Review - If You Were Night

If You Were Night
by Mượn Thị Văn
illustrated by Kelly Pousette
Date: 2020
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

A poetic and evocative exploration of the natural world at night illustrated in illuminating paper-cut dioramas.

This dreamlike picture book asks the question: if you were night, what would you do? If you saw the moon tiptoe past your window, would you nestle under the covers? Or would you step outside to follow it? What if you felt a tail brush your ankle, would you freeze? Or skitter away? And if you saw an owl swoop from a branch, would you hide? Or join the hunt? All the while, the child pictured in the book chooses adventure, and thrillingly experiences a night like no other.

From the award-winning and acclaimed author Mượn Thị Văn comes a lyrical and evocative exploration of the natural world at night. The poetic language of the text engages all the senses as it gently poses questions that pull readers' imaginations outdoors, where night creatures roam and everything seems different. Kelly Pousette's intricate paper-cut dioramas, intriguingly presented with shadows and darkness falling around them, are packed with charming details for children to investigate. This unique and thought-provoking book is sure to encourage observation and spark curiosity --- and many conversations. A wonderful read-aloud or bedtime story, this book also ties in beautifully with primary lessons about the natural world.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a simple, gentle picture book that explores the idea of what a child might do if they personified the night.

The concept is a little bit abstract, and I'm not exactly in love with the writing, but the pictures more than make up for the narrative's shortcomings. The cut-paper illustrations are detailed yet soft, bringing to life a nocturnal world full of busy critters.

I'd recommend this one to fans of cut-paper illustration, as well as to parents who are looking for a good book for winding down at bedtime.

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

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 - The Arabic Quilt

The Arabic Quilt
by Aya Khalil
illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan
Date: 2020
Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 36
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

That night, Kanzi wraps herself in the beautiful Arabic quilt her teita (grandma) in Cairo gave her and writes a poem in Arabic about the quilt. Next day her teacher sees the poem and gets the entire class excited about creating a “quilt” (a paper collage) of student names in Arabic. In the end, Kanzi’s most treasured reminder of her old home provides a pathway for acceptance in her new one.

This authentic story with beautiful illustrations includes a glossary of Arabic words and a presentation of Arabic letters with their phonetic English equivalents.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a story about an Egyptian-American girl at a new school. Embarrassed by her language (and her lunch), she finds herself not quite fitting in. But after a project at school where everyone makes a quilt featuring their names written in Arabic, the kids learn that knowing more than one language can be a valuable skill.

The theme and message aren't quite as focussed as I would like. Is it a book about Kanzi's grandmother's quilt? Is it a book about bullying? Racism? Spicy meatballs? There's quite a bit thrown in here, and I'm not sure the message gets across as well as it could.

But the illustrations are cute, and the overall theme about the value of diversity is nice. Those looking for picture books about the immigrant experience might like this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tilbury House Publishers for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.5 out of 5

Review - Little Green Donkey

Little Green Donkey
by Anuska Allepuz
Date: 2019
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

From the creator of That Fruit is Mine! comes a laugh-out-loud cautionary tale, sure to resonate with all picky eaters and their parents! Little Donkey LOVES eating grass - it's just so sweet, and crunchy, and juicy! His pillow is even made from grass so that he can roll over in the morning and eat his own bed. "Why don't you try some other food?" suggests his desperate mum, putting on a juggling display of colourful fruit as a way to entice her little one to eat something new. But Little Donkey sees no need. Until, that is, he catches a glimpse of his reflection... Anuska's debut authorial picture book, That Fruit is Mine!, has been published into over ten languages worldwide. A book about trying new things and the hilarious show down between a child and their parent when it comes to the dinner table. This adorable character will help encourage kids to branch out and try more food (even if, in the end, their obsessive impulses can't quite be quelled!).

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Little Green Donkey is obviously aimed at picky eaters. While the idea is cute, I've seen the concept done better.

Little Donkey loves to eat grass. He wants to eat nothing but, and eventually turns green from eating too much of the stuff. His mother thinks he needs a more varied diet, so she offers some other options until he finds one he likes. Then he eats too much of that... and turns a different colour.

Similar picky-eater themes can be found in books like Fussy Flamingo by Shelly Vaughan James (in which a flamingo refuses to eat the one food she should be eating, opting instead for various foods that turn her all sorts of funny colours) or Mrs. Pig's Bulk Buy by Mary Rayner (in which Mrs. Pig, fed up with her piglets' continual demands for ketchup, feeds them nothing but). Little Green Donkey is amusing, but the premise is done better in Fussy Flamingo and the message is more realistic in Mrs. Pig's Bulk Buy. Depending on the child, however, Little Green Donkey might be a good choice for a picky little eater.

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

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.5 out of 5

Review - Noodle Bear

Noodle Bear
by Mark Gravas
Date: 2020
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

In a kid-friendly debut from a TV animator, Bear finds fame as a champion eater of his favorite food — but realizes he’s hungry for his old friends.

Bear is so crazy about noodles that when he wakes up from his winter sleep he is already craving them! But his cave is bare, with no noodles to be found. His friends try to distract him with their own treats, but Bear decides it’s time to set off to the big city to seek his fortune as a game-show contestant and a sure fill of his prized food. But what’s the sense of becoming a big TV star (and having all the noodles he can eat) when there’s nobody to share it with?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book's theme of realizing that home and friends are what are truly important is highlighted by fun illustrations in this kid-friendly romp featuring noodles. Lots and lots of noodles.

Bear has spent all winter watching his favourite game show, Noodle Knockout. Now he's hungry for noodles! None of his friends have any, so he sets off for the big city to be a contestant on the show. He does really well and eats lots of noodles. But he soon starts to long for his friends. So he returns home to the forest... with enough noodles for everyone.

The story is very simple (and rather silly), but I think kids might enjoy it. The illustrations are cute. The message is inoffensive, if a little boring.

Overall, this is a decent book. Check it out for the illustrations. And have a look if you're a noodle fan... although, the book might make you hungry!

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

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - An Ordinary Day

An Ordinary Day
by Elana K. Arnold
illustrated by Elizabet Vuković
Date: 2020
Publisher: Beach Lane Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

An ordinary day in an ordinary neighborhood turns out to be quite extraordinary in this story about the circle of life.

It’s an average day in the neighborhood—children play, roses are watered, and a crow watches over it all. But then two visitors arrive at two houses, one to help a family say hello to a new baby and one to help a family say goodbye to a beloved pet.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a different sort of premise. On an ordinary day on a quiet street, two visitors arrive at two different houses. One is a vet, there to euthanize a dog. The other is a midwife, there to help a woman give birth.

The interest comes from the idea of seeing the parallels of what is going on behind closed doors. While one family is saying goodbye, another is saying hello. The sparse colour palette and simple illustrations let the story and its themes shine through.

I'm not a fan of the euphemism used when the dog was put down (the syringe is not filled with "medicine"). Other than that, though, this is a unique look at an ordinary day and the extraordinary things that might happen within one.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.83 out of 5

Review - Sofia Valdez, Future Prez

Sofia Valdez, Future Prez (Questioneers)
by Andrea Beaty
illustrated by David Roberts
Date: 2019
Publisher: Abrams Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

The newest picture book from the creators of Iggy Peck, Architect; Rosie Revere, Engineer; and Ada Twist, Scientist stars Sofia Valdez, a community leader who stands up for what she believes in!

Every morning, Abuelo walks Sofia to school . . . until one day, when Abuelo hurts his ankle at a local landfill and he can no longer do so. Sofia misses her Abuelo and wonders what she can do about the dangerous Mount Trashmore. Then she gets an idea—the town can turn the slimy mess into a park! She brainstorms and plans and finally works up the courage to go to City Hall—only to be told by a clerk that she can’t build a park because she’s just a kid! Sofia is down but not out, and she sets out to prove what one kid can do.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Unlike the other characters in this series who are focused on STEM pursuits, Sofia is more of a community activist. After her grandfather injures himself on a mountain of trash, Sofia decides that the community needs to get rid of the unsightly mess... and have a park instead. But just having an idea isn't enough. After consulting with her neighbours, she sets off for City Hall to try to make things official, only to run up against bureaucracy. Will Sofia be able to achieve her goal?

I didn't like this book as much as Rosie Revere, Engineer (which is my favourite), but it's still a solid addition to the series. The illustrations are cute and diverse, the rhyming text is fairly easy to read (making it a good prospect for story time), and the overall message of perseverance in standing up for the good of the community is a nice one. I'd recommend this book to fans of the series, as well as to kids who are interested in community activism.

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.43 out of 5

Review - It's Okay to Be a Unicorn!

It's Okay to Be a Unicorn!
by Jason Tharp
Date: 2020
Publisher: Imprint
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Cornelius J. Sparklesteed is known among all the other horses in Hoofington for his beautiful and creative handmade hats. But Cornelius is hiding a secret under his own tall, pointy hat: He's really a unicorn.

Hoofington is a friendly place, but its horses pass on lots of mean rumors about unicorns. When Cornelius is chosen to perform for this year's Hoofapalooza, will he find the courage to show everyone his unicorniness?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is basically a book about self-acceptance, played out with equine characters.

Cornelius is a unicorn, but he hides that fact under a fancy hat. The rest of the town of Hoofington is comprised of more mundane creatures like horses and ponies. When the mayor asks Cornelius to make him an un-unicorny hat, Cornelius agrees. We're told that the other horses say mean things about unicorns, so Cornelius obviously has a reason to hide his true nature. But then he starts planting seeds among his friends to make things in Hoofington a little more colourful and whimsical. And when he finally reveals that he's a unicorn, everyone's okay with it. Even the mayor.

While the message about loving yourself is fine, I thought the resolution of the plot was a little too facile. The mayor's just suddenly okay with unicorns? Okay... but where did that change of heart come from?

Fans of unicorns might want to check this one out, but readers who are looking for a strong story about standing up to the world to be yourself might want to keep looking.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5