BOOK REVIEWS
READ THE LATEST REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS!
QUICK LOOK AT SOME OF OUR MOST RECENT REVIEWS (UPDATED 8/30/19)
Vasilisa (Kate Forsyth, Lorena Carrington):
Literacy Daily, "Books From Down Under": “The language of Kate Forsyth’s feminist retellings is fresh and enchanting, and photographic artist Lorena Carrington’s intricately detailed digital-collage silhouette artwork (full-page illustrations and spot art) beautifully capture the mood of the tales.”
Home, Sweet Home (Moira Butterfield, Clair Rossiter):
Literacy Daily, "Books Across the Curriculum": “Double-page spreads with colorful, richly detailed illustrations and accessible text invite readers to consider how the houses in which people live around the world today and in the past are similar and different to their own houses. The illustration on the final spread is the same as that on the first page but with the scene of different types of homes now filled with the people who live in them, which provides the perfect answer to the question as to what makes a house a home…”
Dragon Post (Emma Yarlett):
StoryMamas: "We love interactive books! Dragon Post by Emma Yarlett took 'interactive' to a new level... We recommend this book for kindergartners and up...”
Mind Your Manners (Nicola Edwards, Feronia Parker Thomas):
The Pirate Tree: “Edwards’ rhyming text will help implement good manners being taught by parents and teachers. Thomas’ lively illustrations bring the text alive. This collaboration between the author and illustrator will help parents and teachers to introduce social skills to primary students.”
I Do It Like This! (Susie Brooks, Cally Johnson-Isaacs):
The Pirate Tree: “Brooks’ clever text is well researched yet also has a playful tone. Johnson–Issacs’ lively and colorful illustrations complement the text seamlessly. Teachers and parents will appreciate the last pages where readers are invited to imitate some of the animals’ movements and sounds. Highly recommended for any home, school or public library”
Grandma's Favorite/Grandpa's Favorite (Erin Dealey, Luciana Navarro Powell):
The Pirate Tree: “Dealey’s simple rhyming text paired with Navarrow Powell’s rich mixed-media illustrations will charm the preschool set and would be a fine addition to any home or school library.”
Steve, Terror of the Seas (Megan Brewis):
The Pirate Tree: “Brewis’s endearing story will appeal to most young readers. Her illustrations are playful and lively. Highly recommended for inclusion in any home, school, or public library.”
Bully on the Bus (Kathryn Apel):
The Pirate Tree: “This empowering story offers young readers not only strong characters overcoming an all too common school problem, but also gives them useful suggestions on how they could tame a bully themselves, without getting in trouble.”
The Alphabet of Peculiar Creatures (Katie Abey):
The Pirate Tree: “Abey’s text introduces young readers to many cute, creepy, and unusual creatures. Her fun and colorful illustrations will delight readers. Each entry word has not only succinct information, but also has a simple, kid-friendly pronunciation guide. Teachers will appreciate that this book has STEM extensions. Highly recommended for any home, classroom or public library.”
On Otters, Snails and Tadpole Tails (Eric Ode, Ruth Harper):
The Pirate Tree: “Acclaimed author and poet, Ode’s lyrical verses will delight young readers and teach them about biodiversity in a playful way. New York Times bestselling illustrator, Harper’s detailed and lively illustrations align perfectly with the verses and make them burst with life. Highly recommended for any home, school or public library.”
No Water River The Children’s Poetry Place: “Between verse and illustration, this collection simply made me happy, warm, and fuzzy.”
How Big Is Our Baby? (Smriti Prasadam-Halls, Britta Teckentrup)
Publishers Weekly: "Prasadam-Halls anticipates children's worries and excitement throughout this informative month-by-month pregnancy overview for the preschool set. ...offers an engaging way to connect preschoolers with their soon-to-be-siblings."
The Everyday Journey of Ordinary Things (Libby Deutsch, Valpuri Kerttula):
StoryMamas: “This is such a neat book! … We can’t wait to share this one with our students this year.”
On Room on Our Rock (Kate & Jol Temple, Terri Rose Baynton):
A Year of Reading: “You can see the implications for classroom discussions about current events/immigration policies and about point of view… This is an amazing book.”
Literacy Daily, "Books From Down Under": “The language of Kate Forsyth’s feminist retellings is fresh and enchanting, and photographic artist Lorena Carrington’s intricately detailed digital-collage silhouette artwork (full-page illustrations and spot art) beautifully capture the mood of the tales.”
Home, Sweet Home (Moira Butterfield, Clair Rossiter):
Literacy Daily, "Books Across the Curriculum": “Double-page spreads with colorful, richly detailed illustrations and accessible text invite readers to consider how the houses in which people live around the world today and in the past are similar and different to their own houses. The illustration on the final spread is the same as that on the first page but with the scene of different types of homes now filled with the people who live in them, which provides the perfect answer to the question as to what makes a house a home…”
Dragon Post (Emma Yarlett):
StoryMamas: "We love interactive books! Dragon Post by Emma Yarlett took 'interactive' to a new level... We recommend this book for kindergartners and up...”
Mind Your Manners (Nicola Edwards, Feronia Parker Thomas):
The Pirate Tree: “Edwards’ rhyming text will help implement good manners being taught by parents and teachers. Thomas’ lively illustrations bring the text alive. This collaboration between the author and illustrator will help parents and teachers to introduce social skills to primary students.”
I Do It Like This! (Susie Brooks, Cally Johnson-Isaacs):
The Pirate Tree: “Brooks’ clever text is well researched yet also has a playful tone. Johnson–Issacs’ lively and colorful illustrations complement the text seamlessly. Teachers and parents will appreciate the last pages where readers are invited to imitate some of the animals’ movements and sounds. Highly recommended for any home, school or public library”
Grandma's Favorite/Grandpa's Favorite (Erin Dealey, Luciana Navarro Powell):
The Pirate Tree: “Dealey’s simple rhyming text paired with Navarrow Powell’s rich mixed-media illustrations will charm the preschool set and would be a fine addition to any home or school library.”
Steve, Terror of the Seas (Megan Brewis):
The Pirate Tree: “Brewis’s endearing story will appeal to most young readers. Her illustrations are playful and lively. Highly recommended for inclusion in any home, school, or public library.”
Bully on the Bus (Kathryn Apel):
The Pirate Tree: “This empowering story offers young readers not only strong characters overcoming an all too common school problem, but also gives them useful suggestions on how they could tame a bully themselves, without getting in trouble.”
The Alphabet of Peculiar Creatures (Katie Abey):
The Pirate Tree: “Abey’s text introduces young readers to many cute, creepy, and unusual creatures. Her fun and colorful illustrations will delight readers. Each entry word has not only succinct information, but also has a simple, kid-friendly pronunciation guide. Teachers will appreciate that this book has STEM extensions. Highly recommended for any home, classroom or public library.”
On Otters, Snails and Tadpole Tails (Eric Ode, Ruth Harper):
The Pirate Tree: “Acclaimed author and poet, Ode’s lyrical verses will delight young readers and teach them about biodiversity in a playful way. New York Times bestselling illustrator, Harper’s detailed and lively illustrations align perfectly with the verses and make them burst with life. Highly recommended for any home, school or public library.”
No Water River The Children’s Poetry Place: “Between verse and illustration, this collection simply made me happy, warm, and fuzzy.”
How Big Is Our Baby? (Smriti Prasadam-Halls, Britta Teckentrup)
Publishers Weekly: "Prasadam-Halls anticipates children's worries and excitement throughout this informative month-by-month pregnancy overview for the preschool set. ...offers an engaging way to connect preschoolers with their soon-to-be-siblings."
The Everyday Journey of Ordinary Things (Libby Deutsch, Valpuri Kerttula):
StoryMamas: “This is such a neat book! … We can’t wait to share this one with our students this year.”
On Room on Our Rock (Kate & Jol Temple, Terri Rose Baynton):
A Year of Reading: “You can see the implications for classroom discussions about current events/immigration policies and about point of view… This is an amazing book.”
To read full reviews of any of the listed titles, please contact us directly.