Blended family, blended cuisines. What a wonderful story!
Hana's family is Black, and her family is also Korean. All four grandparents are coming for aBlended family, blended cuisines. What a wonderful story!
Hana's family is Black, and her family is also Korean. All four grandparents are coming for a visit. Hana has been named the chef.
* On one hand, Hana remembers a savory gumbo that she made with Grandma and Grandpa Williams. (They live in South Carolina.) * On the other hand, Hana recalls a sweet and spicy stew that she made with Grandparents Halmoni and Harabeoji. (Flavors from her trip to Seoul.)
A wonderful plot point, for this Goodreader, is when Haha contemplates an idea from her Dad. He suggests that she cook a casserole. Hana's reaction is ***BLEURGH!***
Inspired, Hana later came up wity a delicious idea for a stew. The family meal was a huge success.
FIVE STARS for a heartwarming story that even includes a recipe at the end: Hana's Recipe for Kimchi gumbo....more
Little Sam has a very good mother. She let's him learn and create.
At any age, haven't we been there?
As described on the inside front flap of this adorLittle Sam has a very good mother. She let's him learn and create.
At any age, haven't we been there?
As described on the inside front flap of this adorable picture book:
"Lunch!" Sam heard his mother calling. But Sam was very busy. "Just a minute," he called back. Sam wasn't ready in a minute. Sam's mother was about to lose her patience, but when she saw what Sam had been doing, all was forgiven.
If you're like me, Goodreaders, you'll love it when Sam lies down on the floor with his hands over his head.
On the cover illustraton, Blue Bison's hair looks fabulous to me. But he has a different opinion.
Only those of us who have never felt desperate to chaOn the cover illustraton, Blue Bison's hair looks fabulous to me. But he has a different opinion.
Only those of us who have never felt desperate to change our appearance . . . may be immune to the charm and humor of this picture book.
The charm walloped me when I learned the names of Blue Bison's family members:
* Brown Bison, Blue's Dad. * Burgundy Bison, Blue's Mom. * Bubblegum Bison, Blue's sometimes annoying kid sister.
As the story progresses, there is drama. Largely, hair drama. Let me tell you: The sight of a teary-and-wallowing bison may be saddening, to put it mildly.
But if you're like me, Goodreaders, you'll perk up by the end of this highly creative book. It's strangely inspiring and sometimes, unexpectedly, funny.
My favorite part of this book was definitely the cover. Adorable in idea, enticing in execution.
Otherwise? Alice does what she can to find her lovey. My favorite part of this book was definitely the cover. Adorable in idea, enticing in execution.
Otherwise? Alice does what she can to find her lovey. Finally she discovers it in the arms of a sleepy dragon.
But he looked so sad when Alice took back her Blankie.
Then, according to the dubious-and-sentimental logic in the rhyming verses, she wondered, "If there's something I can do?"
As if a toddler must play Mommy to a huge dragon? Moreover, a dragon that took something that didn't belong to him.
RATING THIS BOOK
Personally I'd give this book just ONE STAR, but that's my adult reaction. And my policy with rating books is to go on the basis of the likely reaction of the intended readers. Bet they'd love it. So FIVE STARS.
FWIW, as an adult I don't agree that sometimes a huge dragon needs "something comforting."...more
Clever plot twist here. Moondog finds a way to protect the Moon from being settled by humans.
Author John is also the illustrator. Both his text and hiClever plot twist here. Moondog finds a way to protect the Moon from being settled by humans.
Author John is also the illustrator. Both his text and his visuals are quirky, highly individualistic.
Why aim to protect the Moon from being settled by humans? Because, in this story, humans have ruined their home world (Earth) and are merely aiming to use the Moon as a new home. Talk about feeling used!
A clever plot twist at the end -- this bookends the clever premise upfront.
RATING THIS BOOK
My policy is to rate books in terms of the intended readers. These would appreciate fantasy and/or science fiction. They prefer when the text and visuals of a picture book are quirky and highly individualistic.
Although I didn't quite relate to this book, I'll bet many kids have. So, of course, I'm giving this labor of love FIVE STARS....more
It's a highly creative story about part of the Old Testament, regarding the plague of frogs visited upon Pharaoh, when he refused to let Moses and hisIt's a highly creative story about part of the Old Testament, regarding the plague of frogs visited upon Pharaoh, when he refused to let Moses and his people go.
The smallest of the frogs sent to Egypt is the star of this tale. He hides under the Pharaoh's bed. After the ruler chases all the other frogs away, and tries to get some sleep that night, the little frog is still there.
Superb illustrations turn the story from good to GREAT. Also, this is another tale told in rhyming verse, where the author, Sylvia A. Rouss, has an excellent ear. Just listen to this, Goodreaders:
Pharaoh ran quickly and picked up a broom. "I'll get rid of these frogs! I'll sweep every room!"
"I'm the great Pharaoh and nothing scares me I'll get rid of you all -- just wait and you'll see!"
The littlest frog was very afraid. He lay under the bed, and that's where he stayed.
For some, any Christmas-themed book will be a hit. For some, any picture book with a bad pun in the title will be a hit. A pun like "Claws" instead of For some, any Christmas-themed book will be a hit. For some, any picture book with a bad pun in the title will be a hit. A pun like "Claws" instead of "Claus." For me, this book strains credulity in every way. But that's just me.
In this book of the Sammy Claws series, the cute cat finds himself wrapped up as a Christmas parcel and bundled onto the sleigh with the other presents. How will he escape?
HERE'S A SAMPLE OF THE ENTERTAINMENT
And imagine, Sammy ran to the workshop and then wound up toppling the shelves!
The presents went flying -- oops! -- past Santa's head.
Sure it could happen . . . in the world of kid's publishing. Where new concepts, no matter how preposterous, may seem NEW and FRESH. And like just the thing for a series of Big-Selling Books.
RATING THIS BOOK
My policy is to rate books from the perspective of intended readers. Seems to me, these would be very young youngsters who like pretty pictures in dreamy pastels. And prefer just enough adventure. Kids with the sense of hilarity-humor that sits well with a three-year-old.
Mix together these three kid pleasers. Will they make for a great picture book?
* Gerbils, a popular kind of pet. * Colorful mixed-media collages, a speMix together these three kid pleasers. Will they make for a great picture book?
* Gerbils, a popular kind of pet. * Colorful mixed-media collages, a specialty of the author. * And a spirit of wild adventure.
When a gerbil called Cinnamon chews its way out of its cage and begins an exciting adventure in the great world beyond, will you consider its story a thrill? Maybe yes, maybe no.
Since this is really an art-centered book, it will appeal to readers who like to look at clever pictures, designed simply, and including plenty of bright, primary colors.
RATING THIS BOOK
My policy is to review books in terms of the intended readers. These folks love pictures. And prefer as few words as possible. It's an artsy book about the precious-precious adventures of a spunky little gerbil.
FIVE STARS, on behalf of those readers. (Readers who couldn't be more different from this Goodreads reviewer.)
This sweet tale offers commiseration and hope to kids who try hobbies and find the going tough.
"I've been trying out some hobbies, A few things here anThis sweet tale offers commiseration and hope to kids who try hobbies and find the going tough.
"I've been trying out some hobbies, A few things here and there. But how come no one warned me that first-timers should beware!?"
MY REACTION TO THE STORY?
It's not to be thrilled by the rhyming verses. Again and again, I asked a question that often comes up when I read picture books: "Where is this child's mother?"
A decent mother could help her child to start as a beginner in a beginner's class. Something that never happens in this book, far as I could tell.
However, in this story, the mother eventually does make her appearance and serves up one sparkling platitude. It changes her daughter's life forever. Supposedly.
"Give it just one more chance."
Hey, in a world of one-dimensional characters and activities, that works just fine.
In real life, how about vetting the teachers, like those who give the ballet classes and martial arts classes? How about teaching your kid to do beginner activities, rather than leaping into something with the right costume and none of the skills?
RATING THIS BOOK
My policy is to rate books according to the intended readers. These kids are susceptible to platitudes as The Perfect Way to Overcome All Probs.
Annie Barrows created delightful, distinctive characters. (At least, most of them were delightful.)
The The most disappointing book I've read in years.
Annie Barrows created delightful, distinctive characters. (At least, most of them were delightful.)
The plot engaged me right from the start. I thought I would like this novel. But noooooooooo.
Sadly, I couldn't bring myself to listen to most of the last two CDs. Altogether, I spent 17 hours listening to this audiobook before I realized it was going to disappoint me even more.
* The heroine, Jottie, turned out to be quite the over-complicated, terrible choice-making, anti-hero.
* Felix, a charming villain, never received what was coming to him. Thanks to Jottie's decree. Infuriating!
She and Layla and other female characters were weak, dependent, confused-and-confusing characters. I figured they'd do better by the ending. For a while it seemed they would. Only fat chance! They did worser.
Little Willa, the brainy 12-year-old, sure could have used a grownup to talk to, a grownup whose mind and emotions weren't all scrambled up.
Grrrrr. I give the author FOUR STARS. How could she treat her characters and readers so?...more
"That cat" is your typical human kid, going through a naughty phase of indeterminate length. Only she's a cat, obv. I just love the loose sketch-strok"That cat" is your typical human kid, going through a naughty phase of indeterminate length. Only she's a cat, obv. I just love the loose sketch-strokes that Tony Ross uses to draw her.
Suzy the cat keeps getting into trouble with her family. She does naughty things out of spite.
What will happen when Suzy decides to teach her family a lesson and make them realize how much they love her?
Many a family will relate . . . and feel relieved that their own child isn't nearly as annoying as Suzy.
FIVE STARS for a memorably obnoxious book, one that is also kind of sweet....more
When the Little Princess starts school, she tries to make friends. This doesn't turn out exactly as she had expected.
Rejection happens at first, but eWhen the Little Princess starts school, she tries to make friends. This doesn't turn out exactly as she had expected.
Rejection happens at first, but eventually the Little Princess finds other children who have also been rejected by other kids.
When they wind up playing together and sitting together; when they wind up eating together, eventually the Little Princess brings them home after school.
A sweet ending ensues.
Another fabulous FIVE STAR book, written and illustrated by quirky Tony Ross, my kind of author....more
Oh, the woes of learning that your family is going to have a NEW baby. What if you are used to being the ONLY baby!
The delightfully demanding Little POh, the woes of learning that your family is going to have a NEW baby. What if you are used to being the ONLY baby!
The delightfully demanding Little Princess, star of this series by brilliant Tony Ross. Oboy! This Little Princess has a new problem.
Her mother is having a baby. As usual, Little Princess wants to control everybody else in her world. Including the brother or sister to be.
The ending is sweet, and not the predictably pat ending I've encountered in many picture books, with an instantaneous sibling turnaround by the final page.
Oh yes, this is one more FIVE STAR book, written and illustrated by Tony Ross....more
Readers can get so caught up in the allure of this gumball guessing contest, they will barely notice they're reading!
Mr. Green plans to win this conteReaders can get so caught up in the allure of this gumball guessing contest, they will barely notice they're reading!
Mr. Green plans to win this contest to use math in order to guess the number of gumballs in a gigantic gumball machine. By contrast, his wife also plans to win, but through luck.
One of them does win first prize, but which one?
FIVE STARS for a right-sized adventure with fabulous illustrations, both story and pictures courtesy of Keith Baker!
Merged review:
Readers can get so caught up in the allure of this gumball guessing contest, they will barely notice they're reading!
Mr. Green plans to win this contest to use math in order to guess the number of gumballs in a gigantic gumball machine. By contrast, his wife also plans to win, but through luck.
One of them does win first prize, but which one?
FIVE STARS for a right-sized adventure with fabulous illustrations, both story and pictures courtesy of Keith Baker!...more