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Amusing ABCs
Amusing ABCs is a delightful ABC picture book meticulously crafted to aid children in their journey of learning and recognizing the fundamental letters of the alphabet. Authored by Craig Undlin, this captivating book seamlessly combines education with entertainment through its ingenious use of humorous illustrations and an engaging narrative.
Undlin’s thoughtful creation serves as a valuable resource for early literacy development, establishing a solid foundation for reading comprehension. Each page of this book acquaints young readers with a distinct letter of the alphabet, while introducing them to an assortment of fascinating animals and objects that resonate with the corresponding letter’s sound. The author effortlessly merges learning objectives with an atmosphere of enjoyment. The vibrant and lively illustrations adorning each page capture the attention of young readers, effectively captivating their imagination and sustaining their interest throughout the entire journey. The deliberate allocation of two dedicated pages to each letter allows ample space for exploration and learning, ensuring a comprehensive grasp of each letter’s distinct characteristics. One particularly commendable aspect is the author’s choice to introduce animals and objects that commence with the sound of the respective letter. For instance, the letter “A” unveils an amusing apple that just wanted to jump on his bed, while “B” introduces a fierce and strong bear that loves to sing. This ingenious approach not only facilitates letter recognition but also expands children’s vocabulary and nurtures their imaginative faculties.
Undlin masterfully weaves a simple narrative into each letter, skillfully transforming the act of reading into an enjoyable experience. By incorporating this early introduction to the concept of reading, the author adeptly imparts the understanding that letters form words and that words carry meaning—a pivotal lesson in a child’s literacy journey.
Amusing ABCs stands as a charming and informative ABC picture book that strikes a perfect balance between learning and fun. With its witty illustrations, introduction to a diverse range of animals and objects, and emphasis on early reading concepts, this book emerges as an indispensable tool in a child’s pursuit of literacy. It is certain to captivate young readers and ignite their curiosity about the alphabet, ultimately setting them on a rewarding path towards successful reading and language skills.
Pages: 58 | ASIN: B0C43MYBM9
A Story of Whoa
A Story of Whoa is a remarkable and inspiring children’s book that centers around the poignant relationship between a young boy named Whoa and his father. Whoa’s deep affection for his dad is juxtaposed with the turmoil of intense emotions stirred within him as they watch the nightly news together. Striving to comprehend the injustices and cruelties portrayed in the world, Whoa initiates a profound conversation with his father, igniting his unwavering determination to effect change. Motivated by this newfound resolve, Whoa embarks on a quest to learn karate, envisioning it as a means to combat injustice, tragedy, and cruelty. Accompanied by his father, they embark on a shared mission to make the world a better place. Ultimately, Whoa discovers that the true path to fighting these battles lies not in martial arts but in demonstrating love and kindness towards others.
Author Chris Corbett artfully addresses the challenges faced by children in today’s world, offering a compelling solution through meaningful father-son dialogues. The book fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects such as homelessness, poverty, and bullying, presenting a framework for parents to engage in discussions about these critical issues with their children. Corbett adeptly navigates complex themes, empowering young readers with a positive and constructive approach to overcoming adversity in the world. The author skillfully sidesteps any endorsement of revenge or vigilante-like behavior, ensuring that the story promotes empathy, understanding, and proactive problem-solving instead. This commendable, balanced approach helps young readers develop a sense of responsibility without instilling negative emotions.
In terms of its relevance to today’s society, A Story of Whoa triumphantly addresses the imperative for parents and children to engage in open conversations about real-world challenges. It underscores the significance of imparting essential life lessons such as empathy, persistence, and courage to the next generation while ensuring that these lessons are conveyed in a sensitive and age-appropriate manner.
Thought-provoking and heartening, A Story of Whoa resonates deeply with both children and parents alike. It serves as an invaluable tool for initiating conversations about the prevalent challenges and injustices within our society, providing a springboard for reflection and understanding. This picture book offers a remarkable opportunity to cultivate dialogue and foster growth, making it a must-read for families seeking to navigate the complexities of our world.
Pages: 40 | ASIN: B0C1VZB28H
It’s Ok To Be Different
Books for Benjamin follows a little purple worm who loves to read and goes on an exciting adventure to learn about libraries and books. What was the inspiration for the adventure Benjamin goes on?
The idea for Books For Benjamin came about while visiting the Library of Congress. I thought it would be great to gave a character that loves books so much that he or she has to go on a quest to find them. I thought the LOC as a housing for the world’s greatest depository of item (not only books) would be an ideal setting. On the visit, I learned about Thomas Jefferson’s contribution to the library and his famous quote,”I cannot live without books.” This inspired me to create Benjamin, a bookworm (only the name stems from Benjamin Franklin, another who cherished learning and reading). Benjamin and books go well together. I also like the alliteration in Books and Benjamin and used that in the title.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Uliana Barabash?
Working with Uliana was such a great experience that started under difficult circumstances. She is from Ukraine and the war had just broken out as we started the project. With all going around her I was amazed and the beautiful illustrations she produced. My wife and I loved her colors from the start and how she captured the expressions I was looking for. I like to sketch and paint as well but have tremendous repect for how picture book illustrators who have studied the art like Uliana has can put together a scene. First, she created a digital story map of the entire book and I felt priviledged to be included in any changes. Next, she created each detailed skecth before painting the color digitally. One great surprise, was that Uliana took it upon heself to paint the worm in purple. I don’t know why, but I always pictured him in true to life colors which my wife hated. Once I saw the result, I was blown away. Uliana has made my character become approachable for kids. I cannot thank her enough!
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to instill in kids that it’s ok to be different and that following one’s passions is a great thing, even when there may be some road blocks along the way.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
A picture book biography called, Mother To Elephants, about a lady who rescued orphan elephants. Sadly, she passed away around three years back, but her daughters and grandchildren are continuing her mission. I am hoping it can come out around Spring of 2023.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Benjamin would rather read about adventures in a giant peach than eat one!
Unlike his family members who are happily munching away on scraps, Benjamin is a different kind of worm. He loves to read. Yet, all he finds are old newspapers and magazines full of tomato splotches. Not one to give up on his dreams, Benjamin sets off on a quest to find “real” books.
Witty illustrations by Uliana Barabash are a great accompaniment to this delightful story written by R.G. de Rouen.
Join Benjamin on his book hunting adventure and watch your little ones search for Benjamin’s famous signature in their books!
Hugh the Hippo Camps Out In My Head
Hugh the Hippo Camps Out In My Head is a delightful and informative picture book that introduces young readers to the vital role that the hippocampus plays in our ability to recall information. Following the young protagonist, Oliver, and his friends, Bella and Beau, on a magical adventure through an enchanted forest, the author, Beverley Reichman, skillfully weaves in important lessons about how the hippocampus helps us remember things. The captivating illustrations are not only amusing but also serve to fully immerse the reader in Oliver’s world.
One of the strengths of the book is the clever way in which the author demonstrates the function of the hippocampus through the characters in the story. The book also showcases Hugh the Hippo as a superhero who saves the day, which makes for a fun and engaging read. Additionally, the author highlights that dogs also have a hippocampus, which we learn through Toby’s Treasures.
At the end of the book, readers are offered a fun and educational activity to test their knowledge of what they’ve just read. Overall, this interactive and enjoyable read is highly recommended for young readers and perfect for teachers to share in their classrooms. Hugh the Hippo Camps Out In My Head is a must-read children’s book that teaches important concepts in a fun and engaging way.
Pages: 54 | ASIN: B0BQNPWFN4
Living Green and the Smoke
A handy and helpful small tree and a smart and intelligent little flower meet up for their daily chat, but there’s something weird in the sky today. There is smoke covering the forest and making plants sick. The duo set out to find the smoke’s source and find it coming out of a mountain. They gather their friends, and together they work to close the hole and fix a problem that was affecting all of them.
This educational picture book takes the serious and complicated subject of climate change and distills it down into a creative adventure that children will be able to understand. This is the perfect book for young readers as the problem is easy to grasp, there’s smoke coming out of the mountain. How do they stop it? They have to work together to solve the problem, and their teamwork is also illustrated in an easy to understand manner. All of this makes this a perfect book for preschool or kindergarten children. This educational children’s book does a fantastic job of establishing this basic understanding in young readers. In many children’s books these ideas are often abstract, but author Florian Bushy is able to mix a serious issue with whimsical characters and create a fun and educational kid’s book.
The artwork throughout the book is colorful. The trees and plants come to life, and I loved seeing Mr. Florian’s cute character in different situations throughout the story.
Living Green and the Smoke is an educational children’s book that conveys an important lesson about air pollution, global warming, and how working as a team is critical to solving a problem that affects us all. I highly recommend this informative picture book to educators and parents who want to introduce their young children to the idea of climate change and teamwork.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B09R7TNMZ5
The Adventures of Lefty and Righty: The Windy City
The Adventures of Lefty and Righty by Lori Orlinsky is a charming and educational read. Readers follow Lefty and Righty as they make a mad dash from the dryer and head out on an adventure with the intention to be back home before mom finds out. After finding a White Sox ticket in dad’s jean pocket, Lefty and Righty have a destination in mind. Readers follow this pair’s educational adventure as they explore historical places and landmarks throughout Chicago, Illinois but one must ask, will they make it back in time before Mom realizes they are gone?
Author Lori Orlinsky has provided young readers with a creative tale of two socks all while educating children on the city of Chicago. We have all wondered what happens to our socks when they disappear from the dryer and this engaging read will have your young one’s imagination running wild.
I thought it was cute when Lefty got himself covered in mustard while eating a hot dog and my initial thought was, “oh no, mom will definitely find out now,” which made me laugh. Another amusing part in the story is when I realized that the socks thought the White Sox were actual white socks, and not the sports team, which plays into the innocence of young readers.
The rhyming scheme in the story is a fun treat that pairs well with the comic-style artwork. At the end of the story the author includes background information on the places in Chicago, which I thought to be helpful because I was not aware that the Bean is actually named the Cloud Gate.
I enjoyed following Lefty and Righty throughout their fun-filled exploration of Chicago. This is a perfect children’s book for parents to read to their young ones as an educational experience or to prepare them to travel to Chicago.
Pages: 38 | ISBN: 1637554273
LITERARY TITAN 