Book Review #62

 Norman Didn't Do It!

(Yes, he did.)

Author: Ryan T. Higgins

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion, 2021

ISBN:‎ 978-1368026239

Reading Level: 3 to 5 years

Main Characters: Norman, Mildred, and the other tree.

Plot: Norman, a porcupine, and Mildred, a tree, are best friends until one day the other tree shows up. This upsets Norman. Norman digs up the other tree and takes it far away. This leads Norman to feel guilty and concerned. Eventually, Norman has the character to fix his mistake. Norman realizes that having another tree around is not so bad.   

Settings: Somewhere outside.

Genre/Theme/Style: Picture Book, Children's Humor, Children’s Friendship, and Children’s Animal Books.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? This is a cute book for kids about being overwhelmed, doing something you regret, and then having the strength of character to fix it. 

Critical Analysis: Norman becomes overwhelmed, does something he regrets, and then has the courage to fix it. The humor is on target for the age group and Norman is very likable. 

"...astute and endearing story of displacement anxiety... Higgins knows exactly when to go in for a close-up and focus on Norman's comic sturm und drang. The porcupine is a protagonist that readers should find deeply relatable: reveling in unconditional love, prone to impulsiveness and rumination, and absolutely capable of self-redemption." 

~~ Publishers Weekly

Illustrations: The illustrations are great and kids will see themselves in Norman's reactions.  

Connections: Norman Didn't Do It! Read-A-Loud. 

Happy Halloween!

Book Review #61

 Creepy Pair of Underwear! 

Author: Aaron Reynolds 

Illustrator: Peter Brown 
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2017
ISBN:978-1442402980 
Reading Level: 4- 8 years

Main Characters: Jasper Rabbit & his underwear.

Plot: Jasper wants to be a big bunny and wear big bunny underwear.  His underwear is a little creepy and causes Jasper problems. He tries to get rid of them, but they come back again and again. 

Settings: Shopping with Mom, Jasper's room, and other various places. 

Genre/Theme/Style: Underwear, & Halloween.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? I love this book! It is the perfect combination of spooky and funny. Great for a Halloween Storytime. Underwear always get a laugh, and creepy underwear gets an even bigger laugh. 

Critical Analysis: A great way to entertain young readers. 

"Balances a really spooky premise with the hilarity that accompanies any mention of underwear....Perfect for those looking for a scary Halloween tale that won't leave them with more fears than they started with." 

~~ Kirkus Reviews

Illustrations: The illustrations are primarily black and white but have a mysterious Halloween green glow. 

Connections: Helping young readers make a pair of their own creepy underwear is a great project for kids. 

Book Review #60

Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest

Author: Phoebe Wahl
Publisher: September, 2021  
ISBN: 978-0735264892

Reading Level: 4-8 years

Main Characters: Little Witch Hazel and the creatures in the forest. 

Plot: A tiny witch that lives in the forest helps the forest creatures. 

Settings: The Mosswood Forest. 

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's Books, Children's Folk Tales, and Myths. 

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? This is a sweet book that helps children discover nature and teaches nurturing and kindness for all. The illustrations are lovely and children will enjoy reading it over and over.

Critical Analysis: The book covers the four seasons with the Orphaned Egg, The Lazy Day, The Haunted Stump, and The Blizzard. The stories connect the reader to each season of the year and bring nature into focus.  

"A thread of loving and nurturing emerges through this treasury of quiet adventures . . . and readers will find satisfaction in seeing the way [Little Witch Hazel's] sturdy care succors her community and results in gentle reciprocation."  

~~ Publishers Weekly

 "These sweet stories are an ode to the calm and peaceful magic of nature. Little Witch Hazel will make you feel as if you have journeyed deep into Mosswood Forest alongside Hazel and her friends." 

~~ BookPage

Connections: Seasons for kids

Book Review #59

Ten Timid Ghosts

Author: Jennifer O'Connell
Publisher: Cartwheel, 2000
ISBN:978-0439158046
Reading Level: 4 to 8 years

Main Characters: Ten ghosts and a witch

Plot: This is a simple rhyming book that counts backwards as the ghosts leave the house. The witch moves in and wants the ghosts to leave. It does not take much to scare the timid ghosts out of the house. One ghost figures out that it is the witch frightening the ghosts away and teams up with the other ghosts to get rid of the witch.

Settings: A haunted house

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's Picture Book, Rhyming Book, Halloween, Beginning Reader.  

I Gave This Book 4 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 4 Roars? This is a simple book for younger readers that they can easily understand. It was cute, but I have seen so many counting backwards books for young readers that this one became lost in a sea of plenty. 

Critical Analysis: The illustrations are classic depictions of easily recognizable Halloween images. I like the illustrations but the book lacked anything interesting or unique. 

Connections: Ten Timid Ghosts Read-A-Loud 

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