What a special gift it is to be able to use words so powerfully. In simple stanzas & with prose that is at once attainable yet moving, Kim has opened What a special gift it is to be able to use words so powerfully. In simple stanzas & with prose that is at once attainable yet moving, Kim has opened a space in these pages for all readers to feel seen, to be heard, & to care for.
I have been reading for as long as I can remember. I have never held prejudice against the categorizations imposed on a book. Instead, I have always felt that a good book is a good book, no matter who it is written for. This picture book is a prime example of that. Within so few pages the author has allowed readers to wander through the gentle sheets of illustrations, included lovingly by Emily Paik, to find themselves in a space where they are reminded of their value.
I am an adult now, but this book would have meant a great deal to me as a child. This book means a great deal to me now. I am so grateful for the knowledge that authors like Kim exist in the world & have found it in their hearts to share such tender reminders with us all. Within this story, the reader is met with little poems that a reader of any level will be able to consume & appreciate. Within these poems, we are met with ourselves & the parts of us that might have gotten lost along the way.
It is important to remember that we deserve kindness, patience & warmth. Readers who will have the pleasure of working through this collection of poems will be granted the opportunity to hold those lessons dear to their hearts in ways that remind them that we are all on this earth together; the responsibility of kindness extends outwardly as it does inwardly.
Thank you to Edelweiss+, Modern Marigold Books, & Kyunghee Kim for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!...more
The world around us is so big & is filled to the brim with so many people, places, & things. For young children, the world is even bigger, even grandeThe world around us is so big & is filled to the brim with so many people, places, & things. For young children, the world is even bigger, even grander, & seems an impossible place to be part of. Within this picture book, the author focuses on the imagery of hearts; little beats of warmth in everything around us.
I hold high praise for Jacqueline East as she was able to welcome the story that Ghigna wanted to tell young readers all while incorporating imagery that is tender to the touch; round shapes, soft colours, & miraculous detail in simple strokes. East has provided the ideal backdrop for this poem to take shape.
This picture book is ideal for very young readers, those who will appreciate finding hearts in everything around them. From the back of a ladybug’s wings to the joined heart shape formed by the swans in the local lake. This is the style of book that will nestle snuggly in the hearts of young readers & remain with them as they grow. I should hope that everyone is given the opportunity to find books that remind us, ever so gently, of the love & beauty around us from the first moments in this life until the last.
Thank you to NetGalley, Red Comet Press, & Charles Ghigna for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!...more
Poems are such a gentle way of weaving stories; I appreciate them fondly when I find them in books for children. Within this picture book a mother beaPoems are such a gentle way of weaving stories; I appreciate them fondly when I find them in books for children. Within this picture book a mother bear promises to catch a star from the night sky & gift it to her child who believes that after catching a star, they will be the happiest they could ever be. Real life is seldom as we hope & the mother bear is unable to fulfill her promise—the sky is simply too high to reach.
Regardless of the disappointment at their realization, they come to the conclusion that the stars shine & guide the night in better ways than they might should they be helped in their own grasp. I cannot say if there is a particular moral to this story other than, perhaps, understanding that love & appreciation is a sentiment that resides in the heart & not the hand. The stars cannot be held back, nor can anyone we love so we must send them love through the mind & outward, just as the stars up above.
This is a lovely book whose illustrations, produced by Miren Asiain Lora, render it a perfect world to step into before bed. This is the style of story that would succeed well in a bedtime routine. The prose is gentle & soft; the imagery welcoming & warm. The world of the story resembles ours in a way as to leave the reader with tender recollections as they drift off to sleep.
Thank you to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books, & Katie Cotton for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!...more
I remember the squish of the yellow petals of dandelions. When I was a child I was fascinated with the plants that seemed to find no adversity in the I remember the squish of the yellow petals of dandelions. When I was a child I was fascinated with the plants that seemed to find no adversity in the obstacles human beings put in their way; the chemicals, the lawnmowers, the snipping of blades & spikes of tools. How can something so mellow & soft be bad? Ultimately, as Okemow expresses in this book, perhaps it is not so much the dandelion that is out of place so much as our opinions of it.
When we are young it is important that we find a place in the world to call our own. So much the better if that place is where our loved ones raised us, where our family is from, or even so much as a house that can be referred to as a home. In many cases, we are not so lucky as to find ourselves in the company of safety & security. In some cases still, we simply feel the weed in a bed of red roses, longing for a place where we might be considered beautiful too.
What I appreciate the most about this book is that it welcomes the reader to be tender with themselves; this is a safe space. Though the author does not need to indicate their reason for writing such a book, I felt very connected to them for having done so & for the way they approached feelings of alienation in their environment. In such a wide world it can oftentimes feel impossible to locate the exact area which is to us, the one in which we belong.
By referencing a plant that has been deemed outlandish, unwanted, destructive, & misplaced, we can connect with ourselves in a roundabout way; these words are unfortunately ways many of us have felt about ourselves. Why? Why do we feel that way about a living breathing entity who flies through the wind & has a mind enough to find rich soil to grow? What part of ourselves merits such bemoaning? It does not, nor does the dandelion.
I hope that this book is placed on the shelves of all who read or are read to. I hope the prose nestles in the darkened corners where a being feels lost & out of place. I hope this person remembers that reality is much different from the imagined. The poetic fashion in which this message is transcribed is soft, soothing, & as mesmerizing as I found the sunshine petals of the dandelions to be, all those many years ago.
Thank you to NetGalley, Annick Press Ltd., & SJ Okemow for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!...more
Life is filled with quaint moments like the ones the two siblings come across when a fresh layer of snow covers the earth. This story explores the joyLife is filled with quaint moments like the ones the two siblings come across when a fresh layer of snow covers the earth. This story explores the joys that we can associate with the aspects of this life that feel, at a glance, simple in nature but bring us memories we can cherish for all the years to come.
The illustrations by Carol Hill Quirk remind me of many little books I had on my shelves growing up. The colour scheme is warm with a hint of cool that allows the reader’s mind to engage with the imagery without necessitating the linguistic ability to follow the stanzas.
I have an image in my mind of the ideal reader & perhaps, I might venture to say, so did Hodgson when writing the kindly poem that saunters across a backdrop of woodland forest, a cottage home, young siblings wrapped snuggly in snowsuits & the animals who come out to start their day with a fresh blanket of crisp white snow.
This book would do well to be read by those who adore the season; perhaps a story to accompany some hot chocolate or a snuggle in a favourite blanket. There is not any conflict or climax to this story, it simply exists to present a tender moment & I think there is something wonderful to appreciate in that.
Thank you to NetGalley, BQB Publishing, & Harriet Hodgson for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!...more
This book presents very crips & dense illustrations by Rachel Wada that lend themselves to a very short poem set to explore the world when it gets darThis book presents very crips & dense illustrations by Rachel Wada that lend themselves to a very short poem set to explore the world when it gets dark. Though I would say that this is a tender poem, the illustrations set themselves as a bit too dark—I found it difficult to grasp what we were to be taking from the sombre images. Certainly, there is something to love & appreciate about the artistic choice & I should not want my review to indicate that I think that this choice was wrong.
However, this is a book for very, very, young readers. There is no plot & is simply a dedication to the night. Therefore, given the widely imaginative reality of a young mind, I think it might have been nice to explore some of the transition from daylight to moonlight & then, what happens when it’s totally dark. This might have encouraged younger readers to remember that the shapes they see are only those with whom we share this space on earth.
Regardless, this is a sweet poem. It’s very short & very pointed, meant to invoke feelings of calm when putting a child to rest. With that being said, I appreciated all the aspects of the poem that were covered. I think many children will find these words spoken by a loved one to be of comfort before sleep.
Thank you to NetGalley, Orca Book Publishers, & Charis St. Pierre for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!...more
For all readers, in books, there should come a time when we are reminded of who we are & from whence we came. Those books help guide us with tender reFor all readers, in books, there should come a time when we are reminded of who we are & from whence we came. Those books help guide us with tender recollections of the paths we have traversed to arrive at the present day; great wealth is held. Within this particular picture book, Boston Weatherford offers young readers a series of numbed & earthy illustrations set as the backdrop to poeticized hymns; gifting the reader the reminder that they are part of so much more than they might think to remember.
What I love the most about this book is that the illustrations act as a series of developments that can be appreciated as a standalone feature whereas the same could be said for the prose. I found myself drifting into the world of the paintbrush whose strokes brightened the page. Whereas other times I had to remember that there were pictures to guide the words that had enamoured me. Together these aspects work in tandem to provide a book that is gentle, warm, homely, & loving.
Not everyone has the privilege of knowledge, not everyone knows to whom they belong; who their family is, & where their ancestors came from. These aspects of a person's life might lead one to feel ostracized & sad. Within this book I believe that these moments can find reprieve; the sentiments of loneliness in the vast worlds of faces are set aside, if only for a moment so that the reader remembers that they belong to the earth & it is from the earth for whence they came.
With that being said, this book gives me the feeling of being very specifically targeted—this is not a bad thing. I appreciate when authors have a set audience in mind or when they provide subtle guides within a story so that it may be found by the person who needs it the most. I suppose it could also be true that I am reading into something that is not fact. Regardless, if you are a person for whom the connection to the land might feel a forlorn longing, these pages might hold some comfort.
This book would be ideally enjoyed by a guardian figure who reads alongside the younger individual as the prose is quite advanced & might be confusing to interpret. However, with some repetition & steady practice, I think this will come to be remembered as a book that holds much love to be gifted to the reader, all within the guise of the evolution of the species.
Thank you to NetGalley, Astra House Publishing, & Carole Boston Weatherford for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!...more
In many ways, we remain in a place of learning for all of our lives. We meet different people along the way & some of them become friends whilst otherIn many ways, we remain in a place of learning for all of our lives. We meet different people along the way & some of them become friends whilst others are a simple smile shared. From all these interactions we become aware that people are different from each other in all the ways one can imagine.
In this book we are reminded that no one way is right or wrong, everyone approaches things in their own way. When we are able to find common ground in understanding, kindness & empathy, we learn a bit more about others & ourselves, along the way.
Newson’s note at the end of this picture book highlights his reasons for writing; working through cancer treatment he found a lot of wonderful moments to be shared with people he considered family & those whose careers placed them in this quotidian. I would like to first applaud Newson for writing a book that at once intones the wonder in human relationships whilst also delicately wording the vast oddities we encounter in the midst of, on occasion, tragedy.
One did not need to read the author’s note to know that the place in which this story took flight, was from a person who has walked a couple of rotations of the earth. Finding oneself at a place of understanding towards the variety of ways human beings approach events is something that we should all hope to achieve.
There is something so endearing about reading phrases that highlight parts of yourself in such a factual, simplistic, manner whilst being paired with illustrations of lovely animal encounters & nature, that leaves me feeling very comforted for having read this book.
To know that children might stumble upon this book in the early stages of reading & exposure to literature as a whole; that they might find comfort in seeing themselves amongst the poetic phrases, is something I am very grateful to know.
Thank you to Edelweiss+, Templar Books & Karl Newson for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!...more
With all my heart I thank Carlisle for piecing a story of life, love & adventure; transcending time & memory, into a little book whose pages wave in tWith all my heart I thank Carlisle for piecing a story of life, love & adventure; transcending time & memory, into a little book whose pages wave in the hands of the reader like leaves in the breeze.
This is a book that children will find enjoyable & encourage them to be pensive on numerous occasions. Being as a person can find comfort & pleasure in a single story, no matter how many times they’ve heard it, I am certain that this very book will provide that to a great number of children. I suppose that is an aspect of what makes storytelling so special & such a stunning pillar in our species. We are gifted the ability to share as well, we are granted the sentiments to enjoy those moments of sharing & I think that coming upon a story that showcases that so beautifully is a treasure, no matter who the book is for.
By utilizing trees as staple pieces of time, growth, relationships & life, Carlisle has encouraged the reader to transcend the limits of imagination. Trees have been on this planet for such a long time, far longer than we can imagine, & the author encourages us to think as far back as we can to a time when other people were enjoying the very same tree we’ve come to know. I find myself walking around the city in which I live & imagining what it was like before I was born & then further back still before we had automation to change the world around us. Yet, there stand all the trees that have grown big & strong through it all & I am left feeling very humble that, even for just a moment in time, I too have been able to share this space alongside them.
I hope that this book finds its way into the hands of many a growing soul so as to remind them of the wonders we behold on this earth during our short time here.
Thank you to Edelweiss+, Templar Books & Emma Carlisle for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!...more
There are times when we come across poems that guide us with messages that might appear simple at first glance. Be a good ancestor, it says to us. YetThere are times when we come across poems that guide us with messages that might appear simple at first glance. Be a good ancestor, it says to us. Yet, when we are small to be great is such a big feat. Life is enormous, everything is large & vast & superb; how do we become like those who guide us in every facet of this existence? How do we find it within ourselves at any age to make those who have come before us proud?
In the simplistic stanza presented alongside breathtaking illustrations by Carla Joseph, both Leona Prince & Gabrielle Prince invite the young reader to regard the changes which come to us through the moments & days of our lives, as a series of transitions; the four directions.
Every set of pages showcases wonderful images that are overwhelmingly beautiful. I know I would have spent many an hour sitting & staring at the world held within this book. That being said, though the emphasis may be what is presented in words, one should not shy away from advocating for this book for those who are not at a stage wherein words carry weight. Encouraging the interpretations that can take place when our minds are granted permission to explore every single brushstroke, permits the young audience to absorb all the wonders that this book holds.
There is ample to appreciate & adore in this story. The authors have taken the time to walk through life & guide a young reader through the stages which render what we find in this world to be the gargantuan presence we know. Every aspect of our lives is seen through the eyes of a child in a different light. It is a blessing to meet within the pages of a book to find the value of a reminder; every day counts towards being good, even on the days when you feel it insurmountable. Every swish of a fishtail moves them forward, just as every beat of our hearts advances us into the next set of motions; the ancestors always watching, always encouraging, listening & loving us for all that we might recognize as being within ourselves & all that do not have the foresight to see.
This is an instance wherein a book has truly left me feeling humbled.
Thank you to NetGalley, Orca Book Publishers, Leona Prince, & Gabrielle Prince for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!...more
In reading books that are intended for children I am reminded of the beauty of words. One can say so much & have words carry immense weight, without nIn reading books that are intended for children I am reminded of the beauty of words. One can say so much & have words carry immense weight, without needing every letter in the alphabet to align to do so. How refreshing & hopeful one is left feeling coming across a book such as this wherein the innermost child of many can be seen wandering amongst the pages.
I am quiet & so is Emile, the main character of this poetic story that follows him as he details why he does not feel pressured to speak as others do. I do not need to write an essay formatted rationale of why it is important & valuable to have stories reflect the voices of every individual. Should you have ever found yourself humbled by the recognition that an author’s words have granted you, you have felt as I have upon reading this story.
In his life, Emile wanders silently. He is not shy, he is not unsure or confused, he is simply quiet. He has parents who reassure him that the way he lives his life is perfectly fine & that he does not need to be as others are; he is enough in all the ways which make him who he is. Emile tells the reader about all the adventures he experiences in his silence; voyages across the vast expanse of the universe & meeting entities unknown. So too does he become acquainted with many of those who are overlooked by the rapidity of speech; the quiet footsteps that Emile takes allow him to meet the creatures that inhabit our world alongside us in intimate ways.
Powers has made Emile a real representation of many of us & as a parent with a child who is quiet, & as a grown person who is so themselves, it is a welcome story we read through the peaceful transitions of happiness, hopefulness, love & wonder that Emile experiences in this short poetic book. Should you be seeking to reinforce the validity which is needed to those amongst us who are still growing, to confirm that it is okay to say nothing at all; that the way we communicate does not need to be in words but, with our presence & support & our diligence with showcasing love — this book is one you should invest in reading.
The phenomenally painted illustrations highlight the depth which the prose seeks to emit. I am simply astounded by every piece of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Shambhala Publications, Inc & Andie Powers for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!...more
To have the ability to look around the world we know, the one familiar to us as adults, & pick out every beautiful thing we see as a gift for those whTo have the ability to look around the world we know, the one familiar to us as adults, & pick out every beautiful thing we see as a gift for those who view the world differently than we do, I think is a fantastic ability & one we should seek to cultivate in all forms.
In this book, we read through several stanzas wherein the author expresses seeing the person they love in places, things & thoughts that surround them, near & far. This would be the ideal bedtime story; something to allow & encourage a child's mind to wander to the vast expanses of their imagination with the reminder that in all great things, there can be familiar love & light.
The illustrations in this book are beautiful & truly encapsulating. I think what I appreciated about them most of all was that they depict imagery as we might see in the mind's eye; not necessarily strict & crisp but, warm & with broad strokes, as though we are drawing forth an image from our recollection. I suppose we might even view these illustrations as done to demonstrate how grand & immense the world must seem to children. Everything is giant & vast but, the narrator seems to find their way through the wide world so that in everything big, tall & even sometimes small, the reader might remember that this is our world together & not apart.
I truly loved reading through this book. I am a sucker for delicate poems. Placed alongside illustrations that encourage discourse & exploration, I found this book to be an absolute delight & I am certain that it can easily find its way into being a staple in the homes & schools of many.
Thank you to NetGalley, DK Publishing, & Rachel Emily for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!...more
An audiobook so bewilderingly beautiful; enthrallingly touching & tender, I am humbled, appreciative & mesmerized by Scott's writing, the metaphors & An audiobook so bewilderingly beautiful; enthrallingly touching & tender, I am humbled, appreciative & mesmerized by Scott's writing, the metaphors & the reality which is explored in this story. ...more
It is important to note that the majority of the themes explored in this book deal with sensitive subject matters. My review, therefore, touches on thIt is important to note that the majority of the themes explored in this book deal with sensitive subject matters. My review, therefore, touches on these topics as well. Many people might find the subject matters of the book as well as those detailed in my review overwhelming. I would suggest you steer clear of both if this is the case. Please note that from this point forward I will be writing about matters which contain reflections on body image, disordered eating, abuse, & others.
Mailhot holds a very clear understanding of how to utilize words so that they resonate with whomsoever is reading them , I applaud her. Writing such a book, filled with your own personal experiences, thoughts, feelings & turmoils, is certainly not easy & reveals such a level of vulnerability that I cannot help but thank Mailhot for having taken the time to write.
If you find that you are in an appropriate mindset to endeavour to read this book, I am sure you will greatly appreciate all the efforts made by the author to transcribe such events as are explored.
What I found most appealing about this book was that it made me feel as though I were a fly on the wall. I felt as though every event was transpiring in front of me & that I was watching, listening & feeling my own emotions while I observed Mailhot living through hers. This is a very difficult feat to achieve & this is definitely a huge testament to Mailhot in that she was able to grasp the vocabulary she needed to ensure that I was part of the story, as much as a reader can be.
I will be listening to this audiobook again as I feel it has much to offer the listener....more
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