Format: Picture Book Fiction

I’m a Hare so There!

I’m a Hare so There!I'm a Hare, So There! by Julie Rowan-Zoch
Published by Clarion Books on March 16, 2021
ISBN: 0358125065
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

What’s in a name? Lots, it turns out! Hare wants everybody to get it right – Hare’s a hare – SO THERE! This charming and hysterical book follows a hare and a ground squirrel through the Sonoran desert. Hare is bigger than a rabbit, was born with hair, can jump great distances, and more as explained to ground squirrel – how could anyone mistake Hare for a rabbit?! Through colorful, but sparse illustrations readers meet a variety of desert creatures with one thing in common: they are all commonly mis-named. The book includes 2 pages of back matter with facts about Sonoran creatures like Javelinas, tortoises, and lizards and a scavenger hunt to find creatures hidden in the desert. This book would be a fun read aloud for students in grades PreK – 3, but any child with an interest in real facts would find this book interesting and fun.

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, District Elementary Librarian, RSU #17 (Oxford Hills)

four-stars

One Mean Ant with Fly and Flea

One Mean Ant with Fly and FleaOne Mean Ant with Fly and Flea by Arthur Yorinks, Sergio Ruzzier
Published by Candlewick Press on October 13, 2020
ISBN: 0763683957
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

The mean ant is back, this time joined by frenemies the fly and the flea. The mean ant is really mean (“Oh, do you have to keep talking?”, “‘Are you blind?’ asked the ant. ‘That spider is…just a spot.”, “‘Yes, you!’ shouted the ant. ‘Of course, you! You flea-brain!”) and has few redeeming qualities. While the watercolor illustrations are lovely and evoke a feeling of being in the desert at sunset, the humor is just a bit off the mark in this book. Throughout the book, the author tries to make a joke about “a bug in a rug” but it never really lands. This book would be most useful as a discussion piece about how bad the ant is and to do the opposite of what the ant does! 

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, District Elementary Librarian, RSU #17 (Oxford Hills)

two-stars

This is a Dog Book

This is a Dog BookThis Is a Dog Book! by Judith Henderson, Julien Chung
Published by Kids Can Press on June 1, 2021
ISBN: 1525304933
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Sometimes who we are isn’t who we wish to be. A bunny wants to be included in the dog book. There is only one problem: bunny is not a dog! Identity, friendship, and belonging are at the heart of this delightful story. Through wonderfully sparse illustrations, bunny shows readers anything the dogs can do bunny can do too – like dog paddle, wag a tail, enjoy treats, and even sniff doo doo. Ultimately, the dogs decide bunny can be a part of the book because bunny meets the most important criteria: being a good friend. This would make for a lively (and silly!) read aloud with K-2 students.

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, District Elementary Librarian, RSU #17 (Oxford Hills)

four-stars

What Will You Be?

What Will You Be?What Will You Be? by Kate Alizadeh, Yamile Saied Méndez
Published by HarperCollins on May 4, 2021
ISBN: 0062839950
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Books about aspirations and what you will be when you grow up abound, but Yamile Saied Méndez’s new addition manages to inspire and delight nonetheless. A very young Latinx girl talks with classmates about what they will be when they grow up. But none of the classmates’ ideas (astronaut, unicorn, clown) are right for our protagonist. She consults her Abuela, who has done it all and still doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up. Together, grandmother and granddaughter explore all the wonderful things you can be, literally and figuratively – a dreamer, an artist, a builder, a farmer – if you listen to your heart. This story is accompanied by whimsical, bright, colorful illustrations. Children in Pre K – 3rd grade will enjoy this book best, but it’s a good reminder to all of us that what we are is often more than what we do. Recommend for any library.

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, District Elementary Librarian, RSU #17 (Oxford Hills)

five-stars

Pizza and Taco: Best Party Ever!

Pizza and Taco: Best Party Ever!Pizza and Taco: Best Party Ever! by Stephen Shaskan
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on January 26, 2021
ISBN: 0593123344
Pages: 72
Genres: Humor
Format: Graphic Novel, Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Pizza and Taco are back with the best party ever! One morning, Pizza and Taco find themselves bored and with nothing to do. After lots of thinks, they realize they want to throw a party! But where to begin? With a list, of course. Fortunately, Taco is the best list maker and Pizza has a stash of paper. They plan their party together, including invitations, decorations, snacks, and a guest list. However, the best laid plans don’t always work out. From the moment they begin setting up the party, things go awry. But that won’t bring down Taco and Pizza! Maybe things didn’t go exactly as planned, but Pizza and Taco are still smiling in the end. This hilarious, punny comic is a great introduction to graphic novels and a great option for young readers. Children in grades K-4 will enjoy this book and be asking for Pizza and Taco’s next adventure.

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, District Elementary Librarian, RSU #17 (Oxford Hills)

four-stars

Goodnight, Astronaut

Goodnight, AstronautGoodnight, Astronaut by Izzy Burton, Scott Kelly
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on February 2, 2021
ISBN: 1524764280
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Scott Kelly and his twin brother, Mark, were adventurers from the start. But, as their mom taught them, a good adventurer is fueled by a good night’s sleep. He starts his sleeping adventures small, sleeping under the stars and in his tree house with brother Mark. Eventually, he finds himself sleeping in a submarine, on top of Mount Everest, in a snow house in the Arctic, and even in the cockpit of his fighter jet before a mission. Eventually, Kelly manages to turn his dreams into reality: he becomes an astronaut. He lives for an entire year on the International Space Station. But don’t think for a minute his sleeping adventures are over! This picture book is part memoir, part poetic bedtime story, and part call to adventure. The illustrations are wonderful and the use of light is especially noteworthy. Highly recommended for anybody who dreams, big or small. Recommending for Cream of the Crop. 

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, District Elementary Librarian, RSU #17 (Oxford Hills)

five-stars

Bedtime for Albie

Bedtime for AlbieBedtime for Albie by Sophie Ambrose
Published by Candlewick Press on January 12, 2021
ISBN: 1536211184
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“All of the animals knew it was time for bed. All of them except for Albie.” Albie is an adorable warthog who just isn’t quite ready for bed! Anyone who has ever experienced bedtime will appreciate this classic tale of bedtime hijinks. Instead of listening to his mother’s calls to get ready for bed, Albie skips off to visit friends. He challenges the cheetahs to a race, but they are getting ready for bed. The meerkats? Getting ready for bed. The elephants? Getting ready for bed. Suddenly, the sky begins to darken and Albie is too far from home for comfort. Thanks to the help of his hippo friends, Albie makes it home to his worried mother just in time for… a surprise ending! The illustrations are darling and Albie is simply adorable too. This book would be best for toddlers – 2nd graders or to add to your collection of bedtime stories. 

 

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, District Elementary Librarian, RSU #17 (Oxford Hills)

four-stars

Interrupting Chicken: Cookies for Breakfast

Interrupting Chicken: Cookies for BreakfastInterrupting Chicken: Cookies for Breakfast by David Ezra Stein
Published by Candlewick Press on October 26, 2021
ISBN: 9781536207781
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The second sequel of Interrupting Chicken. Papa is awakened early by Interrupting Chicken, who wants to have cookies for breakfast but instead snuggles in with a book of nursery rhymes and then proceeds to interject cookies into the rhymes. Silliness abounds and makes this book a good choice for lap reading or Story Time. Infused with the same  charm and bold art as Interrupting Chicken and Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise. 

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

There’s a Mouse in My House

There’s a Mouse in My HouseThere's a Mouse in My House by Ross Collins
ISBN: 178800826X
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A sequel to There’s a Bear on My Chair. This time the table-has-turned and the mouse is an uninvited guest in the disgruntled bear’s house. Most of the simple rhymes end with an “o” sound (some work better than others) until the end of the book when Bear decides “Hey … these mice are nice!” The illustrations are hilarious. The many children who like There’s a Bear on My Chair  will enjoy this one, too. Adults will relate to his inability to rid his house of mice.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Zonia’s Rain Forest

Zonia’s Rain ForestZonia's Rain Forest by Juana Martinez-Neal
Published by Candlewick Press on March 30, 2021
ISBN: 9781536208450
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Zonia, a young Indigenous girl who lives in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest begins her days by greeting all her animal friends. (The text doesn’t label the different animals but there is “Zonia’s Friends in order of appearance ” at the end of the book.) On her way home, Zonia stumbles upon a patch of deforestation and decides she must protect her home. More extensive information for about the Ashaninka people and the threats to the Amazon are also at the back of the book. This is a good introduction to the Amazon rainforest and environmental awareness for preschoolers. The impish girl and cutesy animals will delight readers and the youngest will enjoy finding the electric Blue Morpho butterfly in each two-page spread.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars