Maxine Gets a Job review

 

The exceptionally adorable global sensation Maxine the Fluffy Corgi teaches your littlest reader the importance of figuring out what they love to do and doing it with their whole hearts!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

If you are familiar with the famous fluffy Instagram dog Maxine, you will appreciate this cute and funny book.  She knows that many talented dogs have jobs and she wants one too.  After trying to be a lifeguard, a chicken guard dog and a truffle dog like her friends, nothing seemed to fit her.  After thinking hard about what she loves best, Maxine finally realizes what her perfect job could be.  

This is a cute book with fun illustrations that will have kids giggling.  When Maxine tries her best to be like her friends, she doesn't give up when she realizes that their jobs are not for her.  Bright bold colors and easy text help make this a good read aloud.  Not everyone is made for the same things but if you try you will find what fits you.  It offers a good message to not give up and just be yourself.  To find out more about the real Maxine, her Instagram account is listed at the end of the book.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title: Maxine Gets a Job

Author: Alexandra Garyn, Bryan Reisberg

Pub. date: May 2024, Random House

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs

 

Piper Chen Sings review

 

An empowering story about a girl who turns her performance jitters into confidence when faced with singing a solo at her school concert.(goodreads summary) 

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Piper loves to sing!  She sings to the birds, frogs in the nearby pond and her stuffed animals who make a wonderful audience.  She excitedly jumps at the chance when her music teacher asks her to sing a solo for the Spring concert.  But after thinking about performing alone, she finds the butterflies she feels inside are taking over and giving her second thoughts.

 

This is a wonderful story to share with kids who may feel just like Piper during any situation giving them the butterflies in the stomach feeling.  When she shares her worries with her grandmother, she lovingly explains to Piper her own experiences with the butterflies and how they meant something exciting was to come.  She tells her to embrace the feeling and welcome them as a part of her during the moment instead of shying away.  Her music teacher was also encouraging and not pushy, letting Piper be the one to decide if she wanted to do a solo or sing with her class.  This book is gentle and heartwarming letting kids know that having these big feelings are normal and how to understand and channel them so they are not consumed by them.  The lovely illustrations are calming and it has a sweet ending. I was also a kid who had butterflies a lot growing up and didn't know how to conquer the feeling.  I would have loved a book like this to help me through those awful feelings I experienced many times.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title: Piper Chen Sings

Author: Phillipa Soo, illustrated by Maris Pasquale Doran

Pub. date: April 2024, Random House

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

 

Orris and Timble-The Beginning review

From beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo comes the first book in a warm and funny early-reader trilogy about a misanthropic rat and a naive owl—and the beginning of a beautiful friendship. (goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

Orris the Rat lives by himself in a very comfortable nest he has made inside a hole in a barn. He keeps his treasures around him making it feel warm and safe.  But one evening,  he hears a call for help from a young barn owl whose foot is caught in a trap.   Orris knows that rats and owls are natural enemies and fears the worst if he helps free him.  How will Orris decide what is the right thing to do?

 

This is the first book of a new trilogy for early chapter book readers.  It is a simple and wonderful story about courage, trust and an unlikely friendship.  Orris questions what is the right thing to do while knowing the consequences of releasing the young owl.  He faces his fears to make the "good and noble choice" hoping he will not meet an unfortunate end in doing so.  The young and naive Timble does make a promise and offers a nice gesture of thank you in return.  The two form a beautiful friendship through storytelling and I look forward to the next books coming out.  The story is gentle and sweet but what adds to this are the beautiful illustrations. The innocence of Timble is captured by his inquisitive wide eyes showing his naive nature instead of a predatory one. The pages are so detailed that when you look hard enough you will feel an actual nighttime barn setting.  This a heartwarming story of friendship, leaving much anticipation for more from these two very unlikely characters.  It is the perfect series to start off the summer reading and I think this is a "just right book" book for ages 5-7.~

 

Title: Orris and Timble - The Beginning

Author: Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Carmen Mok

Pub. date: April 2024, Candlewick Press

Genre: early chapter book

Hardcover, 80 pgs.

Kindergarten Graduation review

 

The perfect Little Golden Book to celebrate finishing kindergarten!(goodreads summary)
 

 

 

 

 

 

It is the final days of kindergarten and the class is getting ready for the big graduation celebration!  Each student reflects on their favorite thing about kindergarten by making a drawing for a special keepsake booklet.  

 

This is the perfect story to wrap up the last days of the kindergarten school year.  Reflecting back on all that they learned, along with some fun times throughout the year, will help kids get ready to take the next step into first grade.  Making a memory book to look back on is an extra special thing too for parents and children to share with each other.  It is a joyful book celebrating all the experiences of a great year and getting ready for what comes next.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-6.~

 

Title:  Kindergarten Graduation

Author: Jennifer Liberts, illustrated by Courtney Dawson

Pub. date: March 2024, Golden Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 24 pgs.