Format: Picture Book Fiction

Leila the Perfect Witch

Leila the Perfect WitchLeila, the Perfect Witch by Flavia Z. Drago
Published by Candlewick Press on July 12, 2022
ISBN: 1536220507
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Leila is a very special little witch who shines in so many ways. From being the fastest flier, the craftiest carver, the sneakiest shapeshifter to winning many trophies for potions, herbology, and alchemy, she is a leader in her coven. Her biggest dream, however, is to be the best baker and win the Witchy Cake-off! Although she gives it her best, she comes up short on her baking skills. Fortunately, her three sisters come to her aid and share their baking secrets with her. Will this assistance be enough for her to rise to the top of the challenge?

The mixed media illustrations have a whimsical spirit and fill the pages with lots of details that children can pour over. Readers with an eagle eye will find Gustavo, the shy ghost making an appearance in the book. The ultimate message that winning isn’t everything makes a satisfying ending. Trying your best, having your family be proud of you, and then eating cake together….takes the cake! A sweet, and mildly spooky story perfect for any time of the year. A solid addition to any library.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, ME

three-stars

Hold Them Close: A Love Letter to Black Children

Hold Them Close: A Love Letter to Black ChildrenHold Them Close: A Love Letter to Black Children by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Patrick Dougher
Published by HarperCollins US on February 1, 2023
ISBN: 0063036177
Pages: 48
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a lyrical message to Black children to hold onto the gifts of loving, joyful moments during (and despite) difficult times. The prose lays the groundwork for the remarkably powerful and dynamic illustrations: digital collages of black and white photographs of a Black family (grandmother, father, two children) who love and laugh together juxtaposed with digital images that are eye-opening, sometimes celebratory and occasionally heartbreaking. The story and illustrations do not shy away from ugly realities of racial violence but it also honors Black history and history makers.

The book could make an excellent jumping-off point with older students able to discuss the fullness of Black history in America. Back matter and front matter make this even more effective. The author’s note in the front matter addresses how to talk to Black children about Black joy, history, and strength in the face of anti-Black violence. I would recommend familiarizing oneself with the information in the front and back matter before reading this aloud to a group. My first inclination was to recommend this *only* to older readers, because of the few images of anti-Black violence. However, this is the reality and history my youngest Black students live with every day, and they will love the images and story of a Black family thriving and loving each other.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

four-stars

The Blanket Where Violet Sits

The Blanket Where Violet SitsThe Blanket Where Violet Sits by Allan Wolf, Lauren Tobia
Published by Candlewick Press on August 30, 2022
ISBN: 076369665X
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A young family brings a picnic to a city park at dusk, in anticipation of viewing the night sky. The simple rhyming text follows the cadence of “The House That Jack Built”: “This is the blanket where Violet sits, eating a sandwich, an apple, and chips.” Violet is a young girl with light skin with a light-skinned dad and dark-skinned mom. This loving group is secure in what seems to be a regular, but still special, event as they set up their telescope and ready themselves for the dramatic spectacle of the clear and starry night.

The scope of the text expands page by page; the focus of the inviting illustrations zooms in on the family and then out again, wider and wider, until we can see the “known universe, past comprehension”. Children will enjoy the connections between the illustrations containing Violet and her toy spaceship to those of Violet imagining herself in space, traveling within the rocket ship. One nitpicky comment: the family members wear headlamps while they stargaze, and unless the light in the lamps is red (and it doesn’t appear so), the lamps will make it harder to see the stars.

This would make a great library read-aloud for a young audience or a lovely bedtime story for one lucky child.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

five-stars

Me and the Boss: A Story about Mending and Love

Me and the Boss: A Story about Mending and LoveMe and the Boss: A Story about Mending and Love by Michelle Edwards, April Harrison
Published by Anne Schwartz Books on October 11, 2022
ISBN: 0593310675
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Me and the Boss: A Story about Mending and Love tells a story with which most children will be familiar, about the sometimes complicated, sometimes simple love between older and younger siblings. The love and struggles in this picture book about Lee and his big sister (“The Boss”) Zora feel real, familiar and vital.

It is a day in the life of these siblings, and they go to the library together, where a craft project highlights the difference an age span can make in the finished product. Lee looks at Zora’s embroidered flower and has the uncomfortable awareness that his moon is not as polished. Lee learns to have patience with himself, and to have faith in his own abilities. A loving support system is in place, from a kind librarian, loving parents, and “The Boss” herself. The family, and the librarian are brown; other characters depicted in the book represent many skin colors.

The spare prose (“I reach for her hand, and she squeezes mine.”) and warm, vivid illustrations by April Harrison (Nana Akua Goes to School) work together beautifully. This would make a wonderful read aloud in a public or school library setting. As an added bonus, the back matter contains instructions for a simple embroidery project, great in any library MakerSpace/takeaway programming. Highly recommended for purchase.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

five-stars

What’s Sweeter

What’s SweeterWhat’s Sweeter by June Tate
Published by Katherine Tegen Books ISBN: 0063114135
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Charming is the word to use when describing this book. Readers might ask themselves what is so sweet about this book by a new author? Several answers would be appropriate; it is a perfect calm bedtime story, the illustrations are endearing, and the poetry flows across the pages. Tate’s illustrations and tempo reflect the work of Shirley Hughes who enchanted children and adults alike. Soft backgrounds lend themselves to the visual attraction and the color choices on various pages draw attention to the quiet actions, movements, and feelings of each character. Readers will be especially delighted with the illustrations of the butterflies and the last two- page spread showing a rainbow sunset.

What could be sweeter that a reassuring gentle story which reflects a time of peace and loving companionship? Add this to primary media centers and to public libraries where poetry and simple yet compelling art are appreciated.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, Retired Youth Services Librarian

four-stars

American Ballet Theater Presents: The Night Before The Nutcracker

American Ballet Theater Presents: The Night Before The NutcrackerThe Night Before the Nutcracker (American Ballet Theatre) by American Ballet Theatre, John Robert Allman, Julianna Swaney
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 0593180917
Pages: 40
Genres: Fairy Tale, Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Visually this book is lovely, readers of all ages will enjoy the art work, poetry, and informative back pages. It is a blend of the famous story “The Night Before Christmas” and the actual presentation of the Nutcracker Ballet. The magic begins on the first two-page spreads as the snowflakes encircle dreaming dancers. Unlike the typical Nutcracker picture book, this book goes behind the scenes revealing the work ethic of many cast members from youngsters to adults. Readers will appreciate the costume designers, stage set-up crew, and practice sessions of both dancers and musicians. There is magic on each page before, during, and after opening night.

Illustrations express emotion and movement frequently with the use of spotlights and floating snowflakes. Certainly any performance of the Nutcracker has magical qualities, and this picture book does not disappoint. Purchase for primary grade media centers and include in all public libraries. This book will not stay on shelves from early November through Christmas. “The Night Before The Nutcracker” will make a perfect read for any young dancer and those who dream of dancing on a stage.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, Retired Youth Services Librarian

five-stars

Brave Like Mom

Brave Like MomBrave Like Mom by Monica Acker, Paran Kim
Published by Beaming Books on November 1, 2022
ISBN: 1506483208
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

In Brave Like Mom, a young girl learns lessons about what it means to be “brave”, “fierce”, and “strong” in the face of her mother’s struggle with a serious illness (never named in the story) that “bubblegum medicine” cannot fix. The message is that these attributes can look really different on different people. The tone and message feels like the right balance for young children whose parents and caregivers are struggling with serious illness. The writing is fair and the illustrations are pretty but not dynamic. There is a need for picture books that address this difficult topic well, but libraries may be better served by other titles, possibly Cancer Hates Kisses by Jessica Reid Silwerski.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

two-stars

One & Everything

One & EverythingOne and Everything by Sam Winston
Published by Candlewick Studio on November 1, 2022
ISBN: 153621566X
Pages: 48
Genres: Arts
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

One & Everything is the story about the importance of preserving languages and how languages are subsumed and lost, when dominant cultures don’t make room for other cultures and their stories. This singular picture book uses typography and thoughtful discourse to tell a story that will captivate its audience, as it delivers the message that everyone’s story (not just yours!) has value. Winston’s deceptively simple illustrations – imperfect watercolor circles filled with scripts of languages, living and historic – capture the message powerfully.

The backmatter is rich with graphic representations of the scripts (how a language looks written down) starts with an author’s note discussing living languages and the rapid pace of language loss, in part due to globalization. According to Winston, “it’s believed that more than half of the world’s population speaks one of only twenty-three languages from the thousands in existence.”

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

five-stars

Shine Bright

Shine BrightShine Bright by Kheris Rogers, Mechal Renee Roe
Published by HarperCollins ISBN: 0063064782
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Shine Bright is a picture book by Kheris Rogers, young founder of a fashion line, Flexin’ in My Complexion. Rogers has a celebrity based on the success of this line and its promotion by superstars like Alicia Keys and Lupita Nyong’o. Rogers has raised awareness of the negativity she has faced based on her dark skin, and how she overcame that negativity by embracing her whole self, inside and out.

Imani, the main character of Shine Bright, is a joyful and exuberant dark-skinned girl. Her three favorite words are, “HI, I’m Imani!” and yet she faces these same challenges. Even as she shines bright at a skate park, strangers make hurtful comments about her skin color. We see how Imani internalizes these comments and the pain they inflict, until support from her older sister reminds her that her individuality and her dark skin are beautiful. The simple illustrations are upbeat and bright and convey the emotion of Imani’s story, sometimes more powerfully than the prose. It is a good picture book that talks about an important topic in a way that’s accessible to younger (publisher suggests ages 4-8) readers.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

four-stars

How to Help a Friend

How to Help a FriendHow to Help a Friend by Karl Newson, Clara Anganuzzi
Published by Templar on December 6, 2022
ISBN: 153622667X
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The gentle language and illustrations in this picture book will help young children understand and increase their awareness of how people process and experience sadness. In this picture book by Karl Newson, a young brown-skinned girl offers support to her (animal) friends when they are down. The accessible, rhyming text makes it clear that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to what friends need when they’re sad and that there isn’t only one way to be sad.

The overall mood of the story is that of love, caring, and compassion. The animals and young girl are clearly benefiting from the various approaches of friends helping each other through painful times. The sensitive pastel illustrations support this message. The language and rhythm of the text combined with the engaging illustrations make this an excellent SEL read-aloud for early elementary and preschool audiences, with opportunities for helpful discussion afterwards. Highly recommended for public and school libraries looking for quality SEL titles.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School, Saco

five-stars