I can personally verify that this book will make you yawn. I yawned four times while reading it, and twice more while writing this review.

One little boy yawns, and his yawn is contagious! It sweeps through the town and out to the countryside. All around the world, people start yawning in Egypt, India, and even the North Pole. Farm animals and polar bears and elephants; no one is immune to this persistent yawn. The yawn reaches outer space where aliens begin to yawn. Then the yawn reaches the reader, and the little boy who started it all is tucked into bed fast asleep.

I love this adorable book! The art work is beautiful and colorful with a lot of details in the background that make it fun to read. There are die-cut openings between some of the pages, and a really clever set-up with some shorter pages that match the next page and enhance the scene.

It's a really funny story, and a great design too! Perfect for bedtime reading.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

A parent deer teaches their child about the world, and how each little raindrop and leaf is important and special. The little deer learns that each creature has a responsibility to appreciate and protect the world. The deer marvel at a field full of butterflies, and a mighty tree grown from a tiny acorn. They see a beautiful waterfall, and whales in the ocean.

I loved the soft illustrations in this picture book! The forest scenery is beautiful and it was fun to search for all the little woodland creatures in the background. There are mice, foxes, birds, bears, insects, squirrels, and all kinds of little animals living and working in the forest. The colors are bright and inviting, and I was completely enchanted with the lovely artwork.

The story is told in rhyme, and I was happy to see that the verses are well-written. The rhythm flows nicely, and the rhyming words fit together well. I can be very picky about rhyming text in picture books, but this text was just right and pleasant to read.

Such a sweet and calming story with an important message!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

Bertram is very neat and tidy, and Alan is messy and unkempt. However, these two neighbors are best friends. Bertram's new cat, Pierre, doesn't like to sit on the pristine couch, or eat from the beautiful china, or sleep on the designer cat bed. Pierre would rather hang out with Alan and eat scraps. Bertram learns to allow some less-than-perfect things in his house to accommodate Pierre. And Alan tries to clean up his house and tidy some of the clutter. Together they find a way to compromise and make the perfect environment for Pierre the cat.

I love this funny story about different people coming together for something they both enjoy, like owning a cat. I love the positive messages about friendship, plus the story is just entertaining.

The illustrations are beautifully in keeping with the mood of the story. The lines of the artwork are a little messy and chaotic, even impressionistic at times. I love the bright colors and interesting scenes.

Such a fun book!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

A little boy is reading a book about a ship and a princess and a dragon. He hears other children playing outside in the rain puddles, and goes to join them. He is not sure how to make friends, so he just starts playing pretend that he is in a ship fighting off a dragon. The other children naturally join in with his game, and they all go sailing to an island with the princess from the story.

I love the beautiful messages about friendship in this book. It can be daunting to approach new people, hoping to make friends, but using your imagination and playing games brings people together like nothing else can.

The soft illustrations are a complete delight! The colors are bright and inviting, and I was completely enchanted with the lovely artwork. The imagination of the little boy's story world really comes to life as he pretends to fight off the dragon and sail the seas.

I really appreciated the diversity of ethnicities and races in this book. It doesn't matter what the characters look like or the color of their skin; they just want to have fun and play together.

I thought it was interesting that the story focused on the smells and sounds in the scenes. "The outside smelled like wet grass..." It is an effective way of putting the reader right into the scene.

I love everything about this imaginative and sweet story!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

While the rains begin to flood the forest, Bear has a plan for helping all her neighbors to weather the storm. But when the floods begin to reach her own house, Bear will need everyone's help to get her boat afloat and save her friends.

This was such a sweet story about friends and neighbors helping one another in a crisis. I loved the Bear is super-organized and loves to help everyone and problem solve. I also thought it was important that the animals she helped thanked her and accepted her help graciously, and then were willing to help her when she needed it.

I love the soft art style of the illustrations. There are such pretty details in the fur of the animals, and the little plants on the forest floor, and each little blade of grass or blossom. The animal characters have the cutest little expressions on their faces! Just adorable.


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

This journal encourages the reader to go on an exploration of their own home, really noticing things around the house and how the rooms are laid out. You can draw a map of your house, sketch your front door, and make up a story about characters who lived in your house before you moved in. There are little tidbits of information about the history of homes and different features of architecture around the world.

I loved the colorful pages full of fun activities and journal prompts! Doing these activities is really relaxing and thoughtful. It really forces you to consider a different perspective and see things in a fresh way. I really liked all the cool illustrations and bits of history.

This would be the perfect gift for a child in quarantine!


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

This journal offers the reader the perfect journal for recording their experiences while away from home, really noticing things they encounter and the places they see. You can draw a map of your destination, sketch a famous landmark, and invent your own travel game. There are little tidbits of information about the history of travel and different famous places around the world.

I loved the colorful pages full of fun activities and journal prompts! Doing these activities is really relaxing and thoughtful. It really forces you to consider a different perspective and see things in a fresh way. I really liked all the cool illustrations and bits of history.

This would be the perfect gift for a kid going on vacation, and would encourage some quiet and reflective moments during the trip.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

A little bowhead whale asks their grandfather to tell them a story about all the amazing things the grandfather has seen in the ocean. The grandfather tells about the wonders of the sea, but adds that he has not seen anything more wonderful than his own sweet grandchild.

This book is so sweet! I got very emotional while reading it, thinking of the precious little children in my life who I love. There are some really cool facts about marine life, and the grandfather tells about beluga whales, narwhals, Artic char fish, and walruses.

The illustrations are beautiful, and really bring the reader right into the ocean. The deep blues and purples create a soothing atmosphere in the artwork.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

Alexander lives in his mother kangaroo's pocket, even though his sister says he is too old and ought to move out. His mother is always throwing random things into her pocket and it's a big jumbled mess! Alexander tries to keep things organized, but with mixed results. He is so crowded in the pocket that he can barely breathe, and finally decides that he has had enough.

I loved this adorable story! It is completely hilarious from start to finish, and I loved every page!

Alexander is so funny and sweet. He is desperate to get things organized, but he is inundated with junk in the pocket. However, Alexander's kangaroo mother is smarter than you may think, and she just might have a plan for Alexander.

The illustrations add so much to the humor of the story! The funny expressions on the characters' faces are just perfection. I love the crayon art style, and the neon bright colors are sure to capture your attention.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

Bartholomew has trouble getting ready in the morning because the friendly monsters he partied with the night before, keep stealing his hairbrush, clutching at his clothes, and spilling his breakfast. Finally Bartholomew's father steps in to help him get ready, and they share a special moment as they go out the door to start their day.

I thought this was a sweet and relatable story, especially for little kids who have trouble getting up in the morning. I really liked how the father comes in to help without criticizing or getting angry at Bartholomew.

There was one part of the book that I didn't like, where Bartholomew is trying to use the toilet and the monsters tease him and make him spill on the floor. That seemed like it was taking things way too far.

The illustrations are okay, but I didn't really enjoy the messy art style. The colors are vibrant, and the designs for each monster are unique.

Overall, a nice book with a comforting message for any little kids who get frustrated trying to get ready in the morning.


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.