Week 21:

The Dot VS Owl Moon

  

Owl Moon:

Summary:

Owl Moon, the timeless and beautiful award-winning classic, is celebrating its twentieth year of charming and delighting children the world over. This touching story of a child and parent finding magic and adventure in a simple, snowy nighttime search for the great horned owl won the Caldecott Award in 1988.

Review:

This book is an award winner, and I can see why. The story is reminiscent of the kind of childhood memories that stick to your brain like peanut butter sticks to, well, pretty much anything. The illustrations are exquisite, with a capital E. If you’d like to read an award winning book, I’d make sure to add this one to the list.

The Dot:

Summary:

With a simple, witty story and free-spirited illustrations, Peter H. Reynolds entices even the stubbornly uncreative among us to make a mark - and follow where it takes us.

Review:

I really, REALLY liked this book. It inspired me while I was watching it! Creativity. Encouragement. Challenge. It’s all in this book. This should be on a motivational book shelf somewhere. Maybe even yours.

The Winner:

Congratulations to The Dot! 

We will see you in November!

We’ll see everyone else next week!

Week 20:

Dream Dog VS Shark vs. Train

Dream Dog:

Summary:

Harry wants wants wants a dog, and, instead of getting one, his parents try to placate him with a pet that's decidedly less interesting—a lizard. So Harry takes matters into his own hands and places his X-35 Infra-Rocket Imagination Helmet on his head, and soon something—with paws! a tail! a wet nose!—pops into the world. Sure, nobody else can see the dog named Waffle, but that doesn't matter to Harry. But what happens when a real dog comes into his life?

Review:

To those of you who love dogs, this is the book for you. This touching story, exemplifying the power of kids imaginations, will in no doubt, by the end, cause all those warm and squishy “awwww” moment feelings. And you may end up with a child who wants a dog!

Shark vs. Train:

Summary:

If you think Superman vs. Batman would be an exciting matchup, wait until you see Shark vs. Train. In this hilarious and wacky picture book, Shark and Train egg each other on for one competition after another, including burping, bowling, Ping Pong, piano playing, pie eating, and many more! Who do YOU think will win, Shark or Train? 

Review:

You will have fun reading this book. It’s smart. The idea is SUPER simple, but that doesn’t take away from how funny a little competition can be when thought up by a creative mind.

The Winner:

Congratulations to Dream Dog! 

We will see you in November!

We’ll see everyone else next week!

Week 19:

Once Upon a Memory VS Camp Rex

Once Upon a Memory:

Summary:

When a feather drifts through a child's window, a magical journey begins. As the boy follows the feather, he is swept away to a world filled with adorable animals, where fantasy and reality come together in surprising and playful ways. From the cake that once was grain to the ocean that once was rain, whimsical "before" and "after" scenes offer readers a peek at the world as seen through the eyes of a curious child, ultimately asking the question, "What will you remember?"

Review:

Creativity can often come in simple, small packages. This book is proof of that. It offers a new kind of perspective for a story line that I’ve never seen, and it knocked it out of the park! If there ever was a beautiful children’s book in every aspect, this book is definitely fighting for that spot.

Camp Rex:

Summary:

It’s important to set a few wilderness safety guidelines first. . . like making sure he stays on the trail. And does not disturb the local wildlife. And knows how to build a safe campfire. But sometimes dinosaurs have a different way of doing things, and that’s why it’s best to be prepared . . . for anything!

Review:

This book had me torn. I very much enjoyed the art work. I loved each and every illustration. I just could not seem to care about the story. It didn’t catch my attention as I would have hoped. For the illustrations alone though, I would recommend you check this book out.

The Winner:

Congratulations to Once Upon a Memory! 

We will see you in November!

We’ll see everyone else next week!

Week 18:

A Gift For Mama VS Rooting For You

A Gift For Mama:

Summary:

Oskar sets out—with a single coin—to find the perfect gift for his mother. And he spots it at once: a beautiful yellow rose. But when he meets an artist, Oskar trades the rose for a paintbrush. And when he meets a conductor, he trades the paintbrush for a sheet of music. . . . The bustling streets are full of interesting people and delightful possible presents, and Oskar trades one gift for another, and another, and another! But what he finds by the end of the day is even more precious.

Review:

I loved the premise of this book. It just lets  your imagination round rampant for a while. Trading up and up and up until you get the perfect thing for your mama! This book is sweet, fun and the illustrations are perfect for it. Great job all around!

Rooting For You:

Summary:

It's time for one little seed to come out of his shell. But he's afraid. It's a big world out there. There may be dangers! (Like monsters!) There are definitely obstacles. (Like rocks!) And while there's a good deal of uncertainty, he discovers that he has friends to help guide him on his way and root for him to have his day in the sun.

Review:

This picture book is the first I’ve personally seen where there pages inside that unfolded to open up and down and left and right. It kinda confused me a little in the beginning because of how you have to unfold it. The creative aspect of the pages unfolding to long and different sized spreads did not quite work for me, but hey, it was different. Sometimes that can make a winner since the sea is so often filled with all the same kind of fish. In the end I enjoyed it, and that’s what matters.

The Winner:

Congratulations to A Gift For Mama! 

We will see you in November!

We’ll see everyone else next week!