Early Book Review: The Storybook Knight by Helen and Thomas Doherty

The Storybook Knight by Helen and Thomas Doherty  is a picturebook that is currently scheduled for release on October 1 2016. Even though Leo would rather sit at home and read, his parents send him out into the world to deal with a dragon, in the hopes that Leo will become a famous knight. During his journey Leo comes up against the land’s most fearsome beasts, he soon discovers that scary monsters enjoy a good book as much as he does and finds his own path to victory.

The Storybook Knight is a fun story about the power of a good story, and the wonder of reading. Leo loves reading, and would rather get lost in his books than do anything else. I can relate, and so can me kids. We would all much rather relax with a good book than go out and face the real world. What I really like about this book is that when Leo does face the world he gets to share his love of reading, and talk about stories and books with those that he meets. He does not just get to have a mental adventure, he gets to share his adventure with others, which makes it even better. Perhaps this book will not only encourage a love a books and reading, but also help get us book lovers up and sharing our favorite stories with each other!

The Storybook Knight is a wonderful story that just happens to also encourage a love a reading, books, and storytelling. A winner all around as far as I am concerned.

Helen and Thomas Docherty are the husband-and-wife author and illustrator team behind the award-winning children's picture book, The Snatchabook. They live in Bristol, England, with their two daughters. For more information, visit, thomasdocherty.co.uk. 

Early Book Review: Lucy and Company by Marianne Dubuc

Lucy and Company is a picturebook (or perhaps an early chapter book) by Marianne Dubuc which is scheduled for release on September 6 2016. This book features three, short, cozy stories features a little girl named Lucy and her four animal friends. The critters include Marcel the mouse, Henry the rabbit, Dot the turtle and Adrian the snail. (Anton the bear also makes two surprise appearances!) The friends share snacks on a picnic, celebrate a special birthday with a treasure hunt and find a new home for some lost baby chicks. Told with sweet humor and simple language, each of the bite-size stories contains its own complete adventure, with an unexpected twist at the end!

Lucy and Company is a sweet and simply pleasing series of stories about the small moments shared by a group of friends. The artwork is soft and subtle, resembling the works from the Winnie The Pooh series with it's birds eye view perspective. the friends and their adventures are fun and sweet, and the text is simple enough for the younger readers o follow, but not so basic to bore the more advanced readers. I liked that the social lessons that children need to understand before pre-school and kindergarten are expressed in a charming and understandable manner, getting the ideas of sharing and friendship across without making the readers feel like they are being taught.

Lucy and Company is a great book for story times or young readers that are ready to transition from picturebooks and basic easy readers to early chapterbooks and harder, more complicated, easy readers. It would work well for either story time sharing or independent exploration.

Early Book Review: The Branch by Mireille Messier, Pierre Pratt

The Branch is a picturebook written by Mireille Messier and illustrated by Pierre Pratt. It is currently scheduled for release on September 6 2016. When an ice storm snaps a small girl's favorite branch from the tree in her yard, she's crestfallen. The girl's mom says it's just a branch. But not to her! “That was the branch I sat on, jumped from, played under. It was my castle, my spy base, my ship.” Luckily, her neighbor Mr. Frank understands. He says the branch has “potential.” And so, with imagination and spirit, and Mr. Frank's guidance and tools, the girl transforms the broken branch into something whole and new, giving it another purpose, and her another place to treasure.

The Branch is a beautifully illustrated picturebook that inspires creativity and looking for solutions rather than dwelling on the bad things in life. The young girl used the now broken branch to climb and sit in the tree, it was her special perch. Without it she is at a loss. The neighborhood is working together to clean up after the storm, and her neighbor takes notice of her distress and works with her to find a solution. I like that the little girl takes part in the solution, learning how to use tools and help create a new use for the branch rather than the older gentleman just doing the project on his own. I loved the spirit of  people working together, for no other reason than to be helpful and kind. This is a beautiful lesson that not only encourages a feeling of community, but also encouraging creativity, ingenuity, and hard work.

Early Book Review: A Squiggly Story by Andrew Larsen

A Squiggly Story by Andrew Larsen is a picture book that is currently scheduled for release on September 6 2016. A young boy wants to write a story, just like his big sister. Athough he knows his letters, he doesn't know many words. “Every story starts with a single word and every word starts with a single letter,” his sister explains patiently. “Why don't you start there, with a letter?” So the boy tries. He writes a letter. An easy letter. The letter I. And from that one skinny letter, the story grows, and the little boy discovers that all of us, including him, have what we need to write our own perfect story.

A Squiggly Story offers encouragement for developing readers and writers to be creative and take chances. Writing a book can be a daunting task for adults, never mind young children still learning how to read and write. I loved the example his big sister sets, and her encouragement. Like any art form, with writing you need to start with a single word, a single letter, and expand from there. Much like the book The Dot by Peter Reynolds encourages artistic expression by encouraging children to start with a simple mark on the page, this book suggests that inspiring writers start of much the same. Anyone can tell their story with art or words, but only if they get started. The story is told as the young boy writes his book, and while my advanced digital copy has some formatting issues- which I fully expect to already be fixed in the final copy- the fun illustrations and story panels with dialogue bubbles come together to engage the reader and give the pages a nice textured look. I really enjoyed the read and think it will be a favorite among many readers, teachers, librarians, and parents.

A Squiggly Story is a great picture book for encouraging young children to be creative, and to ret new things (like writing their own book). The sibling relationship and persistence of the young author are great examples for readers of all ages. 

Early Book Review: Fuchsia Fierce by Christianne Jones

Fuchsia Fierce by Christianne Jones is a picturebook that is currently scheduled for release on September 1 2016.Fuchsia Fierce is a bold name for a bold girl, but she does not feel brave. Her parents send her to camp where she tries new things and finds confidence in herself. Thanks to her camp counselor, and her friends, Fuchsia finally learns how to live up to her name.

Fuchsia Fierce is a picturebook about breaking out of your shell and trying new things even though it is scary. I like that Fuchsia starts off as a shy girl and that even at Camp Confidence she is not forced into anything. Her camp councilors and fellow campers let her be herself, and join in when she was ready. They let her make her excuses and stand on the sideline until she is ready to take a chance on her own. as a adult that was a shy child and still dreads rooms full of strangers I could relate to Fuchsia.  When she was ready to join in, and face her fears, she discovered that while she might not be good at everything, she could only discover what she was good at by trying. I only wish my childhood camp counselors, teachers, and such had let me make those types of decisions at my own pace as well. I think this is a great read for shy children, and those that love them. While I do not recommend shipping your kid off to camp without talking to them first, giving them every opportunity to shine in their own way and time is wonderful.

Fuchsia Fierce is a great picturebook about being shy, coming out of your shell, and facing the fear that often comes when facing new experiences like school, camp, or activities. I think those that have children that are shy or reluctant to participate could benefit from the read as well, but understanding more about how the child feels and that letting them take steps at their own pace could be the best for everyone.

About the Author: Christianne Jones is an award-winning author of books for younger children. Her picture book Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker won a 2013 Gelett Burgess Award and was a Midwest Book Award finalist, and Hello, Goodbye, and a Very Little Lie was listed as one of the 100 best children’s books by popular parenting site babble.com. Christianne lives in Mankato, Minnesota, with her husband and three daughters.

About the Illustrator: Kelly Canby was born in London, England, but has lived in Australia since the grand old age of three, which is probably about the same age she started playing with pencils and crayons. And it was probably only a few years afterward that she decided playing with pencils and crayons was something she wanted to do for the rest of her life. With a Bachelor of Art (design and illustration) from Curtin University, Western Australia, Kelly has been scribbling professionally, and much more neatly, since her early twenties, predominantly as a graphic designer and now as a freelance illustrator of children’s books.

Early Book Review: What Color is a Kiss by Rocio Bonilla

What Color is a Kiss by Rocio Bonilla is a picturebook that was originally published in 2015, but has a new edition being published on December 6 2016. Sassy and intrepid Monica loves to paint and sees her world in every color of the rainbow, but the color to paint a kiss is a question that nags at her. She paints and paints, hoping to discover the answer. With the help of her mother, Monica discovers that kisses and love come in all colors.

What Color is a Kiss is a sweet and creative way to explore colors, concepts, and creativity. Monica loves to paint and create. Her current project is to paint a kiss, but what color should it be? She explores the positives and negatives of several colors- listing the good and bad things that she associates with them- not finding just the right shade in her exploration. When her mother stops in and gives a moment of affection Monica comes to realize than any color can be a kiss, and every color can show love. A simple and sweet story that is good for exploring creativity, self expression, and colors. 

Early Book Review: Herbie’s Big Adventure by Jennie Poh

Herbie’s Big Adventure is a picturebook by Jennie Poh which is currently scheduled for release on September 1 2016.Herbie is a little hedgehog who is perfectly happy at home with his mother. But one day Mommy tells Herbie that it's time to go exploring all by himself! Herbie is so not sure he is up for it, but ready or not as soon as he begins a westerly wind sweeps Herbie into the wide world and his adventure begins!

Herbie’s Big Adventure is a very cute picturebook. I really enjoyed the artwork, it had plenty of detail and emotion without being overwhelming or loud. Instead, it was subtle and realistic. Herbie the hedgehog loves to do all the things a young hedgehog should, especially enjoy the hugs and affection of his mother. However, as he grows his mother knows it is time for him to go out to explore and forage of his own. She trusts his skills and that he will come home to her, even when Herbie doubts himself. As he steps out the door for his big adventure the wind sweeps him further away than he wants, but he does all the right things and finds himself carried back home again. This would be a great choice for reading with more timid or dependent children in order to encourage to trust in themselves, particularly when their parents express their faith in them.

Herbie’s Big Adventure is a fun book about trusting in yourself and exploring the world. I loved the artwork and the sprinkle of imagination that is thrown in the mix. It will be a hit with many kinds of young readers, and caregivers alike.

About the Author/Illustrator: Jennie was born in England and grew up in Malaysia, in the jungle. At the age of 10, she moved back to England and went on to study Fine Art at the Surrey Institute of Art & Design, as well as Fashion Illustration at Central St Martins. Jennie loves the countryside, animals, tea and reading. She lives in Woking, England with her husband and two wonderful daughters.

Book Review: A Hungry Lion or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals by Lucy Ruth Cummins

A Hungry Lion or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals is a picture book written and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins. Once upon a time there was a very hungry lion and some adorable little animals. Slowly those animals seem to be disappearing. What do you think happened next?

A Hungry Lion or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals is a picture book with a few twists. When the book opens there is a hungry lion and a slew of smaller animals in a room. AS the other animals disappear the reader assumes that the lion has been eating them, but they were working together to surprise him. Then two more surprises keep readers on their toes, and cause a chuckle or two. The illustrations are understands and compliment the story wonderfully. It is fun and silly, and entertaining read that might have a few requests for repeated readings. 

Book Review: Barnacle is Bored by Jonathan Fenske

Barnacle is Bored is a picturebook by Jonathan Fenske. Barnacle is stuck on the underside of a pier, wishing he had something to do. Every day is exactly the same. The tide comes in and Barnacle gets cold and wet. The tide goes out and Barnacle dries off. Boring! Barnacle wants something EXCITING to happen. Then a colorful fish swims by. Barnacle bets the fish doesn't have a boring life. In the end, it turns out exciting isn't always better. 

Barnacle is Bored is a fun picture book with simple but interesting illustrations. The life of a barnacle is fairly uninteresting. There is water, then there isn’t. The sun rises and sets. You just sit there attached to something and watch the world go by. This particular barnacle is envious of the marine life around him, those that can move under their own power, until he sees first hand how the circle of life works, and realizes that his life might not be all the exciting, but it is much safer.

While at first I was smiling and enjoyed the book. Now that I am writing the review I am not sure that I really like that message. I like the idea of being happy with who you are, and what you can do. I do not think I like a secondary message that others might take from this, that sitting on the sidelines is better than going out into the world and taking chances. So, if you want a cute picture book to read and think the young people you might share this with will grasp the first message then I recommend this book. If you have an anxious child and think they might grasp the wait in the wings message, then you might want to either hold off or make sure you discuss both messages with them and encourage them to be safe, but not to miss out on taking chances and exploring the world.  

Early Book Review: Me and My Cat by Michael Dahl

Me and My Cat by Michael Dahl is a picturebook currently scheduled for release on August 1 2016. Your cat loves you, and you love your cat. But you and your cat don not always like the same things. Using a combination of sweet art, relatable situations, and fact boxes this fun picturebook will help readers of all ages find the best ways to build a lasting friendship with your cat.

Me and My Cat is a simple picturebook that gets an important message about how to treat a pet across without it coming across as overbearing. The book uses simple but colorful images and basic text to explore things children like to do, things children like to do, and how the two match (or do not). I thought this would be great for a family getting their first cat, or visiting a family or friend with cats so that kids can enjoy the book, and learn how to treat the pets at the same time. While this is not groundbreaking work, it is certainly going to fulfill a need and serve its purpose well.  

Book Review: Babak the Beetle by Fred Paronuzzi, Andree Prigent

Babak the Beetle is a picture book written by Fred Paronuzzi and illustrated by Andree Prigent. It was originally published in France.  When Babak the little dung beetle finds an egg, he s determined to find the owner. But he soon finds that this mysterious egg does not belong to the ostrich, frog, or snake. What kind of egg is it?! 

Babak the Beetle is a well done and highly entertaining book. Babak is a good hearted beetle that finds an egg in his travels. Even though the egg is bigger than him, he rolls it from area to are asking every creature he runs across if the egg is theirs, and who it might belong to. When he finds the rightful home of the white, dimpled “egg” Babak is determined to care for it himself. Sweet and silly all wrapped up with a bit of nature information that animal lovers like my daughter would quickly absorb. 

Babak the Beetle is a charming picture book that is well drawn and is sure to bring on chuckles and big smiles as Babak looks for the owner of his oddly dimpled egg. 

Early Book Review: Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library by Julie Gassman, Andy Elkerton

Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library is a picturebook written by Julie Gassman and illustrated by Andy Elkerton. It is currently scheduled for release on August 1 2016. Have you ever thought about bringing your dragon to the library? Don't do it! You might have the best intentions, but that dragon will cause nothing but trouble. This picturebook details what might go wrong with bring a dragon to the library, and thankfully offers a practical solution.

Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library is a cute book that uses the idea of bringing a pet dragon with you to the library as a tool to help teach what is, and is not, acceptable behavior in the library. The rhyming text and fun illustrations make the read enjoyable, and keeps the lesson portion of the story organic rather than feeling forced. I really enjoyed some of the sillier situations, and the related illustrations. The proposed solution encourages checking out, reading, and sharing library materials- which is always a good thing. I think this would be a good storytime book, both for families and classrooms or library storytimes, particularly prior to a library trip or top start of a library program.

Book Review: Cleo by Sassafras de Bruyn

Cleo by Sassafras de Bruyn is a wordless picturebook about one young girl that feels alone. She is always in a hurry to get somewhere, the bus, school, home, and so on. She dreams of being able to get away and explore new places and having adventures. She plans on only having her cat along as company, but one fellow daydreamer wants to join her.

Cleo is a beautifully illustrated story. The watercolor style illustrations draw the reader into the story and brings Cleo's daydreams to life. As a long time daydreamer I related to Cleo, her loneliness, and her imaginings almost immediately. I think readers and dreamers of all ages will enjoy the artwork and Cleo's feelings immensely. I know I did.

Early Book Review: Not Today Celeste: A Dog’s Tale about her Human’s Depression by Liza Stevens

Not Today Celeste: A Dog’s Tale about Her Human’s Depression by Liza Stevens is a picture book that is currently scheduled for release on June 21 2016. Celeste thinks she is the happiest dog in the world. But when she notices something different about her human, Rupert, she wonders if things will ever be the same again. This heart-warming story reflects some of the feelings and experiences that a child whose parent, sibling, or caregiver has depression may face. The story provides reassurance by explaining what depression is and how it is possible to find help.

Not Today Celeste: A Dog’s Tale about Her Human’s Depression can be a great tool for helping young children understand what depression is, and cope with times when someone they love is suffering from it. The illustrations are charming and offer soothing colors and some smile worthy moments. Like Celeste, often children in this situation think that the mood and behavior changes of someone going through depression might be their fault. This book helps reassure them that it is not true, gives clues as to how to recognize depression in others (and themselves), and how they not just cope but also help. I really liked that is a comprehensive guide for parents and professionals at the end of the book that offers advice on discussing the topic with children. I think this book and the resources in it can be valuable for social workers, child and school counselors, psychologists, parents and foster parents.  

Early Book Review: Ooko by Esme Shapiro

Ooko is a picturebook by Esme Shapiro that is currently scheduled for release on July 5 2016. Ooko has everything a fox could want: a stick, a leaf and a rock. However, Ooko wants someone to play with too! The foxes in town always seem to be playing with their two-legged friends, the Debbies. Maybe if he tries to look like the other foxes, one of the Debbies will play with him too. But when Ooko finally finds his very own Debbie, things don't turn out quite as he had expected! 

Ooko is a fun and quirky picturebook about finding friendship and being true to yourself. Ooka wants to be like the dogs he sees around, thinking they are foxes like himself. However, when he pretends to be just like them he is far from happy and does not enjoy himself. The changes he needs to undergo to live like those he sees around him simply are not worth it. It is only when he is himself and makes friends with another, who is not quite like him either, that Ooko is happy. The art work is attractive and subtle, and adds a wonderful feel to the story. It is simply enjoyable to look at, and contains humor and details that make the read even better.

Ooko is a wonderful addition top libraries and collections, and would make a good pick for storytimes and sharing. 

Book Review: The Toothless Fairy by Timothy Jordan

The Toothless Fairy is a picture book by Timothy Jordan. Every parent knows the problem – Halloween is over, but the issue of how to handle too much candy has just begun. The question of what to do with an excess of sweets each November 1 provided the inspiration for the book. Conceived by Skeeter Buck and written by Timothy Jordan, the story allows parents and caregivers to explore with their children feelings of being different, the importance of friendship, how to share and care, and even how to create a new family tradition, all while reveling in the magic of Halloween.

The Toothless Fairy is a picture book that might be useful to parents trying to get rid of Halloween candy that might be overflowing in their home, by introducing a new tradition. I was distracted by the formatting issues that were part of my digital galley (which I assume were fixed before the final release). I was not overly fond of the artwork, it looked like the cgi cartoons that drive me crazy, but that is my personal preference rather than anything that might bother other readers. I read through the book a few times, and thought the intent and ideas were good. I was just not a fan of the execution. Others might be more willing to add another mystical creature and tradition to their home, and this could be the perfect book for them, it just did nothing for me.

Early Book Review: Too Many Moose by Lisa Bakos

Too Many Moose is a picturebook by Lisa Bakos which is currently scheduled for release on July 1 2016. When Martha gets an unusual pet, she’s delighted by all of the fun things they do together! The shared an umbrella, They sipped maple tea.They carved hearts and ‘Ms on a mulberry tree. If one moose is this marvelous, then more must be better! So, Martha quite merrily orders one more, then one more and one more and one more and so on until she’s in a major mess!

Too Many Moose is a rhyming picturebook that flows very nicely. It did not run into the trouble that comes from forcing rhymes, it just worked really well. Similarly the illustrations with very well done, the colors and details added a great deal to the story without being overstated or distracting. I really liked how Martha did plenty of research before picking a pet, and that she picked something unusual and fun.I love the details about the activities Martha and her moose do together, and the eventually understanding that more is not always better. Martha thinks that if one moose, or two, or more is great; than even more must be even better. It is only when the moose overrun and destroy everything else she cares about that she sees that one mail order moose is enough.My only worry is my daughter now wanting a moose, thankfully I think that would be a short argument because I think moose are not nearly as cuddly as the pets we already own, or those she will really push for in the future.

Too Many Moose is a silly, fun book that would be great for reading together one on one or sharing during storytime. The rhymes and artwork are wonderful, although I worry for animal fans and real moose because moose are really not the best of pets. 

Early Book Review: What Would it Be Like by McArthur Krishna, Ayeshe Sadr, and Ishaan Dasgupta

What Would it Be Like is a picturebook by McArthur Krishna, Ayeshe Sadr, and Ishaan Dasgupta which is currently scheduled for release on June 28 2016. This encouraging book follows one young girl on her adventure to the library where she learns about an array of real-life women who made history with their bold ambitions finding out that girls can do anything! Would you like to sail the seas as a pirate like Jacquotte Delahaye? Swing, flip and sparkle as a trapeze artist like Antoinette Concello? Work toward making the world a better place as the president of a country, or touch lives as a mother? Readers will learn about amazing women who followed their dreams and believed anything was possible, while also learning that often the best thing to be is yourself!

What Would it Be Like is a book that encourages readers to research the things that interest them. It focuses on the careers and achievements of women, in hopes of encouraging girls to follow their dreams and do what inspires them. Each page shows the young character wondering what it would be like to be in a different profession, or spending their time differently. Whether it is as a trapeze artist, pirate, astronaut, or mother each choice is given with equal importance and respect. For specific careers there is a name suggested for library research or further reading, along with more details in the back of the book. The encouragement for this research and further exploration really made the book for me, because it is all well and good to say that you can follow your dreams and be whatever you want, but without showing what people have gone through to find their own success I find it to be a little hollow. So i have to applaud those that worked on the book for not just writing the expected platitudes, but by following it up with facts and the suggestion to continue independent researcher in the search for their own right path.

What Would it Be Like is an inspiring book, with great intention and results. I love the encouragement and inspiration it can bring to young readers, and the push toward not only follow your dreams and be yourself but to do research and find role models to help further encourage young people.  

Early Book Review: The Toad by Elise Gravel

The Toad is an informational picturebook by Elise Gravel. It is scheduled for release on July 5 2016. She's good for the environment but many people think that she is disgusting! Distinctive traits include warts, food preferences and bugs and worms, a special talent is eating her own skin! She might be disgusting but fun, too!

The Toad is a great informational picturebook for beginning readers. the pictures are simple but still very fun. The facts are equal parts fascinating and gross. while I am not the squeamish sort when it comes to creepy crawlies or the possibly slimy of the great outdoors, I think this read could make some readers more interested in finding and observing a variety of creatures rather than avoiding or killing them. A win-win all around. 

The Toad is part of the Disgusting Critter series. A previous book, The Spider, was a winner too and I expect nothing less from the series or author. The combination of humor and fact can raise interest and lower the fear factor for creatures that might otherwise make kids and adults alike a little squeamish.  

Book Review: Rosie the Raven by Helga Bansch

Rosie the Raven is a charming picturebook by Helga Bansch. In one raven's nest something strange has happened. When a clutch of eggs hatch, a pink girl emerges from one of the shells, along with her black raven siblings. Loving raven parents take their little Rosie just the way she is. In the beginning, Rosie tries to do everything her siblings do. She opens her mouth to receive worms from her parents, tries to caw until she is hoarse, and wildly flaps her arms in an attempt to fly. Rosie finally realizes she is different. Maybe she can’t caw or fly, but a world of discovery awaits her nonetheless.

Rosie the Raven is a wonderful picturebook that celebrates being yourself, and embracing differences. Rosie is very different from her parents and siblings, but that does not stop them from loving her. She tries to be like everyone else, and neighbors offer suggestions to help her with that goal. through it all, her family supports her and do what they can to help her be happy. It is only when she embraces her differences, and comes to appreciate what she has to offer, that she is really happy. The artwork adds a great deal of detail to the story and is lovely. The illustrations add to the humor, emotion, and mood to the story and really bring it to life.

Rosie the Raven is a wonderful book that readers of all ages can appreciate. It speaks to the wonderful opportunities individuality brings to the world, and how differences are not the most important part of any person, and only add to their being rather than detracting from it.