Pretty cute comic from a pet dog's POV. He's fighting (literally) with his inner dog to find balance between his wolf instincts and his desire to be aPretty cute comic from a pet dog's POV. He's fighting (literally) with his inner dog to find balance between his wolf instincts and his desire to be a dog. In general, I don't really care about dogs, but those that do will really like this book....more
This informative picture book had some really cool illustrations -- lots of line work and watercolors - and some interesting information about crows, This informative picture book had some really cool illustrations -- lots of line work and watercolors - and some interesting information about crows, shared in a wonderfully creative way. ...more
Something about me -- I love a weird book. And this one is fairly weird. The illustrations are very sweet but the story is a little strange. It's abouSomething about me -- I love a weird book. And this one is fairly weird. The illustrations are very sweet but the story is a little strange. It's about a tough armadillo who crashes a picnic one day and is so busy being tough he is slow to accept friendship. It's a hard lesson to teach, but an important one....more
Cute enough, and nice and short. This is a good bridge book for readers who want something a little less formulaic but aren't quite ready for longer mCute enough, and nice and short. This is a good bridge book for readers who want something a little less formulaic but aren't quite ready for longer middle grade. Nice for animal lovers....more
I always say that because I read so many books, the ones that are weird are the ones that stand out to me. That is certainly true for this one, becausI always say that because I read so many books, the ones that are weird are the ones that stand out to me. That is certainly true for this one, because it is pretty strange but it's also one I'm likely to remember. 12-year-old, 4 foot tall, boy-turned-rat Ratty is the latest victim of the Barclay Family Curse. For generations, members of the Barclay family have died in mysterious ways - due to the curse. But Ratty is the first member of the family cursed in a different way, when he was born he was transformed into a giant rat. His parents abandoned him to live with his uncle Max who has spent his life traveling from place to place hoping to keep Ratty from being discovered. Now, though, Max and Ratty are returning to their ancestral home, Barclay Manor, on Fairweather Island. The island has been rat free since Ratty's great-great-great-grandfather declared the island his and exterminated all the rats. Not a great place for a giant rat boy to live. Especially since the granddaughter of Barclay Manor's caretaker, Edweena Gup, is obsessed with trapping and killing rats. The premise is bonkers crazy, but the story is surprisingly sweet. A little reminiscent of the 2006 rom-com Penelope with Christina Ricci. The overall message of self-compassion, kindness, and friendship is delivered in a heartwarming and never too saccharine kind of way. This isn't a perfect book, though. There are a lot of details left unresolved, which seems to open up for a series, and I really wish this book was more of a complete story. The causes of the Barclay curse are pretty obvious throughout and I was kind of waiting for Ratty and Max to have an "aha!" moment and just say it -- it felt like it dragged on for too long. But this story of environmental stewardship and friendship is still utterly charming and would work really nicely as a read aloud. Way better than I expected a book about a giant rat to be....more
This is a very charming novel about a girl and her dog, perfect for animal lovers. Set on an underperforming sheep farm in Australia, Annie Shearer stThis is a very charming novel about a girl and her dog, perfect for animal lovers. Set on an underperforming sheep farm in Australia, Annie Shearer struggles to fix things for her family. But on a whim, Annie and her dog Runt enter an agility contest where they are the surprise winners. The win sets in motion an unlikely path for the family as Annie and Runt travel to London to compete in an international agility contest, the only problem is that Runt only trusts Annie and freezes in front of a crowd. Witty and charming for young and old readers this is a classic sort of children's story and a popular import from Australia....more
Unfortunately my rule about cat books does not transfer to dog books, because I do not really care about dogs. BUT if you do, you'll probably like thiUnfortunately my rule about cat books does not transfer to dog books, because I do not really care about dogs. BUT if you do, you'll probably like this book. It stars a personable little pooch as the narrator, Perla uses her powers to teach her boy how to stand up to a bully. Very cute and imbued with just a touch of magic -- it's still Isabel Allende after all. ...more
A very sweet little bat tries to dispel rumors that he is a scary monster. All the other animals are afraid to come near his home, until one day a newA very sweet little bat tries to dispel rumors that he is a scary monster. All the other animals are afraid to come near his home, until one day a new friend comes. Sweet autumnal illustrations. A good seasonal read that is not holiday specific....more
Actually fairly charming. The illustrations are a little basic, but functional. The text is very humorous -- I grew up with Alan Katz's silly rhymes aActually fairly charming. The illustrations are a little basic, but functional. The text is very humorous -- I grew up with Alan Katz's silly rhymes and I'm glad to know he's still got it. This will be cute for preschoolers at halloween, but I wish the trim size was a little larger....more
Rhyming text and a popular list format make for a picture book that kids will love to read aloud. Lots of animals -- even beyond the expected -- are dRhyming text and a popular list format make for a picture book that kids will love to read aloud. Lots of animals -- even beyond the expected -- are depicted with their young. Great for preschoolers....more
Simple but incredibly effective, this would be a great picture book to share at story time or to share with the cat lovers in your life. The dual art Simple but incredibly effective, this would be a great picture book to share at story time or to share with the cat lovers in your life. The dual art styles are interesting and both well done. The simple story is really fun and really charming. I love cat books....more
Silly picture book about a friendship born of a misunderstanding. This will definitely make preschoolers laugh. I like that it is set in the desert - Silly picture book about a friendship born of a misunderstanding. This will definitely make preschoolers laugh. I like that it is set in the desert - I'm a sucker for desert books!...more
Perfect bedtime picture book for ocean loving kids. The illustrations are colorful, the names of lots of different fishes are included and it relaxes Perfect bedtime picture book for ocean loving kids. The illustrations are colorful, the names of lots of different fishes are included and it relaxes readers before sleep....more
Loved this one. I think it will be popular with the truck fans -- but it also has a good message about stopping for help when you need it. The illustrLoved this one. I think it will be popular with the truck fans -- but it also has a good message about stopping for help when you need it. The illustrations are so vibrant and crisp. Could even work for story time....more
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