Blog Archives
Sweet Rescue
Sweet Rescue follows Hungry Joe, a caterpillar with a never-ending appetite who wakes up desperate for a snack. His search leads him to a golden berry pie at a picnic. In his excitement, he dives right in but quickly gets stuck in the sticky mess. His sister Becky Butterfly races to save him, rallying all the park creatures to help. There’s a near miss with the menacing Sir Raven, some clever teamwork, and even a human interruption before Joe is finally pulled free.
I had a lot of fun with this children’s book. The writing is playful and silly in the best way, and I found myself smiling at Joe’s constant “I’m soooo hungry!” It reminded me of a kid who can’t think about anything else until they’ve had a snack. The rhythm is light and bouncy, and the “somebuggy” line made me laugh. I also really liked how Becky was so quick to protect her brother. It gave the story heart while keeping it fun.
The ideas behind the story are sweet, too. It’s about family, about thinking fast in tough moments, and about how teamwork can make even the trickiest rescue possible. I liked that it wasn’t just Becky saving Joe. Every bug had a part to play. The tension with Sir Raven gave it a little edge, which made the happy ending feel earned. The pie scene was messy and funny, and the mix of danger and silliness kept my children turning pages with a smile. The artwork is super charming and imaginative. I love the quirky cast of characters; they all feel so distinct and full of personality. The warm, vibrant colors give it a really cheerful and friendly vibe, making you feel right at home in this world.
I’d say this picture book is perfect for little kids who love funny animal stories, especially ones with a touch of mischief. It would be a hit for story time, since the words beg to be read aloud in a dramatic way. I’d also recommend it to families who enjoy books with strong sibling bonds and gentle lessons about teamwork.
Pages: 26 | ISBN : 0881442704
Bee-Coming Strong
In Bee-Coming Strong, by Anandamayi Baker, readers are introduced to Jazianzza Azzaza Buzzabee, a unique honeybee with a distinct corkscrew antenna and glasses. Jazi’s journey, set against the backdrop of her hive, is a heartfelt exploration of self-acceptance and resilience. Despite facing challenges and feeling different from her peers, Jazi maintains a positive outlook, aided by the queen bee’s meditation lessons.
The narrative is particularly engaging for young readers, enhanced by Akiko Martinache’s vibrant illustrations. Jazi’s character breaks the fourth wall, directly engaging with readers through rich, bee-themed language. The story not only entertains but also educates, imparting lessons on bravery, calmness, and generosity. It addresses the theme of individuality, encouraging children to embrace their uniqueness.
A standout aspect of the book is its underlying message about the importance of bees in our ecosystem, subtly woven into the narrative. The author’s personal note at the end further emphasizes this, expressing a hope that young readers will cultivate an appreciation and protective attitude toward these essential creatures. The story’s resolution, where Jazi shows patience and understanding towards her adversaries, reinforces themes of empathy and non-violence.
Bee-Coming Strong is thoughtfully crafted for a young audience, delivering not only an entertaining story but also valuable life lessons. It stands out as an engaging and educational book, ideal for young readers who are beginning to explore chapter books.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B0CMZBPZ35
Pebbles and the Biggest Number
A curious butterfly loves to count; his name is Pebbles. One day he grew tired of counting the same flowers in his yard and decided to fly off on an adventure to find bigger numbers to count. On Pebble’s journey, he visits the desert, a tropical rainforest, the beach, and a snowy mountain. He even gets to visit an observatory and see into the sky. At each stop on his adventure, he learns a bigger number than before and some exciting new facts about the new places he visits.
Pebbles and the Biggest Number, written by Joey Benun and illustrated by Laura Watson, is a fantastic picture book that packs a lot of information into a few pages. This children’s book could easily be used to teach multiple STEM units with all the science and math facts that are included on each page. In addition, each page has full-color illustrations with exquisite details, making it a delight to look through the artwork alone. I love how the book is laid out, with the story written on the pages in its own area, and then things like “Number Note” and “Did You Know?” In addition, “Science Spot” and “”Fun Facts” are included in a separate illustrative element so as not to be confused with part of Pebbles’ story.
Children, teachers, and families will love reading Pebbles and the Biggest Number together. This children’s book will provide many opportunities for learning and discussions about numbers, animals, and environments. This is a must-have for home and classroom libraries.
Pages: 48 | ASIN : B0BT3WNPV4
Books For Benjamin
Once, a little purple worm wanted more out of life than to eat rotting trash. This worm’s name is Benjamin, and his only desire in life is to read as many books as he can. So one day, he comes up with a plan to sneak away from the grocery store where he lives and go home with someone to read their books. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned, and Benjamin almost ends up as a tasty treat for a cat and bird. Thankfully he escapes and, with the help of some new friends, makes his way to a library where his life is forever changed. Benjamin starts a new page in his life and soon has all the books his heart could ever desire to read.
Children’s author R.G. de Rouen has written an entertaining and educational picture book called Books for Benjamin. The loveable worm Benjamin has a passion for reading that is contagious. It shows as he introduces stories to his new friends, and children reading this story will feel the excitement of finding new things to read and learn. Illustrator Uliana Barabash brings the story to life with fun drawings that will entice children to follow along in the story.
I love that there is an explanation of the Library of Congress and a simple overview of copyright included in this children’s book. The characters show the importance of libraries and the job of librarians to children in an approachable way. Children learn that libraries are so much more than just a building with books in them. This would make a great book to read to kindergarteners as they prepare to visit the school library.
Books for Benjamin is a whimsical picture book about a bookworm and his journey to find more things to read. It is light-hearted and funny but provides an important message on the importance of libraries and the services they provide to people. This amazing children’s book is perfect for preschool and lower elementary kids to help instill a love of reading at an early age.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0BK4VW73G
LITERARY TITAN 