Read'em & Roar!

Sunday, July 4, 2021

Sunday, June 20, 2021

Book Review #51

Made For Me

Author: Zach Bush
Illustrator: Gregorio De Lauretis

Publisher: Familius, 2019

ISBN:‎ 978-1641702003

Reading Level: 3 to 5 Years

Main Characters: A father and his child

Plot: A father explains why is child is special.

Settings: The home of the father and child.

Genre/Theme/Style: Fatherhood, Father's Day, Parenting, New Father, Board Book

I Gave This Book 5 Roars!🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? This is such a sweet book! It teaches about the love of a father for his child. The father in the illustrations is shown as a big guy and the baby is so tiny. Even so, the father is completely enthralled with his new baby.

Critical Analysis:

The book is a great example of how love knows no boundaries. A very manly, man is depicted as being overjoyed with his child. His concern for his child is all that seems to matter to this father. There is also a version of this book in Spanish.

"A giant hulk of a man describes his emotions as his child captures his heart. "On the day you were born, I beamed with pride. / My eyes filled with tears. I joyfully cried. / From the moment I saw you and called out your name, / the world as I knew it was never the same." The rest of the book proceeds to demonstrate just how thoroughly this tot has their father wrapped around their finger and shows the dad lovingly caring for his growing child's every need: bottles, diapers, soothing, tickling, feeding, bathing, playing, reading, and exploring the world. While the rhyme and rhythm aren't always spot-on and one illustration depicts a crib instead of the cradle referred to in the text, there is no denying the appeal of this father-child pair, as their bond is more than apparent. The dichotomy between the tiny redheaded tot and the giant lumberjack-look-alike dad—red plaid shirt, blue jeans, full red beard and mustache, and tiny head perched atop a round body with tree-trunk forearms—both white, adds to the sweet sentimentality (sometimes slipping into saccharine) of this book. While young children may relish the opportunity to use this as a springboard for hearing about their own babyhoods with their dads, new fathers are just as likely an audience, the sweet refrain—"Of all the children that ever could be, / you are the one made just for me"—tugging at heartstrings.

New dads will eat this up.

~~ Kirkus Reviews

Illustrations: The illustrations are a big part of what makes this book so interesting.

"This tremendously sweet book will fill every empty space it finds. Love and a sense of belonging flow on every rhythmic word like a cool brook satisfies on a warm summer day. Illustrations by De Lauretis bring this loving father's heart into full vivid view. It's simply delightful. The stamp on the inside cover is a very special touch."

~~ Midwest Book Review

Connections:

Father's Day Ideas to Make

Happy Father's Day!

Sunday, June 6, 2021

Book Review #50

"Britannica All New Kids' Encyclopedia: What We Know & What We Don't"

Author: Christopher Lloyd
ISBN: 978-1912920488

Reading Level: 8 to 12 years

Publisher: Britannica Books, 2020

Genre/Theme/Style: Children’s Non-fiction, Kid's Encyclopedia

Topic: Reference Information for Children

I Gave This Book 4 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 4 Roars? The book has a lot of pictures and interesting information for children that appreciate non-fiction. I realize that many kids might not enjoy an encyclopedia format. However, the reader might not notice, because in this case, it reads as a picture book with facts.

Critical Analysis: I do not typically consider encyclopedias for review, but this one struck me as something a kid might really enjoy and not recognize as an encyclopedia.

Accuracy: The information is up-to-date and accurate. It was edited by over 70 world experts.

"Well-illustrated and info-packed, this is a wonderful encyclopedia for the curious kids in all our lives." ~ Mary Pope Osborne

Organization: It is a single-volume encyclopedia that is arranged from the beginning of time to present day. Which is another reason it does not feel like an A-Z traditional encyclopedia.

"This exciting single-volume compendium ranges across time and space, and it's packed with pictures." ~ Meghan Cox Gurdon, The Wall Street Journal

Design: The design is non-traditional. It uses photography, text, illustrations, and infographics to help children learn.

"A refreshing transparency distinguishes Britannica’s All New Kids’ Encyclopedia, from the ultrasmart subtitle to the mini profiles of its experts. Visually driven, with factoids, lists, infographics, even quizzes." - The New York Times, Holiday Gift Guide 2020

Connections: Video by Britannica

Friday, May 14, 2021

Book Review #49

How To Train Your Turkey!

Author: V. Moua
Publisher: Independently published, 2021
ISBN: 13 : 979-8716944688

Reading Ages: Beginning Readers

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's Picture Books, Beginning Reader, Pets, Humor

Main Characters: Sammy, the little red bird, and Turkey

Plot: Sammy is excited to teach Turkey Training 101. Sammy is working on training his turkey who happens to be named, you guessed it...Turkey! He is still working with Turkey on basics like sitting, shaking wings, and fetching.

Settings: A classroom and a backyard with Turkey's house that resembles an ordinary dog house.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Critical Analysis: The story is fun and simple for young readers to understand and enjoy. Finding beginning readers can be difficult and this story is humorous and a great way to introduce the love of reading to little ones. It should be in more children's libraries.

Why 5 Roars? This is a quirky little independently published story for young readers. Supporting independent publishers and authors is an important part of recognizing new and talented authors.

The real question is, why aren't more publishers considering new authors?

Connections: This story is part of the Sammy Bird Series for young readers.

You can find more books like this one at https://vmoua.com/books/ along with free coloring sheets featuring Sammy Bird.