Picture Book Review: Pippi the Penguin by Catherine Veitch

Title: Pippi the Penguin

Author: Cahterine Veitch

Illustrator: Jean Claude

Publisher: Rosen Publishing Group

Publication Date: January 15, 2024

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.

April 8, 2024

Picture Book Review: Bob’s Ocean by Robert Lund

Title: Bob’s Ocean

Author: Robert Lund

Illustrator: Juliet Alli

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.

April 7, 2024

Picture book review: How to Train your Amygdala

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.

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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 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.

February 19, 2024

Picture Book Review: Professor Goose Debunks The Three Little Pigs

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.

February 12, 2024

Picture Book Review: A Garden Called Home by Jessica J. Lee

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.

January 28, 2024

Picture Book Review: Agnes and the Hen by Elle Rowley

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.

January 25, 2024

Picture Book Review: What if I’m not a Cat? by Kari-Lynn Winters and Kelly Collier

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.

May 7, 2023

Picture Book Review: Holly and the Pittie Party by Julian Frischherz

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.

May 4, 2023

Picture Book Review: The Boy Who Cried Poop by Alessandra Requena

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with a free digital advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Boy Who Cried Poop

Author: Alessandra Requena

Illustrator: Guilherme Karsten

Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group- Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

Publication Date: May 11, 2023

Book Description:

A laugh-out-loud story with heart, based on true events about one boy’s trip to the loo and learning that everyone has accidents sometimes.

A father is just trying to take his kids for a refreshing swim in the pool, but every time they jump in…

“DAD! I NEED TO POO!”

By the time they get to the loo: “I don’t need to go anymore!” Sound familiar?
Back and forth, back and forth they go. “Just poop already!” yells the big sister.

Until finally, the little brother… does. Oops!

Based on true events in the real life of one unfortunate little brother…
A laugh-out-loud story with heart, because when you gotta go, you gotta go!

My Thoughts:

This book is so funny and so relatable. While on vacation, Dad and the kids head to the pool, only for Marc to announce he has to poop. They grab all their stuff and return up the stairs to their motel room, only to discover that it was a false alarm. They return to the pool, only to repeat the entire scenario over and over. Each time they encounter more crazy characters on the stairs. Eventually, Dad can’t take it anymore and refuses to go back. But, this time, it isn’t a false alarm, and Marc has an accident. Instead of being angry, all the characters share stories of times they’ve had an accident. The colorful, silly drawings add charm to the books and keep kids coming back to see new details. I love that this book will make kids laugh while also telling them that it’s okay to make mistakes.

April 25, 2023

Picture Book Review: In Your Dreams by Pamela Green

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free digital advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description:

“The adventurous spirit of In Your Dreams captures Boys & Girls Clubs’ legacy of inspiring young people worldwide to dream big and create brighter futures for themselves and us all.”—Boys & Girls Clubs of America

As a mother holds her sleeping baby, she ponders the dreams dancing through his head.

Has he traveled back in time to play with the dinosaurs? Is he climbing tall mountains among the clouds? Is he watching dolphins frolic in the sea, or visiting new friends in faraway places?

Told in gentle rhymes with whimsical illustrations to spark the imaginations of children of all ages, this sweet and timeless book is a story of curiosity, possibility, and, above all, the wonder of love.

My Thoughts:

This is a sweet bedtime story. The vibrant illustrations will engage a young child’s interest while sparking their interest about places all over the world. While baby dreams of adventures around the world, the reader learns the most precious dreams are those of his loved ones. This is a future classic that should added to bedtime routines along with stories like Goodnight Moon and Love You Forever.

April 18, 2023