Too Many Carrots review

 

Rabbit has too many carrots, which overtake his house. When he tries to move in with friends, more chaos ensues. Will Rabbit learn to change his selfish ways?(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

This is a charming story with brightly colored illustrations and important messages about friendship and sharing.  Rabbit loves carrots but when he has too many in his house, he has nowhere to sleep.  So his friends offer their homes to share but they just don't have enough room to squeeze in Rabbit and his many carrots.  After each of their homes falls apart, Rabbit realizes what he needs to do. All the characters are so cute even when they are a bit angry with Rabbit and his hoard of carrots.  The story is gentle, shows kindness and sharing among the friends.  After a little problem solving, Rabbit comes up with the perfect solution to everyone's dilemma.  I think this is a fun story for the little ones and a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

 

Title:  Too Many Carrots

Author:  Katy Hudson

Pub. date:  February 2016,  Picture Window Books

Genre:  picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

 

 

 

 

 

Pick a Perfect Egg review

 

The creators of Pick a Pine Tree and Pick a Pumpkin return with another seasonal celebration, one that deserves a spot in every Easter basket.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

Taking a trip to a chicken farm and picking out the perfect eggs are just the first step to dyeing Easter eggs.  After getting them home safely, it is time to cook and color your eggs in various shades.  When Easter Day finally arrives, brightly colored plastic eggs filled with treats are hidden all around.  Everyone gathers together and let the Easter Egg hunt begin!

Here is a nice Easter read-aloud for the upcoming holiday. Kids will follow along with each detailed step learning the process of how to dye their own eggs.  The text is rhythmic and the illustrations are in bright springtime colors.  This story captures all the excitement leading up to a fun Easter Day egg hunt whether in your community or a special time with the family.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

Title:  Pick a Perfect Egg

Author:  Patricia Toht, illustrated by Jarvis

Pub. date:  February 2023, Candlewick Press

Genre: holiday picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs

 

 

The Enchanted Life of Valentina Mejia review

 

To save their father’s life, a brother and sister must journey across a land full of mythical creatures and find the most powerful and dangerous of them all: the madremonte.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Along with their father, Valentia and her brother Julian search the Andes Mountains for one of Columbia's legendary creatures, the Patasola. Their father has spent his entire life studying and writing about mythical creatures and Colombian legends.  When an unexpected earthquake hits,  Valentina and Julian fall down through the earth into an alternate world, where they find many of the magical beings they hear about actually do exist.  In order to return back to their world, they must find a portal guarded by the Madremonte.  She is the mother and protector of the earth but she despises all humans. Finding their way to her through the perilous jungle is the only way Valentina and Julian will be able to return back home to their father. 

From the first page to the last, this fast-paced middle grade fantasy will have readers on the edge of their seats.   The story follows twelve-year old Valentina and young Julian through the jungles of an alternate Columbia, where legendary creatures have been closed off from the human world by the Queen Madremonte.  Her son was taken from her by humans and she despises them, seeking revenge on any who tries to enter their realm.  But as the kids are stranded there, they must find their way to the Queen's castle to ask for help getting back to their home. But in order to get there, they face many mythical beings and obstacles in the jungle along the way.  Some that help, which is forbidden by the Queen and others that stand in their way.  The wonderful writing of the Colombian landscape and folklore will keep kids engaged.  I found myself wanting to keep reading through the many heart pounding chapters to the next. There was an unexpected twist that turns up at the end of the book that changes everything for Valentina and Julian.  For kids who enjoy Narnia, they will find this one likeable.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 9-11.~

 

Title:  The Enchanted Life of Valentina Mejia

Author:  Alexandra Alessandri

Pub. date:  February 2023, Antheneum Books for Young Readers

Genre: fantasy

Hardcover, 213 pgs.

 

 

 

 

How to Build a Leprechaun Trap review

 

Catching leprechauns is no easy task-you need more than dandelion tea and four-leaf clovers! You'll need the perfect trap(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner and here is a fun step-by-step book that will help kids catch that tricky little Leprechaun.  It gives you all the details you need to build 15 different types of traps using items found around the house or craft stores such as; a shoe box, paper plates, acrylic paint, cotton balls, construction paper, popsicle sticks or paper cups for example. Kids will use STEM to create easy and fun traps for the holiday celebration.  Materials and complete instructions are included on every page but you can interchange items if something is not available.  Creativity and imagination is the key.  There is a guide for difficulty ranging from 1-5 clovers for each build and even a few recipes to make with adult help.  Best of all, it will have the kids thinking and working on some clever, constructive ideas while having  plenty of fun!  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

 

Title:  How to Build a Leprechaun Trap

Author: Larissa Juliano 

 Pub. date: March 2018, Sourcebooks Wonderland 

Genre: non fiction 

Hardcover, 96 pgs. 

 

The Indestructible Tom Crean review

At the turn of the twentieth century, Antarctica is the last unexplored continent. The ice is unforgiving. It can break the human spirit. It takes many men willing to face hardship, danger, and years away from home to journey to this uncharted end of the earth. This is the story of one. His name is Tom Crean.

 

 

 

 Born on the West Coast of Ireland,  Tom Crean grew up on a large family farm.  But, as others have done from his countryside before him, he joined the British Navy at 16 and took to the seas. After ten years of working his way up the ranks, the ship Discovery is ready to leave for Antarctica and Tom is ready to step up for the adventure.  Soon to follow are two more harrowing explorations, one on the Terra Nova and the second on the Endurance, putting Tom's courage and strength to the test.

 

I love when I find new historical figures to share that I myself never knew about. This is a fascinating book about the early explorations of the Antarctic and one incredible hero, Tom Crean.  The expeditions take place from 1901- 1917 and details the crews perilous journeys through the unforgiving snow and ice.  What these men endured in the name of discovery and science is unbelievable.  I cannot imagine how anyone could survive the harsh environment but Tom is one of those heroes who persevered to save others.  Filled with many facts and details, it would make a wonderful addition to an explorers unit for the classroom or a project for grades 4-5.  The illustrations are done in soft water colors and pencil with plenty of detail and maps of the explored areas.  This book is Tom's story that needed to be told.   I  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 6-9.~  

 

Title: The Indestructible Tom Crean

Author:  Jennifer Thermes

Pub. date:  Januray 2023, Viking Books

Genre: nonfiction

Hardcover, 52 pgs.  

 

 

Sleepy Sheepy review

Despite his name, Sleepy Sheepy is NOT sleepy. He'd much rather build with blocks or knit socks than go to sleep. Will Ma and Pa Sheepy ever get their sheepy to go to sleepy?(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

This book about a sheep that doesn't want to go to sleep is the perfect bedtime story for the little ones.  The story has humor as Sheepy uses many stall tactics to keep from going to bed.  Something parents will relate to when trying to get their own children to bed on time. Well, except the humorous part of it of course.  Besides Sheepy, Ma and Pa sheep have twin babies and the two look so very tired.  The text is rhyming and short for an easy and quick read.  Soft colored illustrations are large and kids will giggle when they see Sheepy trying all the things he can to stay up.  This is a cute book to end the day with just before saying goodnight.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

Title:  Sleepy Sheepy

Author:  Lucy Ruth Cummins, illustrated by Pete Oswald

Pub. date:  January 2023,  Flamingo Books

Genre:  picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

 

 

 

Knitting for dogs review

 

A funny and creative look at how to turn a problem into a solution.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It has always been easy for Izzy to make things.  She can build birdhouses, bee homes, wooden swings and a tent for two.  So, taking up knitting should be simple for her as well. She is able to make scarves and hats but things turn frustrating when she has trouble making a sweater.  No matter how many times she tries, each sweater turns out worse than the one before.  But when an idea suddenly comes to her, it turns her failures into a great success.

Winter is nowhere from being over just yet, so I was happy to find this cute and adorable book.  This story has perseverance, problem solving and encourages thinking outside the box.  Izzy took her failures as a challenge and made them into something creative that benefits her dog Max.  The soft-colored illustrations gives a warm, cozy feel and shows the many different emotions Izzy is feeling.  You can sense the bond between Izzy and her dog Max by the sweet expressions. The pictures add so much to the story as you read along.  When Izzy takes Max to the dog park, there is an unexpected outcome when the other dog owners see the wonderful knitted dog sweater Max is sporting.  With her amazing ideas and talents, she could be on her way to being a successful entrepreneur. I think this is a "just right" book for ages  3-7.~

Title:  Knitting for Dogs

Author:  Laurel Monk

Pub. date: November 2022, Random House

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.