Review of Bright Dreams: The Brilliant Ideas of Nikola Tesla by Tracy Dockray

Young Nikola Tesla got a shock when he rubbed his cat's fur. That small spark lit his imagination forever. Covering his early years to his eventual success in the world of electricity, Bright Dreams showcases Tesla's incredible journey of discovery and perseverance. Author-illustrator Tracy Dockray conveys Tesla's busy and imaginative world with collage-style artwork and informative sidebars.

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**My thoughts**

When I was a kid growing up we didn't really talk about Nikola Tesla. I'm not really sure why and honestly didn't find out until I was an adult about how much he had contributed to the discovery and use of electricity. This book opens up that lesser known bit of history so that today's kids can know more about the true story. I found it really interesting and think it will appeal to lower elementary kids who are interested in science.

Thank you to the publisher for fulfilling my review request via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of Little White Fish Deep Beneath the Sea by Guido Van Genechten

Internationally bestselling series Little White Fish, from author & illustrator Guido Van Genechten, has sold over 600,000 copies!

How deep is the sea? Little White Fish is curious. But his friends Little Goldfish, Little Turtle and Octopus warn him: the sea is very deep and very dangerous. Yet Little White Fish wants to know...

An adventurous picture book about the deep sea for little daredevils ages 2.5 years and up.

At Clavis, our focus is on what’s best for children. We believe that books play an important role in each new phase in life. Our toddler books are tailored for every stage from 0 to 3 and focus on the five most important themes in their life: daily life, skills, emotions, the world, and language development. The age range and theme of every book in our toddler series can be found on the back cover in the form of a colored train.

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**My thoughts**

It's a cute little story about a little white fish that is curious about what it's like in the deep. He defies the warnings of his friends, who tell him it's not safe to go venturing out that far into the deep. And so of course, he gets lost, but is lucky enough to find a fish to help him find his way back home. It's a quick read and the friendly characters are vibrantly colored. The deep dark sea is quite apparent as the pictures get darker and darker.

I would use this book as a talking point about listening to directions, how to stay safe, and what to do if you get lost, and emphasize that the little white fish was lucky to find a safe helper.

Thank you to the publisher for fulfilling my review request via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of In the Corner of My Room: Meet Silas by Professor Stork

 

A fantastical journey of the imagination! Silas may be stuck in a time-out, but his imagination is free to wander. From cute furry critters to a skydiving brass band, this fun rhyming adventure is reminiscent of classic Dr. Seuss books. Professor Stork's rhyming fantasy and Peralta's quirky, warm illustrations bring Silas's adventure to life in a way few authors and illustrators accomplish. In The Corner Of My Room is a book every child will read over and over and every parent will love reading with their children.

Review of Evy Loe, What Do You Know? by Professor Stork, illustrated by Len Peralta, original artwork by Patricia Wilson

 

Evy Loe visits an art gallery with her father, and once she puts on a magical glasses, the artwork in the gallery comes to life. Evy Loe learns about life on a farm, plays with amazing animals, and meets the artist behind the paintings. Evy Loe is the first book in the Meet the Artists series, a set of books that teaches children about diverse cultures though the eyes of working artists - making the world a friendlier place.

In the Corner of My Room: Meet Silas by Professor Stork, illustrated by Len Peralta

 

A fantastical journey of the imagination! Silas may be stuck in a time-out, but his imagination is free to wander. From cute furry critters to a skydiving brass band, this fun rhyming adventure is reminiscent of classic Dr. Seuss books. Professor Stork's rhyming fantasy and Peralta's quirky, warm illustrations bring Silas's adventure to life in a way few authors and illustrators accomplish. In The Corner Of My Room is a book every child will read over and over and every parent will love reading with their children.

Review of Pups on the Run! by Hannah Hurdle, illustrated by Marissa Pruett

When Hazel and Kaya discover the open gate, they are ready for an adventure. They wander, and tumble, and play all day. As the sun begins to go down, the pups head home.

But which way is home? They soon realize they are lost. And it's getting darker, and scarier!

Finally, they begin to recognize sights and smells and sounds. The tired pups retrace their steps and find their way home.

Goodreads * Amazon * BN

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**My thoughts**

This is a cute story about two pups who go off on an adventure, lose track of time, and then get lost trying to find their way home. Of course, they persevere and figure out how to get home, much to the delight of their young owner, and make plans to do it all over again tomorrow. It's the kind of story that has a classic feel to it.

Because I was getting that classic story vibe, I was a bit thrown off by the illustrations. They're quite vibrant and intense. Reading the illustrator bio at the end, I guess she is a comic illustrator, and I can definitely see that influence in these pictures. It's not my favorite type of illustration for picture books, but I know others quite enjoy it.

This would be a fun addition to a classroom or home library to enjoy again and again.

I received a requested review copy via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.