The Way Champs Play

The Way Champs Playby Naomi Osaka, Kamala Nair
Published by HarperCollins, HarperCollins US on December 6, 2022
ISBN: 9780063283688
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Sports
Format: Picture Book Fiction
five-stars

The Way Champs Play by four-time Grand Slam tennis champion Naomi Osaka is a colorfully illustrated and diverse picture book featuring differently abled children playing in a variety of sports. This book sends a positive message that doing your best with a good attitude, kindness, and teamwork can lead to lots of fun.  It’s rhyming prose makes it a fun read aloud and will be loved by elementary students. Definitely a great addition to your shelves.

five-stars

Nell Plants a Tree

Nell Plants a TreeNell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter, Daniel Miyares
Published by HarperCollins US, Balzer + Bray on January 31, 2023
ISBN: 0062865773
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American, Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Wynter’s spare, verse-like text tells the story of a pecan tree, planted by Nell, in shifting timelines from the past (Nell planting the tree) to the present (Nell’s grandchildren enjoying its mature shade and fruit). Miyares’ gorgeous illustrations use pen and ink, gouache, and collage to fill each page with color and space, evoking a warm Southern afternoon in changing light. All characters are Black. Notes from both the author and illustrator at the end of the book discuss how personal this story is for them, growing up surrounded by family pecan trees – experiences which certainly played a large role in the development of this warm, beautiful story that will no doubt be popular with parents and children alike, and maybe inspire them to plant a tree of their own!

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

Chloe’s Lunar New Year

Chloe’s Lunar New YearChloe’s Lunar New Year by Lily LaMotte, Michelle Lee
Published by HarperCollins on January 3, 2023
ISBN: 0063076519
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Chloe, her smaller brother, and her parents prepare for the annual Lunar New Year celebration with Taiwanese traditions taking place on the night of the reunion dinner: sweeping out the old, new shoes, good-luck oranges, turnip cake, good-luck fish, fortune cake, red envelopes, and remembering those who have died. But it also incorporates an American dish of apple pie representing two cultures. There is a recipe for Fortune Cake in the back; readers need rice flour (not glutinous rice flour) and a steamer in order to make them.

An uncle with red hair and beard are part of this family reunion. There are many references to a beloved grandmother (A-má), for whom the hot pot is made, but she is only present in the family photos. Add to any collection where Lunar New Year books are popular or if there is a need to build up cultural holiday books. This is a loving book to add to the collection.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Pick a Perfect Egg

Pick a Perfect EggPick a Perfect Egg by Patricia Toht, Jarvis
Published by Candlewick Press on February 14, 2023
ISBN: 1536228478
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In this seasonal rhyming Easter story, a girl and her mother gather eggs at a farm. They bring them home and hard-boil, dye, and decorate them ahead of the next morning’s Easter egg hunt. The illustrations, filled with spring colors, are joyful.

The little girl, with reddish-brown hair, blue eyes, and freckles, wears a white rabbit costume and joins other pale and brown-skinned friends for an Easter egg hunt. There are no religious references. The rhyme scheme works well and is easy to read aloud making this a good choice to share for story time. Companion book to “Pick a Pine Tree” and “Pick a Pumpkin” by same author and illustrator duo. This would make an excellent book to add to the library’s spring/Easter collection.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure Hunt

Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure HuntDakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure Hunt by Jamie Michalak, Kelly Murphy
Published by Candlewick Press on May 2, 2023
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy, Mystery
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A trip to Paris, a treasure hunt through a cafe/bookshop, and an adorably inquisitive mouse for a main character: what could be better? Michalak and Murphy team up again to bring us another Dakota Crumb adventure, this time beginning with a plea for help from a Parisian cousin and ending with (spoiler alert) a surprise birthday party!

This whimsical picture book leads young readers on a quest to find clues and search for a missing book, all while keeping an eye out for cats and a dog. The real treasure is the gorgeous watercolor illustrations. Murphy has an interesting way of playing with light and dark, and she creates plenty of tiny details that will charm kids and their grown-ups.

This book is recommended for all libraries that serve children in preschool through early elementary and will especially appeal to readers who are interested in miniatures and search-and-find books. After the conclusion of the story, readers are given an opportunity to look back through the book to find a series of small items hidden throughout the pages.

Reviewed by Kristy Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

four-stars

The World and Everything In It

The World and Everything In ItThe World and Everything in It by Kevin Henkes
Published by Greenwillow Books on March 28, 2023
ISBN: 0063245647
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

I debated as to what genre to use to describe this book and finally settled on poetry. In typical Kevin Henkes style, the book is spare on words complimented by colorful, muted illustrations. It begins by comparing things that are little (tiny animals, flowers, pebbles, and things so small you can’t see them) with things that are big ( the sea, sun, and moon). And there are all the things that are in between, including you. Then it goes on to reflect how all things fit together.

An excellent book to use in teaching social emotional learning as the book touches upon curiosity, self-awareness, and belonging.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Granny Left Me a Rocket Ship

Granny Left Me a Rocket ShipGranny Left Me a Rocket Ship by Heather Smith, Ashley Barron
Published by Kids Can Press on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 1525305522
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

When Granny dies, she leaves father a tuba, mother a locket, sister a microscope, and brother a record collection. To the young boy, though, Granny leaves a world of adventure and a blue cane (never mentioned, but the cane can be spotted in each illustration). Granny is right beside him as he visits their memories.

Using spare prose, this is a beautiful story about loss, grief, and how to joyfully remember loved ones after they’re gone. Ashley Barron’s cut-paper collage illustrations are bright and colorful, bringing fun to the story and truly capturing the child’s imagination.

A wonderful resource about grief and the importance of preserving our memories of loved ones who have died.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

What If I’m Not a Cat?

What If I’m Not a Cat?What If I'm Not a Cat? (-) by Kari-Lynn Winters, Kelly Collier
Published by Kids Can Press on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 1525305530
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Donkey thought he was a cat! He lived with cats, behaved like a cat, and the other cats accepted him. He was happy. However some things are not quite right. Donkey has an existential crisis when farmer says something that makes her question who she is. And it causes the other cats to question who they are. This book is hilarious and the humor is spot-on for young children. The illustrations are adorable, funny, and depict each cat’s personality. Speech bubbles compliment the text. Sure to be a story-time crowd-pleaser, this picture book could lead to discussions about identity and inclusiveness. At the end, one cat sums it up perfectly, “What does it matter? Donkey’s just Donkey.” Donkey has a different conclusion, but I don’t want to spoil it for the readers.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

As Brave As a Lion

As Brave As a LionAs Brave as a Lion by Erika Meza
Published by Candlewick Press on May 16, 2023
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

As Brave As a Lion by Erika Meza is the story of a young girl and her lion companion who helps her be brave. She lists all the ways the lion helps her, and then the reader goes on an adventure where our protagonist climbs the tallest slide but is too afraid to go down it. She looks to her lion for comfort, but he is scared too! So she decides to be brave for both of them. This book is a charming and sensitive look at facing your fears and figuring out what it means to be brave. The illustrations are bright and gorgeous and each of the characters are dynamically drawn and enjoyable to follow throughout the story. This is a great addition to any collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

five-stars

Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur?

Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur?Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur? by Helen Yoon
Published by Candlewick Press on May 9, 2023
ISBN: 1536226254
Pages: 32
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur? by Helen Yoon is a wonderfully illustrated story about a young boy who gives his dinosaur a bath and then can’t find him afterward. The use of crayon illustrations and negative space is a clever way to show where the dinosaur might be, without giving it away entirely. The premise did seem to promise more seeking out of the dinosaur as the reader, and perhaps this book would’ve benefited from a few more pages and for the reader to actively seek out the missing dinosaur. Overall a lovely addition to any collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

four-stars