Format: Picture Book Fiction

Something About Grandma

Something About GrandmaSomething About Grandma by Tania de Regil
Published by Candlewick Press on August 9, 2022
ISBN: 1536201944
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A lovely, quiet picture book about the magic of grandmas – their special gifts and their individuality. The writing is simple and carries the reader along as the narrator, Julia, a child, learns more about her grandmother while spending time with her at the grandmother’s home outside Mexico City. Julia changes from observer to fellow adventurer and finds maturity and her own maternal qualities along the way. It gently points to grandmas as individuals quietly teaching what that they know (seemingly through magic).

The illustrations use a collage of poems handwritten in Spanish (written by the author’s great-grandfather and transcribed by her grandmother) and a soft palette of blues for the nuclear family, while the grandmother is rendered in rose colors. This will make a great one-on-one read aloud for connecting generations.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

four-stars

A Very Big Fall

A Very Big FallA Very Big Fall by Emmy Kastner
Published by Clarion Books on August 2, 2022
ISBN: 035841945X
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A fall foliage picture book about “finding the joy in change” through the perspective of three deciduous trees’ leaves: Birch (adventurous), Oak (comfortable with status quo), and Maple (covetous). A sweet story, each leaf has its own perspective, voice, and fate, accompanied by simple illustrations that reflect their differences. Our three amigos learn that change can lead down unexpected but delightful paths.

Children are fascinated by changing leaves – collecting them, jumping in them, etc. – and may enjoy this appealing tale. This is a fun fall read-aloud for the younger crowd (PreK-1) that doesn’t worry itself with the ultimate fate of leaves once they’re no longer decorative. Great for “Inevitably of Change Month”, which happens to be October (kidding!). It is a fun, frothy, fall book.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

three-stars

Mushroom Lullaby

Mushroom LullabyMushroom Lullaby by Kenneth Kraegel
Published by Candlewick Press on October 11, 2022
ISBN: 153621941X
Pages: 32
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Mushroom Lullaby is a whimsical wander through mushrooms and the magic they contain. What starts out as a rhyming description of the different types of fungi you can find, takes a left turn into a fantastical smaller world of mushrooms-as-homes, showing that the fantastical might be a bit closer than one realizes. This book’s text is simple and rhymes, though the rhyming scheme is a bit inconsistent for a read aloud, nevertheless it helps elevate the charming cadence of the book. The illustrations are where this book shines, however, with detailed line art colored over with warm color palettes and a cozy look inside mushroom homes. Perfect for autumn days. A solid addition to a collection and good for pre-k through first grade.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars

Well Done, Mommy Penguin

Well Done, Mommy PenguinWell Done, Mommy Penguin by Chris Haughton
Published by Candlewick Press on October 11, 2022
ISBN: 1536228656
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Chris Haughton’s book Well Done, Mommy Penguin is the story of a mommy penguin fetching dinner for her baby while daddy penguin watches. Baby penguin watches and narrates the feats of mommy penguin, while asking daddy penguin if she will be back soon. Daddy penguin reassures baby that mom will indeed come back, and though there are some seals to contend with, she does indeed return, proving moms can do just about anything! This book continues the Chris Haughton tradition of writing animals with anxiety. The prose is simple while still action-filled, intermingled with sound effects to keep the younger readers engaged. Questions are peppered throughout and the reader is offered a chance to watch mommy penguin as if they are the baby, hoping for mom’s success. The illustrations pair beautifully with the text, the deep blues of the sky and the water giving a sense of nature and expansiveness while the mom swims, and the blank slate of the snow and worry that baby penguin feels while they wait for mom to return. This book is excellent for Pre-K-2nd grade and is highly recommended for any library collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

Peppa Pig and the Christmas Surprise

Peppa Pig and the Christmas SurprisePeppa Pig and the Christmas Surprise by Candlewick Press
Published by Candlewick Entertainment ISBN: 1536228109
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Peppa Pig and the Christmas Surprise” is everything you’d want or expect from a Peppa Pig book. All of Peppa’s family get cool presents on Christmas day including Grandpa Pig who gets a drone! They take the drone outside to test it out and see lots of fun things, but when the drone is supposed to go home, it goes back to the North Pole! Luckily someone special brings the drone back…

Bright and colorful illustrations and a short, humorous story will keep young readers interested. A recommended purchase wherever Peppa Pig books are popular, for children 2 to 5.

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

three-stars

Octopus Shocktopus!

Octopus Shocktopus!Octopus Shocktopus! by Peter Bently, Steven Lenton
Published by Nosy Crow on August 9, 2022
ISBN: 1536223964
Pages: 32
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

With an adorable octopus gracing the cover and pretty coastal endpapers, we had hoped for more from this book. One day a town awakens to discover a giant octopus has landed upon the roof of a house. An old woman calls for its speedy removal, but over time the townspeople come to appreciate everything the octopus can contribute.

The illustrations in this book are absolutely the highlight; they are bright, charming, and make some attempt at racial inclusivity. The author chose to write the book in rhyme, which does add positively to the reader experience.

This book will circulate some but is only recommended for libraries that have liberal funding dedicated to expanding their picture book section.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Find My Family

Find My FamilyFind My Family (Waffles + Mochi) by Golden Books, Mei Nakamura
Published by Golden Books on May 3, 2022
ISBN: 0593483332
Pages: 24
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

This Little Golden Book is based on a TV show with the same name. The characters are a ball of mochi and a monster with waffles for ears. This is confusing as one character looks like their name and the other doesn’t at all. In this book, the characters go on an adventure to see where Mochi is from and learn about rice and how mochi is made. Waffles starts feeling left out when Mochi meets other mochi and feels connected like a family. But Mochi soon realizes that families are all different  and that Waffles is part of his family too. The bright illustrations will capture the reader’s attention as they learn about family trees and ancestry. This book would be appropriate for grades K-2 but isn’t a must-have for your shelves. 

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD75, Woodside

two-stars

The Bad Day

The Bad DayThe Bad Day by Frann Preston-Gannon
Published by Templar Books on June 14, 2022
ISBN: 1536223786
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This picture book written in first-person narratives by various forest animals explores how teamwork and friendship can turn a bad day into a good day. All of the animals are having a bad day, but no one more than Mouse! Rhyming verse coupled with ink, pencil, and paint illustrations depicting cute, colorful animals will have readers turning the pages to find out if poor Mouse can escape from Fox’s stomach. Consider purchasing this book if your library needs more books about teamwork and friendship for your youngest readers.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

three-stars

Still Mine

Still MineStill Mine by Jayne Pillemer, Sheryl Murray
Published by HarperCollins on January 18, 2022
ISBN: 0063062771
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Still Mine is a heartwarming picture book about loss that reminds us that even if the person we love is gone they are still there in the sunshine, in a laugh, or in a cup of hot chocolate. This book illustrates many different families and relationships that experience a loss. It shows us that these losses happen to everyone and there are always signs we can look for to remember, and love, the departed person. The illustrations and the text go very well together and the reader can really see that even when someone is physically gone they can still be part of us. This book is recommended for grades K-4 and would be a great addition to any book shelf!

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75, Woodside

four-stars

Nigel and the Moon

Nigel and the MoonNigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady, Gracey Zhang
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on February 15, 2022
ISBN: 0063056283
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Nigel and the Moon is a beautiful story about a little boy who is scared to admit his dreams to his class, so he spends his evenings telling the moon all his hopes and dreams. When it is career day at school, he is afraid that his classmates will laugh about his parents’ jobs, but when his parents come in and explain their jobs as a postal carrier and a truck driver, the kids are impressed. Nigel works up the courage to tell his class his dream of being an astronaut and a dancer and a superhero. The ink and watercolor illustrations show Nigel trusting in the big bright moon to listen to his hopes and dreams. This book is recommended for grades K-2 and would be a great addition to any collection.

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75, Woodside

four-stars