Bunny Slopes review

Time to tackle the bunny slope! Shake to help Bunny make it snow, tilt to help Bunny ski down the Slope, and turn to help Bunny escape a cliff in his path. Is there any obstacle Bunny can't conquer? (goodreads summary)



Wearing his bright red scarf, Bunny is ready to take on those ski slopes! But first he has a little trouble heading down that hill!  With the help of its' reader, Bunny overcomes a few hurdles for a special warm and yummy treat in the end. 

I love the concept of interactive books! It is so hard for those little kiddos to sit still for any length of time and these are a wonderful addition to a classroom library.  The story is simple but the text and illustrations make for a fun read. For example, Bunny needs snow and asks the reader to shake the book. When Bunny needs to start downhill, he asks the reader to tilt the book to the right. Kids will giggle when Bunny gets to much snow or finds himself suddenly out of control. The powder-blue and white pages with the pop of red in Bunny's scarf adds to the outdoor winter feel the book offers. This short and easy read would be great when a movement break is needed to get out those inside jiggles. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 2-6.~


Title:  Bunny Slopes
Author: Claudia Rueda
Pub. date: October 2016
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Hardcover, 40 pgs.

A Warm Winter Review

One cold winter morning Little Mouse ventures out in search of enough firewood to heat his nest. But when he tries to drag his pile home, he realizes everything he’s gathered is much too heavy for him. Maybe his friends can help out, but they’d better hurry, because there’s a blizzard on the way. (goodreads summary)




When a cold little mouse awoke one morning, he decided he needed to seek out firewood to warm himself and his family.  By the time he rounded up a big pile of sticks it was too heavy to bring back home. With a little persistence and a few friends, mouse may end up with a warm house for his family after all.

What caught me at first with this heartwarming story was the intricate detail of the illustrations. At first glance, I thought some parts were actual photographs blended in with the drawings.  But at closer look, the detail in the artwork was astonishing. The woodland animals expressions are sweet as they ponder the situations they encounter.  It sends a nice message about friends working together especially in an unexpected snowstorm when they hit a snag.   This is another charming story about persistence, problem solving and working together with a good end result for all because of teamwork.  With beautiful illustrations this is a wonderful book you could get lost in on a cold winter afternoon with a big mug of hot cocoa.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~  


Title: A Warm Winter
Author: Feridun Oral
Pub. date: October 2016
Publisher: Michael Neugebauer Pub. (English edition, Hong Kong)
Hardcover,  32 pgs.

Waiting for Snow review

Badger cannot wait one more minute for it to snow. When his friend Hedgehog explains that everything comes in its time, Badger is as unconvinced and impatient as ever. But Badger’s friends have a few tricks up their sleeve to try to get the snow’s attention and distract their pal in the meantime.(goodreads summary)



Badger is trying hard to be patient for snow to arrive. Although his friend Hedgehog reminds him "it will snow in snows time". Badger decides he will wake up the snow from the sky by banging on pots and pans.  When the other forest friends come running from all the commotion, they suggest ways of their own that might help Badger make snow come a little quicker.

This is a cute story about impatience that would be a fun read just before the first snowfall is due to arrive. Waiting for things can be a challenge especially when it is something like snow!  It is hard to be patient when there are so many fun things a child can do outside in the snow.  The friends thought up some funny ideas like throwing pebbles at the sky to punch holes in the clouds or wearing you pj's backwards.  But Hedgehog demonstrated a different kind of patience, as he explained how certain things always came in their own time.  The illustrations are in soft muted colors and each character is sweet with expression. Best of all, Badger learns in the end that some things are worth the wait if you just have a little patience.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~


Title:  Waiting for Snow
Author: Marsha Diane Arnold, illustrated by Renata Liwska
Pub. date:   November 2016, HMN Books for Young Readers
Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

Planet Earth is Blue review

 

 

Twelve-year-old Nova is eagerly awaiting the launch of the space shuttle Challenger--it's the first time a teacher is going into space, and kids across America will watch the event on live TV in their classrooms. Nova and her big sister, Bridget, share a love of astronomy and the space program. They planned to watch the launch together. But Bridget has disappeared, and Nova is in a new foster home.(goodreads summary) 

 

 

Nova and Bridget have been in 11 different foster homes in 7 years.  Their mama was not able to care for them but Nova knows Bridget will always be there for her.  She is autistic and non-verbal and Bridget is the only one that understands her.  She tells everyone Nova is a "thinker, not a talker".  Nova is also very enthusiastic about astronomy and the upcoming space shuttle Challenger lift off.  After they run away from their current foster home, Nova is placed with another family and Bridget has disappeared.  All Nova can do is patiently wait for her big sister to return in time to watch the Challenger launch together.  Just like Bridget promised, no matter what.

There are many books and characters that will truly touch your heart and this debut novel is at the top of the list. This is a moving story, set in January 1986, about an autistic girl with a remarkable mind and a deep sisterly bond.  Moving around to different foster families was very hard on both girls and after running away, Nova was then placed with Francine and Billy but this time without Bridget. Uncertain as to where she is, Nova holds onto hope that she will find her in time to watch the Challenger lift off  in 10 days.  Everyday, as she counts down to the exciting day, she writes a letter to Bridget in her notebook.  Her teachers think they are just scribbles but listening to Nova's internal voice as she writes makes you realize how extraordinary children with severe autism might be.  I think more than adults understand or will ever know.  Nova was very articulate and thoughtful in her writing to Bridget and hearing her words made me forget how challenged she really was.  Nobody knows that Bridget taught her the ABC's or read novels to her because she is unable to tell it to the grown ups.  The chapters would also flashback during times in the girls lives giving us better understanding of their past that leads up to the present.  

The day of the lift off has finally arrived but to Nova's dismay Bridget did not come to find her.  Watching the Challenger disaster that day myself brought back that sad memory and I knew what was coming next for Nova and her classmates.   The shock was overwhelming for her to see but it also triggered her memories of that night they ran away and why Bridget has not come back like she promised.  Her final letter was four days after the lift off explaining to Bridget that she finally understands why and it made for a beautiful ending to an incredibly beautiful story.  You know it is a good book when it gives the reader many different feelings throughout while reading.  The author included a note at the end discussing the autism spectrum and an overview of the Challenger launch which compliments the story well.   I think this is a "just right book" for ages 11 -13.~

Title:  Planet Earth is Blue

Author: Nicole Panteleakos

Pub. date:  May 2019

Genre: realistic fiction

Hardcover, 232 pgs.