Format: Picture Book Fiction

My Olive Tree

My Olive TreeMy Olive Tree by Hazar Elbayya
ISBN: 0593810228
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A young Palestinian girl learns all about olive trees from her grandfather; how they connect so many people in their community, how the olives are used in so many ways, and how they have come to represent peace, connection, and resilience. She decides to plant some seeds to grow her own olive tree, but it is unfortunately stomped on as soldiers pass through her town.The girl’s grandfather encourages her not to lose hope and tells her he will share the story of her tree with others. Not long after, the child comes upon a new grove of olive trees planted by her friends and neighbors.

Lovely, muted illustrations grace the pages of this incredible book. Elbayya’s author’s note gives readers more context, as well as a sense of the resilience and desire for peace. A timely selection, the hopeful messaging in this picture book is highly recommended for all libraries, although the text is intended for grades 1-2.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta.

five-stars

Ursula Upside Down

Ursula Upside DownUrsula Upside Down by Corey R. Tabor
ISBN: 0063275562
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Much as he did with Mel Fell and The Better Bone, Tabor plays with book orientation. Ursula is a happy pink catfish who enjoys her life eating bugs, until she is asked one day why she swims upside down. This query causes her to doubt herself and if she might be in the wrong. Readers are instructed to flip the book upside down. Ursula is not happy until she has a conversation with a bat that, of course, is hanging upside down. She is overjoyed to meet another creature who lives life unconventionally aligned. And, “just like that,” Ursula’s world—and the book—flips again. Food for thought for youngsters. Bubbly watercolors in tones of aqua and teal create an inviting watery world. An author’s note discusses the real-life upside-down catfish, found in the Congo River basin. An enjoyable readaloud for ages 4-7. Beginning readers will be tickled by the unorthodox book orientation.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Carry Me!

Carry Me!Published by Andersen Press Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
four-stars

Wilbur has always loved to be carried. Or given a piggyback ride. Or pushed in his stroller. When Mommy asks Wilbur to walk somewhere, his legs say, “Not today, thank you.” Wouldn’t his empty stroller be lonely? But one day, when he accidentally drops his plush rabbit and pops out of the stroller to get it, he comes back to find Mommy sitting in the stroller! Wilbur decides to give her a break and push her up the hill … with some help from his friends. Bright, cheery illustrations feature many parent and child relationships of all species of animals. Kids and their parents will giggle about this very relatable book, Wilbur appears to be part of a single-parent household. Ages 2-5.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

four-stars

Grumpy Monkey: Play All Day

Grumpy Monkey: Play All DayGrumpy Monkey Play All Day by Max Lang, Suzanne Lang
Series: Grumpy Monkey
ISBN: 0593709284
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Grumpy Monkey series returns with another humorous picture book featuring a stubborn Jim Panzee who only wants to play all day and ignore everything else. For him, nothing is more important than having fun. So Jim is avoiding his responsibilities. But by the end of the day when he is dirty, itchy, and hungry, his best pal Norman patiently tells him “Too much of anything can be, well, too much.” Max Lang’s cartoony illustrations are delightful and add to the hilarity. Children and parents alike will relate to this silly book.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Bubble Gum Bison Needs a Bath

Bubble Gum Bison Needs a BathBubble Gum Bison Needs a Bath (The Bison Family Series) by Pete Oswald, Scott Rothman
ISBN: 0593702956
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

The Bison family is back, and this time Bubble Gum Bison needs a bath – like really really needs a bath. At first, she’s merely covered in mud, and declines the opportunity to have one. When she tries to sneak back to the park to find her friends, she finds herself also covered in bubblegum and feathers! And even worse – the water is now out all over town since her brother decided to ram his head on the water tower. Bubble Gum Bison MacGyvers a water tower repair, and finds herself elated that the water is back on and everyone can now take baths again. This fun story has cute and colorful illustrations, and could even be a good tool for caregivers needing to coax resilient children into bathtime. Recommended for ages 5-7 (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade).

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

four-stars

Earnest Sandpiper’s Great Ascent

Earnest Sandpiper’s Great AscentEarnest Sandpiper’s Great Ascent by Timothy Basil Ering
Published by Candlewick Press on April 9, 2024
ISBN: 0763697354
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This heartfelt story is about overcoming fear using a gentle text and bright illustrations to encourage growth in one’s own sweet time. This is the day the sandpiper children will learn to fly. Two of them are ready; the third, Earnest, isn’t. His parents are patient and his siblings offer Earnest guidance and reassurance. After being left alone, Earnest makes a flying attempt but fails. He sees a free-flying balloon and follows it into the water and becomes entangled in its dangling ribbon. His cries for help go unanswered until his returning family finally arouses sufficient belief in himself that he is ready to fly. Earnest frees himself by flapping his wings hard, allowing him to take flight. An author’s note offers more information on the dangers balloons pose to wildlife. The largish-size format will make this a nice readaloud for ages 5-7 as it is on the longer side for a picture book and packs a lot into its pages. Follow-up with discussion.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Quill the Forest Keeper

Quill the Forest KeeperQuill the Forest Keeper by Marije Tolman
Published by Levine Querido on September 8, 2022
ISBN: 164614452X
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

It’s impossible not to enjoy a book that begins “Outside it’s cold and quiet. Inside it smells of hot blueberry pie.” While basking in the delicious aroma, Grandpa hedgehog is asked to tell a story of a prior, less relaxing time. He regales his family with a tale of the Terrible Rush Era, when everybody rushed around and had no time to pick up their environment. Everybody, that is, but Quill the Forest Keeper, a dedicated forest-cleaning hedgehog who worked so incessantly to clean up everyone’s mess he eventually collapsed, ushering in a new era of animals banding together to keep the forest clean and reprioritize their values.

In a time of political uncertainty and eco-anxiety, books like Quill the Forest Keeper become treasures. There is no virtue signaling involved on Quill’s part; he just does what he can to help out and ends up inspiring others to do the same. The illustrations are unique and bold, yet charming and effective. It’s pure hygge for the picture book set; a simple message full of comfort and warmth.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Life in the Wild

Life in the WildLife in the Wild: The Collected Adventures of the Bear, the Moose and the Beaver by Nicholas Oldland
Published by Kids Can Press ISBN: 1525312928
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Join the Bear, the Moose, and the Beaver (and an adorable unnamed bird) as they navigate life in the forest and the roles they play in their habitat. Read as the Bear, an unabashed hugger,  grapples with feeling anger for the first time in his life. See the Moose, suffering from severe FOMO, go on an adventure and return a forever changed cervid. And watch the Beaver, a relentless tree chewing machine, reform and make amends with the woods he has nearly mowed to the ground and the animals he has displaced in the process.

Life in the Wild combines absurdist humor, funny illustrations, and oddly touching stories to create a life lessons (of sorts) book that will have readers laughing out loud. Widely appealing stories and drawings will make this easy to recommend. An excellent addition to your library or classroom.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Spooky, Scary Skeletons

Spooky, Scary SkeletonsSpooky, Scary Skeletons: A Halloween Book for Kids and Toddlers by Andrew Gold, Polona Lovšin
ISBN: 0593903048
Genres: Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a picture book of the classic Halloween song, “Spooky Scary Skeletons,” written by renowned songwriter Andrew Gold in 1996. The illustrations depict a group of 6 children, five skeletons and one pumpkin, as they embark on a trick-or-treating adventure. The black cat hidden on each picture will add to re-readability, and the curving text style with prolonged vowels makes it difficult to not sing a little while reading it aloud. The illustrations by Polona Lovsin add to the whimsy. This would be a lovely addition to a Halloween-themed musical Storytime.

4 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay Niles Library, Jay

four-stars

Abuelita’s Gift: A Día de Muertos Story

Abuelita’s Gift: A Día de Muertos StoryAbuelita's Gift: A Día de Muertos Story by Mariana Ríos Ramírez, Sara Palacios
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on 9/10/24
ISBN: 0593568362
Genres: Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

In this beautifully illustrated picture book, Julieta is trying to figure out how to honor and celebrate her grandmother on Día de Muertos.  None of her ideas are working and on November 1, she still doesn’t have the perfect gift for her family’s ofrenda.  Finally, after looking through boxes of old photos, Julieta comes up with a special way to capture her grandmother’s joyful spirit.  Julieta dances like she did with her grandmother and feels her presence, realizing the bond they share will always be there when she dances.  The author’s note explains a little bit about the traditions of Día de Muertos and how they might differ family by family.  The text of the story incorporates Spanish words and the glossary at the end gives the meanings for these words. There is also a colorful illustration of an ofrenda and an explanation on the adjacent page of all of the different elements of the ofrenda.  This book would be an excellent addition to any children’s collection.  The story shows how families can remember loved ones who have died, with joy instead of sadness.  The illustrations are vibrant and really capture this festive time of year in Mexican culture. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars