This Is Maine

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-While the appealing cover of a large lobster might suggest a rollicking sea adventure, Blackstone's book is really an early childhood primer on the sights and sounds of our northernmost New England state. Most of the objects noted are associated with the sea, e.g., ``lobster trap,'' ``humpback whale,'' and ``cull,'' while others, such as ``backpacker,'' ``tag sale,'' and ``blueberry patch'' are geared to the interests of landlubbers. Objects are shown in a variety of layouts, from small snapshotlike closeups to double-page spreads. The text is short and predictably phrased. Each line begins with ``This is a...'' and finishes with the name of an object. Segal's soft, pastel watercolors are the strength of this title, for his clear pictures highlight important features of each item. His artwork is simple yet detailed enough to prove interesting, especially in his rendition of an L.L. Bean-like outdoor sporting goods store. This travelogue may not promote much excitement, but it could prove useful in acquainting young children with some of the simple cultural details of life along the northeastern seaboard.-Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI

Kathy Broderick

Blackstone's simple text introduces the quintessential Maine: "This is the rocky coast of Maine. This is a blueberry patch. This is a clambake." Segal provides the perfect watercolors for such an understated text. They are folksy, realistic, and funny. In the two images, for example, that illustrate the words "This is a tourist who looks like a tourist. This is a Mainer who looks like a Mainer," both men are wearing the same outfit but look totally different. The generous use of white space also contributes to the overall laid-back effect, and in the end, this picture book says a lot about a very special part of the U.S. Blackstone, who spends her summers in Maine, concludes her description with these words: "Mainers say visitors are `from Away' because for Mainers, Maine is the only place."