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2.59k reviews by:
librarybonanza
Age: Kindergarten-3rd grade
Nature: Planting seeds
A hard subject to discuss, Davies tackles a child thief and her story with direct language. It begins rather bleak with the narrator girl describing that she "lived by stealing from those who had almost as little as I did." As she is trying to steal from a frail old lady, the old lady promises to give the thief her bag if she promises to plant them. Inside the bag, the thief finds only acorns. Inspired by the beauty and perfection of the seeds, the girl decides to fulfill her promise, spreading green joy throughout her desolate city.
I wish we had more insight into the change of heart for the girl but perhaps that can be better for a classroom where each individual can interpret it differently.
Nature: Planting seeds
A hard subject to discuss, Davies tackles a child thief and her story with direct language. It begins rather bleak with the narrator girl describing that she "lived by stealing from those who had almost as little as I did." As she is trying to steal from a frail old lady, the old lady promises to give the thief her bag if she promises to plant them. Inside the bag, the thief finds only acorns. Inspired by the beauty and perfection of the seeds, the girl decides to fulfill her promise, spreading green joy throughout her desolate city.
I wish we had more insight into the change of heart for the girl but perhaps that can be better for a classroom where each individual can interpret it differently.
Yeeeeeah, this was pretty bad. Two robots guzzle oil and burp in between. Soon they want to see how many numbers/letters/Old MacDonald Had a Farm they can say before their burp ends. That's about it. The title is confusing. This book really serves no purpose other than to elicit cheap laughs.
Robot Zombie Frankenstein, on the other hand, is great. Not sure what went wrong with this one.
Robot Zombie Frankenstein, on the other hand, is great. Not sure what went wrong with this one.
Age: Preschool-2nd grade
Family: 2 brothers, 1 sister
Wow. From Ladybug Girl to this? This book is just stupendous! It already has a classic feel to it from the spot on language, the exciting plot, the unpredictable ending, the detailed illustrations (that I want to hang on my wall), and some unique literary devices such as breaking the 4th wall. Soman even includes some fun nods to the adult readers. For example, the three bears find themselves in the middle of storm after fighting with each other:
The resolution is incredibly satisfying and a good lesson for children that their mother will always love them--but they may not always get dessert.
Family: 2 brothers, 1 sister
Wow. From Ladybug Girl to this? This book is just stupendous! It already has a classic feel to it from the spot on language, the exciting plot, the unpredictable ending, the detailed illustrations (that I want to hang on my wall), and some unique literary devices such as breaking the 4th wall. Soman even includes some fun nods to the adult readers. For example, the three bears find themselves in the middle of storm after fighting with each other:
"They didn't care whose fault it was anymore, they were all in the same boat."
The resolution is incredibly satisfying and a good lesson for children that their mother will always love them--but they may not always get dessert.
Age: Preschool-2nd grade
Fairytale: Fractured Little Red Hen
Stevens presents one finely put together picture book detailing the process of baking strawberry shortcake with three overly-anxious (but sincere) friends. Rooster is sick of chicken feed (and his expression of exhaustion and disgust is perfect). But, wait a minute! Rooster remembers a story about his great-grandmother, the Little Red Hen and soon finds her cookbook titled "The Joy of Cooking Alone." Upon asking his friends, Dog, Cat, and Goose say "Not I" but Pig, Turtle, and Iguana are totally game.
Every step is covered in this baking book, making it a bit long with a rather irritating repetition of Iguana messing something up, but I doubt the kids will mind. I am particularly fond of the sidebar nonfiction facts about ingredients, materials, and more in-depth instructions. This is a winning picture book on baking!
Fairytale: Fractured Little Red Hen
Stevens presents one finely put together picture book detailing the process of baking strawberry shortcake with three overly-anxious (but sincere) friends. Rooster is sick of chicken feed (and his expression of exhaustion and disgust is perfect). But, wait a minute! Rooster remembers a story about his great-grandmother, the Little Red Hen and soon finds her cookbook titled "The Joy of Cooking Alone." Upon asking his friends, Dog, Cat, and Goose say "Not I" but Pig, Turtle, and Iguana are totally game.
Every step is covered in this baking book, making it a bit long with a rather irritating repetition of Iguana messing something up, but I doubt the kids will mind. I am particularly fond of the sidebar nonfiction facts about ingredients, materials, and more in-depth instructions. This is a winning picture book on baking!
Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
Wasn't this adorable and silly? This book is a prime example of illustrations, text, and language perfectly complimenting each other. Yes, we've heard the "being yourself" theme over and over again in picture books (not like that's a bad thing for kids to hear over and over again). But this book deserves elevation for its read-aloud-ability and distinct personalities found in each of these birds.
Wasn't this adorable and silly? This book is a prime example of illustrations, text, and language perfectly complimenting each other. Yes, we've heard the "being yourself" theme over and over again in picture books (not like that's a bad thing for kids to hear over and over again). But this book deserves elevation for its read-aloud-ability and distinct personalities found in each of these birds.
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Age: Preschool-1st grade
Art: Ballet
A girl is inspired by the graceful movements of a deer and nature.
Art: Ballet
A girl is inspired by the graceful movements of a deer and nature.
Age: Preschool-2nd grade
Animals: Variety
We're rolling! This is a moose. But Moose actually wants to be an astronaut, flying in the face of all of our moose expectations. As an off-page director is trying to capture the essence of a "true" moose, he keeps getting interrupted by some very imaginative creatures, like Dr. Giraffe who isn't even supposed to be in a forest environment, shouts the director. Even though he's been yelling at all the other animals to act like they are expected to, we find out that he isn't acting quite normal, either.
Animals: Variety
We're rolling! This is a moose. But Moose actually wants to be an astronaut, flying in the face of all of our moose expectations. As an off-page director is trying to capture the essence of a "true" moose, he keeps getting interrupted by some very imaginative creatures, like Dr. Giraffe who isn't even supposed to be in a forest environment, shouts the director. Even though he's been yelling at all the other animals to act like they are expected to, we find out that he isn't acting quite normal, either.
Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
The cover will keep this picture book circulating and the content isn't too bad (although the repetition will be grating for older kids).
The cover will keep this picture book circulating and the content isn't too bad (although the repetition will be grating for older kids).
Age: Preschool
This dinosaur picture book sure is a step away from the rest. Instead of a fierce velociraptor, this raptor pet is imagined as a cute, fluffy cat-like creature. I suppose the humor is in the contrast but, meh. Also, there is no dinosaur jargon which most kids love.
I was also confused by the artist's rendering of a velociraptor. I originally thought it was going to be a raptor bird of prey, but it has no wings or beak. Then I thought it was a velociraptor but I was confused by the fluffy tail, but the hooked talons solidified the deal.
Maybe I read this with the wrong attitude but I would say pass.
This dinosaur picture book sure is a step away from the rest. Instead of a fierce velociraptor, this raptor pet is imagined as a cute, fluffy cat-like creature. I suppose the humor is in the contrast but, meh. Also, there is no dinosaur jargon which most kids love.
I was also confused by the artist's rendering of a velociraptor. I originally thought it was going to be a raptor bird of prey, but it has no wings or beak. Then I thought it was a velociraptor but I was confused by the fluffy tail, but the hooked talons solidified the deal.
Maybe I read this with the wrong attitude but I would say pass.