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.

Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas!

Feliz Navidad!

Happy Holidays!

Book Review #64

Latkes for Santa Claus

Author: Janie Emaus
Illustrator: Bryan Langdo
Publisher:‎ Sky Pony, 2020

ISBN: 978-1510759886
Reading Level: 3 to 6 years

Main Characters: Anna, Michael, & Santa Claus

Plot: Anna's new stepbrother Michael leaves sugar cookies for Santa each year. Anna looks for something she can leave for Santa. She decides that latkes are just the thing. Santa enjoys them so much, he asks Anna for her latke recipe.

Settings: A blended family home.

Genre/Theme/Style: Holidays, Children's Jewish Holiday Books, Children's Stepfamilies Books, Children's Christmas Books, Blended families.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? This is a great book for children in blended families that celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas.

Critical Analysis: The book is respectful to both holidays and offers a way to celebrate cultural differences through the love of food and family.

“Sometimes me think, ‘What is Friend?’ and then me say, ‘Friend is someone to share the last cookie with.’” ~~Cookie Monster

"Ideal for blended families, but definitely delightful for anyone to read, Latkes for Santa Claus is a clever Hanukkah meets Christmas spin on leaving cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve. Even if it’s not Chrismukkah (when Christmas and Hanukkah overlap), this picture book still shows a way for Jewish children living with a non-Jewish stepsibling and/or step-parent how fun it is to share a bit of their Jewish holiday traditions during Christmas time. . . . I enjoyed every page of this charming new picture book because it showed how there is not only room for compromise in every family, but how easily a new tradition can be created bringing everyone closer."~~Good Reads with Ronna

"If you really want to make a friend, go to someone's house and eat with him - the people who give you their food give you their heart." ~~Cesar Chavez

Connections: Latkes for Santa Clause Read-A-Loud

Happy Hanukkah!

 

Happy Hanukkah!

Book Review #63

 When Santa Was A Baby

Author: Linda Bailey

Illustrator: Geneviève Godbout

Publisher: Tundra Books, 2015

ISBN:978-1770495562

Reading Level: 3 - 7 years

Main Characters: New baby Santa and his family. 

Plot: This book is about Santa as a baby and his supportive parents. There is nothing accurate about Saint Nicholas in this children’s story, it is centered around the unusual quirks that have made Santa into the fictitious character we know today. 

Settings: Santa's childhood environment. 

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's Humor, Holidays, Christmas books.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 

Why 5 Roars?

This is a cute book that pokes fun at the oddities of Santa and what his upbringing might have been like. 

Critical Analysis:
This fun, holiday, book reassures children that even unusual children have a special place in life. While finding your place in the world might not be easy, it is certainly worth it in the end. This book is an easy read and the illustrations are full of holiday spirit. 

"A fond, reassuring look at the eccentric childhood of a much-beloved holiday figure." ~~ School Library Journal

"He’s an unusual baby: a booming voice, an interest in chimneys, a penchant for standing naked in front of the open refrigerator, enjoying the chill. Later, on Christmas, he rewraps his gifts and gives them to other children. His puzzled but besotted parents shower him with praise and predictions of future greatness. With retro-esque art featuring people whose giant black eyes look ever so slightly crazed, it’s a sweet, gently satirical answer to the eternal question, How did Santa become Santa?" 

~~ New York Times Book Review

"[A] clever take on the Santa myth that develops him as a character with his own thoughts and motivations. . . . Godbout’s cozy artwork gives the book the feel of a classic while also offering some cheeky moments – as when a young Santa stands naked in front of an open fridge, trying to cool down." 

~~Starred Review, Publishers Weekly

Connections: Santa Craft for Kids

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Happy Thanksgiving!

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.