Format: Picture Book Fiction

The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol

The Hanukkah Magic of Nate GadolThe Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol by Arthur A. Levine, Kevin Hawkes
Published by Candlewick Press on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 0763697419
Pages: 40
Genres: Fantasy, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a new, exciting story that puts a spin on the tradition of presents for Hanukkah.  The magic of the great spirit, Nate Gadol, helps those who pray when things need to last.  He helped the oil last for eight days and nights and continues to do big and small things as needed.  The story focuses on how Nate Gadol extends a small bit of chocolate, saved for a holiday, when the Glaser family emigrates from Europe to America.  The family then extends the good will they feel toward their less fortunate neighbors the O’Malley family.  During the bad winter of 1881, Nate Godol steps in to better the meager situations all the families by assisting Santa Claus, whose sleigh has lost some of its magic, resulting in shiny wrapped presents for all.  Hawkes provides period details in larger than life illustrations of Nate Gadol and the variety of settings depicted.  A brush of gold, Nate’s magic, extends throughout the book and adds to the magical excitement.  Levine provides an author’s note in the back to explain the mix of holidays.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian

 

five-stars

Superhero Gran

Superhero GranSuperhero Gran by Joe Berger, Timothy Knapman
Published by Nosy Crow on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1536214426
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Every child who idolizes their grandma will be in good company with this new book in Knapman’s series that showcases family members.  This third edition to the series highlights a black family.    In bright colors and energetic positions, girl and boy siblings are dropped off by their father to their Superhero Gran’s house for a day of dress-up, make up for disguises, games like tickle monster, treats, sweets and an invitation for a sleepover.  There is variety in setting.  Dress up takes place in the attic, make up in the bedroom, treats in the living room and hide and seek in the garden.  Although time is depicted by the various activities the family does, the book presents more as an illustrated listing of what the children love about their gran and how much she loves them over a story line.  The text does have a bouncy rhythm that may inspire repeat readings.  The book reviewed is a reinforced trade edition that has a cut out in the middle of the front cover, consistent with the other books in the series.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian

three-stars

THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR-A-TOPS

THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR-A-TOPSThe Legend of King Arthur-a-tops by Andrew Joyner, Mo O'Hara
Published by HarperCollins on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062652753
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This cute picture book retells the story of King Arthur, but with a dinosaur cast of characters.  There are lady dinos, bossy dinos, a magical dino, and a very kindhearted dino, who ultimately becomes King!

This cute story will engage and entertain children and families.  The illustrations are charming and colorful

Reviewed by Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Library, Castine

three-stars

WHERE LILY ISN’T

WHERE LILY ISN’TWhere Lily Isn't by Julie Paschkis, Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Published by Henry Holt & Company on January 21, 2020
ISBN: 1250184258
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

This colorful picture book explores a little girl’s grief and loneliness at the loss of her favorite pet.

She remembers how her dog used to greet her after school, and snuggled and played.  She eventually realizes that her friend will always be in her heart.

I would only recommend this book for a parenting section, so that the right patron is connected to the book.  I would not have enjoyed my children grabbing this book off the shelf at our library and expecting a fun read, only to be crying and upset for weeks.

Reviewed by Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Library, Castine

two-stars

THE BLUNDERS A Counting Catastrophe!

THE BLUNDERS A Counting Catastrophe!The Blunders: A Counting Catastrophe! by Christina Soontornvat, Colin Jack
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 153620109X
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This charming picture book tells the story of ten brothers and sisters that go out to play, promising their mom they would look after one another.  When the time comes to go home, they can only count 9 siblings!  OH no!

Drawings are very bright and colorful. This would make a great read-aloud, as children try to figure out how they have counted incorrectly.

Reviewed by Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Library, Castine

four-stars

The Farm That Mac Built

The Farm That Mac BuiltThe Farm That Mac Built by Jackie Urbanovic, Tammi Sauer
Published by Clarion Books on August 11, 2020
ISBN: 0544113020
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a fun and charming adaptation of the old song/story, Old MacDonald’s Farm.  In this story, the animals on the farm have put on a “Way Off-Broadway Production” of the story.

The story is filled with sound effects and funny repetitions, that would be great fun as a read- aloud to young children.  And of course, the funny antics as lots of animals try to join the production, including many not so traditional farm animals!  The text is silly, fun, simple and the illustrations are charming and colorful.

Reviewed by Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Library, Castine

four-stars

Ty’s Travels All Aboard!

Ty’s Travels All Aboard!Ty's Travels: All Aboard! by Kelly Starling Lyons, Nina Mata
Published by HarperCollins on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0062951122
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In this easy reader, each family member in Ty’s family, who present as brown skinned, are too busy to play with him.  When he finds an empty box, he creates his own adventure pretending to be on a train.  Each member joins in the fun until it is time to eat.  There is plenty of white space and illustrative clues for beginner readers.  Mata creates scenery that look like it has been colored with crayons during the time that Ty is pretending which adds a whimsical touch.  The text is repetitive enough for those who are learning to read and following along.    Vocabulary includes adventures, clothes, whistle and compound words such as upstairs, homework and downstairs.  A useful addition to all easy reader collections in schools and public libraries.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian

four-stars

Swashby and the Sea

Swashby and the SeaSwashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry, Juana Martinez-Neal
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on May 5, 2020
ISBN: 0544707370
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a sweet friendship story between a salty, loner sailor and a socially outgoing little girl who are brought together by the sea.  Swashby, the retired sailor, has his solitary existence interrupted when a little girl and her grandmother, sporting natural Afros and lots of positive energy, move in next door to his peaceful seaside abode.  He tries leaving messages like “No trespassing “in the sand but the sea always seems to remove a few letters turning his messages into welcoming expressions for the girl to read.  His resistance is finally broken when the little girl gets too close to the water and Swashby dives in to save her.  Martinez-Neal’s acrylic and colored pencil illustrations add depth to the sea and personality to the characters and the various seagulls on the beach.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian

four-stars

every little letter

every little letterEvery Little Letter by Deborah Underwood, Joy Hwang Ruiz
Published by Dial Books on August 4, 2020
ISBN: 0525554025
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

What a sweet book! In a world where each letter in the alphabet is separated by walls, one lowercase h dares to peek through a crack and meets a lowercase i. They immediately hit it off but the uppercase letters are having none of it. The lowercase letters enlist others and they all persevere and eventually win over the stubborn uppercases and, suddenly, everyone’s world becomes more loving and wonderful. This is a simple idea done well, with adorable illustrations and a lovely message.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

How Long is Forever

How Long is ForeverHow Long Is Forever? by Kelly Carey, Qing Zhuang
Published by Charlesbridge Publishing on April 7, 2020
ISBN: 1580895786
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Mason grumbles that waiting for Nana’s blueberry pie “is taking forever.” Amused—and eager to distract his grandson—Grandpa asks Mason if he knows how long forever is which results in a romp through the fields and stream. Pie is done and waiting is over and Mason reaches some understanding of forever. Forever, he asserts, is how long he’ll love Nana’s pie AND how long he’ll love Grandpa and Nana. Sweet but subtle intergenerational relationship is depicted in story and pictures. On the last page Mason and grandpa are washing the dishes but no mention is made of this. Mason has light-brown skin; his grandparents’ skin is pale. Grandpa has stark white hair and white facial hair; Nana looks less stereotypical, with a blonde bob and red eyeglasses. Good choice for Storytime. Warning: this book might make you hungry for pie but the author provides a link to recipe for one-minute blueberry-cobbler-in-a-mug so you won’t have to wait FOREVER!

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars