Format: Picture Book Fiction

A Friend for Yoga Bunny

A Friend for Yoga BunnyA Friend for Yoga Bunny by Brian Russo
Published by HarperCollins on February 22, 2022
ISBN: 0063017849
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A simple book that felt as open and friendly as the story itself. Bunny wakes up to do yoga by himself one morning and meets Bear, who is anxious about his upcoming birthday party. Bunny teaches Bear yoga poses to calm his nervousness and anxiety, and they become fast friends. The storyline is straightforward, and the digital illustrations are playful and simple, not overwhelming the text or cluttering the page. It’s a sweet introduction to the concept of yoga as being enjoyable, as well as its helpfulness for self-calming in stressful situations. The endpapers are fun, showing Bunny in many different yoga poses.

As a sequel, this book will appeal to fans of Yoga Bunny, but it’s also absolutely fine as a stand-alone. This would be a great read-aloud, and even a story time book where kids practice yoga as an activity following the reading.

Five stars; recommended for libraries; not many picture books touch on ways to self-calm and soothe anxiety, so this is a good one to have on the shelf!

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars

Peanut Gets Fed Up

Peanut Gets Fed UpPeanut Gets Fed Up by Dana Wulfekotte
Published by Greenwillow Books on April 5, 2022
ISBN: 0062455826
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Peanut is a beloved stuffed penguin who has belonged to Pearl for a long time. Peanut is tired of all the manhandling so falls from Pearl’s backpack during a Saturday visit to the park. Peanut enjoys the day on his own without Pearl (I especially enjoyed the illustration of Peanut waiting in line for an ice cream!) until the swing. “How can I swing without anyone to push?” Peanut falls off the swing and is torn and discouraged. Pearl and her dad come to rescue Peanut. The simple text and expressive artwork in this picture book will make this a favorite shared on someone’s lap or as a story time read aloud. Pairs nicely with “Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale” by Mo Willems. We all need this lesson at some point: “It is easy to get fed up with someone when you’ve been stuck with them for so long. But they’re the ones who will always be there to sew your stuffing back in …. Right when you need them.” Awww!

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Lily Leads the Way

Lily Leads the WayLily Leads the Way by Margi Preus, Matt Myers
Published by Candlewick Press on May 17, 2022
ISBN: 1536214035
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Once I got over my expectation that this book is set on the Great Lakes instead of the ocean, I enjoyed this story about the plucky little sailboat that saves a flotilla of tall ships. The other characters are cargo ships, speedy fishing vessels, and bossy tugboat. The tall ships – which are wonderful illustrations – are silent so cannot give a signal for the bridge to rise so Lily saves the day … or rather the ships. Luscious oil painted illustrations add much to the story. The “Author’s Note” at the end provides fascinating information about bridges. Anyone interested in boats and bridges will enjoy this story. Also a fun readaloud with the onomatopoeia sounds, such as a blast of the horn, “OOHHH-pen. OOHHH-pen.” And the bridge answers: “OOHHH-kay. OOHHH-kay.” Will pair nicely with “Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey” by Maira Kalman.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

A Gift for Nana

A Gift for NanaA Gift for Nana by Lane Smith
Published by Random House Studio on May 10, 2022
ISBN: 0593430336
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“A Gift for Nana” follows young Rabbit as he goes on an adventure to find a good gift for his beloved Nana. Written and illustrated by Lane Smith, Rabbit asks the moon, a volcano, a big fish, and various others for the perfect gift, but nothing that they suggest is quite right. Lane’s mixed media artwork works well in showing just how big and long a quest Rabbit is on, with large swooping waves and tall craggy cliffs. Written for ages 4 to 7, this book is an excellent addition to any library collection.

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

four-stars

Two Dogs

Two DogsTwo Dogs by Ian Falconer
Published by HarperCollins on June 28, 2022
ISBN: 0062954474
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Two Dogs” is a picture book written and illustrated by Ian Falconer, the creator of the Olivia series. This book is about two dachshunds named Perry and Augie who get bored while home alone one day. They play with the ball in the house and bang on the piano before going outside and wreaking havoc on the plants and lawn. They find a small hole and decide to dig, but when they hear a car pull up they are afraid they will get into trouble. Illustrations are fun and readers will enjoy the goofy dogs getting into different kinds of trouble. For kids in PreK to 3rd grade, this picture book is not a must-buy, but is recommended where Olivia books still go out.

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

three-stars

Sometimes Cake

Sometimes CakeSometimes Cake by Edwina Wyatt, Tamsin Ainslie
Published by Candlewick Press on January 4, 2022
ISBN: 1536217816
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

In its simplest form, this is a book about friendship between a tiny girl named Audrey and large Lion. But there is nothing simple about this book. It is profound! Lion enjoys celebrations. “What are you celebrating? asked Audrey. “Orange mostly,” said Lion. “Also yellow.” Audrey likes orange and yellow and suggests purple, too, and they have a grand time. This goes on until the day Lion is not celebrating because it is just an ordinary day. The give-and-take between the two friends is heartwarming as are the colored pencil and watercolor illustrations. Audrey finds a way to reciprocate goodness for the despondent Lion. After all that’s what friends are for … and to make a cake to share because it is Tuesday. Perfectly logical for a 3 or 4-year-old. This gentle book is a real charmer!

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Capybara is Friends With Everyone

Capybara is Friends With EveryoneCapybara Is Friends with Everyone by Maddie Frost
Published by HarperCollins on March 22, 2022
ISBN: 0063021021
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Capybara has 4,382 friends! Every day he runs around trying to help his friends in any way he can. Then Capybara meets Sloth, an animal he hasn’t befriended before, Sloth is so slow to respond to his friendship, that Capybara must adjust and learn that making friends takes time. By the end, Capybara learns that his 4,383 friends don’t always need anything from him; sometimes it is just fun hanging out and doing nothing at all. The boldly illustrated animals pop against the minimalist background. This humorous and light-hearted book provides good prompts for discussions about making new friends and maintaining established friendships. Recommended for grades Pre-K-3.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

four-stars

Our Playground Rules!

Our Playground Rules!Our Playground Rules! by Kallie George, Jay Fleck
Published by Rodale Kids on May 17, 2022
ISBN: 0593378741
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is an absolute must for elementary school libraries. Teachers will love the pun in the title of the book, which is a delicate way to address behavior on the school playground. The topics such as kindness, fairness, apologizing, inclusion, patience, and acceptance are each addressed in a colorful and cute two-page spread. The illustrations are simple but have details that will keep readers interested even after the first read. This empathetic and affirming story is recommended for grades Pre-k through grade 2.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

four-stars

Saving the Butterfly

Saving the ButterflySaving the Butterfly by Helen Cooper, Gill Smith
Published by Candlewick Press on June 21, 2022
ISBN: 1536220558
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This book opens with two children being removed from a boat. They are the only two who have survived the journey. The younger sibling adjusts to their new life easier than the older sister who stays inside and hides. The world trauma is not explicitly mentioned, but older readers will understand “shadows and worries” are references to her past. When her younger bothers brings her a butterfly, its color and flight lure her outside. The predominately charcoal-colored pages become filled with more color and activity throughout the book, but, the words let the reader know that things are better for this one day and that there is no tidy ending to some life experiences. Close readers will notice the barbed-wire fence on the end sheets and borders of some of the pages, but other than that there is no mention of being a refugee. Interestingly, Amazon has a subtitle listed for this book “A Story about Refugees”, but this does not appear in the book or in the official MARC record. This subtitle would help prepare readers for the story and back matter at the end might help readers connect this story with real-world events.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

three-stars

Punky Aloha

Punky AlohaPunky Aloha by Shar Tuiasoa
Published by HarperCollins on June 7, 2022
ISBN: 0063079232
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This charming intergenerational story tells of how Punky learns to become brave, helpful, and adventurous. When her grandmother asks her to go to the market to pick up butter, Punky feels shy and unsure. Her grandmother gives her magical, brave glasses to help her with the reminder to share her “aloha” by being helpful, giving, as well as brave. Punky has a few adventures on the way to the market and when her magical glasses break, she comes to realize that she does not need them anymore; she has a heart full of courage. Shar Tuiasoa, the author and illustrator, is Polynesian from the island of O’ahu. Her illustrations fill the pages of this book with lush and vibrant tropical colors. School libraries in particular will find this a great addition to diversity their collection of picture books about helping others and kindness.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

four-stars