Week 26:

Pomelo’s Big Adventure VS Turtle Island

Pomelo’s Big Adventure:

Summary:

Large, lovely pages of cactuses, canyons, and the open road: this isn't just a panorama but a true Pomelorama-adventure!

Review:

Sigh. This book was weird… and it was a little long. I really appreciated the illustrations, but the story just didn’t cut it for me. I’d pass on this one.

Turtle Island:

Summary:

Turtle is big. But the ocean is bigger. And Turtle is all alone. Until four shipwrecked folks--a bear, an owl, a frog, and a cat--climb to safety on his shell. Before long, they're fast friends, and the sea doesn't seem so vast anymore. But when Frog confides that he misses his family, Turtle doesn't understand. Isn't he their family? And when the group decides to sail for home, will Turtle be left behind? Never fear--a surprise on the horizon promises friends, family, and a home at last. Uplifting and heartfelt, this is a book about the power of friendship and making a home of one's own.

Review:

Turtle Island had a simple premise, but it was executed magnificently! And it was very heart-warming too. Plus, the illustrations were great! As you can see, I really liked this book.

The Winner:

Congratulations to Turtle Island! 

We will see you in November!

We’ll see everyone else next week!

Week 25:

Books Always Everywhere VS The Dark

Books Always Everywhere:

Summary:

A joyful celebration of the physical book in all its glory! For the very young, books can be anything from a chair, a tower, to a hat but the best thing they can be - is a book - and it's never too soon to share a good book with your little ones.

Review:

That was quick! Read this book to the wee little ones, because the older kids will ask “Where’s the rest?” The story itself was like the illustrations, mediocre. It’s possible I was just thrown off with how young the intended reader was, but I just wasn’t a fan.

The Dark:

Summary:

Laszlo is afraid of the dark.

The dark lives in the same house as Laszlo. Mostly, though, the dark stays in the basement and doesn't come into Lazslo's room. But one night, it does.

This is the story of how Laszlo stops being afraid of the dark.

With emotional insight and poetic economy, two award-winning talents team up to conquer a universal childhood fear.

Review:

I love the illustrator of this book. He’s done other books that I am absolutely crazy about. This book is no different. It’s smart, helpful, and mysterious. If you have kids that are afraid of the dark, this may end up being a superb tool in dealing with that fear.

The Winner:

Congratulations to The Dark! 

We will see you in November!

We’ll see everyone else next week!

Week 24:

Caterina and the Lemonade Stand VS
Three Bears in a Boat

Caterina and the Lemonade Stand:

Summary:

Caterina loves making lists and planning big, creative projects, and this time she’s planning a lemonade stand – the perfect summer pastime. She’s hoping to earn enough money for a new scooter, but finds that she’s not the only one in town with the lemonade idea. Everybody seems to be selling the refreshing treat, so how can Caterina’s stand truly stand out?

Leave it to our hard-working, artistic bird (with a little help from her faithful younger brother, Leo) to make a joyous success of her plan. Readers will want to try Caterina’s bright idea, or maybe come up with a great one of their own. And they’ll cheer the surprise ending -- a happy one for Caterina and especially for sweet Leo.

Review:

This is a touching book. Every kid who's done a lemonade stand will appreciate it for sure. The illustrations are fun in an artsy, creative kind of way. It matches well with the point of the story. "What's that point?" you ask? Well, you'll just have to read it to find out!

Three Bears in a Boat:

Summary:

Three bear siblings break their mother’s favorite blue seashell, and rather than tell her, they decide to set out in their sailboat to find her a new one. On their quest they encounter salty sailors, strange new islands, huge whales, and vast seas but no blue seashells. When a treacherous storm suddenly blows in, the three bears find themselves tossed about in their little boat, far from Mama. What will become of their search, and what will it take to bring them safely home?

This read aloud shares its best qualities with classic picture books: breath-taking illustrations, epic adventure, and a subtle message about taking responsibility for your actions.

Review:

I was half way through this book thinking it was "just ok" and "a little long". But the second half won me over. I really enjoyed this book! The illustrations were great. Great. And wait till you read the last line. It was subtle, but sometimes subtle humor can be appreciated the most.

The Winner:

Congratulations to Three Bears in a Boat! 

We will see you in November!

We’ll see everyone else next week!

Week 23:

The Numberlys VS Don’t Push The Button!

  

The Numberlys:

Summary:

Once upon a time there was no alphabet, only numbers…

Life was…fine. Orderly. Dull as gray paint. Very…numberly. But our five jaunty heroes weren’t willing to accept that this was all there could be. They knew there had to be more.

So they broke out hard hats and welders, hammers and glue guns, and they started knocking some numbers together. Removing a piece here. Adding a piece there. At first, it was awful. But the five kept at it, and soon it was…artful! One letter after another emerged, until there were twenty-six. Twenty-six letters—and they were beautiful. All colorful, shiny, and new. Exactly what our heroes didn’t even know they were missing.

And when the letters entered the world, something truly wondrous began to happen…Pizza! Jelly beans! Color! Books!

Review:

What can be said about a piece of art like this. I don’t know if kids will like it, love it, or pass on it. I do know, though, that I want to frame it. The creativity in the story is wonderful, the illustrations are frameable, and the feelings you are left with is “alive”. Awards were meant for creations like this.

Don’t Push The Button!:

Summary:

There's only one rule in Larry's book: don't push the button.

(Seriously, don't even think about it!)

Even if it does look kind of nice, you must never push the button. Who knows what would happen?

Okay, quick. No one is looking... push the button.

Uh, oh.

Review:

In my mind, every kid will love this book. It’s a story that’s a game. The kinda game kids LOVE to play. The real question is, will this book just end up waking kids up more if you read it to them before they go to sleep?!

The Winner:

Congratulations to The Numberlys! 

We will see you in November!

We’ll see everyone else next week!

Week 22: 

Gaston VS Ninja!

Gaston:

Summary:

This is the story of four puppies: Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, Ooh-La-La, and Gaston. Gaston works the hardest at his lessons on how to be a proper pooch. He sips—never slobbers! He yips—never yaps! And he walks with grace—never races! Gaston fits right in with his poodle sisters.

But a chance encounter with a bulldog family in the park—Rocky, Ricky, Bruno, and Antoinette—reveals there’s been a mix-up, and so Gaston and Antoinette switch places. The new families look right…but they don’t feel right. Can these puppies follow their noses—and their hearts—to find where they belong?

Review:

This was a good book. The story was nice and the illustrations fit it well. Other than that though, it wasn’t too exciting. The premise is a good teaching opportunity for kids, and that’s ALWAYS a plus. Overall, I’d say read it if you happen to come across it.

Ninja!:

Summary:

A ninja must be strong, courageous, and silent! He creeps through the house on a secret mission. There may be obstacles! But have no fear—a true ninja can overcome all challenges.

Review:

This was a fun book. Both the story and illustrations also fit well, however, Ninja! gave me that “kid” feeling when reading it. I loved that! It felt really short, but it didn’t matter because I really liked how it brought me into its world. Besides, who doesn’t love ninjas!

The Winner:

Congratulations to Ninja! 

We will see you in November!

We’ll see everyone else next week!