No Cats in the Library review

 

A stray cat follows her love of books all the way to a new library home in this charming debut picture book.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Clarisse the Cat doesn't understand the words but she really loves looking at the pictures in books.  One day, she notices people walking into a big building and coming out with an armful of books!  This was exciting and she knew she had to somehow get inside. But each time she tried to sneak in, the librarian caught her and told her no cats are allowed in the library. 

 

We always enjoyed the Reading to Dogs program at our local library when my kids were younger and this story is a cute spin on this.  Beginning readers will connect with Clarisse's feelings of viewing words as squiggly lines that make no sense. When she finds a little girl wanting to read aloud to her, she realizes how the words and pictures together make a story.  The story is simple and the illustrations are full of happiness, charming character expressions and good library vibes.  Everyone benefits from having a read aloud to a cat program after the librarian welcomes Clarisse to stay.  Even Clarisse gets a new home!  It is important for kids to practice reading to learn new words and become fluent.  Reluctant readers may find themselves more interested in books and less of a chore if they practice read to an animal.   I remember in elementary school I would panic when we would read aloud in class and freeze when my name was called for my turn.  If only I had the opportunity to read to a dog or cat I might have had more self confidence.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

Title:  No Cats in the Library

Author: Lauren Emmons

Pub. date: March 2024, Simon & Schuster

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

 

The Wrong Book review

 

This hilarious book from the author of The Day the Crayons Quit will have you correcting what you're reading—and laughing!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

This a fun and silly book that will have everyone entertained and definitely laughing.  From the sounds animals make to different kinds of objects, the narrator of this story has things mixed up.   Do flowers go Chugga, Chugga, Choo-Choo?  Do Lions live on farms and say moo?  Luckily, there is a bookmark (this is my interpretation of what it is) to the rescue to straighten things out for us.  There are bold, vibrant illustrations and easy text for reading out loud to preschooler and kindergarten ages.  Kids will giggle and interact during reading when they figure out how silly the story is.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

 

Title: The Wrong Book

Author: Drew Daywalt

Pub. date: February 2024, Philomel Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

 

 

How to Babysit your Grown-up review

 

It's time to have some fun with your grownup! All you need are basic materials and some imagination. (goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Keeping the kids busy during spring break can be a challenge. Here is a fun-filled activity book the whole family will enjoy. 

It is divided into seven categories listed as "fun...with" and there are step-by-step instructions for over 40 different activities you can try.  For example; having fun with fresh air you can make an easy-peasy kite or having fun with crafts you can paint a rock. You could also have fun with imagination and make race cars out of cardboard boxes.  By just using simple materials, easy-to-follow instructions and a little imagination, this book will keep everyone entertained for an afternoon.  You could even take the ideas and expand on ones yourself.   It also does not limit adults to just parents but includes extended family members such as grandparents as well. This book will create wonderful moments of bonding time together for young and old. The illustrations are bright and colorful.  Seeing the characters having fun will inspire everyone to use the check list in the back of the book to see how many activities they can do.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-8.~

Title:  How to Babysit your Grown-up

Author: Jean Reagan w/Janay Brown-Wood

Illustrated by: Lee Wildish

Pub. date: June 2023, Alfred A. Knopf

Genre: non fiction

Hardcover, 96 pgs.

 

 

 

I Spy with my Little Eye Easter Hop & Find

 

Follow along with the Easter Bunny and his helper, Chick, as they deliver treats on Easter morning!(book cover)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easter is right around the corner and this book would be a fun addition to the kids baskets.  Readers will search and find items while the Easter Bunny travels around town delivering special treats. Kids will count, learn shapes, match objects and find various items throughout the story.  The text is rhyming and the illustrations are in bold Easter colors.  Older kids would be able to do this book on their own but younger ones may need help as the pages do seem a little busy with a lot to look at.  Some of the items were a bit tricky to find, so kids will need their thinking caps on for a few of them.  All-in-all, it is a fun holiday interactive book which also sneaks in some educational opportunity without them realizing.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

Title:  I Spy with My Little Eye Easter Hop & Find

Author: Rubie Crowe, illustrated by Melanie Demmer

Pub. date: November 2023, Cottage Door Press

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Bear Finds Eggs review

 

Bear and his friends hunt for missing eggs in this new picture book adventure.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Bear and his friends are out in the forest spotting different types of eggs in their nests.  Suddenly, they hear Mama Meadowlark calling out and in need of help to find her missing eggs.  Bear and his friends search high and low in hopes of finding them.  When each egg is found, they decide to paint it so they will not get lost again.  But after the last two are found, Bear hears a cracking sound and to his surprise new baby chicks arrive. 

 Here is delightful springtime story to add to the Bear and friends collection.  The bright bold colors and simple rhyming text makes for a good read aloud.  The story is about friendship and working together to help others.  I love the wonderment in the eyes of the forest animals when they found eggs in various nests.  It offers an opportunity to teach young readers how we should touch with only our eyes when we do see birds nests in nature.   It has a sweet ending as Bears friendship circle keeps growing and he is ever so welcoming.  This story would go perfect as a science or crafting project, making your own bird nests and learning about the different types of eggs.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title: Bear Finds Eggs

Author: Jane Chapman

Pub. date: January 2024, Margaret K McElderry Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

Angela's Glacier review

 

Award-winning author Jordan Scott’s luminously-illustrated love story of a girl growing up in the shadow of a glacier that’s always there to listen.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the day of Angela's birth, her father introduces her to the magnificent glacier Snaefellsjokull (a glacier found in Iceland).  As he carries her on his back she listens to the sounds.  As time goes by, she visits it on her own and learns how to become one with the glacier. She teaches herself how to listen and feel nature around her. Angela whispers her own thoughts and feelings about life to it. But as she grows older, her life becomes busier with school, friends, music and sports.  One night she notices her heart is feeling strange. Her father reminds her that it has been a while since she visited the glacier and is missing its' sound.  

 

This beautiful and moving story was inspired by the author's friend, Angela Rawlings.  She taught him how to be still and listen with his body while in nature.  The words are very descriptive and along with the stunning illustrations, I could feel myself climbing a glacier in Iceland wanting to hear the sounds for myself.   In a busy world of demands and structure, nature will allow us to find peace and calm.  This story is a reminder of the importance of connecting with our natural world and all that it has to offer; if we just take a moment to be still and listen.  What a wonderful experience to share with children at a young age.  They will grow up to respect nature and help preserve it for generations to come.  There is also an  afterword at the end of the book from the author and Angela Rawlings that is worth the reading.  We are in danger of loosing so much from global warming and her words are inspirational.  I think this is a "just right book" for family time together and ages 3-7.~ 

 

Title: Angela's Glacier

Author: Jordan Scott, illustrated by Diana Sudyka

Pub. date: January 2024, Neal Porter Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.