Source: MSL Book Review

The Pharaoh vs. the Felines

The Pharaoh vs. the FelinesThe Pharaoh vs. the Felines (Head-to-Head History, 3) by Anna Kwan, J.F. Fox
Series: Head-to-Head History #3
Published by Kids Can Press on 2024
ISBN: 1525306529
Genres: History, Humor, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In a lively depiction of an actual battle between the Egyptians and the Persians that took place in 525 BCE, the author explains how the Persian ruler Cambyses II managed to use cats to defeat the mighty Egyptian army and became the ruler of their country. With a plethora of cat puns and humorous illustrations, Fox explains why cats were so important to the Egyptian people and how felines came to be worshipped as gods within their culture. Cats were regarded as protectors both of their Earthly families and of their afterlives. Had Cambyses not been gravely insulted by the Egyptian Pharaoh Amasis II, he probably would never have come up with the clever plan to use the Egyptian reverence for cats to his very successful advantage.

Fox uses humor and lively illustrations to keep the story interesting. This book is recommended for 5-8 year-olds, especially those who are curious about Egyptian history and, naturally, cats. The end of the book includes a Timeline, Glossary, and Sources.

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

four-stars

Impossible Creatures

Impossible CreaturesImpossible Creatures (Impossible Creatures #1) by Katherine Rundell
Published by Penguin Random House on September 14, 2023
ISBN: 0593809866
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Magical Realism
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This magical adventure story follows Christopher, a Scottish boy who discovers he is destined to be a Guardian of the last remaining bit of magic on earth, and Mal, a girl who lives in that hidden land and is determined to save it at whatever cost. Reminiscent of C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia – particularly Voyage of the Dawn Treader – and Angie Sage’s Septimus Heap series, characters are varied and well developed, and the story is simultaneously simple and multi-layered, giving it appeal to a wide range of readers. Though it is Christopher’s story first, he and Mal share the main character role in many ways, and the balance makes for a positive reading experience. This is the type of story so many of us read when young but still remember when we are adults; it is the secret land found in the back of the wardrobe or through the looking glass. There is love, risk, fear and terrible loss, but also success in the face of vanishingly small odds. It’s a gem, and gorgeously packaged with a vibrant cover hinting at the dragons within. Highly recommend for every library; an easy book to put in the hands of readers from early middle grade on up.

5 Stars/Cream

Reviewed by: Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars

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