Format: Picture Book Fiction

The Best Bed for Me

The Best Bed for MeThe Best Bed for Me by Gaia Cornwall
Published by Candlewick Press on May 17, 2022
ISBN: 1536207152
Pages: 32
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Best Bed for Me” by Gaia Cornwall is a cute story of a child named Sweet Pea with two mothers who are trying to get them to go to sleep. Sweet Pea isn’t ready to sleep yet and asks questions like, “Where’s my tree?” Since koalas sleep in trees. We go through different ways of sleeping for many animals, but eventually come to the position that the bed is the best bed for Sweet Pea.

Beautiful collage style artwork is colorful and soothing. This book is funny and calming and will be a good addition to nighttime reading for caregivers of preschool kids.

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

four-stars

Stanley the Dog: First Day of School

Stanley the Dog: First Day of SchoolStanley the Dog: The First Day of School by Bobby Bones, Stephanie Laberis
Published by HarperCollins on June 14, 2022
ISBN: 0063039524
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Stanley the bulldog isn’t quite ready for his first day of school. He’s anxious and his morning doesn’t quite go as planned. After feeling left out by the rest of the dogs for most of the morning, Stanley makes a friend in Pearl, the fluffy white cat who hangs out safely on top of a bookcase. When things get chaotic during their lessons, Stanley has to spring into action to help his friend. He earns a gold star from his teacher for his valiant act. He’s a little unsure about going back the next day, but he feels proud of his accomplishments on day 1.

This first day of school book is relatable for a lot of students – anxiety about new routines, making friends, succeeding at lessons, being around all kinds of differences. Stanley is clumsy and the book is nicely balanced between humor and seriousness. This would make a good back to school read aloud or prompt to help kids work through their own anxiety about going (back) to school. Recommended for students in Pre-K through 2nd grade or for anyone who is nervous about school.

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, MSAD #17 Librarian, Oxford Hills

four-stars

The Flamingo

The FlamingoThe Flamingo: A Graphic Novel Chapter Book by Guojing
Published by Random House Studio on September 27, 2022
ISBN: 0593127315
Pages: 144
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Early Reader, Graphic Novel, Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A small child of Chinese descent goes to visit her Lau Lau (grandmother) who lives by the beach. Over the course of the visit, Lau Lau tells the girl about a special flamingo feather Lau Lau has had since she was a girl. Over the course of the story, the two enjoy the beach, splashing in the ocean, picking up seashells, and even finding a recently hatched sea turtle egg. The child learns this flamingo was very special to her Lau Lau. When she returns home, the girl creates a special keepsake for Lau Lau – she illustrates a book with the story of the flamingo. This nearly wordless chapter book graphic novel is beautifully illustrated with whimsical watercolor and colored pencil drawings that evoke the sense of imagination children often possess. The connection between grandmother and grandchild in this story is touching and in many ways magical. This book would be best for 2nd-5th graders as an individual checkout. I recommend it for any library that serves children.

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, MSAD #17 Librarian,  Oxford Hills

five-stars

I Love Strawberries!

I Love Strawberries!I Love Strawberries by Shannon Anderson, Jaclyn Sinquett
Published by Feeding Minds Press on April 5, 2022
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This brightly illustrated picture book takes the reader through the story of a young girl who wants to grow her own strawberry plants. She needs to convince her parents that she is mature enough to take care of them and raise the money to buy them. The story is told partly through her journal entries where she shares her “missions” such as learning to look older, act older, grow something, and make money, along with mission updates to share how those tasks went and what she learned from them. This story teaches kids how sometimes things you really want may take a long time to get and you need to work hard for them. This book would be great for 2nd/3rd graders who want to be more independent and grown up but are not sure what that looks like. The illustrations are beautifully done and work very well with the text. This is a great addition to any bookshelf!

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75, Woodside

four-stars

Mini Mighty Sweeps

Mini Mighty SweepsMini Mighty Sweeps by Lori Alexander, Jeff Harter
Published by HarperCollins on August 2, 2022
ISBN: 0062250167
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Aimed at younger elementary students, this fun story teaches kids that even if you are little you can still make a difference. Sweeps is the smallest sidewalk sweeper but wants to do the jobs all the big trucks can do. She tries to tow like a tow truck and haul garbage like a garbage truck but she is too small for those jobs and is called names by the other trucks. This brightly illustrated picture book shows this small vehicle persevering past the bullying to save the day. This is a fun book that kids will enjoy for a read aloud. Recommended for ages 5-7. A good addition to any library.

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75, Woodside

four-stars

Peppa Pig and the Great Race

Peppa Pig and the Great RacePeppa Pig and the Great Race by Candlewick Press
Published by Candlewick Entertainment on May 10, 2022
ISBN: 1536224138
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Peppa Pig and the Great Race based on the television series “Peppa Pig” is about the family of Pigs trying to find their way to the fair for Papa Pig’s surprise. They have to use all modes of transportation to make their way there, but are (spoiler) ultimately successful. This book is par for the course with Peppa Pig merchandizing, which means that if it is in a library it will be checked out a fair amount as Peppa makes the rounds. It is a solid choice to add to your collection, albeit a bit far-fetched even for a story about pigs. Good for readers in lower elementary.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

three-stars

I Am a Baby

I Am a BabyI Am a Baby by Bob Shea
Published by Candlewick Press on June 14, 2022
ISBN: 1536218324
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

I Am a Baby written and illustrated by Bob Shea is about a new baby and the ways in which this baby affects the loving family members around them.

This book is cute. The textual repetition and the expected-yet-still-sweet reasons for the new ways in which family members change due to this baby are lovely and enjoyable for a read aloud. The illustrations show a tired pair of parents, a charming little baby, and work well with the simple, easily read text.

This is a great read aloud for babies and toddlers, they will start to catch onto the gimmick as the book continues, and will bring a smile to the reader’s face.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Merrill Memorial Library

four-stars

Donut: The Unicorn Who Wants to Fly

Donut: The Unicorn Who Wants to FlyDonut: The Unicorn Who Wants to Fly by Laura Gehl, Andrea Zuill
Published by Random House Studio on April 12, 2022
ISBN: 0593376250
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Fantasy, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Donut: The Unicorn Who Wants to Fly is a story about perseverance and friendship shown by the trials and tribulations of Donut, a unicorn who is determined to fly and tries myriad methods that fail until, with the help of their friends, pulls together a beautiful flying contraption and sails away happily.

This picture book utilizes simple rhyming while also weaving in a graphic novel’s sensibility in using only pictures and symbols to convey meaning, which makes it a good entry into graphic novels for a younger audience. The illustrations are inked and colored beautifully and tell the story with support from the text, rather than the other way around. This would be a good read aloud for Pre K-1 but even younger children would enjoy the colorful illustrations about a unicorn yearning for flight.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars

If you live here

If you live hereIf You Live Here by Christopher Silas Neal, Kate Gardner
Published by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen on February 22, 2022
ISBN: 0062865323
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a simply worded book exploring different types of dwellings. Each two page spread starts with, “If you live…” and is followed by a whimsical, unexpected, and sometimes comical conclusion. The types of dwellings are unique—from castles to spaceships to trains. It is a fun exploration of creativity and thought. The mixed media illustrations are essential for the book; the text alone does not carry the story. The pictures complete the thoughts of the text and bring life to the story. Recommended for readers 4 and up, this makes a fun read aloud where kids can offer their own interpretations of what needs to happen in each dwelling.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

The Most Magnificent Idea

The Most Magnificent IdeaThe Most Magnificent Idea by Ashley Spires
Published by Kids Can Press on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 1525305042
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The unnamed girl and her pug dog sidekick return in this sequel of The Most Magnificent Thing. In this picture book, the girl is out of ideas about what to create. She tries brainstorming, gathering new supplies, even jumping up and down on one foot to shake an idea loose, all to no avail. The girl realizes with no ideas taking up space in her brain, it is filling with sad instead. Anyone in an artistic slump will be able to relate. Eventually, her neighbor’s cat repeatedly escaping gives her an idea and she is once again on a roll making magnificent things.

The expressive artwork humorously captures the emotions of the girl’s process. This book offers a terrific character education lesson in patience and perseverance. Like the The Most Magnificent Thing, which can be used for story time followed by a craft project using a variety of cardboard tubes, bottle caps, and various other recycled “trash” to have them make their own magnificent thing, this sequel could be incorporated into a similar program. Recommend for grades K-4.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars