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.

October 6, 2024

Picture Book Review: Grampy’s Chair by Rebecca Thomas

Title: Grampy’s Chair

Author: Rebecca Thomas

Publisher: Annick Press

Publication Date: September 17, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

Description:

Grampy’s chair sits in the middle of his living room and always keeps an eye on My Love. The Chair is the perfect spot for My Love to learn to read, to play games with her friends, and The Chair is always extra soft when My Love is sick. As My Love grows up, The Chair sees Grampy grow older and My Love must care for him. One day Grampy is gone, and The Chair is moved to a space with only a few things it recognizes (and a few spiders too). Will it see My Love again?

In this poignant story inspired by her own grandfather and his chair, Rebecca Thomas invites readers of all ages to explore love, grief, and the important moments in life that take place in our favorite spots. With lively illustrations from Coco A. Lynge and featuring a heartfelt author’s note, Grampy’s Chair takes the readers through loss, and how we can be found again by the ones we love.

My Thoughts

Grampy’s Chair is a touching story that adults will appreciate even more than children. The personal recollections of the author shine through. Anyone who had a close relationship with a grandparent can relate.

September 18, 2024

Children’s book review: Mummy & Me: A Monster’s Tale by Danesh Mohiuddin

Title: Mummy & Me A Monster’s Tale

Author: Danesh Mohiuddin

Publisher: Owlkids Books

Publication Date: August 27, 2024

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

Description:

When the sun goes down, Mummy and Wee Wolf emerge from their coffin to start the day. Wee Wolf loves his mummy. She brushes his unruly fur, brews midnight stew for their lunch, and reads him his favorite Hairy Tales. And whenever Mummy and Wee Wolf have a disagreement, a little boogie helps them forget all their troubles!

But taking care of Wee Wolf isn’t easy. Wee Wolf’s efforts to be a perfectly well-behaved monster often hilariously sabotage Mummy. He interrupts her morning stretches, “helps” her cook by cannonballing into hot stew, and wiggles out of her grasp while she tries to clip his little wolfy toenails. By the end of the night, Wee Wolf notices Mummy becoming a little … unravelled. But just as Mummy is always there for him, Wee Wolf is there for her—ready to help re-wrap her bandages, toilet paper in hand.

This hilarious, highly original picture book plays with the phrase “little monsters” as it explores parent-child relationships. While the bold, detailed illustrations will draw readers in, Wee Wolf’s tender, thoughtful moments encourage both empathy and self-awareness. It’s a howling good time!

My Thoughts:

Kids will love the illustrations in this fun story. Despite Wee Wolf’s claim of having great manners, the pictures tell a different story. Parents will also appreciate the exhaustion Mummy feels after a long day caring for Wee Wolf. Even though the book is filled with silliness, it shows a realistic and touching relationship between a mother and child.

August 31, 2024

Picture Book Review: Let’s Go Kitty! by Holly Rosenweig

Title: Let’s Go Kitty!

Authour Holly Rosenweig

Illustrator: Emily Rutherford

Publisher: Ninewise Publishing

Publication Date: August 27. 2024

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

Description:

From the Award winning author of Let’s Go, Puppy!

Come and play with Kitty!

From spilling a glass of milk — “Wet, wet, wet” — to chasing a ball of yarn — “Bounce, bounce, bounce” — to getting stuck in a tree — “Help, help, help!” Kitty’s mischief provides fun opportunities to introduce early speech sounds, words, and actions.

Written by a speech-language pathologist, this playful, interactive story helps enhance early communication development in babies and toddlers. Let’s Go, Kitty! promotes babies’ ability to recognize and imitate sounds, strengthens familiarity through the repetition of words, enriches basic vocabulary, and builds confidence through praise.

Tips for caregivers as well as a list of the earliest-developing speech sounds are included.

My Thoughts:

This is a perfect toddler book for language development. Kids will like the kitty and want to read it again and again. As an educator, I love that it includes tips for parents as well. Language development is so important and often missed in this era where our primary conversationis often online.

August 26, 2024

Children’s Book Review: Anne Dreams by Kallie George

Title: Anne Dreams

Author: Kallie George

Publisher:Penguin Random House Canada: Tundra Books

Publication Date: August 6, 2024

Thank you NetGalley for a free ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

The sixth and final book in an early illustrated chapter book series inspired by Anne of Green Gables, starring the spirited Anne Shirley as she pursues her dream of becoming a teacher.

Anne is starting to grow up, but she’s still disappointed with her red hair — it’s one of her lifelong sorrows. One day, she buys a bottle of hair dye in order to have raven black hair like her best friend and kindred spirit, Diana. Unfortunately, the dye ends up turning her hair green! This upset causes Anne to start focusing on improving herself inside, rather than her looks . . . and leads to a new dream taking shape: Anne wanting to become a teacher! She joins a club for students studying to get into Queen’s College. But can Anne overcome her fear of failing? And how can she study hard when pesky Gilbert is distracting her?

My thoughts:
This book fills a big need in the publication market. There are so many great picture books and middle grade books, but there aren’t as many quality early chapter books. This is a great way to introduce kids to a classic series. It stays true to the story while making it accessible to lower readers. I wasn’t a huge fan of the illustrations. They make sense in a retro sense because it’s based on a classic, but I don’t know how appealing they would be to modern readers.

August 5, 2024

Picture Book Review: Overdue by Gloria Koster

Title: Overdue: The misadventure of Bob the Book

Author: Gloria Koster

Publisher: Capstone

Publication Date: August 1, 2024

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

Description:

Meet Bob. He’s the all-time favorite library book at Wisdom Hill Elementary. But Sebastian is nothing like Bob’s previous enthusiastic borrowers. In fact, Sebastian completely forgets about Bob! Will Bob ever feel the love of a contented fan again, or will he be lost and alone forever? In this harrowing tale told from a book’s point-of-view, author and librarian Gloria Koster showcases the joy of reading and the importance of taking care of books.

For ages 5-9.

My Thoughts:

I loved this book! Bob is a library book. Most of the time he’s treated great, but not Sebastian’s family. The messy kid mistreats him and eventually loses him. When the family gets an overdue notice, Bob is finally found, and Sebastian learns to love Bob. This was so funny and relatable. It can be great to share for the humor or to teach a lesson about caring for books.

August 1, 2024

Picture Book Review: The Lots-of-Time Machine by: Paulette Bogan

Title: The Lots-of-Time Machine

Author/Illustrator: Paulette Bogan

Publisher: Two Lions

Publication Date: July 2, 2024

Thank you NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Description

Fifi the raccoon is trying desperately to get her family to play with her. But everyone is too busy, busy, busy! What’s a girl to do? Together with her dog, Felix, Fifi comes up with an idea—one that will bring them all together and give them lots of time to play: it’s a lots-of-time machine! But what happens when Fifi’s brilliant idea doesn’t go quite as planned? Can Fifi and her family find a way to be busy…together? Find out in this endearing and relatable family story.

My Thoughts:

This is such a cute story that’s relatable to any kid/family. Fifi just wants to spend time with her family, but they’re all busy. There are few words per page that are written speech bubbles, making this easy for a beginning reader. The bright illustrations tell the story and keep you engaged.

July 1, 2024

Picture Book Review: Munchpie Morgan by Merry Lorenz

Title: Munchpie Morgan

Author: Merry Lorenz

Illustrator: Kenneth Anderson

Publisher: Fair Shair Publishing

Publication Date: June 1, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Description:

Have you ever wondered what happens if your snacks become… you? Munchpie Morgan does! From angel hair pasta to ears of corn, her munching sparks a hilarious, wonderful adventure woven with playful rhyme. Get ready to giggle and maybe even try on a new food with this tasty tale – perfect for even the pickiest of eaters!

My Thoughts:

“You are what you eat”, we’ve all heard the expression. This is the literal vision of this. Morgan describes all the food she likes to eat, then visualizes herself looking like the food. I love the fun word play such as having a head made of lettuce or chicken fingers. I imagine giggling kids wanting to read this again and again.

May 28, 2024

Picture Book Review: Quiet as Mud by Jane Yolen

Title: Quiet as Mud

Author: Jane Yolen

Illustrator: Nicole Wong

Publisher: Magination Press

Publication Date: April 23, 2024

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

Description:

Inspired by a quote from the late, great children’s book author Margaret Wise Brown, this poem honors and celebrates the beauty of being your authentic self. Soothing rhymes and soft illustrations convey the peace of being alone with your thoughts.

This is a gentle introduction to the concept of being an introvert, as well as an invitation for child and grown-up readers alike to observe and imagine their inner world and the world around them. What can you hear when you stay quiet as mud?

My Thoughts

You can never fail with a Jane Yolen book. This book is a beautiful celebration of introversion. There are so many books about a being bold, it’s breath of fresh air to show kids the beauty of quiet introspection. The poem and illustrations are gorgeous.

April 18, 2024

Picture Book Review: The House That She Built by Mollie Elkman

Title: The House That She Built

Author/Illustrator: Mollie Elkman and Georgia Castellano

Publisher: Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)

Publication Date: September 14, 2021

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Description

This inspirational children’s book educates and exposes young readers and their parents to the careers in construction. One by one, they learn about the architect, framer, roofer and many more as they contribute their individual skills needed to complete the collective project—a new home. With illustrations that connect and empower and words that build upon each other with each page, this book will leave all kids excited about their own skills and interested in learning new ones. Supported by 84 Lumber.

My Thoughts

This is a simple story for young children that introduces the many jobs that it takes to build a house. It gives kids the message that women can hold these traditional male occupations without being “preachy”. The repeating pattern makes it easy to memorize for a pre-reader, whild still introducing vocabulary.

April 10, 2024