On Duck Pond by Jane Yolen

August 9, 2023 By 1 Comment


On Duck Pond by Jane Yolen
Publisher: The Cornell Lab Publishing Group
Genre: Children’s (0-8 yrs), Animals, Non-Fiction
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

ON BIRD HILL took readers on a surreal journey with a boy and his dog, as they stopped, looked, and noticed things along their path, ultimately discovering the miracle a hatching baby bird.ON DUCK POND continues their journey, this time in a new place―a serene pond, filled with birds, frogs, turtles, and other creatures going about their quiet business. Their intrusion stirs the pond into a cacophony of activity, reaching a climactic chaos before slowly settling back to a quiet equilibrium.

This beautiful and enchanting sequel is sure to delight ON BIRD HILL fans and millions of readers of Jane’s popular classics.

Beautiful story about a day at the pond.

I’ve never thought about a day at the pond this way. This is a beautiful story about a man watching the ducks come to the pond. It’s a great story of realizing what’s happening, taking a moment to take it all in and observing what’s around us. I loved it and will look at time at the pond or out in nature a little differently.

If you’re interested in a story about nature and observing, then this is the book for you.

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

Purplicious by Victoria Kann Elizabeth Kann

August 9, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Purplicious by Victoria Kann Elizabeth Kann
A Pinkalicious book
Publisher: HarperCollins Childrens
Genre: YA, Childrens (5-10 yrs), Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

In this follow-up to the New York Times bestselling Pinkalicious, a young girl remains true to herself and discovers that pink isn’t only a pretty color, but also a powerful one.

While everyone knows Pinkalicious’s favorite color is pink, the bullies at her new school don’t agree. All the girls are wearing black, painting in black, and making fun of Pinkalicious for loving pink. “Pink is for babies and stinks!” they tell her. Pinkalicious feels left out until she learns that pink can be a powerful color, and that the most important thing is to be yourself.

Pink isn’t just a pretty color, it’s powerful.

I liked this book because it took on the topic of peer pressure and being true to yourself. Many young people feel they have to cave to peer pressure because it’s so strong. This book shows how this young lady started to give in, but also found strength she didn’t know she had. I liked her journey and am glad I went with her on it.

The other girls tell her black is the best color and pink is for little kids or pink isn’t cool any longer. It’s up to Pinkalicious to decide what she wants. It’s a fun story, but also shows young people that it’s okay to be original.

If you’re looking for a book about being true to yourself and giving yourself a chance to explore, then this might be the book for you.

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

Dog’s Day by Jane Cabrera

August 8, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Dog’s Day by Jane Cabrera
Publisher: Orchard Books
Genre: YA, Childrens (0-6 yrs), Animals
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Dog has a very busy day with his animal friends, swinging from the trees with Monkey, flying through the clouds with Bird, and hopping and jumping with Rabbit.

Fun with Dog!

I picked up this book because of the dog on the cover. The colors simply popped. The story is very simple, but that’s okay. I liked it because it showed young readers what this particular dog is up to and teaches interactions, but also does it with bright colors and a fun storyline. I liked that younger children could read this to themselves. It’s simple, but that’s the beauty of the story. Dog has a great day doing all sorts of things and it’s fun.

If you’re looking for a short book to read with your blossoming reader, then this is a fun one to consider.

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Cows to the Rescue by John Himmelman

August 7, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Cows to the Rescue by John Himmelman
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co
Genre: Humor, Contemporary, Childrens (0-8 yrs)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

It’s the day of the county fair!

Three-legged races, a “Smartest Pig” contest, the Ferris wheel―what could be more fun? But the Greenstalks’ car won’t start, so they’ll need some help getting there. . . .
Cows to the Rescue is the fabulous new book in John Himmelman’s hilarious barnyard saga. It follows Chickens to the Rescue and Pigs to the Rescue, bringing back the fun with brand new mishaps and brand moo―er, new―problem-solvers.

A humorous book about the cows…coming to the rescue!

I liked this story because it showed how sometimes we have to have a little bit of rescue. The series of events and how the cows helped is so funny. Children will love the funny illustrations. The cows aren’t always the best at helping with the situation, but that’s not always bad. They’re trying their best. It’s funny and repetitive, which makes it perfect for children learning to read and those who just want to laugh.

If you’re looking for a funny book that will help younger readers, then this is the story for you.

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

Go for the Moon by Chris Gall

August 7, 2023 By 1 Comment


Go for the Moon by Chris Gall
A Rocket, A Boy, and the First Moon Landing
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Genre: Non-Fiction, Childrens, Historical, YA (ages 5-10 yrs)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Written and illustrated by Chris Gall, Go for the Moon! captures the fascinating detail and inspiring adventure of the moon landing. It is a captivating celebration of one of humankind’s greatest technical achievements and most extraordinary feats of exploration.

The Apollo 11 astronauts have prepared carefully for their attempt to be the first men to land on the moon. The young narrator of this book has prepared carefully, too: he explains the design of the spacecraft, the flight from the earth to the moon, and the drama of touching down–while shadowing the astronaut’s voyage with one of his own.

To the Moon!!

I picked up this book because I love space and wanted to see how this author handled that very topic. This is a book not to be missed. If your young person loves space, then this book will be great. There’s a lot of detail, but it’s also got the point of view of the young man at home. It’s how it was to watch the moon landing, facts about the space program, but also how the little boy felt while this all happened. It’s told in a very easy manner, but will entertain older children more because of the detail.

If you want to read a book about space with your young person, or just want a great space book for yourself, then this is the book for you. Check it out!

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

I Am Quiet – A Story for the Introvert in All Of Us by Andie Powers

August 3, 2023 By Leave a Comment


I Am Quiet – A Story for the Introvert in All Of Us by Andie Powers
Publisher: Bala Kids
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Emile is not shy—he is quiet.

Emile may seem timid and shy on the outside, but on the inside he is bustling with imagination. While grownups and even other kids may see Emile as the shy kid who doesn’t raise his hand in class, we know that Emile is actually a high-seas adventurer, a daring explorer, and a friend to wild beasts.

This story honors and encourages the beauty of knowing ourselves for exactly who we are. Emile’s world shows us that the mind of a quiet child can be as rich, expansive, and bold as that of any other (more extroverted) child.

Everyone should feel comfortable in their own skin.

One of the weaknesses of extroverted cultures like the United States is that they tend to overlook the many strengths of quiet, introverted people. This picture book was a beautiful correction of the notion that it’s not okay to be quiet or need time alone to recharge your social battery. Our world is filled with all sorts of people, and the diversity of personalities we have in it should be celebrated.

I loved the narrator’s positive and supportive tone. It worked just as well for kids as it would for teenagers or adults. Quiet people of all ages may sometimes need to be reminded that there is nothing wrong with them and that their gentle natures and rich inner lives are a gift. This is a wonderful place to find that support whenever the outside world once again insists that everyone should behave the same way.

Speaking of rich inner lives, I adored the scenes that explored the many gorgeous thoughts a person might have without ever sharing them. It matched my experience as a quiet person perfectly. Not everything needs to be shared in life. There is definitely something to be said for keeping certain imaginative thoughts to yourself and silently enjoying them.

How grownups speak to children matters. Kids don’t always understand things the same way adults do, and even when they do they can carry critical comments with them for years to come. This was an excellent reminder to speak kindly to everyone and not to label them based on assumptions about how much anyone should talk.

I Am Quiet – A Story for the Introvert in All Of Us was a breath of fresh air for anyone who has ever been pressured to be more talkative.

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

16 Words – William Carlos Williams and “The Red Wheelbarrow” by Lisa Rogers

August 2, 2023 By Leave a Comment


16 Words – William Carlos Williams and “The Red Wheelbarrow” by Lisa Rogers
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Non-Fiction, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

This simple nonfiction picture book about the beloved American poet William Carlos Williams is also about how being mindful can result in the creation of a great poem like “The Red Wheelbarrow”–which is only sixteen words long.

“Look out the window. What do you see? If you are Dr. William Carlos Williams, you see a wheelbarrow. A drizzle of rain. Chickens scratching in the damp earth.” The wheelbarrow belongs to Thaddeus Marshall, a street vendor, who every day goes to work selling vegetables on the streets of Rutherford, New Jersey. That simple action inspires poet and doctor Williams to pick up some of his own tools–a pen and paper–and write his most famous poem.

In this lovely picture book, young listeners will see how paying attention to the simplest everyday things can inspire the greatest art, as they learn about a great American poet.

Inspiration lives everywhere.

There were two layers to this tale. One was a simple exploration of the life of a famous poet, while the second one showed the audience the many different ways inspiration can show up in someone’s life even if their day job has nothing at all to do with the arts. I loved the fact that every scene could be interpreted either way and thought it made this something that could grow with a young reader as he or she slowly began to recognize the hidden messages here about creativity.

I found myself wishing that more examples of William Carlos Williams’ poetry had been included in this picture book. Adults will probably catch the references to these works in certain scenes, but kids may not. Given how important it was to understand why specific things like plums or fire engines were mentioned in connection to this poet, it would have been helpful to show young readers why they were relevant. This is a minor criticism of something I otherwise enjoyed quite a bit.

It was so interesting to follow the main character as he made house calls. This was a time in history when all sorts of medical procedures were done in patients’ homes, including delivering their babies and bringing them life-saving medications. The lovely contrast between this work and the poetry that turned those moments into something timeless made me wish I could keep reading forever.

What a beautiful story 16 Words was.

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

How to Make Friends With a Ghost by Rebecca Green

August 1, 2023 By Leave a Comment


How to Make Friends With a Ghost by Rebecca Green
Publisher: Andersen Press Ltd
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Holiday, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

What do you do when you meet a ghost? One: Provide the ghost with some of its favorite snacks, like mud tarts and earwax truffles. Two: Tell your ghost bedtime stories (ghosts love to be read to). Three: Make sure no one mistakes your ghost for whipped cream or a marshmallow when you aren’t looking! If you follow these few simple steps and the rest of the essential tips in How to Make Friends with a Ghost, you’ll see how a ghost friend will lovingly grow up and grow old with you.

A whimsical story about ghost care, Rebecca Green’s debut picture book is a perfect combination of offbeat humor, quirky and sweet illustrations, and the timeless theme of friendship.

It’s never too early to celebrate Halloween!

The nice thing about this tale was that it felt like Halloween but had a more generic autumn setting. This meant that it could be read in other cool, chilly months – or even not so chilly months – without me feeling like I was a reading something too out of season. There are spooky things to be found all throughout the year, after all, and it encouraged me to see what might make me shudder no matter when I might reread it.

There were some portions that I thought were far too scary for this age group. For example, one scene warned the reader not to eat their pet ghost and showed illustrations of ghosts who had been fried, baked, grilled, and otherwise turned into food. That could have been funny for older kids, but many of the little ones I’ve known would find it terrifying. If only the tone of that scene had remained lighthearted and playful like the rest of it was!

The portions that read like a pet care manual made me grin. Yes, of course there are similarities between taking care of a ghost and a more traditional companion like a rabbit, cat, or dog. This was a clever way to explain how hauntings work in this universe, and it makes me want to see what else the author has written.

I also found myself wondering why anyone would want to lure a ghost into their home in the first place. Most stories are about trying to get rid of the spirits haunting a person or a place, after all! It would have been help for the author to clarify what they were thinking there.

The last few scenes were unusual for this genre. It involved the main character growing old and their ghost reacting to that change. I don’t want to say much else about that to avoid sharing spoilers, but it could be a good jumping off point for discussions about aging and how families take care of each other.

How to Make Friends With a Ghost was creative.

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

Margaret’s Unicorn by Briony May Smith

July 31, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Margaret’s Unicorn by Briony May Smith
Publisher: Anne Schwartz Books
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A perfect gift for the unicorn lovers in your life, this lovely and utterly transporting picture book tells the story of what every little girl wishes would happen to her: a girl finds and takes care of a lost baby unicorn.

Margaret’s whole world changes when her family moves to a cottage by the sea to be near her grandma. One evening, Margaret spots a mist over the water. No, that’s not mist…clouds maybe? No, they’re unicorns descending onto the shore! They vanish as quickly as they’d appeared, but accidentally leave behind a baby, tangled in the weeds. Margaret, lonely and in need of a friend, brings him home and cares for him through the fall and winter. Together, they chase the waves, stomp on frozen puddles, and build snow unicorns. When spring finally comes around, and the other unicorns return, Margaret’s takes her small friend back to his family… but these two won’t forget one another. And though Margaret misses him, she has made a new friend, and her new cottage is starting to feel like home. With all the feel of a classic, here is a picture book young readers will want to revisit again and again.

No act of kindness is ever wasted.

Moving can be a stressful experience, especially for kids who usually don’t have any input at all into where their family lives. I smiled and nodded along during the first few scenes as Margaret discussed how uneasy she felt in her new home. It set up the rest of the storyline nicely as she tried to adjust to all of the things that looked, smelled, felt, and sounded different from where she’d lived before.

It would have been nice to see a few more scenes dedicated to the care and feeding of a unicorn. One section discussed how strictly people needed to follow the rules of what to feed these magical animals, and some of them seemed like things that would be quite difficult to stick to over the winter given how limited the choices were and how many of them are hard to find when the growing season ends. If Margaret or her parents had mentioned more about this and explained how they found solutions for the trickiest portions of keeping their new guest hydrated and fed, I would have happily gone with a full five-star rating as I loved everything else about it.

With that being said, I adored the main character’s relationship with her unicorn. Margaret was a sweet kid who did everything she could to keep her new little friend safe and comfortable over the winter. This was something I’d happily read over and over again because of how beautiful the plot was, especially at the end when another spring arrived.

Margaret’s Unicorn was heartwarming.

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

The Pink Umbrella by Amélie Callot

July 31, 2023 By Leave a Comment


The Pink Umbrella by Amélie Callot
Publisher: Tundra Books
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Historical, Romance
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Perfect for fans of Amélie, this is a charming story about the power of friendship, love and pink polka dots to turn rainy days into sunny ones and sadness into joy.

When it’s bright outside, Adele is the heart of her community, greeting everyone who comes into her café with arms wide open. But when it rains, she can’t help but stay at home inside, under the covers. Because Adele takes such good care of her friends and customers, one of them decides to take care of her too, and piece by piece leaves her little gifts that help her find the joy in a gray, rainy day. Along with cute-as-a-button illustrations, The Pink Umbrella celebrates thoughtful acts of friendship.

As Longfellow once wrote, into each life a little rain must fall.

Romance is rarely if ever included in middle grade books, so I was curious to see how the author was planning to incorporate it here. I appreciated Ms. Callot’s subtle and gentle approach to the subject. Younger readers might not even pick on this subtext at all, but it was sweet and perfectly appropriate for the storyline and for their age group if they do.

The plot was slow and meandering. There were scenes where I appreciated how much time it took to soak up the small, ordinary moments of life and other scenes where I felt restless due to that style of writing. If only the characters had faced more conflict during the course of their daily routines. I so wanted to give this a higher rating, but I couldn’t quite justify it.

One of the enjoyable parts of the storyline had to do with how the people in Adele’s community took note of her mental state and worked to make life easier for her when she was feeling sad on cloudy, rainy days. Their empathy was a beautiful thing to witness, and I thought it was lovely to see what appears to be a small town quietly banding together to make the life of one of their residents just a little bit easier.

The Pink Umbrella was one of those rare picture books that’s meant for older readers. It made me smile.

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