Review: Stomp!

Stomp!

Written by Jeanne Willis

Illustrated by Paul Howard

Publication date: 2011
Publisher: Orchard Books
ISBN: 978-1-84616-794-2

Summary:
Stomp! Stomp! Here comes a mini-monster - he's looking for something special . . . He crashes through the kitchen and stomps up the stairs, but he can't find that special something anywhere! Just what is the mini-monster looking for?

With a bold but simple text and an adorably cheeky little monster, all children will love joining in the search.

Review:
I was lucky enough to be sent a review copy of this book from the publisher, and it really is the most adorable book. With lot of onomatopoeic words (Stomp! Crash, Bang, Toot, etc), this book had my 2.5 year old son and me stomping around the house, as we followed the Mini Monster from room to room.

This book features very simple text, and repetitive phrases, both of which cater to the preschool market very well. The first day we had this book, I read it over a dozen times, and even then, my son wanted to read it "just one more time"!

The illustrations are bold and not overly-cluttered, which makes them appealing to both my 2.5 year old and my 7 month old - the younger one looked a little startled with all the stomping that this book involved, but it won't be long before he's joining in!

If you'd like a copy of this book, you can find it here at Fishpond.

My rating: 5/5 - your little monster will enjoy stomping around the house with this book as much as mine does!

Review written by Bronwyn

Book Review: You Can Be a Friend

Authors: Tony and Lauren Dungy
Illustrated by Ron Mazellan
Interest Level: Ages 4-9

From the Book Jacket: When the new neighbor Hannah moves in, Jade can't believe her luck that there's finally a girl her age to play with in the neighborhood. When Jade meets the new family, though, she is taken aback by the fact that Hannah is in a wheelchair. With the gentle encouragement of her parents, Jade slowly gets to know Hannah, and the two become great friends. But when Jade's planned birthday party at the water park is on the horizon, Jade realizes while Hannah can do a lot of things, there are some things she can't.

Will Jade go on with her party plans, or will she revise them to accommodate her new friend? Jade's struggle and ultimately her solution prove that being a good friend takes a bit of thought, but is well worth it in the end.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Forever. That's how long I've been trying to find a book like this. Of course, it's gotten an incredible response from the kids. It has a wonderful message about being a good friend and doing the right thing (even when you might not want to). The character Jade is a giving, caring, and selfless kid. She really sets the bar when it comes to thinking about a friend's feelings. I also like that she's not perfect. She has fears about being friends with Hannah who is in a wheelchair. Jade quickly comes to realize it's not the wheelchair that matters but who Hannah is as person that counts. The friendship quickly blossoms as she discovers what a neat friend she has found. But she faces a dilemma when she has to decide whether or not to invite Hannah to her birthday party...which is at a water park. Hannah will not be allowed to participate in the activities. This is when the students sort of gasped....like 'OH NO! What will she decide?' You will love the ending. This is definitely making my 2011 favorites list.  



A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:

Your Fantastic Elastic Brain - The Book Trailer

WOWEE! I am all over this book and buying it pronto.

What an IMPORTANT NEEDED message for kids to hear........

Book Review: The Goodbye Cancer Garden

Author: Janna Matthies
Illustrated by Kristi Valiant
Interest Level: Ages 4-8
Publisher: Albert Whitman

From the Book Jacket: One winter day. Mom and Dad tell Janie and Jeffrey that Mom has cancer. Soon the whole family goes to the doctor to ask questions. "Is Mom better yet?" Jeffrey asks. "Not yet," the doctor says. "But we're working very hard to make her better - probably by pumpkin time." That gives Janie an idea: to plant a vegetable garden. As the garden grows, Mom's treatment progresses - and when it's all done, there are healthy pumpkins and a recovering Mom!

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I really admire families who do something proactive when they are going through a rough time. They also set an example for those around them. The Goodbye Cancer Garden is all about optimism, living in the moment, and sticking together as a family. Instead of solely focusing on fear and negativity of what might happen with mom's cancer, the family plants a garden honoring what they are going through and in my opinion....planting seeds of hope. 

Sometimes I pass over bibliotherapy because it makes the reader feel so down in the dumps. This is the opposite of that. It's going to empower your child and give them an opportunity to come up with their own idea. Maybe they will want to get a family project going. How cool would that be. Not only does it take their minds off the illness but it's very healing to be actively doing something during a difficult time. Bibliotherapy that teaches children to have a 'voice of hope' is much needed when you are fighting a family illness. This one came in the form of a garden inspired by a child's optimistic feeling. Beautiful.


PS. Last thought - I can also see myself reading this to a class to help kids come up with an idea to support another child or family going through cancer.


A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:

 

Review: Dinosaurs Galore!

Dinosaurs Galore!

Written by Giles Andreae and Illustrated by David Wojtowycz

Publication date: 2005
Publisher: Orchard Books
ISBN: 978-1-84362-609-1

Summary/Back cover:
Some of them have huge long necks
And some have giant jaws
So come into the swampland
And let’s meet the dinosaurs!
A thumping good romp from an award-winning team, featuring all your favourite dinosaurs!

Review:
This is a book written in the same style as “Rumble in the Jungle”, “Commotion in the Ocean” and “Farmyard Hullaballo”. The book has simple, bright illustrations with a short rhyming text about each type of dinosaur. The pronunciation of each species in brackets. This is a firm favourite of my 3 year old son who is dinosaur mad.

4/5


Review written by Judith

Review: Back to Bed, Ed!

 

Back to Bed, Ed!

Written and Illustrated by Sebastien Braun

Publication date: 2009
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

ISBN: 978-0-00-722560-6

Summary/Back cover:

Ed loves going to bed, but STAYING in bed is another matter!  How will Mum and Dad help him overcome his night fears so that everyone can have a good night's sleep?

Review:

Having trouble getting your little one to stay in bed each night?  So do Ed's Mum and Dad and this lovely book will at the very least be something you can relate to and at it's most, might help with your childs bedtime issues.

The bold and bright illustrations are instantly attractive to little childrens eyes and the injection of onomatopoeia helps hold their attention. There is the opportunity to ham it up as well, with crying, snoring, raised and then quiet voices, all adding interest to the story.  And the story itself will appeal to older children, whether they have trouble staying in bed or not.

4/5

Review written by QTCass

Review: Hannah Bandanna's Hair

Hannah Bandanna's Hair

Written and Illustrated by Nikki Slade Robinson

Publication date: 2010
Publisher: Scholastic New Zealand Limited

ISBN: 978-1-86943-962-0

Summary/Back cover:

Fruffled and Frizzled, teased and tizzled

Knotted and knitted, wholed and whizzled

A little girl battles with her hysterically hazardous hair, until Aunt Tallpoppy comes to the rescue.  Discover what happens to Hannah and her tremendous tresses.

Review:

I have two nieces who have near untameable hair - we call them our little Afropuffs.  When I spotted this book, I knew it would be perfect for them.  

Nikki Slade Robinson is a graduate of Wellington Polytech's Diploma of Visual Communication Design (Illustration) course, which is evident in these gorgeous illustrations, which is mostly drawn with a few still-life additions (Hannah's teddybear in particular).

Wildly imaginative adjectives (herbaceous hair!) combine with the illustrations to give Hannah's hair a life of its own.  As she becomes frustrated with it, her Aunt Tallpoppy steps in and shows her how to be proud of her bold, stand out in a crowd hair.  And here we find the lesson of learning to love what you have and to make it work for you.

This wonderful book will appeal to fans of the movie Tangled, bold hair or not, and parents will love the message it conveys. 

5/5

Review written by QTCass

Review: Maisy Buggy Books

Tooty Toot, Maisy
Brmm Brmm, Maisy
Quack Quack, Maisy
Munch Munch, Maisy

Written by Lucy Cousins

Publication date: 2008

Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
ISBN: 978-1-4063-1370-3 (Toot Toot, Maisy )

ISBN: 978-1-4063-1369-1 (Munch Munch, Maisy )
ISBN: 978-1-4063-1367-3 (Brmm Brmm, Maisy )

ISBN: 978-1-4063-1368-0 (Quack Quack, Maisy )

Summary/back cover:

A chunky board book which can be attached to any buggy or car-seat harness using the safety-tested plastic clip and fabric link.

Review:
I've found them great for reading to my four month old.  We started when he was about six weeks old and by eight weeks he was totally into them.  They're solid cardboard and small enough that he can handle and chew them without my help and without damaging the books.  What's great about them is that there is no story, just noises associated with the picture, for example:
Toot Toot Maisy has pictures of instruments such as a piano and the words are:  Plinkety Plinkety Plonk
Quack Quack Maisy has pictures of animals such as a snake accompanied by: Sss Sss

It made sense to me that the unusual and fun sounds would make story time more obvious to the boy child than just regular words.  If we want to we can make up stories to accompany the sounds.  There is the added bonus of teaching sounds associated with various activities, animals and objects, which is a common way that children learn.

The books are about $11 each and I find Toot Toot and Quack Quack the best, followed by Brrmm Brrmm.  These are a great intro to books for young babies

Ratings:

Toot Toot, Maisy – 5/5

Munch Munch, Maisy – 3/5

Brmm Brmm, Maisy – 4/5

Quack Quack, Maisy – 5/5

Review written by Ang

Review: Fly Pie

Fly Pie

Written by Joy Cowley

Illustrated by Philip Webb

Publication date: 2010
Publisher: Scholastic New Zealand Limited

ISBN: 978-1-86943-924-8

Summary:

Once there was a frog who had been a prince.  He knew he could become a prince again if he was kissed by a princess.  So off he went, slippity slop, hippity hop, flippity flop to the castle down the road...

But happiness can sometimes be found on the lily pad next door.  An entertaining twist on an old fairytale.

Another great story from beloved Kiwi children's author, Joy Cowley.  A frog who knows he was once a prince, likes living in his swamp and even has his eye on a cute girl from living on the next lily pad over, but thinks he has to fufil his destiny by kissing a princess and turning back into a prince.  But upon discovering the princess is selfish and mean, he realises he had it much better in the swamp and so flippity flops back to the cute girl frog and her yummy fly pie.

Cute and funny, full of great sounding words, this will become a family favourite.

4/5

Review written by QTCass

Review: Mess Monsters

Mess Monsters

Written by Beth Shoshan

Illustrated by Piers Harper

Publication date: 2010
Publisher: Meadowside Children's Books

ISBN: 978-1-84539-238-3

Summary/Back cover:

There are Mess Monsters under the bed!  When they're out, they'll smash, they'll crash, bang and clang, stamp and stomp!  Most of all they'll make a mess.  But the Mess Monsters haven't met Mummy yet...

Who doesn't love a cautionary tale about monsters who love messy rooms, hate clean ones and are scared of your mother?

The text has most of the descriptive words and onomatopoeia in larger, bolder text for extra emphasis.  Another great rhyming scheme and super cute illustrations.  Oddly, the author of the text was not displayed on the front cover, only the illustrator. 

A fun read - 4/5 

Review written by QTCass

Review: My Grandad Marches on Anzac Day

My Grandad Marches on Anzac Day

Written by Catriona Hoy

Illustrated by Benjamin Johnson

Publication date: 2005

Publisher: Hachette Australia

ISBN: 978-0-7344-1036-8

Summary/Back cover:
"I sit on Daddy's shoulders. It's a very long wait. But my grandad will come. My grandad marches on Anzac Day."  

This is a simple, moving look at Anzac Day through the eyes of a little girl. It explains what happens on the day and its significance in terms that a young child can understand. 
A gentle story about families and the importance of sharing memories and remembering.


"One double-page spread encapsulates the entire Anzac story with stunning simplicity" - Magpies

I was sent a review copy of this book by Sarah at Kiwi Mummy Blogs, and was quite keen to read it, given it's uniquely NZ/Australia topic.  It very simply tells children the reason we go to Anzac Day parades, and why people are marching in them. 

The illustrations are a bit darker than I would usually expect to see in a children's book, but they match the seriousness of the topic beautifully, and my 2.5 year old was very interested in them and kept pointing out specific parts and asking what it was. 

If you're after a book to explain Anzac Day to your children, especially if they have family members that have been to war, I thoroughly recommend this book to you - the subject matter is a bit heavy for this book to just be considered a bedtime story, but it is perfect for a simple lesson in Anzacs and history for young children.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5


Want to buy it?  Look here.


Review written by Bronwyn

Book Reviews: More Awesome Ones on Sharing

Share With Brother
sequel to Love the Baby
Author: Steven L Layne
Illustrated by Ard Hoyt
Interest Level: Ages 3-7

A Note From the Publisher: Brother has been waiting to play with his new sibling since the day Mommy and Daddy brought him home. However, his excitement soon wears off when everyone reminds him that he must share. As Brother tosses jacks and plays safari with his friends, his family says, “Share with brother and someday brother will share with you.” But he doesn’t want to share, and his temper steams until he is sent to his room for his selfish behavior.

Nevertheless, when the baby becomes sick, Brother doesn’t hesitate to come to the rescue! He strings lights across his bed, reads him a book, and even shares his ice cream. Although Brother likes taking care of the little tyke, he later discovers that sometimes sharing comes with a catch!

This charming tale, complete with illustrations of cuddly bunnies, humorously approaches the subject of jealousy between siblings. Children will laugh at Brother’s silly antics as he grows to accept the baby while parents point out the lesson he learns about sharing.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Just the other day I was out shopping when I saw a little girl point at her younger sister and say angrily to her mother, "But I always have to share with her!!!" Growing up with four siblings I can relate. A little autonomy is what all we older siblings prayed for on a daily basis. Wishful thinking! But what if you framed it in a new way to your child...that by sharing with a sibling you are TEACHING them to treat you the same way. As a child, it's nice to be praised and appreciated for the kindness you give, especially to a sibling.

I think that's why I like Share With Brother so much.  Over and over older brother rabbit is told, "Share with brother and someday brother will share with you." This is a hard thing for him to hear and he is quite stubborn about it. Reminded me of how siblings get in turf wars over little and big things. I plan on using this as a read aloud on building sibling relationships. But it can also be a great reminder to treat each other the way you want to be treated. If you want others to share with you - share with them first. 

Ribbit Rabbit
Author: Candace Ryan
Illustrated by Mike Lowery
Ages: 3-7

A Note From the Publisher: RIBBIT RABBIT, GRIP IT, GRAB IT! Frog and Bunny are best friends. RIBBIT, RABBIT! They do everything together, like fight monsters (ZIP IT, ZAP IT!). And even though they get in fights sometimes-YIP IT, YAP IT!-they always make up in the end. 

Ribbit, Rabbit features an effortlessly clever text that, in less than 150 words, captures the ups and downs of young friendships. Combined with adorably hip and fresh illustrations and an irresistible package, Ribbit, Rabbit is the perfect choice for the youngest of readers.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This has been a major hit in my kindergarten classes. It's got cool wording in it like wibbit wabbit, dip it, dab it, nip it, nab it, yip it, yap it........ahhh, social skills books can be fun!

I thought this was going to be a fast read but I took time to focus on the conflict in bunny and frog's friendship. They love playing together but they sure don't like sharing things. That's a recipe for friendship disaster. A showdown over a robot causes a riff between them. But the robot won't work if they don't get over their sharing issues which they quickly realize as they sit alone. They also take a moment to think about each other (this is the part I care about). Feelings are more important than toys. So important for kids to learn this. Amends are made quite sweetly between them. I'm all for amends in books. Another perfect kindergarten social skills story on my shelf. Be sure to pull in a frog and a bunny puppet if you can. Makes for a much more impactful lesson. I found a toy robot for kids to role play with also.

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:

Book Review: My Princess Boy

Author: Cheryl Kilodavis
Illustrated by Suzanne DeSimone
Book Website: www.myprincessboy.com
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

From the Book Jacket: This little boy loves the color pink, and Sparkly things. Sometimes he wears dresses, and sometimes he wears jeans. He likes to wear his princess tiara crown, even when climbing trees. He's a Princess Boy, and his family loves him exactly the way he is. Inspired by her son, and by her own struggles to initially understand, this is one mother's story about unconditional love, and one remarkable family. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I applaud author and mother Cheryl Kilodavis for writing such an important and beautiful book. Kids learn stereotypes at a very young age. When we put someone in a stereotypical role, out the door goes acceptance and understanding and in comes judgment and division. 

My Princess Boy is an encouraging story that helps kids to not take part in stereotyping behavior. One of the important parts of this book is when the put-downs and teasing happen. It's very hurtful.  Right away students said, "That is not okay to bully him!"  

The author writes:
If you see a Princess Boy...
Will you laugh at him?
Will you call him a name?
Will you play with him?
Will you like him for who he is?

WOW. Powerful. I didn't even have to create discussion questions. They are right there in the pages. I'm so thankful I am able to use literature like this to break down stereotypes. Lets connect kids now at a young age so they don't have to experience pain or hurt each other as they grow up. It doesn't matter if boys like pink, if girls play with trucks, or if boys want to play with dolls. All that matters is that we are loved, respected, and accepted for who we are inside and out. 

Other Children's Books Breaking Down Gender Role Stereotypes:

William's Doll
Author: Charlotte Zolotow
More than anything, William wants a doll. "Don't be a creep," says his brother. "Sissy, sissy," chants the boy next door. Then one day someone really understands William's wish, and makes it easy for others to understand, too. 

Oliver Button Is a Sissy 
Author: Tomie dePaula
A little boy must come to terms with being teased and ostracized because he'd rather read books, paint pictures, and tap-dance than participate in sports.
 

Amazing Grace (Reading Rainbow Books)
Author: Mary Hoffman
Grace loves to act out stories. She eventually overcomes restrictions of gender and race to play the part of her dreams, Peter Pan, in the school play. 

The Story of Ferdinand (Reading Railroad Books)Author: Munro Leaf
All the other bulls would run and jump and butt their heads together. But Ferdinand would rather sit and smell the flowers. So what will happen when our pacifist hero is picked for the bullfights in Madrid? 

Ira Sleeps Over
Author: Bernard Waber
When Ira is invited to sleep over at Reggie's house, he must decide whether to take his beloved teddy bear. In the end, he learns that it is acceptable for boys to have teddy bears. 

When I Grow Up (Little Critter) (Look-Look)
Author: Mercer Mayer
Little Critter’s sister dreams about all the wonderful things she’s going to do when she grows up. She imagines being a great ballet dancer, a world-famous doctor, a race-car driver, and more! 

It's Okay To Be Different

Author: Todd Parr
It's okay to need some help. It's okay to be a different color. It's okay to talk about your feelings. It's okay to make a wish... It's Okay to Be Different.

Pinky And Rex And The Bully (Ready-To-Read Level 3)
Author: James Howe
Pinky's favorite color is pink, and his best friend, Rex, is a girl. Kevin, the third-grade bully, says that makes Pinky a sissy. Deep down, Pinky thinks Kevin is wrong, but he's still worried. Does Pinky have to give up his favorite things, and worse, does he have to give up his best friend? 

Best Friends for Frances (I Can Read Book 2)
Author: Russell Hoban
Frances doesn't think her little sister, Gloria, can be her friend. But when Frances's friend Albert has a no-girls baseball game, Frances shows him a thing or two about friendship—and a thing or two about what girls can do. Along the way, Frances discovers that sisters can indeed be friends . . . maybe even best friends.

Players In Pigtails (Scholastic Bookshelf)
Author: Shana Corey
In a delightful tribute to the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League created during World War II - this story focuses on Katie Casey, who preferred "sliding to sewing" and "batting to baking" and is a "baseball-mad" girl! Determined Katie makes it all the way to the big leagues and finds a sisterhood of friends and players. 

Sam Johnson and the Blue Ribbon Quilt

Author: Lisa Campbell Ernst
When Sam Johnson inadvertently discovers how much fun sewing can be, he tries to join the Rosedale Women's Quilting Club. "Don't be silly," the club president says. "We can't have a man here bungling everything!" But Sam Johnson won't take no for an answer. 

Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores

Author: James Howe
Horace, Morris, and Dolores have been best friends forever. They do everything together -- from sailing the seven sewers to climbing Mount Ever-Rust. But one day Horace and Morris join the Mega-Mice (no girls allowed), and Dolores joins the Cheese Puffs (no boys allowed). Is this the end? Or will Horace and Morris but mostly Dolores find a way to save the day -- and their friendship? 

If you have book suggestions, please put the title in the comments section below. Thanks!