One Chapter

Too Many Pigs and One Big Bad Wolf: A Counting Story by Davide Cali

3 stars Children’s Picture Book

Seriously? I loved the colorful pages wow; they were very colorful and bright! I loved how the pigs were climbing all over the abacus and being acrobats. I thought the wolf was funny in his yellow raincoat and hat. How funny was that?! The illustrations inside this book were very entertaining!

I think to take these illustrations and create a new storyline would be a good writing project. I did like the tone of the writing. I liked how the storyline was written on one side of the page in black print and on the other side of the page, a response from a reader was written in red print. I didn’t care for the storyline in this book at all and I don’t see how a young child could like it either. A counting book? I just couldn’t see this as a counting book either.

The storyline centers upon “three little pigs and the wolf that ate them, The End.” The reader wants a longer storyline so the writer adds more pigs to the storyline but the result is still the same (the wolf eats them, The End.) and again, the reader is not happy. The writer adds more pigs, only this time the pigs are doing a variety of activities but the results are still the same (the wolf eats them, The End.) and again, the reader is not happy. The storyline gets added to over and over again and I was hoping something would change at the end of the story but nope, the wolf ate them, The End. This was not a story that I enjoyed. The illustrations were great but the storyline was a no for me. 2.5 stars for me.

Lost by Sam Usher

5 stars Children’s Picture Book

You just never know how your day will go. It was a gray, cold and snowy day outside and all this young boy wanted to do was nothing. His granddad had other plans, so they bundled up and set off for some quick errands. The young boy makes inquiries as they make their journey to the different stores and granddad gathers supplies for a surprise for his grandson. Arriving back home, they set to work creating a homemade sled. Immediately, the young boy wants to take it outside for some sledding in the falling snow. Spotting a missing dog poster on a street lamp, the duo begins to call for the missing dog as they make their way. The snow begins to fall heavily and it now turns into a blizzard. As they try to outlive the storm, hunker down together, never giving up on locating the missing dog. Calling the dog’s name, as the wind whistles out on the white landscape, they hope the dog is okay.

Their day is far from over when finally, the weather calms back down. I enjoyed how this book ended as this young boy and granddad had quite the full day. I’m sure it was one day that they both will never forget.

There was something about the illustrations inside this book that I really enjoyed. Some pages the illustrations were very simple and then, on others the illustrations were very detailed and I had to spend a few minutes looking at everything that was spread across the page. The energy that granddad had in the book pulled the young boy through the beginning of the story and then, they worked together through the rest of the story. A sweet story, one that will be read again and again. 5 stars

Shape Up, Construction Trucks by Victoria Allenby

5 stars Children’s Picture Book

I have a grandson who loves construction trucks so this one was perfect for him. With realistic pictures, this book shows a variety of vehicles in realistic settings. From a dump truck, to a crane, to a lifting hook, to a road roller, there are just a few of the different vehicles that are included inside this book.

Each vehicle gets a two-page spread and, on the right side, beside that picture, there are some simple words which rhyme that connect that vehicle to a shape that is found on that vehicle. They have created a larger diagram of that shape underneath the words and they have also outlined the shape on the vehicle so the reader can make the connection to the written words. A fun and simple book but the learning is important and if you can get them to see this now, that’s great! I do wish there could have been a few pages that combined a multitude of shapes on one vehicle so the readers could see that. I like how you can use this for just looking at the trucks or for higher learning. 4.5 stars

Example: Dump Truck has a triangle on its truck bed. “Dump truck, Dump truck, Coming through, I spy a triangle, How about you?”

Pete the Cat and the Surprise Teacher

4 Children’s Picture Book

We read a lot of Pete the Cat books at our house. My two grandchildren (ages 3.5 years and 3) like to read them. This is a Wonder Book that I picked up at the library. I have read this one to them and they have also listened to the Wonder Book. There are many surprises in this book, I think but the main one is the surprise teacher which turns out to be a substitute teacher in Pete’s class.

Pete is getting ready to get on the school bus for school. His dad is there but his mom is missing. When Pete gets to school, he realizes why his mom was missing. His mom was already at school. Pete’s mom, Mrs. Cat is going to be his substitute teacher for the day, in his classroom. Unfortunately, she doesn’t know what to do so Pete tells her they go to Art but his mom doesn’t know where to go. She takes them to all the different special classrooms (gym and music) instead. When it’s time for lunch, she takes them outside. What a confusing day yet the kids are having a great day. It’s almost the end of the day and they finally make it to Art. The kids decide to do something special for Mrs. Cat to thank her for such a wonderful day.

This is a fun book for little ones. The lettering is easy to read and the story is smooth and makes sense. The pictures are bright and colorful and I like that the pictures are separated from the wording so the words are not buried behind lots of action and colors. Good book for kids who understand what going to school is all about. 4.5 stars

The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Mac Barnett

5 stars Children’s Picture Book

The troll was starving. He’d only ate a leather boot and some goop from inside his belly button so when he heard the “Clip, clop! Clip, clip!” on the bridge over his head, he was thinking food. The troll hollers up to whoever is up on the bridge and climbs out onto the bridge, scaring Gruit, the goat. The troll sings a detailed song about how much he loves eating trolls. Like in the classic story, Gruit explains about his bigger brother coming soon so the troll lets Gruit cross the bridge and the troll crawls back under the bridge to wait. Troll, thinking that he’s smart, handsome, and fun hears the second goat and again he pops up on the bridge, ready to eat this Billy Goat. The troll sings another verse of his, “how I love goats, let me count the ways” song. The second Billy Goat again gets the troll to wait for the next brother to come across, promising a better meal than he can provide.

Wait for it……oh, the troll can’t wait to see how wonderful this billy goat will be! Holy Moly!! I don’t think the troll was ready for this Billy Goat. This is a fun version of the story and I liked the way the troll made up the song. There were other little parts about the story that I liked too. I liked the little extras that were thrown in: what the troll had ate, what the troll does under the bridge, and what the troll says in the book. Those little things add to the story. I liked the darkness of the illustrations as to me; this is a dark story. It’s also a fun story that my children used to act out in the playground and I do it now, with my own grandchildren. 5 stars

The Barnyard Night Before Christmas by Beth Terrill

5 stars Children’s Picture Book

I like reading remakes of this classic and this one was no exception. I tried reading it to my grandson and it got a bit too long for this 3-year-old so we just looked at the pictures and I told him my own version of the story. He liked the illustrations and I saw him later take out the book and was looking through it and telling the story in his own words. In my opinion, that is what reading is all about, taking out a book on your own and going through it – no matter how old you are.

In this version of the story, Santa is “left in a pickle.” Santa’s reindeer can’t fly as they have eaten ‘too much sweet Christmas pudding” and Santa needs to leave for his famous Christmas ride. Back at the farm, the animals are all getting settled inside the barn for the night. Although the mouse wrote to Santa, there is a feeling of hopelessness that Santa will actually visit them tonight, as the animals think about sleep. Then, they heard something! Outside, they all rushed and, in their amazement, they saw Santa standing there in the pasture. He needed their help, but how could these farm animals do what eight flying reindeer accomplish?

What a cute storybook and using your great imagination, this storybook will become a favorite. The illustrations are just amazing!! The facial expressions and the details are spectacular. I loved how Santa was portrayed in the story from the illustrations to his mannerism. The rhythm and rhyme of this book worked without a struggle and I found myself bouncing along as I read it. So many stars and smiles for this book!! 5+ stars

Blue Bison Needs a Haircut by Scott Rothman

5 stars Children’s Picture Book

Ha! Blue Bison’s hair is long! He decides that he needs to get a haircut but soon realizes that his usual barber shop is closed. When he realizes that every shop is closed, Blue Bison decides that he will get a haircut tomorrow. What?!? The shops are still closed the next day! Oh, Blue Bison is mad and he begins to show his anger. Blue Bison’s mother tries to ease the situation and explain the difference between a need and a want as his little sister, Bubble Gum Bison offers to cut his hair. Not trusting her little red scissors, Blue Bison heads off to try to solve the issue on his own which leads to him becoming even more upset. It’s Bubble Gum Bison sister who finally rescues Blue Bison from his horrible mood and saves the day.

This is a cute book with colorful pages with fun, talking animals. I love the thicker cardstock pages and the facial expressions on the animals are fantastic. Blue Bison over reactions seem typical of small children and I laughed as I read this. I can’t wait to read this to my grandchildren. 5 stars

We Spread by Iain Reid

5 stars Fiction Mystery

I was immediately drawn inside this story and I couldn’t stop thinking about it as I tried to close the book and go about my own life. Carefully and purposely, the author limited the number of words that she chose to include inside this book. Strategically placing the words in short and concise sentences, the author created a book that hit me on many levels. As I tried to close the book, I was left confused. I needed to read what others have said about this book. What had I just read? I was feeling relieved, confused, and just about everything in-between. Oh Penny, how do you feel?

The apartment where Penny and her partner have lived has been their home for decades. Penny is now living alone after her partner’s recent death. Penny has some health issues but she feels that she’ll be okay on her own, afterall she’s lived in this apartment for years. That is, until the day that she falls. When she awakens, Penny is more confused than ever. Moving into a long-term care facility creates even more confusion for her as she feels that the facility is not as it seems. Something is just not right about this place Penny is supposed to call home. Is this care-center deceiving its residents? Is there a threat within the doors of this long-term home? Is Penny’s health causing her to feel this way? The questions continued as Penny goes about her day and she tries to becomes familiar with the routine that the other patients adhere to.

The language in this book is beautiful and I found myself rereading passages to fully appreciate the meaning within them. Penny is lost within her own mind, she’s lost inside the care facility, and she’s trying to find her way out. I highly recommend this book but it’s an emotional book and it might trigger some emotions within you. I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway, thank you to Gallery, Iain Reid, and Goodreads for the giveaway. This review is my own opinion. 5 stars

The Island by Adrian McKinty

4.5 stars Fiction

This was one of those books that I really wanted to read but I never got a chance to finish it before it was due back at the library. I had to know how this story ended. Were all the islanders bitter and aggressive? Were any of the vacationers going to make it off the island? How? Each time I started this book, I had a bad feeling about Heather. Heather started the ball rolling in this novel and when I finally turned the last page in this book, she wore a blue ribbon which she might have earned but I still wasn’t an admirer.

Tom needs to travel to Australia to deliver a speech when he asks his wife and children to join him. With the chance to see wildlife, the children are excited and Tom feels that the time away will give his family a time to bond with his second wife, Heather. Welcome to Australia!

Disappointed in the wildlife, an island is recommended to the family which will provide just what the family needs. This sounds like a great plan and the family takes advantage of this excursion. Paying a small fortune, the family is ferried across for their day trip, when everything just starts going downhill. How did things get so out-of-control so quickly? Can they stop things before it’s too late? The family tries to explain that it was an accident but to the residents of this island, they’re not buying this explanation. As Tom and his family work to push the undo button, all eyes are on them, and it’s not looking good. Was it Tom’s rental car or being on an unfamiliar road? Could it have something to do with Ellen’s sudden appearance or Heather’s decisions as they deal with the reality of the situation? Or it is the residents of this small island, this secluded family who know this island like the back of their hand?

I didn’t think they had a chance once Heather went into action. I thought Heather was good for jumping up and helping out when they were in a mess. Not saying if her actions/words were helpful all the time but she wasn’t one to crumble under pressure. Having small children along on this trip made this adventure even more thrilling for me. Tom tried to be practical and calm but having Heather along made this journey quite a ride. The children were the innocent ones and the ones I wanted to see crossing the water at the end of the book. 4.5 stars

How Does a Butterfly Grow? by D.K. Publishing

A beautiful book and that’s what I have come to expect from a DK Book. This is a marvelous book and not just one for little ones. Just because it’s a board book don’t write this one off to just toddlers as you’d be missing a ~~good~~ great piece of nonfiction. This book with fun flaps has lots of information inside on how butterflies grow. Beginning with how the swallowtail butterfly lays their tiny eggs on a plant, to how the butterfly builds its chrysalis, to how it flies from flower to flower collecting nectar. I enjoyed the detail that this book goes into as it doesn’t gloss things over. You’ll walk away from this book learning a few things so just think what a little child will learn as they look at these beautiful pictures as they find out interesting facts about butterflies.

Stop! Let’s talk about these illustrations, they are amazing! The flaps add entertainment value to the book but the illustrations with their bright, realistic forms, add to the text to make this a great book. Can you tell how much I love this book? I’m super excited about it!! The back two pages have a condensed Butterfly Life Cycle and a condensed Glossary which is helpful. This is one book nature lovers should be snatching up and sharing.

“A caterpillar sheds its skin about four times before it reaches its full size.”

“The wing is covered with thousands of tiny, overlapping pieces called scales.”

“After weeks, or sometimes months, the outside of the chrysalis becomes see-through.”