Though I think this would be perfectly fine to read with children, it's one of those books that would perhaps work best as a gift to an adult, in thisThough I think this would be perfectly fine to read with children, it's one of those books that would perhaps work best as a gift to an adult, in this case to a father who has just had a son. It's a celebration of that little boy, but also of active fatherhood.
The illustrations are beautiful and I love that they're painted on old paper grocery bags! What a cool way to upcycle....more
A Black mermaid! I had forgotten how cute Oona and her magnificent hair are and, of course, her otter sidekick as well! Also, there's another mermaid A Black mermaid! I had forgotten how cute Oona and her magnificent hair are and, of course, her otter sidekick as well! Also, there's another mermaid that looks like maybe they are Inuit-related (the fish part looks like salmon and they have 3 tattoos on their chin). Additionally, it's just a really fun story of adventure and travel.
I think this could work well in a lower-elementary storytime....more
Adorable illustrations and sparse text combine to tell the at first hard and sad story of going to a new school where you know no one and do not speakAdorable illustrations and sparse text combine to tell the at first hard and sad story of going to a new school where you know no one and do not speak the language, but then, when someone offers friendship, what a hopeful and rich experience that can be (for both parties)! The illustrations and occasional squiggly/indiscernible speech bubbles do a great job of conveying the confusion and frustration that Jun, our lead, first feels when starting at their new school. Also, the pictures, through their fireworks, cloud of hearts, etc. do a wonderful job of conveying the warmth and sense of home that Jun's delightful homemade school lunches brings to them.
I don't think I would use this in storytime because of some of the small details contained in a few of the illustrations and also quite a few pages don't have any text, but I think it would be a great book to read one-on-one, to a very small group, or to just have available for kids (upper elementary) to read on their own....more
A nice story about friendship, asking for and receiving forgiveness, and being there for each other. For most kids, this will be a "window" book (a boA nice story about friendship, asking for and receiving forgiveness, and being there for each other. For most kids, this will be a "window" book (a book that allows them to view a life different from their own), but there are also many children who will recognize the situation (the mother spends much of the year away in order to help earn money for the family).
I'm beginning to think children's book illustrations created using digital tools must be getting better because this is the second book I've read recently that has digitally created illustrations that I've really liked the style. :) ...more