Staff Book Reviews by Genre: Picture Books

Queen Victoria's Bathing Machine
Whelan, Gloria
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

A great, rolling doggerel accompanies this story about finding a way to allow the queen to enter the sea without any part of her being “seen!” Funny and factual, this will be a fun read for you and yours.

Reviewer's Name: Kristin Brown
Spot, the Cat
Cole, Henry
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

Spot, the Cat by Henry Cole, is a beautiful wordless pen and ink book. An open window allows Spot to escape out into the city and a wonderful adventure ensues. Wordless books are a lovely opportunity to have a conversation about what is on the page. You may be surprised by what your little one notices that escaped your attention – just like Spot escaped!

Reviewer's Name: Kristin B.
Rivers of Sunlight: How The Sun Moves Water Around the Earth
Bang, Molly
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

"I am your sun. My energy warms your days. I light up your world." So begins a lovely book about how the entire Earth's water system works. The illustrations are the sort you can sink into and perseverate over. This book is so beautiful, in fact, that you will absorb the complexity of our Earth's hydrology without even realizing it. Check out Rivers of Sunlight and pour yourself into knowledge and beauty.

Reviewer's Name: Kristin
Pi-Shu, the Little Panda
Butler, John
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

There is no better way to describe Pi-shu than to say, "It's Pukin' cute!!" Follow a new panda through his day by poring over John Butler's luxurious illustrations. Heartwarming and very dear, you will enjoy reading this one over and over!

Reviewer's Name: Kristin
Wolves
Gravett, Emily
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

What a fun book! Rabbit checks a book out of the library that's all about wolves. As he becomes lost in the text, he doesn't realize that real wolves are lurking about him. The book ends with a mystery: did Rabbit get eaten? Or is the alternative ending the truth?

Reviewer's Name: Kristin
Luna's Red Hat: An Illustrated Storybook to Help Children Cope With Loss and Suicide
Smid, Emmi
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

Luna’s Red Hat is a children’s book to help with loss and suicide. Though these are topics from which we wish we could always shield children, the reality is that there are times that you might need such a book.

This one is written with knowledge, compassion, and a deep understanding of children. I highly recommend Luna’s Red Hat if you find yourself facing such a difficult time as having to explain to a child the realities of death and suicide.

Reviewer's Name: Kristin
Book Review: Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
Steptoe, Javaka
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

This is a beautiful book. It won the Caldecott Medal, so that's saying something. The artwork is fantastic. The book tells the story of Jean-Michel Basquiat's life in a free form jazz-inspired style. I'm not familiar with Jean-Michel Basquiat's work and now I want to see it for myself. There's a biography in the back. I only read this book once to my daughter. If I had read it more than once, I'd probably give it 5 stars.

Reviewer's Name: vfranklyn
Dragons Love Tacos
Rubin, Adam
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

This story has it all, from tacos, to laugh out loud humor, to dragons, to colorful illustrations, and most importantly you also learn about why NEVER to give dragons totally mild salsa with jalapenos. The results are action packed, disastrous, and hilarious. Luckily, the dragons make everything right in the end.

This book is just plain old fashioned silly, and even a bit absurd, fun! The pictures in this book really capture the tone and elevate and enhance the story rather than get in the way. I'd even argue that they might be the main draw of this already entertaining book. The illustrator, Daniel Salmieri, didn't take the illustrations too seriously and you can tell they had as much fun making the book as you will reading it. Enjoy this lighthearted, humorous romp and feel free to enjoy a few tacos along the way when reading!

Reviewer's Name: Will
Book Review: The Sock Thief
Crespo, Ana
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

My daughter and I really enjoyed this book, which was written by a local author. We learned about Brazilian culture and the role football (soccer) plays in various world cultures. Well written and illustrated, we definitely recommend this book!

Reviewer's Name: vfranklyn
Book Review: The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend
Santat, Dan
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

My daughter and I just LOVE this book. Beekle is beautifully illustrated, it's the 2015 Caldecott Award winner, but even more so, the story is wonderful. You feel for Beekle as he searches for his person, and rejoice when he finds her. Little details in the book make it interesting for adults when read multiple times. Beekle is sweet and beautiful, bittersweet and inspiring. A must-read picture book.

Reviewer's Name: vfranklyn
Book Review: The Book With No Pictures
Novak, B.J.
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

This book is HILARIOUS!! My 5 year old loved it. Goofy, silly, and a laugh-fest all around. A definite must read to your child. Thumbs way up! As an aside, the author of this book is one of the creators of the televison show, The Office, so you know it's going to be good.

Reviewer's Name: vfranklyn
Joyce, William
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

I don't normally review picture books, but this book was awesome! The story was compelling and beautifully written and the artwork was gorgeous. Zoe fell asleep as I was reading it to her, which is rare for her. Since it's a book about the Sandman, this is a good thing. So beautiful.

Reviewer's Name: vfranklyn
Hopgood, Tim
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

This is a great read for preschoolers who are learning their colors. The illustrations are simple and eye-catching as is the refrain "WOW!" said the owl. It keeps kids interested, teaching not only colors, but also about night and day. It's a keeper.

Reviewer's Name: Tiffany
Frazee, Marla
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

This is my daughter's new favorite! Two cute pups, a pesky squirrel, and a funny sweet reuinion. We've read it many times and still love it!

Reviewer's Name: J.F.
Mackall, Dandi Daley
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

“It was not such a silent night,” repeats this beautifully illustrated story of Christmas. We hear the whoo of owls, the knock on a door, the moo of cows, and the flutter of angels on the night Jesus was born. Each sound brings a different part of the biblical story to life and paints the setting in bustling Bethlehem.

Reviewer's Name: Elisabeth