Picture books
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IRVING BERLIN, THE IMMIGRANT BOY WHO MADE AMERICA SING – Nancy Churnin
This children’s picture book about one of America’s greatest songwriters – who wasn’t actually born in the United States of America – is an absolutely marvelous biographical tribute. Author Nancy Churnin somehow manages to tell the entire Irving Berlin life story in thirty-two gorgeously illustrated pages, hitting the highlights, catching the struggles and the passions Continue reading
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A KISS GOODBYE – Audrey Penn
Audrey Penn has a good thing going with her Chester Raccoon series of books. I don’t know many parents of kindergarteners who aren’t familiar with The Kissing Hand and she’s followed it up with a few other books about Chester Raccoon learning something new. In A Kiss Goodbye, Chester and family have to move. There’s Continue reading
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DREAM BIG – Kat Kronenberg
There are a couple of different ways I look at and rate children’s picture books. Is it pretty to look at? Is the story simple and yet captivating for the child? Is there an important message for the child? What is the re-readability (will children want to have it read over and over and perhaps Continue reading
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STORM’S COMING! – Margi Preus and David Geister
Storm’s Coming! is a really simple, beautiful children’s picture book that, while it will have special appeal to Minnesotans and this familiar with the Split Rock Lighthouse, will be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates quality art (by David Geister) in a children’s picture book and/or informative lessons in nature and history. Author Margi Preus has Continue reading
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MADELINE FINN AND THE LIBRARY DOG – Lisa Papp
When I review or consider a children’s book, there are three things I look at: 1) How is the art? 2) How is the story? 3) What is the likelihood of re-reading the book? Madeline Finn and the Library Dog is a success on every level. Madeline Finn is a young girl who doesn’t like Continue reading
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THE STORYBOOK KNIGHT – Helen Docherty and Thomas Docherty
Yes! Yes! Yes! I am not typically a fan of rhyming children’s picture books, and the rhyme here is a little forced at times (read it out loud and you will stumble a bit), but the story is SO sweet and the art so FANTASTIC that I would guarantee that this is a book that Continue reading
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WONDER WOMAN: AMAZON WARRIOR – Steve Korté
Ah…I remember the days when I couldn’t wait for the Scholastic book fair that the school would have once a year. As a reader of comic books, this is precisely the sort of book that I would be drawn to. It appears that Scholastic is issuing a few of these books in a “Backstories” series, Continue reading
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THE H. A. REY TREASURY OF TALES – H.A. Rey and Margaret Rey
THROWBACK THURSDAY: REVIEWING A REISSUE How many people who are readers today did NOT read the Curious George books when they were young? Not too many, I would guess. But how many of you are aware that the creator(s) of Curious George wrote and illustrated other children’s stories as well? The H.A. Rey Treasury Continue reading
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DENSLOW’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS – Clement Clarke Moore & W.W. Denslow
THROWBACK THURSDAY: REVIEWING A REISSUE There’s something I find wonderfully appealing about Victorian Era children’s book art (though, yes, technically speaking, this would be in the Edwardian period as it was published in 1902 … but Denslow was certainly famous for his work during the Victorian period). There’s a great deal of whimsical fantasy, the Continue reading
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THE PULLMAN PORTER – Vanita Oelschlager and Mike Blanc
I just love this sort of children’s picture book. It is history, a topic that isn’t easily found, and the art is bold and eye-catching. In twenty-four pages, or less, author Vanita Oelschlager manages to encapsulate the creation and conditions of the Pullman Porter … the valet/servant who worked on the sleeper (Pullman) train cars. Continue reading
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THE MICE OF BISTROT DES SEPT FRERES – Marie LeTourneau
The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Frères is a cute picture book of slender, sophisticated mice that will capture a child’s attention and quietly teach a lesson as well. Short and sweet, this book features lots of repetition that is helpful and engaging for children. The story: a family of mice run a restaurant. A restaurant Continue reading
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HAPPY!
**WARNING — GRAPHIC LANGUAGE USED IN THE REVIEW BELOW** If you are not familiar with the genre of graphic novels, this is probably not the place for you to start. This is not a comic book. This is a dark, dirty, depressing, distressing, gruesome, gritty, gory story that can actually make you laugh and maybe Continue reading
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