Format: Picture Book Fiction

The Blunders: A Counting Catastrophe!

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

A funny story about the Blunder children who never can seem to get things right. Mother sends them out to play with instructions to come home at a certain time. when it is time, they count heads, only to find one missing! Will they find the missing child in time? A really cute story which incorporates learning to count for younger ones.

Preschool to 1st grade

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

five-stars

Elmore and Pinky

Elmore and PinkyElmore and Pinky by Holly Hobbie
Published by Random House, Random House Books for Young Readers on March 17, 2020
ISBN: 1524770817
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An endearing story of two separate animals, both with certain hardships, who go out looking for a best friend. Along the way they have several adventures and in the end, they find each other. Beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming story.

Preschool – 1st grade

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

four-stars

Bathtime with Ducky Duckling

Bathtime with Ducky DucklingBathtime with Ducky Duckling by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick Press on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 1536209651
Pages: 8
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book, Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

It's just ducky! In a waterproof format, this irresistible Lucy Cousins character makes a splash at bath time, high-chair time, or anytime.
Join Ducky Duckling for an adventure in the pond! Her brilliantly colored friends are all there -- ducks, fish, and leaping frogs. Soft, squishy, and sturdy, this waterproof, wipe-clean book is perfect for the littlest readers, whether in the bathtub, at the table, or on the go.

Bathtime with Ducky Duckling is a truly immersible book that will make bath time more fun for toddlers.  The large illustrations are from the original full format book and serve the intended audience well.   This librarian wishes there was some white space on each page making the illustrations more visible for babies.   The book is made of all new materials which is good as it certainly will become a chew toy.

Older siblings will enjoy reading aloud about Ducky Duckling’s antics to their smaller siblings.   This is a cute addition to any baby shower basket but not recommended for public libraries as it will be used in the bath or play pool.

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

four-stars

What Grew in Larry’s Garden

What Grew in Larry’s GardenWhat Grew in Larry's Garden by Kass Reich, Laura Alary
Published by Kids Can Press ISBN: 152530108X
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
The lessons taught in this book are plentiful.  Most vital is the fact that working together is good for the plants and people in your community.  Larry’s garden is a symbol of what is good within a neighborhood, school, town, or country.  Positive attitudes, kindness and caring are exemplified in this adorable picture book.  Given the C 19 pandemic gardens are sprouting up all over North America; families are gardening to spend time together, provide food and to avoid boredom.  Larry’s message goes beyond and spreads good will as well as produce.    The illustrations are colorful and come complete with shadows that intensify the shades.  This reader does note that the noses on both Larry and Grace are distinctive.

What Grew in Larry’s Garden is a cute book that would be well served in all primary school media centers and in public libraries.  Community centers and church/ synagogues/mosque libraries would also enjoy being gifted a copy as this title shares essential values.

 

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

four-stars

Sun

SunSun by Sam Usher
Published by Templar Books on June 12th 2018
ISBN: 0763699497
Pages: 40
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
A sweet story of a Granddad and his Grandson spending time together on a hot sunny day,.  The day begins with the young grandson wanting to go on an adventure. The grandfather suggest that it would be a perfect day for a picnic, so the two pack up and head out. The Granddad navigates while the Grandson is the look out.  Plenty of time is spent resting on a park bench while on their pursuit for a cooler spot. They finally find the “ideal” spot in a deep cave with a lake. But a band of pirates have also picked that spot. Before you know it,  they are on the huge pirate ship sharing their perfect picnic with the friendly group.  The story ends with the Granddad and Grandson chatting together and concluding that you never know what you will find, if you keep looking.  The watercolor and ink illustrations are colorful and  engaging. Readers will understand the searing heat of the sun and the need for shade.  A feel good story that children and adults will enjoy reading together

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport

 

Poppleton

PoppletonPoppleton: An Acorn Book (Poppleton #1): An Acorn Book by Cynthia Rylant, Mark Teague
Published by Scholastic Inc. on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 1338566679
Pages: 64
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Popular with early readers since 1997 Poppleton has been reissues by Acorn (Scholastic) for the current pre-school – K audience. Although smaller than the original this font is readable for emerging readers.

Rylant knows who her readers are and offers timeless animal stories complete with humor and tails of friendship. This paperback edition will be welcomed in K classroom collections.

three-stars

Undercover Ostrich

Undercover OstrichUndercover Ostrich by Joe Kulka
Published by Carolrhoda Books (R) on April 2, 2019
ISBN: 1512497878
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Preschoolers to 1st grade will laugh at the funny ways this sneaky ostrich tries to camouflage himself with a woodpecker or as a person on the subway or other silly antics. This book reminds me of “It’s a good thing” by Steve Zukmann (1987) with the humor and animals.  I read this book to 3 groups of children and they enjoyed it a lot. It has large, beautiful illustrations and a surprise ending which will delight listeners. Great for story time and read aloud.

 

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Children’s Librarian, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner  ME

five-stars

If Animals Went to School

If Animals Went to SchoolIf Animals Went to School by Ann Whitford Paul, David Walker
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) on May 14, 2019
ISBN: 0374309027
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
If you need a book to show youngsters what they might expect when they go to school, consider this addition to the preschool collection.

Action words on almost every page give readers a chance to chime in. I found the text clunky and hard to read aloud due to the irregular rhyth, and inconsistent pattern of rhyming.

Some of the animals do activities relating to their natural traits: Beaver counts sticks and Goat eats books. Others have no such connection: Bear hogs blocks and Elephant stacks cardboard bricks, but all the animals seem to enjoy themselves. At the end of the day, Beaver is reluctant to go when papa comes to pick him up.

Soft illustrations with mostly white or simple pastel backgrounds would be useful with toddlers learning to identify animals

The author and illustrator have collaborated on similar titles: “If Animals Kissed Good Night,” “If Animals said I Love You,” and “If Animals Celebrated Christmas.”

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

three-stars

How to Be a Snow Queen: Leadership with Elsa

How to Be a Snow Queen: Leadership with ElsaHow to Be a Snow Queen: Leadership with Elsa by Mari Schuh
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on January 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541543130
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Looking for something from Disney that’s a bit more than just a retelling of a movie story? This book draws on “Frozen” to provide character lessons about leadership.

Key images from the movie accompany the text, providing an overview of the story. Although this is cataloged as non-fiction, youngsters will most likely search for it in the picture book section. 

Includes sidebar features: Career Connection (doctor, park ranger); Did You Know (details about the film); and Character Callout (responsibility, creativity), as well as a glossary and list of books and websites. Readers are also challenged to think of ways they can be a leader.

Teamwork, responsibility, respect, grit, and confidence are other traits in this ‘Disney Great Character Guides’ series. This hardcover edition and demand for Disney/Frozen books rule in favor of purchase.

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

four-stars

I’m Not Millie!

I’m Not Millie!I'm Not Millie! by Mark Pett
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on November 26, 2019
ISBN: 1101937947
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Millie denies her own existence every time her parent tries to tweak her behavior, whether eating at the table, playing in the house, or getting ready for bed.

Each spread has a speech bubble on the left showing the adult’s words (the adult is never shown, allowing for various interpretations). The opposing page shows an animal matched with a characteristic: a dawdling child could be a tortoise, a splashing (in the tub) child could be a dolphin. Each animal declares in some variation of “I’m not Millie!”. Large simple font is easy to read. 

The animals are drawn in realistic style. Each background shows just enough detail to identify the room in which the action is taking place.

The text, all dialogue between parent and child, builds to a very satisfying ending as Millie finally reveals her true self when tempted by bubble gum ice cream. 

Preschoolers will see themselves trying to evade the inevitable bedtime.

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

five-stars