Book Review: 'Shine' by Bruno Valasse

✰✰✰½ A beautiful little moth and his family are afraid of the dark! It prefers to stay inside where it's cozy, light, and safe. However, the little moth secretly loves watching the stars. Oh how nice it would be to see the stars up close, but in order to do that it must brave the darkness. The little moth learns to blend in and make new bug friends. As they explore the night, an unpleasant surprise awaits them. The little moth spreads his wings to try to save his new friends, and in the process he learns something quite remarkable about himself. 

The Bottom Line: Told from the little moth's point of view, this story celebrates being different, making friends, and overcoming a fear. The mixed media artwork features a limited color palette features a neon orange that practically jumps off the page; little ones will appreciate it. This feel-good picture book will help little ones understand that one can be different and overcome a fear. Recommended for little ones in Preschool - Pre-K.

Details: Shine written & illustrated by Bruno Valasse. Picture book published by Tundra Books in 2024. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-77488-428-7 [NOTE: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.] 

Book Review: 'Fright Club' by Ethan Long

✰✰✰✰ The Fright Club meets annually to practice making ghoulish faces and chilling sounds. Only the most frightening monsters are invited to join, but that’s not fair! When a sweet bunny and some cute little critters ask to join, Vladimir the Vampire won’t allow it. After all, what would these cute critters know about being scary? The monsters don’t have time to waste as they brush up on their scary skills without the bunny and his cute friends. Not to worry, the cute critters have a plan, and they won’t give up. Will Vladimir eventually give in and let them join? Read this spooky tale to find out!

The Bottom Line: This is a cute seasonal picture book with adorable illustrations in soft, muted colors, but there’s a deeper message here: Everything’s more fun when EVERYONE is included. This would be a frightfully fun choice for story time for kids in grades K - 2.

Details: Fright Club written & illustrated by Ethan Long. Picture book published by Bloomsbury in 2015. 32 P. ISBN: 978-1-61963-337-7