Saturday, February 29, 2020

Review - Pterapunzel

Pterapunzel (Once Before Time)
by Christy Webster
illustrated by Gladys Jose
Date: 2020
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Pterapunzel loves to sing, but a mean witch tries to keep her from sharing her songs! From Epic! Originals, Once Before Time is a playful board book series of fairy tales reimagined from a time long ago . . . with dinosaurs!

In this prehistoric retelling of the classic story, Pterapunzel is held captive by a witch who wants Pterapunzel’s beautiful songs all to herself. When the unthinkable happens, Pterapunzel must find the strength to fly and be reunited with her bagpiper friend!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Oh, dear. I think this is the weakest installment in this series yet. Unfortunately, the first book, Cinderella Rex, was so much stronger. Subsequent books, when compared with the first, are bound to come up short.

Pterapunzel is the story of a pterodactyl named Pterapunzel who is captured by an evil witch for no apparent reason other than that the witch likes to listen to the girl sing and wants the pleasure all for herself. The witch casts a spell to make Pterapunzel's hair grow into a rope that can be climbed. One day, a prince happens upon the tower and hears Pterapunzel's singing. He climbs up her hair and they have a jam session. At the end of that, he tells her he's going to go get a ladder so she can escape the tower. But the witch sees him leaving. She climbs Pterapunzel's hair, then cuts it off, leaving them both trapped. But Pterapunzel realizes she can fly, so she escapes, leaving the witch in the tower. After meeting up with the prince, she sings (and he plays his bagpipes) and everyone lives happily ever after (except the trapped witch, I'm guessing).

There are a few nods to Disney's version of the story here. The witch looks an awful lot like Mother Gothel (down to the curly hair and hooded cape). Pterapunzel's even shown holding a frying pan. But so many of the better elements of the story--ones Disney kept in its version--are stripped out. Pterapunzel has zero backstory; we don't even know if she has parents. The prince doesn't have a brush with death (or blindness, as in the original) and get saved by the heroine. The inciting incident involving a plant doesn't even exist... which makes the witch's captivity of Pterapunzel seem really random and odd. She just finds a girl with a pretty voice and tosses her in a tower as her own personal radio? Okay...

The illustrations are basic and colourful, but not especially memorable. I haven't really liked the pictures in these books since the first one.

The overall premise of this series is really cute (fairy tales with dinosaurs!) but the last two installments have been pretty weak. They read like they're meant for very young children, and though I realize that they are board books, I didn't get that talked-down-to feeling from Cinderella Rex. This book might be fine for toddlers and preschoolers, but I don't know if anyone older than that is going to be too impressed.

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

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5

Friday, February 28, 2020

Review - Little Book of Kindness

Little Book of Kindness
by Francesca Pirrone
Date: 2020
Publisher: Clavis Publishing
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 56
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

It's easy to be kind ... Just say thanks. Give a smile. Offer help. When you are kind, others are too. Kindness is a precious quality that we all possess. It can be practiced anywhere and with anyone, it does not require commitment, study or sacrifice, and it makes those who practice it feel good and those who receive it. Isn't it amazing? A sweet pig, funny and above all, very kind, gives us the keys to being a good person.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a sweet little book that shows simple ways that we can all show kindness. The illustrations are simple yet adorable, and the minimal text offers just enough narrative to highlight the pictures.

I'd recommend this to readers looking for uncomplicated books about kindness.

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

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5

Review - Baby Bowie

Baby Bowie: A Book About Adjectives (Baby Rocker)
illustrated by Pintachan
Date: 2019
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

Introduce your littlest rocker to the magic and creativity of David Bowie in this delightful book in the new Baby Rocker board book series.

Shiny lightning bolt. High boots. Spiky hair. Celebrate all that iconic musician David Bowie is about with your toddler in this fun, fantastical, and playful new book. Perfect for any Bowie fan, young or old, this book is sure to provide read-aloud fun with the pairing of iconic Bowie items and looks with simplified text. At the end of the book, put on your shoes and best costume because it's time to dance with Baby Bowie and friends!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Aside from the nostalgia value for parents who are fans of David Bowie, this is a rather useless offering. It purports to be about adjectives, but that part of the book is actually really weak. Some of the adjectives chosen are not the sort of words that can be easily explained in a picture book. There's a "loud" guitar (how is your toddler supposed to tell from a picture if something is loud?) and a "tall" microphone (but since it's shown in isolation, there's no frame of reference; it could be three inches tall for all the reader knows) and a "shiny" lightning bolt (which, in the e-book version, is just shown with flat colour).

In short, this just doesn't work. Die-hard fans of Bowie might want to get this for their own collection, but it's probably not the best choice of book for their toddlers, especially if they're looking for something that'll clearly teach new vocabulary words.

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

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 1.67 out of 5

Review - Tomorrow I'll Be Kind

Tomorrow I'll Be Kind
by Jessica Hische
Date: 2020
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

In a follow-up to Tomorrow I'll Be Brave, award-winning illustrator Jessica Hische brings to life another series of inspirational words and scenes with her lovely hand-lettering and adorable illustrations. This uplifting and positive book encourages kids to promise that tomorrow, they will be grateful, helpful, and kind.

Tomorrow I'll be everything
I strive to be each day
And even when it's difficult
I'll work to find a way.


Immerse yourself in the beautifully hand-lettered words of widsom, hope, and positivity alongside adorable illustrations of love and caring. This book is a reminder to all readers, young and old, that the smallest kind gesture can make the biggest difference in the world--we just have to remember to be kind to one another.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book is a bit strange. While the sentiments are nice, I don't really understand the "tomorrow" element. It makes the book seem like a manual for procrastination. Why can't you be helpful, generous, and kind today? Why do you need to put it off? (If you keep saying "tomorrow", you'll never actually have to do it. So what's the point here?)

The illustrations are interesting. Colourful and graphic, they still manage to incorporate lots of details. Each of the concepts is highlighted with a big, fancy word that spans a spread. However, some of these are kind of hard to read (like, you need to lean way back to be able to see what the word actually is, because there are a lot of flourishes that kind of obscure the basic shape). While the fancy lettering will probably appeal to adult readers who like that sort of thing, I question having something with such poor readability in a children's picture book.

Overall, this is just okay. I would've liked it a lot better if the emphasis had been on things that we can do today rather than tomorrow.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.86 out of 5

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Review - Jingo in the Jungle: Saving the Jewels of the Earth

Jingo in the Jungle: Saving the Jewels of the Earth
by Serena Lane Ferrari
illustrated by Ferdinando Batistini
Date: 2019
Publisher: Save The Planet Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 35
Format: e-book
Source: Amazon.ca

Deep in the rainforest - a magical place called the Jewels of the Earth - here lives Jingo, the orangutan of the jungle.

“I’m Jingo from the jungle.

I swing and I tumble.

With my tummy I mumble.

With my toes I can fumble!”


But today, Jingo and his friends are going to face the greatest danger of the rainforest.

A fun and engaging book that addresses the issue of deforestation and how it impacts wildlife.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I'm actually kind of astounded that this has such a high rating on Goodreads. It's not that good, people. Good intentions aren't enough to make a book truly great. There has to be quality and creativity, too.

This is a story about an orangutan and his friends who are confronted by a bunch of bulldozers. Yes, deforestation is a problem. But in this book? The solution is stupid and unrealistic (the animals all get together and confront the bulldozers... and the bulldozers turn around and leave them alone) and really doesn't relate to anything that readers could be doing if they want to help. Is the message aimed at human children or at sentient jungle animals? One could be forgiven for thinking it's the latter.

The writing is weak and clunky. The illustrations are okay, but they're nothing particularly special or memorable.

The factual information in the back about deforestation is, somewhat surprisingly, also pretty weak. What can you do to fight deforestation? Well... nothing. There's no mention of the little things that people can do (like avoiding palm oil), and the one organization link that's included simply states that the author supports them. Okay... but what can I do to help fight deforestation? After reading this, I have no idea. That's not very empowering.

Some books in this vein are too preachy. This one seems to be almost the opposite. We're introduced to the problem, and then... nothing. Poor Jingo and friends. You're on your own, guys!

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

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 2 out of 5

Review - Ella the Swinging Duck

Ella the Swinging Duck
by Suzan Overmeer
illustrated by Myriam Berenschot
Date: 2020
Publisher: Clavis Publishing
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Ella is different from her brothers and sisters.
Less neat. And less sweet.
And she sings her own songs, all day long!
The other animals need time
to get used to it …

An inspiring picture book about music, friendship, and the courage to be yourself. For swinging music makers ages 4 and up.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I'm not sure about this one. It has some cute elements, but I don't love the story.

Ella is born to Mildred and Maury who, for some reason, name all of their ducklings after classical musicians or composers. Well, all except for Ella, who turns out to be rather loud. She just wants to sing, but nobody in her family likes it. So she goes in search of others who "get" her. But she doesn't have much luck... until she meets someone who's willing to sing with her. Then she goes home, her siblings suddenly like her singing, and everyone lives happily ever after.

I think what's bothering me about this one is that Ella doesn't actually solve her problem. Her problem is solved for her through chance and the author kind of forcing a happy ending. If she hadn't met Dizzy (named after Dizzy Gillespie, I'm guessing), how would the story have ended? Ella still would've been ostracized by the other animals and her family. So... I guess I'm struggling to see how the resolution is inspiring or instructive.

What I do like about this book are the names of the characters. I also like the little ladybug that's somewhere on every spread. The pictures are passably cute. I just wish they'd gone along with a stronger story, perhaps one in which Ella actually affects the outcome.

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

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.17 out of 5

Review - A Story About Afiya

A Story About Afiya
by James Berry
illustrated by Anna Cunha
Date: 2020
Publisher: Lantana Publishing
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Some people have dresses for every occasion but Afiya needs only one. Her dress records the memories of her childhood, from roses in bloom to pigeons in flight, from tigers at the zoo to October leaves falling. A joyful celebration of a young girl's childhood, written by the late Coretta Scott King Book Award-winning Jamaican poet James Berry.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is lovely. Even though it's full of symbolism and metaphor, it can also be read simply as a magical tale about a very special dress.

Afiya has a pretty white dress that she wears a lot. The funny thing is that it seems to collect things that get imprinted upon it: sunflowers, roses, fish... even the tigers at the zoo. She washes the dress out, and sometimes the impressions seem to linger. But they're always gone by the next morning, and the dress is ready to hold more new images.

It's obviously about memories, although I don't expect that all children are going to understand that. Still, it's a charming picture book with an appealing heroine and plenty of pretty pictures. I would recommend it to those looking for gentle stories about childhood and memory.

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

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

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.33 out of 5

Monday, February 24, 2020

Review - Stretchy McHandsome

Stretchy McHandsome
by Judy Schachner
Date: 2019
Publisher: Dial Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

A handsome and totally fetching street cat with a penchant for trouble stars in the new picture book by Judy Schachner, creator of the inimitable, irrepressible Skippyjon Jones

Stretchy McHandsome is not only good looking with his ginger fur, but he has personality that shines as well. Leaving the safety of the McHandsome clan, he stretches himself away from home and all around town. Out and about, he is spotted by a girl with a kindred spirit, who makes him realize the one thing missing from his life is the warm lap of a loving person. How this gadabout finds his true girl makes for a story that is a little bit wild, but a whole lot wonderful.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I am not a cat person, so cat books have to be pretty special for me to like them. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Stretchy McHandsome. It's actually a sweet rhyming story about a cat finding the one person who "gets" him.

Stretchy lives with his eight siblings in a cardboard box. One day, he decides to venture out on his own. He has a number of adventures (some more exciting than others) and eventually runs into a little girl who's a lot like him in some ways. Meanwhile, the other cats, missing their brother, head out in search of him, encountering many of the same people and adventures as Stretchy. It all wraps up in a sweet little ending that I won't spoil for you.

Rhyming picture books are usually hit-or-miss for me. The meter in this one isn't great, but it's not completely terrible, either (i.e., it could be read aloud without too much awkwardness). The story is simple and cute, but it's really the illustrations that are the star here. The cats are all unique and full of personality, and the little girl is adorable.

Overall, this is a charming picture book. I'd recommend it to readers looking for stories about finding your people (or cats, as the case may be), and those who love cats... although, that's not a prerequisite for enjoyment.

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.71 out of 5

Sunday, February 23, 2020

Review - Cannonball

Cannonball
by Sacha Cotter
illustrated by Josh Morgan
Date: 2020
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 38
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

He's ready to make a splash!

I'm ready to pull off the perfect cannonball, but everyone has advice.
"You need more weight"
"Bigger shorts!"
"More muscles!"
"BIGGER SHORTS!"

All it really takes is listening to your own voice and finding the courage to make the perfect cannonball.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Are cannonballs a big deal in New Zealand? Judging by this book, it certainly seems like it. Cannonball is a story related by a young Maori boy who wants to achieve the perfect cannonball. But his attempts fail, and everyone has all kinds of (unhelpful) advice. It isn't until his grandmother tells him to be himself and do things his own way that he finally achieves his goal.

The story is sometimes in rhyme and sometimes not. I don't really mind, since the rhyming bits are mostly the kid's internal monologue. There's an interesting glossary at the back of different poses used to jump into the water, complete with names. The illustrations, though, are probably going to be what appeals to most readers. They're colourful and detailed, and show plenty of diversity within the cannonballing community.

I'm still not sure why cannonballs are such a big deal, but they make for an interesting premise. I can't say that I've ever read a book about cannonballing before, let alone one set in New Zealand.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Jabberwocky 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

Review - Oops!

Oops!
by Mack
Date: 2020
Publisher: Clavis Publishing
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 64
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

A cute new book for author Mack, the author of A Hundred Kisses Before Bedtime and A Little Bite For You about trying new things

Baby animals are ready to try all sorts of new things. But . . . oops! What do they do when they fall down? They get up and try again!

A cute little book about taking first steps. For risk-takers ages 12 months and up, with a focus on the child’s world.

(synopsis from NetGalley; see it on Goodreads)

This ridiculously long picture book aimed at toddlers is pretty weak. I thought the premise sounded cute, but the execution isn't great. And it's so long.

Yes, there are various baby animals failing at doing the simplest of tasks. But that's where the premise falls apart. Despite what the synopsis says, the baby animals do not "get up and try again". We just go from fail to fail until the last pages, where the lesson isn't about perseverance... but about having a friend there to "pick you up and give you a sweet little kiss". None of the animals try again, as far as I can tell.

The text is stilted and there's a missing word at one point (I chalk that up to the translation). The illustrations look a bit like the stuff I used to draw on the computer with Dr. Halo back in the 1980s. Don't get me wrong; it is possible to create decent art with the simplest of software. But these pictures just aren't great. Also, there are continuity problems throughout, starting with the very first animal, a mountain goat, who's trying to climb a rock. This episode continues over four pages... and the rock and sky are different in each one. (Copy and paste, for crying out loud!)

I just can't see one-year-olds sitting still for over sixty pages of monotony. I was thinking, "Is this ever going to end?" as I was reading. That's not the kind of reaction you want to elicit from your readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Clavis Publishing 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

Saturday, February 22, 2020

Review - Nattiq and the Land of Statues

Nattiq and the Land of Statues: A Story from the Arctic
by Barbara Landry
illustrated by Martha Kyak
Date: 2020
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

A ringed seal, known in Inuktitut as ᓇᑦᑎᖅ nattiq, has returned to his Arctic home after a long journey south. His friends — a polar bear, caribou, raven, walrus and narwhal — gather round to hear about his trip.

“What did you see beyond our land?” shouts the polar bear.

ᓇᑦᑎᖅ nattiq describes the amazing sights he has seen — from crystal clear waters full of giant icebergs to the tundra in full summertime bloom to strange, tall statues, far to the south. The statues swayed in the autumn breeze, howled when winter storms set in and opened their arms to nesting birds in the spring.

“They can never come and visit us,” ᓇᑦᑎᖅ nattiq explains to his friends, and so he plans to return south every year to tell them stories from the Arctic.

Inspired by her travels, Barbara Landry has written an imaginative story about discovery and friendship. Martha Kyak brings her familiarity with the North to the stunning illustrations. Includes a glossary of Inuktitut words.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I wasn't sure I liked this on the first reading, but I can see it growing on me with subsequent exposures. The issue, I think, is the Inuktitut words that are inserted in the text. There is a glossary at the back, but I didn't realize that until after I'd finished. With the glossary in hand, the text will be much clearer.

nattiq, a ringed seal, tells his animal friends about the "statues" he encountered after he ventured south. The animals listen with interest as nattiq describes these "statues" (which the reader can clearly see are actually trees; the seal's interpretation is interesting). The illustrations are done in a style that's... well, it looks almost like digital overpainting, which I'm not a fan of (unless it's done exceptionally well... and it's not here). Still, the pictures do their job in conveying a sense of place to the reader, and the landscapes are rendered in a way that's not entirely unpleasant to look at.

I like finding picture books that incorporate other languages, and it's especially nice to come across ones with Indigenous languages. I don't think I've read any books with Inuktitut words before.

Overall, this is a decent story that will probably be enjoyed more on a second or third reading, especially after the reader has perused the glossary.

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 - When the Snow Is Deeper Than My Boots Are Tall

When the Snow Is Deeper Than My Boots Are Tall
by Jean Reidy
illustrated by Joey Chou
Date: 2019
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

When the Snow Is Deeper Than My Boots Are Tall is a charming rhyming picture book celebrating the fun of snow and the coziness of winter.

Find a frosty window./ Watch the flakes fall./ Look! The snow is deeper than my toes are tall.

With young, rhyming verse and bright illustrations, Jean Reidy and Joey Chou captures the joy and excitement of a big snowfall. As the snow climbs over a boy's toes, ankles, shins, and boots, there's more and more fun to be had—snowmen, sledding, snow angels, and, finally, a cup of hot cocoa by a warm fire.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a cute book about a snowy day. Our young narrator tells us, in rhyme, about how deep the snow is getting, relating its depth to parts of his body (e.g., it's up to his ankles, it's over the tops of his boots, etc.). Eventually, though, the snowy day turns uncomfortable: cold toes, wet cheeks, and a hat-stealing wind. So after a last bit of fun, the boy goes inside with his family to share the other side of a snowy day: the coziness of a fire, hot drinks, and companionship.

It's a charming story. The meter of the rhyming text is okay. The illustrations are fairly strong, if simple; they're colourful and cute.

Overall, this is a nice little winter-themed picture book that doesn't incorporate any holidays (as so many winter titles do) and instead focuses on the experience of being outside when it's snowing.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - Windblown

Windblown
by Édouard Manceau
Date: 2011
Publisher: Owlkids Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Where did all these pieces of paper come from? Who do they belong to?

The chicken is sure that they belong to him, but so is the fish, and so is the bird, and the snail and the frog… Using the same small scraps of paper over and over again to create a new animal on each page, Édouard Manceau has created a timeless cumulative tale that will delight and enchant children as they try to figure out just who the pieces of paper do belong to…

(synopsis from Goodreads)

That was unimpressive.

Windblown is a cumulative tale in which animals try to take credit for pieces of paper that were found lying around. I'm sorry, but I just don't get it. The book lost me when the fish claimed it cut out the pieces. (Fish can use scissors?!)

Sure, there are activity sheets that can be downloaded so kids can cut out and play with the shapes, but... so what? The shapes aren't particularly interesting. After a few minutes of playing with these bland shapes, kids will probably lose interest.

I guess this might be okay if you're specifically looking for cumulative tales, but otherwise, there's not much of value here.

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

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 2 out of 5

Friday, February 21, 2020

Review - Poo Bum

Poo Bum
by Stephanie Blake
Date: 2011
Publisher: Gecko Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Once there was a little rabbit who could only say one thing... In the morning his mother would say, "Time to get up, my little rabbit!" He'd reply: "Poo bum!" At lunchtime his father would say, "Eat your spinach, my little rabbit!" He'd reply: "Poo bum!" One day, he meets a hungry wolf. Will the little rabbit learn his lesson once and for all?

(synopsis from NetGalley; see it on Goodreads)

This book may be a masterpiece.

I've read so many children's books that, when one of them stands out, I notice. Poo Bum is simplistic, with no lessons learned. The illustrations are garish and silly. The story consists of a rabbit repeating a scatological phrase. But, you know what? It made me laugh. I can totally see this being a favourite of little kids, thanks to its hilarious absurdity.

I don't know what else to say, other than, "Find your kids a copy." You'll thank me later (or maybe not).

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

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 - Counting Animals with Lily and Milo

Counting Animals with Lily and Milo
by Pauline Oud
Date: 2020
Publisher: Clavis Publishing
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

A new entry in the Lily and Milo series.

Lily and Milo take a walk in the meadow. What do they see? Animals. So many animals!

Can you count the animals along with Lily and Milo?

A cheerful story about animals and counting. For toddlers ages 24 months and up, with a focus on language development.

(synopsis from NetGalley; see it on Goodreads)

While the illustrations and premise may look really simple, this is a surprisingly well-done counting book for toddlers.

Lily (a rabbit) and Milo (a mouse) go for a walk in the meadow. They encounter lots of critters and proceed to count them. Each spread is devoted to a number, and readers are encouraged to count the animals along with Lily and Milo.

If I have one complaint, it's that the adult reading the book really needs to be paying attention or there could be some confusion when it comes time to count. For example, on one page the reader is encouraged to count the "swimming fish". There are supposed to be ten, but there's also technically one more fish that's leaping out of the water, bringing the count to eleven. (The same sort of thing happens with mother animals and their babies; readers are told to count just the babies, but since the mother is also depicted in the spread, there might be some confusion.) Hopefully, kids' literal thinking will take care of this problem. Who knows? Maybe it's just something I noticed as an adult.

The text is technically strong and the illustrations are fairly clear (other than the previously mentioned issue). This is probably one of the stronger counting books I've read recently.

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

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Review - Mars' First Friends

Mars' First Friends
by Susanna Leonard Hill
illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
Date: 2020
Publisher: SOURCEBOOKS Jabberwocky
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 42
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

From the creators of New York Times bestseller Moon's First Friends!

Mars' First Friends is a universal story about man's—and Mars'—best friends—our beloved pets. In this sweet solar system book, Mars is lonely and just wants someone to play with, but the planets are all too busy. That is until Earth sends her little brother, Mars, his first pets: the rovers Spirit and Opportunity! With its darling prose and charming illustrations, this book offers a new take on the Mars rovers stories, and also includes educational back matter with an abundance of information about the solar system, Mars, and the Mars rovers.

(synopsis from NetGalley; see it on Goodreads)

This is a cute book that combines a fictional story about an anthropomorphized planet with scientific facts about the planets in our solar system (Mars in particular).

Mars longs for a pet. His siblings hog Pluto. The others don't feel like playing with him, either. He asks his father, the Sun, for help, but all his dad tells him is to play with his siblings. One day, though, his sister Earth sends him a gift: rovers named Spirit and Opportunity!

The premise is kind of cute, although not strictly factual. The story about a kid longing for a pet is pretty universal, though, and the ending is sweet. But the book's real strength lies in the non-fiction section at the back. Kids who are interested in outer space, planets, or exploratory missions to Mars will probably find this part fascinating.

Turning the Mars rovers into pets is a cute concept. It works.

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

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - The Grizzly Itch

The Grizzly Itch
by Victoria Cassanell
Date: 2020
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

A funny and lighthearted story about friendship, sharing, and a deep love of nature and the joy it can bring.

The first picture book from outstanding talent, Victoria Cassanell, The Grizzly Itch is a hilarious tale about how helping people often yields unexpected and wonderful surprises. Perfect for teaching children how to navigate first friendships and to encourage them to respect and enjoy the natural world.

When Bear wakes up from his winter sleep, he discovers an itch. And not just any itch – an unBEARable Grizzly Itch. But when he gets to his favourite scratching tree, it suddenly crashes to the ground. It turns out Beaver likes trees too . . . Thankfully, Beaver knows lots of other trees, and promises to help Bear find a new one. But Bear's itch is getting more grizzly by the minute, and none of the trees Beaver show him are quite right. Maybe it's not a tree Bear needs, after all?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is kind of a cute story. When Bear wakes up with a terrible itch, he heads to his favourite scratching tree to wait his turn. But then, before he can scratch his itch, Beaver comes along and gnaws down the tree! Feeling bad, Beaver tells Bear he'll help him find a new scratching tree. But none of the trees seem quite right at all. Will Bear's itch ever get scratched?

The illustrations are sweet and humorous. The writing is okay, but the grammar is a little loose. I'm also not clear on why Bear had to climb the tree over the river (other than to give him an excuse to fall out of it). But I like the overall themes of friendship, kindness, and problem-solving.

Overall, it's a fun little book. I'd probably recommend it to fairly young children, though, given the simplicity of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Books for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.17 out of 5

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Review - What Is Given from the Heart

What Is Given from the Heart
by Patricia C. McKissack
illustrated by April Harrison
Date: 2019
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

This final picture book from author Patricia McKissack is a celebration of the joy of giving.

"Misery loves company," Mama says to James Otis. It's been a rough couple of months for them, but Mama says as long as they have their health and strength, they're blessed. One Sunday before Valentine's Day, Reverend Dennis makes an announcement during the service-- the Temples have lost everything in a fire, and the church is collecting anything that might be useful to them. James thinks hard about what he can add to the Temple's "love box," but what does he have worth giving?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I was almost put off at the very beginning. Taking a page from Disney, the narrator's father "goes to sleep" on the porch and never wakes up, leaving his wife and son destitute. Because of this rather traumatizing beginning, I'd be hesitant to give the book to very young children.

But, as I kept reading, the story grew on me. I wasn't a fan of the colloquial language, and not because of the vernacular; it just didn't seem all that consistent. The story itself, though, is pretty good. James Otis and his mother hear about a family who has lost everything in a fire. Despite the fact that they have very little to give, James Otis and Mama come up with a way to contribute, which makes everyone's heart fill with joy.

The illustrations are really nice. They're sort of collage-like, with stylized characters and lots of textures. The few close-up pictures of the characters are really lovely.

Because of the subject matter and the rather scary beginning (kids might never want their dads to take a nap again!) I'd be hesitant to recommend this to really little kids. The child characters in this book are nine and seven, and that's probably a suitable target audience for this particular story.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.17 out of 5

Review - My Hair

My Hair
by Hannah Lee
illustrated by Allen Fatimaharan
Date: 2019
Publisher: Faber & Faber Children's
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Join one little girl's search for the BEST party hair - as demonstrated by her family and friends.

Will it be dreads or a twist out? Braids or a high-top fade? Joyous and vibrant, this captures perfectly the excitement of getting ready for a celebration, as well as showcasing a dazzling array of intricate hairstyles.

This is a glorious debut from an exciting new partnership who both emerged from the FAB Prize for undiscovered BAME writers and illustrators.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a cute rhyming picture book about a little girl's search for the best hairstyle for her upcoming birthday party.

It's really a celebration of black hair. Not being black myself, I can't say that I could relate to the book... but I found it really interesting all the same. As the girl thinks about what kind of style she wants, she thinks about the styles that her family and friends have, showing off the diverse array of creative styles that can be achieved.

The illustrations are clear and match the text nicely, highlighting and naming the various styles. Even readers who aren't familiar with the styles will be able to understand what the book is talking about thanks to the pictures. If there's one weakness that this book has, it's the text. It rhymes, but the rhythm and meter are pretty awful in a few spots. I wish authors who write picture books in rhyme would pay more attention to syllable counts; it would make the words flow so much more freely. (One of my favourite picture-book authors who did rhyming text really well was Anna Dewdney. Check out her Llama Llama titles for some great examples of rhyming text.)

While I didn't love the text itself, I still think the premise and illustrations are great. So I would recommend this one, but with a warning to parents: it's probably not going to be the easiest book to read out loud, especially if you're expecting a bouncy, regular rhythm for the rhyming text.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.14 out of 5

Review - Just Like Me

Just Like Me
by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Date: 2020
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

An ode to the girl with scrapes on her knees and flowers in her hair, and every girl in between, this exquisite treasury will appeal to readers of Dear Girl and I Am Enough and have kids poring over it to find a poem that's just for them.

I am a canvas
Being painted on
By the words of my family
Friends
And community


From Vanessa Brantley-Newton, the author of Grandma's Purse, comes a collection of poetry filled with engaging mini-stories about girls of all kinds: girls who feel happy, sad, scared, powerful; girls who love their bodies and girls who don't; country girls, city girls; girls who love their mother and girls who wish they had a father. With bright portraits in Vanessa's signature style of vibrant colors and unique patterns and fabrics, this book invites readers to find themselves and each other within its pages.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

It's been so long since I was a kid. I'm not sure if this is the sort of thing kids would like. I'm especially not sure if it's something today's kids would like. As an adult, I enjoyed it and probably got quite a bit out of it. I'm just not sure of the appeal of free-verse poetry for the younger set.

What I really like here, though, are the illustrations. I've read other books written and/or illustrated by Brantley-Newton, and I've usually been impressed. Here, we have a diverse cast of female characters set against lovely mixed-media backdrops that are exploding with colour and whimsy. While some of the poems left me feeling a bit indifferent, most of the illustrations had me eagerly poring over the pages and anticipating what I'd see when I'd turn to the next spread.

I think this might be more suitable for slightly older girls (there's a poem about pimples in here, after all) who are starting to think more about themselves and their place in the world. I'd recommend this one for the illustrations alone, but those who can get something out of the text will probably find this one to be a winner.

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5

Sunday, February 16, 2020

Review - Lost Beast, Found Friend

Lost Beast, Found Friend
by Josh Trujillo
illustrated by Nick Kennedy
Date: 2020
Publisher: Oni Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Lost Beast, Found Friend is the moving, uplifting adventure story about an unlikely friendship between a young girl and a magical beast.

Keelee is a brave, young girl who discovers a purple, fuzzy, funny beast! Together the two must make their way across this fantastic land to return Beast to his home. This is a touching tale of friendship and fun that children will want to revisit again and again. The children’s book is the debut of painter Nick Kennedy and comics writer Josh Trujillo (Dodge City). Lost Beast, Found Friend transports readers to a lush, tropical world, and Kennedy’s unique style gives Keelee and her new friend a vivid fantasy world to play in. This book will stick with readers of all ages long after story-time is over. Lost Beast, Found Friend is a charming and vibrant adventure story for the explorer in all of us!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a colourful story, told in rhyme, about a girl who lives on an island and discovers a beast eating fruit near her village. Realizing that the beast is from the other side of the island, she sets off to return him to his family.

The story is super simple, and I'm really not sure what I'm supposed to get out of it. If it's supposed to be about a blossoming friendship, it sort of failed. We basically just see Keelee and Beast moving through a tropical setting. It's also a bit confusing in that it took them two days to return Beast to his village... and yet the story ends with:

Beast lived not too far away.
So, when they wanted, they could play!

The meter is pretty clunky in places. The illustrations are rather bold and colourful, but they're also a bit strange. Keelee is supposed to be an "island girl", but she's kind of a featureless grey humanoid. Beast looks sort of like a fuzzy purple bison with pink horns. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, so perhaps the story takes place on Earth... but it's hard to say for sure.

Overall, this is a bit forgettable. Sure, Keelee and Beast may have become friends, but they apparently did so in some sort of time warp. If it takes you two days to walk to your friend's village, I can't imagine that you're going to be having a lot of playdates.

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

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2 out of 5

Review - Bluebeard

Bluebeard
by Metaphrog
Date: 2020
Publisher: Papercutz
Reading level: C
Book type: graphic novel
Pages: 176
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Award-winning duo, Metaphrog, transform the classic folktale into a feminist fairy tale, about the blossoming of a young child to womanhood striving for independence. Eve spends an idyllic childhood of long summer days with her sweetheart Tom, and together they dream of exploring the world. But that dream is soon shattered as she comes of age. The mysterious Bluebeard is looking for a new bride and has his sights set on Eve, and rumor has it that his former wives have all disappeared. What will Eve find in the castle beyond the enchanted forest? A forbidden chamber, a golden key and the most terrifying secret, take on a new life in this gothic graphic novel.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a pretty decent fairy-tale retelling in a graphic novel format. Despite the fact that it takes on a fairly gruesome story, the illustrations keep the whole thing pretty tame, rendering it suitable for older kids as well as teens and adults.

Eve has lived her whole life in the shadow of Bluebeard's castle. When she turns eighteen, her father basically sells her to Bluebeard (nice) and she ends up married to a travelling salesman (I'm guessing) who's never home. Bluebeard gives his wife the house's keys, a tiny gold one included. This, of course, opens the door at the end of the gallery. And, of course, she's not supposed to open it. And, of course, she does. When Bluebeard finds out that Eve's discovered his secret, he gets nasty, necessitating a bit of self-defence.

I'm not exactly sure why this is called a "feminist fairy tale", other than the fact that Eve and her sister end up pushing the villain off a balcony. Having the main character sold off by her father doesn't seem very feminist to me.

The writing is mediocre, but since this is a graphic novel, the illustrations play a large role. I kind of liked them. They have a really unique look, and an interesting colour palette. The shapes that are used throughout clearly convey the goodness (or evilness) of the various characters. As I mentioned before, nothing gets too gory. Blood is suggested with judicious use of colour rather than actual gore. (I'm still wondering about that poor zombie who fell off the cliff, though. It was shown, but then never mentioned!)

This book will probably appeal to fans of fairy-tale retellings, especially if they also enjoy graphic novels. Those who are looking for a particularly feminist book, however, may want to look elsewhere.

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

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 2.75 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - A Big Change for Daisy

A Big Change for Daisy
by Keri T. Collins
illustrated by Cynthia Baker-Gusman
Date: 2020
Publisher: Purple Butterfly Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 42
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

What happens when your world is turned upside down and you have no choice but to change? Daisy's simple life of sleeping all day is about to get disrupted when a small creatures comes to live with her. Daisy's life as she knew it will never be the same. See what coping skills Daisy uses to get through her big change.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a confection of a picture book about a dog who undergoes a big change in her life.

Daisy the English bulldog is the princess of her own castle. She eats, sleeps, and plays whenever she wants. But, one day, her castle is invaded by a Chiweenie named Lilly Rosa. Daisy is not pleased with this change, but meditates on the issue and decides that change is good.

The message is pretty heavy-handed, and I'm not a fan of the way the dogs are given such human characteristics. (The dog meditates? Really?) It's very obvious that the author intended for this to be a "message" book; there are even pages at the back that have tips for coping with change. They're not bad and some of the tips might be helpful in some cases, but when taking action is referred to as "sparkle", it's all a bit much. A book this twee is liable to give you cavities.

The writing is mediocre from a technical standpoint and not that consistent. The illustrations are okay; you can tell they're done by someone who specializes in pet portraits. I'm not really a fan of the layout of the book, though, with some of the words highlighted with a fancy, coloured font. It kind of disrupts the flow, and I didn't always think that the highlighted words needed to be highlighted.

Overall, this is just an okay book. It will probably have more of an audience in kids who like reading stories about dogs. As a book that tries to teach about embracing change, it seems just a little too simplistic in that regard.

Thank you to NetGalley and Purple Butterfly Press for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5

Saturday, February 15, 2020

Review - Such a Good Boy

Such a Good Boy
by Marianna Coppo
Date: 2020
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

The ultimate kids' book about dogs, being good, being bad, and being yourself!

From the award-winning, critically acclaimed author of Petra.


Meet Buzz the dog.

He's such a good boy.

Buzz seems to have a perfect life .. .

and a lot of very well-behaved friends.

Buzz would never dream of being anything other than good.

Right, Buzz?
Buzz . . . ?

For anyone who has ever felt pressure to be "good" at the expense of their own self-expression, and for anyone who has ever owned and loved a dog, this beautifully illustrated picture book from author-illustrator Marianna Coppo will have you laughing, smiling, and longing for your own unfettered frolic in the park.

• With charming art and a positive message, this is an ideal read-aloud book for parents and children to share.
• For dog lovers, pet lovers, and any kid who knows how hard it is to be good all the time
• Marianna Coppo's first book, Petra, was a Good Reads Choice Awards Picture Book Finalist and received starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly and Kirkus.

For dog-loving children and fans of such picture books as Gaston, Harry the Dirty Dog, Antoinette, and Naughty Mabel.

For any child who struggles to be "good" and understands the fun (and frustration) of being "bad."

• Picture books for kids ages 5–8
• Dog books for kids
• Books about acceptance, self-confidence, and being yourself

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Aside from the dog reminding me of the one my family had when I was growing up, there's not much about this book I really loved. It's basically just a weak story about an over-fluffed pooch who wants to run wild, dig holes, and eat poop. He gets his chance when he's left at the groomer... and escapes. But then he realizes his people are looking for him. (I might've liked this one better had the ending not been so ambiguous.)

I can't quite tell if this is taking a swipe at people who pamper their dogs, or if it's just a simple story about a dog doing what dogs do. The text really is from a dog's point of view, making the humans into the bad guys because they won't let the dog be... well, a dog. (I don't really care if it's natural, though; eating poop is gross.)

The illustrations are simple, but cute. Kids will probably enjoy them. I just wish they accompanied something with a bit more substance.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.5 out of 5

Friday, February 14, 2020

Review - The Friendship Book

The Friendship Book
by Mary Lyn Ray
illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
Date: 2019
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

With charming art and poetry, this honest primer on friendship, and companion to The Thank You Book, captures the many ways friendships are formed and what it means to be a friend. Perfect for fans of I Like You and A Friend Is Someone Who Likes You.

Sometimes being friends begins all at once
And sometimes it takes a while to get acquainted
But then, as some small knowing grows,
You start feeling that feeling
That comes with having a friend—


Exploring the many shapes friendships take and how being a friend can be a gift in itself, this thoughtful and authentic primer on friendship invites readers to celebrate the wonders of companionship.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

From the outset, this seems like a sweet little book about friendship. And it is in some ways. But it really didn't work for me in others.

Much of the book is just explaining--in free verse--what friendship is. How we become friends. What we do in a friendship. And that's all fine. But the book lost me when it started talking about how rocks and hills can be our friends. That's the last thing a lonely kid wants to hear. Friendship requires give and take, and a certain amount of interaction. Can you interact with a rock? Technically, yes, but not in the way most lonely people are craving. A rock can't talk. Just because sitting quietly and being there for another person can be a feature of human friendship doesn't mean that an inanimate object can be a friend.

The pictures kind of took me aback, too. There's this weird mix of humans and anthropomorphized animals, sometimes interacting with each other, sometimes just parallel to each other. It gives the book a bit of a surreal feel. I don't know if I really like it. (I don't mind anthropomorphized animals... but when they're mixed up with humans, it starts to fall apart a bit for me.) The illustration style itself is lovely, full of soft colours and cute critters. It's more the subject matter that's giving me pause.

Overall, I didn't love this. But I can see it finding an audience.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5