Source: MSL Book Review

Wally Mammoth: The Sled Race

Wally Mammoth: The Sled RaceWally Mammoth: The Sled Race by Corey R. Tabor, Dalton Webb
Series: I Can Read Comics Level 1 #1
Published by Greenwillow Books ISBN: 0063434911
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Humorous
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In this larger-size 8-inch  x 11-inch easy reader book, Wally the wooly mammoth races an arctic wolf and Otto the great auk down a snow covered hill on sleds. Wolf and Otto want to win the race but Wally just wants to have fun. Soon the competitive ambitions of Wolf and Otto prove ruinous as their unmaneuverable speed sends them crashing and swallowed up by an ever-growing snowball. Wally nervously takes the lead in the race but soon “SHOOOP!” Wally is also part of the rolling snowball. In the end, all three tie for the first prize! And want to make another run down the hill!

Tabor’s text is accessible for new readers making use almost entirely of speech bubbles, much like Elephant & Piggie books. Webb’s cartoonish art complements the silliness. A fun new series for emergent readers. Ages 4-8.

four-stars

Elmore and the Christmas Rescue

Elmore and the Christmas RescueElmore and the Big Christmas Rescue (Elmore the Moose) by Dev Petty, Mike Boldt
Series: Elmore the Moose #2
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers ISBN: 0593518055
Genres: Animals, Holiday, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Elmore the Moose is back for book 2. This time Santa Claus falls sick a week before Christmas, and Mrs. Claus sends him on vacation leaving Elmore in charge. Elmore finds it harder than he thought so writes Santa for advice. Santa helps Elmore grow into his new role. On Christmas Eve, Elmore takes the reins  to deliver presents before Santa’s return to the North Pole.

The story is a bit chaotic much like the accompanying artwork making it quite humorous. The letters exchanged between Elmore and Santa are the true gems in this story. Children will learn about problem-solving and that there is more than one way of doing things at the North Pole. This book will make a fun readaloud for 4-7 year olds.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

four-stars

Cat Nap

Cat NapCat Nap by Brian Lies
Published by Greenwillow Books ISBN: 0062671286
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Magical Realism
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Brian Lies introduces a sleepy cat whose afternoon nap transforms into an epic journey through art, time, and history. A girl sits on the couch reading a book in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Egyptian Antiquities room while her cat dozes nearby. When the cat notices a mouse and dives after it, an epic chase through time, art, and history ensues. Brian Lies creates a truly unique picture book that takes readers through the galleries of an art museum. As the cat and mouse leap from one page to the next, they are portrayed in the style of masterful artworks—each re-created in its original media by Brian Lies. When the sly mouse gets away, Kitten finds himself lost and alone and Kitten needs to find his way home? Of course he does with the help of some of his new “friends.”

A page-turning cat and mouse chase, an introduction to famous works of art throughout history, an epic adventure story, and a homecoming. Back matter includes information about how each of the illustrations in the book was created, notes on the original artworks featured in the book, and an afterword inviting young readers to make, create, and build things. A masterpiece for reading at story time, perusing on your own, or sharing 1-on-1 with someone of any age.

Nominated for Cream

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone

If You Make a Call on a Banana PhoneIf You Make a Call on a Banana Phone by Emily Hughes, Gideon Sterer
Published by Clarion Books ISBN: 0063375222
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Great front book cover of a gorilla talking/listening on a banana phone against a solid red background and on the back cover a child doing the same on a solid green background. When you look inside, you learn the gorilla is conversing with the dark-haired child who called him. The gorilla has a lot of questions, like “Why are you calling?” and asks what you look like?  Family members doubt that the child is really speaking to a gorilla, but when the gorilla and friends show up for a visit, they are surprised. However the child knows, if you make a call on a banana phone, “You might just make a friend.”

Hughes’ artwork is  a beautiful mix of fantasy and normality. Sterer provides good modeling about how a lonely child can make a new friend. Almost the entire text is made up of suppositions, much like If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, but it works to tell a simple story, especially because the illustrations enhance the text. A sweet and humorous book for 3-6 year olds, and a fun readaloud for story time. I do wonder though in this age of cell phones, how many kids will relate to the banana handset?

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Merry Mittens: A Moontime Cats Christmas Story

Merry Mittens: A Moontime Cats Christmas StoryMerry Mittens: A Moontime Cats Christmas Story by Charlie Mylie, Jordan Morris
Published by Candlewick ISBN: 1536239666
Genres: Animals, Holiday, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Cat friends Carl, Biscuit, and Peewee meet up to make some mischief. They’re sidetracked by a paw-print trail leading to a little thief’s stash of stolen trinkets, tinsel, and a star swiped from a Christmas tree where they know where to return them. What’s new is a meow they hear coming out of a box, and they find a new kitten friend.

The best part of the book are the cat illustrations, with an especially appealing front cover. Mylie uses colored pencils and watercolors to create luminous cats on a black-background. However the story was rather flat and confusing at times. It is a secular story for the holidays if that is important for your library.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Happy Friendsgiving: A Thanksgiving Celebration of Found Families

Happy Friendsgiving: A Thanksgiving Celebration of Found FamiliesHappy Friendsgiving: A Thanksgiving Celebration of Found Families by Laura Sandoval Herrera, Marcie Colleen
ISBN: 0593649923
Genres: Holiday, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A refreshingly modern depiction of Thanksgiving with friends and family alike. This inclusive picture book has no references of historical Pilgrims or Native American feasts, but instead celebrates the coming-together of community and other traditions including Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and football games. There is a heartwarming spirit in the text and illustrations of disorganized togetherness: “Someone brought a card table. The neighbors borrowed chairs. It’s snug around our mismatched feast. We wouldn’t have it any other way.” There is gratitude, inclusivity, and love on every page. With autumnal colors and delicious dishes illustrated, you’ll want to see a copy of this book in each library for every November display for years to come. Recommended for ages 3-7.

Cream of the Crop Nominee

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Smelly Peggy

Smelly PeggySmelly Peggy by Helen Stephens
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536235725
Genres: Animals, Family, Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Pie is the little girl narrator of Smelly Peggy who wants to tell us ALL the naughty things that Peggy, her little pup, gets into. Pie asks questions of the reader, “You think that’s naughty? Just guess what Peggy gets into next!” Putting her bum on Dad’s face in the mornings, knocking the family out with a big stick, rolling in stinky seaweed & seagull poop, rubbing into the carpets! But do we love her? Of course we do! With just the appropriate amount of silly & stinky humor and precious illustrations, Smelly Peggy will be every family’s favorite new picture book about the family dog. Recommended for ages 3-7.

Cream of the Crop Nominee

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Shark at Sister Tea

Shark at Sister TeaShark at Sister Tea by Barbara M. Joosse, Sergio Ruzzier
ISBN: 0593646940
Genres: Adventure, Emotions & Feelings, Fantasy, Suspense
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

When two sisters are alone for the first time without their parents, Sadie and little Flora decide to create an elaborate sister tea party. They wind ribbons through the trees and serve up cake with roses and were having a splendid time with Flora’s Little Blue bear stuffed animal until: Oh no, who’s that strange guest at the gate?

A rude “fisherman” joins the tea party, until the sisters spy his pointy fin pop through his yellow raincoat. They narrowly escape a shark’s attack with the bravery that sisters can show for each other. When their parents sail back, the sisters wonder if they might tell their parents, or keep this afternoon’s happening to themselves.

With occasional rhymes and evocative language, Joose’s writing will likely capture children’s attention along with Ruzzier’s watercolors and sweet characters. While the story is imaginative, caregivers and educators will likely feel conflicted about the message of sisters keeping a secret from their parents about the shark attack. Recommended for ages 3-7.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Tove Under the Tree

Tove Under the TreeTove Under the Tree by Julie Benbassat, Larissa Theule
Published by Candlewick Press on 10/14/25
ISBN: 1536232815
Genres: Magical Realism
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

When Tove gets home from school, she is devastated to discover that the ficus tree growing in her yard has been cut down by the city because the tree is mostly dead.  When Tove finds a little branch that missed the wood chipper, she takes it inside and decides to grow a tree.  She plants the tree on her head and it magically grows very quickly.  Many people in her neighborhood, who also love the tree, are sad to see the tree come down and help Tove in her quest.  She needs all the help she can get because the tree on top of her head makes it difficult to move.

This is a gentle story about neighbors supporting neighbors while caring for nature. The neighbors who help her have different cultural backgrounds and gender identities, and are a variety of ages. The bright, colorful illustrations found on most pages help to make the magic real for readers.  The chapters are short, making this an ideal book for children who are starting to listen to longer books.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

The Weaver Bride

The Weaver BrideThe Weaver Bride by Lydia Gregovic
Published by Delacorte Press on September 30, 2025
ISBN: 0593572416
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Weaver Bride” is a YA fantasy romance (with some dystopia in for a good mix) by Lydia Gregovic. The main character, Lovett, is a silkwitch with magic that allows her to unlock doors. She hides her powers because silkwitches are required to marry a weaver sorcerer by the time they turn 21 or they are banished. When her power is found out by a weaver, she makes a bargain to enter a silkwitch competition to find out who killed his sister.

A dystopian fantasy romance in the vein of “The Selection” with an interesting magic system and great descriptions of the setting. The author does a good job of immersing you into this world. This is a suggested purchase for YA collections where fantasy romance is popular.

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

four-stars