Book review: Howard the Average Gecko, by Wendy Meddour, illustrated by Carmen Saldaña

Meddour, Wendy. Howard the Average Gecko. Illustrated by Carmen Saldaña. Peachtree Atlanta, 2021. $17.99. ISBN 9781682634349. Unpaged. Ages 4-8. P8Q8

Howard the gecko has amazing camouflage abilities, and is quite proud of that fact. However, when faced with many other creatures with the same capability, Howard wonders if he is still special. The stick insect, the butterfly, the frog and others open Howard’s eyes to other animals that can hide in plain sight too. Feeling deflated, Howard finds a friend that helps him see that being average is ok. The colorful watercolor illustrations bring the rainforest setting to life. The last page contains information on geckos, and defines camouflage.

Verdict: This large picture book is perfect to be read aloud at story time, or put into the hands of children who will have fun hunting for the hidden insects and animals. Teachers and parents will appreciate the message in the book that being average to most does not take away from being special to some.

Review by Denyse Marsh.

Book review: I’ll Be There, by Karl Newson, Rosalind Beardshaw (illustrator)

Newson, Karl. I’ll Be There. Illustrator Rosalind Beardshaw. Nosy Crow, 2022. Unpaged. $15.99. ISBN 979-888777-0215. Ages 2-5. P9Q9

All over the world, from mountains to jungles back to our own homes, baby animals and parents are depicted in simple colors and graphics. The rhyming verse on each page lets the babies hear encouraging words, such as they will be there for them, that they can do it, and things can be overcome together. The verse is simple yet effective, staying positive on each page.

VERDICT: This was a delightful story. It is simple in verse but the emotions are positive and uplifting for the child. The colorful illustrations draw the child into the happy story, and it would be a good read aloud book. It is nice to have a book for the youngest readers that affirms that a parent will be there no matter what for them.

Review by Lynne Wright.

Book review: Fox Explores the Night, by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Richard Smythe.

Jenkins, Martin. Fox Explores the Night. Illustrated by Richard Smythe. (First Science Storybook series). Candlewick Press, 2022. 30 pages. $8.99 (paperback). ISBN 978-15362-27765. Ages 2-5 years. P9Q9

The fox is hungry, and she waits until dark comes to wander into the town to find a meal. Through this nightly journey, the science of lights, shadows and reflections are explored in simple terms for young readers. The watercolor illustrations give depth and color and bring the story to life.

VERDICT: This is a great mashup of simple science terms and a story about a fox at night for the youngest of readers as a first science book. The pages jump with color and shadows to draw the readers in. One very interesting part of this book is the index that gives some of the science terms and the pages it is covered, as an added incentive to learn.

Review by Lynne Wright.

Book review: Bear Finds Eggs, by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman

Wilson, Karma. Bear Finds Eggs. Illustrated by Jane Chapman. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2024. Unpaged. $18.99. ISBN 978-16659-36552. Ages 4-7. P8Q8

Bear and his friends are leaving little gifts in nests for the eggs first arrival when they go on the hunt for some misplaced eggs from Mama Meadowlark. This story has large colorful illustrations and all of the text rhymes.

VERDICT: I am not a fan of this simple rhyming text on each page, and the plot seemed a bit contrived. But this is part of a series and I am sure fans of Bear and his adventures with his forest pals will be happily received to enjoy as a read- aloud fun time. The illustrations are bold and big, so youngsters will enjoy all the color and activity on each page. In real life, of course, it is probably not a good thing to disturb nests and leave food items for unhatched eggs.

Review by Lynne Wright.

Book review: Frank and Bert, by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros

Naylor-Ballesteros, Chris. Frank and Bert. Nosy Crow, 2022. Unpaged. $17.99. ISBN 979-888-777000-0. Ages 3-6 years. P9Q9

Frank and Bert love playing hide and seek. But one friend isn’t as good as the other playing this game. This is a funny story that has a wonderful and valuable message within. The illustrations are simple but well done. Bert is horrible at this game, but to be a good friend, maybe Frank can let his pal win?

VERDICT: I had a smile on my face for the whole story. The illustrations are charming and loveable, and although the story seems simple, it has a very valuable lesson for young and old about friendship and the goal of winning. This one is a gem.

Review by Lynne Wright.

Book review: Shy Robin and the First Day of School, by Jaime Kim

Kim, Jaime. Shy Robin and the First Day of School. Candlewick Press, 2023. $17.99. ISBN 9781536209297. Unpaged. Ages 3-7. P8Q8

Nervous about the first day of school? This picture book is for you. Robin, a young hippo, is outgoing at home, but as the first day of school approaches she is feeling shy and scared. Mom hippo sends Robin to school with a special headband, reminding Robin that she is a brave hippo. Robin’s first day jitters begin to subside, but when she loses her headband the day threatens to unravel. With the help of a new friend, Robin finishes her first day with a smile on her face. The story is enhanced with the colorful artwork featuring very expressive animals.

Verdict: A great book for children heading into kindergarten. The story takes a child through a typical classroom setting, and the events that happen throughout a school day. This would be an especially helpful book for shy children.

Review by Denyse Marsh.

Book review: Kind Crocodile, by Leo Timmers

Timmers, Leo. Kind Crocodile. Gecko Press, 2023. 29 pages. $16.99 board book. ISBN 978-17765-74704. Ages 3-7 years. P10Q10

A crocodile leaves his usual pond to take a walk. Suddenly, all the animals are in danger and seek shelter on top of the crocodile. This story is full of funny and fabulous images of animals. The text is spare but the action and color is huge in a sturdy board book format.

VERDICT: I loved this one! It made me laugh and the illustrations were fantastic and conveyed the action and emotions. Even the crocodile had a sense of humor. A very fun short story.

Review by Lynne Wright.

Book review: Yoshi and the Ocean: A Sea Turtle’s Incredible Journey Home, by Lindsay Moore

Moore, Lindsay. Yoshi and the Ocean: A Sea Turtle’s Incredible Journey Home. Greenwillow Books, 2022. Unpaged. $18.99. ISBN 9780063060982. Ages 4-9. P9Q9

This picture book tells the remarkable true story of Yoshi, a loggerhead turtle. A small, injured Yoshi is rescued by a Japanese fishing vessel and taken to Two Oceans Aquarium in South Africa to recover. Yoshi was a beloved attraction at the aquarium for twenty years. After staff noticed restless behavior, Yoshi was fitted with a tracking device and returned to the ocean. The book chronicles her amazing journey all the way back to Australian waters where femaleloggerhead sea turtles return to lay their eggs. The illustrations in the book are amazing and include pictures, maps, and labeled diagrams. The backmatter is a book unto itself, full of amazing scientific facts about the journey, loggerhead sea turtles, and the ocean.

Verdict: this is a must for the library and the classroom. Full of interesting scientific vocabulary, teachers can use this book when studying turtles, the ocean, or how scientists use tracking devices to gain information.

Book review by Denyse Marsh.

Book review: The littlest elephant, by Kate Read

Read, Kate. The Littlest Elephant. Peachtree Publishing, 2022. Unpaged. $17.99. ISBN 9781682634943. Ages 3-5. P9Q9

This bright beautiful picture book features a social-emotional story dealing with concepts of shared spaces and boundaries. Ellie the elephant is in a big hurry to get to the pool, and steps on lots of toes as she bounds through the jungle. Along the way she disturbs many creatures including the monkeys, spiders, butterflies and birds. Ellie is stopped in her tracks after a run in with the tiger. Ellie listens, and proceeds with patience as all the jungle friends head to the pool together. Painting, cutting, dyeing, printing and drawing are used in illustrations that make the characters jump off the page as you read.

Verdict:  This sweet book is perfect for introducing children to the importance of personal space. It is a great story time book for the library. Teachers will want to share with in their preschool and kindergarten classrooms.

Book review by Denyse Marsh.

Book review: Blue Baboon Finds Her Tune, by Helen Docherty and Thomas Docherty

Docherty, Helen, and Thomas Docherty. Blue Baboon Finds Her Tune. Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2022.  Unpaged. $14.99. ISBN 9781728238906. Ages 3-5. P8Q9

Simple two-word rhyming phrases and bright, naïve illustrations bring the story of a blue baboon wanting to make music on a moonlit night.  When blue baboon finds a trio of musicians playing in the park, she picks up a bassoon and plays along…badly and out of tune.  The elephant takes the bassoon from her.  But, after a monsoon, when blue baboon decides to ride in a hot air balloon, the elephant gives her the bassoon.  Landing on a deserted beach, blue baboon plays her own music on the bassoon and others come to enjoy her funky jazz, including a new friend, a green baboon who sings along “out of tune.” 

Verdict: The rhymes and cadence are spot on throughout this appealing picture book.  The color saturated, vibrant illustrations are well executed and add to the book’s appeal.  This is a wonderful book—full of vibrant individuality and joy in creativity.  The book is issued without a dust jacket and the cover is decorated with copper-gold metallic lettering for the title and the book’s creators. I recommend this title for preschool and public library collections as well as being a lovely addition to bedtime read-aloud material for young children.

Review by Jane Cothron.