Format: Picture Book Fiction

If Wendell Had a Walrus

If Wendell Had a WalrusIf Wendell Had a Walrus by Lori Mortensen, Matt Phelan
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on April 17th 2018
ISBN: 1627796029
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

If Wendell Had a Walrus is the story of a young boy with fair skin and red hair who sees a cloud shaped like a walrus and decided that he simply must have a walrus as a pet. Unfortunately, the pet store doesn’t seem to have any in stock, so Wendell writes a letter asking for a walrus to come be his pet, places it in a bottle, and throws it into the sea. While there, he meets Morrell, a boy with brown skin and curly brown hair, who is throwing a bottle into the ocean in attempt to get a whale as a pet. They decide to spend time together while they wait and become friends. Mortensen has written a sweet story full of gentle humor and good friends. Phelan’s pencil and watercolor illustrations perfectly capture the soft, friendly nature of the story and include funny jokes for readers to catch. Recommended.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library. 

four-stars

Neon Leon

Neon LeonNeon Leon by Jane Clarke, Britta Teckentrup
Published by Nosy Crow on July 24th 2018
ISBN: 0763699152
Pages: 24
Goodreads
three-stars

Neon Leon is a sad chameleon who is in search of a place where he fits in.    Clarke and Teckentrup  reveal his struggle in this most appealing and bright picture book.   Being the wrong color and unable to change like his mates creates huge problems that must be overcome.  Together the author and illustrator  take readers for a walk through several habits till a satisfying ending is achieved.

The story line will reassure children who find social situations challenging while the illustrations will lighten their hearts.  Being one of the crowd, just like everyone else, and finding your group are heavy issues for primary school students.   Leon will resonate with K- 2nd graders who strive for the right balance.  The brimming colors and large illustrations are sure to please and will bring smiles to small faces.

Add to primary grade media centers and to public libraries which serve children.   This is an excellent book to purchase for children who are searching for the right balance in social situations.

 

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

three-stars

A Werewolf Named Oliver James

A Werewolf Named Oliver JamesA Werewolf Named Oliver James by Nicholas John Frith
Published by Arthur A. Levine Books on June 26th 2018
ISBN: 1338254332
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Oliver James has to be home by six for dinner. What he didn’t plan was for people to run away from him yelling werewolf, only to find out he’s the werewolf. It’s a fun read that’s perfect for Halloween or just kids who enjoy spooky fantasy stories with a message of ‘it’s okay to be different’. It’s perfect for 2nd and 3rd graders due to the fact younger readers might not fully grasp the meaning of the story, but they’ll still enjoy the illustrations and the basic idea of it. The story was great at capturing emotions of someone young who might not be scared of what they are, but excited about these new powers only for them to question it when other’s their age is frightened. The illustrations are simple shapes with simple colors following a six-color theme throughout the book, some on top of others to add depth, which works well for this story in adding another spooky layer to it. The flaw is that the message is something you don’t really think about reading unless you’re looking for it. A great Halloween read with a great message that any library would love to have.

Reviewed by Cherise Letourneau, Auburn Public Library, Auburn

four-stars

How to be a Lion

How to be a LionHow To Be A Lion by Ed Vere
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on June 26th 2018
ISBN: 0525578056
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Leonard the lion is not your average lion.  Instead of being fierce and chomping things like the rest of the lions, he likes to writes poems and visit his thinking hill. One day he meets a duck named Marianne and she helps him write his poem, and they become friends.  They spend all their time together watching stars and being happy.  Until one day when the rest of the lions show up and demand to know why this duck has not been chomped.  Leonard defends her, but the other lions tell Leonard that there is only one way to be a lion and that he must be fierce and chomp her.  Leonard and Marianne return to the thinking hill while Leonard ponders whether he must truly change.  They return to the other lions with a message about being yourself.  A pretty heavy-handed message picture book, Vere delivers a story about being yourself and not caving to peer pressure.  Other reviewers have read it as a take on masculinity and an example of a positive male role model.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars

Toad on the Road: Mama and Me

Toad on the Road: Mama and MeToad on the Road: Mama and Me by Stephen Shaskan
Published by HarperCollins on March 6th 2018
ISBN: 0062393499
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Toad on the Road: Mama and Me is the second book in the Toad on the Road series by Stephen Shaskan. Like the first book, this one has bright and humorous illustrations and a fun repeating rhyme scheme and alliteration that will appeal to kids during a read-aloud. In this book, Mama and her son, Toad, are riding in Mama’s tow truck and keep coming across friends on the road who need their help. Goat needs gas! Fox has a flat! Moose is in the muck! Mama and Toad help their friends get on their way and in the end there is a big surprise waiting for them when they get home.

The theme of helping others comes through even if a child can’t read the words yet because the pictures are so clear and funny, so while this book is geared towards kids 4 to 8, younger kids will like it too. The refrain of “Mama and Toad will save the day! Everyone shout: hip hip hooray!” is catchy and readers will enjoy the repeated phrases; this book would be great for a toddler storytime! If you have Toad on the Road in your library’s collection, I would consider this a must-buy.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars