Review - A Very Quacky Christmas

A Very Quacky Christmas
by Frances Watts
illustrated by Ann James
Date: 2020
Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

Fans of Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree and Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas will love this funny and moving holiday story about giving and sharing--and believing in Christmas miracles.

"We wish you a quacky Christmas!" Samantha Duck is getting ready for Christmas. "I'm going to give presents to animals all over the world!" But tortoise pal Sebastian is not so sure: "Christmas is not for animals!" With the help of her farmyard friends, who all give something to help make and deliver the presents, this determined duck sets out to prove that Christmas is for EVERYONE--and to make sure animals all around the world have a very quacky Christmas.

Families will enjoy snuggling up to read this warm and friend-filled Christmas tale of giving and sharing. It's a joyous reminder that with a bit of faith and the love of those around you, anything is possible. . . .

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Samantha the duck is getting ready for Christmas. Her friend Sebastian, a tortoise, doesn't think Christmas is for animals. But that doesn't dampen Samantha's spirits at all. Enlisting the help of the other animals on the farm, she makes presents for other animals around the world... and eventually convinces the stubborn tortoise that the spirit of giving is something that can be for everyone.

The message is sweet and the story itself is cute (if far fetched). The illustrations are simple but appealing, and Samantha's plucky refrain is sure to get readers into the Christmas spirit.

I'd recommend this to readers looking for Christmas picture books that focus on the act of giving rather than on the gifts themselves.

Quotable moment:

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - Ready, Set, Skip!

Ready, Set, Skip!
by Jane O'Connor
illustrated by Ann James
Date: 2007
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: Open Library

I can’t skip. I wish I could.

Other kids are really good.

This little girl can leap, creep, twirl, skate, burp, slurp, and do all the other things kids love to do—except skip! But with the help of a clever suggestion from her mom, she soon finds herself skipping all the way to school. Ann James’s droll illustrations perfectly complement New York Times bestselling author Jane O’Connor’s irresistible rhymes.

Ready, Set, Skip! is an upbeat, lively read-aloud about learning that what you think you can’t do may only be a hop, skip, and a jump away!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

What a cute little book! I'm familiar with Jane O'Connor because of her Fancy Nancy books. I'd never heard of Ready, Set, Skip!, but I'm glad I picked it up when I saw it because it's absolutely adorable.

The little girl can do all sorts of things: leap, creep, twirl, skate... But can she skip? No. Or so she thinks. Luckily, she's got a patient mom to show her just how to do it, and by breaking it down into easy steps, mom's got her skipping in no time!

The rhyming text is really sweet, and I kind of love the illustrations. The girl is so childlike, and though the illustrations aren't photorealistic, they perfectly capture the movement and personality of the child.

It's a simple story, but I can see this being a favourite read-aloud title. It has just the right balance of fun text and cute pictures.

Quotable moment:

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

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall Rating: 4.29 out of 5 ladybugs