Summary: Emily Dickinson’s life story is told from beginning to end, with her poetry woven into almost every page. Her internal life is explored, how she loved books and sought answers when confronted with deaths of people near her. As she grew older, she withdrew more, focusing on her writing and only interacting with a […]
Wild Symphony by Dan Brown, illustrated by Susan Batori
Published by Rodale Kids Summary: Maestro Mouse is your guide through this musical romp starring the animal kingdom. Each page includes a poem or two about the featured animal, concluding with a sign held by Maestro Mouse offering a lesson that can be derived from the poem. Sharp-eyed readers will also spot letters in each […]
Review: Who is at the Zoo?
A delight to look at and to read, this highly entertaining book turns daily situations on their head. Imaginative, humorous and creative, and with charismatic characters, everyone who opens this book will discover a magical world whose reality is limited only by their imagination. Rhyme and rhythm make it the perfect book for reading out […]
Love Is Powerful by Heather Dean Brewer, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Published by Candlewick Summary: Mari and her mother get out crayons and poster board to make signs: “Be Kind”, “Love Is Powerful”. From their apartment, they can see crowds gathering in the streets. Mom explains that they are sending a message to the world. “How will the whole world hear?” asks Mari. “They’ll hear because […]
Review: 1,001 Creatures
1,001 CREATURES by Laura Merz and Alino Jarvinen Translated by Emily Jeremiah Merkat Press Yonder Picture Book Non-Fiction/ Zoology 64 pages ages 4 to 8 From the dung-beetle to the blue whale, no creature is too humble or huge for Finnish author and illustrator duo Laura Merz and Aino Järvinen in 1,001 Creatures, a […]
Review: Piper Picks the Perfect Pet
Piper’s dilemma is which pet to choose. So many types of dogs: ones that prance, others that dance, one that is flouncy or another that’s bouncy. Or perhaps a cat? A tabby? A Persian? A Manx or Siamese? One that sleeps all day long, or the kind that are poetry in motion. What about other […]
Review: I’m A Hero Too
2020 has been challenging and emotional. And for our kids, it’s been frustrating and confusing. Life changed in ways it had never changed before. We had to stop doing a lot of the things we loved to do. There are so many new rules we have to follow. In I’m a Hero Too, we step […]
Review: We Love You, Magoo
Dogs are practically human, aren’t they? Magoo seems to think so. Magoo is a dog, and he’s a crazy, loveable hound. Unfortunately for Magoo, much as he’d like to do the things his humans do (like eating eggs for breakfast), there always seems to be a canine alternative. No chewing the toys for Magoo. He […]
🎃 Nine Old and New Favorite Halloween Picture Books
Halloween is coming, but there won’t be any trick or treating in most places around the country. This year, my young readers and I will be doing a zoom party. To get ready, we pulled out some of our old favorite Halloween stories, added some new ones into the mix, and came up with these […]
😷Five Picture Books About Animals and Other Creatures (and what we can learn from them)
Here are five of our favorite stories featuring anthropomorphized animals and other creatures that we have read this year. Don’t Worry, Little Crab written and illustrated by Chris Haughton Candlewick Press, 2020, 48 pages One day, Very Big Crab tells Little Crab it’s time to leave their tide pool and head to the ocean. […]
The World’s Poorest President Speaks Out edited by Yoshimi Kusaba, illustrated by Gaku Nakagawa
Published by Enchanted Lion Books Summary: It’s 2012, and world leaders have gathered in Brazil for the Rio+20 Summit to discuss climate change and the environmental crisis. “One after another, they gave speeches, but no one says anything new.” Then José Mujica, president of Uruguay, steps to the podium. Described as “the world’s poorest president” […]
Review: My Best Friend, Sometimes
We all have best friends and like many friendships they have their ups and down depending on what is happening in our lives. The sheer joy of finding a person who thinks like us, to the anxiety of when the friendship falters for whatever reason. This is the story of two inseparable friends who love […]
Review: I Love My Fangs! by Kelly Leigh Miller
Is Halloween here already? It’s around the corner…maybe. Honestly, I love this holiday, but it’s hard not to. Candy. Dressing up. Candy. Jack o’ Lanterns. Candy. Yeah, I might have a sweet tooth. Or fang. Anyway, it was a treat to already start up that Fall spirit and dream of what costumes the kids will […]
The Little Book of Presidential Elections by Zack Bush and Laurie Friedman
THE LITTLE BOOK OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS by Zack Bush and Laurie Friedman Illustrated by Sarah Van Evera Picture Book ages 4 to 8 This topical title has a dual mission. Not only does it take young readers step-by-step through the process of electing the president of the United States, it also provides a clear, kid-friendly explanation […]
Bluey: My Dad Is Awesome
If you love the hugely successful Bluey on the small screen, then you will love Bluey: My Dad Is Awesome. Bluey and Bingo and their family have connected with many families across Australia, and their on screen personalities are full of life on the pages of this book as well. The story is told by […]