Review - Get Me Out of This Book!

Get Me Out of This Book!
by Kalli Dakos & Deborah Cholette
illustrated by Sara Infante
Date: 2019
Publisher: Holiday House
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

"GET ME OUT OF THIS BOOK!" shouts Max. Max is a scaredy-cat bookmark until he learns 3 rules for being brave--breathe deeply, make a plan, and think positive thoughts!

When Max the bookmark went into a scary book, he couldn't LOOK and he SHOOK and he SCREAMED, "GET ME OUT OF THIS BOOK!"

Then he learned to (1) breathe deeply, (2) make a plan, and (3) think positive thoughts--techniques used by the Navy SEALs. Max put his new tools into practice and now he's brave enough to face a snake, yucky bugs, and even a seven-headed monster!

Every book comes with its very own Max, the bookmark!

This humorous story packs a big punch as it introduces children to mindfulness, self-regulation, self-control, and other techniques for dealing with stress and overcoming fear.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I think I can honestly say that I've never come across a book with this premise before. Max is a bookmark who's afraid of the pictures in books! So he goes to school to overcome his fears and get his Special Bookmark Badge.

Max uses (of all things) Navy SEAL techniques for dealing with his issues. The book works as a story about overcoming your fears, but it also functions as a basic instruction manual for the techniques (breathe deeply, make a plan, and think positive thoughts) so that kids can practice these things with their own scary situations.

A unique premise with a good message makes this a book worth checking out.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - Alfred's Book of Monsters

Alfred's Book of Monsters
by Sam Streed
Date: 2019
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

With nods to Tim Burton, Edward Gorey, and Neil Gaiman, this humorous picture book about a Victorian boy obsessed with monsters presents a dark and appealing world, created by debut author/illustrator Sam Streed.

In the graveyard, between stone monuments for forgotten souls, lurks the Black Shuck. . . . Its one blood-red eye burns with an undying rage.

After reading about the slimy Nixie, the angry Black Shuck, and the creepy Lantern Man in his beloved Book of Monsters, Alfred decides to invite the monsters to teatime with his crusty old aunty, who thinks monsters are an improper obsession for a respectable young boy.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Suitable for the Halloween season, Alfred's Book of Monsters is about a young boy who, tired of the same "delightful" tea parties with his aunt, decides to shake things up a bit by inviting the monsters he's read about in his favourite book.

The story was over before I knew it, leaving me feeling as though the ending—as amusing as it was—was somewhat abrupt. Kids will likely side with Alfred as he turns a stodgy teatime into a fun and scary romp.

Overall, this is a decent book for those looking for tales about monsters.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - Llama Llama Holiday Helper

Llama Llama Holiday Helper
based on the books by Anna Dewdney
illustrated by J. J. Harrison
Date: 2020
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Licenses
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Celebrate the holidays with Llama Llama and all his friends in this beautifully illustrated picture book, based on the hit animated Netflix series!

Look out, world--Llama Llama is a TV star! The beloved character, made famous by Anna Dewdney's best-selling picture books, is the star of his own original series, now airing on Netflix.

In this beautiful picture book, Llama Llama and Mama Llama are just about done with getting ready for the holidays. So Llama decides to help out his friends -- hanging wreaths, decorating trees, and baking cookies. Join Llama, Gilroy, Nelly, Euclid, and Luna as they celebrate their favorite time of year.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I love the original Llama Llama picture books by Anna Dewdney. I've checked out the animated Netflix series and wasn't that impressed; the show is nowhere near as charming as the rhyming storybooks. So I wasn't sure I would enjoy this holiday picture book that's based on the TV series.

The story is decent and the illustrations are adequate. That's really about all I can say. It's very simplistic and aimed at young readers.

If your kids love the show, they'll probably like this book. But I would still recommend the original picture books over these tie-ins; even the shorter board books have an element of charm that this type of glossy, Hollywood picture book lacks.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.67 out of 5

Review - The Ugly Pony

The Ugly Pony
by Angharad Thompson Rees
Date: 2017
Publisher: Little Whimsey Press
Reading level: C
Book type: illustrated chapter book
Pages: 54
Format: e-book
Source: Kobo

A sweet story, gorgeously illustrated by the author, The Ugly Pony tells the journey of an awkward pony galloping on bravely through bullies and hecklers. A beautiful retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's classic, The Ugly Duckling, with a touch of unicorn magic!

About The Ugly Pony: When strange-looking pony Bella is born at a prize-winning stud yard, nobody wants to be her friend. She looks too different to fit in. Now, with the showing season looming and the prize-winning ponies heckling her, Bella must find her own inner beauty or risk getting bullied forever...

(synopsis from Goodreads)

A few days ago, my router decided to have a brain fart. Stuck with only what was downloaded onto my computer for reading material, I decided to give this freebie a try. Let's just say that I was glad when I had access to the internet again.

Now, The Ugly Pony isn't terrible. It's a basic retelling of "The Ugly Duckling" but with ponies and unicorns taking the place of ducks and swans. Unfortunately, the creativity doesn't extend much further than that. The story unfolds in pretty much the same way as the original, but without the logic. At least I can understand how an egg might end up in the wrong nest. How does a pony end up giving birth to a unicorn (unless Bella's mother got frisky with a magical visitor)?

The illustrations are underwhelming. I get that this is an illustrated chapter book and not a picture book. But the black-and-white drawings didn't excite me at all. I think colour illustrations (similar to what's on the cover) would've made this a more appealing book, at least aesthetically. The writing itself has a few problems that an editor should've caught, and it's not all that engaging.

If I were to recommend this, I'd probably only recommend it to kids who haven't read too many versions of the original story before. When you're retelling a classic tale, you either need to have spectacular illustrations or you need to add a twist that makes people sit up and take notice. This book has neither, unfortunately, so I can't really recommend it.

Plot: 2/5
Characters: 2/5
Pace: 3/5
Writing & Editing: 2/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 1/5

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 1.75 out of 5

Review - Why?

Why?
by Adam Rex
illustrated by Claire Keane
Date: 2019
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 60
Format: e-book
Source: library

A sweet and appealing tale for anyone familiar with the universal tendency of young children to always ask WHY? When supervillain Doctor X-Ray swoops in threatening to vanquish an innocent crowd, the only one brave enough not to run away is a little girl, who asks him simply, "Why?" He is taken aback—but he answers. She keeps asking. And he keeps answering—until a surprising truth is uncovered, and the villain is thwarted.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Why? is sort of a therapy session between a would-be supervillain and a little girl, expressed in a comic-book format.

Doctor X-Ray swoops into the mall one day, threatening to take over the world. The only person who doesn't run is a little girl, who begins to question him with one simple word: Why? As the story comes out, we learn why the bad guy turned bad, and why he wants to accomplish his goal. There's actually a lot of story packed into this book, which is a quick read, despite its length.

The blurb recommends this book to kids between 3 and 5, but I think the actual message and humour would be lost on them. Older children (as well as parents) are more likely to understand what's going on, and depending on their age, will get why the repeated question is so amusing.

The illustrations by Claire Keane, though simple, work perfectly with the narrative. It's fun to see the duo of villain and child make their way through the mall, sharing snacks, sliding down bannisters, and even playing in the coin-operated ride-on toys.

Overall, this is a fun little picture book. Don't let its length put you off. The amusing ending is something you won't want to miss.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5

Review - A Kite for Moon

A Kite for Moon
by Jane Yolen & Heidi E. Y. Stemple
illustrated by Matt Phelan
Date: 2019
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

A Kite for Moon, written by New York Times bestselling author of How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? Jane Yolen and her daughter, Heidi E. Y. Stemple, tells a heartfelt story about a young boy's fascination and unlikely friendship with the moon. With whimsical illustrations by award-winning artist Matt Phelan, the story begins when the little boy, who is flying his kite, notices a sad Moon. He sends up kites to her, even writing notes to Moon promising he will come see her someday. This promise propels him through years and years of studying, learning, and training to be an astronaut! Dedicated to Neil Armstrong, and a perfect children's book to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first United States moon landing, the cover of this book will captivate readers with eye-catching spot UV, foil, and embossing.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

A Kite for Moon starts off fine, but I expected more of an emotional punch. Moon is lonely as she looks down at Earth. A little boy notices that she's sad and sends kites up to her to cheer her up. As he grows, he studies science and eventually becomes an astronaut so that he can actually pay Moon a visit.

The illustrations are cute, but the story is very sparse. It would work in a classroom as an introduction to a unit on the space program. However, as a book for pure reading enjoyment, it falls a little flat.

Kids who are really interested in space will likely be underwhelmed by this. Find them a good non-fiction book instead.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.67 out of 5

Review - In My Garden

In My Garden
by Charlotte Zolotow
illustrated by Philip Stead
Date: 2020
Publisher: Neal Porter Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

Welcome the outdoors inside for story time with this classic tale of a garden changing through the seasons.

A young girl and her older companion watch birds, fly a kite, plant flowers, and play in the snow, watching flowers bloom and leaves fall as the year passes.

This quiet story celebrates the simple joys found close to home, and the importance of sharing those experiences with the ones you love. A perfect story time pick for any season, In My Garden explores the natural marvels of the world around us and encourages young readers to think about what they love best throughout the year.

Written by picture book master Charlotte Zolotow and originally published in 1960, this elegant reimagining of In My Garden features all-new illustrations by accomplished author-illustrator Philip Stead. His delicate illustrations and gentle, colorful palette bring new life and meaning to this classic tale-- a beautiful tribute to the experience of childhood, and a thank you to a master storyteller.

(synopsis from Amazon.ca; see it on Goodreads)

The text of this book has been around since 1960, so I may have read the original as a kid (I honestly don't remember; it didn't ring any bells, but I know we read quite a few Charlotte Zolotow books). This version, published in 2020, features new illustrations by Philip Stead.

It's a lovely, gentle picture book about the passage of a year. A young girl states what she likes best about each of the seasons, and also what she likes doing in each season. The illustrations are rough, yet somehow work with the simplicity of the story.

I'd recommend this one to fans of Zolotow, as well as to those looking for picture books about seasons.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - One Little Bag: An Amazing Journey

One Little Bag: An Amazing Journey
by Henry Cole
Date: 2020
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

A wordless book that starts from a tall tree growing in the forest-
to the checkout counter at the grocery store-
one brown bag finds its way into the hands of a young boy on the eve of his first day of school.

And so begins the journey of one brown bag that is used
and re-used
and re-used again.

In a three-generation family, the bag is transporter of objects and keeper of memories. And when Grandfather comes to the end of his life, the family finds a meaningful new way for the battered, but much-loved brown bag to continue its journey in the circle of life.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Somehow, Henry Cole is able to tell a story without any words at all. This is the story of a paper bag as it travels through the generations of one family, gathering love until it finally comes full circle and returns to its place of origin.

The detailed illustrations are lovely, and the paper bag--set off in brown--is the main character in this unique picture book. It starts out being a vessel for a little boy's lunch, but its uses become more varied as the boy grows up and has a family of his own.

The story is sweet enough (it put me in mind of the opening sequence of the movie Up, though it's not nearly as sad), but the author's note at the end, where he talks about his own well-loved paper bag, is icing on the cake. The whole thing is a wonderful message about using things that still have life left in them; there's no reason to throw out a lot of the things we do.

I'd recommend this book to pretty much everyone. The wordless format means that even young children can watch the story unfold on their own.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: n/a
Illustrations: 5/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.6 out of 5

Review - Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao
by Kat Zhang
illustrated by Charlene Chua
Date: 2019
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Aladdin
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

Meet the funny, fierce, and fearless Amy Wu, who is determined to make a perfect bao bun today. Can she rise to the occasion?

Amy loves to make bao with her family. But it takes skill to make the bao taste and look delicious. And her bao keep coming out all wrong.

Then she has an idea that may give her a second chance…Will Amy ever make the perfect bao?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao is about a little girl who wants to make the perfect steamed bun. But her bao are always too small, too large, too full, too empty, or just too messy. When her family spends the day making bao, Amy tries to make the perfect one... but just can't manage it. She's frustrated, but then she comes up with a solution.

The illustrations by Charlene Chua are really adorable, and the whole premise is liable to get some stomachs growling (there's even a recipe in the back so you can make your own bao). But I'm not sold on Amy's solution to the problem; it doesn't make a lot of sense. How does cutting the dough in half result in her making the perfect-sized bun? I feel like I'm missing something.

But the message about persevering is good, and I enjoyed seeing the bao-making as a family activity. It's a cute picture book, and the bit of weakness in the plot is made up for by the darling illustrations and the nice message.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - The Snark

The Snark
by Justin Davis
illustrated by Stephanie Jayne
Date: 2020
Publisher: Blue Falcon Publishing
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

"What's a Snark?" I hear you cry.

Night-time can be scary and this delightfully illustrated story shows us how natural those fears are. Once children can identify and understand their fears, they can begin to overcome them, and we can all have a good night's sleep!

This story reveals that when we are brave and face our fears, they are often not as scary as we first thought!

Told in lyrical prose and with a dash of humour, this light-hearted story will help you and your child deal with night-time anxieties in a safe and reassuring way.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

If you like fart books, you might enjoy this.

The Snark is a nicely illustrated, rhyming tale about a creature that lurks in the darkness, waiting to eat children. While the ending is reassuring (albeit somewhat insulting to dads), the build-up struck me as kind of scary. The monster is frightening, and some more sensitive children might not make it all the way to the end so they can see scary transform into silly. In that respect, I'm not sure how well this would work as a book for helping children overcome their fears; if they're too scared to read it, what's the point?

The blurb says this is told in "lyrical prose", but it's actually written in rhyming verse that does have a decent rhythm and some repeating refrains that are kind of fun.

I didn't love this, but I do think it could have an audience for certain kids... especially if they like to be scared.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Falcon Publishing for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 2/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.71 out of 5

Review - Not Yet a Yeti

Not Yet a Yeti
by Lou Treleaven
illustrated by Tony Neal
Date: 2019
Publisher: Maverick Arts
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Everyone in George's family is a yeti--everyone except George. When he asks why he is not yet a yeti, each family member tells George that he needs to be bigger, scarier, and more ferocious! But George might want to be something else instead.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

While the overall message about being yourself is fine, Not Yet a Yeti oversimplifies things to the point of being unhelpful.

George was born into a yeti family. But he's not yet a yeti. In fact, when it comes right down to it, George doesn't want to be a yeti. He doesn't want to scare hikers, let alone eat them. He'd rather be something else. And so that's what he does.

The inclusion of the rainbow further hints that this book is a metaphor for LGBT+ issues. Unfortunately, George's family is pretty unrealistic in their acceptance of his desire to be something else. (We're not even talking here about sexuality or gender. George identifies as a different species altogether!) While showing a supportive family is nice, it's not going to help kids whose families aren't as accepting. George really didn't have to overcome anything; he just had to be himself and, while that should be enough, it isn't always.

If I were going to give this book to kids who were dealing with sexuality or gender issues of their own, I'd want to make sure they had a good support system in place. Otherwise, a book like this might be like rubbing salt into a wound.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.5 out of 5

Review - Sweety

Sweety
by Andrea Zuill
Date: 2019
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

From the author of Wolf Camp comes the story of a charming, mushroom-loving, headgear-wearing, totally awkward naked mole rat who is looking for like-minded peeps.

Sweety is awkward, even for a naked mole rat. She has protruding front teeth, thick glasses, and some very unusual hobbies, including interpretive dance and fungus identification. She's intense and passionate--and her peers don't always get her. But surely there are other mushroom lovers out there? As Sweety sets out to find them, she comes to realize--with a little help from her cool Aunt Ruth-- that being Sweety is actually pretty awesome. With heart and humor and a whole lot of charm, Andrea Zuill delivers a story about learning to embrace everything that makes you you--and that's something many kids are going to relate to.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Sweety is a naked mole rat (don't worry... she wears clothes) who marches to her own beat. Whether it's doing her book report through interpretive dance or obsessing over mushrooms, Sweety has her own way of doing things. But this means that she often feels like the odd one out. The only one who really gets her is Aunt Ruth, who tells Sweety that she just needs to find her people... and to do that, she just needs to be herself.

The message is one of hope for those who feel like outsiders. I can't fault that at all (although, I'm still waiting to find my people after a few decades, so it's not as easy as it sounds). The illustrations are kind of hilarious, but in the best way. Sweety is so awkward with her glasses and orthodontia, but she's a girl who knows who she is, and she's happy doing what she loves (even if others don't always understand). The characters are all rendered with the same charm and the details in the pictures are quite cute.

I'd definitely recommend this book to kids who might be having a hard time fitting in. But the message to be yourself is always a good one, whether you're still looking for your people or you've already found them.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - Ducks!

Ducks!
by Deborah Underwood
illustrated by T. L. McBeth
Date: 2020
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

A duck who wanders away from the rest of the flock must find the way back.

Ducks. Ducks? NO DUCKS!

Duck wanders away from the pond for a moment and returns to find the other ducks gone! Searching high and low, Duck discovers many clues around the city--footprints, feathers, eggs--but no ducks. Will Duck's feathered friends finally be found?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I enjoyed this one more than I thought I might when I first started.

I picked it up because I've enjoyed Deborah Underwood's books in the past. A writing credit for this seems a stretch, though, because the majority of the text consists of "Ducks?" and "No ducks." The illustrations are very simple, but they work.

This is almost a wordless picture book, but it manages to tell a story. A duck is distracted by a butterfly, and when it looks around to find its friends, they're all missing! It then proceeds to search for the missing ducks, only to be thwarted with lookalike clues that lead it momentarily astray. Will the duck ever find its friends?

Very young children will probably appreciate the duck's predicament and its attempt to find its feathered friends. I can see this being a bit tiresome as a read-aloud title (especially if done repeatedly), but it's so simple that even pre-readers can flip through the book themselves and get the gist.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - Bunny in the Middle

Bunny in the Middle
by Anika A. Denise
illustrated by Christopher Denise
Date: 2019
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

This joyful picture book celebrates middle children and sibling love.

When you’re in the middle . . . you’re not the oldest, and you’re not the youngest. You are right in between. There’s someone bigger who helps you and someone smaller who needs you. From the middle, you can see both sides.

But being in the middle isn’t always easy—sometimes it’s hard to know what makes you special, or how to follow a path that’s just your own. This classic picture book highlights the remarkable empathy of middles and the joys of self-acceptance, glowingly illustrated by New York Times-bestselling artist Christopher Denise.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Can I just take a moment to squeal about these illustrations? They're so cute!

Bunny in the Middle is squarely aimed at middle children, acknowledging the things they have to put up with, but also emphasizing the good things about being in the middle. Not being a middle kid myself, I can't quite relate... but I can certainly appreciate what this book set out to do (and accomplishes quite nicely).

Check this one out for the illustrations, especially if you're a bunny in the middle.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.5 out of 5

Review - Sheep in a Shop

Sheep in a Shop
by Nancy Shaw
illustrated by Margot Apple
Date: 1991
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

The "lovable muttonheads" are off to the store in search of the perfect birthday gift in this latest in the sheep series of rhymed read-alouds.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This quick rhyming story about five sheep who go to a shop to buy a birthday present is not without its charm. I didn't realize it was almost 30 years old when I picked it up. But the story works just fine for modern audiences. It shows problem-solving skills and demonstrates kindness.

Five sheep realize that there's a birthday coming up, so they head to the local store to buy a present. They end up playing with lots of different things before finally deciding on a purchase. But when it comes time to pay, they don't have quite enough money. Will the sheep be able to figure out a way to buy the perfect gift?

The rhymes are solid, if a little inconsistent (there's no set meter throughout the book, for example). The illustrations are cute, with anthropomorphized animals populating the sheep's world (the shopkeeper is a pig, for example). I don't really have any complaints about the look of the book.

Overall, this is a cute little book that will probably appeal to young children. It would be a nice, quick read at bedtime.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.14 out of 5

Review - At the Pond

At the Pond
by Geraldo Valério
Date: 2020
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

On a dull gray day, a boy puts his dog on a leash and they walk to a shimmering pond where snowy white swans swim freely. One of the swans invites the boy and dog for a ride. They climb on its back and sail into a stunningly beautiful landscape, dotted with wildflowers, spoonbills and ibises. Foxes, rabbits and deer appear in this paradise, then butterflies and even bigger, more beautiful flowers. The boy unleashes his dog on shore, and the dog bounds off to play.

Now the boy wraps his arms around the swan’s neck — he has a new friend. But when he puts the leash on the swan, the sky turns stormy gray, the water becomes turbulent, and the other swans fly away. Both the boy and swan are miserable, until the boy realizes he must free his friend. When he drops the leash into the pond, warm color fills their world and they return to where the boy’s dog happily awaits him.

Geraldo Valério, a master of wordless picture books, explores the nature of true friendship and love in his newest creation.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I enjoy wordless picture books when they're done well. I'm not sure what it was about this one, though, that made me not enjoy it that much. I get the story. It would be fun to sit down with a kid and have them narrate the story to you. But... something just didn't excite me here. Maybe it's the illustrations. They're colourful and engaging, but they're also kind of rough. I guess that's just not my preferred style.

This is a fantasy story, with a message about letting wild things remain free. It's not bad; it's just not my cup of tea.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: n/a
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.4 out of 5

Review - A Big Bed for Little Snow

A Big Bed for Little Snow
by Grace Lin
Date: 2019
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

A picture book introducing readers to their first snow.

When it was quiet, Little Snow grinned and then jumped, jumped, jumped!

Little Snow loves the new big, soft bed Mommy made him for the long, cold winter nights. But Mommy says this bed is for sleeping, not jumping! What happens when he can't resist jump, jump, jumping on his new fluffy, bouncy bed?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

In the same way A Big Mooncake for Little Star offered a creative fantasy explanation for the phases of the moon, A Big Bed for Little Snow tells readers where snow comes from. A naughty little boy continually disobeys his mother all winter, jumping on his big new bed and sending feathers flying. But it's all in good fun... for Little Snow as well as for the children who get to play in the debris from his bed!

The illustrations are adorable. Little Snow's white pajamas are only visible because of their snowflake pattern (much like Little Star's black pajamas were only visible because of their star pattern). The dog toy that's always at Little Snow's side is also a cute touch.

I'd recommend this book to those looking for books about winter and snow (though not to readers who are looking for a non-fiction explanation of weather). I'd also implore readers to check out A Big Mooncake for Little Star as well; both books together make a lovely set.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4.17 out of 5

Review - Coat of Many Colors

Coat of Many Colors
by Dolly Parton
illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes
Date: 2016
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Dolly Parton lends the lyrics of her classic song "Coat of Many Colors" to this heartfelt picture book for young readers.

Country music legend Dolly Parton's rural upbringing in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee provides the backdrop for this special picture book. Using lyrics from her classic song "Coat of Many Colors," the book tells the story of a young girl in need of a warm winter coat. When her mother sews her a coat made of rags, the girl is mocked by classmates for being poor. But Parton's trademark positivity carries through to the end as the girl realizes that her coat was made with love "in every stitch." Beautiful illustrations pair with Parton's poetic lyrics in this heartfelt picture book sure to speak to all young readers.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a cute book, based on a song inspired by Dolly Parton's childhood, about bullying and being proud of the person you are.

I've only heard brief snippets of the song that this book is based on. So it was a little difficult for me to get the meter right as I was trying to read it. Those familiar with the song probably wouldn't have the same problem.

That's really my only complaint, though. The illustrations are adorable, and the message (about valuing what's really important to us, even if others don't agree) is great.

I'd recommend this one to readers looking for books about bullying, being yourself, and close family ties.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.57 out of 5

Review - An ABC of Flowers

An ABC of Flowers
by Jutta Hilpuesch
Date: 2019
Publisher: Philomel Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Step into the garden and learn your ABC's with this colorful feast for the eyes!

From asters and daisies to roses and sunflowers, An ABC of Flowers is a colorful burst from the garden that will have little hands eager to grab. Filled with gorgeous photo illustrations, bold colors, and clever line art featuring a miniature-sized girl named Amelie, toddlers will laugh and be mezmerized by the book's vibrant pages.

Perfect for the youngest readers learning their ABC's!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a visually appealing alphabet book that, unfortunately, falls short on a few levels.

First, I don't ever want to see apostrophe usage like this. Apostrophes don't make plurals. I don't know why writers can't get this through their heads. (I'm having flashbacks to A Thousand No's.)

Second, I'm not loving some of the choices. I'm impressed the author managed to find a flower for X, but some of the other more obvious choices weren't used. M is for mum, which is presumably short for chrysanthemum (or maybe xeranthemum... there's your X!). Why not go with a flower that actually starts with an M? Monkshood? Magnolia? Morning Glory? Also, the entry for Queen Anne's Lace had me scratching my head; the only stuff I've ever seen is white, and this was pink. Apparently, it can be pink when it's budding, but why use a photo of an unfamiliar growing stage?

The pictures are cute enough, with little illustrated figures interacting with the flower photos. I don't really have any complaints there.

I love the premise, and I'm impressed that the author was able to find a flower to go with all 26 letters of the alphabet. But parts of the execution leave something to be desired. Maybe if it hadn't referred to "ABC's" I might not have been so annoyed.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.83 out of 5

Review - Betty Builds It

Betty Builds It
by Julie Hampton
Date: 2019
Publisher: West Margin Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Combining humor and art with STEM subjects of science, technology, and math, Betty Builds It explores a burgeoning friendship between a genius engineering robot girl and her sweet younger brother who just wants to support his sister.

Betty could build just about anything. Whatever she needs, she can make it for herself. But with a screen as her parental unit and her baby brother Toby who can't do much, Betty longs for a friend--so she builds one! While Toby struggles to get his sister's attention, Betty continues to build and build, until finally she realizes what she was looking for was beside her the whole time.

Betty Builds It is a sweet family story of the new friendship between siblings, and also celebrates and promotes women and girls in science.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Betty Builds It reminds me of another robot book I read recently, David Wiesner's Robobaby. In both cases, a younger robot saves the day by offering some much-needed tech suggestions.

To be frank, I don't like either book. Robots can be done well, but the ones in these two books feel particularly soulless. The colour palette in Betty Builds It, mostly oranges and browns, feels somewhat... well, rusty. I guess that makes sense, but the illustrations also seem a bit lifeless because of it.

While the idea of a friend who can make toast whenever you want some is kind of amusing (although, I don't know why a robot would want toast), the rest of the story is predictable and kind of boring. I've read this story before. And I'm still not impressed.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.17 out of 5

Review - Too Much Glue

Too Much Glue
by Jason Lefebvre
illustrated by Zac Retz
Date: 2013
Publisher: Flashlight Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Although Matty’s art teacher has warned him that too much glue never dries, Matty loves glue. After all, he and his dad make oodles of glue projects at home. One day during art class, Matty finds the fullest bottles of glue, and the fun begins. With a squeeze and a plop, Matty pours a lake of glue before belly-flopping right in the middle and finds himself stuck to the desk. When Matty’s dad arrives at the school, instead of being mad, he celebrates his son’s creativity and calls him a work of art. With vibrant language and artwork and a wild, silly plot, Too Much Glue is sure to appeal to all children who love to get messy.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Let's get one thing straight. Matty is a brat and a narcissist. The book implies he's just really creative, but there's a difference between making accessories with glue-gun glue and intentionally belly-flopping onto a pile of wet glue at school, necessitating everyone else to stop what they're doing and come to your rescue.

The illustrations are great. The story is sort of funny. But I'm not loving the message. Matty faces no consequences for his actions. In fact, he's rewarded for them. (The principal comes the closest to offering some discipline, telling his parents that they should encourage him to use tape instead. But, as we see on the last page, this is only going to lead to more attention-seeking behaviour.)

I don't think I'd recommend this to messy kids. It encourages them to disregard consequences and make a nuisance of themselves. I might recommend it to tidy kids, though, who can appreciate how Matty's behaviour is not appropriate in a school setting.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.83 out of 5