Source: MSL Book Review

Bear and Bird: The Stick and Other Stories

Bear and Bird: The Stick and Other StoriesBear and Bird: The Stick and Other Stories (Bear and Bird, #4) by Jarvis
Published by Candlewick Press, Candlewick Press (MA) on February 25, 2025
ISBN: 1536239275
Pages: 64
Genres: Animals, Children's Beginning Readers, Emotions & Feelings, Humor
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Can you ever be too considerate?  In this fourth set of four stories featuring friends Bear and Bird, Bird realizes Bear has a leaf stuck to his face. Not wanting to embarrass him, she serendipitously tries to remove it. Turns out a leaf on your face is the new fad and everyone else has one, too, until the wind blows them away. In another story, Bear and Bird pick up the same stick and then disagree who should keep it, each thinking the other should have it. Once again, Jarvis  weaves humor and heart into these friendship tales, resulting in a work that’s sweet but not overly sentimental. The quirky illustrations enhance the stories. A good series for a fairly advanced beginning reader.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Cosmic Collisions: Supergiant vs. Neutron Star

Cosmic Collisions: Supergiant vs. Neutron StarCosmic Collisions: Supergiant vs. Neutron Star by Marc J. Kuchner, Matt Schu
Series: Cosmic Collisions; #2
Published by MIT Kids Press on April 15, 2025
ISBN: 153624225X
Pages: 45
Genres: Non-Fiction, STEM
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

I struggled whether to list this as fiction or nonfiction. Written in a current popular “Who Will Win” style, two red supergiants are facing off with each other. As with the first Cosmic Collisions book, Asteroid vs. Comet (2024), this matchup is reported by a host as a smackdown for the ages. Unlike the first book, the topics are more obtuse and may be difficult for the average student to understand (For instance, me!) However an avid astrology fan, which I am certain that is the ilk of the very knowledgeable author, is going to eat this up. This is a fast-paced, fact-packed competition crammed with science, cool illustrations, and the energy of a live sporting event. Back matter provides even more information. Ages 8-12.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

To the End of the World, Far, Far Away

To the End of the World, Far, Far AwayTo the End of the World, Far, Far Away by Ronda Armitage, Victoria Turnbull
Published by Candlewick Press on May 2, 2024
ISBN: 1536235881
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings, Family, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Louis, a little bear, spills his milk and his mom is upset. So the little bear decides to run to the end of the world, far, far away. But as Louis is prepared to leave, he can’t help but ask Mom, “Will you be sad when I’m gone?” “Yes,” she tells him. Her tears will form a deep sea. Her sobs will fill the sky. She’ll share her grief with his toys who will also be upset. Louis eagerly listens and decides not to run away after all.

A tad mundane with a sense that this story line has been done before in books such as Mama, Do You Love Me” by Joose (1998) and Guess How Much I love You by McBratney (2014).  The cozy colored pencil drawings are lovely, Illustrating the back-and-forth between conversation with mother and son. Can be paired with the book Broken by Fang (2025) for a Story Time theme about accidents for preschoolers.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Ant Party

Ant PartyAnt Party by Ross Montgomery, Sarah Warburton
Published by Walker Books US on April 29, 2025
ISBN: 1536239534
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Humor, Nature
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Andy the ant decides to throw himself a birthday party with “dancing and dips.”. His anthill does not have much space so he plans an intimate gathering with just his neighbors. However word gets out and soon the farmer ants, worker ants, soldier ants, the queen, and even residents from nearby anthills plan to attend. Thousands of ants arrive! The festivities grow rowdy with eating and dancing until an anteater invades. Furious, Andy organizes everyone in a conga line, carrying the anteater into the river. The celebration continues and Andy is delighted with his birthday party.

The wide-eyed ants are depicted in vibrant primary colors. The illustrations include detailed layouts of the ant hill. Kids will enjoy the playful tone while learning more about the different kinds of ants.  The colorful illustrations and humor make this a good choice for Story Time. Preschool – age 7.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

To See An Owl

To See An OwlTo See an Owl by Matthew Cordell
Published by Random House Studio on January 7, 2025
ISBN: 0593649893
Pages: 38
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings, Nature, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Janie’s long hoped of seeing an owl. Accompanied by her devoted mother, Janie searches the woods and surrounding area. Not a single owl has presented itself after months of searching. Janie gets a tip from her teacher and experienced birder Mr. Koji. When Janie goes to the location he suggested, she spots two horned owls.

Beautiful pen-and-ink illustrations treated with watercolors convey the young birder’s drawings, notes, and map.  There are also subtler moments, such as  Mama’s unease while exploring or the time when the two miss a hidden owl in the illustration. Janie (aka Cordell) includes a page in her journal of the sounds different owls make. This book is informative and a pleasurable exploration of the magic of nature. Nicely paired with Jane Yolen’s Owl Moon (1987). For ages 6-9.

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

five-stars

Your Island

Your IslandYour Island by Jon Klassen
Series: Your Places
Published by Candlewick Press on February 4, 2025
ISBN: 1536230812
Genres: board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Part of a board-book series that includes Your Forest (2025) and Your Farm (2025). Familiar objects and employing a rhythm suited for reading aloud before bedtime, an island grows with all its cumulative items, including a tent, a fire, a boat, and a bird. it ends  when the sun goes down. This island is for the child to have whenever they want to visit there.

Not as dark as some of Klassen’s books for older children but still humorous. The repetition allows for pattern recognition and subtly reinforces spatial concepts. Simple and delightful for ages 2-5.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Bibsy Cross and the Creepy-Crawlies

Bibsy Cross and the Creepy-CrawliesBibsy Cross and the Creepy-Crawlies by Dung Ho, Liz Garton Scanlon
Series: Bibsy Cross, #3, #3
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on January 7, 2025
ISBN: 0593644492
Pages: 128
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner, Nature, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Bibsy is reminiscent of a modern-day Ramona. In this free-verse third book, Bibsy and her group must create a self-sustaining pickle-jar terrarium. When Bibsy notices mold growing in the terrarium,  she devises a way to put things right. Disaster ensues.

Eight-year-old Bibsy is a likable protagonist despite the  havoc she creates, and this is what will appeal to kids. Ho’s frequent artwork enhances the story, but I found the fluorescent green pages with white font difficult to read. It was okay  with its limited use in the drawings, Bibsy is light-skinned; but her  best friend Natia is dark-skinned. Her classmates are diverse.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

 

four-stars

Orris and Timble: Lost and Found

Orris and Timble: Lost and FoundOrris and Timble: Lost and Found by Carmen Mok, Kate DiCamillo
Series: Orris and Timble
Published by Candlewick Press on April 29, 2025
ISBN: 1536225304
Pages: 80
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Children's Beginning Readers, Farm Life, Nature
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Unlikely friends Timble the owl and Orris the rat suffer a sudden separation in this second book of a planned trilogy. i liked this book even more. than the first one. Each night, Timble visits Orris in the barn and listens to his stories. Orris is growing bigger and one evening Timble doesn’t show and Orris feels abandoned. When Timble  doesn’t appear the second night, his feelings turn resentful. When Timble finally does return and explains how he was lost, Orris heeds the slogan on the salvaged sardine tin, “Make the good and noble choice”,

As the Library Journal reviewer stated (and I could not figure out how to say it better), “DiCamillo’s short chapters and simple sentences, paired with Mok’s spare, sepia-toned, neatly drawn pictures of barnyard settings, will appeal to early elementary readers, and younger if shared as a read-aloud.” Children will relate to this tender story of hurt feelings, misunderstandings, and  forgiveness. Ages 6-8.

I know we usually don’t nominate a second book in a series for Cream of the Crop, but I am making an exception.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Molly, Olive, and Dexter: You Can’t Catch Me

Molly, Olive, and Dexter: You Can’t Catch MeMolly, Olive, and Dexter: You Can't Catch Me! by Catherine Rayner
Series: Mollie, Olive, and Dexter
Published by Candlewick Press on January 28, 2025
ISBN: 153623558X
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Book three in the Molly, Olive and Dexter series. In this book Molly the hare, Olive the owl and Dexter the fox, play a simple game of tag. Dexter the fox is frustrated when his owl and hare friends keep winning their chasing game until he remembers that he is clever. The feeling of being left behind or slower than others will resonate with young readers.

The best part of these books are Rayner’s  lovely watercolorlike illustrations . The pleasing pastoral scenes of fields and old stone walls, and especially the adorable animals, are charming with just a touch of sparkle added to the book jacket. The simple comfort of this gentle world is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Other Stories

Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Other StoriesGoldilocks and the Three Bears and Other Stories: (For Kids Ages 2-5) (Lucy Cousins Nursery Stories) by Lucy Cousins
Series: Lucy Cousins Nursery Stories
Published by Candlewick on September 3, 2025
ISBN: 153623477X
Genres: Fairy Tale, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Three familiar stories get repackaged in this new edition: “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” as well as “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” and “The Little Red Hen.” Originally published in 2009 titled Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales. The first shorter book in the 2-book series is Little Red Riding Hood and Other Stories: “Little Red Riding Hood,” “The Three Little Pigs,” and “The Enormous Turnip.” The stories are largely true to the retelling of the familiar tales with slight changes, e.g. the porridge is “too salty,” and the dog, cat and goose tell the Little Red Hen, “I’m busy.” instead of “Not I.” These changes do not distract and possibly add to the stories.

The illustrations are simple and in the typical style of other Cousin’s book illustrations. They will be visually interesting to preschool children with eye-catching patterns and details. I loved the troll! Add this book to library collections where simple introductions to fairytale retellings are needed and to where there are devotees of the author.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars