David Atherton's Christmas Cookbook for Kids review

 

Grab your aprons and get into the holiday spirit with Great British Baking Show winner and star chef David Atherton.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a festive cookbook for the family that will give everyone some holiday fun in the kitchen!  It features a yummy variety of sweets, party foods, cakes and cookies. The ingredient lists are relatively simple to a little more complex if you want to make some show stoppers. The recipes are easy-to-follow and among them you will find tips and tricks throughout.   There are detailed illustrations (not photos) that go along with the recipes as well.  A few examples you can try are reindeer bark, sweet and spicy popcorn, snowy owl cupcakes or coconut snowballs.  There is even a section on making gift boxes to give your homemade treats to someone special.  The holidays are a wonderful time to make memories with the family and I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-12.~

 

Title:  David Atherton's Christmas Cookbook for Kids

Author: David Atherton, illustrated by Katie Cottle

Pub. date: September 2024, Candlewick Press

Genre: nonfiction

Hardcover, 72 pgs.

 

 

The Littlest Christmas Tree review

A beautifully illustrated tale about celebrating the joy of Christmas, and the little things in life. (goodreads summary) 

 

 

 

 

Daddy Bear and Cubby Bear are in search of the perfect Christmas tree.  Cubby loves the tree that chooses him this year and gives it the best spot in his home.  But as the holidays come to a close, Cubby is sad to see it happen and that little tree will be leaving soon.  But Daddy Bear has an idea that will keep little tree around a little bit longer.

 

A sweet story perfect for this time of year when you are getting ready and looking for your own special tree!  The illustrations are lively detailing the forest, animals and the holiday season wonderfully.  It is a celebration of the joys of Christmas and all the hard work put into decorating.  I loved how relatable Daddy Bear is to us grown ups as he pulls the sleigh with trees (and friends), untangling lights and struggling with some bows.  We always feel sad, just like Cubby, when the time comes to take down our tree too.  But each year we hang onto it a little bit longer and place it out in our backyard for the birds during the winter months.  This is a heartwarming read for families that love Christmas trees and  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

 

Title:  The Littlest Christmas Tree

Author: Jane Chapman

Pub. date: September 2024, Tiger Tales

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Tricky Chopsticks review

 

In this story loosely inspired by Chen's childhood, a girl determined to hold her own in her family's annual chopsticks challenge creates a solution.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

Jenny Chow's family are all expert chopstick users but Jenny always finds it to be a struggle. No matter how hard she tries they are just to tricky.  When her cousin Victor's birthday party invitation arrives, she worries about the annual family chopstick challenge.  How will she master the chopsticks in time?

 

Jenny is determined to master those chopsticks and with perseverance discovers her own creative way to use them.  It shows problem solving skills and encourages not giving up on something just because it is hard to do.  Kids will find this story relatable because we have all had the same feeling of not being able to do something others could do. It is just a matter of coming up with a way that works best for you and this story is a wonderful example of finding it.  The illustrations are fun and full of expression as Jenny's family cheer her on at the birthday party when they see how she eventually masters her chopsticks in time for the chopstick challenge.  The last page gives instructions on how to make DIY Chopstick Tongs just like Jenny. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

 

Title:  Tricky Chopsticks

Author: Sylvia Chen, illustrated by Fanny Liem

Pub. date: March 2024, Anthem Books for Young Readers

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

Harold Hates to Hibernate review

Little bear Harold is NOT ready to to go to sleep—and, just like kids everywhere, he makes every attempt to stay awake.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Harold loves everything about Fall.  He loves eating from the apple trees and tasting a bit of honey from the bees.  But what he loves the most is spending time with his friends the crows.  As the days grow shorter and winter is on the way, the other bears are getting ready to hibernate. Harold worries that if he hibernates too his friends will forget him.  So he is determined to do everything he can to stay awake a little while longer.

 

This is a charming follow-up to the picture book Harold Loves His Wolly Hat.  It is a great story about transitioning from Autumn into the Winter Season and Harold's determination to avoid his long winter nap.  It is reminiscent of kids refusing to go to sleep themselves and use stall tactics to stay up longer.  The illustrations move from yellows and reds to various shades of grey, black and blue representing winters arrival.  Text is easy for reading aloud and together with the illustrations would make a wonderful bedtime story.  The ending is cute when he eventually gives in and the crows bring him a special gift. It is a gentle and soothing read perfect for cuddling up to on a cold winter evening.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

 

Title: Harold Hates to Hibernate

Author: Vern Kousky

Pub. date: October 2024, Random House

Genre; picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

Umami review

 

Umami, sick of cold fish, travels the world trying different and delicious food to bring back home for the other penguins to try.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Umami the penguin is tired of eating fish all the time.  The other penguins don't seem to mind the same thing everyday but she wants a more exciting variety.  She just knows better things are out there and is determined to find it!  So she decides to set off to a different land where she finds amazing new smells and tastes.  Wanting to share the new foods with her penguin colony, she packs up her boat with yummy new foods and returns home.  But will the penguins accept or reject the wonderful feast?

 

Trying new foods can be a struggle and this charming story may help encourage picky eaters to give it a chance. Umami tries several new foods with enthusiasm and learns there are different tastes such as; salty and bitter, sour and sweet, or spicy.  Seeing Umami trying all the different flavors might spark interest for kids to talk about what each one tastes like if they don't know.  When she brings back a wonderful selection to her colony, the others approach with curiosity. It is cute to see each ones reaction to the different flavors and finally finding delight in the delicious new tidbits. There is a positive message of individuality, leadership, community sharing and trying new things can be an adventure.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~ 

Title: Umami

Author: Jacob Grant

Pub. Date:October 2024, Viking Books for Young Readers

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.