Format: Picture Book Fiction

Night Animals Need Sleep Too

Night Animals Need Sleep TooGenres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
four-stars

When do possums play dead? Do skunks belong in wolf dens? Are night animals more scared of humans than humans are of night animals? These are deliciously fun questions the reader will investigate in this humorous short but packed story featuring the same cast from the author’s ‘Night Animals’ (2015).

Night animals being awake during the day is not an unusual story line, but what happens to them during that time and how they manage to make it to night time is where this book stands above most others.

Silhouettes are occasionally used, and the animals find themselves in humorous positions. Bold double-page illustrations on wide pages with plain background keep the reader’s eye focused on the animals and text done in speech bubbles. The only other text shows various sounds, buzz, thunk, crunch, etc, that invite the reader to guess what will happen on the next page. Black and white text, images, and end pages add to the day-night mood.

This would make a great addition to your early readers, read-aloud, or nocturnal animals shelves, especially if you have the first story featuring this silly crew. Recommended for ages 3-5

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

four-stars

A is For Another Rabbit

A is For Another RabbitA is for Another Rabbit by Hannah Batsel
on April 7, 2020
ISBN: 1541529502
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The title gives the reader a clue that this will not be a standard alphabet book, which will be a surprise to the ‘wise’ owl who is expecting a nice little ABC book of various animals. By the end of the book, he is exhausted from the effort of trying to stay on track and overwhelmed by the deviation from a usual ABC book and the sheer number of rabbits.

Text in clear font is carefully placed, and sometimes slips into rhyme. Many unusual words are included such as overzealous, rambunctious, tenacious, and will stretch a youngster’s adjective vocabulary. Lots of humor in the cartoonish illustrations showing rabbits doing an enormously wide range of activities. Adults will appreciate some of the humor, such as one rabbit singing “Bunny and the Jets,” an art museum boasts “The Rabbit with the Pearl Earring” and “The Mona Rabbit.”

Be sure to spend time examining and comparing the front and back end papers. A fun addition to your alphabet book collection.

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

four-stars

The Little Penguin

The Little PenguinThe Little Penguin by Kip Noschese, Margo Gates
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541558677
Pages: 16
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This easy reader book is part of a series by Lerner showcasing animal habitats.  It meets all the criteria for beginner readers with two simple sentences in large print per page.  The story sequence is that the little penguin sees the snow then says “Let’s play in the snow”, which is repeated for ice, water and then a nap with Dad penguin.  The vocabulary promotes success in basic identifying words and the nap at the end adds humor.  The illustrations by Kip Noshese consist mainly of the penguin planted into the landscape of lines and mountains in the background.  All the colors are white with a blue tint and gray, which are not distracting from the text, but are not that exciting either.  The layout includes a table of contents which consists of the story, and the back page matter.  The last page provides visual clues of specific words and then an index of where various words such as:  Dad, friends, huddle, ice, jump are located in the book by page number.  Useful for school libraries and easy reader sections.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library

 

three-stars

The Berenstain Bears’ Big Track Meet

The Berenstain Bears’ Big Track MeetThe Berenstain Bears’ Big Track Meet by Mike Berenstain
Published by HarperCollins ISBN: 0062654721
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In this easy reader episode of the Berenstain Bear family, a track meet with Mama Bear as the coach provides the vehicle for learning comparisons.  In clear, repetitive phrasing and simple sentence structure that corresponds to the #1 Beginning Reader designation, the bear family competes against each other at various track meet events.  Sister and brother bear prove they are the fastest runner, farthest jumper and highest climber.  Some, more and most are presented as well as under, into and over.  Papa Bear never seems to the best at anything, that is, until it’s time to take a nap!  There is plenty of white space in the layout, and the illustrations show each event.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

The All-Together Quilt

The All-Together QuiltThe All-Together Quilt by Lizzy Rockwell
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 27, 2020
ISBN: 0375822046
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Fiction based on real situations provides depth to the plot especially when factual information reinforces the text.  Rockwell offers a heartwarming story that crosses ethnic and age lines allowing a community to come together in the development of art.  Children and seniors are paired in the artistic creation of a quilt.  Their enthusiasm and joy are exhibited on each page of this colorful and informative picture book.  Illustrations emphasize the many happy faces and vibrant pieces of fabric selected for the quilt.  A complete construction lesson is taught as the storyline progresses from cutting, layering, painting, to machine and hand sewing the quilt.  Caution, young readers will want to put paint on their own hands in anticipation of an art session.

Rockwell has included back pages which include; the history of her Peace by Piece quilt project, classic quilt blocks, and a distinctive presentation of the origin of each fabric used in the quilt.  Both the hardcover illustration and end pages are eye catching.   This is a book that belongs in all public libraries and would be useful to art teachers in the primary grades.  Community center, youth organizations and  churches would also benefit from adding a copy of this book to their shelves of picture books.

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

five-stars

Nick and Nack Build a Birdhouse

Nick and Nack Build a BirdhouseNick and Nack Build a Birdhouse (Highlights Puzzle Readers) by Adam Record, Brandon Budzi
ISBN: 1684379849
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Nick and Nack have popsicles. What can they do with the popsicle sticks? Make a birdhouse, of course! This Level 1 early reader is a great addition to any public library. There are many repeated words to help build confidence in new readers, but there are also some more challenging words to help expand vocabulary. The illustrations are colorful and fun, and several of the pictures include a search and find aspect. This may help to keep some kids engaged, but it may also serve as a bit of a distraction. Recommended for purchase for libraries needing to expand and update their early reader sections. Recommended for kids 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

The Suitcase

The SuitcaseThe Suitcase by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0358329604
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A stranger arrives in town, and he’s carrying a suitcase. Everyone asks him what’s in the suitcase, and he tells them of grand things that couldn’t possibly fit inside one suitcase. Do they trust his word or do they attempt to break into his suitcase while he naps? They decide on the latter, and find the stranger was grossly exaggerating the contents of his suitcase. What the friends decide to do for the stranger before he wakes will warm your hearts and restore faith in humanity.

When first reading this book, I was shocked the animals decided to break into the suitcase. What comes of it, however, touches on friendship, compassion, and how we treat others in need. This is a wonderful book for sharing empathy and teaching kids that there is always room for kindness. The illustrations are simple and colorful. The animals are depicted in a cartoonish way that will resonate with younger readers. The text alternates colors to match the color of the individual speaking. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Where Happiness Begins

Where Happiness BeginsWhere Happiness Begins by Eva Eland
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on August 25, 2020
ISBN: 0593127706
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Sometimes it’s easy to feel happy. Other times, happiness can be a bit elusive. This book reassures kids that even as happiness comes and goes in life, it’s never too far away.

The simple line drawing illustrations are offset by bold color choices. Throughout the book, happiness is depicted as a neon orange anthropomorphized blob (not sure how else to describe it!). The bright color allows readers to find happiness throughout the book, but there are many other aspects of the book that are neon as well. It’s nice that happiness is described as something that isn’t always there. The end of the book focuses on happiness being something that originates from within. This could be reassuring for some but also worrisome for children battling depression. Overall, however, the message and presentation of the book are good. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Mad About Plaid

Mad About PlaidMad About Plaid by Jill McElmurry
ISBN: 0358172446
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

I was excited to see a new book from the creator of the Little Blue Truck series, but this one just misses the mark for me. A young girl finds a plaid purse in the park, and soon the plaid begins to spread over her body and throughout the town. Everything is plaid! She turns the purse inside out to show its blue interior, and soon the entire town is blue! She begins singing and being silly in order to “cure the blues” bringing the town back to its typical multicolored way of life.

The illustrations are fun, whimsical, and bring out the humor of the book. The story, however, isn’t the best. The plaid spreads like an infectious disease so this book could either be helpful or cause kids more anxiety during the Covid pandemic. The ending seemed to come out of nowhere — all of a sudden, the girl knows just what to do to fix it without any lead up or explanation about why she suddenly knows. An additional purchase for larger libraries though demand may be higher because of the author’s notoriety. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Speak Up

Speak UpSpeak Up by Ebony Glenn, Miranda Paul
Published by Clarion Books on July 7, 2020
ISBN: 035814096X
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a great resource for helping kids find their voice. The book features a very diverse school group, and encourages kids to “speak up” in many different ways. I enjoyed that it encourages kids to speak up about positive things as well as things that seem bothersome or unjust. A solid purchase for libraries needing more books like this but not necessary if you already have many books on the subject. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars