Picture Book Review: Adventure Kitty

Adventure Kitty by James Hemingway

Adventure Kitty
by James Hemingway, FolksnFables (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

Adventure Kitty goes exploring in the woods, looking for someone to play with. He asks the goose, the raccoon, the possum, and a frog, but no one wants to play with him. He befriends a little beaver, but he avoids the skunk. He gets into a rough fight with a coyote. When he is lost, the Adventure Kitty asks an owl for directions.

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Picture Book Review: The Melody

The Melody by Oded Burla

The Melody
by Oded Burla

4 out of 5 stars

A melody is searching for someone who will listen to it and sing it. The melody asks the mountains, the trees, and the river if they are hoping for a song. But they either won’t listen or already have their own songs. The melody asks the animals and birds if they need a song to sing, but no one wants the melody. Finally the melody finds a mother who needs to soothe her baby with a song.

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Candlewick Picture Book Reviews Batch

I'll Go and Come Back by Rajani LaRocca

I’ll Go and Come Back
by Rajani LaRocca (Goodreads Author), Sara Palacios (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

A little girl visits her grandmother in India, but they only speak a few words in each other’s language. They learn to bond through books, playing games, and eating good food. They shop together in the market, and dress in the same colors. Their love grows and keeps them strong even when they are apart.

This is such a sweet book! I actually cried at the end, because it made me think of my own grandmother. The bond between grandmother and granddaughter is so strong and special, and that is celebrated beautifully in this book.

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Picture Book Review: This is a School

This Is a School by John Schu

This Is a School
by John Schu (Goodreads Author), Veronica Miller Jamison(illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

School is not just a place for learning. Children grow and change as their teachers help them to see their potential. The children discover their love of art and music. They make friends and help each other. They make mistakes and try to make amends. They fail at some things and try again. School is a place for exploration and community.

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Picture Book Review: Ready for the Spotlight!

Ready for the Spotlight! by Jaime Kim

Ready for the Spotlight!
by Jaime Kim

5 out of 5 stars

Tessie is jealous that her big sister Maya always steals the spotlight in their ballet class. Maya is older and has more training with dance, so she gets to wear a crown in the ballet recital. Tessie is so sick of always being overlooked! Until one day in class they have freestyle dancing, and Tessie gets a chance to show her amazing dance skills.

I loved this cute book! It’s so sweet how the sisters navigate some tough emotions of jealousy and inadequacy, and they learn to help and appreciate each other. I love the positive messages in this story as the girls learn to share the spotlight together.

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Picture Book Review: Tea Party with Brielle

Tea Party with Brielle by Brielle Vivienne

Tea Party with Brielle
by Brielle Vivienne, Jacqueline Regano, Yuliia Zolotova (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

Brielle is preparing a tea party for her guests. She chooses a theme, picks out a fancy dress, sets the table with a beautiful tablecloth, and prepares the food. She even has a special recipe for a delicious tea! When her guests arrive, everything is ready for a fantastic tea party!

This is such a cute book! Everything is floral and pink and pretty- perfect for those girly girls who love a fancy tea party! I love all the little details about the teapot and the plates, the flowers, and all the chic accessories.

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Picture Book Review: My Colorful World

My Colorful World by Jill McKellan

My Colorful World: Making New Friends
by Jill McKellan

3 out of 5 stars

In this book, the Fairy Brigade pretend to be regular children to help Arya gain the confidence to make new friends. Arya is very nervous, but the Fairy Brigade help her to overcome her fears. Little by little, she opens up and learns how to make friends.

This is a cute story about overcoming social anxiety, and finding ways to connect with people. I liked the positive messages in this book! The story is very simple and the writing is a little stiff, but I enjoyed the way that Arya grows and becomes more courageous.

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Picture Book Reviews: The Magic House, and The Lonely Cloud

The Magic House by Alan Matkovic

The Magic House: The Amazing Adventures of Alexander and Sophia
by  Alan Matkovic

3 out of 5 stars

Sophia and Alexander are two children looking for adventure. They discover a secret entrance to a magic house with mysterious rooms filled with every imaginable delight. As they explore the rooms, they find all their favorite things. But the mystery behind the last door will surprise them with magic they never imagined to be possible.

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Board Book Review: I Can Be Creative like Leonardo da Vinci

I Can Be Creative Like Leonardo da Vinci by Christopher Robbins

I Can Be Creative Like Leonardo da Vinci
by Christopher Robbins, Susanna Covelli (Illustrations)

5 out of 5 stars

This board book has a little finger puppet of Leonardo da Vinci sticking out of the book! It’s so cute and fun to play with! The story inspires little readers to be imaginative like da Vinci was. He invented new things, studied nature, and drew beautiful paintings and sketches.

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Book Review: Tales of Fearless Girls

Forgotten Fairy Tales by Isabel Otter

Forgotten Fairy Tales: Fearless Girls Around the World
by Isabel Otter, Ana Sender (Illustrations)

This collection of fairy tales features stories from all over the globe. Each story has a fearless woman or girl who dives into adventure with courage and resourcefulness. The stories have a wide range of settings in different cultures, including Germany, Mexico, Siberia, Japan, Fiji, Nigeria, and India. Some of the tales include magical beings like elves and sorcerers, and some have magic gods and giants.

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