Format: Picture Book Fiction

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

‘Twas the Night Before ChristmasTwas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, P.J. Lynch
Published by Candlewick Press on October 26, 2021
ISBN: 1536222852
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

While the text in this copy of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas is the same classic poem, the illustrations are really beautiful which makes this a great contender for a second library copy or a replacement for a worn out one.  Each page is warm and cozy, making this a perfect read aloud book for a classroom, library, or home.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Wutaryoo

WutaryooWutaryoo by Nilah Magruder
Published by Versify on January 25, 2022
ISBN: 0358172381
Pages: 48
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Wutaryoo was a unique little creature that had been asked all her life “What are you?”.  She did not look like any other creature, with her large ears, fluffy tail, and horns. There were no others like her. She did not even know her name or where she came from.  When asked the question “What are you?” she was never able to answer and began to feel sad and quite alone.  All the other creatures were able to tell her who and what they were and where they came from.

One morning she decided to start walking to find the answers to her existence. Perhaps, she thought if she searched far and wide, she would discover her own story as well.  Her journey took her to many amazing places, and she met many strange creatures along the way.  She walked until she found herself right back to where she had started from.  Upon her return her friends surrounded her and instead of asking the same old question, they inquired if she was alright and where and what she had seen. Her tale was so wonderous to them  just as their life stories were to her.  Wutaryoo alone had created her own history and now she also had it to share.

A wonderful book for any library collection and story time. The theme in this story of finding your own story is important and valuable to any child that may feel different or alone.

 

Reviewed by Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars

The Last Loose Tooth

The Last Loose ToothThe Last Loose Tooth by Tyler Clark Burke
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0593121449
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Where do baby teeth go once they fall out? Lou doesn’t know and he sure isn’t in a hurry to find out! One by one his friends fall out, until he’s the last baby tooth left with all of the “boring adults”. The teeth all have unique costumes and personalities, related to their type and position in the mouth. The Last Loose Tooth by Tyler Burke is whimsical and funny, with witty dialogue and lovely watercolor illustrations. 

This book would be perfect for younger kids who are apprehensive about losing their teeth, or change in general. The message that it will be okay is affirmed in the end when Lou joins all his old friends in the “Land of Teeth”, a sort of baby tooth nirvana, where everyone is happy to see him. Although narrated from Lou’s point of view, because multiple “characters” are speaking on each page in dialogue bubbles, it would be hard to do this as a read aloud for a large group. This book is better suited for a one on one.  A fun read for both kids and adults alike.

Recommended for ages 3-7

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

five-stars

I Will!

I Will!I WILL!: A Book of Promises by Juana Medina
Published by Versify on October 12, 2021
ISBN: 0358555590
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Children make promises to take care of themselves, others, and to do what they can to make the world a better place.

This is a sweet, simple, colorful book reminiscent of Todd Parr. Affirmations such as “I will problem solve!” “I will be kind to myself!” and “I will love others”  with  accompanying illustrations adorn each page spread. Great for social-emotional learning and conversation starters. 

Pre-K-Gade 1

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars

Wanda’s Words Got Stuck

Wanda’s Words Got StuckWanda's Words Got Stuck by Lucy Rowland, Paula Bowles
Published by Nosy Crow on May 18, 2021
ISBN: 1536217190
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Wanda is a shy young witch who, despite wanting to, can’t quite get her words to come out. She makes friends with a new witch in her class named Flo who doesn’t mind that Wanda doesn’t speak much. When Flo’s spell during the school magic contest goes awry, Wanda finds her voice and a way to save the day!

This sweet rhyming story will appeal to children ages 4-7 and may spark conversations about how to find your own voice and help peers find theirs too. The illustrations are delightful, featuring teal, pink, and gray. This is a title that can be featured outside of Halloween displays despite its witch-centric storyline.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

three-stars

Sharks at Your Service

Sharks at Your ServiceSharks at Your Service by Mary Cerullo
on July 1, 2021
ISBN: 1943431639
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction, Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Sharks at Your Service combines fiction and non-fiction elements to present facts about sharks and show how they are helpful to the ocean ecosystem. We follow Marina as her dad takes her to the aquarium and she interacts with various aquarium staff who share shark factoids with her. On her way home, she imagines the ways that sharks have jobs in the ocean just as people do in the human world and what could be done to protect them.

This book provides some interesting facts about sharks and their role in the ocean and does garner empathy for the species. However, the formatting of the book has some issues. The juxtaposition of the illustrations with the photographs is off putting. There are large walls of text on many pages which may possibly work for the 3rd-6th grade age group this book is supposedly targeted for, but not for the age group I think would be most interested in it. Marina’s thought experiment on her drive home doesn’t quite make the impact it was attempting. Overall, good information, unsuccessful execution.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

 

three-stars

When We Say Black Lives Matter

When We Say Black Lives MatterWhen We Say Black Lives Matter by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Published by Candlewick Press on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 1536222380
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Profound and beautiful in text and illustration this book stands out and will attract all readers.  Clarke tells a historic story which comprises many periods of protest highlighting the current Black Lives Matter Movement.  Through the view of one family, she shares the struggles, pain, and development of the movement.  As the child he/she learns to share in the respect of all Black people, to step out of the shadows, and to stand up for change.   While the text is powerful it is the illustrations that jump off the page and arose a deep emotional response.  Having been drawn in watercolor pencils the colors are vibrant and evoke deep emotion.  The binding is sewn in three sections, insuring its long life of usage by students and families.

This book belongs in all primary school media centers, public libraries,  art classrooms, and in homes all over the world. As the holidays approach this reader would like to note that When We Say Black Lives Matter would be an excellent holiday gift for families with children 6-8

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

Suggested for Cream of the Crop.

five-stars

Eyes that Kiss In the Corners

Eyes that Kiss In the CornersEyes that Kiss in the Corners by Dung Ho, Joanna Ho
Published by HarperCollins on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 9780062915627
Pages: 34
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
A young Asian girl realizes that her eyes are different than her classmates. Instead of having big eyes with long lashes, hers “kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea.” This story is not only a tale of self-acceptance, it also honors her heritage as she realizes she shares her eye shape with beloved women – her Mama, Amah, and little sister Mei-Mei. The lyrical text and expressive, illustrations ooze with familial love. It features lots of Chinese imagery and mythology, including references to Guanyin, the Monkey King, the Jade Rabbit, dragons, phoenixes, and flowers like peonies and lotuses. It encourages pride in your heritage and the ways that make you different.  Share this book with preschool and primary  age children and the things that make them different. (Interestingly, the only male in the book is a small boy in the background on the playground.)

five-stars

Winter Lullaby

Winter LullabyWinter Lullaby by Dianne White, Ramona Kaulitzki
Published by Candlewick Press on November 9, 2021
ISBN: 9781536209198
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Geese are calling, a chilly wind is blowing, and the sky is turning gray. Winter is on its way. For Mama Bear and Small Bear this means it is time to hibernate but like most preschoolers, baby bear does not want to go to bed. The soft watercolor-like illustrations and rhyming text depict a number of forest animals and how they manage to get through the winter. A sweet bedtime story book or could be paired at story time with Winter Dance by Marion Dane Bauer and Richard Jones or Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Stick and Stone : Best Friends Forever

Stick and Stone : Best Friends ForeverStick and Stone: Best Friends Forever! (Stick and Stone, #2) by Beth Ferry, Tom Lichtenheld
Published by Clarion Books on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 9780358473022
Pages: 48
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
A sequel to Stick and Stone by the same author and illustrator. I liked this one even better than the first. Best friends Stick and Stone set out to find Stick’s roots. In other words, to determine what kind of tree he was before his “branch broke.”  He doesn’t succeed but discovers friendship is what matters, including from their old nemesis Pinecone. Bright colorful illustrations, silliness, and succinct text will make this a popular book with preschoolers. I enjoyed the end pages with stick depicted as different types of trees.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars