Format: Picture Book Fiction

Runaway Pond

Runaway PondRunaway Pond by Bagram Ibatoulline, Nancy Price Graff
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536219983
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This picture book tells the true story, albeit in a tall-tale sort of way, of a man who outran the charging torrent of an overflowing pond to save a woman who was working at a mill in the water’s path.

The pictures are lovely and capture the seasons of Vermont perfectly. The telling of the story is a little hard to reconcile with the actual event (there is a description of what really happened at the end of the book), but it will appeal to young fans of historical fiction, nonfiction, and American folk legends.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Breathe Like a Bear First Day of School Worries

Breathe Like a Bear First Day of School WorriesBreathe Like a Bear: First Day of School Worries: A Story with a Calming Mantra and Mindful Prompts (Mindfulness Moments for Kids) by Anni Betts, Kira Willey
ISBN: 0593486722
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Bear, Bird, and Fawn are anxiously making their way to their first day of school – each one worried about being different. They meet a wise owl who gives them a mantra to remind them to take a deep breath and remember their similarities. Full of prompts to spark conversations between caregivers and children, and the (somewhat repetitive) mantra, this book specifically addresses childhood anxiety for big firsts. The story itself is kind and sweet, but the prompts and mantra make this book more for addressing a difficult topic, rather than an everyday go-to read aloud. Recommended for ages 5-6.

Reviewed by Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

two-stars

In the Dark

In the DarkIn the Dark by Corinna Luyken, Kate Hoefler
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on August 29, 2023
ISBN: 0593372832
Genres: Cultural / African American, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Witches walked through the trail in the dark woods, making witches brew around a fire, and flying on broomsticks through the air.

~OR~

People walked through the woods, admiring the wildlife, making a campfire for light in the darkness, and crafting beautiful kites to fly in the breeze.

This story begins alternating between two very different perspectives (one of the so-called “witches” and the other of the townspeople), showcasing misunderstandings and spreading stereotypes, until their stories intertwine and everyone realizes they are actually more alike than they thought. This book has lovely illustrations and an important message. However, the book itself is rotated so that the pages turn from bottom to top, making it cumbersome to hold. The alternating storyline also seems potentially difficult for children to follow. Recommended for ages 6-7.

Reviewed by Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

three-stars

Bear with me

Bear with meBear with me by Kerascoët, Marie Pommepuy, Sébastien Cosset
ISBN: 0593307674
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This beautifully illustrated and nearly wordless picture book perfectly captures the life of a growing child and their favorite teddy bear. The child and teddy bear are inseparable – that is, until the first day of school. The child bravely leaves Bear behind, but sweetly remembers Bear throughout the day, and joyfully reunites with Bear after school. This adorable story is easy to relate to, especially for the first day of school jitters, or needing to wean from a security blanket or lovey. A great addition to any picture book collection. Recommended for ages 4-6.

Reviewed by Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

four-stars

Where I Live: Poems about My Home, My Street, and My Town

Where I Live: Poems about My Home, My Street, and My TownWhere I Live: Poems About My Home, My Street, and My Town by Hyewon Yum, Paul B. Janeczko
Published by Candlewick on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 1536200948
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Where I Live is an anthology of children’s poems about everyday life in different homes and communities.  The poems are from a diverse group of poets and the watercolor illustrations reflect the diversity found in different places. Some of the topics most children will be familiar with, like shoes, cats, and school.  Others highlight a more urban or rural experience, like a block party or playing in the sprinkler.  Kids might enjoy checking this out as an introduction to poetry. Teachers could also use this anthology to show what happens in different types of communities or to teach literary elements, as many are utilized in these poems.  This would be a great addition to any children’s poetry collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Waaa Waaa Goes Táwà

Waaa Waaa Goes TáwàWaaa Waaa Goes Táwà by Alaba Onajin
Published by Random House Studio ISBN: 0593644077
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Táwà, an adorable and perfectly sweet little girl can’t talk quite yet, but not to worry! She communicates with a scream heard round the world, letting out a wail anytime things don’t go the way she envisions. A day in Táwà’s life tells a familiar story, not wanting to share, being upset she can’t come along to the market, being upset she has to now come along to the market, all which she meets with vocal defiance 10 times the size of herself. After each tiny tantrum, her family rushes to soothe her & to decipher and meet her needs, before being led back down the warpath once more.  

After a full day facing Táwà’s wrath, her family finally reach the end of their rope that night and wail in a chorus of WAAA WAAAAS in return as bedtime tensions rise. Being faced with a taste of her own medicine, Táwà rushes to soothe her family with kind words & a hug, the same way they had comforted her – the perfect cure!

Sprinkled with onomatopoeias and fun, jaunty words set against the beautifully illustrated backdrop of Táwà’s village in Nigeria, we’re lead in a singsongy dance between Táwà’s “waaa waaa waaas” and Mama’s “no no nos” all the way to a quiet resolution …. zzzzzz. Ònájìn hit the nail on the head for his debut picture book – with a silly & endearing ending, Waaa Waaa Goes Táwà answers the cries heard far & wide for the perfect bedtime read-aloud! 

For ages 4-8, though younger kiddos would appreciate it as a read-aloud.

Reviewed by Paiten Price – Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, ME

 

five-stars

A Spider Named Itsy

A Spider Named ItsyA Spider Named Itsy by Steve Light
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536225290
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“A Spider Named Itsy” is a retelling of the Itsy-Bitsy Spider rhyme, written and illustrated by Steve Light. Itsy starts out in their web all alone when suddenly their web is destroyed by a branch and the wind. Time to find a new home. In the process of climbing the waterspout to make a new home, Itsy meets and helps other insects along the way. The artwork is fun and colorful and full of little details to enjoy. Itsy helps others and by the end has made friends. Written for ages 3 to 5, but can be enjoyed by all ages. A cute book about friendship and helping, this is a suggested purchase for picture book collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Other Words for Nonno

Other Words for NonnoOther Words for Nonno (-) by Dave Cameron, Yong Ling Kang
Published by Kids Can Press ISBN: 1525305751
Genres: Humor, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Mental Health
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Other Words for Nonno is a heartfelt story about the relationship between a girl named Jill and her grandfather, whom she calls, “Nonno.” What they bond over, as they walk around their town, is the power of words and different wordplay.

Jill gets excited and announces, “Seaplane!” as they sit by the water. Nonno says, “I do see a plane.” There are many examples of different words and meanings until Jill realizes that Nonno has days where he cannot remember certain words. Because Nonno is experiencing memory loss, Jill writes words down on paper and tapes them around town where they take their strolls. There are soft watercolor illustrations that are comforting as we learn more about Nonno’s good days and bad days. At the end of their stroll, Nonno writes his own card on paper with the word, “Us” and tapes it to an antique store window where there’s a mirror that they often stop and look at themselves in.

This is a great choice for children who have grandparents experiencing memory loss. It’s also a great choice for children who are interested in wordplay. Recommended for ages 3+.

Reviewed by Gia Pilgrim Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Give

GiveGive by Jen Arena, Rahele Jomepour Bell
Published by Random House Children's Books ISBN: 1524714992
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Give is a powerful, near-wordless picture book showing the power of kindness in a day. The richly detailed illustrations by Rahele Jomepour Bell show one boy helping his classmate as they walk in the wind and rain. On the next few pages, we see that same classmate offer her scarf to a friend who looks cold. That classmate then helps her teacher by offering her a new pencil when her lead breaks. The cycle of kindness continues throughout the day in a “pay-it-forward” style of storytelling.

The writing by Jen Arena is simple, yet poignant, giving just enough context for each moment of generosity. Children will love looking over the pictures and watching the different classmates interact differently throughout the day. The boy from the first page is carrying a gift box in his hands, and by the last page, we discover that he has cupcakes for every single classmate to enjoy. The line on that page says, “The good you do comes back to you.”

This picture book can be for a variety of ages from early childhood to upper elementary. Highly recommend it as a tool for modeling altruistic behavior and empathy for other humans and animals. Four stars.

Reviewed by Gia Pilgrim Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

The Wilderness

The WildernessThe Wilderness by Steve McCarthy
Published by Candlewick Press on 10/3/23
ISBN: 1536231371
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Oktober isn’t like the rest of his large family.  While they love the outdoors and the possibility of adventure, he prefers staying inside with his books where he is safe, dry, and warm.  His parents validate his feelings while gently encouraging him to be brave and face the unknown.  One day he gets lost in the wilderness.  This experience helps him overcome his fears as he changes his perspective and makes an unexpected friend.  The illustrations carry this picture book, though the voice used by the narrator who speaks directly to the reader, will also be appealing.  Children will like the somewhat cartoonish drawings and the colors evoke a strong feeling of fall that readers can almost feel.  This book would be great for children to check out and take home so they can take time to explore the beautiful and detailed illustrations.  Children will notice something different each time they hear this story.  

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars