Review - Barkus

Barkus (Barkus #1)
by Patricia MacLachlan
illustrated by Marc Boutavant
Date: 2017
Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC
Reading level: C
Book type: illustrated chapter book
Pages: 51
Format: e-book
Source: library

Meet Barkus. Barkus is loyal. Barkus is generous. Barkus is family.

The exuberant Barkus and his lucky young owner whirl and twirl across the pages of this delightful pre-chapter book series from award-winning author Patricia MacLachlan. The accessible text is ideal for even the newest independent reader, while the warm, humorous story and energetic illustrations will appeal to picture book readers as well as advanced readers.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Barkus kind of missed the mark for me. I get that it's supposed to be easy to read, but this sort of thing has been done way better by other authors (I kept thinking of the Bink & Gollie series as I was reading this). Barkus seems way too simple in comparison, and almost condescending in the overly simple storyline and word choices.

The illustrations are cute and colourful, but not that special. Overall, this seems like a forgettable sort of book, and I'm not sure who it will appeal to. If a child has graduated from picture books and is looking for something a little more sophisticated, they won't find it here; in fact, this seemed to be aimed at a younger audience than many picture books I've read.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall Rating: 2.63 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - Little Robot Alone

Little Robot Alone
by Patricia MacLachlan & Emily MacLachlan Charest
illustrated by Matt Phelan
Date: 2018
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

In this charming picture book by Newbery winner Patricia MacLachlan, Little Robot is lonely--until he has an inventive and creative solution.

Little Robot's life is peaceful--yet maybe it's a little too peaceful. But wait! He has an idea. With a little hard work, perseverance, and resourceful thinking, can Little Robot build his way to the perfect cure for loneliness?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Curious as to why this picture book has such a low Goodreads rating, I decided to give it a try. It's a very simple story about a little robot who's lonely, so he decides to build himself a friend. I suppose it might be too simple for some people, but I thought it was pretty charming. Little Robot saw a problem, and then set about fixing it. Even when he didn't get it right on the first try, he kept going, and eventually his efforts paid off.

I liked how his daily routine was set off by the rhyming text, and the illustrations--while just simple watercolours--perfectly fit the gentle feel of the story.

Quotable moment:

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.57 out of 5

Review - Snowflakes Fall

Snowflakes Fall
by Patricia MacLachlan
illustrated by Steven Kellogg
Date: 2013
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

In Snowflakes Fall, Newbery Medalist Patricia MacLachlan and award-winning artist Steven Kellogg portray life’s natural cycle: its beauty, its joy, and its sorrow. Together, the words and pictures offer the promise of renewal that can be found in our lives—snowflakes fall, and return again as raindrops so that flowers can grow.

MacLachlan and Kellogg, who are longtime friends, were moved to collaborate on a message of hope for children and their families following the tragic events in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, on December 14, 2012. Kellogg lived in Sandy Hook for thirty-five years—he raised his family there and was an active member of the community. With Snowflakes Fall, they have created a truly inspiring picture book that is both a celebration of life and a tribute to the qualities that make each individual unique.

In honor of the community of Sandy Hook and Newtown, Random House, the publisher of Snowflakes Fall, has made a donation to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund. Random House is also donating 25,000 new books to the national literacy organization First Book in the community’s honor and in support of children everywhere.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I was familiar with both the author (Sarah, Plain and Tall) and the illustrator (Pinkerton, Behave!) from my childhood, so when I saw that they had collaborated on this picture book, I knew it was probably going to be pretty good.  Snowflakes Fall is a beautiful little book, a tribute to the children who died in Sandy Hook in 2012.  Though it was inspired by an awful event, the book itself is charming and sweet, with a lovely message and well-crafted illustrations.

It's a simple premise, told in sparse free verse, about the continuity of life and the precious individuality of each of us.  It's a relaxing sort of book to read, and I can imagine kids curling up with this one to read the text and pore over the illustrations.  It's one of the nicer picture books I've read lately.

Quotable moment:

Snowflakes fall

To sit on gardens

And evergreen trees

And the tongues of laughing children—

No two the same—

All beautiful.

Recommended to: picture-book lovers who like to savour the reading experience and linger over illustrations

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5