Otto and Pio Book Review

Otto and Pio

Marianne Dubuc

(Author & Illustrator)

Princeton Architectural Press

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book, Friendship 

Publication Date: March 19, 2019

Otto the squirrel is quite happy with his life, but one day an odd, green ball is outside his door. The green, spiny ball soon hatches and out pops a small, round, furry creature looking for his mother. With no mother in sight, Otto eventually brings the creature into his house. Each night the creature, Pio, grows larger, and each day Otto looks for Pio’s mother.

Pio grows into a gentle, but clumsy giant and with no sign of Pio’s mother, Otto has enough. He is beyond frustrated that his peaceful life has been intruded upon. As he storms out of his house and onto a branch, an eagle swoops down to catch him. But just as Otto realizes that he cares for Pio and that he maybe just needs a bigger house, the eagle’s talons come near, and Pio rushes to the rescue, scaring the bird away. While they never do find Pio’s mother, Otto and Pio are quite happy together.

If you’re interested in reading Otto and Pio, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Your Mind is Like the Sky A First Book of Mindfullness Book Review

Your Mind is Like the Sky

A First Book of Mindfullness

Bronwen Ballard (Author)

Laura Carlin (Illustrator)

Frances Lincoln Children's Books

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book, Mindfulness

Publication Date: February 5, 2019

Children can struggle with understanding negative thoughts, but Your Mind Is Like the Sky offers kids a concrete connection for them to understand how our thoughts ebb and flow and what we can do about them. Comparing our thoughts to clouds, the book shows how some thoughts are light, fluffy, and nice, but some thoughts are dark, mean raincloud thoughts. It goes on to show ways people deal with those raincloud thoughts and offers a trick: see the whole sky, not just the raincloud. It also reminds us that we can choose which thoughts we pay attention to.

Though categorized as a children's book, the message of the text and the calm illustrations would be relevant for many adults as well. This book can help open up conversations for children about negative thoughts, worries, and anxiety while also providing realistic and useful ways to deal with those ideas.

If you’re interested in reading Your Mind is Like the Sky, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Bruno's Hat Book Review

Bruno's Hat

Canizales

(Author & Illustrator)

Flyaway Books

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book, Social Story

Publication Date: January 22, 2019

Bruno wears a weird hat, and when Sergio makes fun of him, his best friend Peter stands up for Bruno. But then Sergio calls Peter a weirdo too. Avoiding conflict and trying to fit in, Peter decides to be friends with Sergio even though Sergio continues to be mean to Bruno. Peter misses his friendship with Bruno and finally realizes that his friendship with Bruno is more important.

Told from Peter’s perspective, Bruno’s Hat offers kids a realistic view of how friends act when someone is being teased. Friends don’t always make the best choices. Friends can sometimes hurt someone’s feelings too. But friends can apologize and make the situation better.

Children can relate to Peter’s struggle to be a good friend and learn that even if they’ve made mistakes in the past, you can always make better choices and repair broken friendships now.

If you’re interested in reading Bruno's Hat, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Who Is My Neighbor? Book Review

Who Is My Neighbor?

Amy-Jill Levine (Author)

Sandy Eisenberg Sasso (Author)

Denise Turu (Illustrator)

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Flyaway Books

Publication Date: January 22, 2019

Blues know there is no such thing as a good Yellow, and Yellows know there is no such thing as a good Blue. They are just too different!

When Midnight Blue takes a tumble on his bike, he’s sure another blue will help him. After Navy and Powder Blue pass by like they don’t even see him, Midnight is shocked. But Midnight is more shocked when lemon--a yellow-- does stop. Through Lemon’s kind act, Midnight and Yellow come to realize that even though Blues and Yellows are different, that doesn’t mean they can’t be friends. They spread their message of acceptance to others, and Blues and Yellows find that they can make new friends and help one another.

Who Is My Neighbor? is a child-accessible retelling of the “Good Samaritan” parable. Kids will quickly pick up on the main messages of the book about helping those in need and accepting others even if they are different than you.

If you’re interested in reading Who Is My Neighbor?, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

The Not-So-Brave Penguin Book Review

The Not-So-Brave Penguin

Steve Smallman

(author & illustrator)

QEB Publishing

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: November 13, 2018

Percy the penguin isn’t scared of anything. He’ll slide down slopes on his belly, and he’ll jump from great heights and splash into the water. Posy, on the other hand, is scared of many things: snowstorms, heights, loud noises, the dark.

When a huge iceberg floats near their island, Percy goes to explore, but Posy stays back. When Percy doesn’t return, Posy springs into action. Even though Posy is scared, she goes to save her friend.

The Not-So-Brave Penguin has a message that kids can relate to. Being brave doesn’t mean not being scared. Being brave means acting even when you are scared.

If you’re interested in reading The Not-So-Brave Penguin, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

The Cave Book Review

The Cave

 

Rob Hodgson

(Author & Illustrator)

Lincoln Children's Books

Children's Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: May 18, 2017

A hungry wolf stands guard by a cave trying to lure a little creature out. Day after day the wolf attempts to persuade the little creature to leave, but the little creature stays put. In a twist that adults may see coming (but the kids who I read it to didn’t), the wolf is finally successful, much to his surprise.

When I read The Cave by myself, I enjoyed it but thought the twist was obvious. I’m so glad I also read it with kids, because they were literally on the edge of their seat, worried about the little creature and then laughing with delight at the wolf’s surprise ending. Even after knowing how the book ends, kids request it again and again. It’s a fun read!

If you’re interested in reading The Cave, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Just Like You Book Review

Just Like You

 

Sarah J. Dodd (Author)

Giusi Capizzi (Illustrator)

Lion Hudson

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: March 23, 2018

Miki the meerkat is happy to hear a new family is moving in next door at the zoo and he will soon have a new friend named Raffa that is just like him! Only, Raffa isn’t like him at all. Raffa is a tall giraffe and she and Miki find it hard to see any similarities. They are both just so different.

When Miki can’t get to sleep, he waits for his mom to doze off before climbing out of his burrow to look at the moon. As he climbs out, Miki sees that Raffa is already out there. Raffa also can’t sleep and also enjoys looking at the moon. Some of Miki and Raffa’s similarities quickly become apparent as lightning flashes, thunder booms, and they are both scared. Both come away from the experience realizing that they do have a lot in common.

Just Like You is a cute picture book with an important message given in a friendly way: while we all have differences (and some can be very apparent like our height), we also have many similarities. We don’t have to be exactly the same to be friends, and sometimes our differences help our friends experiences things in a new way.

If you’re interested in reading Just Like You, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Sugar and Snails Book Review

Sugar and Snails

Sarah Tsiang (author)

Sonja Wimmer (illustrator)

Annick Press

Children's Fiction, Picture Book

*2019 Amelia Bloomer Top Ten List* 

Publication Date: March 13, 2018

If boys aren’t made of frogs and snails and puppy dog tails and girls aren’t made of sugar and spice and everything nice, then what are they made of? A grandfather’s ponderings about what his grandchildren are made of are paired with fun illustrations to create a playful take on an old saying.

Sugar and Snails hits the theme of individuality and not being forced into a box. Why be made of sugar and spice and everything nice when you could be made of monkeys and dirt and lemon dessert?

If you’re interested in reading Sugar and Snails, you can check it out at Annick Press or purchase a copy here on Amazon.

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Joseph's Big Ride Book Review

Joseph's Big Ride

 

Terry Farish

Ken Daley

Annick Press

Children's Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: September 12, 2017

While growing up in a refugee camp, Joseph only wants one thing: to ride a bike. He’s just not big enough to reach the pedals. He helps fix bikes while waiting for his legs to grow long enough to finally ride one day.

Joseph doesn’t fully understand why, but he and his mother move to America where life is different from the camp. One thing is the same though: Joseph’s wish to ride a bike. When Joseph sees a neighbor girl has a bike, he tries everything he can to get to ride on it. After putting his bike repair skills to good use and helping his neighbor, his chance finally comes. Joseph gets to ride a bike!

Lively, energetic illustrations pair well with the sweet story that captures a boy’s dream come true.

If you’re interested in reading Joseph's Big Ride, you can check it out at Annick Press or purchase a copy here on Amazon.

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

The Man with the Violin Book Review

The Man with the Violin

Kathy Stinson (author)

Dušan Petričić (illustrator)

Annick Press

Children's Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: March 22, 2016

A boy walking through the subway with his mom hears music and wants to stop to listen. The music soars and swoops, and the man playing the violin sways as his fingers move and his bow dances. The boy wants to listen and enjoy the music, but his mother pulls him along into the hustle and bustle of the station and their day. Later at home, the boy hears the same beautiful sounds coming from the radio and his mother realizes they should stop and enjoy the moment together.

Based on the true story of Grammy winning musician Joshua Bell playing a priceless Stradivarius in the subway in Washington D.C., The Man with the Violin sends and important reminder to not be so busy and caught up in the frantic pace of life that we forget to stop and enjoy the moment.

If you’re interested in reading The Man with the Violin, you can check it out at Annick Press or purchase a copy here on Amazon.

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

The Dog Who Wanted to Fly Book Review

The Dog Who Wanted to Fly

Kathy Stinson (author)

Brandon James Scott (illustrator)

Annick Press

Children's Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: March 12, 2019

Zora wants to fly. She needs to fly. She wants to prove Tully the cat wrong and get to that chittering squirrel on the fence. Despite Zora’s best efforts, she just can’t figure it out. Flapping her ears and wagging her tail? Launching off a teeter-totter? Nothing seems to work… until Tully needs help and Zora springs into action – and flight.

The expressive illustrations often say as much as the text. Kids will laugh out loud at the humorous story and lively pictures. I know it’s only February, but The Dog Who Wanted to Fly may be the best children’s book of 2019! This is one of the best picture books! I highly recommend it!

If you’re interested in reading The Dog Who Wanted to Fly, you can check it out at Annick Press or purchase a copy here on Amazon.

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

The Cow Said Neigh! A Farm Story Book Review

The Cow Said Neigh!

A Farm Story

Rory Feek (Author)

Bruno Robert (Illustrator)

Thomas Nelson

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: October 2, 2018

When a cow sees a horse running wild and free it lets out an envious “neigh.” That horse sees a duck. No one rides on a duck’s back, so the horse gives out an envious “quack.” On it goes through the farm with animals envying something about another until even the farmer gets involved.

Wonderfully illustrated and humorous and with rhythm, rhyme, and animal sounds, this book is sure to be a crowd pleaser!

If you’re interested in reading The Cow Said Neigh!, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Get book suggestions and literacy resources for your kids right in your inbox!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2J9QDILiHeartLiteracyNewsletter

Sleep, Sheep! Book Review

Sleep, Sheep!

Kerry Sparrow (Author)

Guillaume Perreault (Illustrator)

Kids Can Press

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: October 2, 2018

Duncan loves pretty much everything about bedtime except for actually going to sleep. While he has many, many strategies to avoid the sleeping aspect of bedtime, his mom has a few tricks up her sleeve too. When Duncan can’t think of another excuse, he decides to start counting sheep. In a clever twist, Sheep #68 has a lot of reasons why just can’t jump over the bed yet, and Duncan gets a taste of his own medicine.

Humorous, and very relatable. Kids will enjoy Duncan’s predicament while parents will delight in the irony.

If you’re interested in reading Sleep, Sheep!, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Get book suggestions and literacy resources for your kids right in your inbox!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2J9QDILiHeartLiteracyNewsletter

Edison The Mystery of the Missing Mouse Treasure Book Review

Edison

The Mystery of the Missing Mouse Treasure

Torben Kuhlmann

(Author, Illustrator)

North South Books Inc.

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: October 2, 2018

If you like Lindbergh or Armstrong, then you’ll appreciate Kuhlmann’s latest mouse edition: Edison. 

Pete the mouse is on a quest to find more information about a mouse ancestor and possible missing treasure. An adventurous story and Kuhlmann’s intricate illustrations are sure to please!

If you’re interested in reading Edison, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Get book suggestions and literacy resources for your kids right in your inbox!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2J9QDILiHeartLiteracyNewsletter

Don't Let the Penguin Drive the Batmobile Book Review

Don't Let the Penguin Drive the Batmobile

Jacob Lambert (author)

Tom Richmond (Illustrator) 

MAD

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book, Parody

Publication Date: October 16, 2018

As a huge Mo Willems fan, I really didn’t want to like this parody, but I couldn’t help myself. It’s a fantastic mash-up of classic Batman tropes paired with Willem’s style in illustration, text, and voice.

It was a great shared reading experience for my son (who loves Batman) and myself (who loves Willems).

If you’re interested in reading Don't Let the Penguin Drive the Batmobile, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Get book suggestions and literacy resources for your kids right in your inbox!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2J9QDILiHeartLiteracyNewsletter

If You Give the Puffin a Muffin Book Review

If You Give the Puffin a Muffin

Timothy Young

(Author & Illustrator)

Schiffer Kids

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: September 28, 2018

In a follow-up to The Angry Little Puffin the Puffin is back and he still isn’t happy. When the narrator offers the Puffin a muffin, he kindly says, “No thank you,” and explains that puffins do not eat muffins. However, the narrator keeps pressing and Puffin’s responses go from polite to annoyed. And when Puffin realizes he is in another book without his permission just because puffin and muffin rhyme, he gets angry! He schemes and calls upon friends to get him out of the book. When those attempts don’t work, he confronts the author directly to let him know what he thinks of this story he is in.

With it’s fantastic illustrations and a main character full of personality and opinions, kids will love If You Give the Puffin a Muffin. It is sure to be a new favorite!

If you’re interested in reading If You Give the Puffin a Muffin, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Interested in

• PK-2nd
• 3rd-5th
• 6th-8th
• 9th-12th

Do Frogs Drink Hot Chocolate? How Animals Keep Warm Book Review

Do Frogs Drink Hot Chocolate? 

How Animals Keep Warm

 

Etta Kaner (Author)

John Martz (Illustrator)

Owlkids

Children’s Nonfiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: September 14, 2018

Animals that live in cold environments need to stay warm, but how? Author Etta Kaner poses humorous (and sometimes true) questions about how animals stay warm like “Do penguins snuggle with a friend,” and then reveals interesting tidbits how these animals actually survive during winter.

Great illustrations paired with amusing yet informative text makes Do Frogs Drink Hot Chocolate? a fun, fact-filled read kids will love!

If you’re interested in reading Do Frogs Drink Hot Chocolate? How Animals Keep Warm, you can purchase a copy here onAmazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Interested in

• PK-2nd
• 3rd-5th
• 6th-8th
• 9th-12th

Me And My Fear Book Review

Me And My Fear

 

Francesca Sanna

(Author & Illustrator)

Flying Eye Books

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: September 11, 2018

When a girl moves to a new country where she goes to a new school and doesn’t speak the native language, her normal amount of fear starts growing out of control and keeps her from doing things she’d like to do like explore her new neighborhood and play with other students at recess. When another student befriends her and they start playing, a dog barks at them and the boy hides behind something – his fear! The girl quickly realizes that everyone has secret fears. As she continues to play and try new things at school, her fear begins to grow smaller and smaller.

Though normally an abstract concept, fear becomes a concrete creature giving kids a tangible look at how a small amount of fear can be good and keep you from dangerous situations while large, growing fears can hold you back from the fun of everyday things.

If you’re interested in reading Me And My Fear, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Interested in

• PK-2nd
• 3rd-5th
• 6th-8th
• 9th-12th

Big Words Small Stories: The Missing Donut Book Review

Big Words Small Stories: The Missing Donut

Judith Henderson (Author)

T.L. McBeth (Illustrator)

Kids Can Press

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: September 4, 2018

Five short stories about a boy named Cris and his cat named Crat come together. Each story also features the Sprinkle Fairy and her helpers the Sprinklers who insert BIG WORDS into the story - words like purloined and bamboozled. Each of the big words is then used in the last story.

To be honest, I was a little worried I wouldn’t like this book when I first read about the Sprinkle Fairy and her Sprinklers, but the easy to read stories are humorous, the illustrations are fun, and I know many kids who would love reading this book and learning some of these “big words.” Big Words Small Stories: The Missing Donut is a cleaver approach to developing a larger vocabulary for children.

If you’re interested in reading Big Words Small Stories: The Missing Donut, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Interested in

• PK-2nd
• 3rd-5th
• 6th-8th
• 9th-12th

Anna at the Art Museum Book Review

Anna at the Art Museum

 

Hazel Hutchins, Gail Herbert (Authors)

Lil Crump (Illustrator)

Annick Press

Children’s Fiction, Picture Book

Publication Date: September 11, 2018

Going to the art museum has A LOT of rules, and all of those rules make the museum boring. When Anna roars at a lion, she’s told to be quiet. When Anna starts to climb on something that looks like it’s for children, she’s shown the “do not touch” sign. Even when she tries to have a snack, Anna’s told “no eating.”

When a half-open door piques Anna’s interest, she’s surprised when she’s allowed to go in. Inside the “secret workshop” Anna finds a painting of a grumpy girl – a grumpy girl just like her! Anna quickly discovers that art often mirrors and imitates life.

Kids will easily relate to the constant stream of “no’s” that Anna encounters through her time at the museum. Kids will also delight in re-reading the book to study the pictures. Once Anna realizes that art often imitates life, kids also notice that Anna’s life often imitates the art around her. The subtle and clever illustrations blend Anna’s life and famous works of art together, mirroring each other – something that children and adults will appreciate as they read.

If you’re interested in reading Anna at the Art Museum, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Interested in

• PK-2nd
• 3rd-5th
• 6th-8th
• 9th-12th