Format: Picture Book Fiction

The Tale of the Mandarin Duck: A Modern Fable

The Tale of the Mandarin Duck: A Modern FableTale of the Mandarin Duck by Bette Midler, Joana Avillez, Michiko Kakutani
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on February 16, 2021
ISBN: 9780593176764
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Not sure if this is considered fiction or nonfiction. It is based on a true story about a rare visit from a Mandarin Duck (native to East Asia) who visited Central Park in New York City in 2018. This popular visitor caused quite a stir and people flocked to gawk and take photographs. The “moral” is that the advent of smartphones put an end to personal interaction until the duck taught people to use their eyes again and interact with people. The illustrations are a mixture of Kakutani’s color photos of the duck and views of Manhattan with Avillez’s monochrome ink and wash of diverse humans. I adored the illustrations! The story, however, is more suited to adults than children. Best for 1-to-1 browsing, especially for people who have lived or visited New York City.

 

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Home Is Where The Heart IsHome Is Where the Heart Is by Emma Dodd
Published by Templar Books on July 6, 2021
ISBN: 1536217123
Pages: 24
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Another sweet reassuring and loving picture book for toddlers.   Dodd expresses a deep feeling of security and protection within this simple cat/kitten story which provides young readers with a sense of security.  While the text is simple its message is clear and concise.  The illustrations of the felines are fetching, they represent all cats who happily live as pets in loving homes.  Multiple color choices add to the desirability of the book.   Gold foil embossed upon the background is sure to grab the attention of toddlers.   There are however two pages where the dark print is hard to read against equally dark backgrounds.

Another good offering to the series making this a possible addition to public library collections and a great baby or toddler gift book.

four-stars

A House for Every Bird

A House for Every BirdA House for Every Bird by Kaylani Juanita, Megan Maynor
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on February 16, 2021
ISBN: 1984896482
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

After carefully drawing all sorts of houses for various birds to live in , frustration mounts for the artist when the (also drawn) birds reject their houses and choose others based on their personalities. How dare they? After hearing the birds out, the artist comes to terms with the fact that you can’t decide what someone might like just because of the way they look. This is a good book about withholding assumptions until you really get to know someone and the illustrations add a lot of humor.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski. Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Hard-Boiled Bugs for Breakfast

Hard-Boiled Bugs for BreakfastHard-Boiled Bugs for Breakfast: And Other Tasty Poems by Jack Prelutsky, Ruth Chan
Published by Greenwillow Books on January 19, 2021
ISBN: 0063019132
Pages: 144
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is another terrific poetry book by Jack Prelutsky. The poems are funny, rhythmic, easy to connect with, and fun to read out loud. Each one has a gentle illustration by Ruth Chan and they work well with the good-naturedness of Prelutsky’s poems. Like his other books, this is a great addition to any classroom or library and an excellent choice for a poetry unit or reading aloud to younger grades.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Walking for Water

Walking for WaterWalking for Water: How One Boy Stood Up for Gender Equality by Nicole Miles, Susan Hughes
Published by Kids Can Press on June 1, 2021
ISBN: 1525302493
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Walking for Water

 

In Malawi when girls reach eight years old they leave school in order to carry buckets of water five times a day for their family.  Victor and his twin sister had always attended together but now she must leave.  Victor’s teacher talks about inequality and this spurs Victor to share the duties with his sister.  They alternate days and each benefits.  The solution came very quickly and I feel there would have been push-back in the community.  But this wasn’t included.  The illustrations were excellent and groups concerned with water and food resources were added for those wanting more information.  It is an excellent picture book.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

Bruno the Beekeeper

Bruno the BeekeeperBruno the Beekeeper: A Honey Primer by Aneta Františka Holasová
Published by Candlewick Press on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 1536214612
Pages: 80
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction, Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The subtitle of the book is A Honey Primer, and it is completely accurate. This is a long picture book that is full of information about honeybees, beekeeping, and bees in general. The book is separated into the four seasons and features information about what the bees and those who keep them do in each season. The watercolor illustrations are simply gorgeous and elevate the already wonderful nature of this book. Recommended for wide purchase and for readers of all ages. Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Pete the Cat Rocking Field Day

Pete the Cat Rocking Field DayPete the Cat: Rocking Field Day by James Dean, Kimberly Dean
Published by HarperCollins on May 4, 2021
ISBN: 0062974084
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Pete and friends are back for another adventure. This time they’re participating in field day at school. Pete really wants to win first prize, but throughout the day, he learns that winning isn’t always the most important part. Familiar characters and illustrations will make this one an instant hit. As with most Pete the Cat books, this one focuses on a positive message, fun, and humor. Recommended for readers 5 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

So you want to be an owl

So you want to be an owlSo You Want to Be an Owl by Jane Porter, Maddie Frost
Published by Candlewick Press on January 12, 2021
ISBN: 153621521X
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Welcome to Owl School! Professor Olaf is here to help you determine if you have what it takes to be an owl. Great vision? Silent feathers? Sharp ears? See if you really want to be an owl afterall.

This whimsical and comical book about many characteristics of owls will educate and entertain at the same time. The illustrations are cartoonish and help keep the story from being too overwhelmed with information. There is a LOT in this book — lots of text, lots of information, and lots of fun. Hand this one to kids who love humor, birds, and owls. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

All of the factors of why I love tractors

All of the factors of why I love tractorsAll of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors by Davina Bell, Jenny Lovlie
Published by Greenwillow Books on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 0063019183
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Frankie and his mom are heading to the library. When they get there, Frank only wants books about tractors. The librarian, Miss Squid, is happy to have Frankie getting more tractor books, but his mom is tired of reading the same things over and over. Frankie’s mom tries to convince him to get books about trucks, trains, steam rollers, anything but tractors. Frank isn’t having it. He then lists all the reasons he loves tractors, and they leave with tractor books.

The rhyming text in this book is fun and creative. All sorts of people are depicted driving tractors and other big machinery, so that is refreshing. The digitally rendered illustrations full of color and life. They help carry the story and feature a wide variety of tractors. This book will be sure the please the tractor lovers of the world. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Welcome Flower Child: The Magic of Your Birth Flower

Welcome Flower Child: The Magic of Your Birth FlowerWelcome Flower Child by Brigette Barrager
Published by Random House Children's Books on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 9781984830395
Pages: 42
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This is a difficult book to define – could be poetry, could be informational, but the CIP states fictional (E). It is described on Amazon as “A beautiful gift book that reveals the meaning of birth flowers for babies born each month of the year.” The book begins “Every child is a different kind of flower, and all together, make this world a beautiful garden.” Readers will learn all about the flowers for each month which are accompanied by four rhyming lines that describe the month and an “uplifting horoscope” for children born in that month. The verses are rather mundane but affirming. Fairies with a variety of skin tones fly about the gorgeous garden scenes. Children will enjoy finding their birth flowers and this book could be used during Story Time to reinforce months of the year and birthdays.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars