February 2025 Prime Picks
Reviewer's Choice
Reviewer's Choice
The
Lives and Deaths of the
Princesses of Hesse
Frances Welch
Short Books/Octopus Publishing
9781780725215 $29.99
www.octopusbooksusa.com
The Lives and Deaths of the Princesses of Hesse: The Curious Destinies of Queen Victoria’s Granddaughters tells of how the Queen took a special interest in her motherless grandchildren after her favorite daughter Alice died, attempting to direct their lives in a manner that indicated propriety even as their turn-of-the-century world was changing.
Frances Welch creates the first full-length biography of the Hesse sisters, but goes beyond social and political examination alone to consider the personalities and evolving psyches of these young women.
Hundreds of previously unseen letters of the sisters and the Queen capture the times and special challenges which buffeted the historical status enjoyed by royalty.
This attention to multifaceted details is why The Lives and Deaths of the Princesses of Hesse proves a captivating, epic survey that’s nearly impossible to put down—even for those with relative unfamiliarity with the times or subject. It is very highly recommended for lending libraries strong in British and European history.
Mafia
and Britain
Ross Kemp
Cassell
9781788405638 $26.99
www.octopusbooksusa.com
Mafia and Britain comes from an investigative journalist who focuses on the Mafia’s influence in Britain ... a surprising subject for readers who have traditionally viewed the Mafia as an American affair.
Kemp does more than focus on the UK. He moves from Britain to the U.S. and then to different countries around the world as he traces the evolution of 100 years of Mafia influence.
Readers of organized crime history will especially appreciate the global threads of connection which emerge in Mafia and Britain, making for a much more dynamic, revealing read than the typical localized American Mafia focus.
Libraries will find it a ‘must have’ addition to true crime collections.
Young Adult/Children
Penguin
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
These new picture books are exceptional presentations that deserve profile on elementary-level library bookshelves.
Jane Yolen, Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Jieting Chen’s We Celebrate the Light (9780593752296, $18.99) arrived too late for holiday mention, but should be in any collection that sees seasonal interest in holiday traditions.
Bodhi Day, Diwali, Lunar New Year and Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and Chanukah all receive contrast and attention in a manner that captures the color and warmth of the season and family celebrations. It is perfect for explaining these disparate cultures’ celebrations to the very young.
Seth Fishman’s Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine (9780593662281, $18.99) receives fun illustration by Mark Fearing as it explores a child’s construction of a time machine to visit key moments in world and family history.
However, his main interest lies not in studying, but in fixing his homework. Can a time machine solve the dilemma of homework? An intriguing story about clever schemes emerges, with an important lesson about study habits.
Cinders McLeod’s How Do YOU Spend? (9780593529638, $18.99) is a “moneybunny” book that focuses on a little bunny’s spending habits.
Lessons in savings, opposites, and different ways of spending receive inspection during a concurrent story of ordinary and extraordinary choices, giving, and the difference between needing and wanting. It’s a fine lesson collection parents will welcome as a powerful opportunity to introduce finances and values to the very young.
I’m Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff (9780593462911, $18.99) receives fine illustrations by Julie Kwon as it surveys the mechanics of a genuine apology and considers why this concept proves so difficult for Jack, who is convinced that it isn’t HE who should say he’s sorry.
Spelled out via notes, his dilemmas and concerns come to life for kids, imparting important lessons not just on crafting apologies, but the proper ways to make amends.
These are intriguing, well-done, educational surveys that libraries and read-aloud parents will welcome.
Simon & Schuster
Four new picture book arrivals represent some of the best of Simon and Schuster’s latest publications, and are highly recommended for library acquisition.
Aimee Lucido and Mavisu Dewmirag’s Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta (9781534473638, $18.99) is a joyful romp through family dinners, too many picky eaters, and so much pasta that there simply must be something for everyone.
Recipes for different pastas accompany ringing doorbells that introduce disparate family members who bring the ingredients for special homemade pastas that they’ll enjoy.
Combine a recipe book and overview of pasta varieties with a warm, family-friendly story of discovery for a sense of the appealing fun and practical dishes featured in this picture book.
Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta stands out from the pasta crowd as a warm embrace of family, differences, adaptation—and, of course, pasta.
Jessie Sima’s Cookie Time (9781665936743, $18.99) tells of Kat and Ari, who love celebrating cookie time with their grandfather. It’s a time of sharing experience, recipes, and production, with the hardest facet being awaiting the freshly-baked results.
A time machine might speed up the process, if the two impatient kids can master it. Instead, its visit to different points in time reinforces surprising lessons that Kat and Arti absorb about the cookie-building process, family, and the value of patience.
Read-aloud parents will especially appreciate the whimsical adventure built into this cookie story, which introduces many auxiliary themes about family participation, patience, and discovery.
William “Whoosh!” Joyce’s Rocket Puppies (9781665961332, $18.99) tells of a sad Earth in what should be a happy time. Instead, “bad moods were everywhere.”
Arriving to save this sad day are the Rocket Puppies, who hiccup bubbles, prevent troubles, and are there to make people happy.
Of course, there’s always a stick-in-the-mud. In this case, it’s Snarly McBummerpants, who rules the Island of Woe and may prove too negative even for the positive magic of the Rocket Puppies.
A conflict emerges between forces of woe and positive thinking which features swift, unpredictable action; large print; exceptionally colorful, inviting illustrations; and a story that is both vivid and hard to predict.
Rocket Puppies should be in elementary-level libraries, and also is highly recommended for the collections of read-aloud parents seeking something uplifting and refreshingly different.
Some
Bunny Loves You
Helen Foster James
Sleeping Bear Press
9781534112988 $18.99
www.sleepingbearpress.com
Picture book readers and their read-aloud parents will relish this warm story of a little bunny that spends a day in nature with his parent as they “head out in the wild, to see what we can see. We’ll find what we can find, my cutie, you and me.”
The large print, rhyming verses, uplifting feel of the little bunny’s loving support system, and shared experiences are illustrated by Petra Brown, whose warm drawings bring the bunnies to life.
The emphasis on shared time and adventures together reinforces the notion that love and connection are built on quality shared time and experiences.
This keepsake edition includes a special page to write a letter and add a photo, reinforcing the book’s loving message and its opportunity to be included in a home library collection for re-reading and posterity.