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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: Fussy Flamingo by Shelly Vaughan James and Matthew Rivera

Fussy Flamingo

Words by Shelly Vaughan James

Pictures by Matthew Rivera

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2020

Fussy Flamingo is a tasty, delightfully pink picture book just right for little flamingos. Thank you, Shelly Vaughan James for sending me a copy of your lovely book! It is so sweet!

I love Lola! Lola is a shrimp eating flamingo. Except she does not eat shrimp. So she is not pink. Lola eats other things and looks beautiful. But she is picky (quite like several young ones I know). Shrimp are not her thing, much to the dismay of her beautifully pink parents.

Fussy flamingo Lola is adorable and funny and perfectly like a picky eater. This picture book is a FUN read!

Why I like Fussy Flamingo:

~Adorable Lola

~Lola tries several ‘other’ foods, which make her turn different colors. But not pink.

~The simply shared facts about flamingos (eat shrimp and turn pink, wade in water, etc.)

~The humor

~The repeating refrain after each of Lola’s (not shrimp) meals

~The satisfying ending (which I will not spoil)

~The gorgeous illustrations

~The fantastic flamingo back matter

Thank you, Shelly and Matthew, for creating Fussy Flamingo.


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Book Share: Something Wild by Molly Ruttan

Something Wild

by Molly Ruttan

Nancy Paulsen Books, 2023

I have something in common with this lovely picture book by Molly Ruttan. Stage fright!

Thank you, Molly Ruttan, for sending me a copy of your delightful picture book. And thank you, Kathy Temean, for introducing me to Molly and her work. What a great picture book!

Something Wild is the story of a young violin player who loves playing her violin. But she is nervous about her upcoming recital. She desperately wishes for something wild to happen so she won’t have to go. But it doesn’t. She hopes again, but nope, nothing wild. Again. Nothing. When it’s finally her turn to play on the big stage, something does happen! But you’ll have to read the book to find out. Beautiful!

What I Love About This Book:

~ beautiful, emotion-filled illustrations

~ imagination

~ the theme of stage fright

~ the love of playing a musical instrument

~ the common challenge many young performers face when they prepare to share what they’ve learned at a recital

~ overall wonderful book

Thank you, Molly! Best wishes on your future projects!


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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!