A very simple book with short sentences for very young readers, this story written and illustrated by the talented Brendan Wenzel is the story of two A very simple book with short sentences for very young readers, this story written and illustrated by the talented Brendan Wenzel is the story of two friends and the journey they take together where both fun and frightening things happen. The rhyme is masterful and I enjoyed how the illustrations were either dark or light depending on the time of day....more
I heard the author read this book and speak about it and instantly fell in love with the story. It is a story of loss and grief, but it is also the stI heard the author read this book and speak about it and instantly fell in love with the story. It is a story of loss and grief, but it is also the story of finding new connections and learning to move on. Truely well written and illustrated, this story is a must read!...more
What a lovely cumulative story about animals in the forest. It starts with a mischievious mouse who disturbs a rabbit and so on and so forth until theWhat a lovely cumulative story about animals in the forest. It starts with a mischievious mouse who disturbs a rabbit and so on and so forth until the forest is so noisy that a resting bear is disturbed. Author Charlotte Offsay deftly brings the story back around with each animal calming each other. And Abi Cushman's illustrations are beyond adorable. A story kids will surely love!...more
I was sent a digital copy of this book for my unbiased review and read it with a smile. The adorable illustrations and the concept that having a heartI was sent a digital copy of this book for my unbiased review and read it with a smile. The adorable illustrations and the concept that having a heart for Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas, made this book a joy to read. The story was also a good reminder for children and adults alike to remember that things don't always have to be perfect....more
When a young girl sees the little red chair in the antique store, she knows it's just right for her and the little chair feels the same. But as she grWhen a young girl sees the little red chair in the antique store, she knows it's just right for her and the little chair feels the same. But as she grows, the little chair is forgotten and ends up sad and alone in the attic of her parents new, smaller home. The story comes full circle when the girl turns into a women and her own daughter discovers the chair once again. A beautifully told and adorably illustrated story with gentle undertones of wanting to belong, The Little Red Chair is sure to become a classic! As a person who loves antique shopping, refinishing, and upcycling as well as charmingly told stories, I was sure I was going to love this book. I was right! And I'm sure children everywhere will love it as well....more
This story uses beautiful words and is also beautifully illustrated, but the message wasn't as clear to me as I would have liked it to be. I was left This story uses beautiful words and is also beautifully illustrated, but the message wasn't as clear to me as I would have liked it to be. I was left feeling that the MC didn't really find a way to overcome her problem on her own but instead the problem just seemed to miraculously take care of itself....more
This book has a poignant sadness about it. When Kao Kalia moves to America, she quietly notices how people treat her parent's as they do their best toThis book has a poignant sadness about it. When Kao Kalia moves to America, she quietly notices how people treat her parent's as they do their best to learn and speak English. The impatience and lack of respect they recieve causes Kao to stop speaking English at school as a form of protest that even she doesn't quite understand. Based on the Kao's real life experience, this story is deftly illustrated by Jiemei Lin with muted colors that leaves the reader feeling the sadness as much as Kao's words. The offer of friendship from Julia Chang at the end of the story, and Kao's belief that they might somehow at sometime become friends, left me with a glimmer of hope that in the end all would be well for Kao. ...more
I often hear that agents and editors want books with heart. Sometimes that is hard to define, but after reading Where Wildflowers Grow, I'd venture toI often hear that agents and editors want books with heart. Sometimes that is hard to define, but after reading Where Wildflowers Grow, I'd venture to say this is what a book with heart looks like! The author's story of how her family migrated from Vietnam to the United States is a touching story of leaving everything familiar, including friends, to pursue a dream of a better life.
In addition, the beautiful illustrations add dimension to this lovingly told story which I think will be highly enjoyed by parents, teachers, and children alike! ...more
A beautiful book both text and illustration wise telling all about the different feeling a child can experience. Told in beautiful rhyme and accompaniA beautiful book both text and illustration wise telling all about the different feeling a child can experience. Told in beautiful rhyme and accompanied by adorable and bright illustrations, this book is a definite must read for the three to six age range!...more
This book for young children has a nice to read rhyming text about How Animals show affection and subtext that explains a little deeper. The illustratThis book for young children has a nice to read rhyming text about How Animals show affection and subtext that explains a little deeper. The illustrations are absolutely adorable, and the back matter includes extra information on each of the animals listed in the book. And while your at it, be sure to look at the beautiful end papers!...more
When the author sent me a review copy of this book, I was exceedingly pleased to find it was anything but the ordinary three little pigs retelling. I When the author sent me a review copy of this book, I was exceedingly pleased to find it was anything but the ordinary three little pigs retelling. I truly enjoyed the way she shared with kids all the elements of writing a great story in a fun new way with familiar characters. It was especially amusing when the pigs and the wolf took over the story telling and wrote the writer out of the picture. The illustrator brought added dimension with adorable art work. Definitely a good read for budding authors or fans of fairy tale retellings!...more
Many years ago I reviewed Patricia's first Amanda book and I'm happy to see that she has continued to write in an effort to encourage children to realMany years ago I reviewed Patricia's first Amanda book and I'm happy to see that she has continued to write in an effort to encourage children to realize God is there to help with their grief and loss, anxieties, and fears as only he can. The colorful illustrations are beautiful and adds to each of the stories whose central figure is Amanda the angel....more
One of the things I love about 12x12pb is the monthly book chats where authors read their latest books. This month I heard Hope Lin read Sour Grass whOne of the things I love about 12x12pb is the monthly book chats where authors read their latest books. This month I heard Hope Lin read Sour Grass which is one of the most beautiful books about how friendships change and how to deal with that. The colorful illustrations and end papers by Shahrzad Maydani added layers to the story filling in the gaps that words alone can't express and making this book a perfect marriage between text and art. We've all had that friend that has moved away or simply ended up going down another life path, but as Lin shows in Sour Grass, we always have the beautiful memories!...more
This lyrical story is beautifully written and illustrated and is the story of a young girl and her mother taking a trip to see the whales her grandfatThis lyrical story is beautifully written and illustrated and is the story of a young girl and her mother taking a trip to see the whales her grandfather loved so much. Although they are sad by his loss, they continue on and find comfort knowing the whales are there even though they don't see them which to me was sort of metaphorical....more
If you are looking for funny this is the book for you. When Bear finds a book and Owl teaches him to read, he finds he isn't content. So on a found biIf you are looking for funny this is the book for you. When Bear finds a book and Owl teaches him to read, he finds he isn't content. So on a found bicycle, he heads to the city in search of more books. When he is turned away from the school and the library, he sadly heads for home; but then ... he finds a library where a kindly librarian invites him in and tells him books are for everyone. So Bear gets himself a library card, checks out a stack of books, and heads home where he happily spends his days contentedly reading to his friends!...more
My new favorite thing is to hear the author read there book. It brings such depth to the story and Yewande's reading was no exception. A story about aMy new favorite thing is to hear the author read there book. It brings such depth to the story and Yewande's reading was no exception. A story about a Nigerian princess who becomes king after her father dies, The Little Regent is about learning to rule by serving which is something we should all practice. And despite being a child of eight and a female, the MC becomes beloved by those in her community because not only does she listen, she uses her position to help those less fortunate. In addition, the bright and colorful illustrations by Ken Daily bring to life the beautiful village and palace the new king lives in and offers so much detail you will want to read this story again and again for fear you will have missed something....more
This was another great story I was able to hear the author read aloud, and I really connected with it. The idea that a family includes anyone importanThis was another great story I was able to hear the author read aloud, and I really connected with it. The idea that a family includes anyone important in your life and not just people born to your family is an idea my family has always embraced. I love the that Wombat looks and looks for his something and finally figures out he's an artist just like the author. I also love how encouraging his family was while he tried to figure out what special thing he was good at. Well done Marietta!...more
I had the privilege of hearing Sylvia read this sweet, encouraging, story out loud; and I rooted for Jenny Chow to master the use of chopsticks and taI had the privilege of hearing Sylvia read this sweet, encouraging, story out loud; and I rooted for Jenny Chow to master the use of chopsticks and take down her cousin in the annual family chopstick challenge. This book is all kinds of fun from gorgeous endpapers and illustrations by Fanny Liem to the back matter and all the play on words in between. I've always wanted to be able to use chopsticks, but could never quite get the hang of it. Maybe I will try again thanks to this beautiful Asian flavored story!...more
I borrowed this book, by Stacy McAnulty, from the library and thought it would be a good read. And I was right. Not only was it a good read about a giI borrowed this book, by Stacy McAnulty, from the library and thought it would be a good read. And I was right. Not only was it a good read about a girl who starts out wanting 100 dogs and ends up with one, but the ending totally took me by surprise and made me laugh out loud. The fun illustrations by Claire Keane added to the hilarity of the story as the girl's parents try to talk her out of 100 dogs by emphasizing the responsibilities. The page on multiple dogs pooing in the yard and the look of horror on the girl's face will have children giggling for sure!...more
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