne
Published by Nosy Crow on March 12th 2019
ISBN: 1536205761
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

“The Rabbit The Dark and the Cookie Tin is a clever, fun, and intriguing story for children ages 4-8.  Rabbit does not want to go to bed.  “I don’t wan t to go to bed, “said Rabbit, (with an attirtude) “and if it doesn’t get dark, I won’t have to.”  Then Rabbit has a very clever idea. He grabs a cookie tin,  containing the last cokie, and ” storms”  outside to find the dark.  The dark, which is  personified, reaches out with one dark hand to snatch the cookie, and “SNAP,” the dark is captured.   Will the dark ever be able to convince Rabbit to let him/her go free?

This book portrays  cleverness and a very playful imagination – just what  many teachers love to see in young children.  The way in which  these three very different  elements , – a cookie tin, a rabbit, and the dark,  interact  to serve up  a simple and delightful story is amazing.

This is a book to read just for fun or/and to provoke the use of imagination. Appropriate for any season of the year.  The animals in the story are expressive and brightly colored,  standing out nicely from a mostly white background. The predominantly white background  sets up a nice contrast for when an  “explosion” of dark erupts from the cookie tin.  Young children will find this story to be intriguing and surprising.

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

 

five-stars

Squirrel’s Family Tree

Squirrel’s Family TreeSquirrel's Family Tree by A.N. Kang, Beth Ferry
Published by Orchard Books on January 29th 2019
ISBN: 1338187368
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Explore the secret lives of squirrels and oak trees.Squirrel gathers acorn seeds, sturdy little oak nut seeds. Anticipating future needs, she gathers acorn seeds.

What makes an oak tree an oak tree and what makes a squirrel a squirrel? In Squirrel's Family Tree, things aren't always what they seem. As squirrel searches for, finds, and hides her acorn treasures beneath the shadows of the great oak trees in the forest, little does she know the role she plays in creating the very environment she forages in.

“Squirrrel’s Family Tree”  is a realistic fiction picture book for ages 3 – 7 year olds.  Information regarding  a squirrel’s year round activites are shared with the reader in an enjoyable setting of lovely oak trees.  This story shows how both the squirrels and  oak trees  are connected in a   symbiotic relationship that allows both  to flourish and benefit, one from the other.

A nice book to use in the fall of the year when children are stomping on and crunching  the  growing number of acorns falling from  oak trees. The illustrations are lovely. They fill the pages nicely, are  well defined, yet  soft and sweet enough to endear a squirrel to a young child’s heart.

The book concludes with a two page spread  of “Nutty Facts”  about acorns and squirrels.   Here, children are introduced to  scientific terms;  two of which are:  1) “homeotherms” which is “what”   squirrels  are,  and  2) “dreys,” which are nests built in the tops of trees.

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

four-stars

Say Something!

Say Something!Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Orchard Books on February 26th 2019
ISBN: 0545865034
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

Say Something is unique in its diversity and level of kindness shown between children.  Reynolds acknowledges all children and motivates them to raise their voices concerning justice and personal power.   Interactions within this book are positive and express empathy, we all need more of the ability to reach out to others and to speak up.

The illustrations are fairly simple and direct, they appear on backgrounds featuring many dots and vivid colors.  On one page the dots turn into birds reinforcing the message to “Keep saying it…and you may be surprised to find the whole world listening”.  Imagine how that sentence sounds to a shy child who has yet to find her/his voice. 

Building self-confidence and honoring the freedom of expression needs to be part of the educational process for all youngsters.   Add this to primary school media centers, put on public library shelves and gift to K – second grade teachers.  In addition school guidance counselors would appreciate a copy to use with students.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

Misunderstood Shark: Friends Don’t Eat Friends

Misunderstood Shark: Friends Don’t Eat FriendsMisunderstood Shark: Friends Don't Eat Friends by Ame Dyckman, Scott Magoon
Published by Orchard Books on January 29th 2019
ISBN: 1338113887
Pages: 42
Goodreads
five-stars

In the first “Misunderstood Shark” book, Bob the jellyfish ends up getting eaten while interviewing Shark for his TV show, Underwater World with Bob.  The opening endpapers of this sequel give us a brief recap of that by showing Bob in Shark’s stomach.  The action begins right away on the title page with Bob being burped up as his camera crew begins filming the next episode of his show.  In this episode, Shark claims NOT to have eaten Bob; that he was just giving him a tour.  While Bob and Shark argue about whether or not Shark did, in fact, eat Bob, they also teach us some actual facts about sharks.  In the end, both Bob and Shark apologize and remain friends.  This book, along with the first in the series, is a first purchase.  Great for all ages.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

five-stars

Sealed with a Kiss

Sealed with a KissSealed with a Kiss by Beth Ferry, Olivier Tallec
Published by HarperCollins on January 8th 2019
ISBN: 0062475770
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

How do you make new friends? Do you go out and introduce yourself or do you wait for them to welcome you to your new home? Seal’s feelings are crushed when she tries to say hello but is rejected by the animals already living at her new zoo home. “Zey zink I stink!” she laments in her French voice. They finally realize their mistake and write a poem to apologize, offering a peppermint shrimp so her breath won’t stink.

Full-color cartoonish illustrations have some background details but mostly white to keep the reader’s attention on the animals and action. Many of the animals have the same oblong odd shape but are distinguishable by the markings and colorings.

This book could be used as an introduction to homonyms, rhyming, alliteration, color words to describe feelings, making apologies, making new friends, zoos, and a discussion on whether it’s a good idea to grab and kiss a stranger. In this case, the seal was only doing what was culturally appropriate for her, and given it’s her new home and she’s trying to introduce herself and make new friends would add to the conversation. Perhaps a more important discussion about this story is how we react when meeting someone new and they have very different customs and appearances AND smells!

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

four-stars

Me, Toma and the Concrete Garden

Me, Toma and the Concrete GardenMe, Toma and the Concrete Garden by Andrew Larsen, Anne Villeneuve
Published by Kids Can Press on May 7th 2019
ISBN: 1771389176
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

What do young friends do with a box of dirt balls in the city? Toss them into an empty lot just for fun, and be surprised when plants sprout from them! And also be surprised when they attract butterflies and neighbors, including Mr. Grumpypants!

Cartoonish illustrations start out mostly in very pales shades which bloom as the garden grows. However, even in full-color, the colors are a bit subdued, and may not hold listeners’ attention. Small text lends itself better to a read aloud rather than an independent read for younger elementary. The last line, “We’re going to see what else we can grow.” leaves the reader with an opening for insights about friendships, patience, gardening, and serendipitous situations.

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

four-stars

A Question of Holmes

A Question of HolmesA Question of Holmes (Charlotte Holmes #4) by Brittany Cavallaro
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on March 5th 2019
ISBN: 0062840223
Pages: 287
Goodreads
three-stars

The fourth book in the Charlotte Holmes series is a nice end to what has been a fantastic series. The book feels like a footnote or long epilogue to the trilogy as this book does not focus on the mystery, but more on the relationship of Holmes and Watson and on Charlotte’s desire to find her place in the world. This is natural since her place has thus far been largely defined by her lineage and her relationship with the family Moriarty. In this book, Holmes and Watson are looking forward to the normal college life and to exploring their relationship, but when they get involved with the production of Hamlet, they find a cold case and new death. Charlotte can’t let it go, but the mysteries feel secondary and are, in fact, solved in an expedient fashion near the end of the book with little fanfare. Fans of the series will enjoy seeing Holmes and Watson in the real world and should feel great closure upon reaching the end of the book. Those new to the series will want to start with Book 1 as not reading the first three books will strip away the full impact of revelations in this book. It will also lessen the meaning of the deepening and complex relationship between Holmes and Watson. There are mentions of drug use, implied sexual activity, some strong language, and a complexity of language and writing craft that make this book best for readers in 10th grade and above.

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

three-stars

Honeysmoke

HoneysmokeHoneysmoke: A Story of Finding Your Color by Monique Fields
Published by Imprint on January 8th 2019
ISBN: 1250115825
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Simone is a biracial girl who wonders what color she is. She asks her parents and friends and explores her world, looking for just the right color to describe herself. Simone is given in the space to explore her question and is not laughed at or dismissed. She is empowered to find her own word to describe how she looks to herself and maybe the world. Lovely, gentle art work by Yesenia Moises accompanies Fields’ words as Simone draws on her own family stories to come up with her definition and description of her honeysmoke skin. A wonderful own voices book that one that belongs in all public library collections because representation matters.

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

four-stars