Format: Picture Book Fiction

El Punto

El PuntoEl punto (Creatrilogy) (Spanish Edition) by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Candlewick Press on September 15, 2003
ISBN: 1536240761
Genres: Arts
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“El Punto” is the Spanish translation of Peter H. Reynolds’ picture book “The Dot,” translated by Georgina Lazaro. Vasti is frustrated because she doesn’t think she can make art. Her art teacher tells her to just make a mark. She makes a small dot (el punto) in frustration. The art teacher has her sign it and displays it. Vasti thinks that she can do better so she makes bigger and better dots, eventually sharing with others that everyone can make art.

Reynolds’ illustrations are a mixture of monochrome line drawings with colorful dots that highlight the art Vasti makes. Readers will enjoy the message that anyone can be an artist. A must-buy for Spanish language picture book collections. For ages 6-9.

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

four-stars

The Haunted Scavenger Hunt

The Haunted Scavenger HuntThe Haunted Scavenger Hunt: A Spook-tacular Storybook: (A Halloween Haunted House Adventure with Engaging Rhymes and Surprising Twists - For Toddlers, Preschoolers, and 1-2 Graders) by Roland Garrigue, Steve Patschke
Published by Templar Books ISBN: 1536235237
Genres: Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Four delightfully disobedient children encounter a box that contains explicit rules for them to follow. They immediately break them, which leads to a series of additional rules that they have no intention of following. Suspense starts to build as the friends disappear, one at a time, until one child remains. In the dark. On Halloween night.

In addition to being a terrific read-aloud book, this picture book is an excellent introduction to the horror genre. It’s fun and has a great rhythm to it, and after things start to get a little uncomfortable, the upbeat ending sheds a new light on the entire story. Just read it in plenty of light,  not due to the scare factor, but because there is a lot of squint-inducing dark text on dark backgrounds.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free  Library, Bath

 

four-stars

Seven Little Ducklings

Seven Little DucklingsSeven Little Ducklings: (An Adorable Counting Book for Kids Ages 2-5) by Annette LeBlanc Cate
Published by Candlewick Press on January 7, 2025
ISBN: 1536235741
Genres: Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Seven Little Ducklings is a sweet and comical counting book featuring mama duck and her seven eggs. She awakes one more to find her ducklings have hatched while she was asleep and she leaps to action to gather her wayward offspring. As she finds some and rescues others from calamities she adds other young animals to her brood. When they get back to the nest that night she finds she has thirteen and not her original seven. A mother’s love knows no bounds and she settles them all under her wings for a good night’s sleep.

Gorgeous watercolor illustrations set the scene on each page with clarity and focus.

Ages 3-7

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

Unnaturally Blue

Unnaturally BlueUnnaturally Blue by Byron Eggenschwiler, Dorson Plourde
ISBN: 1525311336
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Supernatural
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

In a busy community pool, a girl who used to “swim in perfect patterns,” struggles to find joy in this deeply symbolic book about finding yourself. With stunning, magical illustrations, and overly poetic text, the unnamed main character feels as if there is no room for her tears in the community pool. She dives down the the depths where she is able to pull the plug and swim down the drain. She finds peace in the quiet of the swampland she discovers, and transforms into an amphibious girl/sea-creature. When she swims up, she notices that all the children from the pool have transformed into other creatures as well, and there is joy in the chaos of being wild together. She is happy in the ability to be herself in the end, and she is pictured getting out of the pool and talking with friends.

While this book is undoubtedly fascinating, it’s also difficult to follow. The writing will take turns complimenting the illustrations, but then will overwhelm the reader with its bravado. It will certainly connect with some readers, but not all. Recommended for upper elementary kids, or even YA.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Hilwa’s Gifts

Hilwa’s GiftsHilwa's Gifts by Anait Semirdzhyan, Safa Suleiman
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536229423
Genres: Cultural / African American, Family, Gardening, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Ali is visiting his family in Palestine – his first ever visit during the olive harvest. Above all, Ali is so excited to see Hilwa, his most beloved olive tree, immediately running to climb on her branches and sit in her shade. Ali is surprised to learn how olives are harvested by whacking the branches, and reluctantly learns to accept the technique after trying to pick Hilwa’s olives by hand (one by one). The whole family pitches in with the harvest – singing, clapping, and dancing along the way. The olives from the tree bring many gifts – from oil to soap, and everyone comes together to celebrate the harvest with a delicious picnic. Best of all, Ali comes home with a cutting to grow his own olive tree. Complete with an Arabic glossary and author’s note, this story is a joyous celebration of Palestinian culture, and is recommended for any picture book collection. The sketchy/watercolor illustrations create depth on each page and are full of life. Recommended for ages 6 to 7 (Grades 1 to 2). Cream of the crop nominee.

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

five-stars

What Coco Can Do

What Coco Can DoWhat Coco Can Do by Maribeth Boelts, Stephanie Laberis
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536229482
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Coco is a dog with a special talent – he loves to cuddle. There are so many special talents and jobs that dogs have (such as herding, tracking, and rescuing). Coco is a therapy dog. When Coco goes out wearing his vest, he is ready to work and cuddle with whoever needs some extra love and support that day. This book is for any dog lover, and showcases the many exciting and different jobs that dogs have. The digital illustrations are fun and expressive. Diverse people and situations are shown throughout the book. While lacking back matter about service dogs, this would be a great stepping stone to a more in-depth lesson about service dogs. Recommended for ages 5 to 7 (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade).

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

four-stars

Willow and the Wildflowers

Willow and the WildflowersWillow and the Wildflowers by Matthew Schufman
ISBN: 0593648307
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Willow is afraid of everything. She gets invitations to go to cool things like pool parties and dances, but declines because of her many fears (like water and the dark). Until one day she gets an invitation for something she simply can’t refuse – wild flower fields blooming for one week only. Willow loves flowers so much that she decides to embark on the long journey to see them. Throughout her journey, she encounters many of her fears. However, she also meets new friends who reassure her at each step of the way. A lovely story for any reader, but especially helpful for kids suffering from fears or anxiety. The illustrations are incredibly fun and vibrant. Recommended for ages 5 to 7 (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade).

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

five-stars

Fairy Walk

Fairy WalkGenres: Adventure, Fantasy, Nature
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
four-stars

A trio of diverse kids and their dog head off into the wild world in search of fairies. (The dog comically is the only one who is able to spot quite a few fairies.) The children don’t find a fairy but get much more out of their day of exploration – finding small treasures, a lizard, and the magic found in everyday nature. The digitally colored watercolor, pencil, and collage illustrations are magical and an observant reader will spy a number of fairies, and a ladybug, hidden among the pages. The text is simple and quite poetic. (IMHO a bit too poetic. I would have appreciated more narrative.) And my pet peeve: I find it annoying when authors have flowers that don’t bloom at the same time featured blossoming together. Snow drops are a spring flower and bee balm blooms in mid-summer. Come on authors – do your research! Despite these shortcomings, the pictures are lovely and the book will inspire kids to go on their own fairy walk. It would be a nice addition to book sets and projects about fairy houses.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Lily the Pond Mermaid

Lily the Pond MermaidGenres: Fantasy, Mental Health, Nature
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
three-stars

Lily cares for the plants, obtains algae for the snails, and cleans up garbage thrown into the water. She frets too much and is overwhelmed when a storm ravages the pond. Lily talks through her fears with her friends, and together they restore the pond. A useful text for a child-friendly representation of anxiety and how to deal with it. The illustrations are beautiful. An especially eye-catching full-page image depicts Lily floating on the water’s surface, too worried to sleep. The text sometimes doesn’t doesn’t have a smooth flow of a story, and  I did not find the plot that compelling. This book could be useful for a child dealing with anxiety.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Natterjack Toad Makes a Mighty Crunch

Natterjack Toad Makes a Mighty CrunchGenres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
five-stars

Natterjack Toad, dressed in a yellow shirt, red and yellow-striped shorts, and carrying a picnic basket, only wants to find the perfect place to eat his favorite snack: “CHOCOLATE-CHUNK CRUNCHY-MUNCH COOKIES.” However, their loud crunch will alert his whereabouts to predators so he has to keep moving to a different location from the pond, to the meadow, to the forest. When he ignores the warning and makes a mighty crunch that alerts the wild hog, he saves himself (and the mole and the vole) by giving up his package of cookies. There is a happy ending, but I won’t spoil it for you.

This humorous book is a delightful readaloud. The illustrations are large and bold and add to the silliness of the story. Three insect pals (a firefly, a dragonfly, and a beret-wearing worm) are fun to spot on the pages

I never heard the word “natterjack” before (Isn’t it delightful?!) so I looked it up. A natterjack toad is a small European toad which has a bright yellow stripe down its back. The author lives in England.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

five-stars