Children's Book Reviews

Let's Roar!

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Book Review #81

 Farmhouse

Author: Sophie Blackall
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2022
ISBN:‎ 978-0316528948
Reading Level: 4 to 8 years

Main Character: The main "character" in the book is the Farmhouse.

Plot: The Farmhouse is home to a large family. Time takes its toll on the house, the family grows up and leaves, and it becomes unlivable. Then, Sophie Blackall tells its story.

"A love letter to the joys of country living and family life as well as the importance of treasuring the past and all its stories."
~ School Library Journal

Settings: “Over a hill, at the end of a road, by a glittering stream that twists and turns stands a farmhouse.” ~ Sophie Blackall

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's 1900s American Historical Fiction, Multi-generational Family Life, and Children's Farm Life.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? I absolutely loved this book! It is not another sad cliché about a house that nurtures a family and then becomes old and forgotten. Sophie Blackall did something very creative in collecting things from the farmhouse to allow it to tell its own story. The illustrations are such an important part of this piece of work.

In all honesty, I thought it was just another pretty, children's book until I began to read it. Then, I became fascinated with how it was created. Do not let the simple appearance of this book fool you. It is actually something special. You really do have to see this book for yourself!

"Genuinely captivating...A meditation on the creative process...Multifaceted and arresting...Irresistible."~ Booklist

Critical Analysis: This is a unique compilation of art that happens to tell a story. A story that resonates with children and adults. It really does make you want to run off and live on a farmhouse.  Maybe not one with twelve children, but certainly one with multi-generational family members that help give one a sense of family life at its very best. 

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Book Review #80

Hocus Pocus: The Illustrated Novelization
Author: A.W. Jantha (Movie by Disney)
Illustrator: Gris Grimly
Publisher: Disney Press, 2022
ISBN: 978-1368076685
Reading Level: 12 to 18 years
 
Main Characters: The Sanderson sisters, Thackery and Emily Binx, Max and Dani Dennison, and Allison Watts

Plot: This is a retelling of the Disney movie "Hocus Pocus."

Settings: Salem, Massachusetts
 
Genre/Theme/Style: Teen Humor, Children's Fantasy Books, Halloween
 
I Gave This Book 4 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 4 Roars? I loved the movie, but it is so hard to improve on the original.

Critical Analysis: The book is a retelling of the movie. If you are a fan of the movie, then owning the book might be something of a must for you.   

Connections: Hocus Pocus (1993) Trailer