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Tag Archives: book review


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Book Share: The Strongest Thing, When Home Feels Hard by Hallee Adelman

The Strongest Thing, When Home Feels Hard

Written by Hallee Adelman

Illustrated by Rea Zhai

Albert Whitman & Company, 2022

Last May I won a book on Kathy Temean’s Writing and Illustrating blog. The book was The Strongest Thing, When Home Feels Hard. Wow! The topic is TOUGH, and Hallee handled it with the greatest of care. Thank you, Hallee, for sharing your picture book with me!

Book Description:

A sensitive, hopeful story about breaking the cycle of bullying and abuse.

Sera doesn’t always like being at home, where her dad’s anger feels like the strongest thing. School feels better. But when Sera gets into an argument with a friend and finds herself acting like the bully at home, she discovers that the strongest thing isn’t loud or angry at all.

Why I liked this book:

~the story is strong, captivating, and hopeful, and is written with sensitivity

~the subject matter is tough, but for those kids (and perhaps adults!) who need it, it can be a doorway to discussion

~the illustrations fit just right for the subject matter

~the book would be perfect for counselors and therapist who work with children and families

Note: I would advise adults to pre-read The Strongest Thing, When Home Feels Hard BEFORE sharing it with children. Some parts might be triggering or scary.

Thank you, Hallee and Rea, for putting this book out in the world!

You can learn more about Hallee’s books on her website.


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Book Share: My Tender Heart Prayer Book by Laura Sassi

My Tender Heart Prayer Book

Written by Laura Sassi

Illustrated by Sandra Eide

Paraclete Press, 2023

Thanks to Susanna Hill and her blog, Picture Book Builders, I was introduced to Laura Sassi’s new book, My Tender Heart Prayer Book. Thank you, Susanna and Laura, for sending me a copy of this beautiful book!

My Tender Heart Prayer Book is a beautifully illustrated board book. Which means it is sturdy enough to last through repeated readings, accidental food and drink spills, trips in the car, and the myriad of other life experiences of a book living with a child.

This book is filled with easy to read one page prayer prompts. The prayers are all related to things that naturally occur throughout the day of a young child. A title on each page lets the adult reader know the theme of the prayer. Next, the Bible verse(s) is listed. This is followed by a short rhyming prayer, perfect for young children. To finish each page, Laura has included a Heart Moment. This idea is a way for the reader to personally connect with the prayer theme. Some of the Heart Moments include encouraging a child to think of his or her favorite breakfast food and thank Jesus for each one, asking how a child can show love to their family that day, and naming ways God loves them.

My Tender Heart Prayer Book is just right.

Congratulations, Laura and Sandra!


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Book Review: Spreckle’s Snack Surprise

Spreckle’s Snack Surprise

Written and illustrated by Sandra Salsbury

Peachtree Publishing, 2023

Oh, sweet delight! Adorableness and humor! Spreckle’s Snack Surprise by Sandra Salsbury is a funny, engaging picture book. I love it!

Thank you, Sandra, for sending a copy of Spreckle’s to me, along with a sheet of cute stickers and a beautiful postcard! I learned about Sandra and her new book from Jena Benton on her blog. Thank you, Jena, for featuring Sandra!

Spreckle’s Snack Surprise is delightful. The front cover alone had me giggling and predicting that perhaps Spreckle would love to have some nice poppy little chicks for snack. But that would be horrible, right? The front and back cover read like a food container, filled with grocery-style information and ad copy. FUNNY and very clever!

But besides that, the story of Spreckle is adorable. Hatched on a farm, raised with chicky siblings, Spreckle needs a snack. Much to the reader’s dismay, obvious snacks peck around at his feet. But hold on, all will be well. We hope!

Why I Love This Book:

~humor

~clever wordplay

~assumptions

~food!

~dragon, chicks, chickens

~perfect illustrations

Thanks again, Sandra and Jena, for introducing me to Spreckle!


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Book Review: Mossy and Tweed: Double Trouble by Mirka Hokkanen (Holiday House)

Mossy and Tweed: Double Trouble

By Mirka Hokkanen

Holiday House, 2023

Will you just look at this early reader I Like to Read Comics picture book by Mirka Hokkanen? Fun, adorable, and engaging. Thank you, Jena Benton Lasley and Mirka Hokkanen for sending me this most excellent comic picture book! Our family will enjoy reading it over and over again.

There is double trouble in this installment of Mossy and Tweed, when a new unicorn arrives on the scene, upstaging Wise Old Unicorn. Much fun and adventure follow in Gnome Woods. Two thumbs up for Mossy and Tweed: Double Trouble.

I adore maps that set the scene, and Mossy and Tweed does not disappoint. It makes me want to go exploring.

What I like about this book:

~ graphic novel comic

~ early reader, just right for those who are learning to read

~ imaginative

~ fun characters and setting

~ easy to read illustrations and format

~ great story

Thank you, Mirka and Jena. Well done!


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Book Review: Silent Night, The wonderful story of the beloved Christmas carol by Brigitte Weninger and Julie Wintz-Litty

Silent Night, The wonderful story of the beloved Christmas carol

Written by Brigitte Weninger

Illustrated by Julie Wintz-Litty

NorthSouth Books, 2018 English translation

I adore Christmas music. And Christmas books. When I recently replied to an email from NorthSouth Books, sharing which book I would love to read (from a generous list of choices), I won a copy of Silent Night, The wonderful story of the beloved Christmas carol. Merry Christmas to me!

Gorgeously illustrated, this lovely picture book has a longer text, but it easily engaged my attention as I read about the history of the beloved song. Seasonal yes, but I’ve been known to listen to Christmas music nearly any time of the year. Music and history lovers will enjoy reading how the song was born. Enchanting, beautiful, and perfect.

Thank you, NorthSouth Books!


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Book Review: The Planet We Call Home, written by Aimee Isaac, illustrated by Jaime Kim

The Planet We Call Home

Written by Aimee Isaac

Illustrated by Jaime Kim

Philomel, 2023

Wow! Thanks to Aimee Isaac and Susanna Hill, I was gifted a copy of The Planet We Call Home. Just in time for the birthday of my youngest grand who will turn 7 very soon. She will love opening her very own autographed copy! Thank you, Aimee and Susanna!

The Planet We Call Home is beautiful! Written in a cumulative style, each phrase is added to the next, so by the end of the story, lines have been repeated and the story internalized. I love this format! The lyrical text is hope-filled and based on nature and conversation of our precious planet Earth. Lovely illustrations complement and extend the story. Back matter provides resources for further reading and ways to help our planet. Well done, Aimee and Jaime!

With Earth Day coming up soon, The Planet We Call Home is just right! It’s also the birthday party day, so I know one 7-year-old who will be reading it on Earth Day.


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Book Review: Abuelita and I Make Flan by Adriana Hernández Bergstrom

Abuelita and I Make Flan

Written and illustrated by Adriana Hernández Bergstrom

Charlesbridge, 2022

What a delicious book! I have fond memories of my mom making flan, so I knew this book would be special! Thank you, Kathy Temean and Adriana for sending me a copy. Truly beautiful and tasty!

Anita is super excited to help her abuelita make flan for her abuela’s birthday. Anita is her abuelita’s special helper, and she can’t wait to learn how to make this delicious dessert. Except an accident happens, and Anita is afraid to tell abuelita about how she dropped a favorite glass plate that was often used to hold flan.

Traditions. Flan. Family. Mistakes. Birthdays. Helping.

Abuelita and I Make Flan is a beautiful picture book. Complete with a recipe, Spanish words, and glossary, this picture book is a keeper. Young readers will be inspired to be helpers, hopefully want to learn new things, and be more willing to admit mistakes. Learning to apologize for accidents is a good thing to learn.

This book goes with my other “all about food” picture books! I can’t wait to try the flan recipe. Thank you, Adriana, for crafting this delightful book!

Amazon Blurb

Anita loves to bake with her abuela, especially when they are using her grandmother’s special recipes for Cuban desserts like flan!

Anita is making flan for Abuelo’s birthday, but when she accidentally breaks Abuelita’s treasured flan serving plate from Cuba, she struggles with what to do. Anita knows it’s right to tell the truth, but what if Abuelita gets upset? Worried that she has already ruined the day, Anita tries to be the best helper.  After cooking the flan, they need a serving dish! Anita comes up with a wonderful solution.
 
Complete with a glossary of Spanish terms and a traditional recipe for flan, Abuelita and I Make Flan is a delicious celebration of food, culture, and family.


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Book Review: Wake Up, Freight Train! by Danna Smith and Jon Andersen

Wake Up, Freight Train!

written by Danna Smith

illustrated by Jon Andersen

Little Simon, 2022

Choo-choo! Hop aboard this hard-working nighttime freight train!

Written by Danna Smith and illustrated by Jon Andersen, this sturdy board book will delight train lovers of all ages. 🙂

Thank you, Danna Smith, Lynne Marie, and Rate Your Story March on with Mentor Texts! After participating each day, reading posts, commenting, and reading/studying mentor texts (picture books worth a closer read), everyone was eligible for prizes offered by blog guests. Fortunately for me, my name was pulled and I won a copy of Danna Smith’s adorable board book Wake Up, Freight Train!

Thank you to everyone for a fantastic month of reading, studying, and learning!

Why I Love This Book:

~ adorable!

~ fun, rhyming text

~ trains, an ever popular subject matter for young readers

~ word play and train-specific words

~ answers to “What does a freight train do at night?”

~ bright colors, animals and wildlife, shaped board book

~ plenty of onomatopoeia so readers can join in the fun!

From Goodreads:

Hop aboard this train-shaped board book that introduces each car of a freight train during a nighttime adventure!

Blow the train whistle, shovel more coal.
Here we go, freight train! Get ready to roll!
Toot-toot goes the horn, Blink-blink go the lights,
Clang-clang goes the bell, all through the night.

Featuring all the cars of a freight train, this board book is perfect for young readers who love trains! And since freight trains ride at night, there are adorable sleepy animals throughout for little ones to find.

Toot-toot! Happy adventures on the freight train!


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Book Review: Braver Than Brave by Janet Sumner Johnson and Eunji Jung

Braver Than Brave

written by Janet Sumner Johnson

illustrated by Eunji Jung

Capstone Editions, 2022

Be brave!

That’s what I keep calling this delightful picture book about a young girl who must find her own kind of courage to ride the BIG one like her older brother and friends.

Thank you to Janet Sumner Johnson and KidLit411 for sending me a copy of Braver Than Brave!

There are so many reasons I enjoy this book. The message is wonderful for young children. The setting is fun, the characters are just right, and the problem-being brave enough to do something scary-is perfect for ages 3-5 who face an amusement park full of new experiences (in life and at actual amusement parks). And let’s not overlook the fact that Wanda is adorable!

Congratulations, Janet and Eunji!

Why I LOVE this book:

~adorable Wanda

~the amusement park setting is fun and facing BIG rides is a common fear and experience of most children

~great message

~colorful, action-filled illustrations

~surprise ending!

~back matter that shares more about being brave

~a chicken exit (own it!)

Back Cover Blurb:

Go forth and be brave!


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Book Review: Reach for the Stars by Emily Calandrelli and Honee Jang

Reach for the Stars

Written by Emily Calandrelli

Illustrated by Honee Jang

Godwin Books, Henry Holt and Company, 2022

Thank you, Kathy Temean at Writing and Illustrating, author Emily Calandrelli, and illustrator Honee Jang for sharing this beautiful book, Reach for the Stars! Thank you for sending me a copy to read and share. Congratulations!

A heartwarming picture book, Reach for the Stars shares the wonder and amazement of the natural world and all that is in it. Calandrelli leads readers through the growing up and exploring years in the life of a young girl, all the while encouraging readers to be amazed and to dream the big dreams about life. Jang perfectly captured the beauty and imagination of the story. Reach for the Stars is a lovely book to read to inspire, inform, and enjoy.

Why I Love This Book:

~ beautiful illustrations, dreamy and imaginative

~ the wonder and awe about the natural world the author and illustrator share throughout the story

~ the fun of reading the story in rhyme

~ the natural world is amazing, and that appreciation and respect for learning about and exploring more is front and center in this book

~ science! STEM. Girls in science!

~ the encouragement to readers to dream big, explore, and follow your dreams

Amazon Blurb:

From Emmy-nominated science TV star and host of Netflix’s hit series Emily’s Wonder Lab Emily Calandrelli comes an inspirational message of love and positivity.

From the moment we are born, we reach out. We reach out for our loved ones, for new knowledge and experiences, and for our dreams!

Whether celebrating life’s joyous milestones, sharing words of encouragement, or observing the wonder of the world around us, this uplifting book will inspire readers of every age. A celebration of love and shared discovery, this book will encourage readers to reach for the stars!