Format: Picture Book Fiction

Five Fuzzy Chicks

Five Fuzzy ChicksFive Fuzzy Chicks by Diana Murray, Sydney Hanson
Published by Imprint on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 125030122X
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Five baby chicks are determined to have some fun before bed in a rhyming farm story with counting elements.
It's time for bed, but these five chicks are full of energy!
They race out of the coop to visit all of the other animals. But the dog is so snuggly and the hay is so comfy, and these five fuzzy chicks can't help but fall asleep one by one.
Before long, the sleeping chicks are scattered all over the farm! What will Mama Hen do?

The animal faces in this bedtime story are the high point of the book.  Each farm animal appears angelic and curious about the five little chicks and each is willing to share their space for a nap.  The story line is simple and repetitive, perfect for a concept book intended for the preschool audience.   Hanson has followed the rhyming text and brought the characters to life.   The mixed media of pencil and watercolors adds dimension to the pages.  This reader is reminded of the wonderful pig illustrations by Chris Van Dusen in the Mercy Watson series.   Parents and grandparents are bound to enjoy sharing this bedtime book with the little ones in their lives.  Preschool – grade 1 teachers will find the text perfect for some of the budding readers in their classrooms as the font is clear and the type size is acceptable.

Add this to rural and city public libraries, include in early classroom collections and gift to toddlers who run from bedtime even when tired.

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

four-stars

Going UP!

Going UP!Going Up! by Charlene Chua, Sherry J. Lee
Published by Kids Can Press ISBN: 1525301136
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An elevator ride to a birthday party turns into a shared experience bursting with joy in this multicultural story about community, togetherness and the special feeling of belonging.
Today is Olive's birthday party, and Sophie and her dad have baked cookies. Sophie's dad holds the platter so Sophie can push the elevator button for the tenth floor. But on the way up, the elevator stops to let the Santucci brothers get on. Then on the next floor, Vicky, Babs and their dog, Norman, get in. And as the elevator ascends, it keeps stopping, and more neighbors squeeze in to the crowded space: the Habibs, the Flores family, Mr. Kwan, Vi Tweedle with her Chihuahua, Minx. Everyone is going to the party!
Playfully combining the excitement and anticipation of a party with children's universal love of riding in elevators, Sherry J. Lee's picture book story is ultimately about community and a sense of belonging. With characters from many cultural backgrounds, it showcases the everyday diversity that many urban children experience. Charlene Chua's illustrations provide loads of funny details and visual narratives that aren't in the text, making for a multilayered reading experience. The book's tall, narrow trim size adds to the effect of the rising elevator.

Receiving a birthday invitation, a father and daughter prepare by baking cookies.  The surprise for rural children will be the elevator ride as a means of transportation, but wait there is a bigger surprise in the end.     The story line is simple and easily identifiable by all ages but the illustrations bring the magic of city life to young readers.  A little magic may be sprinkled into the text and illustration as this reader believes the elevator becomes larger as it makes its way to the 10th floor.  Character development is not the intent but Sophie is one of the many charming neighbors who vary is size, age and appearance.  Certainly, the two-page spread of the 8th floor is a winner but wait till they all reach the 10th floor.  The illustrations alone tell a large part of this bright and happy story.  Look for all the live and illustrated animals on clothing pieces.

Such a good birthday book that includes diversity, friendship and celebration.   Prepare for a surprise ending.    Add to public libraries and gift to a loved one on their birthday.

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

four-stars

The Music of Life

The Music of LifeThe Music of Life by Louis Thomas
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) on February 18, 2020
ISBN: 0374303150
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This is a really cute book. Louis, a composer, is lacking inspiration for writing a symphony when he begins to notice all the music in the noises that surround him. His cat, the street sweeper, a motorcycle, a jogger, etc. I love books that inspire people to notice the beauty and music in every day life. The illustrations are colorful and simple, and they are pocked with musical notes throughout. This book could be a great virtual read aloud followed by encouraging patrons to go out and explore the music around them. Recommended for children 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Alba and the Ocean Cleanup

Alba and the Ocean CleanupAlba and the Ocean Cleanup by Lara Hawthorne
ISBN: 1536210447
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Alba loves to collect beautiful things, but as the years pass, she notices fewer and fewer beautiful things and more and more trash. When she’s washed ashore in a bottle, a young girl organizes an ocean cleanup to restore the ecosystem.

This story has a good message, it’s just not conveyed in a very engaging way. I like that it teaches kids about the need to avoid plastic use and to clean up the ocean, but the story itself just falls a bit flat. The illustrations are colorful and engaging so that may help hold attention longer. The back pages have information about some of the fish species encountered in the story as well as about how to help keep the ocean clean. Recommended for children 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Leap Frog

Leap FrogLeap Frog by Britta Teckentrup, Jane Clarke
ISBN: 1536212059
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

This book follows a little tree frog named Felix as he explores the sounds of the jungle. Each page brings a new sound and a “what’s that noise?” With each turn, Felix finds there’s nothing to be afraid of, and then he hears another noise. He ends up going to bed with the sound of his father being a familiar one.

The concept of this book isn’t bad, it just wasn’t executed well. The book is written as if the narrator and reader are talking together to Felix. I don’t love that the only noise Felix is told to fear is that of the snake. It’s a completely unnecessary perpetuation of rampant snake fear and doesn’t do anything to further the story. The illustrations are high contrast and colorful, so they’ll hold the attention of small children. Recommended for children 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

two-stars

Friday Night Wrestlefest

Friday Night WrestlefestFriday Night Wrestlefest by J.F. Fox, Micah Player
Published by Roaring Brook Press on February 18, 2020
ISBN: 1250212405
Pages: 48
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“…it’s Friday night! … Dinner was pizza. …it’s time for…Friday Night Wrestle Fest!” Featuring a pair of fraternal twins, a baby, and a dad, the wrestling event starts fast and furious. When Mom gets home from work and joins the fray, things take an unexpected twist.

This book is hilarious and adorable. It is a celebration of family in a unique way. The text is written as if it’s a sports cast, and it totally works. The illustrations are high color, and the facial expressions of the characters really bring the story to life. This is just a fun book. Recommended for children 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Alice in Wonderland: A Puzzle Adventure

Alice in Wonderland: A Puzzle AdventureAlice in Wonderland: A Puzzle Adventure by Aleksandra Artymowska
Published by Templar Publishing ISBN: 1536210390
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This large format book will surely please the puzzle book fans in your life. The illustrations are high contrast, and very colorful. The puzzles range from easy to very hard and vary from mazes to matching to search and find. A few of the instructions are a little confusing, but even if a reader doesn’t understand one puzzle, they’re sure to find many many more that they enjoy. Recommended for readers 5 and up (with help for reading instructions), but even older kids will love these difficult puzzles. A recommended purchase where puzzle books are popular.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

This is a Dog

This is a DogThis Is a Dog by Ross Collins
on August 1, 2019
ISBN: 1536212008
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This book is just cute and fun. The dog is stealing the stage from all the other animals mentioned in this book, and he’s adorable while he does it. The funny ways he’s interacting with the animals will delight readers of all ages. The text is very simple so this would be a good book for very beginning readers. The illustrations are highly emotive and really bring the story to life. Recommended for children 2 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Boxitects

BoxitectsBoxitects by Kim Smith
Published by Clarion Books on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 1328477207
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Meg is a boxitect — she can turn a cardboard box into a tunnel, a tiny house, a castle. When she takes her skills to Maker School, she meets blanketeers, spaghetti-tects, and more, but when Simone, another boxitect, shows up, things get heated.

I loved this book. It’s creative, has a good message about teamwork and friendship, and it’s just fun. The illustrations are very colorful and full of detail. The things that the kids create in Maker School are whimsical, and you will likely see some new and interesting detail each time you read it. There are several pages at the end that detail how to make different things out of cardboard boxes as well. Recommended for children 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Alphonse, There’s Mud on the Ceiling

Alphonse, There’s Mud on the CeilingAlphonse, There's Mud on the Ceiling! by Daisy Hirst
ISBN: 1536211176
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Alphonse and Natalie live in a 7th floor apartment, but they want to play in a jungle and sleep in a tent. After slinking around the house in sleeping bags, they build a tent on their balcony and have a jungle adventure.

This book is a fun look at the sibling relationship as well as kids’ imagination. I also love that this book highlights kids who live in an apartment building — this is an underrepresented aspect of life in picture books. I did feel like the book was a little bit of a let down given the title. There is mud on the ceiling is such a small aspect of the story, and the title conveys a lot more zany hijinks than actually occurs in the story. The illustrations are high color, high contrast, and simple. They do add to the story as they depict Natalie and Alphonse in their various adventures. Recommended for children 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars