Book Review #53

 The Okay Witch  

Author: Emma Steinkellner 

Publisher: Aladdin, 2019

ISBN: 978-1534431454 

Reading Level: 8 to 12 years 

Setting: Founder’s Bluff, Massachusetts

Genre/Theme/Style: Graphic Novel, Children's Fantasy

I Gave This Book 3 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁

Why 3 Roars? I wanted to love this book. I thought this graphic novel would be a great selection for young fantasy readers. 

Unfortunally, it was just way too predictable. There was nothing new or interesting to be found. I lost interest quickly and thought it piggybacked off of significantly better stories.

I went back and looked at books like Little Witch by Anna Elizabeth Bennett, Kiki's Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono, and Dorrie & the Weather-Box by Patricia Coombs, all offering something considerably more original, in my opinion.

“Moth befriends a sassy talking cat, a magical diary transports her to another dimension and she takes the awkward first steps toward learning to fly. Steinkellner 

hits all the checkpoints of

witchcraft-as-coming-of-age-metaphor.”

~~ Jen Wang

Critical Analysis: The story subtly implies that witch hunts were carried out, because witches were not of European decent. The settlers of Founder’s Bluff are represented as white European colonists, but the witches appear to be from many different backgrounds.

This is misleading for young readers and not an accurate portrayal of the history of witch hunts in America. A young reader could be easily mislead into believing that American witch hunts were directed at persons of color. However, it was more correctly considered to be the struggle of the Catholic and Protestant churches, attempting to cleanse their own flock of heresy.

Illustrations: The illustrations are lovely but tell an underlying story that is misleading for young readers with no understanding of American history, which sadly is not "Ok." 

Connections:

“The Salem witch trials and executions came about as the result of a combination of church politics, family feuds, and hysterical children, all of which unfolded in a vacuum of political authority (Wallenfeldt, 2021).”

Work Cited:
Wallenfeldt, J. (2021). Salem witch trials. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Salem-witch-trials. 

Book Review # 52

 Carol and the Pickle Toad

Author: Esmé Shapiro

Publisher: Tundra Books, 2021

ISBN: 978-0735263987
Reading Level: 5 and up

Main Characters: Carol and her bossy, Toad Hat.

Plot: Carol has an unusual, bossy, Toad Hat that tells her what to do. When the Toad Hat is carried off by a pigeon, she replaces it with a pickle- toad hat. That is also carried off by a pigeon. With no hat, she eats what she likes, draws what she likes, and finds her inner voice. 

Settings: A city of unique characters.

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's Picture Books, Humor, Self-esteem, Inner Voice, Freedom of Choice, Individuality.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? Carol finds her unique inner voice and the freedom to choose what she likes. This is a great self-discovery books for young readers. Learning to value your own ideas and talents is a great step in growing wiser. 

Critical Analysis:

It is a quirky little story that keeps kids interested and teaches at the same time. Entertainment and education in a funny way is always a great addition to any library.

“This luxuriant, chapeau-centric appreciation of city living exudes a free-wheeling

spirit of its own.”

~~ Kirkus Reviews

“Alternately funny and sweetly edifying. . . . [C]onveys a meaningful message of quieting inner critics and approaching the world, and oneself, with kindness.”

~~ Booklist

Illustrations:

The illustrations are one of the main attractions of the book. They are light hearted, fun, and create plenty of diversity throughout the city background.   

“With visual abundance and plenty of silliness, Shapiro’s gentle tale compassionately follows Carol as she learns that she can eat what she wishes, make art, and speak courageously, all on her own.”

~~ Publishers Weekly

Connections:

Carol and the Pickle Toad

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July

 

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!

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 

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.