Goodbye Bear review

 

Bear died on a Friday, as sun speckled the grass and caterpillars nibbled the leaves. Beaver and Mole are devastated by the loss of their friend. They share their sadness and anger, but find joy in their memories and stories of Bear. (goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

Here is a beautifully heartfelt and tender story about Beaver and Mole feeling lost without their beloved friend Bear.  Bear passes away leaving the friends finding it difficult to move on without him.   Everything is just not the same and they talk about how sad and angry they are with his absence.  When they decide to visit his tree house, they find meaningful projects they can do to keep his memory alive and help give them a little closure in the meantime.  This gentle and sweet book will help with feelings and the grieving process little ones may be experiencing over a loved one.  Even though it is a delicate subject, there is hope and healing throughout with touching words and beautiful illustrations. The friends shared stories about Bear and connected to his spirit from the stars in the sky making it a special way to remember him in their hearts. I could see a lot of questions and talking together after reading this story.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

 

Title:  Goodbye Bear

Author:  Jane Chapman

Pub. date: February 2022, Tiger Tales

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Best Wishes review

 

Becca Singer is having the Worst Day Ever. Her best friend, Harper, dumped her, and Becca is totally friendless and alone. Then the box arrives in the mail. Inside the box?  One bracelet, plus a mysterious note telling Becca to make a wish. So Becca puts on the bracelet--why not, right?--and wishes to have friends. Lots of friends. So many friends.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

Ten year old Becca is looking forward to her birthday sleepover with best friend Harper.  They have been friends since kindergarten and this is the first year they have been separated into different classrooms.  She is saddened when she learns Harper will not be able to come over because of a chess tournament the next morning.  She also seems to be friends with Georgette from her class more and more lately making Becca feel left out.  She lets Harper know that she is not happy about things but then it turns when Harper tells Becca that she feels they have grown apart and thinks they could be regular friends instead of best friends.  Becca does not like that idea so the two split up their friendship entirely.  Feeling sad and upset about her horrible day,  Becca goes home to find a package addressed to her.  Inside the anonymous box contains a mysterious note and a bracelet.  The bracelet will grant one wish to its wearer.  Feeling alone without Harper,  Becca makes a wish for friends.  Not just one friend but a lot of friends.  Possibly a wish that may come with many regrets.

This is a cute and fast-paced story for the middle grade reader.   Growing up and growing apart from friends is something tweens face daily.  Things get out of hand quickly after Becca wishes for lots and lots of friends.  At first it was fun for her to be liked by everyone.  But each day gets harder, trying to keep up with so many people wanting to be her friend.  She realizes that this is not reality and if she removed the bracelet everything would go back to being the way it was.  Thinking that the bracelet may be a curse instead,  Becca quickly regrets her wish.  The story has good character development when she learns a lesson that it doesn't matter how many friends she has, what is a true friend and how important it is to be a good friend herself.  She helps one classmate named Shep share his talents and another named Willow who she finds has a lot in common with.  There is more magic and mystery when an unknown and very persistent woman wants to purchase her bracelet.  After all the whirlwind this story offers around the wish, Becca sends off the bracelet to a girl named Addie with a special letter about the magic of the bracelet and offering friendship and best wishes to her.  I am looking forward to reading the second book The Sister Switch to see why Addie is next to receive the bracelet and how her story unfolds.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 8-10. ~ 

Title:  Best wishes - Book 1

Author:  Sarah Mlynowski

Pub. date:  September 2022, Scholastic Press

Genre: Middle Grade

Hardcover, 171 pgs. 

Ten Ways to Hear Snow review

A snowy day, a trip to Grandma's, time spent cooking with one another, and space to pause and discover the world around you come together in this perfect book for reading and sharing on a cozy winter day.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

One winter morning, Lina wakes up and everything seems silent.  The blizzard from the night before left the town blanketed with fresh snow.  It was grape leaf day at her Sitti's (grandmas) which is a special Lebanese dish they make together.  She is looking forward to cooking with her and also wants to check in because of the storm. She bundles up to head over and along the way Lina takes notice of the world around her.  She realizes that snow can have different ways to sound.  From the shovels scraping on the sidewalk to the crunching of boots walking, she counts nine different ways she hears snow.  When Lina arrives, the two spend time together cooking and having fun moments but Sitti also shows Lina a tenth way to hear snow. 

This is a nice book for a cold and snowy winter day.  The descriptive words like scraaape, swish-wish or scritch, scratch had me hearing the sounds of snow in my mind.  The illustrations are calming and quiet, giving you a sense of how it felt after a snowfall in Lina's town.   It was nice to see the special relationship Lina had with her Sitti cooking and being silly.  She also learned that even though Sitti is loosing her vision, another sense is heightened and was able to have Sitti show her a tenth way to hear snow.  Slowing down and taking in the moments of nature after a snowstorm is an activity that will get the kids and family together outdoors.  This story could also work for a winter themed school activity as well for a break in the day. The sights and sounds of people skiing and kids building a snowman makes me wish for a snowstorm.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title:  Ten Ways to Hear Snow

Author:  Cathy Camper, illustrated by Kenard Pak

Pub. date: October 2020 Kokila

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

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.