Format: Picture Book Fiction

Jigsaw: Mystery in the Mail

Jigsaw: Mystery in the MailJigsaw: Mystery in the Mail by Bob Graham
Published by Candlewick Press on July 5, 2022
ISBN: 1536224995
Pages: 40
Genres: Mystery
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

The Kelly family receives a mystery puzzle in the mail and just as they are about to finish it, they realize they are missing the last piece. Readers will have to pay close attention to the illustrations in order to solve the mystery of the missing puzzle piece. However, the second mystery of who sent the puzzle to the Kelly family is left for the reader to imagine. This picture book about family and serendipity contains detailed watercolor illustrations that span from full-page to graphic-novel-styled panels. Each illustration complements the text perfectly. This story filled with hope and wishes that eventually things will find their right spot will appeal to many young readers.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

three-stars

Buddy’s New Buddy

Buddy’s New BuddyBuddy's New Buddy by Christina Geist, Tim Bowers
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on July 12, 2022
ISBN: 0593307097
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

This is the third book in Geist’s Buddy series. Buddy’s best friend has moved away and Buddy is nervous about who he will play with at school and sit with on the bus. Luckily, Buddy’s class gets a new student, Sunny, and it seems like she and Buddy will become good friends. Consider purchasing if the Buddy Series is popular in your library; otherwise, not a first purchase.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

two-stars

Hundred Years of Happiness

Hundred Years of HappinessHundred Years of Happiness by Thanhha Lai, Phung Nguyen Quang, Huynh Kim Lien
Published by HarperCollins on April 5, 2022
ISBN: 0063026929
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

From the celebrated author of Inside Out and Back Again, this picture book features An’s relationship with her grandparents, particularly her grandmother Bá who is experiencing memory loss. An and her grandfather Ông, try to stir Bá’s memories by growing a fruit that they ate when they were married in Vietnam. The author, Thanhhà Lai, addresses Bá’s memory loss realistically and tenderly, without providing an unrealistic ending to the story. Vietnamese words are included throughout the book, as well as an author’s note about her memories of Vietnam, and a recipe in the back. This book will bring a diverse voice to grandparent/grandchild stories in any library and it would pair well with Rashin Kheiriyeh’s Saffron Ice Cream for a lesson on food and memory. School librarians and teachers could use these books as mentor texts when asking students to write about a food that reminds them of a memory or a place.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

five-stars

Build

BuildBuild! by Red Nose Studio
Published by Anne Schwartz Books on May 17, 2022
ISBN: 0593376110
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Bold 3D objects made with wire, fabric, wood, and found objects illustrate the double-paged spreads in this entertaining picture book about construction. The images at the beginning are close-up to visualize a single word such as haul, unload, or lower. About three-quarters of the way through, the view expands and readers see a boy and realize they are not at a construction site, but with a boy playing. When the boy pulls out one piece of his structure, it causes everything to fall. The last pages feature the word “again” and shows the boy beginning a new building, but it could also be taken as an invitation to begin reading this delightfully imaginative book one more time! This book is a solid choice for school libraries with Pre-k programs and any library serving the youngest readers. Bonus: the inside of the book jacket is a poster illustrating all the machinery in the book!

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

four-stars

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