Review - Kitten's Winter

Kitten's Winter (Kitten #1)
by Eugenie Fernandes
Date: 2009
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

Winter comes to Kitten's world, and the little calico leaves her cozy home for an afternoon of exploration and discovery. Kitten learns that even on a frosty day, animal life flourishes: a squirrel forages, an otter goes fishing and a woodpecker taps the side of a bare-limbed tree. At the same time, readers discover that for many animals, winter is a time of rest. Softly, Kitten treads past a burrowing turtle, a napping beaver and a hibernating bear. Told in rhyming couplets, Kitten's Winter is a perfect introduction to animal behavior and habitats. And its sumptuous, mixed-media illustrations make it ideal for beginning and pre-readers, who will delight in spotting all the different details of the season.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Based on the cover, I wasn't expecting much. But this is actually an adorable picture book with unique illustrations that will likely appeal to very young children.

Very simple rhyming text is paired with fascinating illustrations that are apparently done with self-hardening clay, acrylic paint, and mixed-media collage. The result is a series of highly detailed illustrations that show Kitten exploring a forest and encountering the creatures who live there, all of which are doing what their species does during winter.

I would recommend this one to readers looking for simple rhyming picture books about the seasons.

Quotable moment:

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - Surfer Dog

Surfer Dog
by Eric Walters
illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
Date: 2018
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

What is the true meaning of friendship? Follow along as a boy meets up with his friend--a dog who faithfully waits for him every day so they can ride out to the beach together to surf. The boy doesn't own the dog and he doesn't know who does, but their daily routine has created a special bond. Award-winning author Eric Walters navigates the waters of a unique friendship alongside the vibrant illustrations of Eugenie Fernandes, who brings the bumpy roads, rugged beach paths and rolling waves of the tropics to life.

Sometimes the most poignant relationships in a child's life are the ones between friends.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book is underwhelming. I think part of the problem is that it starts far too late and tells the most uninteresting part of the story. The dog and the boy are already friends who surf together. I would've much rather read a story about how the boy and the dog met and began their surfing adventures.

The illustrations are colourful, but nothing special. The writing is a little clunky in places. It's not a really strong picture book, and while I like the tropical setting (I'm guessing it's supposed to be Costa Rica, based on the author's dedication), the execution of the text and pictures is a little bit lacking.

I don't think I'd recommend this one.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5