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Before Morning
Before Morning
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: October 11, 2016
Review
Caldecott Award winning artist Beth Krommes uses scratchboard art to beautifully illustrate a child's wish - written as an invocation - for a snow storm to fall overnight that will keep her mother, an airline pilot, home. The book begins with richly detailed pictures of a busy city bustling with people heading home in the evening, including the child and her mother. The story continues, with no text yet, with the scene of a cozy family dinner, bedtime ritual and a goodbye. The mother is seen packing her bag and leaving as the dad and child slumber. Then begins the text, a poem like invocation written sparsely over the remaining pages, showing the snow beginning, intensifying, flights be cancelled and the mother arriving home in the morning to spend the day with her family enjoying the snow. The final page has a message from the author, Joyce Sidman, about wishes and invocations with some thought provoking questions for further discussion. This would be a lovely book to share with Pre - K and early elementary and talk about wishes and words and explore the details to be found in the illustrations.
Overall Book Score: excellent
About the Book
Author:
Sidman, Joyce
Illustrator: Krommes, Beth
Illustration Quality: excellent
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Book Type: picture book fiction
Genre: realistic fiction,fiction in verse / poetry
Audience: preschool,grades k-3
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9780547979175
Price: 17.99
Cat on the Bus
Cat on the Bus
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: October 11, 2016
Review
In this mostly text less picture book we follow a stray cat looking for a place to settle on a cold winter day in a busy city. The words are sparse and mostly convey what the cat hears on his journey - SCAT, SCRAM, SHOO as he upsets a trash barrel, attempts to enter a grocery store and hop onto a city bus. He dejectedly waits at the bus stop as the snow starts to fall but has better success leaping on the next bus. There he finds an empty seat and enjoys looking out at the falling snow and city until he is joined by an elderly Asian man whom he curls up next to. The next illustration shows the bus continuing on its route with an empty seat where they had been. The cat's journey ends when the man gives him to a little girl (his granddaughter?) and he appears to have found a happy home. Ages 3 -6 will like this story with its happy ending. The illustrations are richly colored yet simple and somewhat childlike. The first bus driver and one of the cat yawning are a little scary but overall it would be a good story time book to share.
Overall Book Score: good
About the Book
Author:
Kim, Aram
Illustrator: Kim, Aram
Illustration Quality: good
Publisher: Holiday House, Inc
Book Type: picture book fiction
Genre: realistic fiction
Audience: preschool,grades k-3
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9780823436477
Price: 16.95
The Secret Language of Sisters
The Secret Language of Sisters
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: October 11, 2016
Review
Luanne Rice is well known for her many Adult Fiction novels set primarily on the Connecticut shore. This is her first YA novel and is also set in Connecticut. Teenage sisters, Roo and Tilly McCabe are 2 years apart and attend the same high school. Roo, the older by 2 years, is the "Golden Girl":smart, pretty, popular, a gifted photographer with a long time boyfriend and a shoo-in to attend Yale. Tilly has not found her gift yet, is an average student, and socially awkward. In spite of their differences they are very close and supportive of each other until a devastating event occurs. While Roo is driving she answers a text from Tilly and causes a horrific accident that leaves her hospitalized, paralyzed, and apparently in a coma. Tilly is consumed by guilt and strikes out at her mom, Roo's boyfriend, and her own friends as her life unravels. It is Tilly, however, who discovers that Roo is not at all in a coma but is experiencing "locked-in-syndrome" and can hear and understand everything going on around her but is unable to speak or move.The author alternates first person chapters between Tilly and what is going on in her life and Roo with what she is experiencing in her hospital bed. While this is certainly a cautionary tale of the dangers of texting and driving it is also one of family, teen age relationships, grief management (the girls' father had died suddenly recently),the wonders of modern medicine and technology, and redemption. As such it gets somewhat overcrowded and choppy as the author tries to fit everything in. This contemporary novel about teenagers will appeal most to girls aged 13 and up.
Overall Book Score: good
About the Book
Author:
Rice, Luanne
Illustrator: ,
Publisher: Scholastic Print
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: realistic fiction
Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9780545839556
Price: 18.99
Like a Bird The Art of the American Slave Song
Like a Bird The Art of the American Slave Song
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: October 11, 2016
Review
Psalm 124:7 in The Bible reads "We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare." Harriett Tubman used to dream that she was flying over the land "like a bird" to freedom. In this lovely compilation of 13 spiritual songs sung by the slaves brought to America from Africa readers are encouraged to find the white dove symbolizing Tubman and freedom in each accompanying illustration. The illustrations are bold and vibrant interpretations of each of the spirituals which are presented in sheet music on the opposite page with a brief text explaining and expanding on the historical or biblical references in the lyrics. The songs and hymns sung by the slaves as they toiled and longed for freedom have become part of the American folk music catalog and will be familiar to many as they are still sung in churches and been recorded by many musicians. A glossary and further reading list is included at the back of the book. This is an excellent source for teaching and learning about the institution of slavery, abolition, The Underground Railroad, the major historical people of the time, and roots of American folk music. The illustrations, as well as the music, tell a story of people living in bondage and despair but not without hope and faith and an enduring spirit.
Overall Book Score: excellent
About the Book
Author:
Grady, Cynthia
Illustrator: Wood, Michele
Illustration Quality: excellent
Publisher: Millbrook Press
Book Type: picture book nonfiction
Genre: biography / autobiography
Audience: all ages
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9781467785501
Price: 19.99
Run For Your Life Predators and Prey on the African Savanna
Run For Your Life Predators and Prey on the African Savanna
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: November 7, 2016
Review
This engaging picture book begins with a brief description of the predator/prey animals found on the African savanna and their search for food. "On the savanna, animals sleep. Then..." each page springs into action with leaping and bounding and lunging and loping and pouncing, all accompanied by full double page illustrations of the different animals on the hunt and a couplet naming the animals and their actions. Of course the reader does not see any actual kills and while the watercolor and acrylic drawings are detailed and accurate they are also part whimsy. The different species would not be hunting or sleeping in such close proximity.The book ends with a brief description of animals found on the savanna named in the book and a chart listing their highest speeds. This book would be appropriate for Preschool story times and the variety of motion words fun for children to act out. For the older K-3 ages it will introduce the savanna and some new animals and the predator/prey relationship!
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Schaefer, Lola
Illustrator: Meisel, Paul
Illustration Quality: very good
Publisher: Holiday House, Inc
Book Type: picture book nonfiction
Genre: realistic fiction,fiction in verse / poetry
Audience: preschool,grades k-3
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9780823435555
Price: 16.95
Let Your Voice Be Heard The Life and Times of Pete Seeger
Let Your Voice Be Heard The Life and Times of Pete Seeger
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: November 8, 2016
Review
Legendary folk singer and activist Pete Seeger was born in 1919. By the time he died at the age of 95 in 2014 he would be known as not only a folk singer and artist but a voice and seemingly tireless advocate for labor, civil rights, the antiwar movement and the environment. This biography, appropriate for middle school readers, begins with Seeger's family background and follows along with him in his search for a purpose that took him on many paths until he found his true joy in sharing the American experiences of the times through music. Readers will not only learn about Seeger in this well-written and fast moving biography, punctuated by many photographs, but of the times and issues and people he encountered along the way. Seeger's travels with Woody Guthrie through the Oklahoma dust bowl, his commitment to the labor movement, marching with MLK Jr. for Civil Rights, protesting the Vietnam War and his well-known battle with the House Un-American Activities Committee in which he was black-listed, tried, convicted, jailed and eventually exonerated are all excellent discussion starters for 20th century history lessons. The book contains Source Notes, Photo Credits, Acknowledgments, and Index. In the Afterward the author clearly states that she had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Seeger and her biography is not unbiased in that the subject was one of her long-time heroes.
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Silvey, Anita
Illustrator: ,
Publisher: Clarion Books
Book Type: chapter book nonfiction
Genre: biography / autobiography
Audience: grades 7-9
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9780547330129
Price: 17.99
When the World is Dreaming
When the World is Dreaming
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: November 8, 2016
Review
This lovely illustrated picture book begins with a little girl and the question asked repeatedly in rhyme: What do various little animals dream at the end of the day? "What does Little Deer dream/at the end of the day?/After the walking,/the grazing, the play." The answer for each animal is presented on the next two pages. Reality and fantasy mix as she first shows the animals hunkered down in their natural environment and the second shows them dreaming and fantasizing. The book finishes with the little girl, "Little Dreamer", tucked up in her own bed, dreaming about being surrounded by the sleeping woodland animals in her room while the moon shines down. The soft watercolor illustrations lend a dream-like quality to this book and the repetition and rhyme make this a fine choice for a Preschool or early grade story time. It will also lead to a discussion on exactly where do animals go to sleep at night. The author uses traditional type throughout except for on the pages where the dreams are described when the type changes to a softly colored hand-like writing.
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Gray, Rita
Illustrator: Park, Kenard
Illustration Quality: very good
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Book Type: picture book fiction
Genre: fantasy,fiction in verse / poetry
Audience: preschool,grades k-3
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9780544582620
Price: 17.99
A Twist of Fate
A Twist of Fate
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: December 13, 2016
Review
A Twist of Fate is the seventh title in the series The Mostly Miserable Life of April Sinclair by Laurie Friedman. Written in journal form it continues to follow April as she navigates the twists and turns of adolescence and early teens. This installment begins with April's beloved Grandmother, Gaga, announcing that she has terminal cancer, will not seek treatment, and her first item on her bucket list is to take the entire family for a ski trip (even though none have ever been on skis). While stunned and saddened April looks forward to this special trip with her Grandmother, parents, irksome younger sisters, and various aunts, uncles and cousins. Things don't turn out as hoped, however, when cousins start behaving oddly, sisters continue to annoy, skiing is more difficult than anticipated and the adults struggle with their own conflicting feelings about Gaga's decision. Girls in grades 5 - 8 will enjoy this series as they follow April through her journey of teenage angst, parental conflicts, relationship confusion and family love, loyalty and resiliency. Her journal is sometimes sarcastic but also funny, insightful and honest.
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Friedman, Laurie
Illustrator: ,
Publisher: Darby Creek
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: realistic fiction
Audience: grades 4-6,grades 7-9
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9781467785907
Price: 17.95
The Sleeping Gypsy
The Sleeping Gypsy
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: December 13, 2016
Review
Caldecott Medal winner Mordicai Gerstein presents the origins of Henri Rousseau's best known painting, The Sleeping Gypsy, through a dream the famous artist may have had that inspired it. In the prologue we see a young girl in black and white viewing the painting and wondering: Who is the girl? Why is she sleeping in the desert? Will the lion harm her or wander off? The book then becomes Rousseau's dream of the girl and her journey.The acrylic and watercolor illustrations are richly colored and detailed but rapidly become confusing as not only the lion but a rabbit, a snake and a lizard join the girl and the moon begins to talk. The artist then arrives and begins his painting but cuts out the animals one by one as they comment and criticize. The rather scary lion threatens to eat him so remains in the painting. Then the artist wakes up in his black and white loft and finishes his painting.The questions posed in the prologue are not answered or even hinted at. Young children are apt to be confused as are older children perhaps doing an art/artist study.
Overall Book Score: good
About the Book
Author:
Gerstein, Mordicai
Illustrator: Gerstein, Mordicai
Illustration Quality: very good
Publisher: Holiday House, Inc
Book Type: picture book fiction
Genre: fantasy
Audience: grades k-3,grades 4-6
Binding Type: Choose Binding Type
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9780823421428
Price: 16.95
Now You See Them Now You Don't Poems About Creatures That Hide
Now You See Them Now You Don't Poems About Creatures That Hide
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: December 13, 2016
Review
Art and poetry and science blend seamlessly in this beautiful picture book about animal camouflage. The introduction gives a brief explanation of "Creatures That Hide" with a double page illustration right from the start. Nineteen animals from 5 different classes (Sea Life, Reptiles and Amphibians, Mammals, Insects and Spiders, and Birds)are then each presented with an accompanying poem. The illustrations are brightly colored and stunning cut paper layered upon a variety of hand-painted paper with the poems in text to the side. The poems vary in length and style and perfectly accompany each animal's illustration. The book concludes with a paragraph on each animal and a resource to reference more information. Elementary school age children and teachers will find this to be an excellent resource for Animal studies (particularly Predator/Prey), poetry, and paper arts as well as a delightful read aloud.
Overall Book Score: excellent
About the Book
Author:
Harrison, David
Illustrator: Laroche, Giles
Illustration Quality: excellent
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Book Type: picture book nonfiction
Genre:
Audience: grades k-3,grades 4-6
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9781580896108
Price: 17.95
Bob the Railway Dog The true Story of an Adventurous Dog
Bob the Railway Dog The true Story of an Adventurous Dog
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: December 14, 2016
Review
Bob the Railway Dog is based on a true story about an adventurous Australian dog in the latter 19th century. The story is told that Bob was adopted by a railroad worker at Adelaide station in 1884 and as the tracks were laid near and far traveled the rails throughout all Australia."Everyone knew Bob the Railway Dog" The softly muted watercolor illustrations, sometimes full page and other times several to a page, depict the Australian countryside, cities, and train stations Bob adventured through. This delightful story is appropriate for early elementary school read aloud. Some of the vocabulary is advanced but the Australian words will be fun for children to repeat (such as Oodnadatta and Kalangadoo).
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Fenton, Corinne
Illustrator: McLean, Andrew
Illustration Quality: very good
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Book Type: picture book nonfiction
Genre: adventure,biography / autobiography
Audience: grades k-3,grades 4-6
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: excellent
ISBN: 9780763680978
Price: 16.99
A Boy Called Christmas
A Boy Called Christmas
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island , Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: January 10, 2017
Review
Nikolas, the boy who will someday be called Father Christmas, or Santa Claus, begins his story as a twelve year old very poor boy living in Finland. "A boy who knew very little about the world except the taste of mushroom soup, the feel of a cold north wind, and the stories he was told." His mother has tragically died and his father, Joel the Woodcutter, is a hardworking but sad and bitter man. Nikolas' adventure begins when Joel leaves him on a search to prove the existence of Elves in the North and thus make his fortune. After several months of living with his cruel Aunt Carlotta Nikolas runs away to retrace his father's steps and reunite. His journey takes him through harsh conditions in which he faces starvation, brutal cold and even death on his way to find the North Pole. He meets and befriends a flying reindeer and names him Blitzen and reaches his destination only to find himself imprisoned by the Elves with a human eating troll and a Pixie who delights in making people's heads explode. With the help of a spell called a Drimwick, a belief in magic and the impossible, and the unfailing ability to find goodness in all Nikolas saves the day, comes to live with the Elves and eventually becomes Santa Claus. Sprinkled with black and white cartoonish illustrations and some wonderful unexpected humor (Blitzen delights in peeing on humans as he flies over, for example) this book would be a welcome addition to a 3rd - 5th grade Holiday collection and a very fun read aloud as well.
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Haig, Matt
Illustrator: Mould, Chris
Illustration Quality: very good
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: adventure,fantasy
Audience: grades 4-6
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9780399552656
Price: 16.99
The Toy Brother
The Toy Brother
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: January 10, 2017
Review
The Toy Brother by award winning author, the late William Steig, was originally published in 1996. Yorick and Charles are the sons of Magnus Bede, a famous alchemist. Yorick, being the elder son and his father's apprentice, has little time or patience for his annoying younger brother Charles, in spite of Charle's best efforts to get along. When the boys' parents go away Yorick tries his luck at making a new potion in his father's lab and ends up shrinking himself down until he has become "no bigger than a cockroach"! Charles is delighted to have the upper hand and being the "big brother". He builds a toy size house and feeds Yorick meals of "three crumbs of bread and a spoonful of clabber cheese". When their parents return they are none too concerned and the mother cheerfully resorts to making small clothes and furniture for her "itty-bitty bantling" while the father searches for the antidote. When Yorick is finally restored to normal size the family celebrate "like a bunch of maniacs" and the brothers have a new found appreciation for each other. Grades K-3 will enjoy this picture book as a read aloud. The language and vocabulary are fanciful and rich and Steig's ink and watercolor illustrations colorful and fun.
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Steig, William
Illustrator: ,
Illustration Quality: very good
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Book Type: picture book fiction
Genre: fantasy
Audience: grades k-3
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9780374300890
Price: 18.99
This Book is NOT About Dragons
This Book is NOT About Dragons
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: January 10, 2017
Review
Just by looking at the cover of This Book is NOT About Dragons the reader will guess that it certainly is about dragons! The silly little mouse narrator invites and dares all to follow him page to page with reassurances that there are no dragons to be found, although each illustration is peppered with dragon shadows, scary and pointed claws and teeth and scales and a trail of fiery destruction. The illustrator uses 'crumpled paper and various incendiary devises including smoke bombs, firecrackers and blow torches" and qualifies that "No mice or dragons were harmed in the making of this book." As the mouse progresses throughout the pages and creatures and humans all flee ahead of him it finally occurs to him that there are indeed dragons...a page full of dragons of all shapes and sizes and colors. The little mouse is then shown with a copy of the cover where he is painting over the word NOT in the title. Clever illustrations and text shaped like dragon scales and fire make this a fine and fun choice for a Preschool and early elementary read aloud.
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Thomas, Shelley Moore
Illustrator: Koehler, Fred
Illustration Quality: very good
Publisher: Boyds Mill Press
Book Type: picture book fiction
Genre: fantasy
Audience: preschool,grades k-3
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9781629791685
Price: 16.95
Penguins Love Colors
Penguins Love Colors
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: January 10, 2017
Review
Six little wide-eyed penguins love colors and their mother loves flowers. Each is named for a different color flower and distinguishable from each other only by their different color berets: Tulip (Red), Tiger Lily (Orange), Dandelion (Yellow), Violet (Purple), Bluebell (Blue), and Broccoli (Green). The author adds a note that Broccoli is indeed a flower. As a surprise and gift to their mother they decide to use bold splashes of paint to add color to their drab black and white world. A very simple but brightly colored flower, color and rainbow concept book ideal for Preschool (ages 3 -5) read aloud. Children will be encourage by questions such as "Do you think they made a mess?" and "Would she like her surprise?"
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Aspinall, Sarah
Illustrator: ,
Illustration Quality: very good
Publisher: The Blue Sky Press
Book Type: picture book fiction
Genre:
Audience: preschool
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9780545876544
Price: 17.99
Sing With Me Action Songs Every Child Should Know
Sing With Me Action Songs Every Child Should Know
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: March 6, 2017
Review
Sing With Me - Action Songs Every Child Should Know is a compilation of 13 nursery songs accompanied by suggested hand and motions for each. The songs are mostly standard and familiar - including Wheels on the Bus, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Twinkle, Twinkle, Pat a Cake. The illustrations accompanying each are delightful, warm, and colorful and include whimsical and sweet animals as well as children. Each is done in acrylic ink, pencil and collage on a plywood backdrop with simple text that include mostly the first verse of the songs and rhymes. This is an ideal book for any day-care or preschool library to encourage adult and child interaction and early literacy. It would also be perfect for a gift to new parents.
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Stoop, Naoko
Illustrator: ,
Illustration Quality: very good
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Book Type: picture book fiction
Genre: fiction in verse / poetry
Audience: preschool
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9780805099041
Price: 16.99
The Hole Story of the Doughnut
The Hole Story of the Doughnut
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Choose Library District
Review Date: March 6, 2017
Review
Author Pat Miller delivers in this wonderfully illustrated and true "whole" story about the "hole" story of the invention of the doughnut by ship's cook Hanson Gregory. Born in Rockport, Maine Gregory went to sea in 1844 at the age of 13. He eventually worked his way up to Captain and sailed both Schooners and Clippers for many years. He was known for his bravery and seamanship but became famous for his invention of the doughnut as a young assistant cook in 1847. The usual breakfast fare in those days on the boats was a deep-fried cake that tended to be crisp and sweet on the edges but came out heavy, raw, and greasy in the center (hence, they were called "sinkers"). Gleason had the idea of using a pepper lid to cut the middle out before frying and the doughnut "a new breakfast tradition was born"! Lower and middle elementary grade children will enjoy the story and find the illustrations colorful, clever and fun. Many are in a circular "doughnut" shape with the center cut out and placed on the following page or of brightly decorated doughnuts! The author includes a Timeline of Gregory's life and the history of the doughnut, a bibliography, a real photo of Gregory and some alternate stories of the origin of the doughnut. Maine children will especially appreciate the Maine connection!
Overall Book Score: excellent
About the Book
Author:
Miller, Pat
Illustrator: Kirsch, Vincent X.
Illustration Quality: excellent
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Book Type: picture book nonfiction
Genre: biography / autobiography
Audience: grades k-3,grades 4-6
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9780544319615
Price: 17.99
This Book's Maine Connection: Maine setting
The Friendship Experiment
The Friendship Experiment
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: March 7, 2017
Review
Maddie comes from a long line of scientists, most recently her recently deceased and beloved grandfather, and her father who is currently working diligently on a cure, or at least treatment for, an inherited blood disease that she and her sister share. More than anything she too considers herself an aspiring scientist and is dealing as well with all the typical angst of starting middle school without her best friend by her side ( as said friend has the opportunity to attend a private school). In a very touching and clever and smartly written narrative we follow Maddie as she tries to cope with all her angst and family issues by scientifically (as her grandfather taught her) to formulate Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) to deal with her life...and unfortunately for her she keeps them all in a private notebook that becomes public and causes a world of hurt and misunderstanding. Maddie eventually comes to awareness of the roles of kindness, empathy, friendship and family. The characters, adult and children, are engaging and likable and grades 5 - 8 will enjoy Maddie's ride. The blood disorder her family shares is real and the author shares an afterward with details. Girls who are themselves aspiring scientists will appreciate the lack of gender bias!
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Teagan, Erin
Illustrator: ,
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: realistic fiction
Audience: grades 4-6,grades 7-9
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: excellent
ISBN: 9780544636224
Price: 16.99
The Not So Far Away Adventure
The Not So Far Away Adventure
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: October 11, 2016
Review
As Theo's beloved Poppa's birthday approaches she wants to give him the perfect gift. Poppa has kept a trunk filled with mementos of his travels and adventures. It contains photos and maps and menus and trinkets that each hold a special memory and tell the story of his life. In this very sweet story Theo decides to plan an adventure based on one of Poppa's fondest memories which was a trip to the beach with Nana. They carefully draw a map and set out on the streetcar through the vibrant and culturally diverse city. They walk in the sand, put their toes in the water, collect shells and rocks "that looked just like jewels". They finish the day with lunch and the best gazpacho ever. When they arrive home to Poppa's birthday celebration Theo adds the map and treasures and a photo to the trunk. This is a lovely story about adventure and multigenerational family relationships. The illustrations are cheery and bright collages digitally produced using cloth and paper and photos.
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Larsen, Andrew
Illustrator: Luxbacher, Irene
Illustration Quality: very good
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Book Type: picture book fiction
Genre: adventure,realistic fiction
Audience: preschool,grades k-3
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9781771380973
Price: 16.95
Good Night, Bat! Good Morning, Squirrel!
Good Night, Bat! Good Morning, Squirrel!
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: May 9, 2017
Review
This story of an unlikely friendship begins with Bat in need of a new home. When old bat turns him down (too full of bats already), fox says yes (but I might eat you), skunk says no (ironically, bats are too stinky for him) Bat continues to search until he spots a perfect place! The cozy nest of leaves and sticks even has a twig for him to hang from at bedtime. He does not notice Squirrel, sleeping in his bed of leaves, already lives there. When Squirrel awakes to find a bat hanging in his home he is none too pleased and as he heads out for his day leaves a polite note requesting Bat vacant the premises. Due to a series of misunderstandings, as well as their separate sleep patterns (Bat being nocturnal) this goes on for several days until Squirrel does realize he enjoys Bat's company after all and welcomes Bat to stay. This humorous story touches on themes of courtesy, sharing, and friendship that young children will enjoy. Meisel's illustrations, done in charcoal and crayon, are warm and enticing.
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Meisel, Paul
Illustrator: ,
Illustration Quality: very good
Publisher: Boyds Mill Press
Book Type: picture book fiction
Genre:
Audience: preschool,grades k-3
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9781629794952
Price: 16.95
I Used to be a Fish
I Used to be a Fish
Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: May 9, 2017
Review
Tom Sullivan describes his I Used to be a Fish as a "fictional story inspired by the science of evolution". It begins with a boldly colored red fish who get's tired of swimming, grows some legs, and heads for life on land. Each page progresses through the process of evolution with a simple illustration of each. As the fish evolves he grows fur, survives threats to his existence, changes to a primate, and finally becomes an upright male human. The human form goes on to learn to hunt, draw cave pictures,and build shelters and homes. The book ends with a young boy in super hero garb contemplating what's next. The author adds a very simplified time line "A Brief History of Life on Earth" and Author's Note with some further explanation of evolution. the illustrations are done with black Sharpie on white with bright pops of blue and red colored in. The topic is overly simplified and missing huge gaps. The author's note is at an entirely different level of complexity as the text.
Overall Book Score: fair
About the Book
Author:
Sullivan, Tom
Illustrator: ,
Illustration Quality: fair
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Book Type: picture book fiction
Genre:
Audience: preschool,grades k-3
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9780062451989
Price: 17.99
