Format: Picture Book Fiction

Safe at Last

Safe at LastFormat: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
five-stars

A young boy, James, with fair skin, bright blue eyes and dark brown bangs sweeping to the side of his bright red hooded jacket, lives alone on an island in harmony with his animal friends. His daily routine is idyllic. Under blue skies, James cycles around the small island with his cat in the bicycle basket, visiting birds, bears, otters, etc.  at their woodland homes, all of whom wave back. “Every day was the same. Every day was wonderful.”

Jones’ text and mixed-media illustrations work together to create an atmosphere that lets the reader feels what James experiences as he traverses the island — his contentment and happiness with his life and his friends and as the weather changes for the worse, his fear and concern for the animals as a raging storm blows across the island that evening. James is safe and cozy in his house, but as he looks outside at the dark, howling storm, he worries about his friends, and asks, “Should I go out and make sure they are safe?” There is no one else to respond, so James does: “Yes, I must!”.

He goes into the storm with his bright red coat and lantern, to check on the animals. Though the storm makes everything frightening and “different”, with only his lantern to stave off the dark, James call out at every animal’s home,  “Are you home? Are you safe?” No one responds. No one is home.

After looking everywhere, and locating no one, he acknowledges his uncertainty, fear, and loneliness. “It’s too scary. I want to go home.”The light of his lantern guides him home, only to see shapes in the window. Living alone has not prepared James for anyone else being in his home and he is frightened. Readers will most likely guess (correctly) that his friends are inside waiting for him, wanting to make sure he was safe. The next morning, with the storm gone, they all watch the sun rise together.

A story that lets readers know that they can be brave and scared at the same time, and be someone else’s bright, shining light in the process. Highly recommended for all picture book collections.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

five-stars

Book Comes Home: A Banned Book’s Journey

Book Comes Home: A Banned Book’s JourneyBook Comes Home: A Banned Book's Journey by Micah Player, Rob Sanders
Published by Random House Children's Books on 2025
ISBN: 0593813685
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Book Comes Home : A Banned Book’s Journey helps grown-ups explain book banning and organized activism to young readers using simple, direct language. Other picture books prompt discussion about the concept of banned books in school and public libraries, but this is the only one (I know of) telling the story from the book’s perspective.

Book is an approachable looking children’s book with a lovely lilac cover, shiny gold medal and a friendly smile, living her best life in a school library, well-loved and popular. Illustrations of children of different skin tones and sizes bringing Book home, enjoying, reading and discussing the story will resonate with many readers and the people who support their reading habits. Then one day, Book is removed from the shelves. Librarians and other adults will predict the next part of the story as Book is placed in a closet in the back of the library, with other books that have been challenged.

Inside the closet, the illustrations are dark and gloomy. Sanders, whose picture book, Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag, has been challenged and banned, shares the experiences of other books in the closet, placed there for being “scary”,  or for “mak(ing) people think”.  Inside the closet, Book questions whether these are bad things, and if she is bad. Outside the closet, a double-page spread illustration shows determined and impassioned readers  opposing the book banning; creating protest signs and phoning the school board.

Player makes good use of posters as messaging: readers create posters that say things like “Let Me Be. Let Me Read.” and outside the library,  quotes about reading, such as “Don’t be afraid to go in your library and read every book.” (Dwight D. Eisenhower).

Readers and librarians will appreciate the happy ending as Book and the other books are saved from the Banned Book Closet, and brought back into the light where the images are bright, colorful, and dynamic. Readers are reunited with the books they love and all is well.

Sanders includes a thoughtful author’s message that puts book banning in historic context and encourages  reading books that challenge us.  Also included in the back matter is a glossary and resources listing online websites for people interested in learning more about censorship from  the American Libraries Association and PEN America.  The end pages include words from the ALA’s Statement on book censorship. Highly recommended for school and public libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

five-stars

The Day Leap SOARED

The Day Leap SOAREDThe Day Leap Soared by Blair Braverman, Olivia When
Published by Harper on Oct 21, 2025
ISBN: 0063238055
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Sports
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

True confession – I am a fan of any book about sled dogs. This one is a delight for younger children. It is based on dogsledder Blair Braverman’s real-life team of sled dogs and her puppy Leap whose photographs grace the back of the book. In the story Leap is an adorable rambunctious puppy who cannot wait for her turn to join the sled dog team. She is understandably worried that she is not special or talented enough to be part of the team. She needn’t have worried because she performs magnificently until the iced-over river turns into a rushing stream that none of the dogs can figure out how to get across. However, Leap does what she does best … she leaps over the river! And the other older dogs follow her example and get safely across. I am not sure how the dogsled makes it across though but it does?????

A sweet book and a sweet message for young children. Both the narrative and the illustrations do an exceptional job of building a case for individuality as an asset and the value of using individual strengths to comprise a team.  The author’s note and photographs of the sled dogs add additional strength to the book. A throughly enjoyable dog story for preschool to age 7. It may create some sled dog enthusiasts, as well. This book would pair well with Big-enough Anna : the little sled dog who braved the Arctic written by Pam Flowers with Ann Dixon, Also a true story.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

A Hatful of Dreams

A Hatful of DreamsA Hatful of Dreams by Bob Graham
Published by Candlewick Press on November 11, 2025
ISBN: 1536245046
Genres: Magical Realism
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

There is still one vibrant house on the otherwise derelict street where a multigenerational family lives. The most interesting character is the grandfather who strums a guitar and lavishes the three children with outlandish stories about why Grandpa never takes off his hat  When the children finally convince him to take off his hat, a galaxy is released.

The eclectic mix of realism and magic is what makes the story interesting. The author/illustrator’s signature comical watercolors bring to life the gloom of the abandoned neighborhood,  the warmth of the home, and the magic that leaks from Grandad’s hat. Mom and Grandad are pale-skinned, while Dad and the kids are brown-skinned. A hopeful book but I am unsure whether young children will understand the message.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

The Littlest Drop

The Littlest DropThe Littlest Drop by Brian Pinkney, Jerry Pinkney, Sascha Alper
ISBN: 059330912X
Genres: Animals, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

The Littlest Drop is a story that was inspired by a parable from the indigenous Quechua people of South America, but was famously told by African Environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Wangari Maathai. In the story, a hummingbird is weaving a nest in the trees, getting ready to lay her eggs, when a fire breaks out in the forest below. It grows and grows, and the African animals all around panic and run to the riverbank to be safe. The hummingbird also goes to the river and takes a mouthful of water in her beak, then flies towards the fire and squirts at the fire to try and put it out.

The animals are bewildered by the hummingbird’s behavior. The elephant asks her, “Hummingbird, what are you doing? You cannot put out that terrible fire You are just a small bird.” and the hummingbird says, “I am doing what I can.”  And then, one by one, the animals move forward. “Then I will do what I can.” They go back and forth, and back and forth until they are exhausted. And then finally, the fire dies down. The hummingbird lets one last drop fall, and the fire goes out completely. The animals’ homes are safe and they all worked together to make it happen. The hummingbird and her tireless action is a beautiful little beacon of hope.

This is an inspiring story, but it’s also extraordinary in the way it was created. The book is physically large, with big colorful spreads on each page. Beloved author and illustrator, Jerry Pinkney started the black and white sketches for this book before he died in 2021. His son, Brian Pinkney, with his own award-winning, unique style, finished the sketches and completed the book’s illustrations in entirety . The illustration collaboration between legendary father and son, and powerful storytelling from Sascha Alper, makes this a five-star picture book. Ages 3-7

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

five-stars

Wash Day Love

Wash Day LoveWash Day Love by Raissa Figueroa, Tanisia Moore
ISBN: 1338897322
Genres: Cultural / African American, Family, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Tasha does not like Saturdays. On Saturdays the kitchen turns into a salon for wash day. Reluctantly, Tasha sits on the stool, water dripping over her head in the sink, while her mama scrubs and hums, her sister squeezes her hand, and her granny sings to the music. Together they get through wash day, crowns emerging fresh, hair laid, and edges smooth. This intergenerational story is a much-needed window or mirror into a regular tradition for Black families and showcases the beauty of natural hair. Illustrations are stunning and full of bright colors, textures, and varying scales – perfectly depicting the movement and emotions in the story. While this story is specifically about wash day, it is also very relatable for children with sensory sensitivities. Recommended for ages 4 to 8 (Pre-K to 3rd grade). Cream of the crop nominee.

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

five-stars

Weird and Wonderful You

Weird and Wonderful YouWeird and Wonderful You by Kah Yangni, Zaila Avant-Garde
ISBN: 0593568966
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This story is for the weird. The wonderfully wild and weird. An entirely motivational and inspiring message to embrace and love everything that makes us each unique. The text is simple, message is clear, and each page includes encouraging quotes from famous authors and artists. The illustrations are incredibly well suited to this story – a bright mixed media collage of a walk through a wonderfully special neighborhood, celebrating everyone and all the unique details. Recommended for ages 4 to 7 (Pre-K to 2nd grade).

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

four-stars

Wednesday is for Wiggling

Wednesday is for WigglingWednesday Is for Wiggling! by Eva Wong Nava, Holly Sterling
ISBN: 1536242993
Genres: Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Every day in the week can bring something to enjoy. Tuesdays are for tiptoeing at ballet class. Fridays are for playdates with friends. Sundays are for scooting with Daddy. Wednesdays are extra special – Wednesdays are for wiggling and spending time with Mama on her day off. This story showcases a weekly routine in the life of a curious and fun-loving child. While she is part of a co-parenting family that relies on daycare, babysitters, and time with grandparents, she has so much to enjoy and loves spending time with all of the important people in her life. This is a multicultural story with diverse characters and is a celebration of different family structures and routines. This story could be used as a tool for any family working through new routines or childcare situations. The illustrations are colorful, fun loving, imaginative, and perfectly capture the joyful busyness of a week in the life of a young child. Recommended for ages 4 to 7 (Pre-K to 2nd grade).

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

four-stars

Dawn

DawnDawn: Watch the World Awaken by Marc Martin
ISBN: 1536232408
Genres: Arts, Nature
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Drops of dew on a spiderweb. The fluttering of a hummingbird’s wings. A fish jumping to catch a fly and splashing down into a still lake. The reflection of the first glimmers of sunshine. Dawn. This picture book is all about the artwork, pairing single words with stunning watercolor illustrations on every page. This book feels like slowly waking up surrounded by the beauty of the natural world (big and small). A gorgeous addition to any picture book collection, and sure to be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Recommended for ages 4 to 8 (Pre-K to 3rd grade).

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

four-stars

Big Bike, Little Bike

Big Bike, Little BikePublished by HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks on 2025
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
five-stars

Is the bike big? Or is it little? Showing that it all depends on one’s perspective, the bike is in search of a rider from the opening pages where a curious pigeon wearing a bow tie decides to give the sparkling new single-speed bike with a “FREE” sign propped against it, a try. There is a “wibble”, a “wobble” and a “whoops”; the pigeon decides that the bike is too big and bids it adieu.

The bike’s journey continues through a variety of animals (rhinoceros, cheetah, turtle, etc.) with personalities shared through their charming accessories and responses to the bike, before and after they ride. Each experience contains amusing alliteration, onomatopoeia and a goodbye to the bike. With every new rider, the bike is transformed from a brand new two-wheeler to one salvaged from the bottom of a pond (minus a wheel) and restored by a resourceful man with brown skin and locs.

The bike is claimed by a girl with light brown skin and brown hair, who realizes that the bike is just right for her, as she  begins by riding the bike with training wheels. We watch her ditch the training wheels, as she gets older, sharing many adventures with her bike until she outgrows it. But the bike’s adventures aren’t over yet, as it is refurbished once more, and discovered by another child, with fair skin and reddish hair. The last illustration shows the child riding off on the bike with the pigeon from the first illustration in the bike basket.

The simple, rhythmic language and delightful illustrations express the pleasure, freedom, and adventure that only a bike can provide for a child. The illustrations are rendered in digital pastels and convey the energy, action and dynamism this story requires.

This story is a great conversation started about perspective and point of view or to lure children to the open road via two-wheels in May, during National Bike Month. Highly recommended for public and school libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

five-stars