Grace tells the story of how her brother disappeared, and how she followed him into a land where she was tiny as a bug. She befriends some silly insects, but is then kidnapped by a monstrous crab and forced to dive deep into the river looking for pearls. How will Grace ever escape the crab and find her lost brother?

This story is so whimsical and imaginative! I love the mellow story-telling and the rich writing. The story has a positive message that together we can overcome any obstacle and rescue ourselves if we work together.

I adore the beautiful illustrations! The art is warm and delicate, and makes me think of sunny summer days and cool shade by the water. It’s a little window into a fantasy world.

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A wild bird with blue feet finds a discarded mirror and begins to worry that his feet are too blue, his wings are too big, or his beak is too long. He tries to hide his body image problems with hilarious results. Eventually, he learns to appreciate that his wonderful feet allow him to swim, his long beak is perfect for catching fish, and his big wings lift him into the air to fly with his family.

I loved this adorable book! Poor Benjamin gets so confused about his body image, but I love how he is curious and resourceful and he is willing to learn and accept his own wonderfully-created body. He tries to use trash to hide his wings and feet and shorten his beak, so there is also a good message about human trash affecting animals.

The best thing about this book is the rich wording and silly descriptions! Benjamin finds the old mirror and promptly calls it a “twink-um-doodle” because it twinkles in the sunshine. There are some fun descriptions as Benjamin “wobble-waddles” or “kick-flips, flap-slaps” or “churn-turns, worm-squirms” to get the pieces of trash off his body. It’s a delight to read aloud and sure to bring giggles and chuckles to little readers. Continue reading →

Each day Afiya wears the same white frock, and washes it clean each night, and hangs it up on the clothes line to dry. But her white dress never appears to be white for long. It is magically imprinted with the beautiful things she sees each day. When she goes to the zoo, tiger stripes are imprinted on her dress. When she walks past red roses, the leaves and blossoms are entwined in the fabric of her white dress. Colorful butterfly wings and white pigeon wings are imprinted on her dress. Fish and the waves of the sea are imprinted, and leaves from the trees decorate her dress. Afiya carries each memory with her, and in the morning her dress is white and clean again.

I am dazzled by the beauty and whimsy in this book! Afiya is a glorious little girl, dancing and laughing across each page. I love the sweet story that draws your attention to the beauty in everyday life and how precious each experience is.

The illustrations are truly special, with bright colors and misty lines. The artwork makes every little detail magical. Afiya herself is absolutely beautiful, with her pretty hair and pink cheeks and soulful eyes. I love her little earrings, and how she walks around barefoot like a dainty fairy. Continue reading →

A little boy’s hair is falling in his eyes, so he takes a trip to the barbershop with his father. He is a little scared at first, but he sees other customers getting their hair cut and he likes the way the chair goes up high. He holds his father’s hand and has his hair cut. He gets a lollipop after his hair cut, and is glad that his hair is out of his eyes.

This book is so adorable! The little boy is so cute and cuddly. The story is very simple for little children, but has a charming plot.

I love the sweet illustrations with a soft art style.