Week 16:

World on a String VS Dragons Love Tacos

World on a String:

Age range: Probably around 4-8 yrs old.

Summary:

When his best friend, a big red balloon, comes untied in a thunderstorm, Charlie is overcome with sadness. However, inspired by the happy memories of his best friend, Charlie is able to shift his perspective and, ultimately, he imagines his balloon on an amazing journey into the starry night.

Review:

You don’t see as many rhyming books anymore, but World on a String is one of the few. The story was good, but the illustrations just didn’t fit for me. I’m not sure I’d like the style for any children’s book really. As for the overall book though, I enjoyed it, especially the line about the balloons holding up the sky. That was one of the better text and illustration combinations I’ve seen in a while.

Dragons Love Tacos:

Age range: Probably around 4-8 yrs old.

Summary:

Dragons love tacos. They love chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos, and teeny tiny tacos. So if you want to lure a bunch of dragons to your party, you should definitely serve tacos. Buckets and buckets of tacos. Unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa. And if a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa . . . oh, boy. You're in red-hot trouble.

Review:

This was a great book! Fun illustrations and a creative story. Some of the best books seem to use this recipe: take something we know, put it in a regular children’s book appropriate scene, add a twist, and there you go, a great book. You will never eat a taco with hot sauce again without thinking of this book!

The Winner:

Congratulations to Dragons Love Tacos! 

We will see you in November!

We’ll see everyone else next week!

Week 15:

Weasels VS Breathe

Weasels:

Age range: All ages.

Summary:

Weasels – what do they do all day? Eat nuts and berries? Frolic in leaves? Lurk in the dark? Argue with squirrels? Hide in their weasel holes? Well, all these are wrong. What they really do is . . . plot world domination. Find out how their dastardly plans are foiled in this hilarious, off-the-wall debut picture book from a shiny new star in the children’s book firmament, Elys Dolan.

Review:

I haven’t seen a book like this before. You’ve basically got two sets of text in a way. There is the story text that is simple and right to the point, and then there is the conversation text placed within the illustrations. There’s a lot of the conversation text, but honestly it’s the best part! The reason I like this is because it allows this book to be enjoyable to all ages, including the parents. The conversation text is the part that will really make the adult laugh, and maybe some of the older kids, while the main text is perfect for a little kid. The illustrations are great! They’re playful, energetic, and light-hearted. You won’t regret reading this book.

Breathe:

Age range: Probably around 4-8 yrs old.

Summary:

Take a deep breath and dive into a day in the life of a baby whale, told with luminous illustrations and spare text, with a fresh twist on a timeless message.
Swim! Play all day. Breathe. 

Review:

Books like Breathe are the reason a lot of people buy children’s books I believe. It has a gentle heart at it’s core, engaging the reader with serene underwater settings and a splendid color palette. The illustrations make this is a magnificent book to picture gaze with your kids. Their imaginations will love it!

The Winner:

Congratulations to Weasels! 

We will see you in November!

We’ll see everyone else next week!

Week 14:

Cloudette VS If You Hold A Seed

Cloudette:

Age range: Probably around 4-8 yrs old.

Summary:

Sometimes being small can have its advantages. If you’re a little cloud like Cloudette, people call you cute nicknames, and you can always find a good spot to watch the fireworks. But what about when you want to do something big, like help a giant garden grow, or make a brook babble?

This charming book gets at the heart of what it means to make a difference no matter your size. Young children will find much to relate to in Cloudette as they follow her on her pursuit for greatness.

Review:

I really liked this book. The illustrations weren’t my favorite, but they were cute, so kids will like it I’m sure. The story though! It was great! A perfect little teaching book for learning that no matter how small of an impact you are able to make, what matters is that you make that impact, because it will always matter to someone.

If You Hold A Seed:

Age range: Probably around 4-8 yrs old.

Summary:

Something magical happens when you plant a dream with a seed. With plenty of love and patience, they can blossom into an extraordinary gift.
To be shared with those you love and those with big dreams, this book encourages us to never give up.

Review:

The ending for this book was great. The story could have had a little more interest to it, but it serves it’s purpose. The illustrations were interesting. I’ve never seen a collage like them before. I don’t think I liked the effect though. None the less, since art is subjective, you may very well like it!

The Winner:

Congratulations to Cloudette! 

We will see you in November!

We’ll see everyone else next week!

Week 13:

Duck & Goose VS Sparky!

Duck & Goose:

Age range: Probably around 4-8 yrs old.

Summary:

Like James Marshall’s George and Martha, and Rosemary Wells’s Benjamin and Tulip, Duck and Goose have to work at getting along. You see, Duck doesn’t much care for Goose at first, and Goose isn’t fond of Duck. But both want the egg that each claims to be his. As the two tend to their egg, and make plans for the future, they come to appreciate one another’s strengths. And when a bluebird points out that it isn’t really an egg—it’s a polka dot ball—the two are not dismayed. After all, it is a lovely ball. . . .

Review:

Duck & Goose is a sweet book. The pairing of these two characters makes for a good read. I didn’t find this book to be amazing, but it was enjoyable. Oh yeah, and the illustrations are very good, so that’s a plus too!

Sparky!:

Age range: Probably around 4-8 yrs old.

Summary:

The ingenious author of 17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore and a brilliant illustrator and production designer of the Coraline movie have created a hilarious, touching picture book perfect for young animal lovers. Like the Caldecott Medal-winning Officer Buckle and Gloria, Sparky stars a pet who has more to offer than meets the eye. When our narrator orders a sloth through the mail, the creature that arrives isn't good at tricks or hide-and-seek . . . or much of anything. Still, there's something about Sparky that is irresistible. 

Review:

This is one of the very few books I’ve read that I did not enjoy. The story just didn’t do it for me. I found it kind of boring. I’m not a fan of giving a bad review all around, but this just left too much to be desired. Sadly, I’d say this is one to skip.

The Winner:

Congratulations to Duck & Goose! 

We will see you in November!

We’ll see everyone else next week!

Week 12:

STUCK VS Lion vs Rabbit

STUCK:

Age range: Probably around 4-8 yrs old.

Summary:

When Floyd's kite gets stuck in a tree, he's determined to get it out. But how? Well, by knocking it down with his shoe, of course. But strangely enough, it too gets stuck. And the only logical course of action . . . is to throw his other shoe. Only now it's stuck! Surely there must be something he can use to get his kite unstuck. An orangutan? A boat? His front door? Yes, yes, and yes. And that's only the beginning.Stuck is Oliver Jeffers' most absurdly funny story since The Incredible Book-Eating Boy. Childlike in concept and vibrantly illustrated as only Oliver Jeffers could, here is a picture book worth rescuing from any tree.

Review:

I can’t say enough about this book. It’s one of my favorites. The author, Oliver Jeffers, is a genius. The story is as close as you can get to a child’s thought process, while completely catering to the adult’s sense of humor. You have to read this. You have to.

Lion vs Rabbit:

Age range: Probably around 4-8 yrs old.

Summary:

Lion bullies all the other animals until finally they cant take it anymore. They post an ad, asking for help. One animal after another tries and fails to defeat Lion. Can no one stop him? Finally, a rabbit arrives. No one thinks that such a small animal will be brave enough or strong enough to defeat Lion. But perhaps this rabbit is smart enough?

Review:

The lion is no longer the king of the jungle, …at least not when he’s being a bully. Eventually a rabbit will take him down. I enjoyed this book a lot. It was what you want a children’s book to be, funny, fun, well told, and all with hilarious illustrations. I think everyone will enjoy this book.

The Winner:

Congratulations to STUCK! 

We will see you in November!

We’ll see everyone else next week!

Week 11:

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore VS Goldi Rocks and the Three Bears

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris:

Age range: Probably around 6-8 yrs old.

Summary:

Morris Lessmore loved words.
He loved stories.
He loved books.
But every story has its upsets.
Everything in Morris Lessmore’s life, including his own story, is scattered to the winds.
But the power of story will save the day.
Stunningly brought to life by William Joyce, one of the preeminent creators in children’s literature, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is a modern masterpiece, showing that in today’s world of traditional books, eBooks, and apps, it’s story that we truly celebrate—and this story, no matterhow you tell it, begs to be read again and again.

Review:

The flying books aren’t the only fantastic part of this book. In fact, the story and illustrations put up a phenomenal fight to overtake them! There’s only one word to describe this fabulous piece of children’s literature…, timeless. Two thumbs up!

Goldi Rocks and the Three Bears:

Age range: Probably around 6-8 yrs old.

Summary:

Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear know how to rock! But they need a new singer, so they audition everyone—the Three Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, and more. To their dismay, no one seems just right.

Review:

If you’re looking for a fun rhyming book, this would be a good place to start. It’s not a great book, but it’s funny, and sometimes that’s all you need to have a good time. As far as the illustrations go, they match well with this light-hearted story.

The Winner:

Congratulations to The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore! 

We will see you in November!

We’ll see everyone else next week!

Week 10:

Dream Animals VS Mustache Baby

Dream Animals:

Age range: Probably around 3-6 yrs old.

Summary:

Ideal for bed time reading, this book will appeal to parents and children who love Grandfather Twilight and On the Night That You Were Born. Author, illustrator, and creator of The Black Apple Etsy shop, Emily Martin convinces children to close their eyes and discover who their dream animal might be—and what dream it might take them to. With a perfect nighttime rhyme and gorgeous illustrations, this book is irresistible.

Review:

I’d give this book a 6/7 out of 10. There were a few things about this book that did not make stand out, but I will comment on the two things that did. One, there was a strange style in the illustrations. Nearly every time I turned the page I felt like it was illustrated by a novice, but after looking at it for a second I’d notice some beautiful aspects to the techniques and color choices. I still find it fascinating how it had the feeling of both a professional illustration and an amateur illustration. Two, the rhyming was practically perfect! I don’t know if I’ve ever enjoyed reading a rhyme as much as I did while reading this book. For the rhyming aspect alone you should read it.

Mustache Baby:

Age range: Probably around 3-8 yrs old.

Summary:

When Baby Billy is born with a mustache, his family takes it in stride. They are reassured when he nobly saves the day in imaginary-play sessions as a cowboy or cop and his mustache looks good-guy great. But as time passes, their worst fears are confirmed when little Billy’s mustache starts to curl up at the ends in a suspiciously villainous fashion. Sure enough, “Billy’s disreputable mustache led him into a life of dreadful crime.” Plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor and cartoonish illustrations make this the perfect baby-shower gift for a mustachioed father-to-be.

Review:

This book is AWESOME. It is utterly hilarious and illustrated brilliantly. There is really nothing else you should want in a book. I’m not really sure what else to say. Just go read this!

The Winner:

Congratulations to Mustache Baby! 

We will see you in November!

We’ll see everyone else next week!