Format: Picture Book Fiction

Lost and found Ducklings

Lost and found DucklingsLost and Found Ducklings by Valeri Gorbachev
Published by Holiday House on February 12th 2019
ISBN: 0823441075
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Brother and Sister Duck just received nets in the mail and want to go catch some things in them.  Unfortunately, they get so involved with the game they don’t heed their parent’s advice and wander into the forest as dusk comes.  Finding themselves lost, they cry “Peep, Peep” but only the animals in the forest hear them.  Each animal tries to assist by showcasing their own bellowing, piercing howl, shrill screaming and fierce growling, but to no avail.  Only after they all cry at once are the parents alerted.  The forest animals and their various accessories that go flying off as they call their special call are comical and demand listeners to follow suit.  There is a repetitive line after each animal tries to call that provides a positive way for young ones to join in with the reading.  This is a perfect story time read for children ages 3-6.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

five-stars

I Am Just Right

I Am Just RightI Am Just Right by David McPhail
Published by Holiday House on March 19th 2019
ISBN: 0823441067
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

A bunny tells the reader all the things that he is too big for like his crib, shirt, shoes, tricycle and being picked up.  He is just right for a hug, his bed, clothes, bike and his sister.  The general layout of the book has one sentence of text opposite a full page illustration in McPhail’s classic style showing the narrator with the object that is too big or just right.   The illustrations are perfect for beginner readers who need a clue to the second part of each repetitive sentence.  The color palette is pastels and the text is an easy to read large black font.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

three-stars

What a Cold Needs

What a Cold NeedsWhat a Cold Needs by Barbara Bottner, Chris Sheban
Published by Neal Porter Books on February 12th 2019
ISBN: 0823441725
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

This singularly focused picture book, for readers ages 2-6, portrays the ebbs and flows of someone suffering from a pesky cold with precision.  From the red sore nose to the comforts of grandma’s chicken soup, Bottner captures the experience well.  Even after the young girl in the story has recuperated, the cold has found another victim in the multi-generational family.  The layout includes a variety of spreads that match the text and draw out the misery of a stuffy nose.  Sheban’s grey based colors provide the spot-on atmosphere of those feeling the effects of a cold, showing expression and the correct amount of sick weariness.  Pair this with Stead’s A Sick Day for Amos Mcgee as a perfect panacea for someone staying in bed due to a cold or a story time about health.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

 

four-stars

Lizzy McTizzy and the Busy Dizzy Day

Lizzy McTizzy and the Busy Dizzy DayLizzy McTizzy and the Busy Dizzy Day by Sarah Weeks, Lee Wildish
Published by HarperCollins on April 2nd 2019
ISBN: 0062442058
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Lizzy McTizzy is excited to be invited to a birthday party.  It is time to go, but she is unable to find one of her shoes.  A complete search of the house ensues from her bedroom and  up into the attic, “Ah-CHOO!.  She finally solves the problem by putting on a red boot she finds and shows up at the party with two different pieces of footwear.  She still feels proud because “you have to be you”.  Weeks rhyming text flows quickly and smoothly which assists the reader in making it sound like Lizzy is in a tizzy.  Wildish’s illustrations are bright and cheery. Lizzy, has a large, bright red fluffy head of hair and various expressions as she explores all the places that her shoe could be hiding. Perspective is shown during the search by distance and body proportions.  The children have somewhat larger cartoon heads and smaller skinny bodies.  The party goers at the party are  racially diverse.   The font is easy to read and varies from questions, to descriptions to interjections of emotion.  Lizzy McTizzy would “find” a place in any 2-6 year old story time.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

Got to Get to Bear’s

Got to Get to Bear’sGot to Get to Bear's! by Brian Lies
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on October 30th 2018
ISBN: 0544948823
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Bear needs his friend Izzy chipmunk, nothing is going to interfere in this fast paced cuddly winter story.  It takes a little longer, the snow is a little deeper yet the four animal friends are determined to make it to Bear’s cave.   Some may think that bats are cuter but this reader believed that Lies has made a good transition to forest animals in his newest picture book.   Each character exposes their own personality with whimsical articles of clothing and detailed facial expressions.

Friendship has no prejudice in this book, regardless of the size or type of creature these five animals are fast friends.  Pre-school children will enjoy the action and lively use of color while school age children are apt to pick up the goal of reaching a friend in need and the cooperation of each character.  Add this to public libraries where snowflakes  fall and to media centers that collect picture books for grades K-3.

 

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

All Right Already! A Snowy Story

All Right Already! A Snowy StoryAll Right Already!: A Snowy Story by Jory John, Benji Davies
Published by HarperCollins on November 13th 2018
ISBN: 0062370995
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

This fourth book in the Goodnight Already series is sure to be a winner with fans of Jory John and Benji Davies.  Bear is a quiet and sleepy creature who is easily overshadowed by his hyper friend Duck.  Children will identify with one of the characters and giggle as their personalities are exposed.  This story could have easily gotten out of hand but is both subtle and silly as the previous three adventures.

The illustrations are fun while being somewhat primitive.  Lots of gray backspace provides an illusion of an overcast dreary winter day.  Bear’s bright towel does nothing to lighten his mood while Duck’s orange scarf and hat show he is ready for wintery play.   The illustrations and text are well placed on the page while the various font size denotes emotional responses of the characters.   Pre-school- grade 2 children will enjoy listening especially when adults use proper inflection.   Add this book to libraries with previous Bear and Duck titles and consider for those without.

 

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton,  retired librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

I Spy At School

four-stars

This early reader has readers “spy” things on each page and then gives a description of the item. The print is large and easy to read. The sentences are short and highlighted in speech bubbles. The repetition will make it easy for new readers to follow. All of the items, except perhaps the dictionary, are things that a young reader would easily recognize from their classroom or school setting.

Ages 4 and up. Mary Lehmer, Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

four-stars

Mia Moves Out

Mia Moves OutMia Moves Out by Miranda Paul, Paige Keiser
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 16th 2018
ISBN: 0399553320
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Mia Moves Out,” is a picture book for ages 3-7 years.

Mia’s new room is all her own, until – she has a new baby brother. “The room became half as big, and half as bright, but it also became TWICE as much fun. Sharing isn’t so bad,” Mia said.  This was until “growing happened,” and Mia declared that she was moving out. There were just too many toys, too many holidfay gifts and birthday gifts. . She tries to find another spot in her house that is just right; however, after a while she is lonely.  Her brother then discovers he is lonely and decides to move out of his room.   In the end, they discover that they can both be friends and enjoy each others company again in a large tent out of doors!

A fun book to read that many children will identify with.  How many children have threatened to move out or to run away only to find out, after all, that they really do miss and need the comfort of a sibling.  The illustrations are expressive,  cartoon like and are balanced nicely with the text.

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

three-stars

No Swimming for Nelly

No Swimming for NellyNo Swimming for Nelly by Valeri Gorbachev
Published by Holiday House on June 12th 2018
ISBN: 0823437809
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars


Nelly refuses to learn how to swim . . . until Grandma intervenes.

Nelly looks fabulous in her new swimsuit, so she wears it all the time--while riding her bike, playing basketball, eating at a fancy restaurant . . . even while sleeping.

But Nelly refuses to wear it for swimming. Grandma, a swimming champion, has other ideas. Finally Nelly, dipping one toe at a time, learns to float, blow bubbles, kick . . . and is on her way to becoming a champion swimmer herself!

No Swimming for Nelly is a picture book for ages 3-7 years.

Even thought her mother gifts Nellly, her piglet, with a new swimsuit which she adores, Nelly still refuses to go swimming.  Since she adores  her swimsuit, Nelly will wear it when she is doing all of her other playtime activities. Nelly’s mother decides that a visit to Grandma’s is in order as Grandma was once a swimming champion. With much coaxing, Nelly finally enters her Grandma’s pool and with practice and praise is convinced that she too, can swim like a champion.

A wonderful book to use when talking about taking risks and building confidence.   The book demonstrates that with the right kind of support and an “all in good time attitude,” that miracles can happen if children are encouraged to try new things that may result in bettering their self esteem.

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

three-stars

If the S in MOOSE comes loose

If the S in MOOSE comes looseIf the S in Moose Comes Loose by Peter Hermann, Matthew Cordell
Published by HarperCollins on March 13th 2018
ISBN: 0062295101
Pages: 48
Goodreads
four-stars

“If the S in MOOSE comes loose” is written by Peter Hermann and illustrated by Matthew Cordell. This is a silly book (in the best way). Cow and Moose are friends, but one day Moose’s letter S comes loose and the E becomes free. Cow is now left only with a MOO. Desperate to fix her friend, she takes letters from other words to make some glue so she can stick the S and E back onto MOO. A bunch of letters get taken and mixed up and it leads to hilariousness. Eventually though, Cow gets her Moose back together.

Aimed at children grades Pre-K through 3, most of the humor comes from the spelling, but younger children will appreciate the rhyming and silly story. Adults will probably enjoy it too. I guffawed when the BEAR in the CHAIR got his B and C taken and became an EAR sitting on HAIR. The illustrations are frantic looking watercolor sketches similar to Quentin Blake’s work and they give the book a hurried and funny tone, which is perfect. This book would be a good purchase for children learning to spell, or who are learning their letters. Not necessarily a “must-buy,” but a fun addition to your picture book collection.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

four-stars