Picture Book Review: The Box

The Box by Isabella Paglia

The Box
by Isabella Paglia, Paolo Proietti (Illustrator), Laura Watkinson (Translator)

5 out of 5 stars

A box is left in the forest and it seems there is someone inside. The animals invite whoever-it-is to come out and join them, but the animal inside the box shouts out, “No!” So the forest animals take a step back and try to think of ways to make whoever-it-is feel welcome. They have a circus show with music. They host a picnic. But whoever-it-is will not come out. Gently, the animals show their care and friendliness. And when whoever-it-is feels safe and welcome, they finally come out.

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Board Book Review: Where’s the Bunny?

Where's the Bunny? by Ingela P. Arrhenius

Where’s the Bunny?
by Ingela P. Arrhenius (illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

This adorable board book asks the reader to find different animals at spring time, and the baby must lift a flap of felt fabric to reveal the missing creature! You have to find a puppy, a mouse, a duck, and a bunny. At the end of the book, the reader lifts the flap to find themselves reflected in a little mirror!

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Picture Book Reviews: Alma Series #1-3

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal

Alma and How She Got Her Name
by Juana Martinez-Neal (Goodreads Author)

3 out of 5 stars

Alma has a very long name. Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela. It’s so long that it won’t even fit on the paper when she tries to write her name! She asks her father why she has such a long name, and he explains that Sofia was her grandmother. Esperanza was her great-grandmother. Jose was her grandfather, and Pura is her great-aunt.
Alma shares special things in common with all her family. She loves to paint like her grandfather. She loves flowers and birds like her grandmother. The heritage that she shares with them is a part of who she is, so her name fits her just right.

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Book Review: Waiting for the Stars

Waiting for the Stars by Jonny Lambert

Waiting for the Stars
by Jonny Lambert

5 out of 5 stars

Mouse gets to stay up past her bedtime to see the stars appear in the sky. She is very impatient, but her animal friends help her to stay awake. They pass the time by telling stories and munching on snacks. Mouse sees a few stars for just a minute, but then a cloud hides them from view. The fireflies come up with a plan to make the night shine with starlight (or firefly light) for Mouse!

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Book Review: The Quickest Bedtime Story Ever!

The Quickest Bedtime Story Ever! by Louise Fitzgerald

The Quickest Bedtime Story Ever!
by Louise Fitzgerald, Kate Hindley (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

This bedtime story is only ten words long. But first we have to warm up our voices to read the story. Then we have to remember to give a big stretch and a yawn. We have to make sure we are comfy in bed with all our pillows. Then we have to double check that we have all our stuffy toys. Our story needs a special fanfare with a little drum and a toy horn. Once everyone is snuggled up, we can finally hear the ten-word story. And we can finally sleep tight.

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Book Review: The Egg Incident

The Egg Incident by Ziggy Hanaor

The Egg Incident
by Ziggy Hanaor

5 out of 5 stars

Little Humphrey is terrified of everything. His parents have told him the story of his Uncle Humpty Dumpty. They have warned Humphrey not to run or jump or climb trees, and especially to NEVER climb up a wall. Humphrey meets a rambunctious Princess at the park who encourages him to be brave and take risks. Can Humphrey find his courage when it matters the most? Or will his new risk-taking end in disaster?

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Book Reviews: Penguin and Panda Series #1-2

The Adventures of Penguin and Panda by Brenda Maier

The Adventures of Penguin and Panda: Surprise!: Graphic Novel (1) (Volume 1) (The Surprise! The Adventures of Penguin and Panda)
by  Brenda Maier (Goodreads Author), Fanni Mézes (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

Penguin is trying to surprise Panda with a special picnic, but Panda keeps guessing all the surprises before Penguin can reveal them. Penguin is worried that Panda is not having fun because all the surprises are ruined, but Panda is just happy to be hanging out with Penguin.

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Book Review: Guess How Much I Love You

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Guess How Much I Love You: Deluxe Book and Toy Gift Set
by Sam McBratney, Anita Jeram (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare take turns trying to demonstrate how much they love each other. The little hare stretches out his little arms and says I love you this much! But then the big hare stretches out their arms a lot wider and says I love you THIS much! No matter what little hare does, they can’t hop higher, or stretch taller, or say anything to show their love, without the big hare saying something bigger and higher and taller. Finally, they say their love reaches all the way to the moon, and the big hare adds “to the moon and back”.

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3 Picture Books from Pajama Press

The Only Lonely Fairy by Lana Button

The Only Lonely Fairy
by Lana Button (Goodreads Author), Peggy Collins (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

Leah wants to play fairies, but none of the other children seem to want to play with her. They have their own friends to play other things. Leah is so busy feeling sorry for herself and being upset about her loneliness, that she doesn’t even notice that Allie likes fairies too. When she finally stops being so dramatic about being lonely, Leah looks around and discovers that there are plenty of friends to play with.

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8 Picture Books from Tiger Tales

Strong by Clara Anganuzzi

Strong
by Clara Anganuzzi

5 out of 5 stars

Most dragons are bold and ferocious, breathing fire and looking scary. But Maurice is quiet and gentle. He loves to arrange flowers and take care of plants. He thinks he will never be able to fit in or be accepted by the other dragons, until his brother goes missing. Only Maurice has the special knowledge and courage to find his brother and show all the other dragons that he has his own type of strength.

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