Format: Picture Book Fiction

Shine Bright

Shine BrightShine Bright by Kheris Rogers, Mechal Renee Roe
Published by HarperCollins ISBN: 0063064782
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Shine Bright is a picture book by Kheris Rogers, young founder of a fashion line, Flexin’ in My Complexion. Rogers has a celebrity based on the success of this line and its promotion by superstars like Alicia Keys and Lupita Nyong’o. Rogers has raised awareness of the negativity she has faced based on her dark skin, and how she overcame that negativity by embracing her whole self, inside and out.

Imani, the main character of Shine Bright, is a joyful and exuberant dark-skinned girl. Her three favorite words are, “HI, I’m Imani!” and yet she faces these same challenges. Even as she shines bright at a skate park, strangers make hurtful comments about her skin color. We see how Imani internalizes these comments and the pain they inflict, until support from her older sister reminds her that her individuality and her dark skin are beautiful. The simple illustrations are upbeat and bright and convey the emotion of Imani’s story, sometimes more powerfully than the prose. It is a good picture book that talks about an important topic in a way that’s accessible to younger (publisher suggests ages 4-8) readers.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

four-stars

How to Help a Friend

How to Help a FriendHow to Help a Friend by Karl Newson, Clara Anganuzzi
Published by Templar on December 6, 2022
ISBN: 153622667X
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The gentle language and illustrations in this picture book will help young children understand and increase their awareness of how people process and experience sadness. In this picture book by Karl Newson, a young brown-skinned girl offers support to her (animal) friends when they are down. The accessible, rhyming text makes it clear that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to what friends need when they’re sad and that there isn’t only one way to be sad.

The overall mood of the story is that of love, caring, and compassion. The animals and young girl are clearly benefiting from the various approaches of friends helping each other through painful times. The sensitive pastel illustrations support this message. The language and rhythm of the text combined with the engaging illustrations make this an excellent SEL read-aloud for early elementary and preschool audiences, with opportunities for helpful discussion afterwards. Highly recommended for public and school libraries looking for quality SEL titles.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School, Saco

five-stars

Where’s Waldo? Destination: Everywhere!

Where’s Waldo? Destination: Everywhere!Where's Waldo? Destination: Everywhere!: An Exclusive Anniversary Album of Waldo's Most Amazing Adventures by Martin Handford
Published by Candlewick Press on September 27, 2022
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This book is a remake of one published with the same title in 2017. Within the twelve two-page spreads are many updates and new hidden objects which add to the enjoyment. Hanford offers readers the full experience of language and art; the text introduces the environment and sets the stage for extensive and crowded illustrations. Waldo is excellent at hiding; primary grade students are going to spend hours searching for their favorite character dressed in red, white, and blue. Parents, older siblings, and the intended primary school age audience can search for Waldo together. Hanford is providing hours of quiet fun. It is worth mention that the paperback binding is poor and may not last for more than a few checkouts. This version is not a necessary purchase for public libraries or school media centers and would be better as a gift or for a classroom collection.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, Retired Youth Services Librarian

three-stars

The Christmasaurus

The ChristmasaurusThe Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 0593566165
Pages: 32
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A young blue scaled dinosaur lives in the North Pole with Santa and his elves. It is the dinosaur’s biggest wish to guide Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve, but even though Santa tries to show him how to fly, the dinosaur cannot do it. As the Christmasaurus tries to find the meaning of Christmas, he also seeks other ways to fly and fulfill his dream. The illustrations are digitally created with bright and bold colors which make the landscape inviting. The different shades of blues from the dinosaurs guide the reader’s eyes to the main character every time they turn the page. Young readers who celebrate Christmas or love dinosaurs will enjoy this book.

Reviewed by Brandon Dyer, Auburn Public Library

four-stars

Tiptoe Tiger

Tiptoe TigerTiptoe Tiger by Jane Clarke, Britta Teckentrup
Published by Nosy Crow on December 6, 2022
Pages: 24
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The sun is setting in the lush green jungle. Tara, a baby tiger, does not want to go home because she still wants to find a friend to play with. Young readers will be captivated by the bright neon colors throughout the book. This picture book is perfect for story time because of how interactive it is. The story asks the children questions, tells them to look for items on the pages, and act out animal sounds/movements. Tiptoe Tiger can be a helpful resource for storytellers that are working on honing their storytelling skills when it comes to theatrical reading. Recommended for readers ages 3 – 5.

Reviewed by Brandon Dyer, Auburn Public Library

five-stars

Little Good Wolf

Little Good WolfLittle Good Wolf by Janet Stevens, Susan Stevens Crummel
Published by Clarion Books on August 23, 2022
ISBN: 0358561884
Pages: 48
Genres: Fairy Tale
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This fractured fairy tale introduces the reader to the Little Good Wolf, who is out of place in his big bad family. His parents send him away to big bad school to learn to be bad, but Little Good Wolf is true to himself and attempts to change others for the better. This story reminds the reader to be confidant in who you are and to do the right thing even when others are telling you it is wrong. Even one little wolf has the power to change people. This is a heartwarming story and would be a great addition to any library. The fun mixed media illustrations show the reader just how hard the little wolf is trying to be himself and not to change, all while making the world a better place.

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75 Woodside

five-stars

The Smurfs: How Much Farther, Papa Smurf?

The Smurfs: How Much Farther, Papa Smurf?Smurfs: How Much Farther, Papa Smurf? by Peyo
Published by HarperCollins on April 26, 2022
ISBN: 0063077973
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This brightly illustrated picture book takes the reader on a journey with the Smurfs. Some of the Smurfs want to take their time and enjoy the journey, stopping to pick flowers and swim and other tasks that take them from the most direct path. Other Smurfs want to stick to the path and not be distracted so that they can get to their destination on time. The Smurfs realize that there is no right or wrong way to travel and both paths have their benefits. This book reminds the reader that compromises need to be made when you do things in a group, and that you need to listen to your teammates. The illustrations do a great job bringing the reader into the journey with these adorable blue creatures. Not a must have, but a fun book.

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75 Woodside

three-stars

Izzy Paints

Izzy PaintsIzzy Paints by Tim Miller
Published by HarperCollins US on April 5, 2023
ISBN: 0063119757
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In this colorful picture book, Tim Miller introduces the reader to Izzy the koala, who learns to appreciate art and decides to create some herself. This book reminds the reader that art comes in all forms and can be very inspiring. This book is great for pre-K-1st grade and captures the readers interests with the creative and colorful illustrations. A great addition to a picture book collection.

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75 Woodside

four-stars

The Circles in the Sky

The Circles in the SkyThe Circles in the Sky by Karl James Mountford
Published by Candlewick Studio on September 20, 2022
ISBN: 1536224987
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Fox awakens in the woods and wonders about the sad bird song he hears. Out of curiosity, he follows the song and startles the flock of birds. After they leave, Fox spots a lone bird on the ground, but he can’t understand why Bird isn’t acting like a normal bird. Moth has been watching Fox and tries to explain that Bird isn’t *here* anymore. When Fox doesn’t understand, Moth explains with a wonderful analogy using the sun and moon. Even though the Sun cannot see the Moon, it never forgets the Moon is there and the Moon will always remember the Sun.

Fox begins to understand that Bird is dead and becomes sad until he realizes what he can do for Bird; remember him. Fox and Moth place Bird in the wildflowers, then head home together to a dawn that finds the birds singing a new tune.

This beautifully illustrated picture book uses a palette of muted reds and greens to augment a gentle story about the process of understanding and dealing with death. Highly recommended, especially for young children who are coping with a loss.

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

five-stars

The Rooster of Notre-Dame: A Children’s Book Inspired by the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris

The Rooster of Notre-Dame: A Children’s Book Inspired by the Cathedral of Notre Dame in ParisThe Rooster of Notre Dame: A Children’s Book Inspired by the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris by Géraldine Elschner, Rémi Saillard
Published by Prestel Junior on March 22, 2022
Pages: 32
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Translated from the French by Paul Kelly, this oversized picture book tells a fanciful story about the copper rooster that topped the spire of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France until the tragic fire of April 19, 2019. The rooster admires its views of the city, and its views of a trio of chickens, one of which it thinks of as its Esmeralda (the name of Quasimodo’s love interest in Victor Hugo’s classic novel, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame). When fire destroys most of the cathedral, the rooster tries to warn people, but only the gargoyles can hear his call. The frustrated rooster plummets into the burning building. Surprisingly, the rooster is recovered from the wreckage and is happily reunited with his Esmeralda when he discovers the chickens are housed next to the storage facility in which the rooster and other Notre-Dame statuary are stored.

This fully illustrated book of magical realism is based on historical events. The Notre-Dame Cathedral really did burn, there really was a rooster on its spire, and that rooster really was recovered after the fire. It is an imaginative way to broach the historical topic.

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

three-stars