Format: Picture Book Fiction

One Girl

One GirlOne Girl by Andrea Beaty, Dow Phumiruk
Published by Harry N. Abrams on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 141971905X
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A book can be a spark that flickers and grows, especially for one who has not had access to them. Readers who have experienced this will find familiarity with the feeling of having a book become “Brighter. Brighter. Brightest bright.” 

Beautiful illustrations (Dow Phumiruk) show the main character surrounded with other children and details many possibilities of what books & reading can open our minds to.  Although this seems aimed at a particular segment of an unnamed group there is a wide variety of ethnic/races shown in her class – perhaps the range of appearances are to represent all children? Sparse text flows across each page loaded with figurative phrases to explore.

Younger children may simply enjoy the illustrations. This could be used to initiate a discussion on equality for girls in education, but it feels like a fictional “Malala” and may need explanation on how a book can be a spark to ignite a passion for learning. If I were a boy, I might ask, “Can’t boys be “Brighter. Brighter. Brightest bright,” too? Which would lead a discussion to come back around to the inequality of education for many girls in other parts of the world.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

 

four-stars

Otis P. Oliver Protests

Otis P. Oliver ProtestsOtis P. Oliver Protests by Daniel Duncan, Keri Claiborne Boyle
ISBN: 1534167064
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The cover tells the story – Oliver, with dirt smudged on his face, stands in his underwear with his arms crossed in front of the bathtub. How attention grabbing is that? After he stages his protest, Mom is willing to compromise.

Looking serious (such as wearing a sports coat), getting backup (by delivering a fiery speech to his pals), marching, and picketing are reasonable steps when one is protesting. Toss in some hand-written notes between Otis and his mother during negotiations and we have a satisfying outcome!

Cartoonish illustrations (Daniel Duncan) add to the story with humor and just enough relevant details. 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Mae the Mayfly

Mae the MayflyMae the Mayfly by Denise Brennan-Nelson, Florence Weiser
ISBN: 1534166742
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Oh, the delights of a day in the life of a mayfly! aFter saying goodbye to her mother, May explores her surroundings, barely escapes being lunch for a trout, and then ends up saving him after he becomes entanglesd in fishing line.

Beautiful, rich illustrations on double page spreads pull the reader in. Rhyming text flows well and gives facts and information about a mayfly’s life. Back matter includes more facts about mayflies, and how to practice mindful breathing exercises. 

Could be paired with Aesop’s “The Mouse and the Lion” or David Shannon’s “Jangles: A Big Fish Story”. Could also be used to show children how to slow down and enjoy nature’s beauty. 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

My Best Friend

My Best FriendMy Best Friend by Jillian Tamaki, Julie Fogliano
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 1534427236
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Young readers won’t mind that standard capital letters and punctuation aren’t used, but they will enjoy the reassurance of friendship; hiding, laughing, pretending. You don’t have to like the same things, and you don’t even have to know their name to be ‘friends’.

Illustrations capture the mood through facial expressions, various angles, and inclusion of images suggested in the text. For example, the child says, “…turn our hands into ducks and run away quacking…” and the picture shows them, hands in the air, running away from two ducks.

The colors, though, are limited to red and green hues. Some children may notice that the text describes the friend as having black hair but it looks mostly green. Near the end, the child narrator imagines the next day when they will write their names in red and green. Even without punctuation, the text flows, has natural breaks, and it pleasant to read.

A great story for pre-K and early elementary to open the world of possibilities when one thinks they have found a friend! Pair with any friendship books, including “We Disagree” by Bethanie Deeney Murguia (c2020) and start a discussion about finding common ground. 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Sharko and Hippo

Sharko and HippoSharko and Hippo by Andrea Tsurumi, Elliott Kalan
Published by Balzer + Bray on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0062791095
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Sharko and Hippo are friends—Sharko does the talking, and Hippo does the carrying. The two friends are setting out on a fishing trip, but Hippo can’t seem to understand what Sharko wants. Sharko asks for a boat, and Hippo hands him a coat. Sharko asks for a pole, and Hippo hands him a peel. This zany banter continues until Sharko gives up and the two head home.

This is a silly story that will make kids giggle. Sharko and Hippo are fun and likeable. The environmentalist in me doesn’t appreciate all the misguided givings being thrown into and left in the water. The mixed media illustrations fit perfectly with the tone of the book. They’re cartoonish, colorful, and help bring Sharko’s exasperation to the forefront. The overall humor of the book is captured well with the illustrations as well. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Ella’s Night Lights

Ella’s Night LightsElla's Night Lights by Lucy Fleming
Published by Candlewick on November 24, 2020
ISBN: 1536212695
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Ella has moth wings, she collects things that light up at night. The one thing she really wants to do is see the surnise, though. Her wings are too sensitive to withstand the sun so it isn’t something she’s ever been able to do. When all of her forest friends learn of her wish, they are determined to make it happen for her.

This is a heartwarming story of friendship and magic. The digitally rendered illustrations will delight young readers with their whimsy and sparkles. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Avocado Asks

Avocado AsksAvocado Asks: What Am I? by Momoko Abe
ISBN: 1408358220
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Everything is going well for Avocado in the grocery store until one day, a dark skinned young customer asks her mom if an avocado is a fruit or a vegetable. When the mother doesn’t directly answer the question, Avocado’s life is thrown upside down. Avocado checks all the different areas of the store but can’t seem to fit in anywhere. That’s when an unexpected, and often misunderstood friend helps Avocado realize it doesn’t matter how other people see them, as long as Avocado knows they’re amazing, that’s all that matters.

This is a wonderful book. The message of loving yourself is a good one, and the story is easy to follow and fun. The digitally rendered illustrations are colorful and add emotion and humor to the story. This makes a great read-aloud. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Nice Try, Charlie

Nice Try, CharlieNice Try, Charlie! by Matt James
Published by Groundwood Books on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1773061801
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Charlie is a fixture in town. He pushes a cart loaded with treasures, and he picks up many things other people consider to be trash. He finds ways to use things other people throw away. Charlie helps a neighbor get her cat back, and then he stumbles upon a box with an entire pie in it. He makes an effort to find the owner of the pie, but when he’s unable to find the owner, he shares the pie with his community of friends.

This is an important story because it focuses on the type of person often overlooked by many people in society. Charlie exudes kindness, and it doesn’t go unnoticed by his friends. The mixed media illustrations are beautiful and add so much depth and dimension to the story. The combination of thick strokes of acrylic paint with collage give the sense there’s actually three dimensional texture on the page (this reviewer’s 5-yr old tried to touch one page and was confused/disappointed when it was still flat). This is a wonderful story about friendship, community, and finding kindness and value in all people. Recommended for purchase and for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

In The Half Room

In The Half RoomIn the Half Room by Carson Ellis
Published by Candlewick Press on October 13, 2020
ISBN: 1536214566
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Half a cat lies on half a rug, on half a floor, in half a house. Everything in this story is half of something until a knock comes at the door. This is a whimsical and quirky story with no major plot. The text is simple and sparse. The gouache and ink illustrations are beautiful and bring the half house to half life. Hand this to fans of quirky reads. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Space Matters

Space MattersSpace Matters by Jacque Lynn, Lydia Nichols
ISBN: 1328801470
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Space matters, spaces matter. This is a fun book about perspective. Spaces make sentences, they help you to see the whole picture, they keep pudding from tasting like pickles. The text is simple and easy to follow when paired with the illustrations. The illustrations are mixed media with clean lines and bright colors. Without the illustrations, the text wouldn’t make sense at all. They are critical to the story. The premise of this book is a good one, but the concept will be lost on the youngest of readers. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars