Review - Argyle Fox

Argyle Fox
by Marie Letourneau
Date: 2016
Publisher: Tanglewood
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Argyle Fox, with his signature style, wants to play outside on a springtime day, but the wind is wreaking havoc with his fun and games.

As soon as he builds a card tower, climbs into a giant spider web, or takes up his pirate sword, here comes the wind: Woosh! Mama Fox tells grumpy Argyle that if he thinks long enough, he will come up with something to do. Following his mother’s suggestion and inspired by her knitting, he works all the pieces of his day together and creates the perfect solution.

The story of Argyle teaches that failure is often a path to success and celebrates perseverance, creative thinking, and an old-fashioned springtime activity.

(see this book on Goodreads)

There were parts of this that I liked, but overall, I found it a little long.

It started out with confusion on the first page, with a declaration of identity, introducing the character of Argyle. The problem was, there were two foxes in the illustration, and I wasn't sure which was which. (It's the little one, but that was not clear on that first page.)

The real problem, though, came about as Argyle tried to find activities to do outside. He kept getting thwarted by the wind, so he'd try something else. I thought there were a few too many of these attempts, and I began to wonder if they were ever going to end!

The illustrations are probably my favourite part of the book. Unfortunately, without a strong story to go with them, they're not that memorable.

I thought I'd like this one more than I did. Argyle is cute, and he has good problem-solving skills... but I found the book just a bit too long and repetitive.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tanglewood for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.83 out of 5

Review - A Flicker of Hope

A Flicker of Hope
by Julia Cook
illustrated by MacKenzie Haley
Date: 2018
Publisher: National Center for Youth Issues
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

HOPE is our children's window for a better tomorrow. In terms of resilience and well-being, hope is a critically important predictor of success. This creative story from the best-selling author of My Mouth is a Volcano!, and Bubble Gum Brain, reminds children that dark clouds can be temporary and asking for help is always okay. We all have times when we need to borrow a little hope from someone else. When your clouds get too dark, and too heavy to push away, Reach out and ask, "Can I borrow some light?" "I'm having a really bad day."

It's always okay to admit to yourself, "I just can't do it today."

Everyone needs somebody sometimes, to help them find their way.

(see this book on Goodreads)

I'm not a fan of books like this. I guess I keep trying them because I have hope... but they disappoint me nearly every time.

The main problem is that the message doesn't match the audience. It's a book all about having hope--and not killing yourself when times get tough. The problem is, it concentrates on a lot of non-problems like getting a bad grade or kids saying mean things about your interests. The child who really needs a book like this is going to have much bigger things on their mind. If you're suicidal because you're being viciously bullied because of your sexuality or gender identity, or because you (or someone you care about) has a severe physical or mental illness, a silly little book featuring pictures of phallic candles and sappy platitudes is not going to make you feel better.

The whole book is one big metaphor about your "light", and that's represented by anthropomorphized candles. After a while, the metaphor starts to feel way too obvious, and it starts to get annoying. The parts that lapsed into rhyming text didn't help. The text is also a little confusing in spots. It talks about how, "when a flame goes out before its time, hearts that are left behind are broken forever." So... that's talking about suicide, right? But, just a few pages back, it says "if your flame goes out, you might not be able to relight it." Might not? So there's still a chance? Well, no. It's kind of hard to relight your flame if you're dead. (If you're going to use a metaphor like this, it needs to be consistent and not confusing.)

The text also drums into the reader that if you need help, you should ask for it. And if someone won't help you, ask someone else... and if they won't help, ask someone else. This could be dangerous, especially if the child isn't listened to and isn't believed, as it would just reinforce the fact that they're doing someone wrong and aren't worthy of being helped. I would've rather seen advice on choosing which people to ask for help to get the best results. (Related to this is advice for parents at the back of the book that tells them not to "fix" their kids' problems. Again, this could end up being dangerous, especially if the child is being severely bullied, or if they're in need of the parent's help for doing something like finding a health professional. It's not realistic to expect kids to fix their problems 100% by themselves.)

I doubt anyone ever killed themselves solely over getting a C on a test. Because this book pretty much ignores the things that really would cause kids to be suicidal and snuff out their flame, I can't recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and National Center for Youth Issues for providing a digital ARC.

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

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 2 out of 5

Review - The First Christmas

The First Christmas
by Gaby Goldsack
illustrated by Caroline Pedler
Date: 2004
Publisher: Parragon
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

The First Christmas tells us the story of Mary & Joseph's journey to Bethlehem & Jesus' birth in a lowly stable. This retelling of the story is beautifully illustrated & reminds us of why we celebrate Christmas.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I find it incredible that this is the only digital picture book of the Nativity that our local library has, given how many Christian books it carries. I'm even more amazed that this is the one they chose for their collection, as it's a weird choice for a children's book. There are apparently two versions of this story: one from the Gospel of Matthew and one from the Gospel of Luke. This book went with the story from the Gospel of Matthew... so be prepared to explain the Massacre of the Innocents to preschoolers.

When this book took such a dark turn, I was pretty much flabbergasted. I'm not a Christian myself, but I've heard the story of Jesus' birth plenty of times. I've also heard about King Herod and his desire to kill off the new baby king. But I think this is the first time I've ever seen the two combined in a picture book for young children. There's probably a reason for that!

Aside from the rather macabre turn this story takes, I thought that it probably wouldn't be appropriate for anyone other than Christian children, as the text repeatedly talks about Jesus saving everyone. But that's kind of a weird concept for non-Christians, and since it's not explained exactly what that means or how that works in this book, it could be confusing for some readers.

Technically speaking, I wasn't impressed by the writing. The whole book is done in rhyming verse, and it's quite clunky. Reading it aloud would be awkward. The pictures are okay. Some are cuter than others.

Overall, I was just disappointed. The only people who'd really get anything out of this are Christians. It wouldn't make a great teaching tool for kids of other faiths who might be interested in the Nativity story. And I wish the baby-killing bits had been left out. That just doesn't seem like it belongs in a children's Christmas picture book.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.14 out of 5

Review - The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear

The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear (The Berenstain Bears)
by Stan & Jan Berenstain
Date: 1984
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

How can Santa's sleigh land when there's no snow on the ground? How can he possibly fit down all those skinny-minny little chimneys? And how come every mall has a different Santa? These are just some of the highly delicate issues handled in this classic First Time Book that's back in print with a cheery new cover for a new generation of Bear fans.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book brought back memories! I wasn't sure if I'd read it or not; my sister was the one who was really into these books when we were kids. But as I read it, I kept getting twinges of memory; I think I did read this at some point, or it was read to us. I especially remembered the presents that the cubs asked for (and gave).

It's actually one of the stronger holiday picture books I've read so far this year, with a nice message and cute illustrations. I would recommend it, but with a caveat: it is a bit dated. Mama Bear laments the early start of the Christmas season... two days after Thanksgiving! (She should see the frenzy now! Some stores start winding up for Christmas before Halloween.) Brother Bear gives his father a pocket calculator for Christmas. (Would kids today even know what that is?) And there's a bit of an elitist attitude when it comes to the poor, when Papa Bear explains that "the needy" are creatures like squirrels who didn't put enough aside for the winter. To me, that read like blaming the poor for being poor. (Maybe the squirrels couldn't find enough nuts to put away during the year! That's hardly their fault.)

Aside from that, though, this is a cute story that emphasizes giving over receiving, and gently steers kids away from the greed that's so easy to get caught up in at this time of year. I can see why this book has endured and is still available for new generations to discover and enjoy.

Quotable moment:

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - Fa La La

Fa La La
by Leslie Patricelli
Date: 2012
Publisher: Candlewick
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 26
Format: e-book
Source: library

Oh, baby! Leslie Patricelli’s one-haired wonder returns to revel in Christmas. It’s almost Christmas, and baby simply cannot contain the exuberance. There are things to decorate: a tree, a gingerbread house, a doggy! There are very creative presents to make, Santa to see (must be brave), carols to sing, not to mention the big event itself. Come celebrate the season with humor and joy as everyone’s favorite baby puts a special spin on Christmas.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I'm afraid I just don't get it. Maybe this has appeal for preschoolers, but I'm of the opinion that picture books can have appeal for adults, too (and it's nice when they do, because they're often the ones who have to read them over and over and over).

This book is simple. Way too simple. It's very similar to another board book I just read, Llama Llama Jingle Bells, with a small child doing the activities to get ready for Christmas. But in that case, the illustrations were more pleasant to look at, and the rhyming text was more fun.

I also couldn't figure out why this baby's parents never dressed it (except when they went out). The poor thing was always running around in just a diaper, in the middle of winter; at one point, it was even standing outside in the snow wearing nothing but said diaper and a pair of bunny slippers! It made me cold just looking at it.

The illustrations are very plain and not all that appealing. I see that there's a whole series of books about this underclothed baby, but I don't really have any desire to read another one.

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

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 1.67 out of 5

Review - Llama Llama Jingle Bells

Llama Llama Jingle Bells (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2014
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 14
Format: e-book
Source: library

With short and simple rhyming text, the Llama Llama board books introduce Llama Llama to babies and toddlers before they’re ready for longer full-length stories. And their small size and durable pages are perfect for little hands.

In Llama Llama Jingle Bells, little llama and his friends give gifts, sing songs, and decorate cookies. It’s a very merry holiday indeed!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I love the Llama Llama books! After discovering them a few years ago, I've read as many as I could find, and I've even given Llama Llama Red Pajama (my favourite) as a gift. Now, many of the books in the series are longer; this is one of the board books, intended for babies and toddlers. As such, it's really short. That's probably my main complaint.

But this very short book still manages to tell a story in rhyme about a little llama preparing for Christmas. He goes with his mom to get a tree, exchanges gifts with his friends, sings songs, bakes and decorates cookies (and then leaves them out for Llama Santa), and goes to bed amid delicious smells... only to awake the next morning to Christmas.

The illustrations are adorable, as usual. Little Llama often has his llama toy in hand, and his friends--a diverse group of animals--are always fun to see.

I wish our library had the longer Christmas book, Llama Llama Holiday Drama. Llama Llama Jingle Bells is very cute, but it lacks the fleshing-out of plot and characters of the longer books.

Quotable moment:

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.71 out of 5

Review - Jingle Bells

Jingle Bells
by Kathleen N. Daly
illustrated by J. P. Miller
Date: 1964
Publisher: Golden Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

Back in print—a classic Little Golden Book about jingly jangly Christmas fun! A bear family takes some of the village animals out for a spin in the sleigh—and ends up helping Santa deliver his toys! This merry Little Golden Book from 1964 is reissued for a new generation to enjoy.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book turned out to be unintentionally hilarious... but only because it was horrifying.

The story starts out with a bear family out in their sleigh. Things quickly devolve from there, though, starting with Papa Bear cracking his whip at the poor horse, Hubert... who it's stated loves pulling the sleigh. Sure he does. (Seems more like an excuse to use poor Hubert for labour, but whatever.) That's just the beginning of this weirdly speciesist tale. Why are bears using a horse in the first place? Things start to get ugly, though, as more friends--other animals--pile into the sleigh. Soon they're all bundled up in furs. Furs. At that point, I just about lost it. Whose furs? There are bears, rabbits, a raccoon, and a seal in that sleigh, all of which are fur-bearing animals. At this point, I started to wonder if this was some sort of horror picture book for kids.

Soon, they meet Santa, who has a bit of a problem. His reindeer are sick and are back at home tucked in bed with their tea and warm socks (who knew reindeer wore socks?) so he needs some help delivering presents. The animals help him out, and Santa goes on to merrily reinforce gender stereotypes by giving trains, boats, and rocking horses to the boys and dolls to the girls. Then, when he's done being a sexist old elf, they all go back to his place for dinner. Poor Esmeralda Ostrich has to sit at the dining table and watch everyone else eat a dead bird.

Before the animals head home, they check in on the sniffly reindeer. There are only six. I don't even want to ask what happened to the other two; based on some of the other disturbing elements in this book, I doubt it's a feel-good story. (Maybe they got eaten one year when there was a turkey shortage.)

The pictures are kind of creepy, almost (but not quite) in the style of Gustav Tenggren, who illustrated quite a few of these Little Golden Books. The animals look like they're on drugs, in any case.

I may have read this one when I was little, considering it's been around a lot longer than I have. But if I did, I obviously didn't pick up on how creepy it is. I'll be remembering this one now for all the wrong reasons.

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

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 1.33 out of 5