Twinderella: A Fractioned Fairy Tale by Corey Rosen Schwartz

/

Did you know that Cinderella had a twin sister?  Most people don't, but you should get to know Tinderella, math whiz extraordinaire.  Corey Rosen Schwartz, teamed with Deborah Marcero, has created a sure to be smash hit with Twinderella.  I love Schwartz's signature rhyming style, the words roll of my tongue magnificently, both in rhyme and meter and I can hardly wait to share this in storytime.  Marcero's illustrations, watercolor with India ink, are bright and cheery with just the right amount of detail, enough that you're always discovering new things upon rereading.  I'm also excited about the math language in here.  We know (thank you research*) that girls usually start out deficient in math language, that grown ups are more likely to use math words with boys, rather than girls, so a girl-oriented book about fractions is fantastic!  Overall, this is a cute, funny, important book.  I want to put it in the hands of all the girls who come to storytime.

*See Thirty Million Words: building a child's brain : tune in, talk more, take turns by Dana Suskind

Thank you so much to Corey Rosen Schwartz and G.P. Putnam for the galley!

The Story Book Knight by Helen and Thomas Docherty

/

Leo the knight just wants to read.  But when his parents insist that he go out into the world to tame a dragon, he dons his armor, takes up his new wooden sword, packs a LOT of books, and sets out to face the dragon.  Along the way he runs into some rather impressive obstacles, but nothing that a little story can't fix.

This is adorable!  The story is clever - Leo uses his reading smarts to get himself out of trouble (and there's even a subtle poop joke for good measure).  The rhyming text has a wonderful rhythm to it and isn't so rhymey-whimey as to be annoying.  The illustrations are gorgeous and really feel like a classic children's book.  They reminded me of books that I had as a kid or ones that I loved (like Norman the Doorman - also about a mouse).  This would be a great storytime book, especially paired with The Sunflower Sword.

The Worst Breakfast by China Mieville

/

Two sisters rehash the worst breakfast they ever have.  Their descriptions start tamely - burnt toast, soggy tomatoes, and then spiral into the most fantastical and disgusting foods.  Mieville's writing is tweely rhyming (and meta - making fun of a few slant rhymes) and Smith's watercolor illustrations pile putrid food upon putrid food.  This would be a great storytime book for two voices and a fun read to share with the whole family.  Two thumbs up!

Dogs in Cars by Felix Massie

/

Massie and Walker have created the ultimate counting book, Dogs in Cars. Different dog breeds (in varying amounts) ride around in stylish cars.  The book would be a beautiful addition to a library or nursery.  The illustrations are gorgeous and text and illustration are littered with tongue-in-cheek humor.  For instance, the Dalmatians are "trying to get back" and they are riding in a Delorian.  Not only does the book promote counting, but it also is a bit of a look-and-find with questions at the end, asking the reader to go back and find different color cars, dogs wearing glasses, and more.  Definitely recommend this one and most by Flying Eye books.  Two thumbs WAY up.

My copy courtesy of Netgalley and Flying Eye Books.

Professor Astro Cat's Atomic Adventure

/

Professor Astro Cat’s Atomic Adventure by Dr. Walliman, illustrated by Ben Newman is an illustrated exploration of physics. This publication is impeccably timed with education’s push for more STEM studies as well as the Common Core’s focus on informational texts. The space-suited Professor Astro Cat leads readers through basic physics theories that range from rainbows to dark matter. While the topics may seem at times overly complicated, Walliman makes the information easily accessible. This, in fact, would be a good physics primer for both children and adults. Walliman’s narrative pairs well with Newman’s illustrations which are reminiscent of Richard Scarry’s Busy Town. The simple characters are painted with vibrant colors making every page pop. While Professor Astro Cat doesn’t have the hands-on appeal of the Scientists in the Field series, it’s an invaluable resource, as it gives an thorough overview of a subject that many find abstract and confusing. A great addition to any elementary or public library.

A Squiggly Story by Andrew Larsen

/

How do you write a story when you don't know how to write?  A little helpful advice from big sister jumpstarts our young hero's writing career.  Start with what you know!

It's relatively easy to pick out books that go along with all of the five pre-reading practices from Every Child Ready to Read, EXCEPT for writing.  Finding books that talk about writing or that might inspire writing or feature writing is especially difficult.  Larsen's A Squiggly Story is a good example of a writing focused text.  That being said, the story isn't super intriguing, though I love the illustrations and the graphic novel format of this text.  Just because it didn't knock it out of the park for me though doesn't mean it wouldn't be a valuable addition to a library.  It's a quiet story that will enchant and inspire those littles who dream of being authors.

You Look Yummy by Tatsuya Miyanishi

/

Tyrannosaurus Rex gets more than he bargained for when he picks a little Ankylosaurus for a snack.  

Tatsuya Miyanishi's little book is wonderful.  I can think of so many situations that it would be perfect for, not to mention it would definitely spark conversations between kids and their parents.  The illustrations remind me of a combination of my own child-like dinosaur drawings and Godzilla, big rounded bodies with triangle spikes. (All dinosaurs had triangle spikes; everyone knows that.)  Most kids like dinosaurs (I would say all but I can think of a few people off the top of my head who have confessed to me their lifelong fear and hatred of dinosaurs) so what better way to talk about parents and children and their relationships.  (Those of you who have been traumatized by dinosaurs, I'll give you a book about bears or something.) Two thumbs up.

My copy courtesy of Netgalley and Museyon.

Life Without Nico by Andrea Maturana

/

Maia and Nico are best friends.  They do everything together until Nico's father tells them that the family needs to move away for a while.  Maia isn't sure what to do without Nico, but she finds a new friend and comfort from a kitten.  When Nico comes back, she isn't sure if she'll have room for him in her life.

 

This is an important book.  I don't know of many books off the top of my head that deal well with the loss of a friend.  This one is well written, short, and a good read aloud.  From friends moving away to those who just go to a different school, this situation is one that is common in childhood and not addressed in picture books as often as it should be.  Francisco Javier Olea's illustrations are beautiful and pair well with the text.  I love what he did with the shadows when Maia is feeling empty.  The line drawings combined with the fully painted elements reminds me of Radioactive by Lauren Redness about Marie and Pierre Curie.  

My digital copy courtesy of Kids Can Press and Edelweiss.

The Sword and the Stove by Frank Dormer

/

The knights are getting ready for dinner. They pull on their oven mitts, they tie up their aprons, and they open the oven to find....a SWORD?? How did that get there?
 


Dormer has created a wonderfully creative story that turns the typical tale of knights on its head. The paint and pencil drawings and a perfect companion to the silly stories that the knights think up to explain why everything but food is in their oven. The twist at the end is reminiscent ofMr. Wolf's Pancakes and Everyone loves Bacon and sure to leave preschoolers and kindergartners in giggles. Perfect for a storytime about knights.

My digital copy courtesy of Atheneum Books for Young Readers and Edelweiss

The Little Gardener Book Review

/

The little gardener loved his little garden. It was his home and his food and his life. But he’s very very little and isn’t sure that he can keep up with everything all by himself. So he makes a wish…

The Little Gardener is a beautiful book (like most Flying Eye and NoBrow titles). Emily Hughes’ illustrations are lush and rich and remind me of the Secret Garden coloring book by Johanna Basford, wild and tangled vegetation. Every part of the picture is a feast for the eyes. Hughes’ attention to detail is awesome and I couldn’t help but search each page for the little gardener’s earthworm friend and other little treasures. The text is simple but powerful, reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown’s books. Possibly my favorite part of the physical book itself is the little flower that runs along the edge of the cloth spine. Possibly my favorite part of the text is Hughes’ dedication: “For my Pappy, Petunias still bloom for you, as do I.” Beautiful.

My copy courtesy of Flying Eye Books. Much thanks.