Format: Picture Book Fiction

Capybara is Friends With Everyone

Capybara is Friends With EveryoneCapybara Is Friends with Everyone by Maddie Frost
Published by HarperCollins on March 22, 2022
ISBN: 0063021021
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Capybara has 4,382 friends! Every day he runs around trying to help his friends in any way he can. Then Capybara meets Sloth, an animal he hasn’t befriended before, Sloth is so slow to respond to his friendship, that Capybara must adjust and learn that making friends takes time. By the end, Capybara learns that his 4,383 friends don’t always need anything from him; sometimes it is just fun hanging out and doing nothing at all. The boldly illustrated animals pop against the minimalist background. This humorous and light-hearted book provides good prompts for discussions about making new friends and maintaining established friendships. Recommended for grades Pre-K-3.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

four-stars

Our Playground Rules!

Our Playground Rules!Our Playground Rules! by Kallie George, Jay Fleck
Published by Rodale Kids on May 17, 2022
ISBN: 0593378741
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is an absolute must for elementary school libraries. Teachers will love the pun in the title of the book, which is a delicate way to address behavior on the school playground. The topics such as kindness, fairness, apologizing, inclusion, patience, and acceptance are each addressed in a colorful and cute two-page spread. The illustrations are simple but have details that will keep readers interested even after the first read. This empathetic and affirming story is recommended for grades Pre-k through grade 2.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

four-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
three-stars

This book opens with two children being removed from a boat. They are the only two who have survived the journey. The younger sibling adjusts to their new life easier than the older sister who stays inside and hides. The world trauma is not explicitly mentioned, but older readers will understand “shadows and worries” are references to her past. When her younger bothers brings her a butterfly, its color and flight lure her outside. The predominately charcoal-colored pages become filled with more color and activity throughout the book, but, the words let the reader know that things are better for this one day and that there is no tidy ending to some life experiences. Close readers will notice the barbed-wire fence on the end sheets and borders of some of the pages, but other than that there is no mention of being a refugee. Interestingly, Amazon has a subtitle listed for this book “A Story about Refugees”, but this does not appear in the book or in the official MARC record. This subtitle would help prepare readers for the story and back matter at the end might help readers connect this story with real-world events.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

three-stars

Punky Aloha

Punky AlohaPunky Aloha by Shar Tuiasoa
Published by HarperCollins on June 7, 2022
ISBN: 0063079232
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This charming intergenerational story tells of how Punky learns to become brave, helpful, and adventurous. When her grandmother asks her to go to the market to pick up butter, Punky feels shy and unsure. Her grandmother gives her magical, brave glasses to help her with the reminder to share her “aloha” by being helpful, giving, as well as brave. Punky has a few adventures on the way to the market and when her magical glasses break, she comes to realize that she does not need them anymore; she has a heart full of courage. Shar Tuiasoa, the author and illustrator, is Polynesian from the island of O’ahu. Her illustrations fill the pages of this book with lush and vibrant tropical colors. School libraries in particular will find this a great addition to diversity their collection of picture books about helping others and kindness.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

four-stars

Lucky

LuckyLucky by Christy Mandin
Published by HarperCollins on May 24, 2022
ISBN: 0063047349
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Set under the sea, the illustrations in this picture book are adorable, cute, and colorful. Lucky, a pearl, has her home destroyed when trash is dumped and breaks her shell. However, the message of the book is elusive: Is it a book focusing on ocean pollution or a book about friendship? The theme of ocean pollution is understandable to adults, but not explained enough for young readers; the text and the pictures just don’t work together to tell the whole story As Lucky journeys to find a new shell, readers can see trash in the background; however, when Jim the Jellyfish joins up with Lucky, the story about their friendship moves to the forefront and it becomes less about the pollution of the ocean. In the back, the author’s note provides a good explanation of ocean pollution and the “What You Can Do” page has solid tips for young readers. This book should be considered an additional selection.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School

two-stars

Don’t Worry, Murray

Don’t Worry, MurrayDon't Worry, Murray by David Ezra Stein
Published by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen on June 7, 2022
ISBN: 0062845241
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Mental Health
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Murray is a nervous dog. He doesn’t want to go out, he doesn’t want to meet new dogs, he doesn’t really want to do anything. With the encouragement of his person (never pictured), Murray tries many new things throughout the course of the day. The book concludes with the narrator telling Murray they’re proud of him for trying new things.

This is a gentle book for nervous kids. It recognizes real fears that kids may have, and it helps them realize things aren’t always as scary as they may seem (even though scary things do happen). The mixed media illustrations really convey Murray’s emotions and his fears. The illustrations also show Murray’s thoughts so without them, the story would fall flat. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Franz’s Phantasmagorical Machine

Franz’s Phantasmagorical MachineFranz's Phantasmagorical Machine by Beth Anderson, Caroline Hamel
Published by Kids Can Press on May 3, 2022
ISBN: 1525303252
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Franz has always dreamed of inventions. He knows he wants to make something, but he doesn’t know what. As an adult, he finally begins to tinker and build a magical machine that grows to over 20 feet long. What does the machine do? This is the question that everyone asks, but simply existing and amazing is what the machine does.

This is a true story of Franz Gsellmann of Austria. In the early 1900s he built a fantastical machine that whizzed and spun and whirred but didn’t “do” anything in the traditional sense of the word. The digitally rendered illustrations are high color, and bring the complexity of Franz’s machines to life. This book is a little longer so recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Poo-dunit: A Forest Floor Mystery

Poo-dunit: A Forest Floor MysteryPoo-dunit? A Forest Floor Mystery by Katelyn Aronson, Stephanie Laberis
Published by Candlewick Press on June 21, 2022
ISBN: 1536216372
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Mouse wakes up one morning and notices a distinct poo odor wafting into his home. He sets out to find who would dare to poo right outside his house. He asks many forest animals who all describe how their poo differs from the poo left at Mouse’s house. In the end, the culprit is discovered, and what the animals do with the poo just may surprise you.

This is an informative and funny book that young readers will love — who doesn’t love a poop book? The rhyming text adds to the story and makes for an easy and fun read aloud. The digitally rendered illustrations convey humor, emotion, and poo. Recommended as a read aloud for all kids 3 and older.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle

Mama and Mommy and Me in the MiddleMama and Mommy and Me in the Middle by Kaylani Juanita, Nina LaCour
Published by Candlewick Press on March 29, 2022
ISBN: 1536211516
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A biracial, same-sex couple lives with their one child, and the story begins detailing many of their usual routines. The difference is that Mommy has gone on a work trip, so all the things they normally do as a threesome are being done as a duo. Mama and child talk about missing Mommy, and they connect with her on video chats. When Mommy finally comes home, the young girl isn’t immediately happy. Her parents help her process her emotions, and the story ends with a happy family of three.

This is a sweet and gentle story about family and emotions. It is refreshing to see how the child isn’t instantly happy about her Mommy’s return—she missed her a lot, and all those emotions are hard to process. Any readers who are intermittently separated from a parent will connect with the young girl’s emotions and longing. The mixed media illustrations are beautiful and really bring the story to life. They help to convey the activities the family does but they also bring movement and reality to all the emotions felt during the story. Recommended for one-on-one reading with readers 4 and up.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop. Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Oona and the Shark

Oona and the SharkOona and the Shark by Kelly DiPucchio, Raissa Figueroa
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on March 22, 2022
ISBN: 0063071428
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Oona is back for another adventure, and this time she’s determined to befriend a shark named Stanley. She tries all her tricks — inventions, excitement, and parties! Turns out, Stanley doesn’t like noise. He prefers peace and quiet. Once Oona realizes this, she’s quick to figure out a way to connect with Stanley.

This is a great book for learning that everyone has different likes and dislikes, and that’s ok! Oona is stubborn at first, but soon realizes that Stanley just need a gentler approach. The digitally rendered illustrations are colorful, and beautifully depict a fantastical underwater world. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars