Agent Llama: Double Trouble
by Angela Woolfe, Duncan Beedie (Illustrator)
Charlie is a fabulous spy. She is hot on the trail of evil drones that are shooting meatballs and pasta noodles at cities all over the world. People are drowning in tomato sauce, but Charlie will save the day! She surfs through dangerous waters. She climbs the cliffs of a volcano. Her teddy bear has a laser gun inside. She outwits the bad guys, and does it all with style.
This book is so hilarious! I loved the funny plot and the exciting adventures. The rhyming text is so much fun to read out loud. I am very picky about rhyming text in picture books, but I was so happy with the rhythm and rhymes in this story. It really is delightful to read!
Charlie is suave and cool. She has all the latest spy gadgets, and she has all the spy skills needed to save the world. I just loved her character!
The illustrations are wonderful! I love the bright colors and angular style. There is a real energy on each page that sets the mood for each scene. It makes the story exciting! The art work brings the action to life.
This is such a special book! I can’t wait to read this with my little nieces.
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.
Who Will Kiss the Crocodile?
by Suzy Senior, Claire Powell (Illustrations)
When Princess Liss is one-year-old, her royal parents throw a birthday party, but forget to invite one person. The princess is cursed to bump her knee on her sixteenth birthday, when she will fall into a magical sleep. The only cure is a magical kiss, but until that day she is cursed to look like a crocodile! None of the courageous princes who fight their way past the brambles are courageous enough to kiss a crocodile. It seems like Princess Liss will forever slumber, until a cleaning crew come to fix up the crumbling old castle.
I loved this book so much! It’s hilarious and made me giggle through the entire story. I love this funny retelling of Sleeping Beauty that does not require a handsome prince to save the day.
In the beginning of the story, the fashions look Victorian, with ladies in long dresses and gentlemen wearing vests and top hats. But after a hundred years of the curse, the princes who arrive are wearing 1980s fashions. They have coats with the sleeves pushed up and everyone is wearing wild geometric patterns. It’s so cool and fun!
I loved the colorful illustrations! It adds so much humor to the story, and every page has funny little details in the background that are fun to look for.
The story is told in rhyming text, and the rhymes are so clever! I loved the way this story turns the fairy tale upside down!
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.
Beaver and Mole are saddened at the death of their friend, Bear. They talk about how they miss their friend, how they are angry and sad, and how they just can’t accept that he’s really gone. Through the seasons, they find special ways to remember Bear. They return to his old treehouse, and find a meaningful way to honor their friend.
This tender story explores grief and sadness, explaining difficult emotions in a simple way for children to understand, without losing the validity and depth of those emotions. I really loved that although this book deals with a sad topic, there is hopefulness and healing in every page.
The soft illustrations are so beautiful! I love the gorgeous artwork of the forest and the little animal friends. The illustrations are instrumental in bringing a brightness to the story. The sunlight filtering through the trees brings an uplifting atmosphere to each scene. The art has a soothing quality that is really lovely.
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.
Home Is Where the Heart Is
by Jonny Lambert
Bear builds a new house in the wood and meets his new neighbor, Hare. Bear is calm and tidy, while Hare is energetic and sloppy. Despite their differences, they strike up a friendship and do everything together. When Hare is sick, Bear takes care of him. When Bear’s house is destroyed by a storm, Hare invites Bear to live in his underground home. But it’s very cramped and messy! Can their friendship survive two roommates who are so very different?
I loved this cute story! It’s both hilarious and heartwarming. I liked the positive messages about how friendship can overcome any differences and bring joy into a lonely life.
The illustrations are wonderful! Every page is delightful, and I loved the forest colors and the designs for Hare’s underground home. The animal characters are so sweet!
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.
Aasha, the tiger, notices that there are fewer tigers in the forest, and many of the animals are leaving after a flood has destroyed their grazing grounds. Aasha feels lonely and can’t find any of her tiger friends. She senses that there is danger near, and she sees humans cutting down trees. Aasha and an orangutan travel far away to find a new home where the water is clean and the air is clear.
This is such a sweet book, full of pathos and hope. I really loved the positive messages about deforestation and animal habitats. There is even a glossary at the back which talks about endangered animals and poaching.
The illustrations are beautiful, and they really make you feel connected to Aasha. Her emotions come through on every page because of her facial expressions and body language. You can really feel her loneliness and fear, and then her relief at finding a new home. I loved the gorgeous art style!
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 