Format: Picture Book Fiction

Richard Scarry’s Best Teacher Ever: A Book for BUSY, BUSY Teachers

Richard Scarry’s Best Teacher Ever: A Book for BUSY, BUSY TeachersRichard Scarry's Best Teacher Ever!: A Book for Busy, Busy Teachers (Richard Scarry Best Ever Books) by Richard Scarry
ISBN: 0593706293
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

This diminutive  picture book is written as a love letter/thank you note to an early elementary school teacher from a young student. It uses the familiar characters of Richard Scarry’s Busy Town in traditional school activities (library visits, painting) and simple rhyming couplets (“You find my talents and help them GROW. You teach me things I didn’t KNOW.”) to depict the daily activities of Miss Honey, Mr. Beak, and their pupils. The illustrations are charming and timeless; the text sweet and occasionally treacly.

Intended as a “perfect gift” for teachers (see back book cover), this is not a good fit for library collections but it is a charming thank you for the educators of young children.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

three-stars

How to Be Brave

How to Be BraveHow to Be Brave by Clara Anganuzzi, Karl Newson
ISBN: 1536232548
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Tackling new experiences can be daunting. How to Be Brave advises readers to approach experiences at their own pace, and to try again when things don’t go as expected. The main character is a young, brown skinned child accompanied by various wild animals. At first, the child seems tentative, standing by and observing others (different wild animals) having experiences. By the end of the book, the child is joining in, taking risks, and enjoying experiences, including  hang gliding with a penguin. 

The soft, watercolor pencil illustrations accompanying the brief text are sweet. The message is gentle and encouraging. Picture books about resilience and a growth mindset are always popular and this story will appeal to younger children who will respond to the simple illustrations and text. Recommended for public library collections.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

four-stars

Oops! Rabbit

Oops! RabbitOops! Rabbit (Jo Ham's Rabbit) by Jo Ham
ISBN: 1536233161
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

This is the third in a series of Rabbit picture books by Hamm. Like the others, this story uses whimsical black silhouettes with pops of a singular bright neon color (in this case, hot pink) to relate Rabbit’s escapades. From page to page, Rabbit overreaches (sometimes literally) and then . . . . OOPS! Rabbit tries and is stymied by gravity, the incoming tide, and too many bubbles but eventually Rabbit’s ambition will take the cake, to the delight of young readers. 

Mistakes will happen but also successes. Young audiences will enjoy “reading” the predictable text; each of Rabbit’s  efforts consists of three double-page spreads and “Rabbit on.”, “OOPS!”, and “Rabbit off.” Children will like interpreting the simple text combined with the silhouettes in this pleasant, enjoyable but not particularly outstanding book which would make more sense as a board book, then in its current picture book format.

Recommended for public library collections.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

three-stars

Look How Much I’ve Grown in Kindergarten

Look How Much I’ve Grown in KindergartenLook How Much I've Grown in KINDergarten (A KINDergarten Book) by Joey Chou, Vera Ahiyya
ISBN: 0593643968
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Kindergarten is a time for discovering lots of ways to grow, but it can also be a time when children realize they are learning at a different pace than their peers. In Look How Much I’ve Grown in Kindergarten, the main character is a girl named Mason with freckles, wavy brown hair, and light brown skin,  who is worried “everyone can do everything right and I can’t”, comparing herself to her peers and feeling “small as a seed”. Many kindergarteners will identify with her frustrations: shoe tying, flower drawing, and identifying letter sounds. 

Mason’s kindergarten teacher, Ms. Perry, brown skin and coils of brown hair, helps her understand, “Everyone will grow differently but everyone is growing all the time.” The teacher’s support includes  asking the class of multiracial students to identify ways they would like to grow. The otherwise unremarkable story is buoyed by the charming and cheerful illustrations that support the plant motif running through the book: when Mason is successful at tying her shoes she feels “as tall as a sunflower”; flowers and plants appear on every page; and at the end of the story, Ms. Perry declares to the class that seeds need help to grow, “just like you!”

Ahiyya stresses the importance of the growth mindset, and its components, time and patience. Back matter contains an author’s note for parents regarding patience and practice for developing skills, growth mindset tips, a step-by-step shoe tying diagram, and a template for a thank you card.

Recommended for public and early elementary school library collections where other books by Ahiyya (the Tutu Teacher) are popular.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

three-stars

No Dragons for Tea

No Dragons for TeaNo Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids {and Dragons} by Jean E. Pendziwol, Martine Gourbault
on December 15, 1998
ISBN: 1550745719
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This picture book conveys important fire safety information in a non-threatening manner through a story about a young white girl who befriends a dragon at the beach and invites him to tea. The rhyming couplets and Prisma color pencils create a dynamic story about a house fire starting in an unreal way (the dragon sneezes on the draperies), focusing on what to do (crawl out, meet everyone at an assigned location, etc.). The dragon makes errors in judgment that the girl sets right:


“Don’t ever go back – that just will not do.
We can get a new bear, but we can’t replace you.”

Everyone (including the teddy bear) is safe and sound. Realistic expectations (“The smoke made a mess, but the fire is out.”) are demonstrated. The book sets up realistic (other than the cause of the fire) expectations and outcomes, and provides many useful safety tips along the way in a story that is dynamic and engaging for young children. 

The back matter includes The Dragon’s Fire-Safety Rhyme and a checklist of discussion points and actions for caregivers to share with children. The story would make an excellent read-aloud at school for Fire Prevention Month (October), or at home to find a way to discuss and make a fire safety plan. Recommended for both public and school library collections.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

four-stars

A Bindi Can Be . . .

A Bindi Can Be ... by Kamala M. Nair, Suma Subramaniam
ISBN: 1525308033
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

For readers who may have only the vaguest idea about what a bindi is, and a curiosity to learn more; for readers who know exactly what a bindi can be and would like a picture book to explain it to others; and for readers who have never heard of the symbolic decoration worn for religious and cultural intentions. 

Many children are curious about others’ cultural and religious garb, but are told it’s rude to ask questions. This book answers many questions children might have about wearing a bindi, from the perspective of a Hindu young girl living in India, who explains how a bindi is made, why it is worn, and celebrates the many aspects, occasions and positive affect it can have on the mind and body. The language is simple and lyrical, and the illustrations in a vibrant, rich palette using glowing elements to suggest the special feeling wearing the bindi brings to the young girl. 

This would make a great Diwali (October/November) read-aloud for a younger (K-2) audience. If using as a read-aloud, review the author’s note and glossary in the back of the book. Both might be more complex than the audience needs, but both offer context and understanding for the reader.  Highly recommended for both public and school library collections.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

five-stars

Is It . . . Easter?

Is It . . . Easter?Is This . . . Easter? (Helen Yoon's Is This . . .?) by Helen Yoon
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536226289
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

In the second Is This . . . .  book from Yoon, the author/illustrator  finds the wonder, exuberance and tension around the mysterious appearance of a pastel egg. Unbeknownst to the two canine trios– one group small and roly-poly with adorable underbites, the other larger dogs with German Shepherd suggestions – the pastel egg has been placed in the grass by an unlikely Easter Bunny, a Zen like brown bear in bunny-ears headband and fluffy white tail. 

The smaller dogs see the pale pink egg as something to decorate, while the larger dogs see breakfast. Neither can understand the other group’s point of view. The dialog on the page accompanied by Yoon’s illustrations are brilliant shortcuts to her characters’ attributes: “IT’S BEAUTIFUL!” “BREAKFAST IS BEAUTIFUL!” Her distinctive pop-eyed protagonists passionately debate the best use of the egg. The ginormous bear returns,silencing all with its size and egg-handling finesse,  to demonstrate it’s okay to have different ideas, and that sometimes different ideas can co-exist.

Between the always timely message of compromise and the priceless illustrations, this picture book about Easter (without a genuine Easter bunny in sight) will be a strong addition to both public and school library collections.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

five-stars

Oh, Are You Awake?

Oh, Are You Awake?Oh, Are You Awake? by Bob Shea, Jarvis
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536226580
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Sometimes even best friends don’t want the same thing at the same time. Bob Shea’s comical imagining of one of those moments brings us Penguin and  Lion at bedtime. Penguin is already sleepy but Lion is hoping for a story. Penguin’s dreams of candy, unicorn adventures and a puppy train are disrupted by Lion’s inventive actions (crunchy potato chips, “super quiet” trampoline) and exhortations, “Oh, are you awake?”. Will these friends reach an amicable resolution?

Shea tells the story as a dialog between the two characters, using black text for Penguin and blue for Lion. Color-coding the dialog makes the tension clear from the start, with no “Penguin said” and “Lion said” gumming up the works. The story is relatable to anyone who has ever been very much awake when the head story teller feels too sleepy to tell a story. 

The illustrations by Jarvis, especially those depicting the characters’ dreams, are delightful. The dream illustrations are also color-coded, vivid and detailed. In contrast,the waking images accompanying the dialog are simple, with few details. Both dream scenes and waking scenes offer rich facial expressions that take the accompanying text from funny to hilarious. The ending is satisfying for all. 

This will be a bedtime read-aloud hit and would be a lively storytime. Highly recommended for public and school library collections.

five-stars

Wherever You Go

Wherever You GoWherever You Go (An All Are Welcome Book) by Alexandra Penfold, Suzanne Kaufman
ISBN: 0593430018
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Under the category of “milestone picture books”, Wherever You Go is another All Are Welcome book by Penfold and Kaufman. As in other books by this literary duo, there are appealing acrylic, ink, crayon and collage representations of all kinds of families, including differently abled, different skin tones, and different cultural and religious signifiers. 

The book is meant as a love letter from parents to their small children and the message is one of unconditional love and support, as well as pride. Simple rhyming couplets support the illustrations, revealing snapshots in a family’s life together: first day of school, talent show, quiet walks, grade school graduations. The text reinforces the idea that the grown up will always be there for those big and small moments. 

The theme of parental love and support for one’s children isn’t new but is always in demand. Caregivers will enjoy reading this book with their small children. Highly recommended for public library collections. 

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

four-stars

Tate’s Wild Rescue

Tate’s Wild RescueTate's Wild Rescue by Izzy Burton, Jenny Turnbull
ISBN: 0593569075
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Tate is a young girl who loves wild animals. She loves wild animals so much that she hopes to “save” one by inviting it to live with her in the comfort and safety of her home. She proceeds to write letters inviting a series of animals to come and live with her but to her dismay, all the wild animals turn her down.  Some humorously decline while others adamantly refuse Tate’s proposal. In the end, Tate receives a letter from an animal who indeed needs rescuing, companionship, and all of the amenities that the wild animals dismissed. As anyone who has loved a rescue pet can attest, sometimes the humans are the ones really being rescued.
This book would be a fun interactive read aloud for young children, as there are both picture and text clues alluding to the next animal Tate invites on the subsequent page. It would also be a great way to facilitate a discussion on the difference between wild animals and domestic pets. Following the story, the author includes pertinent information and resources about taking care of the environment, contributing to animal conservation areas/efforts, and helping homeless pets.  Readers will also enjoy comparing and contrasting the endpapers at the beginning and end of the story. Written for ages 4-8.
Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay
five-stars