Sunday, March 31, 2019

Review - Fancy Nancy: Pajama Day

Fancy Nancy: Pajama Day (Fancy Nancy)
by Jane O'Connor
illustrated by Ted Enik & Carolyn Bracken
Date: 2009
Publisher: HarperCollins
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Nancy is all set to wear something special for Pajama Day at school. But when Bree and Clara show up in matching outfits, Nancy feels left out. Will this Pajama Day be as fun as she thought?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This isn't my favourite Fancy Nancy, though it's not terrible. The illustrations seem a little weaker than in some of the other I Can Read! titles. There's a good selection of "fancy" words, but the plot just doesn't seem very interesting to me.

Nancy decides to forgo being "twins" with Bree on Pajama Day because she wants to wear her fancy new nightgown instead. But when they get to school, it turns out that Bree and Clara have the same pajamas. Nancy feels left out. She can't even hang upside down on the monkey bars because she doesn't want to show her underpants! Later, there's a misunderstanding that almost ends in tears, but it's resolved quickly (very quickly) and everything ends on a high note. It's an okay story, but nothing special.

Recommended mostly to hardcore Fancy Nancy fans. There are better titles in the series.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus (Junie B. Jones #1)
by Barbara Park
illustrated by Denise Brunkus
Date: 1992
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: illustrated chapter book
Pages: 80
Format: e-book
Source: library

Barbara Park’s New York Times bestselling chapter book series, Junie B. Jones, is a classroom favorite and has been keeping kids laughing—and reading—for more than twenty years. Over 60 million copies in print and now with a bright new look for a new generation!

Meet the World’s Funniest Kindergartner—Junie B. Jones! Remember when it was scary to go to school? In the first Junie B. Jones book, it’s Junie B.’s first day and she doesn’t know anything. She’s so scared of the school bus and the meanies on it that when it’s time to go home, she doesn’t.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Junie B. Jones is quite possibly the most obnoxious five-year-old I've ever read about. This is my first exposure to the character... and it might very well be my last.

There's nothing cute or funny about a child who uses bad grammar, decides to hate people, thinks she knows better than adults, and hollers like a toddler whenever she wants something. Honestly, she sometimes seems like she's in the throes of the "terrible twos". I was cringing as I read about her and her mom meeting with the teacher. If I were that mother, I would've wanted to crawl under a rock and die; Junie B.'s behaviour is an indictment of her parents' non-existent parenting.

I'd heard of this series, of course, and since I've had fairly good luck with another series about little girls in this age group, I thought I might like reading about this character and her exploits. But despite the fact that they're only a year apart in age, Junie B. Jones and Nancy Clancy (of the Fancy Nancy books) are nothing alike. Whereas Nancy is a sweet, precocious child who's intelligent enough to learn from her mistakes, Junie B. is a raging brat that I kind of hoped would get permanently stuck in the supply closet. She calls the principal "baldy" and keeps referring to another kid as "that boy I can beat up". Well done, Mr. and Mrs. Jones. Well done, indeed.

Nope. This is a definite miss. Well, now I know what Junie B. Jones is all about... so I can avoid her in the future.

Plot: 2/5
Characters: 0/5
Pace: 2/5
Writing & Editing: 1/5
Illustrations: 1/5
Originality: 1/5

Enjoyment: 0/5

Overall: 0.88 out of 5

Review - Vote for Me!

Vote for Me!
by Ben Clanton
Date: 2012
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

Hey, you! Yes, you with the dazzling smile! The donkey wants your vote. So does the elephant. And each will do just about anything to win your support. Brag? Sure! Flatter? Absolutely! Exaggerate, name-call, make silly promises and generally act childish? Yes, yes, yes and yes. Soon, the tension mounts, and these two quarrelsome candidates resort to slinging mud (literally) and flinging insults. And what happens when the election results are in? Well, let’s just say the donkey and the elephant are in for a little surprise — and a certain bewhiskered, third-party candidate is in for a first term.

Vote for Me! is a timely satire of American politics, but it’s a story readers of all nationalities and ages will recognize. Comical, retro illustrations (in shades of blue and red, of course) are completely winning, and the duelling duo’s insult-laden exchanges promise to have readers laughing out loud.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I don't really understand the point of this book. Maybe it would've been more amusing back when it was first published, but I think the whole world is suffering from American politics fatigue at this point. There's literally no story here except for a donkey and an elephant running for office, and the escalating mud-slinging that they engage in. They have no platforms. They're both unappealing. They both deserved to lose to the third-party candidate. (If only life could imitate art sometimes...)

I'm not sure who this is supposed to appeal to. It's pretty boring.

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

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 1.83 out of 5

Review - The Boy in the Drawer

The Boy in the Drawer
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1982
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

Shelley finds a small boy in her drawer who causes a lot of trouble.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Um... yeah. This is definitely one of the weaker Munsch/Martchenko titles. I don't get it at all! It reads more like a disjointed dream than any sort of coherent story.

Shelley's cleaning up her socks when she finds a boy in a drawer. She tries to tell her mother, but her mother doesn't seem to believe her. Then she finds the boy in her bed watering his tomato plant. Again, she tells her mother, to no avail. After that, she tries to read a book, but she finds the boy behind the curtain painting the window black. She tells him to go away, which makes him grow a little bit. Then she paints his ear black, which makes him grow a little more. She runs off to find her parents, but can't find them... until she reaches the kitchen, which is flooded. They don't seem to notice. Now the boy is taking a bath in the breadbox. It's at this point that Shelley figures out that negative attention makes the boy grow and positive attention makes the boy shrink. So they shrink the kid away to nothing and Shelley cleans up the mess.

Is this supposed to be a metaphor? Or am I just searching for meaning in a really odd, really random little story? The illustrations are okay, I guess (and I love the fact that Shelley was reading The Paper Bag Princess). But, overall, this didn't really work for me.

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

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 2.17 out of 5

Review - Grumpy Bird

Grumpy Bird
by Jeremy Tankard
Date: 2007
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Bird wakes up feeling grumpy. Too grumpy to eat or play -- too grumpy even to fly. "Looks like I'm walking today," says Bird. He walks past Sheep, who offers to keep him company. He walks past Rabbit, who also could use a walk. Raccoon, Beaver, and Fox join in, too. Before he knows it, a little exercise and companionship help Bird shake his bad mood.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I probably should've read this book first. But I read Hungry Bird, which solidified in my mind a raging case of avian narcissistic personality disorder. That influenced my reading of Grumpy Bird... and not for the better.

Bird wakes up grumpy. Too grumpy to fly. So he goes for a walk (or he just goes walking about; I don't even know where he's going). Each of his friends asks him what he's doing, and then they join him. Soon he's got them all following him, which is fine. But then he realizes they're following him, and that he can manipulate them by doing stuff and having them copy it. After reading about his behaviour in Hungry Bird, this just made me uncomfortable.

He does take all of his friends back to his nest at the end for a snack, but by then I wasn't enjoying the story anymore. Taken together, these books model some really questionable behaviour. Manipulation, selfishness, and rudeness in a character like this might simply be funny to an adult... but I sure wouldn't want my kids reading about this feathered jerk and imitating his behaviour.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.17 out of 5

Review - A Good Day for a Hat

A Good Day for a Hat
by T. Nat Fuller
illustrated by Rob Hodgson
Date: 2017
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Mr. Brown loves hats and can’t leave the house without wearing just the right one. But on this day, every time he opens the door to leave, the situation changes, and Mr. Brown must change his hat accordingly. At last, wearing every hat he owns, Mr. Brown is on his way. When he finally arrives at his destination, we find that it’s Mr. Brown’s birthday, and his friends have just the right hat for that as well.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

If you like repetition, this book is for you! On the first read, it's amusing to see all of Mr. Brown's different hats, but I have a feeling that the repeating text is going to get really old on subsequent read-throughs.

The pictures are... different. They're kind of fun to look at, with neat little touches (like the one-legged dragon and the magical rabbits loose on Mr. Brown's lawn). But the expressions on the characters' faces are kind of odd, too. The toothy smiles, especially, creep me out; they look like barcodes.

I can see this being one of those unfortunate titles that kids will want read to them again and again... while their parents are gritting their teeth to keep from screaming aloud at the repetition.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.5 out of 5

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Review - The Artist Who Loved Cats: The Inspiring Tale of Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen

The Artist Who Loved Cats: The Inspiring Tale of Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen
by Susan Schaefer Bernardo
illustrated by Courtenay Fletcher
Date: 2019
Publisher: Inner Flower Child Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

The Artist Who Loved Cats is a picture book biography of artist Theophile-Alexandre Steinlen, the creator of iconic French "Chat Noir" posters.

When Antoinette notices a little bronze cat in the window of her favorite Parisian antique store, she begs the shopkeeper Monsieur Arvieux and his clever cat Noir to tell her all about the artist. Steinlen moved to Paris in 1881 to pursue his artistic dreams, ultimately creating not just the iconic Chat Noir posters but also more than 700 journal illustrations, famous posters, sculptures, cartoon strips and paintings. Many of Steinlen's artworks feature cats, his favorite subject. Delightful verse, a sweet sprinkling of French vocabulary, and lovely illustrations by the award-winning team of author Susan Schaefer Bernardo and artist Courtenay Fletcher bring art history to life.

More than just a biography, The Artist Who Loved Cats is a celebration of art, inspiration, and following your heart to create a life that you love!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a decent picture-book biography, written in rhyming verse, about Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen, an artist perhaps best well known for his Chat Noir posters.

The illustrations are cute and the rhyming verse works most of the time (although the meter is off in many places), but I don't feel like I really got a feel for who this guy was. An artist, yes. But aside from a few mentions of struggle, we don't see much about it, and so it's difficult to see why his story is "inspiring". There were many starving artists in Montmartre in the late 1800s, so I would've liked to know what made Steinlen unique. (Perhaps it was the fact that he lived in a house with his family and 56 cats. I really hope that number is an exaggeration.)

I'm not sure who this book is supposed to appeal to. It's not really about cats, despite what the cover might suggest. And as a biography of a historical figure, it's a little bit on the weak side. (At the end, we're shown drawings of famous historical figures that we were supposed to notice as we read through the book. I would've preferred to read more about them in the text, seeing their relationship to Steinlen, rather than just having them as "Where's Waldo?" set pieces.)

The premise is good, but I don't think the execution quite gets there. There's nothing really wrong with this little biography; I just wanted a bit more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inner Flower Child Books for providing a digital ARC.

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 - Under Our Clothes: Our First Talk About Our Bodies

Under Our Clothes: Our First Talk About Our Bodies
by Jillian Roberts
illustrated by Jane Heinrichs
Date: 2019
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

This illustrated nonfiction picture book by child psychologist Dr. Jillian Roberts introduces children to the topics of bodies, body safety and body image through a conversation-based story that begins with an observation at the community pool. Modesty, privacy and boundaries are discussed, along with how self-image is formed and how some people are more sensitive than others--sometimes at different stages in their lives. Relevant themes around body shaming, body positivity and self-esteem building are explored, with a final call to action empowering children to build their own confidence and speak up when something doesn't feel right.

The World Around Us series introduces children to complex cultural, social and environmental issues that they may encounter outside the comfort of their homes, in a way that is straightforward and accessible. Sidebars offer further reading for older children who have bigger questions or care providers looking for more information. For younger children, the simple question-and-answer format of the main text will provide a foundation of knowledge on the subject matter.

This is the newest title in The World Around Us series, following books that address poverty, tragedy, prejudice and online awareness and environmental stewardship.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I'm not sure about this one. I might recommend it, but with some caveats. I don't know if it's really the sort of book you can just hand to a kid without further engagement on the subject, as there are some things that could be potentially confusing.

The layout and question-and-answer format is well done, and helps present the information in an easy-to-read way. The first part of the book is probably the strongest, as it talks about concepts such as modesty, privacy, and consent... although there could be confusion on that last point. The book continually reinforces the fact that our bodies are our own, and we have a say about who gets to touch them. Unfortunately, this is somewhat confusingly negated when the book states that sometimes people like doctors need to look at or touch your private parts. I can see how this could be potentially confusing for a child. You've just been told that you're allowed to determine who touches your body, based on whether or not you feel comfortable... and then you're told to ignore those feelings because it's a doctor. Feelings are feelings, and while medical exams can be important, this contradictory message could be very confusing for the target audience. It's basically asking kids to say no if they're feeling uncomfortable... but only if the person isn't in a position of authority. (I'm not really faulting the author for this. I don't know the right answer here. I'm just saying the message could be confusing.)

The second part of the book is a little weaker for me. It focuses mostly on body image and self-esteem. I was given numerous books on the subject when I was a kid, and none of them ever helped much. We can't expect a book to counteract all the social and cultural body-image damage that's being done on a daily basis through our media and social interactions. I like that body shaming is defined, but knowing what it is doesn't exactly help a person deal with it.

Finally, the message of being comfortable in the body you have is good in principle, but it kind of ignores people who might not feel comfortable with their body because of gender issues. Would this book be okay for cisgender kids? Yes. For transgender kids? Probably not. Passing mention is made of gender issues in a little blurb on bathrooms, but there's really nothing about body acceptance and self-esteem for kids who are transgender, gender-fluid, etc.

So... would I recommend this one? Possibly. The first part of the book is pretty universal and covers some important topics. But the fact that the second part of the book relies so heavily on cisgender norms to promote body acceptance means that it's not going to be appropriate for everyone. Use your own discretion when giving this book to a child.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - My Bright Friend

My Bright Friend
by Simon Boulerice
illustrated by Marilyn Faucher
Date: 2019
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Now that his parents are separated, Ludo has two homes: one in the country with his mom, and the other in the city with his dad. The young boy doesn't like leaving the countryside and his friends to go to his father's apartment in the city, but he does find some entertainment in the liveliness of the apartment's neighborhood and the consistency of the flashing traffic lights on the street corner under his window. Fascinated by these lights, Ludo convinces himself (with the help of his father) that they are controlled by a tiny gentleman who sits inside the signal pole, flipping switches all day and night. Worried about his well-being, Ludo starts sneaking out to leave food for the man, and he soon makes a new friend in the big city.

A tender story, complemented by vibrant illustrations, that reminds us empathy and generosity are marvelous tools to overcome one's troubles.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I wanted to love this book. It sounds so cute! Unfortunately, it was a real disappointment.

First of all, I think it loses something in translation. Most grown men don't giggle like Ludo's dad does. Word choice may be an issue.

When I saw this was translated from the French, I assumed that it was from France. But the author and illustrator are actually from Quebec. That makes one part of the book rather troublesome. Ludo's dad tells him that a yellow light means "hurry up". I thought maybe France had weird laws where a yellow light means you blast through the intersection at top speed. But I'm pretty sure a yellow light means the same thing in Quebec as it does in the rest of Canada... so Ludo's dad is giving him a pretty irresponsible explanation.

Also, the synopsis states that Ludo convinces himself of the little traffic-man's existence with the help of his dad. That's not true. His dad is the one who plants the idea in the first place and convinces him of it. My dad used to joke about similar things with me and my sister... but he knew we were smart enough not to believe him. Ludo is completely credulous, which points to him either being not very bright... or not very old. And if he's not very old, he shouldn't be taking plates of bread and jam out to the street in the middle of the night by himself, and the book should definitely not be saying:

Ludo's dad had always told him to be careful and not go wandering the streets on his own. Ludo knew better.

Of course he knows better! He's a stupid kid who believes in little men who live inside the traffic-signal poles. Come on.

That brings me to my final complaint. There actually is a little man in the traffic signal operating the lights 24/7. I could've done without that bit of fantasy. It's also unrealistic (and dangerous) to have the little man changing the lights just for Ludo and his dad. I would've rather seen Ludo learn about how traffic lights actually work... but that would've blown apart the whole premise, which was that he made a friend in the big city. (Setting aside the appropriateness of a little boy becoming friends with an interaction-starved old man who lurks inside a pole, that part of the story is kind of weak.)

The illustrations are passably cute, and are perhaps my favourite thing about the book. Even so, they're not 100% consistent. Ludo's bedding changes a couple of times for no apparent reason (there's a patchwork quilt and plain sheets on the bed at night, and a plain quilt and sheets printed with cars during the day).

So, as I said before, this was a disappointment. The implausibility and weirdness of the actual man stuffed inside the pole are just too much for me, and there are a few iffy messages. I don't think I'd recommend this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 2.17 out of 5

Friday, March 29, 2019

Review - Bible Infographics for Kids Volume 2: Light and Dark, Heroes and Villains, and Mind-Blowing Bible Facts

Bible Infographics for Kids Volume 2: Light and Dark, Heroes and Villains, and Mind-Blowing Bible Facts
by Harvest House Publishers
Date: 2019
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 56
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Boring vs. the Bible? No contest!

Ding, ding, ding! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Bible Infographics for Kids Vol. 2, where we're going to compare some of the most AWESOME opposites from God's Word and witness amazingly EPIC battles between good and evil.

See these fierce foes square off in the infographic octagon:

Light vs Darkness—and why you'll never see them in the same place.

Angels vs Demons—both are powerful, but only one side will win in the end.

Feats of God vs Failures of Men—God did incredible things. Men? Not so much.

False Gods vs the One True God—separating the many pretenders from the only real contender.

Heaven vs. Hell—hell is no joke. But neither is heaven. It will be seriously mind-blowing!

Plus...fantastic animals, fallen empires, the 411 on the four Gospels, and way more!

And yes, we're going to explore more fun and quirky facts from God's Word and gain a bunch of Bible knowledge along the way. Because that's what infographics do. They make the most exciting book in the world that much more craze-mazing!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

While I did learn a few things from this book, I can't really say that I enjoyed it. Aside from grating against my non-Christian sensitivities, the book is kind of sloppy in its editing... which is going to bother me no matter what the subject matter.

I debated whether to tag this as non-fiction or not, but finally decided in favour of it simply because the book heavily references the Bible. Whether any of the stories in it are true is beyond the scope of this review. This is a book that will likely only appeal to Christians, anyway, but I want to address a few things that I noticed while I was reading.

The first thing is the editing. The way the text is written isn't very consistent. The spelling of names could change within the same page, comma conventions for large numbers aren't consistently followed, and BC dates aren't always noted as such. I wasn't about to go and check each and every Bible reference, either, so there may be even more mistakes that I'm not aware of. I really hate to see such sloppy work, especially in a book for kids.

Tied into this first point are the outright errors. Some of these may be confusing. The book tries to throw in a little bit of science while talking about stars. Unfortunately, it gets things spectacularly wrong by stating:

The closest star to our galaxy is 4.2 light-years away, so the light we see is 4.2 years old.

This was probably supposed to be "solar system" rather than "galaxy", and any sharp-eyed reader is going to spot errors like this pretty quickly. So why didn't the editors? There are other things that are just plain wrong or confusing, like the reference to "jolly old St. Nicholas", referring to the historical figure... but who's pictured as Santa Claus, complete with red coat and hat. The book also claims that the Red Sea is a mistranslation of the Reed Sea... but when I looked it up, all I could find were old names in various languages all making reference to the colour red, possibly because of a particular reddish cyanobacteria that blooms in the waters there.

I was fairly engaged until about the halfway point, and that's where some pretty big leaps in logic start to make their appearance. We read about poor Uzziah who got a skin disease that deformed his face. Today, we know that that sort of thing just happens sometimes. But this book ignores anything scientific and attributes his affliction to God being miffed because he lit some incense. The section on hell is pretty horrifying (at least to a non-Christian; I can't understand why anyone who claims to be loving would want to bombard their children with such terrible thoughts and make them afraid they haven't done enough to escape a dismal fate). The section that tries to describe the Trinity just confused me. I'm not even sure the book knows what it's trying to say!

Circular logic and downright contradictions mar what could've been an interesting exploration of the Bible. Rather than simply explaining what the Bible says, this book interprets quite a bit of it, and sometimes it's a bit of a stretch. At one point, it talks about how a belief in witchcraft is a bad thing... and then, shortly after, it talks about how the Israelites saved themselves from the 10th plague by smearing lambs' blood on their doorposts in what appears to be some sort of magic ritual. So... which is it? At another point in the book, Samson is depicted as a not-so-bad guy... but he's later referred to as "the really bad" because he was tricked by Delilah. Way to blame the victim.

I wouldn't recommend this book in general, and because of the sloppiness, I wouldn't recommend it to Christians, either. It was an okay idea to do this in an infographic form to make the information easily digestible... but I still don't see why there are Bible characters running around with cellphones and pepperoni pizza. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 1.83 out of 5

Review - May We Have Enough to Share

May We Have Enough to Share
by Richard Van Camp
photographs by tea&bannock
Date: 2019
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 26
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

This beautiful photographic board book was written in thanks. Award-winning author Richard Van Camp wanted to express his gratitude for all that surrounds him and his family. The strength of their connections, the nature that provides for them, the love that is endless. Complemented by photos from photographers who celebrate their own gratefulness on the collective blog tea&bannock, the simple verse in May We Have Enough to Share is the perfect way to start or end your little one's days in gratitude.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a lovely little board book. I first encountered Van Camp's work in Little You, another simple picture book for toddlers. May We Have Enough to Share combines sweet sentiments of gratitude and love with beautiful photographs from tea&bannock, a collective blog of indigenous women photographers.

The text is simple yet profound, and little ones will probably love looking at the photos of babies, children, and families (some of them are really lovely). This would be a nice addition to any toddler's library.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for providing a digital ARC.

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 - The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden

The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden
by Heather Smith
illustrated by Rachel Wada
Date: 2019
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

When the tsunami destroyed Makio's village, Makio lost his father... and his voice. The entire village is silenced by grief, and the young child's anger at the ocean grows. Then one day his neighbor, Mr. Hirota, begins a mysterious project--building a phone booth in his garden. At first Makio is puzzled; the phone isn't connected to anything. It just sits there, unable to ring. But as more and more villagers are drawn to the phone booth, its purpose becomes clear to Makio: the disconnected phone is connecting people to their lost loved ones. Makio calls to the sea to return what it has taken from him and ultimately finds his voice and solace in a phone that carries words on the wind.

The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden is inspired by the true story of the wind phone in Otsuchi, Japan, which was created by artist Itaru Sasaki. He built the phone booth so he could speak to his cousin who had passed, saying, "My thoughts couldn't be relayed over a regular phone line, I wanted them to be carried on the wind." The Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in 2011 destroyed the town of Otsuchi, claiming 10 percent of the population. Residents of Otsuchi and pilgrims from other affected communities have been traveling to the wind phone since the tsunami.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

What an interesting story! I hadn't heard about the "phone of the wind" before. Though the real one was built before the tsunami, it became a way for many to deal with their grief after the 2011 disaster.

Young Makio is watching the sea when the earthquake and tsunami hit. His father is washed out to sea and lost. From that point, he doesn't speak. It isn't until he starts to deal with his feelings--shouting at the sea, and even using the telephone to talk to his dad--that he begins to heal.

The story is lovely, and the illustrations complement it perfectly. Though it does depict the actual earthquake and subsequent tsunami, the book isn't too scary, and there's nothing overtly graphic. The illustration of Makio sitting on the dock and staring at a shadow of him and his dad on the water is one of my favourites. The colour palette is soft and limited, and it has a definite Japanese flavour that helps bring the setting to life.

The author's note at the end about the real phone booth is a nice touch. Though the story of Makio and Mr. Hirota is fiction, the inspiration is real and fascinating. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten

The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten
by Maureen Fergus
illustrated by Mike Lowery
Date: 2013
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

"I liked kindergarten from the very 1st day," begins the narrator of this very funny and touching picture book. However, she notices, "My mom was happy for me, of course, but I got the feeling that she was also a little sad" to leave her. So one day the little girl invites her mom to join the kindergarten class for the day, which turns out to be a real learning experience --- for both of them. Somehow her mom just can't get any of the rules right: she barges to the front of the line, she shouts out without raising her hand, she slams down her scissors during Craft Time. How embarrassing! In a wonderful role reversal that will delight young children, the girl must become the patient and sometimes frustrated expert who instructs her mom on how to behave.

Author Maureen Fergus has found a unique way of telling a school story that allows children to feel rewarded about how much they know. The spare style and juvenile sensibility of the artwork by Mike Lowery perfectly conveys the hilarity of the story. This book would be a popular, entertaining read-aloud, especially for kindergartners themselves. It ties in beautifully to character education lessons on patience or perseverance. The little girl is a wonderful role model for how to be generous and kind to others who are struggling with something new, while also providing a humorous lesson on why it's important to follow the rules.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a pretty funny picture book, although I question how much kindergartners are going to get out of it. Much of the appeal is probably going to be to the adults reading the book aloud.

One day, the narrator asks her mom if she'd like to stay and experience kindergarten. The mom agrees, but things start off badly as she immediately begins to break all the rules. The narrator watches with increasing exasperation and embarrassment as her mom cuts in line, leaves her dirty shoes outside the cubby, and has a minor hissy fit when she can't get the scissors to work (to be fair, though, maybe she was right-handed and got stuck with a pair of left-handed scissors to cut out her paper; I still have clear memories of that futile activity in school). By the end of the day, the narrator's just about had it with her mom's behaviour. But her teacher reminds her that kindergarten is new to her mom, and they need to be patient. Sure enough, the mom starts to get the hang of things, and though she turns down the offer of returning the next day, both mom and daughter seem to have learned to appreciate how each spends their day.

The illustrations are simple, but they work well enough here. The real star is the text, and although it seems a bit advanced for the age group (I doubt a real kindergartner would speak the way the narrator does), it helps convey the point of the story. I might recommend this for precocious kindergartners, or maybe even kids slightly older than that who can remember what it was like to be new to school (and can therefore relate to the bumbling mom).

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 - Fancy Nancy: Too Many Tutus

Fancy Nancy: Too Many Tutus (Fancy Nancy)
by Jane O'Connor
illustrated by Ted Enik
Date: 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Fancy Nancy's closet is bulging (that's a fancy way of saying it won't close). Nancy's mom thinks she should give away some of her tutus—but Nancy knows a fancy girl can never have too many tutus! But when Ms. Glass tells her class they will have a fancy swap-and-shop at school, will Nancy bring in some tutus to trade? And what happens when she finds the tutu of her dreams?

Following in the footsteps of all Fancy Nancy I Can Reads, Fancy Nancy: Too Many Tutus will delight beginning readers—and tiny, tutu-wearing fans will agree: There's no such thing as too many tutus!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book is tutu cute! (Sorry. I couldn't resist.) Not only are the illustrations in this one adorable, but it has a sweet message.

Nancy has too many tutus! So many, in fact, that she can't close her closet door. When the school has a swap-and-shop, her mom convinces her to get rid of some of the tutus she's outgrown or doesn't use anymore. Nancy is hesitant at first, but since each item she brings in for the swap-and-shop earns her a ticket to spend on new stuff, she gets into the spirit and brings in lots of her old things.

At the swap-and-shop, she spies the tutu of her dreams. Unfortunately, Grace also spies the same tutu and gets to it first. When Nancy realizes that Grace doesn't have enough tickets to buy the tutu, she starts to take it away. But then she sees how sad this makes Grace, and she actually gives Grace the extra tickets she needs to buy the tutu. She doesn't go home empty-handed, though; she still has enough tickets left to buy two new tutus for herself.

Lots of people will be able to relate to parts of this story. Kids grow up and grow out of their clothes, but sometimes it's hard to let go of favourite items. The swap-and-shop sounds like a great idea (even though, as Nancy says, it's mostly old sweatshirts and jeans; her taste is a little more refined than that). But what I really like about this story is Nancy's kindness toward Grace. She sets aside her own desires to make someone else happy, and that's a laudable thing.

The really cute illustrations in this one are icing on the cake. I bet the illustrator had fun drawing all the different tutus. The picture of Nancy dressing up her dog tickled me so much.

Overall, this is probably one of my favourite Fancy Nancy titles so far. A great message and fun illustrations make it the perfect addition to any Fancy Nancy collection.

Quotable moment:


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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5

Review - Hungry Bird

Hungry Bird
by Jeremy Tankard
Date: 2016
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Bird is hiking with his friends when his tummy rumbles.

But no one packed him a snack that he likes!

With every step, his hunger mounts until he collapses on the ground.

How will Bird survive if he doesn't eat the perfect something this instant?!

The hilarious blue-feathered anti-hero who first starred in Jeremy Tankard's high-flying debut, Grumpy Bird, returns in another laugh out loud melodrama. For every child who has ever needed a snack right now, and for every parent who has had to cope with a hangry, fussy child, Hungry Bird is sure to satisfy.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Bird's friends should've just let him "starve". Although, then they would've had to listen to his continuous whining.

There's nothing funny about this. Bird is a narcissist. All he cares about are his own needs. He goes for a walk with his friends, and he's the only one who doesn't pack a snack for himself. Instead, he whines the whole time about how hungry he is, demands his friends' snacks, and then turns his nose beak up at them when they don't meet his standards. When they finally stop for a break, Bird is so hungry that he relents and takes the offered food. It's not so bad. But then, rather than having learned a thing, he asks who packed him a drink!

Feathered jerk. Skip this annoying little book.

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

Enjoyment: 0/5

Overall: 1.33 out of 5

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Review - I Am a Thief!

I Am a Thief!
by Abigail Rayner
illustrated by Molly Ruttan
Date: 2019
Publisher: NorthSouth Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

When Eliza Jane Murphy—line leader, captain of the worm rescue team—impulsively pockets a sparkly green stone from her classroom’s “Exploring Green” display table, her heart crumples.

My heart stopped singing. My letters went wonky. I was too heavy to swing!

I wanted to put it back . . . But what if someone saw?

But when she discovers that nearly everyone in her family took something once in their lives—from her baby brother and mom, to her nana with her sausage-stealing dog—Eliza overcomes her shame to make things right.

A hilarious and heartfelt story about stealing and finding the courage to do the right thing.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I don't like this. It's potentially confusing and conflates unintentional or ignorant acts with actual criminal behaviour.

Eliza Jane Murphy steals a green jewel from a display in her classroom. She knows it's stealing, and she immediately starts feeling bad about it. But rather than immediately doing what she knows she needs to do, she goes around and asks all her family members if they've ever stolen anything. It almost seems like a stalling tactic, or a way of justifying what she's done.

The problem that comes next is that the "stealing" that her family members talk about isn't always "stealing". Especially when it comes to animals and babies. A dog taking sausages, a cat running off with a toy, and a baby eating someone else's sandwich at the beach are only "stealing" in the most literal sense of the word. The intent is different in the cases of Eliza Jane's mother, grandfather, grandmother, and cousin, who are all old enough to know better.

It gets even worse when Eliza Jane then concludes that everyone is a thief. Even her teacher, because the woman has a pencil in her bag that's stamped with the words "Bill's Cafe". How do we know that wasn't a promotional item that was freely given? I just don't like how Eliza Jane turns around and accuses everyone of being a thief so she could feel better about what she did... which was (and she knew this from the very beginning) wrong.

The message is way too confusing in this one. The ending--showing Eliza Jane catching her father "stealing" a piece of cake from the fridge (it's his house, his cake... but whatever!)--just makes me annoyed. Eliza Jane copes with her guilt with projection... and I don't think that's a healthy thing to be teaching young readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 2 out of 5

Review - Always Remember

Always Remember
by Cece Meng
illustrated by Jago
Date: 2016
Publisher: Philomel Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

A lyrically told, beautifully illustrated book that brings comfort to children--and adults--who have lost someone they love

After Old Turtle swims his last swim and breathes his last breath, and the waves gently take him away, his friends lovingly remember how he impacted each and every one of them. As the sea animals think back on how much better Old Turtle made their lives and their world, they realize that he is not truly gone, because his memory and legacy will last forever.

Jago's gorgeous illustrations accompany Cece Meng's serene text in a book that will help chidren understand and cope with the death of a loved one.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a picture book about death. Don't worry, though; it's actually pretty sweet and not at all depressing.

Old Turtle has lived a long life, and when it's over, he returns to the sea. All the other sea creatures remember a time when he helped them or played with them or taught them something. Each memory is then followed by a spread showing the creatures without Old Turtle. But they will always remember what he did for them.

The illustrations are lovely and dreamy, a perfect complement to the gentle text. I really like how this book is presented. It's a beautiful memorial to a friend.

This could be a valuable picture book for people who have suffered a loss. It shows that, although the person (or pet) might be gone in physical form, the memories of their life--and the differences they made in the lives of others--will always live on.

Quotable moment:


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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4.33 out of 5

Review - Franklin and the Thunderstorm

Franklin and the Thunderstorm (Franklin the Turtle)
by Paulette Bourgeois
illustrated by Brenda Clark
Date: 1997
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

In this Franklin Classic Storybook, Franklin is afraid of thunderstorms. When a storm approaches while he is playing at Fox’s house, a flash of lightning sends Franklin into his shell. He refuses to come out—even for snacks—until his friends make him laugh with their tall tales about what causes storms. And when Beaver explains what really causes thunder and lightning, Franklin begins to feel much safer.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a cute story about Franklin the turtle and his fear of storms. I could sure relate; I hated thunderstorms when I was little. I'm not sure if this book would've really helped me or not. Most of the things Franklin's friends tell him are things I was told... and it didn't really assuage the fear. But the book is done well, and it might be beneficial to other readers.

Storms make Franklin very nervous. When he goes to play at his friend Fox's house, there's a storm brewing. The kids all play outside until the storm gets close, and then Fox has them all go up in the treehouse. I was glad to see that his mother took safety seriously and got them to all come inside before the tree was struck by lightning!

Inside, everyone can hear and see the thunder and lightning. The lights go out. Franklin gets so scared, he hides inside his shell. (Well, what else would a turtle do?) While they're waiting for the storm to pass, the kids share their theories on what causes thunder and lightning. The general consensus seems to be cloud giants. But then Beaver tells them that Mr. Owl (presumably their teacher) says thunder and lightning are caused by electricity jumping from clouds to the ground. The explanation is fairly good, although he left out that lightning can travel from the ground to the clouds, and from cloud to cloud, as well. Still, for a children's picture book, Beaver gives an easy-to-understand scientific explanation.

I really like the pictures here. The animals and their habitats are so detailed and fun to look at. I like the fact that the characters aren't made so cartoonish that they look unrealistic. Fox and Hawk are especially well done.

Overall, this is a strong children's picture book that explains a phenomenon that lots of kids might find scary, showing them that it's okay to be afraid... even when there's really nothing to be afraid of (except maybe being in a treehouse during a lightning storm).

Quotable moment:


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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Review - Unicorn Day

Unicorn Day
by Diana Murray
illustrated by Luke Flowers
Date: 2019
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has bought Unicorn Day by Diana Murray, illustrated by Luke Flowers. The book tells the story of what happens to an imposter horse who tries to crash the most glittery day of the year, Unicorn Day.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

At first glance, this looks like a pretty frivolous book full of unicorns, fairies, cupcakes, and glitter fights. But it's actually about friendship and acceptance. Unicorns just want to have fun, fun, fun! Would they really be so petty as to exclude those who aren't exactly like them? Of course not!

The confection-sweet illustrations might be a bit much for some readers (including this one; I found the Lisa Frank-like colour palette a bit intense), but the rhyming text and pure exuberance of the characters will likely make the book very appealing to kids. Especially kids who love unicorns.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Jabberwocky for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.43 out of 5

Review - Seraphin

Seraphin
by Philippe Fix
Date: 1967
Publisher: Elsewhere Editions
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 28
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

From Hans Christian Anderson award-winning author Philippe Fix, a dazzling portrait of a dreamy optimist filling Paris with ingenious gadgets, toys, and magical contraptions.

Seraphin, dreaming of gardens full of birdsongs, sunny avenues, and flowers, works as a ticket seller in a metro station underground. One day, after being scolded by the stationmaster for trying to save a butterfly that had flown into the station by accident, he learns that he has inherited an old, dilapidated house. Overjoyed by the possibilities, he and his friend Plume set about building the house of their dreams, and much more besides! Philippe Fix's illustrations, cinematic in their scope, have enchanted children since their 1967 debut. In a fresh translation, Seraphin now allows a new generation to experience the wonder and inventive spectacle of the original.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a brand-new English translation of a 1967 French picture book that maybe should've stayed untranslated. What starts out looking like a charming story about a funny little man rather abruptly devolves into a head-scratcher with a deux ex machina ending.

We're introduced to Seraphin, an old man who--for some reason--has never decided what he wants to be when he grows up. He has a short career as a ticket puncher before fate intervenes and somebody leaves him a ramshackle house in their will. With the help of his friend, a little boy named Plume, he fixes up the house. Then he builds a great music-making machine. The friends live happily in the house, which may or may not be possessed; there's a weird incident that seems to have nothing to do with anything, where Plume's sitting by the fire and the sound of squealing sap makes all the carvings and pictures in the house come to life.

Eventually, the government comes and tries to evict Seraphin to build condos on the land. He and Plume hole up in the house until the authorities come banging on the door. Then they build a wooden tower up from the top of the house to escape. Just when it looks like they're about to be caught... they step off into the sky on a set of movable stairs.

Unfortunately, I'm not kidding. The book doesn't seem like it's going to be fantasy, and then all of a sudden it throws in stuff like the moving statues and the walking on air. It's really disjointed. On top of that, it's a bit of a chore to read. This is very heavy on the text for so short a book.

I've seen some other reviewers mention the inappropriate relationship between Seraphin and Plume. I didn't really get that, although I was looking at it through a more innocent lens and trying to remember when it was originally written. There's nothing overtly creepy about the relationship, but viewed in light of our current understanding of sexual predators, it might give some readers pause. (Where are Plume's parents? How much time does he actually spend with Seraphin alone at his house? Why doesn't this old guy have any friends his own age?)

In any case, this isn't really a book I'd recommend. It's too wordy, and the plot goes from intriguing to downright silly in the final act.

Thank you to NetGalley and Elsewhere Editions for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 1.83 out of 5

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Review - The Quiet Crocodile Goes to the Beach

The Quiet Crocodile Goes to the Beach
by Natacha Andriamirado
illustrated by Delphine Renon
Date: 2019
Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Fossil the quiet crocodile loves to go to the beach with his friends. Fippo the Hippo, Sonny the Bunny, Ryan the Lion, and all the rest jump right in and splash about in the waves while Fossil watches from the shore. Could it be that Fossil is scared of the water? What happens when Fossil finally joins them? Is he really as quiet as he seems? Readers can find, name, and count all of Fossil's boisterous friends, as well as the rings, racquets, fishing nets, and shells hidden in the delightful drawings.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book is more about finding things in the pictures than it is about the actual story (which is really weak). In fact, the book would work without any text at all, since there's no plot. Fossil being afraid of the water is kind of meaningless; he still ends up joining his friends with a splash at the end after a little bit of cajoling.

I didn't bother to try to find all of the objects on every page, but I did find a few. All of the animals are colour-coded with a dot, and there's a growing line of dots on each page that seems to signify how many animals have gotten into the water. I'm not sure what the point of that is, other than as something else to count.

I guess I was expecting more of a story. If you're looking for a book where kids can find all the hidden objects, this might be okay. (Although, if that's really what you're after, Jean Marzollo's I Spy books are probably much more fun.)

Thank you to NetGalley and Princeton Architectural Press for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 2/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 1/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.17 out of 5

Monday, March 25, 2019

Review - Buddy and Earl

Buddy and Earl
by Maureen Fergus
illustrated by Carey Sookocheff
Date: 2010
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Buddy does not know what is in the box that Meredith carries into the living room. But when the small, prickly creature says he is a pirate — and that Buddy is a pirate too — the two mismatched friends are off on a grand adventure.

In this first book in the Buddy and Earl series, a dog who likes to play by the rules meets a hedgehog who knows no limits. Their friendship is tender and loyal, and their adventures are funny and imaginative. Maureen Fergus’s text is witty and understated, and Carey Sookocheff’s art emphasizes both the humor and the warmth of this odd and loveable animal couple.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a smart little picture book about a dog and a hedgehog who become friends. Earl the hedgehog is kind of incorrigible, and leads Buddy into a bit of trouble. But it's all in good fun... even if the humans in the house don't realize what's really going on!

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. The illustrations are really simple, but the story is cute and the writing is fairly strong. I like seeing Buddy trying to puzzle out exactly what Earl is, and Earl's guesses about Buddy's identity are just as amusing.

This is apparently the first book in a series. I'd love to read some of the others to find out what other sorts of trouble these two can get into!

Quotable moment:


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

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.33 out of 5

Review - Fancy Nancy: Chez Nancy

Fancy Nancy: Chez Nancy (Fancy Nancy)
adapted by Nancy Parent
illustrated by the Disney Storybook Art Team
Date: 2018
Publisher: HarperCollins
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Nancy has a new playhouse, and it's time for some ooh-la-la fancy fun! But when one friend wants to be the boss of who can come to play, Nancy has to decide what it means to be a good friend.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Based on the book adaptations I've read so far, I don't think I'd like the TV show. This is another story about Nancy and her family and friends involving decor (the first book I read had the kids decorating the sidewalk with handprints, while this one has them decorating a playhouse). I wonder if there are any other plot points in the show, other than making the Clancy property fancy...

The things that I like about Fancy Nancy just don't come across in these books, and it's the illustrations that really bring the rating down for me. It's not that they're bad... but part of the fun of Fancy Nancy is that she's always wearing some weird and wonderful outfit. Because these illustrations are based on animated characters--who are often dressed the same way all the time--all we see is Nancy in the same outfit: tutu, striped tights, tiara. I much prefer the look of her in the original picture books.

I also don't really like the way Grace is portrayed here. She's the "mean girl" who's made an appearance in other Fancy Nancy titles. The thing is, most of the time, she just comes across as jealous and ignorant, wanting to be part of something, or being a know-it-all. Here, though, she's just cruel. She convinces Nancy to kick JoJo and Freddy out of the playhouse, and then smirks about it afterward and leaves in a huff when Nancy realizes she was wrong to kick out the younger siblings. It's not really the Grace we know from the other books; here, she's simplified to a caricature of a mean girl, and the nuance is lost.

I'm working my way through all the Fancy Nancy titles our library has, and that's really the only reason I picked this one up. It's kind of weak, just like the other Disney Fancy Nancy book I've read so far that was based on the show. Give me Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser's original work any day!

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5