Early Book Review: Something Wonderful by Matt Ritter, Nayl Gonzalez

Something Wonderful, written  by Matt Ritter and illustrated by Nayl Gonzalez, is a children's nonfiction picturebook that is currently scheduled for release on April 22 2020. 

This educational and interactive picture book immerses the reader in the strange and interwoven lifecycles of a tropical fig tree in the rainforest, and the tiny insects and colorful creatures that call it home. The delectable fig fruit is hungrily eaten by a passing toucan who, upon flight, aimlessly drops a seed from its poop into the treetops below, beginning the fig’s lifecycle once again. Discover additional scientific information about the pollination process, insects, and animals found in the story in an illustrated section at the end of the book. Readers can play a “seek and find” game of locating the elusive red-eyed tree frog on each page of the story. Take a journey, from the tiny to the grandiose, while making your way through the tropical rainforest on the path to uncover Something Wonderful…

Something Wonderful is a picturebook that informs and entertains. The life cycle of the fig is odd, and while I knew bits of it, which honestly has me less than eager to actually eat a fig, but I learned much more here. I liked the balance of text on each page, and the information was interesting and well worded. I appreciated the artwork, and thought that the book is worth a look just for the images in the book. I liked the hunt for the tree frog on each page, it adds a layer of inter-activeness that will keep readers interested and engaged. I think this book will appeal to a number of readers, would be a good addition to libraries and classrooms as well as personal collections. 

Book Review: Skeletitos: Make Every Moment Count by Susie Jaramillo

Skeletitos: Make Every Moment Count by Susie Jaramillo is a children's picturebook that reinforces time and counting lessons with fun rhymes. The Day of the Dead themed tales carry a comedic twist for kids, encouraging them to be wary, conscious, funny and self-aware.

Skeletitos: Make Every Moment Count is a beautifully illustrated picturebook. I love that the counting rhymes are memorable and simple. The fold out pages that offer a full illustration of the rhymes are lovely and I could spend my time simply exploring these pages. The details and attitude that shine through the pages is charming.  I think that the song was simple, in the very best way, and when paired with the artwork offers an engaging book. I love that those that wish to explore further there is an app and website that allow readers to hear the song in english and spanish and continue learning with related activities.

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: 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: 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.

Picturebook Review: This Book Just Ate My Dog by Richard Byrne

This Book Just Ate My Dog by Richard Byrne is a charming picturebook. When Bella's dog disappears into the gutter of the book, she calls for help. But each of her potential helpers disappear too and she realizes it will take more than a tug on the leash to fix things.

This Book Just Ate My Dog is an interactive picturebook that is fun and encourages imagination. Bella's dog, and everyone that tries to help, disappear into the book with only the dog's leash remaining as evidence. A simple tug of that leash will not work, so it is up to the readers to follow directions and help Bella and the rest to safety. The result is fun, and engaging for readers of all ages. This would make a great book to share for story time, but not so much around bed time since it is liable to get everyone excited and laughing.

This Book Just Ate My Dog uses the physicality of the book which results in an experience that is  just plain fun! The illustrations and lettering are a perfect pair, and the interaction will excite readers of all ages. 

Early Book Review: Excavate! Dinosaurs by Jon Tennant

Excavate! Dinosaurs by Jon Tennant is a non fiction book for dinosaur fans seven and up that is currently scheduled for release on October 21 2014. Paleontologist Jon Tennant uses fun text and colorful illustrations explains the anatomy, habitat, and diet of 12 dinosaurs from the Cretaceous, Jurassic, and Triassic eras. The book includes pop-out pieces of their skeletons for kids to assemble into stand-up paper models. The challenge lies in the fact that the pieces are mixed up! Before the puzzles can be completed, kids must apply their new knowledge about the dinosaurs to figure out which pieces go together. 

Excavate! Dinosaurs is a well organized and interesting book for dinosaurs of all ages. The illustrations and short paragraphs of information come together well to interest and educate readers. The detailed information, organized by someone in the field, made for interesting reading that might inspire further research and interest in the field of paleontology. Since I read a digital copy I did not have the chance to test my skills in putting together the mixed up pieces of model dinosaur bones, or test out their durability. I think that my son would love this activity, as long os the pieces are sturdy but flexible enough. 

Excavate! Dinosaurs is a book that would be a good gift or addition to the home library for any child that is interested in dinosaurs. The information is well organized and offered small sections to keep the interest of readers without overwhelming them. 

Book Review: Have You Seen my Dragon by Steve Light

Have You Seen my Dragon by Steve Light is a picturebook that explores counting and numbers along with the fun of a search and find. In the city a small boy is searching for his friend. Readers of all ages spot the glorious beast along with a variety of big-city icons they can count. Is the dragon taking the crosstown bus, or breathing his fiery breath below a busy street? Maybe he took a taxi to the zoo or is playing with the dogs in the park. 

Have You Seen my Dragon has lovely pen and ink illustrations which results in a stylized blend of black and white page with pops of color. Searching for the dragon invites young readers to count to twenty as we spot the dragon hiding (not very well for the most part) in the daily finds of city life. I really loved the detailed artwork, and both my children could spend significant time enjoying this book. The lines and hidden details really made me smile, as did the fun counting and antics of the dragon. This book is well worth a look for the artwork alone, but it just might trick some reluctant counters to get some practice in.

Early Book Review: There's a Mouse Hiding in This Book! by Benjamin Bird

There's a Mouse Hiding in This Book! is an interactive picturebook written by Benjamin Bird and illustrated by Carmen Pérez. It features Tom and Jerry and is currently scheduled for release on August 1 2014. On each page Tom and the reader are challenged to find Jerry. Is he on the title page, on the back cover, or somewhere in between? Readers that know and love the characters, and those who have never been introduced to the cat and mouse team, will be delighted to help Tom find the mischievous mouse. Perfect for storytime.

There's a Mouse Hiding in This Book! is a book that makes me think of my favorite picturebook when i was little, There's a Monster at the End of this Book. Young readers and their caregivers can find something to appreciate in this interactive story. the book is a great way to get younger readers excited about books and keep them entertained.

I would recommend There's a Mouse Hiding in This Book! for one on one sharing or for storytimes. The story might not be incredibly unique, but it is great fun.