Where’s Waldo?: Santa Spotlight Search

Where’s Waldo?: Santa Spotlight SearchWhere's Waldo? Santa Spotlight Search by Martin Handford
Published by Candlewick Press on September 24, 2021
ISBN: 1536220132
Pages: 16
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

This is the third in the “Spotlight Search” series, which tucks a wand into the front cover for readers to use to highlight the image on each page. Pictures are printed on acetate and then put against a black background – the wand is black with a white spot and must be used to highlight the images on the acetate. Since “Where’s Waldo” books are gimmick books, it could make sense to try this, but it’s not a necessary deviation from the original books and any book with a part that detaches is a risk for a library. This is a better gift book for kids who have exhausted their Waldo books though with only 6 pages of searches, and more puzzles on the pages rather than in the Waldo pictures, this one can be skipped.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

two-stars

Clarinet and Trumpet

Clarinet and TrumpetClarinet and Trumpet by John Herzog, Melanie Ellsworth
ISBN: 9780358107477
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Clarinet and Trumpet are friends but their friendship falls flat when a new woodwind, Oboe,  garners Clarinet’s attention. Trumpet is jealous and the brass section faces off in a musical duel. The main feature of the book is  a music-making shaker built into the book, which will likely appeal to toddlers and preschoolers. However the pun-filled text is likely to be over-the-head of that audience. Cartoonish musical instruments with faces are featured throughout.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

two-stars

Little Smokey

Little SmokeyLittle Smokey by Robert Neubecker
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on September 3, 2019
ISBN: 1984851047
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Beautifully told and illustrated children’s book about a small forest fire fighting airplane who earns its name. Great lesson about size and how all sizes are important. Wonderful resources at the end will inspire children to learn more.

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

five-stars

I Spy Spooky Night: A Book of Picture Riddles

I Spy Spooky Night: A Book of Picture RiddlesI Spy Spooky Night: A Book of Picture Riddles by Jean Marzollo, Walter Wick
Published by Cartwheel Books, Scholastic on July 30, 2019
ISBN: 1338353136
Pages: 40
Genres: Horror
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A really fun I Spy book that takes you through a haunted house. I always loved reading I Spy books to my students and interacting with them as we tried to solve all the riddles. Unfortunately children have to be able to read to know what to find. Lovely photos and a bonus challenge at the end of the book!

For ages 4 to 8

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

three-stars

Saturday

SaturdaySaturday by Oge Mora
on October 22, 2019
ISBN: 0316431273
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Mother’s only day off from work is Saturday and she and her daughter, Ava, have a wonderful day planned.  When all their plans go awry, Ava is annoyed but her mother has a meltdown because of the disappointments. Ava steps up and reassures her mom that the day was special because they spent it with each other. The book is illustrated with simple cut paper collage and the girl and her mother have brown skin and dark hair. This is an important book to share with children during this pandemic when many of their special plans are canceled.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

five-stars

Everybody In The Red Brick Building

Everybody In The Red Brick BuildingEverybody in the Red Brick Building by Anne Wynter, Donna Bray, Oge Mora
Published by Balzer + Bray on October 12, 2021
ISBN: 0062865765
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Falling asleep can be tough! This picture book depicts an apartment building full of families of different ethnicities finding their way to sleep. Unfortunately, this sleepy building’s nighttime routine is interrupted by baby Izzie waking up, setting off a chain reaction of other kids in the building (along with some pets) finding reasons to stay awake as well, until the parents one by one manage to help their kids (and pets) back to bed and the building is finally able to fall asleep. 

This is a cumulative tale, adding and repeating dialogue and sound effects as the pages go on, which is a highly effective narrative device to help children’s language development. The text in this picture book is unique and evocative: using onomatopoeia and repetition of distinctive sound effects as we follow the reader through a whimsical tour of each apartment.

Illustration-wise, Oge Mora’s multimedia pictures are bright, bold, and textured in a way that keeps the eye engaged throughout the story without sacrificing complexity. The detailed choices for each set piece on each page is gorgeous and colorful. The illustrations complement and elevate the text, tying the story together effortlessly. 

The book would be an excellent choice for ages 0-5, for story times or lap sits. There is so much to spot with each illustration and both reader and listener will get a kick out of the cumulative dialogue of child and pet alike.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

 

five-stars

The Thing Lenny Loves Most About Baseball

The Thing Lenny Loves Most About BaseballThe Thing Lenny Loves Most About Baseball by Andrew Larsen, Milan Pavlovi?, Milan Pavlović
Published by Kids Can Press on October 5, 2021
ISBN: 1771389168
Pages: 32
Genres: Sports
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Lenny is obsessed with baseball and dreams of becoming a baseball great like the ones he constantly reads about. The problem is Lenny is not a natural baseball great. He’s discouraged with the trouble he’s having catching the ball but thanks to a good attitude and a laid-back, supportive father, Lenny decides the game is worth some extra work. Predictably, after lots of practice Lenny gets better. Not as predictably, Lenny comes to accept that he might not end up being a baseball hero but loving the game is good enough.

We all know kids who have the inclination to give up when they’re not immediately good at something and this would be a great book to help them recognize that practice is so important with anything you want to be good at. And sometimes it’s enough to set aside notions of greatness and just love what you’re doing.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Maisy’s Surprise Birthday Party

Maisy’s Surprise Birthday PartyMaisy's Surprise Birthday Party by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick Press on July 20, 2021
ISBN: 1536216631
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Maisy’s Surprise Birthday Party” by Lucy Cousins is part of the “Maisy First Experiences” book series. It seems like an odd entry into the series, which prepares kids for the first time they experience something, like going camping, having a sleepover, learning to swim, since surprise parties don’t seem that common.

Premise aside, the book is still fun and bright, like all Maisy books, and kids will get a kick out of watching Maisy get surprised and have a fun birthday party. Aimed at children age 2 through 4, this book is an additional purchase for your Maisy collection.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

three-stars

Sunny-Side Up

Sunny-Side UpSunny-Side Up by Fiona Woodcock, Jacky Davis
Published by Greenwillow Books on February 9, 2021
ISBN: 0062573071
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Rainy days are no fun, or are they? Waking up to a rainy day can be disappointing, especially if you want to go out to play. This delightful, colorful book follows one little girl throughout her day of staying inside.  Everything from the tantrum she has over the rain, to playing in her room building an imaginary bird’s nest with pillows and tall buildings with wood blocks.  By using her imagination, she creates fun inside and makes the best out of a rainy day.  This book portrays a realistic day by showing the various moods that arise during a day with a small child. The disappointments, happiness, frustration, and various meal making. Breakfasts of eggs and toast and lunches of tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. The caregiver is Dad, who helps his daughter calm herself down by telling her to ‘’use words” and hugging and holding her to give comfort.  After fighting to nap which she finally does by listening to the falling rain, she awakens to painting and reading books.  When Mom comes home from work, the rain has stopped, and she goes outside with her to walk and talk and play. The day ends with a spaghetti dinner with a treat at the end. This book is enjoyable to look at, the illustrations are detailed and there are so many good lessons taught in the story.  As Mom tells her “‘rain clouds always pass”.  This book is appropriate for children 4-8. A good read for a rainy-day story time or a day stuck in the house. It leaves you feeling warm and happy.

 

Reviewed by Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars

Atticus Caticus

Atticus CaticusAtticus Caticus by Kara Kramer, Sarah Maizes
Published by Candlewick Press on May 4, 2021
ISBN: 153620840X
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Get ready for a rousing storytime with this energetic, purr-fect
picture book featuring Atticus the amazing cat-ticus!

The rhyming and rollicking text brings you into the day in the life of this spirited, loveable cat. The question and answer format will be a big hit with the littles. The illustrations are bold and bright. The scribbly depiction of Atticus is both realistic in its depiction of cat behavior and yet whimsical in spirit! A perfect balance of text with uncluttered layouts that show “just” the right amount of illustrations leaving plenty of soothing, calm space that offsets the actions of the endearing cat!

A definite cream nomination, I hope to see Atticus back in a follow up picture book.
An enjoyable read for all ages. And, an amazing must-read for cat lovers and children ages 3 and up!

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, ME

five-stars