picture book – Derby Public Library's Blog

Mom and Me Reviews: My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World

Henley is given a homework assignment to bring his favorite book to class the next day to share with the class. He goes to the library and the bookstore but cannot find what he is looking for. Then, Mama makes a suggestion that helps him fix his problem.

My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World: Mitchell, Malcolm, Robertson, Michael: 9781338225327: Amazon.com: Books — My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World by Malcolm Mitchell, Illustrated by Michael Robertson

First Line: Hi! I’m Henley. And this is a story about finding my very favorite book in the whole wide world.

Summary: Henley is given a homework assignment to bring his favorite book to class the next day to share with the class. He goes to the library and the bookstore but cannot find what he is looking for. Then, Mama makes a suggestion that helps him fix his problem.

Ratings:

Free 5 Star Images, Download Free 5 Star Images png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library — Maggie

???? - thinking face emoji - What does the thinking face emoji mean? — 2 “hmm”s: Conor

3,143 BEST 4 5 Stars IMAGES, STOCK PHOTOS & VECTORS | Adobe Stock — Mama Lala

Their Thoughts: Conor was screaming when we started reading this, so the fact that he quieted down enough to pay attention and copy what the boy in the book was doing (saying “hmm”), shows that he enjoyed it, or at least the illustrations. Maggie said she could relate to the book– “I don’t have a favorite book, maybe I could write my favorite book!”

My Thoughts: This was a cute story, with thought out reasons I hear often from kiddos struggling to find a good book they enjoy. I enjoyed the solution Henley (and his mother) found to his problem. I do wish the librarian had been able to find Henley something, but I suppose I understand that wasn’t the point of this story.

Happy Reading our friends,

Mama Lala, Maggie, & Conor

Mom and Me Reviews: You are Enough

This book explains how people are different, and how being different doesn’t make you less. The book’s inspiration is Sofia Sanchez.

You Are Enough: A Book About Inclusion: O'Hair, Margaret, Sanchez, Sofia, Cardoso, Sofia: 9781338630749: Amazon.com: Books

First Line: “No two people are exactly the same.”

Summary: This book explains how people are different, and how being different doesn’t make you less. The book’s inspiration is Sofia Sanchez.

Ratings:

animated shaking head yes gif - Clip Art Library — Conor: one head nod

3,131 BEST 4 5 Stars IMAGES, STOCK PHOTOS & VECTORS | Adobe Stock — Mama Lala

Their Thoughts: Maggie liked this book because it was a “feel good” book. “It makes a point. You should feel good about yourself no matter what– no matter how you look or how you talk, as long as you are yourself. It shouldn’t matter what other people think about you, it should matter what you think about yourself.”

My Thoughts: This book was a great conversation starter. It covered many topics, or types of people who might feel excluded. We were able to talk about all of those, but we focused on the inspiration of this book (sofia sanchez) and what makes her different, and some times excluded. Sofia Sanchez is a child with Down syndrom. Like many people, my kiddos didn’t quite understand what that meant. Luckily for us, the book has some information in the back to help explain all the “big” questions.

Happy Reading our friends,

Mama Lala, Maggie, & Conor

Mom and Me Reviews: This is Not That Kind of Book

In this book, the characters discuss (and argue over) what kind of book this is, and what should be happening in the story.

This Is Not That Kind of Book: Healy, Christopher, Mantle, Ben: 9780525580294: Amazon.com: Books — This is Not That Kind of Book by Christopher Healy, Illustrated by Ben Mantle

First Line: “Hey! This is not an alphabet book!”

Summary: In this book, the characters discuss (and argue over) what kind of book this is, and what should be happening in the story.

Ratings:

Maggie:

3,128 BEST 4 5 Stars IMAGES, STOCK PHOTOS & VECTORS | Adobe Stock — Maggie

The One Word in Public Speaking That Conveys Uncertainty | Inc.com — Conor: Constant engaged chatter

Their Thoughts: Conor seemed to enjoy this book, or, at least, he had a lot to say. When asked what he thought about this book he nodded his head and said, “Yep!”. Maggie said this book reminded her of Elephant and Piggie. I’m guessing that it reminded her specifically of Elephant and Piggie’s We are In a Book, because it breaks the 4th wall. She also said that the book was fun to read, and that it’s funny the character “A” only said “a” words.

My Thoughts: This is a fun and different book. The apple reminded me of Groot from Guardiands of the Galaxy (it only says one phrase). This is an engaging story, and a fun mix-up from the usual, especially if your kiddos have come to expect certain stories.

Happy Reading our friends,

Mama Lala, Maggie, & Conor

Mom and Me Reviews: On a Magical, Do-Nothing Day

The main character travels to a cabin in the woods with their mother. They experience a day like every other day the spend together in the cabin. Until, their game gets dropped into the pond! (exclamations inserted) At first the main character was very sad, then they started to notice all of the things around them, turning the forest magical.

ON A MAGICAL DO-NOTHING DAY (HARDBACK) /ANGLAIS: ALEMAGNA BEATRICE: 9780500651322: Amazon.com: Books — On a Magical Do-Nothing Day by Beatrice Alemagna

First Line: “Here we were again.”

Summary: The main character travels to a cabin in the woods with their mother. They experience a day like every other day the spend together in the cabin. Until, their game gets dropped into the pond! (exclamations inserted) At first the main character was very sad, then they started to notice all of the things around them, turning the forest magical.

Ratings:

Maggie:

Conor:

Mama Lala:

Their Thoughts: “It was adventurous.” (9 year-olds can be so difficult to talk into expanding on their opinions!)

My Thoughts: I give you permission to be frustrated with me for judging books by covers, or in this case titles. I expected more “magic” in this story. It was still a lovely read, i just hoped for a bit more imagination. The illustrations were well-done. I like the thematic color choices and the bright orange hoodie.

Happy Reading our friends,

Mama Lala, Maggie, & Conor

Amelia’s Favorites: What Matters Most

What Matters Most by Emma Dodd

A young horse discovers that, whatever our differences, love connects us all. (summary from back cover)

Amelia loved this book immediately. The different contrasts of the illustrations caught her eyes. She’s very much into the moon & stars right now, and quite a few pages had something related to that. She also loved what she called “The baby horse and mama horse” and enjoyed seeing the two of them interacting throughout the pages. It’s another one of those books that there isn’t a lot of reading to it, which Amelia prefers right now, because she studies the pictures pretty closely. She wanted to “read” to me.

Amelia’s rating 5 stars!

Amelia’s Favorites: Shoot for the Moon!

Shoot for the Moon! by Corinne Humphrey

I picked this book out for Amelia solely on the cover. She absolutely loved looking at it, and I’d catch her browsing the pages when I wasn’t reading it to her.

This book is about a shelter dog named Rudy, and some life lessons we can all learn. Something that truly hit me was when it said “it doesn’t matter what kind of dog you are…you can create the life you want.” I thought that was so powerful. Amelia loved when Rudy saw his shadow, and was trying to balance on the ball.

This book was inspired by the real life story of a shelter dog named Rudy and his owner Corrine. The back of the book has a little bio about them which made me enjoy the book that much more.

If it’s any indication as to if Amelia liked this book, we kept it the full 3 week checkout!

Amelia’s Favorites: The Great Sheep Shenanigans

The Great Sheep Shenanigans by Peter Bently & Mei Matsuoka

Summary: The wolf wanted lamb for supper, so he tries to disguise himself in several different ways to accomplish the task, but he runs into trouble and Rambo the Ram!

Review: This book was on display for a few weeks in the JE section, and looked intriguing every time I saw it, so I finally checked it out to give it a try with Amelia.

I enjoyed reading this book, and Amelia enjoyed listening. The illustrations were cute, I especially liked when the sheep wore glasses for some reason (probably the librarian in me)! One thing I found interesting is every time I read the book to Amelia she pointed out the quilt on Granny’s bed. I think the different patterns and colors drew her eyes to it, so now I need a quilt!

Rating: Amelia’s review 3 out of 5 stars!

What’s Ashley Reading?: Cinderella Liberator

Cinderella Liberator by Rebecca Solnit

First Line: Once upon a time there was a girl named Cinderella.

Summary: Cinderella is poor little girl who sleeps in the fire place with the ashes and cleans for her mean step-mother. One day she wishes that she could go to the ball at the palace to dance and wear a pretty dress. Her wish is granted by her fairy godmother. She has a wonderful time until the prince asks for her name. Rather than giving it she runs away and losing one of her glass slippers in the process. The prince is determined to find the young girl and he scours the countryside looking for her. You know the rest. Or do you?

My Thoughts: This was a cute little spin on the traditional Cinderella story. But most of the changes happen at the end when Cinderella realizes that she can make her own choices and choose her own destiny.

I loved the illustrations. They were beautiful silhouettes. I liked that it has a positive message for young girls about making their own decisions and not relying on a man to fix everything. It is easy to see why it was the November/December pick for Emma Watson’s Our Shared Shelf book club.

FYI: This is a short picture book. I expected more when I placed it on hold.

*This is my pick for category #7 (A selection from a celebrity book club) for the ReadICT challenge.*

Early March new releases

I love spring! I know it’s not here yet, but these glimpses of warmth and sunshine we’ve had recently are such a breath of fresh air after days of cold and gray.

That’s how a new book feels to me—like a breath of fresh air! I walk past the display of new books in the front of the library, and it seems to call to me. And because of that, I can’t walk by it too often, or I’ll find myself buried in new books that are just begging to be read!

I hope you’ll possibly find some books on this list (that will be released this week and next) that call out to you. If you read any of these titles, be sure to pop back over here and let us know what you thought!

March 6: The Last Equation of Isaac Severy by Nova Jacobs
A book about books is always going to grab my attention, and I am looking forward to reading this one. Hazel, owner of a struggling bookstore, gets a letter from her grandfather, a mathematician, just a few days before his apparent suicide. The letter asks Hazel to entrust his final bombshell equation to a trusted colleague of his, before a secretive organization can find it. Hazel must decipher a set of clues her grandfather left in her favorite novel to find the equation, and she learns that if she fails, disastrous consequences will affect the entire family.

March 6: All the Beautiful Girls by Elizabeth J. Church
Vegas showgirls. In the 1960s. At 8, Lily Decker unexplainedly survives the car accident that takes the lives of her mother and father. Raised by her aunt and uncle, dance becomes her solace. When she is grown and ready to leave home for good, she changes her name to Ruby Wilde and goes to Las Vegas to become a troupe dancer. However, she lands work as a showgirl instead. She look like a success story, in her elaborate costumes and 5-inch heels, but like every other girl in Vegas, she has to learn how to navigate the world of men she works in and she has to figure out what true love really is.

March 6: The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea
A Mexican-American immigrant story by the author of “Into the Beautiful North,” Wichita area’s Big Read selection of a few years ago. Miguel Angel De La Cruz, beloved family patriarch, is ailing, and before he dies, calls for one last legendary birthday party. In the days leading up to the party, his mother also dies, so now it’s a double farewell. For one weekend in San Diego, the De La Cruz family revisits the many tales that have been passed down in family lore. NOTE: Luis Alberto Urrea will be in Wichita to discuss this book at 6 p.m. March 22 at Watermark Books.

March 13: Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney
Amber Reynolds wakes up in a hospital, in a coma, and she can hear everyone around her. From Goodreads: “Amber wakes up in a hospital. She can’t move. She can’t speak. She can’t open her eyes. She can hear everyone around her, but they have no idea. Amber doesn’t remember what happened, but she has a suspicion her husband had something to do with it. Alternating between her paralyzed present, the week before her accident, and a series of childhood diaries from twenty years ago, this brilliant psychological thriller asks: Is something really a lie if you believe it’s the truth?”

Cover of Islandborn by Junot Diaz March 13: Islandborn by Junot Diaz (picture book)
Lola’s school is one of children from everywhere, but she can’t remember the island she came from. When her teacher asks the children to draw a picture of where they came from , everyone but Lola is excited. But her family and friends share their memories, and as they do so, Lola’s imagination takes her on a wonderful journey back to The Island.