Review - Good Rosie!

Good Rosie!
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Harry Bliss
Date: 2018
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: hardcover
Source: library

Beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo and cartoonist Harry Bliss introduce some delightfully doggy dogs in a warm, funny tale of a timid pup who needs a friend.

Rosie is a good dog and a faithful companion to her owner, George. She likes taking walks with George and looking at the clouds together, but the closest she comes to another dog is when she encounters her reflection in her empty dog bowl, and sometimes that makes Rosie feel lonely. One day George takes Rosie to the dog park, but the park is full of dogs that Rosie doesn't know, which makes her feel lonelier than ever. When big, loud Maurice and small, yippy Fifi bound over and want to play, Rosie's not sure how to respond. Is there a trick to making friends? And if so, can they all figure it out together?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I think is one of the first times I've ever read a picture book that needed a trigger warning. I'm surprised (and appalled) that this is by Kate DiCamillo, one of my favourite children's book authors. While the overall premise isn't terrible (even if it does seem aimed at very young children), there's a horrifying incident in the book that killed my enjoyment of the rest of it. This should never have been published as it is.

What happened, you might ask? At the dog park, Rosie meets a big dog named Maurice. He shows her his bunny toy and how he likes to shake it. But then, the book shows Maurice picking up a tiny dog, Fifi, and doing the same thing to her! I was horrified. Even worse was that Fifi was shown as being no worse for wear, just a little slobbery. I have a Goodreads friend who recently lost her little dog in a similar situation; I would hate for someone who's experienced that kind of loss to inadvertently pick up this book.

People with small dogs will get what I'm talking about. If you've ever experienced the terror of walking your little dog and having a huge, growling dog rush at it, you'll understand the sheer panic that surges through you at such a moment, and all the jumbled accompanying thoughts: Is this dog friendly? Is it going to grab my dog? If I pick up my dog, will it go for me instead? Am I about to witness my best friend getting killed?

No. This book should never have been published the way it is. Maurice's actions are not cute, no matter how much of a big, stupid oaf he is. (Even more disturbing is that the humans at the dog park didn't seem to care much about this incident. In reality, Fifi's owner would've probably rushed in and carted the poor thing off to the vet... because it would've had some sort of injuries after being shaken like a rag doll.)

Good Rosie! is not the title I would've picked. Bad Maurice! would've been more appropriate. Or maybe just Bad Book!

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

Enjoyment: 0/5

Overall: 1.33 out of 5

Review - Azadah

Azadah
by Jacques Goldstyn
Date: 2016
Publisher: La Pastèque
Reading level: C
Book type: graphic novel
Pages: 56
Format: hardcover
Source: library

Au contact d'une photographe, une petite afghane constatera que le monde est vaste et que les possibilités sont infinies...

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is just depressing and weird. I'm not even sure if it's fantasy or contemporary.

A little girl named Azadah lives in war-ravaged Afghanistan. She's obviously made friends with a photographer who's come to photograph the conflict. But the photographer is leaving. Azadah begs her not to go, or to take her with her. She says (and she's probably right) that she won't have any opportunities if she stays there. She won't get to do any of the things she's dreamed of doing. But the photographer leaves anyway, getting into a UN truck and departing, but not before leaving Azadah her backpack of belongings. Azadah takes them all out and spreads them on the floor. She gets an idea; using sheets (or burqas?) from a washing line, she uses the objects in the backpack to build a hot-air balloon and fly herself out of the conflict zone. That's literally all there is to the story.

I'm not sure if it's supposed to be metaphorical, pure fantasy, or something else. But Azadah's pleas to not be left behind are heartbreaking, and the book just left me feeling depressed. Kids in war zones need more than imagination to help them get through the horrors they face. They can imagine themselves flying away, but that's not going to help them in reality.

There's very little text in this one (it's more of a graphic novel than a picture book), so I flew through it pretty quickly, even though it was in French. I think it could've benefited from being a little longer, though; as it is, the ending is kind of abrupt and the reader is left wondering what this point is.

Premise: 2/5
Story: 2/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5

Review - The Cremation of Sam McGee

The Cremation of Sam McGee
by Robert W. Service
illustrated by Ted Harrison
Date: 1986
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: paperback
Source: library

In 1986 Kids Can Press published an edition of Robert Service's "The Cremation of Sam McGee" illustrated by painter Ted Harrison, who used his signature broad brushstrokes and unconventional choice of color to bring this gritty narrative poem to life. Evoking both the spare beauty and the mournful solitude of the Yukon landscape, Harrison's paintings proved the perfect match for Service's masterpiece about a doomed prospector adrift in a harsh land. Harrison's Illustrator's Notes on each page enhanced both poem and illustrations by adding valuable historical background. Upon its original publication, many recognized the book as an innovative approach to illustrating poetry for children. For years The Cremation of Sam McGee has stood out as a publishing landmark, losing none of its appeal both as a read-aloud and as a work of art. Kids Can Press proudly publishes this deluxe hardcover twentieth anniversary edition -- complete with a spot-varnished cover, new cover art and heavy coated stock -- of a book that remains as entrancing as a night sky alive with the vibrant glow of the Northern Lights.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Weirdest. Children's book. Ever.

Now, I can appreciate this for what it is. "The Cremation of Sam McGee" is a famous poem by Robert W. Service. It was released in the form of a picture book with bold accompanying illustrations. That, by itself, isn't so bad. What I don't understand is why it was published by a children's book publisher and marketed for that age group.

This is a book about death, cremation, and a body sizzling in a boiler. It has its moments, and it's actually kind of amusing... if you're an adult. This just doesn't work as a children's picture book. For one thing, each illustration has an explanatory caption (as if readers are too stupid to understand what they're seeing), which is kind of condescending. I think the publisher was trying to teach about life in the north at the same time, but it didn't really work. Also, some of the pictures and text aren't really appropriate for kids. One illustration shows the body in the fire, and the text talks about his friend stuffing the body in the boiler, and then the grin on the dead body's face as it's burning. Creepy enough for you? Wait, it gets better. The corpse starts to talk.

I admit, I enjoyed the poem. But I wouldn't give it to a child. Preteens and teens would get more out of this, but they'd probably be past the point of reading picture books. I shudder to think of the trauma this book might cause for some unsuspecting child who picks it up.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.29 out of 5

Review - Miss Moon: Wise Words from a Dog Governess

Miss Moon: Wise Words from a Dog Governess
by Janet Hill
Date: 2016
Publisher: Tundra Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: hardcover
Source: library

Miss Wilhelmina Moon is a dog governess. At her first placement, on a small island off the coast of France, her new charges - sixty-seven dogs of all shapes, sizes and colors - run wild. But armed with patience and a passion for teaching, as well as her companions, Mitford the monkey and Petunia the French bulldog, Miss Moon soon imparts twenty important lessons to her furry brood. Some are practical, some are playful, one or two are a little unusual, but all are necessary for the raising of happy, healthy and well-mannered dogs (and humans).

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is the sort of book I often dislike because it doesn't seem to be about anything. But I couldn't help but be charmed by this illustrated collection of wise sayings from Miss Moon, governess to sixty-seven dogs.

Each bit of wisdom is accompanied by an illustration featuring the dogs and their governess. Some are funny, some are deep, and some are just plain good advice.

The pictures are probably the most entertaining part of the book... especially the group picture at the end, where all the dogs are named. Some of the dogs (and their names) are laugh-out-loud funny.

I'm not sure who the intended audience is for this book, although there's plenty to look at in the pictures, so it's probably a decent read for kids. There's no story, though, just a bunch of "wise words"; keep that in mind if you're looking for something with more of a narrative.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - Pirates à l'île aux Oursins

Pirates à l'île aux Oursins
by Jonny Duddle
Date: 2018
Publisher: Éditions Scholastic
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: paperback
Source: library

La suite tant attendue du succès de Jonny Duddle, Nos voisins les pirates!

Cet été, Mathilde part en vacances avec la famille Bâbord-Tribord. Ils mettent le cap sur l'île aux Oursins, un endroit que les pirates adorent fréquenter. Quand Mathilde débarque sur l'île, les résidents ne sont pas impressionnés par son allure : elle porte des vêtements propres et son odeur ne laisse pas savoir qu'elle navigue en mer depuis six mois. C'est évident qu'elle n'est pas un pirate! Mais lorsque Mathilde découvre le mystère du fameux trésor de l'île aux Oursins, les pirates s'aperçoivent que les marins d'eau douce sont en mesure de se débrouiller, malgré tout!

(synopsis from Scholastic; see it on Goodreads)

I think I would've rather read this one in English. The French version was a little too advanced for me, leaving me enjoying it less than I think I would have had I understood more of it. I got the gist, though, and what I saw I really liked. A little girl goes with her friend to this vacation island for pirates. Immediately, she's viewed as an outsider because she's obviously not a pirate. But she eventually wins everyone over when she figures out how to find a long-lost pirate treasure.

The illustrations are great. The pirates are funny and the settings are lovely to look at.

I might have to seek this one (and its prequel) out in the English versions so I can get the full benefit of the text. I feel like I missed a lot of what was--even from what I could gather--a fun story.

Premise: 4/5
Story: 3/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5

Review - Vampirina Ballerina Hosts a Sleepover

Vampirina Ballerina Hosts a Sleepover (Vampirina Ballerina)
by Anne Marie Pace
illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Date: 2013
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: hardcover
Source: library

Before Vampirina can host her very first sleepover there are a few things she must keep in mind: be polite and offer her guests food (like blood pudding); plan some games like scavenger hunt (but keep the clues simple so no one gets lost); and don't forget to dance! Vampirina may be a little nervous at first, but by following a few simple rules she will host the Best Sleepover Ever.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I haven't read any of the Vampirina Ballerina books before, but if this is what they're all like, I don't think I'm really a fan. Sure, the illustrations are cute and there's lots to look at. But there's not a heck of a lot of story. It's just a little vampire getting ready to host her friends for a sleepover.

Some of the little touches in the illustrations are cute, but there are others that are just weird. While the idea of a vampire reading The Sun Also Rises is funny in theory, I don't think parents will appreciate it if their eight-year-olds go out and try to read a Hemingway novel about a guy with a missing dick who drinks a lot and watches bulls get slaughtered for entertainment.

I guess this series has its fans, but I don't think I'm one of them. The best part of this is probably the illustrations; the rest is kind of weak.

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

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5

Review - If You Give a Pig a Party

If You Give a Pig a Party (If You Give...)
by Laura Joffe Numeroff
illustrated by Felicia Bond
Date: 2000
Publisher: HarperCollins
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: hardcover
Source: library

The little pig from If You Give a Pig a Pancake is back in this picture book in the beloved #1 New York Times bestselling If You Give... series!

If you give a pig a party, she's going to ask for some balloons. When you give her the balloons, she'll want to decorate the house. When she's finished, she'll put on her favorite dress.

Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond have created another charming story for this beloved character in the tradition of the bestselling If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Many years ago, I was introduced to this series in a multimedia class when the teacher showed us an interactive CD-ROM based on If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. I thought the premise was adorable, and I've seen various other books in the series come out throughout the years. I never really bothered to read them, though, until yesterday... when I picked up If You Give a Pig a Party. Oh, my goodness! It's so cute.

The premise of these books is that if you give the character something, it'll lead to a request for something else... and that will lead to a request for something else, and so on. In this book, it starts out with throwing a pig a party. And then she wants balloons. And then she wants to decorate the house...

The illustrations are really cute, and highlight what's going on in the text while also showing things that aren't mentioned. For example, the pig gets her party dress from a doll. And when her animal friends play hide-and-seek, they're all cleverly hidden (even the moose, if you look closely).

I'm definitely going to be seeing if I can get some of the other books in the series. If they're anything like this one, I'll probably enjoy them, too.

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

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.33 out of 5