Book Review #78

 Happy Birthday from 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Author: Eric Carle
Publisher: World of Eric Carle, 2019
ISBN: 978-1524790820
Reading Level: 1-4 years

Main Characters: The Hungry Caterpillar and his friends.

Plot: The Hungry Caterpillar and his friends are celebrating your birthday.

Settings: Simple, bright, illustrations that are very much in keeping with Eric Carle's style.

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's Animals Books, Children's Books about Birthdays, or used as a Birthday Card.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? Recently, I took my grandkids to the Magik Theater to see a production of the Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, because they love this book series so much. They loved the puppet show version, also!

I found the Happy Birthday from The Very Hungry Caterpillar book just in time to give it to my grandson.

I decided to use it as an extra, special, birthday card. It will be an excellent addition to his keepsakes that include family member’s birthday wishes written inside the book. It is so much better than an ordinary birthday card! In fact, I fell in love with the idea of purchasing books for my grandkids and signing them for other occasions and special events. Hopefully, they will look back and remember reading these books together as a family. This is a great idea for any Librarian or book lover to give as a gift.

Critical Analysis: The book is short with vibrant pictures for younger readers. It is easy for kids to follow along and children will recognize their friend The Hungry Caterpillar.

Connections: Happy Birthday from The Very Hungry Caterpillar Read Aloud

National Cowboy/Cowgirl Day!

 National Day of the Cowboy

July 23, 2022

Recognized on the fourth Saturday in July, National Day Of The Cowboy is a holiday that honors the work of the American cowboy.

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Book Review #77

Nature Activity Book for Little Ones: 100+ Activities for Everyday 

Outdoor Fun

Author: Samantha Lewis

ISBN:978-0593435441

Reading Level: 2 - 5 years

Publisher: Z Kids, 2022

Genre/Theme/Style: Children’s Non-fiction, Nature, Activity Books.

Topic: Nature

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? This is a smart, simple, activity book that reminds me to connect with nature. More importantly, it reminds me of the need to help children connect with nature.  

Critical Analysis: During the summer months, it is so valuable to help children get outdoors and discover their surroundings. This book of simple activities is a wonderful way of reminding us of the importance of nature. Simple ideas like cloud watching, something I had never thought of doing with my grandkids, became a reminder of how much we miss when we are constantly indoors. 

The illustrations are charming, the ideas are fun and easily modified to fit the needs of the reader, and the author includes suggestions to make the activities more meaningful.

Connections: Outdoor Activities Video 

Book Review #76

 Don McLean's American Pie: A Fable

Author: Meteor 17 Books

Publisher: Meteor 17 Books, 2022

ISBN: 978-1957317014

Reading Level: 6 to 9 years

Main Characters: A newspaper delivery boy (Inspired by childhood memories of Don McLean).

Plot: The story is based on the childhood memories of Don McLean as a lonely paper boy. It has a picture book style with poetic notes of his childhood. 

Settings: The late 1950s. 

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's Picture Book, American History, Childhood in the 1950s.

I Gave This Book 4 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 4 Roars? I love the song "American Pie" and its rich connection to American history. The original recording was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress, so It has a solid, stable place in American history. 

However, I am not sure that children will understand the connection between the song and this story. The story offers some links to the song, but it might be hard for children to recognize them. I think they would need an adult to explain the connections. Older readers will love sharing this book and its significance with younger readers. 

Critical Analysis: The illustrations are lovely, and the story has a nostalgic feel to it. The book is celebrating Don McLean’s childhood, his iconic song “America Pie,” and its fiftieth anniversary.

“As ‘American Pie’ celebrates 50 years, I’m very happy to have a children’s book based on the premise of the song. Everyone has a different interpretation of it. Releasing this fable brings another perspective to the lyrics, along with some backstory for when I wrote it. I hope every child gets to imagine in their own mind what ‘American Pie’ means to them and know that dreams can become reality.” 

~~ Don McLean  

Connections: The Day the Music Died: American Pie – Documentary Trailer

4th of July - Independence Day

 Happy 4th of July!

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