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.
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.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Description
Pippi is the fastest penguin in her colony. She also knows where to find the best food, even when other penguins struggle to find any. Pippi keeps the food to herself so she can feed her chick, Ella. But when Ella goes missing, Pippi needs the help of her colony to find her chick. Pippi learns about the importance of community and teamwork, and changes her tune when it comes to sharing. This colorful book will both teach readers about life as a penguin and impart important life lessons about sharing and teamwork.
My Thoughts
If you know me, you know I love penguins. So, I have a weakness for any book about penguins. The illustrations in this book are realistic, but also show animation and clear expressions in the penguin characters. Pipi knows a sectet place for finding krill, but doesn’t want to share. But, of course, by the end of the book she learns the importance of sharing and helping out your community. I thought it was interesting that the parent was the greedy character in this book. It shows that we can all change and learn new lessons, no matter how old.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free e-reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Description:
Bob’s Ocean is the story of a fish called Bob who unwittingly embarks upon a perilous journey that leads him to self-discovery and enlightenment.
It is an allegory for young and old alike which will challenge your perception of reality, call into question your beliefs, and perhaps answer the most important question of all.
It is the story of Bob’s transformation… and maybe yours.
My Thoughts
Bob the fish spends his days going to work and discussing philosophy with his friend Mike. They continue to debate the existence of the ocean. Then, one day, Bob is caught by a fisherman and released. While many don’t believe his story, a fortune teller helps Bob to understand that the ocean is all around him. This was much deeper than what I usually expect from a picture book. It works well as a springboard to philosophical discussions with kids. It’s not the kind of book that would be become a favorite picture book to read over and over. But, that’s not it’s intention. It’s meant to make you think.
Thank you to netgalley for giving me an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.
Title: How to Train Your Amygdala
Author: Anna Housley Juster
Illustrator: Cynthia Cliff
Publisher: Teacher Created Materials, Free Spirit Publishing
Publication Date: February 20, 2024
Description
The amygdala is the brain’s alarm system that alerts for danger, but sometimes it gets things wrong and needs help calming down. In this picture book, young readers receive kid-friendly information about the amygdala from the amygdala, how it can sometimes get confused, and simple ideas to calm and train it.
Thank you to netgalley for giving me an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.
Title: How to Train Your Amygdala
Author: Anna Housley Juster
Illustrator: Cynthia Cliff
Publisher: Teacher Created Materials, Free Spirit Publishing
Publication Date: February 20, 2024
Description
The amygdala is the brain’s alarm system that alerts for danger, but sometimes it gets things wrong and needs help calming down. In this picture book, young readers receive kid-friendly information about the amygdala from the amygdala, how it can sometimes get confused, and simple ideas to calm and train it.
The amygdala in How to Train Your Amygdala makes complicated concepts accessible to children so they can understand their bodies, practice impulse control, and boost their self-regulation. “You have probably never seen me before, but I am right here in your brain. There is an amygdala in everyone’s brain. It’s true! All humans have one. Many other animals do too.”
Throughout the book, the amygdala and the reader practice anxiety-calming and mindfulness strategies such as deep breathing, visualization, and progressive relaxation. With anxiety on the rise among children, learning how to calm the amygdala is a critical life skill.
Additional content at the back of the book includes an amygdala’s training playbook for kids and more information for adults to help reinforce the book’s message.
My Thoughts
I was never taught specifics of how the brain works until college. I’ve since had a lot of training to understand how kids’ minds work and ways to help them deal with emotions. But, I’ve never seen it explained in such a kid-friendly way. Even though this is some high level science, even a young kid can understand. I think it’s very empowering for kids to understand reactions in their brain are causing their emotions, but there are things they can do to help control it.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of the e-book in exchange for an honest review.
Title: Professor Goose Debunks The Three Little Pigs
Author: Paulette Bourgeois
Illistrator: Alex G. Griffiths
Publisher: Penguin Random House Canada: Tundra Books
Publication Date: February 13, 2024
Description:
Mother Goose’s fairy tales are NOT based in science, and her great niece Professor Goose thinks it’s time to share the truth. Join Professor Goose as she — literally — travels through the pages of The Three Little Pigs, fact-checking, exposing the flaws and explaining the science. Did you know that pigs run in a zigzag pattern? And that there’s no way a wolf’s breath would be strong enough to blow down anything, even if he has his whole pack with him? And that hay bales are strong enough to resist most up, down and sideways forces? Sounds like the perfect material for building a house! . . . Or, not. But not to worry — Professor Goose is armed with helpful hints on how to make a structure strong enough to withstand hurricane forces!
Jammed with jokes and hilarious illustrations, this book entertains while it introduces basic scientific laws and rules to young readers. At the back of the book, readers will find Professor Goose’s nM
My Thoughts:
I loved this book! I was drawn to it initially because of the fractured fairy tale element. This twist weaves another level of STEM knowledge to the story. It’s filled with all sorts of facts ranging from silly facts like “only humans have chins” to an explanation of coding. Kids will be so busy laughing over Professor Goose’s silly antics that they won’t even realize they’re learning.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC ebook of Agnes and the Hen in exchange for an honest review.
Title: A Garden Called Home
Author: Jessica J. Lee
Illustrator: Elaine Chen
Publisher:
Publication Date: February 13, 2023
Publisher: Penguin Random House, Canada, Tundra Books
Description:
What makes the place we live feel like home? This is a warm-hearted and lush picture book about family, the immigrant experience and how a simple garden can foster a connection to the larger natural world.
Mama was born in a country far away from here. I love her stories about warm rain in winter and green mountains. And now Mama’s taking me there!
When a young girl and her mother go to visit her family, the girl notices a change. At home, her mother mostly stays inside. Here, her mother likes to explore and go hiking. The girl has never seen her so happy! Her mother tells her about the trees, bushes, flowers and birds. Did you know that tree roots make mountains strong? And that ài hāo (mugwort) is used to make delicious, sweet dumplings?
But her mother’s smile goes away when they return home. It’s cold and she doesn’t want to go outside. She goes back to wearing her big quilted jackets and watering her houseplants.
How can the girl show her mother that nature here can be wondrous too?
Includes a glossary of plants with Mandarin/English words.
My Thoughts
This is a sweet story with beautiful illustrations. While the main point is the blending of cultures and how every place has it’s own beauty, that isn’t my favorite part. I love the compassion and effort the narrator shows to make her mother feel better. Insead of just using kind words, the narrator takes action and does research to find information about plants in their new home. I can see this story inspiring families to create their own gardens.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC ebook of Agnes and the Hen in exchange for an honest review.
Title: Agnes and the Hen
Author; Elle Rowley
Illustrator: Clare Theresen Gray
Publisher: DK Children
Publication Date: January 25, 2023
Description:
This lighthearted story tells the tale of Agnes the Great Dane and Rosie the hen with an important underlying message. With Agne’s help, Rosie discovers that staying true to herself might just be her greatest strength.
Agnes and the Hen is an engaging tale for 3-5 year-olds, teaching an important message about how you can avoid following the crowd and embrace your true self. Children will have fun engaging in the bright and beautiful pages of this picture book and following story alongside vibrant illustrations of farm animals.
My Thoughts:
I love the classic feel of these illustrations. It reminded me of the books I read as a child. There are so many stories about being true to yourself that this didn’t feel original to me. The main character, in this case a hen, is treated badly because they don’t act like the others, then they save the day and everyone loves them.That being said, there’s a reason there are so many stories like this. The message of acceptance and being true to yourself can’t be said enough. Kids will love Agnes’s silly dancing and how the hens scared away the foxes.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free digital advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Title: What if I’m not a Cat?
Authors: Kari-Lynn Winters
Illustrator: Kelly Collier
Publication Date: June 6, 2023
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Book Description:
A sweet, playful story about identity – and what it means to belong. Why, of course Donkey’s a cat. He spends all his time with the other cats on the farm. He licks his fur and pounces, just like they do. He even cuddles with them at nap time. Though, he must admit, sometimes he does feel … a little off. So, when Farmer says to him, “Donkey, you’re acting like a cat!” it gets him thinking. What if he’s not a cat? And if not, then what is he? Will going off on his own help Donkey figure out what he is and where he belongs? Award-winning author Kari-Lynn Winters’s delightful story of self-discovery uses kid-perfect hilarity to deliver the message that every individual has something unique to offer to their community. The contrast between Donkey and his cat friends makes for laugh-out-loud silliness in Kelly Collier’s endearing and amusing art (ever seen a Donkey perch on a fence post?). Pages are filled with spot illustrations, speech bubbles and action words that keep the visual appeal high. Sure to be a story-time crowd-pleaser, this picture book could easily spark discussions about identity, fitting in and belonging. It also works well for character education lessons on adaptability, inclusiveness, initiative and caring.
My Thoughts:
Donkey assumes he’s a cat because all his friends are cats. But, sometimes he feels different. Then, one day the farmer makes a comment that makes him think, maybe he’s wrong and he’s not a cat at all. Kids will love this story. The illustrations of donkey acting like a cat are so funny. They will laugh outloud when they see Donkey curling up on the farmers lap or trying to climb a tree. It’s such a fun way to lead kids to discussions about finding your identity.
Thank you to netgalley for providing me with a free digital advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Title; Holly and the Pittie Party
Author: Julian Frischherz
Publisher: North Star Editions, Jolly Fish Press
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Book Description:
After her family realizes the puppy they adopted is a pit bull, Holly finds herself abandoned in the city. To make matters worse, many people are unwilling to help her because of the misconceptions about her breed. Holly’s search for love (and food) takes her through the city to a dog park, an animal shelter, and, finally, a fabulous pittie party. Against the backdrop of a culture not yet ready to accept all kinds of dogs, Holly learns that love and belonging are still possible.
My Thoughts:
This is a sweet story about a puppy who is misjudged because she’s a pitbull. It starts out sad, but never fear Holly finds a family that will give her the love she deserves. No doubt, this touching story will inspire readers to give real pitbulls their own happy endings.
