Interesting book, but didn't capture either my son's attention or mine. Nice for discussing winter and imagination.Interesting book, but didn't capture either my son's attention or mine. Nice for discussing winter and imagination....more
This is a gorgeous book, with the most entrancing illustrations. These beautiful depictions of deep-winter animals would be worth it to me on their owThis is a gorgeous book, with the most entrancing illustrations. These beautiful depictions of deep-winter animals would be worth it to me on their own. The text, though somewhat simple, is informationally sound and gives overviews of how animals survive in the Artic, and in the Antarctic, as well as in the cold North Country of the Americas.
I picked up this beautiful book with no expectation that my first-grader would let us read it together. But read it we did. I would put it in his "likI picked up this beautiful book with no expectation that my first-grader would let us read it together. But read it we did. I would put it in his "liked it" pile; I think it's stunning. I'm not sure if this is a genuine folktale (what group would The People Who Fear the Winter Wind) or a constructed one, but we enjoyed this story of a talented robemaker whose fire burns the robe of, and incapacitates, the Blizzard spirit, but who is moved to make Blizzard a wonderful replacement robe-- and whose people receive a beautiful gift in return. The batik illustrations are gorgeous, the text flows smoothly, and there is neither too much nor too little detail. A great winter folktale....more
Folktale story of the huge turnip that no-one can pull out-- but eventually the weakest among them gets it, with some help from below. (In the originaFolktale story of the huge turnip that no-one can pull out-- but eventually the weakest among them gets it, with some help from below. (In the original, it's a chain of pullers, which finally succeeds when a mouse adds his one little bit to the group.) Jan Brett illustrates this with animals in Eastern Slavic costume, and has a little 'getting ready for winter' cameo on each page that relates to the next page, and another cameo storyline that joins up with the original at the end. My nearly seven year old son likes this also. (Brett's character Hedgie makes a token appearance, took, which my son liked.)
Not a bad book; good illustrations, but it just didn't catch my fancy or my seven-year-old's.Not a bad book; good illustrations, but it just didn't catch my fancy or my seven-year-old's....more
This is a gorgeous book, with beautiful text, but it's not really a kids' book. It's a memorial, to a very special grandfather, who taught the author This is a gorgeous book, with beautiful text, but it's not really a kids' book. It's a memorial, to a very special grandfather, who taught the author how to appreciate and listen to nature. The writing about how the earth prays is lyrical and would be great for spiritual readings, especially since most majority-culture-written material of that kind tends to be culturally appropriative of Native American cultures. But the death of the grandfather at the end, and the author's eventual realization that he understands what his grandfather meant, really pushes it out of the picture-book milieu....more
A very cute Valentine's board book, but probably more suitable as a classroom or library book than something for a child's personal library... unless A very cute Valentine's board book, but probably more suitable as a classroom or library book than something for a child's personal library... unless you prefer giving books to cards! Llama Llama is adorable as always, though my six year old resists Llama Llama and has since he was about 4. Still, probably good for the 3-4 age range....more
Beautifully illustrated seasonal picturebook, with a few surprising notes: who knew that red-spotted newts stayed active in the water all year, but MoBeautifully illustrated seasonal picturebook, with a few surprising notes: who knew that red-spotted newts stayed active in the water all year, but Mourning Cloak butterflies hibernate? A nice, soothing read for a winter's good-night. My six year old liked it....more
My five year old wasn't interested in reading this, but I enjoyed it. A classic 'we must all work together' story, with lovely illustrations that captMy five year old wasn't interested in reading this, but I enjoyed it. A classic 'we must all work together' story, with lovely illustrations that capture the colors of Kwanzaa....more
Charming classic Berenstain with smart kids, bumbling dad, lots of rhymes, and no preaching. :) (Not a Halloween book either; the first prize pumpkin eCharming classic Berenstain with smart kids, bumbling dad, lots of rhymes, and no preaching. :) (Not a Halloween book either; the first prize pumpkin ends up as food, not decoration.)...more
A muted color palette is used to depict the story of the kidnapping of Persephone. Some of the classical touches (the two torches, and the hair ribbonA muted color palette is used to depict the story of the kidnapping of Persephone. Some of the classical touches (the two torches, and the hair ribbon in the nymph's lake from the Roman version) are included. A good retelling of the story for autumn....more
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