Picture Book Review Rundown: September 2022

It's another review rundown, clearing out the backlog of 2022 new releases that have accumulated on my desk. 

Friends by Daniela Sosa

review copy courtesy of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

Writing: In just a few words per page, this book describes all the various types of friendships and how they come to be. I especially like when the author gets specific, as she does with the things friends might teach you how to do, such as make a dandelion crown or draw a pig. The more general statements are a bit more vague and might be harder for kids to relate to.
Illustration: The children depicted in the illustrations are a mix of boys and girls of many races. One page shows two older ladies who have been friends for a long time, and it feels a bit out of place. The figures have what my husband calls "dot eyes" and generic faces, but there is a sweetness to them.
Content: There is nothing objectionable from a Catholic perspective. I bristled a little at the suggestion at the end that if you can't find a friend you just need to look harder. Sometimes that just doesn't work, and it seemed like an odd way to end a book that was a celebration of friends rather than a guide to making them. 
Overall: This would work nicely for a friendship themed story time and I would have definitely used it for that purpose in the library, but as there's not much meat to it otherwise, it's probably not staying on our shelves.  

Finding Fire by Logan S. Kline 

*Review copy courtesy of Candlewick Press

Writing: This book is nearly wordless, but there is a brief introductory sentence on the first page that really helps place the book in time for kids who might not readily understand that this is a story about a cave child hunting for fire.
Illustration: The illustrations in this book are eye-catching and action-packed They provide details about how cavemen may have dressed and the tools and weapons they might have used, as well as the animals and terrain of theit time. The relationship between the main character and the little mammoth he rescues from the mud adds some sweetness to the book and gives the boy a character to interact with on the last leg of his journey.
Content: This is the perfect addition to our homeschool kindergarten curriculum, which usually includes cavemen. We have just finished reading the Golden book about cavemen and my 5 year old will love reading this as a supplement.
Overall: This is a well done wordless picture book that reminds me a bit of Roar! by Julie Bayless, which was one of  my oldest daughter's favorite books as a toddler. I'll probably keep this book for the twins to read when they get to kindergarten. 

Dinosaur Atlas

*Review copy courtesy of National Geographic and Media Masters Publicity.

Writing: As with most books published by National Geographic, this one simplifies complicated scientific topics for kids to understand without dumbing them down. This book is brimming with content, and each page offers wonderful fun facts about dinosaur characteristics, behaviors, and habitats. There is a table of contents along with helpful back matter, including a dictionary of dinosaurs and a well-organized index.
Illustration: There is a lot to look at in this book and illustrations abound. Kids who revel in the little details of each dinosaur's anatomy will love to pore over these pages. There are also lots of useful maps to help explain where each dinosaur lived.
Overall: This is a well-organized and attractive guide to where and when dinosaurs lived and were discovered. It's slightly more kid-friendly than some of the big dinosaur books we already have, so we'll probably hang onto it. 

Pascual and the Kitchen Angels by Tomie dePaola

*Review copy courtesy of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Writing: This is a book from 2004 which has been redesigned and reprinted. In his typical straightforward style, Tomie dePaola tells the story of a young boy who wants to join a monastery but is dismayed to be sent to work in the kitchen until angels come to his aid.
Illustrations: The illustrations in this book are charming. I love all the details of the friars' faces and hair as well as their living environment and the food in the kitchen. The angels floating around the kitchen are delightful as well.
Content: This is an unapologetically religious picture book and I'm so glad it's been reissued! There aren't enough picture books about angels, in my opinion.
Overall: A must-read for dePaola fans. This one is a keeper.

The Song of Francis by Tomie dePaola

*Review copy courtesy of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Writing: This is a story of few words which relates how St. Francis sang the praises of God and his creation. It has just the right amount of words for toddlers, which I love.
Illustration: The pictures are a bit more abstract than in most of dePaola's books, and this suits the poetic nature of Francis's singing. The colors are also very vibrant, which adds to the visual appeal, especially for very young children.
Overall: This is another wonderful religious title from dePaola. We will be adding this to our collection of Catholic picture books alongside Canticle of the Sun by Fiona French.  

When the Sky Glows by Neil Cross Beckerman, illustrated by David Litchfield

*Review copy courtesy of Beach Lane Books

Writing: A poetic main text describes circumstances under which the sky glows while supplemental sidebars explain the phenomena in more scientific terms.
Illustration: The use of light in the illustrations is the main attraction of this book. Each page glows with color as the pictures depict sunrise, lightning, volcanic eruption, and more.
Content: This book is a good introduction to light for preschool and kindergarten readers. I appreciate that it keeps the information simple and provides one suggested title for each topic at the back of the book.
Overall: This is a solid informational book that will nicely complement our studies of light in BFSU. 

All By Himself? by Elana K. Arnold, illustrated by Giselle Potter

*Review copy courtesy of Beach Lane Books

Writing: This entire story about all that goes into creating a set of building blocks consists of one long run-on sentence, and a second shorter sentence, and that's it. For me, it's difficult to read aloud for that reason, though I do like the pacing of the second half of the book and the way the words match up with what's happening in the pictures.
Illustration: The appeal of the pictures is in the details they show of each person's job: the farmer, the arborist, the artist, etc. They are done in Giselle Potter's usual dreamlike style.
Content: This book suits the segment of our science curriculum about how things are made. It's perfect for helping preschoolers understand how to trace manmade objects back to their beginnings in nature.
Overall: The pictures don't quite suit the more straightforward tone of the text, but the overall concept is well done. 

Hello Moon by Evan Turk

*Review copy courtesy of Atheneum Books for Young Readers 

Writing: A mother talks to her child about the moon and takes him outside to see it and then addresses the moon directly, taking note of its changing phases.
Illustration: The pictures show strong contrast between light and dark. The outdoor scenes do a great job of evoking a wintry nighttime atmosphere, but the figures are drawn in an abstract way that doesn't work for me.
Content: There are so many books about the moon, and this one is more poetic than informative. It's not really what I'm looking for in a book on this topic.
Overall: I found this one pretty forgettable and it will be getting donated.

Picture Book Review Rundown: August 2022

Welcome to the Review Rundown, a quick look at a stack of review books all published in the same month. These books all hit the shelves in August 2022.

Our Little Mushroom: A Story of Franz Schubert and His Friends by Emily Arnold McCully

* Review copy courtesy of Margaret K. McElderry Books

Writing: The life of Franz Schubert is condensed to a length that can be read easily in one sitting. I like the way it's told from the point of view of Schubert's childhood friends, as it lends an intimacy to the details.
Illustration: As in many picture books, the illustrations show inaccurate portrayals of how instruments are held and played. Otherwise, McCully does a nice job incorporating period dress and other historical details into her pictures, which have an old-fashioned flavor suited to the text.
Content: This is a nice, straightforward biography of a historical figure whose significance is clear, and it does not seem to have been written in service to any agendas.
Overall: This is a solid biography by a talented author and illustrator that will stay on our shelves.

Action!: How Movies Began by Meghan McCarthy

*Review copy courtesy of Paula Wiseman Books

Writing: Kid-friendly language is broken up into digestible bites in this survey of the early history of motion pictures. I appreciate that the author tells a straight narrative without scattering extra tidbits of text amidst the illustrations. Saving the extra details for the author's note was a wise decision.
Illustrations: The cartoonish bug-eyes of the figures are not my favorite, but there is a ton of information packed into these pictures and every page is engaging. I love the way McCarthy incorporates her renditions of real movie scenes into the book, even if I'm not sure kids will recognize most of the references as readily as their parents.
Content: The book opens with a scene from Saturday Night Fever, which is not a film I would want my elementary age kids watching. It's not really necessary to skip it, it just struck me as an odd choice. It was also a litte bit strange that a book with an otherwise very broad take on history gets very specific about racism in the 1920s. Those moments of the book felt tacked on in service of an agenda that should probably be addressed in its own book. There is nothing in the book I would call truly inappropriate.
Overall: Action! is a well-researched informational book best suited for a middle grade audience.

Wellington's Big Day Out by Steve Small

*Review copy courtesy of Paula Wiseman Books

Writing: Straightforward narrative and believable dialogue between a young elephant, Wellington, and his parents drive this story of a birthday outing. The plot involves Wellington's birthday gift of a jacket just like his father's, which is too big. Wellington and Dad set out to get the suit altered by a tailor, but for reasons that feel a muddled, that doesn't quite end up happening. The strength of this book is in the characterization rather than the plot. I think the message was that kids shouldn't want to grow up too fast, but I didn't feel like we quite got there.
Illustration: These anthropomorphic elephants are charming! It was fun seeing them dress and move through the world like people. I also like that every page has a white background, as it allows the figures' expressions and body language to be the primary focus.
Content: There is nothing objectionable in this book. It's a sweet story about a boy, his dad, and later, his grandpa.
Overall: I have one little boy, and he has four sisters, so books that portray boys and dads doing things together are gold for us. I like that Grandpa also comes into the story. Books that celebrate generations of males are not as common as similar books about female characters.

ABC ROAR by Chieu Anh Urban 

*Review copy courtesy of Little Simon

Writing: Every page in this book has the same structure. A sentences states the letter, the name of an animal beginning with that letter, and an action taken by the animal. There is nothing particularly remarkable about any of these sentences; they are adequate, generic concept book sentences.
Illustration: Each illustration of a letter is recessed in the page so that young children can easily trace their fingers in the shapes. Letters are decorated with the animals referenced in the text. Arrows show children how the letters are to be drawn.
Content: This is simply an animal-themed board book with the added bonus of helping kids learn preliminary writing skills.
Overall: I find this book pretty basic, myself, but my son (2 years 8 months) is a big fan of this one and of 123 Zoom, which is the automobile-themed number-focused companion book. I also appreciate that it's a book with some bulk that stands up to rought toddler handling.

Picture Book Review: Beginning by Shelley Moore Thomas, illustrated by Melissa Castrillon (9/27/22)

Surrounded by whimsical oversized plant life, a dad and his son, the main characters in Beginning, reflect together on how every ending is also the start of something new. Though the setting is the real world, elements of each scene are exaggerated to appear fantastical. These images all build toward the end of the book where there is a dream sequence and Dad encourages his son to imagine what his own future might hold. 

This concept is nothing new, and it would be impossible to top something like First the Egg, but the artwork in this book is very visually striking, and that does elevate the text just a bit beyond its cliched sentiment. There is also something nice about a father/son story. These characters are very loving toward one another, and we see them in a variety of everyday circumstances (including reading together) that will be familiar to little boys spending time with their own fathers. The dad and the boy also meet a girl and her mom partway through the book, and there seems to be a bit of a potential love story between the parents unfolding in the illustrations that the text does not address. 

A gentle, positive story with an important, albeit overdone, sentiment, Beginning would be a good book to read on the first day of school, or during any other time of transition in a child's life. 

I received a review of Beginning from Paula Wiseman Books in exchange for an honest review. 

I Can't Draw by Stephen W. Martin, illustrated by Brian Biggs (10/18/22)

In I Can't Draw written by Stephen W. Martin and illustrated by Brian Biggs, Eugene is the best artist in school, and Max would love to be able to draw like him. When Max asks Eugene to teach him, however, he finds that his own style - involving space, robots, and lasers - keeps interrupting his lessons. Finally, Max realizes that it's not that he can't draw. It's just that he needs to embrace his own talents for what they are. 

This book is a celebration of creativity and it emphasizes the idea that what one individual creates can't be replicated by any other individual because we all have our own styles and abilities. I don't love that Max's style involves a butt joke because that automatically disqualifies the book from staying on our shelves, but otherwise, the light tone of the book and the captions the boys draw for some of their pictures really amused me. I love the way the illustrator incorporates the artwork into the story and even uses it to convey dialogue at some points. 

I think this would be a good read-aloud for an art teacher on the first day of school, or maybe for a library art club or class. Whether kids are great artists or not, there is great fun to be found in creative pursuits, and I appreciate that this book encourages them to opt in for the fun whether art is where their talents ultimately lie or not. 

I received a copy of I Can't Draw from Margaret K. McElderry Books in exchange for an honest review. 

Picture Book Review: The Dark Was Done by Lauren Stringer (9/27/22)

In The Dark was Done, everyone fears the dark and wishes for it to disappear. When it does, though, they realize how much they miss it, and a boy, a poet, a robber, and a gardener go out to find it and bring it back. 

The illustrations in this book provide a strong contrast between the bright yellow of day and the cool blue of night. The figures in the pictures have an ethereal, whimsical quality that contributes to the dreamlike atmosphere of the story. The tale itself reminds me of How the Sun was Brought Back to the Sky, but in reverse. 

Reading this from a Christian perspective, something feels off to me. The presence of the robber, and his desire for the darkness to return so that he can conduct his nefarious business in the shadows, feels like an attempt to normalize evil, or to suggest that we need to embrace evil if we want to have good things. Because darkness is so often a metaphor for sinister things in books, a story where darkness is upheld as a hero feels uncomfortable and problematic. I don't see a problem with teaching kids not to fear the literal dark, or to accept metaphorical darkness as a part of our fallen world, but I don't like the relativistic idea that everything the night sky provides is good just because some of it is. This is a book I will donate without reading it to my kids.

I received a copy of The Dark Was Done from Beach Lane Books in exchange for an honest review.  

New Board Books, August-October 2022

In Dinosnores by Sandra Boynton (Simon & Schuster, 9/27/22), the dinosaurs get ready for bed, then disturb their rabbit neighbor with some very loud snoring. The text and illustrations are both in Sandra Boynton's usual tongue-in-cheek style, with rhyme and wordplay, cartoonish faces and expressive eyes. The onomatopoetic sounds of the snoring dinosaurs make for a great opportunity to ham up a read-aloud, something my dinosaur-loving toddler son especially enjoys. The punchline of the story is not as clever as in some of Boynton's older books, but toddlers won't care. This book, along with the author's Dinosaur Dance, would make a great dino-themed story time, either for a group or just for bedtime. 

I Want That, written by Hannah Eliot and illustrated by Ana Sanfelippo (Little Simon, 10/11/22), is an interactive board book in which the young toddler reader helps a series of babies by figuring out what they want and giving it to them. On each page, an infant expresses a desire for something to eat, or wear, or play with. Young readers can turn a wheel on the side of the page to view the available options, then stop on the item they want to give to the baby. As long as they leave the wheel in place, when they turn the page, they will see the result of their choice. My little girls have all loved taking caring of baby dolls as toddlers, and this book is a perfect extension of that interest. The fact that every option works within the context of the story means that kids have real agency in their contribution and are not just hoping to find the "right" answer. (There is one clear logical answer for most of them,  but the silly options make the story even more fun!) Because the items available to give to the baby are never named in the text, there are also lots of opportunities for parents and caregivers to chat with their children about what they have selected, describing each item and connecting it to their kids' own lives.  I think this is a fabulous concept for a board book. I'd love to see more.

In The Thank You Book written by Danna Smith and illustrated by Juliana Perdomo (Little Simon, 9/6/22), rhyming text explains why and how we might say thank you, not just with words, but also with kind gestures and affectionate touches. The illustrations are brightly colored and populated by diverse figures. There appear to be a couple of same-sex couples, though their interactions with each other are platonic-looking enough that it's not something my kids are likely to notice. Most of the emphasis is on kids learning how to show and accept gratitude to and from each other and the adults in their lives.  When I worked in the library, I liked to do a thank-you-themed story time for Thanksgiving, and this would fit right into that theme, along with Thanks a Lot by Raffi and Thankful by Elaine Vickers. 

Snow by Jane Ormes (Nosy Crow, 8/23/2022) is a lift-the-flap book about animal families who live where it snows. On each page, there are mother and father animals along with their correct names (e.g. a daddy reindeer called a bull, a mommy whale called a cow, etc.) When the young reader lifts the flap, the offspring and its name are revealed. At the end of the book, the four species that appear in the earlier pages come back to introduce the collective noun used to refer to them. This book perfectly stitches together three things my toddlers love: baby animals, flaps, and new words. The illustrations strike a good balance between child-friendly and scientifically accurate. The pinks, blues, and greens of the pictures maintain a cool wintry feeling throughout the book which captures the animals' climate in a visceral way. A book like this is a great way to sneak some nonfiction into your story time stack! 

Picture Book Review: Big Stuff: Planes, Rockets, Spacecraft by Joan Holub, illustrated by The Little Friends of Printmaking (10/19/2022)

Quick Booktalk 

Information about a variety of flying vehicles is introduced in an oversized board book format.

About the Illustration

The bold lines of the pictures, combined with the cartoonish faces assigned to the vehicles, are instantly engaging. Each spread includes a labeled diagram of the parts of a vehicle, a step by step description of how it works, and sections for Big History and a Big Fun Fact. Everything is accompanied with kid-friendly pictures. 

Readers Advisory

This would be too lengthy to read to a group, and it's also too long for my two-year-olds to sit through. For toddlers or story time audiences, I might just read aloud the rhyming couplets that introduce each vehicle and then add in additional information from other parts of the pages as the children express interest. For a four- or five-year-old, it would be fine to read all the details.

Content Notes

This is the perfect book for kids (especially little boys) who love things that go and want to hear all the details of how they work in a very child-friendly way. Because it's a board book, it's most appealing to ages 5 and under, but the content could skew even older.

Disclosure

I received a review copy of Big Stuff: Planes, Rockets, Spacecraft from Little Simon in exchange for an honest review. 

Picture Book Review: Mouse Calls by Anne Marie Pace, illustrated by Erin Kraan (10/5/2022)

Quick Booktalk 

With a big storm on the way, Mouse rushes to warn all of her animal friends and get them all to safety.

About the Illustrations 

I love the way the illustrator uses texture in this book. The way she draws the animals' fur, and their clothes, the grass and rocks, the leaves and even the rain makes it feel like the reader could reach out and touch them. The animals' wide expressive eyes, anthropomorphic behaviors and cute outfits contrubute to a gentle, cozy feeling. The blues and browns of the sky and background also help to evoke the damp, cool quality of air during a storm.

Read-Aloud Possiblities

The simple rhyming lines of this story make it a natural choice to read aloud, especially with toddlers. There is a good variety of animals in the text, too, including creatures not often mentioned in children's books, like the skink and the caribou. Occasional wordless spreads of the animals huddled away from the storm also give kids the opportunity to provide their own commentaries and interpretations of what is happening. This book would work nicely for a weather, animals, or mice theme. 

Readers Advisory 

The structure of the story reminds me a little bit of the Bear books by Karma Wilson (Bear Snores On, etc.) I also found myself thinking of The Umbrella by Jan Brett. 

Disclosure 

I received a review copy of Mouse Calls from Beach Lane Books in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: The Little Bear by Nicola Killen (6/28/2022)

Quick Booktalk 

In this back-to-school story from the same series as The Little Kitten, Ollie follows a bear to his woodland school one night and learns not to be nervous about her own first day. 

About the Illustrations 

The sweet, gentle pictures are mainly done in black, white, and gray, with occasional bits of navy and gold foil. They capture the nighttime atmosphere in a way that feels quiet and peaceful, not spooky. 

Readers Advisory

This could be a fun read-aloud at home for a child who is already anxious about attending school. I'd probably avoid reading it to a child who doesn't have any reservations about the first day because I wouldn't want to introduce a problem where there isn't one. The ideal age range is probably ages 3 to 5, which matches when most kids will begin their first school experiences. 

Content Notes

This is a different take on the back to school story, and it takes a very gentle and supportive approach. It keeps a positive outlook on the idea of starting school and makes it fun by imagining what an animal school might be like. My kids are homeschooled, but they are fascinated by school, so they all enjoyed reading this one. 

Disclosure 

I received a review copy of The Little Bear from Paula Wiseman Books in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: A Little Ferry Tale by Chad Otis (8/2/2022)

Quick Booktalk

As a little ferry boat carries people back and forth across the water, she is distracted by how much her passengers praise other types of boats and veers off course attempting to imitate them. When there is an emergency, however, she realizes how helpful her own good qualities actually are.

About the Illustrations

The pictures in this book make me think of some of Disney's storyboard images, so it wasn't much of a surprise to learn that the illustrator has worked for Disney. All of the boats have anthropomorphic features, while the humans and animals in the story are more realistic. The illustrations portray a lot of movement of boats and water very effectivly using varying shapes and lines.

Read-Aloud Possibilities

This is a fine book to read aloud, with not many words on the page, lots of bold shapes and lines in the pictures and even some onomatopoeia. It could be fun for a story time about boats, especially since ferries are not widely represented in picture books. It also works for a "be yourself" theme.

Readers Advisory

There are so many books already that follow this same formula, where a small vehicle discovers its big purpose: The Little Engine That Could, Little Excavator, Little Tug, Lily Leads the Way etc. I wish this one had done something a little bit different with the premise to make itself stand out a little more.

Disclosure

I received a review copy of A Little Ferry Tale from Atheneum Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: Wondering Around by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Richard Jones (5/3/2022)

 Quick Booktalk 

In poetic text this book reflects on the things children might wonder about while exploring the world around them. 

About the Illustrations 

Richard Jones's colorful pictures capture the wonder of the natural world as well as the way a child's imagination melds reality and fantasy together. His illustrations look at the world from a variety of vantage points, inviting the reader to think differently about each one.

Readers Advisory

This is a rhyming book, but its use of language is more abstract and sophisticated than what I would typically suggest for a preschooler. The publisher's recommended age range is grades 2-3, and that feels about right. The rhyme and rhythm of the poetry work well, and the lines are simple enough for kids to understand and to potentially even imitate, but not dumbed down or condescending. It's a solid choice for encouraging creativity, introducing poetry, and tying imaginatio to nature.

Disclosure 

I received a review copy of Wondering Around from Beach Lane Books in exchange for an honest review.

New Picture Books About Birds, July 2022

Birds is a perennial favorite theme in my homeschool and my story times, and though I'm mostly happy with the tried-and-true titles I use over and over again, I always like to check out new ones when they come out. This month, three Simon & Schuster imprints have new bird-themed picture books of which they so kindly sent me review copies. 

The first one that showed up on my doorstep was Whose Nest is Best? A Lift-the-Flap Book, written by Heidi E.Y. Stemple (daughter of Jane Yolen), illustrated by Gareth Lucas and published by Little Simon. This book highlights the nest-building habits of nine different species of birds, wondering on each page which nest is best. The author ultimately concludes that each nest is the best one for its intended inhabitants. My toddlers like the flaps more than the content, but it is actually a well-done science book for little ones. Young readers get to see the adult bird and learn how the nest is built, then they lift the flap to see the babies and the name of that bird.  My toddlers are two and they are a bit young for this book, but three- and four-year-old listeners will enjoy the opportunity to acquire some new bird knowledge. 

The New Rooster by Rilla Alexander is published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, and it deals with a language barrier. When Rooster arrives at his new country home and begins the day with "Ockcay away oodleday ooday" (cock-a-doodle-doo in Pig Latin), he is shocked that none of the animals respond. Writing down the message doesn't work, either, but Rooster finds that a community meal transcends all of the languages spoken on the farm and gives him a chance to meet the other animals and learn to communicate with them. This book would be confusing for a child who has never heard of Pig Latin, which makes me think the likely audience skews a bit older than what I normally have in mind for a farm book. I think the concept is fun, but the story feels brief somehow, and I wanted the author to do a bit more with it. The illustrations, which use rubber stamps, ink, and digital collage are bold and eyecatching, but the story doesn't quite live up to the appeal of the front cover.

Finally, Atheneum Books for Young Readers sent me Time to Fly by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman. I requested the book based on the author's previous works, which I remembered enjoying. Unfortunately the text of this book suffers in two ways: one, the subject matter - a baby bird who is afraid to leave the nest and must be coaxed by his mother - is cliched and the author didn't do anything new with it and two, the rhyme is awkward and forced, with words chosen simply because they rhyme and not for their strength. The illustrations are pleasant and spring-like, with lots of cool greens and warm browns. The illustrator varies the perspective as well, zooming in and out on the nest as the story progresses. She did all she could with the weak text, but the story isn't really enough to sustain a whole book and the illustrations do make that even clearer. 

Picture Book Review: Swim, Jim! by Kaz Windness (5/31/22)

Quick Booktalk 

While his siblings are natural swimmers, Jim, a young crocodile, is afraid to jump in, so he leaves the swamp to find a less intimidating place to learn to swim. 

About the Illustrations

The illustrations have a lot of variety. Some pages are large group scenes against a nature backdrop. Others are images of just Jim, or just his face. A few pages use panels to show the passage of time during a scene. Much is conveyed through the bodies and expressions of the characters. The illustrator does a wonderful job of conveying the appealing coolness of water on a hot summer day. 

Story Time Possibilities

This book uses a lot of dialogue and onomatopoeia, both of which make it appealing to read aloud. Fear of the water is a common childhood phobia among new swimmers, and this book puts a bit of a new spin on that concept that will appeal to groups of preschoolers and early elementary schoolers. It works for a number of themes: overcoming fears, summer, swimming, water, swamps, and crocodiles.

Reader's Advisory

This book feels like a cross between Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall and Froggy Learns to Swim by Jonathan London. It would also make a really fun read-alike for the Lyle Crocodile books. As a bonus, the last page of the book is a list of crocodile facts. Unfortunately, one of them is about farts, which strikes me as unnecessary, but I have a zero tolerance policy on bathroom humor that I know most people don't share.

Disclosure 

I received a review copy of Swim, Jim! from Paula Wiseman Books in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: At the Pond by David Elliott, illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford (5/24/2022)

Quick Booktalk

Short poetic descriptions of pond life accompany beautiful mixed media depictions of animals and plants. 

About the Illustrations

The cool, lush pictures in this book are the perfect complement to the precise and evocative poems. Each page brings to life an aspect of the ecosystem of a pond in a way that immerses the reader in that environment and captures the behavior of the animals. Each illustration expands across a two-page spread leaving not an inch of white space anywhere, not even in the back matter. 

Story Time Possibilities

The nice thing about this book is that you could read the whole thing, or you could just read a few excerpts. There is no singular overarching plot connecting one poem to the next so it would be easy to share only as much of the book as your age group can handle. The poetry definitely begs to be read aloud and would be pleasing the ear of most children, including babies.

Reader's Advisory 

This is the fifth book by David Elliott to explore an ecosystem. The other titles are: In the Sea, In the Wild, On the Farm, and In the Woods. It would make a nice read-alike for Kate Messner's books with Christopher Silas Neal, especially Over and Under the Pond. Another excellent read-alike would be Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems by Joyce Sidman. 

Disclosure 

I received a review copy of At the Pond from Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review. 

Picture Book Review: Lily Leads the Way by Margi Preus, illustrated by Matt Myers (5/17/2022)

Quick Booktalk 

Lily the little sailboat is excited that a fleet of old ships is coming for a visit to her lake, but she worries what will happen if the bridge doesn't lift up for them in time. 

About the Illustrations 

In the style of characters like Mike Mulligan's Mary Anne and Little Toot, Lily is drawn as an anthropomorphized boat, with eyes in her front windows. The rest of each scene presents a realistic portrayal of the lake, its bridges, and the movements of the boats through the water. The sky and the movement of the water are painted exceptionally well, capturing perfectly the feeling of being out on the water. I also love the way the story incorporates a bit of education about different types of boats with drawings of a sloop, schooner, brig, etc.

Story Time Possibilities

There are some sounds that Lily and the bridge make  to each other ("Meee-me. Meee-me" and "Ooohhh--kay") that makes the idea of reading this aloud a little bit intimidating. I'd want to practice well first and maybe hear what those are actually supposed to sound like before attempting any performances with this book. Aside from that potential challenge, this would be an enjoyable book for preschoolers, especially those who are really interested in transportation. Other good themes for this book would be water, sailing, bridges, and adventure. 

Reader's Advisory 

This book is the boat equivalent of Little Excavator by Anna Dewdney. It also reminded me of Little Tug by Stephen Savage. It also pairs nicely with another new picture book, Old Wood Boat by Nikki McClure.

Disclosure

I received a review copy of Lily Leads the Way from Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: Lizzy and the Cloud by The Fan Brothers (5/3/2022)

Quick Booktalk 

Lizzy purchases a cloud from the Cloud Seller at the park, and she takes excellent care of it until finally, it's time to let it go free. 

About the Illustrations 

The pictures in this book are mostly gray, or at least have muted colors, with hints of yellow here and there. Lizzy's yellow rainboots and the other yellow items in the pictures keep the reader constantly thinking of rain and moisture, which creates the perfect atmosphere for a story about a cloud. The details of the architecture are also really impressive, and I enjoyed the subtle details of store fronts and cars that suggest a mid-20th-century setting rather than the present day. 

Story Time Possibilities

Because of the tiny details on some pages, I might skip over this for a group story time, but it will still be a delight to read aloud to curious preschoolers. There is so much happening in the pictures that is left unsaid in the text that kids will be desperate to study each detail and tell themselves the stories happening in the illustrations. 

Readers Advisory

There are a lot of stories about having to let go of rescued animals, beloved pets, lost balloons, etc., and this one isn't that different except that the loss in question involves a cloud. Still, the Fan brothers' whimsical illustrations transport the reader to another time and place (and reality) so effectively that this book lingered in my imagination for a bit after I finished reading it. It feels magical in a way that young readers will find very appealing and very comforting. 

Disclosure 

I received a review copy of Lizzy and the Cloud from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. 

Board Book Review: Into the Sand Castle by Cindy Jin, illustrated by Allison Black (5/17/22)

Quick Booktalk

A series of sea creatures take the reader on a tour of their sand castle by means of a lift-the-flap guessing game. 

About the Illustrations 

Rounded edges and big black eyes are the main features of the figures in the illustrations, giving them strong appeal to very young readers. Each spread has many little fish and other details for kids to pore over, and three doors to open. One reveals the inhabitant of that part of the house that is suggested by the clues in the text. The others conceal other surprises. Each page is shaped like a different part of the castle which gives the front of the book a 3-D effect when it's closed. 

Reader's Advisory 

Because of its size and the number of flaps, this one is strictly a lap book. The rhyming feels a bit awkward to me, so it's not the best read aloud, but novelty books like this aren't really about the text as much as they are about the format, and that aspect is perfect for the intended age group. My two-year-olds destroy flap books in about ten seconds flat, so I'm probably only going to let them enjoy this book with supervision for now, but I think the content is still interesting enough for a three or four-year-old that maybe in a year or two they could handle it independently.

Disclosure

I received a review copy of Into the Sand Castle from Little Simon in exchange for an honest review.

Easy Reader Review: Click, Clack Rainy Day by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin (5/3/2022)

Quick Booktalk 

Each group of animals on the farm reacts to a rainy day in its own way. 

About the Illustrations

Often, it seems that when picture book series spin off to the easy reader format, the illustration style changes. That is not the case with this book, which is as charming as all of its counterparts in the original series. The rain drops, the facial expressions, the movements of the animals - everything is done so precisely and so well. 

Story Time Possibilities

Though this book is intended primarily for beginning readers to practice their reading skills, it would also work well as a read-aloud. It has a lot of repetition that appeals to toddlers, and there is a gentle sweetness to the story that has slightly less of an edge than Click, Clack Moo, which also makes it a strong choice for those younger audiences. The only drawback is the size of the book; it wouldn't have worked for my very large story times of 100+ people, but it will be fine for the small group that meets at my house.

Reader's Advisory

This book is one of several "Click Clack" easy readers, all of which are original stories for this format, not adaptations of the picture books. It's part of the Ready to Read series, which labels it as Level Two. It appears to be easier to read than Henry and Mudge but more difficult than Biscuit. 

Disclosure

I received a review copy of Click Clack Rainy Day by Simon Spotlight in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: First Morning Sun by Aimee Reid, illustrated by Jing Jing Tsong (5/3/2022)

Quick Booktalk 

A baby experiences many firsts: first lullaby, first rock with Grandma, first words, first steps, first birthday, and she gets to do it all again when her first sibling is born. 

About the Illustrations 

The brightly colored pictures combine abstract shapes and figures to portray the first few years of a little girl's life. The colors and positions of the people create a cheerful celebratory atmosphere that emphasizes the joy of growing up. The illustrator also makes wonderful use of light to show the contrast between day and night and indoors and outdoors. 

Story Time Possibilities

In the public library, I'd probably skip this book at story time only because it's specific to the experience of welcoming a sibling and that's not something every child experiences. But in terms of the artwork and text, both are well-suited to read aloud to groups, and I will definitely be keeping this book for potential use at one of the story times I host at my home. 

Reader's Advisory

A lot of books of this type over-emphasize the wistfulness of parents, and it was refreshing that this one stayed child-focused. I also appreciate that the introduction of a new sibling is presented as a happy, natural occasion, and not something to be feared or resisted. I know some kids need books to help them process feelings of jealousy, but I appreciate that there are books like this for kids who make smoother transitions. Books that would complement this one nicely include One Special Day by Lola M. Schaefer and There's Going to be a Baby by John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury.

Disclosure 

I received a review copy of First Morning Sun from Beach Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. 

Board Book Review: Adventure Awaits by Henry Cole (5/10/22)

Quick Booktalk 

A dog and cat wake up, have an exciting morning outside, return home for a nap, and contemplate their next adventure. 

About the Illustrations

The pictures in this book have a classic quality to them. The bright, clean colors of each page are cheerful and inviting, and they evoke all the possibilities of a summer day. The animals' expressions and movements feel true to their animal natures but also infuse each one with a bit of personality. This is a top-notch board book. 

Story Time Possibilities

I would definitely use this book for baby story time, probably as often as possible. So many aspects of the book make it perfect for that purpose: the minimal text, the familiar animals, the very basic plot, the uncluttered illustrations,  and the gentle, uplifting tone. 

Reader's Advisory

I haven't felt this much love for a board book in a very long time. Cat and dog stories are a dime a dozen, but there is something especially charming about this version of that age-old tale. Henry Cole has created a real gem. 

Disclosure 

I received a review copy of Adventure Awaits from Little Simon in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: Old Wood Boat by Nikki McClure (5/10/2022)

Quick Booktalk 

A family refurbishes an old wood boat and takes it back out on the water.

About the Illustrations

Nikki McClure's hand-cut paper illustrations are the highlight of this book, and they perfectly suit the subject matter. Every page is filled with details of the structure of a boat and what it feels like to sail on it. There are lots of lovely details in the illustrations that subtly support the text, such as the moment when one family member is shown crossing her fingers as the boat enters the water for the first time. Another highlight is the two-page spread showing a diagram on which is labeled every part of the boat. 

Story Time Possibilities

This would be a nice read-aloud for a Pre-K or Kindergarten audience. It's a good mix of family story and sailing information, and the "How to Talk Like a Sailor" page at the end of the book provides a fun opportunity to introduce some interesting new vocabulary. This would be a great choice for class visits heading into this summer's CSLP summer reading theme of Oceans of Possibilities. 

Reader's Advisory 

This book would be a nice companion for Harbor and Sail Away by Donald Crews, and for Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey. It has a timeless feel and a classic look that puts me in mind of many Caldecott books of yore. I wouldn't be at all disappointed to see a sticker on the cover of this book next year. 

Disclosure 

I received a review copy of Old Wood Boat from Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: Eggasaurus by Jennifer Wagh, illustrated by Hallie Bateman (4/26/2022)

Quick Booktalk

A series of letters tells the humorous tale of Maximus, who orders dinosaur eggs from Eggasaurus Inc. with unexpected results. 

About the Illustrations

I was not at all impressed by these pictures. They strike me as amateurish, on par with what some of the more art-oriented kids in my class would draw when I was in sixth grade. They just didn't feel polished at all. 

Story Time Possibilities

Dinosaur books are perennial favorites, and this one is good for an elementary level audience that can follow the sophisticated epistolary structure. Considered without regard for the illustrations, the writing  itself is quite good. 

Reader's Advisory

This is a fun take on the age-old "child wants a pet" theme.   It reminds me a lot of two backlist middle grade books: Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones and The Dragon Sitter by Josh Lacey. It would be interesting to read this and then booktalk the other two.

Disclosure

I received a review copy of Eggasaurus from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. 

Picture Book Review: Would You Come Too? by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Diana Sudyka (4/5/2022)

Quick Booktalk

Two children exploring nature ask readers if we'd like to join them. 

About the Illustrations

I requested this book based on the author, whose previous work I have loved. The text is fine, but the illustrations are hugely disappointing. The figures look oddly bloated and stretched, as though their bodies have been altered in Photoshop. Though the colors and the concepts for some of the pages are interesting, the tone of the pictures didn't match the tone of the text, and it made the whole execution feel sloppy. 

Story Time Possibilities

Because of the rhyming text, this book would be a pleasure to read aloud. I'm just not sure how well the pictures would be received, and I'd probably be more likely to choose a title with strong writing and illustrations. 

Reader's Advisory

Liz Garton Scanlon is also the author of All the World illustrated by Marla Frazee, Think Big illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton and Another Way to Climb a Tree illustrated by Hadley Hooper, and co-author with Audrey Verdick of Bob, Not Bob illustrated by Matthew Cordell. I have enjoyed all of these, and this book being a bit of a let-down feels like a fluke. I still recommend this author's work.  

Disclosure 

I received a review copy of Would You Come Too? from Beach Lane Books in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: Oceanarium by Loveday Trinick, illustrated by Teagan White (4/5/2022)

Quick Booktalk

Oceanarium is the latest title in the Welcome to the Museum series, and in nine galleries, it explores marine life. 

About the Illustrations

The pictures are the real draw of this book. The endpapers instantly immerse the reader in the world of the ocean and the detailed illustrations inside depict the vast diversity of the creatures who live in it. Each illustration is labeled so that readers can identify the different species shown, and there is a key provided that gives quick facts about each plant or animal. In my house, the pictures have been enjoyed by ages 2 to adult. 

Reader's Advisory

This is a nonfiction resource that theoretically could be used as a reference book, but which works much better as a coffee table book that everyone picks up and looks at casually. There is so much information in this book that it would be hard to digest it all at once, but it is divided into small sections that can be taken in one or two at a time. The reading experience really does mimic a visit to a museum, in that readers can visit the galleries in any order and still understand what's going on. My science-loving 8-year-old is my target audience for this book, but we're all enjoying it. 

Disclosure

I received a review copy of Oceanarium from Big Picture Press in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: Princess Charming by Zibby Owens, illustrated by Holly Hatam (4/19/2022)

Quick Booktalk

It's not easy being a princess, and Princess Charming has yet to discover her special talent, but she is determined never to give up. When a celebrity comes to the castle, Princess Charming thinks this might be her time to shine, but her dog, Luna, might have other plans.

About the Illustrations

The pictures for this book are largely group scenes, catching Princess Charming in the middle of  catastrophic attempts to find her special ability, and showing the reactions of others.The illustrator also works in animation, and this is definitely evident in her style. 

Story Time Illustrations

The first-person point of view makes this feel like a natural read-aloud. The story dragged a bit for me in the middle, but readers who love princess books probably won't mind a few extra pages about this character, so that's unlikely to be a problem for kids. There is also a really fun twist at the end for kids who know their fairy tales. In terms of themes, this could work for fairy tales, princesses, castles, trying new things, and perseverance. 

Reader's Advisory

The author of this book is the host of the podcast Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books, and this is her first picture book. I wouldn't quite put it in the category of a celebrity-authored picture book, but it does seem to lack something in the same way that kids' books by celebrities often do. It just doesn't feel quite polished. I will probably go ahead and let my kids read it because there certainly isn't anything objectionable in it, but it's not one we will be keeping for the long haul. 

Disclosure

I received a review copy of Princess Charming from Flamingo Books in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome by Kat Zhang, illustrated by Charlene Chua (5/3/2022)

Quick Booktalk 

Amy has a new classmate, Lin, who is standoffish with his classmates but chats animatedly in Chinese with his family. Determined to draw Lin out of his shell, Amy invites him to her dumpling party in the hopes of giving her new friend a very warm welcome. 

About the Illustrations

The pictures in this book match the style readers have come to expect from this series. The illustrator makes great use of facial expression to reveal emotion, and there is lots of diversity among the supporting characters. 

Story Time Possibilities

It could be tricky to read this book in story time because without being a Chinese speaker, it would be hard to convey the excited conversation between Lin and his little sister that sparks Amy's plans. It would feel awkward to just point to the Chinese characters and say they were speaking in Chinese, and though the author's note provides the English translations, the story wouldn't make much sense if we heard them speaking in English, either. So that's something to work out ahead of time.  The rest of the book lends itself well to being read aloud, and the theme of welcoming new friends is always a good one to kick off a school year or a story time series.

Reader's Advisory

The pictures of the dumpling party seem to include a same-sex couple (two men) but there is nothing in the text to explicitly describe their relationship. It's unclear which of Amy's classmates is meant to be their child. There is a girl in Amy's class with visible hearing aides, and a boy and a teacher who wear glasses. The back of the book includes instructions for making a welcome banner. The previous Amy Wu titles are Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao and Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon. 

Disclosure

I received a review copy of Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: Firsts and Lasts: The Changing Seasons by Leda Schubert, illustrated by Clover Robin (3/1/2022)

Quick Booktalk 

This nonfiction picture book traces the seasons through the year, focusing on the firsts and lasts that lead from one to the next.

About the Illustrations

The pictures were created using cut paper of different textures, which is layered to create a 3-D effect. The colors are cheerful and playful, which suits the overall tone of the book. 

Story Time Possibilities

This book looks long at first glance, but the text on each page is minimal, so it doesn't take that long to read it aloud. It works well for a number of themes, including seasons, the calendar, the first or last day of school, and saying goodbye. 

Reader's Advisory 

This book ends with spring, so it could work as a read-aloud to welcome spring. It will work best for preschool, pre-K, and kindergarten audiences. 

Disclosure 

I received a review copy of Firsts and Lasts: The Changing Seasons from Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: The Library Fish by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Glady Jose (3/22/2022)

Quick Booktalk

Mr. Hughes the librarian finds a fish and brings him to work as the library's new pet. The fish is very happy in his new home, but when it snows one day, and no one comes inside, he starts to worry and hops out of his bowl to go exploring. 

About the Illustrations

The library is presented as a cozy, welcoming place, and the fish is shown to be an endearing protagonist. The illustrations highlight diversity in their presentation of the library patrons. Some wear glasses, one uses a wheelchair, one wears a hijab, and there are varying skin tones and age groups represented. The illustrator also used speech bubbles to show the many different information requests people make at Mr. Hughes's desk. 

Story Time Possibilities

This story is on the lengthier side, which actually makes it perfect for elementary class visits. If I were working in a library doing outreach, I'd build my class visits to promote summer reading around this book, especially this year, when the CSLP theme is Oceans of Possibility. Similarly, for a small group of rising kindergartners or early elementary kids, this would be a good story time choice for library story time as well. 

Reader's Advisory

I have grown cynical about public libraries in the past few years, but this book is a wholesome and fun celebration of libraries that is utterly devoid of any propaganda, politics, or over-the-top hero worship of library workers. It reminds me a lot of other favorite titles like Otto the Book Bear by Katie Cleminson and Bats in the Library by Brian Lies, but it's also different enough that it doesn't just go over the same tired ground. 

Disclosure 

I received a review copy of The Library Fish from Paula Wiseman Books in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: My Very First 100 Words by Rosemary Wells (3/22/2022)

Quick Booktalk

This book is a brand-new collection of nursery rhymes and basic preschool vocabulary lists accompanied by Rosemary Wells's signature illustrations. 

About the Illustrations 

The illustrations in this book are in Wells's original style, not the cartoonish style of the Max and Ruby TV show. The pictures are timeless and appealing to preschoolers.

Story Time Possibilities

When I have used nursery rhymes in story time, my purpose has always been to connect with my audience using something familiar that everyone knows and feels comfortable with. The text of many of the rhymes included in this book has been changed, presumably to make the content more pleasant and/or more inclusive, but the result is that the possibility of everyone reciting the rhyme together from memory no longer exists. I shared some of the rhymes with my older kids (ages 4, 6, and 8) and they were annoyed by the changes. They were especially confused by "Maria had a little lamb." Since there are so many other options for sharing nursery rhymes in story time, I wouldn't make this my go-to choice.

Reader's Advisory

There are some parent-directed notes at the beginning of the book about early literacy that feel slightly more academic than they really need to. The advice isn't bad, but I always bristle when books suggest to parents that their toddlers need to be educated. Being a toddler is itself an education, and there are as many "right" ways to share this book with little ones as there are adults who read to little ones. 

Altered nursery rhymes and heavy-handed advice aside, however, this book is perfect for my toddlers. They can look at it alone, or their older siblings can use it to "teach" them. It is a picture book, not a board book, so its days are most likely numbered, but it will be fun while it lasts.

Disclosure

I received a review copy of My Very First 100 Words from Paula Wiseman Books in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: Some Questions About Trees by Tony Yuly (3/22/2022)

 Quick Booktalk

A little girl expresses curiosity about various questions related to trees.

About the Illustrations 

Each page has a white background with clean, simple figures done in mixed media (crayon, collage, etc).  The girl at the center of the book is drawn as a pair of dot eyes, a few lines for hair, a splotch with arms to suggest a shirt and a simple outline of legs and feet. These simple, abstract illustrations suit the thoughtful, philosophical text. 

Story Time Possibilities 

This is a quiet book, filled with rhetorical questions. For some audiences, this will be perfect. For others, it will be an invitation to give increasingly silly responses to questions that don't require any answers. It could fit a few interesting themes, including trees, questions, and nature. I'm considering it to round out a story time plan about trees that could really use a quiet book like this to balance it out. 

Readers Advisory

The title of this book makes it sound like it might include more factual information than it actually does. The text is really more of a poem that invites readers to think creatively about ordinary things than any sort of fact-based narrative about trees. It would be a great book to inspire a class or homeschool writing project. 

Disclosure 

I received a review copy of Some Questions About Trees from Atheneum in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: Interrupting Chicken: Cookies for Breakfast by David Ezra Stein (11/9/2021)

Quick Booktalk

Chicken brings cookies to her dad as breakfast in bed, and he begins to read some nursery rhymes, but Chicken can't help but interrupt with cookie-related commentary.

About the Illustrations

Though perhaps they aren;t quite as distinctive as they were in the original Interrupting Chicken, the pictures in this volume are done in the same style as all the others of the series. Fans of the earlier books will instantly feel at home in this one. 

Story Time Possibilities

I find these books difficult to read aloud effectively because of how much is happening on each page. I think to do it well, you'd either have to do very distinctive voices to separate the main text from the nursery rhyme text inside Chicken's book, or you would need two readers. The pictures are also difficult to understand from much of a distance so it might work in a virtual story time or with a very small group, but otherwise, there are better options on the nursery rhyme theme.

Readers Advisory

I flagged a few things in this book that parents might want to know. One is that the story repeatedly identiifes cookies as unhealthy foods. I know a lot of parents don't like to label foods in that way because it can lead to issues with eating. Another thing I noticed this time is how utterly annoying Chicken's interruptions really are. I have five kids, and I don't really want to send the message that interrupting is cute or funny. There is also a lot of obnoxious early elementary school humor that I also prefer not to encourage. 

Disclosure 

I received a review copy of Interrupting Chicken: Cookies for Breakfast from Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review.