Format: Picture Book Fiction

Sometimes, All I Need is Me

Sometimes, All I Need is MeSometimes, All I Need Is Me by Juliana Perdomo
Published by Candlewick Press on April 12, 2022
ISBN: 1536218049
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Sometimes, All I Need Is Me by Juliana Perdomo is a beautiful, calm book of affirmation and self-love. This book celebrates togetherness alongside independence for everything the main character loves to do with someone, they are also able to do on their own.

The book touches on being home, playing, listening to music, nighttime thoughts, falling down, and hugs. The book posits that doing these things with others is wonderful, and doing them alone is equally so.

The illustrations are simple and bold, making it a great read for a younger audience or for a large group setting. The main character is a person of color, and the words and illustrations hint that they may be Latinx. The beautiful colors and setting appear almost like stamps.

Sometimes, All I Need Is Me is a great introduction to self-reliance, flexibility, and confidence. It can be used with the youngest readers, or as a discussion starter prompt for older elementary to consider what they can do in their life with others and alone to make themselves feel whole.

Recommended for ages 0 – 7.

Reviewed by Katie Drago, Children’s Librarian, Rockland Public Library, Rockland, ME

five-stars

The Lady and the Unicorn

The Lady and the UnicornThe Lady and the Unicorn by Béatrice Fontanel, Vanessa Hié
Published by Princeton Architectural Press on March 15, 2022
ISBN: 1648961231
Pages: 48
Genres: Fairy Tale
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Gorgeous illustrations inspired by the Unicorn Tapestries held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and Cluny Museum in Paris. Unfortunately, the story was not as enchanting. When the huntsmen chase the unicorn, the creature finds his way into a secret garden in the forest and discovers a young lady who has powers more magical than his own. The writing is  simplistic and a bit far-fetched, even for a fairy tale. The afterword explaining the tapestries and highlighting the details in the hanging used in the book is very interesting. Readers in grades 1-3 will enjoy the pictures, but will not be wowed by the story.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

A Day For Sandcastles

A Day For SandcastlesA Day for Sandcastles by JonArno Lawson, Qin Leng
Published by Candlewick Press on May 10, 2022
ISBN: 1536208426
Pages: 48
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A wordless book about a family of five that journey to the ocean on a hot summer day. Illustrator Qin Leng’s ink and watercolor technique comes to life with every turn of the page. Readers can easily relate to the family’s journey, visiting the beach, playing in the water, and building sandcastles. This picture book is a great conversation starter between friends and family, as well as a resource for teachers who are educating youth about storytelling structure like beginning, middle, and ending. The target audience is all ages and libraries should consider adding this beautiful picture book to their collection.

Reviewed by Brandon Dyer, Auburn Public Library

four-stars

And I Think About You

And I Think About YouAnd I Think About You by Rosanne L. Kurstedt, Ya-Ling Huang
Published by Kids Can Press on September 20, 2022
ISBN: 1525304593
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A mother bear (per the book description, the character is a mother but the character is non-descript enough to be a parent in general) tells her child about her workday. She describes one activity after another and follows each description with “And I think about you.” Illustrations show her at her tasks with a corresponding activity she imagines doing with her child. Turn the page, and the child is shown participating in a parallel activity at school. Reassuring book for both working parents and their offspring. Ya-Ling Huang uses watercolor and colored pencils to create soft, descriptive illustrations that beg to be discussed. The repeated refrain — “And I think about you” — is comforting and relays that even when a child is out of sight, they are never out of their parents’ thoughts. Give to parents whose children are attending preschool or school for the first time to read together.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

The Best Bed for Me

The Best Bed for MeThe Best Bed for Me by Gaia Cornwall
Published by Candlewick Press on May 17, 2022
ISBN: 1536207152
Pages: 32
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Best Bed for Me” by Gaia Cornwall is a cute story of a child named Sweet Pea with two mothers who are trying to get them to go to sleep. Sweet Pea isn’t ready to sleep yet and asks questions like, “Where’s my tree?” Since koalas sleep in trees. We go through different ways of sleeping for many animals, but eventually come to the position that the bed is the best bed for Sweet Pea.

Beautiful collage style artwork is colorful and soothing. This book is funny and calming and will be a good addition to nighttime reading for caregivers of preschool kids.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Stanley the Dog: First Day of School

Stanley the Dog: First Day of SchoolStanley the Dog: The First Day of School by Bobby Bones, Stephanie Laberis
Published by HarperCollins on June 14, 2022
ISBN: 0063039524
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Stanley the bulldog isn’t quite ready for his first day of school. He’s anxious and his morning doesn’t quite go as planned. After feeling left out by the rest of the dogs for most of the morning, Stanley makes a friend in Pearl, the fluffy white cat who hangs out safely on top of a bookcase. When things get chaotic during their lessons, Stanley has to spring into action to help his friend. He earns a gold star from his teacher for his valiant act. He’s a little unsure about going back the next day, but he feels proud of his accomplishments on day 1.

This first day of school book is relatable for a lot of students – anxiety about new routines, making friends, succeeding at lessons, being around all kinds of differences. Stanley is clumsy and the book is nicely balanced between humor and seriousness. This would make a good back to school read aloud or prompt to help kids work through their own anxiety about going (back) to school. Recommended for students in Pre-K through 2nd grade or for anyone who is nervous about school.

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, MSAD #17 Librarian, Oxford Hills

four-stars

The Flamingo

The FlamingoThe Flamingo: A Graphic Novel Chapter Book by Guojing
Published by Random House Studio on September 27, 2022
ISBN: 0593127315
Pages: 144
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Early Reader, Graphic Novel, Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A small child of Chinese descent goes to visit her Lau Lau (grandmother) who lives by the beach. Over the course of the visit, Lau Lau tells the girl about a special flamingo feather Lau Lau has had since she was a girl. Over the course of the story, the two enjoy the beach, splashing in the ocean, picking up seashells, and even finding a recently hatched sea turtle egg. The child learns this flamingo was very special to her Lau Lau. When she returns home, the girl creates a special keepsake for Lau Lau – she illustrates a book with the story of the flamingo. This nearly wordless chapter book graphic novel is beautifully illustrated with whimsical watercolor and colored pencil drawings that evoke the sense of imagination children often possess. The connection between grandmother and grandchild in this story is touching and in many ways magical. This book would be best for 2nd-5th graders as an individual checkout. I recommend it for any library that serves children.

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, MSAD #17 Librarian,  Oxford Hills

five-stars

I Love Strawberries!

I Love Strawberries!I Love Strawberries by Shannon Anderson, Jaclyn Sinquett
Published by Feeding Minds Press on April 5, 2022
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This brightly illustrated picture book takes the reader through the story of a young girl who wants to grow her own strawberry plants. She needs to convince her parents that she is mature enough to take care of them and raise the money to buy them. The story is told partly through her journal entries where she shares her “missions” such as learning to look older, act older, grow something, and make money, along with mission updates to share how those tasks went and what she learned from them. This story teaches kids how sometimes things you really want may take a long time to get and you need to work hard for them. This book would be great for 2nd/3rd graders who want to be more independent and grown up but are not sure what that looks like. The illustrations are beautifully done and work very well with the text. This is a great addition to any bookshelf!

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75, Woodside

four-stars

Mini Mighty Sweeps

Mini Mighty SweepsMini Mighty Sweeps by Lori Alexander, Jeff Harter
Published by HarperCollins on August 2, 2022
ISBN: 0062250167
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Aimed at younger elementary students, this fun story teaches kids that even if you are little you can still make a difference. Sweeps is the smallest sidewalk sweeper but wants to do the jobs all the big trucks can do. She tries to tow like a tow truck and haul garbage like a garbage truck but she is too small for those jobs and is called names by the other trucks. This brightly illustrated picture book shows this small vehicle persevering past the bullying to save the day. This is a fun book that kids will enjoy for a read aloud. Recommended for ages 5-7. A good addition to any library.

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75, Woodside

four-stars

Peppa Pig and the Great Race

Peppa Pig and the Great RacePeppa Pig and the Great Race by Candlewick Press
Published by Candlewick Entertainment on May 10, 2022
ISBN: 1536224138
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Peppa Pig and the Great Race based on the television series “Peppa Pig” is about the family of Pigs trying to find their way to the fair for Papa Pig’s surprise. They have to use all modes of transportation to make their way there, but are (spoiler) ultimately successful. This book is par for the course with Peppa Pig merchandizing, which means that if it is in a library it will be checked out a fair amount as Peppa makes the rounds. It is a solid choice to add to your collection, albeit a bit far-fetched even for a story about pigs. Good for readers in lower elementary.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

three-stars