Format: Picture Book Fiction

Kindergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every Day

Kindergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every DayKindergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every Day by Joey Chou, Vera Ahiyya
Published by Random House Studio on June 21, 2022
ISBN: 0593484622
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Leo is nervous about kindergarten. He’s a quiet sort of kid, and he’s worried about how he’ll fit in in his new class. His teacher, Ms. Perry is dedicated to creating a kind classroom environment, and she helps Leo feel comfortable in his new space. Throughout the day, the kids in the class point out different ways to be kind—with words and actions.

This is a great story for kids new to school. The focus on being kind is a good one and will help young kids as they venture into new classrooms. The digitally rendered illustrations show Leo’s emotions well and bring his classroom and his school experiences to life. Recommended for readers heading to kindergarten for the first time.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

The Family Business

The Family BusinessThe Family Business by Ken Lamug, Lenore Appelhans
Published by HarperCollins on July 19, 2022
ISBN: 0062898868
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Lucky is a raccoon, and he’s finally big enough to participate in the family business. Turns out though, the family business is stealing food and things from other people. Lucky doesn’t like this at all, and he’s determined to make a change. When some kids make a video of Lucky dancing, the new family business takes off. Lucky’s video goes viral, and now he’s asked to dance wherever they go. His dancing brings joy to people, but they also give Lucky and his family food and all the things they used to steal.

This book is trying to have a good message, but it’s trying too hard. The story isn’t all that engaging, and the reliance on viral social media to bring the raccoon family what they need and want helps the message to miss the mark. The digital illustrations are colorful and do add to the story but not enough to save it. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

two-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: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Rabbit wants to find the perfect gift for his grandma. It’s not a holiday or her birthday, he just really wants to give her a gift. Convinced by a crow to go on a long journey, rabbit encounters all sorts of things—the moon, a volcano, and more. Though they all have gifts to offer, none of them seems just right. When rabbit gets to the gift mentioned by the crow, it turns out to be just right.

This is a sweet story of kind hearted adventure. Rabbit is thoughtful and conscious of things that would make his grandmother happy. The illustrations are full of little details, loads of colors, and really help bring life to the story. Recommended for one-on-one reading for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Welcome the New Kid/The New Kid Welcome

Welcome the New Kid/The New Kid WelcomeThe New Kid Welcome: Welcome the New Kid: A Flip-It Story by Suzanne Slade, Nicole Miles
Published by Rodale Kids on July 1, 2022
ISBN: 0593426320
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Plot twist! Or rather, book twist! Two different stories, two different outcomes, same words. This palindromic narrative literally turns the moment and thoughts around newcomers into the community on its head. The stories are told back-to-back, in first person plural, (the “we” voice), creating a powerful sense of control about the outcome for its readers. Text from The New Kid Welcome, “Check them out. So different from me – and my friends.” becomes “They’re not so different from me – and my friends. Check them out.” in Welcome the New Kid.

The illustrations of The New Kid Welcome depict a group of unsmiling children with different skin tones, differently abled, excluding the “new kid” (a White girl) from activities while Welcome the New Kid, the illustrations show the same children, smiling and inclusive, interacting with the same new kid. Illustrations play with “right-side up/upside-down” concepts as well.

The New Kid Welcome, the less charitable story, is the front cover (Welcome the New Kid includes the ISBN on its cover) and provides a less interesting arc than if it were the “second” story, but provides a happier ending this way. Readers will find this form engaging and will be excited to point out where and how the narrative flips. A helpful layout in the center of the book shows the text of each story side-by-side. Pair this with Someone New by Anne Sibley O’Brien.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

four-stars

If You Find a Leaf

If You Find a LeafIf You Find a Leaf by Aimée Sicuro
Published by Random House Studio on July 12, 2022
ISBN: 0593306597
Pages: 40
Genres: Arts, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“If You Find a Leaf” is a picture book following a child as they collect leaves, imagining that they can use the leaves as different things. Aimee Sicuro uses a mixture of artistic media for each illustration, with the leaves always as realistic photographs collaged into the larger image. A leaf can be a hat, or a sail for a boat, or a superhero cape. The endpapers identify different types of leaves. Fun, simple, and beautiful, this picture book is recommended for ages 3 – 5, and is a recommended purchase for libraries where leaf-based picture books fly off the shelves in the Fall.

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

three-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
four-stars

Saving the Butterfly is an emotional read about two children suffering trauma as refugees. Both children are rescued from a boat but only the older remembers their journey and has difficulty getting past her loss. This story is probably not unique but the picture book format is sure to make a deep impression upon readers. Sadness and depression exhibited by the older sister is balanced by joy and hopefulness of the younger brother. Illustrations combine hope and sadness by using a range of colors and shadowing. While the village is shown in blacks and grays the flowers and butterfly include vibrant colors in many shades. The butterfly becomes a perfect symbol of hope even as it scares the younger brother. Readers will feel the emotional content and be grateful for the existence of a lovely creature who draws a depressed child out into her new village. The illustrations and text complement each other in a favorable way.

Readers may wonder if any services are offered to refugees like these siblings. Having minimal adult interactions seems to be a missed opportunity. As a picture book this story just touches on the reality of the refugee experience. Readers who have more questions will find lots of additional materials in public libraries and book stores. Because questions need to be answered this book should be included in primary media centers and public libraries. Intended for grade K-3 readers, this book would benefit and be welcomed by all ages. Art teachers will love the illustrations while guidance counselors will appreciate the content.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired Youth Services Librarian

four-stars

Do Baby Elephants Suck Their Trunks?: Amazing Ways Animals Are Just Like Us

Do Baby Elephants Suck Their Trunks?: Amazing Ways Animals Are Just Like UsDo Baby Elephants Suck Their Trunks?: Amazing Ways Animals Are Just Like Us by Ben Lerwill, Katharine McEwen
Published by Candlewick Press on June 7, 2022
ISBN: 1536224049
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This title is attractive and informative for preschool age children. Ten animals (wild and domestic) are introduced to young readers in a simple and factual presentation. Questions are asked and answered in lovely illustrated two-page spreads for each animal. Children will identify with and see the similarities between humans and other animals. Colored backgrounds are perfect for the natural setting of each individual animal.

This is bound to become a lap book, one that toddlers will drag over to a parent or grandparent frequently. While the information is slight, the illustrations of the various animals are perfect. Each page offers opportunity to search for and identify a number of added natural items within the animal’s environment. Add to library collections where concept books are shelved. Consider for pre-K classrooms and nursery schools.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired Youth Services Librarian

four-stars

Mum, Me and the Mulberry Tree

Mum, Me and the Mulberry TreeMum, Me, and the Mulberry Tree by Tanya Rosie, Chuck Groenink
Published by Candlewick Press on July 19, 2022
ISBN: 1536220353
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Mother and child rise with the sun and take a bus into the country, where they spend the day picking mulberries. In the evening they return home and bake the berries into a pie. The text has an undemanding rhyming rhythm that is fun to read aloud, unspooling the gentle adventure of bus ride, rainstorm, tree-climbing and, finally, eating the delicious treat at the end. It is a sweet story that feels like a hug – it’s easy to imagine this being a book read over and over while snuggling.
Charming mixed media illustrations fill, but do not clutter, the page. They are in sync with the text and give the feel of an English countryside. Characters are white.

Four stars; a cozy addition to library shelves.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

four-stars

Everything In Its Place

Everything In Its PlaceEverything in Its Place: A Story of Books and Belonging by Pauline David-Sax, Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on July 19, 2022
ISBN: 0593378822
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Nicky finds it much easier to stay in the library with her beloved librarian, Ms. Gillam, than to go outside at recess and associate with her classmates. Ms. Gillam is supportive and accommodating but encourages Nicky to try playing outside during an upcoming week-long conference she’ll be attending. Nicky is crushed and finds solace in her mother’s restaurant where she catches up with her favorite regulars, particularly Maggie, a motorcycle-riding reader who passes books along to her young friend. When Maggie shows up one day with a huge group of motorcyclists, Nicky is awed by the diversity in the group and the way they all get along so well. She is encouraged to try her luck at the playground and even meets a new friend. Some kids stress about recess and this book would be helpful in starting a discussion about why that might be. The story is straightforward and the illustrations are nice, if a little chaotic. The book is kind and empathetic and would be a good read aloud for younger grades.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library

four-stars

Marley and the Family Band

Marley and the Family BandMarley and the Family Band by Cedella Marley, Tracey Baptiste, Tiffany Rose, D
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on February 1, 2022
ISBN: 0593301110
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Marley, recently transplanted from Jamaica to Delaware, is hoping to make music and friends at the same time through a concert in the park. The concert is in jeopardy, however, because of a threatening storm. Never fear — Marley is resilient, resourceful, and about to learn that helping strangers turns them into friends. As the rainstorm creates problems for her neighbors (cats on rooftops! Basements in need of bailing!), Marley and her siblings lend assistance.

It is a simple story with brief but descriptive text, lots of musical references (a cat named “Coda”), and lyrical text (“a drenched, dripping duet”). The brightly colored, dynamic illustrations, created with digital crayons and watercolor brushes, incorporate musical notes on almost every page. Readers are shown a diverse cast of characters, with Marley’s father and a younger brother in dreads; Mom wears a head wrap. The predictable patterns and satisfying conclusion make this a great choice for a musical story time.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library

four-stars