Format: Picture Book Fiction

Magnolia Flower

Magnolia FlowerMagnolia Flower by Zora Neale Hurston, Ibram X. Kendi, Loveis Wise
Published by Amistad Books for Young Readers on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 0063098318
Pages: 40
Genres: Fairy Tale, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This adaption of African American folklorist Zora Neale Hurston’s short story is a moving tribute to both Black Americans and Indigenous people. Magnolia Flower is a girl born to parents who fled slavery and the Trail of Tears. She falls in love with a young man of letters who her father disapproves of. Magnolia must make a choice and sets off on a journey with John that will prove just how brave she is. Colorful digital illustrations complement the story, featuring many components of the natural world. A good choice of picture books for older students followed up with discussions of U.S. history and also a good addition for Black History Month collections.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

I Wish

I WishI Wish by Christoph Niemann
Published by Greenwillow Books on October 11, 2022
ISBN: 0063219794
Pages: 80
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A wordless picture book about anticipation in an age of instant gratification. The simple line drawings tell the story of a little girl who is fascinated by a gift-wrapped mystery. The drawings are black and white, with only the gift in color, drawing the eye (and the little girl) to the object. She goes through a range of emotions as she gets to the final layer of gift wrap. With the gift still wrapped, she is allowed to imagine whatever she wishes onto the object as it changes shapes and transports her far and wide.

The illustrations are charming, reminiscent of This is Not a Box by Portis. At this time of year, when wrapped gifts and their contents are everyone’s focus, this is a fun exploration of “the wait.”

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Librarian, Saco

three-stars

Octopus Shocktopus!

Octopus Shocktopus!Octopus Shocktopus! by Peter Bently, Steven Lenton
Published by Nosy Crow on August 9, 2022
ISBN: 1536223964
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A bright orange octopus is found on the roof of a home located in a seaside village. Perhaps not snugly like a teddy bear or soft like the household cat, an octopus is a cool outdoor pet. Long arms are used for playing games, hanging laundry, and painting fences. Bently’s rhyming text is action-packed and funny while being poetic (though a little forced in places). Lenton brings the visiting octopus to life with his use of facial expressions; there is no doubt how the visitor feels about the children who live in this charming seaside village.  While most of the pages represent the blue and green natural environment, there are brilliant pops of color like the fantastic double-page spread showing an octopus Christmas tree. This would make a fun read-aloud. Youngsters and adult readers are sure to enjoy this laugh out loud humorous new title as they imagine a marine animal being stuck on their roof.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired children’s librarian

five-stars

Granny and Bean

Granny and BeanGranny and Bean by Karen Hesse, Charlotte Voake
Published by Candlewick Press on September 27, 2022
ISBN: 1536214043
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A beautifully illustrated picture book that follows the simple yet lyrical text expected from author Hesse. Regardless of the gray sky, Granny and Bean enjoy a near perfect walk on the beach and readers are drawn in to their magical beach walk. The text is bold and easily read. Illustrator Voake’s choice of bright primary colors bring the characters to the forefront in each illustration, and even within all the gray, there is constant movement on each page. Newly arriving beach walkers are interesting with their colorful umbrellas and dogs but it is the birds who steal the show. Add this to primary school media centers and to public libraries, particularly those within driving distance of a loved beach though land-locked communities would benefit from placing this book on their shelves.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired children’s librarian

five-stars

My Brother is Away

My Brother is AwayMy Brother Is Away by Sara Greenwood, Luisa Uribe
Published by Random House Studio on October 11, 2022
ISBN: 0593127161
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This heartfelt picture book is based on the author’s personal experience of growing up while having a brother who was incarcerated. The young girl in the story reflects on the challenges and emotions of having her brother away from home. She fondly remembers the times before he was sent away when they would do things together like flying kites, listening to stories at bedtime, or riding on his shoulder in the moonlight. It was tough for her at times when people wanted to know where her brother was. Or when they talked about the bad thing that he did. The story never reveals any details about what her brother did.

The story closes with a much anticipated trip to visit her brother in prison, and ends on a hopeful note, with her brother’s love still as strong and her realization that other families are going through the same experience as her family. The author’s note provides background information on her experience with her brother in jail from the time she was in first grade to eighth grade.

A powerful story that will be helpful for anyone going through this themselves. The illustrations, rendered in Photoshop, are soft and muted throughout with the exception of the times when the young girl is remembering her brother. In these pages, the palette is bright and joyful. Aimed at readers aged 4 to 8 , this picture book will also be of interest to older readers and adults. A strong addition to both school and public libraries as there may not be many picture books on this subject.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Children’s Librarian, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library.

four-stars

I Love You All Year Round: Four Classic Guess How Much I Love You Stories

I Love You All Year Round: Four Classic Guess How Much I Love You StoriesI Love You All Year Round: Four Classic Guess How Much I Love You Stories by Sam McBratney, Anita Jeram
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536228540
Pages: 72
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This new take on the classic Guess How Much I Love You story does not disappoint! I Love You All Year Round is a picture book split into four short stories based on the seasons and follows Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare as they play and learn together. The watercolor illustrations are beautiful and calming and show the love between the two characters. This would be an nice addition to any bookshelf. This book is perfect for preschool/kindergarten age kids and would be an amazing bedtime read aloud.

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75, Woodside

four-stars

Tell the Truth, Pangolin

Tell the Truth, PangolinTell the Truth, Pangolin by Melinda Beatty, Paola Escobar
Published by Anne Schwartz Books on October 18, 2022
ISBN: 0593180135
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Pangolin accidentally breaks the Queen’s swing, and, not sure what to tell her, seeks advice from his friends in the castle (a badger, goose, cat, fox, and pug). They all come up with increasingly outlandish excuses, and he does not know what to do. Ultimately, he does the right thing and tells the Queen the truth. She forgives him and they fix the swing together. It’s a gentle story with simple text, and is a fine vehicle for a theme of truth-telling, but the best part are Escobar’s digital illustrations, which are colorful, detailed and gorgeous, filling each page. Recommend for grades K-1.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

four-stars

Namaste Is a Greeting

Namaste Is a GreetingNamaste Is a Greeting by Suma Subramaniam, Sandhya Prabhat
Published by Candlewick Press on October 11, 2022
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Namaste has always been associated with the practice of yoga but it has many meanings. It is a word for mindfulness, to take in all that is around. The author explores the word through the eyes and feelings of a little girl going on errands with her grandmother. Namaste is the greeting she hears all along the way. It has many meanings: I bow to you, I recognize your value, it is silence, it is a word that calms your heart. It is a bond. The text is simple and quiet but is complimented with big, bright illustrations that bring the spirit of the word to the youngest readers. You don’t have to practice yoga to understand that this is a word like “aloha” or “shalom”, a word with many meanings. As libraries seek to accommodate a more diverse readership, this is a good choice.

Reviewed by Kathy George, retired children’s librarian

four-stars

Finding Fire

Finding FireFinding Fire by Logan S. Kline
Published by Candlewick Press on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 1536213020
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A breathtaking wordless book filled with oil paintings that details the  discovery of fire during the ancient stone age era. A cave family loses fire after their bonfire one night. Everyone is saddened over the loss and does not know how to get the fire back. A brave young boy volunteers to leave his secure family to discover fire. Readers will follow the young boy on his journey and will be captivated by the landscapes he sees. They will also fall in love with the companion he befriends on the way, and readers will hold their breath at all the crazy obstacles he needs to go through to discover fire. Young readers ages 5 through 8 or fans of the DreamWorks Animation movie, The Croods, will gravitate towards this amazing picture book.

Reviewed by Brandon Dyer, Auburn Public Library

five-stars

Ruffles and the Teeny, Tiny Kittens

Ruffles and the Teeny, Tiny KittensRuffles and the Teeny, Tiny Kittens by David Melling
Published by Nosy Crow on October 4, 2022
ISBN: 1536227463
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Ruffles the dog just wants to have a normal day of playing with his toys, digging holes in the backyard, and sleeping on his dog bed with his blue blanket. Unfortunately, a group of orange tabby cats disrupts Ruffles’s day by taking his belongings and not leaving him alone. Ruffles and the kittens must figure out how to live with each other and be respectful. With illustrations drawn by pencil and transferred to color, digitally, the author uses humor to visually show young readers how to be respectful to one another and create friendships. Recommended for readers 4 years old and up.  Would be great for a story time about sharing and friendship.

Reviewed by Brandon Dyer, Auburn Public Library

four-stars