Tag: Picture Book

Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist – Jess Keating

Illustrations – Marta Álvarez Miguéns

Shark Lady is the inspiring true story of Eugenie Clark, who I had never heard of but definitely need to learn more about. In this beautifully illustrated children’s book the reader is taken on a journey from when Eugenie first discovers her love of sharks at the aquarium through to her lifelong study of these magnificent animals, academically and in the field.

Defying the cultural expectations of her gender that said girls were not “smart enough to be scientists or brave enough to explore the oceans” (BOO!), Eugenie did both and became known as Shark Lady (WOOHOO!). Throughout her life some of the amazing things she accomplished included writing books and journal articles, discovering new species of fish and dispelling myths about sharks.

Included in this book are some Shark Bites (two pages of information about sharks) and a timeline of Eugenie’s life. Eugenie lived into her 90’s and spent her final birthday scuba diving! How cool is this lady?! 💜 Her story is inspirational and a testament to what hard work combined with believing in your dreams can amount to.

I remember needing to do a report to the class in early high school where you chose an animal and talked about its biology. I chose sharks and no one could understand why. Ever since Bruce nearly scared the life out of me while watching Jaws as a young child I’ve been fascinated by these extraordinary creatures, so I particularly loved Eugenie’s story.

Marta Álvarez Miguéns’ illustrations are so beautiful! I love that the marine life looks real, rather than a cartoon version of them and adored that the clothing worn by everyone at the aquarium when Eugenie was a child were appropriate for the early 1930’s, even including an array of fantastic hats. My favourite illustration is the one where the sharks watch from behind the library shelves as Eugenie studies. There are so many imaginative illustrations and they help bring the wonder and passion of this girl to life.

I’d recommend this book to children and adults alike. Future scientists will be encouraged by her story and I hope after reading this book that anyone with a dream will be inspired to follow it, regardless of what anyone else thinks. This is one of those marvellous books that makes me so proud to be a woman. GIRL POWER! 😃

P.S. I love that my library buys books like this one!!!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

At 9 years old, Eugenie Clark developed an unexpected passion for sharks after a visit to the Battery Park Aquarium in New York City. At the time, sharks were seen as mindless killing machines, but Eugenie knew better and set out to prove it. Despite many obstacles in her path, Eugenie was able to study the creatures she loved so much. From her many discoveries to the shark-related myths she dispelled, Eugenie’s wide scientific contributions led to the well-earned nickname “Shark Lady.”

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Grug Learns to Swim – Ted Prior

In honour of my first swim this season (I know that I’m several months late), I had to read about Grug learning how to swim. Grug is my very favourite animated grassy top of a Burrawang tree and his friend Cara is my very favourite smiley carpet snake.

In this instalment, good ol’ Cara saves Grug from drowning in the creek before he learns to swim. The illustrations of waterlogged Grug upside down in the creek (see cover image) and waterlogged Grug sitting on the grassy bank are now two of my favourite Grug expressions. Of course, smiley Cara is always (practically) huggable.

I keep thinking that I can never love Grug and Cara more, and every new book proves me wrong.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Splash and paddle and float with Grug! 

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Clifford Celebrates Hanukkah – Norman Bridwell

Clifford and Emily Elizabeth celebrate the eighth day of Hanukkah with Emily Elizabeth’s classmate Melissa and her family. They learn about Hanukkah traditions and eat a dinner that sounds so yummy before going to the town square to see the giant menorah. Clifford even has the opportunity to save Hanukkah when the menorah’s lights go out. This would be a lovely book to use to introduce kidlets to the traditions of Hanukkah.

I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen Clifford look any more adorable than he does in this book. When he first meets Melissa’s family he’s sitting wagging his tail with this goofy cute smile and waving at them. There’s no such thing as a bad Clifford book.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Clifford and Emily Elizabeth are celebrating their first Hanukkah. They love hearing the story of Hanukkah, eating “latkes” (fried potato pancakes) and “sufganiyot” (fried jelly donuts), and playing dreidel. 

After dinner, Clifford and Emily Elizabeth take a trip into town to see the giant menorah. But when they get there, they discover that one light is broken. It’s too late in the evening to call a handyman, but maybe Clifford is big enough to help save Hanukkah!

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Clifford the Small Red Puppy – Norman Bridwell

Reading this one for the second time because, well, it’s Clifford’s origin story! The first time around I read a library book. This time around it is one of Mum’s many new hide-and-seek Clifford books. I hide them for her and she finds them. It’s so much fun hiding presents for people at random times. I highly suggest you try it!

Anyway, Clifford. While there are a few sad parts in this book, ultimately it’s a story of the power of love between a child and their pet. Clifford may have been the runt of his litter but with Emily Elizabeth’s love, this little red puppy became the big red dog readers adore. Aww! 💕

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

How did Clifford become such a big red dog? Read and find out how a simple wish from Emily Elizabeth led to Clifford’s amazing growth.

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Rosie the Tarantula: A True Adventure in Chicago’s Field Museum – Katie Macnamara

Illustrations – Peggy Macnamara

I’ve read this book twice so far and I’m still not sure what to say about it. While I can certainly appreciate the story, artwork and the interesting facts at the end, it’s not the sort of book I’d choose to purchase for a child unless I already knew they had a fascination for spiders or science, or if we’d been on a tour of Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History and they’d expressed an interest in it.

Without knowing the age group that Rosie the Tarantula is intended to reach it’s difficult to say whether it is appropriate or not but I would expect older children would be more interested.

The rhyming worked well but included words that younger children most likely wouldn’t be familiar with including bespattered and DDT. The facts at the end were very interesting but more so for an adult audience or an older child with an enquiring mind.

The watercolour illustrations were gorgeous but their soft colours aren’t what you usually see in books for younger children, which again leads me to believe this book is more appropriate for older children. I think adults will enjoy the detail in the illustrations more than their children, unless the child has been on a tour of the museum and can point out elements of the pictures they remember seeing during their visit.

While I can see this book selling well in the museum’s gift shop I’m not sure how it will be received outside of this setting. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Northwestern University Press for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Chicago’s famed Field Museum of Natural History is home to a collection of thirty million geological and biological specimens that enchant and dazzle two million visitors of all ages each year. Based on a true story, Rosie the Tarantula: A True Adventure in Chicago’s Field Museum is a beautifully illustrated introduction to the Field’s treasures through the eyes of Rosie, a member of the museum’s live arachnid collection.

Several years ago, Rosie went on an expedition to the wonders of the Field’s soaring halls, such as Sue the Tyrannosaurus rex, as well as the secret specimens of animal fossils and human artifacts hidden away in drawers, cabinets, and bins. Renowned Field Museum artist-in-residence Peggy Macnamara brings the marvels of the museum to vivid life in a set of gorgeous and meticulously accurate watercolors. Peggy’s daughter Katie narrates the story of this restless arachnid in rhyme ideal for reading aloud to children.

A keepsake quality book that will delight budding young scientists and their families, Rosie the Tarantula provides a colourful, interactive experience with one of Chicago’s foremost cultural institutions. This one-of-a-kind book is rounded out by fascinating notes for adult readers, and other fun features for further reading. 

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Creepy Pair of Underwear! – Aaron Reynolds

Illustrations – Peter Brown

Jasper is a big rabbit now, so green underwear that glows shouldn’t scare him. Even though he’s most certainly not scared of them, he’s done with them now. But they’re not done with Jasper. This picture book had an R.L. Stine / Paul Jennings sort of vibe to it.

The illustrations, mostly black and white but with a Halloween green glow to add to the spook factor, were brilliant! Who knew underwear had so many expressions?! And where can I put my order in for some?

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Jasper Rabbit is NOT a little bunny anymore. He’s not afraid of the dark, and he’s definitely not afraid of something as silly as underwear. But when the lights go out, suddenly his new big rabbit underwear glows in the dark. A ghoulish, greenish glow. If Jasper didn’t know any better he’d say his undies were a little, well, creepy. Jasper’s not scared obviously, he’s just done with creepy underwear. But after trying everything to get rid of them, they keep coming back!

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The Marvellous Moon Map – Teresa Heapy

Illustrations – David Litchfield

David Litchfield’s illustrations are so beautiful. The first page was probably my favourite. We’re in a forest with so much atmosphere you can almost feel it. There’s darkness with rays of light shining through the trees. There’s a gorgeous tree with a door to Mouse and Bear’s home, with stones leading to it and there are scattered flowers in the area, concentrated around the bottom of the page. Vines wrap themselves around tree branches and it looks like there’s some moss covering the bottom of the tree where our friends live. We’re introduced to our characters as they’re walking, backs to the reader, up the steps to their home. The rest of the illustrations show just as much talent but none took my breath away like the first.

So, there was also a story and it’s adorable. Mouse wants to go to the Moon so he studies and then makes a Moon Map. When he’s finished he sets off on his adventure – alone, because he can do it himself – but then he discovers that the forest can be very dark when you’re by yourself. This is a lovely friendship story and Bear’s catchphrase, “But I’ve got you, and you’ve got me – so we’ll be all right.”, which is repeated throughout the story says it all.

Adults, pay attention to the names of the reference books Mouse uses and you may find one by Stephen Pawkins. 😊 Also to the adults, in this book a map that you presume is made from paper can turn into a boat that holds both characters and not sink, and it’s okay. It’s only a story. You’ll be fine. Go with it and enjoy the ride. Ooh, and there’s even instructions for how to make your own paper boat.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

One day, adventurous Mouse sets off to find the moon with his Marvellous Moon Map, leaving his worried friend Bear behind. But as the Woods get darker, and the weather gets worse, Mouse soon realises that he needs more than just the Moon Map to find his way …

An emotional and atmospheric tale of true friendship, beautifully told by Teresa Heapy with stunning illustrations from Waterstones Prizewinning David Litchfield 

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Look for Ladybug in Plant City – Katherina Manolessou

Daisy’s pet Ladybird has decided to play a game of hide-and-seek. Daisy enlists the help of the best detective in Plant City, Basil, to help find him. They search the school, train station, museum, fun fair, restaurant, garden centre, a concert, hospital, riverbank and market. Along the way they find many other animals doing fun activities including a skateboarding crocodile and items such as a picture of a pineapple.

The illustrations were colourful and jam packed with activity. Kids will enjoy spending time searching the pages for animals doing cute and funny things. This book is the first in a planned series and it definitely has potential but I think it could have been more interactive.

I had expected the book to ask the reader/seeker to find more things. As the front cover boasts that there are over 500 things to find I was surprised that each scene only required on average three things to be found. Perhaps additional items to find could have been listed at the back of the book, along the lines of, “Well done! You’ve found Ladybird and some of the residents of Plant City. Can you also find …” and then maybe list some more things to find in each scene.

I know kids can find their own items in the scenes and adults can ask a kid if they can see something but most of the fun of this sort of book is having a big list of items to find and then having the satisfaction of knowing where everything is in each scene.

While I liked the style of the illustrations there were a few animals I couldn’t identify. I’d be able to work around this with a child by asking them to find an animal of a certain colour doing a particular activity. I also would have liked a final page where Daisy and Basil actually find Ladybird. As it stands, Daisy wants to cry because she misses her pet so she and Basil try silly hats on to cheer themselves up so the story itself finishes on a bit of a downer.

Helpful Hint: Just because Daisy and Basil can’t find Ladybird in each scene doesn’t mean you won’t be able to find him.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Daisy’s pet ladybug goes missing, so she visits super-sleuth Basil, the best detective in Plant City. Can he help her find Ladybug? Follow Daisy and Basil as they look for Ladybug all over Plant City.

Is he in the museum, the carnival, the train station, the school, the concert or the restaurant? Witty, colorful, illustrations packed with visual jokes and plenty of wild things to spot in the background will delight children of all ages.

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Secret Agent Josephine in Paris – Brenda Ponnay

I really liked the blurb for Secret Agent Josephine in Paris but was ultimately disappointed. I was looking for some girl power, as this female spy and her daughter (codename: Bug) travel to Paris on assignment to track down Sean Slippy, a renowned smuggler of forged art and rare birds. While it had potential, Secret Agent Josephine wasn’t the role model I was hoping she’d be. Instead of using her quick wit to apprehend this international smuggler, upon reaching Paris she decides to go shopping and sightseeing.

I did like the use of a case file to provide background information about Slippy but the interesting bits of information about him found in the file had no bearing on his eventual capture. It would have been useful to know ahead of time that several conversations would be in French. I’m sure I couldn’t pronounce the names of some of the locations they visited, so had I attempted to read this book to a child they would have been laughing so hard at me that they wouldn’t have gotten anything from the story anyway.

I’m unsure why this mother is taking her daughter undercover on spying missions but it’s a good thing she did as she’d probably still be locked in Slippy’s bathroom if it wasn’t for Bug’s assistance. I expect children will enjoy searching for Slippy poking his head out behind objects in the illustrations.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Xist Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

There’s a new super spy in town! 

Secret Agent Josephine may not look like a super mum, but when she goes to work, bad guys better watch out for her crafty tricks. 

In this Secret Agent Josephine adventure, our heroine travels to Paris to scope out some new craft supplies and stop an infamous art thief. Donning disguises and stocking up on the tools of her trade, Secret Agent Josephine tracks the thief through the streets of Paris. But when she’s spotted, will her crafting skills be able to get her out of a jam?

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The Tooth That’s On the Loose! – Chris Robertson

This was a really enjoyable read. I love the Western take on having a loose tooth. Sheriff Tex tells us the story of a wanted tooth, T.B. Wiggly. He’s wanted because he’s going to leave a big ol’ hole in your mouth but there’s a reward for handing him over to the authorities.

As a kid most of my baby teeth refused to come out by themselves so I was trotted off to the dentist so they could torture treat me. My baby teeth were removed late so I would’ve been too old for this book by the time my teeth got their act together but for those whose teeth understand the concept of a timetable, this would be a great read to quell any anxieties. With quirky, fun illustrations this would be a good book for home, school and the dentist’s office.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Xist Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

When a loose tooth shows up in town, the local sheriff must do what it takes to send that wiggly tooth packing. This funny approach to the classic childhood situation of loosing a tooth is a must read for home and classroom libraries. Chris Robertson’s playful art is sure to delight young readers who can’t wait to loose a tooth.

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