Picture Book Review: The Night Walk

The Night Walk by Marie Dorléans

The Night Walk
by Marie Dorléans
5 out of 5 stars

Two children are awakened in the middle of night by their parents who lead them on an evening hike into the countryside. Through the village, past the fields of sleeping cows, and into the woodland, they walk slowly, enjoying the peace of the night and the light of the stars above them.

The graceful beauty of this simple book almost brought me to tears. I am in despair that I can never write a review that will capture the absolute glory I experienced while reading it. I wish I could give it 10 stars!

Each new landscape that we discover along the hike is like a magical new scene of wonder and beauty. The stars, the trees, the wildlife, the silence, the warm night air, and the chirping of crickets; all these things weave a spell of tranquil harmony around the reader.

Continue reading

Picture Book Review: You Can Be a Farmer, Too!

You Can Be a Farmer, Too! by Becky Davies

You Can Be a Farmer, Too!
by Becky DaviesCharlotte Bruijn (Illustrations)
5 out of 5 stars

Emily enjoys playing on the farm and helping to feed the animals. But Noah thinks the farmyard is too loud and scary. He’s afraid of the cows, and horses, and even some of the larger pigs. But Emily knows a way to make the farm fun and safe. She helps Noah to start small with some little chicks, and introduces each barnyard animal one at a time, until Noah feels safe and confident enough to make friends with a massive cow!

Continue reading

Picture Book Review: This is Not My Hat, El Ladron Del Sombrero

El Ladron Del Sombrero by Jon Klassen

El Ladron Del Sombrero
by Jon Klassen
5 out of 5 stars

Un pececito entra nadando con un sombrero que no es el suyo. Se lo robó a un pez mucho más grande mientras dormía. Pero seguramente ese pez grande no se despertará pronto. Y seguramente el pez grande no podrá encontrar al pececillo ladrón mientras se esconde entre las algas. ¿Correcto?

¡Este libro de imágenes es adorable! Con muy poco texto, teje una divertida historia sobre la imposibilidad de escapar de las consecuencias de tus tontos crímenes. ¡El pececito es tan divertido!

Algunas personas pueden oponerse a un libro para niños en el que el robo se trata con tanta ligereza y humor, pero yo entendí que era como un niño pequeño que “roba” la ropa de sus padres. Es como un niño que huye de sus padres y se “esconde” a plena vista, riendo detrás de una manta, esperando a que lo encuentren.

Me encantan las ilustraciones sencillas y el estilo minimalista. Con expresiones efectivas, el arte aporta humor y profundidad al cuento.

Keep reading for the review in English!

Continue reading

Picture Book Review: La Burrita Baldomera

La burrita Baldomera by Ismael F. Arias

La burrita Baldomera
by Ismael F. AriasEnrique G. BallesterosAyesha L. Rubio (Illustrator)
5 out of 5 stars

Una burrita hace un amigo humano, Ismael, y disfrutan juntos de la paz del campo. Pero un día Ismael no regresa, y el burro se entristece y se pregunta a dónde podría haber ido su amigo.

Este libro ilustrado está inspirado en hechos reales, cuando el autor estuvo en cuarentena durante la pandemia de Covid-19 y no pudo visitar a su amigita en el campo. El cuento es dulce y emotiva, y una adorable amistad animal.

Me encantaron las ilustraciones suaves con colores atractivos y amplias escenas campestres. ¡El estilo artístico es absolutamente hermoso!

Keep reading for the review in English….

Continue reading

Picture Book Review: Pablo

Pablo by Rascal

Pablo
by Rascal
5 out of 5 stars

Pablo is a shy little chick who is too big for his eggshell. He’s not quite ready to face the outside world, so he pecks one little hole in his shell to look around first. But one little hole leads to another little hole and another and another!

I loved this cute book! It’s so adorable how Pablo pecks little holes for his eyes, and then another for his ears, and his nose. As he discovers sight and sound and smells, the reader learns along with him about some of the different senses.

Continue reading

Board Book Reviews: Daddy Loves You, and Mommy Loves You

Daddy Loves You by Danielle McLean

Daddy Loves You
by Danielle McLeanZoe Waring (Illustrations)
5 out of 5 stars

Daddy Lion loves the baby lion. Daddy Zebra loves baby zebra. Daddy Hippo loves baby hippo. All these daddies play with their babies, give them hugs and kisses, and read stories with them. Each family of animals has their bedtime routine of singing lullabies, taking a bath, and a snuggling into bed.

Mommy Loves You by Danielle McLean

Mommy Loves You
by Danielle McLeanZoe Waring (Illustrations)

Mommy Bear loves baby bear. Mommy Panda loves baby panda. Mommy Elephant loves baby elephant. All these mommies play with their babies, give them hugs, and snuggle them close. The animals families giggle together and sing together in the sweetest way!

Continue reading

Comic Review: Flash Facts

Flash Facts by Mayim Bialik

Flash Facts
by Mayim Bialik (Goodreads Author)
3 out of 5 stars

The Flash and other superheroes answer questions about scientific subjects while fighting off supervillains and doing good. They explore atoms, energy, virtual reality technology, DNA, the solar system, and even the depths of the ocean.

One thing that I really hate in scientific books is when a scientific THEORY is presented as if it were a fact. This is so unethical, and it would be so easy to correct. If only the text said, “One theory about this subject is … etc.” But they don’t say that. They write as if the details of climate change, renewable energy sources (like solar panels and wind turbines), and the age of the universe are established empirical facts that have been tested and proven. But they’re not.

Continue reading

Picture Book Review: The Inventor in the Pink Pajamas

The Inventor in the Pink Pajamas by David Pridham

The Inventor in the Pink Pajamas (If Not You, Then Who? #1)
by David PridhamEmberli Pridham (Goodreads Author)
4 out of 5 stars

Brooke is ready for a big day at school. She has a huge presentation to make about one of her favorite inventors, and she spends the whole day learning about how ordinary things were invented. She even tries out inventing something herself while baking cookies in the kitchen. This book encourages the reader to be curious and explore and invent something amazing!

The story is fun and interesting, but very word-heavy with small print. Fifty pages makes for a long picture book. It almost reads more like a children’s chapter book, but there aren’t any chapters.

Continue reading

Picture Book Review: Lee and Limbo

Lee and Limbo by Uzoma R. Ezekwudo

Lee and Limbo
by Uzoma R. EzekwudoZulfikar Rachmann
4 out of 5 stars

Limbo and Lee are two cats who are friends. When Lee moves away, Limbo thinks she will always be lonely. But a new family moves in with a new cat and a dog, and Limbo tries to make some new friends.

This is such a sweet story about the loneliness and grief of losing a friend who moves away. I love the hopeful message that it is important to open your heart to new friends.

Continue reading

Picture Book Reviews: Sissies at the Sea, Sissies in the Mountains, Sissies Go to Mexico

Sissies at the Sea ( A Board Book Celebrating the Magic of Si... by Marisa Howard

Sissies at the Sea (Sissies Adventures 1)
by Marisa HowardAnyu Rouaux (Illustrator)
5 out of 5 stars

Two little sisters are ready for a fun day at the beach. They collect seashells, swim in the kiddie pool, splash in the water, and build a sandcastle. They dig in the sand with their Dad, and eat popsicles with their Mom.

This book is full of bright sunshine and happy smiles! I love the energy and playfulness of the sisters as they discover how many things there are to do at the beach.

Sissies in the Mountains ( A Board Book Celebrating the Magic... by Marisa Howard

Sissies in the Mountains (Sissies Adventures 2)
5 out of 5 stars

Two little sisters are travelling to the mountains. They hike through the trails with their Mom and Dad. They climb rocks at the park, pick wildflowers, and eat ice-cream.

I love the bright energy in this book! The sisters play sweetly together and are ready to find little adventures around every corner.

Sissies Go To Mexico ( A Board Book Celebrating the Magic of ... by Marisa Howard

Sissies Go To Mexico (Sissies Adventures 3)
5 out of 5 stars

Two little sisters travel to Mexico, where they are fascinated by a huge iguana and a colorful parrot. They try on sombreros, eat quesadillas, take a siesta, and dance to Mexican music.

I love the beautiful Mexican dresses that the girls wear to the fiesta! They remind me of traditional dresses I wore when I was a little girl living in Mexico. The sisters have such a playful energy, full of appreciation for the traditions and landscape of Mexico.

Continue reading