Book Review: 'Halloween is Coming!' by Cal Everett

✰✰✰½ It's that time of year, and if you look around, you'll see the signs. With leaves falling and a chill in the air, it's nearly time. As a group of friends notice the signs of fall, they prepare for Halloween, a celebration where you can be anything you want. 

The Bottom Line: This gentle, inclusive tale will appeal to kids in grades Pre-K - K. With rhyming verses and digitally created, colorful art, this picture book is full of seasonal fun.

Details: Halloween is Coming! words by Cal Everett & pictures by Lenny Wen. Hardcover picture book published by Sourcebooks in 2021. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-7282-0586-1 

Book Review: 'Hanukkah Moon' by Deborah da Costa

✰✰✰✰½ Isobel is excited to be invited to Aunt Luisa's for Hanukkah, but she's not sure what to expect. Aunt Luisa just moved to America from Mexico; will she know how to celebrate Hanukkah the right way? Isobel's father adds to the mystery by telling her that Aunt Luisa celebrates the Hanukkah Moon. Isobel wonders what that is, and when exactly to they celebrate it?

At Aunt Luisa's, Isobel learns about the birds and animal friends that visit. She also receives a camera to document the holiday. As the celebration continues, they light the hanukkiah and when the time is just right, Isobel learns how to celebrate the new moon that happens during Hanukkah. 

The Bottom Line: With themes of family and tradition, this picture book blends the traditions of Judaism and Mexico. Richly illustrated in watercolor and colored pencil, this is Mosz's first picture book for American readers. Highly recommended for seasonal story time for children ages 7 - 10. Includes a glossary and information about Hanukkah and Rosh Hodesh (the celebration of the new moon), which is popular among Sephardic Jews who settled in Latin America.

Details: Hanukkah Moon written by Deborah da Costa & illustrated by Gosia Mosz. Picture book published by Kar-Ben Publishing in 2007. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1580132442 

Book Review: 'My First Kwanzaa' by Karen Katz

✰✰✰½  Follow along as a little girl celebrates her very first Kwanzaa and learns about the traditions associated with the holiday. As each of the seven days goes by, she learns about the Seven Principles including the importance of unity, community, helping others, and family. On the very last day, it’s finally time for a celebration including music, dancing, and a feast of delicious African food.

The Bottom Line: A very basic introduction to the African-American cultural holiday, Kwanzaa, and the Seven Principles. Ideal for little ones in PreK – K and useful for teachers. Includes a note about Kwanzaa on the last page.

Details: My First Kwanzaa (My First Holiday) written & illustrated by Karen Katz. Picture book published by Henry Holt & Company in 2003. 28 p. ISBN: 0-8050-7077-X 

Book Review: 'Hanukkah in Alaska' by Barbara Brown

✰✰✰✰✰ Things are different in Alaska. Daylight in winter is very short, there are moose, and it snows...a lot. When one particular moose camps out in a little girl’s backyard, she is not happy. She tries everything to lure the moose away, but nothing works. It looks like the stubborn moose is there to stay. Then on the last night of Hanukkah, something magical happens. Under the spectacular northern lights of the season, the little girl finds a solution to her dilemma. What could possibly make a big moose move? Check out this holiday picture book and find out!

The Bottom Line: Beautifully illustrated in soft shades of acrylic & gouache, this delightful tale will become a holiday tradition to read with your family. Enthusiastically recommended holiday reading for the young and the young at heart.

Details: Hanukkah in Alaska written by Barbara Brown & illustrated by Stacey Schuett. Picture book published by Henry Holt & Company in 2013. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-8050-9748-1 

Book Review: 'The Christmas Bears' by Chris Conover

✰✰✰✰✰ The Bears are enjoying holiday baking and decorating as Pa makes toys in his workshop. On Christmas Eve, their friends come over for supper. There are treats galore, but soon Pa is off and away in his sleigh. There are toys to deliver, and it's time for the little ones to go to bed. When the cubs wake up, they discover it's a very special day for all.

The Bottom Line: The rhyming text makes this picture book easy to read for beginners, but the illustrations are the real treat. With lots of details and Christmas colors of red and green, the illustrations will draw you in. I especially enjoyed the map showing where all the different types of bears and their friends come from too. This is one story you'll read over and over with your little one. Enthusiastically recommended holiday reading for kids ages 3 - 8.

Details: The Christmas Bears written & illustrated by Chris Conover. Picture book published by Farrar Straus Giroux in 2008. 40 P. ISBN: 9780374332754

Book Review: 'Christmas in the Barn' by Margaret Wise Brown

✰✰✰½ Two travelers seek shelter in a barn after being told there is no room at the inn. The barn is warm, and there are many animals, but they are safe all together. Soon a baby is born and a bright star guides three wise men to the barn. Shepherds and sheep also arrive to see the child sleeping in the hay. Everyone is safe in that ancient barn, and all is well.

The Bottom Line: First published in 1952, bestselling children's author Margaret Wise Brown retells the story of Mary, Joseph, and the birth of Christ as perhaps a child would. Loosely illustrated paintings in oil, pastel, pencil, and marker accentuate this spare story with rhyming text. This simple story of the Nativity is ideal for ages 3 - 6.

Details: Christmas in the Barn written by Margaret Wise Brown & illustrated by Anna Dewdney. Newly illustrated edition published by Harper in 2016. 40 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-237986-3

Book Review: 'How to Catch a Leprechaun' by Adam Wallace

✰✰✰ Kids everywhere dream of catching a leprechaun so they can get their hands on the pot of leprechaun gold. However, it's not that simple. Leprechauns like to play tricks. They temp children by leaving gold coins behind while taunting, "You'll never catch me." Again and again the leprechaun outwits these clever little kiddos and their innovative traps. Will anyone ever catch the leprechaun? You'll have to read the story to find out!

The Bottom Line: This fun story featuring clever kids and art in bold colors is sure to be a winner with children in Grades Preschool - Kindergarten. And if you liked this one, be sure to check out the other stories.

Details: How to Catch a Leprechaun written by Adam Wallace & illustrated by Andy Elkerton. Picture book published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky in 2016. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-4926-3291-7

Book Review: 'A Crankenstein Valentine' by Samantha Berger

✰✰✰ Welcome to Valentine’s Day, a time when everyone is caught up in pink bouquets, sweet candy treats, and cheesy cards. Everyone, that is, except Crankenstein. He doesn’t like underwear with hearts, chocolate with coconut, or being in the school pageant. Yechhhh! What could possibly melt this Crankenstein’s heart? Something everyone needs. Check out this picture book and discover the secret.

The Bottom Line: Not everyone is a fan of candy hearts, flowers, and kisses. This large picture book with bright, bold illustrations is perfect for kids in Preschool – Grade 1 who don’t enjoy the lovey-dovey nature of the season.

Details: A Crankenstein Valentine written by Samantha Berger & illustrated by Dan Santat. Picture book published by Little, Brown and Company in 2014. 40 p. ISBN: 978-0-316-37638-9  

Happy New Year 2020!

Good riddance to 2019 & welcome to 2020! The New Year is shaping up to be an amazing adventure. I'm looking forward to getting back on track with reading and writing. I've also returned to my first love...art! I've taken the step to sign up for classes in watercolor painting, journaling, and iconography. And as always, I'll be sharing book related news and articles, so stop by often. 

Wishing everyone a brilliant & amazing 

New Year!

Note: The cool snowman clip art is from ClipArtKey.

Book Review: 'Tree of Cranes' by Allen Say

✰✰✰✰✰ Faraway in Japan, a little boy breaks the rules. He knows he will be in trouble. When he returns home, he expects his mother to be waiting for him. Instead she ignores him. Is she really so angry she won't even talk to him? After a hot bath and a hot lunch, the little boy is sent to bed. Confused and hurt, he worries about his mother who seems so distant. Why is she acting so strangely?

Soon his mom returns with silver paper cranes, a little tree, and candles. Today is a very special day in the land where his mother grew up. It is Christmas. In the soft glow of candlelight, the little boy shares this special day of peace and love with his mother as she remembers her faraway home.

The Bottom Line: This sentimental tale celebrates the merging of two cultures. Say's gentle words combined with beautiful, soft watercolors highlights a time of peace, love, and hope as a mother shares a treasured tradition with her child. Highly recommended holiday reading for kids ages 4 - 8.

Details: Tree of Cranes written & illustrated by Allen Say. Hardcover picture book published by Houghton Mifflin Company in 1991. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-395-52024-6 

Book Review: 'Runaway Dreidel!' by Lesléa Newman

✰✰✰✰½ When a little boy plays with his shiny new dreidel on Chanukah, something magical happens. It keeps spinning and there’s no stopping it. It spins across the floor, along the hall, and out the door. The little boy and his family and friends join in the chase, but the dreidel is simply too fast. Where is it going? Will it ever stop? Check out this holiday tale and join in the fun.

The Bottom Line: Children of all ages will love this rhyming, holiday tale. Told in the style of The Night Before Christmas, this easy to read picture book is sure to be a seasonal classic. Illustrated in mixed media of oil paint and cut paper, the illustrations are comical and engaging. Highly recommended holiday reading with your little one.

Details: Runaway Dreidel! Written by Lesléa Newman & illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker. Hardcover picture book published by Henry Holt and Company in 2002. Unpaged. ISBN: 0-8050-6237-8 

Book Review: 'Over the River and Through the Wood' by L. Maria Child

✰✰✰✰ A family sets off for Grandfather's house for a holiday feast. Along the way they encounter crisp air and drifted snow as they travel over the river and through the wood. The dogs bark, and the bells ring. The journey seems slow as the children can't wait, but they arrive just in time for the Thanksgiving feast and pumpkin pie.

The Bottom Line: This beautifully illustrated edition features  nostalgic watercolor, gouache, and pencil paintings. It contains the full-length version of the beloved poem and an interesting note about the author. Enthusiastically recommended for holiday reading.

Details: Over the River and Through the Wood: The New England Boy's Song About Thanksgiving Day written by L. Maria Child & illustrated by Matt Tavares. Hardcover picture book published by Candlewick Press in 2011. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-7636-2790-4  

Book Review: 'Millie in the Snow' by Alexander Steffensmeier

✰✰✰✰½ Millie is back, and she has a new job delivering Christmas mail. It's a very busy time of year, but Millie loves it. On Christmas Eve, she is sent home with a bundle of packages for the farmer and the other animals. Unfortunately, the snow turns the simple trek home into a confusing maze, and Millie gets lost. What will happen to the undelivered presents? Will she be able to find her way home in time for Christmas? Check out this humorous story and find out.

The Bottom Line: This sweet, misadventure of Millie the cow will appeal to kids in preschool through first grade. The large format and comical illustrations in watercolor are perfect for school and library storytime. Highly recommended for bedtime reading too.

Details: Millie in the Snow written & illustrated by Alexander Steffensmeier. Hardcover picture book published by Walker & Company in 2007. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-8027-9801-5

Book Review: 'Happy Easter, Davy!' by Brigitte Weninger

✰✰✰½ Little Davy and his family live in the woods. When his big brother tells the story of the Easter Bunny bringing pretty eggs and presents to human children, Davy and his siblings search for him. They want to know why the Easter Bunny doesn't visit them. They search high and low, but the Easter Bunny is nowhere to be found. Davy doesn't want his brothers and sisters to be disappointed on Easter day, so he comes up with a plan. Easter morning brings a surprise for everyone including Davy!

The Bottom Line: This is a sweet story of thoughtfulness written for the holiday. The watercolor and graphite illustrations in spring tones of greens, yellows, and blues are engaging. This tender tale will appeal to  preschool age children.

Details: Happy Easter, Davy! written by Brigitte Weninger & illsutrated by Eve Tharlet. Hardcover picture book published by North-South Books in 2001. 32 p. ISBN: 0-7358-1437-6

Book Review: 'Secret Valentine' by Catherine Stock

✰✰✰✰½ From author and illustrator Catherine Stock comes a gentle story of a mother and child making cards to celebrate Valentine's Day. The little girl's mother explains that "...it's a day to tell people that you love them." Together they make paper hearts and decorate the cards. When Valentine's Day arrives the little girl discovers that receiving cards is fun too, especially when one of the cards is a surprise.

The Bottom Line: As part of the The Festive Year collection of  holiday stories, this picture book about celebrating Valentine's Day is a winner. Stock's illustrations in watercolors and colored pencils are soft and engaging. With a focus of thinking of others and making cards instead of buying them, this sweet and tender story is perfect for classroom and library storytimes. Highly recommended for little ones ages 3 - 6.

Details: Secret Valentine written & illustrated by Catherine Stock. Hardcover picture book published by Bradbury Press in 1991. 26 p. ISBN: 0-02-788372-8

Book Review: 'The Secret of the First One Up' by Iris Hiskey Arno

✰✰✰✰ Little Lila is a groundhog with a problem. It's winter, but she's not sleepy. Everyone else has already gone to bed. Lila wonders about what happens all winter long. She also wants to know about the secret of the first one up.

Uncle Wilber isn't telling, but he challenges Lila to be up earlier than anyone else. When Lila finally wakes up, she races Above Ground and finds all of the neighbor animals waiting for her. They all want to know if she sees it. Sees what? Lila looks around. What's the secret? Check out this charming tale about weather folklore to find out.

The Bottom Line: With notes about the tradition of Groundhog Day, this picture book is a gentle and fun read for kids in preschool to grade 2. The tale is engaging, and the pages are filled with lovely, soft illustrations in acrylic, colored pencil, and gouache. Enthusiastically recommended for storytime or bedtime reading.

Details: The Secret of the First One Up written by Iris Hiskey Arno & illustrated by Renée Graef. Hardcover picture book published by NorthWord Press in 2003. 32 p. ISBN: 1-55971-867-6

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I don't know where the time has gone, but it's the beginning of another wonderful New Year! Hurray! I am so happy to say goodbye to 2017 and hello to 2018. This year is a new beginning filled with lots of opportunities, new adventures, and good books to read. 

One of my goals for 2018 is to get back on track with my reading and complete the 50 Book Challenge again. I'm starting off with two books Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd by Alan Bradley and The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger. With two book clubs this year, I should have plenty to read. Please stop by my blog from time to time to check out my reviews and share your thoughts.

Happy New Year to All!

P.S. The free clip art is from Happy Day Ideas. Also, just in case you want to keep track of my 50 book challenge with me, here's my counter: 

Book Review: 'Betty Bunny Loves Easter' by Michael B. Kaplan

✰✰✰✰ Betty Bunny is a handful. She loves Easter so much; she wants to be the Easter Bunny when she grows up. So when Easter rolls around, she's ready to collect lots of Easter eggs. When she realizes that her family is helping her, she puts her foot down. This year she is determined to find the eggs all by herself.  It's not easy, but Betty Bunny discovers how great it feels to accomplish something on your very own.

The Bottom Line: This adorable installment of the Betty Bunny series focuses on independence. Little ones in preschool and kindergarten will relate to this Easter tale about learning to do things on your own. The festive, colorful illustrations are engaging and hilarious. Highly recommended for story time and bedtime reading.

Details: Betty Bunny Loves Easter written by Michael B. Kaplan & illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch. Hardcover picture book published by Dial Books for Young Readers in 2015. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-8037-4061-7

Book Review: 'The Passover Lamb' by Linda Elovitz Marshall

✰✰✰½ Little Miriam is excited for the Passover seder to begin at her grandparents' house. It's her first year to to sing the Four Questions at the seder. Before her family can leave the farm, all the chores must be done, and Miriam discovers that something is wrong with one of the sheep. Though it's late in the season, new lambs are soon born. Unfortunately, one of the newborns is left lying all alone in the hay. It looks like Miriam's family will have to stay at home, until Miriam hatches a clever plan.

The Bottom Line: Illustrated with soft watercolors, this sweet tale was inspired by a true event. Check out this gentle story to read with your little ones.

Details: The Passover Lamb written by Linda Elovitz Marshall & illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss. Hardcover picture book published by Random House in 2013. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-307-93177-1

Book Review: 'Ten Lucky Leprechauns' by Kathryn Heling

✰✰✰✰½ Follow one wee leprechaun as he searches for treasure. Along the way, his treasure hunt leads him instead to find more leprechauns. One after another, the number of leprechauns grows until together they find a surprise at the end of the rainbow. 

The Bottom Line: Kids ages 3 – 5 will love the catchy, rhyming verses as they learn to count to ten. This wee picture book is perfect for preschool story time.

Details: Ten Lucky Leprechauns written by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook & illustrated by Jay Johnson. Paperback picture book published by Scholastic in 2012. 24 p. ISBN: 978-0-545-43648-9