Format: Picture Book Fiction

Possum and the Summer Storm

Possum and the Summer StormPossum and the Summer Storm by Anne Hunter
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on May 22nd 2018
ISBN: 0544898915
Pages: 32
Goodreads

“Possum and The Summer Storm” is a delightful picture book tale about a Possum and her  family who have lost their home to a Summer storm.   “Thunder crashed.  Wind howled”

“Where will we live?” Where will we sleep?” cried the baby possums. With some help from  their friends,  Possum and her family are able to build a new home. A home that  turns out to be a very suitable home indeed!

Suddenly,  “thunder rumbled.” “Come inside,” invites  Possum.  So Possum and her family and ALL of their friends are invited  to stay warm and cozy  inside the new home while outside  it pours rain once again.  “Come back soon,”   calls Possum. “My home is your home.”

A wonderful (anytime of day story) for demonstrating kindness and the  idea of friends helping friends  in need.  Good reinforcement for The Golden Rule.  Also could be used when learning about small forest,/marsh creatures.  Probably best appreciated by Pre-school through Second grade.

The author/artist’s pictures are both endearing and expressive. Other Possum books: “Possum’s Harvest Moon,”  “Possum and the Peeper” , and “Cricket Song.”

 

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

The Night Box

The Night BoxThe Night Box by Louise Greig, Ashling Lindsay
Published by Clarion Books on September 25th 2018
ISBN: 1328850935
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Soothing bedtime reading, this reassuring and magical evocation of nighttime encourages imaginative exploration and marks the debut of a talented poet and illustrator picture-book pair.

When a little boy opens the Night Box, darkness swoops out, a fox uncurls, and a thousand stars sparkle and shine. Night flows freely then, cavorting and exploring, caring for all its creatures until morning comes, and it’s time for Night to rest again.      With its soothing cadences and air of quiet wonder, The Night Box is sure to charm any sleepy listener who wonders what happens between sunset and sunrise. 

“The Night Box”  is a clever, imaginative picture book fantasy about a little boy who possesses a key that  unlocks  “a box of midnight blue”  when:

“Day is yawning,  Quiet settles in the trees. The birds unfold their wings, the singing stops.”

How the boy comes to possess this  key  is indeed  a  magical mystery. When the boy turns the key in  the box    – “Click . . .  and another click . . . .”    Night suddently slips out as Day slips in.  And Night then shows how gently and carefully it  cares for all nighttime creatures.

This book would make  a soothing  bedtime story. It might also provoke interesting discussions about what Night  really is or perhpas evoke a discussion  about  why and how it is that  a small  boy comes to possess a key that can release Night.    Did  Night  give the key to the small boy  or did the boy  discover it, perhaps, underneath a rock, while playing.  “The NIght Box”  may be  useful in alleviating  a child’s fear of the dark  becuase  Night treats and guards the nighttime creatures so tenderly, thus,  a  reassuring and comforting story.  The  magical element  is  clever and AWEsome,  because , after all,  children do beileve in magic.  And so can we!

“The NIght Box”  is unique, imaginative, and can help to expand a child’s thinking in a variety of areas:  the sky, creatures on the Earth, (both diurnal and noctural),  magic, and being cared for even  by nature!

Ashley LIdsay, the illustrator of “The Night Box,” provides illustrations that are somewhat free flowing and softly portrayed.  However,  the small boy  is shown with carrot colored hair.  Chldren would enjoy pointing to and speaking about the details in the  illustrations!

 

Reviewed by:  Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School Library, Portland, Me

four-stars

We’ve Got the Whole World in Our Hands

We’ve Got the Whole World in Our HandsWe've Got the Whole World in Our Hands / Tenemos el mundo entero en las manos (Bilingual) by Rafael López
Published by Scholastic en español on October 9th 2018
ISBN: 1338299506
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

We’ve Got the Whole World in Our Hands is a lovely new rendition of a classic spiritual.  Employing several artistic approaches the author brought children from all around the world together in a united WE.  The unwinding of a ball of yarn transports readers literally around the world as they follow the strand from page to page. The many two-page spreads add to the vitality of the illustrations as movement gives freedom to the joyful lyrics.  Pre-school and K students will be delighted as various animals make appearances throughout the book.

This edition is in both English and Spanish making it that much more accessible to the general public.  The book cover is different than the jacket, both are special in their own way.

Public libraries and schools with kindergarten classes will want to purchase this title.  Religious institutions who prefer the original spiritual lyrics will be missing a great book if they pass on this purchase.

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

four-stars

Mousie I will Read To You

Mousie I will Read To YouMousie, I Will Read to You by Rachael Cole, Melissa Crowton
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books on November 13th 2018
ISBN: 1524715360
Pages: 34
Goodreads
five-stars

“Mousie I Will Read To You” is a picture book darling.  The scope of the story shows us the strong bond  between mother and child as a mother mouse reads to her baby.  She begins by reading to the infant “Mousie”  and continues to read to him until he is able  to read by himself.  As Mousie grows and develops,  reading is fostered and encouraged in ways that are appropriate to his developmental level, making Mousie’s  experience of books a happy and joyous one.

The author, Rachel Cole, captures, by giving us examples of (“Before you know it, Mousie, Your DAA DAA DEE’s and BAA BAA BEE’s sound like jazz,”) the various reading stages a child might experience from infancy to adulthood –  but with a  minimum of words and explantion.   The author  brings the story to a close by nicely circling  back to Mousie reading to his own baby.

The soft colored illustrations  beautifully depict  Mousie and mother’s  joyful reading experiences.  A shared enjoyment of reading is a wonderful venue through wihich we can nurture and love our children.

The book was “inspired by the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics to read aloud to children from the day they are born.”

Can be used  to demonstrate to children that a love of  reading can indeed become a very importand part of their lives!

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

five-stars

Rumble Grumble . . . Hush

Rumble Grumble . . . HushRumble Grumble . . . Hush by Kate Banks
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books on March 6th 2018
ISBN: 1101940492
Pages: 40
Goodreads
three-stars

“Rumble, Grumble . . . Hush” is a  lively, colorful picture book detailing  the mood of a young child who is very animated throughout  his busy day.  Listeners are bombarded with such words as: rat – a – tat, cling clang,  and  toot.  All this is followed by some whirring, some whistling and  a clip-clop –   produced by a young boy  putting his imagination to good use.    Quiet time does finally arrive during rest time and then again at bedtime, when it signals the end of the day.

The illustrations do make the story as we watch this boy in full action!   The excellent visuals would keep young children engaged as they can easily relate to the boy’s activities.

Since the book is devoid of  plot,  toddlers and perhaps preschoolers would best appreciate this book.   A boy playing with  toys until the end of his very busy day!

“Rumble Grumble . . .  Hush is a short read.”  A perfect bedtime book  for little ones.

reviewed by: Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School Library, Portland, ME

three-stars

I Do Not Like Books Anymore!

I Do Not Like Books Anymore!I Do Not Like Books Anymore! by Daisy Hirst
Published by Candlewick Press on November 20th 2018
ISBN: 1536203343
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Natalie and Alphonse just adore books until Natalie received her first reader in school.  To her eyes many of the letters and words look like scratches or animal tracks; she is unable to make sense of what is written on the page.  She is disappointed that the cat book lacks plot and believes she can do better. Together these adorable mini monsters do create their own picture book with Daddy’s help who writes what they dictate.

Learning to read can be difficult and the reality is that books for early readers usually lack plot or character definition.  Natalie may also be experiencing a learning disability which just makes the situation worse.   Credit goes to the author for exploring this normal frustration and to the parental figures who are sensitive to their offspring’s needs.

The illustrations are bold and show emotion with facial expression and actions.  Hirst’s work is fun and perfect for the intended audience. Librarians in primary school and public libraries should add this book to their picture book collection.  The real winners will be early readers who receive a copy of this book as a gift from an admiring adult.

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

four-stars

First Star A Bear and Mole Story

First Star A Bear and Mole StoryFirst Star: A Bear and Mole Story (Bear and Mole) by Will Hillenbrand
Published by Holiday House on May 1st 2018
ISBN: 0823437604
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

“First Star”  (A Mole and Bear Story)  is a story within a story.  Mole wishes to see”the stars turn on,” and his friend, Bear,  suggests that they hike to Camp Tip Top.  However, Mole is worried that they will get lost in the dark.  Bear proceeds to tell Mole the  story  of “First Star,” and then explains to Mole that it will show him how to find his way in the dark.

Colorful  Illustrations accompany the  sparse text.  Although the expressions of Bear and Mole are simple,  they do enhance and carry the meaning of the text.   Illustrations fill the page spaces nicely,  are engaging and  are evenly distributed throughout the story.

A short story that  will  hold the attention of the youngest set. Good for studying the nighttime sky and fear of the dark.   Might be used as a  very basic introduction to the study of constellations.

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

four-stars

The Christmas Tree Who Loved Trains

The Christmas Tree Who Loved Trains Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

This sweet picture book story is about a Christmas Tree who loves the tingling of her needles when a train roars, rumbles and zooms past.  She lives in the corner of a tree farm and is perfecrly content . . .  until,   one day when she is uprooted and brought into  the home of a young boy, set in the corner of the  living room and deocorated for the holidays.  Will she be happy there, away from the trains?  But the little  tree  is delighted when the young boy recieves a small train  for Christmas that runs around the base of her.   But now, what will happen to the Christmas Tree when the holidays are over?

A great book to read to children before and during the holiday season.  May  spark a discussion  about  whethor or not trees and other living plants and creatures really do have feelings too!

Colorful illustrations that fit well with the text. Not so over powering  that  so that they  distract a child from following the storyline.   This book is  different, clever, and  very appealing to a child.

Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School LIbrary, Portland, ME

four-stars

Goldfish on Vacation

Goldfish on VacationGoldfish on Vacation by Sally Lloyd-Jones, Roman Muradov, Leo Espinosa
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books on April 10th 2018
ISBN: 0385386117
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

“Sometimes it’s hard being goldfish….Going around and around in circles… And sometimes it’s hard being a child in the summer in the city.” The introduction of Goldfish on Vacation sets the scene of this fanciful story sure to be a wonderful read-a-loud at home or school. The three children in the story are ready for summer vacation but are stuck inside their apartment. Their three goldfish are stuck in their bowl but are about to spend summer vacation in the renovated fountain across the street.

The release of the goldfish in their vacation fountain creates a “goldfish parade” which brings all the neighborhood children together. The colorful illustrations are contrasted by monochrome flashbacks of the children’s grandfather.

The story promotes the importance of outdoor play, friendship, caring for your surroundings and inclusion.   Teachers, parents, and caregivers can use this story as a tool to get children out of the comfort of their normal routine and go experience the larger world around them.

This book will circulate! Recommend for creme-of-the-crop!

Reviewed by Liz Davis, Children’s Librarian, Waterville Public Library

five-stars

Dance, Dance, Dance!

Dance, Dance, Dance!Dance, Dance, Dance!: A Horse and Buggy Tale by Ethan Long
Published by Holiday House on February 20th 2018
ISBN: 0823438597
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

Horse likes to dance. He can’t figure out why bee won’t dance with him. But then he turns on the music and that changes everything. Te drawings in this book are silly and really fun. Horse gets a bit carried away with getting bee to dance, but young readers will most likely not mind that and enjoy the silly story. The story uses speech bubbles so it almost feels a bit like a graphic novel at times. The Guided Reading Level E is clearly marked on the front of the book which is very handy for teachers, readers or parents looking for that information.

Mary Lehmer, Freeport Community Library, Freeport ME 04032

three-stars