Format: Picture Book Fiction

This Little Kitty

This Little KittyThis Little Kitty by Karen Obuhanych
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on January 31, 2023
ISBN: 0593435141
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Anyone who love cats will enjoy this book! The observations of cat behavior throughout the day are entirely on point, but the  bold, graphic-style illustrations are what really make this book exceptional. The numerous cats depicted all convey their unique appearance and personality, even though they are all created with basically the same three shapes – head, body and tail. Miss Katy from Rockland Public Library created a wonderful template and video of how these shapes work together as a craft activity to go along with the book.

The bouncy rhyming text reads smoothly and is not forced, making it a great choice for Story Time. A fun book for preschoolers and cat lovers!

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

How to Ride a Dragonfly

How to Ride a DragonflyHow to Ride a Dragonfly by Anne Wilsdorf, Kitty Donohoe
ISBN: 0593175646
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A child takes readers along on a Thumbelina–esque adventure in this whimsical and beautifully illustrated book. The shrunken blond caucasian little girl explores the world of flowers, bees, beetles, and fairies on the back of her dragonfly friend Priscilla. An element of suspense is that she will stay shrunk unless she returns to the same spot by sunset. Thin-lined watercolor and ink illustrations cleverly bring to life the dragonfly-filled landscapes and endearing characters. A fun bedtime story for preschool to primary children and can be used as a model for writing adventure stories in elementary classrooms. Pair with Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One by Kate Duke (1994).

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Sam With Ants in His Pants

Sam With Ants in His PantsSam with Ants in His Pants by April Reynolds, Katie Kordesh
ISBN: 059356460X
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Sam just can’t settle down for nap time. When he is sent to his room he opens a book of African wildlife and soon his room is filling up with packs of wild animals. This wears him out, and after enjoying a comforting bowl of soup with his mother, he finally naps.

Naptime books are popular, as are books about collective nouns (a crash of rhinoceroses! a charm of hummingbirds!), so this is an easy one to add to the shelves and would make a good choice for story time.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Twenty Questions

Twenty QuestionsTwenty Questions by Mac Barnett, Christian Robinson
Published by Candlewick Press on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 1536215139
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a book all about imagination. The text of Twenty Questions is simple, twenty open-ended questions, as advertised. Fun for ages 3 and up to imagine different scenarios based on the simple illustrations shown. Christian Robinson uses cut paper, stamps, and sharpie to create a jumping off point for kids’ creativity. This book can be used for a chat with children, or as writing prompts for elementary student. Some of the questions are really fun, but the ones with people feel a little bit like profiling.

Overall, this is a creative and fun read for one-on-one reading or groups.

Reviewed by Katie Drago, Rockland Public Library

five-stars

A Smart, Smart School

A Smart, Smart SchoolA Smart, Smart School by Anait Semirdzhyan, Sharon Creech
Published by Harper ISBN: 0063059614
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A companion picture book to Creech’s bestselling A Fine, Fine School. In this story, beloved Principal Keene is struck down with a burst appendix and taken to the hospital. The following week Mr. Tatters comes in to take his place. Suddenly, instead of art and singing and reading, students are testing, testing, testing! By Friday teachers can think of no more questions to ask, and student’s brains are “empty, empty, empty!”

Teachers and students go to the hospital on Saturday with a banner, cards and a song for Principal Keene, and he happily recovers enough to return to school on Monday, when things return to jolly normality.

This is a lovely book about the importance of creativity and joy at school, and of educators who instill a love of learning. Semirdzhyan’s digital illustrations are bold, colorful and perfectly in line with the spirit and words of the text. Written by a beloved Maine author, this will be a popular book in classrooms and libraries.

Reviewed by: Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

Doe’s Dandelions

Doe’s DandelionsDoe's Dandelions (Woodland Friends, #4) by Laura Renauld, Jennie Poh
Published by Beaming Books on March 7, 2023
ISBN: 1506485685
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

The fourth book in a series of picture books by author/illustrator duo Renauld and Poh. With alliterative titles and the same cast of woodland creatures, this book follows Doe as he deals with dandelions creeping into his bed of daffodils just before Doe needs to get his flowers ready for the Petal Parade. When he sets off to warn his neighbors of the invasive plant, he learns that not everyone sees dandelions as a nuisance and that different perspectives can offer a wider view of a thing you originally thought was a problem. In the end, Doe learns about all of the positive things a dandelion can be, and he and all of his friends incorporate the sunny flower into their bouquets for the Petal Parade.

The illustrations are a done in soft colors and all of the animals have a distinct look. The illustration where Doe speaks with Squirrel mentions a sign in Squirrel’s area and the illustration does not show a sign; later in the book, during the petal parade, Squirrel does have a sign. The font and size in each sign could be a lot bigger.  The back matter offers steps for holding your own Petal Parade.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Baxter Memorial Library, Gorham

three-stars

This Is a Story

This Is a StoryThis is a Story by John Schu, Lauren Castillo
Published by Candlewick Press on March 14, 2023
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This Is A Story is a sweet, quiet, simply worded book about a child finding a seahorse story at the library after flying a seahorse shaped kite. Most of the story is told through the illustrations, which are digital drawings painted in watercolor. The book has a gentle and encouraging message about the importance of libraries and books, and is sure to warm the reader’s heart.

This book will shine brightest with adults who will recognize many of the real picture book covers that are included in the illustrated library. The book is a love letter to libraries, finding connections, and imagination and would be lovely in a library story time.

Note: the dust cover of the book can be removed to become a poster that says, “Happy, Happy Reading!”

Reviewed by Katie Drago, Rockland Public Library

four-stars

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