Format: Picture Book Fiction

Mel Fell

Mel FellMel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
Published by Balzer + Bray on February 2, 2021
ISBN: 0062878018
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

One day, Mel, a blue and orange bird, decides she’s ready to try flying. Her siblings are hesitant and ask her if she’s afraid. Mel says she’s afraid but isn’t going to let that stop her. Mel leaps from the nest, and falls. She falls and falls and falls—past other animals all afraid for her fate. And then—SPLASH! Mel lands in the water, catches a fish, and emerges! She flies up and up and up back to her nest and her mom’s encouraging words.

This is a fun book about perspective and confidence. The colored pencil and acrylic paint illustrations are full of motion and emotion and really keep the reader engaged. The only downfall is that the book is a little difficult to read aloud as it begins in one orientation and flips to another midway through the book. There is an author’s note at the end about kingfishers and how they catch fish. Recommended for fans of humorous fiction and books with animals as the center. Recommended for readers 3 and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Mindi and the Goose No One Else Could See

Mindi and the Goose No One Else Could SeeMindi and the Goose No One Else Could See by Linda Olafsdottir, Sam McBratney
Published by Candlewick Press on March 9, 2021
ISBN: 9781536212815
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A little girl named Mindi says she is being visited by a big goose—a scary creature that is visible only to her. Her parents try everything they can think of to drive it away. Finally, they turn to their wise farmer friend Austen who proposes trading Mindi a goat in exchange for the goose. Sam McBratney (Guess How Much I Love You) explores the sensitive topic of childhood fears with charm and wit. The story has a feel of an old folktale. Ólafsdóttir’s delightful illustrations add to the old-fashioned look with idyllic mountainous green pastures, cute farm animals, and a farmer who wears Scandinavian sweaters, Wellingtons, and wool cap. The imaginary goose is represented only by a foreboding shadow. “McBratney’s posthumously published tale is filled with a gentle kindness, and the illustrations pick up on that, both treating the child’s fear with respect.” (Kirkus Review)

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Time for Kenny

Time for KennyTime for Kenny by Brian Pinkney
Published by Greenwillow Books on January 12, 2021
ISBN: 9780060735289
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a family-oriented picture book full of action about a preschool boy’s day. It includes four simple stories. First, Kenny must get dressed. Then, he must overcome his fear of the vacuum cleaner, learn to play soccer, and get ready for bedtime. Pinkney’s bright, action-packed illustrations of Kenny and his African American multigenerational -family compliment the simple text. It will be fun for families to share and discuss this book together. It could also serve as an emergent reader book since the text is so controlled, but the large format may prove undesirable to beginning readers.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Sheepish (Wolf Under Cover)

Sheepish (Wolf Under Cover)Sheepish (Wolf Under Cover) by Helen Yoon
Published by Candlewick Press on January 12, 2021
ISBN: 1536207322
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A wolf is hatching a plan—disguise himself as a sheep, get the sheep to trust him, and then….but wait. The sheep like him. He decides he can’t do it and retreats to his den where he studies alternative meat sources and even vegetarianism. When the sheep unexpectedly appear at his door dressed like wolves and telling him they miss him, the story comes full circle.

This sparsely worded book is adorable. The illustrations are high color, full of emotion and humor, and really help carry the story. Without the illustrations, the text isn’t enough. Some aspects may require explanation for the youngest readers, but overall this is an easy to follow story. Recommended for readers 3 and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

The Patchwork Bike

The Patchwork BikeThe Patchwork Bike by Maxine Beneba Clarke, Van Thanh Rudd
Published by Candlewick Press on April 13, 2021
ISBN: 1536217417
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Previously published in Australia and New Zealand this paperback copy is the second US printing; a hardcover was published in 2018.  Written about three siblings who built a bike from scrap materials this is a book that will resonate with children everywhere.  Clarke offers a unique look at childhood in a remote village at the edge of a desert in a far-off land.  Kids will be kids is a universal concept which is proved by the existence of these three youngsters who find fun and adventure with their personal creation. The storyline is simple but it speaks volumes about the tenacity and creativity of youngsters.  Rudd’s dramatic and action filled illustrations add another level to the overall quality of this book.  His use of various shades of sand  places the book in a specific environment while his illustrations pull in the international Black Lives Matter Movement.

The Patchwork Bike is an excellent story begging to be shared with readers.  Librarians, K-2 gr teachers and art instructors will cherish a copy.  Add to libraries where paperback picture books are collected.

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

four-stars

Over the Shop

Over the ShopOver the Shop by JonArno Lawson, Qin Leng
Published by Candlewick Press on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 1536201472
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A young girl and a curmudgeonly looking older woman live at and own a general store. The woman decides to attempt to rent the apartment over the shop, but the apartment has boarded-up windows and is in a general state of disrepair. They show the apartment to many potential tenants, and all quickly leave. Just when they’re about to give up, a young biracial couple asks to see the apartment and decides to move in right away. Able to look past the cracks and dirt, the couple sees the potential in the apartment and in the community. They fix it up, and their efforts begin to spread. They paint the outside of the general store, they add flower boxes, and suddenly the neighbor is seen painting his front door. Their generosity and kindness is spreading and helping to build community.

This wordless picture book is a wonderful story of taking chances, kindness, community, and believing in the good in the world. The ink and watercolor illustrations are beautifully rendered to show all the detail and emotion necessary to carry a story with no text. It is clear that potential tenants left quickly and that some of them left angry. The unending hope and belief in the possibility of something good the young girl shows is evident throughout. The shift from more muted and drab color to more bright colors toward the end makes clear the shift in the community spirit as they all work together to clean up and form bonds. Recommended for readers 4 and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Puppy in my Head

Puppy in my HeadPuppy in My Head: A Book About Mindfulness by Elise Gravel
Published by HarperCollins on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 006303767X
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This is a book about mindfulness. The brown skinned narrator starts the book by announcing there’s a puppy in their head, and his name is Ollie. Most of the time, Ollie is calm and well behaved, but sometimes he gets excited, angry, and unable to control his emotions. The book walks the reader through the things the narrator does to calm the puppy in their head. Breathing, exercising, listening, and moving are all presented as ways to help calm the puppy down.

While the idea behind this book is a good one, the concept may be lost on young children. Young readers are so literal, the metaphor of a hyper puppy in their head may be hard to grasp and confusing. For readers slightly older, the concept may resonate, but the presentation will be too young. The illustrations are colorful, cartoonish, goofy and classic Elise Gravel. The emotions of the puppy are really brought out by the illustrations and add a level of humor to this book on a more serious subject. This is potentially a good book for starting discussion about emotions and how to respond to them. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Oona

OonaOona by Kelly DiPucchio, Raissa Figueroa
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on January 12, 2021
ISBN: 0062982249
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Oona is a brown skinned mermaid with big, beautiful hair. She and her otter friend, Otto, are treasure hunters. They find treasures all throughout the sea, and they make art and treasures of their own from their finds. There is, however, a crown that is just out of reach. They’ve tried so many ways to get to the bottom of the deep dark rift to collect it, and they’ve been thwarted at every attempt. How will they work together to get the treasure they want the most? What Oona does with it when she finally gets it will warm your heart.

This is a beautifully illustrated book about friendship and adventure. Oona and Otto are lovable little adventurers. The watercolor illustrations are bright and perfectly depict the magic of the underwater realm. This is a great book for one-on-one sharing and is recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

C is for Country

C is for CountryC Is for Country by Lil Nas X, Theodore Taylor III
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 0593300785
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a new alphabet book written by country rap star, Lil Nas X. There aren’t many alphabet books written by People of Color, let alone LGBTQ+ People of Color so this is a refreshing addition to the body of work. The theme of this book is country and farm life, and the illustrations are spot on. Those unfamiliar with Lil Nas X’s hit song, Old Town Road, will still appreciate the book though there are some direct references to the song in the book. The cartoon style illustrations are colorful and bring the story to life. This is a welcome addition and upgrade to any alphabet book collection. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

What will you dream of tonight?

What will you dream of tonight?What Will You Dream of Tonight? by Anuska Allepuz, Frances Stickley
Published by Nosy Crow on November 3, 2020
ISBN: 1536214477
Pages: 32
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“What will you dream of tonight?” by Frances Stickley and illustrated by Anuska Allepuz is a new bedtime story to add to your collection. In rhyme, the book asks the child what they will do in their dreams tonight, since in dreams you can do anything. Will you fly in a balloon up to the moon and put a star in your pocket? Will you ride on a river through the rainforest? Discover the treasure of a sleeping dragon? All of these can happen in your dreams.

Stickley’s calming rhymes fit well with Allepuz’s gorgeously serene mixed-media illustrations. You can get lost in the detailed settings Allepuz has drawn, with skies that look like crayon rubbings. The book truly does make you feel like falling asleep, but in a good way! You may be able to coax a child into wanting to go to sleep with this book!

The book ends with three reassuring sentences: “You are safe. You are home. You are loved.” This reminds the reader that you should feel free to go to sleep and have these amazing dreams without worry because you will still be safe and loved. For children aged 2 to 5, this book is a recommended purchase for your picture book collection and might be a new bedtime classic!

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

four-stars