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Avi and Jackson, Best Friends
Written, illustrated by Rosie Russell Ages 3-7 32 pages Available in print and digital formats
The text is effectively told in rhyming couplets that are catchy and easy to remember:
They explore new wonders in a room full of books―
It won’t be long before your children are reading along with you!
Illustrations Russell's illustrations pop off their center-stage location on each page. Colorfully executed, they bring children into the story and keep their attention. Russell’s art is light and airy. It reminds me of a textured sponge technique or the layered pixels of an Impressionist painting. Her boldface, large-font text is artfully tucked into the edges of each page. Unique Features At last ― a book with a positive message about friendship between two boys as they grow up together and explore the world around them. Russell's tale conveys important messages about collaboration, and her characters model how to be a good friend. These are critical values to instill at an early age. Best of all, Avi, the older boy, has no problem accepting the younger Jackson as his equal partner, with whom he treats with respect. Recommendation I strongly recommend this tale of friendship for its colorful illustrations and important message of respect and friendship. This is a must-read tale, especially for your young boys. Disclosure I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Pandamorphosis Written, Illustrated by Anne Belov Pre-School - Grade 2 49 Pages  Imagine panda magic and mayhem Author-illustrator Anne Belov imagines a magical world in Pandamorphosis to delight children and captivate adults who share this tale with their young readers. Narrative Pandamorphosis fascinates me because of its total absence of text. Instead of words, children are immersed in beautiful illustrations that spin a whimsical tale of magic and mischief. One moonlit night, a sleeping child's cat makes a wish, and the pet is a magically transformed into a panda. The girl's beloved stuffy panda also comes to life, and the pandas have a romp around the house as the child dreams, blissfully unaware of the mayhem happening around her. Is it real? Is it a dream? Young readers must decide. Illustrations
Belov's beautiful drawings are standalone works of art in themselves. Bathed in hazy, soft colors, they paint a tale of magic and mischief. Details on each page draw young readers into the tale and engage them in its playfulness. Best of all, Belov's illustrations create a story line for children to discover and add their own unique interpretations.  Belov's illustrations draw young readers into her tale Recommendation I highly recommend this beautiful book for children who are toddlers through grade 2. Educators will weave this book into their literacy and language development curricula while Pandamorphosis will also delight children and adults with its art and enchanting story. Disclosure I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review Don’t miss a post! Click below to deliver this blog to your RSS feed or inbox. Subscribe to Cat's Connections.
Be first to know about updates and books. New subscribers receive a FREE download of Cat’s tale for the young at heart: Driving Down to Dillon: Very-Short Story of Love and New Beginnings Merry Christmas, Woozler Written and illustrated by Rhonda Paglia Grades K-2 34 Pages Published 2014 Dec by Rhonda Paglia  Merry Christmas, Woozler, by Rhonda Paglia Author, Illustrator Rhonda Paglia pens a darling Christmas-themed picture book for early readers, Merry Christmas, Woozler. Paglia’s tale follows the adventures of Sofie and her imaginary friend, Meeda, who mirrors Sofie’s in appearance and who lives, well, Meeda actually lives in a mirror. Narrative Though the book is the third in the author’s Meeda and Me Series, I had no problem jumping into this quick read. It was fun to meet Sofie and her family, along with the Woozler, a Grinch-like character who resides in the hollow of an apple tree. Sofie narrates in her first-person voice, so we see the world through her eyes. And what a lovely world it is. The Yuletide plot focuses on the usual family preparations for the holidays. However, the story goes farther by teaching a sweet lesson about gratitude and giving when Sofie and Meeda decide to help the grouchy Woozler celebrate the season.  Activity Page Drawing Illustrations Paglia’s charming drawings are colorful and simply crafted in a style that reminds me of a Grandma Moses painting. The author adds kid-pleasing details: girls have spots of rosy cheeks and dress in Christmas sweaters and funky reindeer slippers that keep me smiling. A string of Christmas lights ringing many pages brings a pleasing, consistent look. I especially like renditions of the grumpy Woozler. Paglia paints him as just enough to be eccentric without being scary to young readers. Unique Features In addition to the gentle lesson of gratitude and friendship, the author includes activity pages at the end of the book to notch up young readers’ engagement and cement their reading experience. Recommendation I highly recommend this delightful tale for children who are beginning readers. While Merry Christmas, Woozler features two girls, the titular character’s monster-tough personality will attract boys, too. Its illustrations and message of love and giving will appeal to everyone, especially during the holidays. However, you’ll enjoy the book any time of year and give it an extra read in December as you and your young readers celebrate the season with Sofie, Meeda and the Woozler. Disclosure: I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Don't miss a book review Click below to deliver this blog to your RSS feed or inbox. Subscribe to Cat's Connections
Subscribe to updates about my books and receive a FREE downloadable mini-tale I penned that’s very special to me -- just for grown ups who remain young at heart: Driving Down to Dillon: A Very-Short Tale of Love and New Beginnings The Adventures of Wally and Warren: The Reluctant Penguin Written and Illustrated by Lise Chase Picture Book Ages 2 - 8   Lise Chase has written and illustrated a picture book about values for preschool and primary grades. The Adventures of Wally and Warren: The Reluctant Penguin demonstrates that having a can-do spirit and positive attitude will trump the fear of trying something new. It is third in a series of three books about polar bear Warren and penguin pal Wally. Narrative: The story flows around easy-to-understand, two-sentence verse that children will enjoy and remember. Wally and Warren were ready for bed. “I think I can read this book,” Warren said. The reader soon learns that Warren is the adventurous half of this team. Naysayer Wally lacks confidence. He doesn’t think Warren should do anything independently, like sound out new words, brush his teeth, or ride a swing. As I got into the characters, I laughed at their ‘polar’ opposite reactions. Illustrations: The book is beautifully formatted in flowing, single-page illustrations, with rhyming verse tucked into the bottom of each sheet. Chase uses color pencils and enhances them with Photoshop to make her drawings come alive. Her warm, inviting illustrations are delightful and perfectly synch with the narrative to draw young readers even more into the story. Unique Features: I am amazed at the level of detail Chase includes in her drawings. For instance, the characters’ bedroom bookshelf is detailed with eight uniquely colored and titled storybooks. There’s even a coffeemaker and fruit bowl on the kitchen counter, as a Penguin ancestor looks down from a portrait nailed to a cheery painted wall. The Reluctant Penguin goes beyond entertaining to teach a valuable lesson: by observing Warren succeed and delight in each new undertaking, Wally learns that it’s okay to take risks. Chase posits Warren as a positive role model who demonstrates that tackling new challenges is an essential part of growing up. And Warren does so with admirable enthusiasm -- even better! Recommendation: This is the third book in a series of five about Warren and Wally, and children will be eager to read them all. Being new to the set, it took me a moment to catch on to the characters. It would have been helpful if they were identified before I started reading, such as naming them as they peeked from the back cover. However, I began in the middle of the series and didn’t have the benefit of the tale’s backstory. I recommend this charming picture book for children who are in preschool through second grade. Parents and educators will appreciate its valuable lesson about being independent and unafraid. And what fun it could be to set up a role play that features the characters facing age-appropriate developmental challenges. Young artists will love drawing the protagonists while budding writers might imagine ways to place Wally and Warren in new situations to see how this yin-and-yang duo play off each other. Disclosure: I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Click on the ... in the box below to deliver Cat’s Book Reviews to your RSS feed or inbox. Subscribe to Cat's Connections. Be first to know about Cat's updates and books. New subscribers receive a FREE download of Cat’s tale for the young at heart: Driving Down to Dillon: Very-Short Story of Love and New Beginnings Sing Along Construction Song Written by Louise Lintvelt Illustrated by Julie Sneeden Picture Book Ages Pre-School to Kdg.   Author Louise Lintvelt and illustrator Julie Sneeden collaborated to create a charming book for preschoolers. The Sing Along Construction Song picture book introduces children to a world of construction, with vehicles that come alive through rhyme and song. Narrative: After a visual preview of the five construction vehicles in this book, each vehicle is highlighted as it starts its morning’s work: Siren sounds at first light. Work starts at the construction site. Vehicles are introduced through simple rhyme on a full-page spread followed by a second page setting up its corresponding musical verse, sung to the tune of “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush.” Once all vehicles are introduced, they appear together in a grand finale to demonstrate how they work together to get the job done. The rhymes are simple, yet they cleverly describe each vehicle. Illustrations: Sneeden’s colorful drawings incorporate subtle human features into the vehicles to render them kid-friendly and appealing. She shows vehicles in action on the construction site, with rhyming text constrained by a small rectangle of construction dust. Then she draws a second page with vehicles and their musical verse. Quarter- and eighth-notes float across the page in colorful G-clef bars to cue the song. Unique Features: The rhyming verse and song in the book make it easy for children to learn as they follow along and sing. The author also provides a downloadable mp3 sound recording of this catchy song, so you and your young reader will be singing along in no time. In addition to learning about construction vehicles, the book also conveys a subtle message about of the importance of working together and cooperating. Recommendation: I highly recommend this cute, imaginative book for children who are preschoolers through kindergarten age. "Sing Along Construction Song" would be attractive to boys, especially those who are reluctant readers. However, the catchy tune will appeal to everyone. But be warned: you will not be able to get this ditty out of your head once you and your young reader hear it! Disclosure: I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Click below to deliver Cat’s Book Reviews to your RSS feed.  |
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