This Little Kitty in the Garden

February 12, 2024

This Little Kitty in the Garden by Karen Obuhanych
on January 30, 2024
ISBN: 0593435176
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

This Little Kitty: In the Garden is the sequel to This Little Kitty by Karen Obuhanych. The first in this series was a sweet and silly romp through a day in the lives of five kitties in their home. This is a spring themed version, showing us how the mischievous kitties get into the garden shed and try to help their owner with planting seeds and other spring activities. This is usually a popular theme, but the writing was lacking. The rhymes do not have a natural flow when reading them aloud and some feel quite strained.

On one page it says, “These little kitties hear the bumbles buzz, watch the butterbees aflutter, and poke at crawly fuzz.” This is either a typo or a nonexistent animal, either way it takes the reader out of the book. There is a lot to love here with the colorful illustrations and silly expressions, but this sequel’s language is forced. This one might naturally be a popular pick because children love kittens and spring activities, but it is not necessary for one’s collection. Two stars.

Reviewed by Gia Pilgrim Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

Greenlight

January 16, 2024

Greenlight by Breanna Carzoo
ISBN: 006305406X
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Greenlight has an important job to do. So why do cars stop for Redlight and slow for Yellowlight.but every time when it’s Greenlight’s time to shine, the cars drive away. Greenlight gives up, closes his eyes, and has a bit of an existential crisis. He eventually decides that he wants to shine again and resolves the traffic jam. I confess, it took me some time to “get” this book, but after reading it a few times, the more I enjoyed it. The realization that being liked by others is less important than liking oneself turns out to be literally eye-opening. Young preschoolers will enjoy the cars and trucks and simple colorful paper collage illustrations but may need some support to understand the underlying concept. Or maybe they are smarter than I am? Anyway, this is why I gave the book a 5 star rating rather than a Cream of the Crop rating. The book is funny and children will enjoy the topic. It could easily be paired with Cazoo’s first book, Lou, about a fire hydrant for a Story Time.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Kitty and Cat Bent Out of Shape

January 8, 2024

Kitty and Cat: Bent Out of Shape (Kitty & Cat) by Mirka Hokkanen
Series: Kitty & Cat #2
ISBN: 1536223689
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

It’s bathtime for Cat, but Cat is hiding by contorting his body behind different shapes. Housemates Kitty and Puppy seek out cat’s hiding places and eventually get Cat in the bathtub. Cute and comical illustrations, including the many shapes that Cat takes, but this book will take quite a bit of additional comments and questions in order for a young child to understand what is going on and where Cat is hiding. Not that this is a bad thing but just something the readers should be aware of before reading. The text primarily is a repetition of “Where’s Cat?” and “There’s Cat.” The end pages are helpful, with the front being 9 shapes of different colors and labeled and the back end page depicting the cat contorted into those shapes . It will be fun to find those shapes in story.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

A Spider Named Itsy

January 8, 2024

A Spider Named Itsy by Steve Light
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536225290
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

An origin story of the Itsy Bitsy Spider and how he found a new home at the top of the water spout. First, a small tree branch falls on his web destroying his home. Then, he spies the area between a waterspout and roof and decides to move there. As the story goes, the wind starts blowing, the rain comes, and he’s washed away. Not by himself though. In this version he has lots of insect friends who help him reach his destination, and they successfully all live together under the eaves. The messages of picking oneself up after disappointment and friends helping each other leads to happier lives are playfully delivered. There is a lot going on in the muted illustrations in these double-page spreads. This book can be used for Story Time along with other spider books, but the illustrations will likely be enjoyed more in a one-on-one setting.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Ways to Play

January 3, 2024January 17, 2024

Ways to Play by Lyn Miller-Lachmann, Gabriel Alborozo
Published by Levine Querido on August 8, 2023
ISBN: 1646142594
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Riley likes to play in ways that his bossy older cousin Emma says are all wrong. Emma and her little sister, Violet, make a lot of noise when they play. Riley, however, can sit for hours doing one particular thing, like tearing paper or sharpening crayons or lining his stuffies up by size. Riley finally takes the girls out into the yard to play ball with Charlie the dog. Charlie doesn’t play ball right so they have a grand time chasing after him around the yard illustrating Riley’s point that there are lots of ways to play. Although it’s never explicitly mentioned that Riley has a diagnosis, it seems likely the child is autistic, like both the author and illustrator; many neurodivergent children will feel affirmed. There are cartoon-like illustrations of fair-skinned children with big heads and no adults present. Reminiscent of the Peanuts comic strips.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

I Am a Dragon!: A Squabble & a Quibble

January 3, 2024January 17, 2024

I Am a Dragon!: A Squabble & a Quibble by Sabina Hahn
Published by HarperCollins on July 18, 2023
ISBN: 0063253992
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A squad of frogs spot a Very Big Frog in their pond, but then the creature says that he is a dragon. The frogs insist that he’s the one who is wrong and this results in a fiery loss of temper from the dragon. This is a hilarious readaloud and the simple, cartoon illustrations are perfection. However, the heart of the story is about being believed and the courage to stand up and say it.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Spread Your Wings

January 3, 2024

Spread Your Wings (Emma Dodd's Love You Books) by Emma Dodd
Series: Emma Dodd's Love You Books #5
ISBN: 1536232556
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Part of Emma Dodd’s Love You Books. A small cockatoo and large cockatoo celebrate their unconditional love for each other in this sweet story full of gentle rhymes. Simple text makes it easy for young children to understand. Affirming and the colorful illustrations are enhanced with shiny gold embellishments.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Window Fishing

December 13, 2023

Window Fishing by D.K. Dyson, Rudy Gutierrez
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on August 1, 2023
ISBN: 059342901X
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Sometimes the smallest interactions with virtual strangers can make all the difference – you never know what someone else is going through, and how big of an impact you may have on them. Window Fishing dives into one of those relationships between Rudeday, a working artist who is in a slump, and Amir, a young boy stuck at home with an illness. Rudeday feels that his work is routine/meaningless and hopes to be a famous artist. One day, Amir goes “window fishing”, lowering a string and paperclip out his apartment window. Rudeday notices the “fishing line” as it goes ‘tap tap tap’ on his window, and sketches a fish to put on the paperclip and send back. A relationship forms, and a new hobby of window fishing brings these two strangers together, while also bringing positivity to their individual situations. When Amir is recovered, he brings window fishing out into the greater community, therefore, bringing recognition to Rudeday. This book is set in the city with diverse characters, and celebrates food and music of many cultures. The illustrations are unique and bold, but can feel disorienting at times. As an adult reader, I found the protagonist (Rudeday) to be moderately relatable (who doesn’t get tired of their day job from time-to-time?), but I found his quest for fame to be a bit shallow. I would expect a child audience may relate even less to Rudeday. Nonetheless, this is a sweet story, and this book would be a solid and diverse addition to your library picture book collection. Recommended for ages 4 to 7 (Pre-K to 1st Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

Repeat after Me: Big Things to Say Every Day

December 10, 2023

Repeat After Me: Big Things to Say Every Day by Dule Hill, Jazmyn Simon, Shamar Knight-Justice
Published by Random House on 2023
ISBN: 0593426975
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This book of affirmations for parents to share with their children begins with “I am worthy” and ends with “I am ready”. Each affirmation is accompanied by a short reinforcing poem and a colorful, cheerful, full-page illustration. I think any parent would be happy to share these messages with their children. The age range is not indicated, but I would estimate 4-8 years. This book is recommended for public libraries and school libraries, as well as for gifting.

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

Words of Wonder from Z to A

December 10, 2023

Words of Wonder from Z to A by Keisha Morris, Zaila Avant-Garde
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on 2023
ISBN: 0593568931
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Zaila Avant-garde became the first Black American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2021 at the age of 14. The author’s love of words is very clear in her first book. This unique abecedary approaches the English alphabet in reverse order, starting with the author’s first name, Zaila, and ending with her last name, Avant-garde. Each word receives a thoughtful description, often including a self-affirmation and always including a quotation from a well-known person such as Neil Gaiman or Colin Powell. There are brightly colored illustrations of people of color throughout. The book is suggested for readers ages 4-8.

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