Format: Picture Book Fiction

Non Stop

Non StopNonstop by Tomi Ungerer
Published by Phaidon Press on September 16, 2020
ISBN: 183866159X
Pages: 48
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

It isn’t often that I see a picture book that reads like a dystopian nightmare but here we are. Ungerer is wonderful in that you never really know what you’re going to get when you open one of his books and in Non Stop you have no idea what you’re going to get page to page. A man named Vasco is apparently a straggler after what might have been a cataclysmic event that forced people to move to the moon. He is repeatedly rescued by his own shadow from tragedy. After he adopts a young creature named Poco, they both evade disaster and end up living in a cake. I absolutely love this book. It’s somewhat alarming with its references to climate change, isolation and pollution but it will present multiple opportunities to discuss these things that might be weighing on young children. The end is reassuring and even if no discussion arises, it’s a provocative story with striking illustrations.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Lift

LiftLift by Dan Santat, Minh Lê
on May 5, 2020
ISBN: 1368036929
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The illustrations by Dan Santat in this picture book are so spectacular it would be easy to overlook how perceptive and nice the story by Minh Le is. Iris is a young child who lives to press the elevator button in her family’s apartment building; it’s her job and she takes it very seriously. One day her world comes crashing down when her parents let her toddler sibling press the button before Iris can. (They seem nice enough but, wow, was it ever an act of horrible betrayal.) When it happens a second time Iris loses it and presses so many buttons the elevator breaks which has a silver lining because she retrieves the button from the trash and tapes it to her wall and then she gets to go to a space station. This book is excellent in how it describes Iris’s pain and reaction and ultimate redemption.  And it is one of those rare reads in which both kids and parents most likely will identify with the character’s mistakes and then reflect with compassion on both the people in the book and themselves.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Slow Samson

Slow SamsonSlow Samson by Bethany Christou
Published by Templar Books on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1536215473
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Samson is a sloth, and he has a lot of jungle friends. Samson gets invited to a lot of parties, but he never seems to make it to them before they’ve ended. Along the way, he stops to settle arguments, just to chat with friends, or to lend a helping hand. His friends decide they need to do something to help Samson make it to a party on time. They send him an invite and get to work. When Samson does finally make it to a party, he’s overjoyed and surprised by what he finds.

This is a wonderful story about slowing down, making time for people, and frienship. For a time, Samson decides to rush to the party instead of helping his friends along the way. He still doesn’t make it, and now he realizes he was rude to his friends for no reason. The text is simple, straightforward, and easy to follow. The illustrations are colorful and help to bring the emotion of the story to life. This is sure to be a hit with sloth and nature lovers alike. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Elevator Bird

Elevator BirdElevator Bird by Sarah Williamson
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on November 24, 2020
ISBN: 052564881X
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Elevator Bird is in charge of the elevator. He takes people to all the floors of the hotel, he makes recommendations about the city, and he always has something kind to say. He loves his job, but he wants something more. His cramped quarters in the basement just aren’t enough for him, and his mouse friend helps to change that. All the animals of the city band together to create something wonderful and beautiful for Elevator Bird.

This is a story of friendship. The animals in the city love Elevator Bird, and they had no idea he was unhappy. As soon as they discover this fact, there’s no question they’re going to do something kind for him. The illustrations are colorful and whimsical. Some of the pages have a lot of sidebar style text, and that can be a bit overwhelming for some young readers. The typeface isn’t anything special and somewhat diminishes the quality of the book. This is still a fun read that promotes kindness to all members of the community. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Let’s Play Monsters

Let’s Play MonstersLet's Play Monsters by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick Press on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 1536210609
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

A young white, blond-haired boy loves to play monsters. He asks several friends and family members to play with him, telling them all what kind of monsters they should be. The simple phrase, “Hee, hee, hee! But you can’t catch me!” is repeated throughout. None of the monsters catch him until his mom plays along, catches him, and puts him to bed.

This is a fun story that young readers will enjoy. The illustrations are classic Lucy Cousins: bright, high contrast, high emotion. They will definitely keep the attention of the youngest readers. There’s nothing particularly wrong with this book, it just isn’t overly compelling. Recommended for readers 2 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

two-stars

Love is powerful

Love is powerfulLove Is Powerful by Heather Dean Brewer, LeUyen Pham
Published by Candlewick Press on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 1536201995
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Mari is a young brown-skinned girl who lives in an apartment with her mom. Together, she and her mother are using a rainbow of colors to make a sign. Mari wonders who will hear their message, and her mother assures her that the whole world will hear. They join a large crowd of diverse people on the sidewalk and march together for peace, love, and kindness. This is a story of community action, a story of family, and a story of believing in good. Mari is determined to make her message heard. She shouts it to the sky, and the entire crowd joins her.

This is a good story for reminding kids that their voice matters and their voice can make a difference. The illustrations are colorful and carry the story well. Though the crowds depicted are diverse, throughout the book, people other than Mari and her mother have a bit of a muted hue making it easier to find them among the sea of faces. This is a great read aloud for small groups or for one-on-one sharing and further discussion. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Fox Tails: The Great Bunk Bed Battle

Fox Tails: The Great Bunk Bed BattleThe Great Bunk Bed Battle: An Acorn Book (Fox Tails #1) by Tina Kugler
ISBN: 9781338561685
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

First in a series of 3 books. Fox siblings Fritz and Franny have an imaginative debate about whose bunk is best. This series is part of Scholastic’s early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read with easy-to-read text, a short-story format, and color cartoon illustrations. Lots of repetition. The size, similar to a small Golden book, might dissuade some kids. Ridiculous price of $23.99.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog

See the Cat: Three Stories About a DogSee the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog by David LaRochelle, Mike Wohnoutka
Published by Candlewick Press on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 9781536204278
Pages: 64
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Controlled vocabulary and repetitive text makes this book an ideal first easy reader. The sharp humor and the cartoon-style illustrations that expertly support the text makes it an exceptional one. Recommend this clever book to fans of Mo Willems. Giggles will abound!

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Nominee for Cream of the Crop

Winner of the 2021 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

five-stars

Fox Versus Winter (My First I Can Read)

Fox Versus Winter (My First I Can Read)Fox versus Winter by Corey R. Tabor
Published by Balzer + Bray on November 3, 2020
ISBN: 9780062977052
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The 5th installment of books about Fox that includes Fox and the Jumping Contest, Fox and the Bike Ride, Fox Is Late, and the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award–winning Fox the Tiger (my favorite!) Fox does not like winter so if he cannot escape, he will fight it. Sly Fox makes both an entertaining and sympathetic protagonist, and the text is clever and amusingly dry. The illustrations are clever and delightful. I learned that one library in Vermont used this book as a Story Walk for a snowshoe trail. Seems like a good choice to me!

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Addy’s Cup of Sugar: Based on a Buddhist Story of Healing

Addy’s Cup of Sugar: Based on a Buddhist Story of HealingAddy's Cup of Sugar: Based on a Buddhist Story of Healing by Jon J. Muth
Published by Scholastic Press on October 20, 2020
ISBN: 9780439634281
Pages: 32
Genres: Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Another Stillwater, the beloved Zen panda, book by Jon Muth. Addy’s cat, Trumpet, is hit by a car, and she seeks Stillwater’s help on how to bring Trumpet back to life. Stillwater tells Addy that she must go to everyone in the neighborhood and collect a cup of sugar. But there is one condition: it can only come from the home of someone who has never been touched by loss. Addy goes from house to house but returns home without a cup of sugar because there isn’t a person who has not felt the pain of loss. In the original Buddhist tale the search is for a mustard seed. I am not sure why the search was for a clichéd cup of sugar, but I would have preferred something else. Nevertheless the heartfelt story and beautiful watercolor illustrations will be cathartic for anyone who has lost a pet or loved one. Add it to your collection of books about coping with death and grief.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars