Children Playground: Blucy by Julia Dweck

Blucy: The Blue Cat by Julia Dweck
Illustrations: Erika Lebarre
Published: August 2013/ Xist Publishing
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Source: Purchased
Look for this at goodreads / Amazon

Blucy has really beautiful illustrations. The shades of blue used by the artist bring the cat to live, plus the illustrations look cute. The story written is rhythmic and perfect for kids to enjoy. The concept of this storybook is interesting, a cat who changes color and who loves the color blue. The character is created with these interesting details so a lesson can be imparted to the readers.

Kids learn about patience and caring with the girl but, what do they learn with the cat? The cat as a character I wasn't crazy about. The cat keeps doing a lot of things without been explained that his behavior was inadequate. It seems like he is awarded with a free license to do everything he wants. When I was reading it to one of my girls she told me: "That's a bad cat". Well, h

One thing I truly loved about the book is the section at the end where we can find Cat Facts and Hidden Pictures. These have a high fun factor for kid readers. My kids liked the book and these sections a lot.

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Children Playground: Chasing Butterflies

Chasing Butterflies by Harry Toews
Publisher: June 2013
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Visit author at his blog
Look for this title at his goodreads / Amazon
Source: Received in exchange of honest review

Chasing Butterflies is a sweet story that brings back to mind our childhood and those times with our Grandmas. To the kids in the story, their Grandma gave them unique magical moments like no one else. Toews created a story to impart values to our children.  I feel connected to Chasing Butters, for my childhood was also characterized by the ever constant presence of my Grandma.  We used to pick fruits and make juice together...  Those simple moments I will always cherish.

Toews wrote a children's book of beauty. Art in this story reminds me of ingenuity and simplicity. Colors are soft and go well with the illustrations.

I recommend this book for kids 4 to 7. Kids will enjoy the beauty of the illustrations, the colors and the story.

To know more about Harry Toews's life lessons visit website.

About Chasing Butterflies:
Join Sophia and Matteo who explore the wonders of their grandmother's enchanting rose garden in the search for magic. But is all what it seems? Along the way they discover a world of beauty and kindness as well learning a valuable life lesson. Once finishing the story, you'll be left hungry for more!
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Children Playground: Candy and the Cankersaur by Jason Sandberg

Candy and the Cankersaur by Jason Sandberg
Published: June 2012 / Kindle edition
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Look for this at: Amazon / iTunes / BN / Kobo
Source:
*Story provided by author for honest review purposes.

Candy and the Cankersaur has beautiful colors and drawing looks good. I read this story to my little girl and she loved the dinosaur. The story had her attention from the beginning.

Something I consider could be improved in this book is how it delivers the morale. Kids should discover the morale and lessons intrinsic in the story by analysis and interpretation. Sometimes, the author tells the lesson directly through a character and that stops the learning process for the kids.

Sandberg wrote this story as a homage to Syd Hoff and we can clearly see the influence of Danny and the Dinosaur in Candy and the Cankersaur.

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Look for other books by this author at

Amazon / iTunes / BN

Children Playground! One Tree by Marie Tabler

One Tree by Marie Tabler
Illustrated by Marie Tabler
Published: The Art Mill / 2012
Source: Purchased
Look for this at Goodreads / Amazon

About this book from goodreads:
Instead of storing acorns, a carefree squirrel, named Stick, enjoys eating junk food all summer. In the winter, he depends on the food his family saved and he learns the value of saying “I’m sorry” and forgiveness. The story continues when none of the squirrels can find enough food to eat and Stick sees a courageous way to make up for his irresponsibility. Teachable moments mixed with humor help children see the importance of mending families and friendships. Delightful illustrations bring giggles and compliment this character-building story making it appropriate for preschool, kindergarten and on up.

     My little girl loves stories.  Therefore, I'm always looking for children books to share with her.  She liked this one a lot and I hope your kids like it too. 

     One favorite thing about this book is how the author guides the reader in the discovery process  without been obvious.  Kids understand why things happen by analyzing. One Tree has lovely illustrations and character design. Colors are beautiful and the story is refreshing.  Love the complete idea and environment design. 

     The writing style engages the kid's interest and curiosity.  The story is simple yet full of life's lessons for our children.

  

Children Playground! Lucky by Craig Inglis

Lucky by Craig Inglis
Illustrator: Richard Kinsey
Publisher: CreateSpace /2011
Source: Purchased
Look for this at Amazon / Goodreads

Can a terrier named Lucky bounce back from some bad luck. "Lucky" the illustrated book by Craig Inglis is a puppy tale any child will love. With an easy-to-read story and beautiful illustrations by Richard Kinsey, the uplifting, enlightening picture book shows children that they can overcome even the most challenging of problems with the love of friends and with plenty of determination. Positive and joyful, this highly original, instructive book will spark animal lovers everywhere, and show children the power of positive thinking in difficult times, such as a life-changing physical disability, through the triumphant story of a lovable, plucky dog named Lucky.

Craig Inglis created a lovely story that is complemented by nicely done illustrations created by Richard Kinsey. This is a sweet story about how the lives of a man and a dog got intertwined by a strong sense of friendship and companionship. One of my favorite things about this, is that it can be used as a tool to teach kids about compassion and empathy.

Colors are really pretty and character design is interesting. Illustrations have a style of their own that effectively complements the story.

I recommend Lucky and my little girl too. She loves to browse the illustrations and listening to the story.

Children Playground! Monster Knows Numbers by Lori Capote

Monster Knows Numbers by Lori Capote
Illustrator: Chip Wass
Publisher: Picture Window Books, Feb 2013
Source: Netgalley for an honest review.
Look for this at Amazon
Find more books like this one : Lori Capote Book's

From goodreads:
This monster is ready to have fun with you! Can you count the yo-yos covered in goo? Numbers from 1 to 20 this monster will share. Join him and learn counting, if you dare!

Little Monster knows plenty about numbers and he wants to show us how much he knows.  This is a charming learning book for our kids to learn to count.  Basically he uses things from his daily life to practice numbers.  That way, kids can understand easily.  For example, he takes a bath and counts rubber ducks.

The illustrations are cute and I love that they use brilliant colors to attract children's attention and keep it for a longer time.  This children's book uses big numbers and letters, therefore it is easier for kids to read.  The character is unusual and interesting.

I recommend this book as a learning tool for little kiddies up to kindergarten.

Children Playground: A Tale of Two Daddies by Vanita Oelschlager

A Tale of Two Daddies by Vanita Oelschlager
Illustrators: Kristin Blackwood & Mike Blanc
Published: Vanita Books / April 2010
Source: Netgalley for honest review.
Find this at Amazon

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7975507-a-tale-of-two-daddies

About the story (from goodreads):
A Tale of Two Daddies is a playground conversation between two children. The boy says he heard that the girl has two dads. The girl says that is right. She has Daddy and Poppa. True to a child's curiosity, practical questions follow. "Which dad helps when your team needs a coach? / Which dad cooks you eggs and toast?"

To which she answers: "Daddy is my soccer coach. / Poppa cooks me eggs and toast." It becomes clear that the family bond is unburdened by any cultural discomforts. 

The child in the story comes from a family where she has two dads to take care of her. She finds herself in a spot where one of her peers is curious and asks her about her life with two father figures. Her friends asks her simple questions which she answers directly and in a simple way. This kid is curious about his friend who lives in a home with a different family composition. She explains to him the activities they share.

A truly lovely story. This girl shows individuality and maturity. I like the way she answers every question her friend asks her. Any children reading this can learn about how family have diverse circumstances and compositions. The story shows how the idea of family as a concept has evolved into something completely different during the years. It is a great tool for kids learning about interpersonal interactions, family love and community.

The art is cute with lovely colors. One of my favorite things about the book is the explanation about the creating process.  Love how the drawings are first created in pencil.

I recommend this title for Preschoolers and up.

Children Playground: I Hate Picture Books! by Timothy Young

I Hate Picture Books! by Timothy Young
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, March 2013
Rating : 5 out of 5
Source: Netgalley
Look for this at Amazon/ BN
To learn more about this title

About this storybook from goodreads:
Max hates his picture books and hes throwing them all away. But he soon learns just how invaluable imagination is and has a change of heart. Find out why in this outrageous book that both pokes fun at and celebrates many of the classics of childrens literature. Join writer and illustrator Timothy Young for this irreverent and humorous story ideal for children and adults alike. Early Reader; Ages 5-8.

I find this book to be the cutest thing. I Hate Picture Books! begins with a big rant from a little kid. He explains why he hates picture books. Interestingly, he has pretty solid arguments about how all his picture books have a trajectory of keeping him in trouble. Picture books have been providing him a great deal of information he applies in his daily life. He has seen every detail in the stories as useful in his decision making. For example, one day he finds green ham in the fridge. Although it looked weird he decided it couldn't bad. We all know about the green eggs! Well, our little friend had a bad experience for his tummy.

Like with the ham situation, he connects his literal concrete view with the result he obtained by following the idea on the specific picture book. The story makes humoristic reference to various picture books we read during childhood. I Hate Picture Books! mentions those iconic books children have read for generations. At the end he recognizes how dear all these books are to him.

From beginning to end, I had a big grin on my face. Timothy Young picture books are rhythmic and enjoyable. I Hate Picture Books! has a story which is interesting and peculiar, which I appreciate. The story keeps reading as a pleasant experience for kids and the illustrations are well thought out. In the pictures we can see details in the little picture books the kid has in his hands and even identify them.

This is a children’s book I find perfect for children pre -K to 2nd grade. This is one of those book I know my kids would love to have around.

I also recommend They're coming! by Timothy Young.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing this e-copy for honest review.

Children Playground: Knees by Vanita Oelschlager

Knees: The mixed up world of a boy with dyslexia by Vanita Oelschlager

Illustrated: Joe Rossi

Publisher: Vanita Books, 2012

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Source: Provided by Vanita Books via Netgalley and Edelweiss for honest review

Look for this at Amazon/ BD

A little about this book (from goodreads):

Knees shows the ups and downs of life with dyslexia. We have done this book in the style and size of a chapter book so that younger children and older children at low reading levels can read what seems to be an older child's book.

We cover dyslexia’s symptoms and the reasons school can be hard for dyslexics. We talk about some famous people who had or have dyslexia.

The book is endorsed by the head master of a school where many of the children have dyslexia. He has dyslexia himself.

This book uses simple letter style and design to show the challenges a person with dyslexia experiences. The circumstances are presented as told by a kid. He let us know about his daily life is impacted by this. The pages doesn't look busy or distracting, so kids don't feel overwhelmed.

Art is drawn in pencil and uses light colored paper as a visual aid for kids. The character, Louis The Third reminds me of Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes. I like how he shares with the reader about his life. He doesn't see dyslexia as an obstacle, but as a way to push harder and improve himself.

The only thing I can see as an opportunity for improvement is the story's title. I know it has meaning in the story, but I don't find it that appealing.

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To learn how to use this book visit link at Vanita Books.

Recommend this book for educators and parents as a learning tool.  Children from Pre- K can enjoy this learning experience.

Children Playground: Flood by Alvaro Villa

Flood by Alvaro F Vila
Published: Capstone Young Readers, Feb 2013
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Look for this :  Amazon / BN / BD
(To see an image of this picture book visit amazon link)
Source: Provided by Netgalley for honest review

Outstanding Picture book. Gorgeous colors used in such a way that surely depict nature's rage in a way kids can understand and assimilate. The story presents the process any family could pass if there is an emergency in their home towns. The family on this story will try to save their home but at the end it only will depend on nature's course.

This wordless picture book provides a way to teach kids to continue. The family experienced destruction, but they decided to rebuild because it was their home. Kids can learn the seriousness of a strong atmospheric event through the images on this book.

Colors are beautiful and embody emotions. Images are drawn carefully and in detail. My favorite element of this book is the images during the hurricane. They show such a fury and intensity, that immediately I felt empathy toward the family depicted in the storybook. This book doesn't need words. Words would be useless in this book, for what the author wants to say is clearly shown to us by his art.

Recommended for children all ages.




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Children Playground: They're Coming! by Timothy Young

They're Coming! by Timothy Young
Illustrated by Timothy Young
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 2012
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Look for this at Amazon / BD

This is a really playful book.  Loved it!  From the beginning it keeps building the scary moment.   Look for this title because you need to have your own experience, because I won't tell.


About They're Coming (From goodreads):

They're Coming! is a humorously creepy picture book from author/illustrator Timothy Young.

 It shows monsters and ghouls and various creatures from all over. Why are they coming? 

You'll have to read the book to find out.

Refreshing! While I was reading this on my tablet, my 5 year old was sitting beside me. As the story progressed we were expecting something. I was expecting something terrible to happen in a town or something. I don't want to offer spoilers because this storybook although simple, it is good.  You have to read this storybook and see what happens!

I will get this for my daughter. She said to me: “Mom that is pretty." And it is true; the illustrations created by Young go incredibly well with the story. Sure, the illustrations are digital, but I like them for their unusualness. The creatures look scary but at the same time nice. Through all the illustrations fog is predominant, which I liked for it added to the atmosphere.

Recommend this storybook for kids at Pre-K level & up.

Source: Provided by Schiffer Publishing Ltd. via Netgalley for an honest review

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Children Playground: Review Cookie The Walker

Cookie the walker
Author: Chris Walker
Illustrator: Chris Walker
Published: Carolrhoda Books /
Source: provided by netgalley for an honest review
To see a nice picture of this storybook and know more about this author visit here
Look for this at goodreads / Amazon

Let's get to know Cookie first.  Cookie is a dog with a simply but big ambition in her life.  She wishes to to walk in her hind legs everywhere.  To walk around the world would be a perfect treat for cookie, and it would be even better if an adventure of that kind will come accompanyed by lots of candy and bacon.  Cookie want to walk and wants to do it big!  She will be daring enough to walk to walk everywhere and to be diferrent.  She gets to be famous.  She will have to choose between her community with loving friends or been famous and get to walk all around the world.  What will Cookie choose?
Story:
This story is lovely.  It encourages kids to be brave, to try new things and to experience life.  Cookie is never shy and that makes her a wonderful character for kids to see and identify with.  This character is always motivated.  She loves treats but for her, treats are great but not her goal.  She walks because she loves it, because she wants to.  Her fuel to do better every time is motivated by her own drive, that is why for her, it is important to keep enjoying this activity.  She doesn't needed to be famous or been admired everywhere for her walk, walk she could do on her own neighborhood while enjoying her usual life and family. 
Art :
The cover is colorful and vivid.  Inside we see Cookie doing plenty of unusual things highlighted by beautiful colors.  Looks really cute and unique.
This storybook is great for kids in primary school. It is engaging and because Cookie do many unique things I know kids will be asking questions during the entire reading of the story. 

Children Playground: Lester's Dreadful Sweaters

Lester's Dreadful Sweaters by K.G. Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Author: K. G. Campbell Published: Kids Can Press/ September 2012
Source: Publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

All the dreadful sweaters of the world had to be worn by poor Lester! But why? The family receives Cousin Clara into their home. She occupies her time knitting, one day making a new sweater for Lester. Truly a one of a kind sweater, but not of Lester's liking. Quick to end his social embarrassment due to wearing the sweater to school,he destroys it. Clara keeps knitting and for each one he destroys, she knits a new one. What to do? Lester needs to decide to wear Clara's "avantgarde" creations or find a way to help himself by excluding those sweaters from his wardrobe.

The first thing that had my attention was the art. Colors are well utilized and the character design is well done. Story and illustrations are both quirky elements in this storybook. The story is peculiar and ingenious. The author developed simple situations into something with a little dose of weird.
Lester is an interesting character. In just a few pages we can see he is full of idiosyncrasies.

Overall, this storybook is different, fun and full of originality. I recommend this book to kids from primary school.

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Children Playground: Review Change The World Before Bedtime

Change the World Before Bedtime by Mark Kimball Moultons, Josh Chalmers and Karen Good
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Published:  August  2012, Schiffer Publishing
Look for this at Amazon

To impact the world in such a short time sounds crazy and ambitious. Certainly, the title of this storybook is what motivated me to make this selection. Once I began reading, the title made complete sense.

 Change The World Before Bedtime teaches kids to be part of changing the world into a always improving place. Children learn to have a proactive attitude and to develop a sense of community.My favorite detail about this book is how children learn to understand that their actions can impact and can provoke change. In this storybook no effort is minuscule to achieve a common goal.

The art is cute but grabs attention immediately.Kids are drawn to look at the pictures and definitely will enjoy the artfully made illustrations. Children can learn the morale in the storybook just by looking at the art. So, kids still not at reading level can enjoy and understand the story too.

Loved this storybook for my children!

Great for: Preschoolers

Source: Provided by Schiffer Publishing via Netgalley.

Book reviewed honestly and according to its merits.

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