Learn to Draw Sea Creatures

Reviewed by: Heidi Whelan - McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 7, 2015

Review

Learn to Draw Sea Creatures is so much more than a drawing book. This colorful foray into the world of underwater dwellers features full page photos, fun facts, details and mini trivia quizzes. The drawing instructions for more than 25 ocean animals is just icing on this undersea cake. Learn to Draw Sea Creatures will be a great classroom addition as it will appeal to a wide audience.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Cuddy, Robbin

Illustrator: Cuddy, Robbin

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Walter Foster Jr.

Book Type: picture book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades k-3

Binding Type: library binding

Binding Quality: excellent

ISBN: 9781939581549

Price: 33.27

Twisted Fate

Reviewed by: Heidi Whelan - McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 7, 2015

Review

Twisted Fate by Norah Olson is twisted indeed! Sisters Allyson and Sydney don't have much in common except maybe their interest in the new boy next door. Sydney is the 'bad' girl who dresses in all black, takes drugs, and has casual sex but also has the GPA and talent to go far. Allyson is the 'good' girl who bakes treats, listens to her parents, does average in school, and is questioning whether she will get accepted to her college of choice. The boy next door has a secret but maybe Allyson and Sydney do too. This is dark tale with a twist ending the reader will see coming a mile away but will enjoy it when it comes nonetheless. Twisted is a disturbing book that explores themes of identity, social media, and privacy. You won't want to put it down.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Olson, Norah

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780062272041

Price: 17.99

What are Graphic Novels?

Reviewed by: Heidi Whelan - McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 7, 2015

Review

What Are Graphic Novels? by Emma Carlson Berne reads like a 5th grader's book report. It gives information in factual monotone without much voice. It's part of a series called Name that text type! The graphic novel examples used to illustrate information are not ones with which the readers will relate to or even recognize. How someone could take such a cool art form and turn it into such a boring read is a mystery to me. It could be used in a classroom as part of an English lesson along with the other titles in the series. Despite it's lackluster delivery it does give the young reader information on the elements that comprise a graphic novel.

Overall Book Score: fair

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About the Book

Author:

Berne, Emma Carlson

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: good

Publisher: Learner Publications Company

Book Type: picture book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades k-3,grades 4-6

Binding Type: library binding

Binding Quality: excellent

ISBN: 9781467736664

Price: 26.60

Stick and Stone

Reviewed by: Heidi Whelan - McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 8, 2015

Review

This charming picture book will delight both children and adults. Its use of playful rhyming minimal text and beautiful full page illustrations make it a pleasure to read aloud. Stick and Stone is an engaging story of friendship between a stick and a stone. This book could be read by its expressive pictures alone but then we would miss the clever puns. It would be useful to present topics such as friendship, bullying, compassion.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Ferry, Beth

Illustrator: Lichtenheld, Tom

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780544032569

Price: 16.99

Barn Swallows

Reviewed by: Heidi Whelan - McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 15, 2015

Review

Barn Swallows is an amazing book that delivers its information by using full page vibrant color photos. Engaging minimal text ensures facts are easily digestible by young readers. It’s perfect for a unit on migration, birds, nature, or geography. Barn Swallows is supplemented with a facts page and a glossary of terms. This book is part of a series titled, In Winter, Where Do They Go?

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Sawyer, J. Clark

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Bearport Publishing Company, Inc.

Book Type: picture book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades k-3

Binding Type: library binding

Binding Quality: excellent

ISBN: 9781627243148

Price: 23.93

Pete the Cat's Groovy Guide to Life

Reviewed by: Heidi Whelan - McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 13, 2015

Review

Pete the ultimate hip cat lays some groovy advice on his fans. Inspirational quotes from famous people such as Thomas Edison and Oscar Wilde adorn one page; with Pete interpreting these quotes in his own cool style on the facing page. Use of primary colors and lots of white space allow the words of advice to be the star while Pete is an enthusiastic backup. Grownups and children alike will love reading this book.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Dean, Kimberly

Illustrator: Dean, James

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780062351357

Price: 12.99

The Sin Eater's Daughter

Reviewed by: Heidi Whelan - McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 15, 2015

Review

Twylla is slated to be the next sin eater when fate steps in and she is given the chance to escape her dreary life of poverty and duty to live in the castle with the royal family. She moves to the palace with the expectation that when she grows up, she will marry the prince and become the next queen of Tregellan. All is not as it seems at the castle as Twylla is used by the queen to execute traitors. Twylla has to choose between duty, love, faith, riches, and power. The pace of the book is slow. I wish there had been more character building and less world building. It had so much potential but fell a bit flat. An older teen who likes fantasy may enjoy this book but it didn't stand out as an exceptional work.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Salisbury, Melinda

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure,fantasy,romance

Audience: grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780545810623

Price: 17.99

The Planet of Okidians

Reviewed by: Heidi Whelan - McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 13, 2015

Review

This graphic novel doesn't reflect the charm and philosophical musings of the original Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. It's not helped that this version of The Little Prince is based on an animated series of the same title. That being said, this isn't a bad graphic novel. It's just that I can't help but compare this to the original masterpiece. This version teaches a lesson but is somewhat didactic in it's approach. The illustrations are colorful and bold and I can see many young adventure readers liking this graphic novel. So, although I wish it had more charm and finesse, it would make a good classroom addition for grades 1-4. It's part of a series called The Little Prince.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Gonnard, Christel

Illustrator: Fayolle, Diane

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Graphic Universe

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre: graphic novel

Audience: grades k-3,grades 4-6

Binding Type: library binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780761387718

Price: 26.60

Shadow of the Shark

Reviewed by: Heidi Whelan - McArthur Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 13, 2015

Review

Shadow of the Shark is number 53 in the Magic Tree House series. In a change of pace Jack and Annie are sent on a vacation rather than a mission. Of course they end up making friends and having adventures as usual but I felt that knowing the experiences took place during a 'normal' day allows the reader to maybe be open to adventure in their own lives. We learn a lot about geography and ancient Mayan Civilization. My favorite line in the book is said by Jack. He tells a Mayan King who needs to choose a replacement for himself but having no sons to inherit his title, only a daughter, “My sister and I have come from Frog Creek a land far away, to tell you this: women can lead just as well as men. Many women are leaders in our world.” This book has a nonfiction partner book called Sharks and Other Predators. It's one of the Magic Tree House, Fact Tracker series.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Osborne, Mary Pope

Illustrator: Murdocca, Sal

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Random House

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure

Audience: grades k-3,grades 4-6

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780553510812

Price: 12.99

Alice in Wonderland Down the Rabbit Hole

Reviewed by: Heidi Whelan - McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 13, 2015

Review

Alice in Wonderland Down the Rabbit Hole is a modern retelling of the classic tale by Lewis Carroll. This picture book edits the story down to its basic form and allows a younger audience with their shorter attention spans to enjoy the experience of following Alice into Wonderland. I do worry a bit that this book is so quick paced, only tells the first five chapters of the original story and then ends abruptly. That being said, the charming and beautiful illustrations alone make this a wonderful picture book. With the 150th anniversary of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, this would fit well into the high interest category of books.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Rhatigan, Joe

Illustrator: Puybaret, Eric

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781623540494

Price: 17.95

Clark the Shark: Takes Heart

Reviewed by: Heidi Whelan - McArthur Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 13, 2015

Review

Clark the shark remains in the dark... about girls that is. He wants to show Anna Angelfish that he likes her but nothing seems to work. As Clark learns how to act around girls, the elementary student reader learns this important social skill. This book is a great classroom addition with its clever depiction of an underwater school. The illustrations are bold and enhance the story.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Hale, Bruce

Illustrator: Francis, Guy

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780062192271

Price: 17.99

Where Did My Clothes Come From?

Reviewed by: Heidi Whelan - McArthur Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 13, 2015

Review

This is a wonderful book. One of a child's first independent decisions is what they are going to wear. Where Did My Clothes Come From answers any questions a child may have about the clothing they wear. It takes common types of clothing such as: jeans, a party dress, a sports uniform, a fleece jacket, rain boots, and other items, and explores the process to make each item. This book has informative colorful illustrations that complement the text. The last pages include recycling suggestions for clothes a child has grown out of or doesn't want anymore. This book will appeal to the nonfiction reader or anyone with an interest in clothing.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Butterworth, Chris

Illustrator: Gaggiotti, Lucia

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780763677488

Price: 12.99

Mark of the Thief

Reviewed by: Heidi Whelan - McArthur Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 14, 2015

Review

Mark of the Thief is a amazing blend of adventure, magic, and bravery. Nic, a slave boy from Rome finds a magic talisman and tries to use it to secure his family's freedom. Instead, powerful men try to use him for their own nefarious purposes. While Nic is the main focus of the book, there is also a strong female character. While the story moves quickly, there is so much detail and rich character development that it is hard to put down. This book is a must for any middle-school library. Readers who love a series will be pleased to know that this is just the first book in the Mark of the Thief series.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Nielsen, Jennifer A.

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure,fantasy,romance

Audience: grades 4-6,grades 7-9

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780545561549

Price: 17.99

History of Women's Fashion

Reviewed by: Heidi Whelan - McArthur Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 14, 2015

Review

History of Women's Fashion is an interesting book. It can be read as a book or you can unfold it to a six and a half foot chart that chronicles the history of fashion. Each fashion depicted has details of the garment on the back of the picture. The information ranges from famous people who wore the clothing to what was thought to influence the style. It explores social and political events that contributed to style evolution. I wish it was just in book format as it's a bit inconvenient to have to look on the back of each picture to read the description. The information printed under the picture would have garnered this book a 'must read' recommendation. I also worry about the longevity of the physical book. It's printed on heavy card stock to facilitate the chart aspect of the book and I feel it will get torn and bent easily. A reader who is interested in fashion or history would enjoy this informative book.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Slee, Natasha

Illustrator: Mander, Sanna

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Big Picture Press

Book Type: chapter book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades 4-6,grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: other

Binding Quality: fair

ISBN: 9780763679620

Price: 17.99

Otter in Space

Reviewed by: Heidi Whelan - McArthur Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 9, 2015

Review

Otter in Space is a charming edition to the I Am Otter series by Sam Garton. As the title suggests this book has Otter and Teddy pretending to go into space. The colorful illustrations are a perfect accompaniment to the childlike prose. Otter tells us “We made a very important list of very important things. It was very important.” Imagination and problem solving are the themes in this book. Otter is funny, cute, and clever and she has quite an imagination. Teddy and she go into outer space but poor giraffe gets stuck at mission control. Parents and children will laugh together as they read this book. I can see this book becoming a “classic” and enjoying a lifelong space on a child's bookshelf to share with their own children someday. Otter in Space would make a great read a loud for preschool though 2nd grade.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Garton, Sam

Illustrator: Garton, Sam

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780062247766

Price: 16.99