Book Review #97

 

The Story of the Pilgrims

Author: Katharine Ross

Illustrator: Carolyn Croll

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.,1995

ISBN: 0-590-44279-5

Reading Level: Recommended for ages 4-8

Main Character: The main characters in this book are the Pilgrims who embarked on the Mayflower voyage in search of religious freedom and the Wampanoag Native Americans who played a significant role in their survival.

Plot: The Story of the Pilgrims follows the historical journey of the Pilgrims from their persecution in England to their challenging voyage on the Mayflower and the establishment of the Plymouth Colony in America. The book also recounts the first Thanksgiving celebration and the cooperation between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag.

Settings: The story is primarily set in 17th-century England, aboard the Mayflower during its voyage to America, and in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where the Pilgrims established their colony.

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's Non-Fiction, Children’s Historical Non-Fiction, Thanksgiving Holiday.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? I gave this book 5 Roars because it provides young readers with an informative and engaging introduction to the history of the Pilgrims and the origins of Thanksgiving. The combination of historical facts and colorful illustrations makes it an excellent resource for teaching children about the early interactions between European settlers and Native Americans. It also conveys important values of courage, resilience, cooperation, and gratitude. 

This is an older book that does not use the word Native Americans. However, it would be a great idea to talk to kids about how cultural awareness can bring us closer together.  

Critical Analysis: "The Story of the Pilgrims" effectively captures the attention of young readers and helps them understand the historical context of Thanksgiving. The illustrations by Carolyn Croll complement the narrative beautifully, making history come alive. The book strikes a balance between education and entertainment, making it a valuable addition to children's literature. It is an engaging story with detailed illustrations.

Connections: This book can be a valuable resource for educators and parents who want to teach children about American history and the Thanksgiving holiday. It can be used in the classroom or at home to discuss the importance of understanding different cultures and the role of cooperation and gratitude in the early history of the United States.

National Beach Day!

Celebrating Beaches

National Beach Day- August 30th

Photo Credit:FS

Relax and unwind with 

these great finds:

Happy Beach Day!

 

Book Review #96

 I Love BOBA! 

(The first children's book about 

bubble tea)

Author: Katrina Liu
Illustrator: Dhidit Prayoga's
Publisher:‎ Katrina Liu,2021
ASIN: ‎B094X3K3N5
Reading Level: 4 to 8 years

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's Picture Book, Cultures, Tea, & Tea Parties.

Appeal: I Love BOBA! is a delightful and original addition to children's literature, introducing the magical world of bubble tea through the eyes of young readers.

I Gave This Book 4 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 4 Roars? I would have appreciated a deeper exploration of the historical and cultural significance behind Boba tea. 

Critical Analysis: It offers a fun reading experience that inspires curiosity and appreciation for diverse cultures. Great for Storytimes or shared among boba-loving families, this book is a delightful treat that leaves a sweet taste of adventure and discovery. Perfect choice for tea lovers of all ages.

An excellent book for young readers, especially if you're hosting a boba tea party!

Connections: Boba Tea Parties

Book Review #95

 You're Finally Here!

Author: Melanie Watt

Publisher:‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2023

ISBN:978-0316468022

Reading Level: 4-8 years

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's Picture Book, Bunnies, Humor, Patience, Respect, and Manners.

Main Character: A quirky bunny character.

Plot: You're Finally Here! features a bunny character eagerly awaiting the reader's arrival. The bunny's excitement quickly leads to impatience and boredom as it recounts the lengthy wait. Through relatable and humorous scenarios, the bunny's emotions fluctuate from enthusiasm to annoyance, creating an engaging narrative.

I Gave This Book 4 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 4 Roars? I found that the bunny's behavior leaned a bit too much on the side of annoyance for my personal taste. While I appreciate the book's attempt to capture the frustrations of waiting, the bunny's reactions occasionally overshadowed the positive aspects of the story for me.

Critical Analysis: The bunny's emotional movement, from eager anticipation to playful annoyance and back, adds interest to the narrative. The book's exploration of waiting and impatience, combined with unexpected twists, keeps young readers engaged. While the plot structure feels repetitive at times for adult readers, young readers will identify with the idea of having to wait. 

This would be an excellent book opportunity to introduce students to the concept of manners within a classroom setting.

Connections: Educators can design creative activities, such as role-playing scenarios related to waiting, sharing, and expressing emotions, encouraging students to apply what they've learned from the bunny's experiences. They can easily tie in the themes of patience and respect explored in the book.

The Painted Porch Bookshop

 Bastrop, Texas

While out and about exploring new places, I happened upon a lovely, little bookshop. It looked very unassuming from the outside, but I was pleasantly surprised by the inside. 

The shop has a cute "Southern" feel that is charming and insightful. 

It turned out to be a nice place to take the whole family. There is a small reading nook for the kids and a play area.  

The tractors are a nice touch! The kids in the store loved them. 

It opens up into another area with lots of records. (A blast from the past!)

A fireplace made from books! (Worth seeing!)

 And a cute tree to round things out nicely!

If you have a little time to kill, love books, and are somewhere in the area, this might 

be a fun adventure! 

If you aren't in the area, you can always find them online at 

The Painted Porch Bookshop

Book Review #94

 I Want To Be Spaghetti!

 

Author: Kiera Wright-Ruiz

Illustrator: Claudia Lam

Publisher:‎ Kokila, 2023

ISBN: 978-0593529874

Reading Level: 4 to 8 years

Main Character: A package of Ramin noodles.

Plot: Ramin wants to be Spaghetti. Why does Ramin want to be like Spaghetti? Because Spaghetti is everywhere.

Genre/Theme/Style: Picture Book, Children’s Books, Self-Esteem, Cooking.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars!🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁 

Why 5 Roars? My Ramin wants to be spaghetti?! NO WAY, I say! I love my Ramin! 

A great, subtle message for kids about self-esteem. Kids love it, and it goes great with a big bowl of...you guessed it - Ramin!

Critical Analysis: The ideas are clever and the story has a great message for kids about learning to be yourself. The story revolves around Ramin, who aspires to be Spaghetti, an unconventional desire that sparks kid's curiosity. 

The illustrations are a nice touch. They add to the charm of this book. They enhance its uniqueness and appeal, adding an extra layer of visual engagement that complements the written content.

Connections: This is a great story to read on a Ramin night! Making Ramin with the kids after reading this cute book, makes eating Ramin so much more fun! Making Ramin noodles with kids.

4th of July

 Happy Independance Day!