The Guardians of Childhood Book Review

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