Book Reviews - Kids Fight Climate Change: Act Now to be a #2minutesuperhero; Martin Dorey

Kids Fight Climate Change: Act Now to be a #2minutesuperhero

 Martin Dorey  (Illustrator: Tim Wesson)

Walker Books - 2021 - Candlewick Press 2022

(ages 7-12)

This book takes a very serious subject and makes it fun for young children to learn, understand and to do some small things to help save our planet.  The book gives a brief overview of climate change and why it is so important for everyone including the very young to get involved. Children get an opportunity to become a superhero activist.

Children learn why the fight matters, they also get to learn about wind turbines, solar power, renewable versus non renewable energy, about not wasting water.  There are some 60 different types of small actions and changes to become help in a small way.  Although this book is a good introduction for young children to do their part, I thought the information provided about climate change seemed overly simplistic and incomplete - even for the targeted age group here.  The illustrations  by Tim Wesson are really fun and well done.

RATING - 4/5 stars

NOTE: This book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.

Brief Children's Book Reviews - Hat Cat; Troy Wilson and The View From the Very Best House in Town; Meena Trehan

Hat Cat; Troy Wilson (Eve Coy-Illustrator)

Candlewick Press - 2022

(ages 4 - 8)

This is a touching story about growing old and caring for other living things both human and animals.

We meet a lonely, elderly man who lives alone. He enjoys the simple pleasures like leaving peanuts for the squirrels and watching them feast from his front porch.  One day the man realizes that he forgot to bring his hat inside and he finds a small kitten nestled underneath.  The old man begins feeding the kitten and even names him Hat. The cat named Hat becomes an indoor cat but misses its outdoor life.  When the man goes away for a bit and Hat seems to have been left alone.  I feared this story was moving to a dark place, perhaps too dark for young children but, it did not. While the man is away the neighbors step in to care for the cat until the man eventually returns home.

The colorful illustrations are well done and quite sweet, I liked the story about companionship and helping others in need.

 

Rating - 4/5 stars

The View From the Very Best House in Town; Meena Trehan

Walker Books - 2022

(Ages - 8 - 12)

Part thriller, part friendship story, this is a book that will make the reader think about what constitutes a "real friend and a real home."  The story features two good friends, Sam and Asha, who are on the autism spectrum.  Sam has just been accepted into a private school, Castleton Academy. It's his mother that wants to change things up for him and things get off to a rocky start for him when he is publicly referred to as the Miracle Boy.  Sam is faced with new classmates who may pretend to want to be his friend but their actions show something quite different. 

Sam and Asha's characters come across as both unique, complex and quite genuine.  I thought it was quite creative that a third character -- a mansion known as Donnybrook added a mystery element to the story as well as the girl named Prestyn, who lives at Donnybrook. She pretends to want to be a friend  to Sam but is anything but.

This is the type of story that should generate questions and conversation form the children who read this book.  I thought this debut story was well done and the ending satisfying as well.

Rating - 4/5 stars

NOTE: (Both of these books were sent to me at no cost in exchange for my unbiased reviews.)

3 children's books worth considering: The Secret Starling; Judith Eagle - Judy Moody in a Monday Mood; Megan McDonald and Welcome Back Maple Mehta-Cohen; Kate McGovern

 

The Secret Starling; Judith Eagle (Ill. Jo Rioux)

Walker Books - US - Ages 10-14

Set in a time before technology, twelve year old Clara Starling lived a boring and lonely life in a crumbling old British mansion with her strict uncle Edward.  Her mother died when Clara was born and Clara never knew her father.  One day her uncle disappears leaving her with a pocketful of money.  Clara is unsure what to do having been sheltered from the outside world with no friends and now no uncle. Things change when Peter, an orphan boy her age arrives with his cat.  He is expecting to be staying with Edward after his grandma has become ill but, soon the two abandoned children need to work together and solve a the mystery of the past and what has brought them together. Can they piece together the past with some clues found in the present?

A charming mystery story with an old-fashion feel that both children and adults can enjoy; I loved the illustrations as well.

Judy Moody in a Monday Mood; Megan McDonald (Ill. Peter H. Reynolds)

Candlewick Press - 2021 - (Ages 6-9)

Who hasn't had the Sunday night blues? Young Judy Moody is no exception so when feeling rather down at school, hr teacher Mr. Todd comes up with an idea that cheers her up - he declares a reason to celebrate "Bubble Wrap Day."  It is indeed a strange day to celebrate but it opens the door to new types of celebrations for Judy, her brother and her friends.  Their ideas are wild and crazy as "bubble wrap day" but, open up the opportunity to do good things and celebrate differences and isn't that a wonderful thing?

Judy Moody is a kid pleaser; children in Grades 1-3 will enjoy this fun story and well done illustrations.

Welcome Back Maple Mehta-Cohen; Kate McGovern

Candlewick Press - 2021 (ages 9-12)

Maple is a half-Indian - half-Jewish girl who is has an amazing vocabulary, she writes stories but, she is struggling. She is in the fifth grade (again) and trying to keep a secret from her friends.  She has difficulty reading, it does not come easy to her - she mixes up the words.  Her anxiety increases as she worries what the other kids will think and say about her and, she feels like she is disappointing her family as well.

This was such a well written, realistic story and such an important one as well.  I liked that not only is Maple of mixed heritage, the story was also about children with real learning issues like dyslexia.  I thought the perfect target age for this story would be 10-11 year old children.

My thanks go to Walker Books US and Candlewick Press for sending these books my way in exchange for my unbiased reviews.

2 new Children's Books - A Donkey Called Mistletoe; Helen Peters and Prehistoric Pets; Dr. Dean Lomax

 

Jasmine Green Rescues: A Donkey Called Mistletoe; Helen Peters

(Ill. Ellie Snowdon)

Walker Books - September - 2021 

(ages (7 - 9)

Book # 10 of the Jasmine Green Rescues series, introduces readers to Mistletoe, a donkey,  owned by an old and frail man who can no longer care for him. Where will Mistletoe go?  

Readers may recall from some of my previous reviews of this series that Jasmine Green's mom is a veterinarian, and based on passed experience readers will hope that Jasmine Green will be able to convince her mother to keep the donkey.  Jasmine has pleaded with her mom in the past on behalf of other animals in need and even though her mom always says, "no more pets" she usually gives in before long.

This is another winning story by Helen Peters with terrific illustrations by Ellie Snowdon. I love how this series teaches children compassion for other living things.  This book would be a perfect addition to your Christmas reads as there are a lot of characters to care about from the elderly man who can no longer care for the donkey, a boy on the autism spectrum and sick and/or depressed animals that need healing.  I highly recommend this series.

Prehistoric Pets; Dr. Dean Lomax (Ill. Mike Love)

                                                    Templar - September - 2021 - (ages 5 - 7)

Prehistoric Pets was a wonderful pop-up book featuring (7) ancestors of our more modern day pets.  

It was fun to share this stunning book with grandchildren. The book is complete with stunning pop-ups of the oldest ancestors of some of the pets we know and love.  Kids and adults alike will learn more about the ancestors of cats, dogs, horses, parakeets snakes and even a guinea pig.  We learn where these animals and reptiles once lived and the kinds of things they ate as well. I loved the fossil facts and the brilliant colorful pop-ups. Although the targeted age group here is ages 5-7, there is plenty of new information to make this book of value to children in the 10-12 age group.  Even children younger than 5 will be fascinated by the wonderful pop up art.

My thanks go to Candlewick Press who sent these winning books my way.

Book Review - Another Earth Day Treasure - A World of Plants; Martin Jenkins and James Brown (ILL)

A World of Plants is a stunning, all encompassing book about plants full of facts about what plants can do.  It is a beautiful, oversized hardboard book approx. 11"x15". The targeted age group is 7 - 10, but, adults  might be surprised that they learned quite a few new things by reading this book as well. 

Some of the topics that I found fascinating were:

• Plants That Eat Animals
• Sacred and Symbolic Plants
• Breeding Plants
• Ten Plants That Feed the World
• Cycling Carbon
• Plants That Steal
• Tall, Taller, Tallest Trees
• Desert Plants
• Breeding Plants...... and honestly so many more.

Each particular topic is given a (2)-page spread like the ones shown below with beautiful illustrations and details about the specific topic featured. There is interesting information about photosynthesis, what it is and how it works.  It also cautions readers about how important it is to take the climate crisis seriously and how important plants are to life on Planet Earth. 

This book would work great as an instructional tool as well as for personal collections.

Thanks go to Candlewick and Walker Books US for sending this lovely book my way.

2 more fun kids books - Dandelion's Dream; Yoko Tanaka and Madame Badobedah; Sophie Dahl

Dandelion's Dream; Yoko Tanaka

Candlewick Press - 2020

It's dandelion season and buds are sprouting everywhere but, then the unexpected happens -- bit bit bit one of the buds sprouts into a real -- lion.

In general, I'm not a fan of wordless picture books for the very young but this one is "too cute for words." Who wouldn't like to experience the cute little lion's adventures this spring?

The charcoal colored background with bright pop's of yellow on the pages throughout made for an imaginative springtime story.

Madame Badobedah; Sophie Dahl (Illust-Lauren O'Hara

Walker Books (Candlewick Press) 2020

A story in 3 parts

Mabel is an only child and she lives the Mermaid Hotel where he dad is the manager and her mom is the "boss".  Mabel is a keen observer of all things and people.  When a feather-clad, mature guest with a growly voice arrives with a heavy suitcase, the curious Mabel, names her "Madame Badobedah".  The guest is assigned to Room 32, a room with a secret, Mabel's curious but, not allowed to enter a guest's room so she becomes - Mabel the Spy and she comes up with a theory, Madame B is a super-villain!

First and second grade readers will enjoy the visual and challenges that this charming book offers.  This book is a funny, engaging and imaginative story of friendship. Wonderful, fun illustrations as well.

3 new Christmas Books for Kids

The First Christmas Sweater; Ryan Tubridy

illustrated by Chris Judge

Walker Books - 2019

A buck-toothed sheep named Hillary dreams about a life beyond Farmer Jimmy's land.  Her multi-colored fleece makes her stand out from the flock so when Santa comes looking for some special wool for "the first Christmas sweater ever" it's Hillary who stand out.

A cute story with silly illustrations peppered throughout; there will be lot's to chuckle about as you read this little gem.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt Christmas

(Activity Book)

Candlewick Press-2019

This Christmas Activity Book has so much to offer and keep young children amused. There are 100 stickers with pages to be decorated. The book also features projects such as making a cake for the birds to enjoy, making leaf wreaths, outdoor animal tracking projects, make yourself a dog-faced mask, how about time for some snowflake paper chains or your own personal Christmas cards?  There are also fun word puzzles, jokes and several other activities to keep children busy and engaged.

Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever; Matt Tavares

Candlewick Press-2019

In this sweet Christmas story with a very happy ending, a brave little doe longs for a better life.  He and his family are part on a traveling circus which means long days under a hot tent and little time to rest.  Mama would tell stories of a cooler, magical place far away under the North Star. Dasher longed to go there.  

One windy night Dasher found an escape and found his way to this magical place. He joined Silver Bell who was in need of some help in preparing for Christmas.  Dasher loves his new home but, he misses his family but, Santa comes through, finding a way for Dasher and his family to be together again.

Fabulous illustrations, a sweet happy ending story and a must-buy for ages 3-8.