Review: I Love my Mummy

I Love my Mummy

Written by Giles Andreae

Illustrated by Emma Dodd

Publication date: 2011
Publisher: Orchard Books
ISBN: 978-1-40830-957-5


Summary:
"I love my mummy very much,
She's great to cuddle, soft to touch!"

Told with humour and charm, this is a book to be loved and shared time and again. From the bestselling and award-winning writer Giles Andreae and acclaimed illustrator Emma Dodd.


Review:
I was lucky enough to be sent a review copy of this book from the publisher, and was very pleased to receive it.  I'm a huge fan of Giles Andreae's work - the author of Giraffes Can't Dance and The Lion who Wanted to Love - and this book has immediately become one of the most-requested books in our house (it's also really nice to hear your 2.5 year old toddler say "I Love Mummu" over and over!)

This books is written in much more of a Purple Ronnie style than Giles's other childrens books, but this adds to the humour and gentle rhyming of the book.

I thoroughly recommend this book - I'm hoping there will be one called I Love my Daddy at some point too, to add to our collection!

If you're interested in purchasing this book, you can pick it up here at Fishpond.

My rating: 5/5 - a lovely wee book, all about why Mums are great!

Review written by Bronwyn

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