Month: October 2024

Children’s Book Review: Katrina Hyena Stand-Up Comedian

Title: Katrina Hyena, Stand-up Comedian

Author: Sophie Kohn

Illustrator: Aparna Varina

Publisher: Owlkids

Publication Date: October 15, 2024

Description:

When the spotted hyenas in Katrina’s clan laugh, it’s meant as a warning to alert the clan that danger is near. But that’s not why Katrina laughs. Katrina laughs because she thinks world is just sooooo funny!

This causes great frustration with the other hyenas. Every single time Katrina starts laughing, they think she’s in danger and rush to help her. What if Gary the Lion is on the prowl?!

Katrina, whose dream is to be a stand-up comedian, thinks her stressed-out clan worries too much about Gary, so she decides to help them relax by putting on a comedy show.

This laugh-out-loud story will have readers developing their own jokes, and the hilarious illustrations will act as a helpful guide for emerging readers, who will devour chapter after chapter. The recurring theme of self-acceptance assures readers that it’s okay to be different, and that sometimes it’s our differences that make us special.

My Thoughts

Kids will love this funny book filled with corny puns. It’s great for the beginning reader who is ready to transition to longer books. Hyenas usually only laugh when they are in danger, but Katrina likes to laugh when things are funny. This frustrates the other hyenas until she starts her own comedy show they can’t resist laughing. This books is a fun celebration of being yourself from start to finish.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

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Picture Book Review: Rosie’s Wild Ride

Title: Rosie’s Wild Ride

Author: Paige Murray

Illustrator: Kristen Humphrey

Publication Date: October 8, 2024

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Description:

Meet Rosie, the big horse with even bigger dreams! In Rosie’s Wild Ride, Clydesdale horse Rosie and her cowgirl friend Oakley want to be rodeo stars, but what happens when the competition doesn’t quite go as planned? In this beautiful, inspiring picture book, readers will learn the importance of teamwork, chasing their dreams, and daring to ask, “What if I can?”

Rosie the Clydesdale is a BIG horse. She likes her life on the ranch and helping the farmer with his chores, but she also has a secret dream: she wants to be a rodeo star. She finally gets her chance when she teams up with a plucky cowgirl named Oakley, but the rodeo events aren’t designed for a big horse like Rosie. When a rogue bull disrupts the competition, though, Rosie and Oakley might be the only ones big and brave enough to stop him.

From debut children’s author Paige Murray comes a rodeo adventure complete with roping, riding, and racing—based on real animals from her own Texas ranch.

My Thoughts:

Clydesdales are big horses that are used for pulling. Rosie works on the farm, but dreams of being a rodeo star. She finally gets her chance when Oakley’s parents want her to have a gentle horse. They practice and join the rodeo, but Rosie’s size make competitions like barrel racing difficult. But the bull gets loose they need a big horse to bring him back. Oakley rides Rosie to the rescue. Without winning a single event Rosie and Oakley are the stars of the rodeo.

This book, written by the wife of rodeo star Ty Murray, features cowgirl Oakley and Rosie the Clydesdale. The Murrays really have a daughter named Oakley and a Clydesdale named Rosie. When I read that at the end of the book it made the story that much more special. I love when authors write stories that have special meaning to their family, but are also universally appealing. I think kids will love Rosie’s story and the message of reaching for your dreams.

Rating: 5 out of 5.
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