Mini Monday #54

Stalling by Alan Katz
Illustrated by Elwood H. Smith

Release Date: September 21st 2010
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Source: Library
Author: Website |  Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Mom says it’s time to go to bed, but master staller Dan has other plans in mind. He’s got to visit the Nile, tame a crocodile, munch on some noodles, do a few doodles, ring a chime, solve a crime, mix leftovers till they’re slime! Zoweeeeeee! With so much to do, anyone would get tired at some point. But luckily, by the time Dan is finally ready for bed, someone else is already fast asleep . . . his parents!

 

This was a cute book about a little boy that is trying his hardest to stall so he doesn’t have to go to bed. He does any and everything he can think of. The entire book is rhyming, which was my son’s favorite part.

The cool thing about the book is the illustrations. There is a mixture of hand drawn pictures with things that looked like real photographs and even some pictures that looked like comic book graphics. The different styles gave something neat to look at as we were reading the story. I definitely recommend checking this one out.

Rating:
Thumbs up!

 

Flea Circus by Monica Carretero

Release Date: May 1st 2011
Publisher: Cuento de Luz SL
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 36
Source: Library
Author: Website | Facebook | Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Encouraging children to not judge by appearances, this story portrays a group of fleas who decide to start a circus. From Anuska on the trapeze to the Mighty Marusz—strongest flea in the world—this beautifully illustrated book follows clowns, acrobats, jugglers, and cannonball fleas as they perform death-defying stunts and amaze fleas from all over the world.

This book is about a bunch of fleas that are tired of living off animals and dealing with all the normal flea things. So they decide to start a flea circus! The book goes on to show each of the characters within the circus and what their talent it.  All of the pages have graphics on them. Most of them are full page graphics.  

My son enjoyed the book and gave it a thumbs up, however I wasn’t as big a fan of it. Even though it is only 36 pages, quite a few of the pages are full pages of words. I don’t expect that in a children’s picture book. I know my three year old would have lost focus on it almost right off the bat. I even had trouble finishing the book because I was getting a little bored. It wasn’t funny and it didn’t really teach any lessons or anything. It was just a story. So I would recommend this book for children that are a little older or would be able to sit and actually listen to the book or even read it themselves.

Rating:
Middle Thumb!

 

Mini Monday #47

Mini Monday: Where my son and I do two “mini” reviews on two children’s books. Each book will get a Thumbs up, Middle Thumb, or Thumbs down rating!

Eddie Longpants by Mireille levert
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published August 9th 2005 by Groundwood Books
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

Eddie Longpants is big, really big, with long legs, enormous feet, and gangly arms that dangle down from his shoulders and bump into everything. At school, his classmates find new and interesting ways to bully him each day, calling him a giraffe, a flagpole, or a stepladder. When their name-calling becomes too painful, Eddie takes refuge under his favorite tree. But one day the bullying goes too far and the teacher takes notice. Now Eddie must decide whether to turn the tables on his tormentors or show them that there’s more than one way to behave. Mireille Levert's lush illustrations illuminate this fresh and gentle story that teaches children to appreciate their differences and celebrate diversity

 

 

This is a good book to teach children not to bully and even though someone may be different looking they still have something good about them. Poor Eddie and his mom are teased by the bullies at school for being so big. The teacher hears this happening and sees how much it is upsetting Eddie and tries to intervene. When the bully gets himself into a situation that requires Eddies help, he learns how nice of a person Eddie really is.

 

The neat thing about this book is that it reads vertically. This really gives off a feeling of how tall Eddie and his family really are. The illustrations were nice. My son’s favorite part when the birds were landing on Eddie because he is so tall and calm.

 

Rating:

 

Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the School Bus by John Grandits
Illustrated by Michael Allen Austin
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published July 4th 2011 by Clarion Books
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

Kyle is dreading his first trip aboard the school bus. Luckily, his big brother, James, is a school bus expert. James gives Kyle ten rules for riding the bus that he absolutely, positively must obey if he wants to avoid getting laughed at or yelled at, pushed around, or even pounded. During his fateful ride, Kyle grapples with each unbreakable rule. Along the way, he discovers that the school bus isn’t so bad, and he may even have a thing or two to teach his brother.

 

This book would be a nice book to read to someone about to go into school or riding the bus for the first time. It should that things are not as bad as you think they will be. Kyle thinks things are going to be absolutely horrible because of all the things his big brother has told him. Not only does Kyle break all of the rules but he comes out fine in the end. He even learns something.

 

The illustrations in this book are neat and have a sort of abstract look to them in some parts. I like how there was use of animals in the story and matching illustrations. There are also certain areas where you can see the paint brush strokes which I think are a neat addition to the illustrations. My older son liked the very last page where he finds out Rule Eleven.

 

Rating:

 

 

Mini Monday #34

 

Mini Monday: Where my son and I do two “mini” reviews on two children’s books. Each book will get a Thumbs up, Middle Thumb, or Thumbs down rating!

The Z was Zapped: A Play in Twenty-six Acts by Chris Van Allsburg
Hardcover, 56 pages
Published October 26th 1998 by Sandpiper
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

A dramatic black-and-white presentation of the alphabet in which the two-time Caldecott Medalist depicts a mysterious transformation of each letter.

This was a very interesting way to portray the entire alphabet. Each page contains only a portrait view of the letter on the stage and then on the back of the page it tells what is happening to it. My son had fun trying to figure out what it was going to say. All of the pictures are in black and white, which added to the ambiance of the book. This is a very serious book and some of the things that are happening to the letters are rather dark. I.e.: The B was badly Bitten. The K was quietly kidnapped.

The last page of the story is a blank red page which I assume is supposed to represent the red curtain dropping. I thought that was neat addition.

I picked up this book because this is the same author that wrote The Polar Express, which is pretty well-known classic children’s book, one of my brother’s favorites actually. I will be keeping my eyes open for more books by this author and I suggest anyone who has a younger child learning the alphabet to pick this up!

My Rating:

 

Monsters Eat Whiny Children by Bruce Eric Kaplan
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published August 31st 2010 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

Dad has warned Henry and Eve: If you whine too much, monsters will eat you. Henry and Eve don’t listen, of course. The only problem is, when the monster comes, he can’t find the right recipe for whiny children—and neither can his monster friends! A whiny child salad doesn’t work because there’s paprika in the dressing. A whiny child cake won’t do because the flour spills all over the floor. And whiny child burgers are out of the question because the grill is too hard to light up. Arguments and hilarity ensue. And just when our persnickety monsters decide on the perfect dish…the worst thing of all happens….

 

 

Well I saw this book sitting on the top shelf at the library and immediately snatched it up. I just couldn’t pass up a book with that title! I showed my son and he seemed a little nervous but wanted to read it. Now after reading it I will say I’m do not think this book is for every kid; most parents will probably get a chuckle out of it but I could see some kids being a little scared. Not necessarily by the book itself but by the message of monsters eating whiny children.

My son wasn’t scared of it but I do think he got a little bored during the story. He really didn’t have too much to say about the story when it was finished. He was more interested in the map that was printed on the inside of the front and back covers. He actually really liked that part.

Pretty much the whole story is about a family of monsters yelling about how they are going to eat the children while the children are playing in the corner. I wasn’t a big fan of the artwork and I don’t think my son was either.  It was an ok book overall but if this book doesn’t sound that great to you then I would say go ahead and pass on this one.

My Rating:

 

Mini Monday #32

Mini Monday: Where I do two “mini” reviews on two children’s books. Each book will get a Thumbs up, Middle Thumb, or Thumbs down rating!

Your Pajamas Are Showing! by Michel-Yves Schmitt
Illustrated by  Vincent Caut 

Where's Leopold? #1
Hardcover, 40 pages
Expected publication: April 1st 2013 by Graphic Universe
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

What if you woke up one morning and could turn invisible? Would you fight crime? Save the world? If you're like Leopold, you'd rather play tricks on your big sister and steal her caramels! But being invisible isnt all it's cracked up to be. Leopold can make his body disappear, but not his clothes. How will he pull his pranks with his pajamas showing? Is he brave enough to play his tricks in the nude? Maybe the right magic word is all he needs!

This was a cute comic style book for children. Each page had about 4 panels of the story. All of the panels full graphics that my son and I really enjoyed. There were certain parts that he thought were pretty funny. There were a couple parts that I’m sure he didn’t really understand but I think an older child would probably be ok. It seemed to jump between scenes rather than have a transition and the ending was rather abrupt, which I didn’t like so much but still a neat book.

I would recommend this book and I am interested in reading the next book.

My Rating:

 

*This book was provided by the NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

Lego City: Catch That Crook by Michael Anthony Steele
Paperback, 24 pages

Published January 1st 2012 by Scholastic Inc.
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

A thief thinks he's found the perfect hiding spot after his latest heist: the LEGO City forest. But he wasn't counting on the Forest Police! It's a madcap chase of cops and robbers in this LEGO City 8x8!

Well this book is about exactly what the synopsis says. As with the other two Lego books I read, this is one big advertisement for Legos. My son brought this one home from his school library. He has been obsessed with then since we bought those last two. This one was one of the better ones. This was a very short story. My son even mentioned that it was short. If you have a child that likes these books then I say go ahead and grab it from the library.

My rating:

Mini (Monday) Sunday #29

*I really wanted to review St. Patrick’s Day themed children’s books but Monday was just too far away and I didn’t want to post them after St. Patrick’s Day so we are just going to do something crazy! Hope you enjoy! Watch out for tomorrow because there will still be a regular Mini Monday up!*

 

 

Mini Monday SUNDAY! Where my son, Mitchell, and I do two “mini” reviews on two children’s books. Each book will get a Thumbs up, Middle Thumb, or Thumbs down rating!

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover by Lucille Colandro
Illustrated by Jared D. Lee
Paperback, 32 pages
Published January 1st 2012 by Cartwheel Books
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

There was an Old Lady who swallowed things over and over, and now she's come back to swallow a clover!

She's back! That lovely old lady has returned just in time for St. Patrick's Day. Now she's swallowing items to make the perfect rainbow to hide a pot of gold.

 

Well I have to say Mitchell and I were disappointed with this book. Mitchell didn’t like the artwork in this book “because it looked all wrinkly”. I’m not sure I would use that description but I sort of agree with him. The way the illustrator sketches the shadows it makes the old woman look like she has a beard. Most of the pictures were full page or close to it.

Mitchell says the story was ok. It wasn’t nearly as fun as the original. The original story made sense. This story just doesn’t really flow. It’s just random. The only thing that made this book St. Patrick’s Day related was that she swallowed a pot of gold and a clover then a leprechaun showed up and they danced.

So I had no idea there was an entire set of these books until I looked it up on The Book Depository! I am definitely going to have to get (and review) all of them because I have some obsession about having the entire collection.

My Rating:

 

The Luckiest St. Patrick’s Day Ever! by Teddy Slater
Illustrated by Ethan Long
Paperback, 32 pages
Published February 1st 2008 by Cartwheel Books
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

Share in this leprechaun family's charming St. Patrick's Day celebration, complete with a fun parade and an Irish feast!

The St. Patrick's Day parade is off to a very fine start.
The Leprechaun family is marching with lots of heart!
Share in their dancing, share in their fun.
You'll have the luck of the Irish when this day is done!

Top o' the morning! It's March 17th, and the Leprechauns are gathered for their favorite day of the year. Join them as they celebrate St. Patrick's Day with music, dancing, and a parade!

Teddy Slater's delightful rhyming story is accompanied by lively illustrations from Ethan Long.

 

Well if you have been following my Mini Monday’s then you know my son and I love a good rhyming book.  This book was cute. My son really liked this one. The book had full page colorful graphics that both my son and I enjoyed. Mitchell said his favorite part was the end. I would have to agree with that. I will end this Mini Monday Sunday on a quote from that book.

My Rating:

 

“May the luck of the Irish be with you today!” – The Luckiest St. Patrick’s Day Ever!

 

Mini Monday #26

*Sorry up a little late*

Mini Monday: Where I do two “mini” reviews on two children’s books. Each book will get a Thumbs up, Middle Thumb, or Thumbs down rating!

 

I Hate Picture Books! by Timothy Young
Hardcover, 32 pages
Expected publication: March 28th 2013 by Schiffer Publishing
Goodreads|Amazon

Max hates his picture books and hes throwing them all away. But he soon learns just how invaluable imagination is and has a change of heart. Find out why in this outrageous book that both pokes fun at and celebrates many of the classics of childrens literature. Join writer and illustrator Timothy Young for this irreverent and humorous story ideal for children and adults alike. Early Reader; Ages 5-8.

 

 

I really liked this book. I thought it was pretty funny. I loved how the graphics were full pages and the author incorporating the books that the kid was talking about into the pages was neat. It made it look like his story was coming from the other classic stories. I loved the kid’s snippy attitude throughout the book too. I definitely recommend picking up this book!

My Rating:

 

*I received this book for review from NetGalley & the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

 

The Legend of Papa Balloon by CR McClure
Hardcover, 40 pages
Expected publication: March 28th 2013 by Schiffer Publishing
Goodreads|Amazon

Papa Balloon is the story of a unique, mysterious figure who magically appears in a land where the people have become divided and are in need of greater understanding and empathy for each other. Traveling through each of the four villages in this land and accompanied by the children who discover him, Papa Balloon teaches the villages a profound lesson in a simple way. Colorfully and brightly illustrated, and a page-turner of a tale, it is the perfect book for any parent who wants their children to learn about treating the traditions and viewpoints of others with respect, while putting forth the belief that we, as a group, are more united than we realize. Early Reader; Ages 5-8.

 

 

This book was ok. It is nice how Papa Balloon is around to join the land of people that have been divided. I think the colorful pages would look pretty neat in actual book form. I liked how the writing changed colors with each part of the land they traveled through. I recommend this for a quick read.

My Rating:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*I received this book for review from NetGalley & the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

Mini Monday #25

Mini Monday: Where I do two “mini” reviews on two children’s books. Each book will get a Thumbs up, Middle Thumb, or Thumbs down rating!

 

The Humongous Fungus by Periwinkle Blue
Illustrated by Michele Anderson
Hardcover, 48 pages
Published November 16th 2011 by Arbor House Books
Goodreads|Amazon

There's something rotten in the town of Better-Than-Best, and it's not your stinky socks! Better-Than-Best is one of the prettiest, little towns you ever could enter, with all of the houses facing the center, and then the humongous fungus comes. It's black and it's thick, and it's making them sick! Ick! Some of it got on a hockey stick and all over poor Charlie Twoodle's noodles. Who can they call? What can they do? Things go from bad to worse when they call in Bubblehead Bingham Blue, an expert from Timbuktu, who claims to have the cure in the bottom of his shoe. Can they make it go away, or is the humongous fungus here to stay?

I wasn’t a big fan of this book. I was underwhelmed by the pictures. The rhyming was rather weird throughout the book and I usually like rhyming books. There is a part with a swindler that I found to be random. There is a good moral to the story though. My son liked the book too and that is the important part of a children’s book.  It was free on Amazon so I would still recommend getting it for an easy read.

My Rating:

 

Lexi Fairheart and the Forbidden Door by Lisl Fair
Illustrated by Nina de Polonia
Kindle Edition, 29 pages
Published October 20, 2012 by Brainy Connections
Amazon

If your child loves stories by Ludwig Bemelmans, Julia Donaldson, and Stan and Jan Berenstain, your child will enjoy this endearing tale about a curious little girl who gets into all sorts of trouble told by Lisl Fair.

Meet Lexi Fairheart and follow her quest to discover what is hidden behind the forbidden door at her grandpa's house.

 

I’m not really sure how I feel about this book. I found this book for free on Amazon also. The pictures throughout were pretty nice. It definitely had a good moral about listening. My son also liked the book but it was our third one of the night and I think he was a little less interested in this book.

My Rating: