Format: Picture Book Fiction

Peep and Ducky Sleepover

Peep and Ducky SleepoverPeep and Ducky Sleepover by David Martin, David Walker
Published by Candlewick Press on February 16, 2021
ISBN: 1536204544
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“Peep and Ducky Sleepover” written by David Martin and illustrated by David Walker, is the fourth installment in the “Peep and Ducky” series. You do not need to have read the other books in order to read this one. Peep, who appears to be a young bluebird, and Ducky, a duckling, have a sleepover planned! Ducky comes over to Peep’s house and gets a little nervous when his father leaves after dropping him off, but after hugs from Peep and Peep’s Momma, he is ready to play.

The illustrations are bright and simple, and the text has a fun rhyming scheme and a repeated phrase: “Lucky lucky lucky!” Kids will enjoy this read aloud and it can be used by caregivers of young children to prepare them for a sleepover away from home. Caregivers can show how Peep and Ducky go through the whole bedtime routine, including brushing their beaks and going to the bathroom before bed.

Written for kids age birth to three, this is not a must-buy for your collection, but a nice addition to a large picture book collection, or where bird picture books are popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

four-stars

Quiet down, loud town

Quiet down, loud townQuiet Down, Loud Town! by Alastair Heim, Matt Hunt
Published by Clarion Books ISBN: 1328957829
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
What a way to start the day, with loud honking horns and chirping birds! Mr. Elephant’s day  has started out loudly and it’s only getting louder!  As he strolls through the town, he is met with barking dogs, clanking dishes, banging drums , noisy flip flops, along with clops, clinks, taps and pops. He’s is going to SNAP if the noise doesn’t STOP! Finally, he yells to the loud town to Quiet Down.  The animals in town are annoyed but they do quiet down and Mr. Elephant heads home for bed. Unfortunately, he can’t get to sleep…it’s just TOO quiet for him to sleep. So, he gets up and starts making all kinds of noises himself and falls asleep while snoring LOUDLY.  He is now waking up all the other animals with the loud noises coming from his apartment.  The animals confront him and he explains he didn’t MEAN to be so loud… and that maybe they didn’t either. The story ends with the elephant giving out free coffee to all his tired new friends.  The brightly colored mixed media illustrations are playful and engaging. Children aged four to seven will enjoy this picture book about a cranky elephant who gets what he thinks he wants… but  be careful what you wish for! This rhythmic tale would make a fun read aloud with all the various sounds. The story also opens up discussions on having different perspectives.  A strong addition for either public or school libraries. Reviewed by Terri Bauld,  Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library — Kennebunkport, ME.

four-stars

What Grew in Larry’s Garden

What Grew in Larry’s GardenWhat Grew in Larry's Garden by Kass Reich, Laura Alary
ISBN: 152530108X
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Larry is a gardener and a teacher – in real life! He used gardening to teach life skills. We could all take a lesson from him! In this story based on his life, he helps little next-door neighbor Grace some problems they encounter in trying to grow unusual vegetables.

Colorful gouache illustrations (Kass Reich) are adequate.

What grew in Larry’s garden? Much more than plants! Use this book for lots of life’s lessons!

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

Peppa Pig and the Day of Giving Thanks

Peppa Pig and the Day of Giving ThanksPeppa Pig and the Day of Giving Thanks by Candlewick Press
Published by Candlewick Press on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 1536216607
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Fans of Peppa will enjoy joining her and her family on their outdoor fall walk, giving thanks to various things: clouds, flowers, apples, etc.  Daddy Pig running from the spider provides a bit of humor (which could also be an opportunity to discuss why spiders should be thanked instead of feared). When it starts raining, readers are also afforded the opportunity to look at such events from more than just their own dislike or inconvenience.

Colorful illustrations provide enough detail for preschoolers to stop and count or name, and perhaps segue into making a gratitude list or a walk around their own neighborhood.

Purchase for Peppa fans.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

three-stars

When I Draw a Panda

When I Draw a PandaWhen I Draw a Panda by Amy June Bates
Published by Simon Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books on September 22, 2020
ISBN: 1481451480
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Is less-than perfect art OK? Is it the effort that matters? What if I “run out of space” or my “lines come out of our pencils and they are not going anywhere in particular”? This young girl loves to draw. Her not-perfect circles end up creating a panda, who then also draws his own way, and they end up with lines that “…are just going somewhere that makes up happy.”

Sparse text with illustrations combine for a full message of self-acceptance. 

Not to be missed – especially the cover under the dust jacket! Pair with “Ish” by Peter Reynolds.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

One Girl

One GirlOne Girl by Andrea Beaty, Dow Phumiruk
Published by Harry N. Abrams on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 141971905X
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
A book can be a spark that flickers and grows, especially for one who has not had access to them. Readers who have experienced this will find familiarity with the feeling of having a book become “Brighter. Brighter. Brightest bright.” 

Beautiful illustrations (Dow Phumiruk) show the main character surrounded with other children and details many possibilities of what books & reading can open our minds to.  Although this seems aimed at a particular segment of an unnamed group there is a wide variety of ethnic/races shown in her class – perhaps the range of appearances are to represent all children? Sparse text flows across each page loaded with figurative phrases to explore.

Younger children may simply enjoy the illustrations. This could be used to initiate a discussion on equality for girls in education, but it feels like a fictional “Malala” and may need explanation on how a book can be a spark to ignite a passion for learning. If I were a boy, I might ask, “Can’t boys be “Brighter. Brighter. Brightest bright,” too? Which would lead a discussion to come back around to the inequality of education for many girls in other parts of the world.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

 

four-stars

Otis P. Oliver Protests

Otis P. Oliver ProtestsOtis P. Oliver Protests by Daniel Duncan, Keri Claiborne Boyle
ISBN: 1534167064
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
The cover tells the story – Oliver, with dirt smudged on his face, stands in his underwear with his arms crossed in front of the bathtub. How attention grabbing is that? After he stages his protest, Mom is willing to compromise.

Looking serious (such as wearing a sports coat), getting backup (by delivering a fiery speech to his pals), marching, and picketing are reasonable steps when one is protesting. Toss in some hand-written notes between Otis and his mother during negotiations and we have a satisfying outcome!

Cartoonish illustrations (Daniel Duncan) add to the story with humor and just enough relevant details. 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Mae the Mayfly

Mae the MayflyMae the Mayfly by Denise Brennan-Nelson, Florence Weiser
ISBN: 1534166742
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Oh, the delights of a day in the life of a mayfly! aFter saying goodbye to her mother, May explores her surroundings, barely escapes being lunch for a trout, and then ends up saving him after he becomes entanglesd in fishing line.

Beautiful, rich illustrations on double page spreads pull the reader in. Rhyming text flows well and gives facts and information about a mayfly’s life. Back matter includes more facts about mayflies, and how to practice mindful breathing exercises. 

Could be paired with Aesop’s “The Mouse and the Lion” or David Shannon’s “Jangles: A Big Fish Story”. Could also be used to show children how to slow down and enjoy nature’s beauty. 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

My Best Friend

My Best FriendMy Best Friend by Jillian Tamaki, Julie Fogliano
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 1534427236
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Young readers won’t mind that standard capital letters and punctuation aren’t used, but they will enjoy the reassurance of friendship; hiding, laughing, pretending. You don’t have to like the same things, and you don’t even have to know their name to be ‘friends’.

Illustrations capture the mood through facial expressions, various angles, and inclusion of images suggested in the text. For example, the child says, “…turn our hands into ducks and run away quacking…” and the picture shows them, hands in the air, running away from two ducks.

The colors, though, are limited to red and green hues. Some children may notice that the text describes the friend as having black hair but it looks mostly green. Near the end, the child narrator imagines the next day when they will write their names in red and green. Even without punctuation, the text flows, has natural breaks, and it pleasant to read.

A great story for pre-K and early elementary to open the world of possibilities when one thinks they have found a friend! Pair with any friendship books, including “We Disagree” by Bethanie Deeney Murguia (c2020) and start a discussion about finding common ground. 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Sharko and Hippo

Sharko and HippoSharko and Hippo by Andrea Tsurumi, Elliott Kalan
Published by Balzer + Bray on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0062791095
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Sharko and Hippo are friends—Sharko does the talking, and Hippo does the carrying. The two friends are setting out on a fishing trip, but Hippo can’t seem to understand what Sharko wants. Sharko asks for a boat, and Hippo hands him a coat. Sharko asks for a pole, and Hippo hands him a peel. This zany banter continues until Sharko gives up and the two head home.

This is a silly story that will make kids giggle. Sharko and Hippo are fun and likeable. The environmentalist in me doesn’t appreciate all the misguided givings being thrown into and left in the water. The mixed media illustrations fit perfectly with the tone of the book. They’re cartoonish, colorful, and help bring Sharko’s exasperation to the forefront. The overall humor of the book is captured well with the illustrations as well. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars