Calling All Cars (3.1.16)

I read Calling All Cars by Sue Fliess
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
5 stars



This is simply a vibrant rhyming book about cars. It sells itself. The rhymes aren't forced, they just flow. I can completely see myself reading this in a story time for anywhere from babies to preschoolers. It's definitely a win.

Snap!

I read Snap! by Hazel Hutchins, illustrated by Dusan Petricic
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
4 stars



Nothing is better than a fresh box of crayons, but what happens once those crayons start snapping? And crushing? And disappearing? Magic, that's what happens!

I don't know how they did it, but this author/illustrator team made a very simple book that beautifully portrays the life of a box of crayons. This story shows creativity in the regular coloring way, but in also dealing with unexpected snaps and breaks. Of course we get to learn about colors mixing together, and that helps when those silly crayons start disappearing. Eventually we are left with the most basic, most important colors and a last bit of magic.

I do love this book and almost everything about it. I felt the ending could have possibly gone somewhere a little more magical. The illustrations are great, but they might not be as appealing to little kids, the target age group. Overall, this book is still worth sharing.

Mr. Postmouse's Rounds (8.1.15)

I read Mr. Postmouse's Rounds by Marianne Dubuc (author and illustrator)
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
5 stars



Starting with Mr. Bear and ending with a special delivery, Mr. Postmouse has a lot of deliveries to make.Thankfully he doesn't have to go to Mr. Snake's today. All along the way, he visits all of his neighbors, bringing them all their mail. He has an important job, and he does it well.

I really enjoyed this story. I chose it because the illustrations on the cover looked like my style. I wasn't disappointed when I started exploring the inside. Not only are the illustrations lovely, they also tell a story within themselves. Each page needs time to explore so that you can find everything going on. For example, the snake's house spans multiple pages, and you can see that he swallowed a car in the middle! The wolf's house has some stored sheep that are being saved by 3 little pigs. It really is just a magical exploration. Add to it the discussion you can have with your child about how delivering mail works, and it just completed the whole package. Win!

Stanley at School (8.1.15)

I read Stanley at School by Linda Bailey (author) and Bill Slavin (illustrator)
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
4 Stars



Stanley the dog lives on the same block as the school. He sees the kids go in every day, and he sees them come back out every afternoon. With a few friends, they decide to make their way in. They aren't disappointed! The dogs have fun exploring the building,finding food, and finding the kids. And then they get found! Will the "top dog" of the school make their lives miserable?

The illustrations are cute but could have been slightly cuter. They are a bit dark and make the writing harder to see. The didn't take away from the story, but they didn't help add to it either. The story itself was fun. I liked that it was told from the dogs' views, and the people were just extra characters. The climax of being caught turned very sweet. Overall, it's a cute dog story.

The Big Penguin Party (11.1.15)

I read The Big Penguin Party by Christian Jeremies (author) and Fabian Jeremies (illustrator)
I received a free digital ARC from Sourcebooks Jabberwocky through NetGalley
5 stars



A fun addition to seek and find type books. The illustrations are fun.The story that goes along with it gives it a special difference than so many traditional searching books. It was somewhat difficult to do this on my computer, but I'm sure it would be so  much fun in book form.

Max the Brave (9.8.15)

I read Max the Brave by Ed Vere
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
5 Stars



Max is a brave, fearless kitten that wants to chase Mouse. The only problem is that Max doesn't know what a mouse is. Going in search of a mouse, he encounters many different animals to guide him on the way. Finally he finds Mouse, or does he?

I have read a few picture books with similar concepts. An animal is expected to chase/eat/fear/whatever a certain other animal. The problem is, the main character has never seen this other animal. Of course this is used in a way to teach tolerance, to show that it's still to be afraid of something you've never even seen, for example.

This picture book takes a common concept and makes a unique, adorable book. The writing style is simple and fun, and that matches the illustrations. While it was mostly predictable, children will love it. It was a fun read even for myself, a grown adult. I could see myself reading it aloud in a story time. The ending made me giggle. It was, plan and simple, an adorable win.

Henry Hodges Needs a Friend

I read Henry Hodges Needs a Friend by Andy Andrews
I received a free copy download through NetGalley
4 Stars



As the title tells you, Henry needs a friend. His parents decide that friend needs to be a pet. Henry thinks long and hard about all the random pets it could be, including a backpack cow that gives chocolate milk and an ice skating hippo. After a trip to the shelter, Henry finds his perfect friend.

This is a sweet book to give to a child who is getting a new pet. There is a place in the book to put who it is to and from. The silly possible animals makes it fun to read aloud. One of my favorite things in the book is the dedication to a children's librarian who has changed so many lives. Overall, the sweet story is a win. Some of the rhymes seem a bit stretched, but nothing was horrible. The illustrations are simple but cute. While it isn't in my top favorite books, it is still a great addition, especially for new pet owners.

Stay! (9.1.15)

I read Stay by Alex Latimer
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
5 Stars



Ben loves his dog Buster. The problem is, Buster isn't really a good dog. When Ben's parents decide to go on vacation, they remember their last trip with Buster. This time, Buster has to stay with Grampa. Ben makes sure to leave Grampa plenty of notes about Buster, and he sends postcards from the trip to tell him more. In the end, Grampa found a way to help Buster become a great dog... most of the time.

I have said it before, but I love this author/illustrator. The stories are cute but still teach a lesson. The illustrations are clean (even when the story is messy!) In this tale, you knew something was going to happen. Ben kept trying to remember the big thing he was forgetting. In the end, there is a great lesson on dog care. This one has too much going on with the letters to share in story time, but it is still an awesome book. Kids will like all the antics Buster gets into, and parents will love the story about the importance of training your dog. It's definitely a win!

Help, I Don't Want a Babysitter! (4.1.15)

I read Help, I Don't Want a Babysitter by Anke Wagner
I received a free copy through NetGalley
5 Stars



Sometimes having a babysitter for the first time can be scary. You never know who you are going to get. You might end up with someone who won't play with you, or someone that makes you clean your room. Besides, you're not a baby! Surprisingly enough, sometimes having a babysitter come over can actually end up being a good time.

Told from the side of Ollie the little boy and his cuddly pal Stubbs, this story is a great way to reassure a child that is afraid of a babysitter. It is also a fun read for anytime a new sitter is coming over. Surprisingly enough, it is a fun read even if you aren't getting a babysitter at all. The illustrations are cute and colorful. It serves a purpose of helping kids afraid of a sitter, but it is still an enjoyable book for those that aren't so worried about the sitter.

My Grandma's a Ninja

I read My Grandma's a Ninja by Todd Tarpley
I received a free copy through NetGalley
4 Stars



Ethan's grandma comes to visit. She takes him to school, is his show and tell, and even helps out at soccer practice. The best part about that is, she's a ninja. Or is that such a good thing?

This is a fun story with a fun ending. If kids like ninjas, they will surely like this one. The illustrations are crisp and perfect for the book. I am only giving it 4 stars because, although it is fun, it isn't quite as captivating as I had hoped for. Kids will like it, but it won't be a story time winner or ones that kids will necessarily ask for over and over again, unless they have an uncanny love of ninjas. Still, it is worth reading!

This is Sadie (5.12.15)

I read This is Sadie by Sara O'Leary, illustrated by Julie Morstad
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
5 Stars



Sadie is a little girl with a big imagination. With books, friends, random supplies, she fills her days. From before her parents wake up until bedtime, she is never bored.

This is a well-illustrated, cute book that shows how magical a child's imagination really is.It is simple, which helps make the book even more whimsical. I hope that small children will appreciate this one as much as I do.

Snow White and the 77 Dwarfs (4.14.2015)

I read Snow White and the 77 Dwarfs by Davide Cali
I received a free copy through NetGalley
4 Stars



Just like in the original story, Snow White is escaping an evil witch. She finds dwarfs. She helps them out. She eats an apple. Unlike the original story, there are 77 dwarfs. She runs away. There is a twist to the ending.

I like this story. It is kind of cute. Snow White gets fed up with all of the work she is expected to do, which makes sense when she has to help out 77 little working men. The twist at the end is pretty funny. I could see myself reading this one in story time.

The only problem I have is with the illustrations. They aren't really very attractive, especially for a story time setting. They aren't hideous, but they are just not as cute as they could have been. I don't know if I will try this one in story time or not.

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