Format: Picture Book Fiction

Arlo & Pips King of the birds

Arlo & Pips King of the birdsKing of the Birds (Arlo & Pips #1) by Elise Gravel
Published by HarperAlley on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 0062982214
Pages: 64
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Arlo is a crow and Pips is a small yellow songbird. Arlo goes on and on about how crows have huge brains and are the best birds in all the animal kingdom. Pips isn’t having any of it. Pips isn’t afraid to tell Arlo when they’re being annoying and calls them out on their exaggerations. The combination of witty humor and factual content about crows and other birds works really well in this new young graphic novel series. The illustrations are simple, cartoonish, and characteristic of Gravel’s previous works. Young readers will find this series easy to follow and fun. Hand to fans of Chick and Brain, Dog Man, and the like. Recommended for readers 7 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Pete the Cat: Super Pete

Pete the Cat: Super PetePete the Cat: Super Pete by James Dean, Kimberly Dean
Published by HarperCollins on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0062868535
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

When there’s trouble in town, it’s up to Super Pete to save the day. He has a fancy watch, a fancy vehicle that changes with the touch of a button, and can catch a speeding boat with a rope. This is a Level 1 I Can Read book, so it’s a good early reader for kids who are already reading sentences. It can also be shared as a read aloud for younger readers. There’s nothing particularly wonderful about the story, but kids will gravitate toward Pete the Cat for his familiarity. Most Pete the Cat stories have some redeeming message about friendship or the like, but this book is simply good vs. bad. There are better early readers out there, but this will definitely circulate well because it’s Pete the Cat. Recommended for read aloud for kids 3 and up and for independent reading for readers 6 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

two-stars

Starcrossed

StarcrossedStarcrossed by Julia Denos
on October 7, 2020
ISBN: 0358153956
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Eridani is a student of the stars, and Acamar is made of stars. The two friends long to be in each other’s worlds, and when they’re given the opportunity to wish for it, they both jump at the chance. Things, however, have an unexpected outcome.

This book is a really sweet and heartwarming story of friendship regardless of differences. The illustrations are very colorful and busy. At first glance, the cover was a bit off putting, but after reading the story, it seems less so. The illustrations really make the story come alive, and the story wouldn’t unfold in the same way without them. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Find Fergus

Find FergusFind Fergus by Mike Boldt
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on November 3, 2020
ISBN: 1984849026
Pages: 36
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book starts with a list of things to find — Fergus is the only thing on the list. It turns out Fergus isn’t very good at hiding, but his skills pick up throughout the book. This book is just fun. Kids will love Fergus’s antics and trying to find him as his hiding skills get better. The highlight of the book is the double fold-out full page flaps where Fergus is actually quite hard to find. The added bonus is on the back pages. There’s another list: Fergus’s List of Other Things to Find on the Huge Fold-out Page. This book will definitely be popular and is recommended for purchase. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

The Paper Kingdom

The Paper KingdomThe Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee, Pascal Campion
on February 18, 2020
ISBN: 052564461X
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

We have stories in which parents work, but few that describe in detail what their work is. When Daniel’s nightime caregiver is ill, his parents take him to work with them. They entertain him with stories of the Paper King and Queen, and the dragon to explain the messes they have to clean and why they have to make the office clean. 

Fairly simple but complete illustrations (by Pascal Campion) support and extend the text to show the work and envelop the reader in the mood of hard work and imagination.

Pairs well with “Night Job” (Karen Hesse, 2018) to compare and contrast, or just to add depth to the variety of ways families work hard to make ends meet. The story may also help build empathy to encourage daytime workers (and children) to keep their workplaces neat!

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

four-stars

Dear Baby: A Love Letter to Little Ones

Dear Baby: A Love Letter to Little OnesDear Baby,: A Love Letter to Little Ones by Holly Hatam, Paris Rosenthal
Published by HarperCollins on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0063012723
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Babies might not understand these important life’s messages just yet, but they will certainly feel the love with which this book is read when snuggled into a caregiver’s arms! Each page spread starts with “Dear Baby,” and gives a strategy about growing up and adapting to the world, such as “Sometimes you will need to speak up. Sometimes you will need to listen. And sometimes you’ll need to do a little bit of both.” or “Put yourself in someone else’s shoes. You’ll go far.”

Simple, bright illustrations on mostly white background are neat and clear, and support the text, occasionally with humor. Text is spread out and varies in size and font is changed for emphasis.

If you’re looking for an addition to or update on “I’ll Love You Forever,” (Munsch, 1995) pick this!

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

five-stars

Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock!

Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock!Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock! by James Dean, Kimberly Dean
Published by HarperCollins on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0062868551
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Fantasy, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

How many ways can preschool and early elementary children enjoy Pete the Cat? Probably in as many ways as there are books about him! Here Pete explores crayon art and how different people interpret another’s ‘masterpiece’ in different ways. True to his nature, he figures out how to make the best of it and says of art: “There are no rules. It’s no big deal. Art is about how it makes you feel!”

Put this on your Pete the Cat shelf but don’t miss using it to express the value of art and get children excited about their crayons!

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

four-stars

The Purple Puffy Coat

The Purple Puffy CoatThe Purple Puffy Coat by Daniel Duncan, Maribeth Boelts
Published by Candlewick Press on November 10, 2020
ISBN: 1536204978
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Have you ever given someone a present because YOU liked it, never even considering if the recipient would enjoy it? Beetle learns to put himself in his best friend’s place after giving Stick Bug a puffy purple coat. Together they figure out how to make the present something they can both enjoy by resewing the coat to a smaller size for Beetle, and making a bow tie for Stick Bug.

Full-color illustrations by Daniel Duncan enhance the story with details that invite the reader to explore the setting and actions. 

Use wherever the need arises for a preschool or elementary level story with friendship, humor, determination, gift-giving, thinking outside the box, and making others happy instead of ourselves!

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

four-stars

Cannonball

CannonballCannonball by Josh Morgan, Sacha Cotter
Published by Sourcebooks Wonderland on June 1, 2020
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A dream turned to embarrassment. Trying to fit in. Trying others’ ways. Not giving up. Finding a way – my own way. The young unnamed narrator wants to make a perfect, blooming, slapping, splashing, dripping cannonball. After a few of his own failures, he tries everyone’s suggestions, which also end in embarrassing results. Finally, after consulting his Nan, (who gives him just the right encouragement to “listen to (your) heart), the book concludes with his spectacular splash.

Bright, inviting colors supply amusing details, especially on the endpapers (don’t miss the orange octopus hiding here and there). Published in 2018 in New Zealand as “The Bomb”, the brief glossary includes two Māori words.

Pair with many other stories of perseverance, such as “Great” (Glen Gretzky, 2016). Use wherever perseverance and individuality stories are called for. A creative writing exercise could have youngsters producing a mantra for one of their own dreams.

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

five-stars

I Found a Kitty!

I Found a Kitty!I Found A Kitty by Troy Cummings
on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 1984831860
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

After finding his forever home in “Can I Be Your Dog” (2018), Arfy now uses his letter-writing skills to help Scamper find the perfect place. Various townspeople give Scamper a try, but each finds a reason to put Scamper back out on the street. The reason for each rejection add up to the very reasons a nursing home becomes the perfect place – they love his singing, his curiosity, and his need to be cuddled just right. 

Another great book for empathy – Arfy knows the heartbreak of being homeless and unwanted. But don’t wait for a reason to share this book with animal-lovers of any age!

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

four-stars