Format: Picture Book Fiction

Harold Hates to Hibernate

Harold Hates to HibernateHarold Hates to Hibernate (A Harold the Bear Story) by Vern Kousky
ISBN: 0593712331
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Harold Hates to Hibernate is the follow-up to Harold Loves His Woolly Hat. Though you don’t have to read the first, readers will get much more depth from the second book after reading the first: In Harold Loves His Woolly Hat, Harold is bothered by a crow who stole his hat and he tries everything to get it back with no luck. Fed up, Harold climbs to the crow’s nest to steal his hat back—but when Harold gets to the nest he discovers the crow was stealing everything for its babies and Harold leaves his hat to keep them warm and comfortable.

In Harold Hates to Hibernate, Harold is now friends with the baby crows who’ve grown up. He loves playing with them but as the days get shorter he has less and less time to play and it’s nearing time to hibernate — but Harold isn’t ready. He’s worried the crows will forget him while he sleeps the winter away and is determined to stay awake. The crows get Harold everything he asks for to stay awake but he finally starts to succumb to hibernating. As he starts to drift off, he thanks them and wishes they won’t forget him and just before he falls asleep the crows bring him back his favorite hat to show him how much he means to them.

Readers will relate to not wanting to give up playtime and will have fun guessing if Harold ends up hibernating or not. They’ll also enjoy the connections to the first book and the way Harold and the crows have become friends. Kids and adults alike will be touched by this fantastic, but not heavy-handed, representation of friendship and the beautiful illustrations. Highly recommend for K-3 and as an addition to any seasonal unit. Five stars!

Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

five-stars

Elmore the Christmas Moose

Elmore the Christmas MooseElmore the Christmas Moose (Elmore the Moose) by Dev Petty, Mike Boldt
ISBN: 0593487168
Genres: Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Written by the author of Don’t Eat Bees (Dev Petty), Elmore the Christmas Moose is a lighthearted and fun Christmas book about finding our place in the world. Elmore is so eager to be a reindeer and, when he finds out that Santa is a reindeer short for the season, he excitedly applies for the job! However, when he shows up for his interview he realizes he doesn’t exactly qualify. On his way home he writes to Santa and asks for another chance. Santa feels for him and brings him back only to discover he cannot fly. Elmore again writes to Santa on his way home. Santa brings him back one last time and Elmore asks if he finally got the job but Santa has another plan. This book is not only feel-good but also laugh-out-loud funny with unexpected moments, wit, and humor that kids and adults will giggle at. The plot highlights how we can all find our unique talents and place in the world, even when it’s not what we thought we wanted. This one is already a family favorite and I know K-4th or even 5th graders will love the personality, humor, and Christmas fun in Elmore the Christmas Moose. While not the main focus of the book, it’s also a fun look at job applications, interviews, and qualifications, which could be a seasonal pairing for a job or community helper unit. Five stars.

Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

five-stars

Aisha’s Colors

Aisha’s ColorsAisha's Colors by Nabila Adani
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536235407
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Aisha’s Colors

Nabila Adani

 

Aisha’s Colors is a picture book about a young girl from Jakarta, who takes an annual family trip to her grandmother’s village in the Indonesian countryside. Meanwhile, Aisha’s friends are going on exotic and exciting vacations to new faraway destinations; Aisha wants to feel snow, swim in a pool, and visit an aquarium just like they do. Soon after she arrives at Grandma’s house, Aisha stops worrying about what she is missing and starts cherishing the time with her family.

This is a beautifully- illustrated story about recognizing and appreciating the beauty of familiar surroundings as well as the family members that dwell in them. The fear of missing out is universal. This would make a nice read-aloud about being grateful for our blessings instead of coveting others.

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

four-stars

How to Tantrum Like a Champion: Ten Small Ways to Temper Big Feelings

How to Tantrum Like a Champion: Ten Small Ways to Temper Big FeelingsHow to Tantrum Like a Champion: Ten Small Ways to Temper Big Feelings by Allan Wolf, Keisha Morris
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536223476
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
How to Tantrum Like a Champion: Ten Small Ways to Temper Big Feelings

Allan Wolf

 

This picture book for ages 3-7 provides strategies for readers during times when they feel a tantrum coming. Whether there is too much noise, or too much light, or the day just isn’t going as planned, the escalation of small feelings into big overwhelming feelings is a universal experience. Wolf offers kid-friendly suggestions to cope, such as taking deep breaths, doing a silly dance, or seeking out a quiet space. The illustrations, constructed with tissue paper collages, feature inclusivity and diversity among the book’s characters. The rhyming feels a bit forced at times which may detract from the book’s quality as a read-aloud.  However, all readers could benefit from this lovely reminder to pause, take a breath, and count to ten.

3 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

three-stars

Ruffles and the Cold, Cold Snow

Ruffles and the Cold, Cold SnowRuffles and the Cold, Cold Snow by David Melling
ISBN: 1536237663
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Ruffles and the Cold, Cold Snow

David Melling

This picture book for preschoolers is the latest in the series featuring Ruffles, a playful puppy. While Ruffles loves many things- howling, scratching, eating, fetching, and running- he does NOT love snow. It is simply too cold and too “slippy” and too “sinky.” Ruffles’ friends, the five teeny tiny kittens, love the snow! However, the snow is too deep for the kittens, and they need Ruffles’ help.  Even though Ruffles fears the snow, will he be brave enough to rescue the kitties? Ruffles learns that maybe playing in the snow isn’t so bad, as long it’s “not-too-deep.” This is a lovely winter picture book about friendship and courage.

4 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

four-stars

Molly, Olive, and Dexter: The Guessing Game

Molly, Olive, and Dexter: The Guessing GameMolly, Olive, and Dexter: The Guessing Game by Catherine Rayner
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536234141
Genres: Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
The second in a series by Catherine Rayner is Molly, Olive, and Dexter: The Guessing Game. This is a charming picture book in Rayner’s series that focuses on the theme of friendship. Each book is a different game they play together. The Guessing Game is reminiscent of an “I Spy” game one might play with friends.

Rayner’s stunning illustrations are shiny and colorful with beautiful watercolor-brushed animals including: Molly the hare, Olive the owl, and Dexter the fox. The story goes back and forth to each of the animals trying to guess what item the other animal is thinking about. Olive the owl is thinking about two things that are lovely, and Molly and Dexter are frustrated! They cannot guess what it might be. Then they realize that Olive is owl is thinking about Molly and Dexter!

“This game is lovely,” says Dexter. “It’s the loveliest game in the world,” says Molly. Albeit a bit too saccharine at times, a child will find these characters to be cozy nonetheless. A great addition to a sweet and gentle series that also includes, Molly, Olive, and Dexter Play Hide-and-Seek, Molly, Olive, and Dexter: You Can’t Catch Me! (2025), and Molly, Olive, and Dexter: Who’s Afraid of the Dark? (2025).

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

The Goblin Twins – Too Hard to Scare

The Goblin Twins – Too Hard to ScareThe Goblin Twins: Too Hard to Scare by Frances Cha, Jaime Kim
ISBN: 0593480260
Genres: Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

The Goblin Twins: Too Hard to Scare is about two creatures from Korean mythology who move to New York and attempt to play tricks on people. However, they didn’t anticipate how impervious New Yorkers would be to their scare attempts. It turns out the adjustment to New York was harder than they thought it would be. In order to cheer themselves up they try and try to scare those around them. Ultimately while they’re unsuccessful in their attempts to strike fear into the hearts of those around them, they do become closer and learn to lean on each other as they learn to adapt in their new home. I would recommend this for patrons who are K-3 and libraries where the first book (The Goblin Twins) is popular, Halloween/scare books are popular, or you have a lot of people who move to your town. Three stars.

Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

three-stars

My Olive Tree

My Olive TreeMy Olive Tree by Hazar Elbayya
ISBN: 0593810228
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
A young Palestinian girl learns all about olive trees from her grandfather; how they connect so many people in their community, how the olives are used in so many ways, and how they have come to represent peace, connection, and resilience. She decides to plant some seeds to grow her own olive tree, but it is unfortunately stomped on as soldiers pass through her town.The girl’s grandfather encourages her not to lose hope and tells her he will share the story of her tree with others. Not long after, the child comes upon a new grove of olive trees planted by her friends and neighbors.

Lovely, muted illustrations grace the pages of this incredible book. Elbayya’s author’s note gives readers more context, as well as a sense of the resilience and desire for peace. A timely selection, the hopeful messaging in this picture book is highly recommended for all libraries, although the text is intended for grades 1-2.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta.

five-stars

Ursula Upside Down

Ursula Upside DownUrsula Upside Down by Corey R. Tabor
ISBN: 0063275562
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
Much as he did with Mel Fell and The Better Bone, Tabor plays with book orientation. Ursula is a happy pink catfish who enjoys her life eating bugs, until she is asked one day why she swims upside down. This query causes her to doubt herself and if she might be in the wrong. Readers are instructed to flip the book upside down. Ursula is not happy until she has a conversation with a bat that, of course, is hanging upside down. She is overjoyed to meet another creature who lives life unconventionally aligned. And, “just like that,” Ursula’s world—and the book—flips again. Food for thought for youngsters. Bubbly watercolors in tones of aqua and teal create an inviting watery world. An author’s note discusses the real-life upside-down catfish, found in the Congo River basin. An enjoyable readaloud for ages 4-7. Beginning readers will be tickled by the unorthodox book orientation.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Carry Me!

Carry Me!Published by Andersen Press Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
four-stars
Wilbur has always loved to be carried. Or given a piggyback ride. Or pushed in his stroller. When Mommy asks Wilbur to walk somewhere, his legs say, “Not today, thank you.” Wouldn’t his empty stroller be lonely? But one day, when he accidentally drops his plush rabbit and pops out of the stroller to get it, he comes back to find Mommy sitting in the stroller! Wilbur decides to give her a break and push her up the hill … with some help from his friends. Bright, cheery illustrations feature many parent and child relationships of all species of animals. Kids and their parents will giggle about this very relatable book, Wilbur appears to be part of a single-parent household. Ages 2-5.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

four-stars