Book Review #67

 My Little Golden Book About 

Betty White

Author: Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Margeaux Lucas 
Publisher: Golden Books, 2021

ISBN: 978-0593433522

Reading Level: 4 to 8 years

Topic: Betty White (Betty Marion White Ludden)

Genre/Theme/Style: Biography about Betty White, Children's Non-fiction, Animal Activists.

I Gave This Book 5  Roars!🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? Betty White was an inspiration and a joy to watch on television. Her real life was equally a joy to read about and she will be missed by many. 

Critical Analysis: This is a great way to introduce children to Betty White's legacy. 

“Animals don’t lie. Animals don’t criticize. If animals have moody days, they handle them better than humans do.”

~~ Betty White, If You Ask Me

Accuracy: The information is a simplified version of Betty White's life and career. Deborah Hopkins is the author of more than fifty young reader books.

Organization: The book is organized from Betty's youth to her rise in early television, and her later years as a major American actress and comedian.  

Design: The design is consistent with other My Little Golden Book Biographies. 

Connections: Harry the Dirty Dog Read by Betty White. 

Book Review #66

 Bigfoot Baby!

Author:Elias Barks
Illustrator:Meg Hunt
Publisher:Hazy Dell Press, 2020
ISBN:978-1948931083
Reading Level: 2 years and up

Main Characters: Bigfoot Baby

Plot: Bigfoot Baby is surrounded by nature and enjoying his forest home and it's inhabitants.

Settings: Pacific Northwest Forest.

Genre/Theme/Style: Board Book with flaps, Nature, Forests, and Camping.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? I absolutely loved this little gem. It has mushroom homes, tree fairies, forest gnomes, camping, treehouses, and fireflies. Bigfoot Baby is adorable and kids of all ages will want to lift the flaps to see what is hidden in the forest.

Critical Analysis: This is a cute little forest fantasy that budding Cryptozoologist will love! It sparks the imagination and makes children wonder what is under that fallen log, or what is hiding on the next page. Are their unseen fairies and Bigfoot babies waiting to be discovered? In this book, they are hidden under the flap, waiting to be revealed. 

“Earthbound and charming.” 

~~ Kirkus Reviews

“Perfect for saying ‘good night’ to 

your little one.”

~~ The Oregonian

Connections: What is Cryptozology? 

 

Book Review #65

 The Dancing Flamingos of Lake Chimichanga: Silly Birds

Authors: Karl Beckstrand & Ashley Sanborn
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015
ISBN:‎ 978-1512161786

Reading Level: Ages 3 to 7 years

Main Characters: Flamencos

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's books, Birds, Humor, Poetry.

I Gave This Book 4 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 4 Roars? The humor was great! I loved the wacky title of the book!

Critical Analysis: The unusual title and premise of the book was too much to resist. 

“The team of Karl Beckstrand, author, and Ashley Sanborn, illustrator, have created a really funny, poetic book filled with charming alliterations. Kids will delight in the words, the story, and the humorous drawings. We see the flamingos doing all kinds of fun things, such as flying and trying to escape being hit by an airplane, swimming in all kinds of ways, and dancing different dances. For example:

How did the Flamingos get pink?

'Perhaps it’s the pink

in their pomegranate drink."

How do they fly?

"Row by row, on they go, wing to toe,

What a show.”

Why do they do what they do?

"Why do they dance and prance and dive?

For the simple joy of being alive!'"

~~Israel Drazin

Design: The design left a little something to be desired, but the overall fun vibe was worth the read. 

"Wonderfully silly"

~~Amy's Bookshelf Reviews

Connections:  Other Books by Karl Beckstrand: It Came from Under the High Chair, Crumbs on The Stairs, & The Bridge of the Golden Wood: A Parable on How to Earn a Living.