Format: Picture Book Fiction

Love, Sophia on the Moon

Love, Sophia on the MoonLove, Sophia on the Moon by Anica Mrose Rissi, Mika Song
Published by Disney-Hyperion on March 31, 2020
ISBN: 1368022855
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

When Sophia is put in timeout, she decides to runaway to the moon with her cat, Mr. Wubbles. Beginning with a note for her mom,  a back-and-forth letter writing between Sophia and her mom tells the story. The notes are cleverly written and a gentle reminder to kids that parents still love them even when they yell at them. Mom and daughter both have tan skin and straight, black hair.

Note: Author grew up “on an island off the coast of Maine.”

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

One Little Bag

One Little BagOne Little Bag: An Amazing Journey by Henry Cole
Published by Scholastic Press on April 7, 2020
ISBN: 1338359975
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a gorgeously illustrated wordless picture book. It follows the life of one paper bag as it is reused and repurposed throughout one person’s entire life. It begins with a tree and ends in a surprising full circle way. Henry Cole’s illustrations are detailed, and full of character. The book is almost entirely black and white, except for the paper bag. Even though the focus is the bag, there are so many other things wrapped up in this story — family, love, environment, compassion, and more. Highly recommended for readers 3 and up and recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Emergency Kittens

Emergency KittensEmergency Kittens! by Dave Mottram, Jody Jensen Shaffer
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on January 7, 2020
ISBN: 1984830082
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Got a problem? Maybe you need a superhero, or maybe you’d be better off with — EMERGENCY KITTENS! This book pokes fun at traditional superheroes and finds that a cartoonish squad of emergency kittens is much more helpful than someone with superhero strength who may also be wearing tights. Kids will enjoy the silly nature of the story and the high contrast, cartoon-like illustrations will keep them engaged. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Nothing in Common

Nothing in CommonNothing in Common by Corinna Luyken, Kate Hoefler
ISBN: 0544774787
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Two neighbors have nothing in common until they notice they both like to watch an old man walking his dog. They still have nothing else in common, but one day they both notice the old man doesn’t have his dog anymore. They both take on a quest to find the dog, and in the process, they find they have much more in common than they previously thought.

This is a sweet story of friendship that reminds us how we’re all connected more closely than we believe. The story is a little metaphorical at times but not so much that kids will be lost. Corinna Luyken comes throught will beautiful and colorful illustrations, per usual. The overall theme of the book is blue and red, and the combinations of those two colors throughout bring the commonalities of the two friends to the forefront. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Imaginaries

ImaginariesThe Imaginaries: Little Scraps of Larger Stories by Emily Winfield Martin
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 0553511033
Pages: 80
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is presented entirely as one sentence per page. Each sentence is handwritten on a scrap of paper, old envelope, etc., and each is accompanied by an illustration that may pair well with the sentence. The sentences aren’t related, and they are a great launching point for letting imaginations run wild. The illustrations are beautiful and really bring the quips to life, though as a writing or art exercise, it would be fun to present the sentences without showing the art. Recommended for readers 4 and up, though this book may be lost on young audiences. Even the youngest readers, however, will love the beautiful pictures.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

If You Were Night

If You Were NightIf You Were Night by Kelly Pousette, Mượn Thị Văn
Published by Kids Can Press on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1525300148
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

If you were night, what would you do? This book asks the reader a series of questions about what might happen if they were the night. The text is poetic and lyrical, and the paper cut illustrations are beautiful. The entire book has a dark feel to it (color-wise, not dark sinister) which plays perfectly with the night theme. The book is gorgeous but the overall concept will be lost on some younger readers. It does allow for fun conversations that invoke imaginative play. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Stand up! Speak up!

Stand up! Speak up!Stand Up! Speak Up!: A Story Inspired by the Climate Change Revolution by Andrew Joyner
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 0593301587
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This book encourages readers to get active in their communities to fight climate change. The book begins with a kid participating in a climate change rally. They then go home and watch the discouraging news about the effects of climate change with their parents. The child is unable to sleep but hatches a plan to get active in local government.

The text is entirely two word sentences that end with the word “up” — write up, speak up, stand up, hands up, etc. The illustrations are black and white with green accents, and are very detailed and busy. This book definitely requires more discussion with young readers as there’s actually quite a bit there. The back pages include more information about young people acting and participating in climate change activism. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Hug?

Hug?Hug? by Charlene Chua
Published by Kids Can Press on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 152530206X
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

On the first page of this book, a cat coughs up a hairball. It then says it doesn’t feel well, so it’s person asks if it wants a hug. The cat says yes, and this hug is followed by a litany of animals appearing on the page asking for hugs. The first few are sweet but by the end, the girl is exhausted and the requests feel more like demands. She says she doesn’t feel well and is comforted by a hug from her cat.

The premise of this book is cute and somewhat funny, but I’m always wary of books that imply kids are required to give hugs. There’s some semblance of consent early on, but by the end, the poor girl is hugging animals she’s not totally thrilled to be hugging. It does offer an opportunity for discussions about the importance of consent and spekaing up for oneself. The illustrations are vibrant and bring the emotions and the trepidations of the girl to the forefront. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Pout-Pout Fish Goes to the Doctor

Pout-Pout Fish Goes to the DoctorThe Pout-Pout Fish 8x8 (Doctor) by Dan Hanna, Deborah Diesen
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) on February 25, 2020
ISBN: 0374310505
Pages: 24
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This new addition to the Pout-Pout Fish series contains information concerning a visit to the doctor.  Although Mr. Fish is pouting about his upcoming doctor visit, he manages to put others at ease.

The illustrations are detailed while being amusing.   Various ocean characters reveal their emotional state; readers can determine their feelings by glancing at the facial expressions. Young readers will be reassured by the content and delighted with the stickers.

As a paperback, Librarians might not include this tile in their collections.  The Pout-Pout series will be welcome in primary grade classrooms but the stickers may create a problem.  Families may want to purchase for home reading .

 

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME.

three-stars

A Girl Like Me

A Girl Like MeA Girl Like Me by Angela Johnson, Nina Crews
Published by Millbrook Press (Tm) on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 1541557778
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A lovely powerful poem complimented by vibrant active illustrations combine to make this book a winner.  Not only do we learn of the dreams of each character but we feel a sense of their spirit. Three girls have places to go and things to achieve; the first dreams of flying; the second of walking over tall buildings; and the third dreams of swimming deep in the ocean.   Johnson’s poem is simple yet powerful and Crews has provided a dramatic bird’s eye view of each dream using her stunning collages.   Readers will identify with the primary and secondary characters who are brave and strong girls on their way to future success.

Girls from the age of 4 to adult will cheer for the individuality shown in the photos and introductions of each character.  The interaction between the various girls is playful and dramatic especially against the stunning backdrops.  Purchase this book for primary school media centers and add to public library collections.  Consider this as a gift of an art teacher and for any future strong women that you may know in your family or social circle.

Cream of the Crop

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars