children’s books

Book Review: Danny the Champion of the World

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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

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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?

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Spanish Books Giveaway!

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Don’t forget to enter the Spanish Candlewick Book Giveaway at Rafflecopter!
There are two different prize packs for board books and for picture books in Spanish!
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/37d98da110/?

Picture Book Review: Yawn

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Yawn by Patricia Hegarty

Yawn
by Patricia Hegarty, Teresa Bellon (Illustrations)
5 out of 5 stars

I can personally verify that this book will make you yawn. I yawned four times while reading it, and twice more while writing this review.

One little boy yawns, and his yawn is contagious! It sweeps through the town and out to the countryside. All around the world, people start yawning in Egypt, India, and even the North Pole. Farm animals and polar bears and elephants; no one is immune to this persistent yawn. The yawn reaches outer space where aliens begin to yawn. Then the yawn reaches the reader, and the little boy who started it all is tucked into bed fast asleep.

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Picture Book Review: Tormenta de Pimienta

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Tormenta de Pimienta by Rafael Ordóñez

Tormenta de Pimienta
by Rafael Ordóñez, Marisa Morea (Illustrator)
5 out of 5 stars

Los ratones están cansados de que los elefantes caminen por la jungla sin mirar hacia dónde van. Les preocupa que los pisen, pero a los elefantes no les importa. Así que los ratones idean un plan para obligar a los elefantes a prestar atención y vigilar sus pasos.

The mice are tired of the elephants walking around the jungle and not looking where they are going. They are worried that they will get stepped on, but the elephants don’t care. So the mice devise a plan to force the elephants to pay attention and watch their step.

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Picture Book Review: The Night Walk

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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.

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