4.35 Stars
This is such a cute, cute book! I need to add a disclaimer that I’m not a fan of insects. Still, I picked it up because Burt, on the cover, was too sweet to ignore. The illustrations and humor are the highlights of the book.
The book gives kids insights into types of beetles and insects by portraying them as cute and innocent little creatures (which they actually are). The information is just enough to get kids excited and talk about insects instead get terrified of them.
The underlying message deals with how everyone has a special ability, whether we know it or not. Each kid is special and deserves the same kind of love and encouragement to grow.
Overall, it’s an engaging book for the little munchkins. Let them learn to love themselves and treat others (including insects) with care.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kids Can Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.

3.5 Stars
Argyle Fox is a cute story of a young fox who wants to play outside on a windy day. He chooses games that cannot be played in the wind though some did seem quite possible.
He goes back home feeling sad when his mom gives him a nudge to think of something he can do in the wind. The concept is sweet, and the illustrations were rather cute. However, it felt like the young fox was a little too casual with his language. Not a problem in other books, but if it’s for kids, some parents may not like it much. Overall, I like it but didn’t love it.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Tanglewood Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Out, Mouse! is a cute little book about an old man who writes letters to Mr. and Mrs. Mouse, asking them to go to a new home with better comforts. The book doesn’t have any illustrations. Rather, there are ideas at the end prompting readers to illustrate the book.

The story is sweet and funny. Mrs. Mouse sounded very much human, while Mr. Mouse played the dutiful husband. The book ends on the same funny note, leaving the readers with a chuckle and a smile. I wish there were at least a couple of illustrations. The story would have been elevated by them.
Nevertheless, the book will make a good bedtime story for kids.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Whistle Oak Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#OutMouse #NetGalley

4.5 Stars
Oh, my! Isn’t this super cute? Millie is a wee little monster and small as a mouse. Now, being such a teeny thing is no fun when everyone around is so tall, right? Millie feels the same and shares her sad adventures until she helps her big brother find something he could never have because of his height.

Millie realizes she should be happy in her own skin and enjoy life the way it is. Just is an important lesson for kids to accept themselves and be comfortable about who they are. The story is presented in rhyming verses and has a cheerful tone. The illustrations are colorful and cute.

This is a good book for little ones to read, enjoy, and learn a valuable life lesson.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#MillietheMonster #NetGalley

Oh, my! I’m so in love with the illustrations! Dilly is a cutie, sweetie baby penguin with one leg. She hops around, twirls, and dives as she cannot waddle like the others. Not all penguin parents like this. But when Dilly’s hopping saves them, they acknowledge that being different is not wrong. In fact, they should also try different things and have fun.
The message for kids is presented in the cutest possible manner. The illustrations are soft and soothing. The detailing is wonderful. Dilly looks so cute that I wish to have a soft toy like her. The language is simple and easy to understand. This is a great book for the little ones.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#DelightfullyDifferentDilly #NetGalley

4.5 Stars
This is one cute little book with fabulous illustrations and a lovely message. The pictures are so bright, cheerful, and lively! The message is shared in the simplest yet effective manner. The text complements the illustrations and adds a touch of humor and warmth to the book. Imagine a croccy being adopted by a family of birds. That’s what the book is about and why the family of birds considers the croc their own.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Happy Fox Books, and Fox Chapel Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#HappyFoxBooks #NetGalley

**Happy Publication Day**

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4 Stars

Melville is a tiny little book about a squishy purple sea creature. He wants to explore the sea and find the right place for him when his Mumma calls him for a hug. Melville finds schools of fish, swims among stingrays, alongside whales, and even sees pirates. He gets tired of finding the right place for him and goes back to his Mumma. He declares that it is indeed the best place for him.

The illustrations are soft and beautiful. The message is just as beautiful. Each page has mostly a line of text that makes it super easy to read for little ones. Melville would be a lovely bedtime book for kids. It's a very small book, so parents might have to linger over each page a bit longer.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#Melville #NetGalley

4.5 Stars

Let me start by saying that I loveee the illustrations! These are different from what I’ve read before. You might have guessed it from the cover. The lions are in blocks and angles (I’m sure there a term for that). I wondered how the book would be with such unique illustrations, but this one is fab (you can see that I can’t stop gushing). The expressions of the lions are life-like and attractive.

Coming to the story, we have Leo a little lion who doesn’t roar. His brother and sister roar very well. His dad is worried. However, his mom is confident that he’ll roar when he’s ready. Leo prefers to listen and ends up being more alert than others. He saves the animals not once but thrice.

He roars loud and clear the final time and that astonishes everyone, except his mother who had full faith in him. The moral is sweet and straightforward, asking parents and siblings to be patient and give kids time to become who they are.

To conclude, The Little Lion That Listened is a beautiful little book with vibrant illustrations and an important lesson for adults and kids alike.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and New Classics Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.

4.5 Stars

Have you heard of a moose fairy? If not, this book is a lovely way to find out more about the secret fairy club and a moose who is also a fairy. The book is about a moose who joins the secret fairy club with tiny animals as members.
The moose passes the fairy tests, but a mouse is rude to him and says he doesn’t fit in with them. However, when the moose saves the mice and squirrels from the fox, they understand that he is the best of them all. The illustrations are lively and beautiful.
The message about fitting in and belonging is put across so the young readers/ listeners will understand. The book will be perfect for bedtime reading as well as in schools.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheMooseFairy #NetGalley

This is that one book I’ll save for a long time. Inside Animals is a collection of fun facts about (yes) what’s inside animals. How big is a whale’s brain? How much does an ostrich’s egg weigh? How can snails crawl on knives without hurting themselves?

The book has answers to all these and many more. The illustrations are colorful and cheerful. They make the book so engaging and entertaining. It’s not a book to rush through. Read a little at a time and make notes (if you are that kind of a reader).

Pick one animal/ bird/ insect for the day and sit with the kids to read about it. Such a fun way to spend time together, isn’t it?

Get a copy for your kiddos, and I’m sure every family member will enjoy learning something new from it.

I’m relieved to add that I know a (teeny weeny) few of those facts. Phew!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#InsideAnimals #NetGalley