Review - I'm Glad My Mom Died [AUDIO]

I'm Glad My Mom Died
by Jennette McCurdy
Date: 2022
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Reading level: A
Book type: memoir
Length: 6 hours 26 minutes
Format: audio book [unabridged]
Source: library

A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life.

Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother’s dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what Mom called “calorie restriction,” eating little and weighing herself five times a day. She endured extensive at-home makeovers while Mom chided, “Your eyelashes are invisible, okay? You think Dakota Fanning doesn’t tint hers?” She was even showered by Mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income.

In I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail—just as she chronicles what happens when the dream finally comes true. Cast in a new Nickelodeon series called iCarly, she is thrust into fame. Though Mom is ecstatic, emailing fan club moderators and getting on a first-name basis with the paparazzi (“Hi Gale!”), Jennette is riddled with anxiety, shame, and self-loathing, which manifest into eating disorders, addiction, and a series of unhealthy relationships. These issues only get worse when, soon after taking the lead in the iCarly spinoff Sam & Cat alongside Ariana Grande, her mother dies of cancer. Finally, after discovering therapy and quitting acting, Jennette embarks on recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants.

Told with refreshing candor and dark humor, I’m Glad My Mom Died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I heard a lot about this book last year. With a title like that, how could a reader not be intrigued?

This is a rather harrowing memoir of Hollywood, abuse, illness, family dysfunction, and, yes, love. The provocative title seems to have turned a lot of people off. After listening to this audiobook, though, I can understand why it was chosen. Emotions are complicated. Families are complicated. When there is such emotional chaos in a family, it's understandable that there might be a certain amount of relief when the source of much of that chaos is removed from the picture.

Jennette's mom put her through a lot. The woman was not well, physically or mentally. She was a hoarder. She had extremely narcissistic behaviours. She lived vicariously through her daughter, seeming to see Jennette as little more than an extension of herself. The harrowing depictions of abuse (that Jennette didn't even realize was abuse until years later) are hard to listen to. Coming out with the raw details must have been incredibly difficult, and I applaud Jennette for being courageous enough to do so.

This is an important book, especially for people who may have similar relationships with family members. Ignoring the abuse doesn't help. Keeping secrets doesn't help. All those things serve to do is push the problem further into the future... where it will have to be dealt with at some point, especially if you want to have any semblance of a healthy, normal life.

I just want to add that I'm not the biggest fan of audiobooks in general. But, in this case, I would recommend listening to this book rather than reading it. Jennette does a great job with the narration. Her dry humour comes through when it's appropriate, and yet there are other times when you can hear the genuine heartbreak in her voice. This is her story, after all... and it's wonderful to get to hear her tell it to us.

Overall, this is a really strong memoir. I've never seen iCarly, and I didn't even know who Jennette was before this book came on the scene. But I found this to be a fascinating memoir, and I would definitely recommend it to others.

 
Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - Chase Your Dreams Little Princess

Chase Your Dreams Little Princess
by Aastha Miranpuri
illustrated by Ayesha
Date: 2021
Publisher: Aastha Miranpuri
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: Amazon.com

Girls have the power to control their fates, make their dreams come true, and achieve anything they put their minds to. Girls are powerful beings.

Exceptional women in history paved a path of greatness for girls everywhere. Through their words and with their examples, these women have inspired generations.

Through innovation, education, fearlessness, determination, and hard-fought battles, these incredible women beat the odds.

Chase Your Dreams, Little Princess chronicles their remarkable stories and will inspire young minds to chase their dreams and go above and beyond to achieve them.

Grab your copy now for your favorite little princess.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

In the same vein as books like Vashti Harrison's Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History and Chelsea Clinton's She Persisted, Chase Your Dreams Little Princess is a showcase of accomplished Indian women from a wide variety of fields. Each section is introduced with a list of names, and then the subsequent pages feature an illustration of the woman and what she did.

Unlike the other books I mentioned, the information in Chase Your Dreams Little Princess is quite sparse, amounting to only one sentence for each woman. It's a good place to start, but I would've liked some more biographical information.

The illustrations are... odd. They almost look like they were traced over photos, and some of them are cut off in strange places. (Weightlifter Karnam Malleswari, for example, is depicted as having no feet. When there is an actual amputee listed elsewhere in the book, readers could be forgiven for being confused.)

I'm also not sure why Mother Teresa is listed in the book. She's Albanian. (Nikki Haley, the American politician, is also included, so I assumed that the book was showcasing women of Indian heritage... not simply women who lived in India.)

Overall, I'm not super impressed, but I do think the book fills a void. This is by no means as complete as some similar books on the market, though; it's tough to be truly inspired by someone when their story is condensed to a single sentence.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.67 out of 5

Review - The Secret Life of the Red Fox

The Secret Life of the Red Fox
by Laurence Pringle
illustrated by Kate Garchinsky
Date: 2017
Publisher: Boyds Mills Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

This gorgeous and lyrical picture book from renowned science author Laurence Pringle and debut illustrator Kate Garchinsky follows a year in the life of a red fox named Vixen as she finds food, hunts, escapes threats, finds a mate, and raises her kits—all the way to the day that she and her mate watch their kits head off to lead their own secret lives. Stunning, realistic illustrations celebrate the beauty of these mysterious creatures as readers learn important facts through an engaging and fascinating story. The book also includes back matter with more in-depth information, a glossary, and further resources.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a gorgeous non-fiction picture book for fox lovers! Similar to titles like Kate Gardner's How to Find a Fox, this book gives lots of great facts about these fascinating canids, highlighted by stunning visuals (in this case, paintings).

As we follow Vixen through the seasons, we learn about where foxes live, how they hunt, their social habits, and the way they raise their young. At the end, the cycle is complete as Vixen's children head off into the world to make their own way.

I'd recommend this book to readers who enjoy learning about animals, as well as to anyone who's enamoured with the red fox. This really is a beautiful book.

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - What's Big to a Tardigrade?

What's Big to a Tardigrade?
by Derik Wenman
illustrated by Lynn Fingarson
Date: 2021
Publisher: Derik Wenman
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 30
Format: e-book
Source: library

A Little Story About Big Things

Some things are Big,

Some things are Small.

But what's Short to one,

To another seems Tall.

And one thing I know of, is bigger than them All...

Creatures of all different shapes and sizes are explored in this colourful telling of perspective ending with the biggest thing of them all.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Well, that was disappointing.

I thought I was going to get a picture book all about tardigrades. Instead, I got a book about increasingly larger things, from flies and frogs to whales and spaceships, all related in a quasi-verse style that is probably supposed to rhyme but just feels clunky. I have no idea why the human child is purple, nor why a reference is made to "our moon base" in a non-fiction title. (Does the author know something the rest of us don't?)

The artwork is colourful, and the characters are kind of cute (aside from the inexplicably purple child). But it's not to scale; the tardigrade is introduced on a page where it's shown as being about the same size as a piece of seaweed... while simultaneously saying, "I'm invisible to the naked eye!"

This just doesn't work. I would say there are better tardigrade picture books out there, but, to be honest, I haven't come across any. That's why I was excited to find this one. Oh, well.

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

Enjoyment: 0/5

Overall: 1.33 out of 5

Review - Penguin Journey

Penguin Journey
by Angela Burke Kunkel
illustrated by Catherine Odell
Date: 2021
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

A lyrical picture book exploration of emperor penguins’ incredible journey to parenthood, with stunning watercolor art

Packed Snow / Moon glow
Wind-blown / All alone

This young picture book is about the incredible lengths to which emperor penguins go for their young ones. Angela Burke Kunkel’s lyrical text and Catherine Odell’s gorgeous illustrations detail the penguins' amazing journey, and an author's note and bibliography provide added context.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Attention, penguin fans! This lovely little picture book with a simple story will melt your heart.

Highlighted by charming illustrations, Penguin Journey tells the tale of emperor penguins in Antarctica. They journey inland, meet, and mate, and then the fathers take over egg-sitting duties. There's an author's note at the back that gives some more information about this process, but the actual picture book itself is pretty clear about what's happening, even with only a handful of words on each page.

You don't need to get cutesy with anthropomorphized penguins to make an adorable picture book. This one is pretty much non-fiction, and it's still charming.

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - We Are One

We Are One
by Susan Hood
illustrated by Linda Yan
Date: 2021
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts--and unity and connection are most important of all--in a beautifully illustrated counting book with a timely message.

One can be one thing all on its own--one star, one stream, one stick, one stone. But those on their toes, those using their smarts, know one can be more than the sum of its parts.

Consider the two slices of bread that make up one sandwich, or the three lines of poetry that form one haiku, or even the ten years that form one decade. From one to ten, from sandwiches to centuries, every part is necessary to the whole. In this fascinating concept book, a simple rhyming narration aimed at younger children is complemented by informational panels about subjects like the four compass points, the five acts in Shakespeare, the seven colors of a rainbow, or the nine innings in baseball. Award-winning author Susan Hood and debut children's book illustrator Linda Yan offer a mind-expanding look at early math concepts such as part/whole relationships, fractions, and addition--while underlying themes of cooperation, peace, and kindness make this beautiful volume one to be enjoyed by anyone at any age.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is an interesting picture book. You can read it with just the rhyming text, or you can stop and peruse the informative footers on each page that go into a little more depth about each concept. The numbers 1 through 10 are related to different things (such as poetry, sandwiches, or baseball). Cute illustrations accompany each concept.

There are lots of resources at the end for kids who want to learn more, along with lists of things that come in twos or fives or nines (and so on). Some of the language in the footer text seems a little advanced, but at least it isn't talking down to kids.

Overall, this is a strong little picture book. It reminds me a bit of titles like Elin Kelsey's You Are Stardust or Jason Gruhl's Everything Is Connected, but with the added bonus of the numbers.

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - Wild Goose Chase

Wild Goose Chase: Funny Animal Phrases and the Meanings Behind Them
by Kathy Broderick
illustrated by Dragan Kordić
Date: 2021
Publisher: Sunbird Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 36
Format: e-book
Source: library

What do you think of when you hear wild goose chase or raining cats and dogs? Do you imagine geese running in circles, or kittens and pups falling from the sky? Dive into this imaginative picture book and explore some funny animal phrases and the dictionary definitions that help explain them.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I recently read A Wisdom of Wombats by the same author. Wild Goose Chase tackles animal phrases rather than collective nouns. While the subject is interesting, the execution is not nearly as entertaining here. I'm not sure if that's due to the pictures (this book uses a different illustrator). I did like the page about the geese... but, unfortunately, it's the first one, and the book kind of gets a little boring after that.

Kids who are interested in sayings and what they mean might like this book. But I found it didn't live up to my expectations after reading A Wisdom of Wombats.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - Dino Yoga

Dino Yoga
by Lorena Pajalunga
illustrated by Anna Láng
Date: 2021
Publisher: Happy Fox Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

Dino Yoga is a fun and colorful guide that teaches young children how to do yoga with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions that explain how to perform basic yoga poses. With each yoga position is also a kid-friendly tip on how to better handle their emotions and personalities, including how to relax, how to focus, how to be calmer, and more.

Join Master Diplo and his students, Rex, Raptor, Trixie, and Dactyla, as they guide kids step-by-step through a variety of yoga poses and meditative exercises, including Tree Pose, Peaceful Warrior Pose, Plank Pose, Camel Pose, and more. These practices will help kids connect with themselves, calm their minds, and feel great! See how yoga helps each young dinosaur understand and manage the different emotions they experience, from anger and the inability to focus to overactivity and anxiety. Each pose builds onto the next so children can easily move through a yoga sequence before it closes with a meditative practice to complete the flow. These actions help children manage their emotions in a healthy and mindful way.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a great idea for a non-fiction picture book. Unfortunately, it commits one of the biggest sins when it comes to teaching a new skill to young readers: It's confusing.

The book starts by introducing us to four young dinosaurs, each with a quirk that gives them a bit of trouble. Rex has anger issues, for example. And Trixie sometimes loses focus. So they could all benefit from yoga, right?

The illustrations are adorable, colourful, and very appealing, which makes the book all the more frustrating when it comes to the actual instructions. I'm an adult, and while I'm no expert, I've taken a few yoga classes. So I should be able to follow directions like this. But some of the instructions aren't clear. Even worse, sometimes the instructions don't match the illustrations! In one spot, the order of the movements is different in the text and pictures. In another spot, the text refers to the right while the illustration shows the left.

And that might not be such a problem if these didn't seem like very advanced poses. Frustration over not being able to figure out what the book is talking about added to the frustration of falling over while trying to execute some of these movements doesn't seem like an activity conducive to calm. (Take, for example, the Sitting Hand Over Toe Pose. Basically, you stand on your right leg with your right arm in the air, grab the toes of your left leg with the other hand while extending the leg out in front of you, then lower yourself so your butt is resting on your right heel... and then somehow stand back up, all without losing your balance. I can't even accomplish that one in my imagination!)

This might be okay for kids whose parents are yogis themselves and can explain how to do the poses (including the Mountain Pose, which was mentioned but never properly explained). But I'm afraid this could cause quite a bit of frustration for those who are new to yoga. And that kind of defeats the purpose of the book.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.67 out of 5

Review - A Wisdom of Wombats

A Wisdom of Wombats: More Collective Animal Nouns and the Meanings Behind Them
by Kathy Broderick
illustrated by David DePasquale
Date: 2021
Publisher: Sunbird Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

From a journey of giraffes to a gaggle of geese, come explore animals and the wonderful words we use to describe them. Featuring definitions, this picture book of collective nouns will grow your vocabulary and expand your understanding. Companion title to A Loveliness of Ladybugs, winner of The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I love picture books that teach things in a fun way. A Wisdom of Wombats: More Collective Animal Nouns and the Meanings Behind Them is set up sort of like an illustrated dictionary with colourful, amusing illustrations that highlight the double meanings of the various words used to describe groups of animals. For example, a group of giraffes is called a journey, and the page shows these tacky tourists going on a safari. There are 16 different animal groups in all, many with collective nouns readers might not be aware of.

This is a great choice for readers who love studying animals and their groups, or for readers who enjoy learning about language and word meanings. The illustrations are sure to delight, too.

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

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.5 out of 5

Review - Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova

Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova
by Laurel Snyder
illustrated by Julie Morstad
Date: 2015
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 44
Format: e-book
Source: library

The world is big.
Anna is small.
The snow is
everywhere
and all around.
But one night . . .
One night, her mother takes her to the ballet, and everything is changed. Anna finds a beauty inside herself that she cannot contain.

So begins the journey of a girl who will one day grow up to be the most famous prima ballerina of all time, inspiring legions of dancers after her: the brave, the generous, the transcendently gifted Anna Pavlova.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I didn't see the subtitle when I grabbed this one. I was just seduced by the pretty cover. This is actually a picture-book biography of Anna Pavlova, the famous ballerina.

The text is sparse but poetic. The illustrations really shine, with their graceful lines and sweet characters. Julie Morstad's style works really well here.

Overall, this is a strong little biography (with an informative author's note at the end). I'd recommend this to readers who like learning about historical figures, as well as to those who love ballet.

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - Tell Me About Sex, Grandma

Tell Me About Sex, Grandma
by Anastasia Higginbotham
Date: 2017
Publisher: The Feminist Press at the City University of New York
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 64
Format: e-book
Source: library

Patiently forthcoming with lessons your parents redacted, this necessary conversation stresses consent, sex positivity, and the right to be curious about your body. The dialogue focuses on the dynamics of sex, rather than the mechanics, as Grandma reminds readers that sex is not marriage or reproduction, and doesn’t look the same for everyone. Instead, each person’s sexuality is their very own to discover, explore, and share if they choose.

Anastasia Higginbotham’s tell stories of children navigating trouble with their senses on alert and their souls intact. Her previous books include Divorce Is the Worst and Death Is Stupid.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

When I read the introduction, I had high hopes for this book. While I think the intention is admirable, I'm not sure if the book really accomplishes what it sets out to do.

A child is curious about sex. After trying to find some info online (and obviously getting completely grossed out, judging by their facial expressions), they turn to Grandma for some wisdom.

I knew the basics from a very young age. I never had to wonder where babies came from. I knew the simplified version of human anatomy. A book like this, being as vague as it is, might have confused a child like me because it dances around so many concepts that are involved in sex. Other than the word "sex", there's no other specific terminology. When the child asks where they will feel "the feelings", there's a collage implying a sort of vague swirl that encompasses the whole torso. This vagueness, I fear, could backfire, especially in cases of abuse where a child might not realize what's happening. Abuse is covered somewhat, but mostly in a "kids never have sex; it's an adult thing" sort of way. And there's a somewhat confusing bit on page 63 about choice, which seems to imply that, hey, sometimes you won't have a choice in the matter, but it's good enough to know what you want. This bothered me.

I'm not sure that kids who ask, "What is sex?" will be satisfied with the answer given here: "It's a grown-up thing." I certainly wouldn't have been. But maybe this would work better for kids who have been kept in the dark about their bodies and how they work.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - How to Find a Fox

How to Find a Fox
by Kate Gardner
photographs by Ossi Saarinen
Date: 2021
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

Look for tracks. Listen for yips. Be as still as a pebble.

Taking kids on an imaginary trek through different landscapes and seasons, How to Find a Fox celebrates one of our planet's most graceful and enchanting creatures: the red fox. Ossi Saarinen's stunning wildlife photos and Kate Gardner's lively and informative words capture the magical and profound connection between animals and humans. Readers will be inspired to get outside and make their own discoveries--maybe with a camera in-hand, just like Ossi.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Attention fox lovers! You'll want to check out How to Find a Fox, which combines lovely photographs with a simple text and some interesting facts about our vulpine friends.

If I have any complaints, it's with some of the landscape photographs. I'm not sure if we're supposed to find foxes within them or not. I spent quite a while trying to find the critters, Where's Waldo? style, and couldn't really see any in most of the landscapes. (I did spot a fox in one, which made me think there might've been a fox in all of them.) So, either there are no foxes and it's all a bit misleading... or there are foxes and it's way too difficult to find them!

Other than that, though, the photos of the actual foxes are lovely. I even learned a few things I didn't know before.

Highly recommended to readers who enjoy books about foxes and wildlife, or who like picture books illustrated with gorgeous photos.

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - ABCs of Economics

ABCs of Economics
by Chris Ferrie & Veronica Goodman
illustrated by Chris Ferrie
Date: 2020
Publisher: Sourcebooks eXplore
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 26
Format: e-book
Source: library

Chris Ferrie's bestselling scientific series is expanding!

It only takes a small spark to ignite a child's mind! The ABCs of Economics introduces babies (and grownups!) to a new economic concept for each letter of the alphabet. From asymmetric, business cycle, and capital, all the way to zero sum. It's never too early to become an economist!

With scientific and mathematical information from an expert, this is the perfect book for enlightening the next generation of geniuses.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

It's never too early to become an economist? Um... I think it can be.

I laughed my way through this one. It's a board book about economic principles. Teach your toddlers about Keynesian Economics and Nash Equilibrium! Make sure your infant knows all about zero-sum situations. Seriously? This is one of those books that's aimed squarely at adults, a book they can leave out when their friends are over to signal how brilliant Junior is. Never mind that the baby would rather chew the thing than listen to anything that's between its covers.

Also, X is not for eXternalities. If you're aiming an alphabet book at an audience that doesn't even know the alphabet yet, don't confuse them.

I question the value of this even for older children. I found parts of it confusing as an adult. Formatting it as a board book limits the audience, too, as older kids will probably turn their noses up at it. This is for pretentious, virtue-signalling parents who want the world to know how special their baby is. Really, though, they're probably the only ones who will get anything out of the book.

Premise: 1/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 1.83 out of 5

Review - Where Children Sleep

Where Children Sleep
by James Mollison
Date: 2010
Publisher: Chris Boot
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 116
Format: hardcover
Source: library

“Where Children Sleep” presents English-born photographer James Mollison’s large-format photographs of children’s bedrooms around the world—from the U.S.A., Mexico, Brazil, England, Italy, Israel and the West Bank, Kenya, Senegal, Lesotho, Nepal, China and India—alongside portraits of the children themselves. Each pair of photographs is accompanied by an extended caption that tells the story of each child: Kaya in Tokyo, whose proud mother spends $1,000 a month on her dresses; Bilal the Bedouin shepherd boy, who sleeps outdoors with his father’s herd of goats; the Nepali girl Indira, who has worked in a granite quarry since she was three; and Ankhohxet, the Kraho boy who sleeps on the floor of a hut deep in the Amazon jungle.

Photographed over two years with the support of Save the Children (Italy), “Where Children Sleep” is both a serious photo-essay for an adult audience, and also an educational book that engages children themselves in the lives of other children around the world. Its cover features a child’s mobile printed in glow-in-the-dark ink.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

After I read and reviewed Gregg Segal's Daily Bread: What Kids Eat Around the World, this book was recommended to me by a Goodreads friend. While I can't say that I liked Where Children Sleep as much, I'm not sorry I read it (though I doubt I'd ever pick it up again).

Unfortunately, this is a very depressing children's book. Focussing on the extreme ends of the economic spectrum, the book shows us children either living in squalor or residing in privileged (or spoiled) excess. There's not a lot in between, and I—having grown up squarely in the middle class—found it difficult to relate to any of the children. The photos don't help. I'm not sure if it's the lighting or a particular filter that was used, but there's a distinct post-apocalyptic feel to the photographs that I do not like. Even the mansion bedrooms look dark and dingy, and I wouldn't be surprised to open the curtains and see something out of a nightmare.

As an adult, I found this to be a fascinating—if sometimes horrifying—read. This book is supposedly aimed at children, but I would definitely suggest parental guidance as there are some disturbing images and text (though, thankfully, not always together). I'm thinking mainly of the children in Kenya who must go through circumcision as teenagers (without crying out, so as to not bring shame on their families), the little girl who works in a quarry, and the girl who sleeps in an attic prison in her employer's home (the sleeping space even has bars). These things could be confusing and frightening for an eight-year-old (which is where the recommended reading age begins).

I do appreciate the fact that more ground was covered in Where Children Sleep than in Daily Bread. However, the offerings were still pretty sparse and an opportunity was missed to show children of different levels of privilege in more familiar places. Where are all the aboriginal children? Entries from places such as Canada and Australia wouldn't have been that difficult to create, and would have provided some good information to children who live in those countries but might not know that much about how their neighbours live. Unfortunately, I've yet to see a book in this genre that has a really diverse selection of children.

The premise is good. The information (and the writing it's presented with) is decent. I'm not a fan of the photographic style, but your mileage may vary. This is an important book that highlights the living conditions of some children in our world... but I'd be hesitant to give it to actual children unless a parent is going to sit down and read/discuss it with them.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.83 out of 5

Review - Ten Animals in Antarctica: A Counting Book

Ten Animals in Antarctica: A Counting Book
by Moira Court
Date: 2016
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Antarctica – an icy desert with mountain ranges and sleeping volcanoes, home to the spinning end of the earth and to an array of quirky creatures. Moira Court brings the diversity of Antarctica to life in this gorgeous new picture book, combining clever counting with lyrical prose and stunning artwork.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Despite the fact that this is a counting book, it's not really for very young children. The vocabulary and the detailed notes at the end make this more suitable for school-aged children who probably already know how to count to ten.

That said, though, this is a really nice book that highlights ten different animals that live in Antarctica. Through detailed collage and interesting adjectives, Court brings the continent to life. There are probably some species here that you've never heard of. But don't worry... there's a brief explanation of each one at the back of the book, along with some information about the continent itself.

Setting the mismatch between reading level and format aside, this is a lovely look at Antarctica and the animals that live there. I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy learning about wildlife... even if they're far past the point of learning how to count to ten!

Quotable moment:

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 - Daily Bread: What Kids Eat Around the World

Daily Bread: What Kids Eat Around the World
by Gregg Segal
Date: 2019
Publisher: powerHouse Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 120
Format: hardcover
Source: library

As globalization alters our relationship to food, photographer Gregg Segal has embarked on a global project asking kids from around the world to take his "Daily Bread" challenge. Each child keeps a detailed journal of everything they eat in a week, and then Segal stages an elaborate portrait of them surrounded by the foods they consumed. The colorful and hyper-detailed results tell a unique story of multiculturalism and how we nourish ourselves at the dawn of the 21st century.

From Los Angeles to Sao Paulo, Dakar to Hamburg, Dubai to Mumbai we come to understand that regardless of how small and interconnected the world seems to become each year, diverse pockets of traditional cultures still exist on each continent, eating largely the same way they have been for hundreds of years. It is this rich tapestry that Segal captures with care and appreciation, showcasing the page-after-page charm of Daily Bread. Contrasted with the packaged and processed foods consumed primarily in developed nations, questions about health and sustainability are raised and the book serves as a catalyst for consideration of our status quo.

There's an old adage, "The hand that stirs the pot rules the world." Big Food is stirring the pot for children all over the world. Nonetheless, there are regions and communities where slow food will never be displaced by junk food, where home-cooked meals are the bedrock of family and culture, and where love and pride are expressed in the aromas of stews and curries.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

A friend on Facebook posted an article about this book, prompting me to seek it out. It's a fascinating look at the diets of children around the world, showing how food corporations have touched nearly every life on our planet.

Profiling a week's diet of children from a handful of countries, the book highlights the contrasts and the similarities of what kids eat. Quantity doesn't always equal quality, and those living in some of the wealthiest places also have the worst diets, full of packaged food and lots of sugar. I found the indigenous children in Brazil particularly striking, especially compared with their city counterparts; the former have diets that would make a nutritionist weep with happiness, while the latter would just make a nutritionist weep. Societal norms are also expressed in the children's words, like that of a nine-year-old girl from India who isn't allowed to go to school because she has to take care of her baby brother... whom her mother loves more than her.

This is a long book, and will probably take a few sittings for most readers to get through. But it's interesting, and the spreads of food are fascinating to look at. I was, however, disappointed by the amount of typos, and the selection of places is a bit sparse. That last point is understandable, given funding issues, but I would've enjoyed seeing what kids ate in other places, too: Mongolia, Russia, Iceland, northern Canada, Australia, South Africa... and many more could have been included. The fact that even the USA is highly concentrated in southern California makes the selection of children seem... well, kind of bunched up. There isn't as much diversity as there could've been, even though it was interesting to see how diets varied wildly even within a particular city.

Readers who enjoy non-fiction titles like Children Just Like Me will probably be the audience for this book. It's not necessarily a children's book, either; adults will probably find the subject matter just as fascinating.

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5

Review - Coat of Many Colors

Coat of Many Colors
by Dolly Parton
illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes
Date: 2016
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Dolly Parton lends the lyrics of her classic song "Coat of Many Colors" to this heartfelt picture book for young readers.

Country music legend Dolly Parton's rural upbringing in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee provides the backdrop for this special picture book. Using lyrics from her classic song "Coat of Many Colors," the book tells the story of a young girl in need of a warm winter coat. When her mother sews her a coat made of rags, the girl is mocked by classmates for being poor. But Parton's trademark positivity carries through to the end as the girl realizes that her coat was made with love "in every stitch." Beautiful illustrations pair with Parton's poetic lyrics in this heartfelt picture book sure to speak to all young readers.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a cute book, based on a song inspired by Dolly Parton's childhood, about bullying and being proud of the person you are.

I've only heard brief snippets of the song that this book is based on. So it was a little difficult for me to get the meter right as I was trying to read it. Those familiar with the song probably wouldn't have the same problem.

That's really my only complaint, though. The illustrations are adorable, and the message (about valuing what's really important to us, even if others don't agree) is great.

I'd recommend this one to readers looking for books about bullying, being yourself, and close family ties.

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 - An ABC of Flowers

An ABC of Flowers
by Jutta Hilpuesch
Date: 2019
Publisher: Philomel Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Step into the garden and learn your ABC's with this colorful feast for the eyes!

From asters and daisies to roses and sunflowers, An ABC of Flowers is a colorful burst from the garden that will have little hands eager to grab. Filled with gorgeous photo illustrations, bold colors, and clever line art featuring a miniature-sized girl named Amelie, toddlers will laugh and be mezmerized by the book's vibrant pages.

Perfect for the youngest readers learning their ABC's!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a visually appealing alphabet book that, unfortunately, falls short on a few levels.

First, I don't ever want to see apostrophe usage like this. Apostrophes don't make plurals. I don't know why writers can't get this through their heads. (I'm having flashbacks to A Thousand No's.)

Second, I'm not loving some of the choices. I'm impressed the author managed to find a flower for X, but some of the other more obvious choices weren't used. M is for mum, which is presumably short for chrysanthemum (or maybe xeranthemum... there's your X!). Why not go with a flower that actually starts with an M? Monkshood? Magnolia? Morning Glory? Also, the entry for Queen Anne's Lace had me scratching my head; the only stuff I've ever seen is white, and this was pink. Apparently, it can be pink when it's budding, but why use a photo of an unfamiliar growing stage?

The pictures are cute enough, with little illustrated figures interacting with the flower photos. I don't really have any complaints there.

I love the premise, and I'm impressed that the author was able to find a flower to go with all 26 letters of the alphabet. But parts of the execution leave something to be desired. Maybe if it hadn't referred to "ABC's" I might not have been so annoyed.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.83 out of 5

Review - The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons

The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons
by Natascha Biebow
illustrated by Steven Salerno
Date: 2019
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

Celebrating the inventor of the Crayola crayon! This picture book biography tells the story of Edwin Binney, the inventor of one of the world's most beloved stationary supplies.

purple mountains’ majesty, mauvelous, jungle green, razzmatazz…

What child doesn't love to hold a crayon in their hands? But children didn't always have such magical boxes of crayons. Here’s the true story of an inventor who so loved nature’s vibrant colors that he found a way to bring the outside world to children – in a box for only a nickel!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

The Crayon Man is the story of how Edwin Binney developed Crayola crayons.

The book is a biography, but moreso for the crayons than for the man. Still, it's an interesting story of an iconic childhood staple. Bright illustrations highlight the informative text. There's an author's note at the end that gives a little more information about Binney, as well as a step-by-step explanation of how Crayola crayons are made today.

Those who enjoy picture-book biographies won't want to miss this one.

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 - Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood

Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood
by F. Isabel Campoy & Theresa Howell
illustrated by Rafael López
Date: 2016
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

What good can a splash of color do in a community of gray? As Mira and her neighbors discover, more than you might ever imagine! Based on the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, California, Maybe Something Beautiful reveals how art can inspire transformation and how even the smallest artists can accomplish something big. Pick up a paintbrush and join the celebration!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is an interesting picture book based on the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego.

While I appreciate the story and the illustrations (they're vibrant and highly appealing), I'm a bit disappointed in the way this book doesn't address the legality of painting public spaces. Readers might be left with the impression that you can just go around painting walls, utility boxes, and benches wherever you like (when, in many places, you'd need permits... lest you be charged with vandalism). The result may be beautiful, but is it legal?

That said, if parents are willing to sit down and explain these things (and read the authors' note with their kids), this could be a good introduction to urban art. The illustrations are colourful and highlight the contrast between a world with art versus one without.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.33 out of 5