Tag: Picture Book

Is a Worry Worrying You? – Ferida Wolff & Harriet May Savitz

Illustrations – Marie Letourneau

Is a Worry Worrying You? is worrying me. I kid you not!

Suppose you had read a brilliant book by Ferida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz and you needed to write a review that shows just how good it is but you don’t know if your words can possibly explain your thoughts, when your thoughts about the book are more feelings than words.

Now that’s a worry!

But you can get rid of that worry by reading the book three times to yourself and then reading it to someone you know who worries a lot about a lot of things and ask them what they thought as well.

Because if you talk about a worry with someone else it’s easier to tell the worry to go away.

Suppose Marie Le Tourneau is an incredibly talented artist but you don’t know if you could ever be that talented or creative.

Now that’s a worry!

But you can get rid of that worry by admiring her talent and laughing along with the humour in her illustrations. You can also spend time searching out each picture for the worry monster you know will be lurking somewhere on every page.

You can remember that everyone has their own unique talents. Rather than spending time worrying about your weaknesses you can focus on your strengths and spend time doing what you’re passionate about.

Is a Worry Worrying You? may be intended for a young audience but adult worriers can also learn valuable tools while reading this book. After defining what a worry is, our authors take us on a guided tour of realistic worries children may have but told in a wild and wacky way. Like what to do if a gorilla borrows your skateboard but doesn’t return it to you when they say they will.

The reader is empowered with practical tools for managing and banishing worries along with some much needed perspective for worrywarts, reminding us that most of what we worry about doesn’t happen anyway.

I don’t know what I was so worried about. That wasn’t so hard after all. I guess I was right. This book is helpful for adults as well as children.

I think I need to reread this every time I have a worry to practice what I’ve learned until the worry monster doesn’t bring luggage each time he knocks on my door because he knows he won’t be invited to stay anymore.

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

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Adults think of childhood as a carefree time, but the truth is that children worry, and worry a lot, especially in our highly pressurized era. This book addresses children’s worries with humour and imagination, as hilarious scenarios teach kids the use of perspective and the art of creative problem-solving.

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Es Halloween, Querido Dragon / It’s Halloween, Dear Dragon – Margaret Hillert

Illustrations – Jack Pullan

So, there’s an adorable dragon all dressed up for Halloween and holding a carved pumpkin on the cover. SOLD!

Es Halloween, querido dragón / It’s Halloween, Dear Dragon is a gorgeous little story for new readers, with all text in Spanish and English, with the exception of the activities at the end of the book which are only in English.

There’s word repetition and colour recognition, along with a Reading Reinforcement section at the end of the story to guide the adult in helping their new reader get the most out of the experience. Beginning with the boy and Dear Dragon raking up leaves, then taking the reader through a variety of Halloween preparation activities before attending a party and flying home on a broomstick, Margaret Hillert has written a simple yet lovely story that is appropriate for her audience.

With brightly coloured and engaging illustrations by Jack Pullan, our sweet little dragon is clearly the star of the show. The illustrations complement the text well and will make you want to add a dragon to your family as well, if you don’t already have one.

This is the first dual language early reader I’ve come across so I don’t have anything to compare it to but from what I can tell, this book delivers on its promises and has magical elements that will ignite your child’s imagination as well as improve their reading ability and comprehension.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Norwood House Press for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

An easy story, in English and Spanish, about a boy and his pet dragon that enjoy fall activities and celebrate a happy Halloween. Beginning-to-Read books foster independent reading and comprehension. Using high frequency words and repetition, readers gain confidence while enjoying stories about everyday life and adventures. Full-colour and updated illustrations included. Reading reinforcement activities and a word list in the back of the book. Activities focus on foundational, language and reading skills. Perfect for an early introduction to Spanish or for ESL.

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Magic Words: From the Ancient Oral Tradition of the Inuit – Edward Field (Translator)

Illustrations – Mike Blanc

Sparse in words but full of wonder, Magic Words is an Inuit creation story that has been passed down orally and then written as a poem, now translated by Edward Field and accompanied by Mike Blanc’s gorgeous illustrations. Aimed at children between 4 and 12 years old, children and their parents alike will enjoy this book.

Magic Words invites us to imagine a time when humans and animals shared one language, when humans could become animals and animals could become human. We’re shown the magic of words, the power of speaking something into being.

Just like Vanita Oelschlager’s forthcoming book Fish-Boy it was Mike Blanc’s illustrations that sparked my interest in this book. I’m no artist but there’s something about Mike’s style that makes me want to linger over each illustration and I don’t know if I can describe this accurately but it is as though there is both a simplicity and depth to his artistry. You can glance at a page and know it’s a beautiful image but as you look closer you discover more and more intricacies.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Vanita Books for the opportunity to read this book. Between Magic Words and Fish-Boy I’ve had a small taste of Inuit culture but I’m hungry for more and will be on the lookout for future publications by Vanita Books.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Magic Words: From the Ancient Oral Tradition of the Inuit is a modern translation (1965) of a very old Inuit creation story by nationally known poet Edward Field. As a poem it captures beautifully the intimate relationship this Arctic people have with their natural world.

Magic Words describes a world where humans and animals share bodies and languages, where the world of the imagination mixes easily with the physical. It began as a story that told how the Inuit people came to be and became a legend passed from generation to generation. In translation it grew from myth to poem. The text comes from expedition notes recorded by Danish explorer Knud Rasmussen in 1921. Edward Field got a copy from the Harvard Library and translated it into English.

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I Need a Hug – Aaron Blabey

I Need a Hug. Don’t we all?! OK, so today was library day!!! Recently I was told about the wonder that is Aaron Blabey by my awesome librarians and how popular his books are with the kids the librarians read to. So I figure if it’s good enough for the kiddies, then it’s good enough for me and my librarians haven’t pointed me in the wrong direction yet so I’m currently in possession of the first batch of Blabey books I ordered last week.

So, our sweet but prickly porcupine needs a hug so she asks her friends for one. They all run away screaming, scared of her spikes. Feeling dejected, our porcupine is still in need of a hug. All of the illustrations are gorgeous but the final one could surely melt the icicles encasing the coldest heart. Just goes to show that if we look beyond someone’s spiky exterior they may very well be hugworthy after all.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

‘I need a hug. Will you cuddle me, Lou?’ ‘What? With those spikes? Get away from me! Shoo!’ All this little porcupine wants is a hug. But with such prickly spikes, will she ever get the cuddle she craves?

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Feeling Worried – Kay Barnham

Illustrations – Mike Gordon

Feeling Worried is a great little picture book aimed at children from 5 to 9 years and is part of the Everyday Feelings series.

Ava helps her brother understand his maths homework that he’s been worried about all week. She advises her friend Bahar to talk to her parents because she’s worried about her parents’ divorce and which parent she’ll be living with when they separate. Ava helps the new girl at school, Mila, overcome her worry about having a different accent than the other kids in their school. Now Ava is worried about going to the dentist tomorrow. Will she ask anyone for help with her worry or keep it to herself? Can she overcome her worry?

Kay Barnham has done a great job of making a scary feeling not so scary. The message is clear in the different scenarios in the book that when you’re worried it can help if you talk to someone about it. There’s the sense in reading this book that having worries are understandable and there’s no judgement attached to them. There’s also positivity shining through the book, with the constant hope that things will be okay. Feeling Worried would make a great starting point for discussions with children about what worries them personally.

There’s a section at the back of the book with suggestions for other books relating to this topic along with a very useful section for parents and teachers. This section provides ideas for the adult to make the book interactive with the child or children they’re reading it to, with questions and activities aimed at exploring worry more.

Mike Gordon’s illustrations are also easy to ‘read’. The expressions on the faces of the people make it clear when someone is worried and when they feel better and the pictures line up well with what’s happening in the story. There’s a softness to the colours used, along with some brighter areas, that make the images calming to look at. I loved the style of the illustrations. There was a quirkiness to the pictures that really appealed to me, particularly the expression on the cat’s face and the tooth picture on the wall in the dentist’s office. The illustrations in this book remind me of Quentin Blake’s style, but in colour.

I can see this book being used for bedtime reading and also at libraries, schools and childcare centres. While I haven’t read any others in the series I would anticipate that this book along with the other books about being angry, jealous, sad, scared and shy would make a great set to help teach children to identify and deal appropriately with their feelings.

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

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Anna is there to help her friends and her little brother with their worries, showing them how to talk it out, ask for support, and face new challenges. When she faces a visit to the dentist, though, Anna feels what it’s like to be worried herself. Will she take her own advice and help herself not worry?

Everyday Feelings Series: Young children face many strong feelings, some of which can be difficult to handle. This series uses humour and compassion to show children how to help others — and themselves — feel better when dealing with challenging emotions. Lively art illustrates the stories with charm and energy. At the end of each book, a special section for adults presents ideas for helping children deal with feelings in healthy ways, as well as a list of recommended books for further reading. Also available is a free downloadable leader’s guide for this series with additional information, discussion questions, and activities.

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Fish-Boy – Vanita Oelschlager

Illustrations – Mike Blanc

Fish-Boy is an Inuit folk tale told by Vanita Oelschlager. It’s a wonderful book in which the story of Fish-Boy is told to a young child by Teragloona, a wise old Inuit man. Fish-Boy is the origin story that explains why there are so many sea-parrots (Atlantic puffins) on the stony islands of the far north. This is a story of fathers and sons, kindness and rejection, hospitality to guests, friendship and some magic.

I loved the story and found the glossary very helpful and well written. The illustrations by Mike Blanc are what initially grabbed my interest in this book and are absolutely brilliant. I loved the people, the backgrounds, the use of colour, and the way they immerse you in the story.

I adore the tradition of teaching origin stories to each generation by the elders in so many Indigenous cultures. I’ve had a huge interest in learning about Indigenous cultures, their traditions and stories since I was a child. I had a computer program called 500 Nations with audio by Kevin Costner and I’d lose all concept of time as I explored the richness of cultures I knew nothing about. This book has really whet my appetite again and I want to learn more about the culture of the Inuit people.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Vanita Books for the opportunity to read this book. I hope to see more books retelling other Inuit folk tales by Vanita and Mike.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

The Arctic region of North America is a land of long days, icy cold, hardy people and peculiar creatures. The Inuit people there have made traditional use of remarkable folk tales to find truth and explain the mysteries of an astonishing world.

In Fish-Boy, An Inuit Folk Tale, Vanita Oelschlager retells a tale passed down by a wise old Inuit. It’s an origin story involving a little magic and a very odd boy with a large heart for friendship. On a journey with his new father, he must confront misfortune and the malice of cold hearted villagers. But he has a way … and a lesson for all in the virtues of kindness and hospitality. 

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Happy Birthday! – Mamoru Suzuki

Happy Birthday! by Mamoru Suzuki is a love letter of sorts from a mother to their child where the mother recounts from the anticipation of her child’s birth through to the child’s ability to walk, then run. It then looks forward to when the child branches out on their own and assures the child that wherever they are their mother will always love them.

This book is intended as a birthday gift and children will love to hear about how loved they are. I expect children this book is read to who take everything literally will be eagerly waiting for the time when they gain the ability to fly as the looking forward part shows two children flying in the sky Peter Pan style. The illustrations are cute and use soft warm colours except for the end of the book when the Darling children follow Peter Pan to Neverland.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Museyon Inc. for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

The occasion of a birthday provide the opportunity to look back at the long days spent waiting patiently for the baby to be born, the special day it arrives, and the miraculous perfection of every stage of its growth. Soft, warm colors and cozy images are accompanied by a spare text that perfectly captures the all-encompassing love parents for their children. This birthday book will resonate with anyone who has loved a child. It is a gift that every child deserves.

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Kuma-Kuma Chan’s Travels – Kazue Takahashi

Kuma-Kuma Chan’s Travels is the third in the Kuma-Kuma Chan picture book series. Kuma-Kuma Chan loosely translates from Japanese as ‘cute little bear’. In this book we read about where this bear travels, such as a tropical beach and to the top of a mountain, although we learn that Kuma-Kuma Chan doesn’t actually go anywhere. He travels in his imagination, in his writing and in his dreams. He sends the unnamed narrator writings about his travels but because his writing is too messy, the narrator cannot read them.

I expect the intention of this book is to encourage readers to also use their imaginations. From reading reviews of previous books in the series I understand that this bear is quite popular in Japan. It’s not the kind of children’s book I gravitate to though as nothing really happens.

There isn’t the rhyming or excitement that usually engages young children or bright, detailed illustrations to capture their imaginations. The illustrations are simple and have muted colours. I got sort of a zen feel from reading the book, like I was floating in clouds while I was reading it.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Museyon Inc. for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

In the third book in the Kuma-Kuma Chan series, the title character flies off to a south sea isle where he lies in the sun and drifts into a lazy snooze. He climbs to the summit of a mountain and views the sunrise while drinking a cup of hot chocolate. Instead of physically setting out for one place or another, Kuma-Kuma travels freely all over the world – inside his head. Once again, Kuma-Kuma Chan charms as he exemplifies the joy of a simple, peaceful, life. With its spare text and delightful illustrations, this small-format picture book invites readers to explore their own imaginations and create their own travels.

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You Hold Me Up – Monique Gray Smith

Illustrations – Danielle Daniel

You Hold Me Up is a lovely picture book that teaches children empathy, compassion, love and the importance of supporting one another. I’ve read this book twice so far and the second read was as sweet and heartwarming as my first time through.

Danielle Daniel’s illustrations are bright, colourful and happy. I loved that the principles outlined in this book are shown clearly relating to children’s interactions with not only their peers, but also adults and family.

I particularly loved the author’s note at the end of the book that provided deeper meaning to this project, that of much needed reconciliation and healing for Canada’s Indigenous population as a result of 150 years of abuse suffered by children in Indian Residential (boarding) Schools.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

This vibrant picture book, beautifully illustrated by celebrated artist Danielle Daniel, encourages children to show love and support for each other and to consider each other’s well-being in their everyday actions.

Consultant, international speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith wrote You Hold Me Up to prompt a dialogue among young people, their care providers and educators about reconciliation and the importance of the connections children make with their friends, classmates and families. This is a foundational book about building relationships, fostering empathy and encouraging respect between peers, starting with our littlest citizens.

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Everybody’s Somewhere – Cornelia Maude Spelman

Illustrations – Alea Marley

I had hoped this would be a book I could recommend to psychologist friends for use with their younger clients experiencing separation anxiety or grief. Based on the blurb I expected Everybody’s Somewhere to be focused on bereavement or to be aimed toward children who may live with one parent and be missing the other, or perhaps who have a parent that has had to go away for a work trip. Given that the book was written by a social worker my assumptions were strengthened.

That’s not what this book is though. It’s basically saying that people are everywhere – up trees, under the stars, in cars, etc. Based on the reality of what the book is instead of what I hoped it would be, it’s a cute book. It would be a nice bedtime story. The rhyming and easy words are appropriate for the young target audience.

Alea Marley has done a beautiful job with the illustrations. The colour scheme is soft and comforting. I liked the diversity of the children featured in the pictures and think children as well as adults will enjoy looking at them.

I received an ARC from NetGalley (thank you so much to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Seagrass Press for the opportunity) in exchange for honest feedback.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

UPDATE: If the blurb was fixed to reflect what the author intended then the story works perfectly. I still believe this will make a lovely bedtime story that children will enjoy.

Once Upon a Blurb

Everybody’s somewhere, where are you?
I’m right here, I’m somebody, too.
Some are in the country, some are in the town.
Everybody’s somewhere, up or down.

Everybody — mums, dads, grandpas, grandmas, friends, and people you’ve never met — is somewhere in the world, doing something right now, even if you can’t see them.

Everybody’s Somewhere is a fun, colorful introduction to the idea that everyone you’ve met, or haven’t met, is somewhere. Written perfectly for young minds that might not fully comprehend how big the world is, or the number of people on it, this fun children’s book will plant the seeds of the ideas in their minds.

With its playful poetry, bouncy rhymes, Everybody’s Somewhere asks children to expand their perspective, and follows up with fun illustrations. Award-winning author Cornelia Maude Spelman invites children to imagine other people in other places doing different things, to be delighted by new ideas, and to be reassured that everyone is important and sharing the same world.

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