I'm Going to Build a Snowman review

In this sparkling picture book celebration of winter and creativity, a boy’s snow day efforts show that perfection is relative and what’s important is taking pride in what you do!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

Nothing is better than waking up to a newly, fresh fallen snow.  This means it is the right time for building the best snowman ever!  The boy in this story makes plans to build the perfect snowman. He rolls up snowballs until they become perfect circles and then it is time to decorate it!   Unfortunately, when he is done he finds the snowman is not like the one he pictured in his mind.  This is a simple story with a deeper meaning for the word perfect.  The text is easy-to-read and the pictures reminded me of Dream Snow by Eric Carle.  In the end, the little boy is proud of his snowman by finding perfection in its' imperfection.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title: I'm Going to Build a Snowman

Author: Jashar Awan

Pub. date: September 2023, Simon Schuster for Young Readers

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 48 pgs.

Mr. Whiskers and the Shenanigan Sisters review

 

Mr. Whiskers is a paw-some new dog detective from an Edgar Award winning author. He's on the trail of a kidnapped dad, pirate treasure, and a place to call home..(goodreads summary).

 

 

 

 

 

 

A street smart stray dog named Mr. Whiskers teams up with Misty and Zelda Nanigan to help solve a big mystery.  The girls dad goes missing after he is questioned by an FBI Agent who then unexpectedly takes him away.  As clues unravel, they think he was actually kidnapped.  But Mr. Whiskers and the sisters are hot on the trail as they piece together the mystery in order to save him.

This is a fun and fast paced story for the middle grade reader who likes mystery and adventure. Told from Mr. Whisker's point-of-view, there are many dog puns and funny moments.  There are riddles, suspicious FBI agents, secret rooms and passageways, possible pirate treasure and problem solving.  Scattered throughout the book were several illustrations that added good visualization to the many characters and adventures they encounter.  Mr. Whiskers is quite the charismatic character and Misty and Zelda are very resourceful making them a likeable sleuthing team.  The story is a page turner and full of suspense but is also heartwarming.  It has a good family feel to it as well and I hope there will be many more Mr. Whisker stories to follow.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 8-11.~

Title: Mr. Whiskers and the Shenanigan Sisters

Author: Wendelin VanDraanen

Pub. date: October 2023, Alfred A. Knopf

Genre: middle grade, mystery

Hardcover, 196 pgs.