Early Book Review: I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures That Look Like Food by Jenna Grodzicki

I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures That Look Like Food by Jenna Grodzicki is a children's non fiction book that is currently scheduled for release on October 1 2019. This book introduces some of the wackiest creatures under the sea—creatures that look like food. Creatures include the egg yolk jellyfish, the lettuce sea slug, the chocolate chip sea star, and many more.

I See Sea Food is a bright and bold book that taught me some interesting facts about creatures I had not heard of before. The photographs are amazing- they are clear and bright. I think the images alone make this book worth picking up. However, the selection of creatures and information shared about each are wonderful as well. I mean, how often do you discover that living creatures named after food use that appearance for defence, or gain their unique coloring by what type of jellyfish they have been snacking on, or breathe through their butt!. I loved the balance of serious information and the fun and wacky. I also appreciate that there is a glossary, quiz, and suggestions for further reading at the end of the book. I love when further engagement and information seeking is encouraged.

I See Sea Food held my attention and taught me something, and I think it will do the same for readers of all ages. A great addition to home, public, or classroom library collections.

Book Review: Farm Animals and Wild Animals (Animal Bites) from Animal Planet

Farm Animals is part of the Animal Bites series from Animal Planet. This is a children’s non fiction book with more than 200  animal photos of cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, llamas, and others. It includes a habitat-by-habitat guide that offers young readers a bite-sized view of their favorite farm animals. The book is divided by theme, including animal behavior and family relationships, animal bodies, baby animals, food, play time, conservation and more. There are Quick Bites sidebars with cool animal facts, simple infographics, and illustrated maps of life in on the farm and at the petting zoo.

Wild Animals is part of the Animal Bites series from Animal Planet, like Farm Animals. This book the same abundance of photography of lions, giraffes, ibexes, flamingos, hippopotamuses, and many others as well as the habitat-by-habitat guide of  wild animals. Arranged thematically with focus on animal behavior and family relationships, young readers will explore sections about animal bodies, baby animals, food, play time, conservation and more. Special book features designed for this age group include Quick Bites sidebars with cool animal facts, simple infographics, and illustrated maps of life in the African Savannah and Amazon rain forest.

It looks like this entire series would be a nice addition to any library, including personal  collections. The photograph are crisp, bright, and sometimes beautiful. I think the photography work alone will capture the attention of young readers. The information, especially the Animal Bites in the sidebars are well worded and organized to keep the interest of young readers while still being very informative. I think animal lovers will quickly take to this book, and not want to giver it up. I think Animal Planet found the perfect combination of fun and information to keep readers of all ages interested own the book and wanting to revisit it time and again. As a bonus to those buying these books, a portion of the proceeds will benefit Animal Planet's R.O.A.R. (Reach Out. Act. Respond.) campaign that partners with leading animal organization to make the world a better place for domestic and wild animals.

Early Book Review: Isabella Girl in Charge by Jennifer Fosberry

Isabella Girl in Charge is a picture book (and more) by Jennifer Fosberry. It is currently scheduled for release on October 4 2016. A big event has Isabella ready to leave home at the crack of dawn, but that’s a motion her parents are not likely to pass. After a two-to-one vote, it’s decided that some things need to happen before Isabella can leave the house, like eating breakfast and brushing her teeth! If her house is going to work like a democracy, Isabella knows what she has to do; call an assembly and campaign her way out the door! Isabella celebrates the women who were first to hold public offices. And if Isabella can get her parents out the door, she might just witness the first woman voted into the highest position of all.

Isabella Girl in Charge is a fun and informative book. As Isabella tries to get out to attend a grand event with her parents she changes names and imagined identities to take on the roles of some of the most important women in history. At the end of the book each of those women and their accomplishments are described in detail. In the end the family does get to their destination, to see a woman elected president (no, she looks nothing like Hillary or Jill). I like that while democracy and women breaking barriers is covered, were are no political lines drawn in the sand. It is not about policy or issues, but the fact that women are perfectly capable to doing such difficult jobs.

Isabella Girl in Charge is a great way to encourage girls to shoot for the stars, and to remind them that women can do anything. I really thought the information on the variety of women that are covered in the book was a crucial and interesting part of the book. Reading about women that decided the odds to be the first governor, mayor, and the like might just inspire a young reader to do something amazing. 

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: 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: One Creepy Street: The Spider on the Web by Lee Jordan

One Creepy Street: The Spider on the Web by Lee Jordan is a children's book about the dangers of internet predators. This is a rhyming story about one young witch who enjoys playing games and chatting online. However, she begins talking to a spider on the web that is not what he seems. When she makes the mistake of agreeing to meet him she is lucky that her mother and the police are quick to react and save the day.

One Creepy Street: The Spider on the Web is a book with a good message, but that fell a little flat for me. The artwork was bright and whimsical, but looked very much like the cartoons that are completely computer generated. They worked, and I enjoyed some of the background details, but as a big reader of children's books I much prefer hand drawn art. The rhyming is a good idea, to help the lessons be memorable, however often times it felt forced or awkward. My other issue was that when the mother finds the plans for the girl and spider to meet the book specifically mentions that they were  things that she had not deleted. This implies that she has been or should have been deleting things. No, just no. I like that the author is trying to promote web safety, and the importance of the idea that no everyone is who they appear to be online. However, I think several important things were skipped or mishandled. Internet safety is important, and any awareness is good, but I was hoping for more with this book.

One Creepy Street: The Spider on the Web tackles the important topic of internet safety. The message is good, but I think that a few things went wrong here. It could still be a valuable resource depending on the age and independence of the children, but I was a little disappointed. 

Book Review: I’m Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton

I’m Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton is a nonfiction picture book about spiders. This is a fun,  witty picture book that gives the reader a little perspective on spiders. While many people are afraid of them, or just get the willies when they see them, spiders are amazing and helpful creatures. This book gently takes those that are less than fond of spiders and gives them good reason not to reach for the shoe or other solid object when they run across a spider. 

I’m Trying to Love Spiders gives readers of all ages a fresh ands funny look at spiders. While the book features some squished spiders, as the story is about getting over a distaste for spiders, it also includes lots of interesting facts about spiders. For instance, I had no idea that I was more likely to be struck by lightning than die from a spider bite- not that I expect either to happen to me. I liked the details about spiders, the rest of which I did know, such as how they eat, that there are a variety of web and trap styles and hows many insects a single spider can eat in a year. This is a great pick for any reader that dislikes spiders, and other insects for that matter. Even if it does not get them past their dislike, at least they will have a good laugh.

I’m Trying to Love Spiders is a great book for helping children, and reluctant adults reading aloud, to see spiders in a new way. Facts about the amazing abilities of spiders, and how rare actual harm from a spider is, might help everyone be a little kinder to our eight legged friends.   

Book Review: To the Stars! The First American Woman to Walk in Space by Carmella Van Vleet, Dr. Kathy Sullivan, Nicole Wong

To the Stars! The First American Woman to Walk in Space is a children's nonfiction picture book written by Carmella Van Vleet and Dr. Kathy Sullivan. It was illustrated by Nicole Wong. Kathy Sullivan wanted to go everywhere. She loved blueprints and maps. She loved languages and the ocean. Kathy liked fishing and swimming; flying planes and studying science. That’s what she liked and that’s what she decided to do with her life. She didn’t like the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” She wanted to explore and do exciting things that girls weren’t supposed to be able to do. Only men had the exciting jobs. She followed her heart and eventually became a NASA astronaut and the first woman to walk in space. Kathy wanted to see the whole world and so she did; from space!

 

 To the Stars! The First American Woman to Walk in Space is a simple look at some of the struggles Kathy Sullivan faced as a child, living the things that were not acceptable for girls to like. Thankfully she followed her heart and studied and researched all of the things she was interested in despite those that tried to change her focus. The illustrations are subtle and sweet, background watercolor-like images that show the activities and dreams of Sullivan, and chronicle some of her successes. I liked the additional information at the end about Kathy and other women that made history in the field. However, I thought the body of the book was a little too vague on what Kathy did to follow her dreams. We learned about her being told her interests and job prospects were intended for men, and about her cool flying experience, and a few other tidbits. However I felt like there was not much for young girls to learn about how Kathy went from dreamer to astronaut until the biographical page at the end of the book.

To the Stars! The First American Woman to Walk in Space is a nice book for young readers to show how important it is to follow your dreams, regardless of what others might saw. The information in the backwater was the most informative and interesting part as far as I was concerned, but found the idea behind the book and story to be reasonably well done. 

Book Review: Build, Beaver, Build! by Sandra Markle and Deborah Hocking

Build, Beaver, Build!: Life at the Longest Beaver Dam is an easy nonfiction book written by Sandra Markle and illustrated by Deborah Hocking. This nonfiction picturebook follows a year in the life of a young male beaver as he swims, plays, helps his family build and repair their dam and lodge, and learns how to flap his tail to ward off predators.

Build, Beaver, Build! is a wonderful book for reading aloud with young children, or for letting newly independent readers read to you. The text details the names and development of young beavers, as well as the basics about their lives, homes, and abilities. Readers will learn when a young beaver can do certain things, how quickly they grow, and the dangers they face. The facts are in story format, so even readers that do not usually enjoy or seek out non fiction can get involved in the story. I liked the additional facts that are included at the end of the book. I will admit to learn some new information, and enjoying the lovely and realistic illustrations.

Build, Beaver, Build! is an enjoyable and informative read that young readers and older siblings or caretakers can enjoy as well. My daughter loves learning about animals, and loved the book, and would have loved it even as a young reader. 

Book Review: A Tower of Giraffes: Animals in Groups by Anna Wright

A Tower of Giraffes: Animals in Groups by Anna Wright is a non fiction picturebook. It introduces young readers to the words people use to refer to animals in a group and some information about each kind of group. The images are a combination of ink, watercolor, and fabric collage art. The result is brightly colored and unique. 

A Tower of Giraffes is a great easy non fiction book that will delight young readers that love animals and learning new words. I like that the book offers the collective nouns for so many animals, but that information like when the groupings happen, the numbers of animals often found in the group, and more interesting facts are included. Some of the words are particularly well matched to the animals they describe, such as a prickle of hedgehogs or a flamboyance of flamingos, that the information all on its own. To top of the information and introduction of new vocabulary is the colorful and unique artwork that can be found on each page. The art really adds something special and interesting to further engage readers of all ages. 

A Tower of Giraffes is a book that I highly recommend for school and public library collections. My daughter is an animal lover, and even though she is reading well above the level of this book, i can see it being a huge hit in our house. I cannot wait to share it with her.

Book Review: Stickiest, Crunchiest, Fluffiest by Jane Brocket

Stickiest, Crunchiest, Fluffiest by Jane Brocket is a concept picturebook. This series of easy non fiction introduces and explains concepts with a combination of rhymes and bright photographs. In this book the idea of superlatives is explained. Questions and corresponding photographs  have readers wondering if marshmallows the fluffiest, if popcorn the lightest, and if popsicles the coldest. The simple text and bright, clear photographs both entertain and educate.

I will admit that I adore this series of concept books from Brocket. Stickiest, Crunchiest, Fluffiest is no exception. I think the wonderful photographs and clever but simple text offer a combination that is as close to perfect as I have seen. the book gets readers of all ages thinking, and coming up with answers of their own in regards to what is the stickiest, fluffiest, stinkiest, and so on.

I highly recommend Stickiest, Crunchiest, Fluffiest (and the whole series) for classroom, school, and public library collections for young readers. 

Early Book Review: Creatures of the Deep by Matthew Rake, Simon Mendez

Creatures of the Deep by Matthew Rake and Simon Mendez is a children’s non fiction book that is currently scheduled for release on November 15 2015. The creatures that live in the deep ocean are strange and amazing. Those book takes readers into the watery depths to encounter ten of the strangest creatures living in the oceans. There is a jiggle blob fish, a fish with an angling light, a snail that harpoons its prey, and a squid with eyes bigger than a human head.

Creatures of the Deep is a well organized and researched book about ten of the creatures that live in the deep ocean. These creatures face unique challenges, between the intense pressure due to the depths of which they live and the things they need to survive such as food and reproduction. Interesting facts and details about each of the animals are included with vivid photographs and illustrations that further expand on the important information. 

Creatures of the Deep is an interesting and detailed non fiction read. I think any children with an interest in animals, the ocean, and real creatures that can be considered gross, monstrous, or just plain weird will enjoy and get a good deal from this read. 

Book Review: From Bulb to Tulip by Lisa Owings

From Bulb to Tulip by Lisa Owings is a children's easy non fiction book. This book details the journey of a tulip from bulb to beautiful flower, including the care and environment that the growing plant needs. Each step and stage of development is covered, with clear, colorful pictures and step by step explanations in text accessible for young readers. 

From Bulb to Tulip is one of many books in a series of easy non fiction books about nature and the world around us. The book is organized with step by step instruction of how to plant and grow a tulip, as well as what that plant is doing that you cannot see. The text and images are basic enough that younger readers will not feel overwhelmed, but older readers will not feel talked down to as they read. This would be a good book to pair with classroom planting projects or starting a garden with young children. A good resource for home, school, and public libraries. 

Book Review: Cute Continent Cuddle by Besmala Orfaly

Cute Continent Cuddle by Besmala Orfaly is a children’s nonfiction picturebook which takes the children on a tour of the seven continents where they will meet and learn from cute baby animals. The animal families are presented to the children with basic rhyming text that entertain and teach a little about each kind of animal. 

Cute Continent Cuddle is a very easy read, but one that will quickly engage the youngest animal lovers. I would give this to readers that are just starting to read and are still intimidated by easy readers and picture books on their own, or to share with very young children. The images of the animals and their families are very cute, and the text is simple but informative and charming. I would recommend the book to the preschool and pre to very early reading set and their caregivers.

Besmala Orfaly loves her intelligent young audience and would like to contribute to their beautiful imaginary world by writing children's books. She graduated with a bachelor of arts in business administration. After that she worked in medical billing and management. Then a beautiful thing happened. She and her husband were blessed with twin boys. She enjoyed spending quality time with them, and engaging them in their fantasy world. That inspired her to seek further education in writing and storytelling which led her towards the path of writing children's books.

Book Review: The Spider by Elise Gravel

The Spider by Elise Gravel is part of a nonfiction series that combines facts about the creepy crawly critters of the world with humor. The book covers topics like a spider's habitats (pretty much everywhere), the silk it spins (it can trap prey and makes a nifty bowtie), and its parenting practice (female spiders carry around their eggs in a silk purse). While each page is pretty silly The Spider also contains real information in a format that can both amuse and teach.

The Spider is a delightfully silly nonfiction book about spiders. The text is a mix of facts and silly twists on those facts to make both young and older readers laugh while learning. The illustrations are key to the giggle factor, and do a great job. I think readers that are just starting to branch out and read a larger variety of book on their own, but are either intimidated or bored by some of the books for their reading level with love this book. more advanced readers will still enjoy the sneaky learning that is woven between silliness.

The Spider is a great choice for young readers that love to learn about nature, and those that just love to laugh. As an easy picturebook it also lends itself to reading at story times or just reading together as a family or for bedtime. It is a great way to make learning fun for everyone. Now I amk going to have to get my hands on the whole series. 

Book Review: Platypuses: Web-Footed Billed Mammals by Rebecca E. Hirsch

Platypuses: Web-Footed Billed Mammals by Rebecca E. Hirsch is a children's non fiction book. It details what makes a platypus so special, and the commonalities and differences it has with several other mammals such as the beaver, dolphin, giraffe, or wild dog. Key traits of platypuses; their appearance, behavior, habitat, and life cycle-; are covered and compared with those of other mammals. Charts and sidebars support key ideas and provide details. Through gathering information about similarities and differences, readers will make connections and draw conclusions about what makes this animal a mammal and how mammals are alike and different from each other.

Platypuses: Web-Footed Billed Mammals is a well organized non fiction offering for children. the information is set up in an interesting manner with images and photographs that catch the eye and keep the interest of younger readers. I liked the graphs and comparisons with other mammals, some of which will be familiar to all readers and others which are much less familiar. the combination makes even information readers might have already known more interesting because of that dichotomy.

Platypuses: Web-Footed Billed Mammals is a good book to offer readers interested in nature, animals, and science in general. the organization is solid and the text and image combinations capture and keep the interest of readers easily. 

Book Review: Poison Dart Frogs Up Close by Carmen Bredeson

Poison Dart Frogs Up Close by Carmen Bredeson is an easy non fiction book for children. This book explains why are the little frogs are called poison dart frogs, why they are so colorful and much more. There are colorful, up-close photos of these beautiful, tiny frogs in their native habitats give readers a stunning view of these fascinating creatures.

Poison Dart Frogs Up Close is formatted with bright colorful photographs that are paired with easy sentences in a nice large font. The youngest independent readers will enjoy learning about the poison dart frog and love the big, bight photos. There is a good amount of information in the book, with a fact or two that I did not know before reading this book. I would not recommend for more advanced readers, only because the phrasing is very simplistic and they might become bored.

Poison Dart Frogs Up Close is the perfect book chose for young readers that are obsessed with animals. The information and photographs are perfectly pair to keep the attention. Adults and older children might still learn something (I know I did) but will not really enjoy the read as much because of the reading level the book is written for.