The Good Egg by Jory John & Pete Oswald (Picture Book Review)

The Good Egg

by Jory John and Pete Oswald
Published by HarperCollins
on February 12, 2019
Length: 34 pages

Ages: 4 - 8 years

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Synopsis:

In this follow-up to Jory John and Pete Oswald's popular picture book The Bad Seed, meet the next best friend; a very good egg, indeed!

The good egg has been good for as long as he can remember. While the other eggs in his carton are kind of rotten, he always does the right, kind, and courteous thing. He is a verrrrrry good egg indeed! Until one day he decides that enough is enough! He begins to crack (quite literally) from the pressure of always having to be grade-A perfect. 

Our Thoughts: 

This is the story of a good little egg who lives with eleven other eggs who just aren't quite as well-behaved. Trying to get them to be good is exhausting and when he realizes he is literally cracking under the pressure, he leaves and goes on a journey to find himself again.

Ok, I love this book. It's subtly all about self-awareness and mental health and taking care of yourself and learning that it's ok to not be perfect. There are examples of self-care included and I basically think everyone should take a quick moment to read this cute little storybook just for the reminder!

Otherwise, it's a really fun and cohesive story with entertaining illustrations and a good message about self-love.

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The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (Adult Historical Fiction Book Review)

The Great Alone

by Kristin Hannah

Published by St. Martin's Press
on January 30, 2018

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Length: 448 pages

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Synopsis:

Alaska, 1974
Unpredictable. Unforgiving. Untamed. For a family in crisis, the ultimate test of survival. 

In this unforgettable portrait of human frailty and resilience, Kristin Hannah reveals the indomitable character of the modern American pioneer and the spirit of a vanishing Alaska--a place of incomparable beauty and danger. The Great Alone is a daring, beautiful, stay-up-all-night story about love and loss, the fight for survival, and the wilderness that lives in both man and nature. 

My Thoughts:
Content Warning for physical abuse and violence, child abuse, alcohol abuse, PTSD, and a few others that may be spoilers.

Ernt and Cora Allbright move their daughter, Lenora, to the Alaskan wilderness to escape Ernt's demons acquired in the Vietnam War. They think this is a new start; one that will quell the nightmares and give them the lives they always dreamed of. While Alaska is new and beautiful and a definite change for them all, Leni soon learns that her father hasn't changed at all. In fact, he's gotten worse, and Leni and her mother must do whatever it takes to survive.

This was a difficult and devastating read.
It was hard to see how Leni and her mother tiptoed around Ernt in fear of provoking or angering him. What they sacrificed for a man that only wanted to control them. What people will do and endure for love and family. It's harder to see all of this from Leni's pov. 

But there were a lot of hopeful things about it as well. The Alaskans that were willing to put in the time and effort to help out complete strangers just because they know how woefully unprepared people could be for Alaskan winters. How different women took up the mantle of teaching the children if the out of town teacher couldn't make it due to inclement weather. How they'd gather the entire town if someone went missing. The community was amazing and the ending was quite hopeful as well. 

I read The Nightingale a few months ago and was blown away by it. Such an amazing read! I knew I needed more from this author, and then I remember I'd checked this book out previously and hadn't had a chance to read it. I've only read these two books so far but Kristin Hannah has already made it on my favorite author's list.
I love how her books center around women who learn and grow and become stronger as we progress through their stories.

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Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre by Anika Aldamuy Denise (Nonfiction Picture Book Review)

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre 

by Anika Aldamuy Denise

Illustrated by Paola Escobar
Published by HarperCollins
on January 15, 2019

Genre: Children's Nonfiction, Biography, History, Languages

Length: 40 pages

Ages: 4 - 8 years

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Synopsis:

Follow la vida y legado of Pura Belpre, the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City. 

When she came to America in 1921, Pura carried the cuentos folkloricos of her Puerto Rican homeland. Finding a new home at the New York Public Library as a bilingual assistant, she turned her popular stories into libros and spread story seeds across the land. Today, those seeds have grown into a lush landscape as generations of children and cuentistas continue to share her stories and celebrate Pura's legacy. 

This portrait of the influential librarian, author, and puppeteer reminds us of the power of storytelling and the extraordinary woman who opened doors and championed bilingual literature. 

Our Thoughts:

When Pura Teresa Belpre leaves San Juan for New York, she brings the stories her grandmother taught her in Puerto Rico with her.  Being trilingual, she found a job at the library, and after finding that there are no stories in Spanish and no stories from her homeland, she decides to write them herself.

As a lifetime patron of local libraries and a lover of books in general, I checked this out from my own library entirely based on the title and cover alone. I was happy to find that it is a biography about a woman that brought her languages and stories from Puerto Rico to Manhattan and published them as well as translated English stories into Spanish, giving a voice to Latinx authors and opening a world of reading to children. Diversity in children's books is so important, as we all need both mirrors and windows to see and understand ourselves as well as others.

Likewise, languages are a beautiful thing and I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book is bilingual, with Spanish words and phrases mixed in. We've been learning a bit of Spanish for the past couple of years so I only had to look up a couple of words but overall the context and imagery made it easy to understand even though I think those with no knowledge of Spanish might be turned off from this book since there are no accompanying translations.

The illustrations are fantastic. They're quite realistic while still having a beautiful cartoon quality to them with bright colors and patterns and lovely flowers throughout. Plus, the bookshelves are so lovely to look at! 

I can't help but think this would make an amazing animated film.

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This Book is Cute by Sarah Wassner Flynn (Children's Nonfiction Book Review)

We received a free physical copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

This Book is Cute!: The Soft and Squishy Science and Culture of 'Aww'

by Sarah Wassner Flynn
Published by National Geographic Society

on March 19, 2019
Genre: Children's Nonfiction

Length: 112 pages

Ages: 8 - 12 years

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Synopsis:

Ever wonder why some creatures just make you want to cuddle them? Join us in the science lab to ooh and aah over adorable animals and discover why CUTE is just so darn irresistible!

Get ready for cute overload as we look at lots of awww-dorable images to explore why babies, puppies, and other small fluffy animals with round faces and big eyes are universally adored (and why others are less so). Flynn explains the psychology and physiology behind our responses and answers questions, such as What influence does our culture or environment have on our conceptions of cute? We'll also take an up-close look at crazes today, from the indisputably cutest animal ever to Internet sensations. Let the squealing commence! 

Our Thoughts:

This book is the cutest!

 The world is full of adorable things and it is basic knowledge that most people love cute things, but have you ever wondered why? Why do babies and puppies make us feel all warm and lovey?  

From puppy love to robot puppies, this colorful book covers just about anything and everything that could ever be considered "cute". It takes us around the world, showing us how "cute" is great for both your brain and for business! 

Cute costumes, cute cameras, and even cute food fill this book that just might be too cute for its own good.
 Also, axolotls are the cutest!

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Hoot by Carl Hiaasen (Middle Grade Book Review)

Hoot 

by Carl Hiaasen

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers

on September 10, 2002

Genre: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction

Length: 295 pages

Ages: 10 - 14 years

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Synopsis:

Roy's first acquaintance in Florida is Dana Matherson, a well-known bully. Then again, if Dana hadn't been sinking his thumbs into Roy's temples and mashing his face against the school-bus window, Roy might never have spotted the running boy. And the running boy is intriguing: he was running away from the school bus, carried no books, and--here's the odd part--wore no shoes. Sensing a mystery, Roy sets himself on the boy's trail. The chase introduces him to potty-trained alligators, a fake-fart champion, some burrowing owls, a renegade eco-avenger, and several extremely poisonous snakes with unnaturally sparkling tails. 

My Thoughts:

Roy Eberheart moves to Coconut Cove, Florida from Montana and has his first run-in with the local bully, Dana, on the bus. With his face pressed against the window, he sees the shoeless, running boy for the first time as well. His curiosity gets the better of him and he goes looking for the strange boy, but the boy's step-sister Beatrice is trying to keep him a secret. The running boy doesn't want to be found and remains nameless. Well, almost.
Meanwhile, the future site of a Mother Paula's Pancake House keeps being vandalized. Roy gets caught up in a secret plot to save some adorable burrowing owls living on the land to be developed and makes some friends in the process.

This is the third novel for young readers that I've read of Hiaasen's and while this one was adapted into a movie and is a bit more popular, it's probably my least favorite of the three so far. This was his debut in children's lit, and while it was enjoyable with a great message about saving endangered and threatened wildlife, it felt a bit dry. Chomp and Flush had much more humor and quirkier characters. I'd recommend them over this one for the 'real Florida' and wildlife factor, but this Hoot was still a great story. 

All the stars for writing about real environmental issues, as well as the abundant greed and corruption that plague this beautiful state, and doing so in a way that engages youth!

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Stranger Things: The Other Side by Jody Houser (Graphic Novel Book Review)

Stranger Things: The Other Side
(Stranger Things Comics #1-4)

by Jody Houser
Illustrated by: Stefano Miller & Kieth Champagne

Published by Dark Horse Comics
on May 7, 2019

Genre: Graphic Novel/Comic, Horror

Length: 96 pages

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Synopsis:

The hit Netflix series from the Duffer Brothers is now a spine-tingling comic that recounts Will Beyers' harrowing survival in the treacherous Upside Down! 

When Will Byers finds himself in the Upside Down, an impossible dark parody of his own world, he's understandably frightened. But that's nothing compared with the fear that takes hold when he realizes what's in that world with him!

My Thoughts:

If you enjoy the Stranger Things show on Netflix, you might love this graphic novel version of the first season, plus a little extra from Will's POV!

Told in alternating time-frames with Will and his friends playing D&D and also with Will in the Upside Down, we get a first hand account of what Will encounters and evades within the dark parody of his own world.

I borrowed this from the library a week or so before the Season 3 release on Netflix and I'm glad I did because it gave me a new look back at the 'Upside Down', which really geared me up to watch the show again. I also thought the illustrations and coloring were fantastic and loved the extra artwork mixed throughout!

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20 Recipes Kids Should Know by Esme Washburn & Calista Washburn (Children's Cookbook Review)

We received a free physical copy of this children's cookbook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

20 Recipes Kids Should Know

Recipes + text by Esme Washburn

Photography by Calista Washburn
Published by Prestel Junior

on April 2, 2019
Length: 48 pages
Ages: 10-14 years

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Synopsis:

The perfect book for children, this fun and engaging cookbook is written and photographed by a pair of young sisters for budding chefs. 

Whether they're helping stir cake batter or producing their own YouTube cooking channel, kids of all ages are getting increasingly busy in the kitchen. This cookbook features twenty classic recipes that are fun, healthy, adaptable, and easy to prepare. From banana bread and the perfect grilled cheese to breaded chicken and apple pie, each recipe is written in a clear, accessible style that young cooks of every level will be able to follow. The author is a young chef whose love of cooking developed from her own family's food traditions like baking popovers with her grandmother and Sunday-night pizza making. By teaching kids basic recipes that can be adapted in endless ways, this book is the perfect launching pad to finding their way around the kitchen--or launching their own cooking careers. 

Our Thoughts:

A cookbook for kids by kids! 

Esme Washburn first learned to cook from her grandmother when she was very little. She read cookbooks like they were chapter books but noticed a trend with children's cookbooks that included more sweets and simple desserts than actual cooking for kids, so she decided to create one herself! 

She has put together twenty easy but delicious recipes that kids will love to cook and eat, paired with amazingly bright and colorful images photographed by Esme's older sister, Calista Washburn. 

Learn to make pancakes (two ways!), banana bread (yum!), the quintessential grilled cheese sandwich (my favorite!), pizza (from scratch!), and even how to make bread!
There's even a couple of super helpful tips for what to do before and after cooking, safety tips, important measurements, and a glossary of words and cooking techniques just in case you're not sure how to 'puree' or 'saute'. 

This is fantastic! 

My daughter is still young but has always been fascinated with food prep and cooking and always helps as much as possible in the kitchen so she was super excited to have a cookbook just for her! There were a few recipes that she was already familiar with but she's excited to help whip a few of these up to try (and I have my eye on that 'Tasty Black Bean Soup')!

This would be a quintessential addition to any child's library, whether they already love to cook or not!

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The Big Book Adventure by Emily Ford & Tim Warnes (Picture Book Review)

We received a free physical copy of this picture book from the publisher in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

The Big Book Adventure

by Emily Ford

Illustrated by Tim Warnes
Published by Silver Dolphin Books
on September 4, 2018
Length: 32 pages

Ages: 6 - 8 years

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Synopsis:

Journey back through childhood classics like Peter Pan, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and more in this adorable picture book about the joys of reading! 

There is nothing like a book to take you to places you've never been. Best friends Foxy and Piggy can't wait to tell each other about all of their adventures in reading! Flying over Neverland, swimming with a mermaid, joining in a mad tea party, soaring on a magic carpet--old classics come to life in the eyes of two little readers who can't believe what they've seen. Journey back to old favorites and experience the magic all over again in this adorable picture book about the joys of reading!

Our Thoughts:

An adorable romp through some of our favorite fairy tales

with a pair of friends who enjoy reading and sharing their literary adventures. 

This was especially fun for us because we've recently started reading our way through these classics and are currently reading Peter Pan! 

The illustrations are gorgeous. There's a night sky page that I couldn't stop fawning over. I also love that all the leaves on the trees are pages of books with words on them. It added a lot of character and depth and made it a true 'book lover's book' in my book. 

The Big Book Adventure is an endearing little storybook that I think we will treasure for some time to come. If you love children's classics and fairytales, this is a must!

Mera: Tidebreaker by Danielle Paige (Graphic Novel Book Review)

Mera: Tidebreaker
by Danielle Paige

Illustrated by Stephen Byrne
Published by DC Ink
on April 2, 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Fantasy

Length: 192 pages

Ages: 13 - 17 years

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Synopsis:

Mera is teenage royalty, heir to the throne of Xebel, the other not-so-lost colony under the sea. But Mera is destined to wear a different crown, that of Atlantis. When the inhabitants of Xebel plot to overthrow their homeland of Atlantis, Mera is sent to kill the heir to the throne, Arthur Curry. As the unrest between their colonies grows, Mera and Arthur unexpectedly fall in love... will Arthur Curry be the king at Mera's side in Atlantis, or will he die under her blade? 

Mera by Danielle Paige is an astonishing story that explores themes of duty, love, heroism, and freedom, all through the eyes of readers' favorite undersea royalty.

My Thoughts:

With her world and people at risk, sixteen-year-old Princess Mera, is willing to do whatever it takes, even if that means killing the heir to the enemy. But Mera soon finds that Arthur Curry is not who she thought. 

I really loved the illustrations in this, especially all the underwater scenes with the sea creatures! I did think the colors and tones were too muted, almost like someone added a pale filter, and wished the blues were brighter.

I'll admit that I didn't know Mera existed before I saw Aquaman. I love art and illustration but I've always preferred a good chapter book over comics, to be honest, but the movies are good fun. I've gotten more into graphic novels as an adult though and after reading this, I'm looking forward to more of from DC Ink. 

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Forest Club: A Year of Activities, Crafts, and Exploring Nature by Kris Hirschmann (Children's Nonfiction Book Review)

I received a free ecopy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Forest Club: A Year of Activities, Crafts, and Exploring Nature
by Kris Hirschmann

Illustrated by Marta Antelo
Published by Quarto Books

on June 18, 2019

Length: 96 pages

Ages: 7 - 11 years

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Synopsis:

It's time to rewild the child! This book of outdoor activities, crafts, nature information, and inspiration ties into the burgeoning interest in forest schools and "rewilding the child," with the aim of reconnecting children to nature and the outdoors. The book is divided by season, providing a year-round resource for families. While all crafts and activities are designed to be carried out outside, these are interspersed with factual pages about flora and fauna, which can be enjoyed at home or used as a field guide while out and about. A beautifully illustrated and informative title to spark children's imagination and freethinking. With forest school-themed crafts and activities for all seasons, outdoor exploration can be enjoyed twelve months of the year, always with something new to see. 

Our Thoughts:

This fun book has tons of information on just about everything you can find and discover outdoors! It is packed full of fun facts about the forest and all that can be discovered within it. Each bit of information is paired with cute but still rather accurate illustrations of the flora and fauna, making this the perfect book for adventure and nature-obsessed littles!                                                     

Learn to identify trees, leaves, fungi, and more. Observe your natural surroundings and learn what to looks for on nature hikes, such as birds, deer, and even snakes. There's plenty to learn about wildlife, from their habitats and dens to their identifying tracks and the sounds they make. 

Split into four sections for each of the four seasons, this fun learning and activity book will keep you busy outdoors all year long. Activities include lots of fun things to do or try, such as tree leaf rubbings, building a lean-to, making ink from berries, and more.

We reviewed the ebook version of this but am confident that the physical copy is just as amazing, and probably much easier to take with on outdoor adventures. The illustrations are well done with lots of details and there are plenty of activities and crafts mixed in to give everyone even more reason to spend time outdoors and respectfully observe and discover more of nature. 

Moon! Earth's Best Friend by Stacy McAnulty (Picture Book Review)

Moon! Earth's Best Friend
(Our Universe series #3)

by Stacy McAnulty

Illustrated by Stevie Lewis

Published by Henry Holt and Co.

on June 11, 2019
Genre: Children's Nonfiction, Science

Length: 40 pages

Ages: 4 - 8 years

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Synopsis:

Meet Moon! She's more than just a rock--she's Earth's rock, her best friend she can always count on. Moon never turns her back on her friend (literally: she's always facing Earth with the same side!). These two will stick together forever. With characteristic humor and charm, Stacy McAnulty channels the voice of Moon in this next celestial "autobiography" in the Our Universe series. Rich with kid-friendly facts and beautifully brought to life by Stevie Lewis, this is an equally charming and irresistible companion to Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years and Sun! One in a Billion.

Our Thoughts:

   

Moon is Earth's best friend. In fact, she never turns her back on Earth. Ever.
This cute picture book brings our Earth and Moon to life.
Moon tells us an unforgettable story of their friendship. She tells just how many days it takes to spin around her good friend, Earth, the distance between them, and even the difference in their gravity. 

The illustrations are the absolute cutest and personify both Earth and our Moon in a way that makes us just want to give them hugs and kindness (and hopefully also reduce, reuse, and recycle).
But don't let this adorable cover fool you into thinking this is another 'wish upon a star' fairytale kind of picture book! This book is full of interesting information about our moon that is presented in a way that makes it fun and accessible to younger readers and listeners while still being factual. 

We borrowed this from the library without realizing it's part of a series! Why haven't I heard of these before? We love informational picture books and definitely want these for our collection!

Luna: The Science and Stories of Our Moon by David A. Aguilar (Children's Nonfiction Book Review)

We received a free physical copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

Luna: The Science and Stories of Our Moon

by David A. Aguilar
Published by National Geographic Society
on June 11, 2019
Genre: Children's Nonfiction

Length: 64 pages

Ages: 10 - 12 years

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Synopsis:

Explore the moon from all angles, from its place in the night sky and our solar system to its role in shaping human history and culture.

Through gorgeous illustrations and photography, see the moon like you've never seen it before. Read myths of the moon's creation from around the world. Discover the science of how the moon actually formed. Learn all about the moon's effects on Earth's tides and imagine what the world would be like without them. Take a look at moon-men hoaxes from history and find out how scientists may actually colonize Earth's closest neighbor. 

Our Thoughts:

A fascinating look at the science and stories of our moon.

Learn how the moon was formed, why it orbits the Earth, and how it affects our tides. See how it compares to Earth and to other moons and planets in our solar system! Learn the names and phases of the moons, and even see the top ten coolest sites that can be seen on the moon using a telescope!

A few moon myths and mythological moon creatures have been included as well. This educational book has everything you might want to know about Earth's biggest satellite. There is enough information and text to keep readers busy both day (and night!) and plenty of awesome images to keep them visually stimulated as well! 

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