Audio Book Review: Absolutely Everything!: A History of Earth, Dinosaurs, Rulers, Robots and Other Things Too Numerous to Mention by Christopher Lloyd

Absolutely Everything!: A History of Earth, Dinosaurs, Rulers, Robots and Other Things Too Numerous to Mention is written and narrated by Christopher Lloyd. Buckle up for an extraordinary ride through the 14-billion year history of absolutely everything! This remarkable story (which is far more amazing than anything you can make up) sweeps through natural history with the creation of planet Earth, the beginning of life, the age of dinosaurs, mass extinctions, and the rise of prehistoric humans. The story then leaps through the ancient civilizations and into medieval times, where wars, revolutions, and scientific inventions reshape the world. Finally, we arrive in the modern age which brings with it new challenges of pollution, climate change, viral pandemics, and much more. How will a world of 8 billion humans survive in the future? 

Absolutely Everything! is fast paced and a fascinating overview of the history and science of our world. LLoyd's narration is very well done. I love audiobooks read by the author, because their excitement about the subject matter often shines through, and that is certainly true in this case. It does not hurt that he just has a wonderful voice, and I think I could listen to Llyod narrate just about anything quite happily.  I found myself stopping the other tasks I was attempting to do while listening, like cleaning or cooking dinner, to give the audio my full attention. It was just such a well done explanation of interesting information- some of which I knew, but most went well beyond what I already understood- and then connected those smaller topics together for a bigger picture.  I was very happy that the chapters were split up the way they were, because that allowed me to investigate and read further on some of the shared information before moving on to the next part. Perfect for car rides, or for inclusion in distance learning or home schooling to help understand the way the world itself was shaped, and the effect we and he rest of the living creatures of the world have on it.

Absolutely Everything! is a wonderful book for all ages. It gives a nice broad understanding of the world and Lloyd's narration is engaging and animated. 

Early Book Review: Wild Style: Amazing Animal Adornments by Jenna Grodzicki

Wild Style: Amazing Animal Adornments by Jenna Grodzicki is currently scheduled for release on September 1 2020. What do a crab waving pom-poms, a bug with a backpack of dead ants, and a mud-spattered vulture have in common? Meet animals including crabs in sponge hats, caddisfly larvae wearing suits of armor, lacewing larvae dressing up with jewelry to hide themselves from ladybug predators in this fun and fascinating photo book!

Wild Style is a book that balances wonderful photography of animals showing off the ways they adorn their body for protection, comfort, hunting, and more. The pictures are bright and bold, and worth looking at all on their own. The text is well written, sharing interesting information in accessible terms and phrasing. I learned some things, and think that young readers (and their adults) will get a great deal from this read and want to revisit it on occasion.

Book Review: Be Wary of the Silent Woods (The Weirn Books) by Svetlana Chmakova

Be Wary of the Silent Woods is the first volume in The Weirn Books series of graphic novels by Svetlana Chmakova. In the Night Realm, shifters, vampires, weirns, and other night things passing for human may prowl the streets, but school is still in session-and you still have to do your homework!

Be Wary of the Silent Woods is a middle grade graphic novel that has a nice blend of 'normal' middle school angst with magic and wonder. Ailis is a weirn (witch born with a guardian spirit, going to Night School with other paranormal children dealing with friendships, crushes, families, and all of the typical concerns of the age group. Her family and group of friends were a nice mix of personalities- and the background and important aspects of them were delivered at a near perfect pace. I liked Ailis and her cousins together, and how the small circle of friends were a team and balanced each other nicely, even if they would not want to admit it. The magic and mystery components were very nicely done, and I liked the creativity of the story along side the elements that most every reader can relate to on some level. I also really enjoyed the art style, and the amount of movement and detail that the art added to every page. I look forward to seeing more of this series, and will be taking a closer look at Chmakova's other work, which looks very interesting as well. 

Be Wary of the Silent Woods is a fun start to a new series. I think the series will capture the imagination of middle grade and middle school readers. 

Early Book Review: A Quiet Girl by Peter Carnavas

A Quiet Girl by Peter Carnavas is a picturebook currently scheduled for release on August 4 2020. Mary was a quiet girl. She thought quiet thoughts, stepped quiet steps, and whispered quiet words. Mary knows how to savor the small things. Wonder is everywhere: in the rustle of leaves, in the sigh of a sleeping dog, in the wingbeats of the birds who visit her upcycled feeders. But Mary’s family couldn’t be more different. Amidst the sound of blow-dryers, blenders, lawnmowers, and her brother’s trombone, Mary goes almost unnoticed. It isn’t until her family starts searching the neighborhood for her that they begin to see the world through her eyes. From critically acclaimed author-illustrator Peter Carnavas comes a gentle breeze of a picture book with themes of mindfulness, observation, and being present in the natural world. A Quiet Girl invites young readers (and the noisy adults in their lives) to appreciate the thousand little pleasures that surround us—if only we would notice them.

A Quiet Girl is a picturebook that really resonated with me. I loved that the artwork was pastel and simple, not bright and shouting, so that it matched the personality of Mary. She is quiet, and because of that often feels invisible and overlooked. However, her quiet nature also lets her hear and notice things that her family might be missing out on. I like that she is not as absent from the thoughts of her family as she thinks she is, and that taking the time to listen and look for her allows her family to notice the things she wanted to share with them. I think this book is a great family read, especially for those with a quiet family member or friend. I related to Mary a great deal, having preferred a book or sitting under a tree to louder pastimes (both as a child and an adult). I think the book can help readers understand the wonders that they might be missing, and to understand how other people might feel in a world that seems to be loud and in a hurry as a default.

Early Book Review: A Thousand No's by DJ Corchin

A Thousand No's by DJ Corchin is a picturebook that is currently scheduled for release on August 4 2020. There was a little girl who had a great idea. She had the most amazing, superb, best idea ever! NO? Wait, what do you mean NO? NO again? What is she supposed to do with all these NO's? NO after NO after NO come the little girl's way, twisting and squishing her idea. But by persevering, collaborating and using a little imagination, all those NO's become the building blocks for the biggest YES ever! A Thousand NO's is a story about perseverance and innovation. It shows what amazing things can happen if we work with others and don't give up, and teaches kids not to let expectations of how things should be get in the way of what could be.

A Thousand No's is a picturebook that shows that ideas can grow and change, sometimes for the better. A few no's help the young girl stretch and change her idea, but collaborating with others and allowing those changes made her idea bigger and better. I like that the story showed that the process of an idea changing, and allowing others in to help, can be hard. However, being willing to share, willing to adapt, makes for wonderful things. The illustrations are mostly black and white, with wonderful details and powerful uses of color. I enjoyed the read and think that it is enjoyable as a read to share, and as one to start discussions about ideas, hearing no, and collaboration. 

Early Book Review: Billy Johnson And His Duck Are Explorers by Mathew New

Billy Johnson And His Duck Are Explorers by Mathew New is a children's graphic novel that is currently scheduled for release on August 1 2020. Billy Johnson, the son of two world-famous explorers (who mysteriously disappeared eight years ago) has big dreams. The teenager may be a part-time janitor now, but exploring is in his blood. He just needs one big discovery to prove to the Explorers League that he’s worthy of the rank of Ace Explorer. Luckily, Billy has an ally in his best friend, Barrace. Not only is Barrace a college professor of linguistics, but he’s also a duck! Together, these boon companions brave hidden jungle kingdoms, haunted tombs, deadly deserts, and treacherous mythological trials to uncover the mysteries of the world. But will they discover that the biggest mystery of all may be following them every step of the way?

Billy Johnson And His Duck Are Explorers is a fun and accessible for some of the youngest graphic novel readers. I felt like the story was fast and fun, with some neat twists and moments but that it never got too intense or deep. The colors and artwork were bold and bright with a good sense of movement to help keep everything moving forward. The art did seem a little childish to me, but considering the target audience I do not think it will be an issue for most. The action and conversations came in small, digestible pieces. Enough to keep young readers interested and engaged without being too much all at once and allowing for breaks if needed. I think the book was exactly what it was intended to be, a fun and fast moving graphic novel for young readers, but I rather felt that it could have done that and still been even more. While it sometimes seems like it wants the Adventure Time crowd, and sometimes the motion of the art feels like it, it does not match the smooth and more in depth humor that fans of that will want. It is fun, and it can entertain, but I do not think it reached its full potential.

Billy Johnson And His Duck Are Explorers is a cute graphic novel that is vaguely reminiscent of Adventure Time the will appeal to young readers.

Early Book Review: Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost, written and illustrated by Flavia Z. Drago, is a picturebook currently scheduled for release on July 14 2020.  Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through walls, making objects fly, and glowing in the dark. He loves almost nothing more than playing beautiful music on his violin. But Gustavo is shy, and some things are harder for him to do, like making friends with other monsters. Whenever he tries getting close to them, he realizes they just can’t see him. Now that the Day of the Dead is fast approaching, what can he do to make them notice him and to share with them something he loves? 

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost is a sweet picturebook with beautiful illustrations. I really enjoyed the art style and think the illustrations did a great job of adding to the story and including humor. As someone that has always been on the shy side, I could relate to Gustavo's troubles in talking to others- and even when we are not really invisible to them like he is sometimes we can feel that way. I really enjoyed Gustavo's journey, and how detailed and vivid the images are and how ideas like loneliness and kindness are handled. I think this would be a great read aloud, a story to share both around the Day of the Dead and in the beginning of a school year or start of a storytime program season to help young readers. It could be a great discussion starter and ice break- and is just a lovely read. 

Early Book Review: Inventors: Incredible Stories of the World's Most Ingenious Inventions by Robert Winston

Inventors: Incredible Stories of the World's Most Ingenious Inventions, written by Robert Winston and illustrated by Jessamy Hawke, is currently scheduled for release on July 7 2020. The stories are as unusual as they are unique. From Mr. Kellogg, who accidentally created cornflakes after leaving grains boiling for too long, to the ancient Turkish polymath Ismail al-Jazari, who decided the best way to power a clock was with a model elephant, to Sarah E. Goode's fold-up bed space-saving solution--the inventors of this book have all used tons of creativity to find ways to improve our world. These groundbreaking inventions include the very earliest discoveries to modern-day breakthroughs in science, food, transportation, technology, toys, and more. Illustrations by Jessamy Hawke  and photography highlight the detail of the designs and hand-painted cross-sections reveal the intricacies of a robotic arm, the first plane, and the printing press. The inventors come from all walks of life and parts of the world, making this the perfect book for every budding inventor.

Inventors is a book that features a well rounded selection of inventors and innovators from through out history, and around the world. I like that so many different countries were included and that women and men were included. Some of the inventors were well known to me already, but I was glad to learn a little bit more about them, and learn about those I only vaguely knew about. I really liked learning about the inventors that I knew nothing about, and think that the book does a good job of detailing the lives and innovations of the individuals- giving readers the context to understand the lives they lived, and how that might have impacted the work they did or how hard they had to work for it. I did think that some of the illustrations were very well done, but overall I found that some of the pages were a little busy, with artwork that felt more like extras or doodles than necessary additions. The overall look will appeal to many, but I have to admit that I found it a little distracting.

Inventors is a nicely varied look at inventors from around the world, and through out time. I think it will appeal to interested readers and just might inspire some readers to work on their own ideas.

Early Book Review: Fussy Flamingo by Shelly Vaughan James, Matthew Rivera

Fussy Flamingo is a picturebook written by Shelly Vaughan James and illustrated by Matthew Rivera that is currently scheduled for release on July 1 2020.  Lola is the "no, no" flamingo. Lola will NOT eat shrimp, thank you very much. She does NOT care that it will turn her feathers pink. It is just plain yucky. But when Lola sneaks other snacks, she discovers that you really are what you eat. 

Fussy Flamingo is an entertaining read that adults and young readers can enjoy together. I loved the artwork, and thought it captured the story and the moods of the characters perfectly. I have a picky eater at home, and some of the chars between Lola and her parents felt very familiar. She is more interested in exploring and eating colorful fruit than the shrimp she is supposed to eat. I liked that the fruit she ate might be new to some readers, and just might encourage them to give them a try. I like that in the end her parents just asked her to try the shrimp, which is all we can ever really do, and of course once she tries them she liked them. I also liked that the book offers real information about flamingos at the end of the book. The facts chosen were interesting and add an extra layer of interest to the story. 

I think Fussy Flamingo will appeal to a wide range of readers, and that it might become a favorite for sharing at home or during a storytime or classroom setting. 

Early Book Review: When Darwin Sailed the Sea: Uncover how Darwin's Revolutionary Ideas Helped Change the World by David Long, Sam Kalda

When Darwin Sailed the Sea: Uncover how Darwin's Revolutionary Ideas Helped Change the World, written by David Long and illustrated by Sam Kalda, is currently scheduled for release on July 1 2020. At the age of 22 Charles Darwin clambered up the steps of HMS Beagle, armed with enough notepads to last him for several years and set sail on a journey of exploration that would change his life and how we view the entire world forever. This book tells the story of Charles Darwin, and shows how his revolutionary research changed the world forever. From his fascination with the natural world which began at an early age, his love of collecting new specimens and keen eye for observation, to his groundbreaking theory of evolution, uncover the incredible life of Charles Darwin with this illustrated, narrative non-fiction book. 

When Darwin Sailed the Sea is a book that offers readers a look at Darwin as a person and a scientist. The book does a good job of explaining his interests, determination, and how he collaborated with a variety of people. The information was accessible and interesting.I found the accompanying artwork to be lovely to look at while also adding meaning and detail to the text as appropriate. I learned quite a bit about Darwin, and liked the narrative tone that I think works very well in this format. I will admit that I was not expecting it to be as text heavy as it was, but the style and substance balanced that out. I am hoping some young people reading this will see how hard Darwin worked to follow his interests and be inspired. I really liked the timeline, further information on the people Darwin worked with, and additional information included in the endpages. Good use of this section always makes me happy- and this book delivered. 

When Darwin Sailed the Sea would be a great addition to school, classroom, and public libraries. Some readers will want it for their personal collections as well. 

Early Book Review: Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist by Linda Skeers

Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist by Linda Skeers is a nonfiction picturebook that is currently scheduled for release on July 1 2020. As a kid, Mary Anning loved hunting for fossils with her father. One day, that hobby led to an unexpected discovery: the skeleton of a creature no one had never seen before! Mary had unearthed a dinosaur fossil, the first to ever be discovered. Her find reshaped scientific beliefs about the natural world and led to the beginning of a brand new field of study: paleontology. For the rest of her life, Mary continued to make astonishing finds and her fossils are displayed in museums all across the world! The daring discoveries of Mary Anning not only changed the scientific world, but also helped change people’s attitudes towards women scientists.

Dinosaur Lady is a picturebook that not only talks about the early years and discoveries in paleontology, but how women were viewed in science, and to a certain degree still are. I liked the illustrations, they added a great deal of detail and heart to each page. I thought the information included was interesting and was accessible. I think the narrative and information were well balanced and should keep the reader's interest. I also liked the additional information that was included at the end of the book. I really enjoyed the read and think the book just might inspire kids interested in topic others might try to dissuade them from perusing to keep on studying and working towards their goals.

Dinosaur Lady is a engaging and informative book that would be a great addition to all libraries. Hopefully it will encourage more young scientists to follow their interests.

Early Book Review: Ocean Speaks: How Marie Tharp Revealed the Ocean's Biggest Secret by Jess Keating

Ocean Speaks: How Marie Tharp Revealed the Ocean's Biggest Secret by Jess Keating is a nonfiction picturebook currently scheduled for release on June 30 2020. From a young age, Marie Tharp loved watching the world. She loved solving problems. And she loved pushing the limits of what girls and women were expected to do and be. In the mid-twentieth century, women were not welcome in the sciences, but Marie was tenacious. She got a job in a laboratory at Cambridge University, New York. But then she faced another obstacle: women were not allowed on the research ships (they were considered bad luck on boats). So instead, Marie stayed back and dove deep into the data her colleagues recorded. She mapped point after point and slowly revealed a deep rift valley in the ocean floor. At first the scientific community refused to believe her, but her evidence was irrefutable. She proved to the world that her research was correct. The mid-ocean ridge that Marie discovered is the single largest geographic feature on the planet, and she mapped it all from her small, cramped office.

Ocean Speaks is a read that just might inspire a new generation of children to follow the interests or fields of study they love even when society might cause stumbling blocks. Marie Tharp loved the ocean, and want to take part in the study of it. Because of restrictions placed on her due to gender she was relegated to the background, and her results and work with the data were often dismissed or claimed by others for the very same reason. It was a little satisfying to see that her conclusions were proven, after being dismissed for so long. However, it is often also infuriating to read about how people's intelligence and hard work are so often dismissed, stolen, or mocked because of gender or other factors.  I liked learning about Tharp and her work, because much of the information was new to. I also liked the deeper look at her work and the science at the end of the book. 

Ocean Speaks is a well written book that can engage a wide range of readers, and I think it would be an especially good addition to school and classroom libraries for the lower grades. 

Book Review: Celtic Mythology for Kids: Tales of Selkies, Giants, and the Sea by Chris Pinard

Celtic Mythology for Kids: Tales of Selkies, Giants, and the Sea by Chris Pinard features twenty famous and lesser-known myths from places like Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and Brittany, this is your introduction to a faraway world of wonder. Colorful illustrations begin every myth. There is a glossary of Celtic mythology terms to better understand words like banshee, brownie, and selkie.

Celtic Mythology for Kids is not an introduction to Celtic mythology, which is what I was hoping for from the title. It is a selection of stories from the region, with questions at the end of each story, basically asking about the moral of the story. I know that fairy tales and oral tradition often are morality tales, or at least started that way, but I was rather hoping for more information about the creatures unique to the Celtic mythos than stories and questions that seem pointed at making readers behave. I wanted to learn more about a mythology and was disappointed with what I found.

Early Book Review: The Gryphon's Lair (Royal Guide to Monster Slaying) by Kelley Armstrong

The Gryphon's Lair is the second book in the Royal Guide to Monster Slaying series by Kelley Armstrong. It is currently scheduled for release on June 2 2020. I do recommend reading the series in order, mostly to understand the characters and how they relate to each other. However, a determined reader could catch up fairly easily and still enjoy the read.

Rowan is now the Royal Monster Hunter, and her twin brother, Rhydd, is destined to be king. But her mother's cousin Heward is still determined that his children be the ones to inherit the titles, and will stop at nothing to show that Rowan and Rhydd are too immature to properly lead. After the gryphon that Rowan captured in Book One gives birth but then dies, Rowan is left with a baby gryphon she knows she cannot keep. And it grows faster than anyone can imagine. In order to save face after an accident involving the troublesome gryphon, Rowan, with the help of her friends Dain and Alianor, along with an entourage of monstrous companions, must make a journey to the mountains to release the gryphon back into the wild. What starts off as a simple enough task soon becomes a dangerous quest, as the group encounters numerous rare and deadly monsters along the way, including wyverns and ceffyl-dwrs. 

The Gryphon's Lair is a book that is as much about Rowan and her friends coming together, and understanding each other and themselves, as it is the adventure of what to do with a young gryphon. I really liked the importance respect and compassion is given in this series. Rowan is trying to be a good member of the royal family, doing what is best for the kingdom while also thinking about understanding the monstrous creatures in the world rather than just killing them all. I laughed at some of he antic the crew she has assembled, cringed when those antics turned dangerous. There was action, heart to heart talks, amazing creatures, and a few heart wrenching moments. When I finished this story I was left with two thoughts. First, my daughter needs to read this series, as it is right up her alley, and second was that I hope there are more books set in this world coming because I am eager for more.

The Gryphon's Lair is a middle grade fantasy novel that has a near perfect balance of action and character growth. 

Early Book Review: Ray by Marianna Coppo

Ray by Marianna Coppo is a picturebook currently scheduled for release on May 26 2020. At the end of the hall, near the staircase, is a closet. In that closet lives Ray, who is a light bulb. Ray spends most of his time in darkness, which is pretty boring if you don't know how to fill it. So boring that Ray usually slips into a dreamless sleep. Everything changes one day when Ray is migrated into a portable lantern and taken on the trip of a lifetime. He wakes up in a much larger closet (the outside), surrounded by incredible things - too many to count! Everything is super big, and Ray has never felt so small. And in the morning, Ray makes an incredible discovery which will change his life forever.

Ray is a cute book about a lightbulb that might be a little bored in his comfort zone, but has no complaints. Being moved to a camping lantern for a short trip gives Ray the chance to see the larger world, and while it might be scary, he takes the time to look around and soak it all in. Sometimes seeing the larger world through another's eyes helps us appreciate them more,  and I think getting the chance to see the stars, the trees, and of course the sun, through Ray's eyes can help readers of all ages think about how amazing some of the things we take for granted really are. 

Ray is a lovely picturebook. It would be great for sharing anytime, but might be most impactful before camping or going somewhere new. 

Early Book Review: A Rainbow of Rocks by Kate Depalma

A Rainbow of Rocks by Kate Depalma is a children's book currently scheduled for release on May 15 2020. This book offers exactly what the title suggests, a rainbow of rocks from ruby to amethyst and beyond. Close-up photos of real, vibrant rocks and minerals in a rainbow of colors are paired with rhyming text about the many facets of geology. Includes educational notes perfect for STEM learning.

A Rainbow of Rocks is a lovely, rhyming primer covering the basics of geology for young readers. The text is fairly simple, but still imparts some good information to readers of all ages. The images are bold and bright, and worth a look all on their own. I think the combination of the stunning images, with information, and rhyming text will really keep the interest and attention of readers. I really appreciated the addition of additional information at the end of the book, in the form of a Q&A with more complex information for the more interested or advanced readers. 

I think A Rainbow of Rocks is a book that would be a good addition to any library, including school and public collections. 

Early Book Review: The Ultimate Survival Guide to Bedtime Monsters by Mitch Frost, Daron Parto

The Ultimate Survival Guide to Bedtime Monsters is a picturebook written by Mitch Frost and illustrated by Daron Parto. It is currently scheduled for release on May 1 2020. Do you lie awake at night worrying about monsters? Donut monsters? Blue monsters? DANCING ROBOT MONSTERS?! Then this is the book for you! Follow these ten easy steps and you'll never be bothered by monsters again. Not even carrot monsters. Perfect for anyone, big or small, who's ever been afraid of what might be lurking under the bed.

The Ultimate Survival Guide to Bedtime Monsters is a fun and brightly illustrated picturebook giving young readers a set of steps to feel a little safer at bed time. I liked the illustrations quite a bit, I thought that the attention to detail and the humor on each page added a great deal to the story. The text offers them suggestions like brushing their teeth because monsters hate minty fresh breath, and keeping their room clean because then there is no where for the monsters to hide. Not all of the suggestions are quite so aimed at good bedtime routines, one suggests surrounding yourself with your favorite stuffed animals and toys, because monsters do not like crowds. I thought the book was cute and might be just what some youngsters need to help them settle in to bed a bit easier. 

Book Review: The Sasquatch and the Lumberjack: Family by Crix Sheridan

The Sasquatch and the Lumberjack: Family by Crix Sheridan is a companion book to Crix Sheridan's The Sasquatch and the Lumberjack. The story continues to grow the relationship between these endearing characters as we meet their big and colorful families as they embark on another adventure! Follow along on their Pacific Northwest adventures as the two friends and their two families merge their growing friendship to become one big and happy family.

The Sasquatch and the Lumberjack: Family has very little text, just the family names for the character that is the focus of the page, such as ma, pa, and so on. The colors and illustrations are bright and fun, with lots to look at on each page. While I think the intent on the lack of text was to appeal to a younger, or easily bored, crowd and to do some basic vocabulary building, I think it slightly missed the mark. I liked the artwork and think many young readers will enjoy flipping through the pages and creating their own details about the characters and adventures. I was a little disappointed since the art on the cover and promise of adventure had me excited to read. 

Early Book Review: Dewdrop by Katie O'Neill

Dewdrop by Katie O'Neill is a picturebook currently scheduled for release on April 7 2020. Dewdrop is an easygoing, gentle axolotl who enjoys naps, worm pie, and cheerleading. When the yearly sports fair nears, he and his friends—Mia the weightlifting turtle, Newman the musical newt, and three minnows who love to cook—get ready to showcase their skills to the whole pond! However, as the day of the fair gets closer, Dewdrop's friends can't help putting pressure on themselves to be the best. It's up to Dewdrop to remind them how to be mindful, go at their own pace, and find joy in their own achievements.

Dewdrop is an adorable picturebook about a sweet axolotl that honestly cares about their friends and keeps a sunny outlook on life. I think the reminders to focus on improving and finding happiness in doing their favorite things is important. I loved the illustrations, and found that they mirrored the sweet and optimistic tone of the main character and story as a whole. I think the story was nice and simply enjoyable to look at. The message was good, but a little overstated. As a kid, and now as a parent, I have always found the very obvious lessons to be a little off putting, even if I agree with them. Not everyone feels this way, and I can see the value and skill in this book that made me enjoy it despite the very clear messages. 

Early Book Review: The Elephants' Guide to Hide-and-Seek by Kjersten Hayes, Gladys Jose

The Elephants' Guide to Hide-and-Seek, written by Kjersten Hayes and illustrated by Gladys Jose, is currently scheduled for release on April 1 2020. Elephants are great at many things...playing hide-and-seek is not one of them. But The Elephant Hobby and Sport League is here to help all those frustrated, always "found" elephants out there with The Elephants' Guide to Hide-and-Seek. This handy guide offers sympathy, support and superior hiding solutions to elephants who long to overcome their size disadvantage when playing hide-and-seek.

The Elephants' Guide to Hide-and-Seek is a fun and sweet story. I found the illustrations to be charming and I really enjoyed the style. The text and illustrations worked well together to tell the story, and managed to be encouraging while still including a good amount of humor- like an elephant trying to hide under the covers. I think it offers readers a good laugh, along with ideas (like volunteering to be it) that can make a game that usually offers frustration more fun. I really like that it also points out that playing the game can be fun because of who you are playing with, not just because of how well you play.