The Snowflake review

 

 A wintery tale about a young girl wishing for a perfect Christmas tree, and a young snowflake wishing for the perfect place to land.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

A tiny snowflake forms from the clouds and begins to fall.  She doesn't want to fall downward but the cloud tells her that is what snowflakes do and to not worry because she will find her way.  While the little snowflake floats here and there, she hopes for a perfect place to land.  Meanwhile, a little girl named Noelle longs for a Christmas tree like the one she sees in the store window.  She finds a pine branch along the path and takes it home to decorate it with many different colors.  As she places the lovely tree on her outside windowsill, she hopes real snow will cover it someday.   Eventually, the two characters paths cross and the snowflake finds the perfect place to settle down while giving Noelle a happy surprise. 

 

Here is the last of my reads from my holiday stack and I thought it is still worth mentioning even though Christmas is past.  This sweet story goes back and forth between the snowflake falling and hoping to land in the right spot and Noelle wanting a beautiful Christmas tree for her family.  The illustrations are warm and gentle with many details.  A few of the pages are in a darker tone of grey/dark blue making the text a bit hard to see.  If you are reading aloud to a group, this may slow down your flow.  The story did not go into a reason why Noelle and her family did not have a tree but it leaves room for thinking and talking about it if kids ask.  Otherwise, it is a nice holiday or winter book to add to next years Christmas read list.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

Title:  The Snowflake

Author: Benji Davies

Pub. date: October 2020, Harper Collins

Genre:  picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Once Upon a Forest review

 

After a fire leaves the forest smoldering, a determined marmot and her resourceful bird friend set off on a rescue mission in this beautifully illustrated, wordless story.
 (goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

While tending to her garden, a marmot notices smoke in the distance. She goes to investigate and sees a helicopter putting out a forest fire.  With the help of her friend little bird, she packs up tools, supplies and saplings from home and is saddened to find the remains of the devastation caused by a wildfire.  Determined to regrow the forest, marmot and bird clear, pull, dig and plant saplings bringing new life back to the charred land.

 

I have always been a fan of wordless picture books.  It is especially important that the illustrations convey a meaning and emotion.  In this heartwarming story, you will feel what marmot feels; wonder, sadness, anger, determination and the joy of watching that determination grow by the touching illustrations.  The black and white pencil drawings are simple but yet expressive.  Adding a hint of green on the saplings and touches of blue for the water enhances the beauty to the storytelling.  The characters show that caring for our earth will make a difference when they plant new saplings and watch over them until they are sturdy and strong.  Encouraging your child to sit and tell you the story by what they see happening through the pictures is a great way to build comprehension.  There is so much opportunity for discussion after reading this beautiful story.  I think this is a just right book for ages 4-7.~

 

Title:  Once Upon a Forest

Author:  Pam Fong

Pub. date:  February 2022, Random House

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

The Best Gift for Bear review

 

Hedgehog has been busy making gifts for all of her friends. But what could possibly be grand enough for her dear friend Bear? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedgehog wants to make cookie gifts for all of her friends.  But when she gets to Bear's gift she wants it to be grand and special.  When she finally comes up with the idea, she goes to work rolling, cutting and baking until she makes the most wonderful gift.  A giant gingerbread house!  But getting it to Bear's place in one piece is another task by itself.  

This is a heartwarming holiday story that celebrates friendship and that the best gifts do not always need to be material things.  Hedgehog put so much thought into the gift but when things didn't turn out as expected children will feel her disappointment. The illustrations are so sweet and full of expression.  Even though things did not go exactly how Hedgehog planned, she has a happy ending anyway.  The best gift of all is spending time together with a good friend. What a wonderful message learned after reading this charming story.  It also includes a recipe for Hedgehogs gingerbread cookies and honey icing for kids to try.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title:  The Best Gift for Bear

Author:  Jennifer A. Bell

Pub. date: September 2022, Two Lions

genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

 

Latkes and Applesauce review

Papa, Mama, Rebecca and Ezra love eating latkes and applesauce during Hanukkah.  One year winter comes early and snow starts falling.  All the apples and potatoes are buried in the snow. But wait! A stray kitten and a hungry dog appear at the family's door. Can these new furry friends be the key to saving the Hanukkah celebration. (book jacket summary)

 

 

An unexpected blizzard arrives early and the Menashe family's crop of potatoes and apples are buried.  Without them they are unable to make latkes and applesauce for their Hanukkah feast.  A stray kitten and a dog unexpectedly show up on the family's doorstep hungry and cold.  They hardly have enough food to feed themselves during the storm but the family takes both animals in and shares what they do have.  As the snowstorm begins to clear,  the dog and kitten find some big surprises bringing the family a miracle for the Hanukkah celebration.  

This year Hanukkah begins December 18th and here is a book just in time for the celebration. It is a wonderful story about family, culture and tradition.  It was beautifully told and illustrated with warm, calming hues and tone.   There were many things that I enjoyed and liked about this book. While the storm shows no signs of slowing and food becoming scarce, papa encourages his family to have faith and hope.  Opening their door and hearts to the stray animals in need, while they were in need themselves, shows the generous nature and love for all of God's creatures.  All of these together leads to the belief of miracles happening and a heartwarming ending for all.  The authors note at the end about the Holiday of Hanukkah, latkes and applesauce and why children play with the dreidel helped me learn so much more that I truly didn't know.  This is a wonderful updated version of the story originally published by the same author but a different illustrator. It does make a nice read aloud for the family.  With the many themes of faith, hope kindness, sharing and miracles,  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-10.~

 

Title:  Latkes and Applesauce - A Hanukkah Story

Author:  Fran Manushkin, illustrated by: Kris Easler

Pub. date: September 2022,  Charlesbridge Publishing

genre: holiday picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Through the North Pole Snow review

What happens when a little white fox meets a certain jolly old soul?(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

A hungry and cold white fox is in need of a dinner and warm place to sleep on a bitter snowy night.  He comes across a friendly man with a big round belly and snow-white beard who offers him a meal and place to stay.  Spring arrives and the man is off to work. He is busy measuring and building, sewing and stuffing, until all his empty shelves are full of wonderful toys. One day, letters fall from the sky and he reads each one.  As the kind man begins to fill a great big sack, there are eight reindeer that appear with a sleigh ready to load. 

A simple and sweet story about how Santa prepares all year for his magical journey on Christmas Eve.  The weary fox welcomed into his home shows generosity and kindness which is perfect for this time of year.  The front cover is so pretty and the illustrations are larger but soft in color making it nice for reading aloud.   I liked little fox's expression of curiosity leading up to contentment in the end.  It is a different tale about Santa than we are used to but would make a nice addition to the holiday season reading list.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.  

 

Title:  Through the North Pole Snow

Author:  Polly Faber, illustrated by Richard Jones

Pub. date: October 2022, Candlewick Press 

Genre:  picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

The Perfect Tree review

 

Bunny is looking for the perfect Christmas tree. Her forest friends tell her that the perfect tree is one that is just her size, bushy as Squirrel’s tail, perfectly pointy on top for a star, the greenest green, and smells like Christmas. But sometimes the perfect tree is the one surrounded by friends(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

The animals of the forest offer their expertise helping Bunny locate the perfect Christmas tree.   Is it in the meadow or on top of the mountain? Or maybe down by the stream.  Finding the perfect tree is not all that easy as Bunny soon discovers.  Just as all hope is lost, she stumbles upon a tree that she hadn't noticed before.  There it was, the perfect tree after all!

This heartwarming and charming story will be a wonderful addition to the holiday reading list.  Text flows easily and the vivid colorful illustrations are so sweet and cute.  Spotting the little mouse with his backpack popping up in various places on each page will surely surprise the kids when they see him.  We all have our own own ideas as to what makes the perfect Christmas tree. This brings back many memories of how each year we searched for our own perfect tree.  Sometimes you find it and sometimes you have to keep looking.  But as Bunny finds in the end, sharing the perfect tree amongst friends is the best way to enjoy a perfect Christmas tree.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title:  The Perfect Tree

Author:  Corinne Demas, illustrated by Penelope Dullaghan

Pub. date:  December 2022 , Harry N. Abrams

Genre:  picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

The Stocking Stuffer review

 

It's Christmas Eve and for the first time ever, Santa's naughty list is empty! With a terrible blizzard raging outside, how will Santa be able to deliver Christmas magic to every single home before morning?(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is Christmas Eve and a storm is coming.  Without a moment to spare, Santa must get everything ready in time for Christmas morning. No one has made the naughty list this year and the elves are hurrying to finish up the last of the extra gifts.  Santa feels a little overwhelmed and not sure how he will get everything delivered.  But under the tree is tiny Tinsel Mouse to the rescue.  He is watching and hoping Santa will let him join his sleigh this year.  Tinsel tells Santa that while he is unpacking his bag, he can fill the holiday stockings with good things and sweets!

This is the perfect story to start off the holiday season.  It would make a wonderful read aloud with the bold Christmas colors and rhyming text that flows easily.  With the Christmas Eve storm and Santa's extra workload, Tinsel the Mouse is so thoughtful offering to come to his assistance making sure he stuffs all the stockings in time for the big day.  The story shows caring and generosity making Tinsel the best Santa's helper.  I also liked that it is a great size and shape that will fit in a stocking. It is a wonderful book to cozy up to with a hot cocoa and will spread holiday cheer.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title:  The Stocking Stuffer

Author:  Hollley Merriweather, illustrated by Stephanie Gaegin

Pub. date: September 2022 - Harper Collins

genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walter Had a Best Friend review

 

Walter and Xavier are best friends. They do everything together! But then…quietly…slowly…Xavier becomes best friends with someone else. Walter goes from feeling hurt and left out to feeling confused and angry to feeling just plain lonely. Until one morning he wakes up feeling a tiny bit hopeful.(goodreads summary) 

 

 

 

 

Walter and Xavier are best friends that do everything together.  They hike, paint pictures and enjoy each others company sitting quietly.  Then one day Xavier met Penelope and everything slowly started to change for Walter. 

I have always been a big fan of any book by Deborah Underwood.  Her stories are always gentle, kind and eloquently written for young readers.  Children do not always understand friendship changes and this story may help them realize they are not alone. The feelings of anger and the hurt they feel are normal and healthy for their development. Even though at the time they do not think so;  just as Walter felt when he did not want to do the things he used to because of the hole in his heart.   As Walter slowly looses his friendship with Xavier, he must also slowly recover from his feelings of deep sadness.  But time will pass with many more beautiful days ahead.  Walter eventually decides to try something on his own that leads him on a path to discovery.  A new friend waiting who may have been looking for one too.   This story offers children the hope and reassurance for better days ahead.  The illustrations are sweet and you can feel how Walter feels all throughout the story. The color palette is soft and calming adding to the beauty of this lovely story.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-8.  

Title:  Walter Had a Best Friend

Author:  Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier

 Pub. date: October 2022, Beach Lane Books

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

 

 

 

Winter Is Coming review

 

Day after day, a girl goes to her favorite place in the woods and quietly watches from her tree house as the chipmunks, the doe, the rabbits prepare for the winter. Silently she observes the world around her as it reveals its secrets. It takes time and patience to see the changes as, slowly but surely, winter comes. (goodreads summary)

Taking moments to sit quietly and observe nature can be an incredible experience for our children. They always seem to be on the go and do encounter a much more faster paced world than we did as kids.  

The little girl jotting in her notebook who sits silently still, high upon a tree platform in the woods, tells a beautiful story about the appreciation of nature.  The thoughtfully written text, along with the serene Autumn illustrations, definitely makes this book a favorite of mine as the fall and winter season approaches.  The story comes alive with its' beautiful colors and the enchanting expression of the girls eyes who seem to be filled with wonderment. I heard her voice as she gently tells about the animals she sees and sketches, teaching us how they prepare for the long upcoming winter. A wonderful book for a fall into winter nature hike, exploring the beauty and bringing out the Aldo Leopold in all of us. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-8.~

Title: Winter is Coming
Author:  Tony Johnston, illustrated by Jim LaMarche
Pub. Date: August 2014, Simon & Schuster
Genre: picture book
hardcover, 40mpgs.

The Scarecrow review

All the animals know not to mess with old Scarecrow. But when a small, scared crow falls from midair, Scarecrow does the strangest thing. . . .(goodreads summary)




All year long a Scarecrow stands and guards his field of hay. The animals know not to go near the fields leaving the Scarecrow feeling a bit lonely.  Then one spring day a baby crow falls from a nearby tree and he bends down to save the little bird.  The two bond and form an unusual friendship as the Scarecrow watches over the baby as he grows.  Scarecrow also knows that one day the crow will soon spread its wings to fly leaving him to watch over his fields alone again.   

This is a heartwarming tale about a lonely Scarecrow who shares his heart with a baby crow.  An unlikely combination but that is what makes this a wonderful friendship story between the two.   The simple rhyming text flows calmly and is short enough for an easy read aloud.  Even more so were the beautiful illustrations that are done in pencil and ballpoint showing intricate detail when you look closely at the pages. As the seasons pass, the muted Autumn colors change giving me a feeling of chilly Autumn days to very cold Winter months until the warmth of Spring arrives.   It is a gentle and quiet read with messages about loneliness, compassion and good friendship.  I agree some of the text and pages seemed a little sad during reading but it does have a happy outcome for the Scarecrow.  I think this is a "just right book" for the older ages 5-7.~

Title:  The Scarecrow
Author: Beth Ferry, illustrated by Eric & Terry Fan
Pub. date:  September 2019, Harper Collins
Genre: picture book
Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Pumpkin Time! review

 

The day the cows strolled down Main Street in fancy hats...Evy didn't notice. What was Evy doing? Evy is so focused on watching her garden grow that she misses all the silliness going on around her--pigs DANCING, donkeys FLYING, and sheep HAVING A PICNIC.But after Evy's spent all year taking care of her garden, everyone's invited to pumpkin time! (goodreads summary)

While Evy is diligently tending to her garden, she does not even notice all the animals silly antics... Here is a fun read-aloud book just in time for the fall harvest season. Starting in spring and working through fall, we watch Evy hard at work growing something special for a feast. It also makes for a great interactive story as each page asks, "What is Evy doing?."  Kids will pick up on clues from the colorful illustrations showing her researching pumpkins and being committed to her gardening.  In the end, Evy has a yummy treat to share with all! The last page has recipes for toasting pumpkin seeds, some interesting pumpkin facts and answers to what Evy was doing. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

Title: Pumpkin Time!
Author: Erzsi Deak,  illustrated by Doug Cushman
Pub. Date:  July 2014, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Genre: picture books  
Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin review

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"How many seeds are in a pumpkin?" Mr. Tiffin asks his class as they gather around the big, medium, and small pumpkins on his desk. Robert, the biggest kid, guesses that the largest one has a million seeds; Elinor, sounding like she knows what she's talking about, guesses the medium one has 500 seeds; and Anna, who likes even numbers better than odd ones, guesses that the little one has 22. Charlie, the smallest boy in the class, doesn't have a guess. (goodreads summary)


This will make a wonderful addition to the Fall Harvest parties this upcoming week. It is just the kind of book that is great for the math or science unit!  Mr. Tifflin has three different sized pumpkins and asks his class to guess "how many seeds are in a pumpkin?" Naturally, the kids think the biggest one will have the most. When they open each one and count the seeds, they discover a scientific surprise!

This book will reinforce concepts on size and prediction, as well as estimating and counting in various ways such as by 2's, 5's and 10's.  To add further to the teaching moment, the kids could weigh and measure their pumpkins as well.  Pumpkins also offer a great opportunity for sensory input with their funny shaped exterior, unusual smell and mushy insides. There is even a nice lesson for Charlie, the smallest boy in the class, who learns that it is not so bad being small. The story does read aloud easily with colorful and bold pictures that add to the fun. With the interesting facts included at the back, I managed to learn several things from this educational book that I didn't know.  Hope the kids have some fun this fall experimenting with pumpkins! I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

Title: How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin
Author:  Margaret McNamara
Pub. Date: July 2007, Schwartz & Wade Books
genre: picture book
Hardcover, 40 pgs.