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Box
Box
Reviewed by: Theresa Bonnevie Bauld - Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, West Kennebunk, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: October 24, 2016
Review
It is not unusual for children to enjoy playing with cardboard boxes. Sometimes even having more fun with the box than with what was inside. This engaging lift the flap book will keep young readers busy guessing what is inside the mystery cardboard box on each page. The story moves along with boxes of different sizes asking readers to imagine what is inside. Included is one very large box that has five additional boxes inside!
Once the boxes have all been opened with their contents revealed, the story moves on to....what can you do with all the boxes? This story hits its peak with more lift the flap pages with the boxes transformed into interesting items. From castles, boats, puppet theaters, planes, dragon costume, a rocket ship to a large train where the four friends go on a journey together, the creativity is boundless.
A satisfying ending is provided with the four friends sleeping in a cozy bed made from a big box. The last page asks readers, now what would they do with a box? The beautiful illustrations done in mixed media, are whimsical and gentle and work well with the text and balance of white space. A reminder of the treasures that can be created with a little imagination. A strong addition to any library.
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Flyte, Min
Illustrator: Beardshaw, Rosalind
Illustration Quality: very good
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Book Type: picture book fiction
Genre:
Audience: preschool
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9780763689391
Price: 15.99
A Boy, a Ball, and a Dog
A Boy, a Ball, and a Dog
Reviewed by: Theresa Bonnevie Bauld - Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, West Kennebunk, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: November 3, 2016
Review
A gentle read about a boy and his dog and their mutual love for ball throwing. All is well until one day there is a shift in the wind and a different ball ( a kite) flies by and catches their attention. Both the boy and the dog attempt to get the kite back without any luck. The dog is determined that this ball is one he must catch so he chases after it. The dog finally gets it but is lifted up in the air and is transported far away. Now he has the “ball” but is lost and lonely without his boy. Fortunately, the wind shifts and the balloon makes its way back to the boy and all are reunited. A quiet book that showcases the beauty of nature and the beauty of the simple things in life -- like the close relationship between a child and his pet. The illustrations are folksy and muted in palette except for the bright balloon. A simple story that is full of feeling.
Overall Book Score: good
About the Book
Author:
Marino, Gianna
Illustrator: Marino, Gianna
Illustration Quality: good
Publisher: Roaring Book Press
Book Type: picture book fiction
Genre:
Audience: preschool,grades k-3
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9781626722873
Price: 15.99
Sophie's Squash Goes to School
Sophie's Squash Goes to School
Reviewed by: Theresa Bonnevie Bauld - Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: November 7, 2016
Review
Another winning story with Sophie's two squash friends (Sophie's Squash-2013). The two "butternut" friends join her as she goes to school for the first time. Sophie is less than enthusiastic with what she encounters. She doesn't like much of school, from the other kids, to the milk to even the chairs. When a little boy named Steven makes several attempts to become friends, Sophie clearly lets him know, that she is NOT interested. Sophie's negative attitude toward school, the other kids, and especially Steven seem to go on for a long time without resolution. After Sophie has to put her squash friends to rest in the garden, she goes to school alone. After a difficult event in school, Sophie is even more miserable. Steven, who is incredibly kind and patient, leaves her a thoughtful gift that helps to finally turn things around. At last, Sophie understands the importance of having friends and explains to Steven that sometimes it just takes time to grow a friend. The watercolor illustrations are colorful and descriptive. The artwork of the unhappy, unfriendly little girl who finally gets a smile toward the end of the story is offset by the range of emotions given to Steven, the hero of the story. Steven's gentle persistence and creative approach to gaining her friendship, give the story a heartwarming touch.
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Miller, Pat Zietlow
Illustrator: Wilsdorf, Anne
Illustration Quality: very good
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books
Book Type: picture book fiction
Genre:
Audience: preschool,grades k-3
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9780553509441
Price: 17.99
The Branch
The Branch
Reviewed by: Theresa Bonnevie Bauld - Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: November 7, 2016
Review
A little girl is having a hard time sleeping due to the noises coming from outside her window. An ice storm is underway and the sounds escalate from ice hitting the window to a large crash caused by a breaking branch. The little girl looks out and discovers that her favorite tree has been damaged. In fact, her favorite branch is lying on the ground. She is devastated. This branch was her castle, her spy base and ship. Her elderly neighbor sees that she is upset and agrees that her branch is full of potential. He builds things from salvaged wood and suggests that she use her imagination and they will make something from the broken branch. Together in his workshop, they create something special from this branch that wasn't just a branch. A very satisfying ending when the branch is transformed into a rope swing and is once again her castle, spy base and ship. The artwork throughout is vivid. The rich jewel toned colors bring the blustery winter weather to the calm greens of Spring to life. The writing is beautifully descriptive particularly when she described the ice storm where her neighborhood has “been wrapped in a heavy blanket of diamonds”. An excellent story with themes of friendship, nature, and creative thinking. A positive, feel good story where a negative event is turned into a positive outcome. An excellent picture book that works well for all ages.
Overall Book Score: excellent
About the Book
Author:
Messier, Mireille
Illustrator: Pratt, Pierre
Illustration Quality: excellent
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Book Type: picture book fiction
Genre:
Audience: preschool,grades k-3
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: excellent
ISBN: 9781771385640
Price: 16.95
10 Little Ninjas
10 Little Ninjas
Reviewed by: Theresa Bonnevie Bauld - Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: November 29, 2016
Review
A weak variation on the familiar story of little monkeys jumping on a bed, this version features 10 little children who like to sneak out of bed. The story starts with the 10 children dressed as ninja's sneaking out of bed. From this point on, the children take on other rolls that include astronauts, firefighters, tigers and pirates. The title of the book seems misleading as the children only start as ninja's and there is no other reference to ninja's. The writing is weak with rhymes that seem forced and overly complicated for a young reader. The illustrations that were created in photoshop by combining acrylic and digital paint do an adequate job depicting the ethnically diverse children as they go from adventure to adventure. The scenes are colorful and playful and the style whimsical. Children will enjoy counting down throughout the book. Unfortunately, the last spread also include the copyright information and this text falls right into the illustration of the children finally sleeping. This is a major distraction from the otherwise satisfying ending.
Overall Book Score: fair
About the Book
Author:
Paul, Miranda
Illustrator: Wragg, Nate
Illustration Quality: fair
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Book Type: picture book fiction
Genre:
Audience: preschool
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9780553534979
Price: 14.99
Backyard Witch
Backyard Witch
Reviewed by: Theresa Bonnevie Bauld - Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: November 30, 2016
Review
The second book in the Backyard Witch series, this early reader will keep young readers amused as they follow the adventures of three young friends, Jess, Maya and Sadie and their unusual friend, Mrs. M, a friendly witch. The first book followed Sadie and the series now continues with the focus on Jess. Jess has a complicated relationship with her mother and although she tries hard, she can never seem to please her Mom. Enter the kindly witch, Mrs. M, who offers clever suggestions to help Jess figure things out. Engaging B&W illustrations appear throughout the text and add a great deal to the story. Included in the back pages, are helpful cooking tips for young chefs, an interesting recipe for grilled tofu with thai peanut sauce and a brief introduction of 6 herbs. Also included is a listing of "Magic Books" that list 7 cooking books geared for children along with a link to a tv show on cooking. The backyard witch appears when she is needed and with a combination of magic and wisdom, helps her young friends along the way. Short chapters along with easy to understand vocabulary will make this a quick, pleasant read for early readers.
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Heppermann, Christine
Illustrator: Koertge, Ron
Illustration Quality: very good
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: fantasy
Audience: grades k-3
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: very good
ISBN: 9780062338419
Price: 16.99
Wishing Day
Wishing Day
Reviewed by: Theresa Bonnevie Bauld - Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, Choose Library District
Review Date: December 5, 2016
Review
A story of three sisters being brought up by their emotionally distant dad with the assistance of two aunts, after the mysterious disappearance of their mom 8 years ago. Full of tween angst, crushes and friendship struggles, the realistic story line also includes a heavy dose of pure fantasy. The main plot deals with a wishing day tradition where all the girls in the town make three wishes on their 13th birthday. Is magic involved? Will the wishes come true? Switching gears from one genre to the other makes this a confusing read. Heavy topics like depressions, loneliness, an emotionally absent father coupled with an off the wall "bird Lady" character and the on-going hints of magic make this feel like two different stories. The ending is very disappointing with way too many unanswered question and no closure whatsoever. With this book being the first in a trilogy, the assumption is, that future books will provide clarity. However, after this confusing, somewhat muddled first book in the series, many readers may not continue for the answers. Hopefully, the second book will provide some answers early on and provide more of a fantasy angle to the story as the basic story plot is imaginative and interesting.
Overall Book Score: fair
About the Book
Author:
Myracle, Lauren
Illustrator: ,
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: fantasy,realistic fiction
Audience: grades 4-6
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9780062342065
Price: 16.99
