Book Review: Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins is a picture book about a bear that loves cooking good food and being left alone. But when his hard-boiled goose eggs turn out to be real, live goslings, he starts to lose his appetite. And even worse, the goslings are convinced he's their mother. Bruce tries to get the geese to go south, but he can't seem to rid himself of his new companions. What's a bear to do?

Mother Bruce is a book about a bear reluctantly taking on the role as mother to a group of baby geese. I loved the humor of the book, and the illustrations of the grumpy bear warming up to the little birds, against his will, and caring for them were simply delightful. I found the images of him feeding and wearing the goslings to be both sweet and funny. His attempts to get the grown geese to fly, and his eventual solution, made me smile. 

Mother Bruce might not deliver a big moral, but as I have know people like the bear (and might just be one myself) I have to admit that there is some truth behind the fun of the book. While some might bluster about caring for others or being put out by an unexpected turn of events, they are often the very people that will step up and do what is right- even when it might not be the path they had planned.  

Early Book Review: Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies by Carmen Oliver, Jean Claude

Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies is a picture book written by Carmen Oliver and illustrated by Jean Claude. It is currently scheduled for release on March 1 2016. All the students in the class are assigned reading buddies, except for Adelaide. She already has a great reading buddy, a bear! Adelaide is quite persuasive as she explains to her language arts teacher and the reader, that bears really do make the best reading buddies.

Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies is a fun picture book. I never knew bears were such great reading partners, although I do not recommend anyone go out and try their hand at getting one of their own! Did you know that bears sniff out good books, or that their claws are just right for turning pages? Adelaide knows this, and tells her teacher and the readers about all the things that make her bear the best reading buddy ever. While the idea of snuggling with a bear for reading, along with although bonus features listed in the book, is terribly tempting, I think I will stick to kids and cats as my reading partners. I think the silliness will keep the target audience reading, while helping them become better reading buddies and cheerleaders for themselves and each other as they grow their reading skills.

Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies is a fun book that will encourage readers to find the perfect reading buddy, whether it is a stuffed bear, cat, dog, sibling, parent, or classmate. I do not recommend a real bear, but the book makes it temping. A fun book encouraging new readers to keep reading and growing, regardless of who their reading buddy is. 

Early Book Review: We Just Had A Baby by Stephen Krensky

We Just Had A Baby by Stephen Kerensky is a picture book currently scheduled for release on March 1 2016. It is not easy getting used to a new baby in the house. Everyone in the world thinks whatever the baby does is amazing! And if you aren t the baby, everyone acts like you re invisible. This picture book is told from a slightly older sibling s point of view, with observations about living with a new sister or brother. 

We Just Had A Baby is a realistic and well balanced book about the addition of a baby to the household. The older sibling notes that everyone ohh and ahh over the new baby’s every move, and their attention is decreased. However, the book also notes that the baby can do nothing for themselves, and how much they can teach the new family member. It is a sweet and fun book that can help prepare young children for an upcoming or recent addition to the family in a positive way.

We Just Had A Baby is a good picture book to share with young children about to become a big brother or sister. The observations about being an older sibling are honest and combine both the good and bad about the change. I like the hope and fun that the book ends with, encouraging the soon to be older sibling to be a teacher rather than tormentor.  

Early Book Review: A Friend for Mole by Nancy Armo

A Friend for Mole by Nancy Armo is a picture book that is currently scheduled for release on March 1 2016. An accidental encounter throws Mole and Wolf together. One is afraid of the light, the other is afraid of the dark. Together they learn that friends are all they need to conquer their fears.

A Friend for Mole follows a mole that gets lost after looking out of its hole to see what is going on above ground. After getting lost he finds his way into a different hole, only to find it occupied by a wolf. The odd pair each have their own fears and find comfort in being together. The odd couple helps each other and become friends. The illustrations are bright and do a wonderful job of showing the emotions and hope inherent in the story.

A Friend for Mole is a great odd couple story that includes overcoming fears and facing new things.  

Early Book Review: Ballet Cat: Dance! Dance! Underpants! by Bob Shea

Ballet Cat: Dance! Dance! Underpants! is the latest easy reader by Bob Shea. It is currently scheduled for release on February 2 2016. Ballet Cat is getting her friend Butter Bear ready for her big ballet debut. Butter Bear would prefer to just point her toe, rather than take big leaps like Cat. When Ballet Cat keeps pushing, Butter Bear gets hungry, then thirsty, then sleepy, making up all sorts of excuses. Butter Bear would rather do almost anything to avoid making a big leap. Why? Because her bottom is covered in silly underpants and she is afraid to be laughed at.

Ballet Cat: Dance! Dance! Underpants! is a funny easy reader, and holds up to my expectations of Shea. I like that Cat and Bear enjoy their rehearsing, and that in the end Cat understands Bear's fears and encourages her friend to ignore the peanut gallery and do what really makes her happy, and what is best for her. The fact that Bear's underpants are simply awesome and almost as cool as her big leap- and that Cat's underpants are just as colorful- make the story even better. The illustrations are typical Shea, which means they are a great match to the story and perfect in their cuteness and simplicity. 

Ballet Cat: Dance! Dance! Underpants! is the second book in Shea's Ballet Cat series. If you liked the first, or the author's style in any way, then this will be another fun read for you.

Book Review: Hedgehogs by Steve Wilson and Lucy Trapper

Hedgehogs by Steve Wilson and Lucy Trapper is a picture book about the troubles of hedgehogs that want to show affection, but are stymied by their features. Horace and Hattie are hedgehogs, and the very best of friends. Together, they make daisy chains, splash in puddles, and have tea parties. But there is one thing they want to do, but cannot. The cannot hug each other! They are just too spiky. Throughout the seasons, these two hedgehogs will try many different ways of hugging. But will Horace and Hattie find a hug that feels just right?

Hedgehogs a sweet and fun story that had me flipping through the book several times, even though I should have already moved on to other things. Horace and Hattie just want to hug each other. They try  a variety of methods and tools, some logical and some silly. They just keep trying, until they accidentally find the answer. The illustration and text pair together perfectly and make the reader empathize with the prickly hedgehogs, and cheer them on. There are some giggles, and some aww moments to boot. I really like that the final solution offers the answer to another mystery of life. 

Hedgehogs is a must read for picture book fans. The illustrations and story are simply adorable, and I loved it. Take a peek, you will thank me later!

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. 

Early Book Review: Never Insult a Killer Zucchini by Elana Azose, Brandon Amancio, David Clark

Never Insult a Killer Zucchini is a new ABC picturebook written by Elana Azose and Brandon Amancio. It was illustrated by David Clark (and is currently scheduled for release on February 9 2016.  When Mr. Farnsworth, the science-fair judge, declares that he loves zucchinis, the Killer Zucchini is smitten. As the judge makes his way through the exhibits alphabetically; A (antimatter), B (bionic limb), C (cloning), and so on the Killer Zucchini tries to show his affection. But when Mr. F gets to K and admits he likes to eat zucchini with ranch dressing, the Killer Zucchini gets steamed and attempts to exact his revenge on the snack-loving judge using the other science-fair projects as his means to an end.  Hilarious havoc ensues as the entire science fair is destroyed by his wrath.

Never Insult a Killer Zucchini is a fun and unique alphabet book. i love books that take fresh approaches to concepts that have been heavily covered. In this ABC book we get the alphabet through the lens of a science fair. Some of the projects seem really out there, and the illustrations are fun and highly entertaining. I think science and silly joke lovers will get a kick out of this book. To ramp things up, and make the book even better, there is information on the real science behind the projects in the fair to interest the more fact minded readers and their caretakers. I think both my kids, even though well past the typical ABC book audience, would get a kick out of the book and included information.

Never Insult a Killer Zucchini is a great new look at the alphabet. The silliness and real science information make this a great addition to library, personal, and school collections.

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: The Trotters of Tweeville: Zavis DaMavis by Shirin Zarqa-Lederman, MS, MA

The Trotters of Tweeville: Zavis DaMavis by Shirin Zarqa-Lederman, MS, MA is a children's book with a lesson about treating others the way you would want to be treated. Zavis DaMavis is a happy young boy and a proud resident of a whimsical town called Tweeville. He’s off to school one morning when his mom gives him an important reminder. Zavis must remember his mother’s words if he’s ever going to understand what they mean. But how can he think when he’s so busy being kind to his friends? 

The Trotters of Tweeville: Zavis DaMavis is a book about teaching the golden rule, and acting on it in everyday life. Zavis spends most of his day trying to remember his mother's words, but is distracted by those he meets along the way. The older gentleman he helps across the street, the crossing guard he gives his tissue to, his classmate who he shares his coat hook with, and so on. The images are bright and simple, and the text occasionally silly, but I think the lesson was a bit heavy handed. Perhaps that is what is need on some occasions, but I prefer a bit more subtlety. 

The Trotters of Tweeville: Zavis DaMavis is a book intended to inspire children to think about others, and treat them the way they want others they way they would like to be treated. While it certainly gets the message across, I found it a bit overbearing. I found myself as frustrated with it as I am the religious fiction that beat the readers over the head with the piety of their characters.

Book Review: Frankenstink! Garbage Gone Bad by Ron Lightburn

Frankenstink! Garbage Gone Bad by Ron Lightburn is a children's book for young readers, that just might have them cleaning their rooms. The story answers the question of what happens to all the random toys and whatnot that end up under the bed. When it gets big and gross enough, and is exposed to a big stink, it comes to life and starts eating all the garbage it can find.

Frankenstink! is told in rhyme, with a illustrations that have a comic book feel. the story features one young boys room, and the variety of toys, dust, and trash that gathers under his bed. one night it comes to life and becomes a garbage eating monster that finds its way to the dump and just keeps on eating until it bursts. While the story is simply told, it warns children to clean their rooms, and just how much stuff we throw away that ends up at the dump. so, there is a bit of a lesson about waste here as well, but I think most kids will focus on the monster coming to life from under their bed. as a parent, I have to say that my favorite part of the book was the look of wonder on they parents' faces when they spot their son doing some serious cleaning.

Frankenstink! might just be the lesson any preschool through middle grader needs to start cleaning their rooms, or after themselves in general. I do think that the monster and general idea might be a little to scary for some children already worried about monsters under the bed or easily bothered by drawing of monsters and their mayhem.  

Book Review: Breaking News: Bear Alert by David Biedrzycki

Breaking News: Bear Alert by David Biedrzycki is a fun picturebook. Two bears awaken from hibernation and go to town, literally. During their visit, they eat at a diner, dress up at a department store, and stop a couple of bank robbers, all the while mistaking the townspeople’s terror for friendliness.

Breaking News: Bear Alert is a bright and high interesting picturebook. After two researchers literally poke a sleeping bear, two furry creatures hitch a ride and paint the town red. While they explore the town and enjoy the sights the townspeople are obviously concerned and the local news focuses on the unexpected tourists. However, they fail to notice that a pair of robbers are taking advantage of the confusion and distraction around town. Readers can spot the robbers and fun allusions through out the story.  All in all the book is great fun, but also shows something of the way children see the world more clearly than phone and news obsessed adults.

Breaking News: Bear Alert is a fun and somehow telling story to share. On the surface it is simply silly story about well meaning and innocent bears. However, the parents and older children might see some of the daily problems of the real world, like everyone being so focused on the new's version of the day or their phones to notice what is going on around them or what the children around them see clearly.

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: The Great Carp Escape by Irish Beth Maddock

The Great Carp Escape by Irish Beth Maddock is a picturebook. For siblings Beth and Paul, growing up on a lake is fun However, when they discover the scaly, moustached carp, they become afraid and avoid the area the carp frequent. When a flood brings about a life-or-death situation for the creepy looking carp, they need to overcome their apprehensions about the carp and help save them before it's too late.

The Great Carp Escape starts with a nice connection siblings Beth and Paul have with nature and the world around them. The pair play together well and with the world around them. quickly I discovered that this is a Christian picturebook as the children and their father mention the ugliness of the carp, and how God created it and still loves it despite its appearance. When the carp's lives are threaten the family works hard to save them and come to see past the appearance of the fish. I liked the message, but think that the quotation of scripture and pushing of the Christian theme will limit the audience. It is a message everyone could stand to learn and enjoy.  the illustrations were well matched with the story, but did not stand out as amazing or very interesting. They did their job, but did not add a whole lot to the book.

The Great Carp Escape is a nice Christian picturebook about respecting nature and all of God's creatures. I think works well for what it is, but does not stand out in a good or bad way.

Book Review: What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night: A Very Messy Adventure by Refe and Susan Tuma

What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night: A Very Messy Adventure by Refe and Susan Tuma is a picturebook from the parents who brought us the web sensation "Dinovember" comes photographic proof of what toys do at night. Kids have always thought about what would happen in their toys came to life. One creative pair of parents decided to find out. Every November, writer and social media master Refe Tuma and his wife, Susan, work into the night to bring their four children scenes from the secret lives of their toys; specifically the nighttime antics of their plastic dinosaurs. The dinosaurs wreck bathrooms, destroy vases, rock out, encounter terrifying hot irons, even do the dishes with hilarious, magical results. This book offers the story about how the dinosaurs behave, why, and what not to do if it starts happening in your house. the photographs and text come together nicely to ignite imaginations and humor readers of all ages.

What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night is a picturebook that I greatly enjoyed. I had seen stories about these parents, and the trend that they started (there are many parents out there doing this or similar things now).  I always get a kick out of the imagination and inventiveness they use to create these plastic dinosaur tableau's. I love the photographs and admit to being daunted by the amount of work this team put into placing the dinosaurs and coming up with stories to match. I think some younger or more sensitive children might find the idea and execution of some of the scenes a little troubling. When my oldest was younger he would have needed the light on in his room and had trouble sleeping with the idea that the toys in his room were wandering around the house and up to mischief, while my youngest would have been upset that they were not including her in the fun.

I would recommend What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night to families that might consider joining in the fun, or that take part in similar things like Elf on the Shelf and so one. I am frankly afraid to share this one with my kids, because I do not have the energy to do this sort of crazy fun. I highly appreciate those that have the creativity and willingness to entertain us all along with their children.

Book Review: Hotel Strange #1: Wake Up. Spring by Florian Ferrier, Katherine Ferrier, Carol Burrell

Hotel Strange #1: Wake Up. Spring is a children's graphic novel from Florian Ferrier and Katherine Ferrier, and translated by Carol Burrell. The residents of Hotel Strange hibernate for the winter. however, one snowy morning they are awoke by the guests registered for the first day of Spring, but nothing is ready and Spring seems to be missing. the year round residents of the hotel need to find spring, and keep the guests happy despite not having prepared for their arrival.

Hotel Strange #1: Wake Up. Spring is a cute and charming graphic novel with an odd hotel, a quirky cast of characters residing in and running the hotel, and personified seasons. In the search for Mr. Spring the group talks to Mr. Winter and a variety of creatures. The adventure never gets really scary, but counts on the imagined snares from the characters, and the readers, to keep up suspense. It was cute and fun, with characters that are quirky and enjoyable.

Hotel Strange #1: Wake Up. Spring is a cute and charming graphic novel. The story was slightly disjointed at times, but overall I enjoyed it. 

Book Review: Please Open This Book by Adam Lehrhaupt and Matthew Forsythe

Please Open This Book is a picturebook written by Adam Lehrhaupt and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe. This interactive book is one that breaks down the wall between the reader and the characters on the page. All books are made to be opened. But, guess what? Someone closed this book and the critters inside it need your help. All you need to do is open it. You can do that. Can't you?

Please Open This Book isa fun picturebook that features wonderful illustrations of animals that have been trapped inside the book when someone closed it. The closing caused damage, and left the creatures in the dark. They spend the pages explaining this and urging readers to keep the book open, even offering rewards for doing so. The illustrations are simply wonderful, and really make this book. The concept has been done before, many times before, and sometimes better. However, this is still a fun read and will entertain and delight many young readers.

Please Open This Book is a good book for storytime sharing and with children that need interactive books to hold their attention. It is not the best book of its type available, but it is well illustrated and will entertain the target audience.

Book Review: Penelope Perfect A Tale of Perfectionism Gone Wild by Shannon Anderson

Penelope Perfect: A Tale of Perfectionism Gone Wild by Shannon Anderson is a children's book written in rhyme about a young lady that tries to be perfect in everything she does. When a power outage makes her wake up late, her whole day is thrown off. Could changing her routine be more than the disaster she expects?

Penelope Perfect: A Tale of Perfectionism Gone Wild is a great book for anyone, of any age, that gets anxiety ridden or out of sorts when things do not go as planned. I am one of those people that need to be early for everything, so the idea of starting off late is just as scary to me as it was for Penelope. Just like Penelope I like to follow my schedule, and I think many children feel the same way. However, Penelope eventually is shown that loosing the reigns and stepping outside your comfort zone can be a good thing. 

Penelope Perfect: A Tale of Perfectionism Gone Wild is a story of encouragement and understanding. It is told in rhyme, and has a cheerful tone to it, which might help readers feel calm as they read. I liked that the book includes information to help students, teachers, and parents deal with stress and anxiety and how to talk about related problems.

Book Review: My Family Tree and Me by Dušan Petričić

My Family Tree and Me is a two sided picturebook by Dušan Petričić. This book is a beautiful and simple introduction to the concept of family ancestry. It uses two stories in one to explore a small boy's family tree, the family story of one boy's family from his father's side starting from the front of the book, and that of his mother's side starting from the back of the book. Four previous generations are introduced for each, from his great-great-grandparents to his parents. The grand finale in the center of the book reveals the boy's entire extended family, shown in one drawing with all the members from both sides identified by their relationship to him.

My Family Tree and Me is a wonderful way to introduce the idea of a family tree, and the names for the various relatives, to readers of all ages. The artwork does a wonderful job of adding details and humor for each pairing of ancestors and allows children reading to look for clues and make connections. I really liked the fact that the family described is fairly culturally diverse. It includes European and Asian ancestors, and it is fun to see the melding and passing on of physical characteristics from each generation to the next.

My Family Tree and Me is a wonderful book for describing how family trees and generations of family are formed. It could be a great discussion starter for families or classrooms about what we call the members of our family, the cultural make up of our families, and how to build a visual representation of our own family tree. I think this book would be a great addition to classroom libraries and offers a wide range of common core and other activity tie-ins.