Hidden: A Child's Story of the Holocaust (4.1.14)

I read Hidden: A Child's Story of the Holocaust by Loic Dauviller, Marc Lizano, and Greg Salsedo
I received an ARC from First Second Books through NetGalley (Pub. April 1, 2014)
5 Stars

"Hidden" is a very unique, artistic tale about the Holocaust. It is a graphic novel. A grandmother is telling her granddaughter about her past as a French Jewish girl during the Holocaust. Her parents try to protect her from the hurt that comes along with being Jewish as that time. When people come to take them away, her parents manage to save her. Thankfully there are enough kind people around to get her through the rest of the war and help her wait to find her parents.

This is an honestly realistic story. The end of the book has a page that tells about how French Jewish people were affected by the Holocaust and about how the Resistance was able to save so many children. The story itself shows how people were hidden, how they helped save the children, and how some people did not survive. It also briefly touches on the reality of life after the Holocaust, how some people came back and some didn't, and how the ones that came back didn't come back whole.

The added perspective of the elderly grandmother telling her granddaughter the story makes this even more personal, and it adds a new lesson for the readers. Dounia (the main character, the little girl that was helped, turned into the grandmother telling the story) teachers her granddaughter to cherish the time with her family. Unfortunately, you never know when you will be separated, either for a short time, or for forever. Also, Dounia was never able to share this story with her own son, so he has to think about it to understand why she is now able to share it with her granddaughter.

This is a powerful story packed into a quick little book. I don't read a lot of graphic novels, but this one was great. It is a good introduction to the Holocaust to children. It tells a side of the story that isn't always shared, from a child avoiding the camps. The illustrations match the mood of the story. This really is a winning book

Three's Company, Mallory

I read Three's Company, Mallory by Laurie Friedman, illustrated by Jennifer Kalis
I received a free ARC thanks to Lerner Publishing Group through NetGalley (March 1, 2014)
5 stars

Mallory and Mary Ann are best friends. They do everything together, mostly just the two of them. Then Chloe Jennifer Jackson-Brown moves in right across the street from Mallory. From the first second Mallory sees her, Chloe Jennifer interferes with Mallory's friendship with Mary Ann. Mary Ann wants to involve Chloe Jennifer in everything they do. Mallory is not okay with that. Will Mallory be able to keep her best friend and maybe even be okay with Chloe Jennifer joining their friendship?

I have only read a couple books in the Mallory series. I have always liked the series. It is extremely well written. It is realistic fiction, touching on a lot of subjects that young girls can relate to. This book didn't disappoint at all. I really felt for Mallory and everything that happened. She tried to keep a happy face even though it was tearing her up inside. Things would go wrong, no matter how hard she tried. Her best plans fizzled. Eventually, her whole world imploded. Children reading it will think of a time that they felt the same way, or they will eventually feel the same way themselves. Maybe in that case, they will think back on this book and think about what they can do to turn their situation around. Sometimes you just have to own up to what you did wrong, admit to your feelings, and wait for things to blow over. Thankfully, most of the time that is all it takes to have life go back to normal.

I really liked this addition to the series, and I am sure every fan of the series will enjoy it as well.

The Legend of Ranger: The Reindeer Who Couldn't Fly

I read The Legend of Ranger: The Reindeer Who Couldn't Fly by Alan Salisbury, illustrations by Roberta Baird
I received a free digital copy from Jabberwocky Books through NetGalley
4 stars

Ranger is Rudolph's brother. Ranger wants nothing more than to be on the Christmas Eve flight crew, but Ranger can't fly. Instead, he is in charge of moving a sleigh around within Santaland. When he asks around to see what he needs to do to learn to fly, everyone says to look within. He doesn't know where "within" is though! After an emergency comes up, Ranger must travel a long distance and make it back in a short time. What obstacles will get in his way, and will he make it back in time to save Christmas?

I work in a library, so I always have to think about where this book will go in the children's collection. This one is too long to be a picture book and seems too short to be a fiction book, but it isn't written like an easy reader either. I think this book would best find a place in a home with an avid listener. Someone probably ages 4-7 that loves to sit on a lap and really listen to a story will enjoy it. I did not care for the illustrations, but they didn't ruin the book for me. The focus was definitely on the story, and it is a good story. It is a story of perseverance and self discovery, of overcoming obstacles and being the best you can be.

Baby Santa's Worldwide Christmas Adventure

I read Baby Santa's Worldwide Christmas Adventure by Maitland DeLand, illustrated by Phil Wilson
I received a free digital copy through NetGalley
5 stars

It is time to deliver the toys, but the sleigh is still broken. How can they deliver the toys without the sleigh's magical powers? I'm sure that Santa, with Baby Santa's help, will be able to figure it out. All the kids all over the world will get their presents by Christmas morning.

This addition to the Baby Santa series follows the same pattern as the others. It is educational, and Baby Santa is a great helped with a great idea. The illustrations are cute and match the other books. Anyone that likes the original or "Baby Santa and the Lost Letters" will enjoy this one as well.

Baby Santa and the Missing Reindeer

I read Baby Santa and the Missing Reindeer by Maitland DeLand
I received a free digital copy through NetGalley
5 stars

All of Santa's reindeer are missing. Baby Santa will search the globe and find them.

This rhyming book is educational, repetitive in a good way, and overall just fun to read. I would love to read this one during story time. It has predictable text that the kids would be able to say along with the reader. Plus, the rhyming text really does flow well.

Kids will be able to hear about different countries and see where they are on a map. I love the educational aspect of this series. I didn't feel like this book fit into the rest of the series though. The others don't rhyme or follow any kind of repetitive text pattern. They are purely stories. Also, while these are the same characters, they are a different ethnicity than they were in the other books. As a stand-alone book, I definitely give it 5 stars. If I had to give it a rating based on how well it fit into the Baby Santa series, I would drop it a star for the different writing styles and the confusion that might come about by the different illustrations.

Baby Santa and the Lost Letters

I read Baby Santa and the Lost Letters by M.Maitland Deland
Free digital copy provided through NetGalley
4 stars

A week before Christmas, the North Pole mailbox is empty. Where are all the lists? Don't worry Santa, Baby Santa will ask the reindeer. They have animal friends on every continent, and surely one of those animals will have seen them. Then they have to get the letters back to the North Pole in time so they can make all of the toys.

This is a nice addition to the Baby Santa series. It is pretty educational for children, talking about each of the continents and some animals that can be found on each one. While I like the educational aspect, I think it took a bit away from the story. I feel that it doesn't focus enough of Baby Santa helping out. It is a cute Christmas story with a lesson, so it is still a winner.

Change the World Before Bedtime

I read Change the World Before Bedtime by Mark Kimball Moulton, Josh Chalmers, and Karen Good
I received a free digital copy through NetGalley
4 stars

This is a very hip book. Withe the multiple textures and medias used throughout, I can see many people that this would appeal to, mostly parents. The message is that even the little things you do throughout the day can be big things if they are positive steps toward helping someone, something. It would be best to read this through, reading just the main text, and then going back through to read through all the speech bubbles and really absorb the pictures.

I feel that with this book, while the story and message will be good for anyone, the illustrations will appeal to only a set group of people. It was  bit too overwhelming to me, and I feel that it would be for children as well. Artistically, it is beautiful. If you love the cover or you are looking for a book that will help children see multiple ways that they can make a difference, this is a winner for you.