Frank and Bert

October 2, 2023January 17, 2024

Frank and Bert (Frank and Bert, 1) by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
Published by Nosy Crow on February 3, 2022
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Frank the fox and Bert the bear are friends who enjoy playing hide-and-seek, and though they love it, Bert never wins. Finally, Bert asks for more time to hide and Frank, of course, complies. The book invites readers to count to 100 with Frank so that Bert has plenty of time to find the perfect hiding spot, but unbeknownst to him, his scarf has unravelled and left a trail for Frank to follow. When Frank gets to the end of the yarn, he could easily find Bert, but recognizing that Frank’s happiness is more important than winning, he calls for Bert to come out, that he has won! Then it’s Frank’s turn to hide and Bert has his own secret, which he shares with the reader with a wink. A large enough book for story time with pleasing illustrations and a delightful message about friendship and good sportsmanship.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

Moon’s Ramadan

September 29, 2023January 17, 2024

Moon's Ramadan by Natasha Khan Kazi
Published by Versify on February 28, 2023
ISBN: 0358694094
Genres: Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Since the Islamic calendar is based on a lunar cycle, this large picture book centers the moon as a character as it peeks on on practices and celebrations of Ramadan and Eid around the world. The moon has a delighted expression as it travels to different countries to watch as people fast, clean their spaces, and perform acts of kindness and charity. Foods and traditions are highlighted. Muslims of all sizes and skin tones and ages are shown, some with head coverings, others not. With a color palette of rich purples and golds, the illustrations offer details about the types of acts practiced as the phases of the moon progress. The book is useful for teachers who want to introduce the holiday and for public libraries who would like to diversify their holiday offerings.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

One World: 24 Hours on Planet Earth

September 28, 2023

One World: 24 Hours on Planet Earth by Nicola Davies, Jenni Desmond
Published by Candlewick Press on March 14, 2023
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

An ideal book to put on display for Earth Day, this gorgeous over-sized picture book uses the device of children traveling around the world to see what is happening at the exact same moment. At one minute to midnight on April 21 (the minute before it changes to April 22, the day that Earth Day is celebrated), two sisters from London, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) 11:59PM, witness that same minute across the globe. Focusing on natural scenes like turtles in India and pollinators in California, Davies’ clear prose highlights the flora and fauna at each location. Jenni Desmond’s beautiful, mixed-media illustrations fill each page and readers will delight in finding the sisters as they interact with the scene. Notes at the end of the book offer further insight into the book’s concept and defines climate change as well as suggesting actions readers can take to help preserve all of the wondrous sites and vulnerable plants and animals mentioned in the text. A well-crafted, thoughtful, and beautiful book.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

Be Happy: A Little Book of Mindfulness

September 14, 2023

Be Happy: A Little Book of Mindfulness by Maddy Bard, Emma Dodd
Published by Templar Books on March 7, 2023
ISBN: 1536229768
Pages: 24
Genres: Animals, Mental Health
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This book is a simple explanation of the concepts of mindfulness paired with Emma Dodd’s signature adorable animals, here two dogs named Hucky and Buzz. Some of the topics are better articulated than others. “Be Thankful” explains that Hucky and Buzz appreciate the little things and ask that you “look at the beautiful world around you.” This is not very specific. The Talk to Someone and Keep Busy are clearer. The book would be a nice introduction to mindfulness for a family with very young children or an elementary classroom.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

Snake’s Big Mistake

September 14, 2023September 15, 2023

Snake's Big Mistake by Sarah Kurpiel
ISBN: 0063093219
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Snake’s Big Mistake” is a picture book by Sarah Kurpiel about a snake (named Snake) who wants to make the best piece of pottery in art class. When he finds out that his art fell and broke, snake replaces his work with Turtle’s work and lies about it. The book is about lying, friendships, and apologizing and readers will follow along as Snake decides to come clean and then put in the work to fix his relationship with Turtle. The art is simple and colorful and adds to the humorous nature of the book.

I enjoyed how the book not only focused on Snake apologizing, but how Turtle wasn’t immediately happy afterwards and that Snake had to work hard to earn Turtle’s friendship and trust back. A recommended additional purchase for library picture book collections.

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

Hedge Lion

September 14, 2023

Hedge Lion by Robyn Wilson-Owen
Published by Andersen on March 7, 2023
ISBN: 1728492122
Pages: 24
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A story about finding your inner roar and letting it out before it gets too big. Ida lives in a busy town. Hedge Lion also lives in the town, but he insists that he is not a lion, but a hedge. Ida makes it her mission to reawaken the lion inside Hedge Lion. Using many methods, it is finally laughter, or the release that a good belly laugh brings, that unleashes the inner lion. Once Hedge Lion starts roaring, he is not able to stop until he gets out his Big Scary Roar, frightening Ida, himself, and the creatures who live in his mane. Using patience and the power of stories, Ida coaxes the creatures back, and her friendship allows the lion to be who he is and to let out his roars in small doses before they reach Big Scary level. Wilson-Owen’s line drawings are infused with bright yellow and complement the narrative. The message of the book is clear without being scary or too didactic. A nice read aloud to discuss big emotions and appropriate scale of reactions.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

B My Name Is Boy

September 13, 2023

B My Name Is Boy: A Song of Celebration from Australia to Zimbabwe by Dawn Masi
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on May 16, 2023
ISBN: 0593487125
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Dedicated to her son, this multi-cultural, inclusive picture book is a follow-up to the author’s G My Name Is Girl. Following the English alphabet, Masi takes readers on a world tour from Australia to Zimbabwe via the name game. For each letter, a boy, a friend, a country, and a favorite pastime is presented. One of my favorites is “L, my name is Lauris, and my teacher’s name is Ludis. We come from Latvia, and we can Lend”, which is, of course, in a library.

The full-page, muted illustrations enhance the gently encouraging text, reminding every boy of every ability that they can be and do so many things. Recommended for readers in first through third grade.

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

The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story

September 12, 2023September 13, 2023

The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story by Glenda Armand, Corey Barksdale
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on May 2, 2023
ISBN: 0593567463
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

As the family gathers together to hear Grandmother’s annual retelling of the story of Juneteenth, author Armand channels Clement C. Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas” to convey the excitement and promise the day brought to their ancestors. Freedom is a gift and like the coming of Christmas morning, the people of Galvaston, Texas anticipated the joy it would bring. With beautiful, flowing illustrations done in an expressionistic style, illustrator Corey Barksdale evokes movement and highlights the colors and emotions the family experienced on Juneteenth and after. An author’s note offers a clear historical explanation of Juneteenth and explains Armand’s homage to Moore’s meter and original subject matter (the coming of Christmas). A lovely addition to a holiday or history section in a school or public library.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

Sari-Sari Summers

September 10, 2023

Sari-Sari Summers by Lynnor Bontigao
Published by Candlewick Press on April 11, 2023
ISBN: 1536226149
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Each summer, Nora visits her grandmother (her lola) in the Philippines. Lola runs a small convenience store, and Nora is finally old enough to help out there. Upon her arrival, Nora notices how large the mango tree out front has gotten, and how it is laden with large, green fruit.

Nora has fun restocking, sorting, and measuring dry goods for customers, and it is clear that she and her grandmother adore spending time with each other. One hot day, no customers arrive, and two days stretch into three, four… Lola tells Nora it’s just because of the excessive heat, so Nora suggests they make ice candy. A mixture of the now-ripe mangoes, sweetened condensed milk, and a few other ingredients, the blended liquid is poured into long, thin, plastic ice pop bags and frozen. The pair advertise their new treat, and the customers return. For the rest of the summer, Nora and Lola create various flavors of ice candy, and locals stop by for a cold treat and whatever other daily necessities they might want or need.

This picture book gives readers a small, joyful glimpse into a culture that most Mainers are likely unfamiliar with, but can relate to nonetheless. A recommended purchase.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

Bing Bang Pling

September 8, 2023

Bing Bang Pling by Deb Adamson
Published by McSea Books on June 16, 2023
ISBN: 1954277164
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Bing Bang Pling includes simple, realistic, digital illustrations that are nice and clear for a toddler storytime. The text has short, rhyming sentences and fun onomatopoeias. The focus on everyday tools and building will be exciting and familiar to toddlers.

The book includes fun opportunities for interaction, like counting the nuts and screws or doing an ISpy for all the tools on the final page. I wish the cat was on every page, but the kitty also interacts with objects in the background which can make for great discussions when reading to a smaller group.

This book is not original, but building and construction have mass appeal. It is harder to find books with these themes including feminine-displaying main characters, so the book gets points for that. There is diversity of ethnicities and abilities in the background characters, but not in the main family. Rhyming and onomatopoeias are also big hits with kids. This isn’t an especially outstanding book, but I do think it would make a good addition to library collections.

Reviewed by Katie Drago, Rockland Public Library