Format: Picture Book Fiction

Our Mothers’ Names: Love in Many Languages

Our Mothers’ Names: Love in Many LanguagesOur Mothers' Names: Love in Many Languages by Rahele Jomepour Bell, Uma Menon
ISBN: 153622250X
Genres: Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“Every morning when I wake up, the first person to greet me is my mother.
‘Good morning, child,’ she says when I open my eyes . . . .
‘Good morning, Amma,’ I reply rolling out of bed.”

And so begins Uma Menon’s narrative, told in first person by an unnamed young girl, who introduces the reader to the women in her family, and explains that Amma is the word for mother in Malayalam, a language spoken primarily in Kerala, India. The narration takes the conceptual idea that there are many languages, and therefore, many ways  to address our mothers, and makes it concrete by introducing some of those names throughout the book, through the narrator’s friends’ names for their mothers in their mother tongues, as they participate in all kinds of creative activities.

Rahele Jomepour Bell’s attractive mixed media collage illustrations with thematic reinforcement of language as a living thing, enhance what otherwise might become a laundry list, instead of fully realized story. In the back matter is an interesting collection of facts about languages and multilingualism, and the end pages display names for mothers in many different languages. 

This could be a beautiful read-aloud for Mother’s Day or for International Mother Tongue Day, celebrated on February 21. Those doing the reading aloud will want to prepare a pronunciation guide beforehand (the book doesn’t provide one). Young readers will enjoy this lovely story that sends the message that multilingualism is a super power, and that learning other languages and teaching our love languages are valuable gifts to share. 

Recommended for school and public libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MILS
K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

four-stars

Fairy Walk

Fairy WalkFairy Walk by Gaia Cornwall
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536230715
Genres: Adventure, Nature
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

At the start of this delightful romp, three children of different ages, genders, and skin tones, are pulling on rain boots, packing provisions and preparing for a day in the woods that includes snacks, binoculars, and a magnifying glass. There will be some frisson as readers realize that the adults are staying home and this trio of friends (and the family dog) are taking a rainy-day outing, unaccompanied by grown-ups, to look for fairies in the woods.

Cornwall employs active, rhythmic, onomatopoeic prose  that engages all the senses (“Wriggle, tickle quick! Slip.”) as the characters explore the woods. They look high and low, noticing many of the gifts of nature (salamanders under logs, rolypoly bugs under moss) as they search without luck, for the illusive fairies. Their visible frustration at not finding the fairies will provide entertainment for readers who have been spotting fairies hiding in plain sight (in a robin’s nest, under a mushroom . . . . ), all along and all around the children. Although the children never spot the fairies, the real treasure becomes all the wonders they do notice (wildflowers, butterflies, babbling brooks) on their excursion.

Cornwall’s illustrations are colorful, clever and cunningly sweet without being cloying. She has used colored pencil, watercolor and collage to create a nature motif that follows the characters from inside (floral wallpaper print) to the outside. The outdoors is rendered in gentle pastels while the children are wearing vibrant (mostly primary) colors. 

The narrative is geared toward younger children but anyone enchanted with the idea of fairies will enjoy this playful story that celebrates the wonders of being outside. It would be an excellent read-aloud for any kind of fairy programming, especially a fairy walk, or fairy house building. 

Highly recommended for school and public libraries.

 Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MILS
K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

five-stars

Faruq and the Wiri Wiri

Faruq and the Wiri WiriFaruq and the Wiri Wiri: A Celebration of Family and Food by Sandhya Prabhat, Sophia Payne
ISBN: 1536241229
Genres: Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A young boy curious about cooking and eager to help create the dishes he sees his ajee making every day for the family meals, finally gets his chance when a friendly neighbor invites him into her kitchen, and into the wonderful world of cooking food with love for family. Ajee discourages Faruq from taking an active role in the kitchen and advises him to stay away from the wiri wiri peppers in the garden. Luckily, Faruq’s elderly neighbor welcomes Faruq into her kitchen and teaches him through hands-on learning.

Faruq is an inquisitive and attentive student, and Mrs. Joseph is a generous teacher. She lets him know that it’s okay to make mistakes, as Faruq masters how to make Indo-Guyanese foods such as lime cookies, cook-up rice, and wiri wiri soup. We learn along with Faruq, that wiri wiri are peppers called “cherry bombs” for their appearance and heat. Faruq’s skills and desire culminate in the climax of the book, as he creates food to make his grandmother feel better, and feeds his family.

The story and illustrations work well together to create an attractive environment around cooking in an Indo-Guyanese kitchen. The vibrant colors and collage-appearing illustrations of characters,  enjoying themselves in the kitchen, cooking with traditional ingredients will draw the readers in, and invite curiosity about the food and culture.

This simple story about doing what makes you happy, no matter what conventional gender roles dictate, welcomes the reader into Indo-Guyanese kitchens and makes a great read-aloud. Many children will make a connection between Faruq’s desire to do more than simply watch his grandmother cook, and enjoy the process as Faruq not only learns to cook, but becomes the hero of the story as he feeds his family delicious food with love.

Highly recommended for school and public libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MILS
K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

five-stars

Bob the Boo-Boo

Bob the Boo-BooBob the Boo-Boo by Mélina Schoenborn, Sandra Dumais
ISBN: 1525313835
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

If you’re a boo-boo without a home, what do you do? In this original story, the main character is a friendly, bright red circle of a boo-boo named Bob who carries his belongings in a bindle. All boo-boos need a place to settle down and Bob is looking for a likely location (a girl’s skinned elbow, an old man’s stubbed toe) but no one wants to invite him to be their boo-boo until he implores a little boy who’s fallen off his bike if he can be the little boy’s boo-boo. Bob goes hoe on the little boy’s knee and is cared for. The two go everywhere together for a time until, inevitably, Bob must leave (as all boo-boos eventually do) . 

There are many humorous moments in the story, even though Bob’s desperate need for a home feels real. The whimsical illustrations by Sandra Dumais support both these ideas, and children will love the many different band-aid designs depicted. This story is quirky with a message that  resonates: There’s a place for everyone, even boo-boos. 

Recommended for school and public libraries as an additional purchase where unconventional stories are well-received.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MILS
K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

Meena and the Microbiome

Meena and the MicrobiomeMeena and the Microbiome by Majdi Osman, Teresa Martínez
ISBN: 1536227595
Genres: STEM
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

This picture book narrative from MIT Kids Press explains the world of microbes and how they work in the world around us, through about a curious young girl named Meena who asks a *lot* of questions, and her scientist mom, who has most of the answers.  As they work in their backyard garden after a rainstorm, information about microbiomes and microbes is conveyed to the reader through Meena and her mom’s conversation about what is happening all around them in the backyard garden. 

As they plant seeds, harvest vegetables, compost weeds, wash hands, and eat lunch, Meena’s mom explains what microbes are and the many different, important jobs they do, inside and outside our bodies.Simple whimsical illustrations help move the story along; the perspective of the illustrations moves from scenes in the garden to depictions of the microscopic world microbes occupy. Microbes are anthropomorphized  in the narration as Meena’s mom describes the microbiome as a “community . . . like a city with millions of people living together”, and in the illustrations through cartoonish features that young readers will find compelling. The author is a researcher in the field of microbiomes and the role they play in nutrition.

Science-minded children who enjoy a little bit of an “ick” factor (microbes aid in digestion, and the word “poop” is used – always a crowd pleaser) will find that this story generates curiosity around the tiny things around us that have a big impact on our everyday lives. 

Recommended as an additional purchase for school and public libraries.

 Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MILS
K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

three-stars

Otto and the Story Tree

Otto and the Story TreeOtto and the Story Tree by Vivien Mildenberger
ISBN: 0593710789
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Everyone has a story to tell but finding someone to listen is sometimes a struggle. Otto is a “cranky” anthropomorphized stork who never bathes, cleans his apartment, or opens a window because he doesn’t see the point of any of it. Children might describe him as lonely; adults might identify Otto as melancholy, or even depressed.

Things start to change when a little seed falls from his dinner plate and onto the floor. He leaves it on the floor because he doesn’t see the point of picking it up. Later, Otto sees that seed as an audience for his reminiscences of his many adventures. The muted, shadowy illustrations capture the emotions that Otto doesn’t share. The apartment is unkempt and in disrepair but the attentive reader will notice curious objects in the apartment that relate to each of Otto’s stories. Following each revelation is a wordless, two-page spread depicting his exploits. 

As the seed sprouts and grows, Otto shares more and more stories, until it becomes an enormous tree that bursts through the roof of the building, inviting  in the sunlight and more listeners. This provides a satisfying ending for the reader. Readers who enjoy using illustrations to make up their own stories to suit will enjoy this book.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MILS
K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

three-stars

Over in the Garden

Over in the GardenOver in the Garden by Janna Matthies, Tisha Lee
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on 2025
ISBN: 059380936X
Genres: Counting Books, Gardening, Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

A gardening-themed counting book that focuses on a diverse group of children tending a community garden. The rhyming text is inspired by an old country song called “Over in the Meadow”. The colorful, mostly full-page illustrations depict enthusiastic young gardeners amongst a verdant landscape.

This fun read-aloud teaches basic counting (1-10) and basic gardening concepts (such as planting, watering, and composting) to 3-7 year-olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

four-stars

The Jade Bracelet

The Jade BraceletThe Jade Bracelet by Hà Dinh, Yong Ling Kang
ISBN: 0593711785
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Family, Immigrants
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

 

The Jade Bracelet

Ha Dihn and Yong Ling Kang

This picture book for ages 4-8 is about a young Vietnamese girl, Tien, who receives a jade bracelet for her birthday from her mother following the death of her grandmother, Ba Ngoai. At first, Tien does not like the bracelet; she would prefer a brand-new popular sparkly bracelet like the ones worn by her classmates. Embarrassed, Tien tries to hide her simple jade bangle and then flings it to the floor after school. Rather than getting angry, her mother shows sympathy.  Tien realizes that the bracelet is not just a green rock, but rather a symbol of the spirit of Tien’s family members who have also worn them. She decides to wear her jade bracelet proudly as a reminder of her late grandmother and embrace her family’s tradition and heritage.
The Jade Bracelet is based on the author’s own experience of wanting to blend in with her peers, something to which all children can relate.

4 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

four-stars

The Hawk Shadow

The Hawk ShadowThe Hawk Shadow by Jan Bourdeau Waboose, Karlene Harvey
ISBN: 1525310844
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Cultural / African American, Nature, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Big Ed is walking to his favorite fishing spot on Hawk River, and his little sister Serenity insists on tagging along. The two Anishinaabe siblings make their way to the river, with Serenity stopping repeatedly to interact with birds and guzzle chokeberries. After they start fishing, Big Ed winds up in danger, but Serenity is able to help him with the guidance of the Hawk, or River Keeper, and her fishing rod. This is a sweet native story bursting with nature, sibling banter, Indigenous culture, and vibrant illustrations. This diverse story would be a wonderful addition to any picture book collection. However, it lacks back matter, which could have been helpful for some readers. Recommended for ages 6 to 7 (Grades 1 to 2).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

four-stars

On a chariot of fire: the story of India’s Bene Israel

On a chariot of fire: the story of India’s Bene IsraelOn a Chariot of Fire: The Story of India’s Bene Israel by Erica Lyons, Siona Benjamin
ISBN: 1646144341
Genres: Family, Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

You can learn a lot from a picture book. On a Chariot of Fire: The Story of India’s Bene Israel was my first introduction to this group of Jews who left Israel over two thousand years ago and landed on India’s coast. Nani Penkar details the traditionally told account of their arrival to her granddaughter Maya (both appearing to be Bene Israel Jews living in India) as they prepare Malida (a ceremonial rice dish). 

Nani relates the Bene Israel’s journey from the escape of religious persecution in Israel to a shipwreck off the coast of India and the integration of seven survivors into the community.  According to the author, the Bene Israel practiced Judaism without persecution in  Mumbai, “for they too had forbidden foods and holy days marked by the movement of the moon”. This adherence to religious traditions and practices leads to the appearance of a chariot of fire driven by Eliyahu HaNavi (Elijah), who declared that one day the Bene Israel would return to Israel, “because we hadn’t abandoned our faith”. 

The illustrations are vibrant and textural, although not always in harmony with the text. For those unfamiliar with the Bene Israel (like me), the story, in addition to the author’s note and glossary within the backmatter, provide an introduction to this group of people and their history. 

Recommended for school and public libraries.

Deanna Contrino, K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough

three-stars