Format: Picture Book Fiction

Awesome Man: The Mystery Intruder

Awesome Man: The Mystery IntruderAwesome Man: The Mystery Intruder by Jake Parker, Michael Chabon
Published by Quill Tree Books on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0062875094
Pages: 40
Genres: Fantasy, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Awesome Man  has returned (The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man, 2011); he’s heard there’s a new superhero in town. Children will relate to his feeling blue and worried about no longer being #1 in town. In the satisfying conclusion, Awesome Man discovers the new guy has his own superpowers such as his Supersonic Burp and Slime Blast, and will be a great new sidekick, aka Captain Stinky. If you haven’t guessed, Awesome Man and Sister Sinister are now the big siblings to a new baby.

Fun words that blend in well with the story: octolizard, thermovulcanized, and, returning from the first book, positronic.  Dynamic, bright, illustrations (Jake Parker) add to the intensity of the emotions described in the text. Some important hints about being the big brother are woven in as his mom tells him how the toddler will look up to him and want to do what he does.

A great story for those youngsters worried about a new baby in their home! And a great book to add to your superhero shelf for the preschool and early elementary crowd.

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

 

five-stars

Smashy Town

Smashy TownSmashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman, Dan Yaccarino, David Clemesha
ISBN: 006291037X
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Smashy Town…you mean…like…? Yes! It IS the long awaited follow-up to 1999’s Trashy Town. Those who loved Trashy Town will be delighted to see that Mr. Gilly is pretty much the same except that now he controls a crane and wrecking ball and has traded in his rats for pigeons. These books are great, with their refrains that end in yelling “No!” and their unique illustrations by Dan Yaccarino. Really, there’s not much to delve into here; Mr. Gilley wrecks a building and we all get to sing and yell about it and it’s really fun to read out loud. If you’re a fan of the original book, you’ll love this one too.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Glory on Ice

Glory on IceGlory on Ice: A Vampire Hockey Story by Mark Fearing, Maureen Fergus
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 1524714518
Pages: 40
Genres: Fantasy, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This fun picture book combines a vampire and hockey, what young reader in Maine wouldn’t like it?! Vlad has lived a long time and he needs a new hobby. He tries a few things before overhearing the words “pound” “crush” and “destroy”; he has to know what hobby involves these things. Hockey, of course. So Vlad signs up, get the gear, watches a lot of hockey, and then shows up for his first day. Parents who have participated in hockey will appreciate the ogrelike smell of the locker room and the mom tying skates, and kids will giggle at Vlad’s attempts to move. On ice! With blades on his feet! Vlad is not great, but he has fallen in love with the game so he is determined and persistent . In the end, his team plays a tough opponent and he gets to use some of his vampiric skills (cunning and courage), but it is not enough to win. Luckily, there is always next time. Fearing’s illustrations have movement and color and Fergus clearly enjoys writing about this beloved winter sport. This will make a great read aloud and should fly off the shelf.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars

Overground Railroad

Overground RailroadOverground Railroad by James E. Ransome, Lesa Cline-Ransome
Published by Holiday House on January 7, 2020
ISBN: 0823438732
Pages: 48
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Beautifully presented historic fiction story of a family migrating north via train.  The term Overground Railroad may be new to many readers. Lesa Cline-Ransome tells the story using short lyrical poems as readers share the journey through the eyes of young Ruthie.  Hope and trust in the future are within these pages for more than one family moving north.  This is American history full of dreams and painful memories.

Each page is informative and engaging with illustrations that superbly assist the storytelling.  Intended for early grade students this book will find its way into middle school history classes and in art classrooms. It belongs on the shelves of all primary school media centers and in public library collections.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME.

five-stars

SNOW SONG

SNOW SONGSnow Song by A.K. Riley, Dawn Lo
Published by Kids Can Press on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 1525302353
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A picture book for ages 3-7 that charmingly shows us a “celebration of snow.”  Written in rhythmic free verse at a sometimes slow/sometimes quicker pace . SNOW SONG is sure to be enjoyed by young children as they, themselves may relate to a similar experience.

A little girl explores her own neighborhood after a snowfall.  She  delights in experiencing the many sensations of the snow as she eagerly engages in sledding, skating, and playing,  along with friends.  The text is rich and “lush.”  And one  “knows”  that the little girl is experiencing a winter wonderland with love and delight! The ending depicts the little girl staring at the sky out her bedroom window,  Concluding lines:

All the stars

Bright falling stars

Are made of

Snow.

A nice book for a winter themed books, poetry, and for shows us  that a few friends can enhance the experience of the out of doors.  Soft, “drifty and  dreamy,”  expressive and sweet, illustrations compliment SNOW SONG story so nicely.  Perhaps pair with “The Snowy Day,” by Jack Ezra Keats.

 

reviewed by Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School, Porltand, ME

three-stars

LITTLE WISE WOLF

LITTLE WISE WOLFLittle Wise Wolf by Gijs van der Hammen, Hanneke Siemensma
Published by Kids Can Press on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1525305492
Pages: 34
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

LITTLE WISE WOLF is  charming and endearing picture book for ages 4 through 8 years.  It’s  about the importance of relationships and community all  “disguised” in  a lovely, folktale like story. about a  wise little wolf who loves to read and  thinks he knows just about everything.   This fact made Wise Little Wolf feel VERY PROUD! In fact,  he reads so much that he cannot  find the time to answer his friends (animals, also) questions.  “I don’t have time for your questions,” he muttered.  One day, the kIng’s crow beckons Wise Little Wolf to visit the ailing kIng immediately because he thinks only Wise Little Wolf can heal  him.   Reluctantly, Wise Little Wolf sets off, but soon finds that he is not up to the journey.  He becomes  tired and hungry on the long journey.  Reluctantly, at first, but knowing it’s the right thing to do. his  friends decide to help him out.  After completing his journey AND  healing the the King, Wise Little Wolf  is  humbled as he realizes that, indeed, he does not know everything and that sometimes one needs to  rely on friends.

This book has vivid and engaging  illustrations that compliment the pace of the text and the plot  .For discussion purposes with chidren,  WISE LITTLE WOLF  shows us that it sometimes “takes a village” and that it’s okay, in time of need,  to accept help form others.

Reviewed by Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME

four-stars

The Problem with Problems

The Problem with ProblemsThe Problem with Problems by Rachel Rooney, Zehra Hicks
Published by Andersen on March 5, 2020
ISBN: 1783448717
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The reader will need to infer what ‘The Problem” is with problems. Rather, this book helps the reader identify various types of problems and how to deal with them. It recognizes that some situations are problems for some people, but not others. Reads easily like a narrative, but there are no main characters or story line.

Some solutions are specific, such as “ignore them”; figurative language describes others (…will wilt when they’re left in the shade) and may need adult explanation if warranted. Overall, it is a welcoming way to introduce, explain, or brainstorm ways a child could deal with most any problem they may encounter – big or small. The final message to share them is critical, and a lesson even adults could consider doing.

Cartoonish, bright, full-color illustrations show children in various situations dealing with creatures of non-descript shapes

UsePair with “What Do You Do With a Problem?” (Kobi Yamada, 2016) or “Penguin Problems” (Jory John, 2016).

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

four-stars

Calvin Gets the Last Word

Calvin Gets the Last WordCalvin Gets the Last Word by Margo Sorenson, Mike Deas
Published by Tilbury House Publishers on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 0884488225
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

“I’m Calvin’s dictionary, and I’m tired.”  Why is Calvin’s dictionary telling this story? Why is it tired? Who is Calvin? This humorous vocabulary-building story introduces the reader to big words, such as mayhem, subterfuge and retaliation. Even though young readers might not remember these words, they will remember and possibly relate to the irritations of siblings.

Full-color illustrations mirror the text as well as give a deeper understanding of the big words used. Green and gray hues are dominant, but the brothers are in bolder colors, and the yellow-with-red-stripe dictionary is easy to locate on each page.

Great to use an introduction to dictionaries, or vocabulary-building, or what’s most important in “family”.  Fun pairings could include “Tony Baloney” (Pam Munox Ryan, 2011), or “Word Collector” (Peter Reynolds, 2018).

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

five-stars

I Am the Storm

I Am the StormI Am the Storm by Heidi E y Stemple, Jane Yolen, Kevin Howdeshell, Kristen Howdeshell
Published by Rise X Penguin Workshop on October 27, 2020
ISBN: 059322275X
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Comparing our behavior to nature and weather in children’s books isn’t new, but Yolen’s book brings a new face to the category. Readers are shown resilience in a tornado, a blizzard, a wildfire, and a hurricane. Most importantly, readers are shown the calm after the storm – whether the storm is outside in nature or inside ourselves: our emotions. Each natural event shows nature’s fury, and what people may do during and after the event.

Full-color, double-page spreads (done by Yolen’s daughter) helps the reader feel the expansiveness of nature’s storms.

Older fans of “Quick as a Cricket” (Audrey Wood, 1982) will quickly recognize some of the comparisons. “I Am the Storm” could be used for weather studies but  might be better used for helping youngsters understand that we can’t control the weather (or the storms of life), but we can control our reaction to it through acceptance, adaptation and perseverance.

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

four-stars

Rain Before Rainbows

Rain Before RainbowsRain Before Rainbows by David Litchfield, Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Published by Candlewick Press on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 1536212830
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A young girl and her fox friend move through many landscapes an encounter struggles along the way. They find support from each other and friends along the way and emerge hopeful and surrounded by light and rainbows.

This is a story about challenges, courage, and friendship. The text is sparse and rhymes, and the story is a bit weak. The illustrations, however, are wonderful. David Litchfield’s characteristic style of high color and whimsical illustrations really carry the book. Though the illustrations are beautiful, there are certainly better books with the same message out there. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars