The Doll by Nhung N. Tran-Davies

August 16, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Doll by Nhung N. Tran-Davies
Publisher: Second Story Press
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A young girl and her family arrive in an airport in a new country. They are refugees, migrants who have travelled across the world to find safety. Strangers greet them, and one of them gives the little girl a doll. Decades later, that little girl is grown up and she has the chance to welcome a group of refugees who are newly arrived in her adopted country. To the youngest of them, a little girl, she gives a doll, knowing it will help make her feel welcome. Inspired by real events.

Every act of kindness matters.

There was so much compassion included in the plot. Some scenes were straightforward about the many benefits of caring about the suffering of others, while others encouraged the audience to think things through for ourselves when needed. This was a wonderful way to speak to readers of many different ages and ability levels, whether they are already naturally compassionate or are still working to improve this skill.

With that being said, the intended age group this picture book seemed to be written for felt a bit too large to me. Some portions appeared to be written for preschoolers, while others touched on serious topics like why refugees are forced to leave their home countries that would be more interesting and appropriate for older elementary students. While I appreciated the fact that the author tried to reach so many different ages, I do think the story would have benefitted from reducing its scope a little so that it could go into more detail about issues related to this type of immigration. It’s an important subject that older kids should definitely be educated on.

The ending was by far my favorite part of it all. It had a straightforward message that built on everything the author had decided to include in this fictionalized version of something that really happened to her as a child. I loved the fact that it trusted its audience to make certain logical leaps between the narrator’s memories and what she hoped everything would take away from her tale. It was a nice way to wrap things up in the end.

The Doll was a heartwarming read.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Big Bad Wolf in My House by Valérie Fontaine

August 5, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Big Bad Wolf in My House by Valérie Fontaine
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A young girl describes what it’s like when her mom’s new friend comes to stay — a moving story about domestic violence that ends on a hopeful note.

The young girl tells us that her mom’s new friend is just like the big bad wolf. At first the wolf is sweet and kind to her mom, though the girl notices the wolf’s cold eyes from the very beginning. When her mom arrives home late one day, the wolf suddenly hurls angry words and terrible names at her. From that day on her mother doesn’t smile anymore. The girl is careful to clean her room and brush her teeth and do everything to keep the peace, but the wolf is unpredictable, throwing plates on the floor, yelling at her mother and holding the girl’s arm so tightly she is left with bruises. Whenever the yelling begins, she hides under the covers in her room.

How will she and her mom cope as the wolf becomes increasingly fierce?

Not everyone in this world is loving and kind.

I was impressed by how the author’s clever use of metaphor allowed her to talk about various forms of abuse that are rarely if ever mentioned in children’s fiction, especially stories written for the youngest little ones. By framing it as a big bad wolf being invited into an unsuspecting family’s home, she was able to cover subjects like the cycle of domestic violence in ways that kids can understand without frightening them.

My only piece of constructive criticism for this tale had to do with some ambiguity about the age group for which it was written. I was never quite sure who exactly it was meant for. Some sections seemed to be geared towards preschoolers, while others were subtle enough that they seemed to be written for older kids or even preteens. This is such an important topic to cover for kids affected by it that I did wish things had been made clearer in that regard.

With that being said, the ending was wonderfully appropriate for children of all ages. The author was definitely covering some heavy subjects in this tale, but be assured that she kept her audience in mind when writing the last few scenes. I appreciated the sensitivity she showed while explaining what happened to the main character and her mother after they realized there was a metaphorical wolf living with them.

I’d recommend The Big Bad Wolf in My House to families who have experienced verbal, emotional, physical, or any other form of abuse.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Noisy Classroom by Angela Shanté

August 4, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Noisy Classroom by Angela Shanté
Publisher: West Margin Press
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

The first day of school is coming… and I’m going to be in the noisy class. Any class but the noisy class will do!

A young girl is about to enter the third grade, but this year she’s put into Ms. Johnson’s noisy class. Everything about the noisy class is odd. While all the other classes are quiet, Ms. Johnson sings and the kids chatter all day. The door is always closed, yet sounds from it can be heard in the hallway. With summer coming to an end and school starting, the girl realizes that soon she’ll be going to the noisy class. What will school be like now?

Starting a new grade is filled with uncertainty, especially when the teacher for that class has such an unconventional teaching style.

There were so many humorous moments in this picture book. The author sprinkled them into nearly every scene, and they only grew better over time. That was a wonderful way to approach a topic that can be a little sensitive for some kids. It’s hard to remain nervous about discussing something serious when the first few pages are already filled with laughter and joy.

This story seemed to be a little too dismissive of the idea that noisy classrooms are not going to be a good fit for every student. Some children who have sensory processing disorders, anxiety, and other diagnoses wouldn’t enjoy that type of learning environment at all. I wish this had been acknowledged alongside the encouragement to give scary things a try and not make assumptions ahead of time. This is something I’d be thrilled to read to some kids but hesitant to introduce to others depending on their personalities and reasons for being nervous about starting a new school year. The message itself was a good one. It was simply something that I would have liked to see tailored to its intended audience better and with a deeper sense of empathy for the young readers out there who need a quieter learning environment for any number of medical reasons.

With that being said, I did appreciate seeing how the main character reacted to the dreaded noisy classroom. She had thoughtful reasons for wanting to avoid it, and the creative method for getting out of it she slowly perfected over the summer made me laugh out loud. What a clever kid she was! I only grew more curious to see how she’d react to her first day back at school in the autumn when she had to face up to her fear. Her stubbornness and imaginative personality were going to be quite the match for her new teacher, and I didn’t want to miss a minute of it.

I’d recommend The Noisy Classroom to early elementary students who are a little nervous about adjusting to a new teacher this autumn.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ Our Subway Baby by Peter Mercurio

July 31, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Our Subway Baby by Peter Mercurio
Publisher: Dial Books
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Non-Fiction, LGBTQ, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

This gentle and incredibly poignant picture book tells the true story of how one baby found his home.

“Some babies are born into their families. Some are adopted. This is the story of how one baby found his family in the New York City subway.”

So begins the true story of Kevin and how he found his Daddy Danny and Papa Pete. Written in a direct address to his son, Pete’s moving and emotional text tells how his partner, Danny, found a baby tucked away in the corner of a subway station on his way home from work one day. Pete and Danny ended up adopting the baby together. Although neither of them had prepared for the prospect of parenthood, they are reminded, “Where there is love, anything is possible.”

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE!

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Musings, Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews, Uncategorized, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: ,

Front Pivot by Chris Boucher

July 30, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Front Pivot by Chris Boucher
Publisher: Wings ePress
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Noel’s brash front masks a secret past. No one knows how hard he works on his game or how far he and his brother will go to find their answers.

A high school legend, Pax forgoes college ball after becoming obsessed with their father’s Afghanistan War experience. Officially, he died a hero. But the journal he left behind suggests it’s more complicated.

Pax blames their dad for not finishing the job and decides it’s his responsibility. Noel isn’t so sure about either. And, if everyone in his family has to be a hero, how will he measure up?

Who should decide whether or not someone is a hero?

One of my favorite subplots involved a journal Noel’s father wrote when he was a soldier in Afghanistan. The entries gave Noel and his brother a peek into parts of their father’s life that they would have otherwise known about. I enjoyed seeing how they reacted to the stories their dad told about what it was like to be a soldier overseas and how he felt about his mission. The more they learned about him, the more curious I became about what they’d discover next.

It would have been helpful to have more character development. While I liked Noel and the people closest to him quite a bit, I never felt like I got the opportunity to see them grow and change in the ways they could have despite all of the dramatic shifts happening in their lives in many cases. This was something I mentioned about the first book in this series as well. It’s my hope that any future sequels will dive into this part of the storytelling much more deeply as the storylines themselves were well done and memorable.

The plot twists were well written and exciting. This was especially true as the ending grew closer and the stakes were higher. I had a good time taking note of what had happened so far and trying to guess what might occur next. There were a few times when I was completely surprised by what the author had in store for his characters. It’s always neat to read something that keeps the audience on our toes like that!

This is the sequel to Pivot Move. I’d recommend reading this series in order to get the most out of it.

Front Pivot was a thought-provoking read for anyone who likes tales about basketball or uncovering old family secrets.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

Worries Are Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick

July 29, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Worries Are Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick
Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Non-Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Give young children strategies to ease anxieties and worries and feel better again.

Everyone feels worried at times, and young children are no exception. Friendly and reassuring, this book geared to preschool and primary children explains what worries are and how it feels to be worried. The book assures children that lots of kids—and grown-ups—feel worried, and that they can learn to make their worries “smaller and smaller and smaller.” Talking about worries, moving around, keeping hands busy, breathing deeply, getting a big hug, and thinking good thoughts are all ways for children to cope with worries. The book includes a special section for parents and caregivers with activities and discussion starters.

Sometimes the world can feel like a scary place for kids.

The beginning was beautifully open-ended. It mentioned a few general possible reasons why young readers might worry, but it left plenty of space for the grown-up reading it to include specific areas of concern if needed. That was a nice way to introduce this topic, and I’m glad it was written so inclusively. It even mentioned the fact that adults have worries, too, which could lead to all sorts of fantastic conversations about the things people worry about in general.

I do think it would have been helpful for the narrator to explain the difference between normal, everyday worries and anxiety. This is something I’d happily read to young children who worry occasionally but are otherwise okay. However, I would like to add in some caveats for kids who suffer from serious or long term anxiety as there are other coping mechanisms that might work better for them. This is a minor criticism of a picture book I thought was otherwise excellent and wish I’d had access to when I was a kid!

My favorite section was the one filled with ideas of how to cope with worries. They were all wonderfully age-appropriate and helpful. I loved the fact that the author came up with so many of them. There truly was something there for every kid and type of personality, from little athletes who might find relief in running around to cuddly children who might feel better with a hug from a loved one.

Worries Are Not Forever was a reassuring tale that I highly recommend.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Tough Like Mum by Lana Button

July 27, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Tough Like Mum by Lana Button
Publisher: Tundra Books
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Kim’s mum is tough. Everyone says so. She can deal with unruly customers at the Red Rooster with a snap of her fingers.

Kim is tough, too. She doesn’t need to wear a hat to keep her ears warm. And she can make soup all by herself, even without the stove.

Kim and her mum are tough.

But Kim is learning that sometimes toughness doesn’t look like what you’d expect.

In this tender exploration of a mother-daughter relationship, Kim and her mother learn that in order to support and truly take care of each other, they need to be tough — and that sometimes being tough means showing vulnerability and asking for help.

Explaining mental health problems to kids isn’t easy, but this book can help.

Kim was such a brave and upbeat kid. I immediately began rooting for her and hoping her life would improve soon. She had a marvellous way of finding the positive side of even the toughest circumstances no matter how many times things didn’t go the way she hoped they would. I admired her determination and grit.

Some of the situations Kim found herself in as a result of her mother’s mental illness came pretty close to crossing the line into child neglect due to the almost total lack of proper supervision for this little girl. While I had a great deal of compassion for her mother, I did find myself wishing the storyline had been a little clearer about the fact that this wasn’t a healthy situation for a child to live in.

With that being said, I definitely did appreciate the honesty of the storyline. Many children grow up with parents who struggle to meet their basic needs occasionally for all sorts of different reasons, and I liked the fact that the author was straightforward about how hard it was for Kim to not have an observant parent reminding her to bring her hat to school on a cold day or to pack a nutritious lunch for her. This was something I think would be quite appropriate to read to preschool and young elementary-aged children, especially if they’ve been through a similar situation or know someone who has.

Tough Like Mum was a thought-provoking read.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

I Can Be Kind by Rainbow Gal

July 21, 2021 By Leave a Comment


I Can Be Kind by Rainbow Gal
Publisher: Fat Cat Publishing
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When a headstrong goldfish stands up to a Piranha and shows him what it is like to be kind, caring and generous, it enriches and transforms his life forever.

This hilarious picture book about a Piranha who is always in a terrible mood is perfect for young children learning how to deal with confusing anger, making friends and standing up to bullies.

Throughout this remarkable short story, Oscar the Piranha will learn what kindness means and understand what it is like to be sensitive, caring, and generous.

Oscar, the Piranha, has a bad temper, bad manners, and a bad attitude. But when one bold little goldfish named Marla decides to confront Oscar and even goes to the extent of befriending him, the outrageously bitter Piranha starts to feel happy for the first time in his life.

This Rainbow Gal’s charming short story, which includes dazzling illustrations, and delightfully practical LARGE PRINT, is a funny yet touching tale that reminds us of the classic “Beauty and the Beast” with the remarkably transformative potential of willpower, acceptance and friendship.

I can be kind — proves that positive changes are possible for each one of us.

Love is a powerful force even for mean piranhas.

I enjoyed the sections of this picture book that talked about how much someone can change if they’re shown kindness and genuinely want to improve. This was such a hopeful message, and it was one that’s important for little readers to learn early on. It’s definitely a good thing to treat others with compassion and be forgiving of them if they make mistakes along the way.

With that being said, I was concerned about the concept of Marla the goldfish being put in danger in order to see if Oscar truly had changed. He had a long history of eating goldfish, after all! I believe we can have compassion for people or piranhas who have a history of harming others while also teaching kids to protect themselves. It would have been helpful to have stronger examples of him beginning to change for the better before Marla was tossed into his tank. Her safety and comfort was important, too.

The ending made me smile. Obviously, I can’t go into detail about it here, but I liked the fact that the narrator tied up all of the conflicts so nicely. That gave me a strong sense of closure for these characters. It was rewarding to see where they ended up when it was all said and done. There was space for a sequel if the author ever decides to read one, but I was also satisfied with everything the audience learned about these characters.

I Can Be Kind was a thought-provoking read.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

Our Subway Baby by Peter Mercurio

July 19, 2021 By 1 Comment


Our Subway Baby by Peter Mercurio
Publisher: Dial Books
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Non-Fiction, LGBTQ, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

This gentle and incredibly poignant picture book tells the true story of how one baby found his home.

“Some babies are born into their families. Some are adopted. This is the story of how one baby found his family in the New York City subway.”

So begins the true story of Kevin and how he found his Daddy Danny and Papa Pete. Written in a direct address to his son, Pete’s moving and emotional text tells how his partner, Danny, found a baby tucked away in the corner of a subway station on his way home from work one day. Pete and Danny ended up adopting the baby together. Although neither of them had prepared for the prospect of parenthood, they are reminded, “Where there is love, anything is possible.”

Every child deserves a happy, loving family.

I was delighted by the fact that the author included a scene talking about why he and his life partner were a little hesitant to adopt little Kevin when the topic first popped up. Their reasons were sensible, and yet I couldn’t help but to hope they’d figure out a way to make it all work.

There were a few moments of unexpected humor in the beginning that made me giggle. Danny clearly wasn’t expecting to find a newborn baby lying on the floor in the corner of a subway station, but he leapt to action immediately. The way he described this discovery to Pete only grew funnier each time I reread it.

My favorite scene happened after Kevin was sent to a temporary foster home while the court system tried to figure out where this child should grow up. Danny and Pete were given permission to visit him there. Something remarkable happened during that visit that I can’t wait for other readers to discover for themselves. It was as heartwarming as it was delightful.

This was such a sensitive and thoughtful tale. It explained topics like foster care, adoption, and infant abandonment in honest but completely age-appropriate ways. Small children can understand more than they’re sometimes given credit for, especially when everything is laid out for them clearly and with plenty of compassion for everyone involved. The author excelled at all of this.

Our Subway Baby brought a tear to my eye. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

A Darkness of Wolves by Nicole Bea

July 15, 2021 By Leave a Comment


A Darkness of Wolves by Nicole Bea
Publisher: Evernight Teen
Genre: YA (14+), Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

One weekend changed everything for eighteen-year-old Wynrie Lowe, and she’s been on a downward spiral ever since. Her moods change from one extreme to the other, happiness to sadness, with nothing in between. Something is very wrong, and she doesn’t know how to fix it.

As Wynrie’s emotions grow dangerously unstable, her boyfriend, Ezra, struggles to weather the storm. But will he even still want her once he learns the truth about that weekend? And as her world is torn apart and rearranged, can Wynrie find the strength to reach out for the help she needs before it’s too late?

What would you do if one moment you were on top of the world and the next, crashing down hard? Wynrie (Wyn) goes through this regularly and without provocation. What could be the problem? True, she kissed her best friend even when she had a boyfriend, and true, she felt guilty about it, but there is more to the matter.

Things get worse. Something is definitely not normal. Wyn is trying to deal with the mood swings while also trying to figure out her feelings for both her best friend, Dawson, and her boyfriend, Ezra. These two story-lines support each other and tell a story of a young woman trying to find herself and lead a normal life.

Wyn’s ups and downs are described very well, so well that readers can gain an understanding of just how difficult of a struggle this is. Dawson and Ezra are quite likable characters. There is suspense about who Wyn will choose, and how she will live through her mood disorder.

The author has written a realistic story with characters readers will engage with. If you’re a fan of YA fiction, why not give this one a try?

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,
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