Review of A Stopwatch from Grandpa by Loretta Garbutt

"When summer started, I got Grampa's stopwatch," a small child says. "I don't want his stopwatch. I want him." Grampa used to time everything. A race to the end of the street and back: 24 seconds. Eating bubblegum ice cream: 1 minute, 58 seconds. But now, Grampa's gone. "There are no more Grampa minutes, Grampa seconds," the child says. "Time just stops." As the seasons come and go, the stopwatch becomes a cherished symbol of remembrance, and the child uses it to carry on Grampa's favorite pastimes and traditions.

Loretta Garbutt uses subtlety and sensitivity to explore the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) in this moving picture book story of loss. It features a gender-neutral main character (no first name or pronouns are given) making the story universally relatable. This is a perfect choice for fostering discussions with children about their emotions, particularly the feeling of loss. It also offers a poignant representation of an intergenerational relationship between a grandfather and grandchild. Carmen Mok's expressive and thoughtful illustrations employ a limited color palette to convey the character's emotional trajectory. There are curriculum applications here in social-emotional development as well as character education lessons in caring and resilience.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * BN * IndieBound

**My thoughts**
It's a heartbreaking story as the young boy is trying to deal with the loss of his beloved grandfather. The opening lines actually cut me to the core, because I feel this so much: "When summer started, I got Grampa's stopwatch. I don't want his stopwatch. I want him." And I flashed back to losing my own grandparents as a child.

The stopwatch represents all of the fun that he had with his grandfather, because it was Grampa's favorite thing. They timed each other doing all kinds of things. And life just does not feel right. And he is angry. And then eventually, he is able to come back around and find the joy in the stopwatch again.

All of these feelings are completely normal to have. When you think about how hard it is for us as adults to process these feelings, imagine how much more difficult it is for a young child. Perhaps this book could help a child trying to deal with a loss or at least provide a foundation for some conversations.

4.5*s from me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of Chester Raccoon and the Almost Perfect Sleepover by Audrey Penn

"Are we almost there?" Chester Raccoon asked his mother. Chester is excited about going to his very first sleepover. After his mother drops him off at Pepper Opossum's house with a Kissing Hand in his palm, Chester and his animal friends have a long day of playing games and eating snacks. But when the animals decide to bed down, Chester can't go to sleep. While his Kissing Hand has kept him from getting scared, he isn't in his own bedroom, and he misses his family. When Chester returns home, Mrs. Raccoon welcomes her little cub and reassures him that his home is always there when he needs it. Young readers will enjoy reading about the party fun and take comfort when Chester finds himself in a situation they can relate to.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N

**My thoughts**
We all fell in love with Chester Raccoon back when his mama taught him about the Kissing Hand. So I'm so glad to see that he has kept on with new adventures!

In this one, Chester is joining his friends for his very first sleepover. They have tons of fun as they frolic all day long and eat fun snacks. But when it's time to go to sleep, Chester starts to miss his home, in spite of having Mama's Kissing Hand. And so he ends up going home where he feels more secure, but was still grateful for having such a fun time with his friends.

I think a lot of kids are going to relate to this story. Sleepovers seem to start at a much younger age than I remember doing them, and especially for younger kids, it's scary to sleep at someone else's house. But this book, just like the original Kissing Hand, can remind them that it's okay to have their fears and anxieties and they can always go home and back to Mom.

The drawings and all of the other characters are just as sweet as they were in the first book. I would definitely want to add this to my collection.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with a requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of Tiny Travelers: China Treasure Quest by Steven Wolfe Pereira & Susie Jaramillo

Inspire children to fall in love with the world they live in with Tiny Travelers!

"A+ educational content….Wonderful... to share with young kids -- to broaden their horizons and discover new places of interest!” ― Common Sense Media

The Tiny Travelers “Treasure Quest” Series takes its readers on a fun-filled journey to discover what makes each country special with search-and-find features on every spread.

In Tiny Travelers China Treasure Quest, readers journey from the Forbidden City to the Wuling mountains. From the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, to the ancient Great Wall of China, Tiny Travelers will enjoy getting closer to Chinese culture while learning about what makes this country so captivating.

Each illustrated spread invites children to discover hidden "treasures" - icons, animals, statues, instruments and more - that make up the rich cultural heritage of China.

“Most kids today are told that it’s a small world, when in fact it’s a really big world,” says Encantos CEO and Tiny Travelers creator and author Steven Wolfe Pereira. “And because the world is so big, there are many countries, cities, and cultures that have yet to be discovered and explored by kids. We created Tiny Travelers to foster curiosity, empathy, and understanding by learning what makes people and places so special.”

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N

**My thoughts**
This installment of the series is chock full of super happy pictures of kids and families enjoying themselves while eating, traveling, and celebrating holidays. My favorite picture is the one of all of the pandas rolling and lounging, because who doesn't love pandas?

The story is told through rhyming verse which usually works well in this installment. Bolded vocabulary words have their Chinese character equivalents next to them. If the word is in English, it also has the English transcription of the words in Chinese.

Each page has a little treasure hunt in a box in the corner. And fun facts are sprinkled throughout for the more advanced readers. 

It's a cute introduction to China and the Chinese culture.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for supplying me with a requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of Tiny Travelers: Puerto Rico Treasure Quest by Steven Wolfe Pereira & Susie Jaramillo

Inspire children to fall in love with the world they live in with Tiny Travelers!

"A+ educational content….Wonderful... to share with young kids -- to broaden their horizons and discover new places of interest!” — Common Sense Media

The Tiny Travelers “Treasure Quest” Series takes its readers on a fun-filled journey to discover what makes each country special with search-and-find features on every spread.

In Tiny Travelers Puerto Rico Treasure Quest, readers journey from the historical city of San Juan with its famous "El Morro" fort, to the beautiful bioluminescent bay in Vieques. Tiny Travelers will enjoy getting closer to Puerto Rican culture, and seeing why it is called “La Isla del Encanto” (the island of enchantment).

Each illustrated spread invites children to discover hidden "treasures" - icons, animals, statues, instruments and more - that make up the rich cultural heritage of Puerto Rico.

“Most kids today are told that it’s a small world, when in fact it’s a really big world,” says Encantos CEO and Tiny Travelers creator and author Steven Wolfe Pereira. “And because the world is so big, there are many countries, cities, and cultures that have yet to be discovered and explored by kids. We created Tiny Travelers to foster curiosity, empathy, and understanding by learning what makes people and places so special.”

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N 

**My thoughts**
This book takes us down to the island of Puerto Rico to introduce us to the culture through language, foods and activities. The illustrations are quite lively and happy. The text includes a lot of Spanish vocabulary. I love that it has little pronunciation guides next to these vocabulary words for those who do not read Spanish.

It attempts to tell a story with rhyme, that I felt got a little awkward at times. This part is great for your younger readers. For older readers, there are little boxes of additional "Did You Know?" information pieces with even more facts and trivia. And fun for all ages are the seek and find bits, where you are asked to find animals, foods, etc.

And I appreciate that it included both the more stereotypical cultural parts of Puerto Rico with some more realistic everyday illustrations to give a more well-rounded view of life there. It's a cute story to introduce another culture and could lead to further exploration.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for honoring my request for a review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of Earning Money by Mary Lindeen

Describes the different kinds of work adults and kids can do to earn money, such as: making and selling things, doing chores, and providing services to neighbors. An early economics book that includes a note to caregivers, reading activities, and a word list.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

**My thoughts**
This is another book in a series for emergent readers that is teaching them about money. This particular one focuses on different ways that people earn money, whether they are adults or children. As with the rest of the series, I love the photographs of real people, because I think that really helps the children learn the concepts better. They can relate the adults in the book to adults in their lives that they have seen and maybe even see themselves doing some of the jobs that other kids are doing.

I think it's another good part of a while series that is introducing the concept of finance to children. It's also introducing new high frequency words to the kids. Do not think that the Beginning to Read label means it is for early readers, but know that this will help them on their way to becoming readers after they learn some foundational skills.

Other explanations of concepts and activities are in the back of the book to aid parents and teachers. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for honoring my request for a review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of Goods and Services by Mary Lindeen

Describes the differences and similarities between goods and services, and how they are used in everyday life. An early economics book that includes a note to caregivers, reading activities, and a word list.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**
This is another great book for kids, this time about the concept of goods and services. It defines the terms and gives plenty of examples of each, both in the text and in the photographs of real people and goods in the world to help the children better relate to the terms. I think they lay a good foundation for discussions as well. You can easily include this in a collection teaching kids about finances.

In the back are explanations of concepts, vocabulary lists, and further activities to help teachers and parents use this book. This one is for emerging readers, but not your early readers. The word lists will help build the children up to this point, though.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for honoring my request for a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of How to Tie a Shoe & Other Big Adventures by Skip Hill

Every kid knows that tying a shoe can be a big adventure, especially in a world full of spaghetti, birds’ nests, camping trips, and seeing old friends after summer break.

How to Tie a Shoe & Other Big Adventures is the first in a series of handbooks by Penny Candy Books exploring and unraveling the complexities of some of childhood’s most essential lessons where tying a shoe becomes a metaphor for experience, and learning is an act of discovery.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**

The black and white drawings are fun and interesting. And I love the messages of friendship in the last half of the book. Those pictures are pretty special.

I'm not a huge fan of the hand drawn text, though, because it is not as easy to read. It reminds me of the way I used to draw letters when I was in elementary school and sometimes feels like it is detracting from the pictures. In some pictures, the text blended in way too much with the illustrations.

The story is a fun adventure and full of imagination, and I am sure that a lot of kids will relate to how one thing can make you think of something else, in a kind of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie kind of a way. But it seriously has nothing to do with learning how to tie your shoes. And I think a lot of people are going to get this book, thinking it is actually a primer on tying shoes, and will be disappointed when it is not.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with a requested review copy of this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of Where Is Home, Daddy Bear? by Nicola O'Byrne

Evie Bear and Dad are moving. But as they leave their old home behind and set off on their long drive toward the new, Evie Bear is full of questions. “What if I don't like it there?“ she worries. “How will I make new friends?“ But her dad reassures her with wise and comforting words, and by the end of their journey, Evie Bear comes to realize that she can feel at home anywhere, as long as Dad is with her.

Featuring endearing bears and lustrous mixed media art, Where Is Home, Daddy Bear? is a simple yet thoughtful tale that considers the question of the true meaning of home.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N

(affiliate link)

**My thoughts**
I was immediately intrigued by this book just by looking at the cover. It's a beautiful spring day, and the colors are just intoxicating and calming and lovely. And then there is the look of absolute adoration on the young bear's face as she looks up at her father. So it's already inviting to open up and read.

Evie and her father are moving to a new home. Evie is understandably worried about having to start over and has a lot of the usual questions that young children do. Her most perplexing concern is understanding from where she comes now. She feels like she has lost some of her sense of self. And that makes total sense.

As they make their way on their adventure, Evie keeps asking her father where home is. And he gives some great explanations about how home is more than just the house that you live in. And then finally, she gets it.

This is such a sweet story. I think it is amplified by the beautiful pictures along the way. I just loved all of the illustrations depicting their adventures on the way to their new home. One of my favorites is of them in the diner when they stop off for blueberry pancakes. 

It will be good for children to read as they are getting ready to move and feel a little disoriented during the process.

There is one little part of the story that is missing, and that is where is Evie's mom? I am guessing perhaps she passed away? She only appears in a picture toward the end, but is never mentioned. I know some children are going to pick up on that and also have some questions.

But overall, I did really like this book and give it 4.5 stars overall. 

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for honoring my request for a review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of Behind the Secret Garden Door by Sandie Leigh

Fall in love with cuddly Teddy MacDougal, an inquisitive West Highland white terrier on his mischievous adventure behind the Secret Garden Door. Once inside the garden, Teddy learns about the perils of the garden specifically, the Red Fox of Kennelworth. Meet all the woodland creatures from the author's garden like the three yellow finches, Farrel the Frog, King Elliot, a monarch butterfly and even Teddy's human little sister Charlotte. As an outspoken westie, Teddy finds himself struggling to fit in with his new friends and discovers a life lesson along the way that will leave you longing for the next book.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * BN * IndieBound

(affiliate link)

**My thoughts**
If you love Westies, you're probably going to love this book. These dogs definitely have their own personalities and dedicated fans. And this was a sweet story of one who finds his way out of his own yard and finds a whole new world to explore. Along the way, he meets many new animal friends and even gets his human to go along with him to help him navigate his new friendships. 

The illustrations appear to be hand-drawn, which is something you don't see as much of anymore. They were also sweet. 

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

Review of McDuff Moves In by Rosemary Wells

“A homeless unloved pup becomes one lucky dog in this tender picture book. . .”
―starred Publishers Weekly Review

The Gryphon Press is delighted to bring this classic children’s picture back into print for a new generation of children.

McDuff Moves In has been loved for its heartwarming and lively story and its magical recreation of a simpler era. Readers have commented that they loved reading McDuff’s story to their children, and, in due course, to their grandchildren, reading the book over and over, until, as one reader wrote, the “original copy was worn to shreds.”

“This collaboration by Wells and Jeffers is as sweet, substantial, and comforting as that bowl of rice pudding and will suit the many children who like stories with simple words, clear story lines, and happily-ever-after endings. ”
– Booklist

No one wanted the nameless little dog wandering the streets looking unsuccessfully for food and shelter until kindhearted Fred and Lucy, a young couple, take him inside. After they feed him rice pudding and bathe him, they realize that they cannot bear to return him to the pound. Newly adopted, McDuff–named that night for their favorite shortbread biscuit–is last seen happily asleep on his back on a pillow next to Fred and Lucy’s bed.

Wells knows just the right words to describe McDuff's emotions in ways that little readers will identify with and understand. She describes his joy in being accepted with these words: ''No one had ever asked him to come in. Everyone had always told him to go away.''

Jeffers's illustrations brilliantly capture a bygone art deco America in Lucy and Fred’s cozy home, a virtual-reality nostalgia unfaded. Dog lovers everywhere will recognize the very specific details that bring McDuff to life, from the familiar lift of a paw in the rain to the frightened eyes peeking out over the car dashboard.

Books Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**
I remember enjoying books by Rosemary Wells when I was a child, and even shared some early on in my teaching career. I was delighted to see one making a comeback of sorts. 

In this one, the poor dog manages to escape from the dogcatcher's truck and seeks a new home. He finds a couple willing to take him in, who at first think that they just do not have time to devote to taking care of a dog. But then they realize that they just cannot let him go to the dog pound and end up adopting and giving him a name. A sad start gets a happy ending. 

I loved the feeling of somewhat going back in time to the 1930s, when life seemed a little simpler and less chaotic than it is now. In spite of this nostalgia, this book still holds a timeless quality about it that you do not find as much in current literature. 

It really pulls at your heartstrings as you go through the range of emotions right with the dog. And the illustrations are truly darling. It makes me want to get out all of my other Rosemary Wells books and revisit them.

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