Penguin Problems
Written by Jory John, illustrated by Lane Smith
ISBN: 978-0553513370
Publisher: Random House
Date of publication: September 27, 2016
Age: 4 - 8 years
Format: library book
This penguin is having a pretty rough time in Antartica. For starters, it is FREEZING. Also, penguins have a ton of natural predators. Plus, can you imagine trying to find your mom in a big ol' crowd of identical penguins? No, thank you. Nothing good about life at the South Pole. Yes, it seems there is no escaping the drudgery of your daily grind, whatever it might be. Or perhaps we'll just learn that grumps are everywhere...
Man, who knew being a penguin was such a hard life. Since it is written by Jory John, it's not surprising that the book is totally hilarious. But his sardonic style definitely shines through; this penguin is one seriously negative-Nancy. I don't think there's one thing that the penguin didn't complain about. Of course, there is a lesson to learn, and the penguin did display some gratitude toward the end...but soon was back the way he was. So is it hilarious? Definitely. Is it the best book for kids? Well, you may want to reemphasize that gratitude is better than complaining.
Lane Smith creates beautiful illustrations that capitalize on John's style perfectly. The cold colors and scenes, the icy texture, the perfect uniformity of the penguins—all help to convey the penguin problems. Overall, a tad overly negative, but still funny and well done.
Find it at your library or on Amazon
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Goodnight Everyone
Chris Haughton
My rating: ★★★
ISBN: 978-0763690793
Publisher: Candlewick
Date of publication: October 25, 2016
Age: 2 - 5 years
Format: library book
Themes: bedtime, forest animals, bear cubs
The sun is setting, and everyone in the forest is getting sleepy. The mice, rabbits, and deer all give great big yawns as they snuggle up with their families for the night. But someone isn't sleepy just yet. Little Bear thinks he can stay awake a bit longer. Can he do it? Chris Haughton's bold and vibrant illustrations will captivate little ones eager to stay up just a teeny bit longer, while sweet depictions of animals cozying up in their beds for the night will soon have them yawning off to a dreamland of their own.
Chris Haughton's characteristic bright illustrations with bold colors are what really shine in this book; the story fell a bit flat for me. I love loved Little Owl Lost and Shh! We Have a Plan—some of Haughton's other books—which have good pacing, a little bit of humor, and perfect endings. I didn't feel this story had any of that. It's purely a bedtime story—quite literally a yawn. I wouldn't love it in storytime, but I'll read it to my daughter at night. Try it, though, and see. It's still cute and easy to like.
Find it at your library or on Amazon
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Leave Me Alone
Vera Brosgol
ISBN: 978-1626724419
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Date of publication: September 13, 2016
Age: 4 - 8 years
Format: library book
Themes: family relationships, journey, knitting, solitude, grandmothers
"One day, a grandmother shouts, "LEAVE ME ALONE!" and leaves her tiny home and her very big family to journey to the moon and beyond to find peace and quiet to finish her knitting. Along the way, she encounters ravenous bears, obnoxious goats, and even hordes of aliens! But nothing will stop grandma from accomplishing her goal..."
Ah, my first read in this collection of reviews that was by a new picture book author and illustrator! And I definitely enjoyed it. Brosgol told and illustrated an imaginative, funny, relatable, cute story. With hints of her Russian heritage, but with twists that are sure to please, adults and kids alike will enjoy it. The illustrations carry this same theme. Really well done; hopefully you don't think it to too random (yes, aliens, I know, but just go with it).
Find it at your library or on Amazon
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