A nicely-written book. The information is relatively unbiased and the writing style makes it easy for younger readers (and listeners!). Despite the siA nicely-written book. The information is relatively unbiased and the writing style makes it easy for younger readers (and listeners!). Despite the simplicity, the book has a lot of good information and serves as a good introduction to the world of elephants.
Merged review:
A nicely-written book. The information is relatively unbiased and the writing style makes it easy for younger readers (and listeners!). Despite the simplicity, the book has a lot of good information and serves as a good introduction to the world of elephants....more
So...there are no rules at home, and too rigid a rule at school. But if you mention a rule to your family, suddenly everything will be ALL BETTER! GagSo...there are no rules at home, and too rigid a rule at school. But if you mention a rule to your family, suddenly everything will be ALL BETTER! Gag. Didn't like this one at all. But there are squirrels, so I'll give it a bonus star for that. Because squirrels......more
The story is simple, but just fine. However, in the Kindle version, anytime "Th" starts a word...it's gone. So "The" reads as "e" and "There" reads asThe story is simple, but just fine. However, in the Kindle version, anytime "Th" starts a word...it's gone. So "The" reads as "e" and "There" reads as "ere." Adults can fill in the gaps, but new readers are going to struggle. This particular copy was part of the "Five Fin-Tastic Stories" collection, so keep that in mind if you want the Kindle version for a kiddo....more
Cute little book, with a touch of vocabulary that kids will enjoy. Great for little readers, fans of the show, and any youngster who wants to be a cowCute little book, with a touch of vocabulary that kids will enjoy. Great for little readers, fans of the show, and any youngster who wants to be a cowboy....more
This story is so all over the place that it made no sense. There's flower and a chicken...but the flower blooms...instantly? And the chicken...has a sThis story is so all over the place that it made no sense. There's flower and a chicken...but the flower blooms...instantly? And the chicken...has a similar function to the groundhog in predicting spring? Maybe? Perhaps this only works if you've seen the show, but my kiddos and I were confused. Easy to read, though, so that's a thing....more
Good for fans of the show and beginning readers, but there is absolutely no story here, so its appeal to those of us adults who read book with the kidGood for fans of the show and beginning readers, but there is absolutely no story here, so its appeal to those of us adults who read book with the kiddos is highly limited....more
I've spent most of my adult life working with kids and books written for them, but it never ceases to amaze me how some books (and series) that are SOI've spent most of my adult life working with kids and books written for them, but it never ceases to amaze me how some books (and series) that are SOOOO popular with kids manage to have that appeal. THis is one of those series. Kids love Pete the Cat. And I read the books with no clue why. But that's okay. I'm not 8, so if I can't see the draw, it's understandable...right?...more
Cute novelization. Actually does a tolerable job of standing on it's own, although it is clearly more fun if you've seen to movies, since it's short oCute novelization. Actually does a tolerable job of standing on it's own, although it is clearly more fun if you've seen to movies, since it's short on richness. Still, for a quick read with the kiddos, it's not a bad choice. I enjoyed the way the novel incorporated snippets of the song lyrics as dialogue. Nice touch....more
I wasn't a fan of this one. I understand its purpose, and it is a valuable lesson for kids (and adults!) to learn, but it didn't resonate with me. NotI wasn't a fan of this one. I understand its purpose, and it is a valuable lesson for kids (and adults!) to learn, but it didn't resonate with me. Not the book's fault, I don't think. Sometimes that just happens....more
Very nice book for the "every child" category in diverse literature. This one features a little Asian girl who looks like a boy. She eventually learnsVery nice book for the "every child" category in diverse literature. This one features a little Asian girl who looks like a boy. She eventually learns that people will see her for what she actually is. Very nice....more
Nice, lyrical book. I enjoyed it much more than I did the sequel (which I somehow read first). Excellent choice for Asian-American parents seeking titNice, lyrical book. I enjoyed it much more than I did the sequel (which I somehow read first). Excellent choice for Asian-American parents seeking titles with kids who look like theirs....more
This was okay, but I didn't like it as much as I'd hoped. The story was a little TOO lyrical for my personal taste, but I did appreciate the grandfathThis was okay, but I didn't like it as much as I'd hoped. The story was a little TOO lyrical for my personal taste, but I did appreciate the grandfather-granddaughter relationship. And with books about little Asian kids just being kids in short supply, this is absolutely still worth the read!...more
So...I had a mom come up to me the other day asking for books with little kids who look like her son. He is Asian. And 3. And you know what? Finding bSo...I had a mom come up to me the other day asking for books with little kids who look like her son. He is Asian. And 3. And you know what? Finding books like that is WAY more difficult than it should be! Like...we didn't have ANYTHING! Okay, okay. That isn't strictly true. I did have some picture books and board books featuring little Asian kiddos, but they were all about various Asian cultures, and that wasn't what she wanted. She wanted pictures of little Asian kiddos doing every day child activities. I searched databases, scoured our catalog, and begged staff members to give me ideas. And I still found almost nothing.
But, I did find titles listed online that I thought might work. So I bought them to donate to the collection. This is one that I bought.
And it was wonderful. Just little kids doing little kid things with coloring and faces what just happen to be Asian. The story is minimal (my version is English-only), but the flannelboard-style illustrations were precious and perfectly matched my needs.
Please, please publishers. Give us more books like this. Some of us really do want a genuinely diverse book collection, but if I can't find them, I can't buy them!...more
Used this one for Baby Storytime. It went well. I always enjoy using books by this author, since the colors are so vibrant and the words usually simplUsed this one for Baby Storytime. It went well. I always enjoy using books by this author, since the colors are so vibrant and the words usually simple enough for the littles. This wasn't a standout, but it worked well, so no complaints....more
I didn't care for this one. It's a story about forgiveness after powerful emotions, I think, but I disliked the emphasis on lying...and on the toleranI didn't care for this one. It's a story about forgiveness after powerful emotions, I think, but I disliked the emphasis on lying...and on the tolerance of deliberate destruction. The popped balloon I get, but the angry destruction of the sock? Not cool....more
Kinda conflicted here. I like the imagination and the tenderness, but I didn't care for the ending at all. Too odd and open-ended...Kinda conflicted here. I like the imagination and the tenderness, but I didn't care for the ending at all. Too odd and open-ended......more
Wish this didn't start wordless, since that makes it a bust for storytime, but I loved hearing the song in my head as I read. Nostalgia alert! lol It'Wish this didn't start wordless, since that makes it a bust for storytime, but I loved hearing the song in my head as I read. Nostalgia alert! lol It's a sweet little book, and I adore how it ended....more
Excellent book, but more suited to small groups than for storytime. The chance to explore how meaning changes based on context is exceptional in a booExcellent book, but more suited to small groups than for storytime. The chance to explore how meaning changes based on context is exceptional in a book of this simplicity. Highly recommended....more