Is There A Dog In This Book? by Viviane Schwarz

Is There A Dog In This Book
Viviane Schwarz
Illustrated by Viviane Schwarz

            This enchanting tale is told entirely by three cats.  They invite the reader to help them search for the dreaded dog they fear.  Flaps are lifted to move the couch, lift the piano lid, open the closet, search a suitcase and more!  The flaps are cleverly situated to even resemble shrinking back in fear of the dog and eventually patting the dog.  Through the fun of flaps a tender tale is woven of a fear enemy becoming a friend.

But it doesn’t end there.  The dog gets lost and the cats are frantic to find their new-found buddy?  The reader is asked:  Can you help?  More flaps are lifted here and there throughout the house in a mad hunt for the dog.   At the end of the book the child is invited to make friends with the dog too.

Bubble thoughts are above the cats’ heads to convey the cats thoughts and words to the reader.  Bright colors, expression filled faces and a variety of intricately drawn hiding places fill this fun and warmly told tale.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

There’s A Mouse Hiding In This Book by Benjamin Bird

There’s A Mouse Hiding In This Book
Benjamin Bird
Illustrated by Benjamin Bird

            In typical Tom and Jerry hijinks this book brings to life a lively game of hide and seek.  Children will delight in the hilarious ways that Jerry outwits Tom every time.  From run- ins with the local bulldog to paint spills and booby trapped mousetraps children will be laughing out loud at the fun this story portrays. 

Text is minimal.  The illustrations tell the story bright colors and lots of details on each page.  Children will be anxious to turn each page to see what will happen next whether they are rooting for Tom or for Jerry to win in this thrilling hide and seek adventure.

The familiar faces of Tom and Jerry will draw young children into this book.  The book itself is large enough for the details illustrations and yet not too big so that it is still easily handled by young children.  This will be a book a child will enjoy looking at over and over.

I received this book free from the publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Brown Bear’s Dream by YunYeong Kim

Brown Bear’s Dream

YunYeong Kim
Illustrated by KyeMahn Kim
            When Brown Bear wakes up from his long winter’s nap it is springtime.  Brown Bear is ready for adventure!  But everything Brown Bear thinks of to do for an adventure is impossible for a bear as big as he is.  Fortunately for Brown Bear he makes a friend of Grandfather Beaver.  Grandfather Beaver helps him believe in his dreams and so the true adventure begins when Grandfather Beaver volunteers to give Brown Bear swimming lessons. 

This humorous book will have you rooting for Brown Bear all the way as he lives his dream.  The story explains that dream won’t become reality unless you stick with your dream.  Through the storyline a child learns how to set goals for a dream, how one successful attainment leads to another and another.  Grandfather Beaver teaches Brown Bear that learning as much about your dream as you can helps it come true.  Through Brown Bear’s struggles the reader is taught patience and perseverance even when it feels impossible.

The adorable illustrations add to the charm of this sweet story of dreams coming true.

I received this book free from the publishers in exchange for my honest review.

The Rescue Princesses – The Rainbow Opal by Paula Harrison

The Rescue Princesses – The Rainbow Opal
Paula Harrison
Illustrated by Paula Harrison
            Princess Summer is excited to have her friends Princess Rosalind, Princess Maya and Princess Lottie visit her.  The four princesses are part of a secret club to help rescue animals.  The girls have come to Princess Summer’s home to help her celebrate her tenth birthday.  Part of the celebration involves a portrait painted of Princess Summer in a lacy gown and beautiful rainbow opal pendant.

The princesses explain the area around Princess Summer’s home.  They enjoy seeing brightly colored birds and watching a family of brush tailed opossums.  They discovered a tiny baby koala that seems to be injured or sick. 

The rest of the story details ways the princesses tried to help the sick baby koala.  Their efforts range from flying in a wild animal veterinarian to visiting a magic river.  The book is a pleasant mix of practical animal rescue techniques and touches of whimsy and fantasy.  The princesses in this book are not helpless damsels in distress however.  They are capable girls who know how to seek and obtain help when needed.  They are good role models for young girls reading this story because they find ways out of their own dilemmas.

I received this book free from the publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Puckster’s New Hockey Teammate by Loran Shultz Nicholson

Puckster’s New Hockey Teammate

Loran Shultz Nicholson
Illustrated by Kelly Findley

Team Canada is down 2-1 and one of their key players is not feeling well.  As he misses a pass and falls down in fatigue Puckster realizes that a replacement is needed.  This is when he notices someone new playing outside the arena and a plan forms in Puckster’s mind.

This story describes sportsmanship in a way a child can understand.  Through the patience of team members to teach Panda the rules of hockey as well as the moves we see a team spirit.  Winning isn’t the goal of the team or of this story.  Doing your best, supporting other team members, being a gracious loser and enjoying the game are all objectives brought out in a fun way through the text. 

The text uses real hockey jargon and describes well the aspects of the game.  It also explains why you need to be at top form to play well because hockey is a demanding sport.  Reading this story a child will understand more why all members of a sports team are needed and valuable not just the players that are often highlighted in sports news.

The story absolutely does not drag.  It is just the right length for young readers to get the full story but not become bogged down with too much information.  The illustrations have accurate details that will delight hockey fans.

I received this book free from the publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Numeralia by Jorge Lujan

Numeralia
Jorge Lujan
Illustrated by Isol

            This counting book has a flare for the imagination.  Rather than just a basic counting book of one to ten objects this books takes you beyond what you see on the page to your mind’s eye.  Instead of common objects a child would count each page has an unusual item to count such as “eight for sand counting out the hours” and “five for secret creatures in a glove”.  The illustration leaves a mystery or question with it.  The child is encouraged to imagine more as the text is read.

The illustrations themselves are not typical of most counting books for young children.  There is a very modern artistic tone to the way the colors are used and the people are drawn.

For the child that is chronological young but mentally in tune to deeper thoughts I would recommend this book.  If you are looking for a book that is very different and thought provoking this book will be the perfect fit.

I received this book free from the publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Love Letters from God by Glenys Nellist

This is the most creative, heart-warming books for children about God’s love I’ve ever read.  Glenys Nellist is a genius! She has captured the story of the great controversy and God’s gift of salvation to perfectly for children.  She begins at the beginning with Creation and moves through various key stories in the Old Testament: Noah, Joseph, Samuel, David, Daniel, Jonah.  She moves onto the story of Jesus from his birth to his death and resurrection.

Each story is illustrated in gorgeous detail by Sophie Allsopp.  At the top of each page is the Bible reference where the story can be found.  On the bottom of each page is a Bible verse that reflects the theme of the story.  Then each story has a “letter” from God, a flap that the child can open.  The letter inside is written in kid-friendly language, easy to understand but containing spiritual insights gleaned from the Bible story on that page.

The best part is the last page when the child’s letter invites him/her to join God’s family.  The child is invited to send his/her own letter to God.  And the sweet part is the author tells the children there’s no need to mail their letter, God can read it right there in the book.

I received this book from the publishers and was not required to write a positive review.