Beautiful symbolism and artistic execution. The use of yarn and knitting needles in combination with drawings is stellar. The unraveling and re-knittiBeautiful symbolism and artistic execution. The use of yarn and knitting needles in combination with drawings is stellar. The unraveling and re-knitting of a life, also stellar.
In many ways this is a typical outsider friendship story. Bertie feels a bit meh about his current situation within the Society of Distinguished LemmiIn many ways this is a typical outsider friendship story. Bertie feels a bit meh about his current situation within the Society of Distinguished Lemmings. So he wanders off a bit and meets a bear. The bear couldn't be more different from those Distinguished lemmings. Bertie and the Society and the bear interact a bit, and Bertie and the bear get left out in the cold, but then the Society ends up in a dire situation.
Beautifully rendered illustrations, especially the part when the lemmings' hair (fur) is all went and curly; a lot of silly asides; and Bertie and the bear shine as ordinary heroes who use information from a book to help stage a rescue....more
A story about coming to terms with perfectionism and re-thinking what it means for something to be perfect. Uses the art technique of kintsugi to e3.5
A story about coming to terms with perfectionism and re-thinking what it means for something to be perfect. Uses the art technique of kintsugi to explore this concept, and includes an author's note about that technique....more
I enjoyed the story and I appreciated the illustrations, but I did not feel like they went well together. The story is gritty and the illustrations3.5
I enjoyed the story and I appreciated the illustrations, but I did not feel like they went well together. The story is gritty and the illustrations are just too... neat and tidy. I wanted to see the dirt and grime on Puck, the dust of the chicken yard where romantic fortunes are told, the ominous vibe of the Gentry Mansion.
The story oversimplified some things, like the entire concept of romance. Perhaps when looking through a child's eyes it's easier to distill attraction down to an assessment of how kind, smart, and handsome someone is. There was also a blithe acceptance of the character Puck-- no attempt to figure out if he was lost, and then adopting him like a stray cat.
But this was a quick and engaging read about a young girl who worries about her father's business failing, and who tries to find romance for her new friend who runs the local chocolate shop. ...more
Incorporating familiar nursery rhymes with repeated interruptions, this makes for a great read aloud opportunity to reinforce those rhymes while gettiIncorporating familiar nursery rhymes with repeated interruptions, this makes for a great read aloud opportunity to reinforce those rhymes while getting your audience engaged. I read this twice through to smaller groups, and both times I had listeners who loved singing or chanting along and who giggled madly when that weasel appeared.
The pacing is fantastic and the illustrations practically leap off the page. Besides the rhyme/weasel rhythm, there are a few moments toward the end punctuated with wordless pages that give any listener an opportunity to think about what might come next. The illustrations that go along with the "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" rhyme are such a good fit.
But my favorite--absolute favorite--part of this book was the afterward. The author talks a little about the origin of nursery rhymes, the use of monkeys in those same rhymes, and why she chose to make certain adjustments in her edition. I truly appreciated the thought that went into this, and that she chose to draw attention to those choices.
High humor and drama abound in this fantastic Goldilocks retelling. Interactive and suspenseful, this worked great for a small group storytime.
GoldiloHigh humor and drama abound in this fantastic Goldilocks retelling. Interactive and suspenseful, this worked great for a small group storytime.
Goldilocks (who is not immediately identified as such), starts off with intense concern about the fact that there are scary bears in the woods. She describes the 3 signs of nearby bears and together with the reader keeps an eye out for these scary forest denizens. But when the bear comes back, she hightails it out of there, leaving the bear to play host to her guests. ...more
Full of the pure joy of childhood weirdness, one turtle insists they are a for-real bear. Another turtle challenges the first until they are convincedFull of the pure joy of childhood weirdness, one turtle insists they are a for-real bear. Another turtle challenges the first until they are convinced of the first's for-real-bearness.
A very fun collaboration between three illustrators that resonate really well together. The story follows a caterpillar through all their stages of deA very fun collaboration between three illustrators that resonate really well together. The story follows a caterpillar through all their stages of development, each illustrator taking one stage and the final picture was done by all of them together....more
An overview of the five major animal categories that gets a bit distracted when it comes to fish. Fish villains are thoroughly examined from one side An overview of the five major animal categories that gets a bit distracted when it comes to fish. Fish villains are thoroughly examined from one side and then another.
A darkly shaded adventure that at first comes across as gloomy, but quickly generates a more curious and light feel. While there are parts of the a4.5
A darkly shaded adventure that at first comes across as gloomy, but quickly generates a more curious and light feel. While there are parts of the adventure that seem dangerous, the overwhelming feeling is one of cozy hominess.
I am pleasantly surprised to find a short but detailed note at the end about the real-life Tove Jansson, including her most famous books and the fact that she spent her life with another woman.
The only thing this is missing is a recipe for those pancakes....more
So I love Too Small Tola. And I enjoyed Beti's story, but there is something chill-er about Beti that I did not connect to as strongly. I fo3.5 Solid.
So I love Too Small Tola. And I enjoyed Beti's story, but there is something chill-er about Beti that I did not connect to as strongly. I found myself frustrated at Naughty the goat, and even though Beti's problem solving skills are generally strong, I didn't feel like the side-characters were as well-developed as those in Tola's neighborhood.
This was good, and I'd read more. But while Tola makes my heart sing, Beti was harder for me to connect with....more
The Too Small Tola books just nail so many important topics. In this latest installment, Tola is accused of being a liar at school, her friend Mrs. ShThe Too Small Tola books just nail so many important topics. In this latest installment, Tola is accused of being a liar at school, her friend Mrs. Shaky Shaky struggles with her living situation, her Grandmommy takes her to the beach, and she babysits for a day. Tola struggles with friendships and who she can trust, she practices creative problem-solving, she conquers her fears and steps outside of the rules, and she navigates responsibility with integrity.
An engaging and interesting overview of Parker's life. I found that the only thing in the text itself that orients the reader in time is WWI, and I foAn engaging and interesting overview of Parker's life. I found that the only thing in the text itself that orients the reader in time is WWI, and I found the lack of time compass a bit distracting. But his life is interesting and his accomplishments worth knowing. The illustrations are bright and appealing as well.
Extensive backmatter, including short biographies of other Black botanists, mycologists, and scientists. While I love any kind of extra context or details, especially in a picture book, this element struck me as unique and incredibly interesting. ...more
A good readaloud with a lot to think about, and many elephants to find in the illustrations. Especially for those grownups who are always encouraging A good readaloud with a lot to think about, and many elephants to find in the illustrations. Especially for those grownups who are always encouraging kids to "smile" or to demonstrate their feelings in a specific way, this was a great discussion about other ways to show how you feel.
A joyful celebration of storytelling, both through the life of Augusta Baker and through vibrant and detailed illustrations. Augusta Baker shaped storA joyful celebration of storytelling, both through the life of Augusta Baker and through vibrant and detailed illustrations. Augusta Baker shaped stories and built networks of authors and educators in a way that has affected us all.
If you don't know who Augusta Baker is, this book is for you....more
A gorgeous work of art, later revealed to be an embroidered Palestinian shawl. A combination of embroidery and paper illustration, the clever use of bA gorgeous work of art, later revealed to be an embroidered Palestinian shawl. A combination of embroidery and paper illustration, the clever use of both sides of the embroidery to tell a story of two worlds and the interplay between them makes for a magical experience.
Leilah navigates between her structured world and the chaos underneath with curiosity and equanimity. She is a problem solver, but when one solution doesn’t work, she moves on to the next.
The paper illustrations have a bit of a Feiffer feel to them. The eBook was just fine, but I imagine that a hard copy would be truly stunning. ...more