Format: Picture Book Fiction

Ducks!

Ducks!Ducks! by Deborah Underwood, T.L. McBeth
Published by Henry Holt & Company on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 1250127092
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Duck wanders away from the pond and returns to find all the other ducks are missing. This mostly wordless book tracks Duck’s search for the other ducks in a variety of unexpected places. The illustrations are simple and silly and somewhat reminiscent of the Pigeon books. This would make a great read aloud book and a fun one for story time with audience participation. This book is also great for very new readers learning to sound out words. Recommended for babies and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

The Blue House

The Blue HouseThe Blue House by Phoebe Wahl
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Leo is a long-haired white boy who lives with his father in a little blue house, and that’s the way it’s always been. The paint is peeling, the whole place is drafty, and the heater only works part of the time. It’s their house, though, and they love it. They cook, dance, grow food, and explore together. When eminent domain takes the house from their landlord, they’re forced to move. Leo and his dad are really upset, and frankly quite MAD. To work out their anger, they have a jam session where Leo does “a special scream solo.” When they move to their new house, it isn’t the same, but slowly and surely, it begins to feel like home as well.

There are so many things to love about this book. First, a boy living only with his father in dilapidated old house. Second, displays of love, affection, and wonderful coping mechanisms for processing emotions. Third, the illustrations are gorgeous and really bring the emotion out in this story. This sort of a father-son relationship is rarely depicted in picture books, so it is refreshing to see. The text is simple and not overdone. There are enough words to convey the story without being overly wordy. Recommended for wide purchase and for Cream of the Crop. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

KHALIL AND MR. HAGERTY AND DTHE BACKYARD TREASURES

KHALIL AND MR. HAGERTY AND DTHE BACKYARD TREASURESKhalil and Mr. Hagerty and the Backyard Treasures by Elaheh Taherian, Tricia Springstubb
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536203068
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“Khalil and Mr. Hagerty and the Backyard Treasures,” is a sweet story about friendship between Khalil, a young boy, and an older gentleman.  Khalil  lives upstairs and Mr. Hagerty lives downstairs – in a  house  – where both share the same backyard. Khalil likes to read and explore. Mr. Hagerty loves to take care of his garden. While Khalil sometimes struggles to read words, Mr. Hagerty struggles to “remember,”  the names of his garden  tools. One very hot day, day, while Khali is  digging in the yard for buried treasure,  Mr. Hagerty harvests some very shriveled carrots.  Agreeing that this is indeed “discouraging,”  Mr. Hagerty invites Khalil  inside for a large piece of chocolate cake and a tall glass of cold milk.  “Maybe we’ll be luckier tomorrow,” says Khalil.”  And they are!  During the night, each has an idea of how to cheer up and surprise the other.   As a result, a lovely friendship grows between them.

The lovely cut-out illustrations are expansive and expressive, conveying well  the growing appreciation that Mr. Hagerty and Khalil have for one another.

Good for intergeneration and cross cultural studies.  Also, when promoting the  building of  new and less common types of friendships.

 

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

four-stars

THE SECRET GARDEN

THE SECRET GARDENThe Illustrated Secret Garden: 100th Anniversary Edition with Special Foreword by Anna Clark, Charles Robinson, Frances Hodgson Burnett
Published by HarperCollins ISBN: 1950435989
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A lovely adapted version of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic book, ‘The Secret Garden.”  This picture book is for young readers – ages 4-8.  It is an easily read, straight forward rendition accompanied by lush, colorful illustrations  by the Swedish illustrator and designer, Adelina LIrius.

This is  the story of a lonely child, Mary Lennox, who was moved into  Misselthwaite Manor in Northern England. Mary hates the cold dreary Manor, until  an old gardener tells her about  a hidden, secret garden. And soon, a  Robin helps Mary to  discover the key that unlocks the  the  ancient  and  unkept garden.  One day, Mary hears cries coming from one of the manor bedrooms and searches to discover a young boy, Colin, (brother  of Martha, the maid, who is sick and weekly.)  Mary brings him to the garden in his wheelchair  for fresh air and sunshine.  A  transformation occurs in the children  while working together  to  bring the old garden back to  life.  And slowly, as the  new garden  emerges, so does a new friendship between Mary and Colin.

Great for when studying classic literature with children.  A beautiful  read aloud with beautiful engaging artwork.

 

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

five-stars

THE STARS JUST UP THE STREET

THE STARS JUST UP THE STREETThe Stars Just Up the Street by Christine Davenier, Sue Soltis
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 0763698342
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“”The Stars Just Up the Street,” is a sweetly told picture book about a Mabel who loved to watch   the 37 stars she could count  from  her backyard.  When Mabel shares this fact with Grandpa, he recalls  memories  of his own childhood in the prairies where he was able to view thousands of stars.   Grandpa and Mabel climb the hill “just up the street” where Mabel is able to count 103 stars.   On their walk through town, Mabel had noticed that many houses and porches were brightly lit!  Mabel then has an idea. “Maybe people would turn off their lights!  But The townspeople protest until Mabel is to convince them  ( all but the mayor, that is) to all come outside and see for themselves.  Finally she sends the mayor an email saying,  “When was the last time you saw thousands of stars?” And suddenly,  recalling  her own childhood  –  “lying on a striped blanket under the darkest of summer skies, she had tried to count them all.- the mayor types back, “Let’s give it a try!”

A fun read when studying the night sky.  Pastel watercolors lend an air of nighttime and gentleness to the story about a grandfather sharing with his granddaughter.

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

four-stars

Brian Wildsmith’s animal Gallery

Brian Wildsmith’s animal GalleryBrian Wildsmith's Animal Gallery by Brian Wildsmith
on February 1, 2010
ISBN: 1536212350
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a true picture book!  done in colored pencil, chalk, watercolor and goache, the animal groups are depicted in their groups, with the only text being the collective nouns by which the groups are identified. Some are familiar, ” a pride of lions” and some are not as familiar, ” a game of swans, a siege of herons, an ambush of tigers.” It is stunning in the art, vibrant,double page offerings that keep the reader wanting to see what the next page brings. It is also fun to figure out why each group has been identified as they have. simple in its presentation, it can be read again and again. Use in animal units and in art classes.

“Wildsmith’s illustrations were a;ways as important as his text.” Michael Rosen’s reaction when first seeing his work. ” Floods of color exploding across the pages with a name to match.” I remember feeling envious: why hadn’t I had books as wild and lush as these.”

grades pre-k thru 2.     Consider for Cream

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library

five-stars

The Moon Keeper

The Moon KeeperThe Moon Keeper by Zosienka
Published by HarperCollins on March 10, 2020
ISBN: 0062959522
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Emile gets a letter from the night creatures, and he learns they’ve chosen him to be the new moon keeper. He’s thrilled and excited for his new job, and he enjoys his time with the moon even though it is a solitary existence. One day, he notices the moon is getting smaller. He didn’t anticipate this problem, and he’s unprepared to stop it from disappearing altogether. Wise words from a feathered friend give him renewed hope and a positive outlook for the future.

This is a gorgeously illustrated picture book, and the message is a good one as well. The illustrations are colorful and detailed paintings, and they really help bring the story to life. The message of things coming and going in life is a good one that while presented mostly metaphorically, is laid out quite clearly by the end. Recommended for kids 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

No More Naps!

No More Naps!No More Naps!: A Story for When You're Wide-Awake and Definitely NOT Tired by Chris Grabenstein, Leo Espinosa
Published by Random House on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 1524771287
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

A spunky toddler prefers shrieking to napping so a bedraggled father pushes her through town in a stroller. The townspeople are eager to “take” her nap instead until Annalise is the only one who is not asleep. A humorous book with comical cartoonish illustrations that depict a diverse group of townspeople and animals. A fun book to share with toddlers and preschoolers, although some parents may consider the child’s behavior inappropriate and not want to their children to emulate it.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

I Believe I Can

I Believe I CanI Believe I Can by Grace Byers, Keturah A. Bobo
Published by Balzer + Bray on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062667130
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

This book reminded me much to a book that I read in the 1980s to my own children, but the title eludes me. That said, there is nothing new here in that it features kids using cardboard boxes to feed their imagination, plant gardens, bake a cake (epic failure), and failure to stop a soccer ball. However, the illustrations shine by the inclusion of children with varying abilities, religions, genders, body types, and racial features. It’s hard to argue with the sentiment of empowerment and self-acceptance, but text is mostly clichés and uninspiring.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

two-stars

Happy Hair

Happy HairHappy Hair by Mechal Renee Roe
Published by Delacorte Press, Doubleday Books for Young Readers on October 22, 2019
ISBN: 1984895540
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

I loves this book, it shows all the different hair styles of African American people. Even though it is published in 2014, it is very relevant in today’s world. A new law is even being considered regarding this topic of beauty and hair in this culture. Great book!

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

four-stars