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: Ogres Awake! by James Sturm, Alexis Frederick-Frost, Andrew Arnold

Ogres Awake! by James Sturm, Alexis Frederick-Frost, and Andrew Arnold is a children's graphic novel currently scheduled for release on July 12 2016. while this is a return to the world of the Knight and her horse Edward, young readers do not need to read this series in any order. They are all good fun as stand alones or together.

The knight and her horse, Edward, have discovered that there are three huge ogres asleep at her doorstep! When they wake up, the kingdom is in big trouble because of course ogres like to rampage and destroy things when they wake up! The knight wants to prepare for a fight, but the king and his garden gnomes are all ready to protect the kingdom, not with swords and shields, but with potato peelers and spoons. It turns out that ogres are pretty friendly when they have full stomachs!

Ogres Awake! is another delightful read from the Adventures in Cartooning series. I love the enthusiasm of the Knight, the pragmatic calm of Edward, and the twists that keep things interesting. I like that stew, rather than warfare, was the answer. The idea of being smart and thoughtful being more important that being a great warrior is a repeating theme that seems to tie all these books together, and is one that I can get behind.

Ogres Awake! is another win for young readers.

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. 

Early Book Review: I Wanna Be a Great Big Dinosaur by Heath McKenzie

I Wanna Be a Great Big Dinosaur by Heath McKenzie is a picture book scheduled for release on May 17 2016. More than anything in the world, one little boy wants to be a great big dinosaur. And he's in luck! A great big T. Rex shows up to teach him how to stomp and roar just like a dinosaur. But dinosaurs aren't so great at soccer or video games. Maybe being a little boy isn't all bad?

I Wanna Be a Great Big Dinosaur is a fun and colorful picture book about exploring the world and being exactly who and what you want to be. I brings home the message that it is wonderful to explore all the possibilities and options around us, but we will be happiest when we are ourselves, no matter who or what that might be. I really loved the colorful and fun illustrations, showing or young boy and dinosaur exploring different activities and generally having fun. It was a fun read with a great message that did not feel forced or overbearing, which is something that often turns me off picture books with a particular message. 

Early Book Review: Nobody Likes a Goblin by Ben Hatke

Nobody Likes a Goblin by Ben Hatke is a picture book which is currently scheduled for release on June 1 2016. Goblin, a cheerful little homebody, lives in a cosy, rat-infested dungeon, with his only friend, Skeleton. Every day, Goblin and Skeleton play with the treasure in their dungeon. But one day, a gang of "heroic" adventurers bursts in. These marauders trash the place, steal all the treasure, and make off with Skeleton―leaving Goblin all alone! It's up to Goblin to save the day. But first he's going to have to leave the dungeon and find out how the rest of the world feels about goblins.

Nobody Likes a Goblin meets the bar that I have set for Hatke’s picture books after the absolutely fabulous Julia's House for Lost Creatures. In this book our Goblin’s home is beset by ‘heroes’ that steal everything of his, including his best friends as the goblin hides in fear. He goes off to rescue his friend, and he discovers that the world outside have very strong feelings about goblins. Despite wanting nothing more than his friend back, you can imagine ow the people of the world react to a goblin inter midst. He has quite the adventure, only to discover that while hiding from the ‘brave’ people hunting the little goblin that he is far from alone. A fun, and wonderfully illustrated, story about assumptions, appearances, and friendship. I think children are already more willing to think outside the conventional norms or who is good or bad based on silly things like appearance but this book will only encourage them to think and look further than the surface of those they encounter.

Nobody Likes a Goblin left me with one complaint, that it was too short! Hatke is one of my favorite authors for children’s graphic novels, and picture books of course. This is a delightful read all around. I would recommend to anyone that loves great picture books and any of the author’s other work. 

Book Review: On the Sapphire’s Trail by Katherine and Florian Ferrier

On the Sapphire’s Trail is the second graphic novel in the Hotel Strange series by Katherine and Florian Ferrier. The characters of Hotel Strange are busy planning a music festival and Kiki is too lazy to help anyone. While Marietta tries to convince Kiki to help they stumble upon a monster who wants to sing in the festival. Marietta looks for a quiet place for the Arrgoyle to practice, but on her way home, she is kidnapped by thieves! The thieves are looking for the people who stole their sapphires. Soon Marietta and her friends are working to solve the mystery of the missing sapphires while the thieves hold Mr. Leclair hostage. Can they solve the mystery of a missing sapphire to save their friends, and the festival!

On the Sapphire’s Trail is an interesting graphic novel, with the same charms and problems as the first book, Wake Up Spring. THe illustrations are well done and colorful. They add most of the details and some additional humor to the story. The characters hold to their established characters in their strange little world, which is always a plus. I think that the story included a good variety of unusual creatures, most of which we met in the previous book, but the story was a little scattered. It almost had too much going on, but never completely crossed that line. I think the transitional and newly independent readers that are in the target age group will enjoy the read. 

Early Book Review: Mr. King's Machine by Geneviève Côté

Mr. King's Machine is a picturebook by Geneviève Côté which is currently scheduled for release on April 1 2016. When Mr. King the cat discovers that one of the pretty flowers near his home has been chewed by a caterpillar, he is not happy. He builds himself a Caterpillar-Catcher to track down the culprit who did it. Mr. King doesn't notice that the Caterpillar-Catcher is spewing nasty smoke into the air and knocking down the other pretty flowers in his path. Now it's his animal friends who are not happy. Will Mr. King be able to turn things around so everyone will be happy again?

Mr. King's Machine is a book with bight illustrations, and a multi layered lesson. Readers see that their actions can have unintended consequences, that we all need to take care of the environment, and that sometimes taking the time to talk about a problem and brain storm solutions is well worth the extra time and effort. Mr. King is a cat with a love of beautiful things an nature being orderly. When a lunching caterpillar nibbles on a flower Mr. King is  a little overly upset. In an over reaction that most kids can relate to, because most of us overreact (at least internally) over things daily, he builds a machine intended to help him discover and get rid of the caterpillar in question. Unfortunately his machine causes more damage that it could have stopped. I like there there is discussion of why caterpillars and other creatures are important, and how nature is a very interdependent. I liked the book, but found it to be a little heavy handed and while valuable in certain classroom or home lessons not something that was going to be a new favorite.

Mr. King's Machine is a good book for starting or carrying on discussions on how interconnected nature is, or how actions can have unforeseen consequences. It could also be used as a starter for a nature project in class, like seed planting or watching caterpillars become butterflies. This is the third book (but the first I have read) in Geneviève Côté's picture book series about a crown-wearing cat who always needs a little help from his friends to learn important environmental lessons. 

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: Frankencrayon by Michael Hall

Frankencrayon is a picturebook by Michael Hall. However, this book has been cancelled despite the fact that the crayons staring in the story have costumes and were going to tell an fantastic story. However, now that someone is reading the cancelled story, they explain why the picture book has ended. It is all because of the horrible scribble that suddenly interrupted the story. They tried to clean the page, but the scribble just kept getting bigger. It was out of control and everyone was so disturbed that they cancelled the book, but they forgot to tell Frankencrayon. So when the crayons playing him entered on Page 22, they ran right into the scribble.

Frankencrayon is another great picturebook from Hall. I like when the characters of a book talk directly to the reader, particularly when it is done right like it is here. The crayons are preparing to perform for the reader and are disappointed in the cancellation. The explanation of the scribble and resulting cancellation is humorous and delightfully illustrated. The scribble, made continuously worse by the crayons trying to 'fix' it reminded me of many situations. One that could be easily resolved, but only escalated because of fear or panic. When the forgotten Frankencrayon makes his appearance readers expect him to be afraid or act like the other crayons, but the unique perspective and solution by this trio of crayons is perfect.

Frankencrayon is a wonderful picturebook, and would work as a storytime read, or for sharing one on one. 

Early Book Review: Willow’s Smile by Lana Button and Tania Howells

Willow’s Smile is a picturebok written by Lana Button and illustrated by Tania Howells. It is currently scheduled for release on April 5 2016. Sometimes Willow smiled without even trying. But sometimes when she wished she could and knew she should, her smile slipped straight off her face. So when her teacher tells the class that Picture Day is coming, shy Willow starts to worry. What if she isn't able to smile for the camera? How can she have her picture taken without smiling? But then on Picture Day, Willow gets the opportunity to watch the other children being photographed. She sees that all of her friends' expressions are unique, and perfect in their own way. And by the time it's her turn, she's realized that she doesn't need to worry about smiling for her picture. She just needs to be herself.

Willow’s Smile is a picturebook that captures the worries children might have come picture day, and that the adults reading along might have when it comes time for pictures as well. Giving the perfect smile when it is time is not always easy, and many of the children in the book are worried about it in their own way. I like that the story gives Willow the chance to see that she is not alone in her worries, and to help those around her. The illustrations are charmingly simple and capture the expressions and moods of the characters as they change through out the story.

Willow’s Smile is a perfect book for sharing with a child, or class, before picture day or any event that promises plenty of picture taking. It can both offer assurances and coping methods for those that are worried about how they will look in pictures, and what makes a perfect picture. It could even act as a conversation starter about those concerns, what makes a good picture, and why we take the pictures.

Early Book Review: Squirrel Me Timbers by Louise Pigott

Squirrel Me Timbers by Louise Pigott is a picturebook which is currently scheduled for release on April 1 2016. A young squirrel has always dreamed of sailing the seas as a pirate. So when he finds a treasure map, he can t believe his luck! An X marks the spot of 100,000 NUTS! He sets off on an adventure to follow the map and find the treasure.

Squirrel Me Timbers is a cute picture book about a young squirrel that has always dreamed of more. When he sets off on his adventure he discovers that things are not as much fun as he expects, and that excitement is not always enjoyable. A few scares and dangerous situations have him thrilled to reach his destination, only to discover the treasure does not look quite like he expected. I think the story is good fun, but not fantastic. My favorite part is the very end, when the squirrel’s treasure rains on him from above, rather than digging up buried nots. I like the subtle bit about the nature of planting nuts and how trees grow, but wonder if all the readers will catch it on the first read. 

Squirrel Me Timbers is a fun little book. I think it is fun, and will be appreciated for a couple reads. I would recommend borrowing from a library rather than adding to the home collection. While it is a entertaining read I do not think it will become one of the constantly reread picture books that frequent bedtime routines.  

Book Review: Sock Monster by Stacey R. Campbell

Sock Monster is a picturebook by Stacey R. Campbell. Billy is in the midst of a fun game when his mother tells him that it is time to clean up and get ready for bed. The only trouble is Billy does not want to waste time cleaning his room, so instead of cleaning his room he hides the mess. A bedtime story about the sock monster, made up of clothes not put away where they belong, keeps Billy up until he gives up and cleans up correctly. A cute story with a little twist at the end that just might lead to cleaner rooms in your house.

Sock Monster is a fun and cute story about a little boy that avoids cleaning his room. I really liked the story line, the resolution, and especially the little twist at the end when the mom starts to hear sock monster like noises herself and asks dad whether HE picked up his socks. The illustrations were fairly simple and cute. There was little in the way of background and additional details, but they conveyed the meaning and story well.

Sock Monster is a good story for bedtime reading by caregivers and parents dealing with the struggle to have a child pick up after themselves, particularly in the laundry department. It is not the only, or the best, book on the subject that I have read. However, it is fun and would make a good addition to the storytime reading pile.