Book review

Packed With Facts: Animal-focused Nonfiction Picture Books (a roundup for Wild About Wildlife Month)

I just LOVE learning interesting facts about wild animals! I like discovering where they live, what they eat, and what their daily habits are, especially if they’re animals I’ve never heard of before. I bet you know some kids (or kids at heart) who love learning about animals too. And the more kids get to know them, the more they develop a fondness and, hopefully, compassion for the animals with whom we share the world.

I’ll admit that nonfiction picture books don’t get as much attention here on Frog on a Blog as fiction picture books do. So, when I do feature them, it’s a special occasion indeed. Today, I have four incredible books to share. Each one is overflowing with amazing animal facts. And each one has a unique angle that makes learning fun. You and the little animal lovers in your life will definitely want to take a look at these!

Home, written and illustrated by Isabelle Simler, was originally published in France in 2022 and published here in the US by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers in March of 2024. This gorgeous book, which is a part of Eerdmans’ Spectacular STEAM for Curious Readers line, earned starred reviews from School Library Journal, Booklist, and Shelf Awareness.

Visit the homes of 27 different animals, from the common octopus’s “Stony Villa” (rocky crevice) to the hummingbird’s “Mossy Miniature Home” (tiny nest) to the Sumatran orangutan’s “Bunk Bed In The Branches” (leafy bed high in the trees). Richly detailed illustrations accompany lyrical text on every two-page spread as each animal tells the reader all about its home. Back matter includes more information about the animals as well as a short glossary of unfamiliar terms.

Favorite Featured Creature: the satin bowerbird–This industrious Australian bird builds a little pavilion out of twigs and decorates it with all manner of blue items he finds, including feathers, flowers, butterfly wings, pen caps, marbles, and string, all to attract a mate.

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The Wild Life of Animals (The Secret Lives of Astounding Animals), written by Mike Barfield and illustrated by Paula Bossio, was published in the US, by Kane Miller, and in Great Britain in 2023. Told with subtle humor in both the text and illustrations, this book introduces (actually, the animals introduce themselves) young readers to over 50 different animals, depicted in a cute cartoon style, in 8 habitats from across the globe. Kids (and you) will learn about the pygmy hippopotamus who lives in a forest environment in West Africa, the thorny dragon lizard who lives in the desert region of Western Australia, and the vampire squid who lives deep in a tropical sea, to name just a few.

Plenty of information is presented about each animal without being overwhelming, and the Table of Contents allows readers to flip right to the animals they want to learn more about. A glossary of unfamiliar terms can be found at the end of the book too. But what’s really clever about this book is the kid-friendly layout. Comic style is used throughout for the main spreads, and then additional fun facts about even more animals in each region can be found on pages that resemble the screens of a tablet. There are pages devoted specifically to baby animals as well. There’s a lot going on in this book for sure!

Favorite Featured Creature: the okapi–This curious creature hails from the dense forests of Central Africa, and though its black-and-white striped hind end and legs resemble a zebra and its head resembles a deer, it’s actually the only living relative of the giraffe, and it even has a long prehensile tongue like a giraffe does.

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Menus for Meerkats and Other Hungry Animals, written by Ben Hoare and illustrated by Hui Skipp, was published in the US by Kane Miller in 2024. It’s a companion book to Maps for Penguins and Other Traveling Animals. Here readers learn about the favorite foods and fascinating (sometimes gross) eating habits of 10 different animals, along with other interesting bits of information about each of them. For example, did you know the scarlet macaw, which is a brightly-colored parrot, can live to be 50 years old in the wild? Did you know Indian cobras, which are venomous snakes, drink water by dipping their heads into puddles and opening their mouths to allow the water to soak into the skin of their lower jaws? And did you know blue whales, which are the largest animals on Earth, produce up to 50 gallons of poop at a time, enough to fill a bathtub?

My favorite thing about this book is the fun way the information is presented. Each of the animals, which are all drawn in a sweet cartoon style, has four pages (or two spreads) devoted to it. The first two pages are essentially a menu listing main course foods, sides, and drinks. The grizzly bear’s main course selections include nuts, berries, and roots. Its sides are grubs, worms, insects, and larger animals like gophers, fish, and elk. And its drink choice is water from rivers or lakes. Then the second spread tells us more about the animal, such as its eating habits, where it lives, and how big it is. (See the previous paragraph for examples.) This book also has a Table of Contents, allowing the reader to quickly find a specific animal, and a glossary and an index can be found at the end of the book as well.

Favorite Featured Creature: the koala–Everyone knows koala bears (which, by the way, aren’t bears at all) are from Australia, and you probably know that their diet consists mostly of eucalyptus leaves, but did you know eucalyptus leaves are poisonous? Luckily, koalas can eat them without getting sick thanks to a specially-adapted portion of their large intestine that aids in the digestion of their toxic meal.

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Lifesize Deadly Animals, written and illustrated by Sophy Henn, was published in 2023 by Kane Miller and is part of their Lifesize line of books. Kids, in particular, will get a kick out of this oversized book as they marvel at the many animal species, small and large, from around the world, realistically depicted on the pages. The text, presented in manageable chunks and in big print, imparts fascinating facts about each animal. Readers will view lifesize harpy eagle talons, which are bigger than a grizzly bear’s claws, lifesize black caiman (largest member of the alligator family) jaws, which can easily crack a turtle’s shell, an African lion’s lifesize tongue, which is covered with tiny spines, a lifesize Chinese bird spider, which is a venomous tarantula, and several more. Kids will especially love the surprise fold-out pages that open up to reveal a great white shark’s mouth with its over two-inch long, razor-sharp teeth. An added section at the back of the book compares the animals’ sizes to each other and to the size of the book.

Favorite Featured Creature: the (lifesize) Bengal slow loris–How can this adorable nocturnal primate from China and southeast Asia be deadly? Well, apparently, these little guys produce flesh-rotting venom from a mixture of their sweat and saliva and can deliver a toxic bite to their enemies, but they only use it as a last resort.

I hope you’ll check out these four fabulous books, which are perfect for Wild About Wildlife Month!

Picture Book Month Book Review: THE LITTLE TIGER by Nicola Killen

Title: The Little Tiger (My Little Animal Friend series)

Author: Nicola Killen

Illustrator: Nicola Killen

Publisher/Year: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books/2023

Favorite Line from the Book: But then she remembered…she was a tiger!

Special Features: Die cuts and foil stamping

The ever-clever and always-curious Ollie is back in The Little Tiger. And this time, it’s her birthday! The Little Tiger is a super-sweet addition to Nicola Killen’s My Little Animal Friend series, which includes The Little Kitten, The Little Bear, and The Little Rabbit, as well as The Little Reindeer which earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. I’m smitten with these books as it’s clear that the author and little Ollie are animal lovers just like me!

With boundless energy and limitless imagination, Ollie, dressed in her brand-new tiger suit and grasping a big bunch of balloons, takes readers on a high-flying adventure over houses, trees, and fields to a forest. In a clearing, she meets seven animals–Elephant, Monkey, Sloth, Rhinoceros, Zebra, Bear, and Lion–and discovers a surprise party waiting just for her. Everyone plays games, blows bubbles, and enjoys a delicious birthday lunch. Then Ollie blows out the candles on her cake while her new friends sing Happy Birthday, before she floats back home on the breeze.

Gently told with humor and heart, The Little Tiger is a perfect bedtime tale. The endearing illustrations, done in a muted color palette, satisfyingly match the story’s tone. Die cuts and foil stamping on some of the pages adds a playful element and is a nice touch. This book would make a great birthday present or Christmas gift or even both if you’re celebrating Jesus’s birthday on December 25th! I will be!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my Picture Book Month book reviews. I plan to feature a couple more reviews next month. Keep an eye out! And thanks so much for following Frog on a Blog! Happy Holidays, everyone! ❤️

Picture Book Month Book Review: OUR CLASS IS A COUNTRY by Andria W. Rosenbaum

Title: Our Class Is A Country

Author: Andria W. Rosenbaum

Illustrator: Dream Chen

Publisher/Year: Albert Whitman & Company/2023

Favorite Line from the Book: Our class is a country with no room for hate.

I believe wholeheartedly that the following expression, which I’m sure many of you have heard before, is true: The opposite of love isn’t hate. It’s fear. People are afraid of many things, including, but not limited to, things that are different or things we don’t understand. Sadly, fear is expressed in hateful ways.

I’m truly baffled that, in 2023, people still treat others with contempt, cruelty, and hostility instead of trying to learn more about each other or understand one another. My hope is that the majority of people in this country and around the world know that we don’t always have to agree with or be like others in order to treat them with kindness, respect, and love. Young children know this instinctively. They’re curious about other kids and interested in making friends. They don’t care about differences.

Today’s review features a lovely, rhyming picture book by Andria W. Rosenbaum that epitomizes the idea of treating others with love and kindness. Often, school-themed picture books are about a new student or the child’s first day of school, but I like that Our Class Is A Country turns that idea around. It’s the teacher who’s new, and the diverse group of enthusiastic classmates bands together to welcome her by sharing various activities and taking her through their day. They sing, eat, play, garden, work, and create happily together.

Andria’s text flows so effortlessly and is a pleasure to read. Illustrator Dream Chen’s art is colorful and fun and features a charming cast of diverse children, as you can see by the cover above. The pictures are a nice accompaniment to the words, and kids will be delighted by both. Here’s an excerpt from Our Class Is A Country:

We’re spices! We’re colors! We’re soup in a bowl.

Our class is a country with flavor and soul.

This book is a great choice for storytimes or read-alouds in schools, libraries, or at home. As a bonus, back matter offers different ways to say hello in languages other than English, reflecting eight of the kids depicted in the story. Just like the kids within welcome their new teacher with thoughtfulness and love, Our Class Is A Country encourages every reader to do the same for all those with whom we cross paths. And if everyone treated everyone else with kindness, love, and respect, instead of fear and hate, how amazing would that be?!

Picture Book Month Book Review: HOW THIS BOOK GOT RED by Margaret Chiu Greanias

Title: How This Book Got Red

Author: Margaret Chiu Greanias

Illustrator: Melissa Iwai

Publisher/Year: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky/2023

Favorite Line from the Book: “This will be better than bamboo bubble tea!” ~Red

What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you think about a panda? Probably the lovable, ever-popular black and white panda bear, right? That would be true for me, too, if my local zoo didn’t have red pandas. Red pandas are small, tree-dwelling mammals native to the forests of the Himalayas, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and China. They have the fluffiest tails ever and are just so cute. They’re also endangered due to habitat loss and poaching, so I’m thankful that my zoo is dedicated to their conservation.

I was thrilled to hear about Margaret Chiu Greanias’s new picture book How This Book Got Red, which stars a red panda named Red and her best friend Gee, a giant panda. One day, Red and Gee settle down together to read a book about pandas, but the only pandas in the book, and in the books at the bookstore, are the black and white ones. Upset by this realization, Red endeavors to write her own book all about red pandas. But she struggles to get her words down on paper and complete her book. She thinks, if there are no books about red pandas, it must be because no one wants to read about them. But she soon learns that’s not the case at all. And with a little help from Gee, she finishes writing her book, and it becomes a great success.

On the surface, How This Book Got Red is a sweet picture book about a red panda who decides to write a book about red pandas. But there’s a deeper layer to this story. Representation. Margaret Chiu Greanias, the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, says, “Like Red, the main character in How This Book Got Red, I didn’t see myself in books when I was growing up.” She goes on to say, “I grew up feeling less than others. When I looked in the mirror, I saw someone who didn’t match my idea of pretty and never would.” Margaret says she didn’t value who she was because people who looked like her were not represented in the books she read. She believes “that the more everyone understands how the lack of representation affects those rendered invisible, the less children will grow up feeling the way I did.” In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews said: “Greanias illustrates perfectly, in a way that children will intuitively understand, why it’s so crucial for everyone to see themselves depicted in media…”

A secondary layer in the book reflects a struggle that most writers will connect with: Trying to write when the words just won’t come. Believing you have nothing of value to say, nothing that anyone’s going to want to read. Taking a chance and pouring yourself onto the page and then sending your work out into the world with a deep breath in your lungs and hope in your heart. Yep, I certainly can relate to that.

The illustrations, by Melissa Iwai, created using watercolors, colored pencils, and digital tools, are charming, colorful, and clearly done by a talented artist who has the skills and experience to bring personality to Red, Gee, and all their panda pals. Red is just so endearing! ❤️ As a bonus, readers will find a few facts about real red pandas on the front and back endpapers.

Most people recognize the black and white panda, but I think there should totally be more books about red pandas. If you’ve ever seen one in person, like I have, you know I’m right. They are Adorable with a capital A, just like this book. And something tells me that How This Book Got Red will inspire kids to be writers, hopefully, writing the kinds of stories they want to see, ones that represent them!

Picture Book Month Book Review: THE WELCOME HOME by Amy June Bates

Title: The Welcome Home

Author: Amy June Bates

Illustrator: Amy June Bates

Publisher/Year: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers/2023

Favorite Line from the Book: There on their doorstep was a very soft, very waggy, very lick-your-face-play-fetch-roll-over-rub-its-belly-and-chase-its-tail sort of a thing.

This silly and heartwarming book, written and illustrated by Amy June Bates, is for animal lovers (like me) and anyone who wishes they could fill their home with lots of pets, big ones, small ones, ordinary ones, and rather unusual ones. Aardvark anyone? How about a buffalo? Or maybe a whale?

The Welcome Home is about a couple, Mr. and Ms. Gargleson-Bittle, who live together in a big house and feel that something is missing. So they get a pet and then another and then another and begin to fill the empty space in their home. They love all of their animals, from the snail to the panda to the orangutan to the octopus (and many more), but something is still missing, something very soft, very waggy, and very lick-your-face-play-fetch-roll-over-rub-its-belly-and-chase-its-tail-y. It’s a good thing they have room in their hearts for just one more to make their family complete.

The text of The Welcome Home is simple, but children will get a kick out of meeting each new animal as it’s introduced, names and all. The cover is colorful and eye catching, but I’m not as enthusiastic about the interior art. Some of the pages are a bit dark and cluttered, making the illustrations, which are done in colored pencil, hard to “read.” That said, I think kids will still find the pictures of happy, playful animals appealing and laugh-out-loud funny in this book that Kirkus Reviews called, in a starred review, an instant classic. After all, who wouldn’t like a donkey howling at the moon or a flock of ducklings nesting in their hair?

Yep, I’m an animal lover to the core. I adore spending time with my dog. I enjoy watching nature programs on TV. Visiting the zoo is one of my favorite pastimes, and I want to bring all of the animals home with me. I’d love to put an elephant in my backyard. But, alas, I’m pretty sure my town has restrictions against it. I wonder how they’d feel about a giraffe? Hmm…🤔

I guess most of us will have to settle for reading picture books about animals. And that’s great news because those are some of my favorite books! And kids love them too!

My View Book Review: I LOVE YOU MUCHO MUCHO by Rachel Más Davidson

Title: I Love You Mucho Mucho

Author: Rachel Más Davidson

Illustrator: Rachel Más Davidson

Publisher/Year: Beaming Books/2023

Favorite Line from the Book: Fortunately, stomachs growl in the same language, and Abuela knew just what to do.

Happy National Grandparents Day to all the grandmothers and grandfathers out there who share their hearts, stories, wisdom, and homes with their families! Did you know, according to AARP in 2017, the United States is in the midst of a “grandparent boom” with more grandparents than ever before, over 70 million, as the baby boomers, followed closely by Gen X, become grandmas and grandpas. That’s a lot of grandparents! And, according to Census.gov in 2021, over 6 million grandparents lived with grandchildren under the age of 18, and over 2 million of them were responsible for the basic care of their grandchildren. With numbers like those, it’s no wonder that grandparents play such an important role in our lives.

I was fortunate to have both of my grandmothers living with us when I was growing up. I’ll always remember the two of them sitting side by side in the living room, one in a rocking chair and the other with a cat in her lap, watching soap operas. My dad’s mom was a whiz at crocheting. I’ll never forget the countless pairs of colorful mittens we wore each winter. And I still have two of her afghans. My mom’s mom was a writer and self-taught poet who was published numerous times in various magazines and newspapers. I dedicated my first picture book to her.

A bond between a child and a grandparent is like nothing else, and that’s why I’ve chosen to highlight a picture book on Frog on a Blog today that features that very special grandchild/grandparent connection. I Love You Mucho Mucho, written and illustrated by Rachel Más Davidson and just published by Beaming Books, is a super sweet story about a little girl named Rosie who visits her grandmother, but her grandmother doesn’t speak English, and Rosie doesn’t speak Spanish. Rosie and Abuela spend time together, eating, drawing, playing dress up, gardening, and exploring nature, and, through the universal language of love, they find a way to communicate with very few words.

Just like Rosie and Abuela, spending time together is an important way to strengthen family bonds, create fond memories, and establish a foundation of love, something that every child benefits from and deserves (grandparents too). One activity that grandparents and grandchildren can do together is read picture books, and I Love You Mucho Mucho is a great choice!

Delightfully detailed illustrations (check out Abuela’s high top sneakers) with subtle but interesting background images and an adorable little black cat adorn this deceptively simple tale inspired by the author’s own experience in a family with language barriers. A glossary of Spanish words is included at the end.

Book Review MAXIMILLIAN VILLAINOUS: A Teacher And Writer’s Perspective by Laura Roettiger

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Everything about the book Maximillian Villainous (Running Press Kids, 2018) made me know it was going to be a hit at school. To be honest, I was excited to find this book at the library and I knew my enthusiasm would add to their interest. The title alone captured the imagination of the children who wanted to know more about this villainous monster. But wait, Max isn’t a villain! And right away, the author had us engaging with the main character.

The class of second and third graders may not know about the rule of three, expertly employed by author Margaret Chiu Greanias, but they sure appreciated the way it was woven into the story. The three tasks for Max: “1. Steal something 2. Make someone cry 3. Gain fame by being devious” are cleverly highlighted in the illustrations so that children focused on the list. We even compared it to the classroom rules, which was fun and another way to interact with the story. Of course, the students explained the tasks were the opposite of what they should be, demonstrating that the author and illustrator did a great job engaging the readers early in the story.

As a picture book writer, I’ve been studying different aspects of craft and I know how important page turns are. This book is a model of page turns done well. I’d like to mention two excellent examples. The first that attracted attention (read children needed to chime in with their predictions) involved the bunnies digging in the Sandman’s stash of magic sleeping dust. Many of the children knew what would come next. The other is when Max has an idea, complete with the villainous “Mua-ha-Ha!” This was definitely the class’s favorite part of the book (read everyone was making the sound and believed Max was turning into a villain like the rest of his family.) Well played, Margaret!

The illustrations (by Lesley Breen Withrow) in Maximillian Villainous are fantastic. They are colorful, full of wonderful detail, but not too busy, and whimsical, matching the tone of the story. Even the way the Illustrations were laid out on the pages and the use of signs and notes created a high level of interest for the children and for me.

This book definitely earns 5 stars from me because it’s got humor and heart on every page. Additionally, it allowed for a fun reading lesson learning about problem and solution in a story where they weren’t as obvious as in many books. This helped me know what the children understood and which ones needed more help. It is more proof that picture books are excellent vehicles for learning.

Laura R

Laura Roettiger is the author of the picture book Aliana Reaches for the Moon (Eifrig Publishing, 2019) She has enjoyed working with children ever since she was no longer considered a child herself. She was a reading specialist and elementary teacher in Chicago, IL before moving to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado where she worked in Environmental Education and is now a mentor for reading and writing at a STEM school. Her superpower is encouraging curiosity in children and letting them know she believes in them. Laura has three children of her own, all of whom were led by curiosity and creativity into STEM-related professions. Laura is also a part of #PictureBookBuzz, a group of authors with books being released in 2019.

Find Laura on Twitter @ljrwritenow and at her website LauraRoettigerBooks.com.

A Tub, A Bed, And A Book Review

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Thank you Terry Doherty at The Reading Tub for the lovely review of The Peddler’s Bed!

Click HERE to read the review. 

To all of my friends, fans, and blog followers, I wish you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a New Year filled with an abundance of joy. May your dreams come true in 2017! 🙂

Guess What?

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Guess what?

I’ve got a guest book review posted today at Good Reads With Ronna! Take a look at my review of the picture book Every Day Birds by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater and Dylan Metrano by clicking HERE! And while you’re visiting, check out all the fabulous children’s book reviews by Ronna Mandel and her team of dedicated reviewers.

Interview Alert: Tara Lazar, Author Of “I Thought This Was A Bear Book” plus a My View Book Review

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Picture book author and PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month) creator Tara Lazar is taking the kidlitosphere by storm, with two books out and four more scheduled to be released within the next couple of years. Pretty impressive! When the opportunity arose to not only review her latest book, I Thought This Was A Bear Book, but also to toss some interview questions her way, I couldn’t pass it up. There was so much I wanted to ask her, but I managed to whittle the list down to a reasonable (much less ridiculous) number of questions. I’m sharing the interview first, because I just can’t wait. My review of I Thought This Was A Bear Book follows. 

Me: What’s the one thing that motivates you the most to keep writing? And what was your motivation for writing I Thought This Was a Bear Book?
Tara: Writing, for me, is fun. That’s all the motivation you need—loving it.
BEAR BOOK came from the need to switch gears when a story I was writing wasn’t working out. I needed to start on a fresh idea instead of struggling with a stale one.
Me: You are known for writing quirky, humorous picture books, which we all love. Any plans to write something with a more serious feel?
Tara: Yes, actually, I just finished a story that is a wee bit more serious. But not much, LOL. It’s still loads of fun with a terrific secret. I love secret spaces that only kids know about. That was what childhood was about for me.
Me: How long had you been writing and submitting before you got your first contract? Or before you secured an agent? Do you recommend that all picture book authors pursue agents?
Tara: I had been writing and submitting seriously for about 2 ½ years before I landed my agent and my first contract. I knew I wanted an agent because I could not use the business side of my brain at the same time as my writing brain. When I was submitting, I wasn’t writing. When I was writing, I wasn’t submitting. Having someone to sell my work and guide my career helps me focus on creativity.
Me: You have four more books coming out within the next couple of years. To what do you attribute your success?
Tara: I don’t know if that’s “success” or just luck. Lately, a few stories of mine have been rejected because they’re too similar to something the publisher already has under contract. The timing has to be right! The editor has to be right! Having an agent navigate who likes what kind of story is a load of worry off my mind. So I owe all those contracts to dear Joan. Without my agent, I’d still be without a single book.
Me: You have been upfront with your fans and fellow writers about having MS. How has the disease affected your writing career and what advice would you give to aspiring authors who may be dealing with chronic illnesses?
Tara: MS made me into a homebody. For the first couple years with the disease, I couldn’t drive. So I stayed home most of the time. And what else am I going to do at home? Laundry? The dishes? Heck, no!!! I’m going to write.
Now I like being at home even though I have a car with hand controls. My husband works from home, my kids are home. Home, home, home. I just wish I had a butler.
My advice to others with chronic illnesses is to find your happy place. Laughter truly is the best medicine. Don’t worry about the future because it’s out of your control. You’ll just miss out on today worrying about tomorrow.
Me: What’s the best way for fans to connect with you?
Tara: Through my blog, via email, on Twitter or Facebook. Seriously, I’m everywhere online! (Remember, I’m home a lot.)

Thank you, Tara!

Street magic performer. Hog-calling champion. Award-winning ice sculptor. These are all things Tara Lazar has never been. Instead, she writes quirky, humorous picture books featuring magical places that everyone will want to visit.

Tara’s books include: 

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  • LITTLE RED GLIDING HOOD (Random House Children’s, Oct 2015)
  • NORMAL NORMAN (Sterling, March 2016)
  • WAY PAST  BEDTIME (Aladdin/S&S, Fall 2016)
  • 7 ATE 9: THE UNTOLD STORY (Disney*Hyperion, 2017)

For more information about Tara Lazar, visit her website Writing For Kids (While Raising Them) at http://taralazar.com.

To connect with Tara:

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My View Book Review: I Thought This Was A Bear Book by Tara Lazar, illustrated by Benji Davies (Aladdin/S&S/2015)

An alien from another book crash lands in the middle of Goldilocks & The Three Bears. The alien, whose name is Prince Zilch, must return to Planet Zero (in his book) by page 27. If he doesn’t, his planet will be destroyed by giant planet-eating numbers! Luckily, the three bears are willing to lend him a paw, and with the help of you, the reader (and absolutely no help from Goldilocks), Prince Zilch arrives back at home just in time to eradicate the nemesis numbers with a zark, zoot, and a zinder.

I Thought This Was A Bear Book is a clever fractured fairy tale story that takes place in a book within a book (perfect for people who love books!). The colorful illustrations have both a classic fairy tale feel and a freshness about them, and I like how illustrator Benji Davies gave each character a different colored speech bubble, which is super helpful to discern who’s speaking and effectively eliminates the need for dialogue tags.

Author Tara Lazar goes one step further with this fun, action-filled story by having her characters speak directly to the reader. Kids will enjoy being included in the action by shaking the book and helping the little alien get back into his book. Be prepared for repeat readings of this one!

My View Book Review: Randy Bamboo In Chicken City by RC Beaird

Title: Randy Bamboo In Chicken City

Author: RC Beaird

Illustrator: Amy Koch Johnson

Publisher/Year: CreateSpace/2015

Blurb (from back cover): ‘Chicken City’ is an exciting tale about a kid from the city moving to the country with his family. Join this suspense filled adventure as Randy raises chickens and hopes for eggs that he can one day sell.

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Randy Bamboo is a boy with a lot of personality, energy, and imagination. He lives in the city, but can’t wait to move to the country with his family and finally be a “good old country boy”. He’s most excited about raising his very own chickens. A few weeks after settling into their new country home, Randy’s father takes him to the local feed store to buy several baby chicks. And that’s where the real adventure begins. Randy soon learns that taking care of chickens isn’t as easy as he thought it would be. Feeding, watering, cleaning up droppings, and protecting his flock from coyotes, were all his responsibility. And then he had to wait six long months to get his first egg!

Randy Bamboo In Chicken City is well-written, nicely paced, and fun to read. It would be a good choice for children who have just begun to read on their own. Content and word-length, as well as the message of learning responsibility and the discussion questions in the back of the book, make this story suitable for that age group as well. Children of all ages will enjoy the book’s colorful illustrations and the Chicken City song that’s included at the end. And if you’re interested in learning a little something about raising chickens, Randy Bamboo In Chicken City can help. I learned a lot!

Hey, Baby, Look! by Kate Shannon and Morgan Owens

Title: Hey, Baby, Look!

Author: Kate Shannon

Illustrator: Morgan Owens

Publisher/Year: Blue Dream Books/ 2014

Format: Board Book

Description (from publisher’s website): An important board book addition to any little person’s first library, Hey, Baby, Look! is underpinned by brain research and whimsical creativity. Its sturdy pages are rich in color, beautifully illustrated, and full of rhyming fun!

First Page: Hey, Baby, Look! Where is the apple? How many are sweet? Where can you sit? Which can you eat?

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Hey, Baby, Look! is a highly interactive board book for children under 3 years of age. Batteries? You won’t need them. Finger pointing is all that’s required. Four colorful pictures and rhyming text on each spread invite finger-pointing action from child and caregiver (and book reviewer 🙂 ). 

Hey, Baby, Look! is an excellent first introduction to concepts such as colors, numbers and counting, shapes, repetition, simple words, and object recognition. It’s all in there, but your toddler won’t know she’s learning, she’ll simply be having fun.

I don’t normally review board books on Frog on a Blog, though they are technically picture books for the youngest readers (0-3 years), but I made an exception in this case. I’m impressed with the well-written, engaging text and the bright, eye-catching illustrations. I’m also impressed with all of the awards this book has garnered. 

  • IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award (Gold Medal: Children’s Literature, 0-3)
  • Beverly Hills International Book Award (Gold Medal: Children’s Nonfiction)
  • Indie Reader Discovery Award (Gold Medal: Kids)
  • MIPA Midwest Book Awards (Three Silver Medals: Children’s Nonfiction, Children’s Picture Book, & Graphic Illustration)
  • National Indie Excellence Award (Silver Medal: Children’s Picture Books – Preschool)
  • Indie Book Awards (Silver Medal: Children’s/Juvenile Non-Fiction)
  • San Francisco Book Festival (Silver Medal: Children’s Books)

Blue Dream Books has made it its mission to “produce beautiful, educational, mindful, and impactful board books for little readers and the grown ups who love them.” With Hey, Baby, Look!, they have definitely succeeded. Look for more from this publisher in the near future. And to learn more about Blue Dream Books’ mission, vision, and core values, click here.

Show Me How!: Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking by Vivian Kirkfield

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Title: Show Me How!: Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking

Author: Vivian Kirkfield

Publisher/Year: MoneyPenny Press, Ltd./2010

Back Cover Blurb: Do you want to provide fun-filled, educational activities for your young child? Do you wonder which story to choose to read to your child from the overwhelming number found at libraries and bookstores? Would you like to help your child develop a strong positive self-image? Here is your complete guide to planning those activities, choosing those stories and building that high self-esteem so crucial to your child’s success in life!

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I’ve been wanting to read this book for quite some time now. And though it’s not the usual type of book I review here on the Frog (I usually review children’s picture books), it ties in nicely with my picture book theme because it’s all about picture books, along with crafting and cooking activities, that can be used by parents, grandparents, teachers, day care providers, and etc. to help build a child’s self-esteem. 

This is the book that has everyone saying, “I wish it was around when my kids were small.” Author Vivian Kirkfield tapped into her extensive experience teaching, caring for, and raising young children to create this fantastic resource that utilizes one hundred picture book titles, many of them classics, and matches them with simple eco-friendly crafts and kid-friendly (healthful and delicious) recipes. Spread through six chapters, these books, craft activities, and cooking projects help build a child’s self-esteem and strengthen the bond between the child and the adult by focusing on the fundamental components of child development and, most importantly, Positive Parental Participation. I’m truly impressed with this book!

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

  • A simple schedule for a balanced and harmonious day
  • 100 picture books every young child should hear/read
  • 100 child-friendly, healthful recipes and 100 age-appropriate, eco-friendly craft projects
  • True-life scenarios and crucial tips to help every parent identify and deal with six of the fundamental components of child development that contribute to building self-esteem
  • The key ingredient: Positive Parental Participation!

I don’t have any children of my own, but I highly recommend this book for anyone who teaches or cares for young children in any way, be it parent, grandparent, teacher, day care provider, or baby sitter. It’s also a great resource for children’s librarians who often present themed story times with books, crafts, and snacks. I wish this book was around when I was a child!

The Legend Of Dust Bunnies: A Fairy’s Tale by Michelle Eastman (PLUS a Special Giveaway!)

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Title: The Legend of Dust Bunnies: a fairy’s tale

Author: Michelle Eastman

Illustrator: Kevin Richter

Publisher/Year: Byway Press/2014

Back Cover Blurb: Join the Dust Fairies on their messy nighttime adventures, and discover how one misfit fairy uses his talent to create something legendary. His story will have families looking at dust bunnies in a new light and may actually give kids an excuse NOT to clean their rooms.

Before I begin my review, I want to report that the Dust Fairies are frequent visitors to my house and, in fact, I do believe they were here just last night. Now, let’s get to the review.

The Legend of Dust Bunnies: a fairy’s tale answers a question many of us have had, probably for a very long time–Where in the world does all that dust come from? And the answer is Dust Fairies! Dust Fairies come out at night and spread, not just dust, but also crumbs, soot, and cobwebs. And they take pride in their work, all of them, except Artie, a freckle-faced fairy who prefers collecting lint, fur, and hair to spreading around dust and crumbs. Because he’s different from the other fairies, he feels lonely and outcast, so he decides to make himself a friend, and thus the Dust Bunny is born. When the others see his new pal, they each beg to have one too, and Artie, proud of his creation, is happy to oblige.

Together, author Michelle Eastman and illustrator Kevin Richter have created an enchanting fairy world that exists right alongside our world. Michelle’s rollicking, rhyming text is fun to read. And the story moves along at a comfortable, easy pace. Kevin’s colorful Dust Fairy characters are sure to be a hit with even the pickiest fairy fanatics. For me, the best part is the adorable Dust Bunnies, each one a perfect match to his Dust Fairy.

Speaking of Dust Bunnies, how would you like to win one? Michelle is generously giving away one copy of The Legend of Dust Bunnies: a fairy’s tale along with a super cute Dust Bunny to keep for your very own! All you have to do is 1. Leave a comment on this post, and 2. Share this post on social media (Twitter, Facebook, blog, etc.) A winner will be chosen at random on Friday, May 29. Good luck!

Michelle Eastman's Dust Bunny Adoption Kit

Michelle Eastman’s Dust Bunny Adoption Kits

The Amida Tree by Bonnie Ferrante

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Title: The Amida Tree

Author/Illustrator: Bonnie Ferrante

Publisher/Year: Single Drop Publishing/2015

First Line: A little girl loved a wild apple tree.

The Amida Tree is a truly lovely story that touched my heart. It’s about a young girl and her relationship with a wild apple tree. And it is through this relationship that the girl learns to respect and care for nature, so much so that she goes off to university to learn more about the environment, and eventually even writes a book in order to teach children about the importance of wild fruit trees.

We watch the young girl grow and change and become an old woman and we know the tree is getting older too, and eventually it falls. And yet, though we are sad for the tree and for the old woman, we are left with a feeling of hope. New wild apple trees have sprung up and we know, thanks to the efforts of a girl who loved a tree, that the circle of life goes on. 

When I was a girl, we had a wild apple tree in our backyard. This story brought back a lot of fond memories for me, of climbing the tree with siblings and cousins, of the wildlife that lived in it, and of my grandmother, who collected the apples and made the best apple sauce from them. The Amida Tree is worth a look for anyone interested in nature, or simply for the sweet, colorful, and nicely rendered illustrations.

Wally The Warm-Weather Penguin by Stephanie M. Ward

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Title: Wally The Warm-Weather Penguin

Author: Stephanie M. Ward

Illustrator: Vanessa Landin

Publisher/Year: Forwards Press/2014

Summary: Travel to the Galapagos Islands with Wally the Warm-Weather Penguin in this delightful rhyming picture book with vivid illustrations and experience the wonders of this very special place.

The weather is finally beginning to warm up here in New York, and it’s a good thing too because I was just about to pack my bags and join Wally the Emperor Penguin on the warm, tropical shores of the Galapagos Islands. Wally, who comes from the anything-but-balmy beaches of Antarctica, had the right idea. He was tired of wearing his boots, hat, and scarf (I can relate!) while playing outside, so he set sail for the Galapagos Islands. 

What he discovered when he got there was a whole new world, completely different from where he came from, with strange new creatures, and most importantly–it was warm! I think Wally will be staying for a while. Can you blame him?

Children will enjoy the clever rhyme and bright illustrations of Wally The Warm-Weather Penguin, and will most likely ask to read it again and again. Parents will appreciate the Fascinating Facts section in the back that gives more information about all of the animals mentioned in the story, including, Emperor Penguins, Blue-Footed Boobies, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos Giant Tortoises, and Marine Iguanas. Overall, it’s a fun book!

Favorite line from Wally The Warm-Weather Penguin: He threw off his scarf, his boots, and his hat, and jumped straight in the ocean with a SPLISH, SPLASH, SPLAT!

3 Beautiful Books by Justin Drazin

Title: Grandma and the Groundhog

Author: Justin Drazin

Illustrator: Genn Lotish

Publisher/Year: Justin Drazin Publishing/2014

Grandma’s garden has attracted an unwanted guest. At first, Grandma is amused by the groundhog’s antics. But then, as more and more of her delicious vegetables disappear, Grandma decides enough is enough. We don’t know exactly what she has in mind, but we do know she wants her garden back. But just when she decides to give the groundhog a piece of her mind, the rascal disappears. The groundhog emerges a few weeks later with four hungry little ones. Told in rollicking rhyme and beaming with lively color, Grandma and the Groundhog is an enjoyable read-aloud that is sure to elicit smiles from young and old alike. Be prepared to read this one over and over; your kids will request it. 

Title: It’s Raining Paint

Author: Justin Drazin

Illustrator: Vladimir Ilievski

Publisher/Year: Justin Drazin Publishing/2014

Young Laney has only one speed: fast. She doesn’t notice the beauty that’s all around her. It’s only when, on one very unusual day, paint droplets fall from the sky and cover everything in glorious color, that she finally slows down to look. She is amazed until everything turns to gloomy black and white. But her disappointment is replaced by joyful surprise the next day, after clear rain washed everything clean again during the night. Now Laney sees the world with new eyes; she appreciates the beauty of nature. This rhyming story is gorgeously illustrated in dazzling dabs of paint. I’ve never seen another book illustrated in quite this way. It’s Raining Paint is definitely worth a look. 

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Title: Albert and the Amazing Pillow Monsters

Author: Justin Drazin

Illustrator: Anita Lester

Publisher/Year: Gorham Publishing/2012

Albert is a young boy who has an amazing dream. He dreams about a land where friendly pillow monsters roam, where he’s always welcome, and where “imagination is the brightest night light”. At first he is confused, but soon realizes there is nothing to fear. The Pillow Monsters, who thrive on sweet dreams, have planned a party for Albert to celebrate his strength and courage. And Albert will no longer be afraid of the dark as long as he uses his powerful imagination. A whimsical, rhyming tale with dreamy illustrations, Albert and the Amazing Pillow Monsters is a perfect bedtime pick.

Go Fast, Goo by Todd Murphy

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Title: Go Fast, Goo

Author: Todd Murphy

Illustrator: Rebecca Riffey

Publisher/Year: Tate Publishing/2012

Summary: Goo is a snail on a mission. Tired of taking life at a snail’s pace, he enlists his friends to help him go faster and farther than he ever imagined. It’s every snail’s dream come true. Join Goo as he learns that while fast is fine, slow is the way to go.

Goo the snail longs to be something different from what he is. He wants to fly, jump, and swing like his friends Dart, Skippy, and Iris. He doesn’t like being slow. He wants to be fast. His friends are happy to help him, but nothing works out and Goo is left feeling defeated. It’s only when tragedy strikes and Goo saves the day that he finally realizes that what he perceived as a flaw is really his greatest strength.

I enjoyed this sweet story of friendship and self-acceptance. It’s well-written and moves along at a nice pace, and it employs a level of repetition that kids will like. Children will especially love the cute, colorful insect characters with their expressive faces. Though the message of self-acceptance is clear, it’s also subtle enough not to overpower a fun read-aloud story.

My favorite line from the book: And while going slow gives Goo time to stop, smell, and eat the roses, he has always dreamed of going faster and farther.

The Boy Who Couldn’t Cry Wolf By Caldric Blackwell

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Title: The Boy Who Couldn’t Cry Wolf

Author: Caldric Blackwell

Illustrator: Emma Phillips

Publisher/Year: Icasm Press/2014

Summary: Six-year-old Byron Woodward is a werewolf who can’t howl. Determined not to embarrass himself after being chosen to lead a full-moon ceremony, he embarks on a mission to learn how to howl. He learns a lot about howling during his journey, but more importantly, he learns a valuable lesson about believing in himself.

Despite being a story about a werewolf, The Boy Who Couldn’t Cry Wolf is not at all scary, and it’s not meant to be. It’s about a young boy named Byron who happens to be a werewolf and who lives with his werewolf parents in a village full of werewolves. The only fear present in the book is felt by Byron when he is selected to lead the full-moon ceremony, but since he cannot howl, he is afraid he will embarrass himself in front of everyone.

Well written and charmingly illustrated, The Boy Who Couldn’t Cry Wolf succeeds in helping children see that fear and worry about what others think of us will keep us from being ourselves. And if we stop worrying, we are free to enjoy life. Sounds good for adults too, don’t you think? Overall, it’s a cute story with positive themes: courage, determination, and self-acceptance.  

The Wish By Ken Elliott

Title: The Wish

Author: Ken Elliott

Illustrator: Whitney Gardner

Publisher/Year: Adamo/2014

Summary: A father and daughter share a simple tradition and an enduring bond that spans the decades.

The Wish is a tender tale that will tug at your heartstrings. It’s about a young girl and her father and their daily walks to the park to toss coins into the fountain and make wishes. It’s also about a father watching his little girl grow up into a teenager and then into a woman and seeing her less and less, until one day, when both father and daughter are old, she comes home again.

The carefully rendered black and white illustrations pair nicely with the gentleness of the story and I like how they beg to be colored in by the reader’s imagination. Any parent who has watched his/her child grow up and move away will most certainly relate to this story, but so will anyone who has a special connection with another person. What I like most of all is the full-circle ending, the reunion of father and daughter and the affirmation that no matter how far away you go or how much time has passed, your special bonds with loved ones will never break. The Wish is a sweet, sincere story ready to be shared with the special people in your life, children or adults.

The Night Before The Night Before Christmas By Jay Dee (Plus a Giveaway!)

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Title: The Night Before The Night Before Christmas

Author: Jay Dee

Illustrator: Darren Geers

Publisher/Year: Kraine Kreative/2014

Summary: At Santa’s workshop, the night before the night before Christmas is hardy a time to rest. The elves work tirelessly to get the final toys made before Christmas Eve, but Elfie just can’t keep pace. He spends too much time making his toys perfect, and when Santa comes to check on production, everyone is surprised by his reaction.

The Night Before The Night Before Christmas is a beautifully illustrated, timeless tale with a twist. It is the night before Christmas Eve and all of Santa’s elves are at work making the final toys for Santa to deliver to all the good girls and boys the very next night. Main character Elfie is a likable little fellow who takes pride in his work. And he wants the toys he makes to be perfect. His perfectionism is something many of us can relate to; I sure can. But unfortunately for Elfie, this is no time to be perfect. Or is it?

My favorite part of the story, besides the spectacular full-page illustrations, is that Santa himself knows the reason for the season, or put another way, Santa knows the true meaning of Christmas and who and what it is that makes Christmas special. You have to be open to what I call a “time paradox” (the twist) at the end of the story, if you are, I’m confident that you and your children will embrace the feel-good message presented here. Overall, The Night Before The Night Before Christmas is a sweet story about a very special Christmas gift.

Giveaway:  

I am giving away a copy of The Night Before The Night Before Christmas, generously donated by the author, to one lucky person. To qualify for the giveaway, you must 1) follow this blog and 2) comment on this post. I will choose a winner at random, who I will contact via e-mail for a mailing address. Sorry, this giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. You have until December 7, 2014 to qualify.

Please share this review and giveaway on social media. Thank you!

Update (12/8/2014): Congratulations to Linda Kautzman, the winner of The Night Before The Night Before Christmas! Thank you to everyone who entered and commented on this post. Look for more chances to win picture books in the future!

The North Pole Penguin by Christopher Payne

The North Pole Penguin

Title: The North Pole Penguin

Author: Christopher Payne

Illustrator: Lorena Soriano

Publisher/Year: CreateSpace/2014

Now that Halloween is over, my thoughts have turned to Christmas. It’s less than two months away after all. I’m already thinking about the decorating, shopping, and visiting that make up part of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. You may be too. But are you also thinking about Christmas books? If not, I have the perfect one to get you started: The North Pole Penguin. 

This book has the potential to be a Christmastime classic. With its clever rhyme and bright, put-you-in-the-spirit illustrations, The North Pole Penguin begs to be read over and over again. The story is about Parker Preston, a penguin from the South Pole, who loves Christmas and longs to thank Santa Claus in person for stopping at his igloo every year. So he sets off for the North Pole with a gift for Santa and meets new animal friends along the way who also want to give gifts to Santa. Some even accompany him on his journey. Here’s a sample from the book:

Upon some thinking long and hard, he knew his Christmas cause

To cross the globe and go and see the man called Santa Claus.

He’d bring him gifts and change the roles before the winter’s thaws

To give back to the special man whose kindness had no flaws.

If you’re searching for a sweet Christmas story with amazing illustrations and the strong possibility of becoming a holiday tradition, The North Pole Penguin is a perfect choice.

Plant a Pocket of Prairie

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Title: Plant a Pocket of Prairie

Author: Phyllis Root

Illustrator: Betsy Bowen

Publisher/Year: University of Minnesota Press/2014

 

Hurrah for nonfiction picture books! If authors and illustrators of nonfiction picture books accomplish their goals to create top-notch books on subjects they are passionate about, then children will learn about captivating people, places, and things in a fun and engaging way. Nonfiction picture books must, just like fictional stories, grab and keep the attention of young readers. Often this is done through story-like text and eye-catching illustrations.

In Plant a Pocket of Prairie, author Phyllis Root and illustrator Betsy Bowen introduce us to an endangered ecosystem, the native prairie of the United States, and many of the plants and animals that can be found there. Through sparse, flowing text that connects each page to the next and large, beautiful pictures, Root and Bowen succeed in capturing prairie life and conveying to readers the importance of not only cherishing it but helping it continue on. Plant a Pocket of Prairie is a fascinating look at native species that may be in our own backyards and yet we take them for granted.

Did you know that native prairie once covered almost forty percent of the U.S.? But now less than one percent remains! Due to the encroachment of people (farming, grazing, building, etc.), prairie is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. And unfortunately, as it says in the back of the book, “We can’t bring back the prairie as it once was.” But there is hope for at least some of the native prairie plants and animals. All you have to do is “plant a pocket of prairie”.

Planting prairie plants and attracting prairie animals, especially various species of birds and butterflies, as suggested by this book, would be a perfect outdoor project for parents or teachers to work on with their kids or students.

Gordon

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Title: Gordon (A tale of a baby American bison)

Author/Illustrator: Martha Mans

Publisher/Year: WinterBird Press/2014

 

Children’s picture books are works of art. Gordon, written and illustrated by the incredibly talented Martha Mans, is proof. Hold it in your hands. Look at the front cover. Turn is over and look at the back cover. Open it up and flip through the pages. Let your eyes take in all the majestic beauty of life on a Colorado ranch.

Then start at the beginning and read about Gordon, a young American bison, and his animal friends. Follow along as he is rescued from a creek, meets new friends, and finally discovers what he is and where he belongs. Gordon is an endearing story based on true events and it really brings to life, especially through Martha Mans’ amazing watercolor paintings, a part of America that many people may not be familiar with.

I really like how this story introduces readers, young and old, to the animals and wildlife that can be found in the gorgeous state of Colorado, particularly the bison. Did you know that back in the 1800’s, bison were on the brink of extinction? But thanks to the efforts of many, bison are no longer in danger of disappearing, at least for now. And thanks to Martha Mans and Gordon, the majestic bison will not soon be forgotten.   

The Toothless Tooth Fairy

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Title: The Toothless Tooth Fairy

Author: Shanelle Hicks

Illustrator: Anca Delia Budeanu

Publisher/Year: Mirror Publishing/2014

 

Author Shanelle Hicks and illustrator Anca Delia Budeanu have created a dazzling fairy story, in their picture book The Toothless Tooth Fairy, that could easily rival any fairy book on the market today. Their book is filled with brilliant illustrations that depict seven lovely and ethnically diverse young tooth fairies who have come together to take part in the Miss Tooth Fairy Smile Contest. For fairies who place much importance on teeth, a smile contest certainly seems fitting.

One tooth fairy in particular, Bella, was known for her beauty and her kindness. All of the other fairies thought for sure that she would win. But one jealous fairy, Zelda, maliciously causes Bella to lose a tooth. With a missing tooth, Bella no longer feels beautiful, so she sets off to find a tooth. Her three attempts to borrow a child’s tooth fail and Bella returns to Cloud Nine defeated and depressed where she meets Zelda who brags about what she’s done and how she will win the contest. But instead of being angry or being upset that she won’t win the contest, Bella feels sad for Zelda and because she is a kind fairy, gives Zelda a hug. Her magical hug transforms Zelda’s heart and she becomes beautiful too, on the inside and the outside.

What I like best about The Toothless Tooth Fairy is the message that true beauty comes from a kind heart. The message is not preached, but rather it is woven into a sweet and entertaining story that kids (especially young girls) will enjoy.