I don't often record the books I read to the kids on here, but this is one that I want to be able to come back to later when I'm trying to think of a I don't often record the books I read to the kids on here, but this is one that I want to be able to come back to later when I'm trying to think of a book to buy for someone's kid....more
Five-star illustrations. My toddler especially loves all the different kinds of dinosaurs that are drawn/named in the opening of the book. Two stars fFive-star illustrations. My toddler especially loves all the different kinds of dinosaurs that are drawn/named in the opening of the book. Two stars for disappointing rhymes and "plot" (dinosaurs are terrible party guests...until they're suddenly awesome party guests with no real explanation for the switch?), but obviously kids won't care about that.
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)...more
A professor once told me that childhood is too short to waste on mediocre children's books, and I agree. Old Friends makes the cut for me and will be A professor once told me that childhood is too short to waste on mediocre children's books, and I agree. Old Friends makes the cut for me and will be staying on our shelf. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and the story is sweet (the bit where the old folks confide that they still feel like kids on the inside got me). It's a keeper.
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)...more
Disclaimer: Crocs is the third in a series, and I haven't read the first two. I don't think it matters because the book does a pretty thorough job of Disclaimer: Crocs is the third in a series, and I haven't read the first two. I don't think it matters because the book does a pretty thorough job of recapping relevant backstory.
My 10-year-old got bored and set this aside pretty quickly--not a promising sign. This had all the ingredients of a good story (adventure, unique educational backdrop, characters with complex backgrounds), but the writing just isn't good enough to pull it off.
Optional drinking game: 1 sip every time a character is referred to as "the boy," "the girl," "the man," "the woman," etc. 1 sip every time the POV shifts mid-paragraph 1 sip every time villains are cartoonishly villainous and stupid 1 sip every time the day is saved by Wild Animals Ex Machina Finish your drink when (view spoiler)[the kids open a literal time portal (hide spoiler)]
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)...more
This gentle story about a bird figuring out how she fits in the world works because it doesn't shy away from the raw reality of animal life. 3.5 stars
This gentle story about a bird figuring out how she fits in the world works because it doesn't shy away from the raw reality of animal life. Any time it's at risk of becoming saccharine, we're reminded that animals die, that animals eat other animals, and that some humans are kind, but others are not. The story itself is very simple, but somehow still surprising. It's always satisfying to see a hero accomplish the quest they set out on, but there's a certain wisdom in seeing the hero realize that the quest was never the right one to begin with.
The early edition I read only contained a few small illustrations, but they were charming and appropriate for the book.
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)...more
I couldn't love the concept or packaging more. The illustrations are eye-catching and top-notch. The feel, look, and smell of the physical book is fanI couldn't love the concept or packaging more. The illustrations are eye-catching and top-notch. The feel, look, and smell of the physical book is fantastic. The concept is very similar to Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Tales of Extraordinary Women (except about boys, of course, and with a focus on their Christian faith). There's a good mix of time periods and cultures represented, with about half of the profiles being Bible characters and the rest a diverse peppering of missionaries, writers, martyrs, and athletes.
I didn't love the inclusion of some of the subjects (why Dan Cathy instead of Truett Cathy, for example?); the weird/arbitrary emphasis of some of the biographies (Frederick Douglass's profile focuses on his...honesty? Okay?); and how, by trying to make the biographies double as devotionals, the authors managed to make even some very exciting stories feel a little dull and samey-same. Also disappointed that they chose to refer to the Huaorani tribe with the pejorative name “Auca.”
Despite all that, I'm really happy to give this book to my son. Quite a few of the stories were new to me and very moving and inspiring.
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)...more
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