Not That Pet!
by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, Rosalind Beardshaw (Illustrator)
Mabel gets to choose a pet at the pet store, and she makes the most awful decisions, choosing pets that slither or growl or stink. The elephant is nice, but much too big. The skunk is pretty, but too stinky. The ants are fun, but they crawl into everything, including Dad’s underpants! Can Mabel find a pet that is cuddly and sweet? A pet that everyone in the family will love?
This book is so fun and hilarious! However, I did not like that one of the pets Mabel chooses is a snake. Ew. I had to skip those pages. Too scary! And she also chooses a spider. So if you have arachnophobia, this is not the book for you!
I loved the cute illustrations! The cartoony style is adorable, and every page is full of funny little details in the background that make the story even more hilarious. Each page is attractive with bright colors to capture the attention of little readers.
I also really liked that Mabel’s family is a mixed family with people from various cultures and races. It’s so nice to see diversity and different cultures being represented in this beautiful book!
The text is in rhyme with good meter and smart rhymes. The writing style is simple and polished, with clever lines that are fun to read aloud.
The ending of the book has a clever twist that made me laugh! This story is so much fun!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
Ear Worm!
by Jo Knowles (Author), Galia Bernstein (Illustrator)
Little worm has a song stuck in his head, but he can’t remember where he heard it. He sings, “Shimmy shimmy, no-sashay.” He asks the owl if he knows that song, but the owl has his own earworm song. Little Worm asks the squirrel, the rabbit, and the fox, but they all have their own beat, their own rhythm, and their own earworm songs. How will Little Worm ever find the origin of his earworm?
As a musician, I really appreciated the rhythm of the writing. It’s contagious! You will be tapping your toe as you read about all the animals hopping along with their songs. This is such a delight to read out loud!
I loved the cute illustrations! The designs for all the animals are so adorable, and I love the clean layout for each page. The animals dance with their songs, and their movements are full of energy and fun. It made me laugh to see how they prance and cavort around! It brings so much humor to the story.
This is definitely going on my shelf of favorite children’s books to read with my little nieces over and over again!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
Sometimes Cake
by Edwina Wyatt, Tamsin Ainslie (Illustrator)
Audrey meets a Lion. He is celebrating something different every day. Some days he celebrates orange, also yellow. He decorates with orange and yellow, and makes a paper crown. Audrey asks if they can add in purple as well, and they make a party of it with yellow and purple banners, and a purple crown for Audrey. Each day they celebrate something different. Sometimes cake with coconut frosting. Sometimes balloons. But one day, Lion isn’t celebrating anything. It’s just an ordinary day. How will Audrey make the day special for Lion if there is nothing to celebrate?
I loved this sweet book! The writing is so charming, and the characters are adorable! This book reminds me of a book I had when I was a little girl about a rabbit and a little girl who are searching for the perfect present for the girl’s mother. The mood and style are very similar. It’s calming and sweet and heartfelt in a simple yet meaningful way.
The illustrations are absolutely beautiful! I love the soft art style, and all the little details in the background of each scene that give the story more depth. You can see the craft supplies strewn about on the floor as they make a banner for their party, or the baking supplies and cups and bowls and coconuts all over the kitchen from making the cake. Those details are what make this story so special!
There’s something so indescribably lovely about this charming book. It’s a delight from start to finish!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
Luminous Libro 