Dog vs. Strawberry by Nelly Buchet
A dog and a strawberry find themselves nose to stem in this hilarious picture book that’s perfect for dog lovers. An epic battle ensues—who will come out on top?
Welcome to the Greatest Race of All Time!
Give it up for our reigning champion, the one-and-only DOG!
And let’s have a hand for her opponent: the formidable STRAW-BER-RYYYY!When Dog is handed a strawberry from the fruit bowl, she sizes it up, dances around it, and decides she is going to race the Strawberry–and win. She dashes left, then right, then–oh!– over the couch in an attempt to outrun her opponent. Strawberry doesn’t move, but that doesn’t stop Dog from continuing the race. Eventually, it’s neck-and-neck… until
Kids everywhere will recognize the rivalry at play here, and will laugh-out-loud at the bright, expressive illustrations and ridiculous scenarios from the award-winning creators of Cat Dog Dog.
Review
Yes folks, it’s the race of the century. Or maybe just the day but(!) it’s an exciting race day here for one excited canine and one … sort of laid back piece of fruit. Who’s gonna win it all?!
The way this book is written took me back to the (dark) days of Covid when sports announcers around the world suddenly had no live sports to report on and veered into doing announcements on almost anything they could find. Andrew Cotter with his dogs Mable and Olive, Mark Church and his daughter Isabelle going back to 2005 cricket test matches, as well as Joe Buck play-by-play calling videos sent to him by fans including the famous blue marble race.
You will be on the edge of your seat, eager to see who’s gonna be the winnah! A
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The Quickest Bedtime Story Ever! by Louise Fitzgerald
Welcome to the quickest bedtime story ever! Your little one will be asleep in seconds.
But wait! There are a couple of things you must do first:
Have you warmed up your reading voice?
And plumped the pillows?
What about the teddy bears? Have you organized them yet?
Getting ready for a story is serious business, I’ll have you know . . .
This hilarious and engaging bedtime story will help to settle down even the most restless readers.
Review
This is truly one of the cutest children’s bedtime books I’ve ever read. No, wait. I’ll even say it’s one of the cutest children’s books of any type I’ve ever read. Yeah, okay, I’m satisfied with that. No, wait again! It’s one of the cutest books I’ve ever read. Now I’ve got it.
This is one that children and parents will delight in as it invites both readers and listeners an opportunity to take part in the actual book! How cool is that?? The darling illustrations carry out what is being said and (probably) what children listening to the book will actually be doing as they hear it. It’s fun, it’s happy, and it’s a book I bet everyone will want to take part in again and again. A
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The Spell of a Story by Mariajo Ilustrajo
This brightly illustrated adventure story is perfect for kids who claim to hate reading, as the enchanting narrative opens their eyes to a fantasy world created by words on a page.
In this spellbinding story, we meet a little girl excited for the summer vacation. No more school! However, she’s given the very unreasonable task of reading a whole book over the holidays. A whole book? but she HATES books. Luckily, her sister takes her to the library and says she has just the thing.
Slowly, the little girl is drawn into a world of adventure inside her own imagination, for the very first time. Even the grayscale world starts to fill with color as she is carried away in the story. A little fennec fox leads her to meet fairytale witches and creatures as they find ingredients to cast a special spell at the end of her book.
The little girl is dismayed to learn that this spell seemingly hasn’t changed a thing. However, the little fox points out that she is completely transformed: discovering the power of her imagination has changed her forever.
This charming and engaging picture book shows children how wonderful books can really be, leaving them with a lifelong affinity for reading. Discover adventure on every page and get lost in The Spell of a Story.
Review
I know that people who don’t like to read exist. I’ve met a few of them. I just don’t understand how you could possibly not like to read!! Well, this book might just change a few of those people and get them to see that reading is awesome. There are adventures, quicksand valleys, dancing with enchanted frogs (yes, please!), crossing The Big Piranha Swamp, and a tea party with witches all in search of ingredients needed to … what? What? WHAT? I have to know!
By the end of the book, a young book hater has been converted to … what? What? WHAT? You want to know? Well, you’ll need to read this charming (and charmingly illustrated) book to find out. A world of wonderfulness is just waiting at the local library. And a cute cat is waiting at home to sit with this newly converted book lover. B+
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Rocket Ship, Solo Trip by Chiara Colombi
A delightful, rhyming picture book that is perfect for fans of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and captures all the excitement and nervousness of life’s big firsts; art by New York Times bestselling illustrator, Scott Magoon!
“First time jitters? That’s okay.
Find one small step to lead the way.”Rocket is embarking on her first solo mission. Her goal? Place a satellite into orbit to take pictures of the beautiful unknown. With a few words of encouragement from Ground Control, Rocket sparks ignition and blasts off to discover all the beauty of outer space. But when it’s time for reentry, she wonders if she can do it alone. With Ground Control’s parting words in mind, Rocket trusts that she knows exactly what to do. She returns home at hypersonic speed and excited for her future expeditions…maybe next time, to the moon.
With delightful rhyming stanzas, and pictures by New York Times bestselling illustrator Scott Magoon, Rocket Ship, Solo Trip explores all the complicated emotions of big firsts and reminds readers that no matter how far they go, the ones they love are always close by.
Review
This is a charming little book that takes young readers along for the first trip of a young Rocket Ship. She’s a little nervous but anyone would be on an important journey like this. She has to deliver a satellite to space. Space is big and different but Rocket Ship is excited, ready, and surrounded by friends who want her to succeed.
I think young readers will enjoy this anthropomorphic little Ship as she gets ready for her big day then soars to new heights. Children can see the care she’s given and the confidence she gains before her smiles break out. She’s done it!
The illustrations are clear and cleverly interwoven with the rhyming dialog that leads readers through the story. It seems like just the story to get young minds thinking and dreaming of great futures. B
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Bunny Should Be Sleeping by Amy Hest
Bunny can’t sleep because Dad forgot to check on him, so he sets out to check on Dad.
Bunny should be sleeping, but instead, he is waiting for Dad to come check on him. Dad always checks on him, but tonight, Dad is late.
Soon Dad will come. He will come in the night
to check on his little Bunny. Come on, Dad!
Check on me, check on me, check on me!Bunny can’t wait anymore— he needs his dad! Slipping out of bed, Bunny packs a wagon of everything Dad might need: some water, a blanket, a snack, and their favorite book to share. Down the hall and through the dark, Bunny finds Dad fast asleep, oblivious to all the supplies Bunny offers him.
Review
Soft and sweet illustrations help tell the gentle tale of a little bunny who is waiting for his father to say good night. When Dad doesn’t appear, little bunny loads up on all the things that are part of their nightly ritual and goes looking for his sleeping father.
It’s nice to see more father and son stories out there and this is a lovely new addition. The gray and blue palette is calming and might help soothe children into being ready to go to sleeeeep. B
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Jayne
Another long time reader who read romance novels in her teens, then took a long break before started back again about 25 years ago. She enjoys historical romance/fiction best, likes contemporaries, action- adventure and mysteries, will read suspense if there’s no TSTL characters and is currently reading more fantasy and SciFi.
