Book Review: Hello, Neighbor: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers by Matthew Cordell

Hello, Neighbor: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers
by Matthew Cordell (j Biography Rogers)

This is the story of Fred Rogers, the man who became known to millions of children as Mister Rogers, the genial host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood on PBS for 900 episodes, until the series wrapped production in 2001. This book is partially a biography of Rogers, in fairly simplistic “picture book” form, and partially a look at the “making of” and “behind-the-scenes” of his legendary television series.

 

Author Cordell was the 2018 Caldecott Medalist for his book Wolf in the Snow, and he brings his traditional art style to this story — capturing the essence of Fred Rogers (and other recognizable faces), without being slavish to realistic details. However, it is actually in the artistic details that some hidden gems are found, which you’ll find listed in a visual glossary at the end of the book.

 

Having grown up in the late 1960s and early 1970s — I was 5 when Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood premiered nationally in 1968 — I fondly remember the lessons of kindness, acceptance and appreciation taught in those episodes. I know that episodes of the series are available for viewing online. I only hope that the positive messages and Rogers’ gentle approach to child psychology can still find an audience with kids today, who are more accustomed to a higher-energy style of television programming.

 

(If you enjoy this, obviously, I recommend tracking down Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood episodes in any format you can find them, or the modern successor, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Two films were released just a few years ago which I highly recommend — the touching and emotional documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor (2017) and the feature film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2018), in which Tom Hanks did a fine job portraying Rogers.)

 

( official Fred Rogers Institute web site ) | ( official Matthew Cordell web site )

 

See Scott C.’s review of The World According to Mister Rogers in the June 2017 Staff Recommendations here on BookGuide!
See Scott C’s review of the documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor? in the November 2018 Staff Recommendations here on BookGuide!
See Scott C’s review of the movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood in the April 2020 Staff Recommendations here on BookGuide!
See Scott C’s review of Everything I Need to Know I Learned From Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in the May 2020 Staff Recommendations here on BookGuide!

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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Book Review: What's Your Favorite Animal?

What’s Your Favorite Animal?
by Eric Carle and Friends (jP Carle)

This is a fun collection of drawings and anecdotes by award-winning picture book illustrators and author-illustrators. Included are Mo Willems, Lucy Cousins, Rosemary Wells, Nick Bruel, and 10 others including Mr. Carle. There are also short biographic entries about all the authors at the back of the book, as well as information about the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. No matter how old you are, favorite art and stories are always valid interests.

 

( official Eric Carle web site )

 

Recommended by Becky W.C.
Walt Branch Library

 

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide Blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!

Book Review: Be the Bus - The Lost & Profound Wisdom of the Pigeon by Mo Willems

Be the Bus: The Lost & Profound Wisdom of the Pigeon
by Mo Willems (817 Wil)

A humorous adult book of aphorisms and comments from The Pigeon of the children’s picture book series Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems. No surprise, he’s either the victim or the hero in these sayings as the pigeon just cannot understand why he’s not allowed to drive the bus:

 

A sample of his comments:

‘Genius is seldom recognized. THAT is why I wear a name tag.’
‘Dropped food is gravity’s way of sharing.’

 

And a sample of his other planned books:
‘You’re Okay, I’m Awesome’
‘Speed: An Analysis of Cinema’s Greatest Achievement’

 

A quick, funny read that is satisfying. Be sure to read the introduction by The (long-suffering) Bus Driver.

 

If you’re unfamiliar with The Pigeon and curious about the books, be sure to read Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late, and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh.

 

(If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Revenge of the Librarians by Tom Gauld, or Death Wins a Goldfish: Reflections from a Grim Reaper’s Yearlong Sabbatical by Brian Rea.)

 

( official Be the Bus page on the official Mo Willems web site )

 

Recommended by Charlotte M.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide Blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!

Book Review: Finding Home by Esteli Meza

Finding Home

by Esteli Meza (jP Meza)

 

This quick and easy read, about Conejo looking for his home that has recently blown away, is about the importance of friendship during our most difficult times. A few of his friends each try to help him find his house, but when it cannot be found, they offer gifts of the heart and other mementos. This book is in English, but the characters’ names are the animals’ names in Spanish. This book does not rush or abandon the grief process, but instead shows how being a caring friend can help carry a friend through traumatic circumstances. This reminded me of many other books I have read that deal with social-emotional concepts for children. It is a very valuable addition to our library.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld, The Lion and The Bird by Marianne Dubuc, May I Come In? by Marsha Diane Arnold, Shelter by Céline Claire, Thanks to the Animals by Allan Sockabasin, Rabbityness by Jo Empson, “I Have a Little Problem,” Said the Bear by Heinz Janisch or My Friends / Mis Amigos by Taro Gomi.]

[ publisher’s official Finding Home web site ] | [ semi-official Esteli Meza web page ]

 

Recommended by Naomi S.
Eiseley Branch Library

 

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide Blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!

Book Review: Stella's Stellar Hair by Yesenia Moises

Stella’s Stellar Hair

by Yesenia Moises (jP Moises)

 

This book has a cover of a brown-skinned girl with big, curly hair. We can also see a few outlines of stars and a little dipper constellation on the cover. This story is set in our solar system with a few planetary facts that complement Stella’s great head of hair. Since Stella has a gala to attend today, she wants her hair to be perfect for the event. Her mom encourages her to visit her aunts, who live on other planets, to see if they can give her the perfect hairdo. Although I wouldn’t necessarily use this to teach about our solar system, I think what it says about the way hair acts in different environments could definitely help a young child understand that their hair is perfect and normal no matter how different it looks from day to day. As a curly-haired reader, I found this book to be very lovely.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Hair Love by Matthew Cherry, Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o, Bedtime Bonnet by Nancy Amanda Redd, Cool Cuts by Mechal Renee Roe, Super Hair-o and the Barber of Doom by John Rocco, Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow or Crown by Derrick Barnes.]

[ official Yesenia Moises web site ]

 

Recommended by Naomi S.
Eiseley Branch Library

 

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide Blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!

Book Review: What Ollie Saw by Joukje Akveld

What Ollie Saw

by Joukje Akveld (jP Akveld)

 

How do you see the world? Your view is a lot more fun if you have an imagination. What Ollie Saw is a sweet story about Ollie, but not his older sister! Ollie is a little pig who perceives the world as an entertaining place. His bossy sister, however, thinks it’s really boring.

 

When the pigs go out to have “Family Time” with their mom and dad, Ollie’s sister is uninterested by the sights around them. But not Ollie. While she sees boring old cows, Ollie sees dangerous bison who have sharp horns and hooves. Even in school Ollie uses his imagination. A’s on the chalkboard become birds flapping around with pointy noses.

 

And so his teacher — and mother — and father — and sister — insist that Ollie get glasses. But now when he wears his glasses, cows look like cows. A’s look like A’s. Are the glasses better they ask? “Well no,” he says. At least, not if he doesn’t wear them all the time.

 

What Ollie Saw offers a whimsical look at what life can be like if only we are willing to use our imagination. It’s well worth the read.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Milo Imagines the World by Matt De La Pena.]

[ official English-language Joukje Akveld web site ]

 

Recommended by Cindy K.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide Blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!

Book Review: I am Smart, I am Blessed, I Can Do Anything by Alissa Holder

I am Smart, I am Blessed, I Can Do Anything
by Alissa Holder (jP Holder)

This sweet picture book by Allissa Holder and Zulekha Holder-Young teaches readers that being positive in your thoughts, words, and actions can make a day go from good to bad.

 

Little Ayaan is feeling unsure of himself. He has worries, like that he isn’t smart and won’t know the answers at school. He doesn’t think it will be a good day. However, his mom reminds him of the positive things he should remember when he feels unsure: “I am smart, I am blessed, and I can do anything.” And armed with his positive mindset he is ready to walk into his class and tackle the day.

The lesson in this book is a wonderful reminder for all of us, ages 2 to 102. Whenever worries and self-doubt are nagging, using the power of our own words can help us do anything we put our mind to.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try I Promise by LeBron James or I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes.]

[ publisher’s official I am Smart, I am Blessed, I Can Do Anything web site ]

 

Recommended by Cindy K.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide Blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!

Book Review: Over the River and Through the Wood: A Holiday Adventure by Linda Ashman and Kim Smith

Over the River and Through the Wood: A Holiday Adventure
by Linda Ashman (writer) and Kim Smith (illustrator) (jp Ashman)

 A contemporary retelling of the beloved classic. The front double-page shows the family photos of the siblings, then their families receiving their note card from the grandparents inviting them for the holidays. There’s the white couple w/children; a biracial couple with a child; a biracial, gay couple w/adopted children; and an older couple w/adopted, foreign-born twins.

 

Cute, short rhyming paragraphs tell the story of each family as they travel to the grandparents’ home. The family in the van runs out of gas but are rescued by a fellow driving a large, horse-drawn sleigh. Another family arrives by train, however, all the rental cars are gone – but look! The guy with the sleigh is going by. Each family meets with trouble while completing the journey and in the end every family is in the sleigh riding together to the grandparents’ house who welcome everyone with open arms.

 

There’s room for everyone at the table.

 

Bright, two-page illustrations with lots of details add to the story.

[ official Over the River and Through the Wood page on the official Linda Ashman web site ] [ official Kim Smith web site ]

 

Recommended by Charlotte M.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide Blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!

Book Review: Can I Give You a Squish? by Emily Neilson

Can I Give You a Squish?
by Emily Neilson (jP Neilson)

 

This adorably-illustrated book is a great way to teach children to ask before hugging anyone. Although some of us are especially comfortable hugging, be it with family or strangers, COVID-19 has given us extra reasons to be extra careful. Not only do we need to be aware of everyone’s 6-foot bubble these days, but we also need to be aware that not everyone enjoys being hugged. This book reminds us of our options for showing love to our friends. I would encourage everyone to continue imagining what friendship looks like now that we need additional safety measures in place.

 

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try I Like It When, by Mary Murphy or Will Ladybug Hug?, by Hilary Leung.]

 

[ publisher’s official Can I Give You a Squish? web page ] | [ official Emily Neilson web site ]

 

Recommended by Naomi S.
Eiseley Branch Library

 

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide Blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!

Book Review: Federico and the Wolf by Rebecca J. Gomez

Federico and the Wolf
by Rebecca J. Gomez (jP Gomez)

Federico is on his way to his abuelo’s house, wearing his red hoodie, to make salsa together. A terrific re-telling of the Little Red Riding Hood story. A few basic Spanish words are sprinkled throughout the story to introduce a non-Spanish speaker to the language. Wonderful rhyming, a fun story, includes what the author calls “the best salsa recipe,” and Spanish/English translation included at the back.

[ publisher’s official Federico and the Wolf web page ] | [ official Rebecca J. Gomez web site ]

Recommended by Charlotte M.
Bennett Martin Public Library – Public Service

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!