Archive for July, 2017
Posted on July 31st, 2017 by pajamapress
“Glowing oil painting in golds and oranges spotlight the simple, uplifting story about sharing. An author’s note highlights more information about bicycle libraries and organizations that distribute bikes to Africa and other developing countries.”
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Posted in In a Cloud of Dust | Tagged africa, alma fullerton, bicycle-libraries, book-review, Brian Deines, diverse-books, diverse-picture-books, friendship, kidlit, picture-books, sharing, tanzania
Posted on July 20th, 2017 by pajamapress
“…The bright, appealing illustrations carry the joy that the bicycles bring to the students through gold and orange washes, though specifics of the Tanzanian countryside are often lacking.
Verdict: Highly recommended for preschool, elementary and public libraries to increase awareness of life in different cultures and parts of the world.”
—Jane Cothron
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Posted in In a Cloud of Dust | Tagged africa, alma fullerton, bicycle-libraries, book-review, Brian Deines, diverse-books, diverse-picture-books, picture-books, tanzania
Posted on July 18th, 2017 by pajamapress
“This is a gorgeous book that had me in tears- it captures the fear and grief felt by a Syrian child refugee living in the Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan….There is an author’s note giving some background on the war in Syria and the particular refugee camp, and a website with further information. This link shows what the camp looks like: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-23801200. VERDICT: This is a must for all public and school libraries. The refugee situation will only get worse with time, and we need to educate ourselves and our kids about it.”
—Carol Schramm
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Posted in My Beautiful Birds | Tagged book-review, diverse-books, diverse-picture-books, kidlit, picture-books, PTSD, Suzanne Del Rizzo, syria, syrian-refugee-crisis
Posted on July 18th, 2017 by pajamapress
“A personal story about a contemporary crisis that gives readers a child narrator they can relate to. The illustrations, created from polymer clay, are unique and eye-catching. This would make a great introduction to a discussion of Syria and refugees.”
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Posted in My Beautiful Birds | Tagged book-review, diverse-books, diverse-picture-books, kidlit, picture-books, PTSD, Suzanne Del Rizzo, syria, syrian-refugee-crisis
Posted on July 17th, 2017 by pajamapress
“Written in blank verse, this pre-teen novel is easy to read with an almost poetic rhythm. Good for ages eight to 12.”
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Posted in Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess | Tagged book-review, contemporary-fiction, deafness, diverse-books, diverse-middle-grade-books, intergenerational-friendship, mg, shari-green, step-families, strong-heroines
Posted on July 15th, 2017 by pajamapress
“Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
What did you like about the book? …I am a major Marie-Louise Gay fan so the illustrations done in India ink, watercolor, ink and colored pencils won me over immediately. Maurice is a very cute, lovable, lazy dog and the story is wonderful.
Anything you did not like about this book? I liked everything.
To whom would you recommend this book? Give this one to those who read the first book, Princess Pistachio, but also to those who have loved the Stella books also my Marie-Louise Gay.”
—Katrina Yurenka, Moderator, Youth Services Book Review
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Posted in Princess Pistachio and Maurice the Magnificent | Tagged book-review, canlit, contemporary-fiction, dogs, early-readers, illustrated-chapter-books, kidlit, Marie-Louise Gay, pets, strong-heroines
Posted on July 14th, 2017 by pajamapress
“Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
What did you like about the book? …This is one in the series on Timo the Rabbit. All are charming, enhanced by the wonderfully colorful and detailed illustrations by Dean Griffiths.
Anything you did not like about this book? Not a thing.”
—Katrina Yurenka, Moderator, Youth Services Book Review
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Posted in Timo's Party | Tagged canlit, chapter-books, contemporary-fiction, Dean Griffiths, early-readers, fantasy, friendship, illustrated-chapter-books, kidlit, Victoria Allenby
Posted on July 12th, 2017 by pajamapress
“Princess Pistachio and Maurice the Magnificent is Marie-Louise Gay’s third tale about a scheming little red-haired nutter named Pistachio Shoelace. An ode to children’s devotion to their pets and their ensuing adventures…With striking details (Dog snores like a frog with a cold), Gay captures the best and worst of pets…Gay’s charming pen, ink, and watercolour drawings are scattered throughout the text, and include especially adorable drawings of all kinds of dogs.”
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Posted in Princess Pistachio and Maurice the Magnificent | Tagged book-review, canlit, contemporary-fiction, dogs, early-chapter-books, early-readers, kidlit, Marie-Louise Gay, pets, strong-heroines
Posted on July 10th, 2017 by pajamapress
“[4/5 stars] A story about best friends, hummingbirds and wormholes makes for a great story….Above all I love the message of this story, ‘Love who you are and LOVE what you can do.’”
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Posted in The Theory of Hummingbirds | Tagged book-review, canlit, clubfoot, contemporary-fiction, diverse-books, diverse-middle-grade-books, kidlit, mg, Michelle Kadarusman, STEM, strong-heroines
Posted on July 10th, 2017 by pajamapress
“This is a story that can be read by anyone of any age….The illustrations are well done and clearly show the emotions of all the characters in the story. This book should be read to students so they can understand that everyone is different, some people have difficulties and what is fair for one is not necessarily fair for all….You may not know anyone with [Autism Spectrum Disorder] yet, but someday you probably will and if you have read this book, it will help you to understand and accept. A must for every school and professional library. Every teacher needs to read this as well. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via netgalley.”
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Posted in Slug Days | Tagged Asperger-Syndrome, Autism-Spectrum-Disorder, book-review, canlit, chapter-books, contemporary-fiction, diverse-books, diverse-MG, diverse-middle-grade-books, early-chapter-books, kidlit, Sara Leach, strong-heroines