Format: Picture Book Fiction

Grandmas are Greater than Great

Grandmas are Greater than GreatGrandmas Are Greater Than Great by Derek Desierto, James Solheim
Published by Greenwillow Books on February 9, 2021
ISBN: 0062671235
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“What was it like when YOU were a little girl, Grandma?”  This picture book offers a quick trip through modern history from pioneers, one-room schools, wall-mount crank phones, streetlights, to today by describing each generation of grandmothers.

Colorful illustrations by Derek Desierto mostly support the text by focusing on one event described for that generation. 

Through all these events, there were several wars, but only WWII is included here. Many of the activities described could have happened in any generation, such as a baby’s first feel of rain on its face. 

Great book for showing one’s ancestry and the historical era in which each grandmother lived. Readers might wonder about their grandfathers and what their lives and work might have been like. This could also be used to make a time-line, and to show multiple meanings of words, such as ‘great’. 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

This Way, Charlie

This Way, CharlieGenres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
five-stars

Inspired by a real animal friendship at the Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Oklahoma, this picture book describes the challenging friendship between Jack, a goat, and Charlie, a horse. Jack likes his own space until Charlie arrives one day. Jack discovers Charlie is progressively growing blind, and they each realize they can change their attitudes as they find ways to help and protect each other.

Charles Santoso creates soft illustrations that set the mood, including how dark things are growing for Charlie. Author’s note describes the rescue center. I’m not sure why the cover shows the title in lowercase letters.

The author reads this book on her website: https://www.caronlevis.com/

Dig out a space on your animal-lovers’ shelves right after you dig out a tissue!

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

 

five-stars

Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away

Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
four-stars

Evelyn and her best friend make the most of their last hours together, hiding in their favorite place, holding hands and spinning in circles in the now-empty room, and, yes, crying when the time comes to part. They remain friends for years as the last scene shows Evelyn reading a letter with a number of letters scattered on the floor.

Colorful illustrations by Sonia Sȧnchez capture their feelings and help tell the story.

Any friends who have ever been separated will recognize the emotions, but would today’s children actually write letters or would they use online methods of staying in touch?

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

The Oboe Goes Boom Boom Boom

The Oboe Goes Boom Boom BoomThe Oboe Goes Boom Boom Boom by Colleen A.F. Venable, Lian Cho
Published by Greenwillow Books on September 22, 2020
ISBN: 0062494376
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

How does an oboe make a boom boom sound? It doesn’t, but that doesn’t stop Felicity from interrupting Mr. V, the band director, as he introduces common instruments to students trying to choose the right instrument for them.

Delightful fun with fictional characters based on real musicians, whose short biographies appear in the back.

Lian Cho’s comical illustrations display large colorful sound words spreading right off the page as each instrument is introduced, and lines of sheet music appear at the button of each page. 

A must purchase for reading aloud and helping students find the perfect instrument for themselves!

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

Time for Kenny

Time for KennyTime for Kenny by Brian Pinkney
Published by Greenwillow Books on January 12, 2021
ISBN: 0060735287
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Kenny is a busy little boy. This story follows him throughout his busy day. He starts with putting on the proper clothes and getting dressed in the morning then taking Granddaddy to the bus. Next back home,  he encounters the big, scary vacuum cleaner which he does not like.   It roars and eats up all of the food on the floor.  Could it eat him up!?

His sister teaches him how to play soccer  which takes him awhile, but he eventually learns how to play and score a goal. Finally, it is the end of the day and it is time to get ready for bed. The problem is that he is not the least bit sleepy. Until he finally is, but not too tired to be  read a story to.

This is a great book to read to a child since it gives the repetitiveness and routine of a day, something a small child learns and needs. It is broken into four little snippets of stories. The illustrations are colorful and can tell the story without the text.  It is a book that shows the love and support of a family as well. A nice addition to a collection.

Reviewed by Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

three-stars

Dear Teacher, A Celebration of People Who Inspire Us

Dear Teacher, A Celebration of People Who Inspire UsDear Teacher,: A Celebration of People Who Inspire Us by Holly Hatam, Paris Rosenthal
Published by HarperCollins on March 16, 2021
ISBN: 006301274X
Pages: 40
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Dear Teacher, is the fourth book from Paris Rosenthal and Holly Hatam who have done similar “Dear” style books.  The story is from the viewpoint of a child expressing gratitude for all the teachers, mentors and people that inspire them.  Bright and fun illustrations depicting all of the things that are taught to be a better student, person and athlete.  There is not much text in this story and it seems as though this would make a nice book to gift to a teacher or a mentor. It is not an essential book to have in a collection.   The message of gratitude is nice but this book probably would fit more in a gift giving situation .

 

Reviewed by Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

three-stars

A Bear to Share

A Bear to ShareA Bear to Share by Alicia Mas, Jessica Alba, Kelly Sawyer Patricof, Norah Weinstein
Published by HarperCollins on October 26, 2021
ISBN: 0062957171
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A Bear to Share is about a girl who is given a new teddy bear because hers is so well-loved and worn out. She’s confused as to why her mother wants to replace her old bear, because she thinks the missing eye and rips give her bear personality. When she shares her thoughts with a friend, she learns her friend has never had a teddy bear.

This story is a gentle introduction to the idea that some of the things we take for granted, others don’t have it all. It briefly mentions how some families can afford what others cannot. The story was written for a nonprofit that provides diapers, clothes and other necessities to children in poverty.

The book talks about the value of having friends that are good listeners. And includes a child being generous without the prompting of an adult. The illustrations are bright and bold, and digitally drawn. The main character is a person of color.

The story isn’t anything unique, but it tells a very understandable and straightforward story with a great message. The bright colors, and spreading of kindness, will make this an excellent additional to libraries shelves. For ages 4-8.

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

four-stars

One Mean Ant with Fly and Flea and Moth

One Mean Ant with Fly and Flea and MothOne Mean Ant with Fly and Flea and Moth by Arthur Yorinks, Sergio Ruzzier
Published by Candlewick Press on October 26, 2021
ISBN: 0763683965
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

One Mean Ant with Fly and Flea and Moth is the story of “friends” who don’t seem to like each other, arguing. This is the third book in the series. The titular ant, fly, flea, and moth are prisoners and entertainers in a flea circus. Ant and Flea yell at each other while trying to figure out how to escape. The story is full of griping and misunderstandings.

Illustrator, Sergio Ruzzier, can be divisive. The creepy, 70s-style illustrations might be somewhat fitting for a depiction of bugs, but I wasn’t pleased with some of his artistic choices. The fly and moth, who are portrayed as being less intelligent, are drawn with buck teeth and Exotropia respectively. Overall, I found the illustrations unpleasant.

One line of dialog did make me laugh, but for the most part it wasn’t an enjoyable read. It’s listed as being recommended for ages 3-7, but I suggest this for school age kids only. I think the characters are too mean, with no lessons learned, for a young audience. But I do think elementary kids would laugh at the snarky characters in a read aloud.

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

two-stars

When I Wake Up

When I Wake UpWhen I Wake Up by Jessixa Bagley, Seth Fishman
Published by Greenwillow Books on November 9, 2021
ISBN: 006245580X
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This book starts with a young child who has been told not to wake their parents until 7:00 AM, so they fantasize about the adventures they could have in the early hours until their parents wake up. There are then four color coded options the reader can follow. The problem is that it only becomes apparent that you can choose to follow a color at a time, as opposed to reading them all in order on every page, a few pages into it and, at that point, it would be awkward to start over.  So, it ends up just being confusing and all over the place. It’s a nice concept but it didn’t quite work for me the way it was supposed to.

(Note: I just realized that directions for reading it are on the back of the book. But given that I read it twice without seeing them, I think they should probably be included before the story starts.)

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Road Trip! A Whiskers Hollow Adventure

Road Trip! A Whiskers Hollow AdventureRoad Trip!: A Whiskers Hollow Adventure by Steve Light
Published by Candlewick Press on February 9, 2021
ISBN: 1536209473
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Road Trip! is a nice story with a vintage feel that would be a nice addition to any library. When Bear’s car needs a repair, he recruits his friends to go on a road trip with to find the part he needs. Simple story, great illustrations, and the  inexplicably endearing  detail that all of the animals, even the Elephant who owns the junkyard, are smaller than an acorn, makes this a good choice for bedtime or story time. I hope there are more books from Whiskers Hollow.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

four-stars