Our Dragon by Mem Fox and Linda Davick
Review copy provided by Beach Lane Books
Published 5/2/23
A mother and father are raising a toddler dragon who tries to follow the rules against setting things on fire, but tends to forget, especially when he's hungry. My favorite thing about the book is the impish little faces the dragon makes. He is so much like an actual toddler, just in dragon form, both in behavior and body language. I didn't think the rhyming text was that strong, and the punchline landed weakly.
Published 5/23/23
Published 5/2/23
A mother and father are raising a toddler dragon who tries to follow the rules against setting things on fire, but tends to forget, especially when he's hungry. My favorite thing about the book is the impish little faces the dragon makes. He is so much like an actual toddler, just in dragon form, both in behavior and body language. I didn't think the rhyming text was that strong, and the punchline landed weakly.
Once Upon a Fairy Tale House by Mary Lyn Ray and Giselle Potter
Review copy provided by Beach Lane BooksPublished 5/23/23
This is the true story of four imaginative sisters who always dreamed of fairy tales and grew up to put their various talents to use building fairy tale homes. I chose to read this book based on the author and illustrator, both of whose work I have enjoyed in the past, but I did question the reasoning behind writing a book about such obscure subjects. I didn't love Potter's art in this one, as I think a more realistic style suits nonfiction better, but Ray's writing was solid.
Amy Wu and the Ribbon Dance by Kat Zhang and Charlene Chua
Review copy provided by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published 5/30/23
In this fourth Amy Wu book, Amy has discovered Chinese ribbon dancing, and she wants to try it out, but she doesn't know what to use for a ribbon. With some inspiration from her mom, she soon realizes that it's not having the right props but enjoying the dancing that matters. My girls have grown up reading Amy Wu, and they loved this latest installment. It's pretty typical of a later book in a series like this, but there's nothing objectionable about it either.
Published 5/30/23
In this fourth Amy Wu book, Amy has discovered Chinese ribbon dancing, and she wants to try it out, but she doesn't know what to use for a ribbon. With some inspiration from her mom, she soon realizes that it's not having the right props but enjoying the dancing that matters. My girls have grown up reading Amy Wu, and they loved this latest installment. It's pretty typical of a later book in a series like this, but there's nothing objectionable about it either.
Truffle by David McPhail
Review copy provided by Peter E. Randall
Published 6/5/23
Truffle is a dog who doesn't like cats. He doesn't like seeing them on his farm, or in town, and he would prefer to vacation in a cat-free place. When he does take a trip, however, a moment of danger leads him to meet a feline friend, who changes the way he sees all cats from then on. This is a brand-new book, but it is written and illustrated in the style of McPhail's older titles. There are a lot of books out there about the rivalry between cats and dogs, but with the anthromorphic animals and cozy atmosphere, this one is a bit distinctive.
Published 6/6/23
Published 6/5/23
Truffle is a dog who doesn't like cats. He doesn't like seeing them on his farm, or in town, and he would prefer to vacation in a cat-free place. When he does take a trip, however, a moment of danger leads him to meet a feline friend, who changes the way he sees all cats from then on. This is a brand-new book, but it is written and illustrated in the style of McPhail's older titles. There are a lot of books out there about the rivalry between cats and dogs, but with the anthromorphic animals and cozy atmosphere, this one is a bit distinctive.
We Are Going to be Pals! by Mark Teague
Review copy provided by Beach Lane BooksPublished 6/6/23
A friendly egret chatters away to a silent rhino about what great friends they will be in this story told entirely in one-sided dialogue. This book is funny because I think most people can see themselves as either the silent, introverted rhino or the gregarious, extroverted egret. The egret's monologue makes may statements about the nature of friendship that make good talking points for kids learning about social norms, and it's fun to read aloud because of his excitement and persistence. There is also an opportunity to remind more outspoken and chatty kids how it might feel to be the overwhelmed rhino in this scenario.
Published 6/6/23
This quirky book is the true story of Annie Miller whose miner husband built her a mansion, and then died, after which she lost her money and had to turn to pig-farming. The town where the mansion stood didn't allow pigs, so she had to have her house moved to the next town by rolling it on logs. The writing style is very tongue-in-cheek and the old-timey looking illustrations perfectly match that droll tone. Not very much really happens in the story, so readers who like this author's style are the most likely audience for this one.
Publishes 6/13/23
This book (a reprint of a 2015 title) is very similar to the author's classic book, On Market Street, but far less distinctive. On each page, a pig with a named staring with the appointed letter of the alphabet performs some action which also starts with that letter. Both the names nor the actions seem totally random, and the pictures are largely very generic. We are big fans of both Lobels in our family, but this is not this author's best work, nor it is an especially good alphabet book in general.
Moving the Millers' Minnie Moore Mine Mansion: A True Story by Dave Eggers and Júlia Sardà
Review copy provided by Candlewick PressPublished 6/6/23
This quirky book is the true story of Annie Miller whose miner husband built her a mansion, and then died, after which she lost her money and had to turn to pig-farming. The town where the mansion stood didn't allow pigs, so she had to have her house moved to the next town by rolling it on logs. The writing style is very tongue-in-cheek and the old-timey looking illustrations perfectly match that droll tone. Not very much really happens in the story, so readers who like this author's style are the most likely audience for this one.
Playful Pigs from A to Z by Anita Lobel
Review copy provided by Paula Wiseman BooksPublishes 6/13/23
This book (a reprint of a 2015 title) is very similar to the author's classic book, On Market Street, but far less distinctive. On each page, a pig with a named staring with the appointed letter of the alphabet performs some action which also starts with that letter. Both the names nor the actions seem totally random, and the pictures are largely very generic. We are big fans of both Lobels in our family, but this is not this author's best work, nor it is an especially good alphabet book in general.
Penny and Pip by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann
Review copy provided by Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
Publishes 6/13/23
On a school field trip to the natural history museum, Penny encounters a small reptile baby who starts following her through the exhibits. All he can say is "pip," so that's the name she gives him. The two have fun together, but when Penny sees how sad Pip is at the sight of the dinosaur skeletons, she hatches a plan to be able to take him home without raising suspicions. This book follows a long tradition of children's books about museums, and is not that different from Danny and the Dinosaur, except that this dinosaur is smaller and easier to sneak home. It would be fun to read in anticipation of a museum trip, or with any child who dreams of a dinosaur of his/her own.
Publishes 6/13/23
On a school field trip to the natural history museum, Penny encounters a small reptile baby who starts following her through the exhibits. All he can say is "pip," so that's the name she gives him. The two have fun together, but when Penny sees how sad Pip is at the sight of the dinosaur skeletons, she hatches a plan to be able to take him home without raising suspicions. This book follows a long tradition of children's books about museums, and is not that different from Danny and the Dinosaur, except that this dinosaur is smaller and easier to sneak home. It would be fun to read in anticipation of a museum trip, or with any child who dreams of a dinosaur of his/her own.
You Go First by Ariel Bernstein and Marc Rosenthal
Review copy provided by Paula Wiseman Books
Publishes 6/13/23
Cat and Duck are two good friends. Duck is enthusiastic about new things, while Cat is more cautious. Duck is eager to try the new slide at the playground, but Cat talks her out of it with his worries about safety. Feeling bad, Cat decides to face his own fears so that his friend can enjoy herself. This book has a main text that narrates the stories as well as lines of dialogue worked into the illustrations that showcase the characters' differing personalities. I enjoyed their exchanges, as they reminded me a little bit of my twins talking to each other. I also liked that the characters work things out for themselves without the intervention of an adult. The story also has a sense of humor about the subject matter which gives it just the right light touch. I appreciate the message that it is sometimes a good thing to take risks.
Publishes 6/13/23
Cat and Duck are two good friends. Duck is enthusiastic about new things, while Cat is more cautious. Duck is eager to try the new slide at the playground, but Cat talks her out of it with his worries about safety. Feeling bad, Cat decides to face his own fears so that his friend can enjoy herself. This book has a main text that narrates the stories as well as lines of dialogue worked into the illustrations that showcase the characters' differing personalities. I enjoyed their exchanges, as they reminded me a little bit of my twins talking to each other. I also liked that the characters work things out for themselves without the intervention of an adult. The story also has a sense of humor about the subject matter which gives it just the right light touch. I appreciate the message that it is sometimes a good thing to take risks.
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