Picture Book Review: The Little Bear by Nicola Killen (6/28/2022)

Quick Booktalk 

In this back-to-school story from the same series as The Little Kitten, Ollie follows a bear to his woodland school one night and learns not to be nervous about her own first day. 

About the Illustrations 

The sweet, gentle pictures are mainly done in black, white, and gray, with occasional bits of navy and gold foil. They capture the nighttime atmosphere in a way that feels quiet and peaceful, not spooky. 

Readers Advisory

This could be a fun read-aloud at home for a child who is already anxious about attending school. I'd probably avoid reading it to a child who doesn't have any reservations about the first day because I wouldn't want to introduce a problem where there isn't one. The ideal age range is probably ages 3 to 5, which matches when most kids will begin their first school experiences. 

Content Notes

This is a different take on the back to school story, and it takes a very gentle and supportive approach. It keeps a positive outlook on the idea of starting school and makes it fun by imagining what an animal school might be like. My kids are homeschooled, but they are fascinated by school, so they all enjoyed reading this one. 

Disclosure 

I received a review copy of The Little Bear from Paula Wiseman Books in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: A Little Ferry Tale by Chad Otis (8/2/2022)

Quick Booktalk

As a little ferry boat carries people back and forth across the water, she is distracted by how much her passengers praise other types of boats and veers off course attempting to imitate them. When there is an emergency, however, she realizes how helpful her own good qualities actually are.

About the Illustrations

The pictures in this book make me think of some of Disney's storyboard images, so it wasn't much of a surprise to learn that the illustrator has worked for Disney. All of the boats have anthropomorphic features, while the humans and animals in the story are more realistic. The illustrations portray a lot of movement of boats and water very effectivly using varying shapes and lines.

Read-Aloud Possibilities

This is a fine book to read aloud, with not many words on the page, lots of bold shapes and lines in the pictures and even some onomatopoeia. It could be fun for a story time about boats, especially since ferries are not widely represented in picture books. It also works for a "be yourself" theme.

Readers Advisory

There are so many books already that follow this same formula, where a small vehicle discovers its big purpose: The Little Engine That Could, Little Excavator, Little Tug, Lily Leads the Way etc. I wish this one had done something a little bit different with the premise to make itself stand out a little more.

Disclosure

I received a review copy of A Little Ferry Tale from Atheneum Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: Wondering Around by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Richard Jones (5/3/2022)

 Quick Booktalk 

In poetic text this book reflects on the things children might wonder about while exploring the world around them. 

About the Illustrations 

Richard Jones's colorful pictures capture the wonder of the natural world as well as the way a child's imagination melds reality and fantasy together. His illustrations look at the world from a variety of vantage points, inviting the reader to think differently about each one.

Readers Advisory

This is a rhyming book, but its use of language is more abstract and sophisticated than what I would typically suggest for a preschooler. The publisher's recommended age range is grades 2-3, and that feels about right. The rhyme and rhythm of the poetry work well, and the lines are simple enough for kids to understand and to potentially even imitate, but not dumbed down or condescending. It's a solid choice for encouraging creativity, introducing poetry, and tying imaginatio to nature.

Disclosure 

I received a review copy of Wondering Around from Beach Lane Books in exchange for an honest review.