Sunday, June 30, 2019

Review - Dorrie and the Screebit Ghost

Dorrie and the Screebit Ghost (Dorrie the Little Witch #15)
by Patricia Coombs
Date: 1979
Publisher: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: Open Library

Dorrie's mother goes out to take part in a séance, accidentally leaving behind her instructions on how to summon spirits. Dorrie finds the spell and tries it out, unwittingly bringing a playful but mischievous ghost into the house.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is another cute Dorrie title that I may or may not have read as a child. In this story, the Big Witch (Dorrie's mother) goes out with her witch friends to have a séance. After she leaves, Dorrie finds written instructions for what she thinks is a dance... but they're actually the means to summon a ghost. She accidentally ends up with Screebit, a childlike spectre who always wants to play. Unfortunately, that includes snatching a ring from the Big Witch's windowsill, a ring which is supposed to keep the wrong kind of ghosts away from the séance. It's up to Dorrie to get the ring back and make it back home... all before her mother realizes what she's been up to.

The story has quite a bit of excitement. But the star for me is Dorrie. She's not written as a stupid child. In fact, she's quite clever, and ends up solving the problems thrown in her path rather casually. It's almost taken for granted that she'll be able to figure out a solution. While this could seem overly convenient if done badly, it works well here, and Dorrie comes across as a smart little girl.

The illustrations are fine, although I'm not crazy about the ghost. Maybe it's just because I read a digitized copy of an aged hardcover, but I found the ghost difficult to see at times (although, maybe that was intentional).

I'm quite enjoying these old books... and wondering why they're not still in print. They're a lot of fun!

Quotable moment:


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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5

Review - Tilabel

Tilabel
by Patricia Coombs
Date: 1978
Publisher: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: Open Library

Inept Tilabel, forced to spin, weave, and sew for the groundhog queen, is aided by three old "aunts", thus ensuring her marriage to the prince.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This quasi fairy tale is basically an origin story for Groundhog Day. I'm not sure I really care for it. The ending doesn't make a lot of sense, given everything that came before. Then again, we're talking about sentient groundhogs who live like humans. Maybe it's not supposed to make a lot of sense.

Tilabel doesn't like to work. She's also terrible at spinning, weaving, and sewing, but her mother tries to force her to do it anyway. One day, during one of these sessions, Tilabel's mother is cuffing her on the head to try to make her skills better (like that's going to work), and the passing queen hears the commotion. Tilabel's mother lies and tells the queen that her daughter loves to work and won't stop, so the queen takes her off to the castle for a little bit of slave labour: spinning, weaving, and sewing. In a Rumpelstiltskin-like twist, Tilabel is visited each night by an old woman with a strange deformity. In exchange for calling her "Aunt" and asking her to the prince's birthday party, each woman agrees to do the work. The queen is pleased, and Tilabel ends up at the party as a guest where she meets the prince... who doesn't believe in work, either. The queen, frustrated with her lazy son, declares Tilabel the new queen. Tilabel institutes labour reforms and creates new holidays... among them, Groundhog Day.

The pictures are all black and white (except for the cover, which is quite cute), so I don't know how much appeal this will have to young kids. The book is also quite heavy on the text, so except as a read-aloud title, it might be a bit intimidating.

It's an okay book, but I guess I was expecting more from this author. It's an adequate fairy tale, but it's not particularly memorable or unique (except for the groundhog aspect).

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - Dorrie and the Blue Witch

Dorrie and the Blue Witch (Dorrie the Little Witch #2)
by Patricia Coombs
Date: 1964
Publisher: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: Open Library

When Dorrie is left home alone by the Big Witch, she decides to have a tea party with Gink. There is a knock on the door. Expecting Cook to arrive any minute, Dorrie opens the door. Instead of Cook, she finds the bad Blue Witch. Dorrie scours Cook’s magic cabinet, uses its contents to capture the Blue Witch and receives a gold cauldron for her efforts.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I was a big fan of Dorrie the Little Witch when I was a kid. Now, decades later, I didn't even remember why I loved the books so much. So when a Goodreads friend reminded me about this series, I went in search of some of the books.

I'm not sure if Dorrie and the Blue Witch was one I read as a child or not (I have a feeling I'm going to be drawing a blank on most of them), but I can see why I enjoyed them. The story here is cute and empowering. Dorrie has to figure out how to deal with a potentially nasty witch who wants to steal her away. So she thinks and comes up with a rather clever solution to the problem. (Her mother eventually completes the solution, but that wouldn't have been possible without Dorrie's help in the first place.) This book is over fifty years old, but it doesn't really feel like it. In this case, anyway, the story doesn't really have any elements that make it seem dated.

As a voracious young reader, I probably loved the fact that there's a lot of text. Technically, I guess these are picture books, but there are some pages that are most or all text. So they're definitely not for the earliest readers (unless someone reads the books to them), but kids who are getting more proficient at reading and who'd like something a little more challenging than a picture book could potentially gobble these up.

The pictures are charming. They're black and white with a touch of colour (blue, in this case... of course; I suspect other titles may have their own specific colours to punch up the monochromatic colour scheme).

Overall, I'm glad I took this trip down memory lane. Dorrie is just as fun as I remember.

Quotable moment:


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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - Mama Bird Lost an Egg

Mama Bird Lost an Egg
by Evelyne Fournier
illustrated by Chloloula
Date: 2019
Publisher: Chouette Publishing
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Mama Bird is sad today. A little egg she was keeping warm has broken. With tenderness and compassion, her son, Gabriel, helps comfort her.

A thoughtful picture book that explores the theme of miscarriage, using a subtle metaphor. It provides families who are living a similar experience a resource to talk about grief and loss with young children.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I don't know if this picture book would work for the intended audience. The "subtle metaphor" mentioned in the synopsis is probably too subtle for kids to get, while being not subtle enough for the adults reading it. (The nest even looks a bit like a uterus, and when it fails at the bottom, dropping the egg... Well, I'm not sure how that's going to play with women who've had miscarriages.)

Basically, Gabriel the bird is disappointed, but tries to cheer his mother up by flying around with her and looking at the scenery. I'm just not sure if that's enough for a book with this subject matter and theme. I don't think kids should feel responsible for their parents' emotional well-being, either, which is another reason why I'm hesitant to recommend this one.

The pictures are simple (maybe a little too simple) and bright, but I don't know if they'd be that appealing to kids. The use of birds in this case also leads to a disconnect between the text and illustrations, such as when the story says that Gabriel nestles in his mother's lap. Obviously, that's not something birds can do (and I'm glad the illustrator didn't even attempt to portray it)!

This is a bit of a miss for me. While the intent behind this book is good, I don't think the execution quite works.

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

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

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 2.17 out of 5

Review - Don't Drink the Pink

Don't Drink the Pink
by B. C. R. Fegan
illustrated by Lenny Wen
Date: 2019
Publisher: TaleBlade
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Follow the special relationship between Madeline and her Grandfather as they both grow and share in the most magical birthday experiences. Filled with secrets to uncover and brimming with imagination, Don't Drink the Pink explores a number of basic concepts including colors, numbers and the reality of growing older.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This colourful book is actually kind of a unicorn: it's a self-published picture-book that's actually good. I can probably count on one hand the number of those I've come across.

Don't Drink the Pink is a sweet rhyming story chronicling the ongoing relationship between a little girl and her grandfather. Every year on her birthday, her grandfather lets her choose a new potion from his stash, always with the same admonition: "Just don't drink the pink." As Madeline works through the various potions between her first and fourteenth birthdays, she gets to experience (presumably temporary) effects such as invisibility, flying, telekinesis, and even being a mermaid. The twist arrives on her fifteenth birthday, when we finally discover what happens if you "drink the pink".

The meter and rhyme are surprisingly good here, making it a great title to read aloud. And the illustrations are really quite lovely. The setting seems to be historical, based on the clothes and technological level portrayed in the pictures. Both the story and the illustrations work together seamlessly to produce a magical tale of a special relationship.

Be sure to check this one out if you like stories of grandparent/grandchild relationships and fun fantasy twists.

Thank you to NetGalley and TaleBlade for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4.14 out of 5

Review - The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle

The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle: The Cool Science Behind Frank Epperson's Famous Frozen Treat
by Anne Renaud
illustrated by Milan Pavlović
Date: 2019
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Frank William Epperson is a curious boy who wants to be an inventor when he grows up. Since inventing begins with experimenting, Frank spends a lot of time in his ?laboratory? (i.e. his back porch) trying out his ideas, such as building a double-handled handcar that whizzes past the single-handled cars in his neighborhood. What Frank loves most, though, is experimenting with liquids. When he invents his own yummy flavored soda water drink, his friends love it! And this gets him to thinking: ?I wonder what this drink would taste like frozen?? Though he doesn't yet realize it, his curiosity will lead to his best invention ever: the Popsicle!

In this innovative picture book, Anne Renaud tells a lively story inspired by a real person and true events. Budding scientists will be inspired to emulate the way Frank follows his curiosity, works hard and never gives up --- a growth mindset in action. Interwoven within the story are full-page illustrated instructions for four science experiments that Frank performs, so readers can try them at home or school. Thoroughly researched back matter provides additional historical notes, photos and a bibliography. This readable book covers social studies topics including early twentieth-century history and inventions and inventors, as well as science topics, such as simple chemistry experiments and an overview of the skills and strategies of scientific inquiry.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Summer seems like a perfect time to read a book about the invention of the Popsicle! This lovely picture-book biography reveals the story behind the invention, and a short sketch of the life of its inventor, Frank Epperson.

For me, the strength of this book is the narrative. The weakness, unfortunately, is the layout. The book features four experiments for kids to try, and while I understand why they were placed where they were (inserted at points that corresponded to concepts just discussed in the story), I found that it really broke up the flow. And I wonder if some kids are going to get sidetracked by the first one of these experiments and simply abandon the story while they run off to try it. I think I would've preferred seeing all of these experiments placed at the back of the book for this reason. (The experiments themselves look pretty cool, although I do question the one that has kids making fizzing lemonade with water, lemon juice, and baking soda. The instructions have you tasting the lemonade at this point, and then state that you "can add" sugar, implying that it's just a suggestion. I think budding scientists will learn very quickly that the sugar isn't actually optional!)

The illustrations are okay, but not particularly memorable. I do like the fact that they accurately portray the time period in question, though.

Overall, this is another nice biographical picture book from Anne Renaud. For those looking for a true tale about a historical figure--framed in an easy-to-read picture-book format--this one shouldn't be missed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Review - Fergal and the Bad Temper

Fergal and the Bad Temper
by Robert Starling
Date: 2017
Publisher: Imprint
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

A young dragon must learn to control his anger in Robert Starling's Fergal and the Bad Temper, a funny picture book for fiery kids everywhere!

Fergal the dragon does not like being told what to do. It’s not fair! And when things aren’t fair, Fergal loses his temper and snorts angry fire.

He feels sorry afterward, but Fergal just can’t control his outburts!

After one really fiery day, his family and friends offer him some advice to calm down. Can this dragon learn to cool it before a temper tantrum hits?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

There are plenty of books out there about emotions and how to deal with them, but I've found that the picture books that work the best for this subject are those with a touch of humour or absurdity. Fergal and the Bad Temper is one of those, in which a little dragon has trouble regulating his anger... to the point that nobody wants to hang out with him because he keeps incinerating his surroundings!

I really like how the story offers Fergal lots of alternatives to breathing fire as a way to get his anger out. His mom suggests counting to ten. His friends have their own ways of dealing with anger, and Fergal gives some of them a try. Everyone--including Fergal--is much happier when things aren't bursting into flames. And Fergal comes to realize that his fire has some pretty nifty uses... when he's calm enough.

The illustrations are pretty cute. Fergal is a little orange dragon, but when he's angry, he starts to get red from the snout down. His world is populated by various woodland creatures (his family appears to be the only one comprised of dragons), but they act in pretty human ways: the bear runs a bakery, the moose is a soccer coach, and the ice-cream vendor appears to be a wolf.

This is one of the stronger picture books about emotions that I've read. Like Sangeeta Bhadra's Sam's Pet Temper, it uses a somewhat silly premise to get its more serious message across. I think Fergal and the Bad Temper is a bit easier to understand, however, especially for the target audience.

Quotable moment:


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

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.5 out of 5

Review - The Piano Recital

The Piano Recital
by Akiko Miyakoshi
Date: 2012
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

It's the day of Momo's first piano recital. As she nervously waits for her turn to play, she tells herself, "I'll be okay... I'll be okay ..." Then she hears a voice nearby, also saying, "I'll be okay... I'll be okay..." It's a mouseling! And the little mouse is nervous about her first performance, too. The mouseling invites Momo through a small door backstage, where Momo is amazed to find a miniature theater filled with an audience of finely dressed mice there to watch singers, dancers and circus performers! When it's the mouseling's turn, Momo agrees to accompany her on piano. The mouse audience is so appreciative! But then, as she rises to take her bow, Momo is surprised to discover - it isn't a mouse audience at all!

Here's another magical, dreamlike picture book from Akiko Miyakoshi, the multi-award-winning and internationally bestselling author-illustrator. The imaginative narrative is woven around the common childhood experience of anxiety, felt by performers but also by every child who faces a new life challenge. Momo serves as a wonderful example to children, using the power of her imagination to understand and work through her feelings. Even the youngest readers will be able to follow this story through the beautiful and fantastically detailed illustrations, which perfectly capture Momo's emotions as she transitions from the real to the imagined and back again.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is simply adorable! I first encountered this author's work in The Tea Party in the Woods. This book features a similar illustration style (although it's a little less creepy in spots), with lots of black-and-white drawings and touches of colour. In this story, Momo is preparing for her turn at the piano recital. She's very nervous. But someone else is nervous, too. She looks down and sees a mouse in a fancy dress who's preparing for her own recital. The mouse invites Momo to watch the murine performance, and to help her new friend, Momo offers to accompany her on the piano. At the end, we find out that Momo has actually been performing for the human audience, having used her imagination to overcome her anxiety.

I really like the pictures in this. The mouse theatre is especially charming, with all the dressed-up mice filling the seats. Perhaps understandably (given that it's in Momo's imagination), there's more colour in these scenes; in the "real world", the only pops of colour are Momo's red dress and her pink cheeks.

I enjoyed this book more than The Tea Party in the Woods, partly because of the relatable story, partly because of the illustrations. I'd recommend this one to those looking for books about performance anxiety, who enjoy talking-animal fantasies, or who simply want a good story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.67 out of 5

Review - Rudolf Nureyev

Rudolf Nureyev (Little People, BIG DREAMS)
by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara
illustrated by Eleanora Arosio
Date: 2019
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

New in the Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Rudolf Nureyev, the ballet dancer and choreographer, in this true story of his life. Rudolf fell in love with dance at an early age. He had fire in his bones and an incredible talent. But his family were poor, and Rudolf was only accepted into ballet school at a very late age. There, he had to make up for lost time and hone his skill to compete with the other dances. This work ethic transformed him into a dazzling professional dancer, thrilling audiences with sensational performances and star power. He even went on to choreograph his own ballets. Rudolf is respected around the world as a master of perfection in dance.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This entry in the series focuses on Rudolf Nureyev, the dancer. While I did enjoy it somewhat, I felt it was affected by some of the odd writing and illustration choices that plague some of the other books in the series.

The insistence on referring to "Russia" throughout will make it nearly impossible for many kids to understand the time period in which Nureyev lived. For much of his life, he didn't live in "Russia"; he lived in the USSR. Kids may want to know this little fact, because it helps explain why government handlers were following him in Paris, and why defecting was such a big deal. There's also a veiled reference to his sexuality, but absolutely no mention of the fact that he died of AIDS. It seems the tragedy of that time was deemed inappropriate for a children's book. (I'm curious as to how figures like Anne Frank and Marie Curie are handled. Do the books lead the reader to believe they died peacefully in their sleep as octogenarians?)

These particular illustrations seem an odd choice for a book about a bunch of ballet dancers. While they do have a sort of swoopy grace to them, the characters all look stocky and nobody has a neck. It's a rather odd choice, and not one I'm sure I agree with.

While this isn't a very in-depth biography, it could be a good starting point for readers who are interested in the subject in question. But that's all it really is: a starting point. Like many of the books in this series, it simply doesn't go deep enough. The timeline at the back of this one is rather sparse, which will necessitate more research on the part of the reader if they want a good understanding of the figure in question.

Thank you to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children's Books 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

Friday, June 28, 2019

Review - The Couch Potato

The Couch Potato
by Kerry Lyn Sparrow
illustrated by Yinfan Huang
Date: 2019
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Mr. Russet is the first to spot it. It's right in the middle of the couch. A potato. It doesn't belong there, yet there it is. And he's had enough. “Every day I pick up this, I pick up that, I pick up everything!” Mr. Russet exclaims. “I will not pick up that potato!” And he doesn't. In fact, he decides to take a stand and not pick up anything else either! But as the days pass, Mrs. Russet and the two Russet children don't seem to mind the potato in the living room. Or the mess growing all around them. What's a potato protestor to do? In Kerry Lyn Sparrow's funny picture book story, readers are likely to see parallels to their own families and how they handle household chores. The short, simple text and quirky story make for a fun read-aloud. Yinfan Huang's lively, childlike, colorful art conveys the same droll humor as the text. This book offers a good lead-in to discussions about roles and responsibilities within a family and respecting one another's feelings, particularly in the way that people can look at the same thing and see it from different perspectives. It can also be used for character education lessons on adaptability and tolerance.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Ouch. This book is so unfunny, it's bordering on offensive. It manages to make homemakers look like entitled divas, men like stubborn babies, and women like clueless idiots.

Part of the problem is that the author tried to reverse the gender roles, probably so that there wouldn't be any problems with sexism or whatnot. Unfortunately, it backfired. All the old offensive stereotypes are still there; it's just the other gender doing the action. Mrs. Russet comes home after work and reads the newspaper, finds what she thinks is a toy (it's actually the potato), and chucks it across the room with no regard for the state of any breakables in the vicinity. Mr. Russet claims he cleans up every day, but then gets his nose out of joint when he finds a potato, and instead of just picking it up, he basically goes on strike, letting the house fall into complete disarray, and holes up in the bathroom with a relaxing cup of coffee. (Can you imagine how fast this book would be called out if the roles had been reversed?)

As if all that isn't bad enough, Mr. Russet eventually makes French fries with the potato. What's wrong with that? Oh, nothing... except for the fact that it's been floating around the house for days, getting filthy. At one point, the dog even used it as a chew toy. I shudder to think of the bacteria that was in those fries. (Not that it really mattered. The rest of the family, weirdly, refused to eat their "friend" the potato, leaving all the pathogenic fries for Mr. Russet. He's welcome to them, as far as I'm concerned.)

The illustrations here are really not to my liking. The style is... well, I guess you could call it "elementary-school realism" or something. A lot of the pictures reminded me of things my friends and I used to draw as children. (I know it takes more skill than that to illustrate a picture book in this style and have it look consistent. I just don't personally like the style.)

I'm afraid this book is a miss for me. The stereotypes made me too uncomfortable and the pictures weren't to my taste.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 2 out of 5

Review - Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee (Little People, BIG DREAMS)
by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara
illustrated by Miguel Bustos
Date: 2019
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Part of the critically acclaimed Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Bruce Lee, the martial artist and Hollywood film star.

Born in San Francisco but raised in Hong Kong, Bruce Lee was the child star of Hong Kong cinema. But, after getting into trouble as a teenager, his father sent him to live in America. Starring roles were hard to come by for Asian-American actors in Hollywood, but Bruce went on to act in blockbuster hits, featuring his skill as a martial artist. This inspiring book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the great actor's life.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This picture-book biography of Bruce Lee is just okay. While it taught me a lot I didn't know before about the man, it also had a lot of repetition, and left out the aspect of his life that is almost universally known: his untimely death.

I've noticed this trend with other books in the series. Sometimes they're sanitized to the point that they don't even seem to represent the person in question.

Often, I glean more from the little timeline at the back of these books than from the text itself. In this case, however, a lot of the information in that timeline was just a repeat of what was in the book proper. And when I was done, I went looking for more information, unsatisfied with what I'd read.

The illustrations are cartoon-like and simple, but somewhat appealing. They're not the best I've seen in this series, but they're not the worst, either.

This is just a middle-of-the-road entry in this series for me. I just wish that the author would be courageous enough to include some of the less-positive aspects of these people's lives (including death, especially in cases like this one where it's such a well-known part of the story).

Thank you to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children's Books 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 - A Likkle Miss Lou: How Jamaican Poet Louise Bennett Coverley Found Her Voice

A Likkle Miss Lou: How Jamaican Poet Louise Bennett Coverley Found Her Voice
by Nadia L. Hohn
illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
Date: 2019
Publisher: Owlkids
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Jamaican poet and entertainer Louise Bennett Coverley, better known as "Miss Lou," played an instrumental role in popularizing Jamaican patois internationally. Through her art, Miss Lou helped pave the way for other poets and singers, like Bob Marley, to use patois in their work.

This picture book biography tells the story of Miss Lou's early years, when she was a young girl who loved poetry but felt caught between writing "lines of words like tight cornrows" or words that beat "in time with her heart." Despite criticism from one teacher, Louise finds a way to weave the influence of the music, voices, and rhythms of her surroundings into her poems.

A vibrant, colorful, and immersive look at an important figure in Jamaica's cultural history, this is also a universal story of a child finding and trusting her own voice. End matter includes a glossary of Jamaican patois terms, a note about the author's "own voice" perspective, and a brief biography of Miss Lou and her connection to Canada, where she spent 20 years of her life.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This bright and appealing picture book tells the story of poet Louise Bennett Coverley and her early attempts to find her voice as a child in Jamaica.

Samples of Miss Lou's poetry are sprinkled throughout the text, which is highlighted by colourful illustrations. There are lots of unfamiliar vocabulary words, but there is a nice glossary at the back. Also at the back is a short biographical sketch of Miss Lou, along with a lovely photo that captures the personality of this influential poet.

Overall, this is a solid biographical picture book for kids. Children of Caribbean descent, especially, will probably enjoy this one (as will their parents)!

Thank you to NetGalley and Owlkids for providing a digital ARC.

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 - Sam!

Sam!
by Dani Gabriel
illustrated by Robert Liu-Trujillo
Date: 2019
Publisher: Penny Candy Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 52
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Sam is a nine-year-old boy who loves riding his bike and learning about the American Revolution. There's just one problem: Sam's family knows him as a girl named Isabel. Sam feels a sense of relief when he finally confides in his sister Maggie, and then his parents, even though it takes them a while to feel comfortable with it. But with lots of love and support, Sam and his family learn and grow through Sam's journey to embrace his true self. In the vein of I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel, Sam! is based on a true story. With a note from the author explaining her family's experience, Sam! is an important addition to a list of books that help children and adults discuss gender identity.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This kind of picture book is difficult to review, given that it's based on a true and personal story. While I appreciate the intent and overall premise, I have problems with some of the execution.

The writing has some technical issues. I also wasn't sold on the dialogue and behaviour of the kids, especially Maggie. Too often, children in literature come across like little adults.

While it's wonderful that Sam's family was so accepting right from the start, I don't know how universal of an experience that is for transgender kids. I think this may have worked better as a non-fiction title, rather than as a picture book that appears to tells a fictional story, because it does little to address the resistance that some kids face within their own families when they reveal who they truly are. (I understand that the book says it's based on a true story, but if kids fail to read that little bit of information, they're likely to assume it's a fictional tale.)

The illustrations are really not my cup of tea. The perspective is odd at times, making the characters' bodies look like they have strange proportions.

Overall, I wasn't that impressed with this. Books tackling this subject are important, but I think this would've worked better as a biography rather than as a "based-on-a-true-story" picture book.

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

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5

Review - One Is a Lot (Except When It's Not)

One Is a Lot (Except When It's Not)
by Mượn Thị Văn
illustrated by Pierre Pratt
Date: 2019
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

2 is a little. 0 is nothing. 1 is not enough.

Well, sometimes ... 1 sun is a lot. 1 dog is a lot. 2 can even be too much. And when it comes to rain clouds, 0 is perfect. It's curious, but true. It all depends on what you're counting!

Bestselling and critically acclaimed author Mượn Thị Văn offers an innovative and thought-provoking look at the question, How many is enough? Simple page by simple page, young readers are shown examples of how, when counting things, the smallest numbers --- 0, 1 and 2 --- can mean a little, a lot or just the right amount. With its playful spirit and lyrical text, this unique, philosophical picture book promotes critical thinking, observation and discussion, even among the youngest children, and introduces a new way to appreciate numbers. Full of energy and humor, Pierre Pratt's illustrations tell a story within the story that adds a separate narrative layer to the spare text.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is pretty abstract. The story isn't really a story, but merely phrases of shifting perspective. Sometimes one thing is a lot. Sometimes it's not enough. Sometimes two are too much. Sometimes zero is just right. I mean, I get it... but I'm not sure if all kids will. Especially with some of the examples given. One leash is enough, but two is too much... even though those leashes are preventing the dogs from running away and potentially getting hit by cars.

I'm also not sold on the way "a lot" is used. To me, that usually implies excess. Here, though, it often means "just enough". So that's a potential source of confusion... especially since the words "just right" are also used.

The pictures are okay, but I'm not crazy about the style.

Overall, I'm still a little confused by this one. I understand what the author was trying to do, but I think the execution didn't quite get there.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.5 out of 5

Review - And Then the Seed Grew

And Then the Seed Grew
by Marianne Dubuc
Date: 2019
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

In an ordinary garden full of flowers and plants, little Jack and Mr. Gnome live above the ground, while Yvonne the mole, the Field Mouse family, Paulie the earthworm and Colette the ant live below the ground. Everybody is happy in the garden. Until one day, a new seed arrives, which soon sprouts into a plant. As the plant begins to grow (and grow, and grow), its stalk and leaves get in the way of those aboveground, and its roots disrupt the homes and passageways of those underground. Before long, the plant has gotten so large, it has become a huge problem for the garden's residents. So, the friends decided they must chop it down. Unless ... wait! What's that growing on the plant?

In this multilayered (and multilevel!) picture book, international award-winning author-illustrator Marianne Dubuc humorously explores the concept of change as the characters resist but eventually accept the new addition, an excellent example of a growth mindset. The story also highlights the interconnectivity of living things and, thus, the concept of community. Animal habitats and the growth cycle of plants - from seed to fruit-bearing - are presented here with easy-to-understand, child-friendly visuals. The winsome illustrations are full of clever details, offering peeks into the animals' fantastical homes, promising something new to discover with every look, and encouraging visual literacy.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I was first exposed to this author/illustrator's work through the charming Otto and Pio. In fact, the two stories are somewhat similar, with something strange that comes into the lives of the characters to change their world. In And Then the Seed Grew, we have a story about a seed that grows and disrupts the lives and homes of the creatures that live above and below the ground.

One day, a seed falls from the sky. Nobody thinks much of it... until it starts to grow. Soon, the roots are interfering with the ants' and worm's tunnels, causing cracks in the mole's bathroom ceiling, and encroaching on the mice's home. The leaves get so big that they block Mr. Gnome's door, preventing him from even getting out of his house! The creatures all come together to devise a plan, and they agree to destroy the plant. But then Jack points out all the wonderful things the plant has to offer, so they leave the plant alone.

There's one major flaw in this: it seems to encourage just giving up when faced with a potential threat. This could've been corrected with a couple of sentences explaining that the plant (it was a tomato), would die off at the end of the season, and things could return to normal. In fact, the plant is missing on the final spread, which takes place the following spring. But how many children know that tomato plants can't survive the winter? I wish this had been addressed. If the plant had been some sort of invasive species, the creatures would have been logical to want it gone before it did any more damage to their homes and lives.

The pictures are cute and appealing, and there's plenty to look at in each illustration (especially under the ground). I don't really have any complaints with the aesthetic.

Overall, I think I enjoyed this about as much as I enjoyed Otto and Pio. With an extra sentence or two to explain that the tomato invasion was temporary (and therefore reasonable to put up with, given the benefits), I think And Then the Seed Grew could've been even better.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.33 out of 5

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Review - The Sad Little Fact

The Sad Little Fact
by Jonah Winter
illustrated by Pete Oswald
Date: 2019
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

In these days of fake news and lies masquerading as truth, a New York Times bestselling author and the illustrator of The Bad Seed deliver a perfectly timed, humorous read-aloud to prove that the truth is out there, just waiting to be discovered.

In this spare, ingenious story that reads like a modern-day parable, follow a sad little fact that is locked away for telling the truth. In its underground prison, it meets other facts, all hidden away because they could not lie. Finally, with the help of a few skillful fact finders, the facts are able to spread truth--something that ultimately can't be denied. Though some people continue to ignore them, the facts are out in the world, ready for anyone who wants to hear, because "a fact is a fact," and that's that.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This one of those picture books that's bound to be appreciated by adults, but is also straightforward enough to be understood by kids.

In this story, there's a sad little fact. I guess he's sad because people laugh at him and call him a lie. One day, the Authorities come looking for him and try to get him to admit he's a lie. But he can't and won't, so he gets stuffed in a box with all the other facts and buried underground, all while the Authorities churn out their own "facts" that run amok through the world. Eventually, those in search of the truth find the facts and let them out, and while not everybody is happy about it, those with the ability to think are glad to have the facts out in the open again.

The whole book is pretty much a metaphor. It's pretty clear who the good guys and bad guys are, too. The authorities are tall and faceless, with boots and red gloves. The alternative facts all look angry, even when they clearly have most of the power. (Sound familiar?)

Of course, there are going to be some who hate this book. That's fine. But for those with open minds, this is a great reminder of why the truth is important.

A fact is a fact.

Quotable moment:


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

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.67 out of 5

Review - Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug

Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug
by Jonathan Stutzman
illustrated by Jay Fleck
Date: 2019
Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

Tiny T. Rex has a HUGE problem. His friend Pointy needs cheering up and only a hug will do. But with his short stature and teeny T. Rex arms, is a hug impossible? Not if Tiny has anything to say about it! Join this plucky little dinosaur in his very first adventure—a warm and funny tale that proves the best hugs come from the biggest hearts. Introducing an unforgettable character on the picture book scene, Tiny T. Rex will stomp into the hearts of readers in this winning new series.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

While Tiny's motivations are sweet and the pictures are adorable, this book just didn't capture me the way I thought it might. Basically, we find out that Pointy (another dinosaur) is feeling sad. So Tiny decides he needs a hug. The only problem is, Tiny's arms are way too short to give proper hugs. He goes around to his family members, asking what he should do. They give varying advice, but his siblings seem to have the best idea: practice. After practicing his hugs on various objects, Tiny accidentally hugs the wrong thing and ends up... well, carried away. But it all works out in the end.

I think part of the problem I have with this is that we don't know if Pointy even wants a hug. Some people don't like to be touched, and unsolicited hugs when you're already feeling rotten aren't going to be that welcome. I think there needs to be a discussion here about consent. Tiny should've asked Pointy if he wanted a hug. Otherwise, it's kind of sending a bad message.

Overall, this isn't that great. I do like the illustrations, though.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - Mr. Crum's Potato Predicament

Mr. Crum's Potato Predicament
by Anne Renaud
illustrated by Felicita Sala
Date: 2017
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 41
Format: e-book
Source: library

A mouthwatering tale of invention.

When a persnickety customer named Filbert P. Horsefeathers complains that George Crum’s fried potatoes are too thick, George makes them thinner. When Filbert insists they are still too thick, George makes them even thinner. But when the plate is sent back a third time, George mischievously decides to use his sharpest knife to cut paper-thin potato slices, which he fries until they are crackling and douses liberally with salt. At last, Filbert is satisfied, proclaiming, “Perfection!” Which they are. Because, quite by accident, George has invented potato chips!

Based on true events, this delicious tale will have kids clamoring for more, more, more!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book is actually a bit of a historical biographical sketch. George Crum was a real cook who, in the 1850s, helped popularize potato chips as a snack after a persnickety customer kept sending back his potato wedges because they were too thick. So George made them as thin as possible... and the potato chip as we know it was born!

I actually found the story kind of refreshing. It's set in the USA in the 1850s, and George Crum is partly African American... but he's not a slave. In fact, he has his own restaurant! So many of the books I read that feature this time period and African Americans are about slavery, so this was a bit different. (It takes place in New York, not the South, which explains the difference.) There are a couple of pages at the back that explain the true story of George Crum and his potato chips, with photographs.

The story may have been embellished a little, but it looks like the basic facts are the same. (Filbert P. Horsefeathers stands in for the picky customer. He, apparently, is made up.) So this is a fairly strong biographical picture book about the man who may be responsible for the chip aisle in grocery stores that we all take for granted today.

Quotable moment:


So, with a swish of his apron and a tap to his chef's hat, George got to work. He cut the potatoes into wedges, boiled them, fried them in a dollop of lard and sprinkled them with salt.

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Review - The Broken Vow

The Broken Vow (Spill Zone #2)
by Scott Westerfeld
illustrated by Alex Puvilland & Hilary Sycamore
Date: 2018
Publisher: First Second
Reading level: YA
Book type: graphic novel
Pages: 240
Format: hardcover
Source: library

Only the very brave or the very desperate dare enter the Spill Zone—Addison Merritt is a little of both. In exchange for a suitcase full of cash, she made one last to the Zone. She survived the encounter, but came back changed.

Addison is not alone. In a remote village in North Korea, a young man named Jae was touched by the unholy fire of the Spill Zone. He made it out alive—alive, but also changed.

Now bestowed with uncanny powers, Addison and Jae may be the only ones strong enough to face a new threat that has risen in the Spill Zone. This deadly entity is searching for his runaway bride—and his hunt is bringing him closer and closer to Addison and her little sister.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

WARNING: Major Spoilers! To read this review with the spoilers hidden, check it out on Goodreads.

Well, that was rather disappointing. Whereas Spill Zone offered up all sorts of tantalizing questions, The Broken Vow gave up lots of answers. Too many answers. The air of mystery in the first book is utterly shattered in the second, and the plot is tied up in a neat little bow.

As it turns out, the Spill is simply the result of a rift between the worlds being opened by a princess desperate to escape an arranged marriage. The family drama has caused a civil war, and the princess (Vespertine) escaped by jumping into our world and into Lexa's doll. I can buy that, but the sociopathic indifference that Vespertine shows (she killed many, many people in our world as the result of her escape) makes it difficult for me to feel any sympathy for her plight.

Addie becomes a millionaire, gains the power of levitation, and makes a new friend. Vespertine is driven out of Lexa's body, and exists somewhere (Lexa is seen texting with her at the end of the story). The sisters live happily ever after in Hawaii. Everything is just too neat and tidy. It's almost as if the stories in the two books were written by different authors; I'm not impressed with the way all the loose ends were tied up. While there is a hint of the story continuing with some other side characters, we never really learned enough about them to care; if they want to eat radioactive dust, that's their problem.

Overall, this was just a disappointment. On the plus side, it's a really quick read. This is the first graphic novel I've read in hardcover format, and I got through its 200+ pages in a portion of an afternoon. If you're looking for something quick, give it a try. If you're looking for a story that wraps everything up so fast it causes whiplash, you might enjoy it more than I did.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall Rating: 3.38 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - Children Make Terrible Pets

Children Make Terrible Pets (Lucy #1)
by Peter Brown
Date: 2010
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: hardcover
Source: library

Meet Lucy. Meet Lucy's Pet.

She calls him Squeaker.

Lucy and Squeaker have the best day ever. Until things start to go wrong...

Do children make terrible pets? What do you think?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Lucy is a bear. She's one of those kids who finds a creature in the woods, brings it home, and then whines until she gets to keep it as a pet. Her mother warns her that children don't make very good pets, but Lucy promises to take responsibility for Squeaker (as she calls him). But then... Squeaker goes missing. What's a bear to do?

This is a really odd book. Though it's less than a decade old, it feels like something that got dragged out of someone's basement stash. And I mean literally. Everything from the style of art to the choice of paper make it seem like a title from the 1950s or '60s. It's interesting... but I don't know if that's going to appeal more to kids or to their grandparents!

The story is really simple, so there's not a lot to say about that. Lucy has a pet. Lucy loses her pet. Lucy potentially finds another pet. I don't think she learned anything from her escapade with Squeaker, so I'm not sure what the point of the story even is.

Overall, this is a charming, inoffensive picture book about a bear in a tutu who likes pets. It's fun for a quick read, but that's about 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 - Jumping Off Library Shelves

Jumping Off Library Shelves
selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins
illustrated by Jane Manning
Date: 2015
Publisher: WordSong
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: hardcover
Source: library

Here is the library, not just as a place that houses books, but as an experience. Fifteen poems celebrate the thrill of getting your first library card, the excitement of story hour, the fun of using the computer, the pride of reading to the dog, and the joy of discovering that the librarian understands you and knows exactly which books you’ll love. The poems, compiled by noted poet and anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins, pay homage to the marvels of books and reading. Accompanied by Jane Manning’s colorful, imaginative illustrations, this collection lyrically celebrates the magic of libraries.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Unlike the last kids' poetry collection I read, this one is actually suitable for children. Jumping Off Library Shelves celebrates reading and libraries through a collection of simple poems. Some of them rhyme, while some of them don't. (I think I would've preferred to see more that did, but I can appreciate that the editor was trying to stick with a theme.)

The illustrations are colourful and appealing, and the poems' subjects range from books to library cards to that computer in the corner where you can access the Internet. There are references to well-known books, and plenty of love for librarians who help us find new worlds to discover.

While I'm not sure how appealing all of the poems are going to be for kids (when I was little, poetry had to rhyme), but at least the theme is consistent and the poems themselves are suitable for children.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.29 out of 5

Review - Small Things

Small Things
by Mel Tregonning
Date: 2016
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: hardcover
Source: library

On the cusp of having everything slip from his grasp, a young boy has to find a way to rebuild his sense of self. An ordinary boy in an ordinary world. With no words, only illustrations, Small Things tells the story of a boy who feels alone with worries but who learns that help is always close by. An extraordinary story, told simply and with breath taking beauty.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a difficult book to review. On the one hand, I can appreciate all the work that went into it. (The book was published posthumously, after the illustrations were completed by Shaun Tan.) On the other hand, I don't think it will be appropriate for all children. I found it on display in the children's section of the library and, drawn in by the cover illustration, I picked it up. As I "read", though, I found myself growing more and more uneasy. I can appreciate such a story and message as an adult. As a young child, though, I think I would've been scared out of my mind.

The boy in the story is having a rough time. He's left out at school, his grades are slipping, and he's clashing with his sister. Dark little creatures (they look like little demons to me) start eating away at him, eventually taking actual chunks out of his body. It gets worse and worse until he looks like he's been chewed at by some monster from a horror movie. Now, I understand that this isn't supposed to be literal, but this is a children's book after all; not everyone in that audience is going to get that.

There's somewhat of a resolution when the boy realizes that everyone has these demons eating away at them. But that just made it even worse. What is a child to think when they see that? At first, they can write it off by thinking it's just that boy who has this infestation of demons. But, wait... Now everybody has them? Aaaaah!

The artwork is all done in black and white, which further pushes it away from suitability for young children. I was also kind of confused at one point because of the sister being drawn with two different hairstyles; it took a while for me to figure out she was the same person.

If this had been aimed at middle graders or even young adults, I might have felt more favourable toward it. But because it's marketed as a children's book, I can't help but feel that it's somewhat inappropriate for the age group, and that affected my view of the book. The illustrations are skillful, but they're also really creepy... especially if you're a kid who's already beset by anxiety. The last thing you need is to think there are actual monsters ready to take chunks out of your body!

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.8 out of 5

Review - Seb and the Sun

Seb and the Sun
by Jami Gigot
Date: 2018
Publisher: Ripple Grove Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 36
Format: hardcover
Source: library

Seb is determined to find some light for his sleepy coastal town. It is so far north, the sun does not shine in winter and the days are cold, dreary, and dark as night. So Seb embarks on a mission to find the sun. Along with his friend Walrus, he makes a plan, collects supplies, and rows far out to sea. Will Seb be able to find the sun and bring its light and warmth back to his town?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a fanciful story about a little boy who lives in the far north. During the winter, it's dark, and Seb has to play in the darkness. He wants to bring some light into the gloom, so he comes up with a plan. With his friend Walrus, he takes some supplies (including honey sandwiches; who knew walruses liked those?) and heads out to sea in a rowboat, determined to catch some sunlight.

The story here is simple, and there's not a lot of text. The pictures really steal the show, though. They're dark, and yet playful at the same time. You can almost feel you're in this northern place, with the auroras overhead and darkness surrounding you. When Seb finally finds his sunlight, the illustrations are infused with a gentle glow of warmth that brightens the lives of his friends, neighbours, and family.

I don't think I've read a book with a setting like this before, and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. I don't know that a child could actually have a walrus for a friend, but it's not like you can capture sunlight in a bottle, either. Sometimes it's best not to overthink these sorts of books.

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4.17 out of 5