A trio of Maine-themed books to celebrate Maine’s 200th birthday-plus-one Chickadees, Chester and chowder – all present and accounted for. By Amy MacDonald Share In honor of Maine’s bicentennial-plus-one anniversary (March 15), we’re checking out some Maine-themed picture books this week. Cover courtesy of Down East Books Happy Birthday, Maine! Down East Books, 2020 $18.95 Lynn Plourde’s “Happy Birthday, Maine!” is a bicentennial gift to the state from one of Maine’s most prolific children’s authors. When Paul Bunyan and his sidekick Moose decide to throw a huge party for everyone in, or in love with, the state, the result is a book stuffed like a pinata with Maine staples, icons and fascinating factoids, from Chester Greenwood (inventor of earmuffs) to tourtiere pie to Bean boots. It is sure to appeal to librarians and teachers, as well as kids. While purists might regret that the state bird pictured here looks nothing like a chickadee, the illustrations overall are goofy-cute, and the text ropes in enough historic figures and facts to be deemed both nutritional as well as delicious, like the perfect birthday confection.