Format: Picture Book Fiction

Pick a Perfect Egg

Pick a Perfect EggPick a Perfect Egg by Patricia Toht, Jarvis
Published by Candlewick Press on February 14, 2023
ISBN: 1536228478
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In this seasonal rhyming Easter story, a girl and her mother gather eggs at a farm. They bring them home and hard-boil, dye, and decorate them ahead of the next morning’s Easter egg hunt. The illustrations, filled with spring colors, are joyful.

The little girl, with reddish-brown hair, blue eyes, and freckles, wears a white rabbit costume and joins other pale and brown-skinned friends for an Easter egg hunt. There are no religious references. The rhyme scheme works well and is easy to read aloud making this a good choice to share for story time. Companion book to “Pick a Pine Tree” and “Pick a Pumpkin” by same author and illustrator duo. This would make an excellent book to add to the library’s spring/Easter collection.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure Hunt

Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure HuntDakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure Hunt by Jamie Michalak, Kelly Murphy
Published by Candlewick Press on May 2, 2023
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy, Mystery
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A trip to Paris, a treasure hunt through a cafe/bookshop, and an adorably inquisitive mouse for a main character: what could be better? Michalak and Murphy team up again to bring us another Dakota Crumb adventure, this time beginning with a plea for help from a Parisian cousin and ending with (spoiler alert) a surprise birthday party!

This whimsical picture book leads young readers on a quest to find clues and search for a missing book, all while keeping an eye out for cats and a dog. The real treasure is the gorgeous watercolor illustrations. Murphy has an interesting way of playing with light and dark, and she creates plenty of tiny details that will charm kids and their grown-ups.

This book is recommended for all libraries that serve children in preschool through early elementary and will especially appeal to readers who are interested in miniatures and search-and-find books. After the conclusion of the story, readers are given an opportunity to look back through the book to find a series of small items hidden throughout the pages.

Reviewed by Kristy Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

four-stars

The World and Everything In It

The World and Everything In ItThe World and Everything in It by Kevin Henkes
Published by Greenwillow Books on March 28, 2023
ISBN: 0063245647
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

I debated as to what genre to use to describe this book and finally settled on poetry. In typical Kevin Henkes style, the book is spare on words complimented by colorful, muted illustrations. It begins by comparing things that are little (tiny animals, flowers, pebbles, and things so small you can’t see them) with things that are big ( the sea, sun, and moon). And there are all the things that are in between, including you. Then it goes on to reflect how all things fit together.

An excellent book to use in teaching social emotional learning as the book touches upon curiosity, self-awareness, and belonging.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Granny Left Me a Rocket Ship

Granny Left Me a Rocket ShipGranny Left Me a Rocket Ship by Heather Smith, Ashley Barron
Published by Kids Can Press on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 1525305522
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

When Granny dies, she leaves father a tuba, mother a locket, sister a microscope, and brother a record collection. To the young boy, though, Granny leaves a world of adventure and a blue cane (never mentioned, but the cane can be spotted in each illustration). Granny is right beside him as he visits their memories.

Using spare prose, this is a beautiful story about loss, grief, and how to joyfully remember loved ones after they’re gone. Ashley Barron’s cut-paper collage illustrations are bright and colorful, bringing fun to the story and truly capturing the child’s imagination.

A wonderful resource about grief and the importance of preserving our memories of loved ones who have died.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

What If I’m Not a Cat?

What If I’m Not a Cat?What If I'm Not a Cat? (-) by Kari-Lynn Winters, Kelly Collier
Published by Kids Can Press on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 1525305530
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Donkey thought he was a cat! He lived with cats, behaved like a cat, and the other cats accepted him. He was happy. However some things are not quite right. Donkey has an existential crisis when farmer says something that makes her question who she is. And it causes the other cats to question who they are. This book is hilarious and the humor is spot-on for young children. The illustrations are adorable, funny, and depict each cat’s personality. Speech bubbles compliment the text. Sure to be a story-time crowd-pleaser, this picture book could lead to discussions about identity and inclusiveness. At the end, one cat sums it up perfectly, “What does it matter? Donkey’s just Donkey.” Donkey has a different conclusion, but I don’t want to spoil it for the readers.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

As Brave As a Lion

As Brave As a LionAs Brave as a Lion by Erika Meza
Published by Candlewick Press on May 16, 2023
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

As Brave As a Lion by Erika Meza is the story of a young girl and her lion companion who helps her be brave. She lists all the ways the lion helps her, and then the reader goes on an adventure where our protagonist climbs the tallest slide but is too afraid to go down it. She looks to her lion for comfort, but he is scared too! So she decides to be brave for both of them. This book is a charming and sensitive look at facing your fears and figuring out what it means to be brave. The illustrations are bright and gorgeous and each of the characters are dynamically drawn and enjoyable to follow throughout the story. This is a great addition to any collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

five-stars

Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur?

Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur?Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur? by Helen Yoon
Published by Candlewick Press on May 9, 2023
ISBN: 1536226254
Pages: 32
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur? by Helen Yoon is a wonderfully illustrated story about a young boy who gives his dinosaur a bath and then can’t find him afterward. The use of crayon illustrations and negative space is a clever way to show where the dinosaur might be, without giving it away entirely. The premise did seem to promise more seeking out of the dinosaur as the reader, and perhaps this book would’ve benefited from a few more pages and for the reader to actively seek out the missing dinosaur. Overall a lovely addition to any collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

four-stars

Let’s Go Puddling

Let’s Go PuddlingLet's Go Puddling! by Emma Perry, Claire Alexander
Published by Candlewick Press on April 25, 2023
ISBN: 1536228494
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Let’s Go Puddling is a fun onomatopoeic picture book about the joys of a rainy day. A group of small friends (accompanied by their caregivers) race to jump in puddles and enjoy the rain. The illustrations are mixed media with a diverse cast of characters, and both text and illustrations support each other in the telling of the story. A worthwhile addition to a picture book collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

five-stars

My Friend, Loonie

My Friend, LoonieMy Friend, Loonie by Nina LaCour, Ashling Lindsay
Published by Candlewick Press on March 28, 2023
ISBN: 1536213934
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

My Friend, Loonie is about a young girl who befriends a yellow balloon and takes Loonie with her everywhere she goes, using it as a security blanket of sorts. When the balloon inevitably drifts away, she is sad but with the help of her two moms, she plants a flower to remember Loonie and begins to find yellow everywhere she looks. The prose is sweet and will ring true for any caregiver who has had to accommodate for the odd friends their children find. The illustrations are where this book shines however; the colors are vibrant and eye-catching and when the balloon disappears, the artist weaves in the color yellow more and more as the book continues. A worthwhile addition to any collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

five-stars

How to Write a Poem

How to Write a PoemHow to Write a Poem by Deanna Nikaido, Kwame Alexander, Melissa Sweet
Published by Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins ISBN: 0063060906
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A visually gorgeous book that invites readers to immerse themselves in colorful, poetry-making experiences through wordplay and art. Sweet’s collage illustrations and hand lettering exists symbiotically with Alexander and Nikaido’s text, blurring the line between written art and visual art, giving each page both words to ponder upon and endless artistic details to contemplate. A pitch-perfect introduction to all that poetry can be.

Easy to put in the hands of young children who enjoy looking at books on their own, and for families to read aloud; could also be used in a story hour paired with collage crafts. Highly recommend.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars