Board Book Reviews: F is for Farm, and C is for City

F Is for Farm by Ashley Marie Mireles

F Is for Farm
by Ashley Marie Mireles (Goodreads Author), Volha Kaliaha (Illustrations)
4 out of 5 stars

This board book leads the reader through the alphabet, teaching words that have to do with farming. Some of the words are obvious ones (D is for Duck, and B is for Barn), but others of them are more exotic (X is for Ximenia), and one of the words left me confused about why it was included (N is for Next-Gen).

The illustrations are bright and colorful, and I love the cute art style! Every page is vibrant with animals, plants, and farming equipment. The farmers pick apples in the orchard, irrigate the fields, harvest pumpkins, milk the cow, and collect eggs from the chickens.

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Picture Book Review: I Don’t Want to Go to School

I Don't Want to Go to School by Lula Bell

I Don’t Want to Go to School
by Lula BellBrian Fitzgerald (Illustrations)
5 out of 5 stars

This picture book follows Mouse and Dinosaur as they prepare for their first day of school. They are both so scared. Mouse worries that the children won’t like her, and Dinosaur worries that the teacher might be mean. But there is a huge surprise waiting for the class when they arrive at school! Mouse and Dinosaur learn to love school and not be so nervous.

I love the colorful illustrations! Every page is popping with brightness and fun. The art is really expressive and cute! I love the crayon style of the art.

This whole story is delightful and fun, and this would be the perfect gift for a little reader who is just starting a new school year!

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Picture Book Review: I Like the Wind

I Like the Wind by Sarah   Nelson

I Like the Wind
by Sarah Nelson (Goodreads Author), Rachel Oldfield (Illustrations)
4 out of 5 stars

Children are woken by the wind blowing through their window, whispering to come outside and play. They fly a kite, race the wind, and watch the clouds blowing by. The branches of the trees bend in the wind, and the windows shake and rattle.

I loved the free and breezy mood of this book! I personally love being out in a windy day, so this book really resonated with me.

The illustrations are so cute and colorful! Every page is full of blustery wind. The leaves and flags and curtains in the background really feel like they are being recklessly blown about. The art is so good that you can feel the movement of the wind in every scene.

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Baby Book Reviews: It’s Bath Time, and Rhyme with Me!

It's Bath Time! Indestructibles by Carolina Búzio

It’s Bath Time! Indestructibles
by Carolina Búzio (Goodreads Author) (Illustrations)
5 out of 5 stars

When the babies get dirty, it’s time for a bath. Little elephants get splashed with water from their parent elephant’s trunk. Parent lions lick the fur of the lion cubs to get them clean. And human babies have a bubble bath!

I love the cute artwork in this book! Every page is so colorful and fun. This would make the perfect gift for little babies and toddlers!

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Picture Book Review: Sweet Pea Summer

Sweet Pea Summer by Hazel Mitchell

Sweet Pea Summer
by Hazel Mitchell (Goodreads Author)
5 out of 5 stars

A little girl has to stay with her grandparents because her mother is sick. She starts working in her grandparents garden to grow the best sweet pea blossoms for the flower competition. There are challenges and set backs, but the little girl learns to weather the storm until her mother is better again.

This book was so cute! The little girl is so sweet and vulnerable, but she finds that inner strength and starts to gain confidence in her gardening abilities. The grandparents are loving and kind, and the whole atmosphere of the garden is soothing. I love all the positive messages in this book!

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Picture Book Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

William Shakespeare's a Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare's Globe

William Shakespeare’s a Midsummer Night’s Dream
by Shakespeare’s GlobeJane E. Ray (Illustrations), Georghia Ellinas (reteller)
3 out of 5 stars

When the Fairy Queen Titania and the Fairy King Oberon are fighting, no one is happy. Least of all Puck, who is tasked with finding the nectar of a magical flower that will make people fall in love. Puck is up to mischief, making all the wrong people fall in love. There is a lot of merriment in cases of mistaken identity, but can Puck put things right again?

This retelling of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream condenses the main story of the play, but keeps all the main characters and plot fairly intact. Even as much as it is condensed, the story still feels too long and complicated for a picture book for young children. I’m sure a child would have trouble keeping track of the many characters. The text is also too wordy and long for a picture book.

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Board Book Review: Made for Me/ Naciste Para Mi

Made for Me by Zack Bush

Made for Me
by Zack Bush (Author), Gregorio De Laurentis (Illustrator)
4 out of 5 stars

A loving Dad tucks his baby child in at night, plays games, and washes their hair at bathtime. The Dad tells his child how much they are loved and cherished. Every new day is an adventure of discovery as the Dad watches their child explore their little world.

I really like that the toddler in the book could be a girl or a boy, so it will appeal to all children! The text is very sweet as the Dad describes how much they love their little baby. It’s a rhyming text, and the rhymes are good and the meter fits.

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Board Book Reviews: Things that Go, and What are Unicorns Made of?

Things That Go by Lauren Crisp

Things That Go
by Lauren CrispThomas Elliott (Illustrations)
5 out of 5 stars

This board book helps little readers to explore the different types of planes, ships, and cars. As you lift each flap on the page, a new type of transportation is revealed. There is a hot air balloon hidden behind some clouds, and a surprise submarine hiding under the waves.

I think it’s very cool that all the flaps are different sizes. There are big ones and little ones to help develop hand-eye coordination in little baby readers. The flaps are fairly thick and sturdy, but the smaller ones are still liable to get torn if you aren’t careful.

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