Format: Picture Book Fiction

Smiling Eyes

Smiling EyesSmiling Eyes by Lenny Wen, Linda Sue Park
Published by Allida/HarperCollins ISBN: 035866392X
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Smiling Eyes is a rhyming, feel-good picture book that celebrates the many different kinds of human eyes one sees every day. As we follow a young child throughout his day, we see friends, neighbors, and community members and the various shapes, colors, and abilities their eyes have. There is a nice cadence to the rhyming and the pictures are colorful and bright, making this a good read-aloud choice for school or bedtime.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Freya and the Snake

Freya and the SnakeFreya and the Snake by Fredrik Sonck, Jenny Lucander
Published by Kids Can Press on June 3, 2025
ISBN: 9781525313721
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Freya and her family are working in their garden when her brother, Hugo, sees what he believes to be a worm. It’s actually a snake that Freya names Snakey. Mom and Dad are very worried about Snakey living in the rocks in their garden and the possibility that it could bite and hurt one year old Hugo. They hatch a plan to catch Snakey to rehome him far away but he proves more elusive than they can handle and Dad makes the tough decision that he needs to kill the snake instead to keep his family safe. Freya is very angry at her father and calls him a murderer while we watch her navigate her emotions as she comes to terms with what her father had to do.

This book is the translation from its native Finnish.

Ages 5-8

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

three-stars

No, Nancy, No! A Dog Chase in New York

No, Nancy, No! A Dog Chase in New YorkNo, Nancy, No! A Dog Chase in New York by Alice Tait
Series: No, Nancy,
Published by Walker Books US on December 2, 2024
ISBN: 9781536232714
Pages: 24
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Third in the No, Nancy, No! series, A Dog Chase in New York is a fast paced romp through the highlights of busting New York City. Nancy and her dachshund, Roger, see the star of the musical Dogs: The Musical, Candy. Anxious to meet her, they approach only for Candy to run off! Nancy and Roger are right on her tail, trying to bring her back.
The lift-the-flap features of this story create the pace moving the reader along, looking forward to the action hidden in them while poor Roger hollers, “No, Nancy, No!” after her with each new situation. The story is a great introduction to the sites and pace of New York City with its action-packed illustrations. It’s bright, colorful, detailed, and downright exuberant in styling from beginning to conclusion. This book is simply a load of fun!

Ages 4-8

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

Octavio and His Glasses

Octavio and His GlassesOctavio and His Glasses by Marc González Rossell
ISBN: 1525313789
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Octavio can see the whole world better, thanks to his new glasses. He is now able to see things far away, close up, and all much more clearly. He is even able to see beyond what lies in front of him, as he enjoys reading at bedtime. A new world of possibilities, adventure, and imagination are opened up.

A fresh illustrative style features bold black and sparse white on a rich yellow background. This book will be reassuring for a child who is getting their first pair of glasses, but it will appeal to everyone who adores the journey of a good book. While the pages contain simple text, the meaning is celebratory and will be widely appreciated. A first choice for picture book collections; recommended for grades 1-2.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta.

five-stars

The Most Magnificent Team

The Most Magnificent TeamThe Most Magnificent Team (Most Magnificent, 4) by Ashley Spires
ISBN: 1525312952
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The Most Magnificent Team

Ashley Spires

This picture book for ages 4-8 is the latest in the Most Magnificent book series by Ashley Spires. It is about a girl and her dog who are ready to build something.   After she gathers her tools and supplies, she finds that her neighbor, along with her cat, not only had the same idea but also chose the same space in which to work. The girls decide to work together, but tensions start to rise when they quickly discover that each one has very different ideas and methods.

This book captures the rewards and challenges of working collaboratively as a team. It provides functional strategies to resolve conflicts that arise from teamwork.  It would therefore be an excellent addition to classroom libraries.

4 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

four-stars

The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers (and Other Mysterious Creatures)

The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers (and Other Mysterious Creatures)The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers: And Other Mysterious Creatures by Jami Gigot
ISBN: 1525312634
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers (and Other Mysterious Creatures)

Written and illustrated by I. M. Furry with help from Jami Gigot

 

This picture book for ages 4-7 tells the story of an unlikely yet serendipitous friendship between Anna, a young camper, and Bigfoot.

To Bigfoot, the most fearsome and dangerous creatures in the forest are human campers. They’re invasive, loud, smelly, and messy. Thankfully, Bigfoot has ten simple guidelines to ensure that everyone is kept safe from them. However, after failing to adhere to Guideline #2 – “Never EVER allow yourself to be seen by a camper.” – Bigfoot can’t help but ignore his own advice. Perhaps he’s had the wrong idea about campers all along?

The text gives advice about what not to do, which is a playful juxtaposition to the illustrations that often contradict it! I laughed out loud reading this book. This book playfully encourages readers to reconsider any preconceived notions about what makes a good friend. It also reminds us that what we fear is often more afraid of us.

5 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

five-stars

The Spaceman

The SpacemanThe Spaceman by Randy Cecil
Published by Candlewick Press on 2024
ISBN: 1536226165
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Science Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

A little orange spaceman lands his little ship on yet another planet to collect more soil samples, but this time things do not proceed as planned. A bird flies off with his ship, a dog frightens him, and a butterfly carries him away and drops him into a pond. When things look most dismal, the spaceman starts to realize this planet isn’t ordinary at all. The dog returns and fishes him out of the pond. Then the spaceman makes a surprising decision and pushes his rediscovered spaceship into the pond because he wants to stay to laugh and play with his new friend, the dog.

Simple text and richly-colored, full-page oil illustrations make this an appealing story about recognizing friendship and appreciating the beauty around us.
Recommended for 3-7 year olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

four-stars

Eli and the Uncles

Eli and the UnclesEli and the Uncles by Jehan Madhani, Rashin Kheiriyeh
Published by Candlewick Press on 2024
ISBN: 1536228117
Genres: Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Young Eli spends a day with his eight uncles who all have unique personalities and equally unique facial hair. They play, share dinner, and then each wish Eli a good night. The slightly chaotic personalities are matched well with the slightly chaotic, brightly colored illustrations in this fun read. Recommended for 4-8 year olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

three-stars

Who’s In Charge?

Who’s In Charge?Who's in Charge? by Jenny Klion, Marissa Valdez, Stephanie Allain
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536226505
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Mental Health, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

An anthem of bodily consent! Who’s In Charge by Stephanie Allain and Jenny Klion, is a powerful book that reminds children that they can have authority over their bodies. Text is sparse, but impactful, with rhyme and repetition.

“Who’s in charge of your face? I am.

Who’s in charge of your space? I am.”

The writing does a great job of being playful and engaging but also serious about who has power over their body parts. The authors’ note states that this is a book that reminds readers of all ages that, “We each have personal agency over our own bodies, voices, and choices.”

The illustrations are bright and eye-catching. Marissa Valdez drew them in watercolor pencils with digital editing, and the pencil strokes are a really nice touch. A great addition to those looking to add to their Consent, Boundaries and Youth Empowerment sections alongside other books like Yes! No!: A First Conversation About Consent.

Recommended for (all ages) but especially ages 2-5.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Big Gorilla: A Book of Opposites

Big Gorilla: A Book of OppositesBig Gorilla: A Book of Opposites by Anthony Browne
Published by Candlewick Press on November 19, 2024
ISBN: 1536235695
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Anthony Browne has published another beautiful picture book with his signature primate theme. In this one, he is showing us opposites. On one page, there is a beautiful older gorilla and on another page, a small younger gorilla. Browne’s illustrations are astonishingly detailed, especially when it comes to facial expressions; such as sad and happy. His illustrations evoke lightness but also wonder and curiosity. At the end there are two identical pages in a row, which I thought at first was a mistake in printing. “What is the opposite of opposite?” the text asks. And on the next page it answers, “The same!” Recommended for early childhood collections and appreciators of Browne’s work.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars