Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Review - Telephone

Telephone
by Mac Barnett
illustrated by Jen Corace
Date: 2014
Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

It's time to fly home for dinner! In this witty picture book from award-winning and bestselling author Mac Barnett, a mother bird gives the bird next to her a message for little Peter. But passing messages on a telephone line isn't as simple as it sounds. Each subsequent bird understands Mama's message according to its own very particular hobbies. Will Peter ever get home for dinner? This uproarious interpretation of a favorite children's game will get everyone giggling and is sure to lead to countless rereads.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book is a funny depiction of the classic game of Telephone, with a bunch of wacky birds doing their best to pass on their message. The birds are anthropomorphized and have hobbies, so each time the message is passed along, it changes in a way particular to the messenger. It's a cute idea, made even better by the adorable illustrations. How can you not smile at a little blue jay rocking out on his electric guitar?

How will Peter ever get the correct message after it's passed through the minds and mouths of so many silly birds? The answer is quite simple (but clever); I'll let you discover it for yourself.

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

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Review - Walk with Me

Walk with Me
by Jairo Buitrago
illustrated by Rafael Yockteng
Date: 2017
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

A very simple, imaginative story depicting the complex emotional reality of a girl whose father no longer lives at home.

The girl conjures up an imaginary companion, a lion, who will come with her on the long walk home from school. He will help her to pick up her baby brother from daycare and shop at the store (which has cut off the family’s credit), and he’ll keep her company all along the way until she is safe at home. He will always come back when she needs him, unlike the father whom she sees only in a photograph — a photograph in which he clearly resembles a lion.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

That was deeper than I was expecting. I didn't read the synopsis, which pretty much gives everything away. I'm glad I went into it without knowing too much; the emotional impact was greater.

The pictures depicting the results of the girl's imagination, are quite sweet. They also convey a sense of place (the story looks like it takes place somewhere in South America; I doubt you'd see a small child picking up her baby brother from daycare in most parts of North America). It's a nice little peek into the lives of other people, lives that might be very different from our own. But the emotions conveyed--especially in the last part of the book--are universal. Though it's not explicitly explained, we can draw our own conclusions, any of which are fairly emotional.

The depth of this little picture book surprised me. In a good way!

Quotable moment:


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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5

Review - Chicken Big

Chicken Big
by Keith Graves
Date: 2010
Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

On a teeny little farm, in an itty-bitty coop, a very small hen laid a big, giant egg. And out of this egg came one big, humongous . . . something. "It's big!" clucked the little rooster. "It's enormous!" clucked the small chicken. "It's an elephant!" peeped the smallest chicken. "Run for your lives!" they cried. No matter how they try, these clueless chickens can't make sense of the gigantic new member of their family until he saves the day. With wacky, laugh-out-loud humor and silliness to spare, this BIG twist on the classic Chicken Little story lends a whole new perspective to what it means to be chicken.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This retelling of "Chicken Little" takes the classic story and gives it a small twist. Here, we get a hysterical chicken who jumps to conclusions about their large friend (thinking he's an elephant, a squirrel, and an umbrella, among other things). Each time, the big chick proves her and the other chickens wrong, and eventually saves them all from a common enemy.

The illustrations are cute and kids will probably like the story. But the e-book edition I read was terrible. Some of the illustrations include text that was part of the story, so it was really important to get the actual text in the right place. This edition didn't do that, which led to a bit of confusion. There were also some lapses in punctuation, which I'm guessing are also an artifact from the conversion process. The book is probably fine in a physical format (so I'm not going to take any points off for that), but it's something to be aware of if you're looking at getting this as an e-book.

Quotable moment:


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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Monday, October 29, 2018

Review - Everything You Need for a Treehouse

Everything You Need for a Treehouse
by Carter Higgins
illustrated by Emily Hughes
Date: 2018
Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

Featuring beautiful images and a lyrical text with an exquisitely readable cadence, this book gives life and meaning to all the requisite elements of a treehouse, from time, timber, and rafters to ropes of twisted twine that invite visitors to sprawl out on a limb and slide back down again. For anyone who's ever wanted to escape real life and live in a nostalgic dream come true, this poignant picture book captures the universal timelessness of treehouses and celebrates all the creativity and adventure they spark.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

It's kind of ironic that this book had so little purple in the colour palette. I guess the prose made up for it.

This has got to be one of the most pretentious children's picture books I've ever read. The prose was absolutely ridiculous. As an adult, I had trouble puzzling out some of what the author meant (like when she kept referring to sun speckles; I think she meant dappled light, but I couldn't say for sure). Phrases like "refuge in the flora", "pinpricked canopy", "twisted twine of spun sugar and sap", and "the stars will fall past your reach" are a bit much for a kids' book that's supposedly about building a treehouse.

Oh, and let's talk about the treehouses, shall we? The young children in this book are all architects and work in construction, apparently, because they have the most ridiculously elaborate treehouses I've ever seen. Maybe this was meant to show their imagination--they saw their treehouses the way they wanted them to be--but that wasn't exactly clear from the text. Who doesn't want a multi-level treehouse with its own library, tucked within a greenhouse, perched at the top of a tree so high you can see for miles? I'm afraid that, for the kids who genuinely want a treehouse, this book could lead to unreasonably high expectations (especially since Mom and Dad--likely treehouse amateurs--are the ones who are going to have to build it for them).

The illustrations are detailed and interesting, which is the only thing that saved the book for me. The text is too ridiculous, and not even that strong (there are grammar, punctuation, and spelling issues throughout; those may be stylistic choices, but I don't like to see that in books for little kids). So I'm afraid I can't recommend this one at all.

Premise: 1/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 1/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 1.67 out of 5

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Review - The Big Umbrella

The Big Umbrella
by Amy June Bates & Juniper Bates
illustrated by Amy June Bates
Date: 2018
Publisher: Simon Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

In the tradition of Alison McGhee’s Someday, beloved illustrator Amy June Bates makes her authorial debut alongside her eleven-year-old daughter with this timely and timeless picture book about acceptance.

By the door there is an umbrella. It is big. It is so big that when it starts to rain there is room for everyone underneath. It doesn’t matter if you are tall. Or plaid. Or hairy. It doesn’t matter how many legs you have.

Don’t worry that there won’t be enough room under the umbrella. Because there will always be room.

Lush illustrations and simple, lyrical text subtly address themes of inclusion and tolerance in this sweet story that accomplished illustrator Amy June Bates cowrote with her daughter, Juniper, while walking to school together in the rain.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

What we have here is an obvious swipe at anti-immigration folks, although I don't know how many kids are going to pick up on that. The big umbrella just keeps getting bigger and bigger, and even though some people think that there won't be enough room under it, there always is.

The pictures are rather cute, especially with some of the more fanciful elements (which I wasn't expecting, but liked anyway).

The book isn't so much a story as an idea, but if it helps get kids thinking about this issue, then it's probably a good thing.


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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5

Review - All Are Welcome

All Are Welcome
by Alexandra Penfold
illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
Date: 2018
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 44
Format: e-book
Source: library

A warm, welcoming picture book that celebrates diversity and gives encouragement and support to all kids.

Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yamulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. A school where students grow and learn from each other's traditions and the whole community gathers to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

All Are Welcome lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, they are welcome in their school.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Wow... Now that is a diverse children's book. Although, I guess if it wasn't, it would kind of defeat the whole purpose (and the title wouldn't make much sense)!

This simple rhyming picture book illustrates our differences and our similarities in a cute, accessible way. There are plenty of cultures represented, along with varied sexual orientations, family units, and disabilities. On the surface, it's a book about a school, but it goes deeper than that, too, with friendships that happen outside the classroom and parents who are brought together by their children's school events.

I've read some picture books that try too hard to include diversity; I found some of them a bit alienating, which is probably the opposite of what the authors were going for. In this case, though, this book doesn't try too hard to be more than it is. It doesn't need to. What we have here is a simple, uncomplicated look at diversity and inclusion. And it works.


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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.71 out of 5

Review - Niko Draws a Feeling

Niko Draws a Feeling
by Bob Raczka
illustrated by Simone Shin
Date: 2017
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Niko loves to draw his world: the ring-a-ling of the ice cream truck, the warmth of sun on his face. But no one appreciates his art. Until one day, Niko meets Iris . . .

This imaginative and tender story explores the creative process, abstract art, friendship, and the universal desire to feel understood.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I don't know if I've ever read a children's book singing the praises of abstract art. It was kind of neat, though, showing kids that art doesn't have to just be representations of things we see; it can also be about things we perceive with our other senses... or even about our feelings. Nobody in Niko's life seems to understand this, which leads to him feeling rather lonely and sad (which, of course, inspires more artwork). It isn't until a little girl moves in nearby that he finds someone who actually gets it.

While I wasn't wowed by the illustrations, they told the story well enough. I guess they fit the overall tone of the book and what it was trying to convey.

This is one instance of a children's book that tackles an ambitious topic and actually makes it work. For that reason alone, I'd recommend it.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.33 out of 5

Review - Draw the Line

Draw the Line
by Kathryn Otoshi
Date: 2017
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

When two boys draw their own lines and realize they can connect them together--magic happens!

But a misstep causes their lines to get crossed.

Push! Pull! Tug! Yank!
Soon their line unravels into an angry tug-of-war.

With a growing rift between them, will the boys ever find a way to come together again?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

It amazes me sometimes how much of a story can be written without a single word. This adorable book tells the story of two little boys whose playtime turns into an argument. The boys themselves are drawn nicely enough, but what really made the illustrations for me was the abstract watercolour in the backgrounds. It perfectly captures the moods of the boys as they work their way through playfulness, annoyance, anger, and eventually reconciliation.

The simple concept of a drawn line is used to perfection. It works better here than it did in another wordless picture book I read recently called Lines by Suzy Lee. I had much more of an emotional investment in Draw the Line, perhaps because there was an actual story here.

Quotable moment:


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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Saturday, October 27, 2018

Review - David Gets in Trouble

David Gets in Trouble (David)
by David Shannon
Date: 2002
Publisher: The Blue Sky Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

"When David gets in trouble, he always says . . . 'NO! It's not my fault! I didn't mean to! It was an accident!'" Whatever the situation, David's got a good excuse. And no matter what he's done "wrong," it's never really his fault.

Soon, though, David realizes that making excuses makes him feel bad, and saying he's sorry makes him feel better. Once again, David Shannon entertains us with young David's mischievous antics and a lighthearted story that's sure to leave kids (and parents) laughing.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

What the hell was that?

Okay, maybe I just can't get past the illustrations. This kid looks like an evil, alternate-universe version of Caillou, and that just creeped me right out. He looks like his face has melted, and he even has pointy teeth. I can't say for sure, but I think I might've shied away from this book if it had been around when I was a kid because of the pictures alone.

And there's no story to redeem it. We just get page after page of David's excuses for being a brat. It's really hard to have sympathy for something that looks like it crawled out of your nightmares. So I couldn't exactly bring myself to care when he got punished. Seriously... is this thing supposed to be lovable? He has pointed teeth. Pointed teeth:


Nope. Sorry. This just isn't for me. Excuse me while I find some brain bleach.

Premise: 1/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 1/5
Illustrations: 1/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 0/5

Overall: 0.83 out of 5

Review - The Princess and the Pit Stop

The Princess and the Pit Stop
by Tom Angleberger
illustrated by Dan Santat
Date: 2018
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

Once upon a time there was a Princess . . .
. . . who made a pit stop.
While the Birds and Beasts changed her tires, her Fairy Godmother told her she was in last place! With just one lap left! She might as well give up!
Give up? Not THIS princess! Instead, she hit the gas!

Join Her Royal Highness in the driver’s seat for a mad dash to the finish in this exciting ode to auto racing. With appearances by fairy tale favorites including the Tortoise and the Hare, the Frog Prince, and ALL of the Wicked Witches, this rollicking mash-up of race cars and royalty is a true celebration of both girl power and horsepower.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I'm not quite sure how to rate this one. As stories go, it's really thin. The gimmick is the fairy tale characters that the princess passes on her way to the finish line. The verbs are all tied in with their respective characters, which is cute (e.g., she leapt past the rabbits, spun out Rumpelstiltskin, charged past the knight, etc.). The ending made me smile (I won't spoil it for you, but it involves yet another fairy tale character).

The illustrations are probably the best part of the book. Though the style is a bit different, the plays on words and the colourful landscape (and the subject matter) really reminded me of Wreck-It Ralph, only not as Disney-fied.

So, this was entertaining enough for a quick read, but it doesn't seem like something you'd want to read again and again... unless you like looking at the pictures. The book seems more like a gimmick than a real story.


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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.5 out of 5

Friday, October 26, 2018

Review - The Saggy Baggy Elephant

The Saggy Baggy Elephant
by Kathryn Jackson & Byron Jackson
illustrated by Gustav Tenggren
Date: 1947
Publisher: Golden Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

After a parrot makes fun of Sooki’s big ears, long nose, and wrinkled skin, the “saggy baggy” elephant isn’t too sure of himself. But once he meets some beautiful creatures who look just like him, Sooki celebrates with a joyful “one-two-three-kick.” For over 50 years, parents and children have treasured this tale, with gorgeous art by Gustaf Tenggren, the illustrator of The Poky Little Puppy.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Of course I never noticed when I was little, but the writing on some of these Little Golden Books isn't the best. No matter the author, many seem to have a tendency to use impossible said bookisms (characters smiling or grinning their speech, for example).

This particular story is much like "The Ugly Duckling", except that the poor elephant wasn't raised by anyone. That brings up more questions than it answers (although I do wonder if that lion might've had something to do with it; did Sooki's parents get eaten at some point?). The parrot is the one that points out that Sooki doesn't look like anything else in the jungle, and he's not nice about it, either; the stupid bird laughs at the elephant, just because he looks different.

I really don't understand why Tenggren was such an acclaimed illustrator. The pictures are just okay for me. I'm not a fan of the way some of the animals look like they're on drugs (what is with their eyes?). Maybe there just weren't a lot of people doing illustrations for children's books back then. Compared to the wonderful variety in the gorgeous illustrations we get from the many talented artists working today, Tenggren's pictures don't quite measure up.

I honestly don't remember this particular Little Golden Book from my childhood, though I may have read it and just forgot. It's not particularly memorable, and I doubt I'd bother reading it again. Though it has a decent message, it's not that original... and there are probably more recent books that have the same theme that kids would enjoy more.

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 - Good Night, Little Bear

Good Night, Little Bear
by Patsy Scarry
illustrated by Richard Scarry
Date: 1961
Publisher: Golden Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

First a story, and then a kiss from Mother Bear, and Father Bear carries Little Bear to bed. And that's when the fun begins. Father Bear gets to Little Bear's room, but Little Bear is missing! Little readers will see him hiding in the MOST obvious place but Father Bear cannot seem to find him. Is he under the stove? Is he in the garden? Is he in the woodbox? Only when Father Bear walks past the mirror does the silliness end, and in a very tasty way. With this, one of the most charming bedtime tales ever, Richard Scarry has once again proven his timeless appeal.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Here's another oldie. It definitely shows its age, although it still has its charm. I found the first illustration pretty amusing, with Father Bear smoking his pipe and watching TV, which just happens to have Smokey Bear on it. (Can you imagine how many forest fires there would be if bears could smoke?)

Reading this book from a modern perspective, though, is a little uncomfortable. It's kind of sexist, and it doesn't exactly portray good parenting (unless giving your child a giant slice of chocolate cake when you're putting them to bed is some new tactic that I'm not aware of).

Plus, given the inconsistencies and odd little details in the illustrations, there are plenty of questions that children may ask while (or after) reading this book:

"Mommy, can I hide under the kitchen stove?"

"Daddy, why does a bear need fur mittens?"

"Mommy, why do the bears keep a pot of sticky honey in the living room? Why isn't it in the kitchen?"

"Daddy, why don't the little bunnies have to go to bed, too? Why do they get to stay up and eat lettuce from the garden?"

"Mommy, how did Mama Bear's sewing machine end up in a different room? Did she carry it?"

"Daddy, why can't I have chocolate cake for a bedtime snack?"

"Mommy, is Father Bear actually Mike Pence? Why doesn't he use Mother Bear's actual name?"

Quotable moment:

"Who said Ouch?" asks Father Bear.
"Mother, did you say Ouch?"

"Not I," smiles Mother Bear.

Oh she is a tease.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Review - The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes

The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes
by Ying Chang Compestine
illustrated by David Roberts
Date: 2017
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Ming Da is only nine years old when he becomes the emperor of China, and his three advisors take advantage of him by stealing his stores of rice, gold, and precious stones. But Ming Da has a plan. With the help of his tailors, he comes up with a clever idea to outsmart his devious advisors: He asks his tailors to make “magical” new clothes for him. Anyone who is honest, the young emperor explains, will see the clothes’ true splendor, but anyone who is dishonest will see only burlap sacks. The emperor dons a burlap sack, and the ministers can’t help but fall for his cunning trick.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book is a great example of an author blowing it. What could have been a cute retelling of a classic story is marred by blatant cultural appropriation and just plain rudeness. What's frustrating is that, had the first and last paragraphs been cut, this wouldn't even have been an issue.

The story starts out on a bad foot with the assertion that this is the real version of the story:

The truth is that the story took place here in China, and without any tricky tailors.

Here is the real story.

The author knows as well as anyone that those statements are lies, because in the author's note she talks about reading the Hans Christian Andersen version as a child. (His version was actually based on older versions, some of which date back to the 11th century, variations of which came from Spain, Persia, and India. Not China.) Why anyone would want to start out a children's book with a lie is beyond me... but what really gets my goat is that it's not just a harmless lie. It's cultural appropriation in this case, and it's not even done with respect. Take a look at the last paragraph of the book:

Now that's the real story! The emperor marched through the town to save his country. I don't know how people ended up with that old folktale about two sly tailors fooling a vain emperor.

Can you imagine the outcry if a Western author took a story like the Ballad of Mulan, set it in England, claimed that was the real version, and took a shot at anyone who believed otherwise? What's sad, though, is that this problematic issue was completely unnecessary. Aside from those paragraphs, the rest of the story is rather cute. So are the illustrations. But I just can't in good conscience give a higher rating to a book that steals from another cultural tradition and then lies about it. To children, no less.

Premise: 1/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 1/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 1/5

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 1.33 out of 5

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Review - The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes

The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
by Mark Pett & Gary Rubinstein
illustrated by Mark Pett
Date: 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Beatrice Bottomwell has NEVER (not once!) made a mistake...

Meet Beatrice Bottomwell: a nine-year-old girl who has never (not once!) made a mistake. She never forgets her math homework, she never wears mismatched socks, and she ALWAYS wins the yearly talent show at school. In fact, Beatrice holds the record of perfection in her hometown, where she is known as The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes. Life for Beatrice is sailing along pretty smoothly until she does the unthinkable-she makes her first mistake. And in a very public way!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book is a gentle chiding of perfectionism. I could totally relate to Beatrice, because I was (and still am, sometimes) much the same way. Beatrice is so careful never to make a mistake that she often ends up missing out; because she's not sure if she'll be able to do something perfectly, she won't even try.

You do have to suspend disbelief a little bit, as some parts of the story are a little unbelievable. She's a celebrity because she's never made a mistake. Her hamster is a little too sentient. But beyond that, it's a story with a good message about taking risks (like her brother, Carl, or her friends Millie and Sarah, who seem to be having much more fun than perfectionistic Beatrice).

The artwork didn't impress me in the beginning, but it kind of grew on me as the story went on. At least the poor hamster was drawn wearing a helmet (if you're going to juggle the poor thing, the least you can do is give him some protection).

Overall, this is a decent picture book with a good message. It might not be applicable to everybody, but it will probably be appreciated by kids who sometimes miss out on all the fun because they're too afraid of making mistakes.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.33 out of 5

Monday, October 22, 2018

Review - Best Friends Forever

Best Friends Forever (Bink & Gollie #3)
by Kate DiCamillo & Alison McGhee
illustrated by Tony Fucile
Date: 2014
Publisher: Candlewick
Reading level: C
Book type: graphic novel
Pages: 88
Format: e-book
Source: library

Gollie is quite sure she has royal blood in her veins, but can Bink survive her friend’s queenly airs — especially if pancakes are not part of the deal? Bink wonders what it would be like to be as tall as her friend, but how far will she stretch her luck to find out? And when Bink and Gollie long to get their picture into a book of record holders, where will they find the kudos they seek? Slapstick and sweetness, drollery and delight abound in this follow-up to the Geisel Award–winning, New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book Bink and Gollie, written by the beloved and best-selling Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee and brought to hilarious life by Tony Fucile.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is the third book in the Bink & Gollie series, though I suspect you don't need to have read the second book to get something out of this one (nor would you necessarily need to read these in order). I enjoyed Best Friends Forever, just not quite as much as the first book.

In this installment, Gollie becomes a queen (much to the chagrin of Bink), Bink buys an Acme Stretch-o-Matic (probably from the same catalogue that Wile E. Coyote uses) to make herself taller, and the girls decide they want to get their picture in Flicker's Arcana by developing an extraordinary collection of... something.

I didn't find that the individual stories tied together quite as much as the ones in the first book did. (But I did like how one of Bink's rainbow socks is still in play!) As was the case with the first book, the girls (especially Gollie) use big words that can be puzzled out by kids based on context, and the illustrations are just as cute as ever. (I can totally see these books being used as the basis for an animated series or film.)

Despite not loving this as much as the first book, I still think this is a really strong series. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on the second book at some point!

Quotable moment:

"All righty, then," said Bink. "Let's eat!"

"I shall no longer be cooking pancakes for you, Bink," said Gollie.

"Why not?" said Bink.

"I regret to inform you," said Gollie, "that royalty does not cook for others."

"Oh," said Bink. "Okay. I regret to inform you that I am going home."

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Writing & Editing: 5/5
Illustration: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4.38 out of 5 ladybugs

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Review - Bink & Gollie

Bink & Gollie (Bink & Gollie #1)
by Kate DiCamillo & Alison McGhee
illustrated by Tony Fucile
Date: 2010
Publisher: Candlewick
Reading level: C
Book type: graphic novel
Pages: 88
Format: e-book
Source: library

Meet Bink and Gollie, two precocious little girls--one tiny, one tall, and both utterly irrepressible. Setting out from their super-deluxe tree house and powered by plenty of peanut butter (for Bink) and pancakes (for Gollie), they share three comical adventures involving painfully bright socks, an impromptu trek to the Andes, and a most unlikely marvelous companion. No matter where their roller skates take them, at the end of the day they will always be the very best of friends. Full of quick-witted repartee, this brainchild of Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo and award-winning author Alison McGhee is a hilarious ode to exuberance and camaraderie, imagination and adventure, brought to life through the delightfully kinetic images of Tony Fucile.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I was searching my library's e-book selections for more books by Kate DiCamillo because I've found her to be a reliably good author when I want a children's book that's written well and isn't condescending. I'd never even heard of the Bink & Gollie books before, but the library had #1 and #3 (typical), so I picked up the first one to give it a try. As soon as I was done, I downloaded the third book as well.

This is a super-cute depiction of friendship. The pictures themselves are adorable (I love Gollie's house up in the tree and Bink's wild hair!), but combined with DiCamillo and McGhee's wonderful writing, I felt like I was watching an amazing animated film. I could almost hear Bink's cute little voice in my head (she has some of the best lines). DiCamillo never shies away from using big words, trusting that kids are smart enough to figure out what is meant through context. The result is a story that is enjoyable for a much wider age range than one might normally find in a children's book.

The stories are simple, but they all tie together by the end, and the girls' friendship is reinforced even more. I wish my library had all of the books in the series, because I'd love to read about more of Bink and Gollie's adventures.

Quotable moment:

"Hello, Gollie," said Bink. "Do I smell pancakes?"

"You do not," said Gollie.

"Will I smell pancakes?" said Bink.

"Perhaps a compromise is in order, Bink," said Gollie.

"What's a compromise?" said Bink.

"Use your gray matter, Bink," said Gollie. "You remove your outrageous socks, and I will make pancakes."

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Writing & Editing: 5/5
Illustration: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall Rating: 4.75 out of 5 ladybugs

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Review - Alfie: (The Turtle That Disappeared)

Alfie: (The Turtle That Disappeared)
by Thyra Heder
Date: 2017
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

Nia loves Alfie, her pet turtle. But he’s not very soft, he doesn’t do tricks, and he’s pretty quiet. Sometimes she forgets he’s even there! That is until the night before Nia’s seventh birthday, when Alfie disappears! Then, in an innovative switch in point of view, we hear Alfie’s side of the story. He didn’t leave Nia—he’s actually searching for the perfect birthday present for his dear friend. Can he find a gift and make it back in time for the big birthday party?

From the author-illustrator of Fraidyzoo and The Bear Report comes a warm and funny ode to friendship—even when the friends see the relationship, and the world, very differently.

(synopsis from Goodreads)


This book, told in two parts, is just adorable. The illustrations are perfect and tie the narrative into a cohesive whole, and there's a pretty good story, too. I loved Alfie's point of view.

I've read a few picture books about pets lately that haven't exactly put the pets or their owners in a very good light. But in this case, Alfie and Nia are both so sweet, and their friendship is wonderful. After seeing all the trouble Alfie went to in order to find the perfect present, you can't help but be impressed... and rather amused, when you see the twist at the end.

This would be a great addition to any picture book collection, especially for someone who likes books about animals (the dog and the snail are great characters in this book, too). I'd definitely recommend this one!

Quotable moment:


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

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.83 out of 5

Review - Why Am I Me?

Why Am I Me?
by Paige Britt
illustrated by Sean Qualls & Selina Alko
Date: 2017
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

Presented as a thoughtful, poetic exchange between two characters -- who don't realize they are thinking and asking the very same questions -- this beautiful celebration of our humanity and diversity invites readers of all ages to imagine a world where there is no you or me, only we.

If the first step toward healing the world is to build bridges of empathy and celebrate rather than discriminate, Why Am I Me? helps foster a much-needed sense of connection, compassion, and love.

(synopsis from Goodreads)


I'm really getting tired of these picture books that are supposedly for children, but are just pretentious vehicles for the author to look smart and woke (or so they think). Merely portraying diversity in the illustrations does not a good book make.

This book could have been interesting, but it's so spare and unsatisfying that it really fails. All it does is repeat a bunch of simple existential questions, provides no answers, and calls it a day. Why am I me and not somebody else? It's something to think about. Who would other people be if they were me? Um... they'd be me, wouldn't they? (Besides, that's a moot point because you can't be anyone else. I really don't see the point of that question.)

For a book that's supposed to make kids think about how we're connected, it's not very strong. As an adult, I was confused by the message and wondered why the book kept asking such weird questions. Yes, it can be good to imagine putting ourselves in other people's shoes, and empathy is important... but there are other ways to get there that aren't so blatant, and other questions to ask that aren't so confusing.

The pictures were just okay for me. The characters are sort of blotchy and uneven, and I get that it's a style choice, but I don't like it here any more than I did in You Hold Me Up, another picture book that aims high but doesn't quite get there.

Premise: 1/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 1/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 1/5

Enjoyment: 0/5

Overall: 0.83 out of 5

Friday, October 19, 2018

Review - Lines

Lines
by Suzy Lee
Date: 2017
Publisher: Chronicle Books (CA)
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

It starts with a line. Whether made by the tip of a pencil or the blade of a skate, the magic starts there.

And magic once again flows from the pencil and imagination of internationally acclaimed artist Suzy Lee. With the lightest of touches, this masterwork blurs the lines between real and imagined, reminding us why Lee's books have been lauded around the world, recognized on New York Times Best Illustrated Books lists and nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest international honor given to children's book creators. This seemingly simple story about a young skater on a frozen pond will charm the youngest of readers while simultaneously astounding book enthusiasts of any age.

(synopsis from Goodreads)


Sorry, but... I don't get it.

I'm not new to wordless picture books. I actually quite like them. But this one fell really flat for me. Unlike books like I Walk with Vanessa (which has a story with a message), Journey (which is just a great adventure), or even Flora and the Flamingo (which can be forgiven for having a thin story because its pictures are so darn cute), Lines didn't have anything to engage me. The pictures were rather boring, and the "story" wasn't really anything. And I found it confusing. Was the skater the artist? Or was it the person holding the pencil? What's the significance of the pond at the end? Or the stack of drawings? This is a children's picture book; I shouldn't have to think so hard for it to make sense.

I have a feeling that, had I encountered this as a kid, I would've read it once and then promptly forgotten about it. It's the sort of thing that adults will probably appreciate more than kids (although, I can't say that this adult enjoyed it that much, either).


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

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 1.6 out of 5

Review - Pillowland

Pillowland
by Laurie Berkner
illustrated by Camille Garoche
Date: 2017
Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Laurie Berkner, “the queen of children’s music” (People), pairs the lyrics of her beloved hit with Camille Garoche’s gentle illustrations in this winning bedtime picture book—a must-have for fans of Laurie’s music and all things soft and sweet.

I know a place, a kingdom far away,
where people wear pajamas every night and every day.
Where all the houses, the buildings, and the trees
are made of fluffy pillows that are soft as they can be.

Laurie Berkner’s treasured song “Pillowland” is now a beautiful picture book! Featuring magical, lush art by Camille Garoche, Pillowland carries readers away to a feather-fluffed dream world where bedtime is always a grand adventure.

We’re going to land in Pillowland!

(synopsis from Goodreads)


This is a book based on a song, which makes a straightforward reading a little awkward. When there's poem-like text, I'd like it to flow a little more; since this is a song rather than a poem, it's not entirely in one form (like couplets or quatrains), which makes it a little difficult to read aloud and have it sound right.

The pictures, though, I thought were really cute. They're a combination of photographs and cut-out drawings, which really gives a unique mixed-media look. The characters are cute and diverse, and the whole colour scheme is very relaxing and perfect for bedtime reading.

Sheet music for the song is included at the end of the book, but I think a book like this needs to come with the actual music (either a CD, a digital file, or a link of some sort). I looked up the song on YouTube and found a video of Laurie Berkner singing it, and that really helped me wrap my head around the meter and timing of the words.

Overall, it's a cute book, but it could definitely be improved by adding a way for kids to experience the song while they're looking at the pictures.


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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.57 out of 5

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Review - Ferocious Fluffity: A Mighty Bite-y Class Pet

Ferocious Fluffity: A Mighty Bite-y Class Pet
by Erica S. Perl
illustrated by Henry Cole
Date: 2016
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Mr. Drake’s second grade class has a new class pet. Fluffity appears to be a cute and docile hamster—but the kids soon discover that she is not the cuddly pet they expected. From the moment her cage door opens, Fluffity becomes FEROCIOUS—biting and chasing everyone down the hall and into the library! Will the class be able to tame this beast and bring peace back to their school? The bestselling team behind Chicken Butt! and Chicken Butt’s Back! has crafted another laugh-out-loud tale that’s sure to be a hit with any child who’s ever wanted a pet. Erica Perl’s pitch-perfect rhymes and Henry Cole’s over-the-top animal character make for the perfect classroom read-aloud.

(synopsis from Goodreads)


This is pretty funny, and teaches a valuable lesson about respecting your pets. Sometimes, children's books try too hard to be funny, and they just end up seeming stupid. Ferocious Fluffity strikes just the right balance, however; it's relatable, it's cute, it has hilarious illustrations, and there's a great rhyming text to top it all off.

Don't be fooled by that innocent little face, though: Fluffity is a beast.


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

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.29 out of 5