Source: MSL Book Review

Dive, Dive into the Night Sea

Dive, Dive into the Night SeaDive, Dive into the Night Sea by Thea Lu
Published by Candlewick Studio on 2024
ISBN: 153623415X
Genres: Oceans, Nature, Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This truly unique picture book follows a lone diver who descends into the sea at night to discover a surprising underwater world and its residents. The book itself is horizontally aligned, rather than vertically, with two-page spreads that are mainly shades of black and gray, occasionally brightened by the yellow and white of the diver’s light and the full moon. The book also boasts a series of flaps that reveal further details, via both illustrations and text, about the various flora and fauna encountered during the dive. Unfortunately, this additional text is the reason why I do not consider this book a Cream-of-the-Crop nominee. The informative text is printed in a much smaller blue font on a very dark background, making it nearly illegible. Otherwise, this book is truly unusual, intriguing, and informative.

Recommended for 5-8 year olds who are interested in ocean life and diving.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

five-stars

The Spaceman

The SpacemanThe Spaceman by Randy Cecil
Published by Candlewick Press on 2024
ISBN: 1536226165
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Science Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

A little orange spaceman lands his little ship on yet another planet to collect more soil samples, but this time things do not proceed as planned. A bird flies off with his ship, a dog frightens him, and a butterfly carries him away and drops him into a pond. When things look most dismal, the spaceman starts to realize this planet isn’t ordinary at all. The dog returns and fishes him out of the pond. Then the spaceman makes a surprising decision and pushes his rediscovered spaceship into the pond because he wants to stay to laugh and play with his new friend, the dog.

Simple text and richly-colored, full-page oil illustrations make this an appealing story about recognizing friendship and appreciating the beauty around us.
Recommended for 3-7 year olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

four-stars

Eli and the Uncles

Eli and the UnclesEli and the Uncles by Jehan Madhani, Rashin Kheiriyeh
Published by Candlewick Press on 2024
ISBN: 1536228117
Genres: Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Young Eli spends a day with his eight uncles who all have unique personalities and equally unique facial hair. They play, share dinner, and then each wish Eli a good night. The slightly chaotic personalities are matched well with the slightly chaotic, brightly colored illustrations in this fun read. Recommended for 4-8 year olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

three-stars

The Daggers of Ire

The Daggers of IreThe Daggers of Ire by J.C. Cervantes
Published by HarperCollins on May 3, 2024
ISBN: 0063312077
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Daggers of Ire” is a middle grade fantasy by J.C. Cervantes. Esme is a 12-year-old dealing with the aftermath of her mother’s death. Her father is grieving heavily and all Esme wants is to fix things. As a bruja (a witch) with chaos magic, Esme is not supposed to use her powers, but when all the witches in the town suddenly disappear, she must go on a quest to get them back.

The book does a lot of worldbuilding in the beginning and eventually becomes a fast-paced fantasy adventure. Esme and her friends are funny and readers will enjoy as they fight to save their town against evil. A recommended purchase for middle grade fantasy collections, especially where Cervantes’ books are popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Who’s In Charge?

Who’s In Charge?Who's in Charge? by Jenny Klion, Marissa Valdez, Stephanie Allain
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536226505
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Mental Health, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

An anthem of bodily consent! Who’s In Charge by Stephanie Allain and Jenny Klion, is a powerful book that reminds children that they can have authority over their bodies. Text is sparse, but impactful, with rhyme and repetition.

“Who’s in charge of your face? I am.

Who’s in charge of your space? I am.”

The writing does a great job of being playful and engaging but also serious about who has power over their body parts. The authors’ note states that this is a book that reminds readers of all ages that, “We each have personal agency over our own bodies, voices, and choices.”

The illustrations are bright and eye-catching. Marissa Valdez drew them in watercolor pencils with digital editing, and the pencil strokes are a really nice touch. A great addition to those looking to add to their Consent, Boundaries and Youth Empowerment sections alongside other books like Yes! No!: A First Conversation About Consent.

Recommended for (all ages) but especially ages 2-5.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Big Gorilla: A Book of Opposites

Big Gorilla: A Book of OppositesBig Gorilla: A Book of Opposites by Anthony Browne
Published by Candlewick Press on November 19, 2024
ISBN: 1536235695
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Anthony Browne has published another beautiful picture book with his signature primate theme. In this one, he is showing us opposites. On one page, there is a beautiful older gorilla and on another page, a small younger gorilla. Browne’s illustrations are astonishingly detailed, especially when it comes to facial expressions; such as sad and happy. His illustrations evoke lightness but also wonder and curiosity. At the end there are two identical pages in a row, which I thought at first was a mistake in printing. “What is the opposite of opposite?” the text asks. And on the next page it answers, “The same!” Recommended for early childhood collections and appreciators of Browne’s work.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Gray

GrayGray by Laura Dockrill, Lauren Child
Published by Candlewick Press on May 7, 2024
ISBN: 1536235466
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“It’s OK to feel gray. You don’t have to feel bright every day.”

A child awakes in a gray mood, feeling as though all the color has drained from their world. Through the course of the book, emotions are equated with different colors. By the end of the book, the child realizes all the other colors are still inside of them, even when they can only see the gray. Also,  they come to understand their mother will always love them, no matter what color they are feeling. Lauren Child’s full-page, mixed-media, crayon-like illustrations include various cut-outs that work beautifully to transition the images from one page to the next.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

four-stars

Tomorrow’s Lily

Tomorrow’s LilyTomorrow's Lily by Chris Raschka
Published by Greenwillow Books on 2024
ISBN: 0063049376
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Very large font and slightly abstract watercolor illustrations are the hallmarks of this simple book about hope and remembrance. With a different lily illustrated and described for each day of the week, often accompanied by charming little animals, the book describes how lilies only bloom for one day but last in our memories forever, just as friends do. Lacking in plot, but pretty to look at, this books is written and illustrated by two-time Caldecott winner Chris Raschka. Recommended for 4-8 year-olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

three-stars

The Shape of Things: How Mapmakers Picture Our World

The Shape of Things: How Mapmakers Picture Our WorldThe Shape of Things: How Mapmakers Picture Our World by Dean Robbins, Matt Tavares
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on August 20, 2024
ISBN: 0593479254
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

With simple, straightforward text and realistic drawings this book tells the story of mapmaking from cave drawings and bone carvings to modern satellite imagery. It includes numerous types of maps such as papyrus, stone tablets, papier-mache globes, and computer-generated maps. The author also explains how mapmaking has evolved from trying to record what could be directly observed about the physical world, to using compasses and theodolites, to using satellites and lasers. The end of the book includes a timeline with very helpful illustrations, notes, lists of information about mapmakers, and a bibliography. The illustrator, Matt Tavares, lives in Maine.

Recommended for 4-8 year-olds, this book would make an attractive, informative introduction for young readers interested in cartography.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

four-stars

It’s Not Easy Being a Ghost

It’s Not Easy Being a GhostIt's Not Easy Being A Ghost: A Silly, Spooky Book for Kids and Toddlers by Marilyn Sadler, Stephanie Laberis
Published by Random House on 2024
ISBN: 0593702905
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Fantasy, Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Misty, an adorable kitty-shaped ghost, is miserable because she isn’t a “scary” ghost. With her bat friend accompanying her, she tries to dress up as a mummy, fly a broom like a witch, and howl at the moon with the werewolves, but something goes wrong every time. She goes home, feeling more dejected than ever. Then she receives a Halloween party invitation and decides to attend as herself, because she has failed at everything else. To her great surprise, all her friends scream with delight when she arrives. It seems they were all impressed with her efforts to be like them. Misty finally realizes she’s perfect just the way she is… and so are all her friends!

This boldly colored, digitally illustrated book is recommended for 3-7 year-olds.  It would be a fun read-aloud, especially for Halloween and to bolster children’s self-esteem.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library.

four-stars