Format: Picture Book Fiction

Grace for Gus

Grace for GusGrace for Gus by Harry Bliss
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on February 6th 2018
ISBN: 0062644106
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Grace for Gus by Harry Bliss (author of Bailey) is a wordless graphic novel for ages 6-9. A young girl’s teacher encourages the class to contribute to the fund for a second pet guinea pig. Our young heroine does just that. Set in New York City, the girl sneaks out of her apartment after dinner and spends the night playing a violin in the subway station, sketching caricatures in the park, and performing acrobatic tricks in the subway train. All these creative efforts earn lots of cash that the girl proudly brings to class in the morning. All through the night, the girl’s pet cat keeps follows her; the city is friendly and full of people. There are famous characters and people dotted throughout the book, some of whom adults will recognize more than children such as Woody Allen, Trump, and Andy Warhol. Bliss’ comic panel illustrations are full of other details that young careful viewers can enjoy discovering. Youngsters will get a glimpse of big city life as they follow the all night adventures of one creative, caring girl. Recommended by Margy Soule, Coffin Elementary School in Brunswick.

Best Frints at Skrool

Best Frints at SkroolBest Frints at Skrool by Antoinette Portis
Published by Roaring Brook Press on June 26th 2018
ISBN: 1626728712
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Best Frints at Skrool by Antoinette Portis is the sequel to her Best Frints in the Whole Universe. In this picture book two alien children on the planet Boborp are best frints/friends who act a lot like human kids. “On Boborp, sometimes frints use words in ways that aren’t so frintly.” The text often implies harmony but the illustrations and dialog may present a more lively view. The text is just simple enough for even the youngest listeners and the most tongue-tied readers to understand the aliens’ words through their context and through the illustrations.  For example, the best “frints” share their lunch food through a “spewd flight”, and some “stroodents” need to spend time by the Quiet Wall. The author/illustrator who gave us Not a Box and Not a Stick knows how to think outside the box and create a lot of fun with a little imagination. The book’s bold green, orange, pink, and purple artwork outlined in black against white backgrounds was created using pencil, charcoal, and a tablet. Without being didactic, this book reinforces the fact that best friends are not perfect, just like on planet Earth.  Children ages 5 through 8 will enjoy this funny look at school life and friendship.

Highly recommended by Margy Soule, Coffin Elementary School in Brunswick, Maine

Jurassic Classics The Prehistoric Masters of Art Volume 1

Jurassic Classics The Prehistoric Masters of Art Volume 1The Prehistoric Masters of Art, Volume 1: Discover Art History with a Prehistoric Twist! (Jurassic Classics) by Elise Wallace, Sernur Isik
on January 1st 1970
ISBN: 1942875533
Goodreads
four-stars
This library edition was published in 2018 by Walter Foster Jr. an imprint of The Quarto Group. This is great for anyone who loves dinosaurs and art. The dinosaur artists are Vincent van Guanadon, Leonardo da Vilociraptor, and Claude Monetato and their human counterparts, along with some of their more recognizable paintings. The information is factual and humorous.

Reviewed by Jeri Fitzpatrick, GNG Middle School, Gray

four-stars

If Animals Celebrated Christmas

If Animals Celebrated ChristmasIf Animals Celebrated Christmas by Ann Whitford Paul
on September 11th 2018
ISBN: 0374309019
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars
Twelve types of wild animals find themselves celebrating the fast approaching Christmas Day.   Each prepares in their own way, combined their traditions cover most of the human activities surrounding the holiday.  The animals find ways to be involved that seems logical for that species; including singing, gift making, decorating, letter writing and cuddling.  Paul’s text imagines lovely individual and group activities and Walker’s illustrations bring it all to life.  The color selection is very bright and pleasing.

The story-line and illustrations contained in “If Animals Celebrated Christmas” make a warm and cozy read.  From pre-school to grade 1 children will want to sit in a big comfy chair with their favorite adult as the story is read aloud.    This is a comfort book, one that will make a good Christmas gift for little children on everyone’s shopping list.   Public librarians will want to order a copy for their picture book or holiday picture book section.

four-stars

Dino-Christmas

Dino-ChristmasDino-Christmas by Lisa Wheeler, Barry Gott
Published by Carolrhoda Books (R) on September 1st 2018
ISBN: 1512403156
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars
As Christmas approaches the local dinosaurs are making preparations all over town.  While T.rex munches s’mores, Raptor is enjoying the first snow with other dino buddies.  This book is humorous and silly to the max, readers will tour the community, meet all the residents and laugh at their pranks.  Wheeler offers a fun folic to her Dino loving readers but many of the rhyme patterns feel forced.  Gott’s illustrations are large and very colorful as well as being dynamic.  Best is the size of the font which is readable for the intended audience of early readers in K – grade 3. 

This reader is somewhat off put by the total elimination of any religious observation within the community.   Christmas is a religious holiday yet this is totally secular.  Add this where other titles  by this author are cherished. 

three-stars

We Love Dinosaurs

We Love DinosaursWe Love Dinosaurs by Lucy Volpin
Published by Nosy Crow on June 26th 2018
ISBN: 0763699594
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars
Simple rhyming text and colorful dinosaur drawings will make this a big hit with very young children, especially those that like dinosaurs. The inside covers have drawings of dinosaurs with their official names but the text of the book does not go into that. Great way to read about dinosaurs for those that don’t know their dinosaurs but also info for those that do. The text itself gives a piece of info on each dinosaur in easy to understand sentences. The last page does bring up the word extinct which might be tricky for young ones, but the book is still terrific. Ages 2 and up.

Reviewed by Mary Lehmer, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

Go To Sleep, Little Creep

Go To Sleep, Little CreepGo to Sleep, Little Creep by David Quinn
Published by Crown BFYR on July 24th 2018
ISBN: 1101939443
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars
Some of the most adorable monsters in picture book history inhabit this rhyming picture book by Quinn and Spires. Perfect for a Halloween read-aloud or any old bedtime where a good baby monster is appreciated. Quinn’s rhyme is a bit cutesy, but it works in a story aimed at lulling listeners at the end of the day. And Spires takes the text to the next level with fantastic touches in her illustrations like pictures on Baby Godzilla’s wall of buildings aflame and a portrait of Uncle Igor hanging in the home of the Frankensteins. She even manages to capture a feeling of diversity within some of the monster families (the werewolves and zombies). The page of terrible things baby monsters dream of is worth the price of the book. There are many bedtime books out there and many Halloween-themed books, but if you have the funds to pick this one up for your library, it should circulate as often as a baby monster looks at its father with a book in its hands and says, “again?”.  

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

five-stars

The Three Little Superpigs

The Three Little SuperpigsThe Three Little Superpigs by Claire Evans
Published by Scholastic Press on July 31st 2018
ISBN: 1338245457
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars
The Three Little Superpigs by Claire Evans begins where the Three Little Pigs classic fairy tale ends. The Big Bad Wolf has been put in prison to serve his time and Fairyland has promoted the swine siblings to superhero status. While the Pigs are fighting crime and enjoying their new found fame, the Big Bad Wolf stews in “Happily Never After Prison” plotting his revenge. The unexpected escape of the canine criminal throws Fairyland into a fear-filled frenzy. Will the Superpigs be able to capture the Big Bad Wolf and retain their “superhero” status?

The silly circumstances that follow will cause the reader to laugh-out-loud while learning the importance of hard work and ingenuity.

With Clare Evans’ vibrant, action-packed illustrations, witty wording, and engaging storyline, The Three Little Superpigs is sure to become a new favorite. The flavor of the overall book is reminiscent of authors Jon Sciezka and Rob Scotton. The content is best suited for a target audience of ages 4 to 7 years of age and would enhance any early-elementary picture book collection.

 

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

four-stars

All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah

All-of-a-Kind Family HanukkahAll-Of-A-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins, Paul O. Zelinsky
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books on September 11th 2018
ISBN: 039955419X
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars
Emily Jenkins takes inspiration from Sydney Taylor’s classic chapter book series, All-of-a-Kind Family, which follows the life of a jewish family in the Lower East Side, beginning from a time when they had five daughters. Jenkins uses the characters at the age they are at the start of the chapter series and writes from the perspective of youngest daughter, Gertie. This allows Jenkins to give the reader many details about the holiday that would otherwise feel forced, as Gertie is reminded of details she has forgotten since the year before. Many children will relate to the excitement of a holiday and the frustration of not being able to help out in the same way that everyone else can.

Zelinsky’s illustrations give character to each of the different sisters, making them stand out even with such a small amount of text. The digital paintings give historical details and a homey feel that compliment the text. The back of the book includes a glossary, a note from the author with historical context and additional information about Hanukkah, a note from the illustrator, a bibliography of the original series, acknowledgements, sources, and a website that gives additional information and a latke recipe.

Recommended as a beginner’s look into Hanukkah or an introduction to a great, classic series.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

four-stars

The Dragon and the Nibblesome Knight

The Dragon and the Nibblesome KnightThe Dragon and the Nibblesome Knight by Elli Woollard, Benji Davies
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on August 21st 2018
ISBN: 1250150205
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars
When Dram, the smallest dragon, takes off on his own for the first time, he splashes down into a lake. James, a knight, takes off his armor and wades in to help Dram, who was injured in the fall. Thanks to the circumstances of their meeting, Dram thinks that James is a lad, and James thinks Dram is a duck. Neither realizes that the other is their sworn enemy until after they are friends when they meet at Sports Day. They are expected to fight, but can’t help but hug instead. Their friendship inspires change in the dragons and knights around them, resulting in (mostly) peace between the two former enemies. Elli Woollard writes in a humorous rhyming style, accompanied by Benji Davies’ cartoon style. Though a few stretches are required (that James would mistake Dram for a duck, that the problems between the dragons and knights would be resolved so quickly), young readers who love fantasy fare will enjoy this story.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

three-stars