Age: Preschool-2nd grade

Written like a fable, Raschka approaches the idea of balance in one's life, in particular with giving and taking. The illustrations are very complimentary in this book and read similar to a comic book (multiple illustrations on one page). Enjoyable and a unique addition to the picture book collection.

Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
Concepts: Opposites

A rocket travels across the universe while Ziefert describes its location in comparison to the page or other objects. Each page has addition questions on it that the reader is meant to ask the child about themselves (ie. where are we?). Unfortunately, these questions appear to be a part of the story and drastically interrupt the flow. I wish they were identified better somehow.

Age: Preschool-1st grade
Emotions: Stage fright, being shy

Frances Dean loves to dance but not around other people. Until, one day, she becomes inspired by another girl's passionate singing and slowly brings her dancing to others.

Age: Preschool-1st grade

I went into this book rolling my eyes but I soon admired the imaginative story line. Uni knows that little girls are real, even though all her friends make fun of her. And just as she is thinking this and imagining the adventures that her and a little girl would have, so is a little girl imagining being best friends with a unicorn. The ending is quite abrupt

Spoiler

Uni and the little girl never actually meet

but the story still shines through.

Age: Preschool-1st grade

Although the story seemed boring to me, I imagine that kids will get a kick out of reimagining scary things to be silly things.

Age: Kindergarten-2nd grade

Becker does NOT disappoint with this follow-up to Journey. (omg just found out that it's part of a trilogy!) Two friends are able to use their magic chalk to bring their drawings to life, saving them from many a sticky situations as they travel around a fantastical world in order to save a captive king.

Becker amplifies the wordless genre with action-packed drawings that help guide a reader's imagination.

Age: Kindergarten-2nd grade

Cat starts to tell Dog the story of Little Red Riding Hood but Dog cannot stop asking questions and poking holes in the logic of the story. Cat is annoyed but continues to read on with relish and animation. Although there is a slight transphobic jab ("He likes to dress up in girls' clothes?") the mockery of Little Red will most definitely have older kids rolling on the floor.

Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
Concepts: Colors, shapes

This book is quite the explosion of colors and shapes. Displays primary and secondary colors and shapes with more than four sides.

This book feels too simple for older kids but the humor is too odd for the younger ones. The author had a really hard time rhyming words, too. The artwork was neat and space lovers may go for this.

Ed certainly never thought himself to be better than what he was. He just existed--just was. Until a card arrived with three addresses. Without instructions, Ed must interact with strangers, figuring out how best to influence them in a positive way. But who is behind this game?

Dat ending, tho.

Spoiler

So, we find out that Ed has been set up by the author--as a character. But Ed does not know that he is a character and is baffled by the realization. In another twist, Ed says that he will write a story about his experiences that begins the same way this novel begins. So, is he the author? Which came first then? The author or the character? My mind is slowly melting. In a good way.