Book Review #58

Patrick Picklebottom and the 

Penny Book

Author: Mr. Jay
Illustrator: Gary Wilkinson
Publisher: ‎New Paige Press, 2021
ISBN: 978-1734598049

Reading Level: 3 and up

Main Characters: Patrick Picklebottom and an elderly shop owner.

Plot: A kind shop owner sells Patrick Picklebottom a book for one penny. The book takes him on adventures and helps him find joy in his own imagination. Other friends try to convince Patrick that hi-tech is the way to go, but Patrick finds his own way and experiences the love of physical books.  

Settings: Patrick moves through his neighborhood and ends up in his own bed reading. 

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's Books, Stories in Verse.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? I loved this book! It is a great reminder of how children need to use their imaginations more in life. Children need to be submerged in the total reading experience that printed books offer. 

This book should be in every school library and parents should add it to their young reader's collection! 

“'Would you like to buy this?' asked an elderly man.  'I'd like to,' said Patrick,'but I don't think I can.  I've only one penny, and not one penny more, then he hung his head low, and he turned toward the door.  'As it happens,' replied the kind-hearted gent, 'This book only costs a single red cent.'”
~~ Patrick Picklebottom and the Penny Book

What a great mental image the author created with the above verse. The vivid idea of the older generation helping the younger generation, and one book lover passing the torch to the next book lover. It is a powerful vision we can all embrace.

Patrick Picklebottom is a Bookworm in the making! You go Patrick Picklebottom!

Critical Analysis: The topic of physical children's books verses ebooks or hi-tech children's entertainment is a difficult one. While, I believe they both have a place in children's lives, I do not think one can replace the other. There is simply no substitute for physical books in children's lives.    

“People prefer to read physical books because they offer something more tangible and grounded. There’s something that can feel more 'permanent' about real books over digital formats.” ~~Dr. Elena Touroni. 

I would also add that in a world full of passing novelties, the physical book not only grounds us, but makes us feel safe and offers a touch of stability in difficult times.

The author tackles this subject with grace and ease. He gives us a book that is a great way to encourage the love of reading for both young and old. 

Connections: Children's ebooks vs print.

Book Review #57

 The Little Mushroom

Author: Alexandra Arola
Publisher: Alexandra Arola, 2020
ISBN: ‎978-1735691107

Reading Level: 3-7 years

Main Characters: The Little Mushroom

Plot: The Little Mushroom tries to make friends with the forest animals.

Settings: A forest by a lake.

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's Books, Woodland Animals, Mushrooms, Fungi. 

I Gave This Book 4 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 4 Roars? The story is simple but a great way for kids to connect to nature. The question that came to mind was, Why is the mushroom trying to make friends with the animals instead of other mushrooms?   

Critical Analysis: The book is full of great illustrations. The illustrations portray a beautiful Fall afternoon by a lake. The art work is lovely and who doesn't love a little mushroom? 

There is also a Finnish edition of the book titled, Pieni Sieni. 

Connections: Fungi for Kids

Book Review #56

 The Good, The Bad, and The Spooky!

Author: Jory John
Illustrator: Pete Oswald
Publisher: HarperCollins, 2021
ISBN: 978-0062954541
Reading Level: 4-8 years

Main Characters: The Bad Seed

Plot: A sunflower seed in a bad mood cannot find a Halloween costume that he likes. He tries to convince everyone that Halloween has to be delayed.  

Settings: Halloween in Bad Seed's neighborhood 

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's Humor, Halloween, Costumes, Trick-or-Treating  

I Gave This Book 4 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 4 Roars? The book is fun and silly and kids will want to read it, but I thought it was a little too long for younger readers. 

Critical Analysis: Readers will enjoy the positive messages of not stressing over things that should be fun. It's not your costume that counts, but how much you enjoy the holiday. 

Kids will relate to the idea of not having to compete with other people to enjoy themselves and the whimsical humor makes it appealing.

 

"The text cultivates emotion in the botanical protagonist, while the digital illustrations are seeded with funny facial expressions—now with bonus jack-o’-lanterns 

and silly costumes." 

~~ Horn Book Magazine

Connections: Easy Halloween Costume Ideas from Michaels