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The Day the Crayons Quit/Came Home Book Review

1/17/2016

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Since I first heard of The Day the Crayons Quit, I knew I wanted to read it. However, with everything else on my list, I just didn't get to it. Then one day I was in Barnes and Noble and the book was lying in one of those featured books table. I quickly read it there and loved it. I purchased it off of Amazon a month later followed by the second bookThe Day the Crayons Came Home.

I loved this concept of the crayons having personalities. We all color as kids and some of us still as adults (especially with the new adult coloring books that have come out. P.S. there is a Harry Potter one). As I was reading about why the colors were leaving, it made perfect sense. I kept thinking "yup I did that as a kid." I got nostalgic a bit. 

The second book wasn't as great as the first, but it closed the loop in this story with each crayon talking about their adventure and why they want to come home. It was a good conclusion to an interesting and enjoyable series.

What I also liked is that while the images were colorful, they weren't too bright for what crayons can produce. They look like images that would have been the result of coloring in the pages and I felt that was perfect for the theme of the story.
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Click a link to purchase the book:
  • The Day the Crayons Quit
  • The Day the Crayons Came Home

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The Guardians of Childhood Book Review

12/14/2015

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There are two sets of books in this enchanting series: the picture books and the chapter books. For this month's review, I will talk about the picture books.

We are familiar with the tales of the guardians, stories that we grew up with and loved: Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy, Mother Goose. What I love about this series (both of them, in fact) is that Joyce takes these figures we already know and weaves a tale that, I for one, loved every minute of. 

These picture books are wonderful compliments to the chapter books, but can also stand alone without the longer stories. While the chapter books introduces us to these characters, these picture books give us the fuller story behind them complete with bold, colorful pictures.

The Man in the Moon
The first of the Guardians and the one to bring them all together, this book shows you how the man in the moon became what he is today. We've all been told about the man in the moon watching over us. Have questions, ask the man in the moon. Needs someone to talk to, talk to the man in the moon. He is always listening. I liked that this story took that childhood comfort and gave us a story to learn. Now when I look at the moon and think about the man upon it, I know how he got there.

The Sandman
The magical being who helps us sleep soundly, wasn't always the Sandman. He used to be a pilot . . . a pilot of a shooting start that is. Everyone has an origin story and it's a treat to see these origin stories and learn how these names we've been hearing all out lives got started. The Sandman is this cute little man with such a gentle heart. Also, who doesn't wish upon a shooting star.

Jack Frost
The newest book in this series, is the origin tale of the nightlight first introduced in the Man in the Moon story. I always had a feeling nightlight would turn into Jack Frost, but I have to admit, it would have been great to see that transformation in the chapter books first before this story came out or see that transformation in this tale. Instead, nightlight is already Jack Frost and we're given his origin story. Which at least is consistent with the other tales.

Click a link to purchase the book:
  • The Man in the Moon
  • The Sandman
  • Jack Frost
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The Toy Adventure Book Review

11/15/2015

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The toys in the playroom are a lively group of adventurers in this magical picture book story featuring bold illustrations and a strong storyline that kids and parents will both enjoy. It is ideal for beginning readers. - Blurb from Amazon.com.

I love finding random books in random places. Sometimes the random books are one of the best I've read and this one is no exception. As with last months picture book review, I found this simple, fun-filled story at AC Moore.

What first attracted me to this book were the illustrations. I love bold bright colors and out of all the books of this kind in the bin at AC Moore, this was the second book that caught my color eye and attention. As I read the story, I found that not only were the illustration colorful, but they were fun as well, full of hidden treasures that compliment the story.

And speaking of the story, it's a great depiction of children using their toys and imagination to come up with interesting adventures. I liked the repetition of adventure, conflict and decision: "Where shall we go on our next adventure?" the little girl would ask. 

I also like the book end of the first and last pages. Opposites of each other to signify the beginning and end of the adventurous day.

Click here to purchase.

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Into Your Dreams Book Review

10/4/2015

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I love finding random books in random places. Sometimes the random books are one of the best I've read and this one is no exception. I found this simple, fun bed-time story at AC Moore.

What first attracted me to this book were the illustrations. I love bold bright colors and out of all the books of this kind in the bin at AC Moore, I only bought two. The two that caught my color eye and attention. This was one of them. As I read the story, I found that not only were the illustration colorful, but they were fun as well, full of hidden treasures that compliment the story.

And speaking of the story, what an interesting way to get children to fall asleep. "Have you ever done these werid things with these weird creatures and their weird names? No. Well you can, in your dreams." And what kid wouldn't want to say howdy-do to the Grimbles on Mars. I do.

Click here to purchase.

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What Pet Should I Get Book Review

9/6/2015

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So what pet did the kids get? We may never know. I got to then end of the book and thought, "Wait what pet did they get?" and I am sure everyone thought the same things. I can't remember a Dr. Seuss book leaving us wanting an answer, but this one did. Did it work?

Kind of. This book was definitely not his best or my favorite (that goes to the Horton books). But I can see Dr. Seuss all in it. His classic style of rhyme, the texture in the illustrations, it definitely felt like Dr. Seuss. When I finished, I wondered when he wrote the story. The history in the back of the book speculates around 1960. But, what made him not share the book at the time he was writing and publishing? Why put the story aside and work on others. Could it be that he wanted more time to work on it? Could it be that he felt it wasn't quite right and therefore put it aside as he worked on other stories that did feel right?

I guess we will never know. Click here to purchase.

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Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and Steam Train, Dream Train Book Reviews

8/10/2015

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As the sun sets behind the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say goodnight. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest—so they'll be ready for another day of rough and tough construction play! - Blurb from Amazon.com for Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site.

Both are bedtime books, both written and illustrated by the same people and both unique in their own way. What I like about both books are the rhymes and illustrations. The rhymes were very simple, easy enough for young readers follow along and even repeat after hearing them over and over again (as young reader tend to do). I love how the rhymes intertwined with the illustrations at times giving them a sort of rhythm. This brings me to the illustrations. I am always a fan of color, the brighter and more colorful the better. These illustrations were colorful, but more subtle than bright. What I love about them is the drawing feel. They look like they were drawn with crayons which are very familiar to young readers who at this stage use primarily crayon to draw pictures. They can relate to these images and feel as if it is something they can do one day.

My favorite of the two is Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site. I love how each “truck” is highlighted with a quick description of their role on a construction site. They’re all in rhyme and all end with the same phrase “Shh . . . goodnight, [truck], goodnight.” Even with a first read through, young readers and pick up this line quickly and say along with their parent when they get to that part in the book, thereby feeling involved in the story. I also like the words in parenthesis: sigh, yawn, crrrunch and so forth. At first, I didn’t get it, but then I realized that these words aren’t made to be said, they’re made to be acted out. They give the parent reader an indication of action to make the story come alive. 

My nephew loves this book and now I can see why.

Click the links to purchase:
  • Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site
  • Steam Train, Dream Train

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Pinkalicious Series Book Review

2/18/2013

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This little princess is everywhere and no wonder, she's quite adorable. The original series of four books is a great read for any little princess and when your princess becomes a big girl, there's the Pinkalicious "I Can Read" books. 

I love the brightness of the pictures in the books which is always the first thing I look for in picture books. I liked the consitency of the titles and how each "licious" meant something different: Pinkalicious was the character, Purplicious was the mixing of pink with blue, Goldilicious was the unicorn and Silverlicious was the chocolate silver coins left by the tooth fairy. At first, I thought each of the titles would be names for different characters like Pinkalicious and all her friends. I was pleasantly surprised that it was not the case.

Visit the Pinkalicious Website for more Pink fun: http://thinkpinkalicious.com/. Click here to purchase.
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The Odious Ogre Book Review

11/18/2012

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Sometimes they say, "if you want to beat a bully, kill him with kindness."  It doesn't always work, but in this tale, that is exactly what happens.  I thought it was a cute story and I loved the pictures.  For some reason, I've always liked the sketch look.  I guess that's why I made the protagonist in my new novel a sketch artist.  I found myself enjoying the pictures more than the words.  Both go well together, but sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.

What I would like to see, though, is a ogre that's not so mean.  I know the stereotype and most stories portray the ogre as the mean type, but for once I would like to see one outside the bully mold.  Wouldn't that be an interesting story.

Click here to purchase.
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Olivia and the Missing Toy Book Review

11/18/2012

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First of all, I love Olivia.  I haven't found anyone who doesn't love this little piggy and this particular story was no exception.  What I love about Olivia is the true telling of a kid with the face of a pig.  In this telling, she's a kid with a favorite toy, a toy that ends up the victim of a dog.  Yup, been there.  

My favorite part is the beginning, when she sees her soccer uniform and it's green.  We all know Olivia is a red kind of gal.  This page says "Olivia's uniform comes in a really unattractive green" and on the page is a painting of a ballerina, her leg up in the air and her arm on her forehead in a "oh, god" fashion.  Yup, that's how Olivia feels.

Click here to purchase.
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Spoon Book Review

5/13/2012

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This book demonstrates how everyone is unique and different and what I like most about it is that the author used utensils to prove that point.  It hadn't been done before.  What I also liked was the addition of chopsticks as another utensil.  There's the basics of knife, fork and spoon, but I thought the chopsticks was also a nice touch.  Needless to say I like different.

The illustrations were nicely done as well.  Very colorful, but not as bright or bold as other books and I think it worked with the story.  The pictures stood out without taking anything away from the plot and lesson.

My favorite part is that Spoon had an aunt that ran away with a dish and it was told to him as a bed time story.  Very cute.

Click here to purchase. 
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