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Picture Book Review: The Night Walk
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 readingPicture Book Review: You Can Be a Farmer, Too!
You Can Be a Farmer, Too!
by Becky Davies, Charlotte 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 readingPicture Book Review: This is Not My Hat, El Ladron Del Sombrero
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 readingPicture Book Review: La Burrita Baldomera
La burrita Baldomera
by Ismael F. Arias, Enrique G. Ballesteros, Ayesha 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 readingYA Book Review: Lycanthropy and Other Illnesses
Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses
by Kristen O’Neal
1 out of 5 stars and Did Not Finish
Priya has Lyme disease, and wakes up every morning with pain and fatigue. She joins a support group online with other people who have chronic illnesses, and discovers that her best friend might be a werewolf.
In the first 50 pages of this book, nothing happens at all. Well, we get to see some sweet character introductions of Priya and her siblings for about 3 pages. And Priya joins the support group. That’s it. The entire first 50 pages could have been condensed into 5 pages.
And that’s when I got bored and stopped reading. I have a rule that I have to read at least to page 50 before I will let myself DNF a book, knowing that I gave it a fair chance.
Continue readingPicture Book Review: Pablo
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 readingBoard Book Reviews: Daddy Loves You, and Mommy Loves You
Daddy Loves You
by Danielle McLean, Zoe 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, Zoe 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 reading100 Classics I WANT to Read
Comic Review: Flash Facts
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
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