Book Review: 'The Pug Who Wanted to be a Bunny' by Bella Swift

✰✰✰✰ Peggy the pug is getting a new sibling just in time for Easter. The new sibling is cute, soft, and cuddly. Everyone in the family is excited, except Peggy. Peggy is used to getting a whole lot of attention, and now she’s playing second fiddle to a bunny! In fact, the newcomer is so adorable, Peggy decides to become a bunny too. Can Peggy convince everyone she’s just as cute as the new pet? Or will Easter end in disaster? Hop on over to the library and check out this cute tale.

The Bottom Line: This delightful, gentle, easy-to-read tale reminds readers that there’s more than enough love to go around in a family. Each member holds an unique spot in a family; no competition is needed. This is Book #3 in The Pug Who Wanted To Be series. Enthusiastically recommended for middle grade readers experiencing sibling rivalry.

Details: The Pug Who Wanted to be a Bunny by Bella Swift. Hardcover published by Aladdin in 2022. 160 p. ISBN: 9781534486850 

Book Review: 'Ollie's Halloween' by Olivier Dunrea

✰✰✰✰ It’s Halloween and the goslings are out prowling. Each is dressed up for the festivities as they hoot like owls, scare frogs, and gobble up treats. But Ollie is too busy to eat. When lightning flashes in the dark sky, the goslings run into the barn. There they find one last feast of treats. Will the others share with Ollie? Check out this Halloween treat to find out.

The Bottom Line: This tiny tale of big Halloween adventure is sure to please little ones familiar with Gossie, Gertie, Peedie, BooBoo, & Ollie. Delightful pen and ink and gouache illustrations set a festive tone. The large print is perfect for beginning readers. Enthusiastically recommended for little ones in preschool. Includes a fold-out poster.

Details: Ollie’s Halloween written & illustrated by Olivier Dunrea. Hardcover picture book published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children in 2010. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-618-53241-4

Book Review: 'Bone Soup' by Cambria Evans

✰✰✰✰✰ Finnigin is always hungry. He visits town after town taking with him only an eating stool, an eating spoon, and his gigantic eating mouth. When Finnigin arrives in a new town on Halloween, all the other creatures avoid him.

Finnigin's infamous appetite has preceded him. Just what is a hungry skeleton to do? With only his spoon, the town's largest cauldron, and a magic ingredient, Finnigin comes up with a plan to whip up an amazing Halloween feast. 

The Bottom Line: This Halloween-themed take on the classic story, Stone Soup, is a real winner. Kids will delight in the disgusting ingredients as they learn about sharing, and the author's charming, but creepy, illustrations are perfect with the story. Highly recommended for story time reading for children in grades K – 3.

Details: Bone Soup written & illustrated by Cambria Evans. Hardcover picture book published by Houghton Mifflin Company in 2008. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-618-80908-0

Book Review: 'And Then Comes Halloween' by Tom Brenner

✰✰✰½ Debut author Tom Brenner has written a charming story about Halloween and the days leading up to it. And Then Comes Halloween follows several children as they prepare for Halloween night. As the days grow shorter and the morning air turns chilly, there are paper witches to be cut out, pumpkins to be carved, and costumes to be made. When Halloween arrives, it’s time run out into the night with friends and knock on doors. Finally, when it’s time to go home, the children learn the fun is not over yet; now it’s time to trade and share.

The Bottom Line: And Then Comes Halloween is a gentle tale about the joys of autumn and the preparation for the Halloween celebration. Youngsters will identify with the activities of the children featured in the story. Holly Meade’s watercolor and collage illustrations subtly set the tone for the holiday. This book is not frightening or spooky; thus, it’s a great introduction to the holiday for children who may be a bit fearful of going out for trick-or-treating. It also features themes of friendship and sharing. And Then Comes Halloween is appropriate for little ones in Grades Pre-K – 1.

Details: And Then Comes Halloween written by Tom Brenner and illustrated by Holly Mead. Hardcover picture book published in 2009 by Candlewick Press. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-7636-3659-3