books.

3 Picture Book Reviews from Candlewick Press

Posted by

0

Not That Pet! by Smriti Prasadam-Halls

Not That Pet!
by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, Rosalind Beardshaw (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

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!

Continue reading →

Graphic Novel Review: Pixels of You

Posted by

2

Pixels of You by Ananth Hirsh

Pixels of You
by Ananth Hirsh, Yuko Ota, J.R. Doyle (Illustrations)

3 out of 5 stars

Indira is not thrilled when she has to team up with an android to put together an art show, but she quickly learns that Fawn is more than just a android. They learn to work together and explore their artistic sides through photography. Eventually, the two girls discover that friendship is possible no matter if you are cyborg, human, or android. They begin to have romantic feelings for each other as well.

Continue reading →

Activity Book: Where’s Waldo? Santa Spotlight Search

Posted by

0

Where's Waldo? Santa Spotlight Search by Martin Handford

Where’s Waldo? Santa Spotlight Search
by Martin Handford
5 out of 5 stars

Waldo and his friends are surrounded by hundreds of Santas in costume. There are a lot of festive activities going on as the Santas prepare for the big sleigh ride. And somewhere in the chaos of reindeer, presents, and Christmas trees, Waldo is hiding among all the red and white. However, each scene is covered by a dark screen, and you have to use the spotlight search tool, a handy cardboard wand, to “light up” the scenes.

Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: Good Night, Toucan

Posted by

0

Good Night, Toucan! by Joanne Partis

Good Night, Toucan!
by Joanne Partis
5 out of 5 stars

Toucan invites his friends over for a sleepover, but then begins to worry that his decorations and snacks aren’t special enough. He flies through the jungle looking for more fluffy bedding, more colorful decorations, and sweeter snacks. But as Toucan is bringing all the “better” things back to his tree, he is overloaded with too much weight and disaster strikes! When Toucan’s friends see his ordinary decorations and plain snacks, they don’t mind. The only thing that makes a sleepover truly special is having it with their friend Toucan!

Continue reading →

Familius Picture Book Reviews

Posted by

0

The Boy Who Loved the Moon by Rino Alaimo

The Boy Who Loved the Moon
by Rino Alaimo
4 out of 5 stars

A young boy falls in love with the Moon and tries to win her heart by offering her lavish gifts. He slays the dragon and travels down into the deepest ocean, but the Moon is unimpressed. Finally the boy finds one thing that will touch the Moon’s heart and win her love.

This book is so imaginative! The plot is like a dream and it doesn’t quite make sense. The magic is mysterious and strange. You never quite know what is going to happen, but if you can just let the enchantment wash over you and accept whatever wild things come along, you will enjoy it.

Continue reading →

Book Review: Bobbsey Twins Own Little Railroad

Posted by

0

The Bobbsey Twins' Own Little Railroad by Laura Lee Hope

The Bobbsey Twins’ Own Little Railroad
by Laura Lee Hope
4 out of 5 stars

A friend of the Bobbsey’s is moving and gives the twins a little train engine just big enough to pull a car that seats five or six people. The twins have fun setting up the tracks, putting water in the boiler, starting up the fire, and getting the steam engine running. They go whizzing around the track, and Bert learns how to operate the engine all by himself. But their fun is short lived when part of the train tracks are stolen! Can the Bobbsey twins solve the mystery of the missing tracks and find the thief?

I loved this simple story and all the fun adventures that the Bobbsey twins have! The plot is interesting and really kept my attention. There is something so charming about these books that takes me back to my childhood.

Continue reading →

Book Review: Danny the Champion of the World

Posted by

2

Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl

Danny the Champion of the World
by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (Illustrator)
5 out of 5 stars

Danny and his father have a close relationship. They live in a caravan behind their gas station and car mechanic garage. Danny learns to be the youngest mechanic in history. One night he discovers that his father is keeping a delightful secret, and he needs Danny’s help.

This is my favorite Dahl book! The connection between father and son is so precious! I love the way that Danny describes his father and their simple life together living in their little caravan. Danny is such a clever and intelligent little boy with a good heart.

There is something so charming about Dahl’s writing style. Every time I read one of his books, I am swept away into a world of enchantment and hilarity. There are so many funny scenes in this book! I always laugh so hard each time I reread it.

Book Review: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

Posted by

0

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (Rats of NIMH, #1)
by Robert C. O’Brien
5 out of 5 stars
Mrs. Frisby’s son is sick in bed, and cannot be moved. But the farmer is coming to plow up the field where they live as soon as the frost has left the ground. Mrs. Frisby goes to the rats to ask for help, and discovers the secret past of the rats of NIMH.

I just love this book more and more every time I read it. It’s so interesting to find out about the rats and how they live and their past history. The whole world-building of the society of all the animals who live around the farm and in the woods is fascinating. I love stories about mice because they are so little. Who doesn’t love a good under-dog story?

Continue reading →